AN EIGHT-WEEK trial of a gang accused of sexually exploiting young girls in Banbury has ended with the conviction of five men and one youth.

A social worker who supported the young girls during the investigation spoke of the tears of relief shed following the verdicts on Thursday and yesterday.

The Oxfordshire County Council social worker, who asked not to be named, said: “There were lots of tears for me and my colleagues and a sense of relief for the girls – just a massive mix of emotions.”

The jury at Oxford Crown Court had heard how the men identified their targets by organising parties, called ‘Fiddy Events’, for under-18s between 2009 and 2013.

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Prosecution barrister Stuart Trimmer said how the group, all from Banbury, subjected their victims to a cycle of abuse, which in some cases culminated in rape.

Ahmed Hassan-Sule, 21, of Gyndebourne Gardens, Highlands, described as the leader of the group, was found guilty of 13 counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of assault by penetration.

Mohamed Saleh, 22, of Orchard Way, Northrop, was convicted of two counts of sexual activity with a child and cleared of a further count of sexual activity with a child and cleared of one count of rape.

Said Saleh, 20, also of Orchard Way, was found guilty of one count of sexual activity with a child and acquitted of one count of the same offence.

Kagiso Manase, 25, of Warwick Road, was convicted of two counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one count of sexual assault.

Takudzwa Hova, 21, of Broughton Road was convicted of one count of rape, one count of sexual activity with a child and two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of one count of rape.

Alexandru Nae, 19, of Broome Way was cleared of one count of sexual activity and one count of rape.

But during the case one barrister claimed the prosecution was brought only as part of a backlash by the police to their failings over the 2005- 10 Bullfinch scandal.

He told the jury: “They need results, the [police and county council’s child exploitation unit] Kingfisher Team, and the defendants are the guinea pigs.”

But Det Chief Supt Andrew Murray countered: “I am very happy to take the criticism that we are trying too hard and putting too much emphasis into it. That is music to my ears.

“I don’t think there would be a member of the public who would disagree that we should relentlessly pursue people suspected of child abuse. There are proper safeguards in place in court and we go to extraordinary lengths to ensure proper evidence is presented and people get a fair trial.

“But I make no apology to continue to increase the numbers that we put before the courts.”

The five men are due to appear at Oxford Crown Court on April 17 for sentencing. The 17-year-old will be sentenced on March 27.