Telford sex gang leader needs 40 stitches after prison razor blades assault

Ahdel Ali, 31, who was behind a grooming gang with his brother Mubarek Ali, was struck with a makeshift weapon at Wakefield Prison, in West Yorkshire, leaving him with a gash running from his neck to his shoulder.

A national newspaper claimed the unnamed assailant used two razor blades embedded in a strip of cardboard during the incident which happened on October 21.

It claimed that a source revealed: “Ali and the other lad had a bit of a ruck earlier in the day. Prison officers split them up but they were still furious with each other. The other inmate went back to his cell later on and it had been covered in excrement.

“He flipped, blamed Ali and went straight back for him with the blade. It was a really nasty wound – Ali lost a lot of blood.

“He went to hospital and had around 40 stitches before being taken back to prison.”

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: “A prisoner at HMP Wakefield was assaulted on 21 October by a fellow prisoner and this is now being investigated by police.”

Ahdel Ali, known as Eddie, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2012, while his brother Mubarek Ali, was handed a 14-year-term after a court heard the two men systematically groomed young girls for sex sessions at a Wellington restaurant.

Both denied a total of 24 offences at the time, including controlling child prostitution, people trafficking and sexual exploitation.

The pair, of Regent Street, Wellington, were jailed after an eight-week trial.

Criticism

Ahdel Ali, was given a 26-year extended sentence – 18 years’ immediate custody with an additional eight-year period on licence after release.

Mubarek Ali, 38, was given 22 years; 14 years’ immediate custody and eight years on licence, for seven offences – four of controlling child prostitution, causing child prostitution and two offences of trafficking in the UK for the purpose of prostitution, involving two of the victims.

He was released in November 2017 amid criticism after serving a short part of the term, but was returned to prison after breaching his licence.

Ahdel is eligible for parole next year.

The brothers were also made the subject of lifelong Sexual Offences Prevention Orders.

Five other men were also convicted of offences after the gang was caught under the West Mercia Police probe, Operation Chalice.

When Mubarek Ali was recalled to prison, Telford MP Lucy Allan said: “The recall shows he should never have been released. No questions were asked about his suitability for early release and he did not even have to face a parole board.

“These are horrendous crimes and it is utterly staggering that the judicial system allowed this perpetrator to be treated so lightly. The victims and their families will take some comfort from knowing this man is back in prison and our community will feel safer.”