Ishtiaq Khaliq

Ishtiaq Khaliq, a 40-year-old man formerly from Rotherham, has admitted to committing a serious sexual offence against a young girl in the early 2000s. The incident, which involved an indecent assault on a victim aged just 13 or 14 at the time, occurred at a bus stop in Rotherham. Khaliq also pleaded guilty to the theft of the girl's mobile phone during the attack.

The case came to light as part of Operation Stovewood, the National Crime Agency's (NCA) extensive inquiry into allegations of non-familial child sexual abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. This operation has uncovered numerous historical cases of exploitation in the area, highlighting systemic failures in protecting vulnerable children during that period.

Khaliq appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on 22 November 2023, where he entered guilty pleas to charges of indecent assault under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 and theft. A spokesperson for the NCA stated: "A man has admitted indecently assaulting a girl in Rotherham in the early 2000s, following an investigation by the National Crime Agency." They further detailed: "Ishtiaq Khaliq, aged 40 and formerly of Rotherham, pleaded guilty to charges of indecent assault under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 and theft of a mobile phone at a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday (22 November). The charges relate to a victim who was aged only 13 or 14 at the time."

Already serving a 17-year prison sentence for other child sexual abuse offences from a separate investigation, Khaliq's sentencing for these new charges is scheduled for 14 December 2023 at Sheffield Crown Court. The NCA's involvement underscores the ongoing efforts to deliver justice for survivors of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, with this case adding to the growing number of convictions under Operation Stovewood.