Rotherham rape gang brothers and associates jailed

Three brothers who groomed, raped and sexually assaulted 15 teenage girls in Rotherham have been jailed.

Clockwise from top left, Arshid, Basharat and Bannaras Hussain, Ali, Davies and MacGregor. Picture: PA

Arshid Hussain, 40, was jailed for 35 years while siblings Basharat, 39, and Bannaras, 36, were jailed for 25 and 19 years respectively.

Their uncle, Qurban Ali, 53, who was found guilty of conspiracy to rape, was jailed for ten years.

Associate Karen MacGregor, 58, was jailed for 13 years and Shelley Davies, 40, given an 18 month suspended term.

Arshid and Basharat Hussain were found guilty at Sheffield Crown Court of 38 offences, including rape, indecent assault, abduction, false imprisonment and making threats to kill.

Bannaras Hussain pleaded guilty to ten charges before the trial.

MacGregor and Davies were found guilty of false imprisonment and conspiracy to procure a woman under 21 to become a common prostitute. MacGregor was also convicted of two counts of conspiracy to rape.

Sentencing the gang, Judge Sarah White said the harm they had caused was of “unimaginable proportions”.

She went through each of the victim’s stories one-by-one.

Concluding one account, she said: “The effect of the abuse of her has been devastating. Her childhood memories are of pain and abuse.

“She is unable to trust anyone.

“She has suffered from eating disorders and anxiety throughout her life. You took her childhood from her.”

In relation to another victim, the judge said: “She describes you, Basharat Hussain, as stealing the person she was and alienating her from her family. She describes contemplating taking her own life when she became pregnant and indeed on occasions since.

“She feels worthless and ashamed as a result of your treatment of her. She feels guilt. She should not have to feel like that. You are responsible, not her.”

As Judge Wright passed sentence on Arshid, there was a shout of “Yes” and gasps from the packed public gallery.

Some of the victims and their relatives who held hands on the balcony of the court hugged each other.

Arshid was clearly visible on a big screen in court – appearing by video-link from Doncaster Prison. He showed no reaction at the sentence, barely opening his eyes for most of the hearing.

The judge said: “Each in your own way perpetrated or facilitated the sexual abuse of these young girls.”