A Northfleet father who trafficked young girls for a life as sex slaves using black magic has today been jailed for 20 years.

Former security guard Osezua Osolase, 42 had been convicted of five counts of trafficking young girls, rape and sexual activity with a child.

And after the jury's verdict at Canterbury Crown Court, it was revealed that years earlier the slave trader had confessed to being HIV positive.

Osolase, of Beaumont Drive, was told by Judge Adele Williams: "You were dealing in exploitation and misery and degradation.

"You have been convicted on clear and compelling evidence of trafficking two girls in and out of the UK."

The Nigerian girls – aged 14 and 16 – had given evidence during the six-week trial, telling how they had been lured by Osolase of a better life in Britain.

A third victim, aged 17, had revealed how she had been trafficked out of the UK.

Osolase had used juju magic rituals to terrify young orphan girls into believing they could die if they ever revealed they were being shipped out to Italy and Spain to work as prostitutes.

"you were dealing in exploitation and misery and degradation..." – judge adele williams

The judge said their personal stories had been "tinged with tragedy" – one living under a bridge at Lagos and a second sold to an older man who abused her.

Then they fell into the hands of the evil Osolase, who tricked them into coming to Kent with an opportunity of being better educated.

Judge Williams added: "That was a cruel deception. Once they arrived in the UK the reality was explained to them that they were going to have to work as prostitutes – being told they had to repay their debts for travel."

She said the former guard at a trendy London fashion shop had used juju magic to ensure their obedience and silence.

"They were petrified that if they spoke out they would be harmed and killed," the judge added.

Osezua Osolase is caught on camera trafficking a girl at Stansted airport

The jury, who found Osolase guilty on Friday, had heard how on one occasion one of the girls suffered a nose bleed – and believed it was juju magic working.

Judge Williams added: "She thought that she was dying. Another victim even now says she fears that Osolase would still kill her."

Detectives who revealed Osolase's evil trade using false passports, credit cards, and false names, believe he may be responsible for up to 25 more victims.

Judge Williams said Osolase was "a very, very dishonest man, arrogant and manipulative, devoid of conscience, and devoid of any compassion for your victims”.

Osolase had not seen his victims as human beings – but had used them "as transactions, objects to be bought and sold for profit".

The judge added: "You were condemning them for a life as no more than sex slaves where their lives would have been miserable."

The house in Beaumont Drive where Osezua Osolase lived

DI Eddie Fox, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, described Osolase as "evil".

He said: "Osolase is an evil, dishonest and manipulative man who bent the will of his victims and subjected them to a horrendous ordeal.

"The length of the sentence reflects the terrible nature of his
crimes and I feel that justice has been served. The investigation
was both challenging and complex and we are grateful to our partner
agencies and the CPS for their efforts in bringing Osolase to
justice.

"Most importantly this trial gave the girls the opportunity to tell
their story and let their voices be heard. They have spoken on
behalf of the other women and girls who have not been located."

Nigerian Osolase – who has a lover with a child in Britain and a wife in Germany – will also be recommended for deportation at the end of his sentence.

CPS lawyers are now preparing a case to seize his financial assets.

Osolase had claimed he arrived in the UK illegally in 2007 – and was thrown out after he was then found to be using stolen credit cards.

But after arriving back in Nigeria, he claimed he married German national Gabrielle Wifling – and was then given the right to return to live in Kent.

Osolase's barrister Anthony Orchard QC said he was suffering from glaucoma which had affected most of his sight.

Eight of the jury returned today to hear the sentence. They had acquitted Osolase on other counts of trafficking, rapes and assault.

Roger Coe-Salazar, chief Crown prosecutor for the CPS in the south east, said: "This case brings into sharp focus the impact that human trafficking has on the lives of victims.

"These young girls were essentially used as commodities in what can only be described as a form of modern day slavery.

"The vulnerability and the heartless abuse they suffered at every turn is only matched by the repulsiveness and cowardice of the perpetrator. One can only begin to imagine the desperate misery they suffered."