Two men have been convicted and jailed for the sexual abuse of young girls in Calderdale, West Yorkshire — bringing the total number of men sentenced as part of four linked investigations to 24.
Legal reporting restrictions had previously prevented police and prosecutors from sharing the outcomes. These restrictions have now been lifted, allowing details of the prosecutions to be made public.
The latest convictions stem from an investigation launched in 2016 into reports of child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) involving two teenage girls. The offences took place between 2006 and 2009, when the victims were aged between 13 and 16.
Sentences and Convictions
Mahtab Islam, 51, of Halifax, was found guilty of:
- Five counts of rape
- Two counts of sexual assault
- Perverting the course of justice
He was originally sentenced to 16 years, but this was later increased to 18 years following a successful appeal by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Arfan Mir, also known as Khalifa Mughal, 42, also of Halifax, was found guilty of:
- One count of rape
- Supplying a Class A drug
- Perverting the course of justice
Mir was initially sentenced to 12 years, but his sentence was reduced to 10 years following an appeal.
Background to the Investigation
The convictions are part of a long-running investigation by West Yorkshire Police into historic child sexual exploitation in the Calderdale area.
Detective Superintendent Sarah Jones, who led the operation, said:
“These men manipulated and exploited vulnerable teenage girls for their own sexual gratification. Their actions have caused lifelong trauma, and I commend the bravery of the survivors who came forward and supported this complex investigation.”
“We are committed to pursuing justice in all cases of child abuse, no matter how long ago the offences occurred. These convictions demonstrate that perpetrators will be held to account.”
Wider Investigations
This case is part of a series of investigations that have so far resulted in 24 men being jailed for their roles in the sexual exploitation of young girls in Calderdale.
West Yorkshire Police say they continue to work closely with victims, safeguarding agencies, and the Crown Prosecution Service to pursue offenders and provide support for survivors.
Anyone affected by this story or with concerns about child sexual exploitation can contact NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or West Yorkshire Police on 101.
