Search results for Hertfordshire

Description

A 29-year-old man has been jailed after he pleaded guilty to multiple offences including rape. 

Jordan Owens, previously of Guinery Grove, Hemel Hempstead, used a mobile phone to film himself committing the offences against a woman inside a property in Northampton while she slept.

Owens was arrested following the woman bravely reporting what had happened to her to Northamptonshire Police and subsequently charged with multiple offences including five counts of rape.

After pleading guilty to all seven offences at Northampton Crown Court this week (September 15), Owens was sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison.

Lead investigator - Detective Constable Jon Brawn said:

“Jordan Owens is a dangerous offender who repeatedly targeted a woman while she was asleep and therefore unable to protect herself or give consent.

“I would like to commend the victim for her bravery in coming forward and supporting this investigation. We know how difficult it can be for survivors of sexual offences to report what has happened to them, and her courage has helped ensure Owens has been held accountable for his actions.

“I hope this sentence provides her with some sense of justice and allows her to move forward with her life knowing he is behind bars.”

“We take all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously and would encourage anyone who has experienced sexual violence or abuse to come forward. You will be listened to, supported and treated with respect throughout the investigative process.”

Description

A man has been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for indecently assaulting a child more than 20 years ago.

Javier Franco, aged 52, formerly of Redbourn, appeared for sentencing at St Albans Crown Court on Wednesday 26 August.

The offence occurred in 2004 when Franco was an army cadet leader. He had told the victim – one of his army cadets – to meet him in Greenwood Park, Chiswell Green as he had a certificate for her. He then took her to his bedsit where he indecently assaulted her.

The victim, who was aged 13 at the time of the offence, bravely reported Franco to police two years ago after she spotted him in public. He was arrested on 12 June 2023 and later pleaded guilty to the offence.

Detective Constable Sophie Beach, from the constabuary’s Public Protection Unit, said:

“Firstly, I want to commend the brave victim for coming forward. She described how seeing him in public all those years later, made her feel sick and she felt she had to report it. We are so glad she did. Nobody should have to suffer in silence while their perpetrator gets away with such a heinous crime.

“Franco will now rightly be serving prison time for the indecent assault. In addition to that, he is now on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely. A Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order, preventing him from contacting the victim, have also put in place.

“I hope this case reassures anybody else out there who is a victim of sexual assault or rape and is unsure to tell us. We will take your report seriously and fight for justice, no matter how long ago the offence occurred. We want to help you and we will do everything we can to make the process as easy as possible for you.”

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Former Hertfordshire teacher Deborah Franklin convicted of gross indecency against boy she tutored

Deborah Franklin, 65, of Radlett, Hertfordshire, has been found guilty of eight counts of gross indecency against a boy she privately tutored in the 1990s, when he was aged between nine and 12.

Franklin, then in her 30s, married and a teacher at a preparatory school in Hertfordshire, was trusted by the boy’s family to conduct tutoring sessions in his room. Prosecutor Gavin Pottinger told jurors at St Albans Crown Court that she was a woman “whose boundaries were just not there.”

The court heard that Franklin took her clothes off in front of the boy, kissed him, got him to touch her and performed multiple sexual acts. On one occasion she tied him to her bed and blindfolded him during sexual activity. The complainant, now in his 40s, said she described herself as his “girlfriend” but urged him to be discreet. He had “no memory of work ever being done” during the sessions.

The boy’s sister described Franklin as “fun, she was charismatic. I thought she was cool.” The boy viewed her as “young” and “high energy,” someone who “presented like a mate” and spoke about drugs, cigarettes and sex. His sister once saw Franklin under the covers of his bed.

Franklin denied all charges, saying she could not remember tutoring the boy. She told the court it was “quite common for teachers and parents and children to socially interact” and that it would not have been “unusual” to be in a pupil’s bedroom or on their bed while tutoring them.

She was charged under the Indecency with Children Act 1960, the law in force at the time (later replaced by the Sexual Offences Act 2003). Franklin was remanded in custody. Judge Kamran Choudhry told her there is a “high possibility” of a jail sentence when she appears for sentencing on 1 October.

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Obinwa Obichukwu jailed for sexually assaulting woman at Euston station

Obinwa Obichukwu, 45, of Armstrong Close, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, has been jailed for two years after being found guilty of two counts of sexual assault.

On the evening of 20 August 2023, Obichukwu approached a lone woman walking towards Euston station in London. He asked what music she was listening to, put his arm around her shoulder and asked her to come back to his house. As she continued along Euston Road he grabbed her hand and repeatedly said he loved her.

At the station entrance he stopped her from entering and sexually assaulted her. He followed her down the escalator and assaulted her again near the ticket barriers. She pushed him away and escaped.

British Transport Police investigated using CCTV and the CPS charged him. He was found guilty in January 2026 and sentenced on 21 July 2026 at Inner London Crown Court. He was also made subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

BTP Detective Constable Daniel Burke said:

“Obinwa Obichukwu is a sexual predator who targeted a lone woman and attacked her at a busy London station. He claimed his assault was consensual and took his case to trial, but fortunately the jury saw straight through his lies and he’s now behind bars where he belongs. Tackling violence and intimidation against women and girls is a priority for us as a force and we’re tireless in our efforts to bring offenders like Obichukwu to justice. If you experience or witness these crimes on the railway, please report it to us by texting 61016. We will always take action.”

Description

A brave survivor has spoken out to help protect other women after a man was jailed for rape, serious sexual assaults and strangulation in Welwyn Garden City at St Albans Crown Court today (Friday17 July).

The woman was subjected to violent abuse between 2021 and 2022, but with the help of family and friends found the courage to report it to police.

She said:

“While nothing can undo what happened or the lasting impact this has had on my life, I hope this outcome shows other victims that they will be listened to, believed, and supported. I hope sharing my experience encourages anyone living in fear to seek help. I am incredibly grateful to Detective Constable Jon Holmes, whose communication, empathy, and commitment never wavered. He handled every interaction with sensitivity and professionalism and made me feel heard and supported. Although this has been a long and difficult process, I hope this case gives others the confidence to seek help and know that justice is possible. There is hope beyond the fear. Everyone deserves to be safe, to be heard, and to live a life free from abuse. Taking the first step can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to face it alone.”

Ben Kasperczak, aged 23, of Hertford Road in Welwyn, was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment for three rapes, four serious sexual assaults and non-fatal strangulation.

Detective Constable Jon Holmes from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Sexual Offences Investigations Team (SOIT), said:

“The victim-survivor has shown incredible strength in reporting these horrific crimes to us and in supporting the investigation and two court trials. I commend her bravery and her family and friends who have supported her.”

Kasperczak was convicted of two rapes and non-fatal strangulation in October 2025, but the jury was hung on the remaining counts during a three-week trial. A second trial lasting seven-weeks took place from April to June this year where he was found guilty on all counts.

“She has made the incredibly brave choice to publicly share her experience in the hope that other survivors of sexual abuse might feel able to speak up and report to police,” DC Holmes added.

“Despite suffering terrible abuse at the hands of Kasperczak, her caring nature has shone through for the duration of the investigation and trials, with some of her first thoughts on conviction being focused on preventing further harm to others.

“Kasperczak never showed any remorse for his offending and following two separate trials in 2025 and 2026 spanning 10 weeks, two juries at St Albans Crown Court took a combined total of less than 15 hours to convict Kasperczak.”

His Honourable Judge Andrew Johnson said:

“You were abusing her and violating her, while her focus was on helping you.

“She is in my judgement an empathetic compassionate lady. The impact of these rapes and other offences has been enormous.”

Having heard the victim’s impact statements, HHJ Johnson added:

“I hope they have made you feel some degree of shame. They should.”

DC Holmes continued:

“I encourage victims to get in touch. We have specially trained officers who will listen, take you seriously, offer support and protection, and ensure your wishes remain central throughout the investigation to hold those who abuse or commit violence against others accountable for their actions.”

Description

A man has been jailed for nearly five years after sexually assaulting a child and exposing himself in a charity shop.

Christoffer Thorkelsen, aged 30, was visiting Hertfordshire from Norway with family when the incidents took place last year.

At around 1.50pm on Wednesday 15 October, Thorkelsen exposed his penis to a member of the public inside the Isabel Hospice shop on Haldens in Welwyn Garden City.

A couple of days prior, the court heard how Thorkelsen also sexually assaulted a child under the age of seven in the county.

After reports were made to the police, Thorkelsen tried to flee the country before he was intercepted on the plane by police officers at Gatwick Airport.

Thorkelsen was arrested, charged and pleaded guilty to both offences.

At St Albans Crown Court last Friday (5 June), Thorkelsen was jailed for four-and-half years for sexual assault and a further five months for indecent exposure, to be served consecutively. He will be deported upon his release from prison.

Detective Sergeant Katie Stevens, from the Joint Child Protection Investigation Team, said:

“Thorkelsen is a dangerous and predatory offender and there is no doubt the world is safer with him behind bars.

“Thorkelsen committed these serious offences from the first day he arrived in the UK, and then attempted to flee the country when he knew police were investigating.

“I’d like to praise both victims for their bravery in reporting his crimes, and thankfully they were spared the ordeal of having to go through a criminal trial.”

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“You're not alone.”

These are the words of a woman to other victims and survivors after the man who violently raped her was jailed.

“If something like this has happened to you, simply report it to law enforcement,” she added. “I had very mixed feelings about the case, but the care and support I received was something I'll never regret.

“I felt cared for. I was offered psychological help, I was in constant contact with the police, they called me and asked about my well-being, and during the trial, I was guaranteed complete anonymity. It was a very difficult trial to prove, but the police gathered irrefutable evidence in this case.”

Tapiwanashe Sibanda was jailed for nearly 10 years at St Albans Crown Court on Friday 5 June after being found guilty at a trial last November.

The court had heard how he had invited a female sex worker to a street away from his home in Hatfield in August 2020.

After dark he took her to a secluded area of Ellenbrook Park. There he violently and repeatedly raped her, threatening her with a concealed weapon, before robbing her of her mobile phone.

The woman fled from the scene and was seen distressed and running away by a passerby who stopped to help her, and who also alerted the police.

Sibanda, now aged 27, formerly of Richards Street, Hatfield, was traced and arrested and in interview he said the sex had been consensual.

Detectives from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team investigated the case. Officers also pursued and secured a Sexual Risk Order against Sibanda in order, placing restrictions on his contact with women.

They built a case against Sibanda, and working with partners including Independent Sexual Violence Advisors, who provide independent support to victims and survivors, they earned the confidence of the woman to the point where she felt comfortable to support the investigation.

He was sentenced to nine years and 10 months in prison for rape, robbery and multiple breaches of the risk order. He was also given a sexual harm prevention order meaning he will be monitored by police on his release from prison, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.

In sentencing Judge Andrew Johnson said the impact of Sibanda’s offending was “immense” and that he posed risk of “causing serious harm to women”.

He also commended the professionalism of the police investigation saying:

“The response of the police, demonstrates that the authorities will properly investigate allegations of rape whoever they are made by.”

DC Jon Holmes, investigating, said:

“My first thoughts are with the victim, who endured a terrible ordeal no one should face. With support from specialist officers, she saw this case through, and I commend her courage and determination to achieve justice and help keep our communities safe.

“I am also grateful to the member of the public who assisted her and to those who supported police enquiries.

“I encourage victims, particularly of sexual offences and within the sex worker community, to come forward to Hertfordshire’s specially trained officers. We will listen, take you seriously, offer support, and ensure your wishes remain central throughout the investigation to hold those who abuse or commit violence against others to account for their actions.

“Sexual offending is always a very serious crime. Any person considering or taking part in such activity can expect the police to investigate professionally and relentlessly to bring offenders to justice.”

Description

An individual identified through the Met’s V100 programme has been sentenced for multiple sexual offences.

The V100 programme uses data and intelligence to identify offenders posing the highest risk to women and girls, producing a monthly list of the top 100. Officers then relentlessly pursue these individuals to remove them from London’s streets, using tactics drawn from counter terrorism policing.

This offender represents continued progress within V100, following 208 nominals convicted up to the end of April since its launch in 2023.

On Wednesday, 1 June, Victor Komolafe 35 (16.12.90) of Harmony Close, Hertfordshire was sentenced to 8 years and 11 months at Woolwich Crown Court. He also received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for indefinite period and will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

Komolafe was previously found guilty of 4 counts of sexual abuse on Wednesday, 23 April at Snaresbrook Crown Court, including 1 count of attempted rape, 1 count of sexual assault and 2 counts of assault by penetration.

The defendant, who also went under the aliases of Ghost and Xavier, was charged in relation to two complainants unknown to each other.

Detective Constable Jo Cheung and Helen Cordes both worked on the investigation, they shared:

“Komolafe would hide behind a guise of familiarity and friendship with his victims; this enabled him to exploit his formed connections and target these women for his abusive crimes.

“The bravery of both victims coming forward emphasises their strength of character, and their willingness to speak out against abusers such as Komolafe.

“Their courage and determination enabled our investigation to achieve the justice they desperately deserved”.

Komolafe was arrested following a report of sexual assault on 10, August 2023. When questioned by police, Komolafe stated this sexual activity was consensual and initiated by the complainant.

Following a determined investigation by Met detectives, and despite considerable efforts being taken by Komolafe to withhold his name, address, and identity from his victims, forensic analysis was found to support the report.

An additional report of sexual abuse of a similar nature was also made within a month of his arrest. This report was made on 25, September 2023. The second victim stated sexual offences were committed by Komolafe on 23, September 2023.

The second victim notes being denied food or water, which was a purposeful tactic to incapacitate the victim. Komolafe then went on to commit further sexual offences against the victim in a car belonging to his partner.

Komolafe again denied this assault, yet the investigative team found forensic evidence on the complainants clothing, which showed semen belonging to the defendant.

One victim shared:

“If you have a feeling that something happened to you against your will go to the police. It’s worth speaking up even if you’re not sure.

“This might encourage people to report him and others. People like him need to be put to face justice.

“You shouldn’t feel unsafe. If there is anyone who was hurt by Victor you should come forward. He won’t be able to hurt you now. Try and find strength to do that. It's not right to let people like him to get away with crimes like this.”

Description

A man from Hemel Hempstead has been jailed for seven years in connection with child sexual offences.

Raymond Tointon, aged 58 of Long Chaulden, denied sexually assaulting a girl over 13 in 2013. He was convicted by a jury following a trial in March at St Albans Crown Court.

Tointon, a former school bus driver, pleaded guilty to three counts of making an indecent photograph or pseudo photograph of a child, three counts of distributing such photographs, and one count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. The offences date between April 2024 and May 2025 and did not relate to his employment.

When detectives analysed Tointon’s devices, they found 194 Category A images, depicting the most serious abuse that can be committed by adults against children. He also had 99 Category B images and 97 Category C images.

The court heard how he sexually communicated with what he thought was a 13-year-old child, but was a decoy account from an online activist group. Tointon sent images of himself to the account and messages of a sexually explicit nature.

He also used Snapchat, Facebook Messenger and Telegram to interact with numerous other accounts.

At St Albans Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 20 May), Tointon was sentenced to a total of seven years in prison with a further two years on extended licence, given his dangerous offending.

He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which will tightly restrict his online activities and access to children when he is eventually released.

Detective Constable Rowan Montgomery, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Child Online Safeguarding Team, said:

“Firstly, I would like to praise the victim for her bravery in coming forward. This case shows how it doesn’t matter when an offence was committed, we will investigate and get justice.

“Tointon took no accountability for this particular offence, putting the victim, who is now an adult, through the ordeal of a trial. He will now spend a considerable amount of time behind bars.

“I would also like to issue a reminder that the victim is entitled to lifelong anonymity by law, and nothing should be shared that may identify her.

“The possession of indecent images of children is also not a victimless crime - each image represents the abuse of a child and has a real-world impact.

“Anyone wishing to report a sexual offence will always be treated sensitively and with respect by us. We recognise how difficult it must be but please be assured we have specially trained officers who can help you every step of the way.”

Description

A Stevenage man has been jailed after pleading guilty at court to stalking offences and sexual communication with children.

Paul Parker, aged 48, of Baron Court, appeared at St Albans Crown Court on Friday 24 April where he was sentenced to a total of four years having previously pleaded guilty to:

• Stalking causing serious alarm or distress (32 months)
• Breach of Stalking Protection Order between 3 December 2025 and 12 December 2025 (7 months).
• Two counts of sexual communication with a child between June 2023 and May 2024 (9 months for each count to run concurrently)

The court heard how for around three years, Parker bombarded a woman – who was an acquaintance over 20 years his junior – with thousands of phone calls and text messages while pretending to be someone else, despite the victim asking him to leave her alone.

Menacing texts would describe the victim’s location and clothing, implying that he was following and watching her even when she was at home.

On one occasion the defendant was caught by the victim loitering outside her home at 1am.

While being investigated for the offence of stalking, the courts imposed a Stalking Protection Order which stated Parker must not own, possess or control more than one mobile communication device and that he had to inform police, within three days, of changes to any of the following: telephone number, serial number, IMEI number make and model of any communication device.

When police searched his address in March 2026, they discovered a mobile phone hidden in the loft which he had used to send messages to multiple people. By doing so, he had breached the conditions of the order.

Separate charges involving different victims saw Parker also charged with two counts of sexual communication with a child that occurred between June 2023 and May 2024.

The court heard how Parker had left his phone number in a public toilet in Stevenage, when it was discovered by two young girls who called it. The girls, who were both aged 12, told Parker they were 15, but instead of ceasing contact once he had this information, he bombarded them with phone calls and text messages, most often in the middle of the night.

Stevenage CID Detective Constable Hannah Lambden said:

“The defendant repeatedly asked the children to meet him for sex, which thankfully they never did, but he continued to send obscene messages. We are in no doubt that a dangerous man has been taken off the streets.

“Parker’s actions had a profound impact on the stalking victim’s life; she moved house, changed her phone number, altered the routes she walked, stopped accessing support services and seeing family members – all to avoid being contacted by Parker and out of fear of what he would do if he followed her when she was alone and they came face to face.

“We would like to praise all the victims for their bravery in supporting these investigations which have resulted in Parker’s imprisonment.”

Description

A rapist has been jailed for 20 years for subjecting his victim to a "prolonged campaign of sexual and physical abuse" that caused her life-changing injuries.

Joseph Wright, 28, of the Bushey area, was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on Tuesday (March 31) after being convicted of four counts of rape, sexual assault by penetration, grievous bodily harm, two counts of coercive and controlling behaviour, threats to kill, and actual bodily harm.

The abuse spanned 2020 to 2024. It began with assaults in March and April 2020 — the start of an escalating pattern of intimidation and control involving kicking and verbal degradation that left the victim distressed and isolated, police said.

In December 2022, Wright caused her life-changing injuries during a row at her home; she felt unable to report it due to his coercive control. Another violent incident occurred at a public event in 2024, which she minimised to police out of fear.

She ended the relationship on December 31, 2024. Wright was arrested on July 8, 2025, and charged the following day.

Detective Constable Jason Tinsey, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s sexual offences investigation team, said:

“The victim in this case has shown tremendous courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation through what has been an incredibly distressing experience. Her strength has been vital in ensuring Joseph Wright has been held accountable for his actions.

“Abuse of this nature is utterly unacceptable and will never be tolerated. We remain committed to protecting victims, pursuing perpetrators and making sure that those responsible for such serious harm face justice.”

Description

A 20-year-old woman who worked at a children's nursery has been sentenced to four years in prison after admitting a series of online child sex offences.

Zara Lancashire, of Datchworth Turn, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, was jailed on Thursday at St Albans Crown Court. She had pleaded guilty to 11 offences, including making and distributing indecent images of children and publishing obscene articles.

Lancashire, employed at Flower Pots Day Nursery in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, was not charged with any offences involving children in her care.

Judge Lana Wood described Lancashire as "actively involved" in a "network" of people sharing indecent images.

The Crown Prosecution Service noted that "making" an image includes opening an email attachment or downloading a website image.

Appearing via video link from HMP Peterborough, Lancashire wore her brown hair in pigtails, one tied with a pink ribbon and one with a blue.

Judge Wood also imposed a 30-year sexual harm prevention order.

Prosecutor Harry Laidlaw said Lancashire was arrested in September after a man she contacted online was detained.

He stated she distributed category A images—the most serious—four times, including one depicting a child under two being sexually abused.

She communicated with users like "Mr Bad" and "Pervert," and possessed over 150 images, 113 of which were category A.

Laidlaw added that Lancashire claimed in messages to have abused children in her care but faced no related charges. Having received safeguarding training, she was "more aware than the normal person of abuse—she was more aware of safeguarding."

The court heard her parents separated when she was nine, leading to a "difficult" relationship with her mother.

Defense barrister Madeleine Wolfe said Lancashire reacted to online attention: "This was a relatively young, naive girl who got herself in a situation." Her messages were "disgraceful," but "despite her working with young people, there were no contact offences."

Judge Wood cited Lancashire's issues with "impulse control" and "sexual preoccupation," deeming her "dangerous" with "a significant risk that you will commit further... offences."

She told Lancashire: "You claimed to have abused children in your care. Fortunately it appears that those assertions had no truth behind them."

Det Insp Fay Tooley of Hertfordshire Police said: "Lancashire has been brought to justice for the offences she committed, and while our investigation found they didn't involve the physical abuse of children, they are still of an extremely serious nature."

Description

A man from Stevenage has been jailed for over seven years after being convicted of child sex offences.

Jamie Dunford, aged 34, of Archer Road in Stevenage, was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison on Friday 6 February, after previously being found guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child.

The five-day trial ran between Monday 12 January and Monday 16 January, before the jury gave a majority verdict.

The court heard that on 12 May 2024, Dunford drove the victim to his home address – where other people were present – after purchasing Red Bull and vodka which he gave to the victim.

When he and the victim were alone together in his bedroom, he proceeded to have sexual activity with her.

Dunford was arrested on 13 May 2024, at his home address in Stevenage but answered ‘no comment’ for the duration of his interview.

Investigating officer Jason Tinsey, from the Hertfordshire Constabulary Sexual Offences Investigation Team, said: 

“I want to first and foremost commend the victim for the bravery and co-operation that she has shown throughout this case.

“It is very difficult for a victim to speak about such distressing experiences, especially someone of a young age, and for that I want to show my gratitude to her for contributing to this investigation, which has ultimately led to achieving justice against an incredibly dangerous sex offender.

“Dunford was aware of the victim’s age throughout and took conscious steps to cover up his offending on the day after the offence took place. In addition to that, he shown no accountability for his actions during his time in custody.

Detective Sergeant Jonathan Green added:

“I want to praise the immense work of the investigator behind this case for his diligence and determination in getting justice for our victim. I hope that she is now able to move on in her life knowing that Dunford will be spending a considerable amount of time behind bars.”

Description

An Iranian refugee, Ahmadreza Khalafi, 29, has been jailed for sexually assaulting 19-year-old Abbie Johnson, who waived her anonymity, in Bishop Stortford, UK, on May 3 last year.

During a night out playing hide and seek near the Black Lion pub, Khalafi attacked Abbie for over 10 minutes. Security staff witnessed the incident, alerting police and leading to his swift arrest.

In her court statement, Abbie described the profound impact:

"I experienced ongoing depression and at times feels suicidal. The effects have been severe, long-lasting and continue to affect me every single day. I no longer recognise myself, feeling disconnected from the person I used to be. I feel different, empty and unable to live my life the way I did before. I suffer from constant flashbacks, and intrusive memories flood my mind. I am scared of the dark. I feel frightened in my own home and feel unsafe doing day-to-day activities."

Initially charged with rape, five counts of sexual assault, and one count of sexual assault by penetration, the rape charge was withdrawn, and the penetration charge lies on file. At St Albans Crown Court on December 2, Khalafi pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual touching. On February 5, he was sentenced to four-and-a-half years' imprisonment, plus three years' extended licence and a 10-year restraining order.

Judge Mann remarked:

"You acted on that day as a predator. You saw someone who was vulnerable and took advantage of her. I’m not entirely persuaded you don't know the difference between right and wrong; it doesn't matter your background, anyone would know not to go up to a helpless woman and sexually assault them. That’s not right anywhere."

Khalafi received refugee status in summer 2024, fearing persecution in Iran, and was staying in Stortford with church assistance at the time.

Det Sgt Adam Haines praised Abbie's courage:

“First and foremost, I would like to commend the victim for the courage she has shown throughout. Whilst I am grateful that she was spared the ordeal of having to go through a trial, preparing for it understandably left her feeling extremely stressed and scared. She continues to be deeply affected by Khalafi’s actions to this day. I’d also like to thank the investigation team for their hard work in bringing the case to court and securing a conviction. A sexual predator is now behind bars as a result.”

A Hertfordshire Constabulary spokeswoman added:

“Being a victim of a sexual offence is never your fault. If you’ve been a victim, no matter how long ago the offence occurred, please report it. We have specialist officers on hand to provide advice and support throughout an investigation.”

Description

A man has been jailed for four years and eight months after previously admitting to child sexual offences.

Calin Rus, 47, of Hatfield, appeared at St Albans Crown Court for sentencing on Friday 23 January 2026.

He had pled guilty to the following charges at court on Tuesday 16 September last year:  

• Attempting to arrange/facilitate sexual activity with a child under 13
• Being in possession and distributing an indecent image of a child
• Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child

HHJ Johnson handed Rus custodial sentences totalling four years and eight months for all three counts, to run concurrently, and he will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order upon release.

He came to the attention of Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Child Online Safeguarding Team following intelligence disseminated by the National Crime Agency where the user of a Snapchat account had uploaded child sexual abuse material.

He arranged to watch the live-streamed sexual abuse of whom he believed to be a 10-year-old girl, when in reality he was engaging with another adult user.

Rus was arrested in connection with the offences at a commercial premises on Market Place, Hatfield, on Thursday 14 August 2025, and remanded into custody the following day.

Investigator Julia Stone, who investigated Rus’ offending, said:

“Rus discussed in very graphic terms the sexual abuse of a 10-year-old child and attempted to minimise his behaviour by describing it as fantasy.

“In a well-coordinated joint approach with other law enforcement agencies, the Child Online Safeguarding Team were able to quickly locate Rus and arrest him just as he was preparing to watch the abuse live.

“All online sexual offences against children cause lasting harm to victims and families, and they place heavy demands on safeguarding and justice systems. They also undermine trust in online spaces and can fuel wider criminal activity across the world.”