A “despicable” pair of sexual predators travelled from Hackney to an Essex seaside town to target vulnerable young girls who they plied with drink and drugs in return for sexual favours.

Colin Trotman and Glenn Dyett gave cigarettes, cannabis and alcohol to the girls – who police described as “naive and troubled” – and if they refused their advances they were sexually assaulted.

The unemployed pair groomed the girls online and via text messages having identified them as vulnerable because of their age and substance addiction.

They then travelled from Hackney in Trotman’s BMW, in which many of the offences took place, to meet them in Southend several times between August and November 2012.

They were arrested in February and June last year after three teenage girls alleged they had raped them, and the cases were soon linked.

Following a two-week trial at Basildon Crown Court they were found guilty of a string of sexual offences on Friday.

Trotman, 45, of Wetherell Road, South Hackney, was found guilty of rape and sexual activity with a child, as well as facilitating permission of child sex offences.

Dyett, 56, of Elderfield Road, Lower Clapton was found guilty of sexual activity with a child.

The landmark case was the first successful prosecution for child sexual exploitation (CSE) offences in Essex.

Senior investigating officer from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, Det Ch Insp Simon Werrett praised the victims for having the courage to come forward and give evidence in court.

He said: “CSE is difficult to investigate as offenders target vulnerable girls, often knowing they are unlikely to be believed.

“However, in this case, Trotman and Dyett failed, the girls were believed and support was provided.

“As a result of Trotman and Dyett being convicted, society should be relieved that they are likely to spend a considerable time behind bars and so will be protected from their hideous, perverse and dangerous minds.

“The two men are despicable characters who not only sexually exploited and assaulted these young girls, but refused to admit their guilt and forced their victims to go through the harrowing experience of giving evidence and reliving their nightmares.”

He added: “These girls were vulnerable, alcohol-dependant, socially-active teenagers who were experiencing difficulties at home.

“At a time when society should have been letting them develop into young adults, two criminals appeared on the scene and targeted them; ruining their futures.”

The men will be sentenced on November 14.