A British mother has spoken of her heartbreak and horror when she discovered her 13-year-old son had been groomed and abused by four male paedophiles online.

When Ben, not his real name, began to behave more reclusive at home his parents became increasing worried and did not realise the truth until they overhead Ben speaking to one of his abusers on the phone.

Ben's mother told the Daily Mail she and her husband were in bed one evening when they heard their son talking on the phone.

"I got up and could clearly hear him saying 'I will get the train', and I could hear a man's voice on his phone," she said.

"And I knew then, I knew immediately that he was being groomed."

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She contacted the police, Ben's school and child protection authorities.

Two local police officers came to the house to examine Ben's phone. "It was the most harrowing thing I have ever seen, he ended up in a corner sobbing,"

Ben's mother said. "All he wanted was to have his phone back because one of the groomers had taken over his mind so much he couldn't bare to be out of contact with him.

"Earlier in that day I also found pictures of him on his laptop that he had taken of himself, naked images."

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Police began an investigation into Ben's abuse but his family has been frustrated by the slow pace of justice.

Ben's mother said her family knew the name and whereabouts of one of the abusers, but he wasn't arrested until seven months later.

Speaking through actors to protect their identity, they family decided to share their story with charity the Marie Collins Foundation (MCF), the only children’s charity in the UK devoted to helping children and their families who have suffered online sexual abuse and exploitation.

If you know of any child abuse or are being abused call 999 or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.

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