A Swansea man is among eight charged with child sexual exploitation offences following a decades-spanning police investigation that includes the city.
Murad Ali, 57, of Swansea, is charged with two counts of rape of a female under 16. He and the seven other men are bailed to appear before Newport Magistrates’ Court on Friday July 24.
Gwent Police detectives carried out a targeted arrest operation on Tuesday July 14 — with activity in Swansea and Newport, and as far afield as London, Birmingham, Lancashire, Edinburgh and Argyll and Bute.
Operation Oak is the force’s investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation in Swansea, Newport and Abergavenny, prompted by reports from a number of women of sexual abuse committed against them as children between 1985 and 1996.
The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised 34 charges in total, including 17 counts of rape — some relating to multiple incidents. The charges relate to eight victims who were children at the time.
The men charged
57-year-old Murad Ali from Swansea, who describes himself as Asian-Pakistani, is charged with two counts of rape of a female under 16.
Birmingham man Shafaq Mohammed, 58, who also describes himself as Asian Pakistani, faces the most charges of the eight — 11 in total. He is charged with four counts of rape of a female under 16, three counts of rape of a female aged 16 or over, and two counts of aiding and abetting the rape of a female under 16, along with causing the prostitution of a girl under 16 and causing the prostitution of a woman.
Mohammed Sheikh Abdul Hannan, a 54-year-old from Edinburgh who gave his ethnicity as British Bangladeshi, faces eight charges: two counts of rape of a female aged 16 or over, indecent assault on a woman over 16, three counts of aiding and abetting rape, and two counts of conspiring to rape a woman aged 16 or over.
From Newport, 65-year-old Syed Mohammad Ashan Taqvi, who self-defines as Asian Pakistani, is charged with three counts of rape of a female under 16.
Kevin Lawrence, 54, of Dunoon in Scotland, who describes himself as White European, is charged with two counts of conspiring to rape a woman aged 16 or over, and with causing the prostitution of a woman.
Also from Newport is Sheikh Mohammed Tahir Ullah, 73, who gave his ethnicity as Asian Bangladeshi. He is charged with one count of rape of a female aged 16 or over and one count of rape of a female under 16.
Aminur Rahman Chowdhury, a 58-year-old from Tottenham in London who describes himself as Asian Bangladeshi, is charged with one count of rape of a female aged 16 or over.
And in Lancashire, 58-year-old Shakeel Babur, who self-defines as British Pakistani, is charged with four counts of indecent assault on a girl under 16.
Police said some of the rape and indecent assault charges relate to multiple incidents.
“Supporting victims” at the heart of the investigation
Detective Chief Superintendent Andrew Tuck said Operation Oak is a complex and long-running investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation in South Wales.
“At the heart of our investigation has been supporting victims. Together with specialist agencies, we are continuing to provide support to them,” he said.
“I know investigations of this nature are likely to cause concern in our communities but it’s vital to the victims in this case and the integrity of the investigation that nothing is posted on social media which could impact the court proceedings.”
He urged anyone who has suffered abuse, or has concerns about someone who may be, to come forward: “We will listen to you and investigate all offences, and also ensure you have access to any help or support you need.”
Jenny Hopkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS, said prosecutors had established there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that prosecution is in the public interest.
“We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are active and that they have the right to a fair trial,” she said. “It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Abuse can be reported to Gwent Police online or on 101 — or 999 if someone is in immediate danger. Support for those affected by child sexual abuse is available through the force’s website and the When You Are Ready service.
Criminal proceedings against all eight defendants are active, and each has the right to a fair trial. Comments have been closed on this article for that reason.
If you have been affected by this story: Childline can be contacted free on 0800 1111, and Samaritans are available day and night on 116 123.
