Jailed Rotherham abuse gang leader admits further rape of 13-year-old girl

Mohammed Imran Ali Akhtar is already serving 23 years in prison for his role in the Rotherham abuse scandal

Mohammed Imran Ali Akhtar
Author: Liam ArrowsmithPublished 17th Oct 2023

A man who is already serving a 23 year prison sentence for leading a gang that sexually exploited children in Rotherham has admitted raping a 13-year-old girl.

Mohammed Imran Ali Akhtar, 42, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday (October 17), where he pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault dating back to August 2001 and July 2002.

The 42-year-old was charged as part of Operation Stovewood, the huge series of National Crime Agency (NCA) investigations which began after child sexual exploitation on a massive scale was identified in the South Yorkshire town, provoking a national outcry.

He was jailed for 23 years at the same court in 2018 by a judge who said he was the ringleader of a gang who "perpetrated, facilitated and encouraged" abuse of five victims who were "vulnerable in the extreme".

The CPS said the latest conviction relates to a girl groomed by Akhtar, who provided her with alcohol and drugs each time they met.

A spokeswoman said the defendant would threaten to drive her to unknown locations and leave her stranded if she did not comply with his demands for sex.

On one occasion, when she did refuse to engage in sexual activity, she recalled having to walk for hours after she was kicked out of the car by Akhtar in the early hours of the morning, the spokeswoman said.

Akhtar will be sentenced on December 18.

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