The Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred the case of Ms AB, a woman who was groomed and sexually exploited from the age of 14, resulting in the quashing of her convictions. The CCRC found compelling evidence of child sexual exploitation and concluded that institutional failures — including police decisions at the time — meant the prosecution may have amounted to an abuse of process. The Crown Prosecution Service did not oppose the application. Campaigners and support groups say the decision is an important step for other survivors seeking to overturn unsafe convictions.
Convictions Quashed After Victim Of Grooming And Child Sexual Exploitation Is Recognised As Vulnerable
The Commission said it has received other applications concerning grooming gangs, and it has a "body of in-house expertise" to help with them [BBC]
The convictions of a woman known only as Ms AB, who was groomed and sexually exploited as a child, have been quashed following a referral by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).
Ms AB was 14 in 2002 when she received a non-custodial sentence after being convicted of being carried in a stolen motor vehicle, possession of an imitation firearm and assault. The CCRC concluded there was a real possibility the convictions would not stand because the prosecution, after her arrest by a police force not identified in the review, may have amounted to an abuse of process.
CCRC chairwoman Dame Vera Baird said Ms AB was a "vulnerable child in need of protection" [Criminal Cases Review Commission]
The commission's investigation uncovered compelling evidence that Ms AB was a victim of sustained child sexual exploitation and grooming at the time of the offences. In interviews with the CCRC she described how a man ingratiated himself with gifts and flattery, then used violence, emotional blackmail and coercion to force sexual encounters, including with his associates.
Dame Vera Baird, chair of the CCRC: "Ms AB was a vulnerable child in need of protection. Rather than being safeguarded, she was failed by the institutions that should have kept her safe. Our investigation concluded there was a real possibility that, because of those failures, her prosecution amounted to an abuse of process."
The referral followed publication of Baroness Louise Casey's National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, which identified widespread institutional failings in protecting children from grooming gangs. This is the CCRC's first referral challenging the convictions of a grooming gang victim in light of the audit's findings.
Maggie Oliver said her foundation is supporting several survivors to overturn convictions they received as children while they were being abused [PA Media]
The Crown Prosecution Service reviewed the case and did not oppose the application to quash the convictions. The CCRC emphasised that where new evidence suggests a conviction may be unsafe, it will investigate independently and carefully.
Maggie Oliver, who founded a charity to support survivors after raising concerns about failings at Greater Manchester Police, called the quashing of the conviction a "historic moment" and said her foundation is supporting several survivors seeking to overturn convictions they received while being abused.
The CCRC said it has received other applications relating to grooming gangs and now has a growing in-house expertise to support these cases. Dame Vera highlighted that applicants can be accompanied by a solicitor, charity or a trauma-informed representative to reduce the risk of re-traumatisation when recounting painful events.
If new, credible evidence emerges that a conviction may be unsafe, the CCRC encourages individuals, their solicitors or support organisations to make applications for review.
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