The government plans to change immigration law to allow the deportation of the released ringleader of a Rochdale child sexual exploitation gang after existing legislation prevented his removal from the UK.
The proposed change is expected to be announced by the Home Secretary on Monday.
Shabir Ahmed, 73, was released on licence last week after serving part of a 22 year prison sentence imposed in 2012 for child sexual offences including rape.
Ahmed, who was known to some of his victims as “Daddy”, held dual British and Pakistani citizenship before his British citizenship was removed following his conviction.
Despite that, he has not been deported because provisions within the Immigration Act 1971 protect certain Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973 and had lived in the country for at least five years.
The government now intends to amend that legislation so Ahmed can be considered for deportation.
Following his release from prison, Ahmed was placed in accommodation with round the clock staffing and fitted with a GPS monitoring tag. The Home Office said he is subject to strict licence conditions including exclusion zones, an electronically monitored curfew and the requirements of the sex offenders register.
The government has said any breach of those licence conditions would result in Ahmed being returned to prison.
Home Office minister Alex Norris told MPs this week that the government would continue its efforts to deport Ahmed because of what he described as his “heinous” crimes.
The timetable for changing the law is not yet confirmed, although government sources have suggested the process could take up to a year. It is also understood there is currently no agreement with Pakistan covering Ahmed’s return.
Ahmed was one of nine men convicted over the sexual exploitation of girls as young as 13 linked to takeaway restaurants in the Heywood area of Rochdale.
Some victims have said they feel frightened and unsafe following his release.
Billy Howarth, who supports survivors of child sexual exploitation, said he has worked with two of Ahmed’s victims since 2014.
He said, “They believe he is the most evil man they know.”
He added, “Both girls are in crisis at the moment. They are frightened for their lives at this moment in time.”
Rochdale students win national award for online safety film
Potting Shed returns to The Rock for summer holiday family activities
Twelve Rochdale borough parks retain Green Flag awards
Bury didn't cut the shortlist for UK Town of Culture
Tottington High School students raise £1,000 for bereavement charity
Bury technology firm Avoira shortlisted for two Greater Manchester business awards
Rochdale Sea Cadets finish second in national Gibraltar Cup competition
Reform UK launches Greater Manchester mayoral manifesto with tax, policing and transport pledges
Car flips onto roof after alleged dangerous driving in Littleborough as police make arrest
Woman dies after driving wrong way on M62 police believe
Dovestone moor fire sends smoke across Saddleworth as firefighters battle blaze
Heywood HMO protest moved from Memorial Gardens to Civic Centre after backlash
Comments
Add a comment