Three teenage girls were exploited across north Wales, with the five defendants found guilty of more than 40 offences
An Indian-origin man has been convicted alongside four others following a major investigation into the sexual exploitation and trafficking of three teenage girls in north Wales.
Jaswinder Singh, 61, was found guilty at Caernarfon Crown Court of two counts of conspiracy to traffic and one count of supplying cannabis. The convictions followed a three-month trial involving offences committed between April 2022 and March 2024 in Rhyl and surrounding areas of Denbighshire.
North Wales Police said the wider investigation, conducted under Operation Embank and Operation Zirconium, uncovered more than 40 offences involving the three victims, who were aged between 14 and 16 when they were exploited.
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The girls were abused at residential properties, business premises and in vehicles across the region
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Police said the perpetrators manipulated and controlled the victims by taking advantage of their vulnerabilities
The other defendants were Mustafa Iqbal, 43, Mohamed Usman Arshad, 36, Ziaullah Badshah, 25, and Sarah Gray, 53. All five denied the allegations during the trial but were convicted of multiple offences.
Iqbal was convicted of offences including rape, sexual assault, conspiracy to traffic and drug supply. Arshad and Badshah were each convicted of rape, trafficking conspiracy, conspiracy to require or hold a person in compulsory labour and supplying cannabis.
Gray was convicted of perverting the course of justice, assisting an offender and conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis.
Detective Chief Inspector Richard Sidney, the senior investigating officer, said the victims had suffered serious and lasting harm. He said the case demonstrated that authorities would continue to pursue those who groom and exploit vulnerable children.
Singh, Iqbal, Arshad and Badshah have been remanded in custody, while Gray was granted bail. All five are due to be sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on September 25.
