HOVE MEN OSMON KOROMA AND MAX N’GASA SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL ABUSE OF TEENAGE GIRLS IN WICK PARADE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Hove, two men, Osmon Koroma and Max N’Gasa, have been convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous crimes involving the grooming and sexual exploitation of underage schoolgirls. The offences, which spanned over four years from 2010 to 2014, involved the manipulation and abuse of multiple young girls, some as young as 13, in the vicinity of Wick Parade and Koroma’s flat in Littlehampton.

Koroma, a 31-year-old laborer residing on Norton Road in Hove, was found guilty of eight separate offences committed against five girls. These included one count of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and five counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child. His actions were carried out in a manner that exploited the girls’ trust, often involving the purchase of cigarettes and alcohol in exchange for sexual favors. The court heard that Koroma’s flat served as a central location where much of the abuse took place, with the young victims frequenting the shopping parade below his residence.

Max N’Gasa, aged 25 and a gardener from Cranmer Avenue in Hove, was convicted of ten offences involving seven girls. His crimes included two counts of rape and eight counts of sexual activity with a child. N’Gasa was also accused of attempting to carry out sexual activity with a child, but he was found not guilty of one sexual assault and one related offence. The offences committed by both men were committed during the years when the victims were between 13 and 15 years old, highlighting the disturbing nature of their predatory behavior.

Both men were arrested on March 12 of the previous year and faced charges in October following an extensive child sexual exploitation investigation led by Sussex Police’s Safeguarding Investigation Unit, in collaboration with West Sussex Children’s Services. The investigation uncovered the grooming patterns and the extent of the abuse, revealing that the men had befriended the girls, many of whom believed they were in romantic relationships with their abusers despite the significant age difference.

During the six-week trial, the victims demonstrated remarkable courage by reliving their traumatic experiences in court. Their testimonies were instrumental in securing convictions, and the judge praised their bravery, emphasizing that their statements had undoubtedly prevented further abuse of other children. Detective Chief Inspector Miles Ockwell expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “We are glad to know that justice has now been done for the girls.”

Judge Jeremy Gold, who presided over the case, delivered the sentences, noting that Koroma’s flat acted as a magnet for the young girls, many of whom had a physical maturity that outstripped their emotional development. The judge also pointed out that police had warned Koroma and N’Gasa about their behavior as early as July 2012 but that they chose to ignore these warnings. The full extent of their misconduct only became clear during the renewed investigation in 2014.

In his remarks, Judge Gold highlighted the profound and lasting impact the abuse had on the victims. He acknowledged the courage of the girls who testified and emphasized that the actions of Koroma and N’Gasa had caused significant harm. As part of their sentences, both men will be registered on the sex offenders register for life and will be subject to indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Orders (SHPOs). These orders prohibit them from having contact with each other and restrict any unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16.

Detective Chief Inspector Ockwell concluded by paying tribute to the victims, stating, “Young girls were sexually abused by one or other of these defendants and sometimes by both. The bravery of the girls in court has undoubtedly helped protect other children from falling prey to these predators.”

Koroma and N’Gasa are scheduled to be sentenced on June 7, with the community awaiting the final legal consequences of their actions. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation in the Hove area and beyond.