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A man who raped a vulnerable girl when he was a teenager has been jailed for seven years.

Bradford Crown Court heard how Liam Coleman took the victim to an isolated spot where he raped her.

Coleman, now 22, of Mary Street, off Bowling Back Lane, Bradford, who was convicted by a jury following a four-day trial, is considered a high risk of harm to children.

In a statement read to the court on her behalf by prosecuting barrister Matthew Bean KC, the victim said the experience was "unimaginable".

She added:

"The whole process, from the night of the crime itself through the years of having it hanging over my head and going through the court process, has had a significant and lasting impact on my life.

"What may seem like normal situations to other people can make me feel anxious and vulnerable because of what I have experienced.

"The impact of what happened has therefore continued long after the night itself.

"I wish I could feel as carefree and safe as I did before this happened. Instead, I feel that I have to be constantly cautious and aware of my surroundings."

Mitigating, Abigail Langford said Coleman was only 18 at the time of the assault in 2022, which had arisen out of a "chaotic" situation.

She asked the court to take into account Coleman's lack of maturity at the time and the delay in the matter coming to court.

The court heard that Coleman had previous convictions for possession of a bladed article, dangerous driving, and driving whilst disqualified.

Sentencing Coleman, Mr Recorder Tony Watkin said:

"On arrest you told a pack of lies. You have then continued to deny responsibility for the offence."

He added:

"From the moment you saw [the victim] I find you were intent on having sex with her whether she wanted it or not.

"You simply did not care."

He went on:

"The pre-sentence report confirms … that you do not accept your guilt, repeating your claim – which the jury did not accept – that this was consensual sex.

"I note that you told the officer that you find the nature of the offence of rape to be abhorrent and disgusting, which in light of the finding of the jury are the labels which are attached to your behaviour on that night.

"You are assessed as a high risk of harm to children, a medium risk to the public, and a high risk to known adults, which all seem to me to be appropriate assessments of your risk given the nature of this offence and your unwillingness to accept any responsibility."

Recorder Watkin sentenced Coleman to seven years' imprisonment and imposed a restraining order until further order.

Coleman will have to register as a sex offender for life.

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A man has been jailed for 13 years following his conviction for a series of serious offences, including rape.

Andrew Warren Lowe, 36 of Belgrave Road in Keighley was found guilty following a trial at Leeds Crown Court. Today, Wednesday 14 October 2026, he was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to 13 years. He was also given a restraining order.

The court heard how the victim was subjected to sustained abuse over a number of years between 2010 and 2017. During this period, Lowe repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted the victim, alongside engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour, physical violence and sustained emotional abuse.

This case involved some of the most serious and distressing crimes that can occur behind closed doors, including repeated sexual assaults and violence which left the victim with lasting trauma.

The investigation was complex and related to non-recent allegations, with the offences being reported to police around three years after they had occurred.

Despite this delay, the victim showed exceptional courage in coming forward and remained fully engaged with the investigation throughout.

The court also heard that Lowe physically assaulted a child. Rather than being able to grow up in a safe environment, the child was instead exposed to violence and abuse at Lowe’s hands.

His bravery throughout the investigation was acknowledged, as was the profound and lasting impact these experiences are likely to have on him well into the future.

Throughout the investigation and during the trial, Lowe denied all allegations put to him and showed no remorse, refusing to take any responsibility for his actions.

Following conviction, Detective Sergeant Natalie Hawksworth from North Yorkshire Police said:

“This case involved a victim being subjected to horrifying abuse over a sustained period of time. Lowe was a predator who repeatedly targeted and abused the victim for his own personal gain and sexual gratification, showing no regard for the devastating impact his actions would have.

“The bravery shown by the victim in coming forward cannot be overstated. Reporting non-recent abuse is incredibly difficult, and her unwavering support of the investigation has ensured that a dangerous individual is now behind bars and no longer poses a risk to women and children.

“The effect of these offences has caused lifelong trauma for the victim, something she will now have to live with forever. She truly deserves happiness, and I hope this sentence brings some sense of closure following such a horrendous ordeal.”

“I would also like to commend the child victim in this case, who was extremely brave and should never have had to endure abuse in what should have been a safe environment. I hope that now justice has been served, he can begin to feel safe and reassured about the future.”

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A man from Bradford has been given an extended sentence of 25 years for multiple rapes.

Aaron Purewal aged 32 of no fixed abode was convicted by a jury of multiple offences including rape and sexual assault by penetration.

On Monday 5 October at Bradford Crown Court he was given an extended 25-year sentence which means 20 years in prison and five years on licence.

In a victim personal statement, the victim said:

“I feel disgusted by what happened to me. I often feel dirty, despite knowing that none of this was my fault.

“I no longer fully recognise myself. I lost confidence, lost faith in my own judgement and questioned who I was. I am still trying to understand who I am after what happened.

“I felt powerless. I remember screaming and shouting and trying to fight him off and make him stop. The impact of those experiences has never fully left me.”

Detective Constable Emma Moist of Bradford District Safeguarding Team said:

“Purewal is a dangerous and violent man, and this sentence reflects the gravity of his actions.

“This has had a devastating impact on his victim as you can see in her own words.

“I would like to praise her courage and bravery in reporting these abhorrent crimes to us and preserving with the justice process.

“I hope the outcome shows our commitment to victims of sexual offending and that we will do everything to investigate and bring perpetrators to justice.”

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Barrie Hartley, 45, of Rimswell Holt, Greengates, Bradford, has been jailed for 12-and-a-half years after sexually assaulting two women, including the rape of one of them.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Hartley sexually assaulted and later raped his first victim when she was particularly vulnerable. She was left hysterical after the rape. Arrested, he denied any sexual contact. His DNA was found on her clothing.

In a statement read by barrister Michael Morley, the first victim said the rape had affected every part of her life and that she was living with it every day. She said: “The person I was before no longer exists.” She described living in a constant state of fear that was “persistent, overwhelming, and inescapable.”

While still under investigation for those offences, Hartley sexually assaulted a second woman. He again denied the offending when arrested.

His second victim said the offences had left a “devastating and lasting impact” and that she was trying to rebuild her life. She said she carried a deep sense of shame, felt humiliated, and that her self-worth had been affected.

In mitigation, the court heard Hartley was anxious to address his drinking, described as “his real problem”, and that until he did so “he knows that he will cause risks going forward.”

His Honour Judge Christopher Smith sentenced Hartley to six years for rape and a further six-and-a-half years for the later sexual assaults on the second woman. He considered, but did not impose, an extended sentence for dangerousness.

Speaking to Hartley, who appeared by video link from HMP Leeds, the judge said: “Whilst I have very real concerns about you, stepping back and looking at the sentence I have imposed I have come to the conclusion that by the time you are eligible for release in respect of these sentences, the risk can be – I certainly hope – adequately managed by licence conditions.

“An extended sentence is not necessary, in my view, in your case.”

Hartley must register as a sex offender for life. A restraining order will run for the same period.

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“One day, you will walk free and continue with your life. But for my daughter and me, there is no end date to our sentence. We cannot simply leave this behind when a prison sentence ends. We must live with these memories, this pain, and the lasting impact of what happened every single day.”

These powerful words, spoken by the victim’s mother, were directed at sex offender Duane Platt, who today received a prison sentence for two sexual offences against a child.

Platt, 37, of Halifax Road, Bradford, was jailed for six years at Leeds Crown Court today (Thursday 24 September) after being convicted of serious sexual offences in Kirklees.

The 37-year-old was found guilty following a trial in July of two sexual assaults against a teenage girl, including one offence involving penetration.

The offences occurred in June 2023, and were reported to police the day after they took place.

An investigation was subsequently launched by detectives from the Kirklees District Child Safeguarding Unit, and Platt was arrested shortly afterwards.

In addition to his custodial sentence, Platt was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

The order places strict conditions upon him and means he can be immediately arrested and prosecuted should he breach any of its terms upon his release from prison.

He will also remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Detective Constable Amy Green, of the Kirklees District Child Safeguarding Unit, said:

“Platt committed extremely serious sexual offences against a vulnerable young victim, and we welcome the sentence handed down by the court today.

"Throughout the investigation and court proceedings, he showed no remorse for his actions and, at times, sought to place blame on the victim rather than accept responsibility for his offending.

"I would like to commend the courage and resilience shown by the victim and her family throughout this process.  They have remained patient, determined and committed to seeing justice done."

She added:

"Reporting offences of this nature is never easy, and their bravery in coming forward and supporting the prosecution has helped ensure that a dangerous offender has been held accountable for his actions.

"We hope that today's outcome provides them with some measure of closure and allows them to begin moving forward with their lives.

"All reports of child sexual abuse and sexual offending are treated with the utmost seriousness and are investigated by specialist officers. We are committed to supporting victims throughout the criminal justice process and ensuring they are signposted to the help and support services they may need."

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A man has been jailed for more than five years after admitting to a multiple counts of sexual offences against three child victims. 

Aaron Grimshaw aged 23 of no fixed abode, would communicate online with children using social media, the conversations were of a sexual nature. 

After his arrest his phone was seized, and evidence of the conversations were downloaded. 

At Bradford Crown Court on 17 September, he was sentenced to five and a half years, made to sign the sex offenders register and given a sexual harm prevention order.

There were multiple offences including sexual assault on a female, sexual activity with a child, engage in sexual communication with a child and making indecent photograph of a child. 

Grimshaw also was sentenced for offending in Gloucestershire. 

DC Emma Moist of Bradford Districts Safeguarding Unit said: 

“Grimshaw’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his actions. 

“Sexual communication with a child can cause significant harm to young people and their families. 

“We remain committed to protecting children, supporting victims and bringing offenders to justice. 

“We take all reports of this nature seriously and will investigate thoroughly."

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A man from Bradford has been give an extended sentence of 12 and a half years after admitting to 36 child sex offences.   

Kasey Fitton aged 20, of Amundsen Avenue, was arrested in February 2025 on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with four children residing outside of West Yorkshire Police Force Area. It follows an investigation initially by West Mercia and Lancashire Police.  

An investigation was then launched by Bradford Safeguarding Unit who uncovered large scale sexual offending against children.   

In February 2026 Fitton was charged with 16 counts of sexual communication with a child and 20 counts of making/possession of indecent images of children.  

Five child victims have been identified.   

At Bradford Crown Court Fitton admitted to all 36 counts.   

Today (7 September) he was jailed for seven and a half years, plus a five year extension on licence, he will sign the sex offenders register for life and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.  

A statement was read in court from the mother of one of the victims:   

“I am a mother and it is my job to protect her, but I feel like I failed her massively, I felt like I didn’t protect her from the evil of this world. I spent many days and nights wondering where I went so wrong or what more I could have done.   

“In reality, it wasn’t me that that didn’t protect her, it was you, a predator that prayed on her vulnerability and innocence at the age of 14. You stole her light for a long time, but it was me as her mother that was there every minute of every day picking up the pieces you left her in.”  

DC Dominika Marcinkowska of Bradford District Safeguarding Team said:  

“I would like to thank the victims in this case for their courage in speaking to police and reporting these crimes to us.   

“This has been a lengthy and complex investigation, and I hope today’s sentence can bring them some closure.”  

Senior Investigating officer Detective Superintendent Alan Weekes of Bradford District Police said:  

“Fitton is a very dangerous individual to children, and we welcome the courts sentencing today.  

“There are further investigations ongoing and we would appeal to anyone who may have been a victim to come forward to us.   

“We are keen to speak to anyone who interacted with the Snapchat accounts Kaseyfitton23, Kaseyfitton24 and MyCroft110.  

“We take all reports of this nature extremely seriously and they are treated with sensitivity. We have specially trained officers who will guide you through the process and do everything we can to get justice.”   

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A man who was found with more than 87,000 indecent images of children on his devices in Bradford has been jailed.

Richard Pooley, aged 60, of North Dean Avenue, was convicted of a number of offences including three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child, possession of a prohibited image of a child, possession of an extreme pornographic image with an animal, observing a person doing a private act and operating equipment beneath clothing of another without consent.  

Today (20 August), he was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court to three years and 10 months imprisonment. He was also made a lifetime registered sex offender and was given a 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Police received intelligence in October 2024 that indecent images had been uploaded onto the internet.  

Enquiries from the Online Child Abuse Investigation team identified Pooley. He was arrested and all his devices were seized.  

After an examination of those devices, officers found more than 87,000 images and videos including images and videos that the defendant had obtained from using various ‘spy cameras’ to secretly film children.

PC William Metcalf from the Bradford Districts Online Child Abuse Investigation Team said:

“This is one of the worst cases of indecent images of children I have ever seen in my career. 

“Pooley is a dangerous online sexual predator who had the most disturbing child abuse material in his possession.  

“In every picture there is a victim of child abuse. We are committed as a force to protect victims of child abuse and will do everything we can to get justice for them.”  

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A man from Bradford who admitted to a number of child sex offences has been jailed for six years.

Rehan Ali aged 24 of Falsgrave Avenue admitted two counts of inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, making an indecent photograph of a child, attempt to incident a girl aged 13 -15 to engage in sexual activity and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. 

The offences happened between October and November 2024 when Ali used snapchat to befriend two girls who were seven and eight years old. 

Ali then contacted a child he believed to be a girl aged 13, on Facebook and then WhatsApp. He engaged in sexual communications making attempts to incite the child into sexual activity. This was a decoy profile operation by an online child abuse group.

Today (10 August) he was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court to six years in prison, given a sexual harm prevention order and made to sign the sex offenders register. 

PC William Metcalfe of the Bradford’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team said:

“We welcome the sentenced handed down to Ali today. Ali used social media to target and exploit children. 

“He deliberately contacted underage girls online for his own sexual gratification. 

“As a police force, we remain committed to safeguarding children and would encourage parents and young people to report any concerns about suspicious online content to us.”

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Dangerous Paedophile Malcolm Bellwood Jailed Again for Targeting Online Decoys

Malcolm Bellwood, 71, has been sentenced to seven years in prison with a further seven-year extended licence after engaging in sexual conversations with two online decoys posing as 13-year-old girls.

The offences came to light in February 2026 when members of the paedophile hunter group Justice Reborn confronted him and handed a pack of evidence to police. Bellwood, formerly of Grattan Road, Bradford, and now of no fixed abode, appeared via video link at Bradford Crown Court.

In January he contacted a decoy profile set up by the group. The WhatsApp conversation became sexual; he told the “girl” and her friend to remove their pyjamas, encouraged them to “play” with each other and gave instructions about sexual acts. He later contacted a second decoy, discussed sexual matters and asked for indecent pictures.

Bellwood pleaded guilty to attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

In 2019 he was jailed for four-and-a-half years with a six-year extended licence for similar offences and was described as “a danger to children.”

Prosecuting, Victoria Barker outlined the facts of the latest contacts. In mitigation, barrister Laura McBride said Bellwood had lived an isolated, solitary life since his previous release, made no attempt to hide his identity online and had expressed remorse.

Judge Kirstie Watson said the offending was aggravated by his previous convictions, with early guilty pleas the only significant mitigation. She told him:

“You have demonstrated time and time again that you have a paedophilic urge you are unwilling or unable to control.” The judge described an “embedded pattern” of offending and said he posed a significant risk of serious harm to female children.

Bellwood must serve two-thirds of the custodial term before the Parole Board can consider release. He remains subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must register as a sex offender for life.

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Dennon Dunne jailed for six years after reoffending with indecent images of children months after release

Dennon Dunne, 34, previously of Sunbridge Road, Bradford, and now of no fixed abode, has been sentenced to six years in prison after downloading and distributing indecent images of children just months after completing a previous three-year sentence for the same offences.

Dunne was jailed in February 2022 and released in August 2023. Bradford Crown Court heard that within two months he breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by accessing apps including Snapchat and Telegram on a mobile phone.

Prosecutor Jade Edwards said Dunne discussed indecent images of children online and told one user he “needed a lot” because he had lost all of his. He also discussed bestiality and extreme pornography. Analysis of his phone found more than 200 indecent images of children.

When interviewed in April 2024, Dunne admitted sharing images while “drunk or high.” In March last year he again breached the SHPO by failing to report another mobile phone to monitoring officers. He was remanded in custody in September last year.

On Tuesday, Dunne admitted breaching the SHPO, downloading indecent images of children and distributing indecent images of children. He received a six-year sentence, a new indefinite SHPO and lifelong sex offender registration.

Judge Geoffrey Marson KC noted that Dunne had been released on licence and “within a very short period of time he was reoffending in exactly the same way.”

“These children in these images are abused in the most horrific way,” the judge told Dunne over a prison video link. “They suffer pain, degradation, and long-lasting consequences of this abuse and by doing what you did you contribute to that degradation and misery.”

Defending barrister Nicolas Leadbeater said Dunne’s strongest mitigation was that he admitted the offences at the first opportunity in the magistrates’ court. He added that if Dunne failed to use the help available to him, he would face increasingly long periods in custody.

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Double child rapist Safraz Rabnawaz has more time added to his sentence for drug trafficking

Safraz Rabnawaz, a double child rapist already serving nine years for the historic sexual abuse of young girls, has had a further 36 months added to his sentence for the “foul trade” of trafficking drugs.

The 41-year-old was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court after being caught in a Seat Leon stopped by police on Bolton Road in Bradford in February 2023. A search of the vehicle revealed 15 wraps of heroin, a further 11 wraps of heroin, a quantity of cocaine and £410 in cash.

At the time of the incident, Rabnawaz, formerly of Oak Lane, Manningham, was already under investigation for serious sexual offences. He was later convicted of two counts of rape and was one of 20 men jailed following multiple trials relating to the sexual abuse and exploitation of two girls aged between 13 and 16, which took place in Calderdale between 2006 and 2009.

The court heard that Rabnawaz had previous convictions for drug supply and was a “third strike” offender. Mitigating on his behalf, John Bottomley suggested a “modest” sentence and noted that Rabnawaz suffers from PTSD after being shot at in 2012. He appeared via video link from HMP Rye Hill in Northamptonshire.

Sentencing him, His Honour Judge Christopher Smith said Rabnawaz had “a poor record” for drug trafficking. He added: “Those who engage in peddling controlled drugs bring an enormous amount of crime to the streets and to the communities of Bradford and surrounding areas.

“Drugs wreck lives because the addiction destroys people’s health, both their physical and mental health. But it is also the other offending that goes hand-in-hand: the violence as drug dealers seek to preserve their patches, the dishonesty that addicts engage in to fund their addictions.

“Those are all the prices that are paid by the community because of the foul trade in controlled drugs.”

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A man from Bradford has been jailed for 13 years after being convicted of multiple attempt rapes and sexual assaults on a child.  

Stuart Hartley aged 47, of Dudley Hill Road was convicted of two counts of attempt rape of a child under 13, multiple sexual assaults on a child under 13, sexual activity with a child under 13 and two counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).  
  
The victim was aged between 4 and 12 years old when the abuse happened between 2005 and 2013 

Today (8 June) he was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court to 15 years, 13 in prison and two on licence.  

He already has an indefinite SHPO and was given a restraining order against the victim indefinitely. 

Detective Sergeant Sam Swift of Bradford District Child Safeguarding Unit: 

“Hartley carried out horrific abuse on this young child during a sustained period.  

“He is a significant danger to children, and we welcome the lengthy sentence handed down by the court.  

“I would like to praise the victim and the family in this case for their bravery in coming forward and reporting these crimes to us.  

“No matter how long ago these offences happen, we will take the report and thoroughly investigate and support you through the process.” 

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A man has been jailed for 19 years after he was convicted of raping and sexually assaulting an elderly woman.  

Neville Hattersley, 57, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on Wednesday (6 May) for offences he carried out when he was a delivery driver in Calderdale.   

Hattersley, of Pasture Road in Baildon, was convicted following a trial earlier this year.  

He was sentenced for the rape and a total of 11 sexual assaults which involved four adult women in total.  

Superintendent Allan Raw, on behalf of the Calderdale Adult Protection Team, said:  

“We welcome the sentencing of Hattersley for multiple sexual offences.

“These included an appalling offence in which he took advantage of and raped an extremely vulnerable elderly woman who was in no position at all to defend herself from him.

“He without doubt poses a danger to others and I hope his victims and their families can take some comfort from seeing him jailed.

“We continue to urge all victims of sexual offending or those who have information about offences to come forwards to allow us to investigate and seek justice for them.

“All reports are investigated by specially trained safeguarding detectives who will be able to signpost victims to any support services they may need.”

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A man has been given an extended 18-and-a-half-year sentence after being found guilty of attempt rape at a Bradford park.

Khairul Amin aged 36 of Moor View Drive was convicted of attempt rape, intentional strangulation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.  

The victim a woman in her 30s rang police at around 9pm on 28 August to report that she had been attacked, sexually assaulted and strangled by an unknown man.

The victim suffered serious head injuries and was treated in hospital.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, she said:

“It has ruined my day-to-day life. I am still having flashbacks regularly.  

“The defendant has no idea how this has affected every part of my life, and I hope the sentence he receives reflects the pain, trauma and loss of confidence that I have endured since the assault.  

“I hope that he never gets the chance to rob any other person of their life, as he to mine.”

At Bradford Crown Court yesterday (1 May) he was given an extended sentence of 18 and a half years. He must serve 14 and a half years in jail before being considered for parole and the rest will be on licence.  

DC Sue Sutcliffe of Bradford District Safeguarding Unit said:

“The sheer bravery and courage it took for this woman to report this to us cannot be underestimated.  

“Through reporting this quickly we were able to launch a fast paced investigation carrying out extensive enquiries to locate Amin.  

“He was arrested, charged and brought before the courts all within a day.

“He was described in court as a dangerous individual.  

“I would urge anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence, to please report it to us so we can take action.    

“We have specialist officers to support you throughout the process and bring perpetrators to justice.”