Banaras Hussain

Three men from Huddersfield, including Banaras Hussain, were convicted of grooming and raping a teenage girl as part of West Yorkshire Police's Operation Tendersea inquiry into non-recent sexual abuse of young girls. The abuse began when the victim was just 12 years old, spotted by the offenders while she was on her paper round. Between the ages of 13 and 15, in the mid-1990s, Hussain and his co-offenders groomed and sexually exploited the vulnerable girl, subjecting her to repeated rapes and other forms of abuse.

The case came to light through the long-running Operation Tendersea, which investigates historical child sexual exploitation cases in the Huddersfield area. At Leeds Crown Court, the court heard detailed evidence of how the men targeted the innocent girl, exploiting her youth and vulnerability in the most appalling fashion. Banaras Hussain, aged 44, of Church Street, Huddersfield, was specifically convicted of two offences of rape.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Thorne of West Yorkshire Police commented on the severity of the crimes, stating: "These strong sentences reflect the gravity of these men's crimes against a young, innocent girl who they abused in the most appalling fashion. I hope these convictions again demonstrate to victims that we will do all we possibly can to help you seek justice no matter when the crimes were committed." The operation underscores the police's commitment to pursuing justice for historical sexual offences against children.

The trial at Leeds Crown Court resulted in significant custodial sentences for all involved, highlighting the court's recognition of the profound harm caused by such predatory behaviour. This case is part of a broader pattern of grooming and exploitation uncovered in Huddersfield during the 1990s and beyond.