Jury warned to beware of prejudice due to Rochdale’s reputation for grooming

Counsel for one of eight men accused of sexually exploiting two girls says town's history should not count against them

Jurors trying eight men from Rochdale accused of sexually exploiting two girls have been warned not to be prejudiced by the fact the Greater Manchester town has become synonymous with grooming".

They were told to rid yourself of preconceptions" and not be tempted to convict simply to redress past wrongs" for the failures of the authorities in other well-publicised Rochdale cases, such as those portrayed in the BBC drama Three Girls.