A group of five people convicted of multiple offences in relation to child sexual exploitation have been sentenced to more than 80 years in prison.
On Friday, 25 September, four men and a woman appeared for sentencing at Caernarfon Crown Court following major investigations led by North Wales Police.
All defendants were convicted in August following a three-month trial relating to the exploitation and abuse of three teenage girls in Rhyl between April 2022 and March 2024.
The victims were aged between 14 and 16 at the time of the offences, which took place in cars, residential addresses, and business premises across Denbighshire.
Operations Embank and Zirconium were joint investigations that uncovered evidence relating to rape, sexual assault, child sexual exploitation, modern slavery offences, drug supply, and attempts to obstruct justice.
Following unanimous jury verdicts, the five defendants were found guilty of more than 40 offences.
Mustafa Iqbal, 43, of Rhyl, was convicted of:
- Four counts of rape
- Three counts of conspiracy to require a person to perform compulsory labour
- Three counts of sexual assault
- Three counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent
- Two counts of conspiracy to traffic
- Conspiracy to supply cannabis to another
- Conspiracy to supply cocaine to another
- Supplying cannabis to another
- Arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation
- Breaching a slavery/trafficking risk order.
Iqbal was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with an additional five years to be served on extended licence.
Mohamed Usman Arshad, 36, of Rhyl, was convicted of:
- Three counts of rape
- Two counts of conspiracy to traffic
- Two counts of conspiracy to require a person to perform compulsory labour
- Supplying cannabis to another
Arshad was sentenced to 19 years in prison.
Ziaullah Badshah, 25, of Rhyl, was convicted of:
- Two counts of rape
- Two counts of conspiracy to traffic
- Two counts of conspiracy to require a person to perform compulsory labour
- Supplying cannabis to another.
Badshah was sentenced to 17 years in prison.
Jaswinder Singh, 61, of Rhyl, was convicted of:
- Two counts of conspiracy to traffic
- One count of supplying cannabis to another
Singh was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Sarah Gray, 53, of Gronant, was convicted of:
- Perverting the course of justice
- Assisting an offender
- Conspiracy to supply cocaine to another
- Conspiracy to supply cannabis to another
Gray was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Richard Sidney said: “The conclusion of this case marks an important moment for the three victims, who have had to live with the consequences of what happened to them for a considerable period of time and continue to do so.
“The sentences imposed today reflect the gravity of the group’s offending and the very serious nature of the crimes committed against these young women.
“These investigations were complex and involved extensive work to understand what had happened, gather evidence, and ensure those responsible were brought before the court.
“I recognise that the criminal justice process can be incredibly difficult for victims of sexual exploitation, particularly when they are required to revisit traumatic experiences. The courage shown by the victims throughout these investigations and the trial that followed has been remarkable.
“I hope that today’s outcome provides them with some sense of justice and allows them to look towards the future with greater confidence.
“Our message to those who target children for sexual exploitation is clear: we will investigate, we will pursue the evidence, and we will work with our partners to hold offenders to account.
“I would also like to thank everyone involved in this investigation , including our specialist officers and staff, partner agencies and the prosecution team, whose work has been instrumental in securing these convictions and sentences.”
