³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

Three brothers who abused girls as young as six have been found guilty of child sex offences.

The abuse happened in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, and Leeds between 1996 and 2010.

Shaha Amran Miah, 48, Shaha Alman Miah, 47, and Shaha Joman Miah, 38, were convicted at Preston Crown Court on Monday after a lengthy trial.

The men, who had pleaded not guilty, were remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 21 February 2025.

Amran Miah, of Bismarck Street, Beeston, Leeds, sexually abused three children and faced 16 sexual offences, two charges of intimidation and one of kidnap.

Joman Miah, of Warmsworth Road, Warmsworth, Doncaster, sexually abused three children and faced 40 offences.

The girls abused by Amran Miah and Joman Miah were as young as six or seven when it began, with the abuse lasting several years, the court heard.

The middle brother, Alman Miah, of Rowland Terrace, Leeds, faced three sexual offence charges against one girl.

Derek Artis, district crown prosecutor for CPS North West’s rape and serious sexual offence unit, praised the victims for speaking out.

He said the CPS had worked with Cumbria Police "to build a strong case to put before the jury, including eye-witness testimony and extensive phone evidence".

Mr Artis said: "Shaha Amran Miah, Shaha Alman Miah and Shaha Joman Miah groomed and exploited the girls in this case with no concern for them or the impact that such dreadful abuse from a young age would have on their lives."

He added he hoped the victims could now "begin to move forward knowing the men who abused and exploited them will face justice".

Follow ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Cumbria on , , and . Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.