Naveed Akhtar

Naveed Akhtar, 44, from Newport Place in Bradford, was convicted of rape following a trial at Bradford Crown Court in February 2019, as part of a broader case involving the grooming and sexual abuse of girls. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison for this serious sexual offence, underscoring the severity of the exploitation involved.

While on bail during the trial, Akhtar orchestrated an ill-fated attempt to smuggle drugs and mobile phones into HMP Leeds for his co-defendant Fahim Iqbal. On 4 February 2019, Akhtar requested a toilet break, followed shortly by Iqbal, arousing suspicion from a dock officer. Akhtar had concealed a parcel containing mini mobile phones and opioid tablets in a toilet roll dispenser at the court. The officer's search uncovered the package, leading to a temporary halt in the grooming trial for police investigation. A second package with cannabis, opioid tablets, and miniature phones was discovered under a chair in the dock.

The court heard that the plot was executed 'under the noses of dock officers and myself,' as Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC later commented during sentencing. The judge highlighted the 'remarkable stupidity' and possible pressure involved, adding, 'It was an irritating, vexing and seriously stupid matter and, as counsel has said, it was doomed to failure.' Akhtar and Iqbal had admitted to two counts of drugs offences and one count of attempting to smuggle mobile phones prior to sentencing.

For the smuggling offences, Akhtar was sentenced to an additional five months in prison. This case, reported by the BBC on 27 February 2019, illustrates the ongoing criminal behaviour exhibited by offenders even amidst serious legal proceedings for child sexual exploitation. West Yorkshire Police were involved in the investigation of both the sexual offences and the contraband attempt.