Four men found guilty of sexually exploiting teenage girls

Four men have been found guilty of sexually exploiting three vulnerable teenage girls in Burton-upon-Trent.

They were found guilty following a five-week trial at Stafford Crown Court that concluded on Thursday (24 February).

They were arrested on 19 December 2018, follow an investigation by Staffordshire Police's Child Protection and Exploitation Team. The offences took place between May 2018 and September 2018.

The girls were aged 13 at the time of the offences.

Adrian Demeter, 21, of Princess Street, Burton, was found guilty of rape a girl aged 13 to 15.

Jeno Pierre Maka, 20, of Stoke-on-Trent, was found guilty of cause/incite a girl 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

Maxim Hanko, 18, of Stuart Road, Liverpool, was found guilty of three counts of rape a girl aged 13 to 15 and one count of attempt to rape a girl aged 13 to 15.

Mate Maka, 18, of Stoke-on-Trent, was found guilty of sexual activity with a child.

Detective Sergeant Julie Pointon, of the force’s Child Protection and Exploitation Team, said: ”I welcome today’s verdicts and I would like to pay tribute to the girls’ incredible bravery in coming forward initially and throughout this long and complex investigation.

“Tackling child sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, both current and non-recent, remains an absolute priority for us.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of such crimes to come forward and report this to us. We will listen to you, and you and your families will be supported by specially-trained detectives and social workers. If you are or have been a victim or you are worried about something, and you don’t feel ready to talk to the police, please speak to someone you trust.”

Please visit http://knowaboutcse.co.uk/ for information for children, young people, parents, carers and professionals on how to spot the signs of child sexual exploitation.

To report child sexual exploitation, call police on 101 or 999 if a child is in immediate danger.

The men will be sentenced at Stafford Crown Court at a later date.