DETECTIVES investigating the historic sexual exploitation of girls have praised the bravery of the victims for helping them secure convictions.

It comes after four men were found guilty as part of Northumbria Police’s Operation Sanctuary, an investigation into the abuse of young women aged 13-17.

Operation Wren looked at offending between 2006-12 in the west end of Newcastle and North Tyneside.

Detective Superintendent Steve Barron said: “We absolutely praise the bravery of the victims who have come forward to give evidence. Without them, we would not have the results we have today.”

On Friday, at Newcastle Crown Court, Soran Azizi, 28, of Byker, was convicted of two offences of trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation.

Palla Pour, 25, of Longbenton, has been convicted of four offences of sexual activity with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, supplying controlled drug to another and permitting his premises to be used for the supply of drugs.

Ribas Asad, 29, of Newcastle, has been convicted of sexual assault, paying for the sexual, supplying a controlled drug, causing a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual activity with a child. Saman Obaid, 26, of Byker, was convicted of four offences of supplying controlled drugs. They are due to be sentenced on October 30.