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Rotherham trial victim claims she was raped by town councillor Rotherham trial victim claims she was raped by town councillor
(35 minutes later)
A victim in the Rotherham grooming trial has claimed that she was raped by a town councillor. A victim in the Rotherham grooming trial has claimed she was raped by a town councillor.
The allegation can be reported for the first time following the conviction and sentencing of a gang of three brothers, their uncle and two associates of a catalogue of child abuse in the town over 16 years. The allegation can be reported for the first time following the conviction and sentencing of a gang of three brothers, their uncle and two associates for a catalogue of child abuse in the town over 16 years.
The victim gave the surname of the man as Akhtar during an interview conducted by police for the purpose of the case.The victim gave the surname of the man as Akhtar during an interview conducted by police for the purpose of the case.
Prosecutor Michelle Colborne QC, told the court the victim had said she did not want to make any further statement to police about the alleged rape until the trial was over as she was already so traumatised about giving evidence and felt she could not cope with questions on a further alleged crime. The prosecutor Michelle Colborne QC told the court that the victim said she did not want to make any further statement to police about the alleged rape until the trial was over as she was already so traumatised about giving evidence and felt she could not cope with questions on a further alleged crime.
Related: How a Rotherham gang with history of criminality abused vulnerable girlsRelated: How a Rotherham gang with history of criminality abused vulnerable girls
It is not clear whether the councillor accused of rape was Jahangir Akhtar, a former deputy leader of Rotherham council and a distant relative of the three brothers who ran the grooming ring and were jailed for between 10 and 35 years on Friday. Akhtar strenuously denied he had raped anyone. Speaking to the Guardian on Friday he said he had “absolutely, never in my whole life” raped anyone. It is not clear whether the councillor accused of rape was Jahangir Akhtar, a former deputy leader of Rotherham council and a distant relative of the three brothers who ran the grooming ring and who were jailed for between 10 and 35 years on Friday.
The name Akhtar emerged in a legal discussion on 11 December, the day before the trial opened. A barrister for one of the defendants revealed the victim had told police “she was raped by Akhtar, now councillor, when she was working [in a taxi firm] some time ago”. Akhtar strenuously denied rape. Speaking to the Guardian on Friday, he said he had “never in my whole life” raped anyone.
The prosecution confirmed in Sheffield crown court on Friday that there was no reason to believe there were active police investigations into Jahangir Akhtar. He had been mentioned elsewhere during the trial by one of the other victims as being involved in a “no prosecution deal” between Hussain and the police. The name Akhtar emerged in a legal discussion on 11 December, the day before the trial opened. A barrister for one of the defendants revealed that the victim had told police “she was raped by Mr Akhtar, now councillor, when she was working [in a taxi firm] some time ago”.
On Friday the Guardian spoke to Akhtar about both allegations. Asked if the allegation of rape was true he replied “no”. Pressed on the matter, he said: “You are the first person that’s said that to me. I have never ever engaged in the activities of what you’ve just said” Asked if he was referring to rape, he replied. “Absolutely, never in my whole life.” The prosecution confirmed on Friday that there was no reason to believe there were active police investigations into Jahangir Akhtar. He had been mentioned elsewhere during the trial by one of the other victims as allegedly being involved in a “no prosecution deal” between Hussain and the police.
On the allegation of a no-prosecution deal he said he was aware of the claim but said police had investigated the matter and found there was no case to answer. The complainant in Rotherham alleged a deal took place when she had gone missing from home with Arshid Hussain when she was a teenager and there was a handover at a petrol station. The woman said Akhtar had rung Hussain and told her he had to take her home, and then they drove to a petrol station to meet police. On Friday the Guardian spoke to Akhtar about both allegations. Asked whether the allegation of rape was true, he replied “no”. Pressed on the matter, he said: “You are the first person that’s said that to me. I have never ever engaged in the activities of what you’ve just said.” Asked whether he was referring to rape, he replied. “Absolutely, never in my whole life.”
He said the crimes committed by the Hussains, whom he confirmed were distant relatives, were “absolutely horrific”. On the allegation of a no-prosecution deal, he said he was aware of the claim but said police had investigated the matter and found there was no case to answer. The complainant in Rotherham alleged that a deal was made when she went missing from home with Arshid Hussain when she was a teenager, and there was a handover at a petrol station. The woman said Akhtar rang Hussain and told her he had to take her home, and then they drove to a petrol station to meet police.
Akhtar, was forced to step aside from his role as deputy leader following allegations that he had been involved in a deal to help a relative accused of grooming an underage girl. He later lost his seat. Akhtar said the crimes committed by the Hussains, whom he confirmed were distant relatives, were “absolutely horrific”.
Akhtar was forced to step aside from his role as deputy leader of the council following allegations that he had been involved in a deal to help a relative accused of grooming an underage girl. He later lost his seat.