Dickson Ngaunde

Two men, Amos Ocheng and Dickson Ngaunde, were jailed following a complex police investigation into the grooming, exploitation, and rape of vulnerable young women in Preston, Lancashire. The operation, named Operation Command, was launched in 2019 after reports emerged of sexual assaults on several girls aged between 14 and 19.

Dickson Ngaunde, 27, from Stanford Avenue in Brighton, Sussex, was convicted at the same trial as his associate Amos Ocheng of the rape of a 19-year-old girl. Key evidence included footage recovered from Ngaunde's mobile phone showing him having sex with the victim, who was clearly unconscious at the time. The offence occurred in Preston in 2019 and formed part of a broader pattern of targeting vulnerable young women for sexual exploitation. Ngaunde, who used the aliases DJ Dickson and Jimmy Rowen, participated in the grooming and assault alongside Ocheng.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Holgate, leading the investigation for Lancashire Police, highlighted the predatory nature of the crimes. 'There was a pattern of behaviour indulged in by both these men where young, vulnerable females are befriended for one singular purpose, their own sexual gratification,' Holgate said. The impact on the victims was profound, with lasting trauma including suicide attempts and homelessness.

On 14 May 2021, Ngaunde was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment at Preston Crown Court. The case was prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service, with Lancashire Police's thorough investigation providing the crucial evidence that led to the guilty verdict from the trial jury.