This narrative from brave Ellie Reynolds pertains to the grooming, sexual assault, and maltreatment of minors in Barrow, Cumbria. Of girls occasionally still attired in their school uniforms.
Rotherham and Rochdale have been synonymous with the historical grooming scandals that shook the nation, from which, it was purported, lessons were to be derived.
One month prior, three siblings were found guilty of several grave sexual offences against minors in Barrow and Leeds. Any conviction for historical abuse should be regarded as an achievement. However, this evening we can disclose that law enforcement was aware of certain occurrences in Barrow as early as 2009. It has required 15 years for several mistreated girls to attain justice.
View Ellie Reynolds survivor video
The report centres on a young woman named Ellie Reynolds. Six years ago, she identified one of the brothers to the police as her purported abuser, however her case never proceeded to court. The authorities attempted to prosecute her. She has made the remarkable decision to relinquish her right to anonymity to disclose the events that transpired.
Barrow is a town which went to war with itself – after another girl’s claims of abuse at the hands of an Asian grooming gang turned out to be lies.
For Ellie Reynolds, the legal process has kept her silent until now, when, for the first time, we can tell her story of justice denied.
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If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.