Police today praised the courage of two girl victims after three men were convicted of “horrendous” child sex abuse.

A judge this week warned the paedophiles that they could face 15 years in jail when they are sentenced next month.

Bradford Crown Court heard during a two-week trial how a teenage girl was forced to watch as a younger girl was held down and gang raped by three men – Kevin Wright, Alan Morrison and Graham Blowers, who has since died.

The teenager told how she was made to sit in a corner and was hit if she tried to look away from the abuse. She said the men had laughed at the violence.

Wright, 38, of Portwood Street, Heaton, Bradford, had denied four charges of raping the younger girl. Morrison, 48, formerly of Haworth, who is already serving an 18-year prison sentence for the attempted murder of a suspected child abuser, pleaded not guilty to two charges of raping the girl.

Both men denied two charges of committing an act of gross indecency by making the teenager watch the rapes.

A third defendant, David Potts, 60, of Driffield, East Yorkshire, pleaded not guilty to two offences of raping the younger girl.

All three were unanimously convicted of all charges by the jury.

Judge Scott Wolstenholme warned them the starting point for such offences was 15 years’ imprisonment.

Today, the officer in charge of the case paid tribute to the girls.

Detective Constable Suzanna Jones, of the Child and Public Protection Unit in Bradford, said: “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families for their strength and courage throughout this difficult case.

“This was a terrible crime against two innocent and vulnerable children. Kevin Wright, David Potts and Alan Morrison inflicted horrendous abuse on these young children.

“We are pleased that the jury returned guilty verdicts for all the adults involved in this crime.”

The three men will be sentenced by Judge Wolstenholme at Leeds Crown Court on November 20, along with Julie Ogg, of Bradford, who was found guilty of two charges of child cruelty.