Irshad Wani

A gang of four men, including Irshad Wani, has been sentenced to a combined total of almost 40 years in prison for their roles in forcing teenage girls into lives as sex slaves in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. The offences, which took place between 2004 and 2008, came to light following the broader Rochdale child sex scandal that emerged in 2011, prompting investigations into widespread child sexual exploitation in the area.

Irshad Wani, 39, of Whitworth Road, Rochdale, was convicted on seven counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of child grooming. These charges stemmed from his involvement in coercing two victims, aged 15 and 16, into prostitution. Wani's actions were part of a systematic exploitation where the gang targeted vulnerable teenage girls, subjecting them to sexual abuse and forcing them into sex work. The case was uncovered through Operation Doublet, launched by Greater Manchester Police in response to reports of child sexual exploitation across the region.

• Irshad Wani: Guilty of seven counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of child grooming.
• Sentenced to nine years in prison.

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Daniels, the Senior Investigating Officer for Operation Doublet, highlighted the bravery of the victims, stating: "The victims have shown enormous courage and without their support in what has been a difficult investigation, we would not be here today." This operation identified multiple cases of teenage girls being sexually exploited by older men in Greater Manchester during the specified period.

The sentencing underscores the severe nature of the crimes and the authorities' commitment to tackling child sexual exploitation. The gang's activities contributed to the notorious Rochdale grooming scandal, which exposed systemic failures in protecting vulnerable children. Sources from IBTimes UK and Greater Manchester Police confirm the details of the convictions and sentences, emphasising the impact on the victims and the importance of their testimony in securing justice.