British parents in court over selling daughter for sex

London, Dec 2 (IANS) A British couple has been arrested in Spain for allegedly pimping out their 11-year-old daughter to an over 70 year-old man as prostitute, a media report said.

Police arrested the expatriate couple on the holiday island of Majorca amid claims they sold the girl, now 15, to the 76-year-old man in exchange for money – for 12 pounds ($19)a time – over a five-year period.

It is understood the mother took her daughter to meet the man on each occasion, with amounts changing hands varying between 12 and 16 pounds (about $19 to 25), The Sun reported.

The child was apparently ordered to leave her care home by the pair, and she was then handed to the pensioner and subjected to sexual assaults after being locked in a room.

Spanish newspaper Ultima Hora alleged the victim was raped.

The 76-year-old, who is said to suffer from health problems linked to his age, is suspected of sexual assault, and the three suspects all appeared in front of a magistrate who freed them on bail as the investigation continues.

IANS 2012-12-02 23:06:06