THE county council has admitted it “let down” two young victims of sexual abuse which went on for years, after their abusers were convicted last week.

Buckinghamshire County Council has apologised after failing the girls - who were under 16 at the time - after a group of men carried out the attacks in Aylesbury between 2006 and 2012.

The six men will be sentenced on September 7 while four other men charged on suspicion of sex offences, including a man from Chesham, were found not guilty.

BCC director for Children’s Services, David Johnston, said: “On behalf of the council, I would also like to apologise to both of them for letting them down during this period in their lives.

“We know a great deal more about child sexual exploitation than we did back then and I hope that young people who are worried about themselves or someone they know will have the same courage to come forward.

“We will do everything in our power to help them.”

He added: “We are as appalled, as all parents and the community of Buckinghamshire will be, by the despicable acts of cruel abuse committed by those found guilty.

“These girls were just children when they became victims to such manipulation that lasted so many years.

“I want to reassure all young people and families that we are dedicated to tackling all forms of abuse wherever it happens and will investigate all concerns fully with the police.

Conservative-controlled BCC has been strongly criticised by Wycombe Labour, following the outcome of the hearing.

Wycombe Labour spokesman for health and social care, Linda Derrick, has called for the resignations of leader Martin Tett and chief executive Chris Williams over the case, which follows a damning Ofsted report of BCC’s children’s services last year.

She said: “Now when we see the consequences of BCC’s failings, perhaps they will both accept they are accountable and resign.”

The six men were convicted of the following charges:

  • Vikram Singh, 46, from Aylesbury, four counts of rape and one count of administering a substance with intent.
  • Asif Hussain, 32, from Milton Keynes, three counts of rape.
  • Mohammed Imran, 37, from Bradford, three counts of rape, one count of conspiracy to rape and one count of arranging or facilitating child prostitution.
  • Arshad Jani, 32, from Aylesbury, one count of rape and one count of conspiracy to rape.
  • Akbari Khan, 35, from Aylesbury, two counts of rape, one count of conspiracy to rape and one count of administering a substance with intent.
  • Taimoor Khan, 28, from Aylesbury, one count of sexual activity with a child.

Four men, including 34-year-old Sajid Ali from Chesham, were found not guilty.