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Description

Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a rapist has been jailed after being convicted of repeated sexual offences, coercive control and a number of other serious offences against multiple victims in Didcot.

Mike Loveridge, aged 18, of Newbury Road, Didcot, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday (29/10) to eight years in prison with a four-year extension period, making a total sentence of 12 years.

The sentence follows a four-day trial at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court, sitting as a Youth Court, where on 24 September he was found guilty of three counts of rape and one count each of controlling and coercive behaviour, causing a female aged 13 or over to engage in sexual activity without consent, exposure, and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Loveridge was also sentenced for additional offences committed against other victims between April and May 2026, including one count each of harassment, harassment by breaching a restraining order, sending grossly offensive, indecent or menacing communications, and intimidating a witness.

The court also imposed five restraining orders to protect victims and granted an indefinite animal disqualification order, preventing Loveridge from keeping or being involved in the care of horses.

The court heard that between January and June this year, Loveridge subjected one of the victims to serious sexual violence and controlling behaviour.

His controlling and coercive behaviour included isolating the victim, making threats, subjecting her to violence and intimidation, and creating an atmosphere of fear. On one occasion, Loveridge contacted a funeral director in the victim’s presence to arrange her funeral.

Loveridge was arrested on 8 June and charged the following day.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Angelique Lihou said:

“Mike Loveridge’s offending was serious, persistent and caused significant harm to a number of victims. Thanks to their courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation, he has now been held fully accountable for his actions.

“This outcome is the result of a thorough investigation and demonstrates our determination to pursue offenders and put them before the courts, regardless of their age.

“The sentence imposed reflects the gravity of these offences and the risk Loveridge poses to others. I would encourage anyone who has been the victim of crime to come forward and report it. We will listen, investigate thoroughly and do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.”

Description

Aaron Robinson, 33, of no fixed address, has pleaded guilty to rape and faces a lengthy prison sentence after targeting a woman in a Hull hotel room and ignoring her clear refusals.

The victim was on a birthday night out with friends in Hull and stayed overnight at a city centre hotel. Robinson, who had been using cocaine and was also staying at the hotel, got into her bed and began touching her.

She told him “Get the f*** off” and made it plain she was not consenting. He replied “Come on, come on,” tried to kiss her, and got on top of her. She said “Get off.” He told her to “shush” and had sex with her.

Prosecutor Stephen Robinson told Hull Crown Court: “She didn’t want to have sex with him. She could not be any clearer that she did not want to have sex. Despite this, he got on top of her.”

Two friends later found her crying; she said she had found blood. She did not want to go to the police that night but told a female friend the next morning. She reported the incident to police on 2 June 2023; Robinson was arrested two days later. He claimed in interview that he had not forced himself on her, though recording issues affected the interview. The prosecutor said she would have been a compelling witness and there was no suggestion she had fabricated her account.

Robinson originally denied the charge and a trial began. He changed his plea to guilty after the prosecution case had opened. A second rape charge he denied will lie on file.

The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports. He remains remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced at Grimsby Crown Court on 11 December.

Description

A man has been convicted of raping a woman in her twenties at her home in Taunton, following a trial at Bristol Crown Court.

On Friday 30 October the jury returned a majority verdict finding Ayman Al-Shammari, 28, described in court as a Kuwaiti national living in Taunton, guilty of one count of rape.

The jury heard that Al-Shammari, pictured above, had known the woman for a few weeks, having met her on a night out, and they had slept together once.

On Friday 14 November 2025, he tried to persuade her to come out for the evening and when she wouldn’t, convinced her to let him come to her home.

After a few drinks he asked to stay the night and she agreed to let him sleep on the sofa, telling him they were just friends.

The court was told Al-Shammari went to the woman’s room and they did start to have consensual sex, but the woman later told police she was feeling “more and more uncomfortable”. She said she asked him to stop but he did not.

The woman managed to unlock her phone and record what was happening. The jury heard the recording in which the woman says “no” and “I don’t like it”. She is described as sounding in pain, upset and crying.

In his police interview, Al-Shammari denied rape, telling officers the woman had wanted sex but that the positions they tried hurt her so he stopped.

He was remanded into custody pending a sentencing hearing on 27 November.

Description

A ‘manipulative and predatory’ ex-teacher based at a school in Hull has today (Friday, 30 October) been given a 12-month suspended sentence, must remain on the sex offenders register for 10 years following a five-day trial.

Jamie Duguid, 26, of Whitley Bay, Northumbria was charged with engaging in sexual communications with a child and sexual assault following a lengthy investigation.

Appearing at court in November last year, he pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual communications with a child, however pleaded not guilty to sexual assault. Following a five-day trial at Grimsby Crown Court he was found not guilty of sexual assault by the jury.

An investigation was launched in 2023 after we received a report raising concerns that a man was abusing his position of trust as a teacher at a secondary school in Hull.

Duguid had sent a number of sexualised messages to a now ex-pupil after adding them on social media, he had also purchased several gifts online and sent them to a postal locker which the student never collected.

Following the initial report, Duguid was arrested and brought into custody to be questioned. As a part of his first interview, detectives asked Duguid about his interaction with the pupil for which he answered “no comment” to each question. He was then released under investigation whilst detectives continued with their enquiries.

As a part of the enquiries, officers were able to track a number of online purchases from Duguids banking and emails to items including underwear and jewellery he sent to the pupil.

In a second interview with detectives, Duguid was questioned about the purchases and why he had blocked the pupil on Facebook and messenger but had been in contact with the pupil on Snapchat. Detectives also questioned why he had attempted to conceal his identity on the social media platform and around his search history. Duguid answered “no comment” to all questions.

Legal proceedings concluded with a sentencing hearing at Grimsby Crown Court on Friday, 30 October where Duguid was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence, as part of his sentence he also he must complete 250 hours of unpaid work, will remain on the sex offenders register for 10 years and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order for five years.

Detective Constable Rebecca Davison leading the investigation said:

“As a teacher, Duguid was trusted, however he abused his position praying on the pupil’s vulnerabilities and manipulated them after they had confided in him and sought support.

“I would like to commend them for their courage not only in coming forward and reporting Duguid but throughout the entirety of the investigation and court proceedings.

“If you have been a victim of a sexual offence, I would always encourage you to report it, when you’re ready.

“This has been a lengthy investigation working alongside partnering agencies, for which I would like to thank for their cooperation and assistance throughout.”

Description

Police are urging other potential victims of a man who groomed and sexually abused a teenage girl to come forward after he was jailed for 11 years.

Shoaib Mohammed was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court today (Thursday 29 October) for a string of offences against the girl when she was 15.

Now aged 20, the victim, whose identity is protected by law, was just 14 when she was first contacted by Mohammed, now 35, on Snapchat in April 2021.

Over the following seven months, Mohammed groomed the teenager before persuading her to travel to Sheffield, where he sexually abused her over three days.

Mohammed, of Kentmere Drive, Doncaster, pleaded guilty to nine child sexual offences shortly before his trial was due to begin last month.

He was sentenced to a total of 11 years and will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.

Following the conclusion of the case, detectives from the Child Exploitation Team are appealing for anyone else who has concerns about Mohammed’s behaviour or contact they have had with him to come forward.

He was known to operate under the Snapchat handle ‘shabzique91’.

Officer in the case, DC Daljinder Gill, said:

“Mohammed was an adult who developed a relationship with a child through social media. She told him about her 15th birthday shortly after they started talking, meaning he was in no doubt about her age. Despite knowing she was a child, he continued to engage her in sexual communications before going on to sexually abuse her.

“The bravery and strength the victim has shown throughout the investigation and court proceedings has been remarkable. From making her initial disclosure to police at just 15 years old, to standing in court today as a woman and reading aloud the impact his offending has had on her, she has shown immense courage throughout. I hope today’s outcome gives her some sense that she has been heard and that Mohammed has been held accountable for what he did to her.

“Following the sentence, we want to hear from anyone else who may have experienced similar behaviour from Mohammed or who has concerns about contact they have had with him.

“We know grooming can be difficult to recognise, particularly when contact begins online, and a young person believes they are in a friendship or relationship. They may not recognise the behaviour for what it is until much later.

“If anything about this case feels familiar to you, please come and speak to us. You will be listened to, taken seriously and supported.”

Police investigation into Mohammed’s offending

The investigation first began in late 2021, when the girl was reporting missing to police by her parents.

Officers carried out extensive enquiries to find her and establish who she had been in contact with. Examination of her phone data showed she had been in contact with Mohammed and led officers to believe the pair were together.

Police attended Mohammed’s then home address in Sheffield a couple of days after the girl was reported missing, but he was not there.

After being told police were looking for him, Mohammed dropped the victim off at Sheffield train station and told her to go home and delete all of the messages they had exchanged.

When the victim returned to her home in Leicestershire she told her family and police what had happened.

A detective was immediately deployed to Sheffield to review local CCTV after the victim disclosed she had been taken to a number of hotels in the area between 8 and 10 November While there, sexual activity had taken place at two of the hotels, as well as in the defendant’s car.

The footage uncovered by police showed Mohammed had checked in to the hotels alone before bringing the victim in through reception and going straight to the room.

During the investigation, detectives also discovered the exchange of sexually explicit images and videos between the two.

Detectives also found Mohammed had carried out internet searches for terms including ‘grooming’, ‘Jimmy Savile’ and ‘Op Yewtree’.

After gathering the evidence, police submitted a file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Mohammed was charged with five counts of sexual activity with a child, three counts of possession of indecent images of a child and one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Detectives continued to work closely with the CPS as the case progressed, reviewing the evidence and preparing the case for court. Mohammed ultimately pleaded guilty to all nine offences.

DC Gill added:

“Investigations of this nature require careful and detailed work. Throughout this case I worked closely with colleagues from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), in particular District Crown Prosecutor Nicola Potts, to ensure the strongest possible case was put before the court.”

Nicola Potts, from the CPS, said:

“The evidence that this man groomed and abused the victim in this case was conclusive. However, his continued denials have taken years of work to bring him to justice as we built a case that stopped his lies in their tracks.

“Shoaib Mohammed preyed on a young, vulnerable victim while posing as a caring friend and romantic partner. The way he manipulated her and abused her at such a vulnerable young age has caused her far-reaching damage. I hope that seeing him jailed today will help that young woman in her recovery and will show that he alone is responsible for what happened to her.”

Description

A former local councillor and cadet leader has been found guilty of rape and abusing his position to lure children into sexual activity after messaging them on social media.

Rylan Ray, 26, took advantage of his role as a detachment commander in the Army Cadet Force (ACF) to contact young people on Whatsapp to discuss duties and commitments without suspicion.

The former Peterborough city councillor would then encourage them to engage in Snapchat conversations which would become sexual.

Ray used a fake persona of a teenage girl called Chelsie to extract intimate images from teenagers. He was traced to the fake account when a phone call made from one boy to Chelsie was answered by him and another fake account was linked back to his flat via the IP address.

Photos of Chelsie, including the Snapchat icon, were found on his phone, together with intimate images from six victims that were only ever sent to the fake accounts.

He also told one 16-year-old, who he knew from the cadets and would meet up with on nights out, that as he was a Peterborough licensing officer, he could get him into clubs without ID.

The offences against 11 different victims only came to light in 2025 after two 16th birthday parties at Ray’s home, where he shared with another cadet leader. The parties were attended mostly by cadets or people linked to the cadets and resulted in parents complaining about the drinking and behaviour to the ACF.

Enquiries were made with various children who attended the parties, who then disclosed sexual messaging with Ray, who was also part of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at Stanground Academy and Nene Park Academy schools - both in Peterborough.

Police were made aware in May 2025 and an investigation began, where some children disclosed that as well as the sexual messages, they had been sexually assaulted.

Ray, of Westgate, Peterborough, was arrested the same month and in police interview provided a prepared statement where he accepted that he “may have” become involved in conversations that were unwise in his position as cadet leader but were not, on his part, sexually motivated.

He said he was “truly shocked and disgusted” at being accused of these offences which had “ruined his career”.  He then answered no comment to all questions.

In later interviews, he accepted that he received topless images of one child and that some of the messages were sexual, but claimed he never actively encouraged this. However, he also accepted sending a photo of his genitalia to the same young boy, and also sending him pornography.

Ray was charged with a total of 25 offences and media coverage of these charges resulted in a further victim coming forward, who confided that Ray had raped him after they had met on a night out in Peterborough in 2019.

Before his trial began, Ray pleaded guilty to two counts of causing or inciting a boy aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, and causing a child aged 13 to 15 to look at an image of sexual activity.

During the trial he admitted a further two offences of making indecent images of children.

He stood trial to face the other charges at Ipswich Crown Court from 5 October, and after 24 days, jurors found him guilty of 23 further offences. The charges for which he will now be sentenced for include:

• Rape a man aged 16 or over
• Engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a boy aged 13 to 15
• Five counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child
• Five counts of causing a child aged 13 to 15 to watch/look at an image of sexual activity
• Three counts of sexual assault
• Three counts of causing or inciting a boy aged 13 to 15 to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity
• One count of causing or inciting a boy aged 13 to 15 to engage in penetrative sexual activity
• Three counts of making indecent photos of a child
  One count of possess an extreme pornographic image portraying rape

He will be sentenced at the same court on 8 January.

Detective Constable Gordon Logan, who investigated, said:

“The roles Ray held allowed him trusted access to young people, and he seized these opportunities to abuse them sexually.

“We would like to praise the bravery of the children involved in confiding in others what had happened to them. Doing so takes a lot of courage but it was so important that they did, because we then began investigating.

“Many of the victims involved felt they had no choice but to engage in the chats with Ray. In an increasingly digital world, mobile phones and social media mean children can be vulnerable to those who prey on their innocence and exploit their trust.

“We encourage all members of the public to be aware of adults who pay an unusual amount of attention to a child – no matter their profession. Sharing any concerns, no matter how small, can make all the difference.”

Description

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.

Description

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."

Description

A man has been jailed for 25 years for non-recent rape and sexual offences against a woman and children.

Neil Chiddy, 49, of no fixed abode, was sentenced for his offences, which were carried out over several years, at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday 15 October.

He was convicted by a jury of two counts of the rape of a child, one count of the rape of a woman, two counts of indecent assault, three counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of sexual assault against a child following a trial at the same court in July.

He has also been handed a restraining order not to contact his victims for an indefinite period.

Three separate victims, one woman and two children, reported being subjected to sexual assaults by Chiddy over a number of years and we have maintained contact with them throughout the course of the investigation, and they have been offered access to any support services they may benefit from.

His offending included the sexual abuse of children, grooming behaviour that escalated to repeated rape, and the rape of an adult woman.

Chiddy carried out the offences in Wiltshire and the Bath and North East Somerset area and was arrested in the West Midlands in November 2022 after a victim made a disclosure to their family and police after several years.

Chiddy’s victims outlined the impact his offending had on them in statements which were read in court on their behalf.

One victim said:

“It has taken me years to accept what has happened. At the time, I did not know that what was happening to me was not normal.

“It took me years to speak to anyone about what he had done. I kept silent, I was ashamed and I was worried about the impact on my family.

“When I eventually told someone what he had done to me, it finally felt real.  I can’t really recall what happened after it was reported to the police – it was a blur. I was ashamed and worried what people would ask me if they found out.”

“To this day, I am still trying to process what on Earth had gone on.”

T/DS Olivia McNeill, the investigating officer from our Criminal Investigations Department (CID), said:

“Chiddy’s offending demonstrated a sustained pattern of predatory sexual behaviour spanning several decades.

“He showed clear, calculated behaviour and groomed his victims into staying silent for many years, meaning he felt he had gotten away with these utterly despicable crimes.

“While a 25-year sentence cannot undo the trauma he has caused, we would like to pay testament to the victims’ courage in coming forward after so many years, which is both inspiring and commendable.

“Their bravery and commitment to support our investigation has ensured that Chiddy is finally facing justice for his crimes, and we hope this brings them some closure.

“We also want to remind victims and survivors of sexual abuse that these crimes are taken incredibly seriously, and they will be listened to, supported, and believed, no matter how long ago the offences were committed.”

Description

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.

Description

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.”

Description

A man from Portslade has been jailed for eight years for rape, harassment, breach of non-molestation order and controlling coercive behaviour against a woman known to him.

Paul Savage, 50, of Carlton Terrace, Portslade, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Friday (23 October).

Over years the victim had been living in fear, and felt her children were at risk, because of his unpredictable and terrifying behaviour.

She reported that he was violent and controlling and he was sexually abusive.

It was also reported that he was paranoid and jealous. He would contact her excessively and track where she was and what she was doing.

When their relationship ended, he continued to drive past her address frequently and linger trying to make his presence known, breaching police bail conditions and a court non-molestation order. When this was reported to police Savage was arrested and remanded to custody, where he stayed until his trial date.

On 2 January 2026, he was charged with intentional strangulation, possession of Class A and C drugs, stalking involving fear of violence, breach of non-molestation order and engaging controlling coercive behaviour. He was later charged on 18 February 2026 with rape.

He appeared before Lewes Crown Court on 10 July, when he was found guilty of rape, controlling coercive behaviour, harassment and breach of the non-molestation order.

Savage was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment when he appeared at Lewes Crown Court on 23 October.

Detective Constable Lisa Turner said:

“The complainant in this case has shown incredible strength and courage to come forward and tell her story. When she contacted police, she felt scared and isolated. She feared she could make matters worse by reporting her partner, who was unpredictable. However, despite this she reported her experience to police and supported an investigation.

"Savage was placed on police bail but continued his behaviour, even when a court order was imposed. Due to the courage of the complainant in continuing to report to police about breaches, a very swift stop was put to this, when Savage was remanded into custody.

“There are often many barriers to reporting to police, but I hope this case shows that police will take your report seriously. Victims of domestic abuse and sexual abuse do not need to suffer in silence; there is help available.

"Clare's Law provides an opportunity for people to seek information about a partner's history of abusive behaviour. If you have concerns about your safety or the safety of someone you know, please contact police.

"Early intervention can help prevent abuse and protect those at risk. If you are thinking about reporting but are uncertain of what will happen next, police will take your report seriously and listen to you. There are also many charities which can support you through the process.”

Description

Former Metropolitan Police Officer Mark Tyrrell Convicted of Rape and Sexual Assaults

Former PC Mark Tyrrell, 57, of Meltham, West Yorkshire, was convicted on 27 October 2026 at Southwark Crown Court of one count of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of perverting the course of justice for attempting to delete messages he had sent the victim. He was acquitted of a further count of rape, four counts of assault by penetration and eight counts of sexual assault. He had already pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office and a separate count of perverting the course of justice for persuading the woman to lie to police about why he was in her bedroom. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 16 December 2026.

Tyrrell, who served in the Metropolitan Police’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command—the same unit as convicted rapists Wayne Couzens and David Carrick—met the woman (who cannot be identified for legal reasons) during a welfare check. He later contacted her privately without a legitimate policing purpose and pursued a sexual relationship with her over several years while she was in a vulnerable position.

Jurors heard that he had sex with her after she repeatedly said no, then asked: “Do you realise that what I’ve just done, that was rape?” Prosecutor Catherine Farrelly KC said that when the woman resisted his advances “he simply chose to take what he wanted.” Concerns first arose when officers attending her home on an unrelated matter found him hiding beside her bed. Recovered messages included an apology for “being a sex offender” and “for ruining your life by being in it.”

In evidence, Tyrrell claimed the sex had always been consensual and that “there was never any forcefulness to it.” He resigned from the Met in September 2023 after his arrest and suspension. An accelerated misconduct hearing later found he would have been dismissed had he remained in post, and he was added to the police barred list.

Chief Superintendent Sara Leach said:

“This kind of conduct is abhorrent but even more so when it is carried out by a serving officer, who had gained the trust of the victim. We remain appalled that someone like this was serving within our organisation and it is right he has been brought to justice.”

Tyrrell’s case highlights the serious risk posed when a serving officer abuses their position of authority to target a vulnerable person.

Description

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.”