Five youths questioned on attacks (gang rape)

The Times ^ | March 27, 2002 | Adam Fresco

[JoeBloggs]

FIVE teenagers wanted for questioning after a gang cornered and raped three girls in Southend, Essex, gave themselves up to police last night. They walked into a London police station with a solicitor and were arrested on suspicion of rape. They were then transferred to Southend and will be questioned by officers investigating the assaults.

The attack on Friday evening on the seafront has horrified local people and police. Detective Superintendent Graham Ball, who is leading the inquiry, described it as “one of the most disturbing and worrying cases I have come across in 23 years of being a police officer”.

The girls, two aged 15 and one 14, are described as “nice girls from solid families” but not very streetwise. As they walked along the seafront they became aware of the youths, thought to be aged between 11 and 18, who were making suggestive comments. They tried to shake them off by ducking into arcades and hiding in a toilet in the hope that the 11-strong gang would go away.

When the three school friends came out the youths were waiting for them and coralled them across the street, past an Essex police hut that was closed down last year, and onto the beach.

Behind a restaurant, which had closed only a few minutes earlier at 8pm, the girls were raped.

Officers say that they were all attacked at least once, although not all of the boys are believed to have taken part in the rape.

The area has one of the most advanced security video systems in the country and police are looking at tapes from both inside and outside amusement arcades in an effort to identify the gang, thought to be predominantly Asian and from East or North London.

[JoeBloggs]

I thought this story sounded a bit strange. Southend is a nice quiet seaside resort, east of London. But when I heard the suspects come from London the inevitable thought came into my mind and sure enough it was confirmed. I think, for Asian, we can safely read Muslim. I've heard a few of those arrested have been released on bail. What's the odds the're going to disappear back to Pakistan.

[JoeBloggs]

Sorry, a mistake with the link. A comma after the www instead of a full stop. Hopefully the one below will be OK.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,2-249000,00,html

[mgc1122]

This case aside for a moment, when can we expect more than hot air and arresting the innocent from the English system? Any chance of actually cleaning out those rats' nest of thieves, rapists and murderers?

[JoeBloggs]

Can you be a bit more specific? I'm not 100% with you at the moment.

[mgc1122]

Just a general observation about a fine nation which has allowed itself to be subverted by criminals.

[2banana]

arcades in an effort to identify the gang, thought to be predominantly Asian

I wonder what the outrage would be if it was a white gang that raped an asian girl?

[JoeBloggs]

Just a general observation about a fine nation which has allowed itself to be subverted by criminals

Couldn't agree more. The way things are going it will soon be "a once fine nation".

[mgc1122]

My fingers are crossed for the UK to succeed.

[texlok]

The area has one of the most advanced security video systems in the country and police are looking at tapes from both inside and outside amusement arcades in an effort to identify the gang, thought to be predominantly Asian and from East or North London.

Let's see, ban guns...and big brother watches...yep, they are safe alright!

[JoeBloggs]

I wonder what the outrage would be if it was a white gang that raped an asian girl?

If she was a Muslim, ( which the boys in this case almost certainly were)there would be demonstrations, protests, riots the lot.

Ps It's interesting that hardly any of the newspapers reported the ethnicity of the assailants. A case of hiding the truth, I would say.

[Red Jones]

thanks for the article. It is so sad that people come to England, France, Australia or the US and because their skin is different or because their religion is different they feel the need to be disruptors. It proves that Buchanan is correct that we should be very wary of immigration. It is likely to balkanize our nation not because we want it that way, but because the immigrants we bring in want it that way.

[skeeter]

Ps It's interesting that hardly any of the newspapers reported the ethnicity of the assailants. A case of hiding the truth, I would say.

Often times what the news media refuses to print says more than what they do.

[1234]

...It proves that Buchanan is correct that we should be very wary of immigration.

big bump-our country is sinking from the legal and illegal hordes-anyone here saying we should remain in current trends stateside?
makes one consider bailing out-if it's 'realistic'!

[kidao35]

That's the great thing about a disarmed society with cameras everywhere...

Hopefully you'll still be alive to see the tape of the people that attacked you.

[texlok]

Hopefully you'll still be alive to see the tape of the people that attacked you.

Or your family can get a nice commemorative edition video of your attack to show at your funeral.

[JoeBloggs]

It is so sad that people come to England, France, Australia or the US and because their skin is different or because their religion is different they feel the need to be disruptors

It's interesting that you mention France & Australia, because they have had similar sorts of crimes to the one in question there. In Australia they have had types of rape crimes recently that have been unprecedented in their history. 200 years to build a country and a few decades to destroy it. Like you say it is sad.

[JoeBloggs]

Often times what the news media refuses to print says more than what they do.

I've just checked out the local paper where the attack happened and there now coming out with the ethnicity of the assailants. Only to scotch the rumours that the attack was not racially motivated it seems. Typical. Apparently 10 were asian, 2 were black and 2 were white. Doesn't cut no ice with me though. When it starts happening the other way round, ie white on black or asian, I'll start to believe it.