Latest Offenders Derby

Description

A Derbyshire man has been jailed for more than 20 years after he was found guilty of sexually abusing two children.

Mark Kearney was arrested in November 2024 after the abuse was reported to police. He was swiftly charged and remanded into custody.

In respect of the first victim, the 55-year-old denied two counts of rape of a child under 13, assault by penetration of a child under 13, incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, assault by touching of a child under 13, and two counts of cause a child to look at an image of sexual activity.

He also denied assault by penetration of a child under 13, assault by touching of a child under 13, and cause a child under 13 to look at an image of sexual activity for the second victim.

He was sent to trial in April 2025 and was found guilty on all counts.

Kearney, of no fixed address, appeared at Derby Crown Court for sentencing on 26 February 2026.

He was ordered to serve a 24-year jail term by a judge, with an extended licence period of six years on release.

Kearney is also required to register with police indefinitely.

Detective Constable Danielle Lynch said:

“This has been an incredibly distressing case, and I want to commend the courage shown by both victims in coming forward and supporting the investigation.

“Their strength has ensured that a dangerous offender has been brought to justice.

“We will always take reports of child sexual abuse extremely seriously, and we are committed to doing everything we can to protect vulnerable children and pursue those who cause them harm.”

Description

A man who preyed on three young girls has been jailed after being found guilty of sexual abuse.

Russel Thornton sexually assaulted the girls on separate occasions between 2014 and 2020, with one of his victims being just 13 at the time.

The abuse was reported to police in 2021, and Thornton was subsequently interviewed and summonsed to court.

The 38-year-old denied engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15, causing or inciting a girl age 13-15 to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl age 13-15.

He was found guilty of the above charges at trial in November 2025.

In poignant victim impact statements, which were read out in court, the young women now in their twenties, explained the lasting impact of Thornton’s offending.

All three women alluded to the trauma that Thornton’s abuse caused them as children, a trauma that continues to affect them deeply years after the abuse stopped.

They also spoke about being forced to relive painful memories of what happened to them as a result of the court process, with Thornton refusing to admit what he had done resulting in them being put through the ordeal of a trial.

Thornton, of Back Sitwell Street, Derby, was sentenced at hearing at Derby Crown Court on 26 February 2026.

A judge handed him nine year sentence, a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered him to register with police for life.

Detective Constable Tracey Cass, Officer in the case, said:

“This has been a long road for the survivors in this case, and I would like to thank the three women for their bravery and stoicism throughout.

“I would also like to encourage others who have been affected by such offending, now or in the past, to report it to us if you feel able.

“This case shows we can and do get results, and for survivors it is not just about a prison sentence. It is also the opportunity to speak out in court and tell their story – while a perpetrator is held publicly accountable.”

Description

A man has been convicted of multiple child sex offences today (Monday 2 March).

Christopher Shepherd, 43, of Spondon, Derbyshire, was found guilty by a jury at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court of one count of rape of a girl under 13, one count of sexual assault of a girl under 13 and one count of meeting a girl under 16 following grooming.

During the trial, Shepherd pleaded guilty to three counts of making an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child.

Our investigation found that Shepherd had been speaking to a number of girls online between 2021 and 2022. He would send and receive indecent images in the conversations with the victims.

He arranged to meet one of the victims. He picked her up in his car and raped her.

After Shepherds offending was reported to us in 2022, we arrested him. Officers from our child protection team worked tirelessly to support the survivors and to build the evidence against him.

Based on the strength of this evidence, and the bravery of the survivors, Shepherd was found guilty in court today.

He has been remanded ahead of his sentencing date at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday 20 April.

Detective Inspector Adam Goodger, from our child protection team, said:

Im pleased that we have been able to achieve this conviction today and make sure that Shepherd was not able to escape his offending.

We are determined to take robust action against those responsible for these offences in Staffordshire and to seek the toughest possible punishment in court.

Description

A couple have been jailed after they made more than a thousand indecent images of children and shared them online.

Scott Topley was arrested after he was identified from a video found on a mobile phone, which was seized as part of an unrelated police investigation by another force.

In the video Topley was shown performing a sex act whilst viewing indecent images of children.

The address he shared with partner Gordon Phillips in Fall Road, Heanor, was searched and their devices were seized. Phillips’ device was found to contain indecent images and he was also arrested.

More than a thousand images relating to child sexual abuse were found, as well as material relating to extreme pornography and sexual abuse of their pet dog.

The men were charged on 28 May 2025.

Both men were charged with making indecent images of children, distributing indecent images of children, possessing prohibited image/s of children, and possessing extreme pornographic image/s of sex with an animal.

They admitted the offences at a hearing on 24 July and were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on 29 January 2026.

Topley, 46, and Phillips, 41, were each jailed for 6 years and 3 months.

They were also handed fifteen-year Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, and both are required to register with police indefinitely.

Officer in the case, PC Michelle Azizi said:

“Together, Scott Topley and Gordon Phillips relished in their criminality.

“They took part in harmful online activities, viewing and sharing child and animal sexual abuse material with other like-minded individuals.

“The custodial sentence imposed on them reflects the severe gravity and abhorrent nature of their behaviour”.  

Description

A man who sexually assaulted three teenage girls and two women has been jailed.

Stavros Theodoulou made sexual remarks to all of the victims, who were all known to him, as well as touching them repeatedly.

The matters came to light when one of the women came forward to report the abuse in 2023. A number of other people then also reported similar experiences with Theodoulou.

In a victim impact statement, one of the women said:

“It has made me wonder how many other women have been subjected to his abuse like I was and how long it has been going on for.

“Because of what I have been through I also find I have struggled to make friendships at work and in my personal life. This is not a true reflection of the real me.

“I find myself having flashbacks of the assaults and it has deeply impacted my ability to go about my life normally. The whole situation impacted me mentally and emotionally and I feel I will be affected by this for a long time.

“A man like Theodoulou is dangerous and unpredictable working in society. I hope once and for all people will know exactly who he is so that people are protected from him in future and that no one else ever falls victim to him.

"I wouldn’t wish what I went through upon anyone. It pains me every day and I have to live with the ongoing trauma he has caused me.”

Theodoulou was arrested and subsequently charged with five counts of sexual assault as well as three charges of possessing a firearm without a certificate after officers found the items at his house when they went to arrest him.

The 59-year-old, of Hilcote Lane, Alfreton, admitted the charges and appeared at Derby Crown Court for sentence on Friday 9 January where he was jailed for 30 months. He was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Leonie Hitchmough, who led the investigation, said:

“I’d like to commend these women for their bravery in coming forward and reporting these offences by Theodoulou.

“His actions have understandably had a major impact on them all and will continue to do so for some time to come.

“I have no doubt that he would have continued to offend had he not been brought to justice for these offences so I am incredibly grateful to all those who came forward to report him.

“I’d like to encourage anyone else who is experiencing something similar to please come forward and speak to us. We will listen without judgement and support you throughout."

Description

A convicted paedophile who was already serving a prison sentence for raping a young girl has been jailed for the sexual assault of a toddler.

Christopher Proctor, who now goes by the name Daniel Travis, assaulted the girl when she was just two years old.

In 2021 the girl came forward and reported the matter to police.

At this time, Proctor, was already serving a sentence for the rape of a separate young girl for which he was handed a 12-year-jail-term in 2019.

Proctor, 49, was arrested and later charged with sexual assault by touching which he denied.

The case was sent to trial, and the victim was called to give evidence.

Only after she was cross-examined by his defence team did Proctor change his plea to admit the offence.

The girl, who read a victim impact statement in court, spoke movingly about the effect Proctor’s abuse has had on her life:

“What happened to me has had a huge impact on my life and is quite difficult to put into words…

“The impact on my mental health has been significant. I am constantly anxious and on edge, particularly around men and unfamiliar places. I struggle to trust people, even those close to me and I often feel isolated because of this.

“I experience frequent flashbacks and panic attacks from the trauma of what Christopher did to me…

“I used to self-harm to get rid of the feeling of his hands on my skin.

“I have lost my confidence and self-worth. Some days I have even thought it might be better if I am not here. But I will get through this…

“I would like the court to understand the seriousness of the harm that has been caused to me. Not only at the time of the offence, when I was little, but the lasting impact it has had on my wellbeing and future.

“… I want Christopher to remember one thing – he may have taken away my innocence, but he will never take away my future…

“I am no longer a victim. I’m a survivor…”

Proctor, of no fixed address, was sentenced on 7 January and handed a jail term of three years and nine months.

He was placed on the sex offenders register for life, handed a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a 10-year restraining order.

Detective Constable Ellen Buggins, officer in the case, said:

“The survivor in the case showed tenacity and patience throughout, despite the time taken for this to be heard in court.

“She showed immense courage and was commended by the judge for reading out her victim statement in court.

“Travis (AKA Proctor) is a dangerous individual whose offences were horrific.

“It is only right that the public are protected from him, and he will be kept a close eye on for life.”

Description

A young pedophile, Anthony Lanchester, raped a teenage boy in an Ilkeston park as the victim walked home from a fair, then sexually abused a second teen months later while on bail.

At Nottingham Crown Court, the trial heard how the 20-year-old grabbed the first boy, dragged him to a secluded area, touched him sexually, and raped him. The second assault occurred in a different park.

The offenses took place in Ilkeston—one toward the end of 2024, the other in spring 2025.

Judge Mark Watson sentenced Lanchester to six-and-a-half years in a young offender’s institution, stating: “I have read the first victim’s impact statement. He says all he wanted to do was cry in the corner, he said he felt dirty on the inside but he has nothing to be ashamed of."

Prosecutor Daren Samat read the victims' statements. The rape victim said he “feels dirty inside and out” after being violated, adding: “He feels like everyone is going to judge him and has made him feel run down. He said all he wants to do is cry in the corner about everything and this has left him frustrated with life. He said he feels he is worth nothing and feels ashamed as a person.”

The second victim said he was scared to testify as it “brought it all back.”

Lanchester, of Stringer Close, Ilkeston, was found guilty of rape and sexual assault. Defense lawyer Tom Welshman described him as “a young man with no previous convictions” who was 19 at the time, noting: “The victims' personal statements are clearly moving and show these are very serious offences which have had serious consequences and have had a serious effect on them (the victims). He is perhaps a childlike man with certain childlike qualities. At the time Mr Lanchester was an isolated person without many friends who was being picked on but that does not excuse what he did. As a child he witnessed domestic violence.”

Description

A convicted sex offender who sent a sexually explicit message to an eight-year-old girl online has been jailed.

Toby Wright added the youngster on Snapchat before sending her a message saying ‘you’re cute’. She immediately responded asking him to leave her alone and stating her age. He then responded saying he liked ‘little girls’.

The girl told her parents and gave them her phone but Wright continued sending videos including one showing him performing a sex act.

Wright had previously been sentenced for meeting a child following grooming. The messages with the eight-year-old came to light while he was serving a prison sentence for that offence after the girl’s parents called police, and he was interviewed in prison.

The 27-year-old, of Belgrave Street, Derby, was subsequently charged with engaging in sexual communication with a child; causing a child under 13 to watch/look at an image of sexual activity;  possessing an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child and distributing an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child.

He admitted the offences and appeared at Derby Crown Court for sentence on 13 October when he was jailed for five years and four months, with an extended licence period of four years and eight months.

He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years and a restraining order preventing him from having any contact with the victim. A destruction order for his phone was also imposed.

Detective Constable Heather Rogers, who led the investigation, said:

“Wright is clearly a very dangerous individual whose persistent behaviour in seeking sexual gratification from children is utterly appalling.

“The fact he committed this offence despite having served a prison sentence for a previous offence involving children shows he has clearly not seen the error of his ways.

“We know that Wright also uses the name Luke as well as other aliases and we suspect that he may have spoken to more children online so we would encourage anyone who thinks they or their children have been contacted by him, to come forward and speak to us.”

Description

A registered sex offender, who had been released from prison weeks earlier, has been jailed after sending explicit messages to an undercover cop.

In February and March 2025, Scott Hemingway sent explicit messages to two ‘underage girls’ who he believed to be aged 14 and 12.

What Hemingway didn’t realise was that he was actually speaking to an undercover police officer.

The 39-year-old had been released from prison just four months earlier, after being convicted of a similar offence in December 2021.

He was arrested in March and charged and remanded into custody for the following:

• Attempt to cause/incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Attempt to cause / incite a girl 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity - offender 18 or over - penetration
• Arrange / facilitate the commission of a child sex offence x2
• Adult attempt to engage in sexual communication with a child x2
• Sex offenders register - fail to comply with notification of a change
• Breach of Sexual Harm Prevention Order

Hemingway, of no fixed address, appeared at Derby Crown Court on 26 September and admitted the charges against him.

He was jailed for 13 years, handed a further, indefinite SHPO, and fined.

DS Richard Foster said:

“Scott Hemingway is a dangerous criminal who, despite already being caught and only just being released from prison, was unable to stop offending.

“We actively target high risk individuals like Hemingway, and we will continue to do so to keep our communities safe.”

Description

A 48-year-old Derbyshire man, Alexander Hall, groomed a 14-year-old girl by telling her they could get engaged, “make out” in his car, kiss, and he could squeeze her bottom.

Nottingham Crown Court heard how he arranged to meet "Millie" at a pub near Nottingham, asking her to wear lip gloss for their date.

The 48-year-old also told the young teenager not to tell her mother about their conversations, saying “she would not understand”.

But when Hall turned up at the pub, close to Radcliffe-on-Trent, Millie was actually a decoy operated by self-styled paedophile hunters.

Jailing him for two and a half years, Recorder Tim Green KC said: “Her age was known to you from a very early stage, you talked about kissing and squeezing her behind.

“You asked for photos of her in her underwear and, importantly, you told her not to tell her mother.

“You arranged to meet at a pub called the Shepherd’s Stonehouse and asked her to wear lip gloss, saying you could kiss.

“You clearly meant to meet her at that pub and take her back to your house for the full sexual activity you had prepared her for and fully intended to carry out.

“In my judgment, the factors that could allow a suspended sentence are not here.”

Mark Achurch, prosecuting, said in October 2023, Hall began a conversation with Millie on an internet platform called Wink.

He told her she was “beautiful” and “asked her if she wanted to be his girlfriend”, saying he would buy an engagement ring.

The prosecutor said: “He told her he had a house and car and told her he would give her anything she wanted.

“He then started talking in a sexual manner, saying he would kiss her and squeeze her buttocks.

“He asked for photos of her in her underwear and that they could ‘make out’ in his car.

“He also asked her to be careful not to tell her mum because her mum would not understand.

“She then arranged to meet her at The Shepherd’s Stonehouse pub in Stragglethorpe, in June 2024, seven months after contact was first initiated, telling her to wear lip gloss and that they could kiss and he could squeeze her buttock.

“He then sent a photo of his (private parts) and when he went to the arranged meet, he was confronted by the decoy’s group and was arrested by the police.”

Hall, of New Street, South Normanton, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to meet a child under 16 following grooming.

He has one drink-driving conviction and a caution for possession of an imitation firearm, Mr Achurch said.

David Watts, defending, said his client had never offended in this way before and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

He said: “At the time Mr Hall was in a relatively lonely situation."

Description

A man has been jailed after he followed a young woman out of a Derby fast food restaurant and attempted to rape her.

Ivan Godla spotted the woman in the McDonalds on Osmaston Park Road on the evening of 19 November last year.

The 24-year-old then followed her down Portland Street before trying to speak to her and exposing himself.

The woman carried on walking and crossed the road to get away from Godla, but he continued to follow her before pushing her to the ground and trying to rape her.

The woman managed to fight Godla off and ran away, before calling police.

Godla was arrested on 21 November and was subsequently charged and remanded.

Godla, of Leacroft Road, Derby admitted charges of sexual assault and sexual exposure but initially denied a charge of attempted rape.

 He eventually admitted attempted rape on the day of trial, in May this year.

He was sentenced at a hearing at Derby Crown Court on Tuesday 23 September, with a judge ordering him to serve a prison term of 8 years and 1 month.

Detective Constable Spibey, officer in the case, said:

“This was a calculated and predatory attack on young woman.

“No woman or girl should be made to feel unsafe for fear of violence, whether they are walking home, at home, or at work.

“Thankfully this kind of stranger attack is rare, but we are committed to weeding out those who commit any acts of sexual violence and will do everything we can to ensure that justice is served against perpetrators.

“This was a complex investigation, and I would like to thank the members of the public in the Portland Street area who assisted police by providing CCTV footage. This footage allowed us to build a timeline of events which assisted with us securing a charge against Ivan Godla.

“Most importantly I want to express my thanks to the victim in this case, who bravely came forward and recounted the details of this incident.

“Her courage throughout the investigation has been commendable.

“Godla is now off the streets, and our communities are that bit safer.”

Description

A former school administrator has been jailed after admitting sexually abusing three teenage girls.

All the girls were aged under 16 – with all three incidents taking place at the Da Vinci School in Chaddesden, Derby.

The extent of Roberts’ offending came to light after the first teenager came forward reporting that, the now 23-year-old, had had sex with her during school time – before two more girls were identified as having been targeted.

Both the girls told officers how he had sexually assaulted them.

Roberts was quickly arrested, before being charged and appearing at Derby Crown Court where he initially denied the offences.

However, before the case could reach a trial, Roberts changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced at the same court on Friday 29 August.

Roberts, formerly of Breaston, was handed a 44-month sentence for sexual activity with a child by penetration – as well as ten months and three months for the two sexual assaults to be served concurrently.

The mother of one of the girls explained how Roberts had taken away her daughter’s innocence and childhood and that she had blamed herself for what Roberts did.

DC Charlotte Flint, who led the investigation into Roberts, said:

“I first want to thank each of the three girls – along with their families.

“Their determination to see Roberts brought to justice has been incredible and their resilience to see him jailed is nothing short of immense.

“Roberts’ role at the school meant that he had a position of trust – one that he betrayed in the worst possible way.

“For these three young girls their school should have been a place of safety, and Roberts used that for his own disgusting means.

“I want to thank the school for their assistance during the investigation – and their excellent safeguarding work after Roberts’ offending was brought to light.

“The likes of Roberts have absolutely no place in our communities, and I would urge anyone who may have been the victim of similar crimes to please come forward.”

Description

A Serial Sex Offender from Derby Sentenced for Befriending and Grooming a 13-Year-Old Girl

A 24-year-old serial sex offender named Ethan Hewitt from Derby has been jailed for befriending a 13-year-old girl with mental health issues, calling her "wifey," and discussing having sex with her in a field.

During a sentencing hearing at Derby Crown Court, it was revealed that Hewitt exchanged over 3,700 messages with the victim via social media platforms like Snapchat and WhatsApp over a one-month period.

At the time of the offenses, Hewitt was under a sexual harm prevention order due to prior convictions involving underage girls.

Recorder Helen Malcolm sentenced Hewitt, who has no fixed address, to three years and four months in prison.

She stated: “Your previous record is very poor and includes previous breaches. You were on licence throughout the time I am sentencing you for.

“In that month, you were directly in contact with a 13-year-old on a number of occasions, and you also engaged in some 3,794 messages over Snapchat, WhatsApp and other services with her. You also deleted messages.

“I have read the reports which say you have no insight into the effect on your victims. You have shown what is called a ‘wilful defiance’ to authority figures and you actively seek opportunities to offend.

"You pose a very high risk of harm to young females and nearly 4,000 messages with a 13-year-old over the course of one month is a very concerning number.”

Prosecutor Serana Varatharajah explained that Hewitt, formerly of Aylestone in Leicester, was convicted in 2021 at Manchester Crown Court for sexual activity with a female under 16, leading to the imposition of the order, which he breached four times.

He was convicted again for the same offense in March 2023.

The order prohibited any contact with females under 16, but in July 2024, Hewitt befriended the victim secretly, and their interactions turned sexual.

Miss Varatharajah said: “The friendship was kept secret and developed to become sexual. He told her he loved her, he spoke to her about getting married and they spoke about having sex.

“He said they would have to wait until she turned 16 and he told her not to tell anyone about their conversations. He called her ‘wifey’ and she called him ‘hubby’.

“He said if she was not ready for sex they could just kiss and cuddle. He said, as they could not go to a hotel because of her age, they could have sex in a field.”

The victim's mother discovered the communications, leading to police involvement and Hewitt's arrest.

Hewitt pleaded guilty to breaching his sexual harm prevention order and engaging in sexual communication with a child.

Defense attorney Catherine Picardo, mitigating on behalf of Hewitt—who appeared via video link from HMP Lincoln—noted that he is undergoing medical investigations for a possible cancer diagnosis.

She added: “He knows he should not have access to Snapchat. He has a very traumatic upbringing where he was abused, and, since his time in custody, he has been given responsibilities working in the kitchens.

“There is an address available to him in Derby which will be monitored.”

In addition to the prison sentence, the judge imposed an indefinite new sexual harm prevention order, and Hewitt will remain on the sex offender register indefinitely.

Description

A Derby rapist carried out a “brutal” sex attack on a woman he’d only just met in some bushes in Chaddesden.

Derby Crown Court heard how Michael James’ victim repeatedly screamed for him to stop but gave up knowing he was twice her size and “it would only make things worse”.

The 25-year-old, of Chaddesden, then lied to the police claiming what happened was consensual before making the woman relive her ordeal giving evidence at a trial.

In a statement the victim said she could not look at herself in the mirror and blamed herself at first for what happened. Handing the defendant a 13-year jail term, Recorder Richard Paige said: “This was a brutal rape and despite what happened she was brave enough to go straight to the police to report it.

“You have not shown an ounce of remorse that your actions have had on the victim. (That night) you exchanged messages on Snapchat and then Facetime then agreed to meet up.

"You did meet in Scarborough Rise and she looked for a bench so you could share a cannabis joint.

“You have not shown an ounce of remorse that your actions have had on the victim. (That night) you exchanged messages on Snapchat and then Facetime then agreed to meet up.

"You did meet in Scarborough Rise and she looked for a bench so you could share a cannabis joint.

“There wasn’t one, she says you dragged her into some bushes, you say she went voluntarily and I give you the benefit of the doubt.

"While in the bushes you shared a joint and she described herself as being ‘very stoned, sleepy and drowsy’. You wanted more and she didn’t want more and told you ‘no’ but you told her words to the effect of ‘I am doing this’.

“She shouted at you to stop and get off her, she tried to get away but you stopped her. She said she gave up trying to stop you knowing if she fought back it would get worse. She is petite, it is no exaggeration to say you are twice her size.

“She says she will never get over what you did to her that night. It is likely to stay with her for the rest of her life and it is only her bravery and the work of police officers who should be commended which has seen this happen.

She has suffered severe psychological harm, more than two-and-a-half years later she still suffers flashbacks.”

Caroline Bradley prosecuting, said the rapes happened in Chaddesden in September, 2022. She read out a victim impact statement made by the woman, who bravely attended court to see her sex attacker jailed.

She said: "She did not sleep or eat for weeks and stopped looking after herself. She said she could not look at herself in the mirror and felt dirty. She said she did not want to live and she described a horrible feeling that will not leave her alone.

“She said ‘I will always be reminded of it and this will affect me for the rest of my life. I have this voice in my head telling me I am not good enough for anybody and I will never be loved’.

“She said ‘I blame myself but I am starting to learn it is not my fault’.”

James, of Meath Avenue, denied doing anything wrong. But having heard all of the evidence, a jury unanimously found him guilty of two counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of assault by penetration.

Rebecca Coleman, mitigating, said her client was born in in the USA and moved to the UK as a child but was then taken to Tunisia where he “suffered physical and sexual abuse” before coming back to England.

She said: “He still suffers flashbacks from this childhood trauma and used cocaine and cannabis as a way of blocking this out.

“In terms of the offence, you can see in the pre-sentence report he maintains his innocence but says he is ‘sorry from the bottom of my heart that I made someone feel hurt’.

"He has no previous convictions for any serious or sexual offences.”

As well as the jail sentence, the judge placed the defendant on the sex offender register for life. The 13-year term is made up of 10 years custody plus a three-year extended licence.

It means he will not be eligible to apply for parole until two-third of the way through the 10 year custodial stretch.

Description

A serial sex attacker who raped two women and attempted to rape a teenage girl has been jailed for 24 years.

The latest of Alex King’s attacks took place in September 2023 when a teenage girl was attacked by King after he offered to help after the car she was travelling in had broken down.

The now 27-year-old told his victim that he was going to take her back to her home – instead he subjected her to a terrifying series of rapes and threatened to kill her. 

He eventually let the teenager out of the car and she managed to flag down a member of the public who called police.

But in a bizarre set of circumstances King rang police a short time later – explaining that he had simply been a good Samaritan and a girl had attempted to blackmail him.

The two incidents were swiftly linked, and King was arrested at his home in Dudley Drive, Littleover.

With King in custody officers from the force’s specialist rape team found significant similarities between the case they were investigating and an incident that had occurred in Littleover the previous month.

In that incident a teenage girl had reported that a man in a dark coloured car had attempted to drag her into his car in Chain Lane, Littleover.

She had managed to fight him off and escape – and he had driven off.

Officers made enquiries about King’s movements on that night and found that his black BMW matched the description of the offenders car – and he had been caught on his doorbell CCTV camera leaving his home in the timeframe the offence took place.

With the two offences now linked detectives were concerned that King may have been the perpetrator in other offences. His home gave him easy access to the A38 and a trawl of offences with similar circumstances was conducted with surrounding forces.

It was through that trawl that officers linked King to a reported rape in Newark in September 2019 where a teenager reported to police that she had been raped by a man following a party.

Initially no charges had been brought, however, after the victim was contacted again she was able to confirm that King was the man who had attacked her.

King was eventually charged with four counts of rape for the September 2023 incident, one count of attempted rape for the August attack, and one count of rape for the 2018 incident.

He eventually pleaded guilty to all offences and today (24 February), at Derby Crown Court, he was jailed for 24 years with an extended licence period of six years. He will also be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.