Chief inspector on how Sunderland child sex predator was caught

As previously reported by the Echo, predatory Hosen, 43, was jailed at Newcastle Crown Court this week for carrying out sickening abuse on vulnerable Sunderland girls over a 10-year period.

The married dad plied his victims with vodka and mephedrone at house parties so he could use and abuse them as he wanted.

The Northumbria Police officer leading the case against him, chief inspector Paul Milner, has revealed that uncovering Hosen’s drug dealing operation was how detectives managed to get those he had abused to come forward.

One youngster reported her sexual assault ordeal to the police in 2011 but the Crown Prosecution Service took no further action against Hosen and he continued with his “disturbing” catalogue of crimes.

“We had intelligence that Hosen was exploiting young girls, but it takes some doing to get the girls on board with the police because they are so scared,” said chf insp Milner.

“While we were investigating him for those offences, we established that he was dealing in large-scale drug supply.

“He was supplying these girls with MCAT, with a view to assisting his own sexual gratification.

“He was incapacitating these children for the benefit of his sexual deviancy.”

Undercover surveillance teams, including specialist officers from Northumbria Police’s organised crime department, were deployed to catch Hosen dealing and in possession of a .22 revolver, which led to his initial arrest.

“We caught Hosen obtaining a large amount of controlled drugs and he also had a loaded firearm as well,” added the officer.

“Once we got him charged and remanded in custody, we then re-visited the girls who were a lot more confident in speaking about what he had done to them.

“Previously, they were scared that he would still be able to get to them.

“Our priority is protecting the vulnerable and we will use all kinds of tactics to do that.”

Hosen, formerly of Derby Street, near Sunderland city centre, pleaded guilty in court to offences of sexual activity with a child, sexual assault and assault in relation to four teenage female victims.

He also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin, mephedrone, MCAT and cannabis and possession of a firearm.

Judge Edward Bindloss, who labelled Hosen “arrogant”, sentenced him to 21 years and seven months behind bars, while also handing him an extended five-year licence period.

“What Hosen did to these girls is awful,” added Chf Insp Milner.

“He is evil.

“But as far as the sentence goes, it is fantastic for us.

“He now has a long time to sit in prison and ponder what he was doing to his victims.”