Latest Offenders

Description

A sex offender failed to disclose his past conviction to a new partner living with her two children.

Michael Gill, 31, of Braeside in Edmondsley near Chester-le-Street, frequently stayed with the woman and had unsupervised contact with her children during their three-year relationship starting in 2022. Durham Crown Court, sitting at Teesside, heard he once joined them on a week-long camping holiday in Scotland.

The court learned that Gill, under Probation Service supervision for part of this time, failed to inform them or his police monitoring officer about the relationship—breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and sex offender notification requirements.

These stemmed from his 2020 conviction for attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming, for which he received a three-year community order in September 2020.

Prosecutor Martin Towers said when the partner learned of the conviction, Gill claimed he was "set up by a past partner," and she believed him, unaware it barred contact with her children. As a result, the children were removed from her care.

Gill admitted two SHPO breaches and three notification failures.

In her victim statement, she said from the moment he entered her life, she was "totally gullible" and fell for his lies. He lied about his identity, name, date of birth, and place of birth, claiming it was to "disguise his identity to society." He fed her stories of an abusive ex-partner that led to his self-harming.

Her main regret: not ending the relationship sooner. "I’m angry he took advantage of my trusting nature. He groomed me to get closer to my family," she added.

In mitigation, Albany Kidd said: "He understands he should have been much more open to the police and the Probation Service, from the outset, but he denies, wholeheartedly, entering into the relationship to get closer to her children."

After "meeting" on Facebook, he learned of the children later. "He accepts having stayed at her address but claims to have misunderstood the terms of the notification requirement."

While at her home, he may have been unsupervised in a room with the children, but she was in a neighboring room. "There’s no suggestion he’s abused his position in the household with the children."

He apologizes to her, realizes the impact on her family, and "never thought about the consequences of them being taken from her into care." A software engineer working from home, he has not sought another relationship since.

Judge Nathan Adams noted Gill's "flagrant disregard" for court orders, with no disclosure over three years. "When confronted you lied about your history and previous convictions. She was vulnerable and you convinced her these were lies of an ex-partner."

"It’s right to say there’s been no suggestion you had any sexual contact with either child, but that’s not the point. There were court orders in place and you flagrantly ignored them. When matters came to light these two girls were removed from their mother’s permanent care. She was placed in that position by you."

The judge imposed a 28-month prison sentence, with Gill to serve up to half in custody. He remains on the sex offender register, and his SHPO was extended five years in September.

Description

A dangerous rapist who denied his “nasty and vile” crimes in a “vicious” way has begun an extended 16-year sentence.

Samuel Payne, 35, formerly of Keighley, will serve 13 years in custody followed by three years on licence. Sentencing him at Bradford Crown Court, His Honour Judge Roger Thomas KC said: “The offence of rape triggers this question that I have to answer: are you somebody who should be regarded as a significant risk of causing serious harm hereafter to others? My answer to that question is a resounding ‘yes’. There is no other sensible conclusion that I can reach.”

He added: “You quite clearly have a very deep and intractable side to you that is sheer nastiness, in simple terms. That’s reflected in these offences [which] is persistent and determined conduct of a nasty, vicious sort over a long period of time.”

Payne was convicted after trial of multiple offences, including raping one victim whom he threatened with an iron bar, held a knife to her throat, and told: “I’ll twist your neck off.” He also threatened a second victim with rape and murder.

In victim impact statements, one said “fear still lingered in her mind” and that Payne had “erased her emotions,” leaving her “broken.” The other described constant anxiety, panic attacks, and her body in “constant fight or flight” mode.

In mitigation, his barrister argued Payne had suffered “significantly,” living a “miserable life” with mood swings and inability to manage stress: “It may be that his offending is in part a product of that rather than a malevolent characteristic. [The court] is obliged to consider whether this is a cruel and sadistic history or whether there may be other factors in play.”

Judge Thomas, describing mobile phone recordings of Payne’s behaviour as “very nasty and indeed vile” and providing “a very real insight and snapshot into you,” ordered him to register as a sex offender for life. Payne, who appeared via video link from HMP Leeds with arms folded, is also subject to indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention and restraining orders.

The judge noted Payne’s “lack of empathy,” citing his refusal to engage with Probation and persistent denial: “It’s to be hoped that as the years pass by now you make some productive use of your time in prison, and you become a better man when you are released than so far you have been.”

Description

A former support worker has been branded a dangerous offender after sexually assaulting a man by rubbing him intimately and penetrating him from behind without consent.

The assault occurred around a decade ago at Lee O'Brien's former home in the Wrexham area. O'Brien, 52, is already serving a prison sentence in England for sex offences against another victim.

At Mold Crown Court today, he admitted assault by penetration and was sentenced to nine years, with five and a half years in custody.

Judge Rhys Rowlands heard the victim, who cannot be named, arrived expecting others but found only O'Brien. Prosecutor John Wyn Williams said they sat on a sofa, where O'Brien tried to kiss him; the victim pulled away, but O'Brien, "bigger and stronger," got on top.

O'Brien rubbed him intimately over clothes, removed his trousers, and penetrated him, causing a "burning sensation in his anus as if he needed to go to the lavatory." The victim couldn't see what it was—"it could have been a finger or it could have been an object," Mr. Wyn Williams said. O'Brien suddenly stopped, smiling. No consent was given.

Years later, work training "triggered a reaction," leading the victim to report O'Brien to police on June 22, 2023. O'Brien, interviewed September 7, 2023, claimed the behavior was "consensual" and "mutual" with no sex.

In a court statement, the victim said before the incident, "I was living my best life. The world was my oyster." Afterward, he became socially isolated, distrustful, suffered nightmares, and needed counseling. He prepared for trial but O'Brien's guilty plea denied him that: "You have taken away my voice by taking away 'my' trial." Overall: "You made me feel dirty and disgusting and I will never be able to get over this fact."

Defense barrister Matthew Dunford noted the guilty plea spared cross-examination, both had been drinking without O'Brien "plying" the victim as in other cases, and O'Brien is genuinely remorseful.

The judge cited the assault's "severe psychological effect" on the victim. As a dangerous offender at HMP Whatton, Nottinghamshire, O'Brien must serve two-thirds of the custodial term, followed by three and a half years on licence "to protect members of the public." 

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Description

Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been convicted of rape in Slough.

Andrew Collins, aged 35, of Beechwood Avenue, Ealing was found guilty of one count of vaginal rape of a female, following a 6-day trial at Reading Crown Court on Monday (17/11).

He was found not guilty to one count of oral rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration.

Collins has been remanded in custody and is set to appear at the same court on January 16 2026 to be sentenced.

Between 6pm and 7pm on November 12, 2024, CCTV footage captured Collins, aged 34 at the time, following the victim through Slough Town Centre.

Collins shared his contact details with the victim, arranging to meet up with her later in the evening where he supplied her with alcohol and then raped her.

Collins was arrested on Tuesday 19 November 2024 and charged the following day.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Cat Sykes said:

“The victim in this case has shown immense bravery throughout this investigation and we thank her for her continued support, patience and the faith she has placed in the Criminal Justice System.

“Andrew Collins has been convicted of one of the most serious offences in our society.

“He identified a vulnerable individual and exploited those vulnerabilities to enable his offending.

“His conviction today is a testament to the commitment of Thames Valley Police to bring to justice sexual offenders and to make our streets a safe place for everyone.

“It is also the result of the tenacious work of dozens of police officers and staff, along with our colleagues in the Crown Prosecution Service and counsel at trial.

“We will continue to listen and support complaints of such offences and work relentlessly against those who think it is acceptable to perpetuate any form of violence against women and girls.”

Description

A man has been jailed after being convicted of 47 child sex offences – including rape and serious sexual assaults against multiple boys.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, 20 November, Barthimaus Ehiemere, 25 (13.07.2000), of Chart Street, Hackney, N1, was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment with four years on licence. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for life.

The Judge also praised DC Lindsey Luscombe for her work on her case.

On Thursday, 31 July, a jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court found Ehiemere guilty of 15 charges. He had previously pleaded guilty to 32 offences – including multiple counts of rape, as well as sexual assault and making indecent images of children.

The charges relate to seven victims who were aged between 12 and 16 at the time.

Detective Constable Lindsey Luscombe, from the Met's Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation team, said:

“I commend the victim-survivors for their incredible bravery in this case. Three of them testified at trial, and this proved vital in holding Ehiemere to account for his horrendous crimes.

“Ehiemere is one of the most prolific and depraved sexual predators we have seen in recent years. He groomed his victims online, demonstrating a dangerous pattern of offending.

“This case demonstrates the insidious nature of online child sex abuse, and its grave implications in the real world. But it also shows how the authorities – using digital resources – can bring even the most devious offenders to justice. We urge all victims to come forward and will ensuring they are met with the understanding and specialist support that they need.”

Ehiemere first came onto the Met’s radar in September 2020, as part of an investigation into online grooming. Officers raided his Hackney home and seized his devices. In light of this, Ehiemere pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children, and was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

After analysing the devices seized in 2020, investigators established that Ehiemere had been using Snapchat and Spotafriend to groom boys for sex.

He would send them gifts, money and praise in return for indecent images, which he would then use to advertise and encourage other boys to do the same. Ehiemere would actively brag about his endeavours and sell the illegal content to likeminded sexual offenders.

Officers were able to identify six victims across the UK. One of the boys told police that he had been seriously sexual assaulted by Ehiemere when he was 12, while another said Ehiemere had paid him for sex when was 16.

On 28 October 2024, officers arrested Ehiemere at his workplace in north Acton. In conjunction with this, they seized more devices from his home – several of which had not been registered with police, in violation of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Ehiemere was remanded in custody. He refused to give investigators the password to access one of the seized phones. Nevertheless, forensic analysts were able to bypass this – and found evidence on the device that Ehiemere had raped a seventh boy.

This victim, aged 12, was located by police and safeguarded.

The appeal

Following Ehiemere’s sentencing, detectives are appealing for any further victim-survivors to come forward.

There may be other instances where he has used Snapchat and Spotafriend to groom boys for sex and indecent images. Detectives are interested to speak to anyone who believes their child may have had contact with Ehiemere.

Survivors are encouraged to contact the police by reporting online or by calling 101 quoting Op Teigar, where officers will arrange contact.

Description

A man has been jailed after grooming a 13-year-old girl online and taking her on car journeys.

Philip Thurston, 34, of Laburnum Close, Cambridge, first contacted the child on Instagram in June 2023, asking for her Snapchat details.

Despite knowing her age, Thurston arranged to pick her up near her home. On the first occasion, the girl declined to get into his car, but days later he returned and drove her to Cambourne and then to a McDonald’s, in Caxton, where he paid for food.

During their conversations online, which spanned two weeks, Thurston sent sexualised messages - telling the victim that if she were older, he would “get with her” and describing what he wanted to do to her. But in person, the victim noted, he appeared quiet and reserved.

At about 7.50pm on 28 June, the victim told her parents she was going out for a drive with a 17-year-old boy named Fabio.

Her stepdad became suspicious so followed her to a nearby bus stop, where Thurston was waiting in his car. He managed to take a photo of the vehicle and drove behind it through Cambridge, before losing sight.

While driving, Thurston admitted to the victim he was 32, not in his late teens. He became angry when he noticed they were being followed by the victim’s stepdad and asked if she was “setting him up”.

He added: “Your stepdad is lucky he didn’t catch me” before taking her home.

Thurston was arrested and in police interview, he admitted meeting the victim and said he thought she was 14.

He insisted he was “not a bad person” and said he didn’t realise picking up a child was illegal, claiming he just wanted to “help people” as she wanted to be taken out.

Thurston pleaded guilty to taking a child as to remove him/her from a person having lawful control, at a hearing in January this year.

On Monday (17 November), at Cambridge Crown Court, he was sentenced to two years and three months in prison and handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Detective Constable Daniel Knight, who investigated, said:

“Thurston is clearly a danger to children, and I’m pleased he is now behind bars. Protecting children from abuse is a force priority and we will do everything we can to protect them from harm.”

Description

A shop owner who sexually assaulted a volunteer and a customer at his premises has been jailed for two years.

Michael Bell, 68, owned a shop in Hardwick, South Cambridgeshire, and used his position to inappropriately touch a female volunteer several times between March and July 2021. 

During the four-month period he would make regular sexual remarks and assaulted her several times, touching her body over clothing.

These incidents came to light on 6 August the following year, after he touched a customer inappropriately and she reported the assault to police.

Bell, of High Street, Yelling, St Neots, denied all the allegations but was found guilty of seven counts of sexual assault following a trial at Peterborough Crown Court last month.

He was sentenced at the same court on Friday (14 November) to two years in prison for each of the offences, to run concurrently.

In addition, he was issued with an indefinite restraining order and a requirement to register with the police under the Sexual Offences Act for ten years.

DC Andy Watters said:

“This type of behaviour should never be tolerated. Women should be able to go to work and go into shops without fear of sexual predators.

“I hope the sentence will reassure both the victims, and women everywhere, that this type of behaviour will never be accepted by police, and should always be challenged and reported.”

Description

A man has been handed a 15-year custodial sentence for raping a woman in Telford.

Reaz Dixon, of Vennington Walk in Shrewsbury, was found guilty of rape and assault by penetration relating to offences carried out in Telford.

The court heard how the 20-year-old presented himself at Malinsgate Police Station in January 2025 and confessed to the crimes.

Dixon was subsequently arrested, and an investigation was carried out, leading to him being charged with four counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of rape but denied the other charges, however a jury found him guilty of two more counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration.

On Friday (14 November) he was sentenced to 15 years in prison at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

Detective Sergeant Os Malik, from Telford’s protecting vulnerable people team, said:

“I am very grateful for the sentence the judge has handed to Dixon, who is clearly a very dangerous individual.

“I would like to commend his victim, who has been incredibly brave throughout this investigation. I hope the sentence can offer some form of closure and will enable them to move forward with their life.”

Description

A Doncaster man has today (Tuesday 18 November) been jailed for child sex offences following an investigation by our Internet Sex Offences Team (ISOT).

Gary Hutton, 59, of Bootham Crescent, Doncaster, used an online messaging site to attempt to arrange sexual offences against a child.

On 25 February, Hutton engaged in conversation with a decoy account which he believed belonged to a woman who would enable him to sexually assault her child.

The account was actually being used by the Regional Organised Crime Unit to catch online predators.

ISOT arrested Hutton the following day and seized three mobile phones, two tablets, a laptop and a computer belonging to Hutton for digital examination.

Analysis of one of Hutton’s mobile phones uncovered a conversation with further profiles on the same online platform in which he discussed engaging in sexual abuse of the profile owner’s children.

Hutton was interviewed by officers on 26 February and again on the following day - he provided no comment to all questions at both interviews.

The next day, Hutton was charged with three counts of attempting to arrange or facilitate the commission of a child sex offence.

He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges on 28 March at Sheffield Crown Court, however on Thursday 11 September at the same court he changed his plea for two counts to guilty.

Hutton was remanded into custody and has today been sentenced to 10 years in prison, with an additional five on licence. He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Becky Straw, from the Online Sexual Offences team, said:

“Hutton’s offending is extremely disturbing, and I am relieved that he was caught before it had the opportunity to progress further.

“I am incredibly proud of our ISOT officers who carry out vital work behind the scenes to keep children in our community safe from those who would do them unconscionable harm.

“ISOT acted swiftly, arresting Hutton within 24 hours of him engaging with our decoy, and seizing his devices so that evidence into his disgusting offending could be preserved.

“Hutton is now safely behind bars, and ISOT are hard at work ensuring that other offenders like him are caught and brought to justice.”

Description

A man from Bury St Edmunds has been jailed after committing a series of sexual offences against children.

Martin Hogg, aged 73 and of Worcester Close in Bury St Edmunds was sentenced on Monday 17 November at Cambridge Crown Court to nine years imprisonment.

It follows his guilty plea at an earlier hearing at Ipswich Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to three offences relating to child sex offences that took place between 31 August 2024 and 15 February 2025. These were sexual communications with a child, cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity and cause or incite a child to watch a sexual activity. These all took place against a single victim.

On Thursday 22 May at Cambridge Crown court, Hogg pleaded guilty to a further 18 offences that took place between the same dates and included multiple offences of meeting a child following sexual grooming, cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual activity with a child and sexual communication with a child against seven further victims who were all children. Following on from this, another child victim was identified and a further three sexual offences were taken into consideration after an acceptance of guilt from the defendant.

Hogg (pictured below) was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

DC Nick Parkinson-Hill, the investigating officer on the case, said:

“The crimes committed by Hogg against the nine young victims in relation to grooming offences and sexual activity children were truly awful. The impact this has had on the victims and their families has been hard to accept and the Impact the offences continue to have on them is truly upsetting. I hope the sentencing of Hogg has started the journey to recovery for all involved.”

“I hope the outcome of this case reassures members of the public that we take such allegations of predatory behaviour extremely seriously and we work to safeguard victims as quickly as possible. We are committed to fully investigating any allegation of sexual assault, recent or historic and will provide the highest level of support and care to any victim whilst a thorough investigation is carried out, so if you believe you have been the victim as well, we would ask that you come forward and tell us.”

“We want to encourage victims of any sexual assault to continue to speak to us and feel confident in accessing the specialist support they need. Any allegation will be fully investigated and we have dedicated specially trained officers who work with the victims of rape and sexual assault. The diligent response to this case by the safeguarding unit, indecent images team and proactive teams has stopped any chance of this dangerous male re-offending”

“I want to commend all of the victims in this case for their bravery in coming forward and working with us throughout the investigative process. I hope that their bravery in coming forward gives others the confidence to do the same and Hogg’s guilty pleas has saved the victims from having to give evidence in court which is a blessing.

“However, whilst this sentence will provide the victim with some closure, understandably, what Hogg did to them will have impacted them significantly. If you have been directly affected by this case please quote Op Steadham25 in any reports to us.”

Description

The man pictured is Shaun Fuller, he is a child rapist and yesterday (17th November) he was jailed for 15 years.

In 2021 he raped his 15-year-old victim three times inside a property in Burnley.

The brave victim told her mum what had happened in March 2023 and the police were informed.

Fuller, 40, of Todmorden Road, Burnley, was arrested and later charged with raping a girl aged 13 / 14 /15 and sexual assault on a female.

Following a trial at Burnley Crown Court, Fuller was found guilty of three counts of raping a girl aged 13 / 14 /15 and sexual assault on a female.

He returned to the same court where he was jailed for 15 years, made subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and told to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

In an impact statement to the court, the victim wrote:

“When the incidents with Shaun happened I was still at school. This all had a massive impact on my education, I often struggled to focus/concentrate at school. I didn't get the results I wanted at school and my school work was affected. In school I struggled to maintain friendships due to what Shaun did to me. All my friends at school used to talk about their relationships and boyfriends. I struggled to talk about anything like this because of what happened to me. I knew I couldn't talk about what had happened to me so I used to keep myself to myself.

“I now struggle to trust anyone, especially males. If I found out someone liked me, I used to cry and would feel uncomfortable as this would trigger the bad memories from Shaun. I also struggle to make friends due to this. I have lost contact with my old friends due to moving away and struggle to make new friends. I find it hard to engage in sexual relationships due to the flashbacks I get with Shaun.

“My mental health has been impacted massively. I have since received therapy from a free service which made it even worse by bringing up everything that happened to me. I struggle to open up and talk about it. I try to block everything out, that's how I deal with it. When it all came out and the police got involved I struggled even more - I didn't eat, I didn't sleep, I never used to leave my room. I used to sit and rock in my room and bang my head on the wall to try and numb the pain.

“I now don't go out and don't like opening up about what happened to me.

“I want Shaun to know the impact all of this has had on me, and how it will continue to impact me for the rest of my life.”

DC Sarah Holmes, from our East Child Protection Team, said:

“Fuller is a purely wicked individual who robbed the victim of her childhood due to his sordid sexual interests. His offending continues to have a profound impact on her life.

“While she showed immense courage and bravery in coming forward, Fuller showed his despicable nature by forcing his victim to go through the ordeal of a trial – despite knowing exactly what he had done to her.

“I welcome the sentence handed down to Fuller, which reflects the seriousness of his offending and the danger he poses to female children.”

Description

A convicted sex offender has been jailed for breaching the terms of his court order.

Carl Bray, 46, of Union Road, Southampton, was convicted in October 2023 of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child. 

As a result he was given a 15 month sentence suspended for 24 months and placed under an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

In September, officers examined his electronic devices to check he was complying with this order.

Officers found he had been downloading social media applications Snapchat, Telegram, TikTok and Zangi, using them to communicate online with unknown people, and then deleting them again to hide the evidence.

A search of his property was conducted and officers found two further devices he was not permitted to have.

Bray was charged with breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and breaches of Sex Offender Register requirements. He was sentenced today (18/11) to 21 months imprisonment at Southampton Crown Court.

Description

A violent and sadistic rapist has been handed a 22-year jail sentence plus a further three years on licence by a judge at Bradford Crown Court.

George Wild, 28, of South Street, Keighley, attacked multiple victims.

Wild, who was convicted by a jury following a trial, was not present in court to be sentenced in person as he refused to leave his cell at HMP Leeds.

Jailing him in his absence, Her Honour Judge Sophie McKone said he was a dangerous offender who posed a risk to members of the public.

She said: You were pre-occupied by sex and took what you wanted.

You caused [your victims] significant psychological harm."

This case in my view is such a case where a sentence in excess of 20 years is merited.

The court heard that Wild was convicted of multiple rapes, plus sexual assault. One of his victims was left suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

His behaviour was so extreme that he strangled one victim and demanded that she urinate in his mouth and defecate on him.

He was said to have humiliated her and forced her into another sex act that was described as sadistic.

In mitigation the court heard that Wilds early life had been challenging, that he had used drugs, and that he continued to deny having committed the offences.

The court was urged to draw back a finding of dangerousness and from imposing an extended or life sentence.

Judge McKone handed Wild 22 years for each count of rape, to be served concurrently, and three months for sexual assault, also concurrent.

She then added a further three years on licence.

She explained: I have to consider whether a standard determinate sentence of 22 years is appropriate.

In my view the risk you pose means that such a sentence would not fully address that risk you currently present, and will present, in the future.

I have, however, stepped back from imposing a discretionary life sentence despite the very serious nature of your offending.

However, I do consider it necessary to impose an extended sentence in order to protect the public in the future.

Wild will have to register as a sex offender for life.

He will serve two-thirds of his sentence before being considered for release.

Description

Shaun Smith, a convicted sex offender, hid a secret unregistered phone used for pornography under his sofa when police visited his home.

The 60-year-old appeared at Cardiff Crown Court, pleading guilty to two breaches of his sexual harm prevention order—his fifth such violation, following convictions in July 2020, January 2022, July 2023, and October last year.

“You show a complete disregard for this order,” said Judge Paul Hobson.

Smith was placed on the sex offenders register and given a 10-year order in 2018 after being convicted of attempting to meet a child following grooming. The order required him to register internet-capable devices with police within three days and submit them for inspection.

Prosecutor Abul Hussain said police went to Smith's Ammanford home on October 20 after intelligence suggested he had an unregistered phone. Smith handed over a Nokia, claiming it was his only device, and said a certain mobile number belonged to his neighbor, which he sometimes used as a contact.

When told the story would be verified, Smith became agitated. He was arrested, with two SIM cards found in his wallet and a smartphone hidden under the sofa.

The phone had been in use since at least October 6, primarily for viewing pornography, with no evidence of child-related material. Smith refused to provide the PIN.

Smith, of Glanafon in Betws, had 10 previous convictions for 15 offences.

“The defendant’s best mitigation is his guilty plea at the earliest opportunity,” said defense barrister Hannah George.

“You lie to your monitoring officers when that suits your purposes,” added Judge Hobson. “You deliberately concealed your phone.”

Description

The bravery of two women has led to an abuser being jailed for nearly two decades.

Emma Clarke, 34, came forward in 2021 to report Luke Anderson had raped her in 2015 and she has now waived her right to lifelong anonymity, saying: "I hope my story and my voice can help towards stopping the stigma related to survivors of sexual abuse."

Anderson, 33, and previously of Halifax in West Yorkshire, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday (10 November) for five counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault. He was jailed for 18 years and told he must sign the sex offenders' register for life.

He had been found guilty of the crimes in August after a court heard Anderson abused Emma and another woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, between 2015 and 2019.

In a statement given to South Yorkshire Police [SYP] following the sentencing hearing, Emma said:

"One of the first emotions we learn as a child is shame. The same emotion that is drilled into us when we are abused.

"I hope that my story, and my voice, can help towards stopping the stigma related to survivors of sexual abuse. I was silenced for a long time doing what I thought was right to protect myself from judgement and the fear of what would happen if I spoke out.

"It took me years to build up the courage to speak up, and if my story can encourage one person to speak up, or even stop feeling shame, then it's worth it.

"The process of speaking out isn't easy. The interview and court process is traumatic, but getting justice makes it all worth it and I'd like to thank Barnsley Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Services, South Yorkshire Police, and my family and friends who have supported me through this journey. 

"I hope that my story is a reminder that this can and does happen to anyone. My truth is out to protect my daughters, my sisters and my friends, as well as your loved ones.

"My name is Emma. I was raped. This is my voice. My story. No shame."

A second survivor of Anderson has also provided a statement to SYP. She said:

"I am releasing this statement to take control of my story. While the verdict brings a sense of justice, it does not erase the pain or the lasting impact of what I have endured.

"However, it does bring an opportunity for truth - and for me to stand as someone who has survived, fought, and finally been heard.

"I want to make it clear that no one should ever have to suffer in silence. I also want to say that I could not have gone through this without the incredible support I received from SYP, my ISVA, and my family and friends.

"Their belief in me and their constant support have carried me through some of the darkest times.

"If my decision to come forward helps even one other person find the courage to speak out, then it will have been worth it."

Detective Sergeant Matthew Mellor, whose team led the investigation into Anderson's abhorrent offending, said:

"The bravery shown by both of these women throughout every stage of this deeply difficult process has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I want to start by thanking them for it.

"Their decision to report the abuse inflicted by Anderson has led to a dangerous offender being put behind bars for almost 20 years.

"By law, Emma Clarke would have been entitled to lifelong anonymity as all survivors of sexual abuse are. But she has bravely waived this right in the hope that her story will lead to more people feeling empowered to come forward and report abuse to us.

"We are 100 per cent committed to tackling all forms of sexual abuse in South Yorkshire and every single report is thoroughly investigated.

"If you have been raped, sexually assaulted, or sexually harassed, you can report to us in confidence online or by calling 101. If you don't feel able to report to police, try and talk to someone you trust. You can also seek specialist and confidential support via the 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line."