Latest Offenders

Description

Northwich Man Jailed for 10 Years for Rapes

Nigel Davies, 55, of Manchester Road, Northwich, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of two counts of rape against the same woman.

Davies appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, May 21. He was found guilty two months earlier, with the second offence committed in 2023.

Prosecutor Catherine Elvin told the court the victim “forgot what it was like to enjoy life” after the abuse. She added: “She does not think she will trust a man again.”

Davies has previous convictions for harassment, breaching a non-molestation order and breaching a restraining order.

Defence barrister Jason Smith said Davies continues to maintain his innocence. He told the court: “It will be a substantial prison sentence for Mr Davies, a man of 55 years of age, who has spent a lot of his lifetime working in a responsible position. It will be proportionate with regard to the impact on him and the interest of justice and all I can ask is it is consistent with the facts and consistent with the guidelines.”

Recorder Anthony O’Donohoe imposed the 10-year sentence. Davies will serve two-thirds in prison and the remainder on licence.

The judge quoted a paragraph from the pre-sentence report: “[It says] he demonstrated distorted thinking […] where he had his own desires above others’ desires.”

Davies was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order preventing any direct or indirect contact with the victim. He will be required to sign the sex offenders register for the rest of his life upon release.

Description

A man from Swindon has been sentenced for making and distributing what officers say are the most sadistic and degrading child abuse images they have ever encountered.

Matthew Ely, 39, of Howse Garden, Rodbourne, was sentenced to 28 months in prison, suspended for 30 months at Swindon Crown Court on May 21 after pleading guilty in April.

He was charged with three counts of making indecent photo/pseudo-photos of a child, one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child, and two counts of distributing an indecent photo/pseudo-photo of a child.

The charges involve more than a thousand images between November 2021 and February 2025 and were located on Ely's mobile phone, including both still photographs and videos.

Ely will also have to participate in a Rehabilitation Activity for a maximum of 35 days, carry out 175 hours of unpaid work and pay £156 in costs.

He is also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years and will be on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 Years.

Beccy Scott, an investigator with the Child Internet Exploitation Team, said:  

“This was an extremely challenging case, with the images involving very young children being particularly distressing.

"In my four years in this team, they were the most sadistic and degrading I have encountered.

"I want to take this opportunity to reassure the community that none of the illegal images located, we believe, were physically taken by Ely himself.

“The forensic evidence clearly shows that Ely was actively engaging with others to trade child sexual abuse material. He is a dangerous individual, and his sentence reflects both the seriousness of his offending and the risk he poses.

“Online child abuse material is not a victimless crime. Real children all over the world are being harmed, and by people like Matthew Ely engaging in this behaviour it only serves to create a market for this content. Anyone who engages in this content will face the full force of the law.”

Description

Police Officer Convicted of Raping Two Women and Abusing a Third

Cameron Ross, a 39-year-old former Police Scotland officer, has been found guilty of raping two women and subjecting a third to a prolonged campaign of abuse.

The offences took place in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in 2012 and 2014, and in Inverness between 2019 and 2022. Ross was suspended from the force in January 2024 after the allegations emerged. He denied all charges but was convicted by a jury at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Judge Alison Stirling denied bail and remanded him in custody. He has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register and will be sentenced on 2 July.

The court heard that Ross raped the first woman after meeting her at a party on Lewis between August and October 2012, pinning her down on a bed. The victim told the jury the attack left her traumatised.

A second woman testified that Ross sat on her, restrained her and raped her in June 2014.

He then subjected a third woman to repeated abuse in Inverness between October 2019 and June 2022, threatening to kill her, pushing and pulling her, throwing her to the ground and brandishing a knife.

Ross was also convicted of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner on 5 June 2022 in Inverness, where he shouted, swore and acted aggressively, and of attempting to pervert the course of justice by trying to speak to a woman who was giving a witness statement to police the same day.

Police Scotland said a gross misconduct investigation by its Professional Standards Department will now take place.

Chief Superintendent Helen Harrison said Ross’s actions “went against everything Police Scotland stands for”.

She added:

“We understand how difficult it can be to report these kinds of offences, particularly when the perpetrator is a police officer. We want the public to be reassured that all reports are thoroughly investigated, no matter when the offending took place or who is involved.

“All officers are bound by our standards of professional behaviour, which apply on and off duty.

“Any instance where an officer fails to uphold our standards will be investigated and appropriate action taken.”

Description

A rapist has been jailed for 13 years after his victim overcame her fear and reported him to the police.

Marcus Bennett, aged 44, came to officers’ attention on 29 September last year after his victim reported receiving a series of threatening messages from him.

When discussing the messages with officers, the victim disclosed she had been raped by the suspect three months earlier after he tricked his way into her home.

She also reported two additional instances when he had raped her as she slept.

Bennett denied the allegations against him throughout his initial police interview.

In response to a question about whether a person could or could not consent to sex if they are asleep, Bennett said he didn’t know – before later saying that they could not.

He also said he was “vexed” if sex was denied, and claimed to have not seen the victim at the time of the alleged offences.

Later photo evidence proved his was not true.

Bennett continued his denials throughout a two-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court, after which he was found guilty of two counts of rape.

Jury members heard how the victim had reported the first offence to her mother – also sending her pictures of bruises – but had been too frightened of Bennett to report it.

He was cleared of a third count of rape, and an additional charge under Malicious Communications Act 1988 was left to lie on file.

Bennett, of Radcliffe Road, Nottingham, was sentenced on Tuesday 19 May to 13 years in prison.

He was also added to the sex offenders’ register and handed a restraining banning him from any further contact with the victim.

Detective Constable Abigail Dorricott, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Like many victims of serious sexual offences, the victim in this case was concerned that she would not be believed if she came forward and told the police.

“As this case demonstrates, we take all reports of this nature extremely seriously and will leave no stone unturned in getting to the truth.

“When presented with the very compelling account of the victim and the other very strong evidence against Bennett, the jury in this case were clear in their verdict.

“I am delighted for the victim that justice has now been done and pleased that Bennett can pose no further threat to her or other women.”

Description

Brave Victim Speaks Out After Child Rapist Jailed for 30 Years

A child rapist has been jailed for 30 years for “truly abhorrent” levels of abuse against a girl that began when she was 11 years old.

Sean White, 55, formerly of Harrow Way, Waterlooville, was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on May 22. He was convicted after an eight-day trial in March 2025 of five counts of rape of a child over 13, one count of indecent assault of a child, and one count of rape of a child under 13 — offences equating to 21 rapes in total. The abuse took place between 2003 and 2010. Police praised the victim’s bravery after she reported the crimes in April 2024.

White was also given a five-year extended licence, made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), and issued with a restraining order in relation to the victim.

In a powerful personal statement read in court, the woman, now in her 30s, said:

“During a time where I should have been making happy memories, learning how to become a functioning member of society and experiencing the love and support of a family, I instead experienced a time full of fear, endless abuse and complete isolation.

“Due to the way I shut down, I wanted keep those traumatic events locked up in the furthest, darkest corner in my mind and do everything in my power to never think about them. In doing so, I dismissed any notion of receiving justice.

“I convinced myself that even if I did come forward, no-one would believe me and he would get away with it. I no longer want to accept that is the case. I have come to accept that it's time to have my voice heard and I owe it to my younger self to get both justice and long-awaited closure I deserve.

“I could never fully explain, nor expect anyone to completely understand, the impact of those events, but what I can say is that man changed my life in the most tragic way possible, and standing in the court room coming forward, although difficult, is absolutely necessary.

“I no longer want to just 'survive'. I want to live, and having Sean appropriately sentenced is one step closer to achieving that. I want him to know that he no longer has power over me, I do not fear him and he will not control my life.”

Detective Sergeant Drew Wright, of the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

“This investigation into White’s repeated sexual abuse of a young girl over several years has been long and complex.

“White subjected his victim to a truly abhorrent level of abuse, and I am glad that he is now behind bars. This result has only been possible thanks to the courage of the woman involved throughout the investigation and criminal justice process.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks for the bravery and tenacity she has shown, and while I know that nothing will ever take away everything she has been through, I really hope that this sentence goes some way to helping her move forward with her life.

“We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of abuse of any kind, no matter when it happened, to please report it. You will be able to speak to specialist detectives in confidence, who will listen to you and support you.”

Description

A man who pretended to be a 15-year-old boy online in order to groom a teenage girl has been jailed.

Daniel Kennedy appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 22 May where he was sentenced to 13 months in prison, handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and made to sign the sex offenders register.

The 36-year-old of Crewe Road, Winterley, had earlier pleaded guilty of one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child.

The court heard how Kennedy initially contacted his victim in October 2024 via social media while posing a 15-year-old boy.

Following a number of conversations between the pair, he began to send the victim several indecent images and also encouraged the 15-year-old teenager to share images of herself.

The activity came to light in December 2024 when the victim’s mum spotted her daughter looking at the images on her mobile phone and reported the matter to police.

Following enquiries Kennedy was arrested in relation to the allegations and formally charged.

Detective Constable Simon Knowles said:

“Kennedy is a calculating, predatory offender, he purposefully posed as a teenage boy in order to groom his victim for his own sexual gratification.

“He was well aware that he victim was only a child, yet he sent her a number of indecent images.

“I would like to thank the victim and her family for the bravery and courage that they have shown, and I hope the sentence handed to Kennedy will provide them with some closure.

“This case is another reminder of the dangers posed to children online. We will continue to work with our partners and other forces to identify and apprehend offenders, while also educating families on steps they can take to keep their children safe online.”

Description

A Folkestone man who raped two women and subjected both victims to a campaign of physical and sexual torture has been jailed for 20 years.

Harry Arnold, 38, formerly of The Street, Newington, was convicted of multiple sexual offences following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

Investigation
A report was made to Kent Police in February 2020 after a victim disclosed Arnold’s previous offending. Officers immediately commenced enquiries and Arnold was arrested two days later.

A second victim later came forward, who had also been forced by Arnold to endure repeated physical and sexual abuse.

Both women, who were unknown to each other, had become the subject of humiliation and degradation as the offender indulged extreme sexual fantasies without their consent.

A thorough investigation was completed by specialist detectives from the force, which involved gathering, examining and analysing complex evidence, including extensive digital forensic data.

Fifteen electronic devices were reviewed, alongside extensive medical records, and multiple interviews were carried out to obtain witness statements before a case file was presented to the Crown Prosecution Service in February 2023.

Charges

Charges were later secured against Arnold and, after pleading not guilty, he was convicted at Canterbury Crown Court of controlling and coercive behaviour in February 2025.

The jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict for rape offences, leading to a second trial in March 2026.

Retrial

At the conclusion of the second trial, also at Canterbury Crown Court, Arnold was found guilty of a further eight offences including multiple counts of rape against both victims.

He was sentenced on Wednesday 13 May 2026 to 20 years in prison. He will serve an additional three years on licence when he becomes eligible for parole and will be subject to notification requirements of the sex offender register for life.

He was also issued with a restraining order and will be barred from working with children and vulnerable people indefinitely.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Lizzie Burridge, said:

‘The conclusion of this case has rightly resulted in a significant custodial sentence for a depraved sexual aggressor. It is a strong testament to the courage and resilience of Arnold’s victims, who endured unimaginable abuse and then faced the additional trauma of not one, but two trials, in order to see their attacker brought to justice.

‘It also reflects the tenacity and professionalism of Kent Police officers who worked on the investigation, over several years, meticulously building a complex case, resulting in justice for the victims and the removal of a dangerous offender from the community.

‘We remain committed to pursuing sex offenders and will always strive to ensure those responsible for such appalling offences are made to face the consequences of their crimes.’

Description

This is not a victimless crime. Using artificial intelligence (AI) to make indecent images of children is abhorrent and increasing the risk of harm to children in both the digital and real worlds.

It is right that offenders who target children are brought before the courts to be sentenced for their crimes.

We are committed to safeguarding children; their welfare is our priority and teams across the force are dedicated to stopping those who have, or who intend, to cause them harm.

This is why Essex Police has launched a campaign with BT and EE – Fake or Real? Know the Deal – to protect families in the age of deepfake.

Jai Rivers, an officer in our Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders team (MOSOVO), spoke after Adam Evans was jailed for making indecent images of children via an AI-enabled app.

Registered sex offender Evans, from Harlow, is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order after being convicted of attempting to arrange/facilitate the commission of a child sexual offence and attempting to cause/incite a child to engage in sexual activity in October 2019.

As part of this order, he is subject to regular monitoring by the MOSOVO team. In September 2025 they were alerted via risk management software on his device that indecent images had been accessed via an AI application.

A total of 13 pseudo indecent images of children had been accessed, and these were described by officers as being ‘so realistic’ that they could reasonably be perceived as depicting real children.

The 51-year-old was swiftly arrested by officers from Harlow local policing team. Following a through search a device, not registered as he was legally obliged to do, was also discovered and seized.

He refused to answer any questions in interview, but when he appeared at a Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday 6 October 2025, he pleaded guilty to nine counts of making indecent photograph/pseudo photograph of a child.

He was remanded in custody and on Friday 15 May at the same court Evans, of Jerounds, was sentenced to seven years. He was jailed for four years and a further three years on extended licence.

MOSOVO officer Rivers added:

"Using AI to make indecent images of children is a criminal offence and Evans has rightly been sentenced for his offending.

"This depraved act of using AI is treated just as seriously as using actual photographs.

"Offenders who are thinking of engaging with this type of activity will be caught and face the full consequences of their actions.

"And alongside ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice, it is vital everyone understands what to do if they come across an intimate deepfake image.

"Our partnership with BT and EE offers practical advice on AI and provides you with a simple tool to report and remove fake explicit images."

Description

A 57-year-old man from Sudbury has been jailed for indecent exposure and two counts of sexual assault.

Steven Caine, of Hardy Court in Sudbury, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday 11 May, where he was sentenced to a total of 18 months’ imprisonment.

He had denied the charges but was found guilty by a jury, following a three-day trial.

The court heard that on 27 September 2025 Caine approached two teenage girls, who were unknown to him, in a residential area of Great Cornard.

He initially asked them for directions before making inappropriate comments, pulling his jogging bottoms down and exposing himself to them. He then kissed one of the girls, before touching the second girl’s breasts over clothing.

Following enquiries, Caine was arrested on 3 October at his home address and charged the following day.

The offences put him in breach of a suspended prison sentence imposed last year for threatening behaviour.

In addition to his sentence, Caine was also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order for ten years. 

DC Chloe Braybrook, who was the officer in charge of this case, said:

“Caine’s actions were not only concerning but predatory.

“I would like to commend the girls for their bravery in reporting the incident to police and would ask anyone who has encountered similar experiences to speak to the police.

“If you have been a victim of sexual offending in any form, please do report this to us. We take these incidents extremely seriously and will listen and support you.”

Description

A man has been jailed after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences against two girls, following investigations into crimes committed decades apart.

Stuart Wright, 72, of Broad Lane, Moulton, Spalding, was found guilty of sexual offences at a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday, 27 April.  

On Thursday, 21 May, the 72-year-old, who had denied the allegations made by the two girls, was sentenced to 11 years in prison and issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The court heard that the offending spanned more than 20 years. The first victim reported assaults that happened between 2017 and 2020. It was when the second victim became aware of the first survivor coming forward to police, that she took the brave step to come forward herself, reporting offences dating back nearly 30 years, between 1997 and 2000. The victims were both children when the offences took place and were unknown to one another.

Detectives carried out a thorough investigation, gathering evidence relating to both survivors' accounts, despite a significant passage of time since some the offences were committed.

Throughout the investigation and court process, both women were supported by Specialist Sexual Violence Advisers, who played a crucial role in supporting them throughout the investigative process, post-charge, and throughout the trial.

Detective Sergeant Katherine Brennan, who led the investigation throughout the court process, said:

"Some of these offences took place many years ago, and the sentencing proves that it is never too late to get justice.

"Crimes against children are some of the most emotive crimes that detectives will investigate, and I want to thank the various detectives and police staff who have worked on this case since the initial report to Police for their contribution in bringing this offender to justice.  

"The survivors showed immense strength and courage in coming forward and speaking to police about what they endured, and this bravery cannot be overstated. I hope that the sentence handed down by the court today provides them with a sense of justice.

"I would also like to recognise the invaluable work of the Specialist Sexual Violence advisers, who have provided ongoing, dedicated support and helped ensure the victims felt listened to and supported throughout this lengthy investigation."

Description

Update

A man who sexually assaulted a woman on board a train has been jailed following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Stephen Denison, 53, and of Baxter Avenue, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to Sexual Assault and was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment at North Shields Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 14 May.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for seven years.

The court heard how, on 2 February this year, a visibly intoxicated Denison boarded a train at Newcastle station and sat opposite a 56-year-old woman. He immediately attempted to engage her in conversation.

His remarks became increasingly lewd and she was subject to a barrage of inappropriate questions.

When Denison asked the woman to move her luggage so he could sit next to her, she refused and made it clear she would not be engaging with him. However, he persisted and went on to sexually assault her before leaving the service at Durham station.

An off-duty Metropolitan Police Service officer sitting nearby spotted the distressed victim and immediately approached to comfort her. 

She told the victim she had reported what happened to BTP and detectives launched an investigation to track Denison down.

He was arrested two days later at his home address and questioned in custody before being released on conditional bail while detectives gathered evidence to charge him.   

After being released Denison was arrested again at Newcastle station for breaching his bail conditions which stipulated that he must not enter the railway.

Danison’s sexual assault charge was authorised on Monday 2 March.

BTP Detective Constable Adil Ahmed said: “Denison’s crude comments and subsequent assault have had a lasting impact on the victim.

“Being drunk is absolutely no excuse for sexual assault – it is hoped that now behind bars, Denison takes the opportunity to consider the effects of his lecherous behaviour.”

2023-07-20

A convicted sex offender tried to hug and kiss a woman in front of her young daughter as they sat in the back of a church.

Stephen Denison, who has two previous convictions for sexual assault, including one where he left a teenage schoolgirl hyperventilating in shock by groping her at a city centre bus station, spotted the female and child at the church in Fenham, one day in May this year. The 50-year-old pervert then sat next to the woman and hugged her before "forcibly pulling her" towards him and trying to kiss her, a court heard.

The terrified victim pushed the pervert away as concerned members of public, who had seen what was happening, intervened, prosecutors said. Denison, of Baxter Avenue, in Fenham, was arrested and charged with one count of sexual assault.

He failed to show for a subsequent hearing at Newcastle Magistrates' Court and a warrant was issued for his arrest, however, he was finally detained last month, pleaded guilty to the offence and the case was adjourned to this week for sentence. Gurjot Kaur, prosecuting, said the victim, who was unknown to Denison, and her young daughter were sat in the church one day in May this year when Denison approached them.

Miss Kaur continued: "The defendant initially hugged her. He kept trying to talk to her and offered her daughter a coin. The defendant then put his arm around her back and made an attempt to forcibly pull her towards him to try and kiss her. She pushed him away."

In a statement, the victim said she'd been left suffering from heart palpitations and having to take anti-nausea pills. She also said she had been unable to return to the church since the incident.

The court heard that Denison had 46 offences on his record, including two for sexual assault from 2021 and 2016. For the 2021 offence, which involved groping the teenage schoolgirl at Eldon Square bus station, he was jailed for 16 months and made to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years.

Andy O'Hanlon, defending, said Denison wasn't "bad to the bone" but, instead, "undiagnosed" with a limited understanding. Mr O'Hanlon added: "He hasn't addressed his offending behaviour in custody.

"Probation want to keep working with him on an intensive basis. Doing something to stop him drinking so heavily would be a good start. You can lock him up for a short time but it won't address anything. Probation want to put a great deal of work into him. Until that's done, he will just wander around being a pain."

Magistrates jailed Denison for 20 weeks and told him he must also sign the Sex Offenders' Register for seven years.

Description

Convicted Child Rapist Refuses Laptop Passwords in £5m Drug Profits Hearing, Citing Past Fraud

A convicted child rapist who ran a multi-million-pound black-market prescription drugs operation with his partner has told a judge he is reluctant to disclose his computer passwords because he was previously a “victim of fraud”.

Christopher Templeman, 39, and Lisa Marie Harper, 40, are both serving long prison sentences for their crimes.

For nearly three years the couple operated from a 30-foot storage unit in Carlisle, selling stolen medication – including steroids and highly addictive opioids – to customers worldwide. At least one buyer, a teenager in Scotland, died from a fatal overdose after taking pills they supplied.

The pair were back at Carlisle Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing as prosecutors seek to recover an estimated £5 million in criminal profits.

Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson told Judge Michael Fanning that the key to establishing the full scale of the profits is Templeman’s laptop, which is believed to contain bitcoin wallets linked to drug sales.

Defence experts had heavily criticised police valuations of the drugs, but Rogerson said proper assessment was only possible with access to the laptop.

“So far, Mr Templeman has refused to provide access,” he said.

Templeman’s barrister, John Lamb, said he was applying for legal aid for an expert to examine the device and was confident its contents could be accessed. When asked if police would also be given access, Lamb replied that his client was “concerned about personal information on there, independent of the relevance of these proceedings”.

Judge Fanning noted that only Templeman knows what is on the laptop and warned that without access, police would have to base their assessment on existing evidence.

Appearing via video link from prison, Templeman told the judge: “At no point have I denied access to the prosecution; I don’t know the password, but I believe it may be a password I have used regularly.”

Rogerson suggested Templeman simply provide the likely password so police could examine the laptop in “sanitised” conditions.

Templeman replied: “I’ve been a victim of fraud before; I don’t want to give out a massive list of passwords.”

The judge adjourned the case until 15 June to allow both sides to explore “joint access” to the laptop.

Operation run from a 30-feet long storage unit

In May 2025, Templeman was jailed for nine years and Harper, a former carer, for six years after they admitted conspiring to supply prescription drugs.

Police recovered pills worth £1.5 million from the storage unit, plus almost £5,000 cash and £600,000 in bitcoin held in Templeman’s name.

Templeman was previously convicted in 2009, aged 21, of multiple child rapes after a trial at which a video he recorded of himself abusing his 12-year-old victim was played in court.

Description

Andrew Pennington, 62-years-old of High Street in Rawcliffe pleaded guilty at an earlier court date to attempted rape, indecent assault, burglary and burglary with intent to steal, the majority of which relate to an incident 1998.

He has now been sentenced to 14 years behind bars following an appearance at Hull Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday, 20 May 2026).

The offence took place in Beverley in the early hours of 23 July 1998. Pennington entered into the victim’s home sometime after she had returned from work, jumped out and attacked her, trying to remove her clothing and threatening her with rape and violence.

A lodger at the address returned home, and disturbed Pennington who fled the scene, initially pursued by the lodger who eventually lost sight of him.

At the time, an investigation was opened but due to forensic limitations, no suspect was identified.

Officers from our Major Crime Review Team re-examined the case in September 2025, to establish if there were any new evidential leads as result of developments in forensics techniques.

The team looked into Pennington’s previous convictions and found in 2018, he had been convicted and sentenced for a rape which had occurred in 1988 in North Yorkshire.

Pennington’s DNA had also been identified at the scene of three domestic burglaries in Humberside from 1997. He had been interviewed and admitted the burglaries and was later convicted.

Detectives identified similarities in his pattern of offending which appeared to be sexually motivated.

Following a forensic review, DNA was identified from samples recovered from clothing worn by the victim, which was a match to Pennington.

Pennington was interviewed in March 2026 and admitted to the attempted rape and burglary in 1998. Along with a second burglary which occurred in 1997, in which he forced entry to a property and stole underwear, cash and photographs from inside.

Officer in the case Detective Constable Eleanor Henrickson said:

“Pennington is a sexual predator who broke into a woman’s home and attacked her, thinking only of his own sick sexual desires.

“Whilst prosecution was originally not an option due to a lack of evidence, I am pleased that justice has now been served, and he is back behind bars.

“I hope this case sends a stark message to anyone who has committed an offence and thinks they have got away with it. We will keep searching and we will do everything in our power to hold you accountable for your crimes.

“Nobody should be made to feel unsafe in their own home and I want to praise the victim for her courage in coming forward and her patience over the years, I hope that today’s result gives her some sense of justice.

“I also want to encourage any victims of sexual offences, no matter how long ago they happened, to please come forward. We will listen and we will support you.”

Speaking during the sentencing, the victim said:

“I cannot change what happened to me, and I am fortunate to have been able to build a full and meaningful life.

“I have learned to live with the impact and effects, but they have never fully gone away.

“My hope is that you will be appropriately held responsible and that you use the years and time ahead to reflect on the harm that was caused to me and any other people, and that you understand the lasting impact of your actions." 

Description

Two families have thanked Essex detectives for their investigative work - which ensured a dangerous child sexual abuser was jailed for his crimes.

Cosmin Cercel sexually assaulted and took indecent images of one child and used AI technology to make indecent images of a second victim.

The 30-year-old from Colchester was jailed for five years and four months when he appeared at Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing.

An investigation was launched in December 2025 after one young victim told their mum they had been assaulted by the defendant.

An initial interrogation of his phone revealed the full scale of his offending.

Due to the volume of content, an urgent specialist review of the defendant’s device was carried out and this intensive phone work identified a second victim and further offences.

Detectives were able to speak to the family of the second child, who were unaware of Cercel’s offending. They were supported by our officers as the scope of our investigation continued.

We discovered he had used AI technology to make images of the second child appear to look like they were not wearing clothes.

Cercel, of Winnock Road, was charged with:

• Attempted rape
• Four counts of Sexual Assault on a Child (Under 13)
• Causing or Inciting a Child to Engage in Sexual Activity
• Taking Indecent Images of a Child – Category A
• Taking Indecent Images of a Child – Category B
• Taking Indecent Images of a Child – Category C
• Making a Pseudo Photograph of a Child

He denied the count of attempted rape, but admitted the other nine offences when he appeared at the same court on 2 February 2026.

The count of attempted rape was left to lie on file.

families thank officers

On Tuesday 12 May he was jailed for five years and four months, placed on the sex offenders’ register and is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order.

Following the case, the families of both children thanked the officers in the case for the efficiency and speed of the investigation.

Lead investigator Detective Constable Fiona Brodie said:

"This case involved a significant betrayal of trust by an individual who took advantage of young, vulnerable children.

"As the officer in the case, I am immensely proud of the swift, dedicated work of our team; by using advanced digital forensics, we were able to quickly uncover the full extent of Cercel’s actions and ensure he was held accountable for his crimes.

"Most importantly, I want to praise the incredible bravery and strength of the victims and their families.

"They have shown such dignity throughout this investigation, and I hope this sentence provides them with some sense of justice as they begin to move forward."

Description

A man has been jailed for a total of 18 years for committing multiple sexual assaults on a young girl between 2009 and 2010.

63-year-old Alan Drake was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Monday, 19 August after being found guilty at trial of 13 counts of sexual assault.

The court heard how the child was subjected to repeated sexual assaults over the course of a year when she was just nine years old.

The survivor was able to gather the courage to report Drake in May 2021 after she managed to get obtain a voice note of Drake admitting the offence. Armed with this evidence she finally felt brave enough to report these terrible crimes to the police.

Drake (03/10/1960), of Sunbury-on-Thames was arrested the following day. When interviewed, he accused the survivor of being a liar. He was charged with 14 counts of sexual assault and remanded until trial. He now faces both a significant custodial sentence and a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

When sentencing, the judge said that Drake’s crimes were “wicked offences against someone defenceless and against someone who you isolated deliberately.”

Investigating officer, DC Scarlett Watkins, said: 

“I am delighted with the outcome on the case. We have worked extremely hard and are proud of what we have achieved.

“I am in awe of the survivor, who has been so courageous in reporting this to police and has remained supportive throughout with what has sometimes been a difficult investigation.

“I would urge anyone else who has been subject to this type of abuse to take encouragement from this case and know that justice can be done.”

Sexual Offence Liaison Officer Roberta Jeffries said: 

“The survivor’s bravery throughout has been admirable and must be commended. The impact of this abuse has been life-changing; however, I hope that this outcome provides some comfort that justice has been achieved and she is able to move forward in time.”

The survivor said:

“This man has made me feel so ashamed of who I am and who I want to be. I shall live with the long-lasting effects of this abuse and suffer with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. My relationships have been severely damaged, and I am unsure if these shall ever be repaired.

“This man has robbed me of my childhood where I should have been happy and making childhood memories. However, I am determined that he shall not rob me of my future. One in which I deserve to be happy and loved for who I am.

“Today’s outcome is a monumental opportunity for me to move forward. I am incredibly proud of myself and, to anyone who has come out of abuse, it is hard, but we get there.”