Sufyan Ziarab

Sufyan Ziarab, known as Sufy, aged 23 from Kendal Mellor Court, Keighley, was convicted as part of a 12-man gang that raped and abused a vulnerable schoolgirl in Keighley between 2011 and 2012. He was found guilty of two counts of rape against the 13-14-year-old victim and received two concurrent 15-year sentences.

The gang's activities were orchestrated by fugitive Arif Choudhury, involving repeated rapes and sexual exploitation. Ziarab's brother, Bilal Ziarab, was also involved. Judge Roger Thomas highlighted Ziarab's intelligence and full understanding of his actions, despite low IQ scores, based on his demeanour, police interviews, and social media use. The judge criticised the defendants' contemptuous attitudes during the multi-week trial at Bradford Crown Court.

Abuses occurred in various locations, including gang rapes arranged on Dalton Lane. The victim endured degradation and violence, with the judge describing the men's treatment as heartless. West Yorkshire Police's thorough investigation brought the case to light, with sentencing following the trial's conclusion in December of the previous year.

'Although they have produced very low scores in formal IQ testing it is nevertheless entirely apparent... that they are far from being anything other than totally understanding of and responsible for their reprehensible sexual misconduct,' Judge Thomas remarked.