Leeds child sex abuse gang member is jailed

Junaid Rashid, 22, is the latest member of the group to be sentenced over sex offences committed against the vulnerable youngster in Beeston, Leeds.

Earlier this month four men were handed sentences totalling 51 years after a jury heard how the victim was groomed, systematically abused and sometimes forced to have sex against her will by the defendants who all knew she was under age.

The girl would be given cigarettes and alcohol, contacted via Facebook with demands for sex and picked up in the street and ordered to get into cars with the men.

Rashid, 22, of Sefton Avenue, Beeston, was jailed for two-and-a-half years after he was found guilty of two offences of inciting sexual activity with a child. Leeds Crown Court heard Rashid contacted the girl via text and Facebook messages asking her to have sexual contact with him.

The girl refused and Rashid later deleted her number and blocked her on the social networking site.

Sentencing Rashid, judge Geoffrey Marson, QC, said: “You have shown no remorse for what you did and she has suffered serious psychological injury because of this abuse.”

Five other men are still to be sentenced over the abuse.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Griffin, of Leeds District Safeguarding Unit, said: “The sexual exploitation and abuse of vulnerable children and young people is a despicable and insidious crime. It is an issue that cuts across all communities and cultures.”