Latest Offenders

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A cocaine-addicted man from Gateshead, who raped and assaulted a woman while degrading and humiliating her, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison.

David Hodgson, 34, left his victim feeling "destroyed" and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety, for which she now requires medication.

During sentencing at Durham Crown Court, the judge described Hodgson as having "unhealthy, perverse sexual desires" and noted that he used his physical strength to overpower the woman.

Hodgson, of Ryton in Gateshead, appeared via video link from HMP Durham on Wednesday.

He was convicted last month after a trial on six counts of rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault by penetration, and common assault.

The court heard that Hodgson showed "no respect" for his victim and committed the offenses in County Durham.

Recorder Mark Giuliani highlighted that Hodgson was observed "smirking," "yawning," and "looking bored" during the trial.

Prosecutor James Yearsley read the victim's impact statement, in which she said Hodgson had "destroyed" her and that she is now on medication for PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

Defense barrister David Callan argued that Hodgson's expressions were due to a "nervous smile" and emphasized his "good work ethic," noting he had worked all his life.

Callan also mentioned that Hodgson suffered from PTSD following a horrific motorcycle accident and has ADHD.

He added that there was "another side" to Hodgson, reading from a character reference describing him as a "big, friendly giant with a heart of gold."

Recorder Giuliani stated that the offenses involved "significant degradation and humiliation" and that Hodgson posed a "risk of committing further offences."

The judge noted Hodgson's addiction to cocaine at the time of the crimes.

In addition to the 24-year prison sentence, Hodgson was given a lifelong restraining order and must register as a sex offender for life.

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A Serial Sex Offender from Derby Sentenced for Befriending and Grooming a 13-Year-Old Girl

A 24-year-old serial sex offender named Ethan Hewitt from Derby has been jailed for befriending a 13-year-old girl with mental health issues, calling her "wifey," and discussing having sex with her in a field.

During a sentencing hearing at Derby Crown Court, it was revealed that Hewitt exchanged over 3,700 messages with the victim via social media platforms like Snapchat and WhatsApp over a one-month period.

At the time of the offenses, Hewitt was under a sexual harm prevention order due to prior convictions involving underage girls.

Recorder Helen Malcolm sentenced Hewitt, who has no fixed address, to three years and four months in prison.

She stated: “Your previous record is very poor and includes previous breaches. You were on licence throughout the time I am sentencing you for.

“In that month, you were directly in contact with a 13-year-old on a number of occasions, and you also engaged in some 3,794 messages over Snapchat, WhatsApp and other services with her. You also deleted messages.

“I have read the reports which say you have no insight into the effect on your victims. You have shown what is called a ‘wilful defiance’ to authority figures and you actively seek opportunities to offend.

"You pose a very high risk of harm to young females and nearly 4,000 messages with a 13-year-old over the course of one month is a very concerning number.”

Prosecutor Serana Varatharajah explained that Hewitt, formerly of Aylestone in Leicester, was convicted in 2021 at Manchester Crown Court for sexual activity with a female under 16, leading to the imposition of the order, which he breached four times.

He was convicted again for the same offense in March 2023.

The order prohibited any contact with females under 16, but in July 2024, Hewitt befriended the victim secretly, and their interactions turned sexual.

Miss Varatharajah said: “The friendship was kept secret and developed to become sexual. He told her he loved her, he spoke to her about getting married and they spoke about having sex.

“He said they would have to wait until she turned 16 and he told her not to tell anyone about their conversations. He called her ‘wifey’ and she called him ‘hubby’.

“He said if she was not ready for sex they could just kiss and cuddle. He said, as they could not go to a hotel because of her age, they could have sex in a field.”

The victim's mother discovered the communications, leading to police involvement and Hewitt's arrest.

Hewitt pleaded guilty to breaching his sexual harm prevention order and engaging in sexual communication with a child.

Defense attorney Catherine Picardo, mitigating on behalf of Hewitt—who appeared via video link from HMP Lincoln—noted that he is undergoing medical investigations for a possible cancer diagnosis.

She added: “He knows he should not have access to Snapchat. He has a very traumatic upbringing where he was abused, and, since his time in custody, he has been given responsibilities working in the kitchens.

“There is an address available to him in Derby which will be monitored.”

In addition to the prison sentence, the judge imposed an indefinite new sexual harm prevention order, and Hewitt will remain on the sex offender register indefinitely.

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A convicted sex offender who hid ten phones in his mattress has been jailed.

Muhammed Idrees, 53, was being managed in the community by specialist officers when they conducted a search of his home in Peterborough earlier this year.

Idrees was forbidden from using or owning any device capable of accessing the internet or storing digital images under the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

When officers arrived at his address in April to arrest him for an unrelated matter, Idrees produced two basic non-internet, non-camera phones, permitted under his conditions.

However, a further search of his home revealed ten phones in his mattress, three of which had internet capability and seven built-in cameras.

Idrees, of Cobden Street, Peterborough, later pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching a SHPO and was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison at Huntingdon Law Courts on Monday (11 August).

PC Emily Heriot, from the specialist management of sexual or violent offenders unit (MOSOVO), said: “Idrees went to great efforts to conceal his prohibited devices, with complete disregard for his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and notification requirements, which are in place to safeguard the public. These new convictions reflect the serious sexual risk of harm he poses to children.

 “Our specialist officers work tirelessly to monitor and manage all registered sex offenders in the community and won’t hesitate to put them back before the courts if they discover any breaches.”

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A taxi driver, Aaron Burnicle, 36, was caught in a police sting after sending explicit messages and images to an online decoy posing as a 13-year-old girl on Kik.

Unaware he was communicating with an undercover officer, Burnicle was arrested by Police Scotland following a cross-border investigation.

During interviews, the father-of-one, who drove primary school children, denied any intent to harm children and became emotional.

At Hamilton Sheriff Court, he admitted to indecent communications with an older child. Evidence showed he accessed Kik over 2,900 times in a month.

Sheriff Liam Murphy deferred sentencing for reports, placed Burnicle on the sex offenders' register, and warned of the seriousness of the offense.

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A man has been jailed for eight years after being convicted of making a woman engage in sexual activity without consent.

The court heard how Potts had forced his vulnerable victim to carry out sex acts on his associates in early 2024.

The victim bravely came forward to report what happened after disclosing her experience to a friend, who encouraged her to report it to us.

Potts was arrested in May and later charged but then denied the offence in court.

During the two-week trial, the victim courageously gave her evidence via video-link, and despite his not guilty plea, the jury found Potts guilty of the offence.

Along with his eight-year prison sentence, Potts was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228 and will be subject to a lifelong sexual offender notification requirement upon his release.

Speaking following sentencing, the officer in charge of the case, Detective Constable Jessica Hill, of our rape and serious sexual offences team, said:

“Potts was unrepentant throughout the proceedings.

“The victim showed real resilience in coming forward to us and I hope now she can begin to recover from what has happened.

“This sentence shows how we will continue to do all we can to support victims and pursue sexual predators, to get them behind bars where they belong.”

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A burglar who raped a woman after entering her home in the night is back behind bars after he was caught breaking into another home following his prison release.

Milton White attacked a 60-year-old woman after he broke into her Haringey home in May 1990. 

White, of Asylum Road in Peckham, was not brought to justice until 22 years later when a DNA break through led to his conviction in 2012. 

He was jailed for 12 years for rape but by this time his victim had been dead for six years. 

White has now been put back behind bars after breaching a sexual offence prevention order. 

According to court documents, on June 12 this year he was caught entering another person’s Southwark home without their consent. 

Milton, now aged 59, appeared at Croydon Crown Court on August 6. 

He was sentenced to eight months in prison for the “deliberate breach” of the order. 

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A former Edinburgh Academy teacher exploited a position of trust to physically and sexually abuse young boys, a court has ruled.

John Young was found to have targeted pupils while employed as a PE teacher at the independent school in the capital between 1966 and 1993. 

The 91-year-old was deemed medically unfit to be criminally tried or to appear in court. 

However, following an Examination of Facts at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, the Sheriff ruled that Young had repeatedly abused children, with 26 charges found to be established   

Prosecutor Fiona Kirkby, of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said: 

“The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service consistently and successfully strives to secure justice for those affected by non-recent abuse. 

“John Young systematically abused young boys, over a period of 27 years, while holding a significant position of trust as their teacher at the Edinburgh Academy. 

“He had a duty of care to nurture and support these children but instead intentionally exploited his power to violate and humiliate them. 

“This Examination of Facts is a public airing of the facts and an acknowledgement that what happened to these children in the past was criminal. It should never have occurred.  

“It is now a matter of public record that Young committed offences including lewd and libidinous behaviour, indecent assault and cruel and unnatural treatment. 

“The court’s finding today also sends a clear message to abusers: no matter who you are, when the abuse happened or how long after the event it is reported, there will be a robust response from prosecutors.” 

Evidence was heard from 24 former pupils – and a further three witnesses - during the hearing. 

Some of the victims detailed how the teacher would use violence to punish pupils for perceived bad behaviour, including punching them or hitting them with a cricket bat, megaphone or wooden wedge.  

Many told how they continue to be traumatised and struggle to trust figures of authority because of the abuse they suffered.  

The court had previously determined that the accused was not fit to stand trial and ordered an Examination of Facts, where the Procurator Fiscal depute and the defence led evidence, which was tested before a sheriff. 

Procurator Fiscal Fiona Kirkby added:

“Sexual abuse and the use of force upon children is a crime. 

“To any victim of such offending, we urge you to report it when you feel ready and able to do so. Be assured you will be listened to and supported. We remain committed to investigating and pursuing those culpable to seek conclusions.”  

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A CALDICOT predator sent sexually explicit messages and videos to who he thought were 12 and 13 year old girls online before asking if they would meet him at a hotel for sex.

Neil Rockliffe messaged ‘Freya’ on the Just Say Hi online dating app on March 6. The account was being run by a member of a paedophile hunter group, and they told Rockliffe they were aged 13.

Despite this, they exchanged numbers and the conversation moved to WhatsApp.

During the conversation, Rockliffe referenced that what he was doing was “illegal” and that he was “too old for her”.

However he exchanged pictures with ‘Freya’, and soon turned the conversation sexual – including asking her what she was wearing and if she watched porn.

Rockliffe then began instructing ‘Freya’ how to masturbate, and asked her to send pictures of her doing so – which she refused to do.

“It seems you saw yourself as some sort of instructor or teacher,” said Judge Lucy Crowther.

Over the next few days his messages became more explicit, as he told the decoy he wanted to have sex with them. He also sent explicit pictures and videos.

In one message Rockliffe referenced her dad and asked if she wanted to sex with a man older than her father, before adding: ‘I want to be your first’.

He asked the decoy about going to a hotel with him to have sex, but said she would have to say she was his daughter if questioned by members of staff. He also asked whether the ‘girl’ would be the first in her class to have sex.

Rockliffe asked ‘Freya’ if she had any friends she wanted to join them, and she gave him the number of ‘Sophie’ – another decoy account.

The defendant started a group chat with both decoys – and ‘Sophie’ identified she was 12 years old.

Rockliffe sent messages again referring to meeting in a hotel for sex, asking the ‘girls’ for photographs, and sending explicit images.

The messages were passed on to the police, and a paedophile hunter group attended the defendant’s address.

In interview, Rockliffe said he believed ‘Freya’ was 18. He accepted sending explicit messages, pictures of his penis and a video of him masturbating, but said he was “drunk” and “had no intention to meet” as “it was just talk”.

However, he later admitted two offences each of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to incite a child to do a sexual act, and attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act.

Rockliffe, 55, of Birbeck Road, had no previous convictions.

“Clearly the best mitigation available to this defendant is the fact that he pleaded guilty,” said Martha Smith-Higgins, appearing for Rockliffe.

She acknowledged there was “very little” she could say to mitigate the offences, but added he was “drinking very heavily” at the time – sometimes up to 2.5 litres of vodka a day.

The defendant had been on an 18+ dating website so did not seek out children, she said, but Rockliffe accepted what he did after he found out the purported ages of the ‘girls’ was “obscene”.

Judge Crowther jailed Rockliffe for three years and one month.

A hearing will be held on August 19 to consider an application for a sexual harm prevention order.

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A Salisbury man has been sentenced to six years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple sexual offences dating back as far as 1994.

Michael Colin Bell (known as Colin Bell), 72, of Pinewood Way, Bemerton Heath, was sentenced on June 8 at Salisbury Crown Court for two counts of indecent assault, two counts of sexual assault, and two counts of gross indecency.

The offences span several decades, with some dating back over 30 years.

During the sentencing hearing, powerful victim impact statements were read aloud in court. One victim described the lasting trauma:

"Trying to explain how this has affected me is the hardest thing I've ever done because there is no way to explain what this has done to me, all I can do is try and describe what is my life now.

"There is not a day I don't think about what happened to me. If I am not busy, I have flashbacks and I am back to being abused, like it is still happening to me. I still feel like he owns me and I am his trophy. I wake up at night sometimes and see the darkness in the corner of the room. I can't move and am frozen. I want to move, but can't.

"I hate the feeling of people touching me and this has massively affected my relationships. I have to sleep with a pillow between my legs as the feeling of my legs touching makes me feel sick.

"I hate the feeling of my own skin."

A second victim said:

"The abuse happened over a number of years.

"The person who did this to me was a trusted family friend — someone I was told I could count on, someone who was meant to protect me. Instead, he betrayed that trust in the most painful way.

"I spent years questioning myself. I asked if what happened was normal. I wondered if I had done something to deserve it. That kind of self-doubt and shame doesn’t disappear just because time passes — it settles in your bones. As a child, I didn’t have the words to make sense of what was happening. That confusion — that feeling of being lost inside your own life — stayed with me for years."

Another victim said:

"As a direct result of what I experienced, I have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and severe anxiety. I now suffer from frequent panic attacks, which have affected both my personal life and my ability to work. 

"There are times when I cannot relax, even in the safety of my own home. Memories intrude unexpectedly-triggered by sounds, smells, or even certain words.

"These flashbacks make it incredibly difficult to find peace, and I live in fear of when the next one will strike."

The case was first reported in 2022.

Investigating officer Sergeant Myles Scott, who worked on the case for four years, said:

“I am really glad that Colin Bell has finally been held to account for the abhorrent actions he chose to commit against children. This case shows that if you commit offences, they will eventually catch up with you — no matter your age or how long ago they occurred.

“I want to thank the victims for their strength and courage throughout this investigation. Their support was vital, and I hope this sentence helps them begin to rebuild their lives.

“I also hope this outcome reassures other victims that they will be believed, and that justice can be pursued regardless of how much time has passed.”

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A CONVICTED Shropshire paedophile has been jailed after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a child.

Kieran Bowers, 27, was jailed for six years at Shrewsbury Crown Court last week.

The crimes of the former Ellesmere man, now of Avondale Drive, Shrewsbury, came to light when a friend of his victim confronted him on WhatsApp.

Bowers was sentenced for four counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, as well as two counts of sexual communication with a child, and two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

The offences took place between July 2022 and April 2023.

He had separately admitted four charges of breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), after being found in possession of internet devices which he had not told police about.

Three charges of making indecent photographs of children were left on file.

Judge Anthony Lowe, sitting at Shrewsbury Crown Court last Friday, August 8, jailed Bowers for five years for the matters he was found guilty of at trial.

He added another 12 months in prison for breaching the SHPO imposed following the 2017 custodial sentence.  

Bowers is subject to the SHPO indefinitely and had also been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for the rest of his life following the Truro Crown Court case. Both orders remain in place.

He was told he must also pay a £228 surcharge upon his release.

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Child rapist Andrew Sidaway has been handed an extended jail sentence of 25 years. The 59-year-old raped his young victim on numerous occasions.

But she came forward and contacted the police in 2021. Sidaway, of Maclagan Street, Stoke, denied all the allegations but was convicted of five charges of raping a child under 13 after a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court in May. He was cleared of assaulting a child under 13 by penetration.

Prosecutor Jamie Scott said there was no evidence that Sidaway had abused other children. But he added the defendant exchanged messages with an undercover police officer which indicated a sexual interest in children.

The court heard Sidaway has previous convictions for downloading and viewing thousands of indecent images of children and breaching the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register.

Rashad Mohammed, mitigating, said Sidaway recognises he has 'lost the best of his last years'. He is now in prison which has been a shock for him. Mr Mohammed said: "He maintains his innocence and denies he has done any wrongdoing."

He said Sidaway's mum is aged 79 and he will not be able to provide assistance for her. Mr Mohammed asked Judge Sally Hancox to pass a determinate sentence so Sidaway has a release date to work towards.

But Judge Hancox sentenced Sidaway to a 25 year extended sentence which is made up of 21 years custody and an extended licence period of four years. Judge Hancox said: "The serious sexual offending you perpetrated on your victim has impacted her through childhood and into adulthood. What you did to her will always be part of her.

"You are now entirely alone. Worryingly the pre-sentence report contains continued denials of your sexual wrongdoing.

"I am satisfied you do provide a risk. A determinate sentence would not fully address the risk you possess. I find it necessary to pass an extended sentence to protect the public in the future."

Sidaway must serve two thirds of the custodial term (14 years) with the rest on licence. He was made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and placed on the sex offenders' register for life.

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A dangerous predator has been jailed after engaging in sexual communications with someone he believed was a child.

Alfred Liddle, 32, is now behind bars after being sentenced by a Judge following a complex police operation by officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) and Northumbria Police’s MOSOVO Safeguarding teams.

Liddle, of no fixed abode, believed he was talking to a 14-year-old girl online and persisted in sending her sexually explicit messages and images of himself.

What Liddle didn’t know was that he was actually speaking to a NEROCU police officer.

During the investigation, it was revealed Liddle already had a Sex Offender Notification and Sexual Harm Prevention Order against him and had breached both.

Officers arrested Liddle in April and he was subsequently charged with Engage in sexual communication with a child, Incite a child in sexual activity, Send photograph or film of genitals to a child, Breach of Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Breach of Sex Offender Notification Requirements.

Liddle appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on June 10 and pleaded guilty to all charges.

Today (Monday), he appeared before the same court and was sentenced to five years and three months in prison, with an extended licence period of a further two years and nine months.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Lee Robertson, said:

“This case has resulted in a repeat sexual predator behind bars, and I want to thank all those who worked to ensure this outcome.

“Liddle thought he could keep offending without consequences but he has learned that our officers will not stop in their pursuit of abusers.

“Under Operation Sentinel, our regional approach to tacking serious and organised crime, we will continue to investigate these online offences to safeguard children and protect the public.” 

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Detectives have praised the strength of a rape survivor for helping lock up the man who abused her.

The woman was subjected to a series of terrifying ordeals at the hands of Ashley Chambers last December.

She was raped by Chambers at a Nottinghamshire address on two separate occasions during the month.

The 38-year-old then attacked the same woman again – this time threatening her with knives and a pair of scissors.

This escalated to the extent that Chambers’ victim lost consciousness when he decided to assault and then strangle her.

She eventually regained consciousness and managed to escape the address by jumping out a window, before going to seek help.

The police were then notified, with officers arriving at the address soon after and leading Chambers away in handcuffs.  

Based on the victim’s brave decision to disclose what happened to her, a series of charges were brought against Chambers.

He went on to plead guilty to two counts of rape, intentional strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and threatening a person with an offensive weapon.

Appearing before Nottingham Crown Court on Friday (8 August), Chambers, of Ilkeston Road, Stapleford, was jailed for 12 years.

He was also made subject of an indefinite restraining order, banning him from having any contact with the victim.

Detective Constable Jessica Ratcliffe, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“I’d like to firstly praise the victim in this case, whose brave decision to share her experiences helped put Ashley Chambers behind bars.

“After going through such a horrific ordeal, she deserves so much credit for doing what she’s done since then.

“In stark contrast to her strength, Chambers showed himself to be a complete coward, with his despicable behaviour rightly seeing him sent to prison.

“While no amount of time will ever make up for the pain he caused, we were really pleased to see the judge impose such a significant sentence, which we hope will provide the victim with some small degree of comfort.”

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A paedophile who denied his crimes has had his punishment altered after being deemed unsuitable for programme work.

Steven Stronach, who had no legal representation on Thursday when his case called at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, stood silently in the dock as he was given new instructions on what he was required to do following his conviction earlier this year.

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A sex offender with a ‘blatant disregard’ for the law has been jailed for more than three years after breaching his court order.

Simon Smith, 35, of Crown Street West, Lowestoft, was sentenced to 40 months in prison at Ipswich Crown Court today after pleading guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and failing to comply with notification requirements on two occasions.

Smith was issued the SHPO in March 2022 for three offences of making indecent images of a child and possessing extreme pornographic images.

He was arrested in April this year after failing to attend a police station as required under the order.

In addition to breaching the SHPO, Smith also pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent images of children, possession of amphetamines and failing to attend court as soon as practicable.

Ali Barham, public protection manager, said: “Smith has been evading capture by police since May 2025.

“It is clear from our investigations and his actions that he was extremely difficult to manage in the community as he was not complying with his requirements and committing further offences, with the risk to the public escalating. Smith is also a known drug user and this added further cause for concern.

“A search of his property in Crown Street West located a laptop and a Samsung phone not known to police.

“This is a very positive sentence which will come as welcome news to local residents and the wider community.

“A clear and blatant disregard has been demonstrated by Smith with regards to his sexual harm prevention order as this order was put in place by the judicial system to protect the public from predators like him.”