MEMBERS of a child sex gang responsible for raping and sexually abusing girls as young as 12 have been jailed.

The men and youths, of Czech and Slovak Roma, and Kurdish backgrounds, preyed on five girls, including one with severe learning difficulties, in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire last year.

They were forced to have sex for money, which was used to buy drugs.

Judge John Bevan QC jailed them at the Old Bailey yesterday.

Zdeno Mirga, 18, received 16-and-a half years in a young offender institution (YOI) for eight counts of rape and one count of inciting child prostitution.

Hassan Abdulla, 33, was jailed for 20 years for four counts of rape and three of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Renato Balog, 18, will serve 12 years in a YOI for five rapes and three sexual assaults.

Jan Kandrac, 17, will serve five-and-half years in a YOI for one rape and two counts of indecent assault on a child.

A 14-year-old was given a non-custodial six-month youth rehabilitation order for sexual activity with a child.