Child sex abuse trial: "CSE victims can now have faith in the police"

The jury in the Rotherham child sex abuse trial returned guilty verdicts on five out of seven defendants after more than three days of deliberations yesterday.

Another defendant admitted ten offences before the trial, meaning six people are guilty of 55 offences against 15 young girls.

Speaking after the conviction of three men and two women for 45 child sex offences, Chief Supt Jason Harwin, district commander for Rotherham, said the force now has a better understanding of CSE.

He said: “If you are sat out there whether you are a victim in the past, a victim now, or potentially a victim in the future, please have faith us. We do take this very seriously.

“Our learning has increased significantly over the last 18 months of the understanding of the issues we have got. We have still got more to do but what we will do if you come forward is listen, we will make sure the support that you need is put in place and we will make sure if we have got evidence that those responsible are brought to justice.

“In terms of the events of the last 18 months Rotherham has been on the map for reasons we wouldn't want. 

“We want Rotherham to be a place for people to want to come and live, want to invest in and feel safe. This shows we are learning and we continue to learn.”