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Prey: My Fight to Survive the Halifax Grooming Gang
Cassie was only thirteen when her mother died of a degenerative illness, leaving her vulnerable to sexual predators in the Halifax area who had been grooming her since the age of eleven. She fell through the net of the care system and reached out for friendship, only to be consumed by an escalating spiral of abuse.
This harrowing and truly shocking story captures in vivid detail how gangs of men were able to ply a child with drink and drugs, then rape her and pass her around their associates with no one seemingly able to step in and prevent it. Cassie was lost in a world of appalling degradation for years before a local policeman and caring social worker became instrumental in helping her to escape and rebuild her life. In 2016, the largest case of child sexual exploitation ever brought to trial at that time in the UK resulted in the conviction of 17 men. Since Cassie's abusers were jailed, child safeguarding policies have improved so that vulnerable children like Cassie should never again fall through the net and become prey.
This harrowing and truly shocking story captures in vivid detail how gangs of men were able to ply a child with drink and drugs, then rape her and pass her around their associates with no one seemingly able to step in and prevent it. Cassie was lost in a world of appalling degradation for years before a local policeman and caring social worker became instrumental in helping her to escape and rebuild her life. In 2016, the largest case of child sexual exploitation ever brought to trial at that time in the UK resulted in the conviction of 17 men. Since Cassie's abusers were jailed, child safeguarding policies have improved so that vulnerable children like Cassie should never again fall through the net and become prey.
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2019
31 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 13, 2019
It’s hard to really rate this book as it’s such a tough subject. I felt awful for Cassie for everything she went through. Them evil men should be locked up for the rest of their lives. I found Cassie to be a really strong woman. Despite everything she has been through she is now helping others who are going through CSE. It was a tough read at times but I admire Cassie’s strength and courage and I wish her all the best for the future.
July 2, 2019
This country has a serious child grooming/child raping epidemic. This book highlights one woman’s horrible childhood, and courageous acts as an adult that put 18 vile monsters in prison. If you really want to know a true account from a victim read this book. It’s extremely disturbing what she went through, but it’s important to know to help others caught in these situations, and maybe (hopefully) to prevent others from ending up in these situations. If ever there was a good case for teaching kids about the Romeo boyfriends/friends/dangers of these men, this is it. There should be a class in school for this.
Page 161 “I was in hotels, in houses, in towns and cities all over the country.” I thought about this frequently before reading this book. It’s no secret anymore that gangs of men have infected this country with a culture in their minds where it is acceptable to groom, rape, and pass around children. It’s so bad here, that when a new city pops up to add to the already disgusting list of cities plagued by these sick men, isn’t even shocking anymore. I wish there was something I could do to prevent this. After reading another book called Easy Meat it’s all I think about because I live right in the middle of all the notorious grooming cities. Until the U.K. decides to send a serious message to these disgusting, filthy paedos, this isn’t going to stop. These 18 men got prison sentences, some only 6 years, which means they will be out in 3 years for raping a child. It makes me sick.
Page 161 “I was in hotels, in houses, in towns and cities all over the country.” I thought about this frequently before reading this book. It’s no secret anymore that gangs of men have infected this country with a culture in their minds where it is acceptable to groom, rape, and pass around children. It’s so bad here, that when a new city pops up to add to the already disgusting list of cities plagued by these sick men, isn’t even shocking anymore. I wish there was something I could do to prevent this. After reading another book called Easy Meat it’s all I think about because I live right in the middle of all the notorious grooming cities. Until the U.K. decides to send a serious message to these disgusting, filthy paedos, this isn’t going to stop. These 18 men got prison sentences, some only 6 years, which means they will be out in 3 years for raping a child. It makes me sick.
September 26, 2020
As I work my way through the list of books written by victims, parents and police about the child sexual exploitation gangs of the UK, I found nothing shocking in Cassies book - do not get me wrong - there is plenty to be shocked about - but I am now seeing, after reading book after book on the subject, that this is some people’s “normal” - confronting and disturbing as that truth is.
Cassies book is a real page turner because of the way it has been written - direct and to the point- as much as I have felt so sorry and sad for many of the girls who have told their story, Cassies story hurt just that little bit more because of the early death of her mother to sickness. To Cassie (and all the girls who have written their horrifying and disturbing stories) I thank her For telling her story, because it’s given me insight and understanding into something I, through an accident of birth and a stroke of good luck, never had to live and couldn't even imagine that this reality existed For others. Cassies book, unlike the others so far, contained information in the back that could help others - signs for parents, neighbours, teachers to identify children being exploited and and where to start seeking help. There are many more Cassies out there, and that is sad.
Cassies book is a real page turner because of the way it has been written - direct and to the point- as much as I have felt so sorry and sad for many of the girls who have told their story, Cassies story hurt just that little bit more because of the early death of her mother to sickness. To Cassie (and all the girls who have written their horrifying and disturbing stories) I thank her For telling her story, because it’s given me insight and understanding into something I, through an accident of birth and a stroke of good luck, never had to live and couldn't even imagine that this reality existed For others. Cassies book, unlike the others so far, contained information in the back that could help others - signs for parents, neighbours, teachers to identify children being exploited and and where to start seeking help. There are many more Cassies out there, and that is sad.
February 25, 2020
Well written
I get so mad reading these books but a great sense of relief to hear the young women have the courage and strength to go on, what does upset me is how many havent come forward or who havent had the strength n they are just swept under the rug
I get so mad reading these books but a great sense of relief to hear the young women have the courage and strength to go on, what does upset me is how many havent come forward or who havent had the strength n they are just swept under the rug
May 9, 2020
An eye opener
It shows how abuse in the home can lead to more outside, courage & strength of a young lady, i have absolute admiration for Cassie after reading her story. Most importantly it highlights how we all need to be aware of what is happening in our communities
It shows how abuse in the home can lead to more outside, courage & strength of a young lady, i have absolute admiration for Cassie after reading her story. Most importantly it highlights how we all need to be aware of what is happening in our communities
April 11, 2022
What a harrowing account of a child being passed around and used as a sex object for a group of depraved sadistic men. The author has been very descriptive in this book about what happened to her as a young girl. I felt anger, empathy and great sadness reading Cassie's story. It was wonderful to read she had turned her life around with the help of her amazing foster family, a police officer, social worker and friend. She has shown determination strength and courage, not only in achieving justice but also in not allowing her awful experiences to ruin her life, and this is why I believe this book deserves five stars.
December 26, 2021
This is one of the worst experiences I've ever read about. I'm happy Cassie was able to get justice and have them imprisoned i just wish it was all of them and they got life. In my opinion it's too risky to let out someone for a crime so vile if they've done it once they'll do it again.
May 15, 2023
I feel really proud of the woman Cassie became. What a god awful father and to be let down by the very people who should be helping you!!!
I truly bless her with a better life now and hope those evil bastards rot in jail or their dicks drop off from fungal infections !!
I truly bless her with a better life now and hope those evil bastards rot in jail or their dicks drop off from fungal infections !!
July 30, 2023
A very harrowing detailed story of a young girl who was able to escape a trafficking group who raped and gang abused her. She lived an unloved childhood by a father who beat her, so she was vulnerable, and subsequently, she fell into the wrong hands of men who filled her with drugs and alcohol. After many opportunities to save her from teachers, police and social services, she was still alone. Until one police officer stepped up and did what they should have done for her many years before. Cassie Pike was groomed raped and had forced abortions from the age of 8 till 16, which was when her life took on a sudden change.
August 17, 2025
This book is heartbreaking and difficult to read. It is amazingly written, though, and should be used to educate children around CSE. My heart breaks for Cassie, and I hope she gets to live for many more years before the Huntingdons starts to affect her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2019
Shocking
A shocking true account of grooming in Halifax
I couldn’t put it down , a must read for any parent
A shocking true account of grooming in Halifax
I couldn’t put it down , a must read for any parent
November 13, 2020
Very sad story
May 28, 2022
Hard reading
So sad thought provoking. Will stay with me for a long time.
Well done Cassie for telling your story, so brave.
So sad thought provoking. Will stay with me for a long time.
Well done Cassie for telling your story, so brave.
September 9, 2022
Audiobook
September 22, 2022
Found this a hard read but stuck with it.
As shocking Cassie's story is, this country has a big problem with this type of grooming.
As shocking Cassie's story is, this country has a big problem with this type of grooming.
October 26, 2022
Not my usual choice of book, but I’m glad I finally read this.
The content of this memoir is horrific, but I felt it was important to read as I grew up in Calderdale at roughly the same time as Cassie when these wicked events were taking place.
Prey documents how a prolific child grooming and trafficking gang were exposed and (partially) brought to justice following the brave efforts of one of their victims; Cassie Pike. At the time, it was the biggest grooming gang to be exposed in the UK and I remember it being all over the media.
I felt sick to my stomach reading this book, so it’s not one I will be actively recommending, but it’s important to read survivor’s stories like this.
The content of this memoir is horrific, but I felt it was important to read as I grew up in Calderdale at roughly the same time as Cassie when these wicked events were taking place.
Prey documents how a prolific child grooming and trafficking gang were exposed and (partially) brought to justice following the brave efforts of one of their victims; Cassie Pike. At the time, it was the biggest grooming gang to be exposed in the UK and I remember it being all over the media.
I felt sick to my stomach reading this book, so it’s not one I will be actively recommending, but it’s important to read survivor’s stories like this.
July 27, 2024
Fantastic read kept me gripped and what a fantastic way to tell your story
August 13, 2025
She opener
The honesty, the vulnerability of her. The strength she had to escape it all and amazingly write this book for others to survive. Excellent read.
The honesty, the vulnerability of her. The strength she had to escape it all and amazingly write this book for others to survive. Excellent read.
December 19, 2025
For all my true crime readers
Please proceed with caution this is heavy and upsetting
This is a true story told by someone you went through something horrifying as a child.
It is about child exploitation gangs in the UK.
Cassie’s story will it you all so make sure your mental health is in a good place and have tissues to hand
Please proceed with caution this is heavy and upsetting
This is a true story told by someone you went through something horrifying as a child.
It is about child exploitation gangs in the UK.
Cassie’s story will it you all so make sure your mental health is in a good place and have tissues to hand
June 25, 2019
Cassie Pike was 11 years old when the sexual grooming begun. The men involved saw that Cassie was a misunderstood girl who lived a life that was too much for an eleven year old. Cassie's mother was suffering from Huntington's where she slowly faded away, leaving Cassie alone in a chaotic environment with two adult siblings living their own lives and a useless, aggressive, addict of a father. My heart ached for the hell that Cassie experienced. With no-one to turn to, she missile into a world of drink, drugs and sexually exploited.
Reading Prey was a rollercoaster of emotions, the one that sticks with me is raging anger. Angry at Cassie's father who neglected her and therefore pushed her into a life of trying to find that place in the world where she 'fitted', I was angry at the men who saw a small vulnerable girl and took advantage of her. Most of all I was angry and disgusted at the social services / police for not stepping in and removing Cassie from this toxic environment sooner, even though they were told about the beatings, her blasé attitude towards the rapes - to her these were normal, no-one told her any different!
From the multiple chapters within the book, Cassie's childlike naivety is noticeable. At one point, after telling her older sister that she was going out with an older guy to smoke and chill, her sister told her to be careful - she didn't understand what this meant at the time. Although Cassie went to some dark places, I have to applaud her unbelievable bravery to get out of that situation, how her strength put some of the men away and that drive saved god knows how many girls. Cassie Pike is the embodiment of courage. She is a survivor.
Prey is written in a way similar to fiction, without any over complication of facts - after all this is Cassie's life events, it's raw, hard hitting and difficult to swallow but she's not only telling her story. Cassie has used this platform to inform the readers about sexual child grooming; the signs and indications, what grooming is, why children don't disclose grooming behaviour etc.
Reading Prey was a rollercoaster of emotions, the one that sticks with me is raging anger. Angry at Cassie's father who neglected her and therefore pushed her into a life of trying to find that place in the world where she 'fitted', I was angry at the men who saw a small vulnerable girl and took advantage of her. Most of all I was angry and disgusted at the social services / police for not stepping in and removing Cassie from this toxic environment sooner, even though they were told about the beatings, her blasé attitude towards the rapes - to her these were normal, no-one told her any different!
From the multiple chapters within the book, Cassie's childlike naivety is noticeable. At one point, after telling her older sister that she was going out with an older guy to smoke and chill, her sister told her to be careful - she didn't understand what this meant at the time. Although Cassie went to some dark places, I have to applaud her unbelievable bravery to get out of that situation, how her strength put some of the men away and that drive saved god knows how many girls. Cassie Pike is the embodiment of courage. She is a survivor.
Prey is written in a way similar to fiction, without any over complication of facts - after all this is Cassie's life events, it's raw, hard hitting and difficult to swallow but she's not only telling her story. Cassie has used this platform to inform the readers about sexual child grooming; the signs and indications, what grooming is, why children don't disclose grooming behaviour etc.
September 3, 2019
Cassie Pike tells her story in an unemotional and understated style.
So much so that you can't believe the trauma and horrors she has had to cope with.
It is probably the matter of fact reporting that gets the reader through the events -almost like Cassie who had to take drink and drugs just to survive!.
It is hard enough to read about Cassie's mum who is dying with an incurable disease who Cassie as a kid has to help look after before and after school. But after her mother dies she is then physically abused by her father and to escape that horror drifts into unsuitable friendships that appear to be helpful.
What follows is a well documented cycle of grooming, sexual exploitation,rape and violence.
How Cassie lived through this is nothing short of a miracle but her strength of character really shows through when she finally decides to accept help.
Cassie deserves a Queens Medal for bravery for not only did she recover from this ordeal but went on to give evidence in the largest grooming case in Halifax that put 17 men behind bars.
Anyone who thinks their life is difficult should read this book and learn how young children have to live and cope under such awful circumstances.
And the notes at the end are very helpful as we should all look out for signs of Child Sexual Exploitation -its closer than you think.
So much so that you can't believe the trauma and horrors she has had to cope with.
It is probably the matter of fact reporting that gets the reader through the events -almost like Cassie who had to take drink and drugs just to survive!.
It is hard enough to read about Cassie's mum who is dying with an incurable disease who Cassie as a kid has to help look after before and after school. But after her mother dies she is then physically abused by her father and to escape that horror drifts into unsuitable friendships that appear to be helpful.
What follows is a well documented cycle of grooming, sexual exploitation,rape and violence.
How Cassie lived through this is nothing short of a miracle but her strength of character really shows through when she finally decides to accept help.
Cassie deserves a Queens Medal for bravery for not only did she recover from this ordeal but went on to give evidence in the largest grooming case in Halifax that put 17 men behind bars.
Anyone who thinks their life is difficult should read this book and learn how young children have to live and cope under such awful circumstances.
And the notes at the end are very helpful as we should all look out for signs of Child Sexual Exploitation -its closer than you think.
April 15, 2025
This is an account of Cassie, a thirteen year old who lost her mum to a degenerative illness. Her relationship with her father and sister broke down and she fell victim to a grooming gang in Halifax. She was plied with alcohol and drugs, then sexually abused by several men. She was eventually saved by a policeman and a caring social worker who helped her escape. It was the largest case of child sexual exploitation in the UK, convicting seventeen men.
This was a really gripping read. It is shocking that Cassie slipped through the net in regards to the care system. This type of memoir is hard to listen to but it is important that story’s like Cassie’s are told and as a result safeguarding measures are put in place to protect children in the future. The narration of this audiobook was really powerful.
This was a really gripping read. It is shocking that Cassie slipped through the net in regards to the care system. This type of memoir is hard to listen to but it is important that story’s like Cassie’s are told and as a result safeguarding measures are put in place to protect children in the future. The narration of this audiobook was really powerful.
August 30, 2019
I’m nearly finished this book, having stayed up late to read it because I cannot put it down. However, I find myself feeling very angry at the police etc. for not helping to protect this vulnerable girl and also her own father, the less said about that the better. All I can say is that I truly hope these paedos are in for some of their own medicine in prison!
A thoroughly brilliant read, although when I say brilliant I mean that the author has told her story well and takes the reader on a journey with her, but the events in the book are completely shocking, harrowing, sickening and anger inducing.
A thoroughly brilliant read, although when I say brilliant I mean that the author has told her story well and takes the reader on a journey with her, but the events in the book are completely shocking, harrowing, sickening and anger inducing.
January 31, 2021
Despite covering such a difficult account of such a traumatic and disturbing experience, this book is writing in such a easy to read and gripping way. Probably the fastest I’ve read a book in years I couldn’t put this down and I feel it’s important for these stories to be heard.
June 10, 2019
What this poor girl went through at such a young age ..she found the strenght to fight her abusers and won..amazing read
December 3, 2019
A heartbreaking book with a breathtaking twist. Giving a 5 🌟 for this book is not even worthy. It's worth for more than a 10 🌟
May 11, 2020
Amazingly bold and brave. Truly inspiring.
May 16, 2025
True story of the horrors of abuse and grooming on a young girl. Raw, open and utterly heartbreaking.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews