Mohammed Saleem, known as the Rochdale monster, has been sentenced to 33 years in prison at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court following a six-week trial. Saleem, from Cannon Street, Rochdale, was found guilty of 31 offences including rape, indecent assault, and child sex offences.
The charges against Saleem included six counts of indecent assault on a 14-year-old girl, rape of a 14-year-old, multiple offences involving 14 and 15-year-olds, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault by penetration, voyeurism, sexual assault, and making indecent images of children. He was also convicted of securing unauthorised access to a computer to spy on one of his victims.
The court heard that Saleem groomed two teenage girls in the late 1990s, supplying them with alcohol and cannabis before sexually assaulting them. His abuse of one victim continued for an appalling 17 years, despite being a married man with children. He exerted control over her life through brutal physical, sexual, and mental abuse.
Although the victim eventually escaped his control and began living independently, Saleem repeatedly reinserted himself into her life to continue the torment.
In November 2017, police raided Saleem’s home and discovered indecent images and videos of children, including images of one victim taken without her consent. They also found spyware installed on her computer, which Saleem used to monitor her every move.
Detective Constable Sarah Hayfield of GMP Rochdale commented on the case: “This was a horrific ordeal that has no doubt left a damaging and haunting impact on those lives affected. Saleem preyed on vulnerable young girls, exploiting them for his own sick pleasure and then controlled one victim for 17 years.”
She added, “I want to thank the brave women and their families for their strength during this investigation. Their resilience helped secure this sentence and, although the trauma will never fully fade, I hope today brings some closure.”
Detective Constable Hayfield also expressed gratitude to Rochdale Borough Council’s adult care recovery team for their support of the victims throughout the investigation. She concluded, “This sentencing sends a clear message: child sexual exploitation and domestic abuse will never be tolerated. We will bring vile offenders to justice.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
