Latest Offenders Durham

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A Spennymoor paedophile asked a teenage girl for sex, suggesting they film it and "make a lot of money" by posting the video on OnlyFans.

Adam Fowler messaged the girl for nude pictures and paid her for explicit videos of her and her boyfriend.

When she rejected his request—after he said they could make a fortune posting it to OnlyFans—he grabbed her thigh and kissed her, Durham Crown Court heard.

Fowler had previously paid her “tens of pounds” for several videos she sent him.

The 36-year-old, of Lakeside Court in Spennymoor, appeared in court on Wednesday (October 22) for sentencing on 11 charges.

He admitted some in May and others more recently, after a trial date was set for January 2026.

The charges included six counts of making indecent images of a child, paying a child to engage in sexual activity, causing and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual activity with a child, and causing a child to watch sexual activity.

The last charge involved a video sent to another girl after he performed a sex act on himself, with an aubergine emoji over his private parts.

Prosecutor Ian West said Fowler was arrested in 2022 and, after release under investigation, downloaded many indecent images later found on his devices.

He was interviewed three times—in April 2022, and February and September last year—declining to answer questions each time.

Defence barrister Johnny Walker said since his "decision of good sense" to plead guilty, Fowler has been remanded in custody for the first time.

“He’s a man of previous good character, an industrious, hard-working man, who is now experiencing custody for the first time at the age of 36.

“He is profoundly aware of the impact on both girls, and, through me, wants to send his heartfelt apologies for the damage he has caused.”

Judge Deborah Sherwin noted a “significant” age difference between Fowler and the two complainants, who were exposed to things they should not have been at their ages.

She highlighted “opportunism” on his part and the “significance” that many indecent images were downloaded after his 2022 release under investigation.

She jailed him for six years and four months.

Fowler must sign the sex offenders' register and face internet restrictions under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Ten-year restraining orders prohibit him from contacting or approaching either victim.

Judge Sherwin warned that future sexual offences could deem him a “dangerous offender,” leading to lengthier sentences.

Deprivation orders were made for all devices containing the offending material.

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A trans child rapist bombarded a probation officer with threatening phone calls from jail, vowing to knife "a load of men", a court heard.

Marcia Walker, 51, made the calls from Frankland Prison—a top-security men's jail in Durham—where she is held as too dangerous for a women's facility. Inmates there include Soham killer Ian Huntley, ex-cop Wayne Couzens, and Milly Dowler murderer Levi Bellfield.

She left four voicemails threatening to "get a knife", adding to her history of threats: placing a nail bomb under a governor's car and having him shot; using an intercom to claim a bomb would detonate in the staff car park; sending a letter claiming she had bombed Theresa May as Home Secretary; attacking a prison guard; and threatening to kill another when her razors were confiscated, preventing shaving.

Walker, previously Mark Walker and jailed for 13 years in 2003 for raping two girls (one aged four), is legally female but barred from women's prisons due to her sex conviction.

She admitted sending a communication threatening death or serious harm and was jailed for nine months by Teesside JPs.

Walker is segregated at Frankland, with male prisoners locked in cells for 45 minutes while she washes and eats alone.

A source previously told The Sun:

“There is a lot of anger at the jail but it’s a Catch-22 situation.

“She has to be treated as a woman but cannot be moved to a female prison because she poses a risk. And, as she’s legally a woman, she must be kept apart from male inmates.”

Description

A 19-year-old teenager was caught on CCTV performing a sex act involving a metal rocking horse and a tree branch at Burn Valley Park in Hartlepool last October.

Two camera operators witnessed Callum Green committing the act live and alerted police, who arrested him on Rydal Street.

Green, of Alston Street, admitted criminal damage to the playground but denied outraging public decency.

At Teesside Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (October 15), it was heard that the rocking horse "required professional cleaning" after the early-morning incident.

Defense lawyer Tyler Plunkett agreed with the facts but argued the outraging charge didn't apply, as it wasn't in front of at least two public members.

Prosecutor Anne Mitchell countered: "It is the Crown’s case that both [CCTV operators] were witnessing the events in live CCTV."

District Judge Helen Cousins, addressing Green—who wore a light blue suit and tie—called the incident "unedifying to say the least."

She ruled: "I take the view that time has moved on and watching on a live feed does amount to being present. I therefore reject the submissions and find the case proved."

Noting Green as a "very young man," she ordered a pre-sentence report, adding: "All options are open so far as sentencing is concerned. I want to know more about you, what motivated these offences and what I can do about it."

Green was granted conditional bail, barring him from Burn Valley Gardens or any recreational playground in Cleveland, with sentencing set for November 14.

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A man who tried to rape a teenager as she walked through a park has been given a 14-year extended prison sentence.

Malcolm Clixby attacked the girl in South Park, in Darlington, at around 4.50pm on November 2 last year.

The 43-year-old followed the teenager as she walked to a party before grabbing her from behind and trying to rape her.

She managed to bite Clixby’s hand several times, which caused him to let go of her, and she ran to a nearby petrol station for help.

Police were called and a search for the suspect was launched, while officers safeguarded the young woman.

Later that evening, just before 8pm, Clixby attended Darlington Police Station to hand himself in.

Before being placed in cuffs, he told officers: “I want to report an incident I have done – I groped somebody in South Park and attempted to rape her.”

Clixby, of Darlington, was questioned by detectives and later charged with attempted rape and sexual assault.

He admitted sexual assault, but denied attempted rape. However, a jury sitting at Durham Crown Court found him guilty of the offence following a trial.

Clixby appeared back at court today (October 9) where he received a 14-year extended sentence, comprising of eight years in prison and six years on extended licence.

In a victim impact statement, the young woman said:

“This incident has affected me in a lot of ways – in the first month I couldn’t leave the house and I didn’t go to college or work, so it has affected my career.

“It has had a massive impact on my social life – I was so anxious about going out so I stopped going out with my friends.

“It stopped me sleeping – I had really bad, vivid dreams about what happened that night.

“The biggest impact this has had on me is the fact that it caused me to have such bad anxiety. This was something I never suffered with before this incident, and it has impacted my future studying. I have decided to take a gap year from university because, although I am getting better, I do not feel as though at the minute I could deal with the stresses from this, so it has been postponed.”

Detective Constable Subhaan Ali, of Darlington CID, led the investigation. He said:

“Firstly, I want to commend the bravery and resilience of the survivor, who has shown incredible courage in reporting her ordeal to police and seeing the case through to court.

“Every step of the way, she has been determined to support our investigation and has done everything she can to help secure a conviction and get the justice she deserves.

“Clixby deliberately and opportunistically targeted the girl as she walked alone to a party – he turned what should have been an enjoyable evening with friends into a horrific nightmare that will have a significant and profound impact on her for many years to come.

“He clearly poses a significant risk to lone women and girls, so I am pleased to see him receive a substantial prison sentence.

“I can only hope that the survivor and her family can take some comfort from this sentence imposed and that she is able to move forward with her life again.”

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A rapist who twice ignored a woman's pleas to stop her ordeal has been jailed for eight years.

Martin Hume refused to heed the victim's requests to end the assaults, during which she was in pain. Durham Crown Court heard she quickly made clear she did not want any sexual activity.

Prosecutor Paul Cleasby said in one instance, realizing he would not listen, she lay motionless as the attack continued.

Hume, 34, of Gloucester Place, Peterlee, denied two rape charges but was convicted by a jury on the fourth day of his August trial.

He appeared for sentencing via video link from HMP Durham, where he has been held since the August 21 verdicts.

The victim, with a family member, read her impact statement, telling Hume: “You have ruined me,” and describing her experiences as like “living in hell.”

She said she feared encountering him publicly before his conviction, sometimes entering a “state of panic” when out, and has undergone counselling for her “emotional distress.” But she added she is glad she had the courage to “speak up,” concluding: “The last thing I want to say is: ‘No means no’.”

Defense counsel Dan Cordey said in mitigation: “He accepts he will receive a custodial sentence of some length today. He was tried as a man of good character and is now facing his first custodial sentence. He had no experience of custody whatsoever.”

Cordey noted the trained welder has earned “trusted prisoner” status on remand and become a wing cleaner.

Judge Jo Kidd ordered Hume to serve two-thirds of the sentence before license eligibility. He faces an indefinite restraining order barring contact with the victim and must register as a sex offender “until further order.”

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A 'deeply disturbed' man who raped three women has been jailed for his 'heinous' crimes.

Christopher Bell, also known as Christopher Ward, 33, of Maple Grove, Sedgefield, admitted the offences on the second day of his trial last month. However, a judge called it "deeply disturbing" that he later told Probation workers he did not think anything he did was wrong.

Bell appeared at Durham Crown Court for sentencing on six counts of rape, one of strangulation, and one of assault by penetration. He pleaded guilty after two victims had testified, with the third waiting to do so. Other charges were left on file.

All three victims attended court on Friday (September 26) to deliver impact statements. One, a teenager at the time of the offences, said she is now “an empty shell” compared to her former bubbly self, feeling "heartbroken" daily and suffering insomnia, nightmares, depression, and PTSD.

Another described being consumed by paranoia, unable to sleep due to flashbacks. The third, strangled during rape, said she felt like she was going to die at his hands.

Prosecutor Jane Waugh noted the “heinous sexual offences,” with those against the third victim occurring while Bell was under investigation for the first two.

Defence counsel David Callan said Bell left school with qualifications, attended agricultural college, worked as a landscape gardener and with horses, and has “a strong work ethic” and previous good character. Remanded for over seven months, he has taken religious instructions from a Roman Catholic priest and plans to enter a religious order post-sentence.

Judge Nathan Adams said Bell's guilty pleas came “about as late as they could be,” after maintaining innocence until trial began. He found it “deeply disturbing” that Bell told the Probation pre-sentence report author he “didn’t consider anything he did was wrong,” adding: “It clearly shows you are a deeply disturbed individual.”

The judge imposed eight-year consecutive sentences for offences against each victim, totalling 24 years, followed by three years' licence supervision. Bell must serve at least 16 years before parole eligibility, possibly the full 24. He must sign the sex offender register for life and is subject to a 30-year restraining order barring contact with victims.

Description

A child rapist has been jailed for 29 years after boasting to a police officer. 

In May this year, Jaifar Trigwell began talking to who he believed was another paedophile online. He bragged about abusing and raping a child and also videoed some of the acts and went on to propose to exchange them with the officer. 

The abuse which occurred between 2023 and 2025 ended abruptly with the 42-year-old’s arrest. 

Jaifar Trigwell denied the allegations whilst in interview and stated he lost his phone at the time of the online conversations however he later pleaded guilty to four counts of rape of a child, two counts of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and four counts relating to indecent images. 

Trigwell, of Darlington, appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Monday (September 15) where he was jailed for 29 years. He was also placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for life, issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim. 

Detective Constable Amie Thornton, from Darlington Safeguarding Unit, said:

“The abuse suffered by the child will have a significant and profound impact on them for many years to come. 

"I would like to praise the amazing courage shown by the victim and officers working on the investigation which ultimately led to Trigwell having no choice but to admit the offences and plead guilty. 

“We are constantly working with specialist officers to monitor, expose, and jail similar sexual abusers like Trigwell.” 

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A man who raped a woman while under investigation for sexually abusing two boys has been jailed for almost 18 years.

Aidn Cowen, 23, was a teenager when he sexually assaulted a nine-year-old boy and raped a boy as young as six, threatening both with violence, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Having been arrested and released on bail for those offences, Cowen, from Annfield Plain in County Durham, raped a 20-year-old woman, the court heard.

He was found guilty of eight offences against the boys and admitted raping the woman, with Judge Penny Moreland describing him as an "offender of particular concern".

Cowen was 16 or 17 when he attacked his first victim, a nine-year-old boy, sexually assaulting him and threatening to "hurt" the child if he did not comply, prosecutor Joe Culley said.

The rapist was between 18 and 19 when he targeted his second victim, a boy aged as young as six at the time, who he raped and then threatened to slap if he did not keep it a secret, the court heard.

While under investigation for those offences, Cowen, who was 20 at the time, raped a woman, ignoring her pleas to stop, Mr Culley said.

'Serious psychological harm'

In a statement read to the court, Cowen's first victim said he had been "completely overwhelmed both physically and mentally" by the abuse.

The youth said he was fighting an internal battle every day and started self-harming to use pain as a distraction from his thoughts, the court heard.

Judge Moreland said Cowen had caused "serious psychological harm" and was "an offender of particular concern".

Cowen, who was jailed for 17 years and eight months, will have to serve a further two years on extended licence upon his release from prison, sign the sex offender register and comply with a sexual harm prevention order for life.

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A rapist who continued to sexually assault a woman after she told him to stop has been jailed.

Daniel Wyatt, 28, initially engaged in consensual sexual activity with his victim but then ignored her pleas to stop.

The council worker eventually ceased but branded his victim "boring," Teesside Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Paul Newcombe said the first assault took place about 12 hours before the second incident occurred.

He added that the victim felt pain and screamed when Wyatt sexually assaulted her, and that Wyatt apologised for the act.

Wyatt, of Myrtle Road in Eaglescliffe, denied the offences but was convicted of rape and two counts of sexual assault by a jury earlier this week.

Erin Kitson-Parker, in mitigation, told the court that when she spoke to Wyatt before the hearing, he told her: "I made the biggest mistake of my life."

Judge Tom Mitchell sentenced the rapist to six and a half years in prison.

He said:

"When she told you to stop, you failed to do so. You didn't stop and that makes you a rapist. You sexually assaulted her twice. It was a mean thing to do. A very wrong thing to do. You knew that straight away because you apologised for it."

Wyatt was also required to sign on the sex offenders’ register for life and was made subject to a restraining order.

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A man who was fixated on harrowing baby and toddler sexual abuse has today been jailed.

Ryan Lee Rowland Smith, 23, from Stockton has been convicted of nine offences, including three counts of distributing indecent images of children, three counts of making indecent images of children, possessing a paedophile manual and possessing extreme pornography- including bestiality, possessing prohibited images of a child.

Today, Monday 18th August, Smith was sentenced to four years in prison plus four years on extended licence. He has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and has been made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years, meaning he will be managed by Cleveland's specially trained Management of Sexual or Violent Offenders Officers.

Over 4,000 child abuse images and videos were discovered on his mobile phones which included 13.5 hours of video time, eight hours of which were category A, the worst grade of footage.

Leading investigator, Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) Constable Barnes, said:

“I have managed sex offenders and investigated sexual offences for over 10 years and Ryan Smith is, by far, the worst offender I have dealt with in relation to this type of crime. Every minute of footage on his phone showed a baby or child suffering extreme abuse.

“The horrific content he was accessing, and sharing, was very specific and mainly involved babies and toddlers. The content was so harrowing, our team went as far as to warn defence to be cautious as this is some of the most horrific content we have been exposed to.

“Smith was accessing this content, in the main depicting pain and suffering, for his own satisfaction and nothing more. Smith's offending is abhorrent; in my eyes, he has committed the most horrendous crimes imaginable.

“When our team arrested Smith in October 2024 it was 6:30am and he had already been on his device accessing vile content. Since then, officers from the team have gone above and beyond to gather evidence against Smith. At times it was extremely difficult for the team, as they had to view everything which Smith accessed; the tenacity and expertise of the team as a whole secured the convictions against Smith.

“Smith has shown no shame or remorse for the crimes he has committed, even answering ‘no comment’ when interviewed, for this, he deserves to spend a long time behind bars where he cannot cause further harm.”

Description

A child sexual predator has been jailed – despite his efforts to evade being caught.

Barry Williams, 60, is now behind bars after engaging in inappropriate communications with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl.

The sentencing follows a complex police operation by officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU).

In February 2024, Williams was speaking to the ‘child’ online and persisted to send her explicit messages and requests for indecent images and videos.

However, Williams was actually speaking to a police officer who was quickly closing in through their investigation.

Officers witnessed Williams attempt to evade being caught by changing platforms and creating new profiles to try and hide his true identity.

Police seized and searched Williams electronic devices where they found truly horrific Category A, B and C indecent images and videos – with hundreds of child victims featured.

As a final step to manage the impending outcome, Williams legally tried to change his name to Colin Brown before charges were filed however, police acted quickly, and he was subsequently charged with Attempt to Engage in Sexual Communication with a Child, Attempt to Cause/Incite a Child to Engage in Sexual Activity, three counts of Possess Indecent Images of Children, Possess Prohibited Images of a Child and Possess Extreme Pornographic Images. 

Williams, of Ferryhill, appeared at Durham Crown Court on July 7, where he pleaded guilty to all charges.

Today (August 8), he appeared before the same court and was sentenced to 18 months in prison and a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Adam Abram, said:

“Williams made his vile desires very clear and despite the fact he tried to evade capture and tried to dodge the full consequences by changing his name, the overwhelming evidence collated by officers secured this sentence and ensured a dangerous predator is off the streets.

“Under Operation Sentinel, our regional approach to tacking serious and organised crime, we will continue to investigate these online offences to safeguard children and protect the public.

“We would urge anyone who has been a victim of this type of offending, or has concerns about someone’s behaviour, to come forward and talk to police.”

Description

A high-risk child sex offender was back in court after breaching the terms of a court order designed to address their deviant behaviour.

Zoe Spooks Hardy, who was arrested and charged under the name Luke Hardy, used a number of aliases for online accounts including dating and gaming apps.

The 24-year-old was made subject of a sexual harm prevention order in October 2022 for a five-year period after being sentenced for three counts of making indecent images of children, including eight of the most serious kind.

Saba Shan, prosecuting, said the defendant was arrested after police were tipped-off about their online activity and officers seized a mobile phone.

She said: “The officers identified that the defendant had been using three different alias names on a dating site, including the alias name ZHSpooks2k.

“Secondly, there was an email account registered under a female name. Finally, on the Clash of Clans online game, the defendant was using the alias name of ZoeH1337.”

Ms Shan said the defendant admitted using all three aliases when interviewed by police.

The court heard how the defendant has three previous offences for making indecent images of children and additional breaches of the SHPO.

Hardy breached that order in 2023 by deleting the internet history on their phone, including erasing dating apps from the handset.

Later in the same year, they were given a suspended sentence for a further breach of the SHPO after they downloaded Grindr, Kik, Growlr and Tinder.

Hardy, of Yarm Lane, Stockton, pleaded guilty to three breaches of their SHPO following their arrest last month in Bishop Auckland.

Judge Richard Clews jailed Hardy for eight months for breaching the SHPOs and an extra month when he activated part of previous suspended sentences.

He told the defendant: “It is appropriate to describe the breaches of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order as persistent and deliberate.”

Description

A sex offender who filmed women using a public toilet is facing a lengthy prison sentence over his repeated "bizarre and troubling" voyeuristic activities.

Kurtis Mawson, now 24, was given a 25-month prison sentence at Durham Crown Court on March 1, last year, for offences committed in 2022 and 2023.

These included performing a sex act on himself in public while standing behind a female tourist taking a photo of Durham Cathedral and covertly filming women using a public toilet next to The Odeon Cinema in the city.

He was back before the court yesterday (Tuesday July 22) after admitting a further charge of voyeurism, in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which was put in place at the previous sentencing hearing, designed to help to curb his activities.

The new offences followed his arrest for again using a mobile phone to film people in female public toilets in Durham, on Saturday June 21, this year, during the licence period of the last sentence.

At the outset of what was to have been Mawson's latest sentencing hearing at the court, Robert Mochrie, representing the defendant, requested an update to a previous psychiatric report.

Mr Mochrie said the outcome may have an impact on the sentence passed on the defendant.

"His offending is so bizarre and troubling and a view has been taken that somebody needs to take a look at this."

Recorder Bryan Cox KC agreed to the request and said: "On the face of it, he's looking at a substantial custodial sentence."

Addressing Mawson, formerly of Willington, but appearing by video link to court from Holme House Prison, near Stockton, Recorder Cox told him: "I'm going to adjourn your case until September so that you can see a psychiatrist who will update a previous report on you.

"Co-operate with that psychiatrist in the preparation of that report.

"We'll see you back at this court for sentence on September 5 and, in the meantime, you will remain in custody."

Description

A County Durham sex offender who threatened his victim and other witnesses with violence has been jailed for 13 years.

Ian Maughan deliberately drew out proceedings in the case, even remaining silent when the charges were initially put to him, at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court in March last year.

But following a series of hearings since, including an aborted trial in late July last year, he finally admitted all seven counts he was facing, the final five after the start of his rearranged trial at the court last month.

The 65-year-old defendant, formerly of Consett, appeared back before the court on Friday (July 18) by video link from Durham Prison, for his sentencing hearing.

He was facing sentence for sexual assaults, threatening a person with an offensive weapon, possessing an offensive weapon, a baseball bat, stalking involving serious alarm and making threats to kill.

The court was read statements by two of his victims who outlined the deep psychological effect his offending has had on them, one of whom has been undergoing counselling for the last 18 months and still suffers nightmares.

She said the defendant told her no-one would believe her and she felt like he was transferring the blame to her.

Jennifer Coxon, for Maughan, said there had been no previous pattern of sexually obsessive behaviour by the defendant.

She said while he does have past convictions, the last was in 2001 and he has never previously been in custody.

Miss Coxon said the offences took place after the death of the defendant's wife and following another family bereavement.

"He's realistic and understands he will receive a lengthy custodial sentence.

"But it's identified that his behaviour was extremely out of character for him."

Miss Coxon said at the time he committed the offences he was suffering with a fluctuating adjustment disorder and depressive symptoms accounting for some of his erratic behaviour.

"He doesn't put that forward as an excuse.

"He's well aware of his behaviour and how awful it would have been at the time," added Miss Coxon.

Judge Jo Kidd said he was responsible for "horrible offences" against his victims.

"You are a deeply manipulative and controlling individual," she told him.

She said he made repeated threats to try to exert control over his victims, who have been left seriously affected psychologically by his offending.

The judge imposed sentences totalling 13 years of which the defendant must serve at least two-thirds, eight years and eight months, behind bars.

When he is released he will also be subject of licence supervision for the remainder of the 13 years.

He will also be subject to notification as a sex offender for life.

Restraining orders, also for life, prohibit him from ever approaching or trying to contact his victims.

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An officer has praised the courage of three victims who bravely came forward to report non-recent abuse as two men have today been jailed.

In November 2022, police received a report from a man about how he had been sexually assaulted more than 30 years ago when he was a child.

Two more victims came forward to report non-recent abuse and an investigation was subsequently launched by Stockton CID.

Colin Smith, now 75, was soon arrested and charged with buggery and three counts of indecent assault in relation to all three victims. Kevin Danks, now 61, was also arrested and charged with indecent assault against one of the victims.

They appeared in court and pleaded guilty to the offences during the start of their trial.

On Friday 18th July, Smith and Danks appeared at Teesside Crown Court for sentencing. Smith was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison whilst Danks was sentenced to 5 years and six months in prison.

Investigating officer, DC Rusby said:

“Despite the passage of time, justice has caught up with Smith and Danks who both face long prison sentences thanks to the courage and bravery of the victims.

“Whilst no prison sentence can ever undo the pain and trauma inflicted on the victims, I hope it will go some way to help them gain closure and move forward with their lives.

“For those who believe they can prey on vulnerable children, I want to make it clear that we will relentlessly pursue you and you will be brought before the courts.

“I hope this sentencing reassures anyone who has suffered abuse, no matter how long ago it may have happened, that we will do all we can to bring offenders to justice.”