The case concerned a teenage girl placed in foster care who was subjected to repeated sexual abuse over several months. According to the court, the girl was passed between multiple perpetrators.
The defendants faced a range of charges, including rape, sexual assault and causing a child to engage in sexual activity. The prosecution relied on evidence from social services records, witness statements and forensic examinations.
After a trial lasting several weeks, the jury found all thirteen guilty on the majority of counts. The judge stressed the serious breach of trust and the lasting harm inflicted on the victim, imposing custodial sentences that reflect the gravity of the offences.
Representatives of the local authority and child protection agencies said they would review their safeguarding procedures to prevent similar failures. The verdict has also sparked a broader debate about the oversight of care placements.