Robert Bailey

Robert Bailey, 27, from Watt Road, Erdington, Birmingham, received a seven-year sentence after conviction for arranging or facilitating child prostitution, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, sexual activity with a child, and making indecent photographs. These crimes targeted a 14-year-old boy in care who was prostituted in Birmingham during 2009 and 2010, as detailed in a three-month trial at Warwick Crown Court.

The victim, with a troubled background, was found begging and exploited by Stephen Kelly, who sold access to him in vehicles and hotels. Bailey's involvement included facilitating the prostitution and directly participating in sexual acts, contributing to the abuse that involved stripping, beatings, and rapes by others. Initial police reports in 2009-2010 failed, but the victim's 2012 complaint prompted action.

• Bailey's offences encompassed both facilitation and direct sexual exploitation.
• Indecent images produced exacerbated the victim's trauma.

Judge Sylvia de Bertadano told the defendants: 'Therefore you are each partly responsible for his situation as a young man who is struggling to get his life back together.' Assistant Chief Constable Carl Foulkes of West Midlands Police described the overall crimes as 'horrific,' noting institutional learning from the case, which also uncovered another historical victim.