Pair groomed girls in care for sex

TWO Oldham men who sexually exploited two underage girls in care have been jailed.

The girls were encouraged to stay out overnight, and on at least one night they were plied with drink and drugs. The younger girl, aged 13 had kissing sessions with a man twice her age and more serious sexual activity on a second night.

Bilal Ahmed (27), convicted after a lengthy trial of two counts of child abduction and two of sexual activity with a child, has been jailed for seven years.

Dilon Rasul (24), who was convicted of facilitating sexual activity, was jailed for two years. The men were arrested as a result of investigations into child sex grooming in Rochdale and Oldham.

The trial jury had heard the 13 year old, and a 15-year-old friend had repeatedly absconded from their respective care homes in Rochdale.

Neil Usher, prosecuting, said the offences were committed within days of each other when the youngsters, described as “particularly vulnerable”, spent a night at a flat on Tentercroft, Oldham, then on another night at a terraced house in Worsley Street, Glodwick, where the more serious offence occurred.

The younger of the girls later told police she had sex with Ahmed while “out of her face” on alcohol.

Mr Usher said there had been telephone contact between Ahmed and the girls and text messages with the 13 year old that clearly indicated sexual activity had occurred.