Palla Pour

In a significant case at Newcastle Crown Court, Palla Pour was among four men convicted for participating in a gang that sexually exploited vulnerable girls as young as 13. The crimes spanned several years from 2006 and were probed under Northumbria Police's Operation Wren, revealing how the defendants dominated and controlled the young victims.

Palla Pour, 25, from Longbenton, was found guilty of sexual activity with a child. Additionally, he was convicted of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, supplying drugs, and allowing the supply of drugs on his premises. The prosecution described the girls as being under the thrall of these older, more worldly-wise defendants. Northumbria Police's Detective Superintendent Steve Barron emphasised the need for stigma against such acts, saying: 'We want to ensure there is a repugnant stigma associated with sexual exploitation in all communities and, in particular, against individuals who think this treatment of women and girls is in any way acceptable.'

This case follows closely on the heels of convictions for 17 men and one woman in a related exploitation ring involving alcohol, drugs, and forced sex. Pour is scheduled for sentencing in October 2017 alongside his co-accused.