A court has ordered that two men from Hove are kept in prison on remand after they were each charged with raping two teenage girls.
The pair have also been charged with sexual assaults and sexually exploiting children.
In total they face 24 charges relating to 13 school-age girls.
Sussex Police said: “Two men have been charged following an investigation into alleged child sexual exploitation involving 13 teenage girls.
“Osmon Koroma, a labourer, 30, of Norton Road, Hove, has been charged with eight offences against six girls.
“They are two rapes, five sexual assaults and one offence of sexual activity with a child.
“The offences were committed between 2011 and 2014 and the victims were aged between 13 and 15 at the time.
“Max N’Gasa, a 24-year-old gardener, of Cranmer Avenue, Hove, has been charged with 16 offences against nine girls.
“They are two offences of rape, five sexual assaults, one attempted sexual assault and eight offences of sexual activity with a child.
“The offences were committed between 2010 and 2012 and the victims were aged between 13 and 16 at the time.”
Koroma and N’Gasa were brought before Crawley Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday 13 October).
They were remanded in custody for an initial appearance at Lewes Crown Court on Friday 6 November.
Sussex Police said that the charges related to allegations that teenage girls in the Littlehampton area were sexually exploited from 2010 to 2014.
The men were charged yesterday (Monday 12 October).
Sussex Police said: “The charges, which follow an intelligence-led child sexual exploitation investigation by detectives from the Sussex Police Safeguarding Investigation Unit (SIU), working with partners including West Sussex Children’s Services, were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service.
“Koroma and Ngasa were arrested on (Thursday) 12 March this year and had been on police bail while inquiries continued.
“The investigation has focused on allegations that local teenage girls, known to the suspects, were sexually exploited between 2010 and 2014.”
Superintendent Miles Ockwell said: “Anyone who has any information that would further assist this investigation or who has any other concerns on learning of the charges can always contact us.”
Anyone wishing to contact the force can phone Sussex Police on 101, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Superintendent Ockwell said that victims can speak in confidence to experienced detectives.
He added: Sources of counselling and support for anyone who is affected by news of this case or any similar cases is always available through the Saturn Centre (the Sussex Sexual Assault Referral Clinic) on 01293 600469 (9am to 5pm with a 24 hours answerphone) or on their out of hours helpline 0800 033 7797.”
Osmon Koroma’s first name has appeared as Osman in some documents.
