Mohammed Usman

Mohammed Usman, 31, from Quaker Street in Bradford, was convicted of two counts of rape against two 14-year-old girls whom he and eight other men groomed and abused starting in 2008. The victims, residing in a children's home, were targeted with alcohol, drugs, and violence to enable sexual exploitation, as outlined in the 22 charges at Bradford Crown Court.

During the over six-week trial, Karma Melly QC described the gang's methods, including Usman's involvement in creating manipulated relationships for abuse. The case was exposed in 2014 when victim Fiona Goddard, influenced by a BBC Look North report on Rotherham, alerted authorities, resulting in a West Yorkshire Police investigation.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC handed down a 17-year sentence to Usman, stating the defendants showed no respect for minimum standards of behaviour. Goddard, waiving her right to anonymity, explained her motivation: 'It's because I wanted to show anyone who has gone through... anything similar that there is nothing to be ashamed of.' The judge noted her empowerment after years of silence.

The proceedings highlighted broader issues, with Nazir Afzal decrying resource deficiencies in safeguarding, and Bradford Council pledging a review to improve protections for young people against such crimes.