A teenager covered in bruises and cuts, reported years of abuse by an alleged “Asian” gang to local police, only to be arrested herself after authorities deemed her allegations unsubstantiated and charged her with perverting the course of justice.
19-year-old Ellie Williams entered the Cumbria Police station, her body covered in bruises and cuts, her face barely recognizable. She recounted a harrowing story of years-long abuse, detailing how she had been beaten, burned, drugged, and trafficked by an organized gang of Pakistani men in northern England, according to the DailyMail.
Ellie provided the authorities with names, addresses, and chilling details of the horrific abuse she had suffered at the hands of the so-called “Asian” gang. She also informed the investigators about other girls who were still enduring abuse and captivity by these men.
Incredibly, several months after filing the report, Cumbria Police made a groundbreaking arrest—of Ellie herself. Following a year-long investigation into her allegations, Detective Chief Superintendent Dean Holden concluded that there was insufficient evidence to suggest the existence of “an organized gang of Asian men” grooming and exploiting girls in Barrow-in-Furness.
Holden stated, “When the question is asked, ‘Is there an organized gang of Asian men in Barrow conducting abuse or other exploitation against individuals?’ Our investigation has shown that has not been corroborated or otherwise evidenced.”
Despite this conclusion, the police department charged Ellie with seven counts of “perverting the course of justice” and later arrested her “for breach of her bail conditions” after she posted photos of her injuries on social media, which she believed showcased the miscarriage of justice carried out by the authorities.
Ellie remained resolute, saying, “I am not the only girl in (the area) who has gone through this or is going through this. I know plenty of girls involved – including girls from away. This is local men and men from away. These are mostly Pakistani men and some are business owners. I wish I could name all of those involved, but due to current ongoing investigations, I’m not allowed.”
On social media, Ellie shared graphic images of the abuse she suffered at the hands of the grooming gang. The photographs displayed her battered face and body, and deep cuts on her breast and fingers. She alleged that the gang members tried to sever her finger and mutilate her breasts and nipples to force her into submission.
“They have given me drugs to the point I was nearly addicted to heroin. They have stripped me naked, beaten me and dumped me in the middle of nowhere with nothing…no money, phone, ID, clothes, shoes, nothing. They did this once in winter (when) I got found with bad hypothermia. They have broken my ribs and many bones in my face. They have split my ear, cut my throat, attempted to cut my boobs and nipples off,” Ellie wrote.
She claimed to have suffered a brain bleed due to a severe head injury inflicted during one of the beatings, and partial vision loss from being struck in her eye socket. Ellie also reported receiving ongoing death threats from the gang members, while her sister shared screenshots of text messages allegedly showing communication between Ellie and the suspects.
Determined to fight for the other girls still being trafficked, Ellie said, “These are evil yet clever men. They know how to manipulate, convince and threaten girls into staying. When they can’t, they use extreme violence.”
Ellie Williams believes she is fortunate to be alive and grateful that she neither became pregnant nor committed suicide. She hopes that her story will bring attention to the global sex trafficking industry that exploits young girls. However, her case may deter other victims of grooming gangs from coming forward, fearing they may face criminal charges and further wrath from their abusers.
Sources: Taphaps, Daily Mail