A sexual abuse case in Bradford is shocking England, as a multi-year abuse of a minor in state care has been revealed.
42-year-old Raja Zulqurnean was initially sentenced to 18 years in prison, a sentence that was increased to 23 years by the Court of Appeal due to “excessive leniency.” He was found guilty of the long-term abuse of the minor, whom he forced into an illegal “marriage” under Islamic law (sharia), when she was only 15 years old.
Zulqurnean, along with seven other men who were convicted, was part of a wider network of perpetrators. In total, the 15-year-old was sexually abused by 18 known men, although prosecutors emphasized that this number is “only the tip of the iceberg.” The total prison sentences for the eight convicted men reached 91 years.
Raja Zulqurnean, who has been jailed for 23 years, and seven other men had sexually abused the girl since she was 13, a court heard https://t.co/uBJZxXiOJH
— The Times and The Sunday Times (@thetimes) October 3, 2025
Shock in Britain: Social worker allegedly present at marriage-rape
The case brought to light the breakdown of institutional oversight, as members of the perpetrator’s family, as well as a social worker who had supervision of the minor, allegedly attended the illegal ceremony.
The ceremony, without any legal validity, was used as a pretext to “legitimize” the power relationship and sexual exploitation of the minor.
The case was revealed in 2019, when the victim, now an adult and known as Anna, found the courage to approach police and report the years of abuse.
Raja Zulqurnean, who has been jailed for 23 years, and seven other men had sexually abused the girl since she was 13, a court heard https://t.co/uBJZxXiOJH
— The Times and The Sunday Times (@thetimes) October 3, 2025
During the sentencing announcement, Judge Ahmed Nadim characterized her stance as “an act of courage and dignity,” while addressing the defendants said: “You exploited her need for affection and security for your own satisfaction.”
