Leader: Sex attack Telford brothers case shows dangers in paradise

How could this possibly have happened in a beautiful county like Shropshire?

That is one of the burning questions on people's lips today after the news that two brothers have been found guilty of grooming, exploiting, and selling young teenage girls for sex.

The case of Mubarek and Ahdel Ali is poles apart from most people's vision of a peaceful, rural, and relatively crime-free pleasant county.

It sounds more like an inner city urban nightmare.

But this horrendous catalogue of rape, trafficking, abuse and prostitution happened in and around the Wellington area, and every effort must now be taken to ensure it cannot ever be repeated.

Praise must go to West Mercia Police for the way its team of officers have painstakingly managed what was a complex, sensitive, long-running case, which involved many frightened and vulnerable victims.

The girls showed great bravery too, in testifying against the men who had been exploiting them for their own sexual and financial gratification, keeping them virtual prisoners in the back-rooms of fast food stores and restaurants.

The brothers will be sentenced in October.

All eyes will now be on the judge to ensure he keeps his part of the bargain by handing out the toughest possible sentence to this pair of ruthless predators, sending a chilling message.

We must also play our part too, by remaining alert and vigilant.

Anyone who suspects a vulnerable child may be at risk, or in danger, has a duty to inform the police, or other authorities at the earliest possible opportunity.

It is far better to be overly cautious than to take a rose-tinted view of life in Shropshire, only to discover the harsh truth when it may have become too late.