Search results for Herefordshire

Description

A vile rapist who subjected his victim to a decade of horrific sexual abuse has been given a custodial sentence of 23 years.

Michael Pugh, 45, of Sutton St. Nicholas, Hereford, appeared before Worcester Crown Court on Friday (2 October) where he was sentence for 16 offences as follows:

• Six counts of rape
• Four counts of sexual assault
• Four counts of adult sexual activity with a person aged 13 to 17
• One count of wound / inflict grievous bodily harm without intent
• One count of engage in controlling / coercive behaviour

Pugh (pictured) was given a total custodial period of 23 years. This was comprised of an extended sentence of 15 years plus eight years on licence.

He was further given a restraining order of no direct or indirect contact with his victim for life, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) of 25 years, and to register as a sex offender for life.

Pugh’s offending related to 16 offences over 10-year period of rape and sexual abuse including forcing his victim to work on webcams and many other degrading and humiliating acts.

Detective Chief Inspector James Bamber of the Protecting People Unit (PPU) said:

“Our thoughts remain with the survivor of Pugh’s horrific sexual offences, and we hope the verdict allows them to move on with their life in some way.

“This long custodial sentence is down to the survivor’s courage and a good investigation by the team. The case is clearly an horrific one we hope we have got some sense of justice for them.”

Description

A child sexual abuser from Herefordshire was sentenced to 14 years in prison when he appeared in court today (Wednesday 7 October).

David McKimmie, 62, of Hope under Dinmore, was found guilty of the below 13 offences following a trial in November 2025 where he was found guilty for 11 offences relating to one victim and the remaining two following another trial in September relating to a separate victim.

• Seven counts of assault female child under 13 by touching
• Four counts of assault a girl under 13 by penetration
• One count of cause / incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• One count of sexual activity with a female child

McKimmie (pictured) was sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison, made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 15 years, and ordered to pay court costs of £6,000.

PC Chris Yarwood, officer in case, said:

“We are pleased to get this custodial sentence for McKimmie and would like to pay tribute to the survivors of his perverted actions for their courage in coming forward and giving us the evidence that has led to this successful conviction.

“They have patiently waited while this has gone through the courts over a few years, but we hope today’s sentencing will help them to move on with their lives and that it encourages other survivors of sexual abuse to come forward.

“Our message to anyone who has suffered similar abuses is we will always listen to you and act where appropriate no matter when the offences took place.”

Description

A rapist from Leominster has been sentenced to 10 years in prison following his appearance at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday (2 September).

Jack Preedy, 31, of Ryelands Road, Leominster was found guilty of rape for which he was handed a 10-year prison term, ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, and made subject to an indefinite restraining order against his victim as well as to pay a £228 victim surcharge.

Preedy (pictured) was also convicted of intentional strangulation for which he was sentenced to two years six months to run concurrently, engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour – 12 months concurrent and assault causing actual bodily harm – six months concurrent. His total sentence was 10 years.

Detective Inspector Ben Pearson of Hereford CID said:

“We are pleased to get this prison term for Preedy whose appalling sexual, violent and coercive behaviour has caused so much harm to his victim.

“We hope this conviction gives them the chance to move on in some respects of their life, and we would like to pay tribute to their bravery in coming forward and reporting his disgusting actions and for working with us to secure his conviction.

“We hope this will encourage other victims of rape or sexual assault to come forward and speak to us. We will always listen to you, take your concerns seriously and protect you from predators like Preedy.”

Description

A predatory and dangerous rapist who thought of his victims as ‘less than human’ has been sentenced to 13 years and six months today (Friday 12 December).

Fred Florence, 51, of Katherines Walk, Ledbury, was sentenced at Hereford Crown Court where he showed no remorse.

Florence (pictured) was already serving a seven years and six months term after being convicted in June this year for a nasty GBH assault in 2016 where his victim received life-changing injuries.

Today, he was given 13 years and six months for the rape sentence to start consecutively after his GBH sentence and will have to serve a further five years on licence once he is freed as he is such a dangerous offender.

He was also given three years for each of a two further counts of non-recent sexual assaults on two children victims to run concurrently with the rape sentence.

Florence must serve at least two thirds of both the GBH and rape sentences which total 21 years so he will not be eligible for parole before 2039, 14 years from now.

He must also sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

Detective Constable Sarah Carroll, of our Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team (OCSET), said:

“We are pleased that the judge has recognised the disgusting and evil nature of Florence’s sexual crimes which will never heal the pain of his victims but may hopefully allow them to start to move on with their lives now.

“His Honour Judge Jackson stated Florence was a predatory sex offender and self-centred bully who thought of his victims as less than human which shows his appalling attitude towards them.

“Such was the level of fear and intimidation he held over his victims; they delayed coming to police for many years, and we suspect there may be further victims who have been too scared to complain. So, we hope they will now come forward and speak to us.

“The victims have been extremely brave in coming forward to us and we would like to pay tribute to them as their evidence has led to a dangerous man being sent to prison for a long time.

“Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of Florence or who suspects they know of any other offences committed by him is urged to contact Hereford CID Supervision via 101.”

Description

A man has been sentenced to 16 years after he was found guilty of raping a woman in Ross-on-Wye.

Mustafa Ogur, of Brookend Street in Ross-on-Wye, was found guilty after a trial at Worcester Crown Court and was sentenced yesterday (Monday 7 April).

Following his sentence in prison, he will remain on extended licence for eight years and be subject to a lifetime sexual harm prevention order.

An investigation was launched after a woman was raped near to Three Crosses Road and Springfield Road in the early hours of Sunday 21 July in 2024.

CCTV showed the 24-year-old preying on potential victims before the attack and witnesses described how he used Google translate on his phone to tell them ‘I want to make love to you’.

Ogur was arrested and charged with rape and sexual assault on 25 July 2024 and when officers entered his home they discovered him in the shower, having shaved his hair in an attempt to change his appearance and evade being recognised as the suspect.

Herefordshire CID Detective Inspector, Ben Pearson, said:

“It takes such bravery to first report and then talk about such a horrific experience, and I commend the victim, who has shown incredible strength and courage throughout the investigation and trial. I understand that nothing will ever take away the pain and suffering from such an experience.

“I am pleased with the sentencing given to Ogur yesterday. I’m unsure if a person capable of such an evil crime would reflect on the harm he has caused an innocent person, but I do know Ogur is a dangerous individual who will thankfully no longer be amongst our community for some time.

"It is never too late to report a sexual offence and if you have been a victim or you know someone who has been a victim of this crime, please know that we are here to listen to you and support you through every step of the process."

Description

A 25 -year-old woman has been jailed after pleading guilty to child sex offences.

Nichole Pratt, of Foster Crescent, Leominster was sentenced today (4 March 2025) at Hereford Crown Court to seven-and-a-half years in custody for causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13. She was also handed a sexual harm prevention order.

The incidents took place between 23 October 2023 and 1 August 2024.

Her offences were discovered when police received an anonymous tip that Pratt had subjected two children to sexual abuse and had created videos of the offences.

When Pratt was arrested, her phone and a USB stick were seized. The USB stick was found to contain category A videos of Pratt sexually abusing one child, while her phone contained videos of her sexually abusing another child.

When she was interviewed under caution, she denied any involvement in the offences. However, due to the overwhelming evidence against her, she later changed her plea to guilty at her plea and trial preparation hearing on 16 September 2024.

Angela Trafford, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“This was a truly harrowing and disturbing case. Nichole Pratt systematically abused two vulnerable young children in what can only be described as the most serious form of sexual abuse.

“The children concerned put their trust in Pratt. By her actions she has shown a flagrant disregard for that trust for her own gratification.

“The sentence handed down will hopefully act as a deterrent and send a message to the public that such cases are taken extremely seriously by the police, Crown Prosecution Service and ultimately the court.”

Description

A PERVERT and voyeur has been jailed for a string of sexual offences. 

Ryan Mountford appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday, (January 23). 

The 30-year-old, of Rundlemead, Mathon, near Malvern, was sentenced for five sexual assaults; sexual assault of a child; sexual assault on a male and arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence. 

Additionally, Mountford was also sentenced for voyeurism; intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence; four offences of making indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child and three of distributing an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child. 

The offences were committed in Malvern, Ledbury and Ross-On-Wye between January 1, 2013 and January 27, 2023.

Mountford was given a total of 12 years in jail being told he would serve a minimum of two-thirds of the sentence in custody before referral to the parole board to decide if he could be released. 

Description

A Birmingham paedophile dad has been jailed for seven and a half years for a sick string of online child sex offences. His catalogue of crimes included attempting to arrange the rape of a child under the age of 13.

Damien Lucas, 36, of New Street, Leominster was found with hundreds of horrific images and videos showing children being raped or tortured that he'd also shared. He was put behind bars for 92 months at Hereford Crown Court on Tuesday(May 23).

Lucas pleaded guilty to eight child sex offence charges dating between June 2021 and February this year. The unemployed dad-of-three had lived in Chelmsley Wood before moving to Leominster in 2021.

Detective Inspector Matt McNelis of West Mercia Police said: "Damien Lucas pleaded guilty to having hundreds of images including 199 Category A images.

"Each of these depicts the rape and or torture of a child, the possession and sharing of these images and videos re-victimises each child in perpetuity and we continue to work with partners, including Lucy Faithfull Foundation and Family Matters, to stamp out this vile trade in human misery.

“The strength of this seven year sentence sends a strident message to online child sex offenders across the country. The possession, making and distribution of indecent images of children and the grooming of children to provide opportunities to commit contact offences are abhorrent crimes that we are fighting hard to prevent every day."

Lucas pleaded guilty to these eight charges with Category A the most severe as "they involve penetrative sexual activity":

• Attempting to arrange or facilitate the rape of a child under 13 on October 26 last year
• Making indecent photos or pseudo-photos of a child on June 23 in 2021, relating to 114 Category A images
• Making indecent photos or pseudo-photos of a child on June 23 2021 relating to 58 Category B images
• Making indecent photos or pseudo-photos of a child on June 23 2021 relating to 270 Category C images
• Making indecent photos or pseudo-photos of a child on February 28 this year relating to 85 Category A images
• Making indecent photos or pseudo-photos of a child on February 28 this year relating to 101 Category B images
• Distributing an indecent photog or pseudo-photo of a child on October 26 last year relating to a Category B image
• Making indecent photos or pseudo-photos of a child on February 28 this year relating to 279 Category C images

The judge also ordered that Lucas he put under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and be on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

Description

A BRAVE woman has spoken out after her rapist was jailed, urging other victims to find the courage to come forward.

Gary Baxter of Husseys Lane, Kington, was jailed for a single count of rape at Worcester Crown Court. The 46-year-old was jailed for three years and 10 months and ordered to sign the sex offender register until further order.

His victim gave evidence at his trial until he changed his plea to guilty and he was jailed on January 26 this year.

The woman, who has lifelong anonymity, is urging more women and men who are attacked across Worcestershire and Herefordshire to come forward.

In an exclusive interview, she described how she was raped in October 2020, calling her attacker 'controlling and manipulative'.

She added: "He took my car keys so I couldn't escape. Later he managed to rape me. I'm a physically strong woman but I was no match for him. "I was in shock. But I knew I was raped. After this I really wasn't sure If I wanted to report him.

"Would I be believed? It's his word against mine. Some rapes are so violent the woman has physical injuries. I didn't. What evidence would there be to 'show' I was raped? Why didn't I fight more? These and many other questions were running through my mind. But I knew a crime had been committed against me.

"After the two days I went to the sexual assault referral clinic SARC to check me over and gather evidence while I was still deciding what to do. The nurses there are very supportive. They talked through all the options to help me make an informed decision. I agreed to an examination and samples. I was under no pressure to report to the police. It was here I felt the full magnitude of what had happened to me. I was so scared and traumatised but I decided I didn't want him to get away with it.

"So I decided to report to the police. The police were, for the most part, professional and sensitive while they interviewed me. I gave my evidence and was referred to many agencies to support me emotionally and to support me through the criminal justice system. One of the agencies I couldn't have done without was the Rape Crisis Centre or The Sexual Violence service. I was assigned an advocate who supported me all the way through the criminal justice system.

"Many survivors decide not to report their abuse for their own reasons. If this is you I do hope you reach out and get support.

"Whatever the outcome of reporting it is a very empowering process to speak out against your abuser. To stand up and fight. When all control is taken from you, this can help you take some control back. I'm speaking now because I wish you to know you are not to blame. They made the choice to rape you. It's not a loss of control on their part. There's nothing you said or did to deserve it. You are not weak. You are not a victim You are a survivor. You will be happy again."

The judge further ordered he may be placed on the barring list by the disclosure and barring service with restraining orders applied for until further notice. A victim surcharge of 190 was also imposed.

Description

An electrician who distributed videos of himself raping a young girl on the internet has been jailed for almost 16 years.

Thomas Gwilliam-Carter, 39, from Leominster, was identified by National Crime Agency investigators after child abuse images he’d posted were found on devices belonging to a U.S. suspect arrested by the FBI.

Chat logs showed that Gwilliam-Carter, using the online pseudonym ‘keepedging247’, told other paedophiles on the Wickr platform that he planned to drug a child to make raping her easier. He then went on to share videos of the abuse and later admitted that he had drugged the child with Phenergan, a mild sedative.

Gwilliam-Carter was arrested by NCA officers at his home address on 1 October this year, and his mobile phone was seized.

This was forensically examined and found to contain 3,651 indecent images of children (IIOC) in categories A-C (A being the most severe), some of which showed babies being raped. The child he’d raped has been safeguarded.

Gwilliam-Carter pleaded guilty to one count of rape of a child under 13, three counts of making IIOC and five counts of distributing IIOC at Worcester Crown Court on 7 November.

He was sentenced at the same court today (8 December).

NCA operations manager Phil Eccles said: “Gwilliam-Carter inflicted the most terrible abuse on a young girl and distributed videos he’d made of it online, all for his and other paedophiles’ pleasure.

“Child sexual abuse is a global threat and this case highlights why the NCA’s close cooperation with international partners is so vital in tackling it.

“We also work tirelessly to protect those affected by child sexual abuse and disrupt offenders who pose a sexual threat to children, ensuring they face justice.”

Description

An evil paedophile who committed multiple rapes and sexual offences against children and young women has been put behind bars. Ben Prothero admitted committing 17 sex offences, some against kids under 13 over a sustained period from 2008 to 2020.

Prothero of Metcalfe Close, in Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire, had pleaded guilty earlier in the year and was jailed for 24 years at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday (November 29). He was told he would serve 18 years in prison and a further six years to remain on licence as a dangerous offender. 

He was also now listed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. He was convicted after a ‘long and thorough’ investigation by Hereford CID’s Vulnerability Team who praised the bravery of the victims for coming forward to outline the abuse they suffered.

Prothero's offences included:

• Two counts of rape of a child under 13
• Five counts of rape of a female under 18
• Attempted rape
• Causing a female under 15 to engage in penetrative sexual activity
• Penetration of a female under 16
• Engage in controlling/coercive behaviour
• Two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13
• Two counts of sexual activity with a child under 18
• Two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16

The 26-year-old was described by police as a ‘predator and bully’. Detective Constable Emma O’Hare, from West Mercia Police, who led the investigation, said: “Prothero committed these horrendous crimes against children and women over many years who weren’t able to defend or protect themselves.

“He was a bully, a predator and controlled them by hurting them and changing their lives forever. As pleased as I am with the lengthy sentence, the true tribute is paid to the victims, who not only survived despite his best efforts to break them, but who then showed immense courage and bravery in coming forward about his abuse and rapes.”

DC O’Hare continued: “My hope is that this significant prison sentence will bring some measure of comfort to those whose lives have been forever damaged by his cowardly and predatory actions. This sentence needs to serve as a reminder to those who think that abusing women and girls will go unchallenged.

“Survivors are strong and with our support, patience and understanding an investigation will uncover the truth about their abusers’ actions, who will face consequences. West Mercia Police remains committed to seeking justice for rape victims and survivors, and we, the police and wider support services are here for them.”

West Mercia Police offered support to anyone who may have been the victim of any sexual offence and said they can report it to them online, on 101 or via West Mercia's Victim Advice Line on 0800 952 3000 or its website.

It said: “This is a free, independent and confidential support service. In an emergency always dial 999. If you do not feel comfortable speaking to police officers, you can contact a referral centre which specialises in helping victims of rape and sexual assault - including providing medical care and counselling.”Anyone wanting information and details on how to contact or refer can visit the Get Help page of the Rape Crisis website. 

Description

Andrew Herbert pleaded guilty to ten counts of indecent assault on young girls in the early 1970s.

A man who sexually abused two young girls in Bristol 50 years ago when he was a teenager has been ordered to pay them £25,000 compensation each.

But Andrew Herbert, now 67 and living in Herefordshire, was not sent to prison after pleading guilty to ten counts of indecent assault - after the judge in the case said the law required him to sentence him according to what the law and sentencing rules were at the time. One of the women he abused when she was a girl has bravely waived her right to anonymity and spoken out about her ordeal.

Sentencing at Bristol Crown Court today (Friday, November 4) His Honour Judge Julian Lambert said that, if Herbert had committed the offences now, he would be facing a lengthy prison sentence, but because the sentencing powers back in the early 1970s were not as strong, he could only be sent to prison for a matter of weeks.

Instead, the judge ordered Herbert be the subject of a community order lasting for two years, with a requirement to undertake rehabilitation activity for 50 days with sex offender treatment work. He was also ordered to observe a curfew to remain at home between 9pm and 6am every day for the next 18 months - enforced by an electronic tag.

Herbert was also ordered to do unpaid work in a community service order of 225 hours, and ordered to pay £25,000 to each of the victims in the case, to be paid within 12 months.

The judge told Herbert that the victims in the case had suffered 'lifelong oppression', which was at the forefront of his mind when sentencing him. "The repressed voices of children have now resonated through half a century of suffering and turmoil," Judge Lambert told him.

"The cruel, criminal abuse of the young is now revealed through the mists of time. It is to be remembered that you were a child yourself at the time of the offending. I recognise your own harrowing background, but you are the perpetrator in this, not the victim. You need to banish any element of self-pity and any possible victim blaming. You were considerably older than your victims and perfectly well able to distinguish right from wrong," he added.

The judge explained to the court that, back in 1970, no court could impose a prison sentence on a person under 17, but only order them to be 'detained' in a detention centre - and the maximum detention for a 15-year-old was just three months.

"With an artificially limited sentence and a requirement to give credit for (guilty) plea there would have been a release in custody within weeks," Judge Lambert said. "Whatever sentence I pass will seem hollow to the victims of the offences.

"I do not believe I can now send you to custody...These were however very serious offences with the most severe effects. I impose the least sentence commensurate with the seriousness of the offences," he added.

The court had heard Herbert was also charged with two counts of rape, which he denied. He was cleared by a jury trial of one count and the jury failed to reach a verdict in the other, and the CPS said it would not pursue this charge. He had pleaded guilty to ten other counts of indecent assault, which were prosecuted under different laws in force at the time, back between 1970 and 1972.

The case came to light in 2020 when one of the victims, Liz Roberts, reported to police what he did to her as an eight-year-old girl. After the trial and sentencing, she waived her right to anonymity to speak out about the case. She urged others to come forward to report abuse they are suffering, or have suffered.

"I waited 50 years to tell my story as I didn’t think anyone would care about what happened. That clearly isn't true and I only wish I’d reported it sooner," she said. "There have of course been times when it has brought the trauma of what he did back, and I still have a long way to go in my recovery journey, but I have no regrets.

“People like Andrew get away with it by passing their guilt and shame on to those they are meant to be protecting and literally hiding in plain sight. There is support out there and people will help whether you want offences investigated or not.

“Justice comes in many forms. Feeling the care and support of everyone around me means that I can now hold my head high – that is the best kind of justice," she added.

She praised the people who have supported her since the first day she reported what happened to her all those years ago. "From the moment I reported Andrew, I have been fully supported through the investigation and right through to the court process. This support hasn’t just been from the police but also from Safe Link, who allocated an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) to me and charities such as SARSAS (Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Assault Support) which provided free essential counselling support. They have held my hand every step of the way both physically and metaphorically and have done everything they can to ease the process for me."

The court heard emotional impact statements from both the victims in the case, who described lifelong psychological impacts of the abuse they suffered at such a young age. Both victims told the court they struggled to build relationships and suffered serious mental health effects that have lasted decades. 

The investigating officer in the case was PC Becky Norton, from Avon and Somerset police. “Andrew Herbert’s actions have had a lifelong impact on both his victims. He claimed to have experienced a tsunami of shame but that is absolutely nothing compared to what they have gone through, for they have spent the past five decades living with the trauma he inflicted on them.

“They both deserve immense credit for standing up to him in court and telling the judge exactly how deeply his abuse has affected them," she added.

Det Supt Lisa Simpson, the force's lead for Rape and Serious Sexual Assault, said: “What Liz Roberts is doing now, in waiving her anonymity, is nothing short of remarkable. Together, with our partners in the Crown Prosecution Service, we’re working hard to hold offenders to account for the vile offences they have committed and, with the help of third sector partners such as SafeLink, The Bridge and SARSAS to making sure they are ok and helping them recover from the trauma they’ve endured.”

Description

A teaching assistant who had sex with a 15-year-old girl has been jailed.

Richard Perrin, 50, of Canon Frome in Ledbury, Herefordshire also sent naked photographs of himself to the victim before his arrest in June, Worcester Crown Court heard.

He previously admitted six counts of sexual activity with a child committed over a five-month period during the national coronavirus lockdown.

On Friday, he was told he would serve 32 months in prison.

Prosecutor Tom Walkling told the court Perrin was arrested after a male relative saw incriminating messages on his phone.

The court also heard police had found notes written by the victim, hidden underneath the driver's seat in Perrin's car.

Julia Needham, for Perrin, said, prior to the offence, he had been "a constructive, useful and beneficial member of society".

The court was told Perrin's wife was divorcing him and he had "lost everything", including his career.

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Passing sentence, Recorder Sandeep Kainth said: "What you have done is deprive a young girl of her childhood.

"I sincerely hope you have learnt a salutary lesson from what can only be described as absolute and complete stupidity by you."

Perrin was also required to register as a sex offender for life and was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order.