'Predator pimp coerced teenagers into sex work'

MAN CHARMED VULNERABLE VICTIMS AND EXPLOITED THEM

- By AMY WALKER

A PREDATORY 'pimp' has pleaded guilty to encouraging two teenage girls to go into 'sex work' using 'drugs, coercion and violence.'

Christopher Oates 'wooed them, charmed them, gave them cannabis, ecstasy and cocaine and introduced them to Manchester's red-light district where they joined the desperate women selling themselves on street corners,' prosecutors previously told Manchester Crown Court.

The 44-year-old, from Stockport, initially denied seven charges, including sexual activity with a child and inciting child prostitution concerning two 'vulnerable' teenage girls.

After three days of the trial, yesterday he changed his plea to guilty to offences of causing or inciting child prostitution, possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence in respect of one victim and causing or inciting prostitution for gain in respect of a second victim.

Previously opening the case, prosecutor Gwen Henshaw told a jury that Oates, also known as 'Nails' because he could scoop cocaine with his 'pinkie' finger, is a 'predatory man' who used drugs, coercion and violence to sexually exploit and 'pimp' the two girls.