Operation Stovewood: Man arrested in Bulgaria over Rotherham abuse

Shahid Hussain was arrested following a National Crime Agency investigation

A man wanted over allegations of child abuse in Rotherham has been arrested in Bulgaria after a five-year search.

Shahid Hussain, 48, was detained on Sunday as he tried to enter the country from Turkey following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Hussain was wanted in connection with the indecent assault of a 14-year-old girl alleged to have happened in 2003, the agency said.

He was charged in July 2018 but failed to appear at court.

A European Arrest Warrant was obtained by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Hussain, a Pakistani national who previously lived in Rotherham, was arrested by Bulgarian police officers at the Kapitan Andreevo border post.

Extradition ongoing

Hussain was arrested as part of Operation Stovewood which is looking into non-familial child sexual exploitation in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.

NCA Operations Manager Stuart Cobb said: "Hussain has been wanted by the NCA for more than five years, and we were always determined that he be brought back to the UK to face those charges.

"We will be working with our partners at the CPS and in Bulgaria to ensure that happens and the extradition process continues."

The NCA said its officers have made more than 200 arrests and secured 26 convictions, with more than 50 active investigations ongoing under Operation Stovewood since it began in 2014.