SEX offenders, accused of raping a teenaged girl, have been jailed for a combined 41 years in the latest convictions, bringing an end to a major child sexual exploitation investigation, West Yorkshire police said on Friday (16).
Banaras Hussain (44), Talish Ahmed (41) and Mohammed Akram ( 44) were all sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday (15) after being found guilty of sexual offences committed against a young teenage girl in the mid 1990’s.
The men were all sentenced after being convicted as part of West Yorkshire Police’s long running Operation Tendersea enquiry, which was established to investigate the non-recent sexual abuse of young girls.
Hussain of Church Street, Huddersfield, was sentenced to 18 years for two offences of rape against a female aged under 16 while Ahmed of Rashcliffe Hill Road, Huddersfield, was sentenced to 10 years, the police said.
Akram of Moorbottom Road, Huddersfield, was sentenced to 13 years for two offences of rape and an offence of indecent assault.
Leeds Crown Court heard that the victim had first been targeted when she had been spotted on her paper rounds wearing school uniform at the age of just 12 years old.
The vulnerable teenager was abused between the ages of 13 and 15 before finally managing to break away from the men.
Ian Thornes, of the Kirklees' Safeguarding Unit, said: “These strong sentences reflect the gravity of these men’s crimes against a young, innocent girl who they abused in the most appalling fashion."
“I hope these convictions again demonstrate to victims that we will do all we possibly can to help you seek justice no matter when the crimes were committed. We do put victim’s needs at the heart of every investigation and thoroughly investigate all reports made to us.”
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)