Former peer found guilty of sex offences at Sheffield Crown Court
64-year-old Nazir Ahmed, who was formerly Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, had denied the charges against him
Former peer Nazir Ahmed has been found guilty of attempting to rape a young girl when he was a teenager in the 1970s.
Ahmed, 64, who was formerly Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, was found guilty on Wednesday of sexual offences against a boy and a girl dating back more than 40 years.
A woman told a jury at Sheffield Crown Court that Ahmed attempted to rape her in the early 1970s, when the defendant was about 16 or 17 years old but she was much younger.
The former politician was also found guilty of a serious sexual assault against a boy under 11, also in the early 1970s.
Detective Constable Jo Smithson, investigating, said: “This has been a lengthy and complex investigation and trial, and I would like to thank both victims for their patience and support throughout.
“Abuse of this nature stays with victims for a lifetime and every victim has a right to be heard. I am pleased we were able to present our case to a jury and that justice has been done today.
“My only hope is that this now offers some level of closure for both victims. It must have been an incredibly difficult and brave decision to come forward and speak out after so many years, and I hope it offers assurance to other victims that we do listen and we will do everything we can in our pursuit of offenders.”
Ahmed will return to court on 4 February to be sentenced.
Two other men were initially charged alongside Ahmed but were deemed not fit to stand trial.