Two relatives have been convicted of grooming and sexually assaulting five adolescent girls in a distressing series of incidents. Manzorr Hussain, 54, and Imtiaz Ali, 53, were found guilty of historic child sexual exploitation involving girls aged 13 to 16 in Bury during the late 1990s. The victims were provided with alcohol and drugs before being subjected to abuse by the perpetrators in various locations, including Greater Manchester and Wales.
The duo was found guilty after a month-long trial and is scheduled for sentencing in December, as per reports from Manchester Evening News. A third individual, Hussain’s elder brother Ghulam Hussain, 64, faced charges related to the case but has reportedly left the country, according to information presented to the jurors.
During the trial, it was revealed that the accused allegedly manipulated the vulnerable girls for their own satisfaction. The abuse took place in different settings, such as houses, a hotel, vehicles, and even involved exploitation in exchange for various favors. The prosecution emphasized that the girls were coerced into feeling indebted to the men, leading to non-consensual sexual encounters.
Prosecutor Anna Pope highlighted that Ghulam Hussain played a central role, allegedly initiating the abuse and involving others, including his brother Manzorr Hussain and cousin Imtiaz Ali. The trio, who operated market stalls, were accused of preying on the girls for their gratification.
Notably, one of the victims disclosed the ordeal, prompting further investigations that led to the identification of others subjected to similar exploitation. Hussain, residing in Bury, was convicted on multiple counts of rape and indecent assault, while Ali, from Radcliffe, Bury, was found guilty of rape, indecent assault, and attempted indecent assault charges.
Following the verdict, Sergeant Daniel Whittaker from Greater Manchester Police expressed deep concern over the predatory nature of the crimes, highlighting the offenders’ manipulation of vulnerable children through alcohol, drugs, and false relationships. He commended the victims for their courage in coming forward and providing crucial testimony for the successful prosecution, aiming for justice and closure for the survivors.
