Child sex abuse trial: Alleged victim suing Rotherham Council and police "for waiting 15 years to act"

AN ALLEGED grooming victim has confirmed she is suing the police and Rotherham Council after claiming social workers “knew” in 2000 that she was being abused by suspect Arshid Hussain.

AN ALLEGED grooming victim claims police and social workers “knew” in 2000 that she was being abused by suspect Arshid Hussain.

The 33-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, confirmed in court today that she is suing Rotherham Borough Council and South Yorkshire Police for “waiting 15 years” before acting on the information.

She said she has recently seen minutes of an Independent Police Complaints Commission meeting held on June 6, 2000 which named her and Hussain — who the prosecution say was known as Mad Arsh — in relation to alleged sexual abuse.

Testifying at Sheffield Crown Court this afternoon, she said: “If these people were meant to be helping me, why didn't they stop it?

“Why did they leave it 15 years before knocking on my door and saying they knew?”

Mr Tahir Khan QC, defending Hussain, said he was not previously aware of the document.

Cross-examining the woman, he accused her of making up allegations against his client for monetary gain.

He said: “These are allegations you have made up and you have done that for financial reasons.”

The woman replied: “What financial reasons?”

Mr Khan said: “You are suing for damages. That is the motive. Once you realised people were taking this case seriously, that's when you started making these false allegations, isn’t it?”

The woman replied: “No,” adding: “I didn’t go to the police. The police came to me.”

Mr Khan said Hussain had no contact whatsoever with the woman, adding that she probably knew of him through her sister.

Hussain, who appeared via video link from his home, denies all 29 of the charges against him.

The trial continues.

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