Two predatory brothers exploited and sexually abused two vulnerable teenage residents of a care home in West Drayton - before using “fear and intimidation” to try to silence their victims.
Jason Winskill, 25, of Hatton Grove, West Drayton and Jamie Chapman, 20, of Hillingdon Road, Uxbridge, were convicted yesterday at Southwark Crown Court of crimes carried out between May and December 2012.
The allegations emerged during an investigation was launched in October 2013 by detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Sexual Exploitation Team following concerns raised by Hillingdon Council for the welfare of girls at a children’s home it ran in West Drayton.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Smart, from the Sexual Exploitation Team, said: “These individuals specifically targeted two of the victims knowing they had a vulnerability which they could use to their advantage.
“They believed that through fear and intimidation they could prevent them from reporting the offences to the authorities.
“I would like to commend the victims for their bravery in standing up against their abusers who shamelessly refused to admit their guilt, forcing the victims to relive their ordeal in a public arena.
“I hope today has given them some closure and that their strength of character and courage will encourage other victims to come forward.”
Jurors heard Winskill befriended the girls after meeting them separately in the West Drayton area.
He told them they were “special” and convinced each of them he was in an exclusive relationship with them.
The 25-year-old groomed them and supplied them with alcohol to enable him to commit the sexual abuse.
His younger brother Chapman was responsible for a sexual assault on one of the victims.
Later, on discovering the ongoing police investigation, Chapman left a voicemail message for one of the victims threatening her with torture and violence if his Winskill were to be arrested.
Winskill denied but was convicted of two counts of rape, four counts of sexual activity with a child, and one count of attempted rape, and had earlier admitted one count of being concerned in the supply of cannabis.
He was found not guilty of three counts of rape and one count of sexual activity.
Chapman denied but was convicted of one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of being concerned in the supply of cannabis.
He had previously admitted one count of witness intimidation.
Three other defendents were concerned in the proceedings.
Ashley Lane, 20, of Rutters Close, West Drayton, admitted at an earlier hearing to one count of being concerned in the supply of cannabis and was acquitted of one count of sexual activity with a child.
Bradley Greeff, 19, of Sipson Road, West Drayton, admitted at an earlier hearing to one count of being concerned in the supply of cannabis ane was acquitted of one count of rape of a female under the age of 16.
A 16-year-old boy from Hillingdon who cannot be named for legal reasons was convicted of one count of being concerned in the supply of cannabis and was acquitted of one count of rape of a female under the age of 16
All five are due to be sentenced at the same court on Monday November 3.
Cllr David Simmonds, the council's cabinet member for education and children's services, said: "The convictions follow a joint operation by the council and police and underline the benefits of multi-agency working in bringing offenders to justice.
"The victims have been extremely courageous in giving evidence and we will continue to give them the support each needs to help move forward with their lives."
