A prolific rapist who abused underage girls in his Rochdale flat and cafe, has been jailed for 28 years.

Ajaz Ahmed (56) abused five victims, discovered as part of an investigation by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) into historical sexual abuse.

In January 2016, the first victim reported she had been raped by several men at a party at Ahmed’s flat on Drake Street, when she was just 13 years old.

The victim identified the flat to officers, and their extensive enquiries revealed that the flat did and still belongs to Ahmed (pictured).

Police spoke to a young woman who, at aged 15, had been in a coercive and controlling relationship with Ahmed, during which, he had raped, sexually assaulted, and assaulted her on multiple occasions.

Ahmed had lied about his age, claiming to be 27, and over the course of several years,  subjected her to a horrific period of abuse.

A third victim said Ahmed sexually assaulted her just before his 16th birthday. Fearing for her safety, she never reported the offence at the time.

On several occasions, Ahmed often bought the girls alcohol and took them to nightclubs to get drunk.

He offered one girl one of his flats in exchange for work at the café. After a few weeks of working for him, he sexually assaulted her.

Another victim, who was offered a room to stay in the Drake Street property, often found Ahmed would let himself into her property unannounced.

Ahmed began to regularly rape her, often telling her to ‘get ready for the other men’ who were coming.

Detective constable Ann Cooper Poole said: “It took just one brave survivor to come forward, speak to our officers and detail her abuse, and it opened up an entire case which resulted in us obtaining evidence that Ahmed was a callous and prolific sex offender.

“These girls had their childhoods and teen years tainted in the most abhorrent way, and they experienced what no one should ever experience. I want to commend their bravery for coming forward and speaking to us. They played a vital role in reaching today’s outcome; ensuring justice is reached and that this man is put behind bars, unable to cause any further harm to the community.

“Regardless of the time passed since you were affected by crimes of this nature, please come forward and report it to us. We are here to listen to victims and give them a voice when they are ready, and you will be supported by specialist partner agencies throughout the investigation and beyond, to give you the support you need to rebuild your lives.

“I hope this case will give other survivors of sexual abuse the confidence to com forward. It is never too late to seek justice.”

Ahmed was found guilty of ten counts of rape, seven counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child, ABH, non-penetrative sexual activity with a child, two counts of assault by penetration, indecent image of a child, and extreme pornography.

He was sentenced to 28 years in prison at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court.