Overview
- A jury at Bristol Crown Court found the four defendants guilty on June 26, 2026, of offences that include human trafficking, multiple counts of rape, and assault by penetration.
- Prosecutors said the victim was groomed on Snapchat, brought to a St Werburghs address by taxi, and was given alcohol and cigarettes before being raped and sexually assaulted over several hours.
- Three adult suspects fled the UK by hiding in the back of a lorry on December 3, 2025, were discovered by French police in Calais, and were returned to the UK; mobile-phone footage from a defendant’s device showed the men inside the vehicle.
- All four defendants denied the charges at trial; the three adults are remanded in custody and the 17‑year‑old defendant has been released on conditional bail while Judge Michael Cullum set sentencing for October 6, 2026.
- Avon and Somerset Police and the Crown Prosecution Service said the case shows the risks of online grooming and that specially trained officers are supporting the victim while the conviction may influence how police handle cross‑border flight and digital evidence in future abuse investigations.