Shopkeeper accused of rape denies 'making up story', Rochdale sex abuse trial told

Mushtaq Ahmed continued to give evidence

A shopkeeper accused of rape denied ‘making up a story’ to police. Mushtaq Ahmed continued to give evidence in the trial in which he and six other men are accused of historic sexual offences.

The allegations are said to have been committed against two girls in Rochdale between 2001 and 2006. Mr Ahmed, 66, is on trial alongside Mohammed Zahid, 64; Kasir Bashir, 50; Roheez Khan, 39; Mohammed Shahzad, 43; Nisar Hussain, 43; and Naheem Akram, 48. They deny all the charges they face.

The alleged victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are being identified as Girl A and Girl B. Jurors at Minshull Street Crown Court have heard the accused were mainly either taxi drivers or market stall traders in the town.

The girls were 'passed around' for sex before being 'discarded', it is alleged. Mr Bashir was questioned by Mohammed Zahid’s barrister, Lisa Wilding KC. Mr Bashir is accused of raping Girl B in the basement of his shop.

He has previously said he’d never used the area because it was full of rubbish. He said he was not aware of any sexual activity taking place there.

In an interview with police, Mr Bashir told officers Mr Zahid and Mr Bashir would attend his shop and they would leave items there. He said that he would leave them in the shop when he went to collect supplies for his store in Bradford.

Ms Wilding put it to Mr Ahmed: “You wanted to make up a story that meant that you were never on your own in the shop with [Girl B], do you agree?” He replied: “No, I didn’t make up this story.”

Speaking of Mr Zahid and Mr Bashir, both former market stall holders, Mr Ahmed said: “Sometimes he would be on his own, sometimes he would be accompanied by Kasir Bashir after closing the market."

Ms Wilding said: “I suggest you are wrong, he never went to the shop with Mr Bashir.” Mr Ahmed continued: “Many times after closing the market he would come to the shop with Kasir Bashir in the car.

“Sometimes I would give them the keys and I would go to Bradford to get the supplies.” In his interview with police, Mr Ahmed said Mr Zahid and Mr Bashir were ‘gangsters’, the court heard.

Ms Wilding asked him: “Why would you do that if these people were gangsters?” He replied: “They were good to me at the start. I didn’t know about them being gangsters.”

Jurors were told Mr Ahmed had made Mr Zahid his ‘company secretary’. Ms Wilding asked Mr Ahmed: “Why did you do that if he was someone doing bad things or behaving like a gangster?”

The defendant replied: “I don’t have any knowledge of putting his name. “I am not saying I didn’t put his name down but I don’t know the reason why I did it.”

• Mohammed Zahid, 64, of Station Road, Crumpsall, Manchester, is charged with 10 counts of rape; four counts of indecency with a child; and six counts of procuring a girl under 21 to have unlawful sexual intercourse
• Kasir Bashir, 50, of Napier Street East, Oldham, is charged with two counts of rape; and two counts of indecency with a child.
• Mushtaq Ahmed, 66, of Corona Avenue, Oldham, is charged with four counts of rape; four counts of indecency with a child; and a single count of procuring a girl under 21 to have unlawful sexual intercourse
• Roheez Khan, 39, of Athole Street, Rochdale, is charged with a single count of rape
• Mohammed Shahzad, 43, of Beswicke Royds Street, Rochdale, is charged with eight counts of rape; indecency with a child; indecent assault; and assault by penetration
• Nisar Hussain, 43, of Newfield Close, Rochdale, is charged with four counts of rape; indecent assault; and assault by penetration
• Naheem Akram, 48, of Manley Road, Rochdale, is charged with 11 counts of rape; indecency with a child; indecent assault; and assault by penetration

Proceeding