Search results for Lancashire

Description

Clitheroe man jailed for eight years after raping woman

In June 2022, the victim woke to find Wood raping her. When she told him to get off, he repeatedly laughed at her.

The attack happened at the victim’s home in East Lancashire.

Wood was arrested the same day and denied the offence.

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, 35-year-old Wood was charged with rape.

He continued to deny the offence but was found guilty by a jury at Preston Crown Court on Friday 11th September.

Wood, of Kay Street, Clitheroe, returned to the same court on Friday (23rd October) where he was jailed for eight years and four months and given a 20-year restraining order.

Det Con Sarah Riley, of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Team, said:

“Wood took advantage of his victim while she was in an extremely vulnerable state. 

“He knew she was not consenting to what he was doing and continued his lies during his police interview and throughout the trial. The jury saw through those lies and delivered a guilty verdict.

“I want to take this opportunity to praise the victim for her bravery throughout this process and for trusting the police to hold the man who raped her to account and put him before the courts.

“I hope the outcome of this case encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward, confident that you will be believed and listened to, and that we will do everything in our powers to put the perpetrator before the courts.”

Description

A man has today been found guilty of murdering his stepdaughter, who he was sexually obsessed with.

Carla Georgescu (pictured below) was found dead in her student accommodation on her 20th birthday, after the defendant Nathan Owens had travelled from Hartlepool the night before to kill her.

Carla had her whole life ahead of her. She was described by a professional as ‘intelligent, gentle and articulate’. She was a student in Preston, studying Clinical Psychology at undergraduate, with plans for the future to take post-graduate studies in Romania. Carla had friends, in fact, she was meant to travel to Romania the day after she was found, with her friend to meet her boyfriend the first time.

Owens took all of that away from her.

The weekend before she was killed, Carla’s mum came to Preston to stay with her – they shopped together, went out for dinner and stayed in Carla’s halls. On the Sunday, Owens travelled from their home in Hartlepool to meet them and they went out for dinner to celebrate Carla’s upcoming birthday.

Unbeknownst to Carla or her mum, Owens had harboured a sexual obsession with her. He had doctored childhood photographs of her to make them indecent images, he had photographed her without her knowledge in their house, and he had filmed himself carrying out sexual acts, on occasion in Carla’s bedroom, and with an effigy.

At around 9pm on 1st February, Carla and her mum said goodbye. Neither of them knew that this would be the last time they saw each other.

In the early hours of 4th February, Owens travelled again to Preston. He didn’t tell Carla’s mum that he was leaving, or where he was going. She had gone to sleep thinking her daughter was safe.

Owens messaged Carla, pretending that he and her mum were coming to pick up a purse her mum had left behind – that was a lie.

Two and a half hours later, he parked in a side street, rather than his usual parking space at the halls of residence. He then covered his head with a blanket, and was let in to the halls by Carla, who still thought he was coming to pick up her mum’s purse.

The CCTV of Carla letting Owens in was the last time she was seen alive.

Owens followed Carla to her room where he subjected her to a violent and sexual assault and killed her. He then staged the scene to look like Carla had taken her own life.

When our officers attended the scene, this was the initial thought, but they quickly became concerned about something untoward at the scene, and further enquiries were conducted.

After killing Carla, Owens left her halls taking a different route, covering his face with a facemask, carrying bags filled with evidence and using Carla’s umbrella and wearing her shoes.

He returned home as though nothing had happened, disposing of the evidence on his route.

Officers attended Owens’ home to inform him and Carla’s mum of her death, and again on our behalf to ask Owens why he had been caught on CCTV at 4am in Carla’s halls. He lied to those officers saying he was there to pick his wife up after she had been visiting. She couldn’t catch him out in his lies as she was asleep upstairs at the time.

Owens was clearly worried he was going to be found out, as he began to make internet searches after the officers left, including ‘i think the police think im guilty’.

Our detectives soon returned to Owens’ address and arrested him on suspicion of Carla’s murder.

Owens (pictured below) was brought to custody, where he was interviewed. During those interviews all he said was a fleeting 

denial that he had anything to do with her death and had caused her no injury.

Following a consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Owens, 34, of no fixed abode, formerly of Hartlepool, was charged with Murder, assault causing grievous bodily harm and intentional strangulation. He was later charged with two counts of making an indecent photograph of a child and taking an indecent photograph of a child. Carla is the victim of all of these charges.

Owens pleaded not guilty to the murder, meaning that the evidence of his crimes, and of Carla’s final moments were played out in court. He chose not to give evidence in the trial, offering no explanation for his actions. Today, after hearing all of the evidence, and deliberating for for just over three hours, a jury convicted him of Carla’s murder. He previously admitted to the counts of making an indecent photograph of a child.

He will appear back in the dock tomorrow (23rd October) to be sentenced.

DI Pete Macdonald, of our Force Major Investigation Team said:

“Carla was a young woman with her whole life ahead of her, a life that was taken away by someone she should have been able to trust.

“Owens had a despicable, perverted sexual obsession with his stepdaughter, an obsession that ended with him killing her. He has now been brought to justice for his crimes.

“I thank the jury for returning a guilty verdict, as well as the prosecution counsel, Nicholas Lumley K.C, Adam Birkby, Barrister, my investigation team and the Crown Prosecution Service for all of their efforts to obtain justice for Carla.

“No verdict brings Carla back, but I hope that her mum and the rest of her loved ones can feel some sense of justice that the man responsible for taking her future away has been brought to justice.”

Description

Muddasier Hussain, 39, Placed on Interim Sex Offenders Register After Admitting Two Sexual Assaults

Muddasier Hussain, 39, of Oldham, Lancashire, pleaded guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to two sexual assaults and has been placed on the sex offenders register on an interim basis.

On 2 December 2024 at around 6:45am, Hussain boarded a number 3 Lothian bus travelling between Dalkeith, Midlothian, and Newington, Edinburgh. The bus was nearly empty. He sat next to a teenage girl who was alone downstairs, despite many vacant seats. Fiscal depute Bruce McCrossan told the court that Hussain began “shuffling in his seat,” moved closer, and ran his fingers up the inside of her inner thigh before leaving the bus. The girl contacted her mother, who reported the matter to police. Officers identified Hussain using CCTV from the bus.

On 5 April 2025 at around 6:50pm, outside a store in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Hussain approached a woman, engaged her in conversation, and asked for a date and her phone number. He then touched her on the breast and on her vagina over her clothing. She called her boyfriend, who arrived, recorded Hussain on his phone, and passed the footage to police.

Defence solicitor Victoria Good reserved mitigation until the sentencing hearing.

Sheriff Gillian Sharp said:

“Given to the nature of the charges I am required to call for a justice social work report and a restriction of liberty order assessment. You will be given a date for sentencing and it is essential you cooperate fully with the preparation of the report.”

The sheriff granted Hussain bail.

Description

A man has been jailed for seven years after sexually assaulting a woman in a pub in Malpas.

Gary Taylor, of Belvedere Road, Burnley, was previously found guilty of one count of assault by penetration on Thursday 16 July 2026.

The 41-year-old appeared back at Chester Crown Count on Thursday 15 October 2026 where he was sentenced to seven years. He must also comply with a restraining order for 10 years.

On the evening of Thursday 18 January 2024, the victim – a woman in her 20s – attended a bar in Old Hall Street, Malpas.

Taylor approached her and the victim described how he had been making sexual references towards her.

When she left the bar area to go up to the accommodation section of the premises, Taylor sexually assaulted her in a bathroom. The victim managed to pull away from him and left the room.

Taylor was arrested at his home address in Burnley two days later and subsequently charged with the offence.

DC Vicki Scott said:

“Taylor has now rightly been handed a significant custodial sentence after taking advantage of a young woman who should have been able to enjoy a night out without enduring such a horrific incident.

“I would again like to thank the victim for her bravery throughout this investigation and subsequent court process, especially after Taylor refused to accept what he had done, and the case went to trial.

“Thankfully the jury found him guilty of his crimes and he is now behind bars.

“If you have been a victim of a sexual offence, you can report information to Cheshire Police by calling 101 or visit our website to report online.”

Description

A man has been given a nine-year sentence for sexually assaulting and attempting to rape a young girl. 

Kyle Tyson was 17 when he committed the offences against the girl – someone he knew - at a wake following a funeral in Preston in May 2022.

His actions had a profound effect on his victim who was only 12 at the time.

In a Victim Personal Statement read to the court at Tyson’s sentencing hearing, the girl said:

“I was a child who should have been able to enjoy life, focus on school and spend time with friends and feel safe within my own family.

“Instead, I was left carrying trauma that I was far too young to comprehend.

“The assault had a serious effect on my mental health. I developed severe anxiety, which became so overwhelming that I could not go to school.

“Eventually, I stopped going because I found it so difficult to cope.

“While other children my age were able to continue their education and enjoy their teenage years, I was struggling with the consequences of what had happened to me and at the time, I felt like I had no one to turn to. There was no one who could help, so I carried this burden myself for what seemed like forever.

“Having to report the abuse and go through the criminal justice process has been difficult.

“Speaking about what happened has forced me to relive some of the most painful experiences of my life. Knowing that I would have to give evidence and talk about this has caused me anxiety and distress.

“There have been times when I have felt overwhelmed by the process, but I knew it was important to tell the truth. I should never have been put in a position where I had to choose between staying silent and reliving my trauma in order to seek justice.”

Tyson, 20, formerly of Hillside Crescent, Chorley, was found guilty by a jury of attempted rape of a child under 13 and of sexual assault after a trial in June.

Appearing at Preston Crown Court Sessions House last Friday, he was given a nine-year sentence, comprising six years custody and three years on extended licence.

Tyson was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and made subject of a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Det Con Nikki Houghton of Lancashire Police, said:

“This was an horrendous and traumatic ordeal for the young victim.

“I hope that Kyle Tyson being convicted of these serious offences and given a significant custodial sentence brings her a sense of justice.

“If you have been the victim of a sexual offence, please report it. Lancashire Police will listen to you, support you and investigate in order to put offenders before the courts.”

Description

A man has been jailed for raping a young woman. 

Brian Matthews committed the offence at the victim’s home in East Lancashire.

She was described as vulnerable, with Matthews known to her.

In the weeks after the rape, Matthews sent Snapchat messages to his victim making admissions to the offence but saying it was her word against his.

When interviewed by our officers investigating the rape, he denied sending the messages.

However, officers were able to prove Matthews was the sender of the messages after tracing locations when the messages were sent from.

Matthews, 23, formerly of Nuttall Street, Accrington, was found guilty by a jury at Burnley Crown Court of a charge of raping a woman over the age of 16 following a week-long trial in June.

Returning to the same court for sentence today, Matthews was jailed for six years and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

He was also made subject of a 15-year restraining order regarding his victim who cannot be named as victims of sexual offences have lifetime anonymity.

Det Con Dan Healey of East Division’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team, said:

“Brian Matthews committed this abhorrent offence and I’m glad that the jury saw past his denials and convicted him.

“His victim had to relive her ordeal in court by giving evidence.

“If you have been the victim of sexual offences, please report it – Lancashire Police will listen to you, support you and thoroughly investigate so that we can put offenders before the court.”

Description

Clitheroe sex offender jailed after indecent images found on laptop

Richard De’Andrade, 56, of Duck Street, Clitheroe, has been jailed after police found indecent images of children on a laptop seized during monitoring of a sexual harm prevention order.

De’Andrade was already subject to that order after a 2016 suspended sentence at Leeds Crown Court for making indecent images.

On 19 February last year, officers attended his home and seized a laptop. Forensic examination found one category A image, one category B image and 23 category C images of children.

Prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, Paul Brookwell said the images were in thumbnail form, which meant De’Andrade had previously viewed them in full. Police also recovered a USB stick concealed under a tray that had not been made available for inspection, breaching the existing order. Analysis of the USB found no offending material.

De’Andrade admitted the offences. Defending, Bob Elias offered little mitigation, describing the offences as “unpleasant,” and asked the court to consider the defendant’s ill health and that he is awaiting a heart operation.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Maher said: “You are a person with considerable technical ability and experience in the field of cyber security and computing.

“It may be a relatively small number of images, but people like you create a demand for this filth, so you contribute to the continued harm of the children depicted.”

De’Andrade was sentenced to 16 months in prison. The previous sexual harm prevention order was quashed and replaced with a new 15-year order. He will also be subject to sex offender notification requirements for 15 years. A deprivation order was made for the laptop and USB stick.

Description

A man from Burnley has been jailed for breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

In 2019 Eamon Brewster was made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

As part of the conditions of his SHPO, Brewster was required to register any new devices with police within three days of purchase.

In August this year, officers attended Brewster’s home address to carry out a home compliance visit. During this visit they discovered a new laptop belonging to Brewster which he had not made them aware of.

Following enquiries, it was established that the laptop had been used for the last few weeks. As a result, Brewster was arrested for breaching his SHPO.

Brewster, 70, formerly of Parker Lane, Burnley appeared at Preston Crown Court for sentence on Saturday 15th August having pleaded guilty to one count of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. 

He was jailed for a year.

PC Anthony Hogan of the Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders team at East Division said:

“Brewster breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order by purchasing and using a new laptop without notifying police.

“He disregarded the order imposed on him by the court but was caught out by our team making unannounced visits to monitor his behaviour.

“I welcome the prison sentence handed out, it shows that breaching orders put in place by the court will not be tolerated.”

Description

Kyle Thompson jailed for sexual assaults on two women

Kyle Thompson, 40, of Coniston Avenue, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire, has been jailed after sexually assaulting two women in quick succession.

He appeared at Preston Crown Court charged with three counts of sexual assault on a female and one count of intentional strangulation. The offences took place on 21 February while Thompson was heavily intoxicated.

Thompson arrived at a property and, despite being told to leave, removed his trousers and tried to kiss the first victim. Judge Robert Altham said: “She says you tried to grab her face, and you used such force that you nearly broke her glasses.”

After she escaped, Thompson forced his way in, sexually assaulted a second woman and told her he was a registered sex offender.

Of the impact on the second victim, Judge Altham said: “The effect has been profound. She describes feeling frightened, shocked and sickened during the sexual assaults, and as a result she suffered fear and anxiety and felt it has impacted her health and everyday activities. It has had an impact on her confidence, well-being, and sense of security.”

Rachel Woods, mitigating, said Thompson pleaded guilty, has not drunk alcohol or taken drugs since the incidents, and is now on better terms with his family. She told the court: “He only has himself to blame; he is his own worst enemy. He has been grateful for the period of time in custody to become devoid of drink and drugs; in many ways, his incarceration has brought him and his family back together.”

Thompson was sentenced to four years and eight months, including an additional two months for breaching a suspended sentence.

Description

A registered sex offender has been jailed after indecent images of children and extreme pornography were found on devices belonging to him.

Frazer McDonald (pictured) was given a sexual harm prevention order in 2017 for making indecent images of children.

As part of that order, McDonald was subject to visits from Lancashire Police while living at an address in Pilling. 

In August last year, officers arrested McDonald after receiving information he was in possession of indecent images of children.

Devices were seized from him on that occasion and on subsequent visits.

Examination of those devices found child abuse images involving very young children, and extreme pornography.

McDonald was also found to have breached his sexual harm prevention order by failing to make a smartphone available for inspection and using an online name without registering it with police.

During one of the monitoring visits, he was also found in possession of crystal meth, a Class A controlled drug.

McDonald, 56, formerly of Glenfield Leisure Park, Smallwood Hey Road, Pilling, appeared at Preston Crown Court last week (August 6th) for sentence.

He had pleaded guilty to offences of making indecent images of children, possessing prohibited images of a child, possession of extreme pornography, breaching a sexual harm prevention order, failing to notify under terms of sex offender requirements and possession of crystal meth.

The judge jailed him for three years, made him subject of sex offender notification requirements and imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Constable Adam Weaver of our Monitoring of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) West team, said:

“Frazer McDonald displayed a total disregard to the sexual harm prevention order and sex offender notification requirements.

“He was found with indecent images of children on the devices he held, and extreme pornography – images which are abhorrent and sickening.

“This was a joint investigation involving MOSOVO West and the sexual exploitation team at Lancaster, supported by digital forensics.

“As a result of that work, a high-risk individual has been taken off the streets of Lancashire and sent to prison.”

Description

A man who took indecent images of an unknowing teenage girl has been sentenced by a court.

Liam Bryan (pictured) zoomed in on intimate areas of the girl’s body and had videos and still images on his phone.

He knew the girl and the images were taken in a social setting without her being aware she was being filmed and photographed.

Our investigation began in July last year after Bryan had posted sexual remarks on a Reddit account.

Officers arrested Bryan in Accrington on September 18th and seized his phone.

When the phone was examined, the images of the girl were found.

The images were close-ups of different parts of her body when she was wearing jeans and a vest top.

When officers told the girl about the images found on Bryan’s phone, she was horrified.

Bryan, 26, of Worston Close, Accrington, appeared before Blackburn Magistrates Court this week (August 11th) after pleading guilty to making indecent images of a child.

He was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years, was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years, made subject of a five-year sexual harm prevention order and given a lifetime restraining order regarding his victim.

Bryan was also given an alcohol abstinence order for 60 days.

In a Victim Personal Statement read to the court, the girl said:

“Once the police went through Liam's phone, they later came to tell me Liam had actually taken photographs of me when I was not looking and focused on my bum and chest area, I felt really upset and embarrassed.

“After this day I started to process what Liam had done and as time went on my mental health took a toll.

“I didn't want to leave my bedroom for weeks. I didn't want to talk to anyone or be involved in family activities. I didn't want to be seen in public. I thought everyone was talking about me. The area where I live is a small community news travels fast.”

Detective Constable Beth Turner of the Internet Child Exploitation Team, said: “Liam Bryan’s actions caused a huge amount of distress for his teenage victim.

“Unknown to her, he had taken the indecent images, and it was such a shock to her when she learned what had happened.

“She is a teenage girl who is entitled to go about her life feeling safe and not have someone taking images which she had no idea about at the time.”

Description

A predatory paedophile who raped and sexually abused a girl has been sentenced to 16 years in jail and four years on extended licence.

Robert Douglas was a registered sex offender when he carried out the sexual abuse in the Preston area between December 2025 and February 2026.

The abuse included rape and other sexual offences. In addition to the sexual abuse of the girl, Douglas sent her sexually explicit messages and encouraged her to send them too. As part of their investigation officers found over 1,000 indecent images of children on Douglas’ phone.

Robert Douglas, 26, of Ash Drive, Warton, Preston was convicted of multiple sexual offences after pleading guilty to 17 charges, covering:

• Rape of a child
• Sexual abuse of a child
• Multiple Indecent Image offences (possession of category A, B and C images of young children)

He was sentenced on Monday 20th July at Preston Crown Court to a total of 16 years in custody and four years on extended licence.

He will need to serve two thirds of the 16 year custodial sentence before being eligible for parole. 

The victim’s Dad said:

“My daughter has always been the heart of our family. She was bright, confident, and full of life. Watching her grow into a bright, thoughtful, compassionate and socially vibrant young girl has been one of my greatest joys as her father.

“Since the abuse, everything has changed. The impact on her emotional wellbeing has been devastating. The effects are ongoing, far reaching, and deeply painful. We are doing everything we can to support her, but the road ahead is long, and the consequences of this trauma are present in every corner of our lives.”
Detective Constable Helen Morrison of Lancashire Police said:

“I want to commend the victim's extraordinary bravery. Her courage in coming forward and standing strong throughout this investigation was vital.

“Justice has been served with the sentencing of Douglas, a dangerous paedophile who preyed upon a vulnerable victim. His significant custodial sentence reflects the horrific nature of his actions.

“I want all victims of sexual offences to know that, should they choose to come forward, they will be treated with the utmost sensitivity, professionalism, and respect.

“We hope this result brings the victim some peace and closure as she moves forward with her recovery.”

Description

A man, with links to Waterfoot, is being hunted by police. 

The 41-year-old man is wanted by police for failing to comply with his sex offender notification requirements.

Lee Haslam, also known as 'Manny Lee' or 'Tight', is described as 5ft 6in tall with shoulder-length ginger hair, a moustache and a beard.

He has links to Waterfoot, Salford, Huddersfield, Scarborough and North London.

A police spokesperson said:

"Can you help us find Lee Haslam, who is wanted?

"Haslam, 41, who also uses the alias’ ‘Manny Lee’ and ‘Tight’ is wanted for failing to comply with his Sex Offender Notification Requirements.

"He is 5ft 6in with shoulder-length ginger hair, a moustache and a beard.

"Haslam has links to Waterfoot, Salford, Huddersfield, Scarborough and North London."

For sightings, call 101 or email [email protected] quoting log 290 of July 13.

Description

A man is wanted by police for breaching sex offender notification requirements.

Timothy Talbot, 32, has connections to Blackburn and Darwen and is of slim build, 5ft 7in tall, with light brown hair and short facial hair.

He is also wanted on recall to prison.

A police spokesperson said:

"Have you seen Timothy Talbot?

"Talbot, 32, is wanted for failing to comply with his sex offender notification requirements. He is also wanted on recall to prison.

"He is 5ft 7in tall, of slim build, has light brown hair and short facial hair.

"Talbot has connections to Blackburn and Darwen.

"For any sightings of Talbot, or if you have any information that could help us, please call 101 quoting log 822 of July 14."

Description

A sick pervert who sexually abused two young boys over more than 20 years has been jailed.

Vile David Preedy targeted the vulnerable victims for his own sexual gratification carrying out multiple offences against the youngsters.

His catalogue of offending was exposed after one of the victims bravely came forward last year to report to police what had happened.

And following a complex and sensitive investigation by our officers Preedy was charged.

In January he pleaded guilty to 12 sexual offences committed between August 2001 and December 2024.

Preedy, now 81, formerly of Park Avenue, Burnley appeared at Preston Crown Court on July 3rd where he was jailed for 10 years.

Det Con Elley Ormerod, of Burnley CID, said:

“First and foremost I would like to commend the victims in this case. Without their courage we would not have been able to secure these convictions, and I hope that this lengthy custodial sentence gives them some sense that justice has been done.

“We are committed to making sure those responsible for carrying out sexual abuse like Preedy are held accountable and I hope this gives others who may also have suffered abuse the courage to come forward and speak to us, confident in the knowledge that we will listen, and we will investigate with professionalism and sensitivity.”