Latest Offenders

Description

Brighton man Philip Smith has been convicted of raping a woman at knifepoint in the city centre.

At around 3.30am on Saturday, 9 August, 2025, police received a third-party report that a woman had just been raped by a stranger in Bartholomew Square.

She said the man had threatened her with a knife and raped her on a public bench.

The victim – a 31-year-old woman - was able to contact a friend nearby, who rushed to the scene and disturbed the attacker.

An emergency call came into Sussex Police with a description of the suspect and, 45 minutes later, Philip Smith was arrested at the entrance of Quadrophenia Alley in Little East Street.

Smith matched the victim’s description and was found to be in possession of multiple knives, including one that matched the victim’s account, as well as Class A drugs.

The 28-year-old, of no fixed address, was arrested and taken into custody.

While in custody, Smith exposed himself to two women inside Brighton Custody Centre.

He was subsequently charged with two counts of rape, two counts of indecent exposure and one count each of being in possession of a Class A drug, and possession of a bladed article in a public place. He was remanded in custody.

At the time of the offence, Smith was on court bail awaiting sentencing for the sexual assault of a woman in Brighton on 5 August, 2025.

He denied the two rape charges, but pleaded guilty to all other offences. Following a trial at Lewes Crown Court a jury found him guilty of both counts of rape on Thursday (26 February).

Smith has been remanded in custody to be sentenced at Hove Trial Centre on Thursday, 25 June. 

Detective Constable Rachel Cutts said:

“Philip Smith subjected this woman to a horrific ordeal in the city centre, in an area where she had every right to feel safe.

“Thanks to her quick-thinking to seek help, the prompt action of her friend and the rapid response of our officers, a dangerous offender has been brought to justice.

“I would like to commend all of the victims impacted by Smith's offending for supporting this investigation through extremely challenging circumstances.

“We will continue to work hard alongside our partners to protect women and girls in Brighton and Hove, while ensuring victims are supported and offenders brought to justice should the worst happen.”

Description

A delivery driver from Manchester has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in Northwich.

Rana Jahangir was found guilty of one count of sexual assault following a trial at Chester Crown Court which concluded on Friday 27 February 2026.

The 25-year-old of Collington Close, Manchester has been jailed for two years and four months. He has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for ten years and handed a restraining order which prevents him from contacting the victim.

The court heard how on Tuesday 2 September 2025, Jahangir delivered food to an address on Shipbrook Road in Rudheath.

After handing over the food, he went on to grab the woman from behind and started hugging and kissing her.

The assault continued for over a minute, despite repeated requests for him to stop.

The victim initially chose not to report the matter to police but instead made a complaint to the delivery company.

However, after speaking to friends, she later contacted police on Wednesday 3 September and Jahangir was arrested.

Following his arrests, Jahangir denied sexually assaulting the victim and claimed that it was consensual.

However, unbeknown to him, part of the incident had been recorded on a mobile phone, and he was subsequently charged with one count of sexual assault.

Following the guilty verdict, Detective Constable Sarah Ollier, said:

“During questioning Jahangir denied sexually assaulting the victim, instead claiming that it was consensual.

“Even when we presented him with the mobile phone footage, he continued to deny the allegations, claiming that the victim had set him up.

“Thankfully, the jury saw through his lies, and he has been held accountable for his actions.

“I welcome the sentenced handed to Jahangir and I hope that it provides some reassurance to the victim.

“We will continue to do all we can to tackle any incident of violence against women and take all reports of such crimes extremely seriously and will investigate thoroughly to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”

Description

Detectives have praised a child’s bravery in helping put the man who sexually abused her behind bars.

Forty-year-old David Macquarrie was responsible for committing a series of sex offences against an underage girl.

The campaign of abuse took place in August and September last year, with Macquarrie initially grooming his victim online.

He was fully aware of the girl’s age when they started talking but still engaged her in conversations of a sexual nature anyway.

This ultimately culminated in the paedophile persuading the child to meet with him at his address on multiple occasions.

Macquarrie subjected her to repeated sexual abuse during each of the meetings.

Around the same time this was happening, Macquarrie was also engaging in conversations of a sexual nature with another ‘girl’ online.

Unbeknownst to the predator, however, he was on that occasion interacting with a decoy account set up by an online child activist group.

Macquarrie was arrested soon after that, at which point the true extent of his crimes became apparent.

That was possible thanks to the girl he’d sexually abused finding the strength to come forward and report what happened to the police.

Macquarrie, of Scrooby Close, Harworth, was duly charged with a series of child sex offences – all of which he pleaded guilty to.

These included seven counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child and three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Macquarrie also admitted to both engaging and attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child.

He was jailed for six-and-a-half years and placed on the sex offenders’ register for life during an appearance at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (26 February).

Macquarrie was also made the subject of a restraining order banning him from contacting the victim for the next 10 years, while he was handed a sexual harm prevention order for a period of 15 years too.

Detective Constable Ellie Talbot, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“First and foremost, I want to highlight and commend the courage shown by the young victim in disclosing what happened to her.

“That can’t have been an easy thing to do, with the immense bravery she demonstrated ensuring Macquarrie’s depravity was revealed and his disgusting actions didn’t go unpunished.

“Macquarrie knew full well that his victim was underage and yet continued to pursue her anyway – firstly grooming her online before then sexually abusing her.

“This happened on more than one occasion, with the 40-year-old’s abuse taking place at the same time he was trying to target what he thought was another child.

“We’re pleased to see he has now been sent to prison.”

Description

A 25-year-old man has been jailed today for 10 years for raping a woman he had been harassing during a night out in Southampton.

Musafar Hotak began following a woman, who had been on a night out with friends, in the city centre, paying her unwanted attention.

A court heard on Tuesday 12 July, 2022, he approached the 24-year-old woman, who was trying to find her partner. He told her he knew her partner, and offered to help reunite them.

Instead, he led her to his own address, where he went on to ignore her repeated pleas for him to stop and sexually assaulted and raped her. She eventually managed to push him away and flee the property.

In a statement to the court, the victim described how her life had been “destroyed in ways she never thought possible, something me shattered.” She spoke of living “in fear, shame, silence, and unbearable pain that I still can’t fully describe. I was left feeling broken, empty, and terrified of the world around me.” She told the court “I had lost every piece of myself, and it felt like there was no way back. I felt like a stranger in my own skin,” adding that “before this, I was full of life.” but following the attack “it’s exhausting to live in constant fear.” She said the impact “has left scars on every part of my life. I’ve been surviving it every day since.”

When the victim reported the attack to police, an investigation was launched, with support for her from specialist officers.

As part of this investigation, forensic samples were taken at the time the offence was reported. However, Hotak had left the country and was not able to be arrested until he returned to the UK in 2024.

Hotak, an Afghan national who lived in Mount Pleasant Road, Southampton, had denied raping the woman, but was found guilty following a trial at Southampton Crown Court last month.

Today, at the same court, he has been jailed for 10 years.

Along with his time in behind bars Hotak will put on the Sex Offenders Register for life and is subject to a restraining order. 

Detective constable Laura Cook, the officer leading the investigation said:

“We are pleased to see Hotak behind bars for what he has done.

"Reducing violence against women and girls is a priority for us, and this case shows our determination to pursue offenders and protect victims.

"This has been a long and incredibly difficult journey for the victim, and her courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation has been truly commendable.

“I also want to recognise the dedication of the wider investigations team, whose hard work and professionalism throughout this case helped ensure that a dangerous offender has been brought to justice.

“I hope today’s outcome brings the victim some sense of closure after everything she has endured.”

Description

A rapist who held a woman captive over a weekend and subjected her to “pure hell” has been jailed for 14 years.

Noah Hetherington, 22, of Maryport Road, Dearham, Cumbria, was found guilty at Carlisle Crown Court of rape, false imprisonment, assault and possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

The court heard he held what appeared to be a real shotgun to the woman’s head, threatened to shoot her, raped her multiple times, beat her with an axe handle and removed her phone SIM card while under the influence of cannabis, cocaine and alcohol.

Judge Nicholas Barker told him he had “entrenched criminal tendencies”.

The victim told the court she believed she would be killed and said: “He needs to be stopped. And that’s the only reason I’m trying to be strong and get through it – for other people, for other girls.”

In her impact statement she described the ordeal as “pure hell”, adding: “I was almost dead and killed, dead and buried. I’ve never been the same person since.”

She has since been in and out of hospital, lost hair, been unable to eat or sleep and now lives with daily trauma. “I’ve been traumatised,” she said. “And I’ll live with the trauma every single day.”

Hetherington, a father of two, had previous convictions for possessing an offensive weapon (a sharpened stick taken into school), battery, criminal damage, drugs and driving offences.

He must sign the sex offenders register for life and comply with a sexual harm prevention order.

Description

A rapist from Ashford has been sentenced to nine years in prison.

Matthew Thompson, 36, was also found guilty of strangulation and falsely imprisoning his victim on 6 December 2024.

During the incident, Thompson persisted with sexual intercourse against their wishes. When they attempted to leave, he squeezed his victim’s neck and grabbed their hair to restrict their movement.

His actions were reported the following day and an investigation was launched, resulting in Thompson’s arrest on 9 December and subsequent charges.

He denied all accusations against him but, after a seven day trial at Canterbury Crown Court, a jury found him guilty.

Thompson, of Grampion Close, Ashford, was sentenced at the same court on Friday 20 February 2026 to nine years’ imprisonment with an extended licence period of three years.

Detective Constable Heidi Cole said:

‘Thompson put his victim through a horrific ordeal where they were made to feel powerless and voiceless. It is only through their courage that he will now face the consequences of his actions.

‘We’re very pleased he is now behind bars, where he can’t be a danger to the public for a long time.’

Description

The man pictured below is Kurt Devoy-Foster, his is 34 years old and he is a sex offender.

Over a two-year period, Devoy-Foster attempted to engage in sexual communication with girls he believed were between 12 and 15 years old.

Unfortunately for Devoy-Foster, but fortunately for the public, the individuals on the other end of the electronic devices weren’t children, they were either members of Online Child Action Groups (OCAGs) or undercover police officers.

On 14th and 15th May 2023, Devoy-Foster engaged in sexual communication with a user he believed was a 13-year-old girl on RandoChat. During the course of the communication, Devoy-Foster sent inappropriate videos and incited the child to engage in sexual activity. Thankfully, there was no child, Devoy-Foster was communicating with an officer from the North-West Regional Crime Unit (NWRCU).

Devoy-Foster was arrested by officers from the East Management of Sexual or Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) Team.

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Devoy-Foster was charged with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child , attempting to cause/incite a child to engage in sexual activity and failing to comply with his notification requirements.

On 2nd November 2024 – and whilst on court bail for the above offences - Devoy-Foster messaged a profile on RandoChat which he believed was being used by a 13-year-old girl.

Claiming to be called Adam, Devoy-Foster sent a message reading “what u done with a guy?”

He then went on to send her highly sexualised messages, before encouraging what he believed was a child to perform lewd acts.

Despite receiving numerous messages back from the person he was messaging stating she was 13 years old, Devoy-Foster continued to ask her to perform lewd acts.

The communication ended the following day when the operative from an OCAG group reported Devoy-Foster to our colleagues at West Yorkshire Police. The investigation was then transferred to Lancashire Police to progress.

On 16th December 2024, Devoy-Foster engaged in sexualised communication with a girl he believed was 14 years old on RandoChat and then on WhatsApp. Unfortunately for him, Devoy-Foster was communicating with a member of a second OCAG.

Devoy-Foster was arrested on 22nd December outside a Blackburn supermarket, having been confronted by members of the OCAG.

A search was carried out of Devoy-Foster’s home and a number of electronic devices were seized, including eight mobile phones.

Devoy-Foster was charged and released on court bail, with strict conditions not to use RandoChat, not to communicate directly or indirectly with a child and limitations were imposed around his internet use.

On 8th April 2025, Devoy-Foster contacted a profile he believed was being operated by a 12-year-old girl on RandoChat asking how old she was.

On 10th April 2025, Devoy-Foster began sending sexually inappropriate messages to what he believed was a child. He then asked her to perform lewd acts and send him picture evidence of her doing so.

He then sent her an image of a penis and stated he wanted to go on a secret date with her to the park. Devoy-Foster then sent over more inappropriate images.

Unfortunately for Devoy-Foster, the account he was messaging was being operated by an officer from the (NWROCU).

Enquiries found the inappropriate messages were being sent from Devoy-Foster’s home in Terry Street, Nelson.

Officers from NWRCU attended Devoy-Foster’s home and arrested him on suspicion of sexual communication with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and breach of court bail conditions.

Devoy-Foster appeared at Preston Crown Court earlier this year where he pleaded guilty to Sexual Communication with Children under 16, causing/inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity, causing/inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and multiple failures to comply with notification requirements.

Devoy-Foster returned to the same court on Monday (23rd February) where he was jailed for seven years and six months. He was also made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

DC Beth Turner, of the East Internet Child Exploitation Team, said:

“Devoy-Foster is a dangerous individual who presents a serious risk to children via his determined efforts to engage them in sexual activity. His offending shows a desire to meet and abuse a child in person.

“I welcome the sentence handed down to Devoy-Foster which reflects the seriousness of his offending.”

Description

A sex offender who crept into elderly people’s homes during a series of disturbing incidents was caught after a determined investigation and help from the public.

Tyler Reilly broke into one elderly woman’s home while she was in the shower and attempted to get through a bedroom window while another woman was getting changed.

The 32-year-old also sneaked into a flat at an OAP's complex and told the elderly occupant ‘not to scream’.

Detectives investigated the series of incidents, which all took place in the West Bridgford area, and analysed hours of CCTV footage.

An image of a suspect was released to the public and this helped identify Reilly as the offender.

He was arrested by neighbourhood officers who found him living in a tent in Wilford Road.

Reilly, of no fixed abode, went on to plead guilty to two counts of trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offence, burglary and failing to comply with the requirements of the Sex Offenders’ Register.

At Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (26 February) he was handed an extended jail sentence of 14 years.

Detective Sergeant Ben Skellern, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“The victims in this series of incidents were alarmed to come face-to-face with an intruder inside their homes or on their property.

“They must have felt horrified that their safe space had been violated in this way by Reilly.

“We believe our investigation, with the help of the public who identified him, may have prevented further and more serious offences being committed.

“During the investigation it became clear this series of incidents were linked and we were looking at one offender who needed to be identified quickly and arrested.

“We are very grateful to the members of the public who came forward to help our appeal.”

Inspector Tim Cuthbert, local area commander for Rushcliffe, said:

“These incidents caused concern in the West Bridgford community and we know a number of Reilly’s victims were vulnerable people who lived alone or in assisted accommodation.

“Neighbourhood teams carried out additional patrols in the areas affected as the investigation took place and I hope these provided some comfort.

“I also hope our robust investigation and the outcome in court reassures both the victims and the wider community about how seriously we treat offences of this nature.”

Description

A dangerous offender who sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl has been handed an extended 21year sentence after our officers irrefutably linked him to the crime through DNA evidence.

Their work led a Crown Court judge to issue a formal commendation to the investigative team for bringing him to justice.

Judge Martyn Levett described how the case required:

“focused attention and hard work from people who work late at night and probably very early in the morning.”

He continued:

“Investigating a case such as this provides many challenges due to the constellation of different pieces of evidence.

“I appreciate that much of the work involves putting together a coherent case which is then presented to the jury. Sometimes that is not easy.

“I probably only see part of what goes on behind the scenes in the preparation of such cases.

“This is only possible with teamwork and backup. It’s often forgotten that these cases cannot function on their own, and the welfare of everyone has to be well looked after before, during and after the course of a trial.

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank all those concerned in this case, and if I may, single out DC Tamsin Lyons, DC Debbie Hewett, DC Owen Clements and DS Gavin Wiseman.
They should be commended for their hard work. A commendation is truly deserved.”

Judge Levett praised the detectives for presenting a coherent case in which “all the arrows pointed to one man”.

That man was 28yearold Dominic Boultwood.

Already a convicted sex offender, Boultwood lured his victim to a wooded area of Bourne Valley Nature Reserve, near Mersea Road, Colchester, on Thursday 9 May 2024.

After engaging her in a sexualised conversation and confirming her young age, he pulled her to the ground and sexually assaulted her.

On several occasions he warned the girl not to report him to police or tell anyone what had happened.

Distressed and crying, she asked to leave. Boultwood told her to remain at the scene for five minutes while he walked away.

She later felt able to leave and returned home, quickly confiding in a friend. We were alerted soon afterwards and launched an immediate investigation, putting specialist support in place for the girl and carrying out urgent enquiries.

Numerous pieces of evidence pointed to Boultwood, but crucially he was linked through DNA discovered on the victim’s clothing.

Arrested

We arrested him on Wednesday 15 May and searched his home, where a quantity of cannabis was seized.

In interview, Boultwood claimed he had been fishing in the nature reserve on the day of the offence. He denied seeing or speaking to any child, acknowledging that doing so would breach court orders.

Boultwood had previously been convicted in 2015 of a separate sexual assault and received a sevenyear sentence, comprising four years in custody and three years on licence. He was subject to notification requirements and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which allowed monitoring software to be installed on his mobile phone.

During his first interview, Boultwood said that if he had committed the offence as alleged, he would admit it. After being presented with forensic evidence, he provided a prepared statement in a second interview, claiming his DNA could have been on the girl’s clothing because he regularly slept and urinated in the area.

He was charged with sexual assault and assault by penetration and was remanded in custody.

Jailed

Boultwood stood trial at Ipswich Crown Court in March last year, also facing a charge of making indecent images of children following a previous examination of his mobile phone. Officers had found a number of sexualised images of children aged between three and 13.

Due to the overwhelming evidence gathered against him, a jury convicted him of all three offences.

Appearing at Woolwich Crown Court on Wednesday 25 February, he was deemed a dangerous offender requiring an extended sentence to protect the public. This comprised 13 years’ imprisonment and an additional eight years on extended licence.

He will remain subject to indefinite notification requirements and a renewed Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which will help deter and detect any future offending. A lifelong restraining order was also imposed to protect the victim.

Judge Levett said Boultwood had:

“manipulated a very young girl to fulfil his sexual desire” and added that places such as nature reserves should be spaces where children feel safe to walk without any sense of danger.

'The sooner you speak out the better'

The mother of the victim, who must remain anonymous, said:

“Officers were amazing. I know these things are scary but the sooner you speak out the quicker police can get the person and hopefully, in time, give closure.

“It may take a while, but patience is important. These things may not affect you instantly, but they will long term.

“Everyone needs to speak out and everyone needs to feel safe so maybe we do need to see more of a presence in quiet, enclosed areas.”

A dangerous sexual predator

Detective Inspector James Holmes, of our Serious Crime Directorate, said:

“Boultwood is a dangerous sexual predator who poses a very real risk to young girls.

“Despite his previous imprisonment for sexual offending and the strict conditions imposed upon him as a registered sex offender, he chose to completely disregard those matters – showing utter contempt for his victim and the law.

“We firmly believe he was fully aware of his despicable actions in preying on a lone 13yearold schoolgirl and knew we were looking for him in the days after the offence.

“He has never shown the slightest remorse.

“Thanks to the evidence we gathered, a jury saw through his lies and convicted him over his horrific actions. He is now back where he belongs – in prison.

“I want to pay tribute to the victim, who has shown patience and bravery throughout this investigation. I hope that, with the support of her family and those around her, she is able to move forward.

“If you are a victim of a sexual offence in Essex, you will be listened to and your voice will be heard.

“We have teams of specialist officers dedicated to investigating sexual offences against children. Even if you do not feel ready to speak to police, you can contact an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor, who will listen and help you access the support you need.”

Description

The offences occurred in September 2023 and throughout the last two and a half years the victim has showed incredible strength and determination to ensure the man who abused her was brought to justice.

Riaz, 29, of no fixed address, deliberately targeted the vulnerable teenager after encountering her alone in the Hamilton area of the city shortly before midnight on Thursday 7 September 2023.

The girl had left her address a short time before and had been reported missing to police.

Riaz forced the teenager to go back to his-then home address in Harringworth Road. Once there he supplied her with cannabis and raped her.

She was able to leave the address and thanks to a night shift worker, who found her at around 4am the next morning (Friday 8 September), police were called.

While supporting the victim, detectives in the force’s specialist rape and serious sexual assault team – known as the Signal team – also carried out extensive enquiries during the next few days to identify and locate the suspect and the address where the offences had taken place.

This led to officers identifying the address in Harringworth Road and arresting him a few days later.

For more than two years, the officer in the case - DC Jon Williamsn - and other detectives in the team, have continued to carry out enquiries and gather evidence ahead of the trial.

This vital work led to Riaz being found guilty of two counts of rape against the victim.

DC Williams, from the Signal team, said:

“Throughout her ordeal the victim has shown incredible strength. It took extreme courage for her to share the details of what had occurred so that officers and staff could carry out a thorough investigation.

“It has been two and half years since this incident occurred but the victim’s determination and persistence to see this perpetrator punished for his actions has stayed with her. It is thanks to her that he is now going to spend many years behind bars.”

Description

Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been jailed for raping and sexually assaulting a woman in Berkshire.

Farai Maumbe, aged 43, of Nightingale Avenue, Chertsey, was convicted by a unanimous jury of two counts of sexual assault by penetration, as well as one count each of rape, intentional strangulation and sexual assault, following a fiveday trial at Reading Crown Court ending on 12 December last year.

Returning to the same court on Friday 13 February, Maumbe was sentenced to eight years in prison.

On 20 May 2023, Maumbe went to the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her.

Despite the victim telling him to stop and trying to resist, he continued to sexually assault her, rape her and strangled her while doing so.

The following day, when the victim confronted Maumbe about what happened, he told her that “no means yes to me”.

Maumbe was arrested on 22 May 2023 and was charged on 21 December the same year.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable William Blundell, part of East Berkshire’s CID, said:

“I welcome this sentence, which reflects the gravity of these offences and the ongoing risk the defendant poses.

“Just as he did when confronted by the victim the day after the attack, Maumbe continued throughout the trial to deny responsibility and showed no remorse for his actions.

“Thames Valley Police treats all reports of sexual offences with the utmost seriousness. Our officers are dedicated to conducting thorough investigations, supporting victims through every stage of the criminal justice process, and working closely with partner agencies to help prevent offending.

“We remain resolute in our commitment to identifying, arresting and bringing to justice those who commit sexual violence.”

Description

A child sex offender was exposed when he travelled internationally to meet the victim he groomed online.

Gary Burrows, 34, initiated sexualised social media conversations with the girl.

Aware that his victim was only 15-years-old at the time, Burrows enticed her to send him a series of sexually explicit images – and sent them back too.

He also arranged to meet her in person and flew to Canada once she turned 16.

Ontario Provincial Police were made aware that Burrows was having sexual relations with the victim in September 2023 but took no further action as 16 is the age of consent in that country.

It was, however, reported to Nottinghamshire Police to investigate potential offences committed whist the victim was still 15 years old.

Burrows’ phone was examined, and he was arrested in October 2023.

Burrows, formerly of Lime Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, went on to plead guilty to making indecent photos of a child, causing a child aged 13 to 15 to look at an image of sexual activity, and engaging in sexual communication with a child.

He also pleaded guilty to two counts of causing a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday 20 February, he was jailed for three years and placed on the sex offenders’ register.

He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that will tightly restrict his activities once he is released from prison.

Detective Constable Jason Jenkins, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Burrows is a calculating sex offender who poses a significant danger to young girls.

“He knew exactly what he was doing and had absolutely no care for the very significant harm he was causing.

“As his victim was outside the country, he may have thought he could have gotten away with such depraved behaviour.

“This was, obviously, proven thoroughly wrong when he was placed before the courts.

“Those who choose to act this way can be warned – you will be held accountable.”

Description

Fabrizio Broussett was stopped at Gatwick Airport trying to fly to France to meet a teenage girl he had been sexually abusing.

Broussett, 23, of Chartham Road in Croydon, came to the attention of Sussex Police in April, 2025, when Counter Terror officers seized his mobile phone as part of a separate investigation.

The phone had no evidence of terror offences. But officers did find 18,000 videos – some depicting violent sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl in France – and 33,000 messages with the teenager.

Broussett had images of her ID card and passport confirming she was only 14 years old, and many of the messages were degrading and sexually aggressive, with texts including ‘6 days and I’m gonna rape my 14-year-old child’. The victim was not related to Broussett.

Sussex Police engaged with Interpol to conduct urgent welfare checks on the victim, who located her and made sure she was in no further danger.

On 18 May, 2025, Broussett was arrested at Gatwick Airport attempting to board a flight to Lyon, France.

Further enquiries found Broussett had visited the victim for two separate weeks in February and April, 2025, booking BnBs in the Saint-Etienne area. There was also evidence Broussett was planning to meet her again before he was detained.

He was charged with two counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child, four counts of making indecent images of a child, three counts of arranging/facilitating a child sex offence and one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child.

Broussett admitted all the charges at Croydon Crown Court on Friday, 11 July, 2025.

At the same court on Tuesday, 17 February, he was jailed for 15 years, with another three spent on extended licence. He was also given a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and indefinitely placed on the sex offenders register and barred from working with children and vulnerable people.

Detective Constable Tasha Smith said:

“Fabrizio Broussett is a committed offender who proactively groomed and abused a child for his own sexual gratification.

“The victim in this investigation must live with the impact of his offending for the rest of her life, but I hope her abuser being now behind bars can bring her some measure of comfort.

“I would like to thank our partners in Counter Terror policing and Gatwick Airport for their support in helping to bring a dangerous offender to justice.”

Description

A convicted sex offender from Maidstone has been sent back to jail for seven years after he was caught re-offending, six weeks after being released from prison.

Lee Webster was caught using a false name and claiming to be 28 years old to send explicit messages and images to who he believed was a 12 year old girl.

He also attempted to arrange to meet for sexual activity.

Following an investigation, the 39 year old was arrested at his home address in Fairmeadow, Maidstone.

Charged

Lee Webster was charged with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to facilitate a child sex offence, breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and failing to comply with the sex offenders register requirements.

He was sentenced on Tuesday 17 February 2026 at Maidstone Crown Court to seven years in prison with a further five years on licence.

Police Sergeant Gemma Hemsley said:

'We monitor and manage registered sex offenders within our communities to ensure they comply with their conditions and to reduce the risk of further offending.

'However, Webster is a prolific offender who was arrested just 42 days after his release from prison for breaching these conditions and committing new offences.

'He is a manipulative individual who not only provided false details regarding his name and age, but also attempted to conceal evidence by deleting social media apps from his phone.

'Webster has repeatedly attempted to deceive authorities and disregard the strict conditions placed upon him. His behaviour highlights the continued danger he poses, and I welcome the court’s decision to hold him accountable for his actions.'

Description

Police are appealing for help to trace a wanted man from Darwen.

Lewis Ainsworth is wanted for breaching sex offender notification requirements and is also wanted on a Crown Court warrant, according to police.

According to police, he is around 5ft 5, slim, with blue eyes.

He has links to Blackburn, Darwen and Blackpool, and to Stoke-on-Trent.

A police spokesperson said:

"We are asking for your help to find Lewis Ainsworth who is wanted.

"Ainsworth, 22, who is from Darwen, is wanted for breaching sex offender notification requirements and on a Crown Court warrant.

"He is around 5ft 5, slim, with blue eyes.

"Ainsworth has links to Blackburn, Darwen and Blackpool, and to Stoke-on-Trent.

"Any sightings of Ainsworth or information as to where he might be, please email [email protected] or contact 101 – quoting log LC-20220422-0189."