Choudry Ikhalaq Hussein

Choudry Ikhalaq Hussein, 38, from Mayfield Terrace, Rochdale, received a 19-year prison sentence at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court for his role in a paedophile ring investigated under Operation Doublet. The abuses took place in Rochdale from 2005 to 2013, targeting vulnerable girls aged 13 to 23 through grooming and sexual exploitation.

Hussein was found guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of rape, and one count of conspiracy to rape against one victim. Notably, he left the country for Pakistan during his trial, but was convicted in absentia. The case involved eight victims in total, with convictions handed to nine men that day and one prior sentencing, amassing 127 years in total imprisonment.

• The primary complainant, now in her mid-20s, bravely reported the abuse after seeing media coverage of similar cases in 2012.
• She endured two lengthy trials and provided a victim personal statement, though it was not read aloud at her request.

Judge John Potter praised the victims' resilience during cross-examination, noting the profound impact of the abuse. 'I have little doubt that each of the victims have been affected by your abuse of them to some degree, some far more than others.' Greater Manchester Police's Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Daniels highlighted the force's commitment to protecting children from such predators. The operation exposed a conspiracy involving multiple offenders who preyed on vulnerable individuals in the community.