15-Year-Old's Bravery Jails 8 Men for 91 Years in Bradford Grooming Case
A 15-year-old girl has bravely spoken out against the police and social services, demanding accountability alongside the convicted abusers. Her courage led to the jailing of eight men, with sentences totalling 91 years.
The girl, who was groomed and sexually exploited by at least 18 men in Bradford, reported the abuse to police in 2019. This triggered an investigation that resulted in the convictions of eight men. Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Greenbank commended the girl's bravery for coming forward.
The most severe sentence was given to Raja Zulqurnean, 42, who was convicted of ten rapes and nine indecent assaults. He was sentenced to 23 years in jail. Notably, Zulqurnean had married the girl in a Sharia law ceremony attended by her social worker when she was in his family's foster care. The social worker, though involved in supporting the girl, has not been publicly identified.
The judge in the case criticised the failure of systems meant to protect the girl, including her parents, social services, and the police. The girl herself expressed strong distrust and animosity towards these institutions.
The convictions of the eight men, with a total sentence of 91 years, reflect the gravity of their crimes. The girl's bravery in reporting the abuse has been praised, and the failures of protective systems have been acknowledged. The girl's social worker, who attended the Islamic wedding ceremony, remains unidentified.
