In profile: Members of the Newcastle grooming gang busted by police

At least 278 victims have been identified following a police investigation into the grooming and abuse of teenage girls in Newcastle and Gateshead.

As questions are asked over the role of a child rapist informant in the case, Sky News takes a look at the 17 men and one woman who have been brought to justice.

Four have been jailed, while 14 others await sentencing:

:: Saiful Islam

The 35-year-old, of Strathmore Crescent, Newcastle, picked up a drunk 15-year-old on the street and raped her after telling his wife he was going night fishing.

Islam, who was jailed for 10 years, spotted his victim outside a supermarket on his way home from work and returned after making the excuse to his wife.

He then bought the victim Malibu, took her to premises where he and friends knew they could abuse girls and coerced her into having sex.

:: Yasser Hussain

The 28-year-old, of Canning Street, Newcastle, was jailed for witness intimidation and assault after telling a young girl he had seen in the street that "everybody wanted her six feet under".

Hussain was sentenced to two years in prison for the attack and for allowing his premises to be used in the supply of drugs after a jury heard how he hosted parties.

:: Mohammed Hassan Ali

The 34-year-old, of Bentinck Street, Newcastle, met his 15-year-old victim at a party and started a relationship with her after she claimed to be 18.

He continued to have sex with her after finding out her real age and was convicted of two counts of sexual activity and possession with intent to supply M-Kat, a synthetic stimulant drug.

Ali was jailed for seven years after also admitting to supplying cannabis.

:: Redwan Siddique

The 32-year-old, of West Road, Newcastle, was jailed for supplying M-Kat to a 19-year-old in return for sex at his student digs.

Siddique received a 16-month sentence.

:: Habibur Rahim

The 34-year-old, of Friar’s Way, Fenham, was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to incite prostitution, relating to eight different victims, and one count of rape.

Known to the young girls as Sham, he supplied them with cannabis and mephedrone and was also convicted of a number of trafficking for sexual exploitation offences.

:: Abdul Sabe

The 40-year-old, of Dean House, Walker, Newcastle, was convicted of conspiracy to incite prostitution, conspiracy to traffic for sexual exploitation, conspiracy to sexual assault, and supplying drugs to victims.

He was already on the sex offenders’ register.

:: Badrul Hussain

The 37-year-old, of Drybeck Court, Newcastle, was convicted of allowing drugs to be used at his premises and of supplying drugs.

A jury heard he made an outburst to a ticket collector on the Tyne and Wear Metro, saying: "All white women are good for one thing, for men like me to f*** and use as trash.

"That is all women like you are worth."

:: Mohibur Rahman

The 44-year-old, known to victims as Jimmy, admitted conspiracy to incite prostitution and five drugs charges.

:: Carolann Gallon

The 22-year-old, from Hareside Court, Newcastle, admitted three offences of trafficking girls for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

The decision to put her before the courts was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions, with the view taken that she was an active part of the gang and not a victim herself.

:: Mohammed Azram

The 35-year-old, of Croydon Road, Newcastle, admitted five drugs offences and was convicted of one count of sexual assault and one count of conspiracy to incite prostitution for gain.

:: Jahangir Zaman

The 45-year-old, of Hadrian Road, Newcastle, was convicted of rape, supplying drugs and inciting prostitution.

:: Nashir Uddin

The 35-year-old, of Joan Street, Newcastle, was convicted of sexual assault, allowing premises to be used to supply drugs and conspiracy to incite prostitution.

He also admitted four counts of supplying drugs and three of possessing drugs.

:: Abdulhamid Minoyee

The 34-year-old, of Gainsbrough Grove, Newcastle, was convicted of rape and sexual assault and pleaded guilty to supplying drugs.

:: Eisa Mousavi

The 42-year-old, of Todds Nook, Newcastle, was convicted of three counts of rape and two counts of supplying drugs.

He was also found guilty of allowing premises to be used for the supply of drugs and conspiracy to incite prostitution.

:: Monjur Choudhury

The 33-year-old, of Philip Place, Newcastle, was convicted of supplying drugs, permitting premises to be used for the supply of drugs and conspiracy to incite prostitution.

:: Taherul Alam

The 32-year-old, of Normanton Terrace, Newcastle, was convicted of two counts of supplying drugs and one count of permitting premises to be used for supplying drugs.

He was also found guilty of attempted sexual assault and of conspiracy to incite prostitution.

:: Prabhat Nelli

The 33-year-old, of Corporation Road, Newcastle, was convicted of two counts of supplying drugs and one count of conspiracy to incite prostitution.

:: Nadeem Aslam

The 43-year-old, of Belle Grove West, Newcastle, admitted possessing cannabis and was convicted of two counts of supplying drugs, one count of possessing drugs and one count of permitting premises to be used in the supply of drugs.

(c) Sky News 2017: In profile: Members of the Newcastle grooming gang busted by police