SEVEN members of the Bullfinch gang that raped, prostituted and sexually abused young girls in Oxford have today been handed sentences totalling 95 years.

Judge Peter Rook sentenced five of the gang - brothers Akhtar and Anjum Dogar, Mohammed Karrar, Bassam Karrar and Kamar Jamil - life sentences.

Judge Rook said that the gang had put their victims through "sheer torture" by subjecting them to abuse which was "truly evil".

Condemning the men to long prison sentences following their years of abusing six girls, he said: "You have been found guilty of a series of sexual crimes of the utmost gravity, the exploitation and abuse of young highly vulnerable girls in the Oxford area over a very long period of time.

  • Audio: Police and CPS reaction to the Bullfinch sentences

"On occasions the depravity was extreme.

"You targeted the young girls because they were vulnerable, you subjected them to repeated abuse and this was a pattern that repeated itself over and over again.
"Each victim was groomed, coerced and intimidated. This involved planning.

"You would build up their trust and ply them with drink drugs and the attention they craved."

Speaking about one of the girls, he added: "You took her soul."

Oxford Mail: Akhtar Dogar

Akhtar Dogar, 32 and of Tawney Street in East Oxford, yawned at the Old Bailey today as he was handed his life sentence with a minimum term of 17 years.

He was found guilty of five rapes, three counts of conspiracy to rape, two of arranging child prostitution and trafficking for sexual exploitation.

Oxford Mail: Anjum Dogar

His brother Anjum, 31, similarly was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 17 years for three rapes, three counts of conspiracy to rape, two of arranging child prostitution and trafficking for sexual exploitation.

Oxford Mail: Mohammed Karrar

Mohammed Karrar, 38, of Kames Close in Cowley, received life with a minimum of 20 years for seven rapes, four charges of conspiracy to rape, two of trafficking for sexual exploitation, two of arranging child prostitution, serious sexual assault, using an instrument to procure a miscarriage and supplying heroin.

Oxford Mail: Bassam Karrar

Bassam Karrar, 33, of Hundred Acres Close in Cowley, got life with a minimum of 15 years for three rapes, three charges of conspiracy to rape, two charges of arranging child prostitution and trafficking for sexual exploitation.

Oxford Mail: Kamar Jamil, 27, was found guilty of rape, facilitating child prostitution and trafficking (Thames Valley Police/PA Wire)

Kamar Jamil, 27, of Aldrich Road in North Oxford, received life with a minimum of 12 years for five rapes, two charges of conspiracy to rape, and one of arranging child prostitution.

Oxford Mail: Assad Hussain

Assad Hussain, 32, of Ashhurst Way in Rose Hill, was jailed for seven years for two counts of sexual activity with a child.

Oxford Mail: Zeeshan Ahmed, 27, who was convicted as part of a paedophile ring (Thames Valley Police/PA Wire)

Zeeshan Ahmed, 27, of Palmer Road in Wood Farm also received seven years for two counts of sexual activity with a child.

Senior Investigating Officer Simon Morton said: “This is a great result for the victims. At last they can see justice has been done.

“These men have received a total of at least 95 years. The girls can now start to move on with their lives knowing the men that caused them so much pain are locked up.

“More than that, every victim around the country can see that justice does work. If you’ve suffered like these girls have, please come and tell us your story, we can help you.

“There is another message here. Anyone out there who even thinks of committing sexual atrocities like these needs to look over their shoulder and keep looking over their shoulder. We know how you work, we know how you think. Be in no doubt, we are coming for you.”

Supt Christian Bunt, Oxford LPA commander, said: “This is an excellent result today and I once again want to commend the young victims who made these sentences possible.

“Now these offenders have been brought to justice, we are working hard to continue tackling child sexual exploitation in the city.

“This includes training every member of our frontline staff and running dedicated and regular patrols around the city to identify any potential victims or offenders.

“I want to reassure the Oxford community that everything is being done to safeguard children from sexual exploitation in this area.”

Baljit Ubhey, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Thames and Chiltern, said: "The abuse these girls were subjected to was truly appalling. Today's sentences reflect the seriousness of the offences, and the young age and vulnerability of the victims when the offences were committed.

"I would like to thank the victims for having the courage to support prosecution and give evidence in this case. Their bravery has ensured that seven sexual predators, who sought opportunities to target and sexually abuse and exploit vulnerable young girls, have been brought to justice.

"The victims in this case were targeted because of their vulnerability and then cynically exploited. They were given drink and drugs; they were shown attention to make them feel special, all of which was insincere and designed solely to make them feel indebted to their abusers; they were then coerced into sexual acts by emotional pressure, intimidation, threats and violence. As a result, these girls were left in absolutely no position to give true and free consent to sexual acts.

"This is an important point for other victims out there, who may think that they won't be believed because they too seemingly 'agreed' to sexual activity. The background and context of such sexual activity is of crucial importance and victims who are forced to succumb to it by the use of such tactics do not, in the eyes of the law, consent to it."

City campaigners have today (Thursday, June 27) pledged to make it easier for victims of human trafficking to come forward.

It comes as members of an organised gang were jailed at the Old Bailey for grooming and sexually abusing vulnerable girls in Oxford.

Andy Dipper, from OXCAT (Oxford Community Against Trafficking) said: “Lessons need to be learnt and quickly. We want to make sure other victims understand we will listen, and we will believe them.

“We have heard the recommendations from our senior politicians and now we must see action. There simply isn’t time to waste.

“Victims are being stigmatised and discouraged from reporting their horrific abuse because of a system which is ponderous, accusatory and further traumatises them.

“The community, police and social services need to provide a safe haven for anyone – young or old, male or female - who is a victim of this horrendous crime.

“Be in no doubt, OXCAT will be applying constant pressure to see changes in our justice system and care services. Don’t forget this happened in Oxford, in our neighbourhood.”