On 17 February 2026, Riyasth Hussain, aged 45, was found guilty of three counts of rape at Sheffield Crown Court. Hussain is the 50th person to be convicted under the National Crime Agency’s Operation Stovewood, and he is brought to justice 20 years after committing the offences.

Hussain was arrested as part of the National Crime Agency (NCA )’s Operation Stovewood, which investigates non-familial child sexual exploitation and abuse carried out in Rotherham  between 1997 and 2013.

NCA officers identified Hussain had twice raped a girl of around 13 years of age in the 2000s. The victim knew him by the nickname ‘Riaz’ and noted that Hussain had connections to a local taxi firm. Liz Fell, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, noted that the victim “…was living in the care system and had been groomed and sexually exploited by many other men, when Hussain targeted her.”

The second victim identified Hussain in connection to an incident in 2008. The victim was staying at a friend’s property, when a man entered her room and raped her.

Hussain received a 20-year sentence for his crimes on 19 February 2026.

NCA Senior Investigating Officer Alan Hastings said: “I would like to recognise the strength of these two remarkable women who, having suffered so much, showed enormous courage in reporting what Hussain did to them…. I urge victims not to give up hope, and to please report sexual abuse to police if they feel ready to.”

At Switalskis, we represent survivors of abuse across England and Wales, providing compassionate and specialist legal support to help them seek justice and begin rebuilding their lives. We understand that making the decision to speak to the police can feel incredibly daunting. Many survivors worry about being believed, reliving traumatic experiences, or navigating a process that can feel overwhelming and unfamiliar.

If you’ve been affected by abuse and need support, The Survivors Trust offers a free, confidential helpline for anyone aged 16 and over. You can call 0808 801 0818 or text 07860 022 956 . Visit thesurvivorstrust.org for full details.

Getting advice and support

If you are affected by these issues and want confidential advice about your legal options specialist abuse support is available.

For confidential legal advice, please contact Amy Clowrey on 01924 882000 , email Amy.Clowrey@switalskis.com or contact us through the website below.