Shafaq Mohammed, a 58-year-old man from Birmingham, has been charged with 11 historical child sexual offences as part of a major investigation by Gwent Police. He is among eight men facing a total of 34 charges related to abuse committed between 1985 and 1996.
Details of the charges
The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised 34 charges, including 17 counts of rape, some of which relate to multiple incidents. The offences involve eight victims who were children at the time of the alleged abuse. The men, all British citizens aged between 54 and 73, are due to appear before Newport Magistrates' Court on July 24.
Mohammed faces 11 charges: four counts of rape of a female under 16, three counts of rape of a female aged 16 or over, two counts of aiding and abetting the rape of a female under 16, causing the prostitution of a girl under 16, and causing the prostitution of a woman.
Co-defendants and their charges
Syed Mohammad Ashan Taqvi, 65, of Newport, is charged with three counts of rape of a female under 16. Mohammed Sheikh Abdul Hannan, 54, of Edinburgh, faces eight offences including two counts of rape of a female aged 16 or over, one count of indecent assault on a woman over 16, three counts of aiding and abetting the rape of a female under 16, and two counts of conspiring to rape a woman aged 16 or over.
Kevin Lawrence, 54, of Dunoon, is charged with two counts of conspiring to rape a woman aged 16 or over and causing the prostitution of a woman. Sheikh Mohammed Tahir Ullah, 73, of Newport, faces one count of rape of a female aged 16 or over and one count of rape of a female under 16. Aminur Rahman Chowdhury, 58, of Tottenham, London, is charged with one count of rape of a female aged 16 or over. Shakeel Babur, 58, of Lancashire, faces four counts of indecent assault on a girl under 16. Murad Ali, 57, of Swansea, has been charged with two counts of rape of a female under 16.
Police statement on the investigation
Detective Chief Superintendent Andrew Tuck, of Gwent Police, said: “Operation Oak is a complex and long-running investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation in south Wales. At the heart of our investigation has been supporting victims. Together with specialist agencies, we are continuing to provide support to them. I know investigations of this nature are likely to cause concern in our communities but it’s vital to the victims in this case and the integrity of the investigation that nothing is posted on social media which could impact the court proceedings.”
