Shabir Ahmed, a 73-year-old ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang convicted of 30 child rapes, has been released from prison but cannot be deported from the UK due to the Immigration Act 1971. Despite having his British citizenship revoked, Ahmed is protected under legislation that prevents the deportation of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973.
Details of the Case
Ahmed emigrated from Pakistan and was a central figure in the Rochdale grooming gang, which targeted vulnerable children at two takeaway restaurants. He was sentenced in 2012 to concurrent terms of 22 and 19 years for his crimes. Prosecutors described him as one of the gang's chief ringleaders, with one victim abused for over a decade, treated as a "possession" for his sexual gratification.
Release Conditions and Restrictions
Upon release, Ahmed is subject to strict conditions, including a lifetime place on the sex offenders register, an exclusion zone covering the entire borough of Rochdale until June 10, 2034, curfews, and electronic tagging. He is banned from contacting any child or young person and must not approach his victims. Breaching these conditions would result in immediate imprisonment.
Victims were notified via email through the Victim Contact scheme, which confirmed that all avenues for deportation had been exhausted. Ahmed has renounced his Pakistani citizenship, making deportation impossible even if he were to leave the UK, as he would be barred from returning.
Government Response
A Home Office spokesperson stated: "Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victims of these appalling crimes. Ahmed's horrific crimes were at the heart of the grooming gangs scandal that represents one of the darkest moments in our country's history. The most vulnerable people were abused and exploited at the hands of evil child rapists and must face the full force of the law."
The Home Office has spent over a year attempting to persuade Pakistan to accept Ahmed and other gang members who had their British citizenship revoked but renounced their Pakistani nationality. Despite these efforts, the Immigration Act 1971 prevents deportation for pre-1973 Commonwealth arrivals.
Impact on Victims
The release has caused distress among victims, who were informed by email. The exclusion zone offers some protection, but the inability to deport Ahmed has sparked public outrage. The case highlights legal complexities surrounding deportation for certain categories of immigrants convicted of serious crimes.
