Two men who raped women in Cumbria while using their addresses as a base to sell drugs have been jailed for 30 years.

Londoners Paul Kariuki, 20, and Fowzi Hlal, also 20, took over the homes vulnerable women in Carlisle.

They hoped their violence would prevent the women from coming forward and alerting police to their criminal activity.

Hlal, previously of Rydal Way, Enfield, Middlesex, was convicted of raping both woman and money laundering.

Kariuki, of no fixed address, was convicted of raping both women, possession of crack cocaine with intent to supply, and causing actual bodily harm to a woman in Carlisle. The pair were convicted yesterday at Hove Crown Court, Brighton having been found guilty on July 30.

The first 15 years of their sentences are custodial with the extended five-year period being spent on prison release licence supervision. They will both serve at least 10 years in prison before they can be considered for parole.

The investigation to bring the pair to justice relied on joint working between officers in Cumbria and Sussex, where some of the offences also took place.

Detective Constable Tim Prangnell , of Cumbria Police, said: “This was a complex case that involved working in close partnership with our colleagues from Sussex Police and the south east section of the CPS. It was from this joint working initiative that the court in Brighton was able to hear the true extent of the organised criminality.Both males, from their base in North London, travelled hundreds of miles across the length and breadth of the UK, seeking to set up a national distribution network for their illegal trade in heroin and crack cocaine.

“These heinous sexual offences were a ‘by-product’ of county lines drugs supply. In order to achieve control over such a lucrative market, they chose to viciously violate, both sexually and physically, some of the most vulnerable women in society, taking over their homes and treating them in the most degrading manner. This is referred to by police as cuckooing.

“They assumed that these women would not have the courage to tell police their story, or the trust in the police to believe and support them. They could not have been more wrong".

Detective Chief Inspector Helen Harkins added: “The strength that these women have shown over the past eighteen months leading up to the conviction of their attackers is amazing.

"There is absolutely no doubt that without their evidence, these two men would have remained free to prey upon other vulnerable women.

“These results represent Cumbria Police’s commitment to tackling county lines drugs supply; Cumbria Police will work tirelessly to identify, disrupt and deter exploitative drugs supply in our communities and bring offenders to justice. I hope that today’s sentencing brings some closure to these women and that they can move on with their lives.”

Detective Sergeant Kirsty Murray, of Sussex Police said: "This investigation spanned across a number of different units and two police forces. As a result of the hard work and dedication of the officers involved two dangerous and predatory offenders have been convicted and two vulnerable victims have received the justice and support they deserve.

"From an early stage in the investigations both Detective Constable Becky Hazzard in Littlehampton and Detective Constable Tim Prangnell in Carlisle worked tirelessly to maintain victim support and to bring these cases together so that the trials could be joined. This undoubtedly strengthened the prosecution case and ensured compelling evidence was heard by the jury.

"This case sends a message to others that victims of 'cuckooing', reinforced by sexual violence, will be listened to, their disclosures will be fully investigated and the offenders brought to justice wherever possible."

If you wish to report a crime or speak to an officer about an incident, please contact Cumbria Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

If you have been affected by rape or sexual assault, contact The Bridgeway Sexual Assault Support Service’s 24/7 free helpline on 0808 118 6432.