Abdul Rauf

Abdul Rauf was convicted alongside eight other men in the Rochdale grooming gang scandal, jailed in 2012 for his role in the sexual exploitation and abuse of vulnerable children in the Greater Manchester area. The case exposed a network of paedophiles who groomed and trafficked young girls for sex over an extended period.

As a key member of the gang, Rauf participated in the systematic targeting and abuse of underage victims, contributing to the horrific pattern of offences that shocked the nation. The crimes involved grooming, sexual assault, and trafficking, with the gang using threats and violence to control their victims. Greater Manchester Police's investigation revealed the scale of the operation, leading to the convictions of the group, including Rauf.

Rauf was sentenced to a custodial term in May 2012 as part of the collective jailing of the nine offenders at Manchester Crown Court. Following his release on licence, he too fought deportation to Pakistan on human rights grounds, launching several legal appeals that have kept him in the UK.

The recent flight of his accomplice Adil Khan from the UK in October 2025 has intensified calls for Rauf's removal. Rochdale Labour MP Paul Waugh, who has campaigned for the deportation of both men since his election, reiterated his demands in a statement to the Manchester Evening News on 4 November 2025. Waugh described Rauf as a 'fellow abuser' and 'vile paedophile', emphasising: “Ever since I was elected, I’ve been working hard to get Adil Khan and his fellow abuser Abdul Rauf deported to Pakistan. Khan may be gone, but Rauf needs to be gone too.”

Despite Khan's departure and the Home Office's confirmation of his permanent ban from returning, Rauf continues to reside in the UK under licence conditions monitored by Greater Manchester Police. The ongoing legal battles underscore challenges in deporting convicted sex offenders, with victims and local communities seeking justice and closure from the lingering presence of these perpetrators.