Two men jailed after child in care was passed around Huddersfield grooming gang

June 23, 2019

I am 48 hours late with this, but as promised in May when Mohammed Akram and Usman Khalid were convicted, this is the report of their sentencing on Friday. From the Huddersfield Examiner

Mohammed Akram, 33, and Usman Khalid, 31, were two of the men who abused Huddersfield grooming gang survivor Girl N between 2004 and 2011.

Akram had his prison sentence increased from 17 years to 22 years and Khalid was locked up for five years. Judge Simon Phillips QC, who presided over the trial, is sentencing.

The pair’s sentencing marks the end of the first phase of West Yorkshire Police’s Operation Tendersea – a long-running and ongoing investigation into child sexual exploitation.

Akram was also convicted as part of Operation Tendersea last year, meaning this is the second time he has been convicted as part of the investigation. He was convicted of trafficking two other girls for sexual exploitation and repeatedly raping one of those girls . His 22-year sentence for his latest convictions will be served concurrently to his 17-year prison sentence.

Both defendants will be made subject to sexual offender notification requirements for life and sexual harm prevention orders.

Speaking about the jury, the judge said: “I am grateful for the conspicuous interest and concern by those who have seen this case through to its conclusion.” He said the jurors’ attendance at court today is indicative of the dedication displayed throughout the trial. Four members of the jury have returned to court to attend the sentencing hearing. The three women and one man are sitting in the jury bench. There are also people in the public gallery.

The judge said he is ‘pleased and not surprised’ that they wanted to return.

Today’s sentencing marks the end of the first phase of West Yorkshire Police’s Operation Tendersea. The judge took time to praise the work of the investigation team . . .He said Judge Geoffrey Marson QC, who presided over the first two of the four trials, supports his remarks.