Police praise girl for testifying against abusers

Manchester: Manchester police have praised a 14-year-old girl for her bravery after she testified in court against the men who forced her into prostitution.

Nine men were jailed after she was able to identify her abusers and the places to which she was taken. They were convicted on Monday at Manchester Crown Court of offences that included sexual activity with a child, controlling a child prostitute, facilitating child prostitution and paying for sexual services with a child. Another man was acquitted in connection with the case.

The child went missing from home in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, on two occasions in February 2008. The second time she was missing for 11 days before turning up in Rusholme, Manchester. When officers spoke to her, she told them she had been sexually exploited by a number of men while she was away from home.

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

In a statement, the girl said: "These people exploit young girls, introduce them to prostitution, feed them drugs and alcohol and tell them they love them. I know this because it has happened to me and it has changed my life enormously. I just hope that people will be more aware of this now and will be able to prevent this from happening to other vulnerable young girls."

Superintendent Paul Savill, from Greater Manchester police, spoke of the girl's bravery despite her "horrifying ordeal".