Carolann Gallon
Carolann Gallon, now 22, pleaded guilty to three counts of trafficking for sexual exploitation at Newcastle Crown Court. Northumbria Police

A woman who trafficked underage girls to a Newcastle grooming ring where they were raped said she had "no sympathy" for the victims of abuse.

Carolann Gallon - who has been jailed for six years and three months, was one of 18 people convicted as part of Operation Sanctuary, an investigation into the sexual abuse of vulnerable girls in the city.

More from IBTimes UK

So far, a total of 17 men have been convicted of almost 100 offences, including rape and human trafficking of vulnerable women and girls in the city and received more than 180 years in prison.

Many of the girls were given alcohol and drugs, including cannabis and M-Cat so they would become more susceptible to abuse.

Gallon, now 22, was just 17 when she took several vulnerable teenage girls to Newcastle homes where they were raped.

She pleaded guilty to three counts of trafficking for sexual exploitation after Newcastle Crown Court heard that Gallon took girls to parties knowing they would be sexually abused.

The court heard how two of the victims were in care, one was only 13 years old, and one victim, who had learning difficulties, was taken to a flat where she was raped.

After her arrest Gallon told police: "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."

The huge amount of charges have been making their way through the court in recent weeks and on Friday (8 September) another gang member, Abdulhamid Minoyee, 34, was sentenced to 15 years after being convicted of raping the woman with learning difficulties, sexual assault, and the supply of drugs.

Of Gallon's victims a 13-year-old, who had run away from foster care, was taken to a flat in 2012, with the defendant knowing she was likely to be the victim of a sexual offence.

She also took the same girl from her children's home to several addresses where she was given drink and drugs at flats and she told police "sexual stuff" happened there, including rape.

Gallon was the only woman to be charged in connection with the Operation Shelter investigation led by Northumbria Police.

Gallon's barrister claimed that the defendant was actually a victim of grooming herself.

grooming
Left to right, row by row, starting top left: Eisa Mousavi, Mohammed Ali, Nashir Uddin, Monjur Choudhury, Taherul Alam, Habibur Rahim, Badrul Hussain, Carolann Gallon, Saiful Islam, Abdul Hamid Minoyee, Prabhat Nelli, Abdul Sabe, Jahanger Zaman, Nadeem Aslam, Mohammed Azram, Yassar Hussain, Redwan Siddquee, Mohibur Rahman Northumbria Police

List of convictions

  • Mohammed Azram, 35, convicted of conspiracy to incite prostitution, sexual assault, supplying drugs to a victim has been sentenced to 12 1/2 years.
  • Nashir Uddin, 35, convicted of conspiracy to incite prostitution, supplying drugs to a victim has been sentenced to 11 1/2 years.
  • Saiful Islam, 34, convicted of rape has been sentenced to 10 years.
  • Mohammed Hassan Ali, 33, convicted of sexual activity with a child, supplying drugs to a victim has been sentenced to seven years.
  • Yasser Hussain, 27, convicted of beating, possession of drugs has been jailed for two years. He was subsequently as part of Operation Themis, where he was sentenced to 10 years for possession of a firearm and drug offences.
  • Abdul Sabe, 40, convicted of conspiracy to incite prostitution, trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation, drugs offences has been sentenced to 12 years.
  • Habibur Rahim, 34 convicted of causing or inciting prostitution, drugs, sexual assault, trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation has been sentenced to 29 years.
  • Badrul Hussain, 37, convicted for drug offences has been sentenced to four years.
  • Mohibur Rahman, 44, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to incite prostitution, supplying drugs to a victim has been sentenced to 4 1/2 years.
  • Abdulhamid Minoyee, 33, convicted of rape, sexual assault, supply of drugs has been sentenced to 15 years.
  • Carolann Gallon, 22, pleaded guilty to three counts of trafficking has been sentenced to six years,
  • Monjour Choudhury, 33, convicted of conspiracy to incite prostitution, supplying drugs to a victim has been sentenced to five years.
  • Prabhat Nelli, 33, convicted of conspiracy to incite prostitution, supplying drugs to a victim has been sentenced to four years.
  • Eisa Mousavi, 41, convicted of conspiracy to incite prostitution, rape, supplying drugs to a victim has been sentenced to 20 years.
  • Taherul Alam, 32, convicted of conspiracy to incite prostitution, supplying drugs to a victim, attempted sexual assault has been sentenced to eight years.
  • Redwan Siddquee, 32, pleaded guilty to causing or inciting prostitution, supply or offering to supply a class B has been sentenced to 16 months.
  • Jahanghir Zaman, 43, convicted of conspiracy to incite prostitution, rape, supplying drugs to a victim. He was also convicted in March for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine as part of the force's Operation Emerald. He has been sentenced to 29 years.
  • Nadeem Aslam, 43, convicted of supplying drugs to victims. He was also convicted in March for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine as part of the force's Operation Emerald. He is due to be sentenced next week.