Latest news in Yorkshire: November 18, 2017 09:53:19 AM
Council leaders have welcomed the first sentences handed out to criminals as part historic investigations into child sexual exploitation by the National Crime Agency.
Three men were yesterday found guilty of indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 14 following the first trial under Operation Stovewood.
Riaz Makhmood (39), Sajid Ali (38) and Zaheer Iqbal (39), all from Masbrough in Rotherham, were convicted of 15 charges against the victim who was twelve and thirteen at the time of the abuse, which took place in 1994 and 1995.
All three were arrested in July 2016 after the victim, who is now in her thirties, came forward to South Yorkshire Police. She explained how she and friends would be given alcohol and sexually assaulted in car parks or behind shops in Masbrough.
South Yorkshire Police passed the information to the National Crime Agency (NCA) for further investigation under Operation Stovewood and the men were convicted today at Sheffield Crown Court.
Makhmood was sentenced to six years and nine months and Ali and Iqbal were given seven and a half years each.
Welcoming the verdicts and sentencings, Rotherham Council Leader Cllr Chris Read said: “I am very pleased for the victim that these perpetrators have been convicted and given the sentences they deserve for what is a truly despicable crime. This should give further confidence to victims and survivors that they are being listened to and taken seriously.
“This is a very positive start for Operation Stovewood, and it sends out a clear message once again that if you have committed these crimes here in Rotherham you will be caught and you will be dealt with, no matter how long ago the crimes took place. There is no hiding place for people like you and as a partnership we will do everything we can to find you.”
Operation Stovewood Senior Investigating Officer Paul Williamson added: “This is the first trial under Operation Stovewood and we have only been able to get to this point as a result of the bravery of the victim to come forward and tell her story.
“Our investigations are complex in nature and scale and the commitment of officers – building trust and relationships with victims – should not be underestimated.
“It has been challenging to get to this point, but I have no doubt today’s conviction will give victims the confidence that they will be listened to, and that the individuals who exploited them in the worst imaginable way are finally held accountable for their actions.
“Working with South Yorkshire Police, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and the many other partners we are engaged with, we will not stop in our endeavours to get justice for the victims and survivors who have shown great courage and dignity in coming forward.”
Since 2014 when the NCA began Operation Stovewood, 28 individuals have been arrested and 21 have been charged with 94 child abuse and exploitation offences.
There are 36 separate investigations ongoing and 88 suspects have been identified so far. Officers are actively engaging with 239 victims and this number is expected to increase.
Operation Stovewood is investigating allegations of child sexual exploitation and abuse between 1997 and 2013. Under the Memorandum of Understanding with South Yorkshire Police, if there are allegations of abuse that fall outside of this time frame, but are linked to cases under investigation by the NCA, they will also be taken forward by the operational team.
Anyone who is concerned about the safety of a young person, or who may be suffering abuse themselves, is urged to seek help. Call police on 101 or the MASH Team (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) on 01709 336080. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
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- wathupondearne Latest news in Yorkshire: Published March 23, 2019 08:47:49 AM A report which has agreed to allocate £250,000 from the Berneslai Homes surplus to support work on an affordable warmth programme for private sector housing over the next three years has been approved. Launching in March, at least 106 households will benefit from the overall programme, giving an average spend per property of £2,358. External funding of around £575,000 is also expected to be brought in, allowing hundreds more households to benefit. All energy efficiency works will be delivered through the existing Better Homes Barnsley framework and the new Warm Homes and Hospital Discharge team will help to assess need and eligibility for these schemes. The Barnsley energy tariff, the local energy supply offer provided by Great North Energy, will also be available to the residents who benefit from this programme, offering further potential for them to save money and be able to heat their homes to a comfortable level. The programme will be fully evaluated so that further funding can be secured to make it sustainable in the long-term. It will rely on referrals from health professionals and front-line council workers, although residents can self-refer. Councillor Roy Miller, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place, said: “There are currently around 11,500 households in fuel poverty in Barnsley and we also have above average rates of excess winter deaths. “This funding will allow the council to take a more holistic approach to tackling cold homes by joining up with other services to provide heating systems and insulation to the most vulnerable residents living in private sector housing.” Paul Hayes, Chair of Berneslai Homes Board, added: “Last year the Berneslai Homes Board agreed to spend some of its company surplus to support projects aimed at economic regeneration and the health and wellbeing of people in Barnsley. This is the first of those projects aimed at reducing fuel poverty. “We want all residents in Barnsley to have a home that is warm and safe to live in.” This news is linked to Town Spirit. We want to work better together. If everyone in Barnsley does just one thing, together we can make our borough a more welcoming place where people want to live, work and visit.
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