Three men imprisoned for non-recent child sexual abuse in Ossett and Dewsbury
Three men have been jailed for a series of serious sexual offences committed against a vulnerable girl in the 1990s in Dewsbury and Ossett.
The sentencing follows a West Yorkshire Police investigation into non-recent sexual abuse, after the victim disclosed that she had been sexually exploited by multiple men when she was a child.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecuted Zahid Hussain, 48, Mohammed Chhibda, 49, and Basharat Wali, 46.
They were sentenced to 10 years and six months imprisonment, 11 years imprisonment, and 12 months imprisonment respectively at Leeds Crown Court.
Zahid Hussain and Mohammed Chhibda were found guilty on April 28 following a trial at Leeds Crown Court.
Their offending involved the same vulnerable victim and took place between 1994 and 1999.
Zahid Hussain was convicted after trial of six counts of indecent assault.
Mohammed Chhibda was convicted of two counts of indecent assault.
Basharat Wali pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to two counts of sexual assault.
Jagtar Sahota was found guilty at an earlier trial on the March 16 following a trial at Leeds Crown Court.
The offences took place between 1997 and 2000.
Sahota was found guilty of 23 counts and he was sentenced on April 29 at Leeds Crown Court to 21 years imprisonment.
Julia McSorley, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service’s Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit, said: “These perpetrators of sexual abuse all deliberately targeted this victim, because she was younger, and vulnerable, in the selfish pursuit of their own sexual gratification.
“Jagtar Sahota then further exploited that vulnerability, subjecting her to sustained and degrading sexual abuse. The verdicts represent an important measure of accountability for these serious offences, which have had a profound and lasting impact on the victim.
“The sentences represent an important measure of accountability for these serious offences, which have had a profound and lasting impact on the victim.
“The trauma of sexual abuse can cause lifelong harm. I would like to thank her for her exceptional courage in giving evidence and securing the convictions of the men responsible for these offences.
“The CPS worked closely with West Yorkshire Police to build compelling cases based on the available evidence, ensuring the full extent of this offending was properly presented to the court at both trials.
"This collaborative approach has helped secure justice for the survivor victim.”
To deal with the most complex and challenging child sexual abuse casess, the CPS has established an Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit where specialist prosecutors use their expertise to build strong cases and increase the number of successful prosecutions.
DCI Rob Stevens of Kirklees Police, said: “This sentencing marks another milestone for the survivor in this case who endured so much pain at the hands of these men.
“Her victim personal statement makes plain the devastating impact these offences had, leaving her with psychological trauma which haunts her to this day.
“We hope seeing them held accountable and convicted for their crimes can bring her some measure of comfort.
“She can take also take immense pride in her bravery in reporting these men and then in so steadfastly supporting the police and Crown Prosecution Service in bringing them to justice.
“We continue to urge victims of all sexual offending, no matter how long ago it may have taken place, to contact us.”