Description
A woman from Kirklees has been commended for her courage after helping convict four men who sexually abused her more than 30 years ago.
This follows an investigation into the rape and sexual abuse of a teenage girl in Kirklees and Wakefield between 1994 and 2000.
Detectives have described the abuse she suffered as absolutely appalling and have thanked the victim for coming forward and reporting the offending.
Jagtar Sahota, aged 64, from Leeds was sentenced today (29 April) at Leeds Crown Court to 21 years in prison for 11 counts of rape and 11 counts of indecent assault.
He was also jailed for one count of actual bodily harm, with all offending taking place between the years 1997 and 2000.
Yesterday (28 April), Zahid Hussain, aged 48 and Mohammed Chhibda, aged 49, were found guilty of indecent assault offences against the same woman.
The men, who are all from Dewsbury, committed the offences between 1994 and 1997.
A fourth man, Basharat Wali, aged 46, from Dewsbury, had already pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault.
They will be sentenced on 4 June.
In a statement from the survivor, which was read during Jagtar Sahota’s trial about the sexual offending she endured at his hands, she said:
“There are no words what this man has done to me. He took something from me that I can never get back and it’s not just what he did in his moments of abuse- it's the lifetime of destruction that followed.
“The pain caused didn't end when he walked away. No. It lives with me every single day. It haunts me in ways I can't explain.
“I don't know if I'll ever find peace, but I do know this, I'm trying. I'm trying to find a way to heal, even if it's one broken piece at a time.”
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Stevens, of Kirklees District Police, said:
“The survivor in these trials has shown enormous courage in coming forwards to make these men answer for the huge and lasting damage they caused her.
“As her statement makes clear, the appalling abuse she suffered has taken a dreadful toll on her throughout her teenage and then adult life.
“Thanks to her bravery though, these four men have now all been convicted, with one sentenced and receiving a substantial term in prison.
“We continue to urge all victims of sexual offending who may not have reported offences to come forwards, no matter when crimes took place. Specialist officers will always, listen, investigate, and do whatever they can to secure justice for you.”