A STRETFORD man was jailed for eight months on Monday after a court heard his role in events which resulted in the serious sexual exploitation of a 14-year-old girl.

Abid Khaliq, 30, of Shrewsbury Street, was given the sentence after admitting perverting the course of justice at Manchester Crown Court.

Khalik was one of nine men convicted of offences in relation to the exploitation of the youngster, who the court heard was drugged, beaten, and made to work as a prostitute over a period of several days in 2008.

But when police began closing in on the victim, who was being forced to work as a prostitute by Fallowfield man Aftab Khan, the court heard how Khalik, aware of the police search, tipped off his pal, Khan, of Tarporley Avenue, Fallowfield, who was then able to move the girl. He then told police he didn’t know her whereabouts.

Khan, who was sentenced to seven years after pleading guilty to one count of controlling a child prostitute and one count of sexual activity with a child, afterwards then sexually assaulted the youngster despite being told her age by police and prostituted her again.

Seven other men involved in the trial were also given custodial sentences.

Superintendent Paul Savill from GMP, said: “This child has been through an absolutely horrifying ordeal at the hands of these men.

“The level of abuse she has suffered is almost beyond belief. She has been treated like a commodity; beaten, threatened and sexually exploited. These men took advantage of her vulnerability with no regard for her wellbeing.

“I commend this young girl for her bravery in supporting this case.”