Grooming gang leader up for parole just 12 years into his sentence

One of the leaders of the UK's most notorious Muslim grooming gang that targeted girls as young as 13 has a parole hearing and hopes to be freed after less than 12-years in jail.

Mubarek Ali, then 29 and his brother Ahdel 'Eddie' Ali, 24, led the gang of seven men, which operated in Telford, Shropshire, that preyed on 100 young girls between 2006 and 2009.

The town was a hub of abuse which saw up to 1,000 girls, some as young as 11, fall victim to various sex gangs over a four-decade period.

Over three years, the Ali brothers' gang targeted schoolgirls who they controlled as child prostitutes by giving them alcohol, food and money.

The Ali brothers were found guilty in 2012 of numerous offences against four girls aged from 13 to 17, including rape, sexual activity with a child, inciting and controlling child prostitution and trafficking children for sex.

Mubarek Ali was jailed for 14 years and Ahdel Ali was sentenced to an 18-year jail term after an eight week trial at Stafford Crown Court.

Mubarek was released automatically part way through his sentence in 2017, but was sent back to prison just under a year later after breaking his licence conditions.

His brother Ahdel was first released in late 2020 when halfway through his 18-year jail term. But he was recalled to jail just seven months later for breaching his licence conditions, believed to be around the use of a mobile phone.

Ahdel, now aged 35, had a parole hearing in December 2023 based on prison documents and the decision was to keep him in jail. He will be eligible for another appeal in two-years time.

In respect of Mubarek, now 40, his new appeal will be his third since being recalled. The panel at his second in May 2022 found it 'could find no evidence to suggest that his level of risk towards others had reduced.

They were 'not satisfied' that Mubarek Ali was suitable for release, according to a to document setting out the decision.

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm the parole review of Mubarek Ali has been referred to the Parole Board by the Secretary of State for Justice and is following standard processes.

'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

'Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.

'Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing.

'It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.'

Mubarek's hearing is expected to be heard in the early summer when it will be listed. After the appeal, he will be told within 14 days if he is to be freed.