Greater Manchester Police accused of failing 14-year-old child sexual abuse victim
For three years, Marlon’s night-time routine was different to most dads. Instead of kissing his teenage daughter goodnight, he was driving around Manchester at dawn desperately looking for her.
Content warning: This article contains details of child sexual abuse
“I’d drive around most nights until three or four o’clock in the morning,” he says.
“One time, I found her at a property. It was midnight, the middle of winter. I contacted the police and they said someone would be there in 10 minutes. I was still there at 4am waiting for them to turn up.”
Marlon first contacted Sky News a year ago. His daughter Scarlett was repeatedly going missing, often just for an evening, but sometimes for up to two weeks.
She had shown him threatening text messages she had received – including a video of bullets being loaded into a handgun and fired out of a car window.
Among the intimidating messages was one that read: “Because you’re ignoring me, I’m coming to shoot your dad.”
Then a man wearing a black balaclava delivered a menacing letter to Marlon’s house – his presence was captured on the CCTV installed above the front door.
Marlon, from Hyde in Greater Manchester, was convinced his daughter was being sexually exploited but claims no one would listen.
“Numerous times, police officers have told me they’ve got more important cases to deal with,” he says.
Scarlett and her father Marlon
Police shouted at father
At a meeting with the Greater Manchester Police missing persons team, Marlon says he was shouted at and told to stop reporting his daughter missing.
“At the time when that happened, she was 14 years old.”
Scarlett, now 18, has waived her anonymity to talk about what was really happening. Her father’s worst fears were right, she was being sexually exploited by older men.
She says she first reported being physically and sexually assaulted by a gang aged 14.
She felt the police didn’t investigate properly. Her behaviour became more unstable and erratic, and she was an easy target for a groomer, in this instance a woman, who befriended her and led her into sexual exploitation by older men.
She would find herself waking up in hotel rooms, often with injuries, after getting drunk and being given drugs.
“I’d wake up and there would be loads of bruises on my legs and I didn’t know where they’d come from, but they were big bruises,” she says.
Images show her with bruises on her legs and face.
“I’d see things in the morning like condoms on the side, sex toys, big bottles of vodka, cocaine packets,” she says.
She doesn’t always recall exactly what happened but remembers her ‘friend’ going into the shower with one of the men, while another man stayed in the bedroom with her.
Scarlett knows that she was sexually exploited and has nightmares about it.
Sometimes she wakes screaming for her father. The recurring dream is of a shadowy man in her bedroom.
“The first few times dad reported me missing I feel like they (the police) took it seriously because I’d never been reported missing before,” she says. “It was so out of character for me.
“And then, it was as though, after more phone calls the police officers would say ‘oh I know you. I hear your name on the radio all the time’.
“Even if I’ve not met them, they’ll say, ‘oh we’ve heard of you’. I think they were just sick of my name coming up to be honest. So, the police just feel like I’m a problem to them.”
Video filmed by her abusers
Officers refused to arrest suspects
Even when she was picked up in cars with older men and her father reported her missing, Scarlett says officers lacked curiosity and if they’d bothered to search the car, they would have found drugs and a machete.
“The police wouldn’t even arrest them. We’d be in a car park at 3am. It’d just be: ‘What are you doing here?’
“They just took me home to my dad and said: ‘She’s been found in a car in a car park with older guys’. There were never any questions of ‘why are you acting like this?’
“The police would say to me, ‘give it five minutes ’til we’ve left, cos we know you’re going to go again, so just wait ’til we’ve gone’.”
Mobile phone footage of one of the hotel rooms she was taken to
Scarlett admits she would go back to her groomer.
She didn’t trust the police. She felt the authorities were sick of her, and she didn’t seem to understand she was being exploited because she thought it was “normal”.
“In the back of my head I knew it wasn’t right, but I just kind of ignored it because everyone else did,” she says.
Once, after her father reported her missing, officers arrived at his home in the dead of night.
CCTV captured one of the men telling the other to give ‘just a little tap’ on the door.
Marlon thinks it’s because they didn’t want to get involved. He didn’t hear them, and only knew they had visited from the images on his CCTV camera.
As a senior health worker who understands child safeguarding, Marlon knew the protocols to rescue his daughter from her groomer, which included trying to get a recovery order and what is called a Child Abduction Warning Notice (CAWN), which puts an alert out on a particular individual who might be a threat to a child.
But in a text exchange a social worker told Marlon that social services could not apply for a recovery order because his daughter had been put into care, neither could they apply for the warning notice because, they claimed, that was the responsibility of the police.
But the police texted back that it was in fact social services who would need to apply for a recovery order.
Marlon felt desperate and as if nobody was willing to help.
“While my daughter was missing from home for two weeks and being more traumatised by the experience of being groomed and sexually exploited, they just saw me as a problem, as a parent who gave them earache.”
Abduction notice took three years
It would be another three years before the police imposed a CAWN on the person who was allegedly grooming Scarlett.
Meanwhile, she was struggling to cope and the person she took her anger and upset out on was the person most trying to help her.
“I used to get so angry with my dad,” she says.
“I’d flip out at school because my emotions were all over the place. My way of dealing with it was to explode – it was like a volcano erupting.”
As a result of these outbursts, Scarlett ended up in the care system from which she also went missing.
If there is one thing she would like to tell her younger self it is that everything her father did was to keep her safe.
“I realise why he did it now,” she says, revealing a mind map she had drawn to convince care staff to let her move back in with her father.
“I used to get so angry with him sending all these emails and [arranging] all these meetings and I used to think ‘You’re an idiot. You’re embarrassing yourself. What are you doing? Because the police aren’t listening to you’.”
Mind map Scarlett drew to convince care staff to allow her to live with her father again
Sharing story to help other victims
Scarlett is sharing her story now because she wants people in that situation to know they have a choice and they can get out.
“I didn’t think anyone would be interested in what’s happened to me,” she says.
“Speaking out like this now, someone else might think ‘I’ve been in the same situation as her’ and there are things you can do, not just stay silent and suffer.”
Greater Manchester Police’s head of public protection, Detective Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr, said safeguarding vulnerable young people is of “the highest importance” to the force.
“In recent years and in recognition of previous failures, the force has worked hard to ensure the consistent delivery of outstanding service, which fights crime; keeps people safe; and cares for victims. This work is ongoing,” she said.
“In relation to this case, GMP’s Professional Standards Branch and senior officers from the Tameside district have reviewed complaints.
“These have been resolved directly with the complainant and none of the outcomes have, so far, been appealed.
“The force and relevant partner agencies continue to work closely on this case and in relation to safeguarding generally.”
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A Tameside Council spokesperson said they were legally unable to comment on Scarlett’s case.
But they said: “Where any concerns or issues are raised we work closely with individuals, families and our partners to provide support and resolve, as appropriate.
“Where individuals aren’t satisfied with the services received, we do have a statutory complaints procedure and individuals can ultimately take their complaint to the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman.”
Scarlett lost her childhood and much of her education.
Four years on from when it began, she is back with her father, who has paid for her to have therapy. They now have each other, but little faith in anyone else.
UK
‘Of course I didn’t’ lie about budget forecasts, chancellor tells Sky News – as Badenoch calls for her to resign
The chancellor has insisted to Sky News that she did not lie to the public about the state of the public finances ahead of the budget.
Rachel Reeves is facing widespread accusations that in a speech from Downing Street on 4 November in which she laid the groundwork for tax rises, she misled the country and led the public to believe the fiscal situation was worse than it actually was.
Asked directly by Sky’s Trevor Phillips if she lied, she said: “Of course I didn’t.”
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Ms Reeves said the decision by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to review and downgrade productivity meant the forecast for tax receipts was £16bn lower than expected.
As a result, she said she needed tax rises to create more fiscal headroom (the amount by which government can increase spending or cut taxes without breaking its own fiscal rules) to reassure the financial markets and create stability in the economy.
But the OBR has said it told the chancellor in its forecast on 31 October that there was a £4.2bn budget surplus, rather than a black hole following the productivity downgrade, and Trevor challenged her on why she did not say that to the nation and argue that more headroom was needed.
She replied: “I said in that speech that I wanted to achieve three things in the budget – tackling the cost of living, which is why I took £150 off of energy bills and froze prescription charges and rail fares.
“I wanted to continue to cut NHS waiting lists, which is why I protected NHS spending. And I wanted to bring the debt and the borrowing down, which is one of the reasons why I increased the headroom.
“£4bn of headroom would not have been enough, and it would not give the Bank of England space to continue to cut interest rates.”
Ms Reeves also said: “In the context of a downgrade in our productivity, which cost £16bn, I needed to increase taxes, and I was honest and frank about that in the speech that I gave at the beginning of November.”
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Prime minister defends the budget
She confirmed that the prime minister was aware of the fiscal forecasts and what she was going to say in her speech on 4 November about the challenges facing the UK economy, saying: “Keir [Starmer] and myself met regularly to discuss the budget and the choices, because these are the choices of this government.
“And I’m really proud of the choices that we made – to cut waiting lists, to cut inflation, and to build up that resilience in our economy.”
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Budget winners and losers
Tax rises ‘not on scale of last year’
Following her budget last year, in which she raised taxes, the chancellor was explicit to Trevor that she would “never need to do that again” or “come back for more”.
But Ms Reeves did raise taxes by freezing income tax thresholds until 2031, and implementing a range of smaller tax rises totalling £26bn, so Trevor put to her that what she said last year was not true.
She replied: “The budget this year was not on the scale of the one last year, but as I set out in my speech at the beginning of November, the context for this budget did change and I did have to ask people to contribute more.”
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She conceded that it is “true” that she said she wouldn’t have to raise taxes, and has now done so, but said it was “for reasons not in my control”, pointing to the OBR’s decision to conduct a productivity review.
But Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch hit out at the chancellor’s handling of the economy, telling Trevor: “I think the chancellor has been doing a terrible job. She’s made a mess of the economy, and […] she has told lies. This is a woman who, in my view, should be resigning.”
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‘I think the chancellor has been doing a terrible job’
‘I am choosing children’
Ms Reeves also told Trevor that she is “proud to be the chancellor that lifts half a million kids out of poverty” through her decision to lift the two-child cap on benefits from April, which was brought in by the Conservatives in 2017 and meant parents could only claim universal credit or tax credits for their first two children.
Trevor put to her polling that shows that while 84% of Labour members are in favour of scrapping the cap, just 37% of those who voted Labour in 2024 think it should be scrapped.
And asked if she is choosing party over country, the chancellor replied: “I am choosing children, Trevor. This lifts more than half a million children out of poverty, combined with our changes on free breakfast clubs, extending free school meals, 30 hours [of] free childcare for working parents of pre-school age children.
“You can put up those percentages, but the people I was thinking about were kids who I know in my constituency, who go to school hungry and go to bed in cold and damp homes. And from April next year, those parents will have a bit more support to help their kids.”
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper told Trevor that her party backs the decision, saying: ” First of all, we think it is morally the right thing to do. And secondly, because it saves money for the taxpayer in the longer term, because we know that children growing up in poverty end up costing the taxpayer more because they have worse health outcomes, worse educational outcomes as well.”
But she added that they are “deeply concerned” about “this double whammy stealth tax on both households and on high streets”.
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‘A real victory for the left’
‘We need growth in our economy’
But the Tory leader hit out at the decision, telling Trevor that lifting the two-child benefit cap is “not the way” to lift children out of poverty, and saying that it means the government is “taxing a lot of people who are struggling to pay for those on benefits”.
Ms Badenoch said: “About half a million families are going to be getting an uptick of about £5,000. Many other people don’t have £5,000 lying around.
“We believe that people on benefits should have to make the same decisions about having children as everybody else. And remember, we’re not talking about child benefits here. We’re talking about the universal credit element of it. You get child benefit for as many children as you have.
“But at some point, someone needs to draw a line somewhere.”
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Ms Badenoch argued that the way to ensure children are not in poverty is to “make sure that their parents have jobs and that those jobs pay well”, and said the level of unemployment has increased “every single month” since Labour came to office in July 2024.
“What we need is growth in our economy. Simply taking out from people who are struggling and giving to a different group of people is not making the economy better,” she said.
Former West Ham captain and manager Billy Bonds has died at the age of 79, his family has said.
The defender and midfielder, who played 799 games for the Hammers between 1967 and 1988, holds the club’s all-time record for most appearances.
As well as captaining the east London side to FA Cup victories in 1975 and 1980, he also managed them from 1990 to 1994.
A giant screen displays an image of Billy Bonds before a match between West Ham United and Liverpool on Sunday. Pic: AP
During his tenure, the club was promoted to England’s top division, relegated, and then promoted again.
In a statement on West Ham’s website, his family paid tribute, saying: “We are heartbroken to announce that we lost our beloved Dad today.
“He was devoted to his family and was the most kind, loyal, selfless, and loving person.
“Dad loved West Ham United and its wonderful supporters with all his heart and treasured every moment of his time at the club.”
Billy Bonds with the FA Cup after their 1975 triumph against Fulham at Wembley. Pic: PA
West Ham gave Bonds a show of appreciation before Sunday’s Premier League home game against Liverpool, with fans participating in a minute of applause.
Captain Jarrod Bowen, who held Bonds’ number four shirt aloft throughout, spoke about the legacy of his predecessor before the opening whistle.
“He’s probably going to go down as West Ham’s biggest legend and the best club captain they’ve had,” he said.
“He achieved so much here and I’ll never emulate that success, but to put on the captain’s armband like he did is a big thing for me.”
Head Coach Nuno Espírito Santo added: “He represents everything that West Ham is all about – the fight, the desire.
“My thoughts are with his family and with our fans, and let’s use this moment to honour Billy Bonds.”
On its website, West Ham described Bonds as “an extremely private and loyal man” who was “completely devoted to his family”.
The club said he was “never one to crave the limelight,” but was “universally loved, respected and admired by his team-mates, players and supporters”.
West Ham also offered its condolences to Bonds’ daughters, Claire and Katie, and granddaughters, Eloise and Elissa.
“Rest in peace Billy, our courageous, inspirational, lion-hearted leader,” their statement concluded.
Charlton Athletic, where the footballer got his start in 1964, also offered its condolences.
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, the club wrote: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Billy Bonds MBE.
“Our thoughts are with Billy’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”
Billy Bonds with fellow West Ham player Trevor Brooking in 1975. Pic: PA
Bonds was born in Woolwich on 17 September, 1946, to football fans Arthur and Barbara, both Charlton supporters.
He had a variety of jobs as a young man, working in a propeller factory, cleaning windows with his dad, and sweeping the terraces at The Valley.
But his true calling was on the field and he would join Charlton as a teenager.
As a teacher at Eltham Green Comprehensive School would tell him: “Your brains, Bonds, are all in your feet.”
Billy Bonds in front of the stand named for him. Pic: PA
The footballer had honed his skills playing in the street and he competed for his school district and a Sunday-morning side, Moatbridge.
In 1960 he and his Moatbridge teammates were presented with winners’ trophies by another West Ham legend, Bobby Moore.
Bonds recalled: “Being a Charlton fan, I knew that the blond, well-built fella sitting up there was a West Ham player but I didn’t really know any more than that.”
Seven years later they would be teammates.
He would take West Ham’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement award in 2013, and was voted as the club’s greatest ever player in 2018.
Billy Bonds MBE receives his Hammers’ Lifetime Achievement award in 2013. Pic: PA
Bonds was appointed an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in January 1988.
He would say afterwards: “A lot more people have done much more valuable things than play football but I’m very proud of that medal.”
The east stand at West Ham’s London Stadium home is named in his honour in 2019.
He used the occasion to reflect on his career.
He said: “I would’ve happily played down the local park for nothing.
“But I was fortunate enough to get paid to be a footballer and, trust me, realise just how lucky I’ve been to have had such a fantastic career.”
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