Three men have been found guilty of raping two teenage girls in Rotherham over 20 years ago, following a National Crime Agency investigation under Operation Stovewood.

Sageer Hussain, 39 years old, was found guilty of raping another girl of a similar age. He is already serving time for similar offences. Kessur Ajaib and Mohammed Makhmood, both 43 years old, were convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl between 1999 and 2001. All the men are now in custody until their sentencing in November 2025.

The survivors, now in their 30s, were identified by the NCA and bravely gave evidence that led to the convictions. Senior Investigating Officer Alan Hastings praised their courage, stating:

“Those victims have now, at last, had their voices heard and their accounts believed.”

At Switalskis we support survivors of abuse across England and Wales with compassion, specialist expertise, and a deep understanding of the lasting impact these crimes can have. We recognise that speaking out—especially about abuse that happened many years ago—can be incredibly difficult.

If you have been affected by abuse, support is available. You can contact the Rape Crisis helpline 24/7 at 0808 500 2222 or visit 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk .

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 The Survivors Trust  for full details.