Gang used Blackpool shop to pester children for sex

The men have been using the European Supermarket, at 200 Central Drive, to prey on youngsters as young as 12, Blackpool Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday.

Judges ordered the shop to be closed after details of the men’s alleged sordid propositions were laid out by prosecutor Emma Morgan on behalf of the council.

She said one police log “refers to a drunken young female being in the shop”, while another “refers to two young girls aged 12 and 14 being with a group of (men).”

She said: “There is another log in which some (men) approach two girls aged 16 and 17, asking if they would have sex with them and suggesting they get involved in an arranged marriage.”

Ms Morgan said evidence about what happens inside the shop has been gathered by council officials and police. She said: “Local people are often met with a barrage of abuse and feel very intimidated.

“Sexual and vulgar remarks are made to females of a vulnerable age, aged 12 to 15.”

Two of the men are facing sex offence charges relating to girls aged 13 and 15, she said. One is due in court and the other has “absconded”, she added.

“There are grave safeguarding concerns for the police and council about these young women.”

The landlord of the premises, Gary Taylor, of Magnolia Way, Blackpool, told magistrates he did not object to the closure order.

Vasile Iordan, who owns the firm, of Sutton Place, Blackpool, said: “I tell these people to go away from the shop. These people spit on my face and call me names.

“They come to my house and try and force the door and break a window. I ring the police but they do not come and all I get is a reference number.

“If the shop is closed, how will I feed my family? What will I do?”

The court also heard allegations the business was selling illegally imported cigarettes and tobacco, some of which had been seized by officials and confirmed as contraband.

Granting a temporary closure order, which forces the shop to remain shut for the foreseeable future, presiding magistrate John Neild told the court: “We feel the evidence laid before us means the order is justified and proportionate.” The shop was closed yesterday, with a copy of the notice posted.