Latest Offenders

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The victim of a brutal attack by a predator colleague has been praised after he was jailed.
 
The woman courageously fought off Marcus Jones who followed her into the staff toilet at her workplace on Boxing Day last year and attacked her.
 
Despite Jones trying to strangle her, the victim managed to escape the toilet and raise the alarm.
 
Officers blue-lighted to the scene and arrested Jones who had made off from the shop, texting his girlfriend to say he’d lay in wait for the victim.
 
And despite giving a no comment interview, the 22-year-old was charged with false imprisonment, intentional strangulation, attempted sexual assault and assault by beating.
 
Jones, of Witton Park, Bishop Auckland, was due to go to trial after pleading not guilty to some of the charges but changed his pleas at Durham Crown Court and was sentenced to 45 months in prison on Friday (June 19). It was his first offence.
 
DC Hodgson, of South CID, said:

“The victim showed remarkable courage, quick thinking, and determination during an extremely distressing ordeal.
 
“Without her actions, the outcome could have been far more serious and her continued bravery in supporting the investigation has been instrumental in bringing Jones to justice.
 
“We remain committed to protecting the public from predators and pursuing those responsible for violence against women and girls so we hope this case helps victims feel reassured that any reports are taken seriously and will be treated with the utmost sensitivity.”
 
DC Hodgson added:

“Despite Jones being previously unknown to police, his behaviour posed a very serious risk to public safety so we are glad to see him behind bars and hope this gives the victim some comfort so she can start to rebuild her life.”

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A sex offender who abused a young girl in Margate has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Abuse

Kevin O’Toole repeatedly sexually abused a child, beginning in spring 2022. He gained the trust of his victim before eventually forcing her to perform sexual acts on him. The abuse continued for around a year before the victim disclosed the offences to an adult, who reported it to Kent Police the same evening in April 2023.

Interview

An investigation was immediately launched, and O’Toole was arrested. During his police interview O’Toole categorically denied ever touching his victim, even going as far as answering ‘no way in hell’ when posed questions about his abuse. The 46-year-old was released under strict conditional bail whilst the investigation continued.

Police in Lincoln, where O’Toole moved following his arrest, conducted a warrant on his address in June 2025 and discovered over 180 indecent images of children on his devices. He was arrested and investigated for these offences.

O’Toole, formerly of Canwick Road, Lincoln, was later charged with 7 sexual offences, including 3 for the indecent images discovered on his devices.

He pled not guilty, however, following a three-day trial in May 2026, a jury found him unanimously guilty on all counts at Canterbury Crown Court. On Thursday 9 July he was sentenced to 10 years in prison at the same court. He will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the rest of his life.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Michael Lord, said:

‘I firstly want to praise the courage of the victim in this case. The bravery she has shown in disclosing what happened to her and supporting our investigation across the years has been remarkable.

‘O’Toole took the opportunity to lie at every possible point in our investigation, denying his actions despite the overwhelming evidence against him. I welcome the sentence given by the court and hope it gives the victim and her family a sense of closure.’

Description

A 37 year old man from Holyhead who offered to supply Cocaine to a Child and was found with Indecent images on his digital devices has been jailed.

Joshua Krumstets of Porthdafarch Road appeared at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday 8th July 2026, where he pled guilty to Production of Cannabis, Offering to supply Class A drugs (Cocaine), and making indecent photographs of children, contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and 6 of the Protection of Children Act 1978 x 3.

Krumstets was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment. He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must register as a Sex Offender for the next 10 years.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Constable Sarah Jones said:

“Krumstets viewed and possessed some disturbing images and videos of young children on his devices.

“He offered to supply a Child with drugs and has been caught twice now with a Cannabis grow at his property, and I welcome the Courts’ sentence.”

Description

A man who sexually assaulted a woman, attempted to derail the investigation into his offending from inside prison. 

Liam Hall (pictured) was remanded to HMP Preston in June last year after being charged with assaulting the woman in Bacup.

While on remand, he was further interviewed by police officers about sexual offences against the same victim.

Just half an hour after being interviewed, Hall contacted his mum Amanda Hall by prison phone.

He informed her of what had been put to him in interview and directed her to speak to witnesses in the case.

During subsequent phone calls over the following days, Hall and Amanda Hall discussed the witnesses, with Hall encouraging her to get them to withdraw their statements.

Amanda Hall also advised her son to ‘Lie his back out on the stand, the court will never prove you are lying’.

She was found to have made phone calls to two witnesses.

Enquiries also showed that Liam Hall sent multiple emails to the victim on a prisoner service email account, asking her to drop the charges.

Liam Hall, 29, of no fixed address, and Amanda Hall, 53, of Peel Lane, Heywood, appeared at Preston Crown Court for sentence today (10th July).

Both had been found guilty by a jury after a trial in May of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Liam Hall was further found guilty of sexual assault by penetration, assault causing actual bodily harm and perverting the course of justice.

He was jailed for five years, placed on the sex offenders register and made subject of a 10-year restraining order regarding his victim.

Amanda Hall was given a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 140 hours community service.

Detective Constable Dan Healey of our East division Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team, said:

“Liam Hall assaulted and sexually assaulted his victim, then deliberately set about trying to interfere with the investigation into his offending.

“From inside prison where he had been remanded by the court, Hall plotted with his mum to contact witnesses and get them to withdraw their statements.

“What they did strikes at the heart of the justice system.
“The victim of Liam Hall’s offending showed a huge deal of bravery in reporting the offences and then giving evidence at the trial.

“Violence against women and girls will not be tolerated by Lancashire Police.

“If you have been a victim, please report it. You will be supported and we will thoroughly investigate in a bid to bring offenders to justice.”

Description

A man who raped and began sexually abusing a teenage boy in 2015 has been jailed.

Mark Watson was sentenced to 12-and-a-half years at Leicester Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 9 July).

The 55-year-old’s offending was brought to the attention of police in 2021 when the victim, who is now an adult, told a third-party what had happened between 2015 and 2018.

He told officers from our Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) that Watson had raped him on several occasions and forced him to engage in other sexual activity. He said Watson had also physically assaulted him during that time and regularly threatened him with violence.

On 2 March, at the same court, Watson was found guilty of two counts of rape and two counts of sexual activity with a child following a trial.

Watson, of Linford Street in the Belgrave area of Leicester, was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) until further notice, placed on the sex offender register for life and made subject to a restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim for life.

Detective Constable Aisling McPhillips, the investigating officer, said:

“I want to praise the victim in the case for his continued support and understanding from the moment the incident was reported in 2021 to the end of the court process.

“Without the information and accounts he was able to provide, Watson would not have been convicted and sentenced for what is without doubt, abuse that no person should ever have to go through.

“I hope this sentence provides him with a sense of closure and allows him to move on with his life.”

Description

A predator who posed as a taxi driver and picked up a vulnerable woman in Newcastle has been jailed – with help from dedicated officers intervening.

On Saturday, December 20, last year, a woman in her 20s had been enjoying a night out with friends in the Groat Market area of the city centre.

At around 2.20am the following day, she decided to book a taxi to head home but soon became separated from her friend when leaving the venue.

While looking for her driver outside, the woman was approached by a man she did not know, who spoke to her before picking her up from the floor and putting his arm around her.

The man – now known to be Kuldip Chahal – repeatedly directed and physically guided the woman through crowded streets for around ten minutes towards his white Volkswagen Golf parked on Fenkle Street.

The woman, who was alone at the time and intoxicated, was dragged and forced by the offender into his front passenger seat after being told he was taking her home.

However, Chahal was unaware he was already being observed as part of Operation Salus, which sees plain clothes and uniformed officers on duty to identify vulnerability in the night-time economy.

Working alongside officers monitoring city centre CCTV cameras in real time, the team on the ground swiftly stopped the vehicle before it could drive away.

The woman was immediately safeguarded after it was found she did not know Chahal by name, with quick-thinking officers arresting him on suspicion of kidnap.

Further enquiries by the investigating officer, working alongside neighbourhood policing colleagues, quickly established that Chahal was not a licensed taxi driver and had approached a number of other women in the city centre before targeting the victim-survivor.

The now 51-year-old, of Plessey Road, Blyth, was also captured on a trawl of CCTV footage physically picking up the victim from the ground, with the evidence gathered leading to him being charged with kidnap later that day.

Despite denying the offence, he was found guilty following a one-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court in May and remanded into custody.

Today (Thursday) he appeared before the same court where a judge handed him a seven-year prison term. He will also serve an extended licence period of three years.

Chahal was also made subject to a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

During the hearing, an impact statement was shared from the woman Chahal targeted, who said her “confidence, independence and sense of safety” had been significantly affected.

She said:

“Before this happened, I was a confident and sociable young woman who enjoyed spending time with my friends.

“I never imagined that something so frightening could happen to me whilst simply spending time with friends. What happened that night has changed me.”

She added:

“Since that night, I have struggled to feel safe in situations that I previously would not have thought twice about.

“The thing I struggle with most is knowing that I was vulnerable and that somebody chose to take advantage of that vulnerability.

“I was a young woman trying to get home after a night out with friends.

“Instead, I became the target of a man more than twice my age who saw my vulnerability and chose to exploit it.

“I was not seen as a person. I was seen as an opportunity.

“That is something I find incredibly difficult to come to terms with.”

The victim-survivor also spoke of her pain after missing milestones and celebrations with loved ones, as well as being unable to attend a close friend’s funeral during the criminal proceedings and instead being “forced to relive one of the worst experiences” of her life.

The woman, who suffers with anxiety and stress in the aftermath, said:

“What hurts most is that I no longer feel like the same person I was before this happened.

“I feel angry that somebody else’s choices have changed so much for me. I feel angry that I lost confidence in myself.

“I feel angry that I missed important moments with my friends because of the anxiety this has caused me. I feel angry that I now think twice about doing things that used to make me happy.”

Detective Constable Courtney Cran, who led the investigation in Newcastle’s CID, said:

“Firstly, I would like to commend the victim-survivor, who has shown immense bravery, resilience, and composure throughout the full investigation and the lengthy criminal proceedings that followed.

“Chahal is a predatory individual who deliberately targeted a lone, vulnerable young woman who was simply trying to get home safely after a night out with friends.

“He showed absolutely no regard for her welfare or the devastating impact his actions would have, repeatedly denying any wrongdoing and forcing her to relive her trauma during the trial.

“Working alongside neighbourhood policing colleagues and key partners, I was quickly able to unravel Chahal’s web of lies and present clear evidence of his intentions that evening.”

Detective Constable Cran added:

“Operation Salus exists to identify vulnerability, with officers on hand to intervene in any situations which appeared concerning or unsafe in the city centre.

“Thanks to the vigilance of officers that evening, who saw something was not quite right, they were quickly able to intervene and bring Chahal to a stop.

“The woman was safeguarded within minutes, after it became clear she had no idea who this man was and had been tricked and forced into his vehicle.

“This has been a terrifying ordeal for her, and while incidents of this nature remain rare, this case demonstrates exactly why proactive operations such as Operation Salus are so important. We regularly deploy tactics to identify anyone who is vulnerable, especially after a night out.

“While no result will ever take away the sheer impact of Chahal’s offending, I hope today’s outcome provides the victim-survivor with some sense of justice and allows her to begin moving forward now that he is set to spend a lengthy spell behind bars.

“As a Force, we’ll continue to take a proactive approach to keep people safe in our cities and towns, working together with partner agencies to crack down on suspicious activity such as fake and unlicensed taxi drivers.”

Description

A 25-year-old man from Lymington has been jailed for 24 years for child sex offences against two children, including the rape of a girl aged under 13.

Jimmy Fisher, of Efford way, Lymington, who pleaded guilty to the charges against him at Southampton Crown Court on Friday 15 May, was sentenced at the same court on Monday (6 July).

The offences took place between 2020 and 2025. As well as the time Fisher will now serve in prison, Fisher also been given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Additionally, he was handed a deprivation order for the devices seized from him and has been barred from ever working with children and vulnerable adults.

Fisher will only become eligible for a release on a six-year licence after serving 18 years in prison.

In addition to the above offence, Fisher was also sentenced for rape, attempted rape, sexual activity with a child and taking, making and possessing indecent photographs of a child.

PC Rhiannon Winstanley, of the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

“I would like to place on record my praise and admiration for the young victims in this case and the courage and determination they have shown throughout.

“While I know this result alone will never erase the memories of what happened to them, I truly hope it allows them, and their families, to move forward with their lives, safe in the knowledge that Fisher is now being punished for his crimes and can no longer harm any other innocent child.

“These were unimaginable crimes, but thanks to the bravery of the victims and their determination to see justice served, all children are now that much safer with him locked away.”

Directly addressing other victims of sex offences, PC Winstanley, said:

“We encourage other victims to come forward and speak to us. We take allegations of this nature extremely seriously and work hard to bring offenders to justice.

“This case should also be a very clear message to other offenders out there that we will always work tirelessly to ensure you are brought to justice for your crimes, no matter when they took place.”

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Keith Stobbart Jailed for Breaching SHPO by Failing to Report New Tablet.

Keith Stobbart, 68, has been sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment for breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after buying a black Samsung tablet without notifying police.

Stobbart, who has seven convictions for 21 offences, is currently at HMP Holme House in Stockton. He was jailed for six years in 2008 for historic sexual offences and has previously breached SHPOs in 2015 and 2022. In 2022 he received a community order after sending a graphic sexual comment to a 14-year-old on TikTok. In 2024 he was jailed for 32 months for accessing indecent images of children and sexual communications with a child.

At Teesside Crown Court, prosecutor Imogen Eastham-Brown said an offender manager visited Stobbart on 6 June and asked him to produce all electronic devices. He handed over the tablet and claimed he had bought it on 1 June “to watch TV” while sleeping rough in his car. Examination of the device revealed search history from 23 and 29 May.

Stobbart told officers he had possessed the tablet for a couple of weeks but “hadn’t had time to do it” and found it “difficult to remember the prohibition.” He said he was “terribly sorry” and claimed he was recovering from cancer. No unlawful material was found on the tablet.

Judge Nathan Adams rejected the explanation, describing the breach as “deliberate” and stating he did not accept it as a reasonable excuse. Stobbart was already in custody on licence when sentenced.

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A child sex offender who taught at a boarding prep school in Canterbury has been convicted of non-recent crimes involving two young victims.

Dennis Fletcher, formerly of Magdalen Court in Broadstairs, pleaded guilty to the indecent assault of a boy at Junior King’s School between 1978 and 1982.

Fletcher, who was a resident boarding master, was convicted of a further indecent assault against a second boy at the same school during the same period, following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

Investigation

Specialist detectives from Kent Police launched an investigation after Fletcher’s offences were reported to them in 2020. A further victim was identified in 2022.

Extensive enquiries were completed, which involved gathering and processing complex evidence and multiple interviews with Fletcher under caution.

A case file was presented to the Crown Prosecution Service in January 2025 and Fletcher was later charged.

He admitted to one charge but pleaded not guilty to the second offence, for which a jury then found him guilty in a unanimous verdict.

Jailed

On Friday 3 July 2026, Fletcher was sentenced at the same court to 11 years and 9 months’ imprisonment.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Sarah Cullingham, said:

‘Fletcher abused his position of authority in the most appalling way imaginable, carrying out repulsive crimes against children for whom he should have provided nurture and care.

‘Thanks to the courage of the two victims, he is now rightly behind bars where he belongs.

‘This case highlights that it is never too late for victims of sexual abuse to come forward to us. We understand how difficult it can be to speak about crimes that took place many years ago, but we will treat every report seriously and sensitively.

‘We will listen to victims, support them throughout the investigative process and do everything in our power to build a case that brings offenders to justice, regardless of how much time has passed. Specialist services are available to help victims process what has happened to them, to provide practical and emotional assistance, and they will not have to face the journey alone.’

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Owen Wilson Sentenced for Raping Child Met in South Shields Park

Owen Wilson, now 18, wept in court as he was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday for raping a child he met in a South Shields park.

Wilson was 15 on 19 August 2023 when he was drinking with friends in the park and was introduced to the victim. As the afternoon progressed she was left alone with him and he raped her. The following day the victim told a friend, who informed a family member. Police were contacted and Wilson initially gave a “no comment” interview before pleading guilty to rape.

Judge Penny Moreland sentenced Wilson, of Grace Court, South Shields, who has no previous convictions, to a two-year suspended sentence. He must complete 250 hours of unpaid work and 40 days of rehabilitation activity. He also received a 10-year restraining order and was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Judge Moreland said she had to impose the sentence that would likely have been given at the time of the offence, when Wilson was 15.

Description

A man who exposed himself and masturbated next to a woman with a pram at a railway station in West Yorkshire has been jailed, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Michael Wainwright, 74, and of Ashenhurst Road in Calderdale, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on Thursday 25 June to eight months' imprisonment and handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

He had previously pleaded guilty on Thursday 30 April at Bradford Magistrates' Court to Exposure.

The court heard how on Sunday 22 February at around midday, a woman approached a member of staff at Hebden Bridge railway station to report that a man, Wainwright, was masturbating on the platform next to a woman with a pram.

The member of staff looked at the live CCTV feed and couldn't see anything, so went out onto the platform to look into the incident.

He then went onto the platform and saw Wainwright had exposed himself and was masturbating, so he immediately contacted police.

BTP officers attended the station and Wainwright was arrested and taken into custody.

In his police interview, Wainwright admitted the crime and stated that he knew what he was doing was wrong, but couldn't explain why he had done it.

BTP Detective Constable David Bentley said:

"Wainwright's actions were nothing short of horrific. He later admitted to police in interview that he could have stopped himself from acting in the vile manner that he did, but he chose to do so anyway.

"There is absolutely no place on the railway for sexual offending, and we’re committed to securing justice for victims and ensuring offenders like Wainwright have their day in court.

“Anyone who witnesses a sexual offence on the railway is urged to report it to us immediately by texting 61016. No report is too small or too trivial, and we’ll always take action.”

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Former Isle of Wight Police Officer Jailed for 10 Years Over Historic Child Sex Offences.

David Phillip Nutton, 60, of St Stephen in St Austell, has been sentenced to 10 years’ immediate imprisonment for historic child sex offences.

Nutton, a former Hampshire Constabulary police constable, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday for sentencing. He had denied seven counts of indecent assault on a child under 14 but was found guilty by a jury following a trial that concluded on 20 May. He was remanded in custody after the verdicts.

The offences took place on the Isle of Wight between 16 December 1988 and 31 December 2001 and involved two victims, one of whom was as young as eight at the time.

Judge David Melville imposed seven custodial sentences, the longest being seven years, with most to run concurrently, resulting in a total of 10 years’ immediate imprisonment.

Nutton joined Hampshire Constabulary in 1998. In 2004 he was jailed for 18 months for indecently assaulting a boy. He had also admitted using police systems, including the Police National Computer, to tip off a paedophile associate about whether he was under investigation. It is understood he was based in Ryde when the allegations came to light.

During sentencing, the judge told Nutton he had “debased your badge” and “brought shame on your force, created a scandal on the Isle of Wight.”

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A man has been given a 14-year sentence for attempting to rape a teenager. 

Florin Panainte (pictured) attacked the girl at an address in Morecambe in October last year.

She told family members what had happened and Panainte was arrested the same day in Morecambe.

Panainte, 38, of no fixed address, was found guilty by a jury after a trial at Preston Crown Court of attempted rape.

Returning to the dock for sentence on 26th June, he was given a 14-year sentence comprising of nine years imprisonment and a five-year extended licence period.

He was made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 20 years and a 20-year restraining order.

Detective Constable Sam Ripley of the Child Protection Team at Lancaster CID, said:

“This was an abhorrent sexual offence committed against a teenage girl.

“He tried to rape her and only the girl’s bravery stopped the attack.

“I welcome the prison sentence and extended licence which the judge imposed on Florin Panainte.

“If you have been the victim of a sexual assault, please report it. You will be supported and we will investigate thoroughly to bring the offender to justice.

“Violence against women and girls will not be tolerated by Lancashire Police.”

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A man has been jailed after he was convicted of rape in Slough.

Travis Moore, aged 37, of Great West Road, Hounslow, was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Monday (6/7) to 12 years and nine months’ imprisonment. He will serve nine years and nine months in custody, with the remainder to be served on licence.

Moore was convicted by a unanimous jury verdict following a five-day trial at Reading Crown Court on 5 May this year of one count of rape.

The conviction relates to an offence that took place between 11.30pm on 1 November 2025 and 1am on 2 November 2025 in Baylis Park, Slough.

On that date, Thames Valley Police received a report from a teenage girl that she had been raped in the park by an unknown man.

Officers attended immediately and located Moore nearby. He was arrested on 2 November 2025, charged the following day and remanded into custody.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Laura Bevan, of East Berkshire CID, said:

“Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to the victim in this case. Throughout the investigation and court process she showed immense courage, dignity and patience. Coming forward to report such a traumatic offence and then supporting a criminal investigation and trial takes considerable strength.

“Thanks to her bravery, a dangerous offender has been brought to justice and can no longer pose a risk to other women and girls.

“Violence against women and girls remains a priority for Thames Valley Police. We are committed to tackling these offences, supporting victims and pursuing offenders relentlessly.

“I hope this sentence reassures victims that they will be listened to, treated with respect and supported throughout the criminal justice process. We will always seek to bring to justice those who commit offences of this nature.”

Description

A sex offender from East Malling who drove at speeds of 85mph in country lanes to evade arrest has been jailed again.

Jordan McGrath-Coulstock was jailed for more than 2 years, less than 6 months after being released from prison.

On 11 April 2026, patrols in Cuxton spotted a vehicle without tax or a valid MOT. Further checks showed it was registered to McGrath-Coulstock who was disqualified from driving and was also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle but it sped off. With the assistance of the National Police Air Service, it was pursued towards Luddesdown village with McGrath-Coulstock reaching speeds of more than 80mph on the narrow country roads.

After less than 5 minutes, he'd crashed his car and attempted to flee on foot, discarding a phone in the process.

Officers were close behind and arrested him whilst recovering the phone. McGrath-Coulstock’s had breached the conditions of his SHPO by possessing it.

The 26 year old, of Carnation Crescent in East Malling was later charged with dangerous driving, 2 counts of failing to comply with the sex offenders register requirements and 2 counts of breaching a SHPO.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Friday 26 June at Maidstone Crown Court to 2 years and 2 months' imprisonment.

Police staff investigator Natalie Armstrong said:

'We regularly monitor sex offenders to ensure they comply with any conditions on their conduct that are imposed by the court. McGrath-Coulstock was only released from prison in February and less than 6 months later he is back behind bars.

'He showed a complete disregard for the restrictions that allowed him to live in the community and was arrogant enough to believe he could get away with it. 'When spotted by a patrol he endangered other road users and seemed more concerned about his vape than the potential consequences of his driving. It is only right he is back in jail and he will receive additional scrutiny when he is eventually released.’