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Theresa May has praised the Sunday Mirror's investigation into the Telford abuse scandal as she called for an inquiry to begin 'as quickly as possible'.

The Sunday Mirror's 18-month investigation shed light on Britain's 'worst ever' child grooming scandal where up to 1,000 children could have suffered in the Telford abuse scandal.

Girls were lured from their families to be drugged, beaten and raped in an epidemic that, say victims, is still ongoing.

Three people were murdered and two others died in tragedies linked to the scandal.

The Prime Minister said "we have all been shocked" by the "horrific" case.

During PMQs , Tory Telford MP Lucy Allan said: "Like many towns and cities across the country, Telford has had some experiences of distressing cases of child sexual exploitation."

(Image: ITV)

She asked the Prime Minister to praise the work of the Sunday Mirror in shedding light on the horrific abuse.

"Will (Mrs May) join me in congratulating two brave women - campaigner Holly Archer and Sunday Mirror journalist Geraldine MckElvie - for their work in bringing this about, and will she agree to do everything possible to ensure this inquiry starts without delay and leaves no stone unturned?"

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Mrs May replied: "I think we have all been shocked by the horrific case that we have seen in Telford of some of the most vulnerable in our country being preyed upon by ruthless criminals.

(Image: Sunday Mirror)

"Sadly, of course, this is not the first example that we have seen taking place across our country.

"I'm very happy to join (Ms Allan) in congratulating Holly and Geraldine for the work that they have done - this is not easy but it is right that they have brought this to light and that action can be taken.

"I am pleased that the authorities are now going to conduct an inquiry: it is, as (Ms Allan) says, important that it begins its work in order to get to the truth and does that as quickly as possible." </s> The victim of a Telford grooming gang predator had previously told how she was raped by him and his cousin - and later saw both brought to justice.

Former A-Level student Paula - not her real name - bravely spoke about her ordeal to the Birmingham Mail in March 2015.

Mohammed Ali Sultan, 31, was jailed for seven years after being convicted of two counts of rape and one of attempted rape of the former A Level student, who bravely went on to rebuild her life to become a Birmingham nurse.

The monster had previously been jailed for being part of an Asian gang that had sexually exploited vulnerable youngsters in the Telford area of Shropshire.

One victim of married Sultan was just 13-years-old.

Yesterday a Sunday Mirror investigation said the Telford grooming scandal could have involved 1,000 victims, dating back to the 1980s.

There are now calls for a public inquiry into the child sexual exploitation gangs, with claims some girls were murdered by their abusers.

Paula told in 2015 how unemployed factory worker Ali Sultan had first abused her two days after she had been brutally raped by his cousin, Shahmeel Khan.

She later bravely gave evidence against Khan, from Victoria Avenue, Wellington, to see him jailed for 10 years.

Sultan, also from Victoria Avenue, was jailed for seven years after the determined victim took the witness stand at Wolverhampton Crown Court to help convict him of the two rapes and one attempted rape. He was cleared of one rape charge.

Paula spoke to the Mail in March 2015 about her harrowing ordeal to shine a light on the long-hidden problem of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and to offer hope to other young girls in similar terrifying situations.

“Predators can read a person, they get very good at it,’’ she said.

“Because of everything that has happened to me I can tell who is a predator, I can tell when someone is trying to chat someone up in an inappropriate way. But what experience does a 12,13,14-year-old girl have?

“What chance do they have up against a man who might have 15 years’ experience of raping and tricking and grooming girls? How on earth can a young girl be expected to get out of that situation?

“These men can see who is vulnerable.’’

Softly-spoken Paula came from a middle-class background and had been studying for her A Levels. She moved into her own flat in the Telford area in May 2007.

A friend and neighbour was being bullied by Sultan into letting him use his flat for sex session with girls at the time. Before long, Paula was being targeted by Sultan and his convict cousin.

She recalled: “Sultan kept calling me when my friend wasn’t with me and trying to talk to me. I was having none of it at the time.

“He started knocking on my door, at first asking for my friend. If my friend wasn’t in, I’d say he wasn’t. He would ask if he could come in and I’d say, ‘No, you can’t. He isn’t here’.

“He started saying things like, ‘Who is in there?’. I’d say, ’No one’. It was just a trick to find out if I was on my own.

“Around the same time his cousin Shahmeel Khan got out of prison. Two weeks later, on June 17 in 2007, Shahmeel broke into my flat and raped me.’’

Convicted robber Khan returned to rape his terrified victim twice more.

It was during this terrifying period that Sultan also began abusing the traumatised teenager.

Paula said: “Two days after Shahmeel raped me, Sultan came to my flat with one of his friends and made me perform a sex act on him and his friend. That’s one of the counts of rape he was convicted of.

“I reported his friend but failed to correctly pick him out in an ID parade. I only knew his first name and only saw him that once and never saw him again.

“When I gave evidence in court I told them that when Sultan first started coming round he would be very polite. When I’d say no, he’d say, ‘Why not? Are we not friends?’ I couldn’t say no because I knew that as soon as I said we were not friends, he’d get aggressive with me and push his way in.

“When Sultan and his friends first used to go on about me performing sex acts I used to think it was them just joking. But after Shahmeel raped me I was very, very scared. And I realised that Sultan was not joking.

“I think I just gave up after Shahmeel raped me. When Sultan came round two days after the rape I was still in shock, still traumatised. I had no fight left in me.

“He used to say he would make my life hell and said I didn’t want to play games with him. He would say he would kick my door in and when I said ‘you won’t because of the locks’, he said ‘I will kick your head in then’.”

Worn down by the attacks from the depraved cousins, she fell into a cycle of abuse involving other Asian men. The details are too harrowing to recount, but she was also subject to violence including stones being thrown at her face and being beaten.

Eventually she somehow summoned the courage to break free and went to the police, first about Khan who was jailed for 10 years in December 2011. He will not be eligible for parole until 2020 because of other sentences.

When Paula reported Mohammed Ali Sultan to police she discovered detectives were just concluding Operation Chalice, an investigation into an Asian child sexual exploitation gang.

The operation saw him jailed for seven years in November 2012 after admitting sexually abusing two underage girls, including one aged just 13.

Paula said: “I went to the police about Sultan in June 2010. I got included in Operation Chalice at the end, not in the court case, but as a victim, because I went to the police once the case had started.

“I was training at university at the time and had no idea the case was going on. It was a coincidence I went to the police while they were in the middle of investigating Operation Chalice.

“Partly because of that, they didn’t arrest Sultan for what he did to me until after Operation Chalice had finished. They had to produce him from prison, arrest him and get his statement.’’

“I don’t feel as if anyone listened to me, nobody cared, so how was I supposed to think about what was happening to me?"

Incredibly, despite her unimaginable ordeal, Paula has managed to rebuild her life and completed a nursing degree before working for a health trust in Birmingham. She has now moved to another part of the country to be near her supportive family.

This remarkable young went on to offer practical help to other girls being groomed and abused by CSE gangs. Paula is also determined to give advice to police and social workers who can often fail to listen to victims, forcing them back into the clutches of their abusers,

“I went to the police initially after Shahmeel raped me, but I told them I was too scared to have him arrested,’’ she said.

“Instead of encouraging me and making me feel better and giving me some options, they just said if I didn’t want him arrested then they’d have to say it was consensual.

“I don’t feel as if anyone listened to me, nobody cared, so how was I supposed to think about what was happening to me?

“In the privacy of my own flat I was so scared and didn’t know what to do because everybody thought it was my own fault.

“I’d be at home crying, saying to myself that I had to come up with a plan to stop it happening the next time. I’d listen to my music loud on headphones so I couldn’t hear the door banging.

“Now, I’d really like to give advice to young girls in this position. I want to help them.’’

Paula's Advice On How Girls Can Protect Themselves:

1. “Try and memorise street names, door numbers, car registrations and things like that, so you can tell someone you trust where you are in case things go wrong. Always have taxi numbers available and secret money.”

2. “Always remember that you can run away. Some of my biggest regrets are when one abuser was driving me around that I just didn’t get out of the car and run off. You can run away, even though they may have manipulated you into feeling that you can’t.”

3. “If you want to say no, and they are pushing you into it, just keep saying no. Sometimes the hell you put up with for not putting out is more traumatising that having the sex. I can sit at home and remember the trauma that I went through not to have sex and I can feel proud of myself for those times.”

4. “Never give up on your parents. They might shout or get angry or not understand but that’s because they really care about you. And they are the only thing that’s always there, boyfriends come and go but your parents will love you forever. Talk to them, try to help each other. Your family are your team, they’re on your side.”

Mohammed Ali Sultan was among seven men jailed after a three-year investigation into a child exploitation ring in Telford.

Youth workers first raised the alarm when teenage girls in Wellington started telling them the same stories about a network of Muslim men abusing them. They were finally convicted in cases stretching over two years after judges heard heartbreaking evidence from four girls, who were aged 13 to 16 when abused between 2007 and 2009.

The leading grooming gang members were brothers Ahdel and Mubarek Ali, of Regent Street, Wellington. Ahdel Ali, 25, was jailed for 18 years.

His 29-year-old brother Mubarek was jailed for 14 years. Also convicted were Tanveer Ahmed, 40, of Urban Gardens, Wellington, who was jailed for two and half years after admitting controlling a child for prostitution.

Mohammed Islam Choudhrey, 53, of Solway Drive, Sutton Hill, was jailed for two and half years after admitting having sex with a Telford schoolgirl. Mahroof Khan, 35, of Caradoc Flats, Kingshaye Road, Wellington, was jailed for 30 months after admitting having sex with a 15-year-old girl. Mohammed Younis, 61, of Kingsland, Arleston, was jailed for two and a half years for allowing his property to be used as a brothel, by allowing a man to have sex with a girl being controlled as a prostitute. </s> Prime Minister Says Telford Child Sex Abuse Inquiry Should Start As Quickly As Possible

Theresa May has told MPs an inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Telford should get under way as quickly possible.

The Prime Minister said "we have all been shocked" by the "horrific" case, and said she was pleased that an inquiry would happen.



During PMQs, Tory Telford MP Lucy Allan said: "Like many towns and cities across the country, Telford has had some experiences of distressing cases of child sexual exploitation.



"The authorities in Telford have now agreed to conduct an independent inquiry to find out what happened and to give victims answers.



"Will (Mrs May) join me in congratulating two brave women - campaigner Holly Archer and Sunday Mirror journalist Geraldine MckElvey - for their work in bringing this about, and will she agree to do everything possible to ensure this inquiry starts without delay and leaves no stone unturned?"



Mrs May replied: "I think we have all been shocked by the horrific case that we have seen in Telford of some of the most vulnerable in our country being preyed upon by ruthless criminals.



"Sadly, of course, this is not the first example that we have seen taking place across our country.



"I'm very happy to join (Ms Allan) in congratulating Holly and Geraldine for the work that they have done - this is not easy but it is right that they have brought this to light and that action can be taken.



"I am pleased that the authorities are now going to conduct an inquiry: it is, as (Ms Allan) says, important that it begins its work in order to get to the truth and does that as quickly as possible."



Communities Secretary Sajid Javid later told MPs the reports from Telford highlighted the need for the Government's new integration strategy.



It included measures to boost English language skills and proposals to require schools whose pupils come from a single ethnic or religious community to ensure they mix with children from other backgrounds.



Outlining the strategy to MPs, Mr Javid said: "None of these measures dilutes the Government's commitment to protect people's legitimate rights to free speech and to practice their religion within the law.



"Indeed, the green paper reaffirms this commitment.



"But we cannot and we will not shy away from challenging cultural practices that are harmful, particularly for women and girls.



"Recent news about the abuses in Telford highlights just how important this issue is." </s> A BRADFORD grooming gang has been jailed for more than 130 years for the sexual abuse of two young girls.

Nine men have received a combined sentence of 132 years after being found guilty of raping and sexually abusing the girls. The sentences were handed down today at Bradford Crown Court, West Yorkshire, following a seven-week trial. The charges related to sexual abuse in Bradford and Kirklees between 2008 and 2009 and followed an investigation launched in 2014, after both victims made reports to the police.

Judge Durham Hall spoke to the nine men in the court: "The damage and hurt you have caused for your sexual pleasure has been revealed to all, and the lengths some of you went to, to corrupt and groom a girl are truly appalling, and then threaten and to rape her beyond description." Senior Investigating Officer DS Jonathan Morgan said the sentences was a 'very satisfactory conclusion' to what has been a challenging and lengthy investigation. "We hope they will serve as a warning to others that this kind of abuse will mot be tolerated in West Yorkshire," he said. "We are pleased with the sentences given by the court today and hope they will serve as a warning to others that this kind of abuse will not be tolerated in West Yorkshire.

“I would like to highlight the courage and tenacity of the victims to go through the court process and whom have maintained trust in the police and the criminal justice system throughout. “I hope that today’s result provides the impetus for other victims to come forward and report matters to the police or safeguarding partners.” Basharat Khaliq, 38, of Glaisdale Court, Allerton, Bradford, was found guilty of five counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration. He was jailed for 20 years. Saeed Akhtar, 55, was also sentenced to 20 years for a charge of rape and two charges of causing or inciting child prostitution.

Naveed Akhtar, 43, of Newport Place, Bradford, was found guilty of two counts of rape. He was jailed for 17 years. Parvaze Ahmed, 36, of Farcliffe Road, Bradford, has also been given 17 years in prison as he was found guilty of three charges of rape. Izar Hussain, 32, of St Leonards Road, Bradford, was found guilty of rape. He was jailed for 16 years. Zeeshan Ali, 32, of Durham Terrace, Bradford, was found guilty of sexual assault and was sentenced to 18 months. </s> Nine men have been found guilty of 21 offences of grooming, rape and sexual exploitation of two young girls.

The girls were taken into care when they were just 14, but repeatedly ran away from their home in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

Prosecutor Kama Melly QC said: ‘These girls were sadly ripe and vulnerable to manipulation.’

After a seven week trial Basharat Khaliq, 38, Saeed Akhtar, 55, Naveed Akhtar, 43, Parvaze Ahmed, 36, Izar Hussain, 32, Zeeshan Ali, 32, Keiran Harris, 28, Fahim Iqbal, 28 and Mohammed Usman, 31, were all found guilty.

Detective superintendent Jonathan Morgansaid: ‘These were predatory sex offenders who targeted two vulnerable children and abused them physically and emotionally. This undoubtedly had a significant impact on them both.

‘We would like to thank the victims for their continued support and acknowledge the courage they have shown in giving evidence before the courts.

‘We hope today’s verdict will give them closure and allow them to move forward with their lives and that it will give other victims of abuse the confidence to come forward and report it.’

An NSPCC spokesman added: ‘These men cruelly abused two young girls for their own twisted sexual gratification, cynically exploiting the victims’ vulnerability. We hope today’s convictions bring them some comfort and it’s important both receive all the support they need to move forward.

‘This case highlights the risk that children who regularly go missing from care face in terms of physical abuse, grooming and sexual exploitation.

‘Whatever a young person is going through, it is important they remember help and support is always available. Childline is here to listen to children and young people who feel they have no one else to talk to.

‘Childline can be contacted 24 hours a day seven days a week online and over the phone on 0800 11 11 or via http://www.Childline.org.uk.

‘For parents and adults concerned about a child you can contact the NSPCC Helpline 24/7 on 0808 800 5000 or for more information visit http://www.NSPCC.org.uk.’

Basharat Khaliq, 38, from Bradford, known as Bash, was found guilty of five counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration.

Saeed Akhtar, 55, from Bradford, known as Sid, was found guilty of one charge of rape and two charges of causing or inciting child prostitution.

His brother Naveed Akhtar, 43, also from Bradford, and known as Nav, was found guilty of two counts of rape and not guilty of a third allegation of rape.

Parvaze Ahmed, 36, from Bradford, known as Pav, was found guilty of three charges of rape.

Izar Hussain, 32, from Bradford, known as Billy Joe Joe, was found guilty of one rape and one attempted rape, and acquitted of two rapes.

Zeeshan Ali, 32, from Bradford, known as Twinny or T, was found guilty of one charge of sexual assault.

Keiran Harris, 28, from Dewsbury, was found guilty of two rapes.

Fahim Iqbal, 28, from Dewsbury, was found guilty of aiding and abetting one of Harris’s rapes.

Mohammed Usman, 31, from Bradford, known as Manny, was found guilty of two counts of rape. </s> Two more men were beaten to death by mobs in India's northeastern state of Assam on suspicions of that they kidnapped children, in the latest of several killings fueled by social media rumors, police said Saturday.

The men from state capital Guwahati were traveling on holiday in the remote Karbi Anglong district late Friday night when they were confronted by a mob of some 300 villagers.

"The villagers, [who] suspected them to be child lifters, surrounded their SUV, dragged them out and started thrashing them," district police chief, V Siva Prasad Ganjala, said by phone. "One died on the scene, the other succumbed to his injuries later."

Footage of the lynching - captured by locals on their mobiles - shows the two men, aged between 25 to 30 years - pleading with their attackers to let them go and insisting that they were not criminals.

Ganjala said there had been no incidents of kidnapping or child trafficking in the area, but rumors that kidnappers were operating in the region had circulated on WhatsApp and Facebook in recent days.

Police registered a case of murder but had so far made no arrests.

Friday's killings came after six people were lynched by mobs in distant southern India last month following similar rumors about "child kidnapping gangs."

Police urged people against falling prey to rumors after a 52-year-old transgender woman was beaten to death in the southern city of Hyderabad at the end of May. She was also suspected child kidnapping.

A 42-year-old man was beaten to death in Nizamabad district, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) from Hyderabad, after a mob accused him as well of being a child kidnapper.

Authorities said the false messages that were being spread widely had led to mass panic, with mobs attacking beggars and strangers.

A dozen people have been arrested for circulating the videos, which show men hoisting a child from outside a home and mutilating an infant.

Police said most of the victims were not from the localities where they were killed. </s> These are external links and will open in a new window

Nine men have been found guilty of sexual exploitation offences against two teenage girls in Bradford.

The men were found guilty of offences including rape and inciting child prostitution after a trial lasting more than six weeks.

The jury is still considering its verdict on a 10th man.

The girls were living in a children's home in the city when the abuse started, and a full investigation began after the BBC contacted police.

At Bradford Crown Court, Basharat Khaliq, 38, of Bradford, was found guilty of five counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration.

Saeed Akhtar, 55, of Bradford, was found guilty of two counts of inciting child prostitution and one count of rape.

More news and stories from across Yorkshire

Naveed Akhtar, 43, of Bradford, was convicted of two counts of rape and found not guilty of a third count.

Parvaze Ahmed 36, of Bradford, was convicted of three counts of rape.

Izar Hussain, 32, of Bradford, was found guilty of one count of rape and one count of attempted rape, but found not guilty on another two counts of rape.

Zeeshan Ali, 32, of Bradford, was convicted of sexual assault.

Kieran Harris, 28, of Dewsbury, was convicted of two counts of rape.

Faheem Iqbal, 27, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of aiding and abetting rape.

Mohammed Usman, 31, of Bradford, was found guilty of two counts of rape.

Khaliq was found guilty of offences against both girls, while the other eight men were convicted in relation to one victim.

The men have been remanded in custody at Bradford Crown Court and will be sentenced on Wednesday.

The court was told the grooming and abuse began in 2008 when the girls were aged 14, living in a children's home in Bradford.

The jury heard staff could not physically prevent the girls leaving the home but they were aware that one of the girls was "being picked up by multiple Asian males in smart cars."

A statement from Bradford Council said: "The Safeguarding Board will look closely at this case to see if there are any lessons we can learn that could help us keep young people safer."

Earlier in the trial, the court heard one of the girls told police in 2013 that she had been "groomed by hundreds of men", but those allegations were not followed up.

The girl was interviewed by BBC Look North a year later, and she talked about abuse she had suffered. </s> Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The BBC's Daniel Sandford reports on the crimes of Stephen Port, "a serial rapist who became a serial killer"

A serial killer has been found guilty of murdering four young men by poisoning them with lethal doses of a date rape drug.

Stephen Port, 41, lured his victims to his London flat and secretly gave them GHB, the Old Bailey heard.

Scotland Yard believes there could be more victims and is reviewing 58 deaths in London spanning four years involving the drug.

Port, who denied 29 charges, will be sentenced on Friday.

The chef was also found guilty of 10 offences of administering a substance with intent, four rapes and four sexual assaults.

Image copyright Stephen Port/Met Police Image caption Port presented a very different version of himself online (left) where he claimed he'd been in the navy and graduated from Oxford University

Between August 2014 and September 2015, Port murdered Gabriel Kovari, 22, from Lewisham, Daniel Whitworth, 21, from Gravesend, Kent, and Jack Taylor, 25, from Dagenham, east London.

The jury also found him guilty of murdering Anthony Walgate, 23, from Dagenham, in June 2014 by a majority verdict.

Port met his victims on dating websites, including Grindr, and coaxed them to his home in Barking for sex before giving them fatal doses of drugs.

Their bodies were all found dumped in or near a graveyard within 500m of his house.

How did police miss killer Stephen Port?

The Metropolitan Police admitted it missed "potential opportunities" in investigating the deaths and has urged any other victims to come forward.

The force's own LGBT independent advisory group and journalists from the website Pink News had raised concerns about a serial killer being at large but were told the deaths were unconnected.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is currently investigating how the force handled the initial investigation into the deaths.

Seven officers have been served with gross misconduct notices advising them their conduct is under investigation. Another 10 have been served with misconduct notices.

Cdr Stuart Cundy, from the Met, said he was personally writing to the victims' families "to express our sincere condolences".

Image copyright PA Image caption Port murdered the men at his flat in Barking, east London, before dumping their bodies in and around a nearby graveyard

Port was found not guilty of three rapes relating to two living complainants.

The trial had heard he had an insatiable appetite for boyish-looking, smaller men, who he referred to as "Twinks".

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption In a police interview in 2015, Port tried to implicate Daniel Whitworth in the death of Gabriel Kovari

The Old Bailey was also told he trawled the internet for pornography involving impassive young men being "raped" by older men.

Home videos were played to the jury of 10 women and two men which appeared to show Port allegedly enacting his drug-rape obsession.

At court: Danny Shaw - BBC Home Affairs Correspondent

As the 12 jurors took their seats, there was an almost palpable sense of tension.

Every day since Monday of last week, when the jury's deliberations began, relatives of Port's victims have gathered waiting for the outcome of this harrowing case.

At 10:35, the jury forewoman was asked whether they'd reached unanimous verdicts on each of the counts and, if so, what that verdict was.

When the first reply of "guilty" came back Port just sighed.

But to his right, there were sobs, tears and hugs among the parents and siblings of those who were murdered.

The murders

Image copyright Met Police Image caption Anthony Walgate (left) and Gabriel Kovari were Port's first victims

Anthony Walgate occasionally worked as a male escort and met Port when he offered the 23-year-old student £800 for an overnight date.

Mr Walgate had told a friend about the date "in case I get killed" but was found dead outside Port's flat on 19 June 2014.

Port later admitted he had "panicked" over the death and was jailed for perverting the course of justice, but he continued to claim Mr Walgate died from taking his own drugs.

Image copyright Met Police Image caption Daniel Whitworth (L) was murdered a year before Jack Taylor (R) died

Gabriel Kovari was staying with Port as a temporary flatmate when he was killed in August 2014.

Port called his sister to confess he had his body in his bed then dragged the 22-year-old to a nearby graveyard.

He then constructed a web of deceit to divert suspicion, telling his neighbour that Mr Kovari had died of an infection in Spain.

Port also invented a Facebook identity via which he told the Slovakian's boyfriend Mr Kovari had gone to a sex party with a man named "Dan".

Image copyright Met Police Image caption The suicide note, written by Port, sought to absolve him of any part in Mr Whitworth's death

The same dog walker who found Mr Kovari's body also found Daniel Whitworth dead in the same spot in the churchyard and "lying in the exact same position" three weeks later.

A fake suicide note was found in his hand which purported to be a confession by Mr Whitworth for Mr Kovari's death.

It was later found to have been written by Port but at the time of Mr Whitworth's death police had treated his demise "at face value".

Image copyright PA Image caption Mr Kovari and Mr Whitworth's bodies were found in the graveyard of St Margaret's Church

Jack Taylor died on 13 September 2015, hours after meeting with Port. The pair had earlier shared a conversation on Grindr.

Following his murder, Port disposed of Mr Taylor's mobile phone and deleted their communication on the dating app.

His body was found by a refuse collector with a needle and syringe in his pocket.

Image copyright AFP/NIKLAS HALLE'N Image caption Jack Taylor's family gave their reaction to Port's conviction at the Old Bailey

Speaking outside court following the verdicts, Daniel Whitworth's family said they were still "bereft at the loss of a such a clever, talented and much-loved boy".

His step-mother, Mandy Pearson, said the guilty verdict "has marked the end of a large part of our battle" but the family "have yet to concentrate on other areas of accountability".

"The fight goes on until all our questions are answered," she said.

Jack Taylor's family said they felt he would still be alive if the police "had done their job".

"The police should be held accountable for Jack's death. We do understand it's not them who took Jack's life but Stephen Port would have been stopped," they said.

Image copyright AFP/ NIKLAS HALLE'N Image caption Mr Whitworth's family made only passing reference to the initial police probe of his death

Police believe there are many other victims and have urged people to come forward.

As Port used a variety of social networks and dating apps to meet men, the Met has released a list of his account details in a bid to aid any other possible victims. </s> Nine men have been given jail sentences of up to 20 years by a judge who heard how two girls suffered an "appalling catalogue of degrading emotional and sexual abuse which has deprived them of their childhood".

The sexual exploitation of the girls, which began when they were placed in a Bradford children's home, followed what prosecutors described as "a pattern which is all too familiar in cases of this kind".

According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the abuse began with Basharat Khaliq, 38, exploiting the girls in 2008 when both were 14 years old and had recently been placed in a children's home run by Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

Khaliq, who was jailed at Bradford Crown Court for 20 years on Wednesday, went on to exploit one of the victims for a further three years.

The CPS said the other victim was groomed and exploited by numerous men as she was given alcohol and drugs and passed from one man to another.

A spokesman said the abuse of these vulnerable victims continued after they left the care system.

The abuse came to light when one of the victims was interviewed by police in connection with another investigation into child sexual exploitation.

Paula Craven from the CPS said: "These two girls were deliberately targeted because of their vulnerability.

"Sadly, the exploitation followed a pattern which is all too familiar in cases of this kind.

"These victims suffered an appalling catalogue of degrading emotional and sexual abuse which has deprived them of their childhood.

"Sexual exploitation impacts on victims in many different ways.

"It feeds on vulnerability and eats into trust and feelings of self-worth.

"Their abusers have now been brought to justice and I hope the verdicts delivered today can go some way to helping them go forward with their lives.

"Our thoughts remain with them."

Detective Superintendent Jonathan Morgan said: "I would like to highlight the courage and tenacity of the victims to go through the court process and who have maintained trust in the police and the criminal justice system throughout.

"I hope that today's result provides the impetus for other victims to come forward and report matters to the police or safeguarding partners."

Basharat Khaliq, of Glaisdale Court, Allerton, Bradford, was found guilty of five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, police said. He was jailed for 20 years.

Saeed Akhtar, 55, of Back Girlington Road, Bradford, was found guilty of one charge of rape and two charges of causing or inciting child prostitution. He was jailed for 20 years.

Naveed Akhtar, 43, of Newport Place, Bradford, was found guilty of two counts of rape. He was jailed for 17 years.

Parvaze Ahmed, 36, of Farcliffe Road, Bradford, was found guilty of three charges of rape. He was jailed for 17 years.

Izar Hussain, 32, of St Leonard's Road, Bradford, was found guilty of rape. He was jailed for 16 years.

Zeeshan Ali, 32, of Durham Terrace, Bradford, was found guilty of sexual assault. He was jailed for 18 months.

Kieran Harris, 28, of Fir Parade, Dewsbury, was found guilty of two counts of rape . He was jailed for 17 years.

Fahim Iqbal, 28, of Quarry Road, Dewsbury, was found guilty of aiding and abetting one of Harris's rapes. He was jailed for seven years.

Mohammed Usman, 31, of Quaker Street, Bradford, was found guilty of two counts of rape. He was jailed for 17 years.
After an 18-month Sunday Mirror investigation, Theresa May has called for an inquiry "as quickly as possible" on reported Asian grooming gangs in Telford whereby up to 1,000 girls were lured from their families to be drugged, beaten, raped and even murdered.