The psychological harm caused to the survivors of these crimes is immeasurable; and in many cases, has had a profound and devastating impact on their lives.
While no prison sentence can, in any way, take their trauma away, the substantial number of years handed down to the criminals pictured here means their involvement in the criminal justice system has resulted in dangerous offenders being taken off the streets for a significant period of time.
Some of the defendants admitted their crimes, while others were found guilty following a jury trial.
The longest sentence handed down to the sex offenders on this list was given to Arshid Hussain, the ringleader of an evil Rotherham child abuse gang who stole the childhoods of vulnerable girls. He was jailed for 35 years.
Two of the despicable criminals received life sentences, meaning that should they ever be released from custody, they will be monitored by the authorities until the day they die.
*Sheffield Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre works to support recovery from the emotional and psychological distress caused by trauma from rape, sexual violence or sexual abuse/exploitation whenever it happened in a persons’ life.
Anyone wishing to access their information and support line should call: 07517 100 757. You can also call their office line on: 0114 2412766 or email them at: [email protected]
5. Arshid, Basharat and Bannaras Hussain: Brothers responsible for heinous child abuse jailed for combined total of 79 years
Arshid, Basharat and Bannaras Hussain: Brothers responsible for heinous child abuse jailed for combined total of 79 years An evil Rotherham child abuse gang who stole the childhoods of vulnerable girls were sentenced to 102 years in jail in February 2016, following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court. Ringleader Arshid Hussain – who led the appalling sexual and physical abuse of young teenagers in the town who were often then trafficked and sold for sex in Sheffield and other locations – was jailed for 35 years. His brothers, Basharat Hussain and Bannaras Hussain, got 25 years and 19 years respectively. Judge Sarah Wright said their offending had been so serious she would depart from normal legal guidelines on maximum prison sentences for their offences. The Hussains’ uncle, Qurban Ali was jailed for 10 years and female accomplice Karen MacGregor for 13 years after the trial heard of her ‘Hansel and Gretel’ role in persuading vulnerable young women to live with her before making them ‘earn their keep’ by having sex with Asian men. Co-defendant Shelley Davis was given an 18-month suspended sentence after the court was told she had also been a vulnerable teenager at the time of her offending. | SYP
6. Paul Comrie: 'Predatory' Sheffield sex offender jailed for 18 years
Paul Comrie, aged 50 at the time of his sentencing, of Smelter Wood Crescent, Woodhouse, was found guilty of historic sexual abuse of two children. Comrie, who was called a "predator" by the judge, denied any wrongdoing, but following a trial at SCC in January and February 2022, he was found guilty of multiple child sex offences including rape; rape of a child under the age of 13; assault by penetration; attempted rape; and sexual assault of a child under the age of 13. Recorder MacDonald also praised the victims’ bravery and the ‘steadfast’ strength they displayed when they gave evidence in court. He was jailed for 18 years. | SYP
7. SYP
In March 2016, Judge Michael Murphy QC sentenced Paul Eames to life in prison for a string of charges relating to a horrifying attack in which he raped and sexually assaulted two women in front of five small children on the Transpennine Trail. Sentencing, Judge Murphy said: "I have sat in criminal courts for 30 years and I still find that cases come along that shock me to my core and this is one of them because of the depths of depravity and the wickedness of what you did to those innocent women in front of young children. "This is one of the most depraved and the most perverted cases I have ever come across. "It read like a horror story." Sheffield Crown Court heard how Eames carried out the horrifying and prolonged attack on his 40th birthday - on September 10 2015 - on the section of the trail close to Grove Avenue, Bentley. Eames was ordered to serve a minimum of 10 and a half years in prison before he is eligible for parole. | Paul Eames: 'Wicked' rapist who attacked women in front of group of children handed life sentence
8. John Lohan: South Yorkshire child rapist who abused two girls aged under 10 jailed for 20 years for 'horrific' crimes
John Lohan, formerly of Warrenne Close, in Doncaster, subjected his victims to prolonged sexual abuse while they aged under 10. In one case, the abuse spanned a number of years. On Friday, November 11, 2022 the two survivors, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, saw their abuser jailed for 20 years after a jury at Sheffield Crown Court found Lohan, aged 56, guilty of 13 offences, including rape and sexual assault. Detective Constable Janine Innes said: “Throughout what has been a complex and lengthy investigation into dreadful sexual abuse, the victims have shown tremendous courage, determination and bravery in not only coming forward to disclose what happened, but in their support of our investigation and prosecution. “Lohan has not once admitted his crimes and has shown no remorse, meaning that both victims had to recount before a jury the awful abuse they suffered as children. I commend them wholeheartedly for facing this daunting task – their evidence was shocking and compelling, and laid bare the full extent of Lohan’s horrendous crimes.” Lohan, aged 56 at the time of his sentencing, was found guilty of six counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, two counts of rape, two counts of indecent assault, two counts of indecency with a child, and one count of causing a child to watch a sexual act, following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court. As well as being jailed, he was also given a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) preventing him from having unsupervised contact with anyone under 16 years old. DC Innes continued: “The abuse both victims faced was utterly horrific and has had a lasting impact on their lives. Today’s sentencing won’t erase the pain or the cruelty they suffered, nor will it give them back what ought to have been the most carefree years of their lives. “He stole their childhood from them and I hope as he starts a lengthy sentence in prison today, it brings some degree of closure to his victims who have carried themselves with dignity throughout this process.” | SYP