5 members of Gateshead grooming gang found guilty of sexual exploitation of teenage girls

Five men have been found guilty of sexual offences against children following a long-running investigation in Gateshead.

Northumbria Police launched a dedicated operation in response to reports of offending against six victims between 2014 and 2019.

The complex investigation uncovered exploitation of girls aged between 13 and 16, with the most serious charges being multiple counts of rape which includes joint offending against individual victims.

Extensive enquiries led to the arrest of six men in 2019 and 2020 who all lived in close proximity to one another in the Bensham area at the time of the offending.

They were subsequently charged with a total of 42 offences and made their first appearances at court in July last year.

Following an eight-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court, five men – four who are Romanian and one who is Albanian – were today (Tuesday) found guilty of 30 of the charges.

• Klaudio Aleksiu, 28, of Church Terrace, Windsor, was found guilty of rape.

• Stefan Ciuraru, 22, of Brinkburn Avenue, Gateshead, was found guilty of four counts of sexual assault, sexual activity with a child, and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

• Codrin Dura, 27, of Ripon Street, Gateshead, was found guilty of four counts of rape, four counts of sexual activity with a child, blackmail, attempted rape, serious sexual assault, supplying a Class A drug, and arranging or facilitating commission of a child sex offence.

• Bogdan Gugiuman, 44, of Westbourne Avenue, Gateshead, was found guilty of three counts of rape, and supplying a Class A drug.

• Leonard Paun, 23, of Windsor Avenue, Gateshead, was found guilty of five counts of rape, two counts of arranging or facilitating commission of a child sex offence, sexual activity with a child, sexual assault, supplying a Class A drug, distributing photos of a child.

A sixth man was found not guilty of all charges he faced.

They were all remanded in custody ahead of a pre-sentence hearing listed for later this week.

Anyone who is a victim of a sexual offence has anonymity for life and should not be identified.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Barr, of Northumbria Police, said: "Firstly, I want to start by praising the bravery, composure and dignity of the victims in this case.

“This has been a complex investigation which has taken time and support will continue to be available to them.

“Every child has the right to grow up safe from harm but for these girls their childhood was snatched from them in the cruellest of ways.

“The perpetrators in this case have committed horrific offences for which they have now been found guilty.

“I would like to further thank my colleagues and partners who worked tirelessly to help ensure they were brought to justice.”

He added: “We would encourage anyone who has been the victim of any form of abuse – no matter when it took place – to come forward.

“We want our message to be a clear one – we are here for you. We will listen and we will treat you with empathy, compassion and respect.

“Anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse or any form can contact police by sending a direct message on social media, or by using the ‘Report’ forms or live chat function on the Northumbria Police website.

“For those unable to contact police in this way, please call 101.”