Nine boys convicted of gang raping 14-year-old girl
Nine boys convicted of gang rape of 14-year-old girl in Hackney
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Monday, 10, Nov 2008 03:08
Nine boys have today been convicted of the gang rape of a 14-year-old girl in Hackney, east London.
At Snaresbrook crown court six of the youths were found guilty of rape, kidnap and false imprisonment.
Their ages ranged from 14 to 16 but their identities can not be revealed for legal reasons. Three other youths aged 16 and 17 pleaded guilty to the charges before the trial.
They are due to be sentenced on December 5th.
The court heard how the victim was on her way home on April 30th last year when she saw suspect 'A' with a group of males.
She allegedly argued with them, it is thought over an existing dispute in which she told the suspect's girlfriend that she shouldn't be with him, and one of the group took her mobile phone.
She was allegedly taken to a number of addresses in South Hackney and the Frampton Park Estate when the nine boys raped her.
Detective Constable Jonathan Burks, from Hackney police, said: "I hope this result provides some comfort to the victim, who went through a hugely distressing and traumatic ordeal at the age of just 14. I commend her and the sheer bravery of the other young witnesses in standing up in court and giving evidence.
"This has been an incredibly complex inquiry and one of the largest scale investigations run by Hackney borough police for many years. I would like to pay tribute to the contribution made, not only by police officers but also many support colleagues, that has led to these convictions.
"The motive for this sickening assault appears to be that the victim had previously 'disrespected' suspect A and he took his revenge. The others were members of a local group and followed his lead in a pack mentality.
"I hope this case demonstrates the Met's commitment to tackling gang culture, reassuring the local community and supporting victims and witnesses throughout the criminal justice process. These young men might think they are untouchable but they are not."