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Five people have been found guilty of more than 40 offences against three teenage girls, bringing to a close a three-month trial at Caernarfon Crown Court.
Jurors returned unanimous verdicts on Monday 3 August against four men and one woman, none of whom has yet been sentenced.
The offending
The three complainants were aged between 14 and 16 when they were exploited and abused in Rhyl and the surrounding area. The offending ran from April 2022 through to March 2024 and took place in cars, at homes, and on business premises across Denbighshire.
The investigation
Detectives at North Wales Police brought the case together through two linked inquiries – Operation Embank and Operation Zirconium – both set up to pursue those responsible for child sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
The trial
Every defendant contested the allegations and insisted on their innocence for the duration of proceedings. Across three months, jurors heard evidence spanning rape, sexual assault, child sexual exploitation, modern day slavery offences, drug supply and attempts to obstruct justice.
Those convicted
Mustafa Iqbal, 43, of Trellewelyn Road, Rhyl, was found guilty of four counts of rape, three counts of conspiracy to require a person to perform compulsory labour, three counts of sexual assault, three counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, two counts of conspiracy to traffic, conspiracy to supply cannabis to another, conspiracy to supply cocaine to another, supplying cannabis to another, arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, and breaching a slavery/trafficking risk order.
Mohamed Usman Arshad, 36, of Clifton Grove, Rhyl, was found guilty of three counts of rape, two counts of conspiracy to traffic, two counts of conspiracy to require a person to perform compulsory labour, and supplying cannabis to another.
Ziaullah Badshah, 25, of Brighton Road, Rhyl, was found guilty of two counts of rape, two counts of conspiracy to traffic, two counts of conspiracy to require a person to perform compulsory labour, and supplying cannabis to another.
Jaswinder Singh, 61, of River Street, Rhyl, was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to traffic and one count of supplying cannabis to another.
Sarah Gray, 53, of Llanasa Road, Gronant, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice, assisting an offender, conspiracy to supply cocaine to another and conspiracy to supply cannabis to another.
What happens next
Iqbal, Arshad, Badshah and Singh have been remanded in custody. Gray was granted bail. All five return to Caernarfon Crown Court for sentencing on Friday 25 September.
Police reaction
Senior Investigating Officer DCI Richard Sidney said: “Today, my thoughts are first and foremost with the three young women at the heart of this case.
“They were children, aged just 14 to 16, when they were subjected to exploitation and abuse by adults who took advantage of their vulnerabilities and sought to manipulate and control them for their own gain.
“No child should have to experience what these young women endured. The impact of child sexual exploitation can be profound and long-lasting, and the harm caused by these offences cannot be understated.
“Today’s verdicts represent an important step towards accountability and justice. While no court outcome can undo the trauma these young women have experienced, I hope this result offers some measure of recognition of the harm done to them.
“Throughout this investigation and the three-month trial, the young women engaged with the criminal justice process despite the significant challenges that can come with revisiting traumatic experiences. By sharing their evidence, they helped ensure those responsible could be held accountable for their actions.
“I would like to thank them for the trust they placed in the investigation team and acknowledge the difficult journey they have been through. I also want them to know that what happened to them was not their fault. Today’s convictions are a reflection of the offenders’ actions and decisions, not the actions of the children they exploited.
“Mustafa Iqbal, Mohamed Usman Arshad, Ziaullah Badsha, Jaswinder Singh, and Sarah Gray, denied almost every allegation against them from the outset.
“Rather than accepting responsibility for the appalling harm they caused, they forced these young women to endure the additional trauma of a lengthy trial, requiring them to relive their experiences in a courtroom.
“I hope today’s outcome sends a clear message that those who seek to groom and exploit vulnerable children will be relentlessly pursued.
“We remain committed to identifying offenders, supporting victims and working with our partners to protect young people from those who seek to abuse and exploit them.
“I would also like to recognise the professionalism and dedication of the investigative team, specialist staff, prosecutors and partner agencies who have worked tirelessly to support the victims and present this case before the court.”
Getting help
Child sexual exploitation can be reported to police online or by calling 101. Anyone in immediate danger should call 999.
Confidential support is available from the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing [email protected]. Children who need help can call Childline on 0800 11 11.
