Eight men have been charged with a total of 34 offences as part of a historical child sex exploitation inquiry in south Wales. The charges include 17 counts of rape.

The men, aged between 54 and 73, were arrested from various locations across the United Kingdom, including Newport, Swansea, London, Birmingham, Lancashire, Edinburgh, and the Argyll and Bute area of Scotland.

Operation Oak, led by Gwent Police, is described as a complex and long-running investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation that allegedly occurred between 1985 and 1996. The inquiry is based on allegations made by several women who claim they were sexually abused as children.

"We have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings," said Jenny Hopkins, chief crown prosecutor for Wales. She also reminded the public that criminal proceedings are active and the defendants are entitled to a fair trial.

The individuals charged are:

  • Shafaq Mohammed, 58, of Birmingham, faces 11 offences including four counts of rape of a female under 16, three counts of rape of a female aged 16 or over, two counts of aiding and abetting the rape of a female under 16, causing the prostitution of a girl under 16, and causing the prostitution of a woman.
  • Syed Mohammad Ashan Taqvi, 65, of Newport, is charged with three counts of rape of a female under 16.
  • Mohammed Sheikh Abdul Hannan, 54, of Edinburgh, faces eight offences including two counts of rape of a female aged 16 or over, one count of indecent assault on a woman over 16, three counts of aiding and abetting the rape of a female under or over 16, and two counts of conspiring to rape a woman aged 16 or over.
  • Kevin Lawrence, 54, of Dunoon, is charged with three offences: two counts of conspiring to rape a woman aged 16 or over and causing the prostitution of a woman.
  • Sheikh Mohammed Tahir Ullah, 73, of Newport, faces one count of rape of a female aged 16 or over and one count of rape of a female under 16.
  • Aminur Rahman Chowdhury, 58, of Tottenham, is charged with one count of rape of a female aged 16 or over.
  • Shakeel Babur, 58, of Lancashire, faces four counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16.
  • Murad Ali, 57, of Swansea, is charged with two counts of rape of a female under 16.

All eight men are British citizens and are scheduled to appear before Newport Magistrates' Court on July 24.