Mohammed Shahzad

The CPS describes Shahzad as a taxi driver from Rochdale who met Girl A when she was 13. He initially befriended her, regularly sending her messages and offering her lifts. Approximately one month later, he began regularly collecting her in his taxi, supplying her with alcohol and then raping her. The victim was subsequently taken to isolated locations and 'passed around' among taxi drivers who knew Shahzad, including Naheem Akram and Nisar Hussain, who were also convicted of assaults against her. In 2023, Shahzad was initially charged with 16 offences, including rape, trafficking persons within the UK for sexual exploitation and penetrative sexual activity with an underage girl; the list of charges tried in 2025 was also broader than the eventual convictions alone. The jury ultimately found him guilty of five counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration. He was sentenced to 26 years' imprisonment on 1 October 2025. During the investigation, Shahzad denied the allegations and accused Girl A of seeking financial compensation, a claim rejected by the verdict.

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In January 2025, before the jury was sworn in, Shahzad, Naheem Akram and Nisar Hussain had their bail revoked and were remanded in custody. The court heard that police had received intelligence suggesting that the three taxi drivers, all born in Rochdale, were planning to leave the United Kingdom and had reportedly already paid a deposit for their transport. All three men denied the allegation. Judge Jonathan Seely nevertheless considered that the court could not risk their absconding as well, given that Kasir Bashir had already disappeared before the trial.

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Before the jury was empanelled, Shahzad, Akram and Hussain had their bail revoked. Police had received intelligence indicating that they were planning to leave the United Kingdom and had paid a deposit for their transport.

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The jury unanimously found Mohammed Shahzad guilty of five counts of rape against Girl A.

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Shahzad was also convicted of a separate count of assault by penetration.

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Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court sentenced Shahzad to 26 years' imprisonment for the six offences of which he had been convicted.

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Greater Manchester Police announced 16 charges against Shahzad, including rape, trafficking within the United Kingdom for sexual exploitation and penetrative sexual activity with an underage girl. At his first court appearance, he indicated an intention to plead not guilty and was released on bail.

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Mohammed Shahzad, a taxi driver, met Girl A when she was 13. He gradually gained her trust by frequently sending her messages and offering her lifts, before the relationship became sexually abusive.

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After approximately one month, Shahzad began regularly collecting the victim in his taxi, supplying her with alcohol and then raping her. The jury subsequently found him guilty of five counts of rape.

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The victim was taken to isolated locations and passed between taxi drivers who knew Shahzad, including Naheem Akram and Nisar Hussain, who also sexually assaulted and raped her.

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ITV reported that, on one occasion, Shahzad, Hussain and Akram had supplied Girl A with alcohol and drugs before her sexual abuse was filmed in the back of Hussain's taxi; the footage was subsequently sent to relatives and schoolmates.

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