August 03, 2026 - 280 views
Five defendants have been convicted at Caernarfon Crown Court following a major North Wales Police investigation into the sexual exploitation and abuse of three teenage girls in Rhyl and the surrounding area.
The convictions relate to offences committed between April 2022 and March 2024 against three girls aged between 14 and 16. The court heard the abuse took place in cars, residential properties and business premises across Denbighshire.
Following a three-month trial, a jury unanimously found the five defendants guilty of a combined total of 40 offences, including rape, sexual assault, child sexual exploitation, modern slavery offences, drug supply and attempting to obstruct justice.
The offences were investigated under Operations Embank and Zirconium, linked North Wales Police investigations targeting child sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Among those convicted was Mustafa Iqbal, 43, of Trellewelyn Road, Rhyl, who was found guilty of multiple offences including four counts of rape, conspiracy to require a person to perform compulsory labour, sexual assault, causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, human trafficking offences, supplying cannabis and cocaine-related conspiracy offences, arranging travel for exploitation and breaching a slavery and trafficking risk order.
Mohamed Usman Arshad, 36, of Clifton Grove, Rhyl, was convicted of three counts of rape, conspiracy to traffic, conspiracy to require compulsory labour and supplying cannabis.
Ziaullah Badshah, 25, of Brighton Road, Rhyl, was found guilty of two counts of rape, conspiracy to traffic, conspiracy to require compulsory labour and supplying cannabis.
Jaswinder Singh, 65, of River Street, Rhyl, was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to traffic and one count of supplying cannabis.
Sarah Gray, 53, of Llanasa Road, Gronant, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice, assisting an offender and conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis.
All five defendants denied the allegations throughout the proceedings. They have been remanded in custody and are due to be sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday, 25 September.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Richard Sidney paid tribute to the three young women whose evidence helped secure the convictions.
He 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."
DCI Sidney praised the victims for their courage in giving evidence during the lengthy trial despite having to relive traumatic experiences.
He added: "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."
He also thanked the investigation team, specialist officers, prosecutors and partner agencies for their work in bringing the case before the courts.
North Wales Police has urged anyone concerned about child sexual exploitation to report it by calling 101 or online. Anyone in immediate danger should call 999.
Confidential support is available through the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, while children can contact Childline on 0800 1111.
