Rapist rotting in prison handed fresh sentence for raping a second girl 25 years ago

A jailed rapist who "sexually abused children in the most horrendous way" has been sentenced to a further three years in prison for raping a girl 25 years ago. Predator Sageer Hussain, 40, who was already serving a 19-year jail sentence for raping a girl, was sentenced to a further three years inside for raping a second girl, following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Hussain and the girl were both aged about 14 at the time. The girl used to see Hussain around Rotherham town centre. On an occasion between 2000 and 2002, Hussain led the girl down an alleyway, where he told her he would not let her back out unless she had sex with him. She refused, but he raped her.

Officers from Operation Stovewood - the NCA's investigation into allegations of sexual abuse in Rotherham, which began in 2014 - contacted the victim after identifying she may have been sexually abused as a child.

The woman told officers what Hussain did to her, and the officers identified supporting evidence.

Operation Stovewood investigators subsequently arrested Hussain, then charged him in February 2024. Hussain was already in prison at the time, serving a 19-year sentence for rape and other sexual offences identified in a separate South Yorkshire Police investigation.

Hussain was found guilty on July 23 after a trial in which two co-defendants were also convicted of raping a different girl.

Kessur Ajaib, 44, and Mohammed Makhmood, 43 - both of Rotherham - were convicted of raping another 14-year-old girl over a period of more than two years, starting in 1999. They were aged between 18 and 20 at the time.

Hussain was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday. His three extra years in jail will run consecutively to his current sentence. Ajaib and Makhmood are due to be sentenced on November 21.

NCA senior investigating officer Alan Hastings said: "The victim has shown enormous strength and fortitude in reporting what Sageer Hussain did to her.

"The woman bravely told officers about Hussain's horrific crime against her, and that significantly helped our investigation. Officers subsequently identified corroborating evidence that enabled us to secure justice for the woman.

"Hussain, who is already serving time for raping another girl, will now remain in prison for longer.

"Reporting child sexual abuse can feel daunting, but there are specially trained officers who are waiting to help victims and seek justice for them if they feel ready. I encourage victims to contact police, no matter how long ago sexual abuse occurred."

The NCA's Operation Stovewood remains the single biggest investigation of its kind, looking at allegations of abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.

To date, 49 people - including Hussain - have been convicted, receiving custodial sentences totalling more than 1,500 years.

Liz Fell, specialist prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service's Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit, said: "These men deliberately exploited the victims' youth and vulnerability to manipulate and control them. They sexually abused the victims, who were children, in the most horrendous way.

"The treatment these young girls endured was appalling - they were attacked in isolated locations and subjected to humiliation and verbal abuse.

"I want to thank both women for their courage in coming forward and staying engaged with the investigation and prosecution. Their evidence was vital in building our case and securing justice after all these years.

"The Crown Prosecution Service will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to support all victims of child sexual abuse as we pursue justice on their behalf."

Anyone who has experienced child sexual abuse can also find details of local support services at www.whenyouareready.co.uk