Taxi driver guilty of raping two schoolgirls aged 12 and 13

A taxi driver who raped young girls aged 12 and 13 two decades ago is facing years behind bars.

Adam Ali, 43, of Woolwich Road, Greenwich, used his car to drive vulnerable youngsters to various locations in Rotherham, South Yorkshire between 2002 and 2004.

Victims of Ali, known as Razwan Razaq at the time, were scared to report what he did to them until in their 30s.

The pair bravely spoke out after National Crime Agency officers launched Operation Stovewood - the UK’s single largest law enforcement investigation into non-familial child sexual abuse.

One girl was 12-years-old when she was introduced to Ali by a friend.

He drove her to his house in Bramley where he sexually abused and raped her multiple times.

Ali and his friends groomed a second victim, aged 13, by plying her with drink and drugs over the course of several months.

Under the pretence of being concerned for the girl’s welfare, Ali offered to drive her home but raped her partway through the journey.

At the time Op Stovewood begun, Ali was serving an 11-year prison sentence for rape of a girl and two counts of sexual activity with another girl in Rotherham, following an investigation by South Yorkshire Police.

After Ali was released in April 2023 and officers were notified he planned to travel to Pakistan.

Concerned he would not return to the UK, investigators gathered evidence required for charges.

At Sheffield Crown Court, Ali was found guilty of seven sexual offences including rape and indecent assault. He is due to be sentenced on June 25.NCA senior investigating officer Stuart Cobb said: “The victims showed immense courage in recounting Ali’s horrendous abuse.

“I cannot imagine how difficult it was for them to relive their experiences during the trial, yet they gave brave and eloquent accounts.

“This case highlights how the National Crime Agency ensures child abusers face justice, no matter how much time has passed since they committed their crimes.”

Liz Fell, a CPS specialist prosecutor, added: “Adam Ali purposefully targeted his victims with the view that he could exploit them for sex.

“Child sexual abuse is a traumatising crime, the devastating impact of which can last a lifetime.

“We would like to commend the victims in this case for coming forward and reporting what happened to them. It is because of their evidence that we were able to secure a conviction and bring their abuser to justice.

“I hope this conviction sends a clear message that the CPS, working alongside law enforcement, will relentlessly pursue justice and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, whenever that abuse takes place.

“I encourage any victims of child sexual abuse and sexual violence to report the crimes committed against them to the police. It is never too late to seek justice.”

Op Stovewood started in 2014 and identified more than 1,100 victims.

So far NCA officers have made more than 200 arrests and secured 28 convictions, with more than 50 active investigations ongoing.