Rotherham abuse gang appeal against convictions and sentences

Arshid and Basharat Hussain, along with their uncle Qurban Ali and fellow defendant Karen MacGregor, are hoping to get their convictions overturned at the Court of Appeal.

The Hussain brothers and Ali are also appealing against the length of their prison sentences in the hope of getting the terms reduced.

A spokesman for the Judicial Office said the group have made applications for permission to appeal their sentences, which if granted could eventually lead to hearings at the Court of Appeal.

It follows the three men and one woman being convicted of child sexual exploitation offences at Sheffield Crown Court earlier this year after a two-month trial involving 15 victims.

Arshid Hussain was sentenced to 35 years, Basharat Hussain to 25 years, Qurban Ali to 10 years and Karen MacGregor to 13 years.

A fifth defendant, Shelley Davies, was given an 18-month suspended sentence.

Bannaras Hussain, brother of Arshid and Basharat Hussain, pleaded guilty to 10 offences prior to the start of the trial and was jailed for 19 years.

The group were sentenced to a combined 102 years in jail by Judge Sarah Wright, with many of those who gave evidence against them in court to watch.