Latest Offenders Merseyside

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Simon Allen, one of three men convicted of murdering grandmother Jackie Rutter—who was shot on her doorstep in Moreton, Wirral, in October 2022—has been revealed as a convicted child sex offender, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Allen, James Byrne, and David Harrison were unanimously found guilty of murder at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, January 28. Barrie Glynn was convicted of manslaughter by a 10-2 majority. All four were also unanimously convicted of possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, plus arson. The jury deliberated for 15 hours and 15 minutes; sentencing is set for Thursday.

Prosecutors alleged the shooting stemmed from a "robbery" or "taxing" after Rutter's sons, Peter and Steven, stole a mobile phone used by Byrne and Preston Connolly for their "JJ Line" drug-dealing operation. In opening statements, Nigel Power KC described it as a "targeted revenge attack in the heat of a dispute over drugs," not mistaken identity.

Allen, 55, of no fixed address, has prior firearm convictions from 2003 and 2020. He told the court he "just found guns extremely nice to look at."

In November 2023, Allen was jailed for 3.5 years for downloading 250 indecent images and videos of children, some of which he sent to four others, as reported by the Wirral Globe. This followed a 2015 conviction that placed him on the sex offenders' register for 10 years—a condition he breached by traveling to the Netherlands with Byrne and Connolly without notifying police. He also has Dutch convictions for extreme pornographic images and drug offenses.

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A Wirral man has been jailed for ten years after being found guilty of non-recent sex offences.

Craig Middleton, 53, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 21 January) after being convicted of two counts of rape.

The offences occurred in 2009 at two properties in Leeds against a woman aged in her 20s, but it formed part of a Merseyside Police investigation.

Detective Inspector Peter Rexwinkel said:

“I hope this sentencing reassures our communities that we take all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously, no matter how long ago they occurred.

“We will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of those who commit serious sexual offences and time is no barrier to an investigation.

“I want to praise the victim in this case who had to undergo the added trauma of a trial after Middleton denied the offences.

“Thankfully a jury saw through his lies and he is now starting a lengthy prison sentence for his appalling offences.

“Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting anyone from violence and sexual abuse.

“Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us.

“We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports, and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

“We urge anyone who is a victim of any form sexual abuse to please report this to police, as we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.

“We take all such reports extremely seriously, and in addition, work with partner organisations such as Victim care Support Service and RASA who are there to support victims of this crime.”

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We can confirm a former officer has been jailed for two years in prison following a Merseyside Police investigation.

Former Detective Constable John Rigby appeared at Chester Crown Court today (Friday 16 January) after pleading guilty to paying for the sexual services of a boy aged 16/17 and three counts of causing a computer to perform a function to secure/enable unauthorised access to a program/data.

An accelerated Misconduct Hearing was held on Wednesday 17 December, which was chaired by Chief Constable Rob Carden, when he was formally dismissed.

It was found he had breached the standards of professional behaviour in terms of authority, respect and courtesy as well as discreditable conduct.

Rigby was arrested on Thursday 6 November and the following day he was charged and remanded and pleaded guilty on 7 November.

He appeared in Chester Crown Court today where he was sentenced to two years for paying for the sexual services of the boy and one year for the computer misuse offences, to be served concurrently. He was additionally served with a restraining order relating to the victim.

Detective Inspector Stephen Croasdale from the force Child Criminal and Sexual Exploitation Team, who led the investigation, said:

“Merseyside Police carried out a swift and thorough investigation into the actions of former Det Con John Rigby as soon as the allegations came to light.

“We were able to gather enough evidence to prove his offending, leaving him no choice but to admit what he had done.

“It’s only right that he now spends time in prison, when I hope he reflects on his crimes and the impact it has caused.

“Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting young people from sexual abuse and stopping those who seek to do them harm.

“As you can imagine for victims of such an appalling crime, the impact on them is significant and long-lasting.

“We urge anyone who is a victim of any form of sexual abuse to please report this to police, and specially trained officers will listen to you and treat you with sensitivity and compassion throughout the entire legal process and beyond.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Sarbjit Kaur, head of Merseyside Police's professional standards department, added:

“Former Detective Constable John Rigby was rightly dismissed at an accelerated Misconduct Hearing due to the serious offences he admitted.

“The overwhelming majority of people who work for Merseyside Police join the force to support and help the public and they serve our communities with compassion and integrity on a daily basis.

“We will not allow individuals to damage the good name built up by the vast majority of our officers who do an exemplary job and serve our communities with compassion, integrity and professionalism.

“I would also like to reassure the public that as soon as he admitted the offences, his salary was stopped and he hasn’t received any payment from Merseyside Police since this date.

"We cannot afford to have officers and staff working for us who do not uphold the highest levels of professionalism, honesty and integrity and will always be robust in dealing with officers, or staff, whose conduct is unacceptable.

"It is vital that we as a police force maintain the public’s trust and confidence and ensure that officers and staff throughout the force realise the importance of maintaining standards and working with honesty and integrity.

"The public quite rightly have high expectations of police officers and Merseyside Police is committed to meeting those expectations by demanding high standards of professionalism, honesty and integrity.”

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A convicted rapist kicked a stranger in the head outside a bar, mistakenly believing the victim was also a sex offender.

Christopher Lawton threw Damon Birch out of Perry's Bar in St Helens and left him unconscious on the pavement after a vicious boot to the face.

The attack stemmed from a woman's claim inside the pub that Mr. Birch had raped her and served time for it, though prosecutors confirmed he had no such convictions. In contrast, Lawton was jailed for 12 years in 2004 for raping and indecently assaulting a mother and daughter, an ordeal a judge called "every woman's worst nightmare."

Liverpool Crown Court heard on Thursday that Merseyside Police responded to the September 30 incident around 11:30 p.m., finding Mr. Birch on the ground with shoulder and head pain. Prosecutor Laura Atherton said CCTV showed Lawton, 45, of Mount Pleasant Avenue, pushing the victim out, then kicking him in the head before walking away. Mr. Birch was unconscious for up to four minutes.

Hospital scans revealed extensive bruising to his chest and abdomen, but no fractures. He recalled little, having gone out for a smoke after drinking with a friend.

In a victim statement read to the court, Mr. Birch said: "At the beginning, I was struggling to lay down due to the uncontrollable pain I was in. I'm frightened to do day to day things, even going to St Helens town centre. I can't even walk past or be around Perry's Bar. It really triggers me. If I was to see the male, I would run. I can't understand why this would happen to me. I'm constantly scared and anxious. I feel the assault has taken my independence away. I can't relax going out. I'm constantly looking behind me."

Lawton had prior youth convictions for assault and ABH. Defense counsel Isabella Denn-White said: "Obviously, the defendant has a serious set of convictions, but dating back to 2004. He was released in 2012 and has been out of trouble since. He has got positive factors in his life. His partner supports him in court. Importantly, and he expressed it again today, he is extremely remorseful. He recognises the impact on the victim. He tells me that he is his mum's carer. His mum is sadly passing away of cancer and has about three months to live. He cares for her daily. He has not worked since 2015 after a diagnosis of paranoid psychosis. He is now on medication and working through that with professionals and the support of his partner. It was an alcohol-related lapse in judgement. It is clearly an issue with alcohol here, and bad decision making."

Lawton admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Wearing a black Hugo Boss polo shirt, he blew a kiss to his girlfriend in the gallery before being led to the cells.

Judge Ian Harris sentenced him to 18 months' imprisonment and a 10-year restraining order, saying: "You pushed Mr Birch out of the bar. His recollection is going outside for a smoke. He then remembers nothing, apart from being struck on the floor. He was defenceless, and you kicked him forcefully to the head on the floor. The victim describes constant pain in his shoulder, headaches, having a massive bruise down his ribs. He describes the mental and emotional impact as rendering him frightened to do day to day things, even going to St Helens town centre. The commission of this offence while heavily intoxicated is a factor that increases the seriousness. The plain fact is that you kicked this man to the head, causing him to become senseless for a period of some minutes. Fortunately for you, there were no long term physical difficulties. In mitigation, there is your guilty plea. The pre-sentence report indicates that you suffer from anxiety and paranoid psychosis. Your mother, sadly, is unwell. This was a vicious attack on a defenceless individual. By your own admission, you were heavily intoxicated. You kicked a defenceless man to his head when he was on the floor, causing him to become unconscious. The only appropriate punishment, in my judgement, is immediate imprisonment for this type of offending."

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A man from Haydock who subjected his victim to years of sexual and physical abuse was jailed yesterday (Monday 12 January).

Alan Earwaker, aged 35, from Haydock has been jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour and rape offences.

As well as a prison sentence, Earwaker was also handed an indefinite restraining order against the victim and an indefinite notification requirement.

The victim reported several incidents to Merseyside Police. Earwaker was then arrested in June 2025 and charged with rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, stalking, assault by beating, intentional strangulation, criminal damage, threats to kill, public order and common assault.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Greame Kehoe said:

“Earwaker abused, threatened, stalked and sexually assaulted his victim.

“Despite his horrific crimes she bravely reported these incidents to our officers and gave several lengthy statements that ensured his prison sentence.

“I would like to praise the courage and dignity shown by the victim throughout the investigation and court proceedings.

“I hope this sentencing shows and reassures the public how seriously the courts take these offences and how Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting anyone from violence and sexual abuse.

“Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us. 

“We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports, and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

“We urge anyone who is a victim of any form sexual abuse to please report this to police, as we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.

“We take all such reports extremely seriously, and in addition, work with partner organisations such as Victim care Support Service and RASA who are there to support victims of this crime.”

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Edward Griffith-Davies, 42, photographed a young boy naked to gain entry to a depraved Telegram pedophile group, described by prosecutor Joshua Gorst as "effectively an organised criminal group engaging in the sexual abuse of children." The images showed the child holding a handwritten sign with the forum's name, and Griffith-Davies expressed a "desire to engage in further sexual activity" with the boy.

Over more than a decade since 2011, he joined five disturbing online forums—including four focused on child abuse and one on bestiality—while amassing over 300 category A indecent images of children (the most serious), 300 category B, and more than 500 category C. In a six-month span, he distributed 27 category A images and videos plus 10 category B ones. His collection also included six prohibited images of children and 24 extreme pornographic images involving animals.

Griffith-Davies, formerly of St Helens and now of Brytirion in Bedwas, South Wales, showed "regret and remorse," per his lawyer Isabelle Haddad, amid mental health issues and no prior convictions. He admitted causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, two counts of distributing indecent images, three of making them, possession of prohibited images, and possession of extreme pornographic images.

Appearing via video link to Liverpool Crown Court in a grey prison jumper, he wept during the hearing and was jailed for four years and four months. Judge Gary Woodhall noted: "The group was building a pool of individuals with access to children who were no doubt then to be targeted in some form. It seems that, very quickly, you were made an administrator or moderator."

The judge highlighted the "profound impact" on the victim, Griffith-Davies' "frank admissions of seeking to gain indecent images of children," and his "genuine regret and remorse," while acknowledging his "obvious sexual interest in children" but no "overt sexual assault." The defendant intended "to obtain sexual gratification."

Griffith-Davies received a 15-year restraining order barring contact with the victim or entry to St Helens, an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, and lifelong sex offender registration.

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A serial paedophile from St Helens has been jailed today, on Thursday 18 December, after pleading guilty to child sex offences.

Melvin Miller, of no fixed address but formerly from Somerset, was sentenced to 11 years and four months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty to the offences. He will also be on the sex offender register for life.

In August detectives charged 50-year-old Miller with five counts of historical Rape against a girl under 13 to which he subsequently pleaded guilty.

Detective Sergeant Emma O’Toole said:

“Miller was already serving a 16-year prison sentence in 2020 after pleading guilty to 30 offences against two girls.

“He subsequently admitted further offences in 2022 and was handed a further 15-year sentence to be served concurrently. Following a lengthy investigation Miller was charged with further offences to which he pleaded guilty and today he was given a further 11 years in prison to be served concurrently.

“I would like to praise the courage and dignity shown by his victim throughout the investigation.

“Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and those who seek to do them harm.

“I would like to take this opportunity to stress that if you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, or know of a child being abused, please come forward and report this to police. 

“We take all such reports extremely seriously and if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.”

08/05/2022

A CONVICTED paedophile has pleaded guilty to further sexual offences against a young girl.

Melvin Miller, 46 and originally from St Helens, was jailed in April 2020 for 17 years after pleading guilty to 35 sexual offences against two girls.

While he was in prison, one of the girls he abused told an adult about other rapes that she was subjected to by the defendant on a regular basis.

Police made further investigations and found a video on the hard drive of Millers computer that showed him raping her.

The evidence was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service and authorisation was given for Miller to be charged with further offences

Today (March 8, 2022) at Liverpool Crown Court, Miller pleaded guilty to offences of rape, attempted rape and taking indecent images of a child.

He will be sentenced at a later date.

In a statement Senior Crown Prosecutor Mairead Neeson, a specialist lawyer with CPS Mersey Cheshires Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) unit, said: The video evidence of the abuse of this very young girl found on the hard drive of Melvins Millers computer was harrowing and revealed the level of depravity he had inflicted upon her.

This young girl could not possibly have understood what she was being forced into she was just a means to an end for Miller.

"The feelings and emotions of this young child meant nothing to him. She now has to find a way forward in her life, having suffered such trauma.

She was unable to disclose the full extent of the abuse she had suffered when Miller was prosecuted in 2020, given her tender years and the inherent difficulty that exists for very young children to voice matters of such an intimate nature.

"This often happens. It is not unusual for children to deny the abuse they have suffered or be silent as to what has happened.

"It often takes years for victims of sexual abuse to vocalise what has happened to them. She has been exceptionally brave in coming forward despite still being a very young child.

The Crown Prosecution Service works hard to support the victims of child sexual abuse and their families and help them through the criminal justice system. Time is no barrier to a prosecution.

"We will listen to victims, no matter how long ago the offending took place.

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A man has been jailed for 12 years after raping a woman in Wirral.

Sean Duffin, 46, of no fixed abode, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today (Wednesday 17 December) after being found guilty of rape, sexual assault and non-fatal strangulation.

The offences occurred at an address in Wirral against a woman in July 2023.

As well as a prison sentence, Duffin was also handed a lifetime restraining order and placed on the Sex Offender Register for life.

Detective Sergeant Rebecca Robinson said:

“Duffin continually denied what he did and put his victim through the trauma of having to relive the experience by way of a trial.

“While no sentence will repair the damage Duffin inflicted on his victim, I hope this conviction has secured some justice for her. I would like to praise the courage and dignity shown by the victim throughout the investigation.

“I hope this sentencing shows and reassures the public how seriously the courts take these offences and how Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting anyone from violence and sexual abuse.

“Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us. 

“We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports, and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

“We urge anyone who is a victim of any form sexual abuse to please report this to police, as we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.

“We take all such reports extremely seriously, and in addition, work with partner organisations such as Victim care Support Service and RASA who are there to support victims of this crime.”

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A man from Clock Face has been jailed for 12 years for child sex offences.

Christopher Evans, 63, of Clock Face Road, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today (Friday 12 December) when he was sentenced after being found guilty of two counts of sexual assault.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to possession of indecent images and causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The offences relate to the same victim between 2023 and 2024.

Detective Constable Robyn Reid said:

“Evans’ offences were utterly depraved and I’m sure anyone reading this will feel disgust and anger that someone could do this to a child.

“This was a shocking case and the sexual abuse of children is one of the most heinous crimes we tackle as a police force.

“As you can imagine for victims of such an appalling crime, the impact on them is significant and long-lasting. It’s only right that Evans has been given a lengthy prison sentence.

“Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and stopping those who seek to do them harm.

“We have a dedicated Child & Criminal Sexual Exploitation Team whose sole focus is on protecting young people and bringing perpetrators to justice.

“We urge anyone who is a victim of any form of sexual abuse to please report this to police, and specially trained officers will listen to you and treat you with sensitivity and compassion throughout the entire legal process and beyond.

“We also work with a range of partner organisations who are there to further support victims.”

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A  21 year-old man from New Brighton has been jailed after making indecent images of children and sharing them online.

Yesterday (Thursday 20 November) Charlie Clark of Vaughan Road was sentenced to two years and four months at Liverpool Crown Court for eight counts of malicious communications - sending offensive/indecent/obscene/menacing material via a public communications network, making an image of a child, offences under section 2 of the UK's Computer Misuse Act 1990 and three counts of possession of criminal drug including ketamine and MDMA.

Clark was also handed indefinite restraining orders for life against four of his victims and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. He will be required to sign the sex offenders' register for the next decade.

This follows an online report from a victim of Clark made in September 2023 who discovered that images of her had been uploaded to a website. The following day, a friend informed her that the images had been posted by Clark who when confronted via Instagram by the victim and admitted responsibility.

The victim also reported that Clark had accessed her Snapchat account without permission and downloaded images from her private folder, which he later uploaded online. He also extracted publicly available images from her social media profiles, edited some of them, and published them online along with derogatory comments targeting her and other females. One of the uploaded images depicted the victim at the age of just 16. Clark confirmed his actions via Instagram direct message.

Clark deleted his social media accounts but data was successfully recovered from cached sources and he was arrested on suspicion of offences under Section 2 of the Computer Misuse Act (CMA) and making a pseudo-image of a child. A search of his home address led to a further arrest on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug.

Following his arrest, seven more victims came forward, reporting that their images had also been uploaded online by Clark.

Detective Inspector John Black of the Cybercrime Investigation Unit said:

“Clark clearly had a shocking disregard for his victim’s privacy and the trauma his actions caused them.

“Following a detailed forensic examination of his device, officers uncovered an overwhelming amount of evidence relating to manipulated indecent images of his victims. The device also showed usage of deepfake-related platforms and emails impersonating staff from adult websites.

“Not only was Clark creating these images, but he was also found to have online social media accounts and access to adult websites that shared the photos.

“Each of his victims have shown immeasurable bravery in coming forward and telling us exactly what happened to them.

“I would like to thank them for supporting our investigation during what has been a difficult and distressing trial. It is thanks to them that Clark is now behind bars for his numerous crimes.”

Detective Constable Kirsty Carter added:

“Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting children and women from online sexual abuse.

“The impact on them can be significant and long-lasting.

“If you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, or know of a child being abused, please come forward and report this to police.

“We take all such reports extremely seriously and if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.”

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A convicted pedophile who filmed himself repeatedly raping two young girls boasted about committing "the worst sex crimes imaginable."

Daniel Wolfe, 40, waged a months-long "campaign of rape" against the victims in north Sefton, sharing the footage with other pedophiles online.

Wolfe also conspired via Telegram with two unidentified accomplices to abuse one girl further. He was exposed after confiding his interest in children to an undercover officer on a Reddit forum.

At Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, Wolfe was sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to 35 offenses, including 28 counts of rape. Judge Simon Medland KC told him: "You robbed them of their innocence and you robbed them of their childhood."

Prosecutor Frances Willmott said Wolfe told the officer in late November 2024 about his "shared perversions," specifying interest in children aged three and up, with a "sweet spot for girls between eight and 14." Arrested on December 4, 2024, Wolfe's devices revealed child sexual abuse images; he was rearrested on May 29, 2025, at his parents' home in Skelmersdale.

Wolfe raped his older victim over 20 times, forcing her to "perform" for the camera and sometimes film herself. He also raped the younger victim multiple times. Telegram chats from July 18 to August 14, 2024, showed Wolfe plotting abuse, telling his co-conspirators: "Look at us planning one of the worst sex crimes imaginable and getting horny about it." The meeting was canceled due to illness.

Wolfe took "several thousand images" of the victims, distributed some, and showed interest in bestiality. Devices had gaps in conversations with "closest paedo mates," suggesting self-deleting messages.

The victims suffered profound psychological harm: the older was "quiet, withdrawn [and] refused to speak about the defendant," fearing threats like "shave my skin or hair off but I still did things to please him." The younger appeared "upset and appears frightened about her life."

Wolfe had no prior convictions but a 2012 caution for indecent child images. Defense counsel Oliver Saddington noted the case's "utmost gravity" but highlighted Wolfe's "admissions and candour," remorse, and efforts to address "unhealthy sexual behaviours."

Judge Medland described Wolfe as outwardly "quiet-living, bland, maybe even boring" but inwardly a "vicious, determined, repeatedly active child abuser who revelled in it." Calling it the "most serious case of this type" he'd seen, the judge said the victims' impact would be "profound and lifelong... at the front or back of their mind until the day they die."

Wolfe must serve at least 14 years before parole eligibility, register as a sex offender indefinitely, and comply with a lifelong sexual harm prevention order.

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A man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for child sex offences committed in Southport.

Marcin Laskowski, 39 years, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Tuesday 7 October, to 14 years in prison with six years extended licence thereafter. He was also issued with an indefinite restraining order against the victim, an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and is required to sign the Sex Offender Register for life.

Today’s sentencing relates to child sex offences Laskowski (of no fixed address but lived in Southport) committed in January where he had engaged in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl.

Laskowski was found guilty of two counts of rape, assault by penetration and sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 following a trial in July.

Detective Inspector Tony Meakins of the Child & Criminal Sexual Exploitation Team said: “Laskowski preyed on a vulnerable child he had met by chance in Southport town centre and offered her a place to stay, where she thought she would be safe and trusted him. However once inside the flat he sexually assaulted and raped her despite her pleas to stop. She was left scared and frightened of what would happen to her.

“The victim and her family have showed immense courage and bravery throughout the investigation to reach this conviction.

“Today’s custodial sentence has removed him from the streets to prevent further harm to anyone else. I hope Laskowski spends this time in prison to reflect on his abhorrent behaviour and accepts that it is wrong.”

Detective Inspector Meakins added:

“I hope this sentencing encourages other victims to come forward and report sex offences to us, and they have confidence in us, as a police force, to take reports seriously where we will ensure offenders are put before the courts so that they can pay for their crimes.

“Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us.

“We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports, and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

“We urge anyone who is a victim of any form sexual abuse to please report this to police, as we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.

“We take all such reports extremely seriously, and in addition, work with partner organisations such as Victim care Support Service and RASA who are there to support victims of this crime.”

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A man from Bootle has been jailed for 21 years for rape and multiple sexual offences.

Michael Senior, 32, from Bootle, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today (Friday 19 September) after being found guilty of the following offences:

• Five counts of rape
• Two counts of sexual activity with a child
• Two counts of sexual assault
• Two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity

He was also convicted of making indecent images of a child, distributing indecent images of a child and possession of extreme pornography, which he had pleaded guilty to before the trial.

It follows a complex investigation into a report that a 12-year-old boy had first been subjected to a serious sexual offence in 2013. There were further reports of sexual offences against the same person across a ten-year period.

As well as a prison sentence, Senior has also been placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for life and given a 20-year restraining order.

See below for an extract of a Victim Personal Statement read in court:

“Throughout the whole process, the investigation and the trial, Senior denied all the allegations put against him.

“This only enhanced the upset and trauma for the survivor of his appalling crimes and I sincerely hope this sentencing brings him some comfort.

“Thankfully the jury saw through Senior’s lies and found him guilty. He will now rightly spend a considerable amount of time in prison when he can reflect on his heinous actions.

“Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and those who seek to do them harm.

“If you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, or know of a child being abused, please come forward and report this to police.”

Georgiana Panteli of the Crown Prosecution Service Mersey-Cheshire said:

“Over the course of a decade, Senior inflicted unimaginable trauma and it is testament to the extraordinary courage of the victim in coming forward that this abuser has been brought to justice.

“Working closely with Merseyside Police, we were able to show the jury how Senior violently threatened and intimidated his victim in an attempt to keep them silent.

“Despite Senior’s continued denial, we proved how he had lied about aspects of the case, including contradicting his own police interview when testifying in court.

“I hope today’s outcome sends a clear message that the CPS will relentlessly pursue those who sexually exploit children, and victims can be confident they will be heard, supported, and taken seriously.”

Description

We can confirm a man has been jailed for 18 years for rape and child sex offences in St Helens between 2008 and 2016.

Thomas Suffler, 50, of Fry Street, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday (Monday 15 September) after being found guilty of three counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and two counts of causing/inciting sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15.

It follows reports that a girl had been subjected to these offences on multiple occasions between 2008 and 2016.

As well as a prison sentence, Suffler has also been placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for life.

Detective Constable Matthew Rimmer said:

“I hope the sentencing of Suffler shows that time is no barrier in reporting offences to Merseyside Police and we will take every report extremely seriously, regardless of when it occurred.

“I would like to commend the victim for coming forward and reporting the heinous crimes committed by Suffler. This result was only possible thanks to her determination and bravery.

“She was also forced to go through a trial after he denied the offences, but thankfully a jury saw through his lies and he was rightly convicted.”

Constable Clare Odgear added:

“Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and those who seek to do them harm.

“As you can imagine for victims of such an appalling crime, the impact on them is significant and long-lasting.

“If you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, or know of a child being abused, please come forward and report this to police.

“We take all such reports extremely seriously and if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.”

Description

Pervert sex attacker targeted girl on train and said 'you're game'

Nathan Russell, a 28-year-old man with no fixed abode, sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl on a train in March 2020. While intoxicated, he boarded the train at Leasowe station, engaged the girl in conversation after his friend left, mentioned his prison history, and proceeded to stroke her thigh for about 10 minutes, attempt to kiss her (which she dodged), and touch her sexually over her clothes. He asked if she was "game," implying sexual interest, despite her refusals. The girl moved his hand away, and he did not persist further.

Russell has a extensive criminal record with 40 previous convictions for 59 offenses, including battery, prior sexual assault (touching a 17-year-old girl at a train station in 2018, leading to a seven-year sex offender registration), and drunk and disorderly conduct. At the time of the train assault, he was on bail for an earlier January 2020 incident where he punched and kicked a man in Birkenhead after being denied alcohol or money. He also breached sex offender register rules by failing to report weekly as required after declaring homelessness.

In a victim impact statement, the girl described severe effects: PTSD, sleep issues, fear of further attacks, avoidance of going out alone, and ongoing therapy, noting a shift from being sociable to withdrawn.

At Liverpool Crown Court on July 20, 2020, Russell pleaded guilty to sexual assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and breaching the register. His defense highlighted his alcohol dependency, remorse (calling his actions "disgusting"), vulnerability after his mother's 2017 death, and unstable living situation ("sofa to sofa"). Judge David Swinnerton sentenced him to 28 months in prison (half on license), a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and 10 years on the sex offenders register.

Update 2025-09-11

A convicted sex offender is back behind bars after stealing food from a Wirral branch of B&M.

Nathan Russell, 33, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Magistrates Court to charges of theft from a shop and failing to comply with the notification requirements of his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

The court heard that Russell, of no fixed abode, stole food worth £34.22 from B&M in Wirral on Friday, September 5, 2025.

At the time of the offence, Russell was subject to both a community order (CO) and a suspended sentence order (SSO).

He also admitted failing without reasonable excuse to comply with the notification requirements of his SHPO by not notifying police at Birkenhead Police Station within three days of his release from custody.

The magistrates sentenced him to eight weeks in prison for his latest offences.

Russell was made subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order after sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl on a train in Wirral five years ago.

The court heard how, on Sunday, March 1, 2020, at around 8pm, his 16-year-old victim spotted Russell carrying a case of beer, swigging from a can, and arguing with a member of station staff at Leasowe station as she waited to board her train.

Russell and another man, whom the victim assumed to be his friend, boarded the train and sat in the same carriage as the girl.

When Russell’s friend left the train, Russell switched seats to move closer to the victim and began engaging her in conversation.

During the conversation, the girl began to feel increasingly uncomfortable as Russell touched her inappropriately—an ordeal that lasted over 10 minutes.

His terrified victim was afraid to challenge Russell, as he had told her he had served time in prison.

In a previous incident, Russell had touched a 17-year-old girl at a train station, which resulted in a conviction and him signing the sex offenders register for seven years.

He was sentenced to 28 months in prison for the 2020 offence.