Girl (16) placed in secure unit after fears she associated with sex traffickers

Stock photo. The judge concluded that it would be in the youngster's best interests to place her in a secure unit for three months.

A 16-year-old girl said to associate with criminals feared to be involved in sex trafficking should be placed into secure accommodation for her own protection, a family court judge has ruled.

Social services bosses from North Tyneside Council asked Judge Jeremy Freedman to rule that the teenager - who is in local authority care - should go into a secure unit at a family court hearing in Newcastle upon Tyne.