Drug dealer jailed for string of sexual offences against children
A man has been jailed for a host of sexual offences against children after an undercover operation by police in Sunderland. Arkan Hosen, 43,* **is today (Thursday, May 19) starting a 21 year custodial sentence after admitting 21 charges at Newcastle Crown Court. He was identified by officers working in Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department as a sex offender. An investigation into Hosen was launched and detectives discovered he was also a major drug dealer in the Sunderland area. Undercover officers were able to infiltrate Hosen’s organised crime group to gather evidence against him and his associates. In June, Hosen and five other men were arrested on drug offences and remanded in custody. And with Hosen behind bars an investigation into his sexual abuse gathered pace and his victims bravely came forward to police. It was then that specialists detectives discovered the extent of his abuse after identifying four victims between the ages 13 and 16 had been abused between 2006 and 2013. Hosen, of Derby Street, Sunderland, admitted a string of sex offences, drug offences, the possession of a firearm, an assault and perverting the course of justice. Today (Thurs) he was jailed by a judge for 21 years and seven months with an extended five years on licence. Following the case, Southern Area Command Chief Inspector Paul Milner said: “I am delighted with this sentence and glad that Hosen cannot cause any further harm and distress to our local community. "Our detectives identified that he was exploiting vulnerable young girls. We targeted him and we vigorously pursued him, using all the tactics available to us, until he was remanded in custody and put before the courts. “I am confident that Sunderland is a safer place now he is off our streets and hopefully this sentence can bring some comfort to his victims who have been subjected to a sustained period of abuse. “Those that have spoken to police and given evidence in this trial have amazed our detectives with their bravery. Throughout the case they have shown courage and dignity and they deserve a huge amount of credit.* "We recognise that this sentence will not erase the memories of the abuse but hopefully they can begin to move on with their lives now that justice has been served. “We will continue to do all we can to protect vulnerable people and will work with local agencies to safeguard victims of some of the most serious crimes. “I am proud at the work being done by our hugely talented detectives to make sure that people like Hosen do not belong on our streets.” In June, two addresses in Sunderland and one address in Leeds were raided following the undercover operation. Six men, including Hosen, were arrested by officers and a substantial amount of drugs - including heroin, mephadrone and cannabis – were seized. Hosen was also found in possession of a firearm. Those men were all charged and they were sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court for drug offences in December 2014 They included: - Jordan Graham, 24, of Robert Street, Sunderland, was jailed for 36 months for drugs offences - Morro Ndoung, 33, of Merle Terrace, Sunderland, was handed a 15 month suspended jail sentence for drugs offences - Alhagie Joof, 43, of North Bridge Street, Sunderland, was handed a 12 month community order for drugs offences - Babacar Ndiaye, 48, of Foundry Lane, Leeds, was handed a 12 month community order for drugs offences - Kyle Levitt, 25, of Hall Farm Road, Sunderland, was handed a 24 month community order for drugs offences Assistant Chief Constable Darren Best said the sentencing was the outcome of a co-ordinated investigation between detectives from a number of departments. He added: “This was a very lengthy and complex investigation that brought together officers from a number of different departments. “Our officers are hugely talented and I am proud to say that they are among the best in the country at what they do. “This kind of offending is what makes us come into work every day and rest assured we will continue to do all we can to vigorously pursue these type of offenders.” People can contact police on 101, extension 69191 or via the Northumbria Police website, www.northumbria.police.uk