On Friday 13 September, Waleed Ali (42) was found guilty within hours of jurors beginning their deliberations in a trial at Sheffield Crown Court. He was sentenced immediately to 5 years in prison.

This conviction was secured as a result of the National Crime Agency’s Operation Stovewood after the victim bravely came forward in 2021 to report the incident, having not disclosed it before. Ali had been previously found guilty of assaulting another young girl in 2003, aged 13 at the time, in the same location.

The Court heard that Ali, in his early 20s at the time, targeted the victim, aged 14, after spotting her sitting alone and approached her with a group of men before sexually assaulting her in a nearby alleyway between March 2003 and March 2004.

The National Crime Agency’s Senior Investigating Officer, Stuart Cobb said:

“For 21 years the victim suffered in silence but her brave testimony combined with our investigative work has ensured her attacker faced justice. I urge anyone who is a victim of child sexual abuse, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred, to seek support and, if they feel ready, report it to the police, who have officers specially trained to investigate such cases.”

Operation Stovewood remains the UK’s largest investigation into child sexual abuse and focuses on offences committed in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. To date, over 40 individuals have been convicted under this operation with over 1,000 victims identified. Operation Stovewood remains ongoing and further trials are scheduled to take place.

Contact our specialist child abuse lawyers

Switalskis represent a number of survivors of historical child sexual exploitation, including women who suffered abuse in Rotherham.

If you would like a confidential chat about any of the issues raised above and to see if you might have a claim, please contact Sally Smith in the Abuse Department on 01924 882000 or by email at sally.smith@switalskis.com .  You do not need to have reported matters to the police in order to proceed.

Gross Misconduct: One Woman’s Legal Journey Through and Beyond Exploitation in Rotherham

David Greenwood, director, solicitor and head of Switalskis abuse team has co-authored a book alongside his client Anna Rotherham (not her real name). In the book Anna shares her experiences of the grooming gangs in Rotherham. Growing up in a working-class family on a council estate, Anna faced challenges from a young age. Her home life was difficult, with her father in prison and experiencing parental neglect. At a young age Anna moved into foster care, seeking a more stable environment.

It was during this time that Arshid "Ash" Hussain came into her life, offering her drugs and alcohol by way of grooming. By the age of 12, Anna had been in contact with the police multiple times, yet there was little intervention.

David Greenwood began working with Anna in 2015, guiding her through the legal process and supporting her through the trials against Hussain. Over the next five years, David and Anna worked together to hold those responsible to account, including Rotherham Council and South Yorkshire Police. Hussain was eventually sentenced to 35 years, but the fight for justice continues, with David representing over 100 other survivors.

The book sheds light on the ongoing efforts to seek accountability and support survivors, while highlighting the strength and resilience of those, like Anna, who are determined to rebuild their lives.

Our team is currently handling claims following the 2014 Alexis Jay Report, which exposed serious failures by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) and other authorities. Over 1,400 children were identified as victims of grooming gangs in Rotherham, yet child sexual exploitation remains a concern today.

From denial to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, talking to the police and salvation through caring for her children and horses, this fascinating woman’s story in her own words recounts her journey’s highs and lows with essential context from her lawyer. You can read the Gross Misconduct: One woman’s legal journey through and beyond exploitation in Rotherham on paperback. Find out more here.