Eight men accused of being part of grooming gang charged over rape and child sexual abuse

Eight men have been charged with rape and child sexual abuse offences as part of an alleged grooming gang operating in South Wales, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.

Gwent Police detectives said the exploitation activity took place in Newport, Swansea, London, Birmingham, Lancashire, Edinburgh and the Argyll and Bute area in Scotland during the 1980s and 1990s.

The men, who were arrested on Tuesday, have been charged with more than 30 offences, the CPS said.

The charges relate to eight victims who were children at the time of the alleged offences.

The men, aged 54 to 73, are all British citizens and are bailed to appear before Newport Magistrates' Court on 24 July.

Gwent Police said the CPS has authorised 34 charges, including 17 counts of rape, some of which relate to multiple incidents of alleged rape.

The force also said Operation Oak was an investigation into reports made by several women of sexual abuse committed against them as children between 1985 and 1996.

Those charged are: Shafaq Mohammed, 58, of Birmingham; Syed Mohammad Ashan Taqvi, 65, of Newport; Mohammed Sheikh Abdul Hannan, 54, of Edinburgh; Kevin Lawrence, 54, of Dunoon; Sheikh Mohammed Tahir Ullah, 73, of Newport; Aminur Rahman Chowdhury, 58, of Tottenham, London; Shakeel Babur, 58, of Lancashire; and Murad Ali, 57, of Swansea.

Jenny Hopkins, the chief crown prosecutor for the CPS, said: "We have decided to prosecute eight men with rape and child sexual abuse charges for alleged offending during 1985 to 1996 - following a Gwent Police investigation into organised grooming gang activity in South Wales.

"Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

"We have worked closely with the Gwent Police as they carried out their investigation.

"We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are active and that they have the right to a fair trial.

"It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

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Detective Chief Superintendent Andrew Tuck said: "At the heart of our investigation has been supporting victims. Together with specialist agencies, we are continuing to provide support to them.

"Anyone who reports child abuse will be taken seriously, and we would urge anyone who has suffered abuse or has concerns about someone who may be suffering 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."

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