Latest Offenders

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Pair who raped and sexually abused children jailed for almost 30 years.

“Speak to police – you will be believed, and it will be investigated. It doesn’t matter if it was four years or 40 years ago, just say something and get the justice you deserve.”

These are the words of a rape survivor who this week saw her abusers jailed for almost 30 years.

The woman was in primary school in the 1980s when she was raped and sexually assaulted by Neil Willis and Anthony Douglas.

The pair also sexually abused a boy, while Willis also assaulted two other young children.

The two rapists were living in Peterlee, County Durham, at the time of the abuse, with Willis, formerly known as Neil Blenkinsop, aged between 14 and 17, and Douglas aged 19 to 20.

Their offending came to light when one of the boys – who is now an adult – told police what happened to him in 2019.

An investigation was launched by Durham Constabulary, which led to three further survivors coming forward and disclosing that they too had been abused, and the pair were charged with a multitude of sexual offences.

Willis, aged 57, admitted some charges and was found guilty of others, including rape, indecent assault, buggery, and gross indecency with a child following a two-and-a-half-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court earlier this year.

Douglas denied all offences, but the 58-year-old was found guilty of several counts of rape, indecent assault, and gross indecency with a child.

The pair appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday (July 14) for sentencing; Willis, of Ealing, in London, was jailed for 13 years, while Douglas, of Hartlepool, was jailed for 16 years with a one-year extended licence.

They were also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

In a powerful victim impact statement that was read out in court, one of the survivors said the pair had destroyed her life.

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A rapist from Dundee subjected a partner to months of violent torment and coercive control.

John Williamson choked the woman to the point of unconsciousness, took control of her money and isolated her from loved ones.

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An "extremely dangerous" predator is facing a long prison sentence after being convicted of raping a child. Daniel Carter was also found guilty of a string of other sexual offences against the victim.

Chester Crown Court was told Carter abused the girl - who was under 13 - over three years. He had denied all the allegations but was found guilty after a four-day trial.

Carter was found guilty by unanimous verdict of 10 counts of child sexual offences, including rape of a child under 13, exposure, sexual assault, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Police began an investigation in November 2022 following a disclosure made by the victim. Carter, aged 28, of no fixed abode but from the Macclesfield area, has been remanded in custody and is set to be sentenced on September 12.

Following the verdict, Detective Constable Steph Darbyshire said: “Firstly, I want to commend the victim for her bravery and courage shown throughout this investigation and trial. Sadly, there are no winners in this case, however I truly hope this result will provide her closure.

"I would like to thank the victim’s family who have whole-heartedly supported her and the investigation throughout. I would also like to thank my team and all those involved in securing this verdict – an immense amount of work has gone into ensuring the victim and other innocent children are safeguarded from what is an extremely dangerous sexual predator.

“Carter has shown no remorse for the horrific acts of abuse he subjected his victim to, and denied everything throughout the investigation, traumatising his victim further by putting her through a trial.

“Thankfully, the jury were able to see through his lies, and he will finally be held accountable for what he’s done.

“I hope this result will enable the victim to move past this part of her life, with the comfort of knowing Carter will never be able to hurt her again.”

As well as his sentence, Carter has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

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A convicted sex offender who had online chats about sex with volunteers from four paedophile hunter groups posing as schoolgirls has been jailed for three years.

Sentencing Daniel Gibbs, Recorder Emma Nash described him as a danger to children and said if the decoy children had been real they would have been caused significant trauma.

She said that in the chats Gibbs had told the decoy girls to delete the messages he had sent them because he knew what he was doing was wrong and that he could go to prison.

“You don’t consider yourself a danger to children. I disagree with you,” said the judge.

 Gibbs,  33, of Crown Street, Stowmarket admitted three offences of attempted sexual communication with a child, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and sending naked pictures of himself.

In addition to jailing Gibbs, Recorder Nash made him the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for 20 years and ordered him to sign the sex offenders’ register for the rest of his life.

Marc Brown, prosecuting at Ipswich Crown Court , said Gibbs  was arrested after he had online chats about sex with volunteers from paedophile hunter groups “Angels of Innocence” and “Justice Reborn” who were posing as schoolgirls.

In the chats Gibbs had claimed to be a swimming coach and after telling one of the girls he believed to be 13 that she was cute he had sent her a naked picture of himself and asked her about her school uniform and her underwear.

Gibbs had told another decoy child who told him she was ten that he wanted to see her vagina, knickers and school uniform.

When the girl said she was in the bath he had persistently tried to video call her and then accused her of wasting his time.

In chats with a decoy posing as another 13-year-old girl he had sent a picture of his erect penis and had encouraged to touch herself in a sexual way.

The court heard that in 2007 when he was 15 Gibbs had sexually assaulted a girl under 13 and later that year he had raped a boy under 13.

The court was told  Gibbs was genuinely remorseful and had been lonely and bored at the time of the recent offence which were committed after he had kept out of trouble for 17 years.

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A man has been sentenced to twenty years in prison for multiple counts of rape following a South Wales Police investigation.

Aaron Gaughan, 45, of Barry, was sentenced to 20 years - 15 years in custody and a five-year extended sentence - at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday July 14, 2025. He has also had an indefinite restraining order imposed against him to protect his victim.

The trial followed not guilty pleas entered on November 26, 2024 to the offences of three counts of rape, engaging in controlling/ coercive behaviour, two counts of assault and stalking involving serious alarm and distress. He was found guilty of all counts following an eight day trial.

He had previously pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified and driving a motor vehicle without insurance.

DC Brittany Brewer said:

“Aaron Gaughan is a dangerous individual who controlled every aspect of his victim’s life. He has shown no remorse or empathy for the campaign of abuse he has inflicted.

We applaud the courage of the victim in this case who has shown remarkable strength in attending court and providing evidence to the jury.

We hope they can finally achieve some peace and rebuild their life following the significant sentence passed by HHJ Lucy Crowther today”.

The victim read out the following impact statement in court:

“I am starting to feel like a different person since all the trauma Aaron Gaughan has put me through.

However, that doesn’t take away from the overwhelming anxiety and stress I have suffered over the last couple of years. I find it very difficult to sleep and as a result of this I am on different and more medication. I have continuous nightmares and a massive fear of leaving my home.

When I was in a relationship with Aaron Gaughan, I felt like a prisoner in my own home which I shall be receiving counselling for, I am still in fear of him to this day. Throughout the relationship Aaron has made me feel worthless and controlled my mind.

I just hope that now Aarons is sentenced that myself and my daughter can go on to have a normal life without living in fear. I can focus all my attention on my daughter and giving her the up bringing she deserves.”

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A man groomed a 12-year-old child in Lancaster and then tried to cover his tracks by asking his victim to delete pictures, chats and videos.

Thomas Freret, 39, is now behind bars after pleading guilty to several offences. 

The offences, which happened in Lancaster, date back to 2020 when the victim was just 12-years-old.

Freret groomed the victim for sexualised chats, pictures and videos and told the victim to delete the messages in a bid to cover his tracks.

Enquiries found that Freret, who lived at an address in Elche, Spain, until his arrest on November 10, had been issued with a sexual offences prevention order in 2013. This banned him from using the internet to contact or attempt to contact any child known or believed to be under the age of 16, which this latest offending put him in breach of.

On July 14, he was jailed for six years at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to sexual communication with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and breach of a sexual offences prevention order.

During yesterday’s sentencing hearing, Freret was also put on the sex offenders register for life and made subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

DS John Barton, from the police’s west internet child exploitation team, said: “Freret groomed and exploited a vulnerable child for his own sordid sexual interests. Despite residing in Spain, officers worked tirelessly to ensure he faced justice back here in Lancashire and now he is behind bars where he belongs.”

“Freret is one of a growing number of offenders we’ve put before the courts and I hope this case sends a strong message that our team will continue to relentlessly pursue those who prey on vulnerable young children online.”

The man pictured is 39-year-old Thomas Freret and he is a sex offender.

Yesterday (14th July) he was jailed for six years at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to sexual communication with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and breach of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

The offences, which happened in Lancaster, date back to 2020 when the victim was just 12 years old.

Freret groomed the victim for sexualised chats, pictures and videos and told the victim to delete the messages in a bid to cover his tracks.

Enquiries found that Freret, who lived at an address in Elche, Spain, until his arrest on 10th November 2024, had been issued with a Sexual Offences Prevention Order in 2013. This banned him from using the internet to contact or attempt to contact any child known or believed to be under the age of 16, which this latest offending put him in breach of.

During yesterday’s sentencing hearing, Freret was also put on the Sex Offenders Register for life and made subject of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

DS John Barton, from our West Internet Child Exploitation Team, said:

“Freret groomed and exploited a vulnerable child for his own sordid sexual interests. Despite residing in Spain, officers worked tirelessly to ensure he faced justice back here in Lancashire and now he is behind bars where he belongs.”

“Freret is one of a growing number of offenders we’ve put before the courts and I hope this case sends a strong message that our team will continue to relentlessly pursue those who prey on vulnerable young children online.”

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A RAPIST ‘laughed wickedly’ before throwing scalding tea at a woman, leaving her with burns that required hospital treatment.

Kyle Hazeley only stopped with his ‘appalling and cruel’ serious sexual assault as the woman’s tears were ‘putting him off’.

The 34-year-old dad was later convicted of charges of rape, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Having initially denied the charges and other offences, he pleaded guilty to the aforementioned counts on the day of his trial.

These were accepted by the crown, with remaining charges to lie on his file, and his sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court was adjourned to Monday for reports to be prepared.

The offences were all committed in Warrington last year, the court heard from David Birrell, prosecuting.

Hazeley was in the kitchen of an address in the town with the victim. The pair were arguing and the defendant was told to leave, but he refused.

Instead, he asked her for sex a number of times, but she refused and made it clear that she was not interested.

However, Hazeley refused to take no for an answer, grabbing her by the hair, removing her jeans and underwear, and pushing her head down on the cooker, preventing her from moving away.

“She told him to stop and that she did not want to have sex, but this was to no avail,” Mr Birrell said.

It was said that she was crying during the incident and repeatedly told Hazeley to stop, but he ‘laughed wickedly and carried on’.

The court heard that he became rougher each time she told him to stop, that the victim felt that the incident ‘carried on for ages’, and that the defendant only stopped when he said that he ‘couldn’t carry on as her crying was putting him off’.

The assault occasioning actual bodily harm involved him pushing her into the kitchen units and kicking her, causing scratches and bruising.

Kyle Hazeley was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court

In terms of grievous bodily harm, this was caused by Hazeley after he threatened to ‘teach her a lesson’.

He ‘smashed’ her head on kitchen units a number of times, stood over her after she fell to the floor, and said: “Stay on the floor like the dog you are.”

The defendant then boiled the kettle, made himself a cup of tea with sugar in it, did another ‘wicked laugh’ and threw the scalding tea over her.

This caused scalding and burning through her jacket, which she instantly tried to remove, but he stopped her from doing so and ‘pushed the jacket down to make it stick to her skin’.

“He said that she deserved it and that it was not his fault, but hers,” Mr Birrell said, adding that Hazeley stopped her from seeking immediate medical attention.

When she did later attend A&E at Warrington Hospital, a doctor observed her 2” by 3” burn and referred her to the plastic surgery burn clinic at Whiston Hospital.

Here, her wound was cleaned and treated, and she was prescribed antibiotics.

In an impact statement, the victim said that she could not move her arm to brush her hair or have a shower after the tea incident, and that she did not want to go out in case anyone saw her injuries from the assault – or the defendant again.

She said that she was left fearful and anxious, has trouble sleeping still and has flashbacks, and is still uncomfortable when she hears the kettle.

“I feel like my life will not be the same again,” she said.

When Hazeley was arrested by Cheshire Police, he was interviewed twice and answered ‘no comment’ to questions put to him.

Mr Birrell revealed to the court that the defendant has nine previous convictions for 13 offences, with his most recent being for battery in 2009.

The court heard that the offences caused ‘severe psychological harm’ and permanent injury or scarring through the use of a weapon in the boiling tea.

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A sex offender has been jailed for more than a decade after subjecting a young child to abuse over the course of two and a half years in Tunbridge Wells.

A jury unanimously found Benjamin Edgell guilty after he repeatedly sexually assaulted the vulnerable victim between 2018 and 2020.

Investigating officers arrested Edgell on 30 June 2020 and seized his mobile phone and devices.

Forensic analysis of his phone revealed it contained illegal images and a video of the victim.

Edgell, 43, of Longleat Road in Radstock, Somerset, was later charged with four counts of sexual assault of a child and three counts of making indecent images of a child.

Sentenced

He pleaded not guilty but was convicted after a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

On 11 July 2025, Edgell was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment, of which he must serve at least two thirds before consideration for parole.

Upon his release, he will serve a four year extended licence and be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Wendy Thatcher, said:

‘Edgell committed the most vile and heinous acts against a child for his own gratification, without a single thought for their emotional, physical, nor psychological wellbeing.

‘Edgell denied the charges and subjected the victim and their family to a lengthy trial, during which they were forced to relive abhorrent events. I am grateful for their bravery, support, and perseverance in helping to secure a conviction against the offender.

‘It is right that Edgell has been handed such a lengthy custodial sentence and I hope it is of some comfort to the victim and their family.’

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Orme appeared in Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, July 2, after he was found guilty of the rape of a child under the age of 13 following a five day trial at the end of April. 

Orme, 37, was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of three counts of rape of a child under the age of 13, one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of indecency with a child.

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Today, Monday 14 July, a man from Newsham Park has been jailed for the rape of a woman in Liverpool.

James Anthony Elliott , 30 years, was sentenced to eight years in prison and issued with an indefinite restraining order at Liverpool Crown Court today.

Elliott, of Newsham Drive, was found guilty following a three-day trial which commenced on Monday 7 July.

The court heard that Elliot raped an 18-year-old woman inside a house in August 2022. The woman has been supported by specially trained officers.

Detective Constable Andy Littler from Merseyside’s Unity Team who specialise in Rape and Serious Sexual Assault Offences, said: “This has been an extremely lengthy and complex investigation. Elliott then put his victim through the trauma of having to relive the experience by way of a trial.

“And while no sentence will repair the damage Elliot inflicted on his victim, I hope this conviction has secured some justice for her.

“I would like to praise the dignity she has shown throughout the investigation. Today’s results shows that violence against women and girls will simply not be tolerated and we will work tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice.”

Detective Constable Littler added:

“We are committed to protecting victims of sexual offences, and anyone who reports an incident to us will be safeguarded and supported throughout the investigation by Specially Trained Officers and Sexual Violence Advocates who will provide all the relevant support.

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

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

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A sick paedophile rapist has admitted a series of offences involving a girl involving two counts of rape.

Saptarshi Mitra from Ashfield Avenue, in Kings Heath abused his victim for several years, raping her and committing more than 10 sex offences.

The 42-year-old was caught when his victim she bravely came forwarded and reported the abuse.

West Midlands Police officers arrested Mitra and seized his mobile phone which contained indecent images of the girl.

He was charged with 13 sex offences, including two rapes and was due to stand trial.

But he changed his plea and admitted all the offfences when appearing at Birmingham Crown Court last Monday (July 7).

He will now face a ‘lengthy prison term’ when he is back in court in September for sentencing.

Saptarshi Mitra from Kings Heath has admitted 13 sex offences involving a girl including two rapes

Detective Sergeant Claire Hankinson, from West Midlands Police's Complex Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

“Mitra took advantage of his young victim but she had the courage to report the abuse.

“Mitra now faces a lengthy jail sentence when he next appears in court.

“We hope her bravery encourages other young people subjected to sexual abuse to come forward.”

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A paedophile has avoided jail after asking a '13-year-old girl' for sex on Snapchat.

Amjad Alshameri was caught out because he was in fact messaging an undercover police officer.

The 39-year-old also asked the fake profile if she 'liked muscles' and if she was a 'naughty girl'.

Alshameri, of Granville Street in Birmingham city centre, admitted one charge of attempting sexual communication with a child.

He was sentenced to an 18-month community order at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday, July 11 with 30 days rehabilitation activity and 100 hours of unpaid work.

An undercover officer had created a Snapchat account for a non-existent 13-year-old girl named 'Liv', which included age-appropriate pictures.

Alshameri, calling himself 'Mo.Million07', contacted the profile on April 15 this year.

Will Dudley, prosecuting, said: "The defendant asked Liv how old she was.

"She tells him she is 13 and he asks whether she likes older guys.

"He asked what she looked like and the defendant invited her to send him a photograph to which he responds telling her she looks 'cute and pretty'.

"He asked whether she likes muscles after sending a photograph of himself in the gym.

"The defendant tells Liv he thinks she can be a 'naughty girl'.

"He asks whether she has a boyfriend and whether she is ready for dating.

"He asked about her previous boyfriend and what she did with her previous boyfriend."

Mr Dudley continued: "He asked if she thought it was nice to be naughty sometimes.

"He asked if she was ready for sex, whether she was going to be a naughty girl and whether she wanted to try sex.

"He asked her with whom and whether it might be with him."

Police linked Alshameri's mobile number to the Snapchat account.

Judge Peter Carr confirmed he was going to follow probation's recommendation for a community order, negating the need for the defendant's barrister to make any mitigating comments.

He told him: "The offence is serious and has a starting point of imprisonment. However I have had the benefit of reading a pre-sentence report on you.

"I can tell you I am not going to send you to prison."

Alshameri was also made the subject of a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and sex offender notification requirements.

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A teacher from Birmngham has been jailed for sending naked images of himself to girls, after he contacted them online pretending to be a teenage boy.

Jamie Morgan, aged 27, made contact with three girls on the social media platform Snapchat and encouraged them to send him naked images of themselves.

He used various usernames and told one of the girls he was a 17-year-old boy.

Morgan went on to send the girls naked images of himself, and persuaded one of the girls into sending him a similar image of herself.

But concerns were being raised about him and after officers were contacted early this year, they carried out an investigation into his online activity which resulted in him being arrested on 30 January.

At a hearing at Birmingham Crown Court in March, Morgan admitted three counts of sending indecent images and one charge of inciting a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity.

On Thursday (10 July) Morgan of Park Close, Erdington, was jailed for three years and six months. He has also been put on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

DC Darren English from West Midlands Police Public Protection Unit, said:

"Morgan lied and manipulated his young victims, believing that doing so online and by using a fake identity would shield him from being found out. But we were able to quickly unmask his criminal activity and bring him before the courts.

"These young girls and those around them have shown great strength in supporting our investigation throughout and it has resulted in Morgan now being locked up."

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A Devon man has been jailed for 30 months after admitting the sexual abuse of a child.

Charles Kirkby, 39, of Church Road, St Thomas, Exeter, appeared at Exeter Crown Court for sentencing on Friday 13 June after previously pleading guilty to two sexual assaults of a girl aged under 13.

At the sentencing hearing the court heard how Kirkby abused the girl on a date in 2024.

After the girl bravely told her mother, police were called and Kirkby was arrested the same evening.

In interview he stated he was under the influence of alcohol but denied any sexual offending.

Kirkby was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Officer in the case, DC Jon Stephens from the Public Protection Unit, said:

“By bravely disclosing what had happened to her, the victim in this case has allowed us to investigate and bring Kirkby to justice for his offending.

“His actions were motivated by sexual desire and showed no consideration for the child victim.

“We ask anybody who has been the victim of child sexual abuse to report it, whether it be recent or non-recent, and we will investigate each matter thoroughly.”

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A drunk Northumberland sex offender was caught after the brave teenage victim secretly recorded the "disgusting" things he was saying to her. John Rutherford began making sexualised comments to the girl before he sexually assaulted her.

But as the 40-year-old was making the lude comments, the brave victim managed to covertly record what he was saying to her. Following the sex assaults - which involved Rutherford "grabbing" her - the teen managed to break away from him before reporting what happened to police.

On Friday, Rutherford, of Amble, Northumberland, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for two counts of sexual assault. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.

David Povall, prosecuting, said Rutherford had been "drinking heavily" before he began making sexual comments to a teenage girl. He said: "[The victim] recorded some [comments] on her mobile phone. The defendant was very heavily intoxicated."

Soon after, ex-RAF serviceman Rutherford sexually assaulted the girl after he "grabbed her by the waist". The frightened girl eventually managed to break free and contacted police.

Lorraine Mustard, defending, said Rutherford was of previous good character and "remorseful" and that he did not want to use alcohol as an excuse. She added he was supported by his wife and other members of his family.

Sentencing him, Recorder Thomas Moran said: "[The victim] was completely terrified. Despite her fear, she recorded some of the disgusting things you were saying to her. [The recording] reveals you were very drunk." The court was told that Rutherford, who works as an electrical engineer, is "genuinely remorseful".

He was given a 10 month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months and must complete 30 rehabilitation days. A 120 day alcohol monitoring requirement was imposed alongside 100 hours unpaid work.

He will be on the sex offenders register for 10 years and a 10 year restraining order was imposed.