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A man has been sentenced to 17 years imprisonment at Portsmouth Crown Court today after being found guilty of 11 non-recent child sex offences in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Chris Cotton, 64, of Byfield Road in Hounslow was convicted on Wednesday 16 September of the 11 offences committed between 1977 and 1985, involving three people who were aged between 3 and 11 years-old at the time.

The majority of the offences took place in Leigh Park, Havant, where Cotton resided at the time, with others taking place at an address in Twickenham, Richmond-on-Thames.

An investigation was launched by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s specialist Operation Amberstone team, following which Cotton was charged in 2023 with the following offences:

• Two counts of rape of a female child
• Six counts of indecent assault of a female person under the age of 14
• Three counts of indecency with a child (inciting a child under the age of 14 to engage in an act of gross indecency)

Cotton pleaded not guilty to the offences, but following an eight-day trial, a jury found him guilty on all counts.

He was sentenced today (Friday 18 September) to 17 years imprisonment, with a further year on extended licence when released. Upon release, he will be subject to lifelong restraining orders against all three victims and has been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

The officer in the case, DS Hollie Shelton said: 

“The trail of devastation that Cotton has left in his wake is truly appalling. I am very glad to see him be locked up where he can no longer harm vulnerable members of the public.

“This result is a testament to the bravery and resilience of the victims, who, despite delays in the court process, remained strong in their pursuit of justice after suffering lifelong effects of his abuse.

“Even though no length of sentence could make up for the severe suffering he has caused to these victims throughout their lives, I hope it goes some way to providing closure and a feeling that justice has been finally been served.

“I also hope that this result will give them the ability to begin to rebuild their lives, knowing that the man who took advantage of them as vulnerable young children for his own sexual gratification is now facing a significant period of time behind bars.

 “Convictions of this nature show that it is never too late to come forward to police. There are a number of reasons why people do not report to police or to others what happened to them and delays in reporting are not a barrier to seeking justice later in life.

“Allegations of this nature are taken very seriously and will be thoroughly investigated.”

Description

Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been sentenced for non-recent child sex offences in Chesham. 

Joshua Holt (pictured below), aged 37, of Vernon Road, Chester, was sentenced to three years and eight months’ imprisonment at Aylesbury Crown Court on Thursday (10/9). 

Holt will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life. 

After a two-day trial on 14 July of this year at the same court, Holt pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault on a female contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. 

At his first hearing on 23 December 2025, Holt pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault on a female contrary to Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act. 

Between September 2020 and January 2021, Holt sexually assaulted the victim, who was a teenage girl at the time, on multiple occasions. 

Holt was charged by postal requisition on 18 October 2025. 

Investigating officer Detective Constable Eleanor Bleech of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit said:

“I would like to commend the victim for the courage and bravery she has shown throughout this investigation.  

“By coming forward and reporting what happened to her, she has enabled us to bring Joshua Holt before the courts and secure this conviction. 

“I hope that today's sentence provides her with a sense of justice and demonstrates that offenders will be held accountable for their actions, regardless of how much time has passed. 

“I would also like to thank the victim for the support and cooperation she has provided throughout the investigation and court process.  

“I recognise how difficult it can be for victims of sexual offences to relive traumatic experiences, and her strength and determination have been instrumental in achieving this outcome. 

“Thames Valley Police takes sexual offences against children very seriously, whether this is a recent offence or something which has happened many years ago. 

“I encourage anyone with information about sexual offences and victims of sexual offences to contact the police.” 

Description

A man has been jailed for raping a young woman. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Description

A 29-year-old man has been jailed after he pleaded guilty to multiple offences including rape. 

Jordan Owens, previously of Guinery Grove, Hemel Hempstead, used a mobile phone to film himself committing the offences against a woman inside a property in Northampton while she slept.

Owens was arrested following the woman bravely reporting what had happened to her to Northamptonshire Police and subsequently charged with multiple offences including five counts of rape.

After pleading guilty to all seven offences at Northampton Crown Court this week (September 15), Owens was sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison.

Lead investigator - Detective Constable Jon Brawn said:

“Jordan Owens is a dangerous offender who repeatedly targeted a woman while she was asleep and therefore unable to protect herself or give consent.

“I would like to commend the victim for her bravery in coming forward and supporting this investigation. We know how difficult it can be for survivors of sexual offences to report what has happened to them, and her courage has helped ensure Owens has been held accountable for his actions.

“I hope this sentence provides her with some sense of justice and allows her to move forward with her life knowing he is behind bars.”

“We take all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously and would encourage anyone who has experienced sexual violence or abuse to come forward. You will be listened to, supported and treated with respect throughout the investigative process.”

Description

A man has pleaded guilty to the attempted rape of a woman on a Bakerloo Line train, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Vincent Saxon, 54 (17.06.72), and of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday 17 September.

Saxon was remanded in custody to be sentenced at the same court on Friday 30 October.

The incident happened at around 11.40pm on Saturday 11 July.

A man approached a lone woman on the train between Waterloo and Lambeth North station and exposed himself to her.

He then forcibly pulled the victim to the floor and attempted to rape her, however she fought back and subsequently fled the train at Lambeth North before alerting station staff, who then called BTP.

The man stayed on the train before getting off at Elephant and Castle Underground station. Officers searched the area but the man wasn’t found.

An urgent investigation was launched, including a media and social media appeal that resulted in several people coming forward to police with crucial information.

One anonymous caller rang to say that they had seen the appeal and that a man matching Saxon’s description was outside a shop on Fulham Palace Road.

Officers raced to the location and Saxon was arrested. He was taken into custody and later charged.

BTP Detective Sergeant Krishan Appannah said:

“First and foremost I would like to praise the victim for her bravery following what was clearly a terrifying ordeal. She was alone late at night when she was approached and attacked by Saxon without warning.

“She fought back ferociously against him before he fled. Her actions helped us recover vital forensic evidence that, along with our CCTV enquiries, would leave Saxon with no choice but to plead guilty.

“He is a dangerous and predatory offender and I’m pleased to see that we have secured justice for this brave victim, hopefully it will now be able to bring her some form of closure."

Description

A former Police Scotland officer has been convicted of numerous sexual offences at the High Court in Glasgow.

Campbell Petrie, 50, was found guilty of nine charges - including two of rape – as well as indecent assault, assault with intent to rape and assault to injury and danger of life, which took place between 2006 and 2023.

He was a serving officer at the time of these offences, and was arrested and charged, and suspended from duty, in December 2023.

Petrie retired from Police Scotland in December 2025.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced next month.

Detective Superintendent Adam Brown, Public Protection Unit said:

"Violence against women and girls is an absolute priority for Police Scotland and we will relentlessly pursue the perpetrators of these crimes.

"Our thoughts are very much with the victims in this case and I commend their strength in reporting these crimes and bringing Campbell Petrie to justice.

"We understand how difficult it can be to report these kinds of offences, particularly when the perpetrator is a police officer. I want to reassure the public we will identify and investigate these officers whether they are serving or retired, or whether their crimes are committed on duty or, as in this instance, off duty.

"Petrie will now face the consequences of his actions and today's outcome should serve as an illustration of our determination in those investigations and I hope that this outcome may bring some closure to those affected by this case."

Description

A 28-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years for serious sexual and violent abuse against three women.

Liam Scott committed the offences including rape, between 2015 and 2019 in the Scottish Borders.

He was sentenced on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Scott was also given a lifelong Non-Harassment Order.

Detective Inspector Frank Keegan said:

“Scott’s horrific sexual and violent attacks had a devastating and lasting impact on these women, leaving them to live with profound trauma because of his actions.

“I would like to acknowledge the immense strength shown by all the victims throughout the court process. I hope that this sentence provides them with some sense of justice and closure and allows them to move on with their lives.

"Sexual and violent abuse of any kind have no place in society and we remain committed to supporting victims and bringing those responsible to justice.

"I would encourage anyone who has experienced sexual abuse or violence to report it to police. Every report will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated." 

Description

A sex offender who subjected a woman to a terrifying ordeal on a train in Manchester has been jailed within 72 hours thanks to a fast-paced British Transport Police investigation.

Babatunde Odutola, 36, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Manchester Magistrates Court on Monday 14 September to 44 weeks imprisonment in total after pleading guilty to one charge of Outraging Public Decency and for breaching a suspended sentence order.

The court heard how just three days previously, at around 7pm on Friday 11 September, Odutola approached a woman whilst on a train travelling through Cheshire towards Manchester Piccadilly railway station. He looked her up and down intimidatingly and acted aggressively when she chose not to engage with him.

Odutola then began exposing himself while sat in a wheelchair and masturbating, looking at her and telling her to ‘come over’.

The victim was escorted out of the carriage by a fellow passenger, distressed by the incident. CCTV shows he continued to masturbate as other passengers passed through the carriage, undeterred. Police were called and Odutola was arrested by British Transport Police officers once the train had arrived into Manchester Piccadilly station.

British Transport Police Detective Constable Leonidas Christoforou said:

“Odutola is clearly an incredibly dangerous individual and his disturbing behaviour must have been terrifying for the victim, who he singled out when she was travelling on her own.

“He’s shown little remorse for his actions and denied the allegations against him during his police interview. But a stack of incriminating evidence, including damning CCTV and several witness accounts, left him with little choice but to plead guilty when he appeared in court.

“This was not a one-off from Odutola, who was already a registered sex offender, and this type of alarming, predatory behaviour simply will not be tolerated on our railways.

“Holding vile offenders like him to account is a number one priority for us as a force and we’re tireless in our efforts to bring them to justice.

“If you experience or witness these crimes on the railway, please report it to us by texting 61016. We will always take action.”

Description

A man has been jailed for various sexual offences following a South Wales Police investigation.

Andrew Bennison, 44, from Church Village, Rhondda Cynon Taf, was sentenced to 13 years in prison following his conviction. He has also been given a restraining order and sexual harm prevention order for 15 years starting from today. He will also be placed on the sex offenders register for life.

The sentencing took place today (Thursday, September 17) at Cardiff Crown Court, following a week-long trial in August where Bennison was found guilty of four counts of causing a female to engage in a non-penetrative sexual activity, eight counts of sexual assault and two counts of assaulting a female by penetration with part of body.

This followed the victim coming forward to the police in April 2024. Officers then investigated the case and found that Bennison had been abusing the victim over a seven-year period.

Detective Constable Bethan Crisfield said:

“The bravery it takes to come forward and report offences like these cannot be underestimated.

“We hope that this sentence will go some way in helping the victim rebuild her life and heal from the awful events that took place. I thank her for her strength and dignity throughout this investigation.

“An extensive amount of work went into this investigation, and this sentence sends a hugely positive message to victims of sexual abuse that they will be believed, their attackers will be identified, and they will be brought to justice.”

Description

This man began grooming and sexually exploiting a girl when he was 47, and she was just 14. Now he's behind bars.

Mark Rowley committed the offences in Brighton and around Sussex between 2022 and 2024.

The 14-year-old victim was subjected to repeated rapes by Rowley, where he would beat her if she refused to comply. He also verbally abused her, leaving her in fear of doing something that would make him angry.

Rowley made the victim believe that they were in a relationship, and he would also frequently request she took and sent him explicit photos.

In a report to police on 22 February this year, details of the abuse surfaced and an investigation was promptly launched.

Rowley was arrested on 27 February in connection with a number of sexual offences against the victim.

Mark Rowley, now 52, of Anna Sewell Way, Chichester, was charged the following morning with rape, engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl age 13 to 15, and meeting a girl under 16 years of age following grooming. He was then remanded in custody.

The case proceeded to trial on 17 August at Brighton Crown Court. On 21 August, the jury found Rowley guilty of all charges, and he was remanded back into custody ahead of his sentencing.

On Monday, 14 September at Brighton Crown Court, Rowley was sent to prison for 15 years.

The officer leading the investigation, Detective Constable Dan Bentley, said:

"In this case, Mark Rowley saw an opportunity to exploit, manipulate, and use the victim for his own sexual gratification.

"Rowley's actions have had a significant and lasting impact on the victim, who has shown immense courage throughout what has undoubtedly been an extremely difficult and distressing process.

"The victim has been supported by specialist officers throughout the investigation, and we commend her bravery in coming forward and supporting the investigation at every step.

"Now Rowley has been sentenced, we hope this outcome reinforces the message that reports of sexual offending will be listened to, will be supported, and will be taken seriously."

Description

Mark Jones, 63, of Nantyffyllon, Maesteg, jailed for 22 months after eight SHPO breaches

A convicted child sex offender from Maesteg has been jailed after breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order eight times.

Mark Jones, 63, of Nantyffyllon, received a suspended sentence in 2020 for possessing indecent images of children aged between six and 10. He was also made subject to an SHPO requiring him to keep his search history, notify police of every internet-capable device he owned, and not use private networks such as VPNs.

Cardiff Crown Court, sitting remotely at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, heard that Jones breached the order eight times between April and June this year.

Prosecutor Hartej Saund-Matharu said that on 22 April police found Jones “agitated, doing up his jeans and his belt”. An officer established that 24 minutes earlier Jones had made a forbidden search on one of his devices.

Device history showed he had accessed numerous porn sites using VPNs and private browsers. On his phone, porn sites and live video chats were open and the VPN was still running while the officer was in the room.

Jones was also found with a phone police did not know about. He said a “friend” had given it to him and admitted using it without telling anyone. Search history showed he had accessed a Gmail account and tried to recover a Facebook account.

He was arrested and released on bail, then breached the SHPO a further three times.

Defending, Adam Sharp said there was no evidence that indecent images had been accessed on any seized device. He said Jones has “struggled with his mental health and is taking antidepressants” and “has suffered panic attacks during his time in custody.”

On Jones’s background, Mr Sharp said:

“His father died when he was young and his mother was diagnosed with dementia. He was her carer until she died in 2018.

“He has no relationship and no living family. He lives an isolated existence, compounded by his 2020 conviction.”

Mr Sharp asked Recorder Paul Lewis KC to suspend the sentence, noting Jones had already spent 90 days in custody and that this was his first series of breaches since the 2020 conviction.

Recorder Lewis refused, saying he would be doing a disservice to the public if he suspended the sentence. He told Jones he did not accept his denial that the breaches were sexually motivated.

Jones was sentenced to 22 months in custody and ordered to pay an £187 statutory surcharge within six months of release.

Recorder Lewis said:

“If I could have extended the Sexual Harm Prevention Order I would have done so, but for whatever reason I do not have the power within the remits of the law.”

Description

A man has been jailed after breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order by staying at an address where a child was present and not notifying police.

Yonathan Du Plessis, of Mallard Avenue, Edleston, Nantwich, was sentenced to 10 months in prison on Tuesday 1 September.

The 33-year-old had admitted breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order which was imposed in 2023.

On 27 May 2026, Du Plessis was arrested for breaching the order after having an unregistered mobile phone, something he was prohibited from doing.

After this arrest occurred, police then received information that he previously had contact with a child and had stayed in the same address as a child on multiple occasions.

Under the terms of his order, Du Plessis must notify police of any address or place that he stays at for a period of 12 hours or longer where a child under 18 resides/stays, within three days of his first stay.

PC Alex Barker, of the Sex Offender Management Unit (SOMU), Cheshire Police, said:

Du Plessis clearly had no regard for the conditions upon him and was subsequently arrested and charged for breaching his order.

This is why those with Sexual Harm Prevention Orders are robustly managed by SOMU, to ensure that anyone who does breach their order must face the consequences.

Description

Worthing man Mark Holden has been jailed for 12 years for multiple rapes and abusive offences against a woman spanning several years.

In August 2021, Sussex Police received a report from a woman in her 20s that Holden had raped her repeatedly over a five-year period, whilst using financial control and intimidation to control her behaviour.

She said Holden forced her to complete sex acts in return for money or food. 

The 28-year-old of New Road, Durrington, also forced the victim into having sex with one of his male friends.

After Holden’s offending was reported to Sussex Police, the victim was safeguarded and given support by specialist officers.

When Holden was arrested officers found digital devices in his property which contained 55 prohibited images of children.

On May 22 at Hove Crown Court, he was convicted of five charges of rape, and further charges of controlling or coercive behaviour, sexual assault and assault by penetration. Holden admitted possession of 55 prohibited images of children. Two further rape charges remain on file.

At the same court on Friday, 11 September, Holden was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He was also given an indefinite length restraining order and Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Owen Watkins said:

“Mark Holden subjected the victim in this investigation to years of abuse.

“I know how much resolve it takes for victims to support investigations such as these through to conclusion.

“Thanks to her strength, a man who once tried to control so much of her life has been brought to justice and is now safely behind bars where he cannot harm any more women.

“If you are a victim of sexual offending or abuse, please report it to Sussex Police online or via 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency. We will support you and do all we can to get you the justice you deserve.”

Description

A Chesterfield man has been jailed for sexual offences against a child and rape and coercive control against a woman.

Danny Hailes was found guilty of sexual activity with a child, sexual communication with a child, threatening to disclose private sexual photographs with intent to cause distress, and stalking involving fear of violence, against a girl in her early teens.

The 22-year-old was also found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour, and rape against a woman in her twenties.

Hailes offences first came to light when the school of the teenage girl raised concerns about him.

He was then arrested and was still under investigation for the offences against the first victim, when he went on to offend against the second victim.

Hailes was arrested again when the woman reported that he had been controlling her and had gone on to rape her.

Hailes was subsequently charged with the offences against both victims but denied all of them.

He was sent for trial in June this year and a jury found him guilty of the above charges against the two victims after a 13-day-trial.

Hailes, of Heather Vale Road, Hasland, had additionally been charged with controlling and coercive behaviour, rape, and stalking against a third woman but was found not guilty of these during the trial.

On 14 September, a judge sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Hailes was also handed a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and lifetime restraining orders in respect of his victims.

He will be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register and the Child’s Barred List, which means he can be prevented from working with children.

Officer in the case for Victim 1, Detective Constable Matt Charlesworth said:

“I would like to commend the victims in this case for their bravery in coming forwards and giving evidence in court regarding the horrific crimes they have been subjected to at the hands of such a dangerous, manipulative and controlling individual.

“I also wish to publicly extend my thanks to other witnesses who put their own anxieties and fears to one side, by providing evidence and making an invaluable contribution to securing his conviction.

“Whilst I am sure no sentence can offer suitable redress for the level of trauma Hailes has caused, I do hope that this outcome goes at least some way towards allowing all those affected by his actions the opportunity for some form of closure”.

Officer in the case for Victim 2, Detective Staff Investigator David Wright said:

“Danny Hailes said in open court that he was a player. The jury decided on the evidence that he was in fact a predator.

“At no point has he took responsibility for his actions, nor shown any remorse.

“He has made both victims relive their ordeals in court as an attempt to maintain control over them till the last.

“During the investigation, he refused to provide the PIN for his phones and was asked again in front of the jury by the prosecuting barrister for his PIN, but he refused.

“He clearly had something to hide, and the CPS applied for a deprivation order for his phones due to the nature of the offending.

“Above everything else, I must thank the victims for the courage they have shown in reporting Hailes’ crimes and seeing the case through till trial.”

Description

A registered sex offender who used photographs of people known to him and superimposed their faces onto pornographic images has been returned to prison.

Peter Smith, 75, was convicted in 2013 for possessing and making an indecent image of a child, as well as possessing an extreme pornographic image.

As part of his sentence, he was made subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which prohibited him from using image or video editing software and from possessing any device capable of storing digital images unless it was made available for examination by police officers.

On several occasions Smith was recalled to prison due to breaching the orders imposed on him.

Following his latest release from prison in July 2026, officers from Kent Police carried out an unannounced visit to his home address in Station Road, Rainham.

During a search of the property, officers found a USB stick concealed beneath a pillow. When a mobile phone and tablet were examined, officers identified several applications capable of editing images. Further analysis uncovered a number of indecent images of children and extreme pornographic images.

Officers also established that Smith had been digitally altering photographs by taking the faces of people known to him and superimposing them onto pornographic images.

Arrested

He was arrested and subsequently charged with making indecent images of children, possessing extreme pornography, creating non consensual intimate images, breaching the SOPO and failing to comply with notification requirements under the sex offenders register.

Smith pleaded guilty to the offences at an early hearing, and at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 11 September 2026, he was jailed for 3 years.

Investigating officer Police Constable Ben Tanner said:

‘Smith's actions showed a blatant disregard for the restrictions imposed on him to protect the public and prevent further offending.

‘The discovery of indecent images of children, extreme pornography and non consensual altered images demonstrates the importance of the proactive work carried out by officers who monitor registered sex offenders in Kent.

‘We will continue to take action against anybody who breaches the conditions placed upon them and poses a risk to others.’