Four men from Bradford have been found guilty of sexual offences against a girl who lived in a children’s home in the city in the early 2000s, bringing the total number of those convicted in the case to 13.
Convictions and next steps
The defendants convicted this week at Bradford Crown Court are Mohammed Baig, 47; Sohail Hussain, 40; Mohammed Suleman, 45; and Khurram Iqbal, 40. All four were freed on conditional bail and are due to be sentenced at the same court on 22 October.
Court findings differ between the men: Baig was convicted of three counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault, Hussain was found guilty of rape and indecent assault, Suleman was convicted of two counts of indecent assault and Iqbal was convicted of indecent assault and acquitted of rape.
Background and scale of offending
The court has heard that the victim, identified in court as "Anna", was targeted from the age of 13 and that the abuse continued after she entered care. Earlier trials in the broader investigation led to convictions of other men, including one groomer who carried out an Islamic-style wedding with the girl when she was 15 and was later imprisoned.
"Anna"
The case has exposed a sustained pattern of exploitation by multiple men over several years while Anna was in the care of services designed to protect her. One previously convicted defendant, Basharat Khaliq, was jailed in 2025 for rape and indecent assault. Another, Raja Zulqurnean, received a lengthy sentence that was later increased on appeal.
Local accountability and child-protection questions
The trials have also raised questions about professional oversight. The court previously heard that staff working in the children’s home were aware of concerns; a social worker who attended the wedding when the victim was 15 has been the subject of police inquiry, though the BBC reports no further action was taken against him.
Campaigners and residents say the convictions underline the need for stronger safeguards for vulnerable children in care, better intelligence-sharing between agencies and more robust oversight of placements and staff conduct.
Practical information and what happens next
- All four defendants will be sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on 22 October.
- The overall investigation has produced multiple convictions; this latest trial raises the number of convicted men in the case to 13.
- Victim support services remain available for anyone affected by the case; local authorities and police often facilitate access to counselling and specialist help.
Victims of sexual abuse or those with information can contact West Yorkshire Police or local victim support charities for advice. Reporting historic abuse is vital to securing prosecutions and protecting others at risk.
| Defendant | Age | Convictions (as reported) |
|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Baig | 47 | Three counts of rape; two counts of indecent assault |
| Sohail Hussain | 40 | Rape; indecent assault |
| Mohammed Suleman | 45 | Two counts of indecent assault |
| Khurram Iqbal | 40 | Indecent assault (not guilty of rape) |
The progression of these prosecutions will be closely watched locally, both by those seeking justice for the victim and by professionals responsible for child safeguarding. The sentencing hearing in October will determine the penalties imposed for the latest convictions and may include further detail on the nature of the abuse and any aggravating factors identified by the court.
InfoRadar will continue to follow developments in the case and provide updates on sentencing and any further legal or safeguarding action arising from the investigation.
