Latest Offenders

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A rapist from Leominster has been sentenced to 10 years in prison following his appearance at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday (2 September).

Jack Preedy, 31, of Ryelands Road, Leominster was found guilty of rape for which he was handed a 10-year prison term, ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, and made subject to an indefinite restraining order against his victim as well as to pay a £228 victim surcharge.

Preedy (pictured) was also convicted of intentional strangulation for which he was sentenced to two years six months to run concurrently, engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour – 12 months concurrent and assault causing actual bodily harm – six months concurrent. His total sentence was 10 years.

Detective Inspector Ben Pearson of Hereford CID said:

“We are pleased to get this prison term for Preedy whose appalling sexual, violent and coercive behaviour has caused so much harm to his victim.

“We hope this conviction gives them the chance to move on in some respects of their life, and we would like to pay tribute to their bravery in coming forward and reporting his disgusting actions and for working with us to secure his conviction.

“We hope this will encourage other victims of rape or sexual assault to come forward and speak to us. We will always listen to you, take your concerns seriously and protect you from predators like Preedy.”

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Met says everyone has a role in tackling VAWG after security team stops rape.

The Met has praised security staff at Canary Wharf and called for more joint action to help tackle violence against women and girls after security helped stop a rape and bring a violent offender to justice.

Syed Imam, aged 30, (07.08.95) from Croydon Road, Beddington, was found guilty of attempted rape on Thursday, July 2, 2026, following a four-day trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court. Imam was sentenced to 6 years on Thursday, 3 September.

Imam was arrested in the early morning of Friday 14 March, following a report from the security team at Canary Wharf who witnessed Imam attempting to rape a woman in the underpass near the train station.

The security team had observed Imam acting suspiciously while on patrol and swiftly intervened when they saw him forcibly assaulting a vulnerable woman. The security team detained the man to prevent him from fleeing.

They alerted officers who made an arrest, secured vital evidence and progressed the investigation at pace – securing a charge within 24 hours.

The security team’s actions meant officers were able to arrest this dangerous offender within half an hour of the assault.

Detective Constable Madeleine Powell, who worked on this case stated:

“This case shows the important role everyone has to play in tackling violence against women and girls. If security staff at Canary Wharf had not bravely intervened, this violent offender could still be walking our streets, and the victim may have suffered even more harm than she already has.

“Everyone has a part to play in the joint action needed to protect women and girls and report concerning behaviour when they see it – you will be listened to and we will take action.

“I am proud of our officers who worked at an incredible pace to arrest Imam and present a compelling case, helping us to get justice for the victim and protect the public”

The investigation highlights the value of strong partnership working, with Canary Wharf Security playing a crucial role in identifying the offence, safeguarding the victim, detaining the suspect and carrying out extensive CCTV enquiries that enabled officers to quickly establish the suspect's movements.

Despite the victim having no recollection of what had occurred, the evidence secured through CCTV and fast-paced investigative work allowed the suspect to be interviewed, charged and remanded within 24 hours. The case was further strengthened through close collaboration between the officers, CPS and prosecution teams, ensuring the investigation progressed efficiently and without unnecessary delays.

Throughout the process, dedicated support from specialist officers helped the victim understand the proceedings, remain engaged with the investigation and navigate the significant trauma she had experienced. The case demonstrates how effective partnership working, victim-focused policing and swift evidence-led investigations can combine to secure justice in the most challenging circumstances.

Keeping women and girls safe is one of the Met’s top priorities and in the last year, the Met has more than doubled its positive outcomes, including arrests and charges for rape. The increases in positive outcomes are echoed across the board, with arrests and charges for general violence against women and girls (VAWG) offences up 71%. These statistics reflect the determination of officers and partners to pursue offenders and bring them to justice, whilst also suggesting that more victims feel able to come forward and report offences.

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Jason Payne, 37, of Station Road, Calne, has been jailed for 19 months after sending sexually explicit Snapchat messages to a girl in an attempt to obtain intimate photos of her.

Payne pleaded guilty at Swindon Crown Court on 8 July to sexual communication with a child and witness intimidation. He was sentenced at the same court on Thursday.

He was arrested after being reported to police on 15 April for sending sexually explicit messages to a child known to him. After being released on bail, he ignored his conditions and repeatedly contacted the girl’s family, telling them he would harm himself unless they dropped their support for the investigation. He also threatened to kill himself on the day the victim was due to give evidence.

Christopher Wright, of Wiltshire Police’s Volume Crime Team, said Payne not only “repeatedly preyed on the victim” but also tried to pressure her and her family into retracting their evidence.

“Payne is a predator who repeatedly preyed on the victim, first by sending sexually explicit communications to her, and then by breaking his bail conditions on numerous occasions to attempt to pressure her and her family into retracting their evidence,” he said.

“We take these offences incredibly seriously, and we will ensure that offenders like Payne are held to account for their actions.”

Wright commended the family for their “courage in continuing to support the investigation.”

Payne was also given a restraining order, ordered to register with police as a sex offender, and told to pay a £187 victim surcharge.

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A man who travelled to Widnes to meet up with who he thought was a 14-year-old boy has been jailed.

Javed Iqbal, of Castleton Road, Birmingham, was sentenced to five years in prison after appearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday 27 August 2026.

The 49-year-old had been found guilty of arranging the commission of an offence of sexual activity with a child and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

On 28 August 2024, Iqbal began speaking online with who he believed to be a 14-year-old boy, but this was in fact an adult posing as a child.

The ‘child’ clearly informed Iqbal that he was 14 years old and Iqbal continued to send sexualised messages, including an explicit image, and asked the child for images of himself.

Iqbal then arranged to meet the child in Widnes and travelled to the area on 7 September 2024. Cheshire Police was made aware and officers attended and arrested him.

Javed Iqbal, of Castleton Road, Birmingham, was sentenced to five years in prison after appearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday 27 August 2026.

The 49-year-old had been found guilty of arranging the commission of an offence of sexual activity with a child and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

On 28 August 2024, Iqbal began speaking online with who he believed to be a 14-year-old boy, but this was in fact an adult posing as a child.

The ‘child’ clearly informed Iqbal that he was 14 years old and Iqbal continued to send sexualised messages, including an explicit image, and asked the child for images of himself.

Iqbal then arranged to meet the child in Widnes and travelled to the area on 7 September 2024. Cheshire Police was made aware and officers attended and arrested him.

A spokesperson said:

“Although there was no young victim in this case, Iqbal did not know this and was intent on meeting with a child for sexual purposes, travelling a long distance to do so.

“He also sent explicit messages to the child, even after they clearly informed him of their age.

“Iqbal attempted to deny the allegations but has now been found guilty of the offences and handed a custodial sentence which reflects the severity of the charges against him.

“On top of his five-year sentence, Iqbal must sign the Sex Offender Register indefinitely and is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.”

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Redcar teaching assistant jailed after 12,000 child abuse images found

Sam Anderson, a 30-year-old teaching assistant from Dale Street, New Marske, Redcar, has been jailed after more than 12,000 indecent images of children were found in his possession.

Teesside Crown Court heard he began collecting the material at the age of 13. Officers later recovered 3,492 category A images — the most serious classification — along with 2,539 category B images and more than 6,400 category C images. Some of the material involved babies. He was also sentenced for possession of extreme pornography and 26 prohibited images of children.

Cleveland Police acted after a National Crime Agency referral linked an online account in Anderson’s name to the uploading of category A images. He was arrested at home on 6 August 2025 and two devices were seized. Thousands of images were found.

Prosecutor Emily Sanderson told the court that an officer on the case said: “Not only was it the largest quantity [he’d seen] possessed by an individual, but the worst he has ever seen.” She said the material involved babies and children in “pain and distress.”

Anderson had no previous convictions. Imogen Eastham-Brown, defending, said: “He didn’t have a regular childhood, he experienced social isolation and was bullied at school. He became withdrawn and attempted to take his own life numerous times. He is incredibly scared of the social repercussions and he knows life is never going to be the same again.”

Sentencing him on Tuesday, Recorder Andrew Haslam KC said many of the children shown were “drugged, intoxicated or both.” He added: “You were heavily invested in obtaining and viewing such material.”

Anderson, who had already pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images and the related possession offences, was jailed for 24 months. He was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order until further order.

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A man has been jailed for more than five years after attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child online and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Anthony Michael Hancock (pictured below), aged 36, of Shelley Road in Middlesbrough, is a Registered Sex Offender who was arrested in June 2026, when it was alleged that he had contacted a child online and attempted to cause/incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

It was also found that he had failed to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Hancock had been remanded in prison since his arrest in June.

He appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday 1st September, where he was given a five-year and four-month sentence, and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable David Philipson, from Cleveland Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), said:

“Hancock is a repeat offender whose first offence occurred more than a decade ago. I welcome the sentence imposed by the courts, which demonstrates the level of harm that Hancock poses, and I am pleased that he is now behind bars where he cannot be a further risk. 

“Cleveland POLIT are committed to robust and swift action against individuals like Hancock who offend against children online. We will continue to pursue individuals who carry out harm to children online and are determined to make Cleveland a safer place.”

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A man has been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for indecently assaulting a child more than 20 years ago.

Javier Franco, aged 52, formerly of Redbourn, appeared for sentencing at St Albans Crown Court on Wednesday 26 August.

The offence occurred in 2004 when Franco was an army cadet leader. He had told the victim – one of his army cadets – to meet him in Greenwood Park, Chiswell Green as he had a certificate for her. He then took her to his bedsit where he indecently assaulted her.

The victim, who was aged 13 at the time of the offence, bravely reported Franco to police two years ago after she spotted him in public. He was arrested on 12 June 2023 and later pleaded guilty to the offence.

Detective Constable Sophie Beach, from the constabuary’s Public Protection Unit, said:

“Firstly, I want to commend the brave victim for coming forward. She described how seeing him in public all those years later, made her feel sick and she felt she had to report it. We are so glad she did. Nobody should have to suffer in silence while their perpetrator gets away with such a heinous crime.

“Franco will now rightly be serving prison time for the indecent assault. In addition to that, he is now on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely. A Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order, preventing him from contacting the victim, have also put in place.

“I hope this case reassures anybody else out there who is a victim of sexual assault or rape and is unsure to tell us. We will take your report seriously and fight for justice, no matter how long ago the offence occurred. We want to help you and we will do everything we can to make the process as easy as possible for you.”

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A convicted sex offender has been jailed after breaching a strict court order by setting up various accounts and email addresses.

Justin Noble, 42, defied the terms of his sex offender notification requirements by opening various accounts, including on eBay, and failing to inform police.

The order was imposed in 2024 after he was given a six-month jail sentence for breaching a previous order dating back to 2016.

Specialist officers from the force’s management of serious and violent offenders unit (MOSOVO) paid a routine visit to Noble’s home in Peterborough in January 2025 and requested to look at his phone. 

They discovered a number of accounts and email addresses had been set up, which breached the conditions of his order.

Noble was arrested and initially denied the allegations, but later pleaded guilty to failing to comply with his sex offender notification requirements.

He was sentenced to one year and two months in prison at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday (28 August).

Investigating officer Detective Constable Claire Cummings said:

“Sexual harm prevention orders and notification requirements are there to manage risk and safeguard the public. Breaching them is a serious offence, and we will take robust action against anyone who fails to comply.

“I would encourage anyone with concerns about someone’s behaviour, particularly where children may be at risk, to report it to us.”

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A man who sexually assaulted two women in Northampton town centre has been jailed for 30 months.

Raj Devjee, aged 21, of no fixed address, appeared at Northampton Crown Court on August 21, 2026, where he was sentenced after pleading guilty to two sexual assaults.

The offences took place within 11 days of each other near Victoria Promenade.

The first assault happened at about 2.55am on October 4, 2025, as a woman was walking back to her accommodation with a friend after a night out in Northampton town centre.

As the pair walked along St John’s Street, Devjee approached from behind, and sexually assaulted her.

The second assault took place at about 10.30pm on October 15, 2025, when another woman was walking with friends near the junction of St John’s Street and Victoria Promenade.

Devjee approached the woman from behind and sexually assaulted her before fleeing into St John’s car park. The victim was left bruised as a result of the attack.

CCTV enquiries proved crucial to the investigation. While footage from the first assault captured the incident from a distance, CCTV from the second assault provided clear images of Devjee as he fled the scene and removed his coat.

When officers arrested him, he was wearing clothing matching that seen during the first offence.

Although Devjee denied both offences during interview, forensic examinations of clothing seized from both victims identified his DNA, providing further evidence of his involvement.

In addition to the 30-month prison sentence, Devjee was placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and made subject to a three-year restraining order.

PC Macsen Allery of Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team said:

“These were two distressing stranger sexual assaults committed against young women who were simply walking home.

“Thanks to thorough investigative work, including CCTV enquiries, witness evidence and forensic opportunities, we were able to build a strong case which resulted in Devjee pleading guilty.

“I hope this outcome provides some reassurance and a sense of justice for both victims. We will always take reports of sexual offences seriously and will work tirelessly to identify offenders and bring them to justice.”

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A man who breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and failed to comply with the Sex Offenders Register has been jailed.

Michael Stuart Mason from Southbank, Chester appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday 17 August to be sentenced after pleading guilty to nine counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and one of failing to comply with the Sex Offenders Register.

The 77-year-old was sentenced to 22 months in prison, and his SHPO was extended for a further five years to 2036.

Mason had to sign the Sex Offenders Register and was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order after being given a suspended sentence at Mold Crown Court for distributing indecent images, possessing prohibited images and possession of extreme pornography in 2021.

The court heard that between 1 January and 20 April this year Mason failed to notify police that he had obtained a HP Laptop which he was required to do so under the Sexual harm Prevention Order.

He also failed to notify them of his new address which meant he’d failed to comply with the notification requirements for the Sex Offenders Register.

PC Gina Davies from the Sex Offender Management Unit said:

“We are dedicated in our efforts to make sure these offenders are adhering to their orders which are in place to manage them in the community.

“Mason showed absolute disregard for these orders – but the message is clear, if you fail to comply, you will be put before the courts and face time in jail.”

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Detectives have praised the courage of a victim-survivor of child sexual offences as she describes the ‘everyday trauma’ she lives with.

Frankie Nielsen, 38, initially sent sexually explicit messages to the secondary school-aged girl.

However, the abuse escalated and he then went on to sexually assault the victim-survivor twice.

Now, the girl describes how she has gone from feeling ‘safe in her everyday life’ to ‘disgusted and too scared to tell her family’.

The long-term impact of Nielsen’s offending was heard in the victim-survivor’s personal statement, which was read before he was sentenced yesterday (Tuesday).

She said:

“I no longer feel safe. I still cannot walk past the place where this happened on my own and I have never returned there alone.

“My trust in people, especially males, has never been the same. My self-confidence has dropped very low.

“The biggest change in my life has been living with this trauma every day and trying to put it behind me. What the defendant did was wrong. He has given me trauma that I will carry for the rest of my life.

“I want the court to know that the harm did not end when the crime finished. It continues to affect me, my family and the way I live my life.”

After being arrested by officers, in interview, Nielsen admitted ‘I hold me hands up to sending some stupid messages’ – however he denied the assaults.

Following a complex investigation by Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department, in January last year, Nielsen, of Bentinck Villas, Newcastle, was charged in connection with the abuse.

And in July this year, he was convicted at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court of three offences: two counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual communication with a child.

Yesterday morning (Tuesday), he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court, where he was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years.

As part of his sentence, Nielsen will spend 10 years on the Sex Offenders’ Register, was handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and was handed a lifelong restraining order.

Detective Constable Kerry Kane, of Northumbria Police, said:

“It’s clear that Frankie Nielsen is a sexual predator who has an interest in girls.

“As always, my thoughts and appreciation go towards the victim-survivors here who has shown immense courage from making that first report all the way through to sentencing today.”

She continued: “As a Force, we’ll relentlessly pursue justice against anyone who looks to take advantage of children – who are some of the most vulnerable in our society.

“No-one should ever have to experience this type of offending, but please know if you have, we’re here and we’re ready to listen.”

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Sunderland man jailed after undercover sting and discovery of serious child abuse images

Martin Thompson, 42, from Sunderland, has been jailed for three and a half years after being caught trying to meet a child for sex and possessing a large collection of indecent images of children.

Thompson was ensnared by an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old boy on Snapchat. He first made contact in April 2025 and, over the following weeks, sent increasingly sexually graphic messages. Police arrested him in June 2025.

Officers found 220 indecent images of children on his phone and tablet, 134 of them in the most serious category. Some images were of the “most foul and unspeakably depraved” nature, Judge Thomas Moran told Newcastle Crown Court, involving children as young as five months old and a video of a baby being raped.

Thompson had also been communicating with other offenders online. He sent five of the most serious images to others and received material in return. He told one contact he was “into 13 and under.”

Thompson was previously jailed in 2005 for indecently assaulting a girl and was subject to a sexual offences prevention order that banned unsupervised contact with anyone under 16. His attempt to meet someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy amounted to a “very serious breach” of that order, the court heard, as it appeared he intended to have sex with a child.

He admitted seven offences, including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He was assessed as posing a “high risk of serious harm to children.” Thompson must sign the sex offender register and comply with a new sexual harm prevention order.

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Kenneth Barnes jailed after further child image offences

A County Durham man given a suspended sentence last November for possessing indecent images of children has been jailed after committing further similar offences while being managed in the community.

Kenneth Barnes, 50, of Charles Street, Easington Colliery, was sentenced at Durham Crown Court to 15 months in prison. That total includes six months activated from a 10-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, imposed in November after he admitted possessing indecent images of children in all three categories of severity. He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and sex offender registration, both for 10 years.

Prosecutor Ralf Xhepa said Barnes was being managed by police and the Probation Service as “a high-risk offender.” On 17 February his risk manager and a digital officer attended his home and seized his mobile phone. Examination found he had downloaded further indecent images of children.

He was arrested on 17 April. In interview he only accepted that the phone was his. Mr Xhepa said that between the November conviction and the February seizure Barnes downloaded a further 80 indecent images, including 13 in the most serious category.

After initial denials, Barnes admitted three further counts of making indecent images of children in late July.

Chris Morrison, defending, said Barnes had completed an overnight home curfew and 10 rehabilitation activity sessions under the November sentence. The phone seized in the earlier investigation had later been returned to him. “He continued to use it, something he’s very remorseful about and, when it was explained to me, the return of the device was, perhaps, ill-advised.”

Mr Morrison said Barnes had struggled with his circumstances and lived “a very solitary and isolated life in Easington.” He added that Barnes had found it difficult on remand since April.

Recorder Mark McKone imposed the 15-month sentence and warned that any further similar offending could lead to an extended prison term. Barnes remains subject to the SHPO and notification requirements imposed in November.

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An Ilkeston man has been jailed for more than two decades for sexually abusing three children.

Ralph Fletcher, 35, of Barclay Court, Ilkeston was found guilty of 14 sexual offences against the children during a trial in May this year.

The offences included rape, assault by penetration, and sexual touching.

Ronald Fletcher, 37, of Welwyndale Road, Sutton Coldfield was also found guilty of two counts of sexual touching against one of the children, during the same trial.

A third defendant, Zoe Upchurch, 30, of Walpole Street, Derby was found guilty of four counts of child cruelty.

All three were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on 20 August.

Ralph Fletcher was jailed for 24 years, and Ronald Fletcher was jailed for five years.

The pair were also handed lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

Upchurch was handed a three-year community order, with rehabilitation requirements.

All three were also given lifetime restraining orders in respect of the three children.

Detective Constable, Natalie Fletcher, officer in the case said:

“I want to thank the three victims in this case who have been unbelievably brave in telling us what happened to them.

“This courage, alongside the support of other witnesses, has meant that we have been able to seek justice and ensure that those responsible were held publicly accountable for their despicable crimes.

“The sentence handed to Ralph Fletcher who was the ringleader of this abuse, is telling of what a dangerous individual he is.

“Nothing can take away the trauma that Ralph and Ronald Fletcher, and Zoe Upchurch inflicted upon the victims, but I hope that they can go on to rebuild their lives in peace.”

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A sex offender who targeted a young woman as she waited for a train home from work has been jailed, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.  

Neil Shorter, aged 56, and from Bicester, appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday 18 August where he was jailed for two years and three months for the sexual assault and a separate offence of stalking following a Thames Valley Police (TVP) investigation.

He was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.

The court heard how, on Tuesday 13 August 2024, Shorter approached a young woman as she waited for a train at Newbury station.

After engaging her in a short conversation where he asked for directions, Shorter walked away before returning and sexually assaulting her while her back was turned.

Shaken and upset, she sought help from a member of station staff and pointed out Shorter as the man who assaulted her.

Detectives identified Shorter who at the time was remanded in prison awaiting ahead of a court hearing for the stalking offence.

He was arrested in prison on 7 November 2024 before being charged with sexual assault in connection to the incident at Newbury station in August.

BTP Detective Constable Kirsty Birley said:

“This was a shocking attack in broad daylight at a busy station.

“Before the attack Shorter can be seen pacing up and down the platform clearly seeking out the victim in what was a pre-planned assault.

“I commend the bravery of the woman for immediately reporting what happened and supporting our subsequent investigation which has resulted in an additional sentence for a sexual predator.

“Tackling sexual offending on the railway is a top priority for BTP and we encourage anyone who is victim of, or witness to, this crime type to report it to us by texting 61016.”