Search results for Stoke-on-Trent

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A man has been found guilty of a number of offences including rape and sexual assault following a two-week trial.

A jury found David Andrew Spencer, 46, of Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, guilty of two counts of sexual assault on a female, rape, assault by penetration and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour following a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

He plead guilty to assaulting a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm at the beginning of the trial.

The offences took place between August 2024 and August 2025.

PC Hannah Fisher, of the rape and serious sexual offences unit (RASSO), said:

“Spencer subjected the victim to a prolonged campaign of physical, mental, and sexual abuse and I am glad the jury has convicted him of his crimes.

“I would like to commend the immense bravery of the victim throughout this investigation, and I hope this conviction offers her some form of closure.”

Spencer is due to be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday 30 November.

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A man who raped a woman in Stoke-on-Trent has been jailed for more than a decade.

Shaun Daniels, 38, of no fixed address, was sentenced to ten-years-and-six-months imprisonment at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 29 September).

Following a trial, Daniels was found guilty of two counts of rape, assault by beating and assaulting a person thereby occasioning actual bodily harm.

He had previously pleaded guilty to criminal damage to property valued under £5,000.

On 22 January this year, Daniels raped and assaulted the victim inside an address in Stoke-on-Trent.

Two days later, on 24 January, Daniels assaulted the victim again while they were at Fenton Park.

Members of the public who witnessed the incident reported it to us, prompting an immediate investigation.

As part of his sentence, Daniels was also made subject to the Sex Offenders Register and an indefinite restraining order was imposed to protect the victim.

Detective Constable Jessica Hill, of the public protection unit, led the investigation. She said:

"Daniels denied these offences when he was arrested, but through a thorough investigation we were able to gather compelling evidence that ultimately led to a jury finding him guilty.

"The impact of these violent and sexual offences on the victim should not be underestimated.

“I would like to recognise the courage shown by the victim throughout the investigation and trial process.

“We remain committed to supporting victims of sexual offences and bringing offenders before the courts."

Description

A man from Stoke-on-Trent has been jailed for more than a decade for a string of sexual offences, including raping a woman and sending explicit videos to a girl in Staffordshire.

Dylan Jepson, 22, has been sentenced to 10-years-and-11-months in prison, with a three-year extended licence period, after he was found guilty of rape of a woman. He also admitted a number of offences at three earlier hearings, including nine counts of sexual communication with a child, two counts of causing a child to watch a sex act, three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, one count of attempt sexual communication with a child, two counts of attempting to cause a child to watch a sex act, one count of sending indecent images to cause alarm, distress or humiliation, two counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possession of extreme pornography.

In February 2022, Jepson approached a woman in Tunstall and raped her.

When the incident was reported to us, we went looking for Jepson and arrested him. We examined his phone, which contained a number of indecent images of children and extreme pornographic images.

In October 2024, we recieved a report by a parent to advise she had found messages of a sexual nature on her daughter's mobile phone from a man. Jepson was arrested and interviewed, before being released on bail. 

Then, in August last year, Jepson added a girl on Snapchat and repeatedly asked her to send explicit photos of herself. He also sent her videos of him masturbating. At this point he was arrested and remanded into custody whilst enquiries continued. Further victims were then identified from downloads of his devices. 

He did this all knowing the victim’s ages.

Jepson was brought in for questioning and charged with the offences, which he later admitted in court. He was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Thursday (17 September).

He was also put on the Sex Offenders Register for life and served with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Angela Maxfield, from our child protection team, and Sergeant Emily Raybould, from our police online investigations team (POLIT), worked on the cases. Sgt Raybould said:

“Jepson was prolific in his offending and has rightfully been brought to justice for his catalogue of heinous crimes.

“I hope this sentence provides some form of comfort to the victims in these cases, and I hope it demonstrates that we are working tirelessly to act against sex offenders robustly in Staffordshire.”

Description

A man who previously served a prison sentence for child sexual offences has been jailed again after failing to comply with his register requirements in Stoke-on-Trent.

Mark Sproston, aged 51, of Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to two-years-and-eight-months in prison at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday (14 September) after he admitted two counts of sex offenders register – failing to comply with notification requirements.

We arrested Sproston in May last year after responding to intelligence that he was staying at an address with children inside, which he was banned from doing as part of his Sex Offenders Register requirements.

Officers acted quickly and brought Sproston in for questioning, leading to the charges and his further jail term this week.

Detective Sergeant Paul Edwards, from our Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders team (MOSOVO) said:

“This case demonstrates the robust action that officers are taking against any registered sex offenders in Staffordshire who are breaching their requirements.

“We are working proactively to ensure that registry requirements are closely followed and the risk of potential harm involving registered sex offenders in Staffordshire is addressed quickly and effectively.”

Description

A man has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after he admitted raping a woman in Stoke-on-Trent.

John Williams, 52, from Blurton, Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 3 September) after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to raping a woman aged 16 or over.

It happened inside a house in 2021.

Afterwards, the survivor contacted us and told officers about what had happened.

We went on to secure all the evidence needed to charge Williams with rape.

DC Jessica Ness, from our rape and serious sexual offences unit, said:

“We’re determined to act against those responsible for sexual offences in Staffordshire and to support survivors.

“The survivor in this case has shown tremendous bravery in coming forward and telling us about what happened.”

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A child sex offender from Stoke-on-Trent has been jailed for 10 years.

30-year-old Matthew Dunn, of Bentilee, was jailed today at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court (Friday 28 August) after he admitted one count of the rape of a girl and three counts of sexual assault of a girl.

The offences were reported to us in 2022, prompting an investigation by our public protection unit (PPU).

Officers worked tirelessly to build all of the available evidence against Dunn and to support the survivors in the case, which ultimately led to him pleading guilty to his crimes in court.

Now, Dunn is facing a decade in prison. He has also been given an indefinite restraining order against both survivors and has been served an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

DC Josie Coxon, from PPU, investigated the case. She said:

“Thanks to the bravery of the survivors in this case, Dunn was not able to escape his crimes and has rightfully been put behind bars.

“We are working proactively, night and day, to identify those responsible for these offences and to take robust action to prevent harm in our communities.”

Description

A man who raped a 17-year-old girl in Berryhill Fields has pleaded guilty in court.

We have been working tirelessly to build the evidence against Jason William Heaton, 53, of Hulme, Stoke-on-Trent, who was arrested earlier this month following a report of a rape.

At about 7pm on 2 July, the victim was walking in Berryhill Fields, off Dividy Road, between Bentilee and Berryhill, when she was raped by Heaton.

The victim bravely reported what happened and Heaton was arrested and charged.

We were able to present the court with strong evidence today, which left Heaton no choice but to admit what he did.

At Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday (Monday 27 July), Heaton pleaded guilty to two counts of rape of a woman, attempted rape, cause a female 13 or over to engage in sexual activity and kidnap.

He will now be taken to prison ahead of his sentencing date due at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 30 September.

Speaking following the conviction, Detective Constable Samantha Gales said:

“This was a particularly abhorrent attack on the survivor, who has shown immense bravery in coming forward and supporting our investigation.”

Description

A man has been jailed after he exposed himself and carried out a sexual act in public in Stoke-on-Trent.

Christopher Mander, 41, of no fixed address, was sentenced to eight months behind bars at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday (20 July) after admitting outraging public decency, exposure and possession of a controlled drug of class B (monkey dust).

He was also given a three-year sexual harm prevention order.

Whilst the order is in force, Mander must not intentionally expose his genitals in any public place, or enter the premises or grounds of ASDA, Scotia Road, Tunstall.

Mander was arrested and charged after he exposed himself in Tunstall on 11 November last year and in Bucknall on 5 February this year.

Investigating officer, PC Annabel Ratcliffe, said:

“We’re committed to tackling all forms of sexual offending and we take reports of this nature very seriously.

“These offences can impact on victims greatly and can leave people feeling unsafe in their community.

"Similar reports of this nature have been reported in the north Staffordshire area recently. We won't tolerate them and we are committed to taking action against those responsible, as this case shows.

“We’re also aware of the potential for suspects to escalate their offending and I hope this case demonstrates the real and lasting repercussions for those who choose to behave in this way.”

Description

A registered sex offender from Stoke-on-Trent has been jailed for breaching a court order imposed to safeguard children.

Ashley Coldwell, 36, from Hanley, was sentenced to one year in prison at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Tuesday (21 July) after pleading guilty to two counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Coldwell was convicted of engaging in sexual communication with a child/attempt on 19 August last year.

As a result of his conviction, he was registered as a sex offender and issued with a five-year SHPO.

On 9 June this year, officers from our management of sexual and violent offenders (MOSOVO) team conducted a routine visit to Coldwell.

During the visit, Coldwell admitted that he had undeclared internet-enabled devices contrary to the conditions of his SHPO.

The officers located and seized several electronic devices.

Police Constable Dan Chilton, from our MOSOVO team, said:

“Coldwell’s sentence serves as a warning to others that we will work tirelessly to secure convictions against those who are a risk to children.

“We continue to monitor offenders closely and breaches will be dealt with robustly."

Description

A man from Stoke-on-Trent has been jailed for more than a decade after he raped and controlled a woman.

Steve Lloyd, 41, of Packmoor, Stoke-on-Trent, has been jailed for 11-and-a-half-years at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court today (Monday 18 May) after he was found guilty of one count of the rape of a woman and one count of engaging in controlling and or coercive behaviour.

The offences took place over a number of years until the survivor bravely came forwarded and reported what happened.

Now, because of the strength of the survivor and the evidence we were able to present in court, Lloyd has been imprisoned.

As part of his sentencing, he was also put on the Sex Offenders Register for life and served with a 15-year restraining order.

Detective Constable Diane Sproston and Investigative Officer Janine Shropshire worked on the case. Speaking following the sentencing, IO Shropshire said:

“I’m pleased that we have been able to build all of the evidence needed to secure this outcome today.

“I must recognise the tremendous courage of the survivor in coming forward and supporting this investigation, which has resulted in another sex offender being imprisoned.

“We are determined to seek the toughest possible punishment in court for those responsible for these types of offences and to support survivors as much as possible.”

Description

A man has admitted rape, strangulation, stalking and other offences against two women in north Staffordshire.

Jacob Leslie Simcock, 35, of Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 14 April) and admitted two counts of rape of a woman, two counts of intentional strangulation, two counts of threatening to share a photograph or film of a person in an intimate state, one count of engaging in controlling / coercive behaviour and one count of stalking involving fear of violence.

Simcock raped and strangled one of the women inside a house last year. He raped the same woman in a separate incident before offences were disclosed to us.

After speaking to the survivor, we found out Simcock had also threatened to share explicit videos of the woman and had tried to stop her from contacting anyone. He told her he would ‘batter’ her and he’d run her over.

Simcock also recorded both of the rapes. We later found them as part of our investigation and informed the survivor, who was unaware they existed at the time.

Simcock also strangled, stalked and threatened to share indecent images of another survivor last year. He asked the survivor to tell us that she had been lying and he would try to call her from withheld numbers when she was at a police station. He also told her that he ‘isn’t scared’ about petrol bombing her house.

Officers from our rape and serious sexual offences unit (RASSO) worked tirelessly to support both of the survivors and to build all of the evidence needed to secure the charges against Simcock.

Faced with the evidence in court, he pleaded guilty, despite originally denying the offences on interview.

Simcock has now been remanded and is due to be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 9 July this year.

Detective Constable Adele Thompson and Investigative Officer Janine Shropshire, from RASSO, said:

“Simcock has inflicted a great deal of pain and suffering on the two brave women in this investigation, who have shown tremendous courage in coming forward.

“We are pleased we’ve been able to build all of the evidence needed to secure this conviction as early as possible, and I hope it now provides them some form of comfort knowing he is behind bars and awaiting sentencing.”

Description

Pervert Thomas Shaw had sex chats with undercover police officers after believing he was chatting to schoolgirls.

The 38-year-old dad used Kik Messenger to contact two 14-year-olds and a 12-year-old.

He asked them to wear school uniforms when sending photos, carried out a sex act, and asked to meet two of them “without their parents knowing”. Shaw, of Mallorie Road, Norton, pleaded guilty to three counts of attempting sexual communication with a person under 16 and five counts of making indecent images of children in February and March 2025.

Charlotte Johnson, prosecuting, told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court: “Police attended the defendant’s address and seized multiple devices including three phones which all had indecent images of children on them. The age ranges of the children in the images were between four and 12, both female and male. The defendant gave ‘no comment’ answers during the interview and said he couldn't remember speaking to any of the children online.”

Hamish Noble, mitigating, said:

“These offences were committed following separation from his wife. He'd become isolated, bored, he was not working, and was drinking too much. He was lonely and knew it was wrong. He has intense feelings of shame and disgust. He has some understanding of the position of the children in this case.

“He's now stopped drinking and attends a charity at Port Vale Football Club. He’s not been able to see his own children. He had a difficult childhood himself, he was forced to leave his mother’s house aged 12, and he has had some difficulties with her.”

Judge Richard McConaghy imposed a two-year community order including 30 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions and 200 hours unpaid work. Shaw is now subject to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Judge McConaghy said: “You have denied having any sexual interest in children - that is blatantly untrue and something you need to address. You are hiding behind the drink but I acknowledge you are shameful for what has taken place in this case.”

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A man who touched a woman’s bottom at a church has been banned from the place of worship.

Jyhun Zeynalov, 38, from Stoke-on-Trent, contacted police after the incident and admitted he “may have touched her back or bottom but it was not a sexual act”. He later pleaded guilty to sexual assault.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard he has a previous conviction for sexually assaulting a woman in a churchyard, for which he received a suspended prison sentence in 2022.

Prosecutor Barry White said the woman was at a church in Stoke-on-Trent when she felt a hand on her lower back. She turned to see Zeynalov’s hand move to her bottom “for one second”. She walked away and reported it.

In a victim impact statement, the woman — who has devoted her life to Christ — said she no longer feels safe in church, her confidence has collapsed, and she lives in fear of being touched again. She has turned to alcohol, feels “worthless” and is in constant danger around men, the Stoke Sentinel reported.

Defence lawyer Lynette McClement said Zeynalov is no longer allowed in the church and needs help with alcohol and his behaviour.

Recorder Julian Taylor told him: “I hope you are very sorry about that. You need to set some boundaries. You need to address your alcohol problem. You need to be aware that women do not want to be approached in this manner unless they give you full consent.”

Zeynalov was sentenced to a two-year community order, placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years, and ordered to complete 20 days’ rehabilitation, alcoholism treatment, 200 hours of unpaid work and a sex offenders’ programme.

Description

A man who committed 10 child sex offences has been jailed for eight years.

Paul Adewusi, 40, of Meir, Stoke-on-Trent, previously admitted eight counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of inciting sexual activity with a girl. He was jailed at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court today (Tuesday 17 March) for eight years and was given a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

The offences happened in the 2010s.

We started investigating Adewusi when he was reported to us in April 2024, while supporting the survivor as much as possible.

Due to the strength of the evidence, and the survivor’s bravery, Adewusi admitted the offences in court. 

Detective Constable James Esam, from our rape and serious sexual offences unit (RASSO), said:

“I’m pleased that we’ve been able to deliver this outcome for the survivor, who has shown immense courage in coming forward and supporting our investigation.

“No matter how long ago or recent offences may have been, we’re here to support survivors and to take robust action against those responsible for their heinous crimes.”

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A man from Biddulph has been jailed for 10 years after being found guilty of raping a woman.

Ryan Bedson, from Shepherd Street, Biddulph appeared at Chester Crown Court on 23 February to be sentenced after being found guilty of three rapes following a trial in December 2025. The jury were undecided in relation to a second victim and those proceedings were stayed.

The 31-year-old was jailed for 10 years. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register and given a restraining order to prevent him from contacting the victim.

The victim had been in an abusive and controlling relationship with Bedson when he raped her on several occasions.

DC Rachel Lloyd said:

“This was a complicated investigation in which the suspect denied all allegations put to him. He never took ownership for what he had done. While the trial involved the rape of two women, he was found guilty of the rape of one. There was a hung jury in relation to the other. However, both victims showed tremendous bravery in coming forward and supporting a prosecution.

“I’d like to thank them for coming forward to help us put this man behind bars.

“It has been a tough journey for both, and they have come a long way. Sexual violence has such a profound impact on victims that they often no longer feel like the person they were before. They’ve had the courage and strength to rebuild their lives and I have every faith that both will succeed.

“Victims should never feel ashamed to talk about what they have been subjected to. It is the perpetrator who should feel shame.

“If you have been a victim of sexual assault or rape, don’t stay silent, please contact us. You will receive the help and support you need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside, and all victims of sexual offences also have the right to anonymity.”