Men from Bradford jailed for grooming and abuse

MEN FROM BRADFORD JAILED FOR GROOMING AND ABUSE

Seven men from Bradford who groomed and sexually abused a vulnerable girl have been jailed.

The victim, who has a right to anonymity, was sexually abused from the age of 13 and that continued when she was in a Bradford children's home early 2000s.

The jury was told Zulqurnean had "married" the victim when she was aged 15 in the early 2000s and the "wedding" was attended by the girl's key social worker despite care home staff fearing that she was being exploited.

Prosecutor Kama Melly KC told the court that the victim would be taken to properties in the city where she would be abused.

She would also be taken to secluded areas such as alleyways, industrial estates and parks and given alcohol.

Ms Melly told the court that the victim has chronic post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and high levels of anxiety as a result of the abuse she endured.

The victim addressed her abusers in a statement that was read out in court by the prosecutor.

She said she had been "exploited for your sexual gratification" and that "your actions have had far, far reaching consequences".

"You didn't just take my childhood, you destroyed it." The victim added: "You are all predators and it is with deep sorrow and anger that I reflect that West Yorkshire Police failed to adequately address our plight for so long." She said: "I don't know how I have survived the trauma of the past six years," adding that she had considered taking her own life.