Search results for Durham

Description

A registered sex offender who actively sought out child abuse images and repeatedly breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) has been jailed for three years.

David Potts repeatedly breached his SHPO between 2024 and 2026 – despite there being stringent conditions which he had to abide by.

Our Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) arrested the 71-year-old with DC Dave Riley, DC Dave Philipson and DC Dave Medd leading the investigation.

The team seized his devices where it was found he used VPNs to hide his IP address whilst browsing online and used tools to hide his internet history.

Other evidence uncovered that Potts had actively sought out child abuse images and had made real efforts to make copies of indecent images of children on his devices.

Potts was also found to have accessed indecent images of children online between January 2025 and August 2025. Of these, five were category C images, 11 were category B images and six were of the most serious category A.

The SHPOs were put in place after Potts was previously convicted of online sexual offences against children dating back to 2020. 

Potts from Stockton was charged with three counts of making indecent images of children, one count of attempting to possess indecent images of children, seven breaches of his SHPO and one count of failing to comply with notification requirements.

He pleaded guilty to all the offences and appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday 2 July where he was jailed for three years. He will continue to be subject to a SHPO and Sex Offender Notification Requirements when he is released. 

Detective Constable David Philipson from POLIT said: 

“Potts is a prolific online offender with a clear continuing sexual interest in children. We welcome the sentence imposed by the courts due to the serious harm that individuals like Potts pose to the public.

“Cleveland Police’s POLIT is committed to robust and swift action against individuals like Potts who offend against children online. We will continue to pursue these individuals and we remain determined to make Cleveland a safer place for children.”

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The victim of a brutal attack by a predator colleague has been praised after he was jailed.

The woman courageously fought off Marcus Jones who followed her into the staff toilet at her workplace on Boxing Day last year and attacked her.

Despite Jones trying to strangle her, the victim managed to escape the toilet and raise the alarm.

Officers blue-lighted to the scene and arrested Jones who had made off from the shop, texting his girlfriend to say hed lay in wait for the victim.

And despite giving a no comment interview, the 22-year-old was charged with false imprisonment, intentional strangulation, attempted sexual assault and assault by beating.

Jones, of Witton Park, Bishop Auckland, was due to go to trial after pleading not guilty to some of the charges but changed his pleas at Durham Crown Court and was sentenced to 45 months in prison on Friday (June 19). It was his first offence.

DC Hodgson, of South CID, said:

The victim showed remarkable courage, quick thinking, and determination during an extremely distressing ordeal.

Without her actions, the outcome could have been far more serious and her continued bravery in supporting the investigation has been instrumental in bringing Jones to justice.

We remain committed to protecting the public from predators and pursuing those responsible for violence against women and girls so we hope this case helps victims feel reassured that any reports are taken seriously and will be treated with the utmost sensitivity.

DC Hodgson added:

Despite Jones being previously unknown to police, his behaviour posed a very serious risk to public safety so we are glad to see him behind bars and hope this gives the victim some comfort so she can start to rebuild her life.

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A violent rapist will spend the next 30 years behind bars after being convicted of ‘extreme sexual and physical violence’ on three women.

Darren Oxley’s horrific offending took place over several years between 1988 and 2002 while he was in relationships with the women.

As well as repeatedly raping and sexually abusing the women, he left one with a broken jaw after pushing her down the stairs and forcing his knee into her face, causing it to break in multiple places.

Oxley also punched the woman, breaking her jaw again, and forced her head into a fish tank, which left her with a fractured eye socket.

On another occasion, he forced a woman’s head into a microwave and slammed the door on her face, causing her nose to break. He then threw a screwdriver at her as she tried to run away, leaving her with an open wound to her lower back.

He knocked another woman’s front teeth out after he headbutted her in the face, and injured her hand by forcing it into a top loading washing machine which was filled with boiling water.

Oxley’s offending came to light in 2023 when one of the women bravely contacted police and told them what had happened.

An investigation was launched by Durham Constabulary, which was led by Detective Constable Amie Thornton and Investigative Officer Heidi Weir from Darlington Safeguarding Team.

Through their enquiries, they found that another two women had also suffered abuse at the hands of Oxley.

The 53-year-old, of Darlington, was charged with a total of 20 offences, including six counts of rape, three of indecent assault, two of unlawful wounding, and nine of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Oxley denied the offences, but was convicted by a jury following an 11-day trial at Durham Crown Court in March.

He returned to court last Thursday (June 18) where he was jailed for 30 years and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Victim impact statements from the three women were read out in court, highlighting the long-lasting mental and physical effect his abuse had on them.

“Darren initially charmed me, but over time I became frightened of him,” one said. “The relationship was not equal, I felt controlled, intimidated, and unable to make my own decisions. I was often scared of what would happen if I did something he did not want.

“During this time I experienced both physical and emotional harm. I was left with injuries on multiple occasions, and the constant threat of violence meant that I lived in a state of ongoing anxiety and depression. I felt trapped, as though I could not safely stay, but also could not safely leave.”

Another woman said:

“For 26 years, I have lived with both physical and mental scars from the abuse I suffered at the hands of Darren Oxley. I have spent years suffering with PTSD, depression and anxiety with nightmares and flashbacks, which have led to self-harming and attempts to end my life.

“The fractures to my lower jawbone have caused problems with my teeth, pain, and lockjaw. I also have a phobia of anyone touching my face, which makes me flinch and panic.”

The third woman said:

“When the police knocked on my door back in April 2023, I felt a wave of emotion that hit me like a train. What Darren Oxley did to me shaped my life completely.

“He knocked my front teeth out, broke my nose, and gave me so many black eyes I lost count. If it wasn’t for the police coming to me, I would probably still be living with all the memories bottled inside me.

“You only get one chance in life, and he totally stole my chance of any happiness.”

He returned to court last Thursday (June 18) where he was jailed for 30 years and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Victim impact statements from the three women were read out in court, highlighting the long-lasting mental and physical effect his abuse had on them.

“Darren initially charmed me, but over time I became frightened of him,” one said. “The relationship was not equal, I felt controlled, intimidated, and unable to make my own decisions. I was often scared of what would happen if I did something he did not want.

“During this time I experienced both physical and emotional harm. I was left with injuries on multiple occasions, and the constant threat of violence meant that I lived in a state of ongoing anxiety and depression. I felt trapped, as though I could not safely stay, but also could not safely leave.”

Another woman said:

“For 26 years, I have lived with both physical and mental scars from the abuse I suffered at the hands of Darren Oxley. I have spent years suffering with PTSD, depression and anxiety with nightmares and flashbacks, which have led to self-harming and attempts to end my life.

“The fractures to my lower jawbone have caused problems with my teeth, pain, and lockjaw. I also have a phobia of anyone touching my face, which makes me flinch and panic.”

The third woman said:

“When the police knocked on my door back in April 2023, I felt a wave of emotion that hit me like a train. What Darren Oxley did to me shaped my life completely.

“He knocked my front teeth out, broke my nose, and gave me so many black eyes I lost count. If it wasn’t for the police coming to me, I would probably still be living with all the memories bottled inside me.

“You only get one chance in life, and he totally stole my chance of any happiness.”

Detective Inspector John Tyers, from Darlington Safeguarding Team, said:

“Oxley is a highly dangerous individual who showed extreme levels of violence and sexual aggression towards these women. As a result, they have been left with long-lasting physical and emotional scars, some of which they may never recover from.

“This was an exceptionally complex and challenging investigation into sexual and physical abuse which spanned multiple decades. The officers who led the case, IO Weir and DC Thornton, undertook a painstaking and methodical investigation, which included extensive tracking of survivors and witnesses through friends, relatives, former neighbours, historical records, and archived medical evidence.

“Their professionalism, empathy and determination were instrumental in securing justice for the victims and removing a dangerous offender from society.

“I’d also like to commend the women in this case for having the strength to speak to police, and support what has been a long and complicated investigation. I hope that this outcome provides a measure of comfort as they continue to rebuild their lives, and serves as a reminder to anyone who has experienced sexual violence that support is available.”

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A young girl who stood up to her rapist has seen him jailed for ten years.

David McDonald raped the girl when she was 13 years old.

He was arrested when the girl bravely told a teacher what had happened, and an investigation was launched.

The 64-year-old was charged with several offences, including rape and several counts of sexual assault.

McDonald, of Newton Aycliffe, denied the offences and went on trial at Durham Crown Court earlier this year where a jury found him guilty of rape.

He was acquitted of the other charges.   

Appearing back at court last Friday (June 5), McDonald was jailed for ten years.

He was also handed an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting the girl, and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

In a victim impact statement, the girl said he has ruined her life.

The Officer in the Case (OIC) Samantha Geraghty, from Darlington Safeguarding Team, said:

“I’d like to commend the young girl for the immense bravery she has shown throughout this investigation and subsequent court process.

“By standing up to her rapist and having her voice heard, she has helped to get a dangerous man off the streets.”

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Sex Offender Breaches SHPO Twice Before Voluntarily Surrendering to Police

David Standley, 32, of Westbourne Street, Stockton, breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order on two occasions before handing himself in to officers, telling them custody was the safest place for him.

Standley appeared via video link from HMP Holme House at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday for sentencing on two counts of breaching the SHPO and possession of cannabis. The court heard that his mental health had deteriorated sharply at the time of the breaches.

In September 2021, Standley – then of Redcar – was caught communicating with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl. In reality, it was a 50-year-old decoy from the undercover group Angels of Innocence. He sent an explicit image of himself and suggested she travel by train so they could “have sex in the woods”. He pleaded guilty to attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and was jailed for three years and two months, plus the SHPO.

In March this year he breached the order by factory resetting his mobile phone and discarding it.

Sentencing, Judge Jonathan Carroll described the case as “exceptionally unusual”.

He told Standley:

“You were going through a personal crisis and for whatever reason committed two offences of breaching a sexual harm prevention order. You immediately reported what you had done to police as you felt the only safe place you could be was prison. You did that because you recognised a decline in your mental health and [could] have committed violent offences.”

The judge imposed a six-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, to allow Standley to address his underlying issues. He must also complete 90 rehabilitation activity days and a 26-day programme.

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A detective has praised a victim for their bravery and courage after a rapist was sentenced to 14 years with four years on extended licence. 

An investigation was launched after a woman reported to police that she had been raped multiple times in 2023.

Kgothatso Ntuli was arrested and charged with multiple offences which he denied when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court. However following a trial, the jury found him guilty of numerous offences including six rapes.

The 29-year-old appeared the same court on Monday 30th March where he was jailed. The judge also imposed a life-long restraining order and Ntuli will be on the Sex Offender’s Register for life.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Adam Highfield said:

“I’d like to thank the victim who showed tremendous courage and determination to disclose what had happened to police. I hope the victim and her family can find some comfort knowing Ntuli is now in prison and is no longer able to harm anyone else.

“I’d like to remind anyone affected by this case that you can report sexual offences to police whenever you feel ready. You will be listened to, you will be believed and you will be supported through every step of the investigation and the criminal justice process.”

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A man who failed to tell two women he had sexual relationships with that he was a convicted sex offender has been locked up.

Dean Harrison also failed to declare the relationships, or that he had been staying in the Cleethorpes area on a regular basis, to authorties, despite having to do so as part of his sex offenders’ register requirement.

The 55-year-old was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) in October 2023 and started breaching it the following year, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Ian West, prosecuting, said Harrison was required to give the name, address and date of birth of any female he was starting a relationship with within 24 hours.

He said the first complainant called the police to raise concerns that he had not contacted her since returning to County Durham after leaving her home in Cleethorpes.

The second woman met Harrison through TikTok before starting to message each other on WhatsApp and they became a couple quickly and remained in a sexual relationship for several months.

The court heard how the defendant had 37 convictions for 103 offences on his record including a nine-year sentence for sexual offences.

Harrison, of Croquet Gardens, Stanley, pleaded guilty to two breaches of the SHPO between October 2024 and August last year, and breaching the terms of his notification requirement order between October 2024 and February 2025.

Christopher Morrison, mitigating, said his client had spent nine months on remand following his guilty pleas being entered and there had been no contact with any children.

He added: “The granting of the restraining orders may serve to temper any long-term damage that the women may have suffered emotionally through this.”

Judge Aisha Wadoodi sentenced Harrison to two years and three months and made subject of two five-year restraining orders to protect his victims.

She said: “It was clear what the terms of the SHPO were but you completely ignored those orders, disregarded them, and started a relationship with both of these women.

“Not informing them in any way of your history or notifying your offender manager what you were up to.”

Description

A dangerous sexual predator has been jailed after engaging in sexual communications with someone he believed was a child – but what officers found on his phone was even worse.

Declan Sains, 28, is now behind bars after being sentenced by a Judge following a complex police operation by officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU).

In July last year, Sains believed he was talking to a 14-year-old boy online and persisted to send him sexually explicit messages and asking the child if he wanted a ‘rape experience’ and asking the boy to find a young school girl friend for Sains to also have sex with.

What Sains didn’t know was he was actually speaking to a NEROCU police officer who was closing in on him through a specialist police investigation.

Officers descended on Sains home address on Escomb Road in Bishop Auckland, and swiftly arrested him. Further enquiries uncovered more sexually explicit conversations with actual children which included Sains sending images of his own penis and asking them to insert objects into their anus.

He was subsequently charged with a number of child sex offences including engaging in sexual communication with a child, making indecent images of children and cause/incite a boy to engage in sexual activity.

Sains appeared at Durham Crown Court on January 16 and pleaded guilty to all charges.

Today (Thursday), he appeared before the same court and was sentenced to a total of eight years and three months behind bars, with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and registration requirement.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Georgina Lewis, said:

“I want to thank all the officers who worked on this operation. This has been a particularly vile investigation with a child predator who thought he could hide online.

“Sains thought he could keep offending without consequences, but he has learned that our officers will not stop in their pursuit of abusers.

“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.”

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A sex offender has been jailed after six breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

58-year-old Alan Falconer, of The Green, Billingham (pictured below), was jailed on Friday 10th April for three-and-a-half years after it was found that he had been having contact with children.

Falconer had deceived the children’s families and didn’t disclose his previous convictions against children, including rape, attempted rape and indecent assault.

After contacting the police with concerns, an investigation was carried out and it was found that Falconer had been using grooming tactics with the families involved in order to gain access to the children.

He was arrested on 10th March and charged with six breaches of an SHPO.

Detective Constable Niamh Birdsall, from Cleveland Police’s Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders Department, said: 

“I would like to thank the families of the children involved in these matters for coming forward and supporting this police investigation, which has now concluded with Falconer behind bars.

“Our communities have been protected from any further offending, and a dangerous offender has been jailed. I hope this can now bring some comfort to everyone involved.”

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Luke Joseph Connor has been jailed for 15 years.

A paedophile who preyed on young girls is starting a 15-year prison sentence.

Luke Joseph Connor subjected his two victims to heinous acts leaving them so traumatised that they felt unable to speak about it for more than a decade.

The 43-year-old, formerly of Burnhope, was arrested last summer and stood trial in January after denying the offences.

He was subsequently found guilty of two charges of sexually assaulting girls under 13 and one count of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

As he was sentencing Connor at Durham Crown Court on Friday (April 10), Judge Richard Bennett called him an “opportunist child sex offender” with a “deviant sexual interest in young girls”.

He also noted Connor’s previous child sex conviction in 2013 for which he served four years in prison. He is already subject to a lifetime notification requirement as a sex offender.

Connor was handed a total sentence of 15 years in prison and sentence with an extra three years added on licence due to his “dangerousness”.

His victims were also granted 20-year restraining orders.

Durham Constabulary Safeguarding Investigative Officer, Ashley Marsden, said:

“Connor is a vile abuser who preyed on these young victims and traumatised them for life.

“I would like to commend the victims for their bravery and tenacity during the investigation and court process, reliving what happened to them as young children.

“Facing their abuser in the trial took a lot of courage to ensure their voice was heard and although this sentence will never change what has happened to them, I hope it brings them some closure knowing Connor has been brought to justice.”

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A "dangerous" sexual predator who molested a woman in a female pub toilet while hunting for "intoxicated" victims has been jailed for nearly six years.

Mohammed Mohammed, 24, a Sudanese refugee living in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, harassed multiple women in a Darlington pub before following one into a cubicle in July 2024, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Pretending to be a bouncer, he pushed her against the wall, undid his belt and groped her under her dress. The victim repeatedly said no but the attack only ended when her friend intervened. Mohammed later claimed he had gone in to "help" after hearing screams.

Prosecutor Paul Newcombe said Mohammed's behaviour was "sustained" and "predatory," involving the "targeting of intoxicated females." He had blocked women's paths, attempted to kiss one and touched another's hair.

The victim said the assault had a "big impact" and "made me a different person." She can no longer go to the toilet alone in public, avoids men and has changed the way she dresses.

Mohammed initially admitted the offence but tried to vacate his guilty plea, causing a year of delay and additional "distress" for the victim.

In mitigation, Sophie Johnstone said he had fled Sudan after his home was attacked, with his mother now in a refugee camp.

Judge Jonathan Carroll accepted his refugee status but noted he had been found "dishonest." The judge said Mohammed was "determined to find a woman" and used a "combination of trickery and force."

"Such conduct drives a dagger into the sense of safety both of [the victim] and of all women who want to do something as innocent as simply enjoying a night out with friends," he said.

The judge described Mohammed as a "dangerous offender" posing a "high risk of serious harm" to others.

He was jailed for five years, 11 months and two weeks, with a further three years on extended licence.

Description

A man has been sentenced after a number of instances of making and distributing indecent images, along with breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and a restraining order.

Callum Wray, aged 25, from Annan Road in Billingham (pictured below), was placed on the Sex Offenders Register after being convicted of making indecent images or pseudo-photographs of children in 2022. He was given a suspended prison sentence, placed on the Sex Offenders Register and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He was also given a restraining order to protect the victim.

Wray was re-arrested in June 2025 after an investigation which led to him being charged with two breaches of a SHPO, failure to comply with notification requirements and breach of a restraining order. In February he was additionally charged with making and distributing indecent images.

Wray was sentenced to a total of three years imprisonment today, Wednesday 18th March.

Detective Constable Niamh Birdsall said:

“I am pleased with the outcome today which has resulted in communities being protected from Callum Wray and his predatory behaviour.

“We will put people before the courts where necessary, in order to protect our communities and bring offenders to justice.”

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A man who raped a woman and gave her herpes has been jailed for eight years.

Reece Wood, 30, forced himself on her at Teesside Crown Court despite her repeated refusals. He appeared under the influence of drugs, behaving erratically.

Prosecutor Dr Christopher Wood told the court:

“He kept asking for sex and she declined. She made it clear that wasn’t going to happen.”

The woman refused again before he raped her. She contacted a friend, disclosed what had happened, and police were called.

In her victim personal statement, she said:

“What happened to me that night changed me in ways that I’m still trying to understand. It changed how I feel, how I think, how I sleep and how I see myself.”

Wood, of Galt Street, Thornley, Durham, was convicted of rape after a retrial.

Defence lawyer Daniel Cordey said:

“He knows he will receive a significant custodial sentence. He is still a relatively young man… he has never received a custodial sentence before.”

Judge Richard Bennett told Wood:

“Your behaviour was erratic. You tried to kiss her and she was having none of it, telling you to get off and go away. She told you clearly that she had no interest in sexual activity.”

He imposed an indefinite restraining order and required Wood to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

Description

In January 2022, Stephen Greg Scollard drove a 15-year-old girl to an isolated location in Seaham and asked her to have sex with him.

Despite her refusal, the 42-year-old lifted her out of the passenger seat and violently raped her.

A police investigation was launched and Scollard, of Wingate, was charged with sexual assault and rape.

Whilst awaiting his day in court, Scollard was also investigated by Cleveland Police and found guilty of the rape of another 15-year-old girl in Hartlepool.

He was remanded in custody while the Durham Constabulary investigation continued.

Although he initially denied the Seaham offence when interviewed, Scollard pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court in December 2025 due to the weight of evidence against him.

Last month he was sentenced to 19 years in prison with an extension period of 4 years due to the nature of the offences.

A detective involved in the investigation said:

“Scollard has an obvious interest in girls who he can manipulate, control and intimidate.

“It took incredible bravery for his victim to come forward and report to us what had happened, but her courage has ensured that Scollard will spend a long period behind bars where he is unable to continue his actions.

“Throughout the investigation, he has attempted to deceive police at every opportunity. This has been a long and complex journey, and I thank the victim and their family for their support throughout.

“I hope that she is able to take some form of closure from this outcome and is able to now move forward with rebuilding her life.”

Description

A child rapist who bragged about his offending online has been jailed for nearly three decades.

Ryan Bird believed he was talking to a fellow paedophile online when he told them he had raped two young children.

Bird also sent them several images he had taken of himself abusing the children.

Durham Constabulary were alerted to the conversation, and officers were immediately sent to Bird’s Ferryhill home where he was arrested and taken into police custody.

An investigation was launched, and the full scale of Bird’s horrific offending uncovered.

The 30-year-old’s devices, including mobile phones and games consoles, were seized and analysed by specialist officers from the force’s Digital Forensic Unit (DFU), who found he had created 885 indecent images of children.

Of these, 275 were classed as category A images – the most serious. There were also 362 category B images, and 248 category C images.

Bird was charged with a multitude of offences, including six counts of rape, six counts of taking indecent images of children, two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, attempted rape, engaging in sexual activity with a child, sexual touching, and possession of prohibited images of children.

In interview, he repeatedly denied any offending and claimed he was innocent.

However, he later admitted the offences at court and appeared at Durham Crown Court yesterday (March 2) for sentencing where he was handed a 35-year sentence, comprising of 27 years in prison, with eight years on extended licence.

Passing sentence, Judge Jo Kidd said it was the most grotesque set of facts in a case she has ever had to read and that he poses a significant risk of serious harm, particularly to young children.

He was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the sex offender register, both indefinitely.

Indefinite restraining orders were also put in place to prevent Bird from making any contact with the children.

Detective Chief Inspector Mel Sutherland, from Durham Constabulary, led the investigation. He said:

“The monstrous offences committed by Ryan Bird against these children are the worst I have ever seen in my 22-year career in policing.

“The investigation has been extremely challenging and traumatic for all involved. However, the professionalism and skill of the team, in particular, OIC Detective Constable Gary Tinkler, and their never-ending pursuit of justice for the children has been truly humbling.

He added: “It is extremely hard to comprehend how anyone could treat young children as nothing more than objects for their gratification.

“I’d like to commend the bravery and courage of the children who have been instrumental in ensuring Bird is brought to justice for his crimes.

“While they may be too young to fully understand right now, I hope this sentence will bring them comfort in the long term and allows them to go on and live the lives they deserve, free from abuse and harm.”