Ben Lawrence and Zahra Baqri prosecute in high profile case as result of Operation Pavarotti

May 1, 2025

The ringleader and ten other men were sentenced this week at Liverpool Crown Court for a large number of sexual offences committed against six teenaged victims in the Bolton area. Ben Lawrence leading Zahra Baqri prosecuted the case. In an earlier trial, eight other men of the same gang were convicted in February following a three-month trial.

The case has received national television and press attention as a “grooming gang” case. It has been reported in the BBC, ITV News, London Evening Standard, Manchester Evening News, Daily Mail, and The Bolton News.