TWO Chesham men have been locked up for child exploitation offences against two 15-year-old girls.

Lee Wakelin, 32, of Upper George Street, and Arslan Khan, 21, of Severalls Avenue, were sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on Friday.

Wakelin was given seven years in prison for one count of inciting a child into prostitution, six years for trafficking within the UK and five years for sexual activity with a child, to run concurrently.

Khan was sentenced to eight years in prison for one count of inciting a child into prostitution, seven years for trafficking within the UK and five years for inciting sexual activity with a child, to run concurrently.

They were also given a ten year sex offender prevention order, were registered on the sex offenders list indefinitely and ordered to each pay a £120 victim surcharge.

The pair were convicted on September 9 after being found guilty of all charges by a unanimous verdict from the jury.

Supt Steve Hockin, local police commander for Chiltern and South Bucks, said: "The victims and families were brave enough to come forward and speak to us. We listened and acted positively. We had good support from our partners and the community who share our revulsion at this type of criminality.

"The message is simple – we will listen to you, support you and work tirelessly to catch and prosecute offenders – whoever they are. It is the courage of victims and the support of partners and the community that helps us to successfully bring offenders to justice as was the case in this instance."

Thames Valley Police launched their investigation on December 31, 2012 after they were made aware of two incidents involving two 15-year-olds girls which happened in Chesham between December 29 and December 31, 2012.

Police said it started at around 11pm on December 29 Khan called to ask if the girls wanted to go "cruising".

They declined but were later approached by Khan as they walked to a friend's house. They were persuaded to get in his car, and drove to meet Wakelin in another car, which they all got into.

While driving, one of the girls asked Khan if they could leave but he refused.

Police said the car was then driven to a place which was later established to be a park in the Watford area.

During the journey, the girls were offered drinks and drugs. Khan also told them that he was opening a brothel and needed more working girls, asking whether they would be interested. He told one of them that if they agreed, they could earn £65,000 a year and could start taking cocaine as well.

Police said at the park one of the girls was told to go for a walk with Wakelin. She refused but eventually went with him out of fear. The pair walked into a wooded area where she was pressured into engaging in sexual activity.

The girls were dropped back to Chesham at around 3am- during the car journey home, Khan repeatedly asked one of the girls if she wanted to work as a prostitute.

The victim eventually agreed, again out of fear and pressure. Khan went on to tell her that she needed to go for a ‘trial run’.

The following day the girl was pressured by Khan to meet a man for sex which she initially refused to do but later agreed out of fear as Khan became aggressive.

She met with the man, but he recognised her as being under age and left.

It was later that evening that police were contacted and an investigation was launched.

Det Con Thomas Gregory, officer in the case, said: "These successful convictions mark the end of a lengthy and complex investigation by Amersham Force CID, during which time Wakelin and Khan maintained their innocence.

"However, as a result of a thorough and detailed investigation, and with the support of the victims in this case, the pair were found guilty of all offences at court last month. "Their sentences reflect the severity of their offending and should send out a clear message to anyone targeting children in this way, that Thames Valley Police will not tolerate such criminality and will pursue and convict those responsible."