Monjur Choudhury

Monjur Choudhury, of Phillip Place in Newcastle, was jailed for five years at Newcastle Crown Court following his conviction for offences including conspiracy to incite prostitution and supplying drugs, as part of the Operation Sanctuary investigation by Northumbria Police. This probe dismantled a grooming ring involving 17 men and one woman who sexually exploited vulnerable girls, using drugs to coerce them into prostitution and abuse.

The court details revealed Choudhury's role in providing substances like cannabis and mephedrone to victims, facilitating their control within the gang's network. These activities occurred amid all-night parties at West End addresses in Newcastle, where teenage girls, often white and aged 15 or 16, were lured, intoxicated, and passed between perpetrators. Prosecuting barrister John Elvidge QC described the scenes, including taxis shuttling girls to and from sites of abuse, creating a pattern noticed by local residents who endured the disturbances.

Sentenced on 6 September 2017 alongside four co-defendants, Choudhury's punishment reflected his contribution to the conspiracy that terrorised the community. The BBC reported on the case, citing court evidence of the gang's operations, which included threats and drug dependency to enforce compliance. A neighbouring mother spoke of the 'hellish' noise and smells infiltrating her home, underscoring the pervasive impact of the exploitation.

Judge Penny Moreland's remarks highlighted the systematic grooming and the long-term targeting of minors, with Operation Sanctuary uncovering the full extent through police surveillance and informant cooperation, including controversial payments to a child rapist. Choudhury's actions were integral to the sexual offences, contributing to the jailing of multiple gang members in this high-profile case.