A young girl known only as 'Anna', who was living in a children's home in Bradford during the early 2000s, has been repeatedly betrayed by those entrusted with her care. The latest chapter in this shocking case saw four more men convicted of sexual offences against Anna, bringing the total number of guilty individuals to 13. The extent of the abuse and exploitation inflicted on this vulnerable child is laid bare in court documents and testimony.
Mohammed Baig, 47, Sohail Hussain, 40, Mohammed Suleman, 45, and Khurram Iqbal, 40, all from Bradford, were found guilty at Bradford Crown Court. Their convictions follow a pattern of abuse that began when Anna was just 13 years old. The court heard that she was "passed around like candy" by her abusers, who targeted her vulnerability with devastating consequences.
The evidence presented in court included police records showing Anna was reported missing 101 times between 2002 and 2004. Social work documents from the children's home noted a disturbing pattern of exploitation, with Anna frequently going out with older men at night and failing to report their identity to staff. This tragic sequence of events has left deep scars on Anna and her family.
Among those previously convicted are Basharat Khaliq, 45, who was jailed for 21 years in 2025 for rape and indecent assault, and Raja Zulqurnean, 43, who received an 18-year sentence later increased to 23 years on appeal for similar crimes. The case has also raised serious questions about the role of Anwar Meah, a social worker who attended Anna's pseudo-marriage ceremony with one of her abusers despite warnings from colleagues.
Prosecutor Kama Melly KC highlighted Anna's extreme vulnerability, stating that the men targeted her because "her vulnerability was plain". Det Ch Insp Vicky Greenbank of West Yorkshire Police acknowledged past failings by the force but praised Anna's courage in coming forward. The ongoing scrutiny of this case underscores the serious and systemic issues that allowed such exploitation to occur and persist.
The national independent inquiry into grooming gangs announced in June 2026 will focus local investigations on Bradford, Keighley, Oldham, and London, a move welcomed by Anna's supporters as a crucial step towards justice and accountability. As this case continues to unfold, it is clear that the impact of these crimes will be felt for years to come.