SEVEN MEN SENTENCED TO 106 YEARS IN UK’S LARGEST CHILD ABUSE PROBE

In a landmark case, seven men have been sentenced to a total of 106 years in prison for their roles in the sexual abuse of two girls in Rotherham, northern England, in the early 2000s. The convictions are the result of Operation Stovewood, the UK’s largest investigation into child sexual abuse, launched in 2014 following the Jay Report’s revelations of widespread abuse and systemic failures by authorities.

The men, convicted in June, received sentences ranging from seven to 25 years for offences committed between 2003 and 2008. The investigation, led by the National Crime Agency (NCA), has resulted in 36 convictions so far.

The trial heard harrowing accounts of grooming, rape, and assault, with victims often plied with substances and collected from children’s homes. NCA senior investigating officer Stuart Cobb described the men as “cruel and manipulative,” exploiting vulnerable victims.

The sentences bring some measure of justice to the victims, who suffered abuse at various locations, including parks, cars, and even a children’s nursery. The case highlights the devastating consequences of child sexual abuse and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.