TWO teenagers have been convicted of a string of sex offences against seven young girls.

Kishun Mills, 18, of Spearing Road, High Wycombe was found guilty of three counts at Oxford Crown Court last Wednesday.

A 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had already pleaded guilty to eight sexual offences.

The convictions relate to sexual offences against seven female victims who lived in High Wycombe and Chesham between 2009 and 2012.

Investigating officer Det Sgt Sally Spencer from High Wycombe Force CID said: "This has been a long protracted investigation working with the local authority and support agencies such as R U SAFE and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, which has resulted in these convictions and numerous young people being supported in making safe choices in their lives.

"These young men took advantage of females in their peer group that has had a detrimental effect upon their lives that the court found unacceptable and rightly convicted them of these offences.

"It is very hard for young people to speak to the police about these types of crimes so I would like to thank all of those who attended court as either a complainant or witness and for the courage they showed in speaking out against this behaviour.

"We take every single report of a sexual offence seriously and I urge anyone who has been a victim to contact us. We will take you seriously, we will listen to you and we will help you."

Mills, was convicted by a jury of one count of sexual activity with a child aged 14 and two counts of sexual activity with a child aged 15.

The jury were unable to reach a verdict on a count of rape of a child under 13.

A 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had previously pleaded guilty to one count of rape of a child under 13; four counts of sexual activity with a child aged 14; two counts of sexual activity with a child aged 14 and one count of sexual activity with a child aged 13.

The jury on Wednesday were unable to reach a verdict on another 17-year-old from Nottinghamshire on one count of rape.

The teenagers were arrested by police in June 2013.

Angela Macpherson, Buckinghamshire County Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said: "For the county council, the safety of our children and young people is of paramount importance.

"The best protection we can give to children and young people in Bucks and those looking after them is knowledge of the dangers, so they are aware and can protect themselves, as well as letting them know where they can go for help and support if they are worried.

"However, we can never be complacent and it must be the responsibility of us all - statutory agencies, family members, friends and neighbours to be vigilant and alert to these dangers.

"Sexual offences, whether committed by another child or an adult, can have lifelong consequences. If you have been the victim of sexual abuse, or may know of someone who has been a victim or offender, please contact our First Response Team and talk in confidence to specially trained staff on 0845 460 0001. Out of hours please call 0800 999 7677. We will listen to you and support you."

The two teenagers will be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on September 22.