Five men jailed for total of more than 65 years for exploiting vulnerable children in Stoke-on-Trent

Five men have been jailed after they exploited two vulnerable children in Stoke-on-Trent.

The men were sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Court today (Wednesday 12 July) after they were convicted in March and April 2022.

Concerns were raised to police regarding exploitation of a child in May 2019 which led to an investigation being launched. A designated team working with multi-agency partners investigated numerous allegations and visited many young people throughout a six-month period. This resulted in identifying two child victims and multiple offenders by February 2020.

A large-scale enforcement operation was carried out across Stoke-on-Trent in February and March 2020, which saw Umar Rafi, Usman Rafi, Muazzam Naseer, Haroon Hussain, Paul Harnett and Lee Comley arrested. Mohammed Hassnain Shabir was later arrested in September 2020.

The investigation, which involved Children’s Services at Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, found that victims were coerced and exploited by a group of men between March 2019 and February 2020. As a result of this exploitation, the children were arrested multiple times for drug offences, eventually disclosing the true nature of what occurred.

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Stuart Pearson said: “We welcome these sentences and I would like to praise the boys for their co-operation throughout this complex investigation. They helped us massively to ensure this successful prosecution and prevented other young people being forced into crime and a life of misery.

“I’d also like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service’s West Midlands Complex Crime Team for their excellent support throughout the investigation.”

Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Stephen Ward, said: “We know criminal exploitation of children is occurring and has been for some time, but this landmark case shows that when disclosed we can get those responsible prosecuted and held accountable for their actions.

“The partnership approach is a key factor in getting the offenders brought to justice and I would encourage any others affected by this case directly, or suffering similar abuse to contact Staffordshire Police or a professional body, safe in the knowledge your voice will be heard.”

Councillor Mark Sutton, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Children and Young People, said: “Forcing children to become involved in the supply of drugs is heartless and I am glad to see these offenders punished.

“This complex investigation crossed organisational boundaries and I’m glad to see the different authorities working well together again to protect the vulnerable.”

Councillor Lynn Watkins, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for children’s services, said: “This is a calculated and insidious crime that exploited child victims. Joint work across boundaries and organisations has led to this successful prosecution and it should serve as a strong message that this crime will not be tolerated.”

Umar Rafi, 31, of Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment. In April 2022, he was found guilty of two counts of require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour, arrange or facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, cause the course of justice to be obstructed, perverted or interfered with (attempt to intimidate a witness/juror) and two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs (cocaine and heroin).

Usman Rafi, 29, of Stoke-on-Trent, has been jailed for 15 years. He pleaded guilty in March 2022 to two counts of require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour, two counts of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation and two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs (cocaine and heroin).

Muazzam Naseer, 26, of Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment. He pleaded guilty on Friday 4 March 2022 to two counts of require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour, two counts of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation and two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs (cocaine and heroin).

Haroon Hussain, 30, of Stoke-on-Trent, was jailed for 15 years. He pleaded guilty on 4 March 2022 to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour, arrange or facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation and two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs (cocaine and heroin).

Mohammed Hassain Shabir, 24, of Stoke-on-Trent, was jailed for four years and six months. In April 2022, he was found guilty of robbery.

Paul Malcolm Harnett, 46, of Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to three years and nine months’ imprisonment on 2 February 2023 and released from custody due to time already served. He pleaded guilty in March 2022 to two counts of permitting premises to be used for the supply of drugs.

Lee Comley, 49, of Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to 12 months suspended for 18 months. He pleaded guilty on 3 March 2022 to being concerned in the supply of Class A controlled drugs (cocaine and heroin).