Latest Offenders

Description

Aadel Nassrallah, 39, jailed for 18 years in absence after fleeing to Syria

Aadel Nassrallah, formerly of Elswick, Newcastle, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison in his absence after a jury at Newcastle Crown Court convicted him of offences including rape and attempted rape.

Nassrallah absconded to Syria before trial. Recorder Mark Giuliani said he had “voluntarily absented himself from the jurisdiction” and added: “I am aware he has returned to Syria.” The court heard he had spent time on remand before being granted bail.

The judge described Nassrallah as a serious sexual offender who was reportedly “trying to emulate what he had seen in pornographic movies” when he raped the victim.

In a statement read to the court, the woman said Nassrallah “took the joy” out of her life. She said no-one could go through what she had without it “destroying their mental health” and added: “I lost the ability to be me.”

A warrant has been issued. Nassrallah will be detained and imprisoned if he returns to the UK or is extradited. He must also sign the sex offender register for life.

Description

A man from Stoke-on-Trent has been jailed for more than a decade for a string of sexual offences, including raping a woman and sending explicit videos to a girl in Staffordshire.

Dylan Jepson, 22, has been sentenced to 10-years-and-11-months in prison, with a three-year extended licence period, after he was found guilty of rape of a woman. He also admitted a number of offences at three earlier hearings, including nine counts of sexual communication with a child, two counts of causing a child to watch a sex act, three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, one count of attempt sexual communication with a child, two counts of attempting to cause a child to watch a sex act, one count of sending indecent images to cause alarm, distress or humiliation, two counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possession of extreme pornography.

In February 2022, Jepson approached a woman in Tunstall and raped her.

When the incident was reported to us, we went looking for Jepson and arrested him. We examined his phone, which contained a number of indecent images of children and extreme pornographic images.

In October 2024, we recieved a report by a parent to advise she had found messages of a sexual nature on her daughter's mobile phone from a man. Jepson was arrested and interviewed, before being released on bail. 

Then, in August last year, Jepson added a girl on Snapchat and repeatedly asked her to send explicit photos of herself. He also sent her videos of him masturbating. At this point he was arrested and remanded into custody whilst enquiries continued. Further victims were then identified from downloads of his devices. 

He did this all knowing the victim’s ages.

Jepson was brought in for questioning and charged with the offences, which he later admitted in court. He was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Thursday (17 September).

He was also put on the Sex Offenders Register for life and served with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Angela Maxfield, from our child protection team, and Sergeant Emily Raybould, from our police online investigations team (POLIT), worked on the cases. Sgt Raybould said:

“Jepson was prolific in his offending and has rightfully been brought to justice for his catalogue of heinous crimes.

“I hope this sentence provides some form of comfort to the victims in these cases, and I hope it demonstrates that we are working tirelessly to act against sex offenders robustly in Staffordshire.”

Description

A 41-year-old man from Ipswich has been jailed after being found guilty of seven child sex offences.

Adriaan Spenkelink, formerly of Bulwer Road in Ipswich, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court today (Friday 18 September) where he was handed an extended licence totalling 18 years, made up of 17 years’ imprisonment and a further year on licence.

Extended sentences are handed to those who are convicted of serious violent or sexual offences, where an additional period of post-release supervision is required to protect the public.

He had previously denied the charges against him but was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial of the following:

• attempted rape
• two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act
• two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13

The charges relate to two girls, both aged under 13 years at the time of offending, who were not known to each other.

In addition to his sentence, Spenkelink was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register and was made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 25 years

Detective Sergeant Katie Leckie, who was the officer in charge of the case, said:

“I would like to thank the victims for their courage in coming forward and reporting these offences. It is because of their bravery that Spenkelink’s predatory behaviour was exposed.

“By denying the charges against him, he forced the victims to relive their experiences through a trial and demonstrated a blatant disregard for the impact of his actions.

“While today’s sentence cannot undo the trauma suffered by the victims, I hope that it provides them with a sense of justice and helps them to move forward, knowing that Spenkelink is behind bars and can no longer be a danger to children.

“We remain committed to working tirelessly to advocate on behalf of victims, ensuring that those who abuse positions of trust, particularly those who exploit and harm vulnerable children, are held accountable. Addressing violence against women and girls remains a priority for Suffolk Constabulary, and we will continue to pursue offenders robustly.”

Description

Michael Burke, now aged 66, committed offences against three girls who at the time of the abuse were school-aged.

Offences against two of the victim-survivors occurred in the mid-to-late 1990s, with the most recent offending occurring within the last decade.  

An investigation was launched when Northumbria Police received reports from all three victim-survivors who disclosed offences ranging from sexual assault to allegations of rape.

In all of the reports, the victim-survivors described how Burke would overpower them – sometimes also assaulting them whilst they pretended to be asleep. 

Burke was arrested and questioned by officers but either denied the offences or consistently answered ‘no comment’ to the questions put to him.

However, following a complex investigation by Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department, Burke, of Framlington Place, Newcastle, was charged in connection with the abuse.

Burke continued to deny any wrongdoing throughout the court process, even absconding whilst on bail leading him to needing to be arrested. 

After standing trial at Newcastle Crown Court earlier this year in June, he was convicted of offences against all three victim-survivors.

The offences comprised of with five counts of sexual assault, two counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault – being that those offences occurred before the Sexual Offences Act was introduced in 2003

Following his conviction, he was remanded into custody.

Today (Friday), Burke returned to the same court where he was handed a 24-year prison sentence.

As part of that sentence, he will spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register and was handed a lifelong restraining order against all three victim-survivors. 

All three victim-survivors provided Victim Personal Statements (VPS) to be read to the court which detailed the lasting impact Burke’s offending has had on their lives.

One victim-survivor described how the offences had deeply affected her mental health causing her to attempt taking her own life and also leading to a diagnosis of PTSD.

She said:

“One of the worst and most long-lasting effects of what happened to me was the way it affected my understanding of consent, control and my ability to protect myself.

“The abuse did not simply remain in my childhood. It followed me into my teenage years and adulthood and influenced the way I behaved, the decisions I made and the way I viewed myself.

“For many years, I thought I had learned how to live with everything that happened. The trial changed that.

“Having to revisit that period of my life has brought back memories and emotions that I had spent years learning how to manage. I have experienced sleepless nights and a significant deterioration in my wellbeing.”

Another victim-survivor described how after the offences took place, she could see Burke was ‘a very evil man’.

“I can no longer sleep, I would stay awake all night, when I did eventually fall off, I would wake up soon after, I would see him in my dreams. I could never sleep as I thought he would get to me,”

She added:

“I do not have the life I wanted, this is down to him, I am messed up but want to get better and will continue to try.

“I hope this statement has shown the court how much Michael has changed my life, I wanted a normal life which I know I have not had, this is down to him.”

The third victim-survivor detailed how she attempted to cope with the offences at the time.

She said:

“The way I tried to deal with this was to just try and put it in the back of my head. I became so angry towards everyone, I was upset all the time, I also did not know who I could trust anymore.

“When we had the trial, I was scared, I felt we would not be believed and he would get away with it.

“I felt at times like giving up. Since the trial, I have had a lot of nightmares, I see his face, I wake up thinking he is on top of me. 

“In some of my nightmares I am back in court but I am alone and he is the only other person there. I am struggling to sleep and should go to the doctors to see if they can help me.”

She finished:

“I hate Michael Burke for what he has to me. I cannot put into words how much damage he has done. I have so much anger and hate towards him, he has caused that much damage we will never be the same again because of what he has done to us all.”

Leading the investigation was Detective Constable Colin Lether, of Northumbria Police.

Speaking after Burke’s sentencing hearing, he said:

“Despite how much time has passed between the initial offending and the most recent, it has become clear that Michael Burke is a paedophile with a sustained interest in young girls.

“It’s evident from the testimonies of the victim-survivors just how much Burke’s offending has and continues to affect them.”

Det Con Lether added:

“I am pleased that Burke’s horrific offending has finally come to light thanks to the bravery of these three women coming forward and allowing police to investigate.

“All three have finally had the chance to put their abuser before the courts and to seek justice – I hope they can now move forward in whatever way they may be able.”

Description

A rapist who groomed two teenage boys has been jailed for 9 years and 6 months.

William Power consistently gave cash to one of the victims and continued to sexually abuse him for several years.

Power, previously of Fort Road, Halstead, also targeted a second teenage boy over the course of 2 years.

The court heard how the 42 year old carried out the offences, which included rape and sexual assault, against the 2 victims between 2014 and 2018 in Kent, as well as other parts of the country.

Guilty

He denied the offences but was later found guilty by a jury following a trial.

On Thursday 17 September 2026, he was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court.

As well as being handed a custodial sentence, he was added to the sex offenders’ register for life and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 15 years.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Emma Coghlan said:

‘Power groomed his two victims over a number of years. He saw nothing wrong with his behaviour which makes him even more predatory and dangerous towards children. His sentence reflects his lengthy offending.

‘I want to commend his victims for finding the courage to speak up and report what had been happening, and their bravery in providing evidence which ensured charges were brought and that Power was rightly convicted.’

Description

A brave woman has spoken about the long-lasting trauma caused by a campaign of abuse at the hands of Elliot Allen Bulman that left her living in fear for both her own life and the safety of her newborn child.

In a Victim Personal Statement, the survivor said:

“I am making this statement to explain to the court the devastating, profound, and ongoing impact that the defendant’s actions have had on my life, my health, and my journey as a mother.

“While the jury finding Elliot guilty of rape, strangulation, threats to kill, assault occasioning ABH, and coercive control validates the living nightmare I endured, no sentence he receives can truly undo the catastrophic damage he has caused.”

The court heard how the woman was subjected to a prolonged and escalating campaign of abuse. There was no sudden moment when the young woman was cut off from her family and friends. Instead, over the course of their relationship, Bulman insidiously stripped away her relationships, one by one, distancing those who cared for her.

The woman continued:

"To ensure I had no lifeline, he executed a calculated campaign of isolation. However, he did not simply cut off every single person at once. Instead, he carefully audited my social circle, identifying specific individuals with whom he deemed surface-level communication was acceptable.

“He permitted just enough contact with them to prevent alarm bellsfrom ringing to the outside world. He used these interactions to parade himself as a loving, attentive, and caring partner, deliberately embedding himself in the centre of my relationships so he could monitor them firsthand.

“Simultaneously, he manufactured conflicts between myself, my family and my friends. By deceptively convincing me that my loved ones did not have my best interests at heart while subtly alienating them from me, he left me entirely marooned in the abusive environment he created.

“He hijacked my private thoughts and external connections by monitoring my phone, reading my messages, and dictating exactly who I could speak to and what I was permitted to say. I was a hostage in my own life, trapped under total surveillance, cut off from genuine support, and condemned to a constant state of walking on eggshells."

Whilst pregnant, Bulman’s control and abuse of the survivor escalated. Unable to attend appointments alone or speak to healthcare professionals in private, the expectant mother was unable to alert those around her to her predicament. Even when hospital staff tried to speak to her alone, Bulman blocked attempts at private conversations from taking place.

Following her discharge from hospital after the birth of her child, the abuse intensified, with the degradation, violence and isolation continuing. The new mother's pain and recovery were disregarded, and she was assaulted while holding her newborn baby.

The survivor continued:

“Elliot chose to perpetrate this horrific abuse and control during what should have been the most sacred, joyful, and protected times of my life: my pregnancy and the newborn stage of my child’s life. Instead of feeling safe, supported, and loved, I was subjected to a perpetual state of terror, hypervigilance, and agonizing physical pain.

“Because I was cut off from truly engaging with my support system, I had no one to lean on during the final stages of my pregnancy or the immediate aftermath of childbirth. My rare interactions with the outside world were forced to be entirely superficial. When my child was born—at a time when a woman is at her most physically and emotionally vulnerable—instead of being allowed to heal and bond with my baby, I was subjected to severe physical, psychological, and sexual violence. The enforced isolation meant I was completely trapped.

“When my child was a few months old, I found the courage to break through the walls of isolation Elliot had built around me and escape. I wholeheartedly believe that if I had not fled on that day, the consequences of remaining would have been fatal.”

The investigation began after police received a report that witnesses had to intervene when Bulman had assaulted the woman in a public place.

As officers took her statement, the young mother bravely disclosed the wider pattern of abuse she had suffered over many months, providing detailed accounts of the physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse she had endured.

Officers secured victim disclosures, witness evidence, photographs of injuries and digital material, building a compelling case against Bulman.

At Bolton Crown Court on Friday 18 September 2026, Elliot Allen Bulman (03/02/2004), of Peel Hall Road, Manchester, was handed an extended sentence of 15 years in custody and given an extended five years on licence after being convicted of five offences, including rape, coercive and controlling behaviour, non-fatal strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by penetration.

Bulman must serve a minimum of two-thirds of his sentence before being considered for parole. In addition, he will be subject to a Notification of Requirement to Register with Police indefinitely and is subject to a restraining order to protect the survivor and her immediate family for a minimum of 20 years.

Detective Constable Oliver Seymour from CID from City of Manchester district said:

"I’d like to thank the survivor for her immense bravery and patience whilst going through this process.

“I'd also like to commend her foresight in recording these incidents over a prolonged period and at great personal risk. It was no easy task given the level of control she was subjected to, but she not only made her own escape possible, but she also secured vital evidence that allowed us to bring him before the courts and hold him accountable for what he had done.

“This was an appalling case of domestic abuse involving sustained violence, coercive control and sexual offending. To be subjected to repeated assaults, intimidation and manipulation over a prolonged period, during what should have been one of the happiest times of her life, is simply abhorrent.

"Her courage in reporting these offences and supporting the investigation has been extraordinary. We know how difficult it can be for victims of domestic abuse to come forward, particularly where coercive control has left them isolated from friends and family.

"I hope this outcome provides reassurance that Greater Manchester Police will listen to victims, pursue offenders and work tirelessly to bring those responsible before the courts."

Description

A man has been sentenced today to 15 years in prison with an additional five years on extended licence.

Dalton Lee Hudson appeared at Lincoln Crown* Court today having been found guilty of rape, sexual assault, two incidents of assault by penetration and two incidents of ABH.

Hudson, who is aged 35, of High Street, Lincoln, committed the offences in September 2025, against three female victims.

Detective Constable Henry Scott, of the Protecting Vulnerable People department of Lincolnshire Police said:

“This is a prolific offender and a dangerous predator who has caused devastating harm. I would like to commend the victims in this case for their utter bravery, and their support for this complex investigation. While the result today cannot begin to reverse the trauma they have faced, I hope it can give them some sense of justice having been served.”

Description

A rapist who took advantage of a teenage girl at a Halloween party in Ramsgate has been jailed.

On 29 October 2022, Angelos Ntolakai attended a gathering where the victim had become unwell and fallen asleep in a friend's bed. Ntolakai forced himself upon her while she was asleep and held her down as he raped her.

The victim quickly disclosed what had happened to a friend and Kent Police was called. Officers attended the scene and immediately launched an investigation.

DNA evience

Detectives obtained forensic samples from all the males who had attended the party. Analysis identified a DNA profile matching Ntolakai, and he was arrested on 15 March 2023. During his interview, he responded 'no comment' to all questions put to him by detectives and was later charged with rape.

As the investigation progressed, officers obtained more evidence against him, including videos and photographs from the party which helped further identify Ntolakai and placed him at the scene.

He was interviewed again and provided a prepared statement in which he blamed his consumption of alcohol for his poor recollection. He claimed that if he had sexual intercourse with a girl at the party, it would have been consensual, and that he understood consent.

Ntolakai, who is of Greek nationality, pled not guilty to the charge of rape, however, following a four day long trial at Canterbury Crown Court the jury reached a unanimous guilty verdict.

Sentenced

On Thursday 17 September 2026, Ntolakai, 23, of Manston Road, Ramsgate, was sentenced to five years and seven months' imprisonment at the same court. He will also be placed on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Chris Harvey, said:

‘This custodial sentence was based heavily on the strength of the DNA and forensic information gathered by the investigation team, as well as the crucial input of witnesses who collaborated with us and provided key evidence.

‘The victim personal statement read out at court today made clear the impact that this attack has had on her life, and I hope this sentence provides the victim and her family with some sense of justice and closure.’

Description

A “dangerous” man who raped a woman in a late-night attack near a filling station has been jailed for seven years. 

Darius Andrulionis, 46, began speaking to the victim near the BP filling station, in Lynn Road, Wisbech, at about 3.45am on 4 April.

She had been on a night out with her sister, but the pair had become separated at the filling station, while Andrulionis was part of a group that had stopped at the same location. 

Earlier, he had tried to dance with the victim at a nearby pub but she rejected his advances. 

Andrulionis approached the victim and sat on a wall next to her, near the filling station, but then dragged her into nearby bushes.

The victim begged him not to rape her, but he placed his hands on her mouth and neck to stop her from screaming, leaving the victim in fear for her life.

She tried to reason with him, but he continued with the attack, and she only managed to get away once he had raped her.

Police were called and Andrulionis was arrested the following day.

On Tuesday (15 September), at Cambridge Crown Court, Andrulionis, of Balding Close, Wisbech, was jailed having pleaded guilty to one count of rape before the case went to trial. 

He was also ordered to spend six years on extended licence, handed an indefinate restraining order against the victim, placed on the sex offenders register for life and must pay a victim surcharge of £228. 

Sentencing, Judge Andrew Hurst described him as “dangerous”, that he was only “faintly familiar” with the concept of consent and a “substantial risk” to other women.

DC Michael Childs, who investigated, said:

“Andrulionis is a predator who preyed on a victim in a vulnerable state and the lengthy sentence handed down reflects this.

“I would like to pay tribute to the victim; her bravery in coming forward and supporting us with a prosecution is admirable and has led to a dangerous man being jailed for a long time.”

Description

A man has been jailed for more than five years after admitting to a multiple counts of sexual offences against three child victims. 

Aaron Grimshaw aged 23 of no fixed abode, would communicate online with children using social media, the conversations were of a sexual nature. 

After his arrest his phone was seized, and evidence of the conversations were downloaded. 

At Bradford Crown Court on 17 September, he was sentenced to five and a half years, made to sign the sex offenders register and given a sexual harm prevention order.

There were multiple offences including sexual assault on a female, sexual activity with a child, engage in sexual communication with a child and making indecent photograph of a child. 

Grimshaw also was sentenced for offending in Gloucestershire. 

DC Emma Moist of Bradford Districts Safeguarding Unit said: 

“Grimshaw’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his actions. 

“Sexual communication with a child can cause significant harm to young people and their families. 

“We remain committed to protecting children, supporting victims and bringing offenders to justice. 

“We take all reports of this nature seriously and will investigate thoroughly."

Description

A child sex offender has been jailed more than 20 years after carrying out his abuse.

Terrance Taylor was sentenced to a total of six years’ imprisonment when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court today (Thursday 17 September).

Seventy-four-year-old Taylor abused his young victim in the mid-2000s, touching her in an inappropriate manner. His crimes were brought to the attention of police in 2024 when the victim, who is now an adult, disclosed what had happened during her childhood.

In interview, Taylor denied ever having sexually abused the victim but could not tell officers from our Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) why she would make up such an allegation.

He was subsequently charged and in August, following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, was found guilty of two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration and two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 years of age.

Taylor, of Wokingham Avenue, Eyres Monsell, was also placed on the sex offender register indefinitely and made subject to an indefinite restraining order which prohibits him from contacting the victim.

Detective Constable Katie Harris, from the CAIU’s non-recent team, was the officer in the case. She said:

“The victim in this case has shown a great amount of bravery in coming forward and re-living what happened both to officers and a jury during the trial.

“She’s said she hopes this case will encourage other victims of sexual abuse – either now or in years gone by – to come forward. She echoes our message which is always that it’s never too late to make a report and ensure those responsible for such awful crimes are brought to justice.

“I hope today’s sentencing has provided her with a degree of closure and will now allow her to move on with her life.”

Description

A man has been sentenced to 17 years imprisonment at Portsmouth Crown Court today after being found guilty of 11 non-recent child sex offences in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Chris Cotton, 64, of Byfield Road in Hounslow was convicted on Wednesday 16 September of the 11 offences committed between 1977 and 1985, involving three people who were aged between 3 and 11 years-old at the time.

The majority of the offences took place in Leigh Park, Havant, where Cotton resided at the time, with others taking place at an address in Twickenham, Richmond-on-Thames.

An investigation was launched by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s specialist Operation Amberstone team, following which Cotton was charged in 2023 with the following offences:

• Two counts of rape of a female child
• Six counts of indecent assault of a female person under the age of 14
• Three counts of indecency with a child (inciting a child under the age of 14 to engage in an act of gross indecency)

Cotton pleaded not guilty to the offences, but following an eight-day trial, a jury found him guilty on all counts.

He was sentenced today (Friday 18 September) to 17 years imprisonment, with a further year on extended licence when released. Upon release, he will be subject to lifelong restraining orders against all three victims and has been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

The officer in the case, DS Hollie Shelton said: 

“The trail of devastation that Cotton has left in his wake is truly appalling. I am very glad to see him be locked up where he can no longer harm vulnerable members of the public.

“This result is a testament to the bravery and resilience of the victims, who, despite delays in the court process, remained strong in their pursuit of justice after suffering lifelong effects of his abuse.

“Even though no length of sentence could make up for the severe suffering he has caused to these victims throughout their lives, I hope it goes some way to providing closure and a feeling that justice has been finally been served.

“I also hope that this result will give them the ability to begin to rebuild their lives, knowing that the man who took advantage of them as vulnerable young children for his own sexual gratification is now facing a significant period of time behind bars.

 “Convictions of this nature show that it is never too late to come forward to police. There are a number of reasons why people do not report to police or to others what happened to them and delays in reporting are not a barrier to seeking justice later in life.

“Allegations of this nature are taken very seriously and will be thoroughly investigated.”

Description

A man has been jailed for raping a young woman. 

Brian Matthews committed the offence at the victim’s home in East Lancashire.

She was described as vulnerable, with Matthews known to her.

In the weeks after the rape, Matthews sent Snapchat messages to his victim making admissions to the offence but saying it was her word against his.

When interviewed by our officers investigating the rape, he denied sending the messages.

However, officers were able to prove Matthews was the sender of the messages after tracing locations when the messages were sent from.

Matthews, 23, formerly of Nuttall Street, Accrington, was found guilty by a jury at Burnley Crown Court of a charge of raping a woman over the age of 16 following a week-long trial in June.

Returning to the same court for sentence today, Matthews was jailed for six years and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

He was also made subject of a 15-year restraining order regarding his victim who cannot be named as victims of sexual offences have lifetime anonymity.

Det Con Dan Healey of East Division’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team, said:

“Brian Matthews committed this abhorrent offence and I’m glad that the jury saw past his denials and convicted him.

“His victim had to relive her ordeal in court by giving evidence.

“If you have been the victim of sexual offences, please report it – Lancashire Police will listen to you, support you and thoroughly investigate so that we can put offenders before the court.”

Description

A 29-year-old man has been jailed after he pleaded guilty to multiple offences including rape. 

Jordan Owens, previously of Guinery Grove, Hemel Hempstead, used a mobile phone to film himself committing the offences against a woman inside a property in Northampton while she slept.

Owens was arrested following the woman bravely reporting what had happened to her to Northamptonshire Police and subsequently charged with multiple offences including five counts of rape.

After pleading guilty to all seven offences at Northampton Crown Court this week (September 15), Owens was sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison.

Lead investigator - Detective Constable Jon Brawn said:

“Jordan Owens is a dangerous offender who repeatedly targeted a woman while she was asleep and therefore unable to protect herself or give consent.

“I would like to commend the victim for her bravery in coming forward and supporting this investigation. We know how difficult it can be for survivors of sexual offences to report what has happened to them, and her courage has helped ensure Owens has been held accountable for his actions.

“I hope this sentence provides her with some sense of justice and allows her to move forward with her life knowing he is behind bars.”

“We take all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously and would encourage anyone who has experienced sexual violence or abuse to come forward. You will be listened to, supported and treated with respect throughout the investigative process.”

Description

A man has pleaded guilty to the attempted rape of a woman on a Bakerloo Line train, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Vincent Saxon, 54 (17.06.72), and of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday 17 September.

Saxon was remanded in custody to be sentenced at the same court on Friday 30 October.

The incident happened at around 11.40pm on Saturday 11 July.

A man approached a lone woman on the train between Waterloo and Lambeth North station and exposed himself to her.

He then forcibly pulled the victim to the floor and attempted to rape her, however she fought back and subsequently fled the train at Lambeth North before alerting station staff, who then called BTP.

The man stayed on the train before getting off at Elephant and Castle Underground station. Officers searched the area but the man wasn’t found.

An urgent investigation was launched, including a media and social media appeal that resulted in several people coming forward to police with crucial information.

One anonymous caller rang to say that they had seen the appeal and that a man matching Saxon’s description was outside a shop on Fulham Palace Road.

Officers raced to the location and Saxon was arrested. He was taken into custody and later charged.

BTP Detective Sergeant Krishan Appannah said:

“First and foremost I would like to praise the victim for her bravery following what was clearly a terrifying ordeal. She was alone late at night when she was approached and attacked by Saxon without warning.

“She fought back ferociously against him before he fled. Her actions helped us recover vital forensic evidence that, along with our CCTV enquiries, would leave Saxon with no choice but to plead guilty.

“He is a dangerous and predatory offender and I’m pleased to see that we have secured justice for this brave victim, hopefully it will now be able to bring her some form of closure."