Seven men charged with 'child sex exploitation' in Rotherham

Seven men have been charged with child sexual exploitation offences by police investigating historical crimes in Rotherham.

South Yorkshire Police said the offences are alleged to have taken place in the town between January and October 2003 and arise out of Operation Clover, a partnership investigation by the force, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and the Crown Prosecution Service.

A spokesman said four of the men have been charged with rape. These are Asif Ali, 30, of Clough Road, Rotherham; Waleed Ali, 33, of Canklow Road, Rotherham; Ishtiaq Khaliq, 32, of Cherry Brook, Rotherham; and Masoued Malik, 31, of Bridgewater Way, Rotherham.

He said Waleed Ali has also been charged with indecent assault and Ishtiaq Khaliq has been charged with a further two charges of indecent assault.

Masoued Malik has also been charged with conspiracy to indecently assault and conspiracy to falsely imprison.

He said Mohammed Whied, 31, of Psalters Lane, Sheffield, has been charged with two counts of aiding and abetting rape.

The spokesman said that two men who are already facing multiple charges relating to child sexual offences have also been charged with further offences.

He said Arshid Hussain, 40, and Basharat Hussain, 39, both from Goole, have each been charged with a further count of indecent assault.

The force said that in addition to the seven men charged, two further men have been reported on summons.

The spokesman said Sageer Hussain, 30, of Cottingham Street, Goole, has been reported on summons for four counts of rape and one count of indecent assault and Naeem Rafiq, 32, of Clarendon Road, Eastwood, has been reported on summons for conspiracy to indecently assault and conspiracy to falsely imprison.

All nine men will appear before Rotherham Magistrates Court on November 16. Six of those charged have been bailed pending their court appearance. Basharat Hussain is already in custody.