Disgraced peer jailed over historic sex offences
Nazir Ahmed has been sentenced to 5 and a half years in jail
Peer and former politician, Nazir Ahmed, has been sentenced to 5 and a half years in jail over historic child sex abuse.
The 64-year-old, formerly of East Bawtry Road in Rotherham, was found guilty of three offences dating back to the late 1960s and 70s.
He quit the House of Lords but retains the title Lord Ahmed of Rotherham.
Judge, Mr Justice Lavender, told Ahmed: "Your actions have had profound and lifelong effects on the girl and the boy, who have lived with what you did to them for between 46 and 53 years.
"Their statements express more eloquently than I ever could how your actions have affected their lives in so many different and damaging ways."
The victim of the attempted rapes read her own victim personal statement in court, saying: "An overwhelming feeling of shame remained with me throughout my childhood and early adult years.
"It was a burden I was made to carry, and it silenced me for many years.
"It is now time for me to pass that burden to him - the paedophile who I know feels no personal shame."
She added that Ahmed had however now been "publicly shamed" for his actions.
The judge said that according to legal guidelines, the sentence must be in line with the one that would have been imposed at the time the offence was committed.
Mr Justice Lavender also adjourned the case for six weeks to determine whether Ahmed could pay prosecution costs.
Former Labour member Ahmed resigned from the House of Lords in November 2020 after reading the contents of a conduct committee report which found he sexually assaulted a vulnerable woman who sought his help.
The report made him the first peer to be recommended for expulsion, but he resigned before this could be implemented.
Both survivors praised South Yorkshire Police investigator DC Joanne Smithson, with one adding: “I would like to offer my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to South Yorkshire Police for fulfilling their motto: ‘Justice with Courage’ through the actions of the investigating officer, DC Joanne Smithson.
“You never gave up on us and you continued to seek justice for us.”
Speaking after the sentencing, DC Smithson said: “Once again, I would like to recognise both victims in this case who have been incredibly brave and patient through a lengthy investigation and subsequent trial. I am pleased that Ahmed’s jail sentence reflects his abhorrent actions, absence of remorse, and demonstrates that nobody is above the law.
“If you are a victim of a non-recent offence, it’s never too late to come forward. You have a right to be heard and we are here to help.”