Jury will hear from first witness in CSE trial tomorrow

THE prosecution has opened its case in the Rotherham child sexual exploitation trial and the jury is due to hear from the first witness tomorrow.

Ms Michelle Colborne QC, opened the case today at Sheffield Crown Court and said the five men and two women accused of 63 offences, in differing ways "facilitated the sexual abuse of teenage girls."

Ms Colborne spent today summarising the 51-count indictment to the jury, explaining how the defendants were linked, where the alleged offences took place and background on the 12 female complainants.

The jury will hear evidence from the first witness tomorrow who alleges Karen MacGregor conspired to rape her in the late 80s at the defendant's Rawmarsh home.

Read the full court report in tomorrow's Advertiser and check the website for daily updates.