Three brothers have been jailed for multiple sexual offences against girls in Leeds and Barrow-in-Furness. The Miah brothers were convicted in October of dozens of child sex offences that happened between 1996 and 2010. Shaha Amran Miah, 49, known as Jai; Shaha Alman Miah, 47, known as Ali; and Shah Joman Miah, 38, known as Sarj all pleaded not guilty.
On Thursday, the first day of sentencing, Judge Unsworth KC said since his conviction, Sarj had admitted to all his crimes. Shaha Amran Miah was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 20 years and 338 days. Shaha Alman Miah was sentenced to a 14-year extended sentence - with 10 years in prison and four years on licence.
Shah Joman Miah was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 21 years and 232 days. The court heard Sarj and Jai regularly sexually abused two children at a mosque in Leeds over many years. The abuse began when the victims were aged just seven. The three brothers also preyed on vulnerable, underage girls at a flat above their family's takeaway in Barrow between 2008 and 2010.
They gave them cigarettes, alcohol, food and even hair extensions in what prosecution barrister Tim Evans KC described as a "classic grooming technique". He said the brothers worked as a "team" and "created an environment in Barrow in which each of them could abuse young girls".
Shaha Amran Miah was found guilty of 16 sexual offences against three girls, including rape, as well as two charges of intimidation and one of kidnap. Shaha Alman Miah was found guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a child. Shah Joman Miah was convicted of sexually abusing three children and among 40 offences, there were nine counts of rape of a child.
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