Zia Uddin was found guilty of rape and four counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity

A Primark security guard raped and sexually abused four teenage girls he caught shoplifting in south-west London.

Zia Uddin was employed by Brooknight Security to work at a Primark store in Kingston upon Thames and colleagues said he kept condoms in the control room.

The 27-year-old forced the 15-year-old girls to perform sex acts in return for not telling their parents they had attempted to take items from the store.

During a trial at Kingston Crown Court, Uddin accused the victims of lying after they said he attacked them in the control room of the store and threatened to call the police if they did not comply with his demands.

He told them they would get criminal records if the police were called and that they could be locked up for a considerable amount of time.

Uddin was found guilty of rape and four counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity following the trial, he will be sentenced on November 19.

Jurors were told that colleagues noticed that Uddin had not completed shoplifting paperwork properly and had asked for CCTV to be deleted.

On taking the victims into the store room, they would offer to pay for the items or to work in the store in order to make amends.

Uddin made it clear that he wanted sexual acts and one victim said 'there was no other choice'.

Zia Uddin was employed by Brooknight Security to work at a Primark store in Kingston upon Thames (pictured above)

Graham Partridge, from the CPS said that Uddin would prey on 'young girls in a vulnerable situation'.

'He abused his authority by telling them to perform sexual acts for him on the promise they would then be released without their parents or the police being informed about what they had done.

'Having worked in security, Uddin was also well aware of the CCTV camera 'blind spots' and took advantage of these in order to carry out his offending.

'The prosecution case was able to rely on strong witness testimony from the victims, who were able to give evidence via pre-recorded video after the CPS applied for special measures.

Mr Partridge also said that telephone evidence ashowed that Uddin had made a number of personal phone calls to other girls accused of shoplifting after acquiring their phone numbers through the incidents.

'During the trial Uddin claimed all the victims were liars and refused to take responsibility for his actions.

'He has now been held accountable for his actions', Mr Partridge added.

A Primark spokesperson said: 'This has been a horrendous ordeal for the victims and their families and we are truly sorry for what they have suffered. Our thoughts are very much with them.

'The nature of these offences is shocking and distressing.

'Zia Uddin abused the trust that was placed in him by his employer, Brooknight Security, and by us, by taking advantage of his victims, who were young and vulnerable.'

In response to trial an NSPCC spokesperson said: 'Uddin's victims have shown a tremendous amount of bravery in recounting the actions of a man who cruelly exploited their vulnerability.

'Uddin's role gave him power and authority over these girls and he betrayed that privilege for his own twisted satisfaction, indisputably proving the danger he poses to young people.'