Latest Offenders

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Craig Ferguson Jailed for 11 Years for Sexually Assaulting Two Schoolgirls in Gateshead

A predatory child sex offender who sexually assaulted two school-aged girls in Gateshead has been jailed for 11 years.

Craig Ferguson, 46, of Ulverston Gardens, Gateshead, tried to buy the complicity of one victim by supplying her with cannabis before the offences were reported.

Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department carried out a complex investigation. Ferguson was arrested and charged after initially denying any wrongdoing.

On 6 May, following a six-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court, he was found guilty of 10 child sexual offences. He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and a bladed article.

On 12 June he was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment with a one-year extended licence, having been classified as a dangerous offender. He must serve at least two-thirds of the sentence before release.

Ferguson will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and is subject to a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) plus two lifelong restraining orders protecting his victims.

Detective Sergeant Alan Gibbons said:  

“Craig Ferguson is a sexual predator who has continually taken advantage of vulnerable children for his own sexual gains. As always, my thoughts and appreciation go towards the two victim-survivors in this case, who both came forward to make reports around this dangerous man.

“They’ve both shown great bravery and dignity through the entire investigation and court process – which has now ended with their abuser being put behind bars for a lengthy stint. The sexual abuse of children is horrific and, as a Force, we’ll relentlessly pursue justice against anyone who looks to take advantage of the most vulnerable amongst us – children.

“No-one should ever have to experience this type of criminality, but please know if you have, we’re here and we’re ready to listen.”

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A man who had collapsed from drink and drugs sexually assaulted a Good Samaritan who had come to his aid.

Brenden Clarke, 33, collapsed in Bourges Boulevard on 4 February this year.

Two women, who had spotted Clarke while driving past, pulled over to help and called an ambulance.

As he came round, one of the women helped Clarke to sit up against a wall and remained with him to keep an eye on him.

However, Clarke, who was previously convicted of a sexual offence in 2009, began making sexual gestures towards her and tried to kiss her.

The victim immediately stood up to create distance and told him to stop.

Clarke then made further sexual comments and unsteady on his feet, attempted to walk into the road, forcing traffic to come to a halt.

The victim encouraged him back onto the pavement.

Clarke said he did not want to wait for medical help and claimed he was going to the probation office.

Concerned he may walk into the road again the two women walked with him.

However, while walking, Clarke again approached the same victim, sexually assaulted her and attempted to kiss her.

She removed his grasp and loudly told him to stop and keep his distance.

He repeated this behaviour before the victim pushed him towards a wall and he stopped.

On Wednesday, 10 June, at Peterborough Crown Court, Clarke, of no fixed abode but from the Peterborough area, was sentenced to one year in prison and placed on the Sex Offender Register for ten years. He had pleaded guilty to sexual assault and failing to comply with notification requirements of the Sex Offenders Register.

PC Niamh Skipworth, who investigated, said:

“This was a distressing incident for the woman was trying to help someone she believed needed medical attention. Clarke’s behaviour was disgraceful and left the victim shaken.

“I would like to commend the victim for her courage in reporting what happened and for the support she provided to officers throughout the investigation.

“This case demonstrates that sexual offending of any kind will be taken seriously, and we will continue to work to bring offenders before the courts.”

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A Swindon man who poses a significant risk to vulnerable sex workers has been jailed.

Sean Morris, 59, of Massinger Walk, Walcot, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 13 June, where he pleaded guilty to breaching his sexual risk order (SRO).

Morris has been subject to an SRO since 16 February 2023. He was arrested in August last year after breaching the terms of that order. On 12 June this year, he was arrested again for further breaches of his bail conditions. He was charged and remanded in custody ahead of his court appearance the following day.

On Saturday (13/06), he was sentenced to 20 weeks’ imprisonment, placed on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years, and ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge.

PC Katie Owers said: “Morris has repeatedly shown that he is unwilling to comply with the strict conditions put in place to protect vulnerable people. His behaviour poses a clear risk to sex workers in our community, and the court’s decision to impose a custodial sentence reflects the seriousness of his continued offending.

“We will continue to take robust action against anyone who breaches Sexual Risk Orders, and we hope this sentence provides reassurance to those who may be affected by his actions.”

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Two people have been jailed after police discovered a woman was offering her baby daughter to meet with a Shropshire paedophile who wanted to sexually abuse her.

Christopher Brownhill, aged 38, of Linley View Drive in Bridgnorth, met the woman through an online dating website in 2017, where their conversation quickly turned to their mutual sexual attraction to young children.

The woman also from Shropshire, but cannot be named for legal reasons to protect the identity of the child, sent Brownhill non-sexual pictures of her daughter who was aged one at the time.

After speaking online, the pair then agreed to meet in person with the woman promising to bring her daughter with her to the meeting.

The pair never ended up meeting, and Brownhill never met the woman’s daughter. However, Brownhill continued to talk to the woman online where he told her what he planned to do to her daughter if they ever did meet.

A police investigation was launched following intelligence given to officers, and Brownhill and the woman were arrested two years after they first started talking.

Both were soon charged with arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence. They were found guilty of the offence earlier this year following a two-week trial.

The also court heard how the investigation discovered Brownhill had communicated with another woman online about their mutual sexual attraction to young children. The pair spoke about arranging to meet so Brownhill could sexually abuse the woman's one-year-old twin nieces.

On Friday (12 June) at Shrewsbury Crown Court Brownhill was jailed for 11 years, and the woman was handed a six-year custodial sentence. Both were given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and required to register on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

The court was also told how the child no longer has any contact with her mother.

The officer who led the investigation from West Mercia Police said:

“This case concerns extremely serious offences involving the exploitation of a child, and both defendants demonstrated a clear intent to facilitate harm. While no in person meeting took place, the planning and communication between Brownhill and the child’s mother were deeply disturbing.

“Protecting children is our absolute priority, and we will relentlessly pursue those who seek to abuse or exploit them, whether online or in person. I hope the sentences handed to both defendants reflect the gravity of these offences and provide reassurance that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

“I would also like to commend the officers involved in the investigation, and to remind the public to report any concerns around child exploitation so that we can act and safeguard vulnerable victims.”

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Officers from our Police Online Investigations Team (POLIT) have worked tirelessly to secure the first victimless prosecution of its kind in the Midlands, which has resulted in the offender being sentenced today (Tuesday 16 June).

McKenzie Winkle, 18, of Great Wyrley, has been on remand in custody for more than seven months since his first appearance in court in October last year. Today, he has been jailed for three-years-and-nine-months at Stafford Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to two counts of encouraging serious self-harm by another, two counts of attempting to cause / incite a girl 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, three counts of making an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child and one count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Our investigation found that Winkle was operating as part of a Com group.

Typically, these are networks of people who carry out serious, high-harm offences against other young people they find online. Com group offenders, who are often under 18, can use grooming and exploitation tactics to coerce online victims into committing the acts.

Com group offenders are known to compete against each other to cause the highest harm to victims to gain notoriety. This involves encouraging offences of child sexual abuse, serious violence, cybercrime and extremism.

Uniquely, in this case, officers built all of the evidence and put forward a case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) which was victimless in nature. It meant that we were able to move quickly to apprehend Winkle and prevent him from causing further harm to vulnerable victims online, who could have been anywhere in the world.

After working closely with the National Crime Agency (NCA), officers went to Winkle’s address and arrested him 1 August last year. All of his digital devices were seized and sent for forensic examination, where the extent of his offending was uncovered.

As part of his sentencing today, Winkle has been put on the Sex Offenders Register for life and given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Detective Inspector Alex Glover, from POLIT, said:

“The damage that these Com groups are capable of is staggering, and I’m pleased that we’ve been able to build a case which has resulted in an offender being brought to justice in Staffordshire.

“I can assure local communities that we are working tirelessly, night and day, 365-days a year to identify those responsible for harm online, and in particular, those who may be part of these Com groups or committing similar offences.

“What is clear to see, however, is that there is a clear role for everyone to play in keeping people safe online.

“Spotting the signs that someone may be engaging with harmful people online as early as possible may be the difference between stopping them from being exploited. This can be anything from unexplained injuries which appear to be inflicted by themselves, a reluctance to stop speaking to certain users online and possession of extremist symbols.

“We have been robust in our investigation and pursuit of this offender, and I can assure people in Staffordshire that we will continue to take the same approach to anyone who is found to be committing these offences.

“We have a range of tools and tactics at our disposal to find the people who are doing this, and we won’t stop until we are able to stop them.”

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A man who sexually abused young girls in Kirklees has been jailed thanks to the courage of survivors who came forwards to report him.  

James Michael Butterworth, aged 83 of Lower Houses in Huddersfield, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court today ( Tuesday 16 June) after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences between 2007 and 2017.

Kirklees safeguarding detectives have praised the courage of two survivors who came forwards several years after offending took place to report his sexual abuse of them.  

Butterworth, known as Bamba,  was jailed for a total of four years for two counts of sexual assault on a female and two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15 .  

The offences against the victim took place between the years 2007 and 2010.  

He was also sentenced for four offences committed against a second victim.  

The offences of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching,  when the touching was sexual, took place between 2014 and 2017.  

All of the offences took place in the Kirklees area and were reported separately by the survivors in the early 2020s, initiating enquiries by specialist safeguarding detectives.  

Butterworth was identified as a suspect in both investigations and arrested in July and then August 2021.    

He was later summonsed to court in 2025 following a lengthy and detailed investigation.  

DC Joanne Hyde of the Kirklees Criminal Exploitation Team, who led the investigation with PC Bailey, said:

“Both survivors in this case have shown genuine bravery and determination in coming forwards and then supporting a prosecution against this man.  

“Butterworth is a dangerous and predatory sex offender who took advantage of them when they were both young  girls and went on to commit a number of  sexual offences against them.  

“We know the offences they suffered left them with trauma they have carried for years afterwards, and we hope seeing Butterworth sentenced today will bring them some comfort.  

"We continue to urge all victims of sexual offending who may not have come forwards, for whatever reason, to contact us.  

All reports are investigated by specialist safeguarding officers who can signpost victims to any support they may need.”

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A young woman who was subjected to sexual abuse at the hands of her father and his partner has bravely waived her right to anonymity, as the pair are jailed.

Demi Howes, who is now 18, went to live with her father Matthew Ward and his partner Sophie Eason when she was 15.

Shortly after her 16th birthday, Ward told Demi he could now ‘do what he wanted’ and began having sex with her.

Eason became involved too and was party to the ongoing abuse.

When Ward’s phone was seized by police following an unrelated incident, the abuse was discovered.

Ward’s phone contained messages he had sent to another woman, in which he was trying to instigate a sexual encounter between himself, Demi, and the woman.

Further examination of the phone showed messages which indicated Sophie Eason had also been involved in the abuse of Demi.

Ward, 37, of Boyer Street, and Eason, 30, of Teasel Grove, Derby, were arrested in March 2025 and subsequently charged.

The pair initially denied the charges against them, but on the first day of trial in September last year they changed their pleas and admitted the following offences:

Ward

• Adult sexual activity (non-penetrative) with a girl family member age 13-17 (3x counts)
• Adult sexual activity (penetrative) with a female child family member age 13-17 (5x counts)
• Offender over 18 engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 (1x count)
• Making indecent images of a child (2x counts)
• Distributing indecent images of a child (2x counts)

Eason

• Adult sexual activity (non-penetrative) with a girl family member age 13-17 (2x counts)
• Adult sexual activity (penetrative) with a female child family member age 13-17 (2x counts)

They appeared at Derby Crown Court on 12 June where a judge handed Ward a prison term of 15 years and four months, and Eason a term of two years and eight months.

The pair were also given indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, indefinite Restraining Orders in respect of Demi, and are required to register with police indefinitely.

In her Victim Personal Statement, which she read in court, Demi talked about how she found out Ward was her biological father at the age of 15.

She tracked him down on social media via Eason and went to live with them, after escaping a chaotic and abusive home environment.

“I was excited to meet my father and thought that I might have finally found somewhere I could be safe and belong.

“I thought I might have a chance at a family and being able to be a normal teenager.

“I wasn’t sure how to respond when [Ward] started flirting with me. When he started to sexualise me saying ‘I looked fit’ and I was ‘sexy’ I thought that maybe they were compliments. Maybe that was a normal thing dads do.

“I didn’t know what to do when he came into my bedroom when I was 15 and kissed me.

“When I turned 16 my dad told me I was 16 now and he could do what he wanted. That’s when he started to get Sophie involved and she would join in the abuse.

“It’s sick to think about, my own dad having sex with me and the woman I called mum joining in.

“At the time I thought it was dad and Sophie just being dad and Sophie, they made me think it was normal.

“I get teased about what Sophie and Mathew did to me.

“Some people still don’t believe me and that’s worse sometimes, even though I have told the truth about everything some of my family have rejected me over this.

“I think it’s easier to blame me sometimes than admit what the defendants actually are.”

Addressing the pair directly, Demi went on:

“I have night terrors and PTSD from what you did to me. I wet the bed and physically lash out and scream in my sleep talking about what you did.

“I can still feel what you did when I go to sleep it’s impossible to escape the trauma you have put me through…

“Neither of you should be allowed near children because you are dangerous paedophiles.”

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Gabrielle Rouse, said:

“Demi is an extremely brave and tenacious young woman, who has fought for justice despite not having a secure support system around her.

“The abuse inflicted on Demi by her own father and the woman she thought of as a mother is beyond harrowing.

“No child should have to go through what Demi has been through.

“Her courage has continued throughout the police investigation and court case, which can be extremely difficult for survivors of abuse.

“I want to thank Demi for helping us to investigate and seek justice on her behalf, it is down to her that Ward and Eason are now serving prison terms where they are unable to harm any other children.

“I know that Demi’s decision to speak out and waive her automatic anonymity was something she felt strongly about from the beginning, and I admire her resolve to share her story and allow us to report on the horrendous crimes of Ward and Eason.”

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A 62-year-old biological male identifying as a transgender woman, Paula Stanton of Severn Avenue, Barry, has been jailed after masturbating in front of staff at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

Stanton, a Falklands War veteran and former soldier, was taken to the hospital by ambulance for a mental health assessment over concerns about self-harm.

Prosecutor Lewis Ball told Cardiff Crown Court:

“The defendant put her hands down her leggings to the groin area. Staff could see that she had her penis in her hand and that her hand was moving up and down. This was happening on and off. He made eye contact with one nurse while he was doing it. Hospital security was called but when they arrived, it had stopped.”

When police arrested Stanton, he told officers:

“I’ve done nothing wrong.”

Stanton pleaded guilty to carrying out an act outraging public decency. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, May 17.

Stanton has 12 previous convictions for 19 offences. In August 2024 he was jailed for 12 months for two counts of outraging public decency after touching himself sexually in a flat window while wearing a black bra and white knickers under a dressing gown as women walked past. Stanton said it turned him on and left a “sinister” handwritten note under one victim’s car windscreen asking her to keep looking at him.

The latest offence breached a six-month suspended prison sentence imposed in August last year for exposure.

Stanton’s barrister, Alice Sykes, told the court that Stanton had already served the equivalent of a two-month jail term while remanded in custody since May.

Recorder Barry Clarke ruled the offending so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified.

Stanton was sentenced to 100 days for outraging public decency and a consecutive 60 days for breaching the suspended sentence, a total of 160 days. He will serve around 40 per cent of the sentence in custody before release on licence.

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Following a through Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been sentenced for rape in Banbury. 

Sam Augustus Layne (pictured below), aged 41, of Gleneagle Road, Lambeth, London was found guilty by a majority jury of one count of rape of an adult female following a four-day trial at Oxford Crown Court on 30 April 2026. 

At the same court on Wednesday (10/6), Layne was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment, given an indefinite restraining order to the victim and given a sexual harm prevention order for fifteen years. 

At around 19.20pm on 17 February 2023, Northamptonshire Police received a report from a friend of the victim, a woman aged in her twenties at the time of the offence, that she had been raped on 15 February. 

Following a night out in Banbury on 14 February 2023, Layne, who knew the victim, had invited her back to his home address to continue socialising until the victim eventually fell asleep. Layne then proceeded to rape her. 

Layne was arrested on 18 February 2023 and subsequently charged on 26 April 2024. 

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Sarah Osborne of the North Oxfordshire Criminal Investigation Department said:

“I commend the victim for her bravery in coming forward and for her strength throughout the criminal justice process. Reporting such an offence can be incredibly difficult, and her courage should not be underestimated. 

“The victim fell asleep fully clothed in the presence of a man she trusted to keep her safe. Sam Layne chose to exploit that trust, raping her while she was asleep, vulnerable, and unable to give consent. 

“This was a serious and profound violation of her trust, her dignity, and her sense of safety. I am pleased that Sam Layne has now been held accountable for his actions. This conviction reflects the seriousness of the offence and the harm caused. 

“I hope this outcome sends a clear message that offences of this nature will be thoroughly investigated and pursued. Thames Valley Police remains committed to supporting victims and tackling violence against women and girls.” 

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Christopher Dixon Jailed for Planning Child Sex Abuse and Breaching SHPO

A 68-year-old registered sex offender from Doncaster has been jailed for nine years and four months after pleading guilty to arranging the sexual abuse of two young girls and breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

In September 2025, the Internet Sex Offences Team received intelligence that Christopher Dixon was using social media to plan the abuse of two young girls. He believed he was communicating with an accomplice, but was actually talking to an undercover officer using a decoy account.

A warrant was executed at Dixons home on Short Road, Intake. He was arrested and found in possession of several undeclared electronic devices, in breach of his SHPO.

Dixon pleaded guilty to one count of arranging or facilitating a child sex offence and five counts of breaching a SHPO. He was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on 12 June.

Detective Constable Becky Straw of the ISOT said:

Dixon is a dangerous individual who showed no care or afterthought for the girls he believed would be abused for his own selfish, depraved gratification.

This result not only shows our commitment to protecting young people online, but also ensures a predator, who was using the internet to facilitate his own disturbing desires, will no longer be able to cause harm to our communities.

If you have been a victim of online sexual offences or believe that a young family member may have been, please get in touch. We will listen to you and there is support available to you throughout the process.

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Repeat Sex Offender Conor Hodgkins Jailed for Portsmouth Sexual Assault

A 35-year-old repeat sex offender who claimed asking an unknown woman for oral sex and aggressively grabbing her did not amount to sexual assault has been sentenced to 15 months in prison.

Conor Hodgkins, of no fixed abode and currently held at HMP Winchester, was found guilty of sexual assault at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on 12 June 2026. He appeared via video link.

The court heard that on 7 July 2025 at around 5.30pm, Hodgkins targeted a woman on Winston Churchill Avenue in Portsmouth. He followed her, made sexual noises, then grabbed her shoulders aggressively and said: “I want to f**k you.”

The woman was left frightened and tried to fight him off. Passing motorists stopped to assist her. Hodgkins fled the scene.

Hodgkins has 42 previous convictions for 90 offences, including a sexual assault in 2015, and had breached court restrictions on three occasions. His last known address was in Southsea.

Representing himself, Hodgkins denied the offence and accused the prosecutor of lying. He told the court the woman was wearing a short skirt and that he asked her for oral sex after she “looked his way”, but she did not answer and carried on walking. He admitted being under the influence of drugs but claimed he only put his arm around her and did not grab her shoulders.

Hodgkins said: “I just want to put it all past me now. I have been in jail for 12 months. I have never stalked anyone in my life.”

He also denied his 2015 conviction, claiming he had merely “pushed a woman by the chest” who was “harassing” him.

Judge David Melville rejected Hodgkins’ account and sentenced him to 15 months’ imprisonment. However, due to time already served on remand since July 2025, the judge stated Hodgkins had “almost certainly served his sentence already” and is expected to be released shortly.

A 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) was imposed. Hodgkins must not approach unknown women, engage in sexual activity in public, or behave in a way that could cause harassment, alarm or distress.

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A Rotherham man has been jailed for child sex offences after he was caught by an undercover officer.
 
Anthony Barker, 52, of Grove Road, thought he was speaking to an accomplice when he planned to sexually assault a young girl, but was actually communicating with an undercover officer with a decoy account.
 
Barker believed his would-be victim was nine years old, and he intentionally arranged to sexually assault them during his online communication with the decoy account between 5 and 22 January 2026.
 
Thankfully, the profile that Barker was communicating with online was an account run by an undercover officer within the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) with the aim of catching those who intend to abuse children before they have the chance to act.
 
The ROCU team passed the evidence from their communication with Barker to our officers and Barker was arrested on suspicion of sexual offences on 22 January.
 
Following a search of his address and examination of his mobile phone, he was charged with arranging to commit an offence of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, possession of an indecent image of a child, and making indecent images of children.
 
Barker pleaded not guilty to the offences, but was found guilty of each charge following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday 5 June.
 
He was sentenced the same day to seven years imprisonment and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Investigations Officer Hannah Goodwin, the officer in charge of the case, said:

“Barker’s offending is incredibly disturbing, and through collaborative working with the ROCU we gathered crucial evidence that helped to see him jailed.
 
“The Internet Sex Offences Team worked hard to build a case against Barker, and despite him pleading not guilty, his disgusting digital footprint spoke for itself and he was found guilty.
 
“We remain committed to protecting young people online and we will continue our work to bring online predators to justice before they can put their sick plans into action.”

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Detectives have praised a woman for the immense courage she showed in giving evidence after being raped and tortured, leading to her attacker being sentenced to 34 years.

Gagandeep Singh, 34, (19.11.91), of Heathfield Road, Wandsworth was found guilty in February of two counts of rape, false imprisonment, causing grievous bodily harm with intent and kidnap following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court.

Singh appeared at the same court today – Friday, 12 June. He will serve a 34-year sentence, comprising 28 years in custody followed by a 6-year extended licence period, and will not be considered for parole until he has served at least 18 years (two-thirds of the custodial term) and the extended licence, after which he will be deported with no right of re-entry.

The court heard how the victim – a 24-year-old woman – became suspicious when she was asked to deliver a suitcase containing unknown items from Thailand back to the UK in June 2024.

She refused and when she arrived back at Birmingham Airport, she was put into a car and driven to London by masked men. She was taken to a house in Hanwell where she was subjected to prolonged torture, including by Singh, who would go on to rape her on two occasions.

Understandably traumatised by the experience, she was initially reluctant to tell the police the full truth of what had happened. Supported by her mum and by the patience and consistent engagement shown by specialist Met officers, she slowly and bravely built the confidence to pursue justice at her own pace.

Detective Constable Seetara Abdul, from the North West Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, who led the investigation said:

“The brutality of what the victim in this case faced is unimaginable. She has shown immense bravery in coming forward and helping us ensure her attacker faces justice. The cruel level of control left her fearing for her life. Threats were made to try and silence her, but the support of her mum and the diligent care shown by the officers investigating her case meant we were able to apprehend and charge an extremely dangerous individual.

“We know how difficult and daunting it can be for women who have been the victim of this sort of traumatising attack to come forward and share the amount of information required to secure a successful conviction. In this case, a team of supportive female officers focused on prioritising engagement that moved at the victim’s pace, allowing her the time to begin to trust the officers and giving her the space to tell her story.

“We want to thank her for that trust and for the patience, bravery and determination she has shown throughout this investigation and the trial that followed. Her courage in the face of such awful crimes is a testament to her hugely impressive strength and resilience.”

After being subjected to more than a day of torture including being punched in the face, beaten, stripped, whipped, burnt and raped, the victim was released by her captors. She was threatened and warned not to tell anyone what had happened.

In the hours after her release, she bravely told her mum that she had been the victim of an attack but could not bring herself to disclose the full extent of her ordeal. Her mum made an initial third party report to the police but the victim did not feel able to take it further.

It would be around six more weeks before the victim would feel strong enough, supported by her mum and officers, to provide a full account.

Crucially, the clothing she had been wearing when she was kidnapped had been kept aside at her home so it could be sent for forensic examination. This was submitted for examination by DC Abdul and it revealed a one in a million positive DNA match for Singh who by that point was in prison on remand for an unrelated offence.

He was arrested and interviewed. He answered no comment to all questions but the evidence against him, not least the DNA match and the victim’s testimony, was enough to secure charges.

The victim of Singh’s crimes has bravely released a statement:

“I never wanted to contact the police. It felt daunting. I was left thinking that if I did, I could be putting myself and the people around me in danger.

“It was my mum who never gave up. She believed going to the police was the right thing to do. She kept my clothes as evidence and saved all of my doctor’s notes. She said she couldn’t rest knowing they could be doing this to other people.

“At the time, I felt a deep sense of shame. I have always been someone who stands firm in my decisions, with a strong sense of self, and I didn’t want to lose that.

“My friends and family supported me throughout everything. They made sure I never lost the strength to keep going, and for that I am truly grateful.

“To anyone who has experienced abuse, sexual or otherwise, please remember this: we are not the ones who should carry shame. We survive, and we go on to live again.”

The victim's mother, who continued to push for justice, said:

“Firstly, I would like to thank the Metropolitan police, namely DC Seetara Abdul, PC Grace Wilson and PC Destoni Peters for the support and commitment, as well as the CPS, Chloe from the Havens and everyone else who has helped and worked hard to ensure that justice is served so that my daughter can have closure.

“When I contacted the Metropolitan Police, they responded with professionalism and sensitivity and reassured me that I could report this too as a third-party. Despite my daughter initially not wishing to proceed. They took my concerns seriously and continued to investigate due to the seriousness of the offences.

“As a family, we are grateful for all the support provided. Their actions have given us a sense of closure, and we are reassured that a dangerous individual has now been removed from the streets.”

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A man has been jailed for 14 years at Portsmouth Crown Court today (Friday 12 June), following a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary investigation into three rape and non-recent child sex-offences in Portsmouth and Havant.

In late 2023, weeks before he turned 18-years-old, Dameon Etherington, of Greetham Street in Portsmouth, raped a 14-year-old girl who he had met online.

Etherington raped her again on a second occasion in January 2024. Both incidents took place in Portsmouth.

In late 2025, we received a report that Etherington had restrained and raped a woman in her 20s at knifepoint in Havant.

Following an investigation by the Operation Amberstone team, Etherington, now 20-years-old, was subsequently arrested and charged.

After initially denying the offences, Etherington changed his plea on the first day of his trial and pled guilty to the following:

• Rape
• Two counts of rape of a female aged 13/14/15

He appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court for sentencing today, and was jailed for 14 years, with an additional 4 years on extended licence.

He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and was handed a 15-year sexual harm prevention order.

Officer in the Case, Detective Sergeant Hollie Shelton of the Major Crime Support team said:

“Today’s sentence is very welcome and a much-deserved punishment for the crimes Etherington has committed.

“Etherington specifically targeted and exploited vulnerable girls and women, subjecting them to violent rapes for his own gratification.

“His actions have had a profound and lasting impact on both victims; one who had not long turned 14 at the time of the incidents, and the other who is in her 20s, but has her own vulnerabilities that he took advantage of.

“Their brave Victim Impact Statements highlighted the damage that Etherington caused to many aspects of their lives and I hope they take solace in the fact that he is now aware of this and has not been able to continue living his life without consequences.

“No sentence will ever truly be able to bring justice to the victims of such an awful crime, but I hope knowing this dangerous man in now behind bars will give them the starting point to move forward in their lives.

“I would also like to thank both victims for their tremendous courage in reporting these hugely traumatic incidents to us. Their continued support throughout the investigation and court process has been invaluable in helping us secure this result today.”

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Detectives from our specialist Child Criminal and Sexual Exploitation Team (CCSET) are welcoming the sentencing of a Walton man to seven years and one month in prison for multiple sexual offences.

Dylan Matthews, 20, of Elmcroft Close, pleaded guilty to 53 charges against 37 victims.

Matthews was initially arrested in 2024 following an allegation of online sexual offences against a girl under 16, who he targeted via Snapchat and Whatsapp. Following an extensive investigation, further victims were identified who Matthews had targeted using similar methods, and he admitted the following offences:

• One count of causing a child to engage in sexual activity
• One count of threatening to disclose private sexual images with intent
• Two counts of sexual activity with a child
• Six counts of causing or inciting sexual activity with a child
• 37 counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child
• Two counts of making indecent images of children – Class B
• Three counts of making indecent images of children – Class C
• One count of malicious communications 

Matthews was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today, Friday 12 June. He will also be subject of Sex offender notification for life.

In excerpts from Victim Personal Statements, parents of two of Matthews’ victims discuss the impact of his crimes:

“As a parent it is extremely painful to watch your child try to understand and process something so inappropriate and harmful, when she should have been focussing on growing up, learning and enjoying her childhood, not coping with emotional consequences of someone else’s actions. 

“This crime has changed how my child views the world. Trust, once given freely, must now be built slowly and carefully. The psychological effects of this crime are not temporary… healing does not erase the harm that has been done.

“This was not a harmless interaction, this is calculated exploitation that leaves lasting trauma. My child deserved safety, protection and respect, instead she was manipulated and harmed.”

“Our daughter has been deeply affected by what happened. She has experienced anxiety, loss of trust, and a heightened sense of vulnerability. Situations that once felt normal now cause her distress, and her confidence in interacting with others, particularly online, has been shaken. This has had a lasting psychological impact on her day-to-day life.

“We feel that are sense of security has been taken away and replaced with constant concern and self-doubt. We hope the court understands the lasting impact this has had… on our entire family. What has happened cannot simply be undone. It has changed how our daughter sees the world and how we, as her parents, are able to support her growing independence.”

Speaking after the sentencing, investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Amie Jones from CCSET, said:

“Matthews has been proven to be a prolific, calculated and dangerous offender, who caused extreme harm to his victims through coercion and abuse. We hope that today’s outcome provides a measure of comfort as they continue their recovery, and some reassurance that Matthews will be in custody for a significant length of time.

“As the investigation progressed, we were able to identify more of his victims. I want to take this opportunity to praise each of them and their families for their courage and strength in helping with our enquiries. We do not take for granted how difficult it can be to speak about being a victim of sexual abuse, and to provide evidence to police.

“Be assured that in all such investigations, our specialist team is here to support victims with sensitivity and compassion, every step of the way, from the initial report through to court proceedings. I would continue to urge anyone who is a victim of any form of sexual abuse to please report this to police, or through our partner agencies.

“We take all such reports extremely seriously, and in addition, work with partner organisations such as Victim care Support Service and RASA who are there to support victims of this crime.”