Osmon Koroma

Osmon Koroma, aged 31 from Littlehampton, West Sussex, was sentenced to 14 years in prison at Lewes Crown Court following a six-week trial where he was convicted of eight sexual offences, including one count of rape. Alongside his co-defendant Max N'Gasa, Koroma targeted a group of 12 girls aged between 13 and 15, whom they befriended at Wick Parade in Littlehampton between 2010 and 2014. The pair exploited the vulnerable teenagers by providing them with cigarettes and alcohol in exchange for sexual acts, with Koroma's flat serving as a central location for the abuse.

Sussex Police investigated the case, describing it as significant due to the number of victims involved, some of whom knew each other. Detective Inspector Miles Ockwell stated, 'We are glad to know that justice has now been done for the girls. It was clear that Koroma's flat acted as a magnet for the girls, whose physical maturity outstripped their emotional maturity.' The offences included grooming and instances where the girls were sexually abused by both defendants. Victim impact statements highlighted the profound effects, with one girl describing feeling 'worthless' and another expressing, 'I don't want it to happen to anyone else.'

Following the convictions, both Koroma and N'Gasa were placed on the sex offenders register for life. Labour MP Peter Kyle for Hove and Portslade commented on the case, saying he was 'absolutely determined' to investigate any missed opportunities by services to protect the girls, adding, 'We need to make sure other young people are given protection they deserve from predators like these two.' The case underscores systemic issues in safeguarding vulnerable children from sexual exploitation, as reported by BBC News and sourced from Sussex Police and HM Courts Service.