UK Edition
Teenage madam who recruited girls for Newcastle-based Asian sex gang jailed
A teenage madam who recruited vulnerable girls for an Asian grooming gang to sexually exploit told police their ordeals were "self-inflicted" and she had "no sympathy" for them.
Carolann Gallon preyed on girls in care homes to provide victims for the Newcastle-based sex ring.
On Friday she wept as she was jailed for six years and three months after admitting three counts of trafficking for sexual exploitation.
A total of 17 men have also been convicted of almost 100 offences including rape and human trafficking of vulnerable women and girls following a Nothumbria police investigation.
Shaven-headed Gallon, then aged around 17 but now aged 22, took a 13-year-old who had run away from foster care to a Tyneside flat, knowing she was likely to be the victim of a sexual offence and was obstructive with police when they made inquiries in 2012.
The next year Gallon, of Newcastle, took the same girl from a children's home and took her to a series of addresses around the west end of the city.
The girl said she was given drink and drugs at flats where men flirted with her and put their arms around her.
She was to tell police that "sexual stuff" happened there, and that "a man had sex with her against her will", Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Gallon also invited a 14-year-old staying at another care home in the North East to a "binge", but she was stopped by police.
She rearranged the meeting, and the victim was taken to a house where she was given vodka and cannabis.
Judge Penny Moreland said: "You were taking her to that house, believing she was likely to be the victim of a sexual offence."
The grooming gang tricked girls into thinking they were in a relationship, gave them drink and drugs at parties, then forced them into having sex with other men.
John Elvidge QC, prosecuting, said Gallon told police after she was arrested: "They shouldn't have too much to drink.
"If they want to go with them, they have got their own mind to go with people. They are not some kid, they are 15 or 16.
"If they're mortal (drunk) they are going to do something, why get mortal in the first place?
"It's self-inflicted, I've got no sympathy."
Her barrister Uzma Khan said Gallon was herself a victim.
The judge added: "It is clear you did not have the care and support during your childhood that you should have had.
"You were described yourself as being a victim. There have been ample opportunities for you to make complaints about these matters.
"You have never chosen to do so. The result is your complaints have never been tested in court."
The judge said Gallon continued to "ally" herself with other defendants.
Gallon also took a girl with learning difficulties to a flat where she was raped by Abdulhamid Minoyee.
The 34-year-old from Newcastle, gave the girl cannabis and raped her when she was intoxicated.
He was left with a "big grin" on his face, while his victim told police "she was scared, ashamed and embarrassed", the judge said.
Minoyee had already sexually assaulted a heroin addict having plied her with drink, but she managed to fight him off.
Judge Moreland jailed him for 15 years, saying: "You committed two sexual offences against young women you had enticed into your home."
When the sentencing hearing finished, Gallon's father Jimmy, a double amputee, shouted: "Can I just say, how cruel a judge can be? How cruel can anybody get?"
His daughter called out: "Dad I love you", as she was led away.
In a victim impact statement, one girl described the men who got her addicted to drugs as “monsters”. Another said: “The way they tricked us into thinking they were our friends was disgusting.”
A third added: “They made me feel like a piece of meat, and that makes me feel sick.”
Mohammed Azram, 35, was sentenced to 12-and-a-half years for sexual assault, supplying drugs and conspiracy to incite prostitution while Jahanger Zaman, 45, was jailed for 29 years for rape, conspiracy to incite prostitution and supply of heroin.
One remaining member of the gang will be sentenced next week.