A ‘VULNERABLE’ 16-year-old girl was repeatedly raped after four men picked her up in a car on a Burnley street, a jury was told.

The girl was alone in the early hours after a row with her boyfriend, who had a flat nearby.

She had thought the men were going to help her, but instead they showed 'complete contempt' for her, plied her with vodka and each then forced her to perform a sex act, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The hearing was told how the teenager was found in the street several hours later, by a dog walker.

She was hysterical, told him what had happened and he called the police.

The four accused are Mohammed Qasim, 25, from Berry Street, Brierfield, Amad Khan, 26, from Whalley Street, Mohammed Sikander, 25, from Colne Road and Haiyat Khan, 30, from Thursby Square, all Burnley. Each denies one allegation of rape, said to have taken place, last September 29.

Joe Boyd, prosecuting, said at 1am, the teenager was alone in a street in Burnley and had nobody to turn to.

Her phone wasn't working and she had to get to the railway station. She was presumably angry after the 'bust-up' with her boyfriend.

Mr Boyd continued: "She may have hoped a Good Samaritan would come along, but precisely the opposite happened, according to the prosecution."

The prosecutor said a black VW Golf drove up, in which were the defendants. Three were in the vehicle and Haiyat Khan got in later.

Mr Boyd alleged to the jury: "Over several hours, they showed complete contempt for her. They couldn't care less whether she consented or not. Their sole concern was their own sexual gratification."

Mr Boyd said Qasim was the driver. Amad Khan was the front seat passenger and the other two defendants were in the back. They said they would allow her to use a phone and she presumed they were going to help her, but they "totally abused that trust."

The prosecutor said one of the men asked the alleged victim: "You are legal, are you?"

She said she was 16. The girl wanted to go home, but the defendants drove around Burnley and plied her with vodka and an energy drink.

The men decided they would go on a trip to Manchester and the teenager clearly told them she didn't want to go to Manchester and wanted to go home, but they ignored her. Sikander was telling her he used cocaine and then put his arm down her front. She tried to stop him, but he then forced her into a sex act.

The alleged victim struggled, but was unable to stop him. Mr Boyd went on: "The other defendants seemed to think it was a joke. In due course, Haiyat Khan did the same. Mohammed Qasim said: "If you don't do it, we will chuck you out in Manchester." The girl was slapped in the face. Amad Khan then swapped seats, got into the back seat and also raped the teenager.

Mr Boyd said after several hours in Manchester, the men drove back to Burnley.

He continued: "During the time they were driving back to Burnley, it seems it was Amad Khan who was mostly abusing her."

The prosecutor said back in Burnley, the three passengers were dropped off and Qasim, who pretended he was taking the alleged victim back, then stopped the car and committed an indecent act. She then got out and at about 6.30am to 6.45am, a dog walker found her hysterical.

Police were called and the teenager was taken to the police station, interviewed and told officers what had happened to her.

The day after, the defendants, except Qasim, were arrested at about 25 minutes past midnight, at a takeaway close to where the car was parked.

Mr Boyd said in each case, the three defendants indicated they had been in the car. They claimed the girl had been having fun and that it was all consensual. Qasim was arrested on October 4 and made no comment.

(Proceeding)