Latest Offenders Bristol

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A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for raping two women he met online.

Tony Heath, 28, of Avonmouth, was sentenced to two charges of rape and one charge of sexual assault at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday 8 October.

Heath, who was convicted by a jury at the same court on 26 September, raped both of his victims at his home after meeting them on Tinder and Snapchat, respectively.

Heath met his first victim on Tinder, and, after a few days he invited her back to his home where he sexually assaulted her before committing rape, but she was eventually able to escape after kicking him off.

He contacted his second victim on Snapchat and after a few hours, he asked her to go to his home to watch a film. She agreed, and he later raped her.

The women, who were aged in their late teens and early 20s at the time of the offending, were supported throughout the investigation and trial, and were referred to support services for victims of sexual offences.

One of the women said in a statement which was read in court:

“To this day I have thought about it non-stop, although everyone said, ‘just don’t think about it’, but it is all I do. I go over what happened and felt like I was to blame, and I deserved it.

“But I was put in that situation by him, I was powerless, and I froze. He took every bit of dignity from me.”

The second woman who had her statement read out on her behalf in court, said:

“A couple of days after this happened, I started having nightmares. I had nightmares where I would be back there, in the room, and I couldn’t get him off. Now, more than six months later, I am still having these nightmares multiple times a week.

“I now struggle with all physical contact with men, including those closest to me, and I can’t let my dad or cousin hug me anymore. While I am relieved that I went through the investigation and trial, it doesn’t change what he did to me, the impact it is still having on me, which will continue for the rest of my life.”

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A married man groomed what he believed to be a 14-year-old girl online, booked a hotel room stocked with alcopops, condoms, lubricant, sex toys, and a copy of the Kama Sutra sex book, then arranged to meet her at a 10-pin bowling alley, where he was confronted by a paedophile hunter group, a court heard.

Rodolfa Galvao, 49, was arrested after arriving with a rose and Dairy Milk chocolate, saying he "wanted to make a good first impression." Police found the hotel room in Mumbles with additional tequila and Champagne.

At Swansea Crown Court, Judge Paul Thomas KC said there was "only one reason" for booking the room and items, and he had no doubt Galvao intended penetrative sexual activity with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old. He called the gifts "bribes" and noted the pre-sentence report showed no real remorse, only "self pity," with "highly imaginative excuses, none of which had any credibility."

Prosecutor Helen Randall said contact began on Facebook with a decoy profile run by Dank Dragon volunteer. The decoy stated she was 14, but Galvao continued, exchanging numbers and chatting on WhatsApp. He called it "our little secret," said "age is just a number," discussed massages and a hotel, and reassured her he'd be gentle on her "first time," claiming he'd found his "true love."

Galvao, of Dowsell Way, Yate, Bristol—a Brazilian national who moved to Portugal in his 20s, then UK a decade ago—pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child under 16 following sexual grooming. He has no prior convictions, works delivering baked goods for his wife's business while studying accountancy, and volunteers at a food bank.

Defense barrister Hannah George noted the stigma and difficulties on remand due to prison views.

With a one-third guilty plea discount, Galvao was sentenced to 14 months' imprisonment, serving half in custody before licence release. He'll be a registered sex offender for 10 years and subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

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A man has been jailed for eight years after being found guilty of non-recent sex offences against a child.

Christopher Brooks, 74, of Bishopsworth, Bristol was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday 18 September.

Brooks was convicted by a jury to two counts of indecent assault against a child, two counts of inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency, three counts of making an indecent image of a child, and one count of possessing an extreme pornographic image at the same court on June 17.

As well as a custodial sentence, Brooks will be the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years after his victim showed great bravery in giving evidence during a complex investigation which started four years ago.

DC Rhiannon Jugmohun, officer in the case, said: For the victim, this is something she has lived with for many decades.

A third-party report was made to police which led to us approaching the victim to confirm whether the report was correct. The victim confirmed the offences but said if it wasnt for officers knocking on her door, she would have probably taken this to her grave.

This investigation was complex for numerous reasons, and the passage of time meant that witnesses were difficult to trace and many of those found struggled to recollect information from the time of the offending.

Investigating officers travelled across the country to gather evidence from people connected to the investigation, paper records were sought, and digital forensics officers reviewed a number of electronic devices in relation to the indecent image charges.

DC Jugmohun added:

The victim showed great bravery throughout the investigation. She has shouldered the weight of these offences for most of her life and life has been difficult for her at times. With great support from both family and friends, the victim was able to eloquently detail, not only the offences committed against her, but the impact they have had on her life.

We are at a place where regardless of age, victims will be heard, and we as the police will listen. Nobody is ever too young, and it is never too late to report a crime.

Judge Edward Burgess QC told the court he was constrained by the sentencing guidelines in place at the time the offences occurred and said that had the offending happened recently, he would have received an even longer prison sentence.

Judge Burgess expressed the victim had shown remarkable courage.

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A “dangerous sexual predator” who raped a woman in Clevedon has been jailed for 10 years.

The victim, who was aged in her 20s at the time of the incident in 2021, was attacked by 49-year-old Sean Reuben at a house in the town.

Having denied the offence, a jury unanimously found Reuben, of Lawrence Weston, guilty of rape in May. He was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday 13 August.

Police were called immediately after Reuben raped the victim in November 2021 and officers arrested him the same night. Reuben was later charged.

During yesterday’s sentencing hearing, a powerful statement written by the victim was read out.

“This crime has deeply affected me physically and mentally. I faced suicidal thoughts, self-harm and unhealthy relationships, becoming someone I didn’t recognise,” she said. “Even three-and-a-half years later, I still suffer from nightmares, flashbacks and fear.”

She added:

“Since the verdict came in as guilty, I have been told that I can now be happy and move on with my life. This is not the case and will never be the case. I still have to learn to navigate my life with the disabling impact of PTSD.

“I have to learn to trust in those around me but not be as trusting as I once was. I have to build up my life again…I have to re-build my career I was once thriving in. I have to pick up the pieces of a broken girl.

“I went through these past years believing that I wasn’t strong enough to go through with this trial, but I carried on anyway. I didn’t carry on because I wanted justice for the pain and harm that was caused to me, I carried on because I didn’t want anyone else going through the pain of being betrayed and having their lives change forever.”

At Bristol Crown Court, Judge Burgess sentenced Reuben to 10 years in prison and added to the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.

DC Damon Carney, the investigating officer, said:

“Reuben is clearly a dangerous offender; someone who seized the opportunity to act out his sordid sexual desires and who has not once expressed any remorse for what he did or even acknowledged what he did was wrong.

“I want to thank the victim for her courage, firstly coming forward to police and then remaining steadfast in a long process through the criminal justice system.

“She has ensured that women are protected from Reuben who has demonstrated the behaviours of a dangerous sexual predator.

“It’s also important to acknowledge the support of the various witnesses who acted dutifully on the day of the incident and are a great example of community and looking out for one another.”

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A brave woman who had her life shattered by a man over 20 years ago has seen her rapist finally jailed for his crimes.

David Watson-Williams, aged 43, of Stanfield Close, Lockleaze, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today (Monday, July 7) after being found guilty of rape.

After two days of deliberating evidence, the jury took just 45 minutes to unanimously find Watson-Williams guilty of raping a woman at a flat in St Pauls in the early 2000s.

He was immediately taken into custody on Wednesday, April 30 before being sentenced today.

Watson-Williams has been jailed for 12 years with an extended three-year licence.

He will remain on the sex offenders' register for life.

The victim reported in August 2021 that she was raped by a man she recognised.

She walked home to her flat by a friend around 3am and left her door unlocked before going to be fully clothed.

At home she then fell asleep before being woken by someone raping her.

She pretended to stay asleep for her own safety but was able to squint to see who the rapist was. She recognised him as Watson-Williams.

In a statement read out to the court, the victim said: “What should have been a bright chapter in my life was shattered by a man who knew, without a doubt, that I had no romantic or sexual interest in him.

“Yet, he hatched, in cruel premeditation, a plan to take what he wanted, with no regard for the destruction he would leave in his wake, that man is you, David.

"You’re the man that raped me in my bed. The bed in which my childhood memories were scattered lovingly around me.

“The terror you inflicted forced me to leave my home, the place where I should have felt most secure. I had to take refuge from you.

“Now, single, and childless, while I cannot say you are solely responsible for these parts of my life, I know you have been a significant factor.

"Your actions have altered the course of my life in ways I am still trying to understand and untangle.”

PC Chris Quick, the officer in the case, was able to quickly identify the suspect as Watson-Williams.

The attacker had several features which matched the description provided by the victim. He also had a conviction of rape since 2003.

A passport photo obtained by the police in the early 2000s, the victim positively identified the suspect.

PC Quick, formerly of Avon and Somerset’s Operation Bluestone Team, which is dedicated to solving rape and serious sexual offence cases, said:

“I cannot commend the victim enough for having the bravery to tell us what happened. This is a very traumatic event which she has lived with for nearly 20 years before deciding to report it to the police.

“The sentence reflects the seriousness of what happened to her. She was attacked in her own home, where she should be safe, and has been extremely courageous to come forward about the attack which left her feeling vulnerable and living in fear for years.

“Incidents such as this have a lasting and profound impact and we hope that both victims have had the justice they so rightly deserve.

“We hope this conviction sends out an important message – any acts of violence will never be tolerated, and every victim deserves to be heard and supported, no matter how long ago the attack took place.”

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A 31-year-old man has been given a hospital order after committing a series of sexual offences against women in Bristol.

A trial of facts found Haroon Shahid, from Fishponds, carried out two counts of attempted rape and one sexual assault in the Clifton and Redland areas last year.

Investigating officer Det Con Florence Dickinson praised three victims who she said had each "played an invaluable part in ensuring a dangerous sexual offender is off the streets and unable to commit any further harm".

An additional section 41 restriction means Shahid can only be discharged from hospital if the justice secretary agrees.

Shahid was given a hospital order under section 37 of the Mental Health Act.

His arrest followed work led by Avon and Somerset Police's dedicated rape and serious sexual assault investigation team, Operation Bluestone.

Det Con Dickinson said the three victims had shown "incredible strength and bravery in coming forward to report their experiences", support the investigation and attend court.

"We believe there may be more victims out there who've yet to come forward, as we strongly suspect Shahid was targeting young women in Clifton and Redland during early 2024," she added.

The officer urged anyone affected, or who wanted to speak to police, to call 101 or contact officers online, using the reference number: 5224075576.

The jury at Bristol Crown Court came to a unanimous decision on 19 March following the trial of the facts

The process is held when, based on medical evidence, a court decides a person is unfit to stand trial. A trial of the facts is then held to determine whether the accused has committed the offences alleged.

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A 54-year-old man has been jailed after admitting to having sexual relations with a minor.

Paul Collins, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Friday 21 March for seven counts of sexual activity with a child.

He was jailed for five years and seven months by the judge. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

Collins approached a vulnerable teenager in the street and gained her trust. He took advantage of her, plied her with drugs and sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions over several days in 2022.

Officers attended Collins’ bedsit to arrest him for an unrelated matter, when they found the teenage girl with him.

The victim came to a police station a few days after Collins was convicted of the unrelated matter and told officers she had been raped and assaulted by Collins.

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A man who was found guilty of the rape of a 17-year-old girl in Southampton city centre has been jailed for seven years and three months.

Runakl Shawn Delecia, 45, of Lynton Road in Bristol, appeared at Southampton Crown Court today (Friday 21 March) for sentence, having been found guilty of rape at the same court earlier this month.

The court was told how the victim, who is now 19 but was 17-years-old at the time of the incident, was approached by Delecia in the Carlton Place area of the city centre at around 1.30am on Sunday 9 April 2023, shortly before he raped her.

It was heard how Delecia could be seen on CCTV leading the girl away from Carlton Place and towards Carlton Crescent. After security staff working in the area were able to identify Delecia, he was arrested by police and charged with the offence, which he denied.

Following a six day trial at Southampton Crown Court, a jury found him guilty of rape on Monday 3 March and he has now been sentenced to seven years and three months in prison.

Officer in charge of the case Detective Constable Laura Cook, of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s specialist rape and serious sexual offences unit Operation Amberstone, said: “First and foremost, I must express my thanks to the victim in this case for her support in bringing Delecia to justice for this awful and predatory crime.

“The courage it takes to come forward and speak to us about incidents of this nature should not be underestimated and the fact that Delecia is now behind bars is testament to her bravery in speaking out and assisting us with this investigation.

“The Operation Amberstone team works tirelessly to target perpetrators of rape, and provide specialist support to survivors who have been affected.

“I hope that this sentence goes some way to helping the young woman involved gain closure and begin to move forward with her life. We want our communities, and survivors of abuse, to know that we stand with them and will do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice.”

Southampton Chief Inspector Mark Lumley said: “We are pleased with this sentence today and hope that it sends a clear message to anyone who comes to our city centre with the intention of causing harm to others. No-one in our community should ever be in a position where they do not feel safe walking the streets. For someone to be targeted in this way is abhorrent and will never be tolerated by police.

“Myself and my officers, who work tirelessly alongside our valued partnership agencies to ensure that Southampton is a safe and welcoming place to visit after dark, are committed to ensuring the safety of everyone in our city centre.

“It is thanks to the support of our security colleagues, and the nearby pubs and clubs, alongside the help of CCTV, that we were able to identify and arrest Delecia so quickly.

“We continue with our dedicated patrols at times when our pubs and clubs are at their busiest. A key focus of our officers, together with our partners, is to identify vulnerable people and safeguard them, as well as targeting and calling out perpetrators, arresting and using dispersal powers where necessary.

“We work very hard in Southampton to tackle sexual offences in partnership with organisations that support survivors. We want you to have the confidence to come forward and talk to us, knowing that you will be believed and supported, if something has happened to you, or somebody you know.”

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A rapist has received a prison sentence of almost 10 years after being convicted after a trial.

Thomas Osbourne, who also goes by the name Solomon Osbourne, was found guilty by majority verdict of two counts of rape against a woman committed earlier this year.

A nine-and-a-half year prison sentence was handed down to the 33-year-old from St George at Bristol Crown Court on Friday 27 September.

Any victim of a sexual offence is entitled by law to be kept anonymous. The victim in this case prepared a statement, which was read in court, in which she said she now feels scared of all men.

She said: “In terms of how this has impacted me and how I live my life, I am struggling with how to put it into words and find this very difficult. I’m not the same person I used to be since.

“This has also caused me to completely isolate myself from my family and friends, because I don’t want to talk or even think about everything that happened.

“He has completely ruined my trust in anyone and in particular men.

“I now feel scared of all men. I always used to try to see the good in people and feel as though that has been taken from me.

“Now, I always worry about what someone’s intentions would be and if the same things are going to happen again.”

Osbourne will be added to the sex offender’s register indefinitely, and his criminal record shared with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

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A MAN from South Gloucestershire has been jailed after sexually abusing three girls.

Robert Ponter, of Longwell Green, pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court to three counts of rape of a girl aged under 16.

His victims were aged between 11 and 15 at the time of the offences.

He also admitted three indecent assault charges – two related to one 14-year-old girl and one to another girl of the same age.

The assaults took place in the Bristol area between 1998 and 2007.

In addition to his custodial sentence, Ponter was issued with an indefinite restraining order banning him from ever contacting his victims again.

He was also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order and will be registered as a sex offender indefinitely.

Avon and Somerset Police received reports about Ponter in 2007 and 2008.

Investigations were carried out but at the time there was 'insufficient evidence' to charge him with any offences, police say. 

Detectives received a third report in 2021 and subsequently reapproached victims who’d previously reported Ponter’s abuse.

In July 2024, following the conclusion of this investigation, he was charged with sexually abusing all three victims.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Lucy Heaps said: “Robert Ponter took advantage of three girls over many years, exploiting their young age to carry out his vile crimes.

“All three of his victims have demonstrated great courage by reporting what happened to them and by providing evidence which resulted in Ponter pleading guilty to all the offences during his first appearance at court.

“They continue to have access to specialist support services and I hope the fact he has been jailed for 14 years gives them a sense of closure.”

She added: “No investigation is ever closed and if new information or supporting evidence comes to light, such as in this case when we received the most recent report, we will revisit inquiries and do everything we can to get justice for victims.

“If you have been affected by this inquiry please do contact us, we can provide access to support and look into any reports you want to make.”

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A 48-year-old man who committed sexual abuse offences against a child has been jailed for more than eight years.

Sean Begley, of Monsdale Road in Bristol, admitted ten offences, including sexual assault of a child and making indecent images of children, and was sentenced to eight years and eight months at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday (June 25).

He will also have to sign onto the Sex Offenders Register for the rest of his life and is also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The victim of the offences first disclosed the abuse in April 2024 and this was then reported to the police.

In a victim impact statement, a family member on behalf of the victim said the trauma would be with her “for the rest of her life” and they “can never forgive him for that”.

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A man has been sentenced to four years in prison for offences involving images of children.

Christopher Cefyn James, 34, of Trym Leaze, Bristol, was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life when he was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday.

He admitted one count of voyeurism, two counts of making indecent photographs of children and two counts of distributing indecent photographs of children.

James, who will spend one year on extended licence after his release, was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120.

The court heard the offences were committed between 2014 and 2023

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A 20-year-old man from Bristol has been jailed for 18 years for rape and other sexual offences committed against five girls, all aged under 18.

Curtis Otley, of Showering Road, Stockwood, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court yesterday (10 January), having been found guilty in September of 12 offences, including rape, attempted rape and sexual activity with a child, committed between 2020 and 2023.

Otley’s victims, whose bravery has been praised by officers, said his crimes had had a long-term effect on them.

In a victim statement read out in court, one of the girls said: “I was worried that people wouldn’t believe me and until I heard the verdict this remained a constant worry, hanging over my head – even though I knew that what I was saying had happened.

“I would say that at my age, most kids don’t go through this stress and are free to enjoy their lives and have fun. I feel like Curtis has taken a large part of this away from me.”

Another said: “I don’t trust anyone at all anymore.  I am quite reserved with male friends and find it difficult to let my guard down.”

And, speaking on behalf of her daughter, the mother of another of his victims said: “I have talked to her about future relationships with boys and men, when she’s older and she said she’s not interested, she feels that boys and men can’t be trusted.”

The investigation was led by the Operation Topaz team which is dedicated to investigating child sexual exploitation and has been supporting the victims.

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A 61-year-old man has been jailed for five years and four months after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting another man.

John Soul, of Ship Lane, Redcliffe, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.

The victim is believed to have been drugged by Soul after becoming separated from his friends on a night out in the city.

Police said Soul was a "predator" who sought out a "vulnerable" victim.

The court was told the victim, who was in his early 20s, had been on a night out on 19 November, 2021.

He could not recall anything else until the following day, when he woke up and realised he had been sexually assaulted.

The two men were not known to each other, and Mr Soul was identified through forensic evidence.

'Horribly traumatic'

In a personal statement read to the court, the victim said: "Telling my parents was really difficult. This is not the sort of thing you anticipate having to tell [them] and during this I cried, which was the first time I have cried in a long time.

"As a tall, young, heterosexual male, this has made me feel particularly vulnerable and, in fact, that itself was probably worse than the incident itself. It has really knocked my confidence and self-esteem," he continued.

"It has been a horribly traumatic incident, I myself feel quite mentally strong but even I have been traumatised by the whole incident.

"This is all due to the actions of another person who takes advantage of individuals when they are vulnerable."

'He is a predator'

Soul was charged in May 2022 and pleaded guilty in February.

Det Sgt Amy Hewitt from Avon and Somerset Police said: "The victim in this case has been extremely brave in coming forward to police.

"He put aside his own concerns and wanted to make sure no one else was hurt by Soul and to keep others safe.

"Soul is a predator who sought out an individual who was alone and vulnerable and took advantage of that."

Alongside his custodial sentence, Soul will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sex Offenders' Register once he is released from prison.

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A murderer and serial sex attacker dubbed 'the Clifton Rapist' is back behind bars after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman whilst out on licence. Ronald Evans, now 82, is Britain's longest serving prisoner having been jailed for a string of rapes in Bristol between 1977 and 1979.

He had previously served 11 years for the murder and rape of a woman in 1963. He was released from jail under a lifetime licence in 2018 but has been on remand since his arrest and will be sentenced later this week after his conviction for molesting a woman at her home.

He was convicted at Harrow Crown Court, sitting at Hendon Magistrates of one count of sexual assault in a majority verdict of 11 to one. Appearing emotionless as the jury returned their verdicts after more than five hours deliberation he was cleared of two other counts of sex assault against a different woman

The jury in his week long retrial had been told of his previous sexual offences but his conviction for the horrific rape and murder of 21-year-old shop worker Kathleen Heathcote in 1963 was not disclosed to them. Evans admitted killing Heathcote in the Nottingham area after police found some of the victims possessions in his home.

He spent 11 years in prison before being released on a life license in 1975 and reoffending with the string of rapes on Clifton's downs in Bristol. Evans, dressed in a beige cardigan over his grey prison tracksuit and using a crutch to help him walk, told his trial he felt remorse for his previous offences but had been nothing but kind to his two latest alleged victims.

He denied three counts of sexual assault made by two separate women whom he met at a community centre in London, saying he was a reformed man who had changed his ways. Both women became tearful whilst giving their evidence in court.

The jury were told he had nine previous convictions - eight of indecent assault and one of rape - against women dating back to between 1977 and 1979. Evans terrorised the Clifton and Durdham Downs for around 20 months in the late 70s; targeting young women aged between 18 and 33 in sex attacks down dark alleyways of the city.

A honey-trap operation codenamed Argus was eventually enacted by police at the beginning of 1979 to ensnare Evans, with 11 brave young female officers acting as bait for the elusive criminal over a period of 11 weeks. Evans trial heard he was released from prison - after a total of 57 years inside - in November 2018.

The jury heard Evans began volunteering at a community centre and that, despite his old age, had maintained his inappropriate sexual desires.

After analysing his mobile phone, officers also found searches to Pornhub and sexualised conversations with friends. Why is this relevant? Ms Sales asked the jury in her opening. Well, the Crown say it is relevant because Mr Evans is a leopard that cannot change its spots.

Despite his age, he was and remains a sexual predator. The court heard Evans developed relationships with women at the local community centre; woman Ms Sales suggested were targeted by Evans as being vulnerable.

One of his alleged victims, whom Evans was cleared of assaulting told the court he told her: You can trust me; all these ladies love me. I am not trying to get in your knickers Not yet, anyway.

But the second woman who he was convicted of assaulting said he had introduced himself to her as a touchy-feely person. The court heard the second woman he targeted was lonely and wanted to make friends in the area when she befriended Evans, having again met him at the community centre.

In July last year, the woman agreed to go for a meal at a local pub with Evans, and later went back to his home with him. Evans told her he was getting spam emails with nude women on them, and began showing these emails to the increasingly uncomfortable woman.

He then began to touch her on the sofa, before she told him she wanted to go home. Hugging her as she was leaving, he grabbed her right buttock and said: Ooo can I touch your bum?.

The court heard the woman felt shocked and violated by Evans actions and messaged him the following day to say she was upset about what he had done. During a phone call later in the day, Evans said, This kind of talk will get me in trouble, before hanging up.

Ms Sales told the court Evans had targeted both women due to their physical disabilities and mental health issues. There were women with serious mental health issues that [went] to that [community] centre, she said.

That is where you went, to target them. On his previous sex convictions from Bristol, she added: They were all committed against women alone at night time.

Being a man in your 80s, you realised you had to change your tactics. You went to the community centre and seized your opportunity. A lot of people would think that a man in his 80s wouldnt have sexual desires, but its clear you maintained yours over the years.

You identified an opportunity. You are not a young man chasing women in their 30s anymore, you are an elderly man chasing vulnerable women. Are your sexual desires so out of control you cant control yourself?

You would like to think that, Evans quipped back to Ms Sales, before saying he had forgot what he had said moments earlier. Following his arrest in August last year, Evans answered no comment to all questions put to him in police interview.

You have been interviewed many times in your life, Ms Sales continued. You are not new to the criminal justice system; you know how it works, you are a clever man.

The reason the questions were not answered was because you had not made up a story yet. Evans, who became increasingly frustrated with Ms Sales whilst giving evidence, insisted hed treated the two complainants with nothing but kindness, and even suggested one may have brought the charges against him after becoming angry that he had ended their friendship.

However, lawyers said that no matter the result, whether he was cleared or convicted of the fresh sexual allegations, Evans would always have been returned to jail because he had breached the conditions of his licence. Sentencing is due to take place Thursday, November 16.

Her Honour Judge Francis told the jury: Thank you for your time and consideration. We know we are asking a lot from you and you are stepping outside your comfort zone.

But without you, the jury, the criminal justice system would not work. You ensure people have a fair trial.