Teenager ‘held another girl’s hand for comfort’ while being ‘raped in back of van after being targeted by members of travelling community’
The young girl was seen as 'vulnerable', court is told
A TEENAGE girl held another's hand for comfort as she was raped in the back of a van, a court heard.
The young girl was abused between the ages of 13 and 17 after being targeted as “vulnerable” by members of a Travelling community in Oswestry, Shropshire, it is alleged.
A young girl was passed around different men and raped in the back of vehicles parked in various locations, a court heard today.
On one occasion it is alleged the girl was so frightened that she held hands with another girl as another man raped her.
Prosecuting barrister John Philpotts said the girl was abused between the ages of 13 and 17 after he said she had been identified as vulnerable by members of the Travelling community.
"We say they took advantage of her vulnerabilities to use and abuse her sexually," said Mr Philpotts.
Six men have gone on trial at Mold Crown Court.
Rocky Evans, 22, of Elton, Cheshire, faces four charges of rape, one charge of sexual assault, and two charges of people trafficking for sexual exploitation.
James Dean Evans, 21, also of Elton, faces three charges of rape, Jimmy Dean Holden, 20, of Widnes, faces two rape charges and Silvester Martin Price, 19, of Oswestry, faces one rape charge.
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Danny Arthur Roberts, 31, of Oswestry, faces two rape charges and Billy Joe Evans, 21, also of Oswestry, faces one rape charge.
Mr Philpotts told the jury that others had also been charged with abusing the girl but it had been decided it would be too complex and unwieldy to have them all in one trial.
The complainant, now aged 20, had told a drug and alcohol worker that she had been raped more than once after she said that members of the Travelling community "passed her around" among themselves.
In a series of lengthy interviews with the police, the woman from Deeside said the first time at the age of 13 she had smoked cannabis and was "dead nervous".
She said the first man she met was Rocky Evans through another girl.
It was alleged he would pick her up in his van and she said he would "pressurise me for sex for ages and ages".
She added: "That is what they are like. I used to say no all the time but because they pester you so much I have just got to give in and do it."
The girl said she had tried to walk away from it but they would lock the van doors.
"They will not let you go until they get what they want," she told police.
Mr Philpotts told the jury it was rape because she did not truly consent, but submitted to it.
The first time she got into the van she expected to go and chill or socialise with them, or have a few drinks.
But she claims that was not what happened.
Mr Philpotts said that an important feature of the case was that the men would discard their boxer shorts afterwards in an attempt to ensure that there was no forensic evidence.
"These men knew what they were doing was unlawful," alleged Mr Philpotts.
The trial, which is expected to last about four weeks, is proceeding before Judge Rhys Rowlands.