Little deaf girl raped and beaten repeatedly by wealthy Pakistani slave owner in UK

[link to www.standard.co.uk]

A pensioner who trafficked a deaf and mute girl into the UK, using her to milk the benefits system, was today found guilty of repeatedly raping her.

Ilyas Ashar, 84, sexually abused his vulnerable victim repeatedly, Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester heard.

Two female jurors wept as guilty verdicts were delivered on 13 counts of rape.

One woman on the jury covered her face with her hands while a male juror held the hand of another female juror who was also weeping.

All were excused from sitting as jurors again for 10 years after hearing details of the case.

The girl, from Pakistan who is profoundly deaf and cannot speak, was beaten and slapped and forced to work for Ashar and his family as a domestic servant.

While Ashar used his victim to satisfy his sexual desires the girl was also used to steal more than £30,000 in benefits on her behalf.

The youngster was even taught enough sign language by the family so she could agree to the benefit money being handed over to the Ashars.

She was first brought into the UK in June 2000 when aged around 10, though her exact age is not known.

But the passport used claimed the girl was 20 and it was a matter of "mystery and concern" how immigration officials at Heathrow did not spot the difference in age.

For almost a decade the girl, now aged 19 or 20, had to work and sleep in the cellar at the family's substantial family's home in Cromwell Road, Eccles in Salford...50% rule