ARKAN HOSEN'S SICKENING CRIMES IN SUNDERLAND: DRUG DEALER AND PREDATOR SENTENCED TO 21 YEARS
In May 2016, a disturbing case emerged involving Arkan Hosen, a man whose heinous actions in Sunderland shocked the local community and drew widespread condemnation.Hosen, aged 43 at the time, was found guilty of a series of grave offenses that spanned over a decade, including sexual abuse of underage girls, drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm.
Hosen's criminal activities were characterized by a disturbing pattern of manipulation and exploitation.
He targeted vulnerable teenage girls in Sunderland, often luring them into his home under the pretense of social gatherings.
Once there, he would systematically ply them with alcohol, specifically vodka, and illegal drugs such as mephedrone, to weaken their resistance and make them more susceptible to his predatory advances.
The court heard that Hosen's house parties became sites of abuse, where he would brand some of his victims with distinctive love bites—an act intended to signify ownership and control over them.
Prosecutor Gavin Doig described Hosen's actions as a serious breach of trust and a grave violation of the victims' rights.
He explained that Hosen had come into contact with numerous young girls over the years, befriending them and then gradually introducing them to illegal substances.
The victims, many of whom lacked strong support systems at home, found themselves increasingly drawn into Hosen's web of manipulation.
Once under his influence, he would commit sexual offenses, often using one girl to lure others into his orbit or asking drug-selling victims to bring new victims to him.
Despite a report from one young girl in 2011 about her sexual assault, the Crown Prosecution Service initially chose not to pursue charges, allowing Hosen to continue his disturbing pattern of behavior.
It was only later, after undercover police operations, that Hosen's criminal empire was fully exposed.
An undercover officer managed to infiltrate his network, purchasing approximately £8,000 worth of heroin, mephedrone, MCAT, and cannabis from Hosen and his associates.
During this operation, the officer also observed Hosen carrying a .22 revolver, which led to his arrest in 2014.
The officer described the operation as one of the most traumatic experiences of his twenty-year career, citing fears for his safety and that of his colleagues and the wider public.
The court heard testimonies from victims who described Hosen's controlling and manipulative behavior.
One young woman stated, "He used me, controlled me, exposed me to things a young girl should not be involved with.
He has stolen my childhood.
I will never get that back." Another victim remarked, "He was preying on young females like me." Hosen, who resided on Derby Street in Sunderland, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including sexual activity with a child, sexual assault, and assault involving four teenage girls.
He also admitted to conspiracy to supply heroin, mephedrone, MCAT, and cannabis, along with possession of a firearm.
His criminal activities were further uncovered through covert police operations, which revealed his involvement in drug trafficking and illegal possession of a weapon.
Judge Edward Bindloss sentenced Hosen to a total of 21 years and seven months in prison, with an extended five-year license period.
The judge described Hosen's conduct as "disturbing" and criticized his apparent arrogance in disregarding the harm caused to his victims.
He pointed out that Hosen had branded some victims with love bites as a symbol of ownership, and that his method of breaking down barriers involved handing out drugs and manipulating young girls into his control.
While acknowledging that Hosen was married with children and did not have a significant prior criminal record, the judge emphasized the severity of his crimes and the impact on the victims.
He also noted that Hosen's handgun was only in his possession for a short period and that others were involved in the drug conspiracy, which was exposed during the police operation.
The sentencing marked a significant victory for justice and a warning to those who exploit vulnerable young people in Sunderland.
