Historic Grooming Trial
Nine Men Plead Not Guilty in Historic South Wales Grooming Gang Trial
Key Points
Six of the nine defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, including Mohammed Sheikh Abdul Hannan (54, Edinburgh, British Bangladeshi), Shafaq Mohammed (58, Birmingham, Asian Pakistani), Syed Mohammad Ashan Taqvi (65, Newport, Asian Pakistani), Kevin Lawrence (54, Dunoon, white European), Aminur Rahman Choudhury (58, Tottenham, Asian Bangladeshi) and Murad Ali (57, Swansea, Asian Pakistani).
Three other defendants—Mohammed Ramzan (76, Newport), Sheikh Mohammed Tahir Ullah (73, Newport) and Shakeel Babur (58, Lancashire)—did not enter pleas at the hearing.
The trial is scheduled to begin on January 17, 2028 and is expected to last between 16 and 20 weeks.
Shafaq Mohammed faces 11 charges, including six counts of rape, one count of buggery without consent, two counts of aiding and abetting rape, and two counts of causing prostitution; the case involves eight alleged victims.
Defendants come from across the UK, including Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newport, Dunoon, Tottenham and Swansea, reflecting the nationwide scope of the investigation.
Nine men aged 54 to 76 have pleaded not guilty to charges related to an alleged South Wales grooming gang that exploited children in the 1980s and 1990s Daily Mail. Six defendants entered formal denials at Cardiff Crown Court, while three others have yet to enter pleas. The trial is set to begin on January 17, 2028, and prosecutors say it could last 16 to 20 weeks Edinburgh Live.
The case, dubbed Operation Oak by Gwent Police, centers on allegations of rape, indecent assault, and grooming ITV. The defendants hail from across the UK, including Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newport, and Swansea. One defendant, Shafaq Mohammed, faces 11 charges including six counts of rape Daily Mail.
Six Men Enter Not Guilty Pleas at First Hearing
Mohammed Sheikh Abdul Hannan, 54, from Edinburgh, denied all charges against him Daily Mail. Shafaq Mohammed, 58, from Birmingham, also pleaded not guilty. Three more defendants—Syed Mohammad Ashan Taqvi, Kevin Lawrence, and Aminur Rahman Choudhury—similarly denied involvement Edinburgh Live. Murad Ali, 57, from Swansea, also entered a not guilty plea. The sixth man who denied charges has not been publicly named in all accounts.
Three other defendants—Mohammed Ramzan, 76, Sheikh Mohammed Tahir Ullah, 73, and Shakeel Babur, 58—did not enter pleas at the initial Cardiff Crown Court hearing Daily Mail. They will likely do so at a later date. All nine men remain on bail.
Shafaq Mohammed Faces Most Serious Charges
Shafaq Mohammed faces the heaviest charges of anyone accused. He is charged with six counts of rape, one count of buggery without consent, two counts of aiding and abetting rape, and two counts of causing prostitution Daily Mail. The case involves eight alleged victims. The charges span decades, from the 1980s through the 1990s.
The breadth of charges against Mohammed suggests prosecutors believe he played a central role in the alleged abuse Daily Mail. The other defendants face varying numbers of charges related to the same incidents. Investigators worked for years to build the case under Operation Oak ITV.
Trial Expected to Last Five Months Starting 2028
The trial will begin on January 17, 2028, nearly four years after initial arrests Daily Mail. The judge indicated proceedings could stretch between 16 and 20 weeks. That timeline would push the trial into late spring or early summer. The lengthy duration reflects the complexity of the case Head Topics.
The delay until 2028 gives both prosecutors and defense teams time to prepare. Police say evidence includes witness testimony and findings from their long investigation ITV. The extended wait also allows additional time for victims to prepare to testify. Courts have emphasized the importance of accountability while maintaining due process for the accused.
Defendants Come From Across UK and Multiple Backgrounds
The nine accused men come from widely scattered locations. Some live in Scotland, including one in Edinburgh and another in Dunoon. Others are based in England—Birmingham, Tottenham, Newport, Lancashire, and Swansea Daily Mail. This geographic spread suggests a coordinated network that operated across multiple regions.
The defendants identify with different ethnic backgrounds, including British Bangladeshi, Asian Pakistani, and white European Daily Mail. All are British citizens. Their diverse origins may complicate the investigation and prosecution. The wide geographic and demographic range underscores how the alleged abuse gang extended far beyond a single city or community Edinburgh Live.
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