Latest Offenders

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A rapist who fled the country in a futile attempt to avoid justice has been jailed.

Craig Saunders was reported to Nottinghamshire Police in November 2020 after his teenage victim confided in a teacher at her school.

Saunders denied any wrongdoing, even when presented with damning forensic evidence during a follow-up interview with detectives.

Now aged 39, Saunders was due to stand trial in September of this year, but fled the country while on bail.

After failing to sign in at a police station as required, he flew to Turkey on 6 September on a return ticket. 

When he failed to return as planned ten days later, it was discovered he had travelled on to Lanzarote via Zurich, showing a clear intent to evade capture.

With support from Spain’s Guardia Civil and the National Crime Agency (NCA), Saunders was arrested and held in custody pending his extradition back to the UK.

Following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court held in his absence, Saunders — now of HMP Nottingham — was found guilty of rape and sexual assault.

All offences occurred in Nottinghamshire.

Appearing at the same court on Friday 18 October, he was sentenced to ten years and six months in prison.

He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which will severely restrict his interactions with young women upon release.

Detective Constable Kerry Stringer, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

"Saunders' behaviour showed a callous disregard not only for his victim, but also for the wider legal process.

“Whilst the Jury were not told of the reason for his absence, the evidence available to them enabled them to convict him of his crimes.

“As this case concludes, I am full of admiration for the victim’s courage in coming forward and reporting what happened.

"I am also grateful to our international partners for their collaboration in tracking Saunders and facilitating his return so quickly.

"Finally, I would like to appeal directly to all victims of these kind of offences to come forward and tell us about them. 

"We know it can be a daunting prospect for people, but we will do whatever we can to support them and investigate the reports they make."

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Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been jailed for raping a woman in Banbury.

Faris Bashir Mohammed Suleiman, aged 19, of Windrush, Banbury, was sentenced to six years in prison, with a four-year extended licence, at Oxford Crown Court today (24/10).

A jury found Suleiman guilty by majority verdict of one count of rape of a female aged 16 years and over on 22 September following a six-day trial.

On Sunday 30 March this year, a woman in her late teens was in the town centre when she left a nightclub with Suleiman sometime between 3am and 3.20am.

However, Suleiman lured her to a secluded area of People’s Park, where he raped her.

The victim remained with Suleiman out of fear and they both re-entered the town centre, where she searched for her friends and told them what happened.

Police were informed shortly afterwards and officers stopped Suleiman as he matched the description of the offender that was given by the victim.

Suleiman was charged the following day, 31 March this year, and remanded in custody.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Gemma Kerby said:

“Faris Sulieman preyed on a vulnerable victim on a night out with her friends and raped her, which has had an unimaginable impact on her.

“I would like to thank the victim and witnesses for their support and engagement during the investigation.

“I hope that the victim can continue on the road to recovery knowing that Suleiman has been found guilty and jailed as a result of his actions.

“We will always work relentlessly to bring those who cause harm to others to justice and we encourage any sexual offence victims to report what’s happened to police.”

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A convicted rapist who assaulted a woman after she refused sex with a man he had paid remains at large.

David Morrison, 44, was sentenced to ten years in prison in his absence at Teesside Crown Court on Friday (October 24) after failing to appear.

The victim had previously criticized the justice system for allowing him to walk free pending sentencing, despite his conviction by a jury. A warrant was issued earlier this month when he missed another hearing, and his whereabouts are unknown.

The court heard Morrison paid the man to have sex with the victim, telling him to "do what you want." When she refused, Morrison raped her.

In her victim impact statement, the mother described feeling ashamed and reduced to a shell of her former self, having lost her career and now suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Fighting back tears, she said: “He has turned my home into a prison and my body into something that I fear. He pushed me to the point of despair where I was ready to end my own life.”

She added that delays and inaction left her in constant fear, battling complex PTSD and nightmares. She previously told the Echo: "I feel like a prisoner — while he’s out living his life like nothing happened."

Morrison, of Wilton Castle Lane, Wilton, near Redcar, was found guilty of rape and assault by penetration. His defense noted he had no prior convictions and had waited years for trial.

Recorder Paul Reid imposed the sentence, stating: “I’m persuaded by the great distress experienced by the victim that it is appropriate to proceed to sentence so she can start to put this behind her.”

Morrison received a lifelong restraining order and must register as a sex offender for life.

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Christopher Brake, aged 49, formerly of Frogmore Road in Market Drayton appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 23 October) for sentencing following conviction at Shrewsbury Crown Court in February 2025.

Brake has been convicted of two counts of rape, sexual assault by penetration on a child, two sexual assaults on a child, voyeurism and making an indecent photograph of a child. He had also been given a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The offences were committed between April 2019 and April 2024, primarily in the Market Drayton area of Shropshire.

Brake was convicted following complex investigations by West Mercia Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People department at Shrewsbury Police Station.

Detective Constable Rhian Davies, one of the investigating officers, said:

“I welcome today’s sentence of 18 years in prison, with an additional year on licence, handed down to Brake for these horrific offences. This significant sentence reflects the significant harm caused by his predatory and manipulative behaviour.

“I want to sincerely thank the victims for their immense courage in coming forward and supporting this investigation. Their bravery has ensured that a dangerous offender is now behind bars and can no longer cause harm to vulnerable people. I hope today’s outcome brings them some sense of justice and allows them to begin to move forward with their lives.”

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A convicted pervert has been caught with a paedophile manual on how to sexually abuse children.

Curtis Critchley, 24, of Wakefield Road in Rothwell, Leeds, with prior sex offence convictions, was found with the depraved guide in his prison cell at HMP Risley in Warrington on August 6.

He was charged with possession of a paedophile manual containing ‘advice or guidance about abusing children sexually’.

After appearing at Warrington Magistrates’ Court, the case went to Liverpool Crown Court, where Critchley pleaded guilty.

During a 2:30pm cell search, prison staff seized illicit materials, including notes with graphic short stories of sexual activities involving children and details on grooming via Snapchat and TikTok. The items were reported to Cheshire Police.

Critchley’s previous convictions include a three-year-and-four-month sentence in a young offender institution, imposed by Sheffield Crown Court in May 2020.

He first came to police attention after stealing children’s clothing from a neighbour’s washing line in Doncaster, where more stolen items and two indecent images of children were found.

While under investigation, he met a 14-year-old girl on Snapchat, lying about his age by claiming to be 15. She was reported missing and found with him at a Holiday Inn in Rotherham, where they engaged in sexual activity.

Critchley pleaded guilty to three counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, theft of clothing, handling stolen goods, and two counts of possessing indecent images of children.

He received imprisonment, lifelong sex offender registration, and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

For the recent offence, Liverpool Crown Court jailed him for 14 months.

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A Norfolk child sex offender who disappeared has been found living with a woman and a six-year-old in Kent.

Joshua Hodgkinson, 25, is charged with two breaches of a sexual harm prevention order and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Police launched a public appeal in December 2024 to trace his whereabouts after he was recalled to prison.

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told it was alleged he failed to tell police he was residing in a new household at Birchington Vale in Kent where an under-18 was living between December 13 and Christmas Day last year.

It is claimed he also failed to notify police of a change of address within three days.

The alleged sex harm prevention order breaches said to have occurred in Norwich include creating a new Snapchat account without informing the police and deleting his internet search history before his disappearance.

Appearing via video link from HMP Albany on the Isle of Wight he did not enter pleas to the charges.

District Judge Matthew Bone committed his case to Norwich Crown Court on November 19.

Hodgkinson had been due to be released from prison following his recall within days but Judge Bone ordered he remain in custody pending his next hearing.

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A man who sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl and engaged in online sexual activity with a 12-year-old child decoy has been jailed.    

Benjamin Pinchin, aged 30 formerly of Sissons Grove, Middleton was sentenced to 12 years yesterday at Leeds Crown Court following a joint investigation into child sexual offences.    

The Calderdale District Online Child Abuse Investigation Team and officers from Leeds District Safeguarding Team came together and charged Pinchin with over 30 offences, including sexual assault of a child, possession of indecent images of children, making indecent images of children, and multiple counts of attempted sexual communication with a child.    

Pinchin pleaded guilty to all the offences at Leeds Crown Court in June.    

In addition to the custodial sentence, Pinchin has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.  

Detective Sergeant Claire Salkeld of Leeds District Safeguarding Team said:    

“I want to thank the victim in this case for having the courage to come forward and report the dreadful ordeal she suffered. We know the significant impact such offending has on victims and their families.

“Reporting Pinchin’s offending has resulted in him being put behind bars and has put a stop to his abhorrent acts.

“If you or someone you know has been a victim of child sexual offences, please be encouraged, you will be listened to, supported and it will be dealt with sensitively by specialist safeguarding officers.”

Detective Constable Denis Parke, from the Calderdale Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT) added:      

“Pinchin is clearly a dangerous predatory man who poses a significant risk to young children, and we are pleased that Pinchin will now face a custodial sentence for his actions.
  
“The making, possession and distribution of indecent images is degenerate and those who engage in this or in sexual communications with children online, should expect to be prosecuted”. 

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A man who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a child in Warrington has been jailed.

Terry Blackmore appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday 20 October, where he was sentenced to five years and four months in prison.

The 78-year-old of no fixed abode in the Warrington area, had previously pleaded guilty to taking indecent photographs (category B and C), possession of indecent photographs, four counts of assault of a girl under 13 by touching, and assault of a girl under 13 by touching under clothing.

The court heard how Blackmore repeatedly assaulted his victim over a 12-month period, starting when she was just 8 years old.

His offending included inappropriately touching the girl and taking indecent images of her.

Following the sentencing Detective Constable Heidi Ryder said:

“I would like to commend the victim for the bravery and courage she has shown in coming forward and talking about what happened to her.

“Nobody should have to experience what the victim has been through, and I hope that the fact that Blackmore is now behind bars will provide her with some closure.”

In addition to his prison sentence Blackmore was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sigh the sex offenders register for life.

DC Ryder added:

“We treat all allegations of sexual offences extremely seriously, and any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.

“Victims should never feel ashamed to talk about what they have been subjected to. They will receive the help and support they need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside, and all victims of sexual offences have the right to anonymity.”

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A former Bradford care home worker, Fazal Mateen, has been jailed for 23 months after sexually assaulting two women.

Full details of the 45-year-old's offenses cannot be revealed to protect the complainants' identities, but Judge Christopher Smith said Mateen was almost certainly barred from the caring industry for life.

Mateen received an immediate prison sentence, a ban on contacting the complainants, and a 10-year requirement to register as a sex offender.

“The offence that you have been convicted of is one which will make you subject to barring from working with children and others,” the judge told him.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Mateen sat next to the first complainant and placed her hand on his crotch.

A year later, he grabbed the second woman's hands, trying to move them toward his penis, and also touched her bottom.

Mateen, of Tivoli Place near Little Horton Lane, Bradford, pleaded guilty to two sexual assault charges. Judge Smith gave him credit for sparing witnesses from testifying.

However, with no prior convictions, Mateen showed no remorse; his pre-sentence report was "worrying reading."

“You told the probation officer these things had not happened,” said Judge Smith. “So it goes beyond simply an absence of remorse. It goes to an outright denial.”

The judge deemed the offenses too serious for a suspended sentence.

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A 22-year-old man has been jailed after admitting to messaging and grooming children through video games.

Kieran Francis, of Fishponds Road, Bristol, pleaded guilty to:

• Two counts of causing a child to watch / look at an image of sexual activity.
• Four counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• One count of attempting to meet a child following grooming
• Three counts of possessing indecent images (one count for each category A, B and C)
• One count of distributing indecent images of children

He was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court to five years in prison and will be added to the Sex Offender’s Register for life. He was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The court was told at the sentencing last Thursday (16 October) how Francis first came to police attention in February 2025.

He was arrested in April 2025, which allowed officers to seize his devices and question him. He was then bailed with conditions not to speak to any children, while enquiries were ongoing.

As part of our enquiries, a review of Francis’ devices were conducted, where officers found in excess of 1,000 indecent images of children.

At the same time as our enquiries, three other forces reached out with similar reports that he had been speaking to three other children online.

It was discovered that Francis had been using children’s video games to befriend them and made contact with them using private messengers.

Following this, Francis was further arrested on 9 August 2025, charged and remanded into custody.

Officer in the case, DC Natalie Norman, said:

“Francis befriended his victims, requested images and videos from them for his own sexual gratification. He then went as far as to distribute these images to other individuals seeking the same disgusting and heinous gratification from such images.

“Francis committed repulsive crimes and took advantage of children who were just wanting to enjoy their free time playing video games. He took advantage of them and knew this, given his immediate guilty plea.”

In a victim personal statement, read out at the sentencing, one of the children’s mothers said:

“My son’s childhood has been stolen, his trust shattered and his safety ripped away.

“He was groomed online by the defendant – a predator who deliberately targeted an innocent child. This was not an accident. It was calculated. It was cruel.

“My son was a happy, carefree boy who trusted people. That boy is gone. This is not short-term harm. These are deep wounds which will shape his entire life. He has lost his carefree childhood. That loss cannot be undone.”

Another victim’s mother said: “While my children were growing up, I always told them not to be afraid of the dark and that monsters weren’t hiding in the shadows at night… I now realise I was right, monsters don’t hide in the shadows at night, but I was wrong in saying they didn’t exist. They are and he’s before us now.

“[Kieran Francis] has cast a shadow on mine, my families and so many other children’s and family’s lives. They will always remember this. While what [he] did won’t ever define them, [he] has darkened their lives and [he] has no right.”

DC Norman added:

“I would like to commend the victims for their bravery and resilience during this investigation. I do not doubt this has been an incredibly traumatic time for them and their families, and their support of our enquiries should be commended.

“All of the victims and their families have been safeguarded and provided with support from their home forces and I would like to thank them for their support. They have shown true courage and strength throughout and we would not have the result we have today, and saved possibly other children from a similar fate, without them.”

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A man who sexually abused a teenage girl in Plymouth has been jailed for 12 years, with an extended licence of two years.

Peter Orme, 34 of York Road, Plymouth, was convicted of nine counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, and one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child.

Orme appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Monday 20 October to face sentencing.

During the case, the court heard how Orme had committed numerous sexual offences against one victim on several occasions over the course of several months.

The victim came forward and reported the offences to the police, and an investigation was immediately launched into Orme, who had denied the offences.

During the sentencing, Orme was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Officer in the case, Police Staff Investigator Aimee Cattell of Plymouth’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Team, said:

“We welcome the sentence given to Peter Orme, who abused his position of trust and showed no remorse or accountability for his actions.

“I would like to thank the victim in this case who had the courage to come forward and report these incidents to us. We appreciate how difficult this was.

“We hope this sentence reassures victims of sexual offending that all reports to police will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated by our officers.”

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A rapist convicted of four counts of rape against two victims was sentenced to a total of 17 years in jail yesterday (Wednesday 22 October) – following a case in which the Judge said he ‘sought to dominate all aspects of the victims’ lives’.

The sentencing hearing, held at Leicester Crown Court, follows Charles Isabirye’s conviction after a trial at the same court last month.

Isabirye, formally of Ratcliffe Road, Loughborough, denied the offences throughout the trial and claimed this his victims made up their allegations in collusion with each other.

At the sentencing hearing, where Isabirye was also sentenced for one count of breaching a restraining order and three counts of witness intimidation – counts which the jury also found him guilty of – His Honour Judge Evans, commented about the complex nature of the investigation and the conduct of the officer in the case, DC Sarah Le Boutillier

He stated she “conducted herself with professionalism” despite accusations made by Isabirye about her conduct and integrity.

Addressing Isabirye, he said:

“You continue to focus the blame for your current predicament on one of the victims, stating that ‘If it was not for her, you would not be in prison’.

“During the trial, you focussed upon the unfairness of the prosecution rather than the witness testimony, cleaving to the notion that the case was closed. You found and saw conspiracies everywhere and painted yourself as the victim.

“I have no doubt that you present as a serious risk to women.”

The 48-year-old was also made subject to a restraining order prohibiting contact with the victims and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

DC Le Boutillier added:

“I have nothing but praise for the victims in this case, not only for coming forward and reporting what happened to them, but for the bravery they showed in court throughout a lengthy, difficult trial.

“Isabirye sought to discredit them at every opportunity.

“While it doesn’t change what they went through, I hope they find some comfort in knowing he’s in prison for a significant amount of time.”

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A 32-year-old man has been jailed for 20 years after being convicted of the rape of a child.

Mantas Gineitis, from Leiston, had initially denied the charges against him, before pleading guilty to five charges of rape of a girl and making threats to kill at an earlier hearing.

He appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday 21 October where he was sentenced to 20 years in jail. He has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

The crimes relate to one victim and took place over a period of approximately 18 months.

In her Victim Personal Statement, read out in court, the girl said:

“The harm that has been inflicted on me cannot be undone but I hope that by sharing my experience full justice will be served. I deserve to move forward with a sense of closure and reassurance that steps will be taken to prevent this from happening to someone else.”

Temporary Detective Sergeant Jessie Langham-Fitt, who was the supervising officer of the case, said:

“This was an appalling and deeply distressing case. The profound impact it has had on the young victim cannot and should not be understated.

“She has shown immense courage in supporting the investigation to ensure Gineitis faces justice for his despicable offences.

“I hope today’s sentence brings some measure of closure to her and reassurance to others that we will do everything we can to bring sexual offenders to justice. We are committed to protecting all victims of abuse.

“I would also like to thank OIC DC Mark Ryczanowski and the rest of my team for their hard work in safeguarding the victim, collating evidence and securing charges against Gineitis, in what was a highly emotive investigation."

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A Spennymoor paedophile asked a teenage girl for sex, suggesting they film it and "make a lot of money" by posting the video on OnlyFans.

Adam Fowler messaged the girl for nude pictures and paid her for explicit videos of her and her boyfriend.

When she rejected his request—after he said they could make a fortune posting it to OnlyFans—he grabbed her thigh and kissed her, Durham Crown Court heard.

Fowler had previously paid her “tens of pounds” for several videos she sent him.

The 36-year-old, of Lakeside Court in Spennymoor, appeared in court on Wednesday (October 22) for sentencing on 11 charges.

He admitted some in May and others more recently, after a trial date was set for January 2026.

The charges included six counts of making indecent images of a child, paying a child to engage in sexual activity, causing and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual activity with a child, and causing a child to watch sexual activity.

The last charge involved a video sent to another girl after he performed a sex act on himself, with an aubergine emoji over his private parts.

Prosecutor Ian West said Fowler was arrested in 2022 and, after release under investigation, downloaded many indecent images later found on his devices.

He was interviewed three times—in April 2022, and February and September last year—declining to answer questions each time.

Defence barrister Johnny Walker said since his "decision of good sense" to plead guilty, Fowler has been remanded in custody for the first time.

“He’s a man of previous good character, an industrious, hard-working man, who is now experiencing custody for the first time at the age of 36.

“He is profoundly aware of the impact on both girls, and, through me, wants to send his heartfelt apologies for the damage he has caused.”

Judge Deborah Sherwin noted a “significant” age difference between Fowler and the two complainants, who were exposed to things they should not have been at their ages.

She highlighted “opportunism” on his part and the “significance” that many indecent images were downloaded after his 2022 release under investigation.

She jailed him for six years and four months.

Fowler must sign the sex offenders' register and face internet restrictions under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Ten-year restraining orders prohibit him from contacting or approaching either victim.

Judge Sherwin warned that future sexual offences could deem him a “dangerous offender,” leading to lengthier sentences.

Deprivation orders were made for all devices containing the offending material.

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Police have renewed an appeal to locate a convicted Dewsbury man who was convicted in his absence for sex offences.  

Kirklees District Police would like to speak to anyone who has information about the whereabouts of Asif Ghafoor Butt, aged 43, formerly of Selbourne Avenue in Dewsbury, who fled from authorities in 2016.    

Butt was sentenced in his absence to 11 years in prison on 24 May 2017 after being found guilty of sexual offences committed in the Wakefield area against a then 13-year-old girl.

The offences were attempted rape, sexual assault, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and two other serious sexual assault offences.

Extensive enquiries have been ongoing to trace him locally and abroad with policing partners.  

Is thought he may have at some point travelled to Pakistan but police have kept an open mind as to his whereabouts.    

Butt is described as Asian, 5ft 6ins tall and of average build.    

Detective Inspector Angela Francome of Kirklees District Police, said:

“Substantial enquiries have been ongoing since 2016 to locate Butt who was convicted in his absence in 2017 of serious sexual offences.  

“Those enquiries have taken place in the UK and in Pakistan and have involved joint investigations with partner agencies.  

“For the sake of his victim we remain determined to find this man and put him back before the courts to face the prison term he was sentenced to his absence.  

“In the rare occasions where someone has fled justice the force never gives up efforts to locate them, and we will not be doing so in this case.  

“I would appeal to anyone who knows of his whereabouts to contact Kirklees Police on 101 referencing police log number 287 of the 28/03/2017.“