Rochdale grooming trial: Nine to be sentenced for child sex charges

Nine men found guilty of being part of a child sexual exploitation ring in Greater Manchester are to be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court later.

The men, from Rochdale and Oldham, exploited vulnerable teenage girls as young as 13.

They were found guilty of offences including rape and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.

The 11-week trial heard the men plied their victims with drink and drugs so they could "pass them around" for sex.

The five victims were abused at two takeaway restaurants in the Heywood area of Rochdale by the men aged between 24 and 59. The takeaways are under new management.

All those convicted were found guilty of conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with girls under the age of 16.

A 59-year-old Oldham man who cannot be named for legal reasons was also convicted of two rapes, aiding and abetting rape, sexual assault and trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

The eight other men will be sentenced for the conspiracy conviction and other charges.

They are:

Two of the defendants on trial were acquitted.