Latest Offenders

Description

A 59-year-old man from Chandler’s Ford has been jailed for three years and four months for the sexual assault of a child under 13, and indecent exposure.

Robert Grant, of Catmint Close, was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on Friday (18 July).

The offences, for which he had previously pleaded guilty at the same court on Monday 17 March, took place in Eastleigh on Wednesday 27 March 2024.

As well as the time he will now spend behind bars, Grant has also been made subject to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, five-year restraining order and notification of requirement to register with the police indefinitely.

PC Jen Grace, of the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

 “I am pleased for the young victim in this case that justice has now been served for them and their family, and that Grant has now been placed behind bars, where he belongs.

“I’d also like to place on record my praise for the young victim in this case and the courage and determination they have shown throughout.

“Additionally, I’d like thank everyone who has been involved in this case, helping to secure this outcome. Their support and hard work has ensured this outcome.

“While I know this result won’t rid the victim and family of the memories of what Grant did, I truly hope it allows them to move forward, safe in the knowledge that he can no longer harm any other children.’

Directly addressing other victims of sex offences, PC Grace, said:

“We encourage other victims to come forward and speak to us. We take allegations of this nature extremely seriously and work hard to bring offenders to justice.

“This case should also be a very clear message to other offenders out there that we will always work tirelessly to ensure you are brought to justice.”

Description

A repeat sex offender from Dartford has been convicted of non-recent crimes involving a young person.

Paul Perry, of Hilltop Gardens, was found guilty of three counts of gross indecency with a child and one count of indecent assault that took place more than 35 years ago, following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

Investigation

Perry, 58, abused a young victim in the 1980s, including while he was himself a juvenile.

Specialist detectives from Kent Police launched an investigation after the offences were reported to them in 2019. Perry, the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order due to his previous convictions, was arrested in December that year and was later charged.

Jailed

He denied the offences but, after a jury found him guilty on all counts, Perry was jailed on Wednesday 16 July 2025.

In acknowledgement of Perry’s age when some of the offences were carried out, and the law at the time, he was given the maximum sentence of one year in prison and a year to be served on licence when he is released. He was also placed on the sex offender’s register for seven years.

Detective Sergeant Frank Bloomfield said:

‘No matter how long ago a crime took place, we will always listen to victims and strive to bring offenders before the courts to answer for their actions. It is never too late to report an offence and we have specially trained officers to deal with such cases.‘Perry’s crimes in this case may have been committed decades ago, but they had a significant impact on the victim, whose courage in coming forward should be commended. I hope it helps to bring some closure, knowing that Perry has been convicted for what he did.’

Description

An asylum seeker from Syria who raped a 12-year old girl after offering her vape and crisps while he worked illegally at a supermarket in Birmingham, could face deportation under a change in the law.

Mohammed Wahid Mohammed who's 22 and who lived in Walsall, told the victim it was "not safe on the streets" and gave her a vape and crisps, before raping her.

It happened on the 24th September last year at Villa Supermarket in Handsworth.

"The victim had been helping a homeless woman"

The girl, who had left her home earlier that day, ended up in Birmingham city centre around 8.30pm that night.

Andrew Wallace, prosecuting, told the court the victim had been helping a homeless woman despite having only "a couple of pounds on her".

He said "She bought the lady a cup of tea. The homeless lady then walked her down Villa Road to Villa Supermarket.

"As soon as the defendant saw her he said: 'You look really young. You look really cold do you want to come into the shop? It's warm in there, I'll get you something to eat and drink".

"He knew she was far away from home"

He continued: "He knew she was far away from home, there was discussion about that.

"Ironically, he told her it wasn't safe on the streets. He coaxed her into the shop under the pretence of being concerned. Really he only had sex in mind."

Birmingham Crown Court heard Mohammed promised the girl some food and told her to take a vape, crisps and fizzy drink from the shelves.

He then said he was going to get a "new drink" from a storeroom out of the back, but led her to an upstairs bedroom where he had been sleeping, and attacked her.

Mohammed was sentenced to 12 years in prison after admitting two counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13, and being found guilty of three counts of rape by a jury.

Description

A PAEDOPHILE who raped a young girl has been jailed for 12 years.

Serial sex offender Stuart Bladen, aged 48, from Pontypool had "wiggled his penis in her face".

He was found guilty of two counts of oral rape.

Bladen was unanimously convicted by a jury, who came back with verdicts after just an hour in deliberation, following a trial.

The defendant had denied the offences.

Thomas Stanway, prosecuting, read the victim’s impact statement during the defendant’s sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court.

She said: “I struggle to speak to new people and I struggle to speak about how I feel.

“I keep my emotions inside and I cry on my own and cry myself to sleep.

“I’m quite an anxious person and I worry a lot – I’m always stressed.”

“There are only a handful of people who I trust.”

The victim added: “I don’t have any confidence – inside I am sad and worried.

“I was worried that no one would believe what he did to me.

“I spend most of my days feeling sad.”

Bladen was jailed for 12 years in 2019 for sexually abusing a boy and locked up for six years in 2022 for sexually assaulting a girl at Trecco Bay caravan park in Porthcawl.  

His barrister Matthew Comer conceded: “The defendant realises there is something wrong with him.”

It was heard that there was a mention in Bladen’s pre-sentence report of him suffering “an adverse childhood experience”.

Judge Celia Hughes told the defendant: “The complainant in her powerful impact statement says that she struggles to sleep and express her emotions.

“She is clearly a sad, anxious and troubled young person.”

The judge added: “She gave powerful testimony at the trial which was compelling evidence of your guilt.

“You appear to be in denial.”

Bladen, she said, poses a “significant risk of serious harm to the public”.

He was handed a 10-year custodial sentence plus a two-year extended licence term.

That makes a total prison sentence of 12 years.

The defendant will have to register as a sex offender and made the subject of a restraining order not to contact his victim for indefinite periods.

Bladen must also pay a statutory victim surcharge following his release from jail.

Description

Two men have been found guilty of raping a vulnerable girl in Rotherham 25 years ago.

A third man – aged 14 at the time – raped a second girl, a jury at Sheffield Crown Court also found today, 23 July.

Sageer Hussain – who lived in Rotherham at the time but is currently in prison serving a sentence for separate sexual offences – is now 39 years old.

Kessur Ajaib and Mohammed Makhmood – both 43 and of Rotherham – were aged between 18 and 20 at the time of offending.

During a period of more than two years, starting in 1999 when the first victim was 14, Ajaib and Makhmood raped her.

The girl was attacked by Ajaib while out in Rotherham. Ajaib made conversation with the girl and gave her alcohol, before luring her to an alleyway in a residential area, where he raped her.

Makhmood carried out his attack when he found the girl waiting at a bus stop one evening. He invited her to smoke a cigarette with him, then led her to a nearby graveyard where he raped her.

The second girl, aged around 14, used to see Hussain around Rotherham town centre. On one occasion, Hussain led her down an alleyway and said he would not let her back out unless she had sex with him. She refused and he raped her.

Officers from Operation Stovewood - the NCA’s enquiry into historic allegations of sexual abuse in Rotherham - contacted the victims, now in their 30s, after identifying they may have been victims of child sexual abuse.

NCA senior investigating officer Alan Hastings said:

“Ajaib, Hussain and Makhmood subjected two young girls to devastating acts of sexual abuse, the consequences of which the victims have lived with for almost 25 years.

“Those victims have now, at last, had their voices heard and their accounts believed. While this could never eradicate the suffering caused by their attackers, I hope it will pave the way for the women to move forward with their lives.

“Both women have shown enormous strength and courage in speaking their truth and I am pleased that the National Crime Agency has, through careful investigation, helped them find justice.

“I encourage other victims of child sexual abuse to report what has happened to them, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.”

Child sexual abuse can be reported to the police in person or by calling 101.

Liz Fell, Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit, said:

"These men deliberately exploited the victims’ youth and vulnerability to manipulate and control them. They sexually abused the victims, who were children, in the most horrendous way.

“The treatment these young girls endured was appalling – they were attacked in isolated locations and subjected to humiliation and verbal abuse.

"I want to thank both women for their courage in coming forward and staying engaged with the investigation and prosecution. Their evidence was vital in building our case and securing justice after all these years.

"The Crown Prosecution Service will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to support all victims of child sexual abuse as we pursue justice on their behalf."

All three men were remanded in custody ahead of sentencing. Hussain is due to be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on 7 November. Ajaib and Makhmood are due to be sentenced at the same court on 21 November.

The NCA's Operation Stovewood remains the single biggest investigation of its kind, looking at allegations of abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. To date 46 people – including Hussain, Ajaib and Makhmood – have been convicted.

Description

A “controlling” rapist who travelled more than 120 miles to intimidate a woman before smashing her head off a road has been jailed. 

Michael Lesko “showed no remorse” and was described as “living in a fantasy world” when he was jailed for ten years for the sick sex attacks on Thursday (July 24).

It follows an incident last year when Lesko travelled to Durham with intentions to harass a woman, waiting inside the bus station for her. 

When he spotted her, he jumped on the same bus, following her to Ferryhill, where she went into a pub for her own safety as he followed behind. 

When she thought the coast was clear, she left the pub; but Lesko, who lived in Bridlington, was waiting outside and began following her. 

After getting into an argument with the victim, the 29-year-old launched an attack, pushing her, grabbing her hair, and lifting her up before hitting her head off the road. 

The woman bravely reported the incident and disclosed that she had been sexually assaulted by Lesko and raped on another occasion by him.

Lesko, of New Burlington Road, was later found guilty following a trial in March of rape, stalking, sexual assault and assault causing actual bodily harm, all in breach of a suspended sentence order made last year.

He appeared at Durham Crown Court this morning (July 24) where he was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Safeguarding Detective Gary Tinkler said:

“Lesko is a controlling and dangerous offender, who poses a high risk to women.

“Lesko has shown no remorse and was described during sentencing as living in a fantasy world where he takes no responsibility for his own actions.

“I would like to praise the victim involved in this case whose courage has led to a conviction. Hopefully, she can now close this horrific chapter and can begin to move on with her life.”

Description

A 19-year-old man convicted of serious sexual crimes in Paisley has been jailed for seven years.

Kyle Jackson was sentenced to seven years in prison at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, 23 July, 2025. He was also issued with a non-harassment order.

He was found guilty of a number of serious offences including rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault at the High Court in Paisley on Wednesday, 11 June, 2025, following an extensive police investigation. The offences took place between September 2020 and October 2022.

Detective Sergeant Jonathan Campbell said: 

“Kyle Jackson is a dangerous man who carried out these horrifying crimes across a number of years, and he will now face the consequences of his despicable actions in prison.

“This outcome was made possible thanks to the victims who came forward and reported him and I commend them for the strength they have shown during the investigation and court proceedings. Our thoughts remain with them, and I hope this sentencing offers them some comfort as they move forward with their lives.

“Officers carried out extensive enquiries during the course of this investigation, and I would like to reassure our communities that we are committed to investigating all reports of sexual crimes. We remain determined to bring those responsible to justice no matter how much time has passed.

“I urge anyone who has been the victim of any offence of this nature to come forward to police – you will be fully supported by our officers and partner agencies.”

Description

A rapist has been jailed thanks to vital forensic evidence obtained more than a year before police were informed of his crime. 

The victim, a young woman studying in Nottingham, was raped by an acquaintance after a night out in March 2019.

When she initially decided not to tell the police she was advised by a friend to visit Nottingham’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

The SARC, an independent specialised medical clinic designed to secure evidentially sound forensic evidence, was then able to release its findings once a criminal complaint was made in November 2020.

The evidence, which clearly indicated intimate contact between the victim and her assailant, proved vital when he denied that any sexual contact took place.

After a four-day trial at Mansfield Magistrates Court in December, Michael Gibson was found guilty of rape. 

The jury heard how Gibson, now aged 26, had shared a room and a bed with the victim after missing his bus home.

She later awoke to find him committing the offence.

The victim initially approached Nottinghamshire Police five days after the incident but said she did not want to take the matter further.

With vital forensic evidence secured, however, she was able to successfully reengage with officers the following year.

That evidence, contained on clothing worn by the victim, was presented to prosecutors alongside Gibson’s denial of sexual contact and a series of mobile phone messages in which he apologised to the victim

Appearing at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Friday July 18, Gibson, of HMP Nottingham, was jailed for six-and-a-half years. 

Detective Sergeant Emma Steele, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Like many victims of rape and sexual assault, the victim in this case was initially reluctant to involve the police or support a prosecution. 

“While we’d always encourage people to engage with us at the earliest opportunity, she did exactly the right thing in visiting the SARC on the day after the incident and ensuring that vital forensic evidence was secured.

“Had she not done that then it is highly unlikely that this prosecution would have succeeded.

“It is then important for all victims to know that they can attend the SARC without involving the police.

“They will provide you with support and advice, as well as obtaining valuable evidence which can be stored for two years in the event you wish to the report the matter at a later date. 

“In this case that allowed us to successfully prosecute a case we first knew of 18 months after it happened.

“As this case comes to a close I remain full of admiration for the victim and the determination she has shown, and hope this result encourages others to come forward and tell us what’s happened to them.”

Description

A man has been sentenced to more than seven years after sexually abusing a child in Runcorn.

Shaun Ashley, of Cotton Lane, Runcorn, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday 17 July.

The 37-year-old was previously found guilty of two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching and one count of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15.

The case began in 2021, when the victim reported incidents of sexual assault committed by Ashely on at least three occasions. The incidents took place in the Runcorn area of Cheshire between 2014 and 2021.

Ashley was subsequently arrested and interviewed in relation to the incidents. Following a thorough investigation, he was later charged with multiple offences but denied them. He was found guilty following a trial.

On top of his custodial sentence, Ashely is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must comply with a restraining order protecting the victim in this case. He must also sign the Sex Offender Register indefinitely.

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said:

“Firstly, I would like to commend the victim in this case for reporting what happened to her and for her subsequent bravery throughout the trial after Ashley refused to admit his heinous crimes.

“But the jury saw through his lies and I hope the fact that he is now subject to a lengthy spell behind bars will give her some sense of closure.

“I also hope it encourages anyone who has been a victim of sexual offences to please contact us. We will investigate all reports thoroughly with the needs and wishes of the victim as our main priority.”

Description

A sex offender who abused two boys and persuaded a third to send him an indecent image has been jailed for 18 years.

Billy Ingram, 31, befriended families in Cambridge before having unsupervised access to their children.

In August 2022, Ingram, who was already a registered sex offender, saw a woman he knew walking with her children. He began talking to her and followed her home.

The woman let him into her property and they continued talking until the early hours of the morning when she fell asleep.

The next morning, Ingram sat next to the woman’s young son and let the boy play on his mobile phone, before sexually assaulting him.

A few weeks later the child told his mother what had happened, and Ingram was arrested.

The subsequent investigation established Ingram had befriended several other families in Cambridge and had had unsupervised access to their children.

This unsupervised access represented a breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order he was given in 2017 as part of a separate investigation.

Officers also analysed two mobile phones belonging to Ingram and found hundreds of indecent images and videos of children, as well as additional prohibited content suggesting a sexual interest in minors.

Included in the content was video footage of Ingram sexually abusing a boy. Officers managed to identify the child and visited his home in the Greater Manchester area, where it was confirmed Ingram had stayed at the address at the time the videos were recorded.

Officers visited the home of another boy in West Mercia who was also identified from the content.

The boy described how Ingram had contacted him online via a computer game in 2020, when he was ten years old, and persuaded him to send an indecent image of himself.

Ingram, of Ongar Court, Cambridge, admitted two counts of sexual assault of a boy under 13 by touching, four of possessing indecent images of a children, one of causing or inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity and four breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Yesterday (22 July) at Cambridge Crown Court he was jailed for 18 years, with an additional eight years on licence. He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

DC Paul Evans said:

“Ingram is a devious sex offender who befriended families and manipulated his way into their homes specifically so he could prey on their children.

“I’d like to commend all the children involved who assisted us with the investigation and their families. Their bravery in talking about what happened to them has resulted in Ingram being brought to justice.”

Description

A 24-year-old man who groomed a teenage girl has been jailed.

Matthew Cai Pritchard of Dol Eithin, Caergeiliog, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Tuesday 22nd July after admitting to four counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of sexual communication with a child.

Pritchard, who was aged 18 to 19 at the time of the offences, messaged the girl on social media when she was aged between 13 to 16.

They then began to meet in person where he gave her alcohol before having sex with her.

During this time, he also made her pose for intimate photos.  

He was jailed for four years.

He was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order to protect the victim until further notice.

Detective Constable Sarah Jones said:

“Pritchard groomed and manipulated a vulnerable young girl when he was himself an adult.

“This experience has had a devastating impact on the victim’s life.

“She has been incredibly brave to report what happened to her and I hope this sentencing will provide her with the reassurance to move forward.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse to come forward. You will be listened to, supported, and safeguarded no matter how recent or how long ago it happened.”

Description

A SUSPENDED jail term has been handed to a Carlisle pensioner after he admitted sexually assaulting four female hospital workers.

John O'Neill, 78, committed the offences over five days last year, Carlisle's Rickergate court heard.

He was sentenced at the city’s Rickergate court.

The first three offences were committed on consecutive days, prosecutor Diane Jackson told the court. 

He entered guilty pleas to all four allegations. All four victims were working at The Cumberland Infirmary when the offences happened.

The defendant, of Lazonby Terrace, Carlisle, was sentenced after the Probation Service prepared a pre-sentence report, providing relevant background for the hearing.

Magistrates imposed an eight-week jail term, but they suspended this for a year. O’Neill was told he will be on the Sex Offender Register for the next seven years.

They said that the offending merited custody because the victims were performing a public service at the time when they were sexually assaulted.

They dismissed the suggestion of compensation.

This was because of the “limited means” of the defendant, and any sums would be derisory and could cause further distress, they ruled. The defendant’s guilty pleas were taken into account.

Description

A sex offender who filmed women using a public toilet is facing a lengthy prison sentence over his repeated "bizarre and troubling" voyeuristic activities.

Kurtis Mawson, now 24, was given a 25-month prison sentence at Durham Crown Court on March 1, last year, for offences committed in 2022 and 2023.

These included performing a sex act on himself in public while standing behind a female tourist taking a photo of Durham Cathedral and covertly filming women using a public toilet next to The Odeon Cinema in the city.

He was back before the court yesterday (Tuesday July 22) after admitting a further charge of voyeurism, in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which was put in place at the previous sentencing hearing, designed to help to curb his activities.

The new offences followed his arrest for again using a mobile phone to film people in female public toilets in Durham, on Saturday June 21, this year, during the licence period of the last sentence.

At the outset of what was to have been Mawson's latest sentencing hearing at the court, Robert Mochrie, representing the defendant, requested an update to a previous psychiatric report.

Mr Mochrie said the outcome may have an impact on the sentence passed on the defendant.

"His offending is so bizarre and troubling and a view has been taken that somebody needs to take a look at this."

Recorder Bryan Cox KC agreed to the request and said: "On the face of it, he's looking at a substantial custodial sentence."

Addressing Mawson, formerly of Willington, but appearing by video link to court from Holme House Prison, near Stockton, Recorder Cox told him: "I'm going to adjourn your case until September so that you can see a psychiatrist who will update a previous report on you.

"Co-operate with that psychiatrist in the preparation of that report.

"We'll see you back at this court for sentence on September 5 and, in the meantime, you will remain in custody."

Description

A SEXUAL offender has been jailed more than two decades after abusing young girls while he himself was a teenager.

Liverpool Crown Court head of the devastating impact that Andrew Eyre, of Burtonwood, has had on their lives.

The 39-year-old was sentenced on Friday after admitting multiple counts of indecent assault of a child and one of gross indecency with a child.

The offences occurred in the late 1990s and early 2000s in the Wirral area, explained Cheryl Mottram, prosecuting.

Eyre sexually abused two girls of around primary school age when he was a teenage youth himself.

A report was made to Merseyside Police by one of the victims in 2023, and she disclosed what had happened to her more than two decades previously.

During the course of the police investigation, a second victim gave an account of how she too was sexually abused by Eyre.

The court heard that neither victim understood what he was doing and how wrong it was due to their ages at the time.

It was said that the defendant told one of the victims that what happened between them was ‘our secret’.

Eyre was arrested by police in February last year and answered ‘no comment’ to questions put to him by officers during his interview.

In an impact statement, the first victim said: “I was so young at the time that I had no real understanding of what was happening.

“It has had a devastating impact on my mental health. I have had flashbacks, crippling anxiety, and nightmares. The impact of this is lifelong, and I still live with the consequences every day.

“It continues to shape my life and, no matter how hard I try to heal, it is etched in the foundations of who I am. I do not think I will ever have a normal life.”

The second victim also detailed the significant impact her experience had on her, including causing her to have low self-esteem.

The court heard that Eyre has no previous convictions.

It was said that the court was bound by the maximum sentencing powers available to a judge at the time the offences were committed, and that the court must also consider his age at the time.

Moreover, the court heard that some of his offending behaviour could be considered rape if it occurred in the present day.

In mitigation, Jim Smith, defending, said: “The defendant is extremely sorry for his criminal behaviour.

“Anything he says can never negate or subdue the lifelong scars they have suffered, and he appreciates the impact on their lives.”

Mr Smith put forward that his client was remorseful through his guilty pleas and that he himself was a youth and immature at the time.

It was said that more than two decades have passed since the offending took place, in which he has not committed any further offences, and that character references describe him as being a ‘kind, thoughtful, hard-working, and intelligent individual’.

Eyre has since forged a ‘highly specialist’ career in IT development, which has included him undertaking charity work.

“The offences were committed at a time of delayed emotional and sexual development. He suffered from depression at the time, feeling alone and with little in the way of friends,” Mr Smith added.

Before sentencing, recorder Jeremy Lasker said: “I have read letters of support from people who know you, and since the offending, you have become an adult, and there has been no further offending since your teenage years.

“Both of the victim impact statements have been read in court, and I have no doubt that your offending has had a lasting effect on both of their lives.

“The impact of this is lifelong, and they continue to struggle with life. The ripple effect of what you did goes much further.

“Having considered all matters, I am of the opinion that as a young person, you would have received a custodial sentence

Eyre, of Arundell Close in Burtonwood, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, of which he will serve half before being released on licence.

He must also sign the sex offender register for the rest of his life and abide by the terms of a sexual harm prevention order for the next five years.

In addition, the court approved indefinite restraining orders in respect of the two complainants.

Description

A violent abuser has been jailed for four years for subjecting his ex-partner to years of domestic and sexual abuse.

David Smith, 40, began his campaign of cruelty against then-partner Louise Sutherland-Knowles, 39, after they began their relationship in 2018.

However, Smith’s behaviour soon spiralled into abusive and controlling – before quickly becoming physical.

Smith would use manipulative tactics and threats to control Louise, despite having multiple affairs during the course of their relationship.

After ending their relationship in 2022, Smith went on to persistently and unwantedly text, call, and email Louise. After she ignored him, he would then turn up uninvited at her home address and to her place of work.

Louise’s mam became so concerned with the behaviour she was witnessing her daughter be subject to that she reported Smith to Northumbria Police for stalking.

This report would become the first of three investigations Louise would have to undergo for the crimes Smith committed against her.

In December 2022, Smith was charged with stalking.

However, within days, in a bid to see Louise, and despite strict bail conditions for the stalking offence, Smith scaled a six-foot fence to climb into her garden, carrying a large knife and breaking a window trying to enter the address.

He did this just before 2am as Louise slept in the house with her children. She was awoken to the sound of a thud – before Smith was spooked by a neighbour and ran away. He was rapidly arrested after Louise informed police.

The next day, Louise attended Middle Engine Lane police station where she disclosed that during their relationship, Smith had also sexually assaulted her.

She described how, on the evening of May 7, 2022, Smith had thrown his phone and pizza against a wall – later smashing some into her face.

He pinned her up against the wall and put his hands down her underwear and sexually assaulted her. 

Only a month later in February 2023, Smith pleaded guilty to stalking Louise and was handed a restraining order.

In September last year, Smith was charged with possession of a pointed article and criminal damage – in relation to the offence where he attended her address in the middle of the night. He appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on May 7, where he pleaded guilty to the offences.

In April 2025, following a complex investigation by the Force’s Safeguarding Department, Smith was also charged with assault on a female by penetration and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, following Louise’s final report.

Yesterday (July 21), Smith, of Brandling Court, North Shields, appeared once more at Newcastle Crown Court where he was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment after previously pleading guilty in relation to both the sexual, knife, and assault offences.

As part of his extended sentence, he will also spend a further three years on licence once he is released from prison and must serve at least two thirds of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Smith was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and was handed a six-year restraining order to protect Louise.

Following the sentencing, Louise has also made the courageous decision to waive her lifelong right to anonymity as a victim of a sexual offence and share her harrowing story in the hopes of showing people that abuse can take many forms.

She is encouraging anyone who has been affected to report to police and seek support.

In charge of the investigation was Detective Constable Leasa Banks, of Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department.

Speaking after Smith’s court appearance, she said: “David Smith has shown time and time again who he is – and that is a violent and abusive man who manipulates, becoming dangerous when he doesn’t get what he wants.

“I want to thank and praise Louise for a few things, but firstly, for reporting the offences to police – which she has now stated is the best thing she could’ve ever done.

“Now, thanks to her extreme bravery, and composure through years of investigations, the whole world now knows that Smith is a domestic abuser, a stalker, and a sex offender.”

Det Con Banks added: “Louise’s decision to waive her anonymity is an extremely courageous one. Whilst we would never expect any victim of any sexual offence to do this, we throw our full support behind anyone who’s experienced these heinous types of crimes – and will always help them in whatever way they need.

“We’ve now put Louise’s abuser before the courts, which has hopefully been able to provide her with a degree of closure – and we are now also providing her with the platform to tell her story in her own words.

“This is what we can achieve when we work with victims and help them hold their abusers to account.

“If you’ve experienced any form of abuse, whether domestic, sexual, or stalking – please let us know we can act for you just as we have for Louise here.”