🏴 a rundown of the investigation into a Pakistani grooming gang uncovered in North Wales
🏴 NORTH WALES GROOMERS JAILED
Five people convicted of more than 40 offences linked to the sexual exploitation of three teenage girls in Rhyl have been sentenced to more than 80 years in prison. The four men and one woman were sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court today following investigations Operations Embank and Zirconium.
The victims were aged between 14 and 16 when they were exploited and abused between April 2022 and March 2024 at homes, businesses and inside vehicles across Denbighshire.
The investigations uncovered offences including rape, sexual assault, child sexual exploitation, modern slavery, drug supply and attempts to obstruct justice.
Mustafa Iqbal, 43, of Trellewelyn Road, Rhyl, was convicted of four rapes, sexual assaults, causing sexual activity without consent, trafficking and compulsory labour conspiracies, drug supply offences and breaching a slavery and trafficking risk order. He was jailed for 30 years, with a further five years on extended licence.
Mohamed Usman Arshad, 36, of Clifton Grove, Rhyl, was convicted of three rapes, trafficking and compulsory labour conspiracies and supplying cannabis. He was jailed for 19 years.
Ziaullah Badshah, 25, of Brighton Road, Rhyl, was convicted of two rapes, trafficking and compulsory labour conspiracies and supplying cannabis. He was jailed for 17 years.
Jaswinder Singh, 61, of River Street, Rhyl, was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to traffic and supplying cannabis. He was jailed for eight years.
Sarah Gray, 53, of Llanasa Road, Gronant, was convicted of perverting the course of justice, assisting an offender and conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis. She was jailed for eight years.
Senior investigating officer DCI Richard Sidney said the sentences reflected the seriousness of the offending and praised the three victims for their courage throughout the investigation and trial.
North Wales Police added they would continue to pursue those who target children for sexual exploitation and work with partner agencies to bring offenders to justice.