Scandal of abused girls convicted of grooming
Now dozens could have criminal records axed
DOZENS of abuse victims who were coerced into committing offences could soon have their criminal records wiped.
The police watchdog has called for a legal review over offences committed by young people who were groomed by perverts.
It follows a campaign by Sammy Woodhouse – who was forced into crime by her rapist Arshid Hussain.
Hussain was a violent gangster and ringleader of the notorious Rotherham child sex ring and is currently serving 35 years in prison.
Sammy – just 14 when he started abusing her – drove his getaway car during robberies. Now 37, she said: “People don’t want to touch you if you have a criminal record. You can’t apply for most jobs. If you’ve been exploited, you’re being punished for something that was not your fault.”
Others have been coerced into drugs crimes, prostitution, grooming and abduction of other children.
Sometimes they have carried the can while their abusers walked free. Now the Independent Office for
Police Conduct has asked the Law Commission for a review.
The IOPC last week upheld dozens of complaints against South
Yorkshire Police over the Rotherham scandal.
In the last year, charity the Maggie Oliver Foundation has supported 43 survivors who have been arrested as a result of their abuse.
One victim of the Rochdale scandal was placed on the indictment at trial with nine perpetrators.
Maggie, who left Greater Manchester Police after blowing the whistle on the Rochdale scandal, added: “While sexual abuse is horrific, being failed by the system is sometimes worse.”
We were punished for what was not our fault SAMMY WOODHOUSE ROTHERHAM SURVIVOR