Shabir Ahmed, the 73-year-old ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang, has been released from prison and is being housed at Highfield House, an 'approved premises' in Accrington, Lancashire. The facility is designed to house high-risk male offenders, and Ahmed's placement there has ignited significant controversy due to its proximity to the area where his crimes occurred and the nature of his offenses.
Ahmed was jailed in 2012 for dozens of rape and child sex offenses. He was sentenced to 19 years for leading a group that abused 47 girls, some as young as 12, over five years. A subsequent trial resulted in another 22-year sentence for abusing an Asian girl from the age of three until she reached adulthood. Under the UK's Criminal Justice Act 2003, offenders are eligible for release after serving half of their sentence, a rule that led to Ahmed's release on July 2, despite his lengthy sentence. His tariff was increased to two-thirds by the government in 2020, but his release remained mandatory.
The British government has sought to deport Ahmed to Pakistan, his country of birth. However, Pakistan has refused to accept him, stating he is a foreigner who renounced his citizenship years ago. Pakistan's foreign ministry noted that the UK is where Ahmed "grew up, was raised, groomed and, unfortunately, spoiled."
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, has called for a review of all options to remove Ahmed from the country, stating "nothing is off the table." However, a loophole in the 1971 Immigration Act prevents the removal of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973. This situation has been further complicated by the recent confirmation that the UK has signed off a £153 million aid package to Pakistan, despite the country's refusal to repatriate Ahmed.
Highfield House, where Ahmed is staying, is located near parks, children's playgrounds, and schools. This proximity has caused alarm among victims and community leaders, as Ahmed had previously targeted victims near school gates. Maggie Oliver, a former police officer who resigned over the handling of the Rochdale grooming case, expressed horror, stating that Ahmed's placement is "the lunatics running the asylum."
Local MP Sarah Smith has called for Ahmed to be deported and for a wider exclusion zone to prevent him from being housed in Lancashire or the North-West. Muslim community leaders in Accrington have also voiced outrage, calling Ahmed's placement a "serious error of judgment" and expressing deep concern for the safety of children, fearing it could lead to rising community tensions.
Ahmed's past behavior in court and prison has been marked by a lack of remorse and defiance. He has accused the authorities of racism and conspiracy, and even attacked a fellow inmate after the Brussels terror attacks. During a parole hearing in 2022, it was revealed he had been appointed an 'equalities representative' in prison. His history of legal challenges against deportation and his continued presence in the UK highlight the complexities of the justice system and international relations in such cases.
Concerns were heightened when rumors of Ahmed's presence at Highfield House circulated, leading to a small demonstration. He was subsequently moved by police to an undisclosed location. The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing the release and housing of high-risk offenders, particularly when deportation is complicated by international agreements.