Rochdale Abuse Trial: Alleged Victim Closed Eyes and Prayed for It to End
In a shocking testimony, an alleged victim described her harrowing experiences during the Rochdale sex abuse trial. She recounted how she would close her eyes and pray for it to be over.
Rochdale, Oldham, Manchester, UK, Sex Abuse, Trial, Victim, Allegations
The girl, known as Girl B, spoke about her experiences in recorded interviews. These recordings are now being shown to the jury. Eight men are on trial for sexual offenses against her and another girl from 2001 to 2006.
The girls, who are protected by anonymity, are referred to as Girl A and Girl B. The court learned that many of the accused were taxi drivers or market stall traders in the area.
Girl B described how she felt like she was passed around for sex and then discarded. The men facing charges include Mohammed Zahid, 64, and Kasir Bashir, 50, among others. They all deny the allegations.
In her first police interview in 2021, Girl B named Zahid, who ran a market stall. She described him as soft-spoken and not aggressive, which made her feel a false sense of safety.
She also mentioned another man, Bashir, who she found intimidating due to his size and stern demeanor. Both men are accused of raping her.
Girl B recounted, “I would just close my eyes and pray for it to be over.” She explained how she would lie still during the assaults, not moving or saying no.
When asked how many times she had sex with Bashir, she replied, “I don’t know. I just wanted it done with.”
She also shared details about two locations where the abuse occurred, including a house in Oldham and a shop in Rochdale.
At the house, she was given alcohol and felt pressured to go upstairs. In the shop, she described a damp basement with a mattress where she was assaulted.
The trial continues as the jury hears more about these serious allegations against the accused men.