Seven men, part of a Rochdale Paedophile Grooming Gang, who exploited vulnerable girls in Rochdale have finally faced justice following a thorough investigation by GMP into historical abuse, supported courageously by two survivors of child sexual exploitation who were ‘abused, degraded, and discarded.’
Today, Friday, June 13, 2025, the men were convicted at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court of a total of 50 offences committed between 2001 and 2006. Their convictions are the most recent outcomes of Operation Lytton, an inquiry conducted by our specialised Major Investigations Team into historical child sexual exploitation in Rochdale, supported by the multi-agency complex safeguarding team, Sunrise, and Rochdale Borough Council.
The trial lasted four months, during which the defendants refuted accountability for their reprehensible actions. Despite the circumstances, both victims courageously provided convincing testimony before the individuals who perpetrated such egregious abuse against them during their childhoods.
The jury was informed of how the men exploited the weaknesses of the victims, some of whom were as young as 13 at the onset of the abuse. Several guys exploited the victims while employed at an antiquated market stand operated by Mohammed Zahid (64), known as ‘Bossman.’ Taxi drivers in Rochdale will also be introduced to the girls for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
Over the years of their criminal activities, the guys subjected the victims to sexual servitude, demanding sexual acts at any time and place. The perpetrators would prepare the victims and exploit them in the Moors, market, businesses, residences, and warehouses.
The GMP and the Crown Prosecution Service’s Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit constructed a thorough prosecution case to provide the jury with the most compelling evidence and a clear comprehension of child sexual exploitation and its catastrophic effects.
Officers and specialist support services have continued to provide support to the survivors throughout this painstaking investigation. This has seen investigators work closely and sensitively with the victims from the start of our investigation in September 2015 to build their trust in the police after they were let down by authorities at the time of the abuse.
We have aimed to work at a pace that has suited the survivors to piece together all the evidence to identify offenders, locate where abuse took place, and recount the traumatic abuse they faced.
All seven men denied any wrongdoing. A jury unanimously found the following guilty:
- Mohammed Zahid, 64, of Station Road, Crumpsall, Manchester, guilty of 20 offences including rape, indecency with a child, and attempting to procure a girl into having unlawful sexual intercourse.
- Kasir Bashir, 50, of Napier Street East, Oldham, guilty of four offences including rape and indecency with a child.
- Mushtaq Ahmed, 67, of Corona Avenue, Oldham, guilty of nine offences including rape and indecency with a child.
- Roheez Khan, 39, of Athole Street, Rochdale, guilty of one offence of rape.
- Mohammed Shahzad, 44, of Beswicke Royds Street, Rochdale, guilty of six offences including rape and assault by penetration.
- Nisar Hussain, 41, of Newfield Close, Rochdale, guilty of three offences including rape and assault by penetration.
- Naheem Akram, 48, of Manley Road, Rochdale, guilty of seven offences including rape and assault by penetration.
BRAVE GMP FAIL TO GIVE US THE NATIONALITY OF THE GROOMING GANG…AGAIN. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN EDUCATED GUESS AT BRITISH PAKISTANI.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.