18 people convicted of abuse of children and vulnerable young adults in Newcastle
18 people have been convicted after a massive operation by Northumbria Police looking at the abuse and sexual exploitation of children and vulnerable young women girls in Newcastle’s West End.
The Police investigation, named Operation Shelter, focussed on offences by sex gangs operating in Newcastle’s West End. It came under the umbrella of Operation Sanctuary which dealt with cases in the wider Northumbria Police force area.
The 17 men and one woman were involved in supplying the girls with drink and drugs and then sexually abusing some of them.
The gang faced charges including rape, supplying drugs, child trafficking and soliciting children for sex.
Those abused were between the ages of 13 and 26.
All of them were vulnerable;some with mental health issues, some suffering addiction to drink or drugs, and some suffering from low self-esteem.
Some were known to social services.
The women and girls were taken to what were known as ‘sessions’ or parties that took place at a number of addresses in the West End of Newcastle.
At these ‘sessions’ the women and girls would be given alcohol and powerful drugs such as cocaine and M-Cat.
Under the influence and unable to fight back, they would then be sexually abused.
The details of the operation can be reported on for the first time as convictions were secured against the 18 offenders.
In total 20 women and girls came forward and gave evidence in the trial, 18 of them claiming they were victims and 2 giving evidence as witnesses. The jury found believed that 14 of them were victims.
The offenders:
The police began their investigation in December 2013 when a vulnerable adult and a child spoke to their social workers about sexual offences.
In February 2015 the investigation gathered pace when two further young women came forward. They went to Byker Police in Newcastle station and made allegations of abuse. With the same names and locations coming up again, the police investigation gathered pace.
Their bravery in coming forward and appearing in court has been praised by Northumbria Police.