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Gateshead grooming gang jailed for rapes and assaults of girls

Five men convicted of sexually abusing girls aged 13 to 16 in Gateshead were jailed for 18 months to 14 years after an eight-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

  • On Friday, five men including Codrin Dura and Leonard Paun were jailed at Newcastle Crown Court after an eight-week trial in October, receiving sentences totalling 39 years.
  • Northumbria Police launched a major inquiry into offending between 2014 and 2019 targeting six girls aged 13–16, some plied with alcohol or drugs before exploitation.
  • Court records show Codrin Dura was found guilty of multiple rapes, blackmail and supplying class A drugs, Leonard Paun was convicted of rape and distributing indecent images, while Stefan Ciuraru, Bogdan Gugiuman and Klaudio Aleksiu also faced sexual offence charges.
  • Police and the Crown Prosecution Service North East praised victims' bravery and promised support; all five must sign the sex offenders register and face sexual harm prevention and restraining orders.
  • Judge Tim Gittins said `Whatever others may think, your nationality is irrelevant to the sentencing process` and noted some defendants were juveniles when offending at Newcastle Crown Court.
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ITV broke the news in London, United Kingdom on Friday, December 12, 2025.
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