The man accused in the Rockdale Sexual Abuse trial declared himself innocent after prosecutors do not offer evidence

The case against seven other men continues

One of the men in trial in the case of sexual abuse of Rochdale was declared innocent after the prosecutors did not offer evidence against him.

Arfan Khan was one of the eight men in trial accused of sexual crimes. He had been accused of two positions of rape and conspiracy charges to commit indecency with a child and conspiracy to make a child participate in penetrating sexual activities. Khan, 40, denied the accusations.

He was acquitted of those positions today (March 11) after the Prosecutor’s Office said there was no longer a “realistic sentence perspective” in his case. The case against another seven men continues in Minshull Street Crown Court.

The alleged victims, who cannot be appointed for legal reasons, are being identified as a girl A y Niña B. They claim that they were sexually raped and abused by several men in Rochdale between 2001 and 2006.

The jury members have heard that the defendants were mainly taxi drivers or merchants of market positions in the city. It is alleged that the girls “passed” by sex before being “discarded”, he alleges.

Mohammed Zahid, 64; Kasir Bashir, 50; Mushtaq Ahmed, 66; Roheez Khan, 39; Mohammed Shahzad, 43; Nisar Hussain, 43; and Naheem Akram, 48; He denies all the positions they face.

The decision of the Prosecutor’s Office in relation to Mr. Khan, 40, of Grouse Street, Rochdale, was announced in the court of the jury after the evidence of Girl A had previously completed.

“The evidence of the two plaintiffs has come to an end,” said prosecutor Rossano Scamardella KC. He told the jury that a “review” of evidence had been carried out.

He added: “We have the opinion that the defendant Arfan Khan is in a different position for any of the other defendants. That said, we have decided that there is no realistic perspective of conviction in your case. “

He said the Prosecutor’s Office would not offer evidence against Mr. Khan in relation to four charges on the charges. The KC continued: “Those are the only counts it faces.”

Then the jury foreman was asked to enter formal non -guilty verdicts in relation to the four positions that Mr. Khan had faced. The trial was postponed for the day, with more prosecution tests in the next few days.

• Mohammed Zahid64, from Station Road, Crumpall, Manchester, is accused of 10 positions of rape; four charges of indecency with a child; and six charges of acquiring a girl under 21 to have illegal sex.
• Kasir Bashir50, by Napier Street East, Oldham, is accused of two positions of rape; and two charges of indecency with a child.
• Mushtaq Ahmed66, from Corona Avenue, Oldham, is accused of four violation positions; four charges of indecency with a child; and a single charge of acquiring a girl under 21 to have illegal sex.
• Roheez Khan39, by Athole Street, Rochdale, is accused of a single violation position.
• Mohammed Shahzad43, by Beswicke Royds Street, Rochdale, is accused of eight positions of rape; and unique conspiracy charges to commit indecency with a child; conspiracy to make a child participate in penetrating sexual activity; Independence with a child; indecent assault; and assault by penetration.
• Nisar Hussain43, by Newfield Close, Rochdale, is accused of four positions of rape; and unique conspiracy charges to commit indecency with a child; conspiracy to make a child participate in penetrating sexual activity; indecent assault; and assault by penetration.
• Naheem Akram48, by Manley Road, Rochdale, is accused of 11 positions of rape; and unique conspiracy charges to commit indecency with a child; conspiracy to make a child participate in penetrating sexual activity; Independence with a child; indecent assault; and assault by penetration.

Proceed.