A Birmingham rapist has been jailed for 19 years as part of a major police investigation into the sexual abuse of young girls in West Yorkshire. Shakeel Haq, 58, from Birmingham, was sentenced for three counts of rape and one count of false imprisonment. He is one of 20 offenders collectively sentenced to 277 years in prison for abusing three girls, one as young as 12, between 1995 and 2003 in Dewsbury and Batley.
Police investigation reveals systematic abuse
West Yorkshire Police described the victims as having been “repeatedly sexually assaulted” and, in some cases, given Class A drugs, treated as commodities for the gratification of heartless predators. The investigation began in July 2023 at Leeds Crown Court, spanning six separate trials that concluded in September 2024. Sentencing of the final criminal took place in 2025. Reporting restrictions were imposed to protect the integrity of the court process, preventing earlier disclosure of names and details.
Sentences reflect depravity
DCI Rob Stevens of Kirklees District Police said the significant jail terms, including 28 years for Sajid Majid and 20 years for Aurrangzeb Azam, who was convicted of ten rapes, highlight the depravity of the offenders. He praised the courage of the victims who came forward, stating, “These women showed enormous bravery in giving evidence in lengthy trials.”
Full list of sentenced offenders
- Ansar Mahmood Qayum, 49, Dewsbury: 10 years for three rapes and two indecent assaults, added to existing 20-year sentence (total 30 years).
- Sajid Majid, 54, Mirfield: 28 years for five rapes and three indecent assaults.
- Manaf Hussain, 51, Heckmondwike: 25 years for six rapes and supplying Class A drugs.
- Tariq Azam, 57, Dewsbury: 24 years for five rapes and four indecent assaults.
- Zulfiqar Ali, 47, Dewsbury: 22 years and 6 months for four rapes.
- Aurrangzeb Azam, 56, Dewsbury: 20 years for ten rapes and one indecent assault.
- Shakeel Haq, 58, Birmingham: 19 years for three rapes and false imprisonment.
- Rafiq Patel, 73, Batley: 18 years for two rapes.
- Zaheed Ali Novsarka, 58, Batley: 18 years for two rapes.
- Mohammed Sheikh, 53, Batley: 14 years for two rapes and two indecent assaults.
- Mohammed Yasin, 52, Batley: 14 years for one rape and two indecent assaults.
- Liaquat Hussain Hanif, 49, Batley: 12 years and 6 months for two rapes and supplying Class A drugs.
- Ebrahim Mananiat, 56, Batley: 12 years for two rapes.
- Ibrahim Khalifa, 87, Bradford: 11 years for two rapes.
- Shafiq Siddique, 56, Dewsbury: 11 years for one rape.
- Mohammed Munir Shaffi, 48, Dewsbury: 9 years for two rapes.
- Mohammed Ishtiaq Hussain, 51, Dewsbury: 8 years for one rape.
- Abbas Kaji, 57, Batley: 7 years for one rape.
- Donna Lynn, 45, Cleckheaton: 3 years for controlling prostitution.
- Tasawar Hussain, 46, Dewsbury: 3 years for one rape.
Two other men were found to have committed the acts but were judged unfit to enter pleas. Police emphasized that the investigation would not have been possible without the bravery of the victims, who endured lengthy trials to see justice done.
