Two men who sexually abused a vulnerable young girl and "ripped away" her childhood have been jailed for a combined 40 years.

Khurum Raziq, 40, from Heckmondwike, and Nasar Hussain, 44, from Dewsbury, were sentenced at Leeds Crown Court today (Friday).

The men were found guilty of multiple rape offences against a female victim in the Heckmondwike and North Kirklees areas.

Raziq was sentenced to 22 years after being found guilty of eight offences of rape.

Hussain was sentenced to 18 years after being found guilty of three rape offences.

It was part of a long running enquiry by West Yorkshire Police into non recent child sexual abuse in North Kirklees.

Working alongside partners, the force hopes to punish the perpetrators behind sexual abuse of young girls in the North Kirklees area between 1999 and 2012.

DCI Ian Thornes of Kirklees CID said: “The victim in this case was a young girl with a completely normal life whose childhood was ripped away from the moment she was first introduced to Khurum Raziq.

“That contact led her to be being lured into a world in which she was thoroughly abused and exploited by predatory males who treated her in the most appalling fashion."

He added: “We welcome the strong sentences given to these men and want to commend the bravery of the victim in this case.

“By supporting a prosecution and giving evidence she has forced these men to answer for what they did and played her part in making it clear that those involved in the sexual abuse of young females will be brought to justice and receive lengthy sentences.

“We continue to urge victims to come forwards and can promise all reports will be thoroughly and sensitively investigated.”