Three men have been charged with rape following an investigation into historical child sexual exploitation. The men who are all British Pakistani are accused of offences committed between 1996 and 2003 against 10 girls who were aged between 12 and 16 when the alleged offences took place.
Ashfaq Khan, 46, of Bury has been charged with 36 counts including allegations of rape, attempted rape, indecent assault and false imprisonment. Zaheer Iqbal, 52, of Accrington, Lancashire, has been charged with four counts of rape and two counts of false imprisonment. Qamar Jehangeer, 38, of Bolton, Greater Manchester, is accused of four counts of rape. The charges follow the launch of Operation Sky, a “complex and sensitive” investigation focused on the town.
In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: “Officers are working with trauma-informed support services to safeguard and support all those that have been affected.
They continue to work at length to ensure their safety and well-being is the number one priority.”
The defendants will appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, police said.
Greater Manchester Police said anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted is encouraged to report it to police or seek support from a specialist agency.
Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre offers 24-hour support on 0161 276 6515, while Greater Manchester Rape Crisis can be contacted on 0161 273 4500.
Male victims can access specialist support through We Are Survivors on 0161 236 2182.