- The two men part of a nine-man gang which abused 26 girls in a ‘reign of terror’
Two of Britain’s worst paedophiles who led one of the first convicted grooming gangs in the country could be freed in months.
Evil Abid Mohammed Saddique and Mohammed Romaan Liaqat were part of a revolting nine-man gang which abused 26 girls in a ‘reign of terror’ in the city of Derby.
Both married and with children, they cruised around the streets of Derby in a BMW or a Range Rover – which Saddique referred to as the ‘Rape Rover’ – looking for victims while their unsuspecting families waited at home.
In 2011, Saddique was told he would have to serve at least 11 years in jail and Liaqat eight years.
However, both men could be offered a step closer to freedom after the Parole Board said Saddique is referred for his Parole review. This will be soon and could see him be released then, or a Parole hearing directed or refused at that stage.
Liaqat was recommended for open prison conditions in December, sparking fears he will be out in months and released.
The development has sparked outrage, with a police source in Derby saying: ‘This crime sent shockwaves through police and social services when it was uncovered at the time. It was one of the first of its kind in the country. The idea the ringleaders could be back on the streets in a matter of months is deeply worrying.
‘It is sickening. These two are two of the most dangerous sex offenders in Britain. Their crimes left a dark shadow on the city.’
Tory MP Nigel Mills added: ‘It’s very disturbing to hear. My thoughts are with the poor victims who went through hell.’
Abid Mohammed Saddique (pictured) and Mohammed Romaan Liaqat led one of the first convicted grooming gangs in the country are set to be free in months
Saddique and Liaqat (pictured) were part of a nine-man gang which abused 26 girls in a ‘reign of terror’ in the city of Derby
Footage of Mohammed Romaan Liaqat and Abid Mohammed Saddique cruising the streets of Derby in a BMW
Saddique and Liaqat looked for vulnerable young girls then offered rides in the car to ‘link and chill’, plied them with vodka stored under the seats and took them to parks, hotel rooms or houses, where they were sometimes offered cocaine before being pressured into sex.
The abuse took place over 18 months and the gang are feared to have attacked 100 women. The youngest victim was 12, the oldest 18.
Over weeks and months they were taken to homes in Derby and other towns before being raped by the gang and their friends, some of whom paid the men in cash.
When girls refused their advances they were threatened with hammers or thrown out of cars, the court heard during Saddique and Liaqats’ trial in 2011.
While one of the victims was under the care of Derby City Council when she was accosted by the men, most of the rest came from broken homes and were too scared to report the abuse.
It was one of the first cases in the country which echoed other crime patterns discovered in Rochdale, Rotherham and Telford.
Nigel Mills, Tory MP for Amber Valley in Derbyshire, said ‘It’s very disturbing to hear’ that Saddique and Liaqat could soon be released
Judge Philip Head told Saddique – aged 27 at the time of sentencing – that: ‘Your crimes can only be described as evil.’
He was a ‘manipulative and controlling’ character who was a danger to young girls, the judge said.
A police investigation into the gang started with three men being routinely pulled over and officers were concerned to see two young girls with them.
They had been reported missing from a care home in Derby.
Operation Retriever soon started and it became one of the most serious cases of sexual abuse in recent years.
Three trials were carried out in secret due to reporting restrictions which saw the nine men be found guilty.
Detective Spt Debbie Platt from Derbyshire police who led the investigation described it at the time as a ‘campaign of rape’.
A Parole Board spokesperson said: ‘Regarding Saddique he is referred for his parole review but not listed for his oral hearing yet. Liaqat was recommended for open conditions in December 2023.’
