The Guardian view on Operation Sanctuary: ends and means | Editorial

The conviction of 18 people involved in the Newcastle sex exploitation gang is welcome. But earlier intervention would have been so much better

One of the reasons for the conviction of 17 men and one woman for their involvement in a sex grooming network in Newcastle was the use of a paid informant who himself is a convicted paedophile. The use of such a person by the police has been widely criticised by organisations such as the NSPCC that otherwise would be expected to cheer the careful and effective way the network was uncovered, its victims supported – to the point where 20 of them felt able to give evidence – and so many prosecutions were secured. It was a remarkable operation: 278 victims were identified, four trials resulted in convictions for 93 offences, and now 18 defendants face long prison sentences.

Northumbria’s chief constable, Steve Ashman, is unrepentant about the use of the informant. The man, known as XY, did not give evidence in court, and Mr Ashman insists he was used only for his familiarity with the habits of the network, which was an organised criminal gang that in addition to abusing vulnerable girls and young women also trafficked drugs.

Continue reading...

from Children | The Guardian http://ift.tt/2utREon