Two Scots are among eight men who have appeared in court charged with a total of 40 historical sexual exploitation offences following a probe into a child grooming gang.
Mohammed Sheikh Abdul Hannan, 54, from Edinburgh, and Kevin Lawrence, 54, from Dunoon in Argyll and Bute, appeared before Newport Magistrates’ Court on Friday. It follows a major investigation by Gwent Police into allegations dating back decades.
The investigation, known as Operation Oak, centres on reports made by several women who allege they were sexually abused as children between 1985 and 1996.
The eight defendants, aged between 54 and 76, were arrested by detectives earlier this month following coordinated operations across Wales, Scotland and England.
View 2 ImagesNewport Magistrates’ Court(Image: Media Wales)
All are British citizens and appeared during three brief hearings at Newport Magistrates’ Court, where they spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth and addresses. None of the defendants were asked to enter pleas.
Edinburgh man Hannan, whose self-defined ethnicity is British Bangladeshi, appeared in court in person. He faces eight charges comprising two counts of rape of a female aged 16 years or over, one count of indecent assault on a woman aged over 16, three counts of aiding and abetting the rape of a female under 16 or over, and two counts of conspiring to rape a woman aged 16 or over.
Lawrence, from Dunoon, whose self-defined ethnicity is white European, also appeared in person. He is charged with three offences – two counts of conspiring to rape a woman aged 16 years or over and causing the prostitution of a woman.
The remaining defendants are Murad Ali, 57, of Swansea, Sheikh Mohammed Tahir Ullah, 73, of Newport, Syed Mohammad Ashan Taqvi, 65, of Newport, Mohammed Ramzan, 76, of Newport, Shafaq Mohammed, 58, of Birmingham, and Shakeel Babur, 58, of Nelson, Lancashire.
Ali is charged with two counts of rape of a girl aged 13, 14 or 15 years. Ullah is charged with one count of rape of a female aged 16 years or over and one count of rape of a female under 16. Taqvi faces three counts of rape of a female under 16.
Ramzan is charged with seven offences – two counts of rape of a female under 16, three counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16, one count of causing the prostitution of a girl under 16, and one count of conspiring to rape a girl under the age of 16.
Shafaq Mohammed appeared via videolink. He is charged with 11 offences – five counts of rape of a female under 16, two counts of rape of a female aged 16 years or over, two counts of aiding and abetting the rape of a female under 16, causing the prostitution of a girl under 16, and causing the prostitution of a woman.
Babur is charged with four counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16. After the short hearings, all eight men were released on conditional bail. They are due to appear before Cardiff Crown Court on August 21.
Aminur Rahman Chowdhury, 58, of Tottenham, north London, was also charged as part of the investigation but did not appear with the other defendants on Friday. He faces one count of rape of a female aged 16 or over.
After the charges were authorised, Detective Chief Superintendent Andrew Tuck previously said: “We continue to support the victims in this case alongside specialist agencies.
“I understand that investigations of this nature can cause concern in our communities. However, it is vital for the victims in this case, and for the integrity of the investigation, that nothing is posted on social media that could affect the court proceedings.
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“Anyone who reports child abuse will be taken seriously. We urge anyone who has experienced abuse, or who is concerned that someone may be suffering, to come forward. We will listen, investigate all offences and make sure you can access the help and support you need.”
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