Social worker arrested on suspicion of sexual activity with a child as part of fresh probe into grooming gang
A SOCIAL worker has been arrested on suspicion of sexual activity with a child after a fresh probe into a grooming gang was launched following the death of a 15-year-old girl.
The man, aged in his 40s, is being held on suspicion of sexual activity with a child when in a position of trust, and misconduct in a public office.
His arrest comes after a fresh investigation was launched into child sex exploitation during 2004 and 2005, and into the abuse and death of 15-year-old Victoria Agoglia, MEN reports.
A damning report in January revealed children were raped and abused by up to 100 members of a Manchester grooming gang – despite police and social workers knowing what was happening.
The suspect is employed by Manchester City Council’s Children Social Care but has currently been suspended.
Police confirmed he has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
The report centred on the death of Victoria Agoglia, 15, from a heroin overdose in 2003.
She repeatedly told carers she was being injected with the drug and raped by a 50-year-old man — but they failed to act.
A police probe into her death, called Operation Augusta, revealed at least 57 more victims and 97 suspects.
But it was shut down in 2005 due to “fundamental” resourcing flaws.
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Cops and care staff knew victims were hooked on drugs, groomed and raped. They identified a huge network of men involved in the abuse via takeaways — but barely any charges were brought.
Eight of the suspects went on to assault or rape girls.
This led to a further investigation into child sex exploitation, Operation Green Jacket – a multi-agency probe.