FOUR MEN AND a woman have been given prison sentences of between three and fifteen years in the UK for offences involving child sexual exploitation.
The five targeted vulnerable young girls in the Sheffield area between 2005 and 2012.
The girls were given drink, drugs and gifts, before being forced to have sex with members of the group and strangers.
They were also threatened and subjected to violence.
Brothers, Christopher (23), Matthew (25), and Shane Whiteley (30) were found guilty last month of multiple sexual offences including rape, sexual assault against a child under 13 and conspiracy to arrange child prostitution and theft.
Appearing alongside them at Sheffield Crown Court were Amanda Spencer, 26, and Taleb Bapir, 39, who were respectively found guilty of four counts of arranging child prostitution and rape.
“These defendants cynically targeted and sexually exploited young and vulnerable girls,” Peter Mann of the Crown Prosecution Service said.
The suffering the victims must have endured is hard to comprehend.
This case was a complex one. With the victims’ assistance the CPS was able to build a strong prosecution case against these defendants, resulting in today’s sentences.
Speaking in the wake of the convictions last month Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Martin Tate of South Yorkshire Police said that the victims had had their childhoods stolen by the group.
“Nine very brave young women gave evidence of their abuse in this trial, supported by numerous family members who were also significantly affected by these crimes,” said the officer, who oversaw the investigation.
The bravery of the victims has resulted in the conviction of five very dangerous offenders who are now in prison for multiple sexual offences. The jury found the defendants not guilty on some charges and, whilst disappointed, I respect the jury’s decision.
It demonstrates the complexity of these prosecutions and does not detract from the numerous guilty verdicts against five offenders.
He added:
Not one of those convicted accepted responsibility for their horrific crimes, meaning the victims have had to recount in detail before a jury the awful and upsetting abuse they were subjected to.
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