<p><br /> A gang of men have been convicted of a catalogue of offences against vulnerable girls who were preyed on and abused.<br /> </p><p><br /> The group of men befriended the girls, plied them with alcohol, then took them to "parties" where they were often used for sex.<br /> </p><p><br /> An undercover investigation by Derbyshire Police, dubbed Operation Retriever, was split into three trials which have run since February.<br /> </p><p><br /> At the culmination of the third case earlier, two of the gang's ringleaders received more convictions for sex crimes at Leicester Crown Court.<br /> </p><p><br /> Thirteen men were charged in relation to Operation Retriever and 11 stood trial for a string of charges - not all sexual - relating to the case, which involved 26 victims, one as young as 12.<br /> </p><p><br /> Out of the original 13, a total of nine stand convicted.<br /> </p><p><br /> Abid Mohammed Saddique, 27, and Mohammed Romaan Liaqat, 28 - both married with children - were said to be the leaders of the gang.<br /> </p><p><br /> Saddique, of Northumberland Street, Normanton, Derby, was convicted of four counts of rape as well as two counts of false imprisonment, two of sexual assault, three charges of sexual activity with a child, perverting the course of justice, and aiding and abetting rape.<br /> </p><p><br /> Liaqat, of Briar Lea Close, Sinfin, Derby, was found guilty of one count of rape, two of sexual assault, aiding and abetting rape,affray, and four counts of sexual activity with a child.<br /> </p><p><br /> Both pleaded guilty to causing a person under 18 to be involved in pornography.<br /> </p><p><br /> They will be sentenced on January 7.<br /> </p><p><br /> Other defendants have already been convicted and sentenced.<br /> </p>
