Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking
The aunt of a teenage girl who alleged sexual exploitation by a gang of men testified in court that concerns were raised after the 15-year-old was taken to London, where she appeared "terrified."
Four men from Rhyl, Denbighshire, stand accused of conspiracy to traffic and supplying cannabis in exchange for sexual services, Caernarfon Crown Court was told on Monday.
The defendants also deny similar offences involving a 14-year-old girl.
Mustafa Iqbal, 43, Ziaullah Badshah, 25, and Mohamed Usman Arshad, 36, face additional charges of rape, with the alleged victims aged between 14 and 16 years. All have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Details of the Alleged Abuse and London Trip
On Monday, the court heard that the 15-year-old, referred to as Child B, claimed she was raped by three of the men during the spring of 2022.
In April 2022, she informed police that she had been driven to London by 65-year-old Jaswinder Singh, the prosecution stated. Singh denies charges of trafficking or supplying cannabis to the girl.
During questioning by prosecutor Owen Edwards KC, the teenager's aunt told the jury she received a phone call from the mother of one of the girl's friends who lived in London.
The aunt, who has raised Child B as her own child and remains unnamed for legal reasons, described the teenager's state:
"She was inconsolable, scared, just terrified."
She added that she was unaware the 15-year-old had traveled to London and had believed she was staying with a friend nearby.
Upon the teenager's return to Rhyl, the aunt described Child B as looking like "a shell," further stating she was "totally deflated."
The aunt explained that it was only after sitting in on video interviews with police that she fully understood the extent of the sexual abuse allegations made by the girl.
Additional Charges and Defendants
Defendant Mustafa Iqbal faces further charges, including raping a 16-year-old girl and supplying her with cannabis and cocaine alongside Sarah Gray, 53. Gray also faces charges of perverting the course of justice and assisting an offender; she denies all charges.
Iqbal is charged with four counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault, as well as arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
Ongoing Trial
The trial is ongoing and is expected to last between six and eight weeks.
