A WOMAN who said she was groomed and raped while in care in Worcester has thanked readers who contacted her to show their support.

Sam Herron, 26, came forward to talk about her ordeal, suffered in the city when she was just 13.

We reported on her story on Saturday and, since then, there have been many supportive comments praising her for her bravery in getting her story out.

On Facebook, Jody Bishop wrote: “Well done hunny for speaking up, it’s very brave of you and now you can help others and move forward with your life.”

Eileen Stacy said: “It takes a lot of strength to step up and tell your story. Good for you.”

Sharon Townsend wrote: “You are one very brave young lady and I hope you give other victims the courage to speak out.

“I also hope you’ve had the support you need now.”

Miss Herron said she was ‘shocked’ at the number of positive responses to her story, saying: “It is amazing.

“Since the story went up I have had loads of people contact me and ask how I got the courage to tell my story.

“Getting my story out there has taken so much weight off my shoulders.

“I have had loads of times where I felt like giving up but this has really helped me.

“I just hope that any other people out there who this has happened to now feel encouraged to get out there and tell someone.

“Hopefully they can get some justice for what has happened.”

In 2006, when Miss Herron was 13, she was living in Worcester under the care of Worcestershire County Council Children’s Services.

She claims that while she was in Worcester, she was the victim of a paedophile gang, who abused and raped her over the course of a few months.

She said that, as a result, she suffers from PTSD and cannot return to Worcester because of the negative mental effect it has on her.