Justice After Decades: Rochdale Abuse Scandal Reaches New Milestone
In a landmark verdict that underscores Britain’s ongoing reckoning with systemic child sexual exploitation, Mohammed Zahid, the ringleader of a notorious Rochdale grooming gang, was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Six other men received substantial sentences alongside him on Wednesday, closing another chapter in a national scandal that first erupted in the early 2010s .
How the Abuse Unfolded
Zahid, now 65, targeted two vulnerable teenage girls starting at age 13 after they began working at his market stall in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. He used the so-called “boyfriend model”—a tactic common among grooming gangs—by offering gifts, money, and attention to build dependency before subjecting them to repeated rape and trafficking between 2001 and 2006.
- Victims: Two girls, aged 13–18 during the abuse period
- Perpetrators: Network of local market traders and taxi drivers
- Tactic: “Boyfriend model” – feigned affection to enable exploitation
- Locations: Private homes, remote sites, and vehicles across Rochdale
Infographic: Rochdale Grooming Gang Prosecutions (2021–2025)
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Men sentenced in latest case | 7 (including Zahid) |
| Total offenders jailed since 2021 | 32 |
| Combined prison time | 474 years |
| Men awaiting trial | 20+ |
| Investigative unit | Greater Manchester Police Child Sexual Exploitation Unit (formed 2021) |
Why Rochdale Became a National Flashpoint
Rochdale was among the first U.K. towns exposed by investigative journalists for widespread, organized child sexual abuse by grooming gangs—predominantly composed of men of Pakistani heritage. For years, authorities ignored or downplayed reports, citing fears of being labeled racist. The delayed response allowed networks to operate with impunity for over a decade.
A Pattern Across Britain
Similar cases have since surfaced in Rotherham, Oxford, and Telford, revealing a national crisis. Experts stress that while perpetrators in these cases often share ethnic backgrounds, the crime itself is not cultural—it’s about power, vulnerability, and systemic neglect.
What’s Next?
With 20 more suspects awaiting trial in Rochdale alone, authorities vow to pursue every lead. Advocates, meanwhile, call for trauma-informed support for survivors and mandatory training for social services and police to prevent future failures.
