Three brothers and their uncle are among six people convicted of the sexual exploitation of teenage girls in Rotherham.
Arshid, Basharat and Bannaras Hussain – known as Mad Ash, Bash and Bono – formed a violent, gun-toting, drug-dealing family who appeared to operate with impunity in the South Yorkshire town, a court heard.
Women described how they were raped, beaten and passed between abusers and used as prostitutes by a gang led by the three men, who “owned” Rotherham.
Arshid (40) and Basharat (39) were found guilty of multiple rapes and indecent assaults following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court.
Bannaras (36) had admitted 10 charges including rape, indecent assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm at the start of the trial.
Their uncle, Qurban Ali (53) was convicted of conspiracy to rape. Karen MacGregor (58) and Shelley Davies (40) were found guilty of conspiracy to procure prostitutes and false imprisonment.
Brothers Majid Bostan (37) and Sajid Bostan (38) were cleared of all charges.
Some of the 15 women who were abused by the gang watched the verdicts from the public gallery overlooking the packed court, some holding hands with each other.
Arshid Hussain, who was portrayed as the gang’s ringleader and claims to be paraplegic, appeared from his bed at home via video link and looked asleep.
Judge Sarah White told the jury of six men and six women that Arshid’s wife had called an ambulance during the verdicts and he had been taken to hospital, despite his bail being revoked.
Michelle Colborne QC, prosecuting, said this appeared to be a deliberate attempt to frustrate the judicial process.
Ms Colborne said: “Mr Hussain is en route to Scunthorpe Hospital. I understand he is unwell. He’s not speaking to the police with him.
“I have instructed the police to ask him directly whether he’s willing to attend court or whether he determined to disobey your honour’s order.”
The six convicted people will be sentenced on Friday.