Eight men have been given jail sentences of up to 19 years for sexually exploiting teenage girls in Rotherham.

A month-long trial at Sheffield Crown Court heard how the men "sexualised" their victims and, in some instances, subjected them to acts of a "degrading and violent nature".

One girl and her family told police and their MP and then home secretary David Blunkett about the abuse and eventually moved to Spain to get away from the men.

The court heard that this victim had gone to the police in 2003, saying she had been repeatedly raped by Sageer Hussain when she was 13.

Judge Sarah Wright, who jailed Hussain for 19 years, said he had conducted a "campaign of violent rape" against the vulnerable 13-year-old.

Hussain's brothers, Arshid, Basharat and Bannaras, were jailed in April following the first successful prosecution of a grooming gang in Rotherham since the child sexual exploitation scandal engulfed the South Yorkshire town two years ago.

Judge Wright told the eight men: "The victim of all eight of you was vulnerable. She was just 13 to 14 years old.

"Although she had a loving and supportive family, and was doing well at school as she was reaching adolescence, she was susceptible to the attention that you and others gave her.

"She was targeted, sexualised and subjected to acts of a degrading and violent nature."

She said: "The childhood and adolescence of each of the victims can never be reclaimed.

"Each has suffered severe psychological harm. They continue, and will continue to suffer, considerable trauma throughout their lives as a result of your actions."

The judge added: "I would like to take this opportunity to commend wholeheartedly the remarkable courage of all of the victims in this case.

"All three have shown immeasurable bravery in coming forward to give their accounts."

Mohammed Whied, 32, of Psalters Lane, Kimberworth, was jailed for five years after being found guilty of one count of aiding and abetting rape.

Ishtiaq Khaliq, 33, of Cherry Brook, Rotherham, was sentenced to 17 years in prison after being convicted of one rape and three indecent assaults.

Waleed Ali, 34, of Canklow Road, Rotherham, was jailed for 13 years after being found guilty of one rape and one indecent assault.

Asif Ali, 30, of Clough Street, Rotherham, was given a 12-year term after being convicted of one rape.

Masoued Malik, 32, of Bridgewater Way, Rotherham, was jailed for 15 years after being found guilty of one rape, one count of conspiracy to commit indecent assault and one of false imprisonment.

Naeem Rafiq, 33, of Clarendon Road, Rotherham, was sentenced to eight years after being convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit indecent assault and one of false imprisonment.

Basharat Hussain, 40, from Goole, was convicted of one indecent assault. Hussain, who is currently serving a sentence at HMP Wakefield, was given an additional seven years to run alongside his current term.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Martin Tate said: "Significant sentences have been handed to these individuals for their significant and horrific crimes.

"The rape and sexual abuse of children is completely abhorrent and this group have shown no remorse for their crimes, forcing the young women who came forward to report this awful abuse to relive traumatic experiences before the court.

"We are indebted to the victims, who have supported our investigation and have shown remarkable strength in attending court to give evidence.

"This has been a lengthy and complicated process but I hope they are pleased with today's results. These dangerous sexual offenders are now behind bars where they can cause no further harm, thanks in large part to the victims' trust and confidence in our investigation."