Accused 'led the exploitation'

PROSECUTORS claimed that a man on trial accused of sexual offences against two teenage girls in Rochdale 'led the way' in 'child sexual exploitation.

- BY ANDREW BARDSLEY

Mohammed Zahid, who jurors have heard was allegedly known by the nickname 'boss man', is accused of raping both girls in the mid 2000s. He denies all the charges and is standing trial alongside six other men, who have also pleaded not guilty to all the allegations they face.

Jurors have heard the seven accused were mainly either taxi drivers or market stall traders in the town. The girls were 'passed around' for sex before being 'discarded, it is alleged.

The defendants Mr Zahid, 64; Kasir Bashir, 50; Mushtaq Ahmed, 66; Roheez Khan, 39; Mohammed Shahzad, 43; Nisar Hussain, 43; and Naheem Akram, 48, deny all the allegations they face. The two alleged victims, known as Girl A and Girl B, claim that they were sexually abused in the town between 2001 and 2006.

Prosecutor Rossano Scamardella KC began his closing speech to the jury on Tuesday. He argued that although they did not know each other at the time of the allegations, they gave similar evidence about how a 'string of men' would allegedly 'take it in turns' to abuse them in different properties.