Manzoor Akhtar

Manzoor Akhtar, a 31-year-old man from the Crosland Moor area of Huddersfield, has been sentenced to four years and six months in prison following his conviction for the rape of a young girl. The offence occurred between 2005 and 2006 when the victim was aged between 13 and 14 years old. This case forms part of the extensive Operation Tendersea investigation into historic child sexual abuse in Huddersfield, where groups of men systematically exploited vulnerable young girls over a period spanning from 1995 to 2011.

At Leeds Crown Court, the details of Akhtar's crimes were laid bare, highlighting the callous nature of the abuse. The court heard evidence of how Akhtar targeted and raped the underage victim, showing complete disregard for her age and vulnerability. He was found guilty after a trial, marking him as the latest individual to be convicted in this ongoing probe. To date, 35 men have been jailed for a combined total of 380 years for similar sexual abuse crimes against girls in the town.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard McNamara of the Kirklees District CID commented on the conviction, stating: "Akhtar richly deserves the prison sentence he has been given after being found guilty and convicted for the dreadful sexual abuse of this young victim. He thought nothing of this girl’s obvious very young age as he raped her and treated her in a fashion which can only be described as callous in the extreme." McNamara emphasised the bravery of the victims who came forward, crediting their courage for enabling the police and Crown Prosecution Service to secure convictions against predators like Akhtar.

The sentencing took place on Wednesday, 22 April 2020, as part of efforts by West Yorkshire Police to dismantle the grooming networks that preyed on children in the community. This case underscores the long-term commitment to justice for survivors of these heinous acts, with investigations continuing to uncover further instances of abuse.