Latest Offenders

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Blackpool man David Cummings guilty of 26 rape and child sex offences

David Cummings, 40, of Clifford Road, Blackpool, has been found guilty of 26 counts of rape and child sex offences at Preston Crown Court. The verdicts, returned on Tuesday, include 20 offences involving victims under 16.

Lancashire Police said Detective Sergeant Jamie Robinson led a four-year investigation that proved pivotal in securing the convictions.

In a police statement, DS Robinson said:

“This was a disgusting case of a man who used his influence and control to commit the most heinous crimes against vulnerable children over a number of years. His behaviour stole their childhood and left them with real scars for life.

“However, what he did not anticipate was their strength and courage, even in the face of difficult and challenging times. They remained consistent and stood by doing what was right – both for them and to protect others.

“I am incredibly proud of their strength and determination in getting justice even when having to face the awful things Mr Cummings had done to them. Mr Cummings showed no remorse and appeared smug in proceedings, until the jury called out guilty 26 times.”

The 26 guilty verdicts comprise:

• 5 counts of rape of a girl under 13
• 7 counts of rape of a girl aged 13–15
• 1 count of attempted rape of a girl aged 13–15
• 2 counts of causing or inciting a girl aged 13–15 to engage in sexual activity (no penetration)
• 1 count of sexual activity with a girl aged 13–15 involving penetration
• 4 counts of sexual activity with a girl aged 13–15 (no penetration)
• 5 counts of rape of a woman aged 16 or over
• 1 count of sexual assault of a female

Cummings is due to be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Friday 11 December 2026 and faces a possible life sentence.

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A man wanted for a rape in Leicester has been jailed after he was arrested by officers in Surrey for driving through a red light.

Pandeli Dervishi was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months’ imprisonment today (Thursday 29 October) after being found guilty following a trial at Leicester Crown Court earlier this month.

The 24-year-old spent two months on the run from Leicestershire Police before catching the attention of an officer from Surry Police when he was spotted driving through a red light in Guildford.

At the time, Dervishi, of no fixed address, was on bail for rape after forcing a girl, then aged 17, to perform oral sex on him.

The incident happened during the evening of Wednesday 1 October 2025 inside the toilets of a pub in The Newarke, Leicester.

Officers were called after the victim was heard in distress by a member of the public and Dervishi was immediately arrested.

Following initial enquiries, detectives investigating the case had to bail Dervishi while they continued to obtain and review key evidence, including CCTV, forensic evidence and digital material.

After a thorough investigation had been completed by the officer in the case, DC Jon Williams, the case was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service and, in February 2026, Dervishi was charged with one count of rape.

After he failed to answer police bail at a designated police station, he was added to the Police National Computer as a wanted person, while officers carried out enquiries to find him.

At the end of March, following a review of phone data and financial records, DC Williams established that Dervishi was likely in the Guildford area.

In the early hours of Thursday 16 April, Dervishi's whereabouts were finally discovered when a Surrey Police officer spotted him driving a white Mazda through a red traffic light on the A320 Woking Road in Guildford.

After initially attempting to drive away, Dervishi was eventually stopped by police.

Subsequent enquiries confirmed he was wanted by Leicestershire Police, and he was arrested before later being charged with the rape offence.

He was also charged and last month pleaded guilty for failing to stop and driving without a license or insurance at Surrey Magistrates’ Court.

DC Jon Williams said:

"After committing a horrific offence against a young woman, Dervishi deliberately attempted to evade police by leaving the Leicestershire area and failing to answer his police bail.

"Checks revealed he was in the Guildford area and, while the net was slowly closing in on him, it was ultimately the manner of his driving that attracted the attention of a nearby officer. He again attempted to make off before being detained, at which point officers discovered he was wanted by Leicestershire Police in connection with this serious offence.

"During the time Dervishi remained on the run, the victim was left facing considerable uncertainty. While I continued to reassure her that we would find him, it is entirely understandable that she was anxious and concerned that she might never receive the justice she deserved.

"I am pleased that following the guilty verdict and today's sentencing, this case has finally reached its conclusion. I hope the outcome provides the victim with some measure of comfort and allows her to move forward knowing that Dervishi has been held accountable for his actions.

"I would also like to thank PC Chris Hale, from Surrey Police, whose vigilance and quick actions helped bring Dervishi before the courts."

Sergeant Steph Burnham, deputy commander for the Central Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA) added:

“We want Leicester city centre to be a safe place for everyone and have taken a proactive approach to deal with those who display such predatory behaviour and identify anyone committing similar offences and bring them to justice."

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A man has been found guilty of a number of offences including rape and sexual assault following a two-week trial.

A jury found David Andrew Spencer, 46, of Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, guilty of two counts of sexual assault on a female, rape, assault by penetration and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour following a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

He plead guilty to assaulting a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm at the beginning of the trial.

The offences took place between August 2024 and August 2025.

PC Hannah Fisher, of the rape and serious sexual offences unit (RASSO), said:

“Spencer subjected the victim to a prolonged campaign of physical, mental, and sexual abuse and I am glad the jury has convicted him of his crimes.

“I would like to commend the immense bravery of the victim throughout this investigation, and I hope this conviction offers her some form of closure.”

Spencer is due to be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday 30 November.

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A convicted sex offender who pretended to be a teenager and sent sexually explicit messages to a child has been jailed.

Zak Waring used online platform Bigo to speak to a young girl who he believed was 13, before moving their conversations to WhatsApp.

Waring sent a stream of sexual content to the girl encouraging her to perform sex acts and send him photos and videos. He told the girl he was 16 but that his profile photo made him ‘look older’.

However, the ‘child’ Waring was speaking to was actually a decoy using an account run by an online child abuse activist group.

The 26-year-old committed the offences while subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order which banned him from using any messaging service to contact a child under 16.

Waring, who has a previous conviction for a similar offence, began speaking with the ‘girl’ in April 2026 and continued to message ‘her’ for several days. During this time, he also sent a picture and video of himself performing a sex act.

Waring, of Lodge Avenue, Ashbourne, was arrested on 22 April and charged with:

• Attempt to cause/incite a girl aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity – penetration
• Adult attempt to engage in sexual communication with a child
• Offender 18 or over attempt to cause a child aged 13-15 to watch/look at an image of sexual activity
• Attempt to breach Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO)

He was remanded into police custody and appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court on 23 April.

The court remanded him into prison custody, ahead of a hearing on 21 May, where Waring pleaded guilty to all offences.

He was sentenced at Derby Crown Court on 16 October and handed a jail term of 8 years and 3 months.

Waring was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and is required to register with police indefinitely.

 He must also pay a court fine of £228 upon his release.

Officer in the case, PC Michelle Azizi said:

“Zak Waring went on to offend again, despite a previous jail term for a similar offence and ongoing court orders prohibiting him from contacting children.

“His continued desire to communicate sexually with children, for his own sexual gratification and his disregard for the law, make him extremely dangerous.

“Thankfully no actual children were harmed by Waring’s offending in this case.

“I am pleased to see that the judge acknowledged the seriousness of Waring’s  reoffending by affording him an extended prison sentence for the risk he poses to the public.”

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Clitheroe man jailed for eight years after raping woman

In June 2022, the victim woke to find Wood raping her. When she told him to get off, he repeatedly laughed at her.

The attack happened at the victim’s home in East Lancashire.

Wood was arrested the same day and denied the offence.

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, 35-year-old Wood was charged with rape.

He continued to deny the offence but was found guilty by a jury at Preston Crown Court on Friday 11th September.

Wood, of Kay Street, Clitheroe, returned to the same court on Friday (23rd October) where he was jailed for eight years and four months and given a 20-year restraining order.

Det Con Sarah Riley, of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Team, said:

“Wood took advantage of his victim while she was in an extremely vulnerable state. 

“He knew she was not consenting to what he was doing and continued his lies during his police interview and throughout the trial. The jury saw through those lies and delivered a guilty verdict.

“I want to take this opportunity to praise the victim for her bravery throughout this process and for trusting the police to hold the man who raped her to account and put him before the courts.

“I hope the outcome of this case encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward, confident that you will be believed and listened to, and that we will do everything in our powers to put the perpetrator before the courts.”

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A man from Sefton has been jailed after being found guilty of committing sexual offences against a woman.

Following a trial last month, Bernard Sullivan, 51 years, was found guilty of two counts of assault by penetration, strangulation and three counts of rape at Liverpool Crown Court.

Yesterday (Monday 27 October), Sullivan, no fixed address but from Waterloo, was sentenced to 19 years in prison. He was also put on the Sexual Offenders Register for life and a restraining order is in place to not contact the victim indefinitely.

In a victim impact statement, the survivor detailed:

“Sullivan stripped away the strong, confident person I used to be. I struggled to go out alone suffered nightmares. I was constantly nervous and anxious and frightened in my own community.

“The effects of that continue to impact me, and I am still healing.

“Despite everything, I have worked hard to rebuild my life. His actions changed my life, affected my mental health, damaged my confidence, and altered how I live day-to-day. I believe women will be safer with him no longer in the community.”

Detective Constable Yvonne Worthington, who led the investigation, said:

“Throughout the investigation Sullivan showed no remorse for the abuse he carried out and denied the offences put to him. Thankfully the jury saw though his lies and found him guilty.

“We are committed to protecting victim-survivors, and anyone who reports an incident to us will be safeguarded and supported throughout the investigation by specially trained officers and Sexual Violence Advocates who will provide all the relevant support.

“Anyone that has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us.

“We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports, and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.”

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A man and woman have today, Friday 23 October, been jailed for a total of 13 and a half years after admitting sexual assaults involving children.

The charges follow the arrest of a suspected paedophile by officers from our dedicated Online Child Abuse Investigations Team (OCAIT) which uncovered evidence of cross border network offending with a contact called ‘A’.

Detectives were able to identify ‘A’ as 49-year-old Jay Shaw and carried out an emergency warrant on 1 July this year and arrested him.

Following a search of his house in Greater Manchester officers located a hidden phone which contained thousands of indecent images and evidence of sexual assaults against children.

There were also images of Shaw’s partner, 31-year-old Katie Vernon (pictured below), sexually assaulting a young boy on the phone and she was also arrested.

Shaw, of Plank Lane, Leigh, admitted four sexual assaults against a female child and one count of sexual assault against a male child.

He also pleaded guilty to making and possessing over 5000 indecent images of children, including just over 3000 Category A images showing the most serious abuse, together with the distribution of indecent images of children and possession of a paedophile manual, which provides instructions on how to abuse children.

Today at Liverpool Crown Court he was jailed for nine and a half years with a further five years on extended license.

His partner, Vernon, also of Plank Lane, Leigh, admitted one count of sexual assault on a male child.

She was sentenced to four and a half years in jail.

Both will be lifelong registered sex offenders and have received lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Orders.

Detective Constable Danny Molyneux from OCAIT said:

“Merseyside Police remains committed to protecting children from such dangerous predators.

“It is shocking that Shaw and his partner chose to carry out such horrific acts and I know that no length of sentence can every change their despicable actions but I hope that it provides some comfort to the families of those affected.

"OCAIT will show zero tolerance to those in Merseyside who use the internet to commit, enable or view sexual abuse against children.

"We are committed to proactively targeting and arrest these individuals to put them before the courts and work with partners to safeguard victims and children.

“I would continue to urge anyone who is a victim of any form of sexual abuse to please report this to police, or through our partner agencies.

“We take all such reports extremely seriously and will support victims with sensitivity and compassion.”

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A wanted sex offender who was arrested arriving with his luggage at a UK airport has been found guilty of multiple rape offences.

Muhammed Khalid, 55 from Huddersfield, was found guilty at Leeds Crown Court today of eight offences including rape, sexual assault and supplying Class A drugs.

The 55-year-old will be sentenced on 24 November for the offences which took place between 2003 and 2006 in Kirklees against two then teenage girls.

Following a seven day trial at Leeds Crown Court, a jury found him guilty of five counts of rape, and an offence of sexual assault against one survivor, with offending taking place in the Kirklees area.

He was also found guilty of two counts of providing Class A drugs to a second victim in 2005.

Khalid had fled the country in 2020 while under investigation by officers conducting a wider investigation into sexual offences committed in Kirklees in the late 1990s and early noughties.

Numerous enquiries were undertaken to find Khalid, who was arrested at Manchester airport on 23 April this year as he arrived back in the UK.  

The 55-year-old was taken into custody, charged and put before magistrates in Kirklees the very next day.

DCI Phil Davis of Kirklees District Police, said:

“We welcome the jury’s verdict today in finding Khalid guilty of very serious offences committed against young and very vulnerable victims more than 20 years ago.

“He committed multiple rapes over a prolonged period against a vulnerable teenage girl, abusing her in a fashion which can only be described as appalling.  He has also been convicted of supplying Class A drugs to another victim." 

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Charlie Page Jailed for 12 Years for Rape of 13-Year-Old Near Oxford’s Westgate

Charlie Page, 19, of Walker Drive, Faringdon, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the rape of a 13-year-old girl near the Westgate shopping centre in Oxford.

Oxford Crown Court heard the offence took place on 8 January 2025. Page, then 18, met the victim in John Lewis while with a group of boys. She later told police she noticed “he was high because his eyes looked funny.”

They drank vodka together. Page kissed the girl, took her around the corner and attacked her while she cried. In a video interview shown to the jury, the victim said: “I was stumbling around because I was really drunk. He grabbed me and made me do it. I laughed it off and tried to get off him. He said ‘if you say anything I will kill you’. He knew I didn’t like it because of the crying. I knew he saw that because I was crying loudly. He looked like he was trying to ignore it.”

She added that Page asked “Are you sure you want to do this?”, to which she replied “No”. He continued regardless.

Page was found guilty of rape and assault by penetration on 21 August 2026. Judge Hassan Khan concluded that Page was “dangerous” and increased the sentence from an initial eight years to 12. He was also made subject to notification requirements.

Page claimed he thought the girl was 16. The victim told police she had said she was 14 to match the ages of her friends.

Prosecutor Mark Gadsden said: “Being 13, she was not able to consent to these sexual acts. He took advantage of this young girl and filled her with drink. We say this was predatory behaviour by this older boy against this younger girl. They had just met, they didn’t know each other before. The fact that this happened is not in dispute. The issue is if she consented.”

An earlier trial in July 2025 ended without verdicts after the jury failed to reach decisions on either count. Page later failed to attend the start of his retrial, prompting a manhunt and a police search of his home.

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A man has been jailed for 14 years and two months for sexual offences.

Timothy Markham, of Hawthorn Close in Fishtoft, Boston, was sentenced on Thursday 22 October 2026 at Lincoln Crown Court.

He was found guilty of two counts of raping a woman and a third offence of engaging in sexual communication with a child.

The 39-year-old had denied all three charges but was convicted at Lincoln Crown Court on 20 August 2026.

Markham was given two sentences of 13 years for rape to run concurrently. He was ordered to serve a further 14 months for engaging in sexual communication with a child. His total prison sentence is 14 years 2 months.

He was added to the sex offenders register indefinitely, given an indefinite restraining order to protect the victims involved and handed a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.

Detective Constable Patrick Busby thanked those who had helped to bring Markham to justice and paid tribute to the bravery of the victims.

“Both of the victims in this case chose to speak out and support our investigation to bring Markham to court. They have shown incredible bravery and strength, and I thank them for their courage and trust in Lincolnshire Police.”

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Daniel Mowle, 42, of Apprentice Drive, Colchester, Essex, has been jailed for 10 years after being convicted of 11 child sexual offences.

Mowle sexually abused a young girl over a two-year period, treating her as a “sexual object.” The offences involved an abuse of trust and included no fewer than 24 incidents of sexual touching. The prosecution stated the assaults were sustained rather than fleeting.

He was convicted by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court of:

• two counts of sexual assault of a child
• seven counts of sexual activity with a child
• two counts of inciting sexual activity with a child

The investigation by Essex Police began in 2021 after a report of child sexual abuse. Mowle denied the charges and stood trial in September 2025; he was convicted on 18 September. He was sentenced on 23 October 2026 by Judge Mary Loram KC. He showed no reaction when the sentence was passed. He had no previous convictions.

In addition to the 10-year prison term, Mowle was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and will be subject to strict restrictions and rigorous supervision upon release.

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A Boston man has been found guilty of 27 sexual offences, including 10 counts of rape, two of which were of children aged 13 years and younger, dating back to June 2019.

Jake Hardstaff, 35, of Maple Road, Boston, pleaded not guilty to all allegations brought by four separate victims, including one adult and three (female) children, one of which was only nine years old when the abuse started.

Following a 14-day trial at Lincoln Crown Court, which concluded on Thursday 22 October, Hardstaff was found guilty of multiple sexual offences which took place between June 2019 and June 2024: 

• Cause / incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity - no penetration x 3 counts
• Rape a child under 13 x 2 counts
• Assault a child under 13 by penetration x 3 counts
• Rape a woman 16 years of age or over x 8 counts
• Assault by penetration x 2 counts
• Sexual assault on a female x 7 counts
• Cause person to engage in sexual activity without consent x 1 count
• Engage in controlling / coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship x 1 count

He was found not guilty of three counts of rape and one count of controlling / coercive behaviour.

The court heard how Hardstaff’s courageous victims had come forward, each describing years of vile physical and emotional abuse at the hands of the predator. There were disclosures of long-term sexual abuse, of how he had incited his young victims to engage in sexual contact with him.

“He has done such a sadistic, sickening thing” one witness said.

The officer who led this case, Detective Constable Helen Wood, said:

“This has been a harrowing case for all concerned. This verdict is testament to the extraordinary courage of the victims, who have endured unimaginable trauma and have shown remarkable strength in coming forward and resilience to endure the – at times - gruelling judicial process. Their evidence, which was given with dignity and bravery, has been central to securing justice.

“I would like to recognise the dedication of every officer and professional team involved in this case. Their tireless work, sensitivity, and commitment to safeguarding have ensured that the truth was brought before the court.

“This case highlights the importance of coming forward. Time should never stop you from speaking out. If you choose to come forward, you will be heard, believed, and supported every step of the way. We’re committed to securing strong, reliable evidence that meets judicial standards, so that we can pursue the justice you deserve.”

Hardstaff was remanded into custody to await sentencing which is currently scheduled for 25 November 2026. We will continue to provide support and protect the privacy of those affected.

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A complex investigation has seen a 38-year-old man sentenced to 15 years with an extended three years on licence for offences against four underage girls.

David Hulse (23.10.1988) of no fixed abode was sentenced to 15 years at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Tuesday 20 October 2026, and given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order after pleading guilty to 16 charges:

• Two counts of engage in sexual communication with a child
• Two counts of cause / incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity - no penetration
• Six counts of make indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child
• Two counts of possess extreme pornographic image / images portraying an act of intercourse
• Four counts of distribute an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child

Hulse was arrested earlier this year in March following a warrant into the investigation of indecent images. During this warrant Hulse threw mobile phones out of the window however these were recovered and both phones were found to have a number of indecent images of children on them.

Hulse initially denied the allegations and during interview provided 'no comment' to questions before later pleading guilty.

Prior to sentencing, a mother of one of the survivors spoke out:

“What has been particularly difficult is that she has struggled to understand why this happened to her and has, at times, felt that she is somehow to blame. We have had to continually reassure her that she was not responsible for another person’s actions or for the choices they made.

“When guilty pleas were eventually entered, there was some relief that she would not have to go through that [the court] process, but the uncertainty and stress leading up to that point had already taken its toll.”

“We hope that, in time, she and our family will be able to move forward from what happened. However, the impact has been significant, and the emotional consequences of what happened will remain with us for a long time.”

Another mother noted the impact Hulse’s actions had on her daughter: “When you have a daughter, your primary duty is to protect her childhood, her innocence, and her belief that the world is safe. David Hulse deliberately took advantage of her innocence for his own sexual gratification.

“While this legal process is concluding, the harm caused to her and the memories of this ordeal will stay with us for the rest of our lives.”

Detective Constable Daryl Gray of GMP’s City of Manchester Criminal Investigation Department said:

“Hulse used messaging platforms to strike up a friendship with these young girls to gain their trust before using their vulnerability to coerce them into sharing sexual images.

“No parent should have to go through what Hulse has subjected these survivors too and I commend the entire families’ bravery throughout this investigation – the support they have given these young girls but also the way they have maintained courage in the face of the evil that is David Hulse.

“I hope that this sentence gives the families an element of hope that Hulse is now behind bars, and they can start to put this chapter behind them. Hulse belongs in the past and the families can now look towards a future together without this person in their lives.

“Our officers are here to support anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, no matter when it happened. Please come forward. We will listen. We will support you and we will do all that we can to bring these offenders to justice.”

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Kenny Cox (24.06.80) of Salford has been sentenced to 14 years with four years on licence at Manchester Crown Court today (23 October 2026).

He was also given an indefinite restraining order against the victims and is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

This sentence relates to the rape of two women – one in November 2021 and one in September 2024.

On 7 November 2021, the victim met up with the suspect after connecting through a dating app. They went to a property in Salford and after drinking alcohol together, the victim began to feel hazy and described herself as ‘feeling paralysed’ and ‘unable to move’. It was during this time she was raped by the suspect.

After she was able to move, she left the property via a taxi and subsequently reported the incident to the police. Cox was arrested on 14 November 2021 and bailed with stringent bail conditions not to contact the victim.

On 4 September 2024, a second victim met up with the suspect after again connecting through a dating app. They went to a property in Salford and he has raped her before she was able to leave the property and disclose this to a relative who subsequently called the police.

Cox was arrested on 8 September 2024, charged and remanded. He stood trial for both rapes in March 2025, however the trial resulted in a hung jury. Following this a new trial commenced in August 2026 and Cox was found guilty of two counts of rape and one of attempted rape after a jury took less than two hours to deliberate.

Following Cox’s guilty verdict, the two victims provided statements on how this had affected them.

The first victim noted:

“The last five years have been extremely difficult. The impact of the offence did not end when it happened. I have had to live with the consequences every day since, while also having to go through a long and stressful court process.

“When the guilty verdict was finally reached, I felt relief that I had been believed and that there had finally been accountability. However, the verdict did not simply make everything go away. The emotional and physical effects are still there, and I still have to deal with them.

“The last five years have changed me in ways I never wanted or expected. I hope that now the court process has finally reached its conclusion, I can begin to heal, rebuild my confidence and trust, and move forward with my life.”

The second victim noted:

“I have tried very hard not to let what happened destroy my life. However, the truth is that it changed me.”

“I do not know what the future holds for me, but I hope that with proper counselling and support, I can continue to rebuild my confidence and independence. I want to be able to go outside alone again. I want to feel safe again. I want to be able to trust people again. Most of all, I want my life to be mine again.”

Detective Sergeant James Walsh of GMP’s Salford Criminal Investigation Department said:

“I would firstly like to commend the strength of the victims in this case. They have gone through this trial process twice now and each time have has shown incredible courage to ensure Cox was put behind bars. He preyed on these women and is an violent, sexual offender.

 “I hope this sentence and the subsequent sexual harm prevention order imposed gives the victims a sense of justice to help them try to move forward from this and put Kenny Cox firmly in their past where he belongs.

"I would also like to note that our officers are here to listen to you and support you. If you have been a victim of sexual assault, no matter when it happened - please come forward. We will do all that we can to bring offenders to justice.”

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Mathew Hargreaves, 48, from Halewood, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today, Friday 23 October.

Hargreaves was previously arrested and charged with:

• Make Indecent Images of Children Cat A
• Make Indecent Images of Children Cat B
• Make Indecent Images of Children Cat C

He remained in custody on remand and in September pleaded guilty to a further offence of Taking an Indecent Category C Image of a Child.

Hargreaves was also issued with a 10-Year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must register on the Sex Offender Register for 10 years.

In excerpts from a Victim Personal Statement, one of the victims said:

“I saw the photo and it was a lot worse than I thought… it’s made me feel sick to think about. I feel like I am on edge now, like I always need to be alert.

“The actual image is disgusting and it makes me feel sick it was taken on his birthday, why has he taken that on his birthday? It had never crossed my mind it was taken on his birthday.

“How many people have seen it, why did he take it? My biggest fear out of them all is where he shared it, how many people - if he has - did he share it with? What was his intention with that image?”

Detective Sergeant Viktorija Clarehugh from our Online Child Abuse Investigations Team said:

“Despite his initial denials, we were able to prove that Hargreaves downloaded and was in possession of indecent images, including those in the most serious category. Concerningly, Hargreaves held a position of responsibility at a Liverpool school, but robust safeguarding measures ensured that he was immediately suspended from his duties following his arrest. 

“Hargreaves’ insistence that these images somehow came into his possession by accident have been shown to be the desperate lies of a man who realised too late the consequences of his abhorrent crimes. His personal and professional disgrace is complete and I hope that today’s outcome provides some comfort for all of those affected by Hargreaves’ crimes.

“Behind all indecent images is a victim of abuse. Possessing, taking or distributing such images perpetrates the exploitation of children, and we are determined to keep identifying and putting before the courts those responsible.”