Gang 'raped and sexually abused eight vulnerable girls as young as 12'

A gang of six Muslim men sexually exploited and abused vulnerable young girls after luring them over Facebook with the promise of drink and drugs, a court heard.

The group are accused of forcing the underage victims - aged between 12 and 15 - to engage in sexual activity between 2013 and 2017.

A court heard the men committed the offences against eight girls under the age of 16 in the Redditch area of Worcestershire.

Abdul Hussain, 21, Usmaan Asghar, 22, Arslan Tazarab, 25, Ethashan Tazarab, 21, Usman Ali, 28 and Numan Mohammed, 23, went on trial at Worcester Crown Court.

They are charged with a total of 24 sex offences going back almost ten years - including sexual assault and sexual activity with a child.

Opening the case, prosecutor Mark Heywood QC said some girls were targeted 'just because they were in reach' while cannabis was used to 'take advantage' of them.

He said: 'This case is about eight girls in their early to middle teens and from 2013 to 2017 they were sexually abused by these defendants.

'Some were crudely groped simply because they were in reach. Some were lonely and wanted attention.

'Others had made poor lifestyle choices which made them vulnerable. This included drinking, taking drugs, and being sexually available - they were easily taken advantage of.

'One was faced with demands for oral sex, she gave up resisting. When she did resist and saying no, she was grabbed and forced to comply.'

Hussain, who was himself under 18 at the time, is accused of masturbating in the presence of a girl who was 13.

Asghar is charged with two counts of penetrative sex with a girl who was 13 after giving her cannabis.

Mr Heywood added: 'They would meet up and smoke cannabis. When she was high, Asghar would grab and kiss her and using his finger to penetrate her'.

The girl, who is now 20, said: ''When you're stoned you know what you were doing but don't know why you are doing it.'

Arslan Tazarab, of Redditch, is charged with four counts of sexual activity with a child while his brother Ethashan, of Redditch, is accused of attempting to to engage sexual activity with a child and attempting sexual communication with a child

Hussain, of Redditch, is charged with two counts of sexual assault and Ali, of Redditch, is charged with two counts of sexual activity with a child.

Mohammed, of Swinfen, Staffs., is charged with eight offences. They include rape, sexual activity with a child and engaging in sexual activity in presence of a child.

Asghar, of Redditch, is accused of two counts of sexual activity with a child.

The trial continues.