Nine men have been found guilty of involvement in a child sexual exploitation ring in Greater Manchester, and between them have been charged with 21 counts of sexual abuse over a two-year period.

The men, all from Rochdale and Oldham, have been charged at Liverpool Crown Court with the grooming of young girls. It was claimed that the men used drink and drugs to intoxicate the girls before using them for sex. It was the evidence of five girls who were abused by the men that proved conclusive and lead to the guilty verdict.

The trial has been ongoing for 11 weeks and was the subject of elevated attention after members of the English Defence League and the BNP protested outside the court, resulting in the adjournment of the case until this later date.

Although extremist groups have highlighted the fact that the men were from Rochdale's Pakistani community, detectives have said that the victims were targeted because they were vulnerable and available, not because they were white.