Future PM needs grooming gang chief ‘out the nation’ as victims advised he is set for launch
Shabir Ahmed, 73, convicted ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang and found guilty of 30 child rapes, is set to be released from prison on 2 July – but cannot be deported from the UK
Shabir Ahmed, 73, a central figure in the Rochdale grooming gang is due to be released from prison within days(Image: Getty Images)
Potential future PM Andy Burnham has said he wants a grooming gang ringleader “out of the country”. The sick criminal has been found guilty of 30 child rapes and allegedly cannot be expelled from the UK despite having his citizenship stripped.
Shabir Ahmed, 73, a central figure in the Rochdale grooming gang is due to be released from prison within days. The serial child rapist moved to the UK from Pakistan but had his citizenship revoked after being jailed for his heinous crimes.
Yet Ahmed is to remain in the UK because of the Immigration Act 1971. The legislation shields Commonwealth citizens who entered the UK before 1973 from deportation. Rather than departing the UK Ahmed will be permitted to reside in a local community and function under various curfews, limitations and exclusion zones.
Andy Burnham, who is likely to take over from Starmer as Labour leader, said on X: “Like everyone, I want this vile criminal out of the country. Victims must come first. I will ask the Home and Foreign Secretaries to review all possible options – and they should consider nothing is off the table.”
Ahmed was locked up in 2012 for concurrent sentences of 22 and 19 years. The child rapist was among nine men who were found guilty of sexual offences against children whom the group groomed at two takeaway restaurants in Rochdale.
Ahmed was recognised as one of the group’s ringleaders by prosecutors. The serial abuser is expected to be freed on July 2 this year after 14 years in custody, the Daily Mail reports. During Ahmed’s trial a court heard he abused one girl for more than a decade treating her as a “possession” for his sexual gratification.
Victims of Ahmed have reportedly been notified via email that the man is set to be released on July 2 this year. The Oldham Chronicle reports that the Victim Contact scheme informed Ahmed’s victims he will be subject to an exclusion zone covering the entire borough of Rochdale until June 10, 2034.
The email further stated that all potential avenues to deport Ahmed from the country had been explored. However, despite this it is not feasible due to Ahmed having renounced his Pakistani citizenship.
It is understood if Ahmed departs the UK he will be prohibited from re-entering the country. For over a year the Home Office attempted to convince Pakistan to accept Ahmed and other members of the Rochdale grooming gang who have been stripped of their British citizenship but have renounced their Pakistani one.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victims of these appalling crimes.
“Ahmed’s horrific crimes were at the heart of the grooming gangs scandal that represents one of the darkest moments in our country’s history. The most vulnerable people were abused and exploited at the hands of evil child rapists and must face the full force of the law.
“On his release he will be on the sex offender’s register for life, ordered to stay away from his victims and banned from contacting any child or young person.
“As well as facing strict curfews and restriction zones, his every movement will be tracked, forced to wear an electronic tag. Should he breach his conditions, he will be immediately locked up.”
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