Kagiso Manase

In a significant case of child sexual exploitation, Kagiso Manase was among a gang of six convicted at Oxford Crown Court for subjecting seven girls, aged 13 to 15, to repeated sexual abuse in Banbury, Oxfordshire. The offenders groomed the victims through social media, inviting them to parties before attacking them in vehicles, wooded areas, or their own residences. This operation was exposed by the Kingfisher team, dedicated to combating child exploitation in the county.

Manase, 21, from Warwick Road, faced conviction on three counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of sexual assault. The trial revealed the premeditated nature of the crimes, with victims describing feelings of fear and manipulation. A 14-year-old survivor recounted her ordeal to the BBC, explaining how she was isolated and assaulted post-party: 'They would talk their language... and I didn't understand it.' She also detailed the psychological control exerted, stating, 'I was brainwashed... They made me think it was my decision but it wasn't.'

The guilty verdicts were announced in March 2015, leading to custodial sentences for all involved. Manase was jailed for five years. The victim advocated for others to speak out, saying, 'It's important for me to do that. It's closure isn't it?' This case, reported by the BBC, highlights the vulnerabilities exploited by such gangs and the importance of multi-agency interventions like Kingfisher in protecting children.