A LANDLORD and his lodger are facing jail for the systematic rape of teenage boys, after grooming them in chatrooms for railway enthusiasts.

Andrew Mower, 67, brought boys back to the home in Tryfan Close, Clayhall, that he shared with his 39-year-old tenant, Darren Smith, over a five year period between 2006 and 2011.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard that Mower would specifically target young vulnerable boys, before encouraging them to meet him at train conventions or transport museums.

He would then start asking sexual questions and invite them to his home where they were introduced to Smith.

The boys, who were all aged between 13 and 16, were offered gifts and plied with alcohol before being persuaded to undress and perform sexual acts.

The abuse escalated to the point where both men were sexually assaulting and raping the boys, and it was only when the boys came into contact with one another, both in person and on the internet rail forums, that they realised the scale of the abuse and felt compelled to go to the police.

The pair were arrested at their home in August last year and convicted on Thursday (June 7), after an eight-week trial, on charges relating to four boys.

Detective Chief Inspector Carl Mehta, who led the investigation, said: “I pay tribute to the enormous courage of each victim who came forward.

“Mower and Smith deliberately targeted them by claiming to share their hobbies and interests. They gained their trust, alienated them from loved ones in a bid to exercise control over them and then sexually assaulted them.

“We would urge any other victims to come forward and speak to us."

Mower was convicted of 10 counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, an attempted rape and three rapes. He was also found guilty of one count of possessing indecent photographs of children.

Smith was convicted of 13 counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, 12 counts of rape and two counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child.

He was also found guilty of several representative counts of possession of indecent images.

Both men were remanded in custody and are due to be sentenced on July 6.