Search results for Durham

Description

A sex offender banned from contacting a woman he threatened to rape told her she looked “mint” after spotting her on social media, a court heard.

Luke Boyce, 25, from Darlington, was subject to a sexual harm prevention order after previously telling the woman he wanted “to rape” her and attempting to kiss her on the lips. He had also been convicted of sexually assaulting another woman. The order protected the target of his “sexual obsession”.

When the victim noticed him viewing her social media, she asked a friend to tell him to stop. Boyce then phoned her and said: “I think you look mint”. She immediately ended the call.

He was arrested for breaching the order. Police found four bags of cannabis at his home on Emmanuel Close, Darlington.

Boyce admitted two breaches of the sexual harm prevention order and possessing a class B drug.

In a victim statement, she said she was now too frightened to be home alone. Defence lawyer Paul Green argued “there was no evidence the threat was likely to be carried out”, but Judge Jonathan Carroll disagreed.

Speaking to Boyce via video link from Holme House prison, the judge said: “You have developed a frightening sexual obsession for this woman. I cannot imagine the state of fear in a woman’s mind after being told by someone that he intends to rape her. I cannot imagine a more emotionally debilitating event. You have a past history of sexual offending. You are sexually obsessed.”

The judge noted a probation report described Boyce as “high risk” with supervision plans for release.

Boyce was jailed for 40 months (half to be served in custody) and made subject to a lifelong restraining order banning contact with the victim.

Description

A man who filmed himself engaging in sexual activity in front of young children has been jailed for more than 12 years.

Thomas Corner, of Stanley, was found to have 12 videos of this nature on his phone when he was stopped by police.

One of the videos also showed the 27-year-old encouraging a child to join in.

The children were aged between two and four-years-old.

Corner was arrested after concerns about his behaviour were raised with police. It was at this point his phone was seized and the videos were found.

At Durham Crown Court in December, he admitted four counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13 and one count of making indecent images of children.

Corner appeared at Teesside Crown Court earlier this month where he was jailed for 12 years and six months.

He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Hanna Liddle, of Durham Constabulary, said:

“In all the years working as a police officer, I can definitely say Corner is one of the worst I have come across.

“He knew what he was doing was wrong, but he just did not care.

“The children he targeted were utterly defenceless.

“I am pleased he can no longer pose a danger to anyone now he is behind bars.”

Description

At court yesterday (Thursday 12th February), 58-year-old Nathan Cooke pleaded guilty to publishing an obscene article and possessing extreme pornography and will be sentenced on Wednesday 25th March.

Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Barnes from the Paedophile Online Investigation Team said:

“The content Nathan Cooke was accessing online was extremely distressing.

“I hope this result shows anyone who commits these kinds of crimes online that they are not invisible and we will do everything possible to bring them to justice.

“I’d encourage anyone who wishes to report something to us to come forward and speak to us. We are here to help and have specialist officers who can support you.”

Description

A man has been jailed for possessing indecent images of children following an investigation led by specialist online child abuse investigators.

In September last year, Durham Constabulary’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT) were alerted to suspicious online activity taking place at a property in Spennymoor.

Officers attended and seized electronic devices belonging to the occupant, 21-year-old Joseph Thompson.

The devices were analysed by specialist officers and found to contain 307 indecent images and videos of children.

Of these, 166 were classed as category A images or videos – the most serious. There were also 102 category B images, 39 category C, and six extreme pornographic images.

Thompson was arrested and charged with three counts of distributing indecent images of children, three counts of making indecent images of children, and one of possessing extreme pornographic images involving animals.

He pleaded guilty to the offences and was jailed for 18 months at Durham Crown Court yesterday (February 12).

Thompson, now of Shildon, was also handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years. 

The investigation was led by the force’s OCAIT unit – a specialist team made up of six police officers and a member of police staff who work to protect vulnerable children from abuse.

Detective Constable Rebecca Lockey, who led the investigation, said:

“Thompson’s behaviour was abhorrent and demonstrates the very real dangers posed online by individuals who deliberately seek to groom and sexually exploit children.

“His devices contained both still and moving images involving the sexual abuse of young children who will now have to live with the trauma they have suffered.

“This type of offending not only affects those children involved, but their families and wider communities too.

“That is why we will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt this type of criminal activity, and keep more children safe from harm.”

Description

A paedophile has been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison – as his victims are praised for their bravery in reporting the harrowing sexual abuse they suffered at his hands.

In 2020, one victim disclosed that Ross Jackson had been sexually abusing her in the Newcastle area.

This then led to the discovery of similar offending against another victim in the Durham area.

Northumbria Police immediately began an investigation into Jackson and after collating evidence he was interviewed.

Jackson was then charged with a string of offences which he denied. He stood trial at Newcastle Crown Court in December 2025 and was found guilty of 24 separate offences including several rapes, seven counts of sexual assault by touching and possession of extreme pornography. Following the trial Jackson was remanded in custody.

Jackson, now 39, of Lowther Avenue in Chester-le-Street, was put before the Moot Hall in Newcastle on Tuesday, February 3, where he was sentenced to a 23-year jail term. He will also spend five years on extended licence once he is released from prison.

Jackson will also spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register and was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and handed a restraining order which prevents him from contacting his victims.

Detective Constable Rachel Fletcher, of Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding department, led the complex investigation against Jackson.

Following his sentencing, she said: “Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to the victims in this case. They have shown huge courage by initially reporting the horrific abuse they were subjected to by Jackson to us.

“Thanks to their bravery, a dangerous offender has been rightly put behind bars for a significant period of time. I sincerely hope that Jackson’s sentencing will allow them and their families to begin to rebuild their lives after what must have been a traumatising period of time for them both.”

Det Con Fletcher added:

“Jackson is a predatory paedophile who has caused untold damage to the lives of his victims.

“When we were first made aware of allegations of sexual offences by him, we swiftly began a thorough investigation in order to build a comprehensive file of evidence which allowed us to obtain a raft of charges.

“Despite pleading not guilty and going to trial, I am glad that the jury saw through his lies to convict him of these incredibly serious crimes.

“I also hope this case acts as a reminder to anyone who is a victim of sexual abuse that if you choose to come forward we will listen to you and you will be heard.”

Description

A man has today been sentenced following a joint investigation by Cleveland Police and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU).

Hassan Hussain, 20, came to the attention of authorities in April 2024, when he used online digital platforms to talk to a child who he believed was 12 years old.

He sent the child intimate photos and videos of himself and asked whether they can meet, saying he could “meet any time” and “get the train” to her.

On 8th May 2024, Hussain was arrested and his mobile phone was seized which had a number of images of himself which matched with those sent in the chat.

A number of web searches were also found on his device including the terms “teen girls” and “chat rooms for 11-year-olds.”

He was charged with attempted sexual communication with a child and causing a child to watch/look at an image of sexual activity. He was bailed by the courts until his next court appearance.

Despite having to abide by a number of conditions, just a week after he was charged, Hussain continued his predatory offending by sending intimate photos of himself and talking sexually to a young child.

Hussain was once again arrested and further charged with engaging in sexual communication with a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and failing to comply with notification requirements.

He pleaded guilty to all offences and appeared at Teesside Crown Court on 30th January where he was jailed for six years with three years on extended licence.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Barnes from the Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) said: 

“Hussain poses a significant risk to children and I’m pleased that he is now behind bars where he can’t cause any further harm.

“Despite being charged with child sex offences, he blatantly ignored conditions imposed on him and continued his predatory offending by targeting vulnerable children online.

“I hope this sends a strong message to anyone who commits these kind of crimes online that they are not invisible and we will ensure we do everything possible to bring them to justice.

“I’d encourage any child or young person who is concerned about someone they’re speaking to online, to tell someone about it or report it directly to the police.”

Temporary Detective Inspector Jo Sweeney from the NWROCU said: “This case shows just how determined our teams are when it comes to protecting children from online predators. These offenders think they can hide behind screens, but they’re not invisible - and we’ll keep doing everything we can to find them and stop them.”

Description

A high-risk sex offender breached his court order by installing three apps, then deleted them in panic when police arrived.

Jonathan Frost, 43, of Corscombe Close, Ferryhill, received a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after his September 2021 conviction for attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to meet a child following grooming, resulting in a suspended sentence.

Due to his "high risk" of re-offending, monitoring software was installed on his phone.

Prosecutor Kathryn Wetherley told Durham Crown Court that police visited his home on December 15 last year, suspecting unauthorized apps. The apps—Zangi, Plamfly, and Buzzcast—enabled contact with women and were sexual in nature.

Frost let officers in but went to the bathroom. His phone then showed no apps, and he admitted deleting them.

He was arrested and, in interview, acknowledged understanding the SHPO terms, citing a prior breach involving Snapchat.

Frost admitted four breaches: three for installing the apps, one for deleting an image of his private parts.

Miss Wetherley called them "very serious, persistent and deliberate breaches."

Defense counsel Albany Kidd noted Frost's vulnerability, diagnosed learning disabilities, and supportive family living with his parents.

She conceded the deliberate breach but said: "When he saw the police arriving, in a moment of panic, it was a deliberate decision to delete, but it wasn’t calculated or pre-planned." The apps were for conversations with adult women.

Judge Nathan Adams noted these were not Frost's first breaches, as he was given "chances" in 2024.

The judge said: "You were given a further chance and, nevertheless, you are back here again in breach of the SHPO and sex offender notification requirements and the only outcome is immediate custody. You were fully aware deletion would be a direct breach of the order."

He imposed 12 months for the latest breaches, plus eight months activated from a June 2024 suspended sentence, totaling 20 months in prison.

Judge Adams warned further breaches would lead to more custody.

Description

A man has been jailed after admitting rape, assault with intent to commit a sexual offence, false imprisonment and controlling and coercive behaviour.

In March 2025, Paul Devaney, aged 42, of no fixed abode, committed a catalogue of offences against the same woman which included punching her in the face and pinning her to a sofa in an address in Stockton, using his knee to restrict her breathing.

The woman was raped by Devaney and video evidence of this was found on a mobile phone.

Devaney was arrested and later charged after detectives worked diligently in their investigation.

He pleaded guilty at court to committing an offence with the intention of committing a relevant sexual offence, rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and false imprisonment.

At Teesside Crown Court today, Friday 9th January 2026, Devaney was sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommendation to serve a minimum of eight years in prison, and he was given a lifetime restraining order.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Jess Mangham, said:

“I am satisfied with the sentence today. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the victim in this case who has shown bravery and courage despite the significant impact this incident has had on her life. Devaney will now spend a significant period behind bars, preventing him from harming others.”

Description

A rapist will be deported after serving part of his sentence in the UK. Jose Sibi, 46, appeared via video link from Holme House prison at Teesside Crown Court, where he was sentenced after admitting one charge of rape and two of attempted rape.

The offences occurred on Teesside years ago, the court heard. Prosecutor Paul Newcombe said Sibi, of no fixed abode, had previous good character.

In her victim impact statement, the woman said: "I used to enjoy reading, but I can't concentrate because bad thoughts of you enter my head. I can't sleep at night. Every day I live in fear. I am determined to come out of this as a strong person and put this behind me."

Judge Anthony Hawks noted Sibi's mitigation included a drinking problem and a guilty plea, though late. He added: "Pleas of guilty at any stage are to be encouraged."

The judge also considered that Sibi, who moved from India to the UK, would be deported.

Sibi received a total six-year sentence, lifetime placement on the sex offenders register, and a restraining order barring contact with the victim.

Judge Hawks said: "At the two thirds stage, if not before, you will be automatically deported."

Description

A "monster" rapist who bribed a young girl with video games has been jailed for historic sex offences committed as a teenager.

Lewis Nugent, now 27, was convicted of all nine charges—three counts of rape, three of sexual assault, and three of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity—following a trial at Durham Crown Court in early November.

At his sentencing on Thursday, December 18, the court heard he remains in denial, leading Judge Nathan Adams to deem him a potential danger to young girls.

Prosecutor Sam Ponniah described grooming elements, including Nugent calling the girl "special" and his "favourite," and incentivizing sexual acts by allowing her to play video games. He warned her to stay silent, covered her mouth during one rape, and she vomited after another, for which she was punished.

In her impact statement, read in court, the victim said she has been "tortured by the memories," with Nugent's name making her feel sick. She relives the events daily, which disrupted her education, desensitized her, and left her unable to trust males, even medical professionals. She called him a "monster" and is relieved he can no longer harm her.

Defence barrister Victoria Lamballe presented character testimonials from friends and family, plus a psychologist's report. Noting his pre-sentence report and continued denials, she said: "Unsurprisingly, he continues to protest his innocence and, therefore, there’s relatively little I can say on his behalf. Anything I do say is not intended to minimise what he inflicted upon her." She added this is his first criminal conviction and experience of custody.

Judge Adams described Nugent's actions as "pervasive and persistent" and sentenced him as a youth offender, imposing a six-year custodial term plus four years' extended licence. He must serve at least two-thirds (four years) before parole eligibility, potentially the full six. As an adult offender, it would have been 12 years.

Nugent, of Saturn Close, Easington Colliery, must register as a sex offender for life, faces a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and a 15-year restraining order barring contact with the victim.

Description

A man has been jailed for 15 years for a string of sexual offences following investigations carried out by two police forces.

Stephen Plant was found guilty of three counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault on a woman earlier this year following an investigation by Northumbria Police.

The 24-year-old raped and sexual assaulted her several times, including at his house. She disclosed what had happened and reported it to the police.

A separate investigation by Durham Constabulary found that when Plant was 16, he met up with a girl in public places several times, gave her with alcohol before having her carry out sexual acts on him.

This resulted in him also admitting four counts of sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15.

At Newcastle Crown Court last week he was sentenced to a total of 15 years for all the offences.

Detective Constable Amy Burridge, from the Rape Investigation Team (RIT) at Northumbria Police said:

“Stephen Plant is an extremely dangerous man who has committed some of the most horrendous crimes time against multiple victims’ time and time again.

“I’d like to thank them for their bravery and conviction throughout this entire process, and I hope following sentencing, they may be able to seek some closure and look forward with their lives.

“There is so much support available to anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse – and the police are here to guide you through the process every step of the way.”

Detective Constable Hanna Liddle, of Durham Constabulary, added:

“I would also like to commend the bravery in coming forward and standing up to Plant.

“This outcome should hopefully show that survivors of sexual offences can be confident that they will be treated seriously and sensitively by our officers if they come forward to report what happened to them.”

Description

A sex offender given a chance to reform breached his court order within weeks by hiding a tablet containing over 200 child abuse images.

Andrew Boatwright, 25, of Sorrel Close, Stockton, had received a 20-month suspended sentence for two years in April for possessing indecent images of children, prohibited images, and extreme pornography. He was also required to sign the sex offenders’ register and comply with a sexual harm prevention order.

Prosecutor Caroline McGurk said Boatwright used an alias on his Xbox and an incognito browser on the unregistered Samsung tablet, found hidden under his mattress. She added: “He failed to volunteer the existence of the Samsung tablet; they later found it hidden under his mattress and indecent images were recovered from it at a later date.”

Boatwright pleaded guilty to downloading 38 Category A, 58 Category B, and 169 Category C indecent images of children; three breaches of his sexual harm prevention order; and breaching notification requirements between May 10 and September 18.

Mitigator Eleanor Bohill cited his “disturbed and troubled background” and history of illicit substance abuse from a young age.

Judge Jonathan Carroll activated 14 months of the suspended sentence and added 20 months for the new offenses, totaling two years and ten months in custody.

“You were only 73 days into that order when you committed these offences,” the judge said. “I am certain that you knew full well that you should have disclosed the Samsung tablet to the police otherwise you wouldn’t have needed to hide it under your mattress or failed to disclose it to the police.”

He added: “I have no doubt at all that the court’s primary concern in April was to give you a chance to engage with probation service to help you get back on track and help you deal with your innate sexual desires and emotions. You only get one chance at that and you have squandered it.”

Description

A Chester-le-Street man who groomed and sexually abused a teenager has been jailed for 13 years.

Jonathan Paton was 31 when he met the girl online after telling her he was 20 years old, and that his name was ‘Jonny’.

He quickly struck up a conversation with her on Snapchat and then arranged to meet her in summer 2020.

Paton, now 36, encouraged the girl to go to his house where he had sex with her. He then continued to have sex with the teenager for several months, and even said she should have his baby once she turned 16.

The girl bravely reached out to police to report she had been raped after several incidents where she told Paton ‘No’ but he continued to have sex with her.

After the victim came forward, Paton tried to erase all previous contact with the girl by deleting messages and removing her off Snapchat.

He was arrested and, while in interview, denied the offences of rape and denied having any sexual contact with the victim.

However, downloaded text messages from his phone proved the allegations.

Paton was charged with rape of a child and four counts of sexual activity with a child as well as grooming.

He was found guilty following a trial and appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday (November 26) where he was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and handed an indefinite restraining order, as well as sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Detective Constable Liam Padget, from Durham Constabulary’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

“Paton continuously told us how he had met the victim but nothing sexual had ever happened. He also claimed he did not know how old the victim was however this was overturned when officers uncovered his messages back and forth with her.

“Paton knew that the victim was a child and was therefore vulnerable, but he continued to sexually abuse her for his own gratification. He knew exactly what he was doing.

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

Description

A depraved pervert who left his victim "broken" through repeated rapes and sexual assaults has been jailed for over 20 years.

Stuart Cox, 63, escalated his abuse over years by using pharmaceutical stimulants to sustain it. He remained impassive at Teesside Crown Court as the victim's impact statement revealed her devastation.

The victim, who cannot be named, wrote: Since the time of the crimes, I have been isolated keeping myself to myself. I didnt want to talk or open up because it has been a really long battle for justice.

I would often wonder how much longer before I would get my peace and justice.

She added: Im never going to forget it. What happened to me is going to stick to me like glue.

I have never been the same emotionally. I feel broken, defective and this is due to what happened to me I am just shattered and never picked up all the pieces.

Prosecutor Paul Cleasby said Cox, of Sandport Walk, Stockton, was convicted of 14 offences, including multiple rapes, attempted rapes, sexual assaults, and assaults by penetration.

Mitigating, Andrew Turton noted Cox's medical issues and productive use of remand time, adding: He is expecting a significant period in custody.

Judge Timothy Stead imposed 21 years' custody plus a one-year extended licence, stating: The victim will never forget these matters. It is quite apparent that her life in every aspect has been badly affected.

She refers to herself as broken and she has a fear that she will not be regarded as good enough for an ordinary relationship in the future.

I fear that she will bear the marks and anguish of this offending for the rest of her life I hope it is not so but I fear it is a near inevitability that it will be.

Cox received an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, indefinite restraining order, and lifelong registration on the sex offenders register.

Description

A sex offender shook his head in denial as he was jailed for eight years. Daniel Dixon, 34, raped a child as a teenager, forced another to watch explicit sex videos, and raped a second victim years later.

Dixon denied the offenses but was convicted after a trial at Teesside Crown Court, where Judge Joanne Kidd said the evidence against him "had been overwhelming."

In court statements, one victim described suffering suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and depression from the abuse. The second felt "ashamed, embarrassed and dirty."

Dixon, of Hartington Road in Stockton, was found guilty of rape, child rape, and causing a child to watch a sex act.

In mitigation, barrister Victoria Lamballe called Dixon a "victim of his upbringing," claiming he was physically and emotionally abused. "A boy who has grown up around domestic violence, has gone on to abuse himself," she said.

Judge Kidd told Dixon he had shown one victim "a highly disturbing video, to try and normalise what you were about to do. You forced yourself on [the victim]." She added that he had "continued to maintain his innocence and has a lot of work to do in custody, to make sure your attitude does not go with you throughout your adult life."

Dixon was sentenced to eight years, serving two-thirds before parole eligibility, plus a lifelong sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Sergeant Claire McNeill of Cleveland Police said:

"The victims in this case suffered considerable trauma from what they went through, but I must commend their bravery in coming forward to report to police and I thank them for their support throughout our lengthy investigation.

"Dixon added to their stress and pain by continuing to deny what he had done but I’m relieved that a jury has now convicted him and that he’ll spend a considerable amount of time in prison. I do hope the victims share my relief and they can be further reassured that on his eventual release, Dixon will be subject to lifelong and strict conditions. We will be monitoring him closely and will take decisive action on any breaches."