Jury WhatsApp Scandal Halts Rochdale Gang Trial

The trial of six men accused of rape and other sexual offenses against two teenage girls in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, between 2003 and 2006 has collapsed. The proceedings at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court were halted when it was discovered that jurors had created a WhatsApp group and discussed the case, including a broadcast on grooming gangs. This juror misconduct led the judge, Matthew Corbett-Jones, to discharge the jury, citing 'real concerns' and 'multi-layered difficulties' that could not be resolved.

A retrial has been scheduled for August. The defendants, including Tahir Rashid, Mohammed Saleem, Iftaq Hussain, Sucklane Shah, Arshad Mohammed, and Amjad Mahmood, have all pleaded not guilty to the charges. These charges encompass rape, assault by penetration, indecent assault, and indecency with a child, relating to offenses allegedly committed between 2003 and 2006. One defendant also faces an additional charge of rape from the late 1980s.