10:42, 26 FEB 2016 UPDATED 10:42, 26 FEB 2016 BY RICHARD WHEATSTONE

Hussain and his brothers Basharat, 39, and Bannaras, 36, will be sentenced today over almost 50 offences carried out against 14 girls in the South Yorkshire town

The leader of a grooming gang of men who sexually abused 14 girls in Rotherham explored having IVF treatment despite making several victims pregnant.

Arshid Hussain, 40, revealed in court he had been trying to expand his family despite having already fathered 18 children.

Hussain and his brothers Basharat, 39, and Bannaras, 36, will be sentenced today over almost 50 offences carried out against 14 girls in the South Yorkshire town.

Their crimes include multiple rapes and indecent assaults, buggery, abduction and false imprisonment.

Hussain, who became paraplegic when he was shot in 2005, had tried to claim he was not fit enough to stand trial.

But a consultant pyschiatrist confirmed to Sheffield Crown court that the predatory paedophile had made enquiries to see if he could undergo IVF treatment.

In rejecting his claims, Judge Sarah Wright noted Hussain was "clearly well enough to contemplate the prospect of family life with a baby".

The Times reports Hussain fathered at least 11 children during the time he was committing his crimes.

Many of his victims also had abortions.

Judge Sarah White told the jury how Arshid’s wife had called an ambulance during the verdicts earlier this week and he had been taken to hospital, despite his bail being revoked.

Prosecutor Michelle Colborne QC said it was a deliberate attempt to frustrate the judicial process.

Hussain is not expected to appear in person at today's sentencing hearing.

Also due to be sentenced are the brothers' uncle Qurban Ali, 53, and Karen MacGregor, 59, and Shelley Davies, 40.

Brothers Majid Bostan, 37 and Sajid Bostan, 38, were cleared of all charges.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has launched 55 separate investigations into how South Yorkshire police dealt with victims.

Rotherham child abuse gang leader Arshid Hussain wanted IVF treatment despite fathering 18 children - Mirror Online