MP slams decision to 'release former child sex gang ringleader Mubarek Ali 17 years early'

Local MP Lucy Allan says: 'Victims and members of the public would have expected a 22-year sentence to mean that the community could have time to heal and victims would be able to get on with their lives.'

Mubarek Ali ran a grooming gang in Telford, Shropshire, targeting vulnerable young girls and sold them for sex around the country (West Mercia Police)

An MP has slammed a reported decision to free the former leader of a child sex gang from prison 17 years early as "unacceptable".

Mubarek Ali ran a “squalid” grooming gang in Telford, Shropshire, targeting vulnerable young girls – some just 13-years-old – and sold them for sex around the country.

He was sentenced to 22 years in prison in 2013 after he was caught following a lengthy police operation.

But he could potentially be released on licence as early as November, less than five years into his sentence, according to the Shropshire Star.

Local MP Lucy Allan told the paper: “Victims and members of the public would have expected a 22-year sentence to mean that the community could have time to heal and victims would be able to get on with their lives.

“What we see in this case is that the one of the main perpetrators is being released into the community only five years after the trial.

“What is unacceptable that in this case there was no attempt by the authorities to reach out these young women and prepare them for this wholly unexpected event.

“Worse still is the prospect that this person may be returned to Telford and naturally this has caused huge anxiety to victims.”

The news of Ali’s expected release has caused significant upset in the area, where six men were jailed alongside Ali following Operation Chalice, which targeted the grooming gang.

A petition has been launched to lobby the Government in an attempt to make Ali serve his full sentence.

Ali and his brother Ahdel Ali were found guilty of sexually abusing, trafficking and selling young girls for sex.

After the court case, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson said the girls were "particularly vulnerable" and their abusers would befriend them before sending them around the country for sexual exploitation.

He also stressed how difficult it was for Ali and the other abusers to be convicted.

"This long trial has been an ordeal for those giving evidence and I would like to pay tribute to the witnesses concerned who faced extreme and prolonged cross examination in court,” he said.

The judge, Patrick Thomas QC, said the Ali brothers had "squalid, demeaning and selfish" motives and presented a "significant danger to the public".

The news came as it was revealed a record 141 criminals had their sentences increased after public requests to review them last year. The number included 41 sex offenders.

Any member of the public – not just a victim – can request a serious criminal’s sentence to be reviewed under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The Ministry of Justice refused to comment.