Seven Members of UK Grooming Gang Sentenced to 12-35 Years for Sexual Exploitation of Vulnerable Teenagers

Seven members of a grooming gang operating in northern England received prison sentences ranging from 12 to 35 years on Wednesday, marking the latest convictions in a scandal that has spanned decades across multiple cities.

The convicted men, all of South Asian heritage, were found guilty of grooming at least two vulnerable white teenage girls in Rochdale, near Manchester. According to court proceedings, they treated these girls as "sex slaves" over a five-year period beginning in 2001.

Following a four-month trial in Manchester, the jury convicted all seven defendants of rape and numerous other offenses after hearing testimony from both victims. Court evidence revealed that the victims were forced into sexual activity "with multiple men on the same day, in filthy flats and on rancid mattresses."

Upon sentencing, Judge Jonathan Seely stated, "They were passed around for sex -- abused, humiliated, degraded and then discarded."

This case represents the latest in a series of grooming gang prosecutions that prompted the government to announce a public inquiry in June, following years of advocacy for a broader investigation.

Multiple official reports, including a significant review by parliamentarian Louise Casey, have indicated that men predominantly of South Asian origin were suspected of sexually abusing thousands of mostly white, working-class girls over several decades.

Far-right figures in Britain, including activist Tommy Robinson, have used these cases to campaign against multiculturalism and immigration. The issue gained international attention earlier this year when tech billionaire Elon Musk launched provocative criticisms on his X platform against the UK government for its initial reluctance to establish a national inquiry.

The sentences delivered Wednesday resulted from Operation Lytton, an investigation into historical child sexual exploitation in Rochdale that began in 2015.

During sentencing, Judge Seely noted that the two victims "were highly vulnerable, both had deeply troubled backgrounds and were known to the authorities." He added, "They were highly susceptible to the advances of these men and others, and both were sexually abused by numerous other men. Both were seriously let down by those whose job it was to protect them."

According to police reports, investigations into child sexual exploitation in Rochdale have thus far resulted in the conviction of 32 offenders, including the seven sentenced Wednesday, with collective prison sentences exceeding 450 years.