Authorities have charged eight migration background men with a total of 41 offenses related to child sexual abuse and exploitation in Wales, spanning over a decade of alleged crimes.
| PULSE POINTS |
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Eight men have been charged with a total of 41 offenses, including rape and child sexual abuse, following an investigation into a grooming gang that operated in South Wales during the 1980s and 1990s. Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorized the charges after a long-running investigation by Gwent Police, known as Operation Oak. 📺 DETAIL: The men, Shafaq Mohammed, 58, Syed Mohammed Ashan Taqvi, 65, Mohammed Sheikh Abdul Hannan, 54, Kevin Lawrence, 54, Sheikh Mohammed Tahir Ullah, 73, Aminur Rahman Chowdhury, 58, Shakeel Babur, 58, and Murad Ali, 57, are accused of abusing children in Newport, Abergavenny, and Swansea between 1985 and 1996. Shafaq Mohammed faces 11 charges, while the others face between one and eight counts each, including multiple counts of rape. The Crown Prosecution Service authorized the charges following a long-running inquiry and confirmed there is sufficient evidence to prosecute in the public interest. The eight men are due to appear at Newport Magistrates’ Court on July 24. CPS Chief Crown Prosecutor Jenny Hopkins urged the public to avoid making any online comments that could prejudice the active proceedings, while police stressed their focus on supporting victims. Detective Chief Superintendent Andrew Tuck appealed for anyone with information about child sexual exploitation to come forward, promising a serious response and specialist support. 💬 KEY QUOTE: “We have decided to prosecute eight men with rape and child sexual abuse charges for alleged offending… following a Gwent Police investigation into organised grooming gang activity in South Wales.” – Jenny Hopkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor |
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