{UAH} Nine Muslim men jailed for nearly 133 years after 'appalling catalogue' of abuse of two girls

Nine men jailed for nearly 133 years after 'appalling catalogue' of abuse of two girls

Ellen Manning

Yahoo News UK27 February 2019

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The nine men were given jail sentences of up to 20 years for sexually exploiting girls who were placed in a care home (Picture: PA)

Nine men have each been jailed for up to 20 years for inflicting an "appalling catalogue of degrading emotional and sexual abuse" on two girls which had "deprived them of their childhood".

The gang was jailed for a total of nearly 133 years after being convicted of 22 offences including rape and inciting child prostitution.

The exploitation of the girls started when they were placed in a Bradford children's home when they were both 14 and followed "a pattern which is all too familiar in cases of this kind", a court heard.

They threatened with 'indescribable violence' by the men over a period of years and plied with drink and drugs.

The abuse continued after they left the care system, prosecutors said, and only came to light when one of the victims was interviewed by police in connection with another investigation into child sexual exploitation.

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The abuse started with Basharat Khaliq, who was jailed for 20 years (Picture: PA) 

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the abuse started in 2008 with Basharat Khaliq, 38, who was jailed at Bradford Crown Court for 20 years on Wednesday.

The CPS said the other victim was groomed and exploited by numerous men as she was given alcohol and drugs and passed from one man to another.

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The nine men, from Dewsbury and Bradford, were handed jail sentences for multiple counts of rape as well as other charges including sexual assault and causing or inciting child prostitution.

They were found guilty following a seven-week trial at Bradford Crown Court.

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The gang was jailed at Bradford Crown Court (Picture: PA)

Paula Craven from the CPS said: "These two girls were deliberately targeted because of their vulnerability.

"Sadly, the exploitation followed a pattern which is all too familiar in cases of this kind.

"These victims suffered an appalling catalogue of degrading emotional and sexual abuse which has deprived them of their childhood.

"Their abusers have now been brought to justice and I hope the verdicts delivered today can go some way to helping them go forward with their lives. Our thoughts remain with them."

Detective Superintendent Jonathan Morgan said: "I would like to highlight the courage and tenacity of the victims to go through the court process and who have maintained trust in the police and the criminal justice system throughout.

"I hope that today's result provides the impetus for other victims to come forward and report matters to the police or safeguarding partners."

Basharat Khaliq, of Glaisdale Court, Allerton, Bradford, was found guilty of five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, police said. He was jailed for 20 years.

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