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Operation Stovewood: Ongoing arrests

By David Greenwood

Published In: Child Abuse, Child Abuse - Grooming Gangs

A Rotherham man is facing trial at Sheffield Crown Court for a serious sexual offence against  a child in 2007.

Girl sitting and watching the sunset

Kehzir Ilyas, 46 years old, was arrested in June by officers from Operation Stovewood for the rape of a 15 year old girl. He has been charged and now faces trial for this offence.

Operation Stovewood is an investigation led by the National Crime Agency into the allegations of abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.

Operation Stovewood has so far:

  • Identified more than 1,150 potential victims
  • Arrested or interviewed over 220 people
  • Secured 39 convictions to date

More than 100 officers remain dedicated to the investigation, working to bring offenders to justice and provide survivors with much-needed support.

Operation Stovewood aims to provide victims with support and advice, identify and bring offenders to justice, and to rebuild public confidence in agencies. 

Survivors of abuse deserve swift justice through the criminal justice system but also compensation for the harm which they have suffered. Compensation would allow survivors an improved quality of life and, most importantly, to obtain the necessary therapeutic support that they need.

At Switalskis, our specialist team represent survivors of grooming gang abuse across England and Wales with compassion, expertise, and an understanding of the lasting impact these crimes can have. 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.

Amy Clowrey , director and solicitor in our abuse claims team, specialises in child sexual abuse compensation with a particular interest in claims involving child sexual exploitation and grooming. She has been heavily involved supporting victims of the Rotherham and West Yorkshire grooming scandals.

If you experienced abuse and would like to discuss your experience in confidence, our specialist abuse team can help. Call 0800 138 0458 or email help@switalskis.com 

Find out how Switalskis can help you

Call Switalskis today on 0800 1380 458 . Alternatively, contact us through the website to learn more.

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David has worked in the legal sector for 30 years. He is a Solicitor, Director and Head of Switalskis' Child Abuse Compensation department.

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