Three Men Charged With 46 Offences Over Bury Child Abuse Case 2026

Key Points

• Three men face 46 charges connected to alleged grooming and sexual abuse of 10 girls in Bury
• Alleged offences occurred between 1996 and 2003 against victims aged 12 to 16
• Ashfaq Khan, 46, of Bury, faces 36 counts including rape and false imprisonment
• Zaheer Iqbal, 52, of Accrington, charged with four rape counts and two false imprisonment counts
• Qamar Jehangeer, 44, of Bolton, faces four counts of rape of a female under 16
• All three due at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday July 22, 2026
• Charges stem from Operation Sky investigation into non-recent child sexual exploitation
• Greater Manchester Police working with trauma-informed support services for victims

Bury (Manchester Mirror) July 21, 2026 – Three men have been charged with 46 offences following a major police investigation into alleged non-recent child sexual exploitation in the uk/local/bury/">Bury area. The defendants are scheduled to appear before Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday July 22, 2026, according to Greater Manchester Police.

What Are the Charges Against the Three Men in Bury?

Ashfaq Khan, 46, of Bury, has been charged with 36 offences, including 36 counts of rape of a female under the age of 16, one count of attempted rape of a female under 16, indecent assault and false imprisonment, as reported by the International Business Times. Zaheer Iqbal, 52, of Accrington, Lancashire, faces four counts of rape of a female under 16 and two counts of false imprisonment. Qamar Jehangeer, 44, of Bolton, Greater Manchester, has been charged with four counts of rape of a female under 16, according to the Express.

When and Where Did the Alleged Offences Take Place?

The alleged offences took place in Bury between 1996 and 2003 and form part of Operation Sky, described by police as a “complex and sensitive” investigation into allegations of non-recent child sexual offences, according to the International Business Times. The Express reported that the men, all British Pakistani, are accused of offences against girls aged 14 to 16 between 1996 and 2001. The International Business Times stated that 10 girls were allegedly involved, who were aged between 12 and 16 at the time of the alleged offences.

What Is Operation Sky Investigation?

Operation Sky is a major investigation by Greater Manchester Police into non-recent child sexual exploitation in the Bury area, as confirmed by police statements reported by the Express. The investigation has resulted in charges against three men from Greater Manchester and Lancashire in connection with the allegations, according to the International Business Times.

What Has Greater Manchester Police Said?

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said officers are working with trauma-informed support services to safeguard and support all those affected, with victim welfare the “number one priority”, as reported by the Express. Greater Manchester Police said officers continue to work alongside specialist support services while criminal proceedings remain ongoing, according to the International Business Times.

When Will the Defendants Appear in Court?

The three men are due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday July 22, 2026, according to both the Express and the International Business Times. The first court hearing is expected to take place on that date, as reported by the International Business Times.

Have the Defendants Entered Pleas?

The allegations have not been tested in court, and the defendants have not yet entered pleas and are entitled to a fair trial, according to the International Business Times. Together, the three defendants face 46 charges linked to alleged offences committed between 1996 and 2003 involving 10 girls who were aged between 12 and 16 at the time, according to Greater Manchester Police.

Background of Operation Sky Development

Operation Sky represents part of ongoing efforts by Greater Manchester Police to investigate historical child sexual exploitation cases in the region. The investigation focuses on allegations spanning from 1996 to 2003, covering a seven-year period in the Bury area. Such non-recent investigations often require extensive detective work, including reviewing historical records, interviewing witnesses years after alleged events, and coordinating with specialist support services for victims who may have experienced significant trauma. The charges brought following this investigation total 46 offences across three defendants, indicating the scale and complexity of the alleged criminal activity. Greater Manchester Police has emphasised that victim welfare remains the priority throughout the criminal justice process, working with trauma-informed support services to ensure those affected receive appropriate care while proceedings continue.

Prediction: How This Development May Affect Victims and Communities

This development is likely to have significant implications for several groups. For the 10 alleged victims, now adults in their late 30s to early 40s, the court proceedings may bring both closure and renewed trauma as historical allegations are tested in court. The involvement of trauma-informed support services suggests recognition of the psychological impact such proceedings can have on survivors of historical abuse. For the Bury community, these charges may prompt renewed discussions about historical safeguarding failures and the protection of vulnerable children. The case may also affect public confidence in local institutions, particularly given the historical nature of the allegations and the time elapsed before charges were brought. For legal proceedings more broadly, the case demonstrates continued police commitment to investigating non-recent child sexual exploitation cases regardless of how much time has passed since alleged offences occurred. The outcome of the court hearings beginning July 22, 2026, will determine whether the allegations are proven and what sentencing may follow if convictions are secured.