A Lancashire man is among eight individuals charged with more than 30 offences as part of a group-based child sexual exploitation investigation in South Wales.
The charges follow a wide-ranging police investigation under Operation Oak, led by Gwent Police, which investigated reports of child sexual abuse dating back to between 1985 and 1996.
The men were arrested at addresses across the UK, including Newport, Swansea, London, Birmingham, Lancashire, Edinburgh, and the Argyll and Bute area of Scotland.
The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised 34 charges, including 17 counts of rape, some involving multiple incidents.
The alleged offences involve eight victims, all of whom were children at the time.
Shakeel Babur, 58, has been charged with four counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16. Some of these relate to multiple incidents.
Gwent Police refused to clarify where in Lancashire Babur is from.
The men, aged 54 to 73, are all British citizens and have been bailed to appear at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Friday, July 24.
Detective Chief Superintendent Andrew Tuck said: "Operation Oak is a complex and long-running investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation in South Wales.
"Through our partnership with the CPS, we have now reached this significant stage in which eight men have been charged.
"I know investigations of this nature are likely to cause concern in our communities, but it’s vital to the victims in this case and the integrity of the investigation that nothing is posted on social media which could impact the court proceedings.
"Anyone who reports child abuse will be taken seriously, and we would urge anyone who has suffered abuse or has concerns about someone who may be suffering to come forward.
"We will listen to you and investigate all offences, and also ensure you have access to any help or support you need."
Others charged include:
- Shafaq Mohammed, 58, of Birmingham, who faces 11 offences, including four counts of rape of a female under 16 and three counts of rape of a female aged 16 or over.
- Syed Mohammad Ashan Taqvi, 65, of Newport, charged with three counts of rape of a female under 16.
- Mohammed Sheikh Abdul Hannan, 54, of Edinburgh, is facing eight offences, including two counts of rape of a female aged 16 or over and three counts of aiding and abetting the rape of a female under 16 years of age or over.
- Kevin Lawrence, 54, of Dunoon, was charged with two counts of conspiring to rape a woman aged 16 or over.
- Sheikh Mohammed Tahir Ullah, 73, of Newport, charged with one count of rape of a female aged 16 or over and one count of rape of a female under 16.
- Aminur Rahman Chowdhury, 58, of Tottenham, London, charged with one count of rape of a female aged 16 or over.
- Murad Ali, 57, of Swansea, charged with two counts of rape of a female under 16.
Jenny Hopkins, chief crown prosecutor for the CPS, said: "We have decided to prosecute eight men with rape and child sexual abuse charges for alleged offending during 1985 to 1996 – following a Gwent Police investigation into organised grooming gang activity in South Wales.
"Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
"We have worked closely with Gwent Police as they carried out their investigation.
"We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are active and that they have the right to a fair trial.
"It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."
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