A jury hears harrowing details of two girls exploited by men in Rochdale. The trial reveals shocking abuse that lasted for years, highlighting systemic failures to protect vulnerable youth.
Rochdale: This case is truly heartbreaking. Two teenage girls were treated like sex slaves for years. A jury is now hearing about the horrific abuse they suffered at the hands of several men.
The trial is taking place at Minshull Street Crown Court. Eight men are accused of committing these terrible acts between 2001 and 2006. The girls, known as ‘Girl A’ and ‘Girl B’, were just kids.
These men, mostly taxi drivers and market traders, allegedly passed the girls around for sex. It’s sickening to think about how they were exploited and then discarded like trash.
The prosecution laid out the case, saying these men knew exactly what they were doing. The girls were just 13 when the abuse started. They had tough home lives, which made them easy targets.
Girl B had been in care since she was seven. Girl A lived with her mom but had no real support. They were vulnerable and craved attention, which these predators took advantage of.
The girls would hang out in parks and other places, looking for some sense of belonging. Instead, they found men who offered them alcohol and drugs, making them feel grown-up.
But soon, things turned dark. They were forced into sexual acts whenever the men wanted. It was a nightmare, with no escape. They became trapped in a cycle of abuse.
Girl A even told police she was often on the phone with one man while others waited. They were treated like objects, not people. The shame and humiliation they faced were unimaginable.
One of the accused, Mohammed Zahid, is said to have abused both girls. He was known as the ‘boss’ among the group. It’s shocking that no one stepped in to help these girls sooner.
Authorities were aware of the situation but failed to act. It wasn’t until 2010 that an investigation began. By then, the damage was already done.
In 2015, Girl A finally spoke up. She reached out to the police, ready to share her story. Girl B followed suit, and that’s when the investigation really took off.
Now, the two women are bravely recounting their experiences. They’re helping the police piece together the events that led to their suffering. It’s a long road to justice, but they’re finally being heard.
