Paedophile gang jailed for at least 95 years

Assad Hussain and Mohammed Karrar, two of the seven men sentenced for their roles in the ring. Picture: PA

Brothers Akhtar Dogar, 32, and Anjum Dogar, 31, and Mohammed Karrar, 38, and Bassam Karrar, 34, were handed the life terms alongside Kamar Jamil, 27.

The five were sentenced for a catalogue of offences along with two other gang members by Judge Peter Rook, who spoke of how “police and social services missed telltale signs” about the abuse that was taking place.

The judge outlined how the men groomed the girls, four of whom faced their attackers in the packed courtroom.

“You would build up their trust and provide them with drink, drugs and the attention which they craved,” he said.

“From a misguided loyalty to you, they were reluctant to tell the authorities what was happening to them.

“The jury have found that they came to this court to tell the truth. It is to be hoped that their courage in coming forward to give evidence has not only exposed your activity but will send a message to and act as a deterrent to others who are tempted to act in this way.

“It is hoped that lessons will be learnt and the authorities now don’t hesitate to take action.”

The two other defendants, Zeeshan Ahmed, 28, and Assad Hussain, 32, were both jailed for seven years after being found guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child.

Judge Rook told the Dogar brothers they had been found guilty of “exceptionally grave crimes” as he jailed them both for a minimum of 17 years.

The judge told them and Jamil: “Your depraved crimes involved the brutal exploitation of three young and vulnerable girls.”

Jailing Jamil for life with a minimum term of 12 years, the judge said: “I accept that you were a follower rather than a leader, the leadership role was played by the Dogar brothers.”

But he said he had joined in the group rape of one of the victims and accepted that he was a risk to girls aged 11 to 16.

Mohammed Karrar was given life with a minimum of 20 years for the “dreadful offences” he committed against the girls.

The judge said he treated one of his victims as his “commodity” and forced another to carry out “depraved sexual acts”.

He told Karrar, who was found guilty of 18 offences, including rape of a child under 13 and procuring an abortion, conspiracy to rape, child prostitution and trafficking: “You do and will continue to represent a high risk to young girls.”

Handing his brother, Bassam Karrar, a life sentence with a minimum of 15 years, the judge referred to the “grotesque sex acts” he had carried out with his older brother.

He was found guilty of nine offences, including rape of a child under 13, conspiracy to rape a girl under 13, child prostitution and trafficking, which the judge described as “offences of truly exceptional gravity”.

Following the sentencing, Baljit Ubhey, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Thames and Chiltern, described the abuse as “appalling”.

“Today’s sentences reflect the seriousness of the offences, and the young age and vulnerability of the victims when the offences were committed,” he said.

“I would like to thank the victims for having the courage to support the prosecution and give evidence in this case. Their bravery has ensured that seven sexual predators, who sought opportunities to target and sexually abuse and exploit vulnerable young girls, have been brought to justice.”

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Simon Morton, said outside court: “Today is a great day for the victims. At last they have seen justice.

“These men today have received 13 life sentences for their offences which is about the equivalent of 180 years.

“Tonight, when the girls go home, they can go home in confidence, knowing that these men that have caused them so much pain are behind bars.

“There is another message here - if you even think about carrying out or committing the sort of sexual atrocities that we have seen in this case then think again.

“We know how you think, we know how you work, be under no doubt, no doubt, we are coming for you.”