Two care workers who betrayed a vulnerable 15-year-old in their charge have been locked up for drugging and sexually abusing her.
Drugs, Drink and Disturbing Abuse in Durham
Liam Ramsey, 40, and Stephen Hurst, 46, took the teenage girl into Durham city centre before getting her drunk on wine and cocktails. They then spent £120 on Class A drugs, which they fed to her back at the care home. The victim later told police she suffered a nosebleed from all the cocaine and went upstairs to her room, only for the two men—who were on duty as her carers—to enter her room naked. They subjected her to horrific physical and sexual abuse throughout the night and into the next morning.
Justice Served at Teesside Crown Court
Detective Constable Beth Otty said: “Ramsey and Hurst should have been keeping the victim safe; instead, they groomed her, sexually assaulted and abused her.” She added, “She should have been able to trust them and should have felt safe in their company.” Ramsey, from Sunderland, was sentenced to 11 years in prison, while Hurst, from Richmond, got nine years. Both were placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.
Victim Praised for Bravery
DC Otty commended the victim’s courage to come forward: “I would like to commend her for her bravery in standing up against her perpetrators, who can no longer pose any danger to other children.”
