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

The men were sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Court yesterday (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 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 found that victims were coerced and exploited by a group of men between March 2019 and February 2020.

(L-R) Mohammad Hassain Shabir, Haroon Raza Hussain and Muazzam Naseer were all jailed yesterday (Staffordshire Police).

As a result of this exploitation, the children were arrested multiple times for drug offences, eventually disclosing the true nature of what occurred.

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."

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."

(L-R) Usman Rafi and Umar Rafi were both jailed for exploiting vulnerable children in Stoke-on-Trent (Staffordshire Police).

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, 25, 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).

An investigation found that victims were coerced and exploited between March 2019 and February 2020 (Nub News).

Haroon Hussain, 29, 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.

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