Six Halifax men jailed for sexual abuse of teenager in Calderdale
The survivor's bravery has been praised as a group of men now face lengthy prison sentences
Six Halifax men have been sentenced to a total of 51 years for sexual offences committed against a teenage in Calderdale.
The survivor, who was just 13 years old when the abuse began in 2006. It lasted until 2009 when she was 16.
She came forward to police in 2019, leading to an investigation and subsequent trial at Bradford Crown Court.
The men received the following sentences:
Mohammed Shehban, 42, was sentenced to 14 years for two counts of rape.
Mohammed Adnan, 44, received four and a half years for one count of sexual assault.
Amazar Ali, 54, was sentenced to 10 years for two counts of sexual activity with a child.
Naveed Anjum, 50, received five and a half years for one count of sexual activity with a child.
Imran Hussain, 50, was sentenced to seven years for one count of attempted rape.
Adal Manaf, 48, received eight years for one count of rape.
The survivor shared the impact of the abuse in her victim statement read to the court:
“The abuse took away my sense of safety. It took away my trust. It has affected every part of my life, my relationships, my family, my education, my employment my physical and mental health, my confidence, and the way I feel in the world.
“Even now, I struggle to let people in. Even now, I am on edge, afraid that someone might take advantage of me again."
“This was not just a single moment in my life, it was a serious of events, a violation that leaves lifelong scars. I am trying to heal, but the harm done to me was deep and its effects are everlasting.”
Detective Chief Inspector Claire Smith of West Yorkshire Police said:
“The survivor in this case endured dreadful sexual abuse at the hands of the six men jailed today and has showed outstanding bravery in helping us bring them before the courts."
“By reporting these offences and supporting a prosecution she has proved that the passage of time is no barrier to achieving justice."
Bethany Raine, Specialist Prosecutor from the Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit, commended the victim's courage:
“I want to recognise the victim in this case for her immense courage in coming forward and for remaining supportive of a complex investigation and lengthy legal process."