Two arrested in abuse investigation

Two men have been arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into child sexual exploitation which led to the jailing of nine men.

The arrests are in relation to one of the five girls who gave evidence at Liverpool Crown Court in the case of a child sex grooming ring in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

The court heard allegations that the youngster was also abused from the age of 15 by four men who she only knew by their nicknames.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Two men have been arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rochdale, which led to the jailing of nine men.

"Both men, aged 33, from the Rochdale area were arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and rape.

"They have now been released on bail pending further inquiries."

The inquiry is separate to a suspected second child grooming case in the town - pre-dating the Liverpool Crown case - which is understood to concern one of 47 girls questioned by police.

Nine men, aged between 24 and 38, arrested on suspicion of sexual activity with a child from 2005 are on bail pending further inquiries.

Earlier this month, eight Pakistani men and an Afghan received received jail sentences of between four and 19 years from a judge who said they treated their white victims "as though they were worthless and beyond any respect".

The trial in Liverpool heard the five girls - aged between 13 and 15 - were given alcohol, food and money in return for sex but there were times when violence was used.

The offences happened in and around Rochdale in 2008 and 2009.

The men were convicted of conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with children under the age of 16 and other sexual offences including rape and trafficking for sexual exploitation.

PA