Sex-slave girl, 14, praised for speaking out

A CHILDREN’S charity has praised the bravery of a 14-year-old Rochdale girl who helped convict nine men after she was sexually exploited.

The vulnerable teenager was plied with vodka and cigarettes when she was spotted wandering the streets and then made to have sex with a string of Asian men before she was forced into prostitution.

The child went missing from home on two occasions in February, 2008, before she told officers.

Penny Nicholls, from The Children’s Society, said: “This is a heartbreaking story but sadly this is not an isolated case. Many children and young people run away from home or care each year and all of these children are at risk of sexual exploitation.”

The girl, who is white, had to testify in separate trials involving the men and was eventually excused giving further evidence after a third hearing when psychologists ruled there were fears for her mental and physical well-being.

Three of the gang are from Rochdale — Asad Yousaf Hassan (28) and Mohammed Atif (29), both of Rivington Street; and Mohammed Basharat (28), of Prospect Street. The rest are from various parts of Manchester.