Latest Offenders

Description

For more than three years a woman was subjected to malicious communications online at the hands of her former partner.

After a lengthy and complex investigation, Declan Guess was jailed yesterday (Thursday 12 February) for three-and-a half-years at Leicester Crown Court. He was also made subject to a restraining order, a sexual harm prevention order and will be placed on the sex offender register.

The victim was in a relationship with 24-year-old Guess, but after their relationship ended, he began sharing intimate photographs of her online, taken when she was a teenager.

In October 2022, the victim’s family reported that strangers were visiting their home looking to engage in sexual activity with her.

When the visitors were challenged, they showed posts that had been published on multiple websites advertising the victim as providing sexual services.

After an investigation was launched Guess was identified as being involved in these malicious posts.

When officers seized his mobile phone they discovered a quantity of intimate images of the victim, indecent images of other children as well as images depicting bestiality.

During the investigation over 500 indecent images of children were discovered across his devices.

Once Guess’s devices were examined, new evidence was uncovered relating to his online offending and he was further arrested again in June 2025 for stalking.

In August 2025 a Stalking Protection Order (SPO) was issued by the courts prohibiting 24-year-old Guess from having any form of contact with the victim, whether in person, online or by third party.

Despite the order being in place he breached the conditions in September 2025 when he started following the victim on Instagram, this led to him being arrested and remanded into custody.

He was subsequently charged with stalking, breach of stalking protection order, possession of extreme pornographic images, three counts of making indecent images of children and three counts of distribution of indecent images of children (IIOC).

Earlier this week Guess was due to stand trial but pleaded guilty on the first day to stalking and distribution of IIOC (category A and C).

Investigating officer, PC Kate Butler from the Artemis team, said:

“The impact these offences have had on the victim are immense. Her whole life was turned upside down. “

In her Victim Personal Statement (VPS), the victim, who is now in her 20s, said: “Men started turning up at my family home looking for me and I found out this was because my name, my intimate photos and my address had been put online advertising me for sex. This was frightening and left me feeling very vulnerable.

“The whole situation has caused me so much stress and upset over the years. I just wanted it to stop. What Declan has done to me has had a very severe impact on my self-esteem and mental health. In many ways it has ruined my life.”

PC Butler added:

“While we can’t turn back time for the victim, we hope that Guess’s guilty plea helps her to put those events behind her. We are pleased his admission of guilt has meant that the victim has not been subjected to giving evidence in court. 

“This has been an extremely complex investigation, and we thank the victim and her family for their courage in reporting what they had been through and we hope this reassures the wider community that we do take these offences seriously and will use our powers to bring people to justice.

“We also believe there may be other victims of Guess, who for whatever reason have not reported offences to us, we would urge you to get in touch. We have specialist officers who can support and guide you through the process and put you in touch with other support agencies.”

Description

A man who masturbated on board a morning train and later claimed he thought he was alone has been jailed for one year and eight months, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Igor Borges, 29, and of Nether Street, Barnet, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on Monday 2 February after pleading guilty to Exposure and breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

He was also ordered to sign sex offenders register for 10 years and pay a victim surcharge.

The court heard how at around 9am on 1 September last year on board a train from London Bridge to West Croydon, Borges was sat across the aisle from the victim when he exposed himself and started masturbating while looking at her.

She noticed in the window reflection that Borges was staring at her, and when she looked over and saw him masturbating, he continued. The victim then called the police on 999, and Borges put his finger to his lips to indicate not to tell anyone.

She stood up from her seat and moved carriages to find another seat, and Borges followed her through the carriage apologising. As she walked through the train, she told other passengers what had happened who intervened and stopped Borges following her.

He left the train at West Croydon and BTP detectives launched an investigation to track him down.

Through their enquiries using the on-train CCTV, Borges was identified as he already had a SHPO in place which he breached in committing the offence that morning. He was arrested at his home address two weeks later.

His existing SHPO had been in place since August 2023 and prohibited him from making any direct or indirect approach to a female not known to him in a public place.  

Upon being arrested he stated it wasn't him that committed the offence and the officers had it wrong, although later in interview he claimed he thought he was alone when he masturbated on-board the train.

Due to the strong case against him built by BTP Detectives, Borges changed his original not guilty plea to guilty.

BTP Detective Constable Karim Omer said:

"This is not the first time Borges has been caught for a crime like this, and his far-fetched excuse that he was alone on a train in Central London at 9am did not wash with us.

"It is thanks to the courage of the victim in reporting his disgusting actions that we have been able to bring him before the courts and put him behind bars, and I hope that this sentence provides the victim a sense of closure.

“If you experience or witness a sexual offence on-board a train or at a station, I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016. We take every report seriously and will stop at nothing to bring sexual offenders like Borges to justice.”

Description

He was also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

The 48-year-old of the Winsford area, had previously admitted to four counts of rape of a girl under 13, three counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration, four counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, and four counts of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences occurred between 2023 and 2025.

During the investigation, specialist officers deployed a seminal detection dog to an area where some of the offences took place. The dog subsequently found Huband’s semen on one of the victim’s blankets.

Following the sentencing, the officer in charge of the case, Detective Constable Savy Joshi, said:

“This has been a really challenging case for a number of reasons, and so I’m relieved our hard work has paid off by securing justice for these innocent children.

“In the initial stages of our investigation, Huband dismissed the allegations outright, attempting to weaponise his status as an adult to portray the victims’ accounts as nothing more than childish imagination. But when PD Ebony located his DNA on one of the victim’s blankets, his attempts to deny responsibility fell short.

“Predators like Huband operate on manipulation and control, doing everything they can to silence and discredit those they harm. Thanks to the meticulous evidence gathered throughout this investigation, and the remarkable courage shown by all four victims, Huband has now been stripped of that control. We have exposed his lies, and he is now being held accountable for the atrocities he has committed.”

Detective Sergeant Laura Bradshaw, the Senior Investigating Officer, said:

“Cases of child sexual abuse are always devastating, but this one has been particularly harrowing for everyone involved.

“The children in this case had their lives shattered by the actions of one man who chose to exploit their vulnerability in the most appalling way. The trauma they have endured is unimaginable, yet they have shown extraordinary bravery throughout this entire investigation.

“Their strength has ensured that no other child will be harmed by Huband, no other child will experience what they have experienced.

“I would like to acknowledge the dedication of my team, who have worked tirelessly to build a comprehensive case that left Huband with no option but to plead guilty.

“His sentence reflects the gravity of the horrific abuse he inflicted upon his victims, and whilst they will never be able to forget about what happened to them, I hope that the conclusion of this case will provide them with some closure and enables them to move forward with their lives.

“I also hope this case encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward and report them to us.

“Any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.

“They will receive the help and support they need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside, and all victims of sexual offences have the right to anonymity.”

Description

Three men who came forward and reported non-recent sexual abuse against them when they were just children, have watched their perpetrator get sentenced to a total of 15 years behind bars, and ordered to remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Following an eight-day trial at Hull Crown Court concluding on Wednesday, 5 February 2026, Martin Tidder, 36-years-old, of Brazil Street in Hull was found guilty of four counts of rape, four counts of assaulting a boy by touching, three counts of causing or inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and two counts of sexual assault of a child.

He was remanded into custody where he appeared at Hull Crown Court today (Friday, 13 February 2026) for sentencing.

We first received a report from a man in December 2021 who wanted to disclose non-recent sexual abuse against him and someone he knew when they were children. He explained how he had been encouraged to come forward now because someone he knew had recently disclosed similar offences, naming Martin Tidder as the one responsible.

The case was immediately flagged with our Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, and a detective immediately launched an investigation and started obtaining video recorded interviews from the man who had come forward.

Initial enquiries established that Tidder would show the man cartoon porn when he was between the ages of 10- and 14-years-old, and on one occasion he was woken up by Tidder sexually assaulting him.

Whilst enquiries into Tidders offending continued, we then received a second report a few weeks later in January 2022, from a man known to the first victim alleging he was raped on a regular basis over around 11 years, starting when he was just 6- or 7-years-old.

After both men had told their close ones they had come forward to the police explaining what Tidder had subjected them to, a third man, also known to them, then came forward with similar reports shortly after.

Tidder was subsequently arrested in February 2022 and whilst being interviewed in custody he denied all offences and any knowledge of what the three men had reported.

Detective Constable Rebecca Davison from our Protecting Vulnerable People Unit said:

“Rape and sexual abuse against boys and men is wildly underreported, and I would like to start by acknowledging and commending the three men for coming forward and reporting what had happened to them as such young children.

“It is never easy to report crimes of this nature, especially as an adult who was subjected to horrific crimes and stripped of innocence at such a young age, but because one of them initially opened up to someone they trusted, this led to a ripple effect of disclosures against Tidder, enabling detectives to build a significant case against him and bring him before the courts, even years after he committed the crimes.”

Speaking after sentencing, one of the men said:

“Martin made me feel complicit without understanding what was happening or why it was bad, and I had to compartmentalise.

“It’s as though I always knew, even then, how wrong it was but without the developed mind and emotional understanding to know how to cope with it.

“Hopefully once this is all settled I can rebuild myself and shape my future to eradicate this black cloud.

“Some men never share their abuse, some reveal it on their deathbed, I want to change that. I want to stand by those boys and tell them it is okay to speak out.

“Lastly, I would also just like to give thanks to my family, my friends, DC Rebecca Davison, the Judge, and most importantly - the jury. I wish I could buy you all a thousand pints.”

Detective Constable Rebecca concludes:

“We wouldn’t be here today without the bravery and strength shown by the men who have not only supported and stuck by each other throughout the entirety of what has been a very lengthy and complex investigation, but despite everything they had been through they were all still willing to give evidence which has ultimately led us to get some kind of justice for them.

“We take reports of rape, and other sexual offences, both recent and non-recent, extremely seriously and will continue to seek justice for those who have suffered at the hands of such sordid individuals like Tidder.

“No matter your age or gender, or whether the offences took place yesterday or 30 years ago, we would encourage you to tell someone you trust and report it to the police.”

Description

A man from Swansea has been jailed after he took part in sexual communication with who he believed were three underage girls.

43-year-old Adrian Fine, from the city centre, sent sexual messages to three online accounts in March of 2025. The accounts were in fact decoys being run by a ‘paedophile hunter’ group.

After pleading guilty to three counts of attempted sexual communications with a child, Fine has been sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Detective Constable Kelly Hurley said:

“Adrian Fine was fully of the belief that the accounts he was messaging belonged to children.

“It remains staggering that there are people like Fine out there who will be told that they are talking to a child and yet still persist in attempting to have a sexual conversation.

“He is clearly a threat to children and so it is therefore only right that he is going to prison.”

Description

A man has been jailed for possessing indecent images of children following an investigation led by specialist online child abuse investigators.

In September last year, Durham Constabulary’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT) were alerted to suspicious online activity taking place at a property in Spennymoor.

Officers attended and seized electronic devices belonging to the occupant, 21-year-old Joseph Thompson.

The devices were analysed by specialist officers and found to contain 307 indecent images and videos of children.

Of these, 166 were classed as category A images or videos – the most serious. There were also 102 category B images, 39 category C, and six extreme pornographic images.

Thompson was arrested and charged with three counts of distributing indecent images of children, three counts of making indecent images of children, and one of possessing extreme pornographic images involving animals.

He pleaded guilty to the offences and was jailed for 18 months at Durham Crown Court yesterday (February 12).

Thompson, now of Shildon, was also handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years. 

The investigation was led by the force’s OCAIT unit – a specialist team made up of six police officers and a member of police staff who work to protect vulnerable children from abuse.

Detective Constable Rebecca Lockey, who led the investigation, said:

“Thompson’s behaviour was abhorrent and demonstrates the very real dangers posed online by individuals who deliberately seek to groom and sexually exploit children.

“His devices contained both still and moving images involving the sexual abuse of young children who will now have to live with the trauma they have suffered.

“This type of offending not only affects those children involved, but their families and wider communities too.

“That is why we will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt this type of criminal activity, and keep more children safe from harm.”

Description

A man has pleaded guilty to a number of serious sexual offences against a woman from Swindon.

Dean Hamilton, 47, appeared at Winchester Crown Court today (13/02) where he admitted one count of rape, one count of assault by penetration and two counts of sexual assault.

He has been granted conditional bail ahead of sentencing at a later date.

Hamilton’s offences relate to the wider criminal proceedings involving Joanne Young, who has waived her right to anonymity.

Four other defendants previously pleaded not guilty to various sexual offences against Joanne, including rape and sexual assault.

A trial for the four men is due to take place at Winchester Crown Court in October.

Description

A woman raped by Norfolk cafe owner Andrew Hubbard has said her life has been “completely overshadowed” by the ordeal.

In a victim impact statement read at his sentencing, the woman – who cannot be named for legal reasons – said her life had been “completely overshadowed by anxiety and fear”. She feels “constantly in fear” and that “danger lurks around every corner”. The thought of seeing Hubbard or members of his family “terrifies” her. She is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), describing every day as a “battle for survival”. She is afraid to go out, “struggles to cope with everyday life” and says the offences have “robbed me of my freedom”.

Hubbard, 34, who previously owned Lily Mai’s (formerly Craft Burger) in Cromer’s New Street, was jailed for eight years at Norwich Crown Court on Friday for rape and controlling and coercive behaviour.

The court heard he entered the victim’s bedroom with his genitals exposed and orally raped her. The woman said she only complied because she was “so scared at that time”.

He was convicted after a trial that began in late September last year. Jurors deliberated for more than 11 hours before finding him guilty. He was cleared of a second rape, kidnap, voyeurism and escape from lawful custody.

Judge Anthony Bate said Hubbard’s conduct had a “profound” impact on the “vulnerable” victim.

Defence barrister Paul Mylvaganam said Hubbard intends to appeal his conviction but has apologised to the victim and expressed remorse. He described his client as a “successful businessman” who had tried to support his family from the “remnants” of his businesses. Sentencing was adjourned from December after Hubbard instructed a new barrister.

Hubbard, formerly of Hannah Close, Sheringham, and now of St Mary’s Close, Roughton, was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order and placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Police investigated after the victim’s identity was circulated online, breaching her lifelong anonymity. Judge Bate had urged Norfolk’s chief constable to launch a probe. The investigation has now closed.

A force spokesman said: “Following digital enquiries, no suspect could be identified as the original social media post, and associated meta data, is no longer available.” Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Description

A man has been handed a 15-year custodial sentence for raping a woman in Telford.

Mark Hirons, of Habershon Close, Lydbury North, was found guilty of rape, assault and intentional strangulation relating to offences carried out in Telford.

The court heard how officers were made aware of the offences in May 2025 when the victim reported the incident to the police.

The 38-year-old was subsequently arrested, and an investigation was carried out. Hirons was later charged and stood trial where he was found guilty in November 2025.

On 9 February he was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court to 15 years in prison, as well as being given a restraining order.

Detective Constable Darren Wincott, from Telford’s Protecting Vulnerable People team, said:

“I am very grateful for the sentence the judge has handed to Hirons, who is clearly a very dangerous individual who preys on women.

“I would like to commend the victim in this, who has been incredibly brave throughout this investigation. I hope the sentence can offer her some form of closure and will enable to her to move forward with her life.”

Description

A DNA breakthrough has resulted in a prison sentence for a man who thought he had escaped justice for raping a teenage girl almost 20 years ago.

The incident happened on 7 October 2006, when Kennedy Jimmy, then 25, met the victim and her friend in a supermarket car park in Shefford. 

He arrived in a car driven by a friend and waited until the others went inside the shop before pulling the victim into the back of the car and raping her.

She managed to escape and ran to a nearby pub, where her friend called the police.

Although detectives launched an investigation and carried out extensive lines of enquiry at the time, Jimmy – known to the victim only as ‘Kenny’ – could not be identified.

As part of Operation Painter, a specialist review of historic rape and sexual assault cases by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, a forensic analysis revealed a DNA match, which led to his arrest in November 2022.

Jimmy, now 44, of Wessex Court, Sunny Bank, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, was convicted of rape after a five-day trial at Luton Crown Court in October last year and was sentenced today (Friday) to six years with a life-long restraining order. 

Detective Constable Rhian Batterham-Jones said:

“This conviction demonstrates that time is no barrier to justice. Jimmy thought he had escaped accountability, but advances in forensic science and the determination of our team proved otherwise.

“I want to commend the victim for her incredible courage in coming forward and reliving such a traumatic experience two decades later.

“I hope this gives other victims the courage to come forward to report any sexual offences, no matter how long ago the crime took place. You will be believed and supported, and justice can be done.”

Description

Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been jailed for sex offences in Maidenhead. 

Kyran Smith, aged 29 of London Road, Staines, was sentenced to seven years and six months imprisonment, at a hearing at Reading Crown Court on 23 January 2026.  

Smith was found guilty, following a four-day trial at the same court on 11 November 2025, of one count each of trespass with intent to commit a relevant sexual offence and sexual assault. 

In December 2022, Smith and the victim, a woman who is now in her thirties, attended the same party. After the party, they and others left to stay the night in a hotel.  

When the victim, and others, retired to their own individual rooms at around 2am, Smith went to the reception and obtained – by deception – the victim’s hotel room key.  

The victim, who was asleep, awoke to Smith carrying out his sexual assault in her bed.  

She shouted at Smith to get out and he did, after putting his clothes on. Smith returned the room key to reception and went to his own hotel room.  

The next morning, the victim reported what had happened to the hotel staff and her acquaintances.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Arshid Ali said: “I welcome the sentencing which reflects the seriousness of the offence and the dangerous nature of the defendant.   

“Thames Valley Police treat all sexual offences with the utmost seriousness, particularly those committed against women, which fall within the national framework of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).   

“Our officers are committed to investigating these crimes thoroughly, supporting victims throughout the criminal justice process and working with partner agencies to reduce offending.   

“We will continue to prioritise the identification, arrest and prosecution of those who commit sexual violence.” 

Description

Carmarthenshire man jailed for abducting and drugging teenage girl.

Richard Knight, aged 73, of Pendine, Carmarthenshire, has been jailed for three years and nine months after he admitted to abducting a teenage girl, making indecent images of children, and being concerned the supply of drugs.

Dyfed-Powys Police received a call in the early hours of Monday 11 April 2022, from a concerned mother, who was worried the welfare of her 15-year-old daughter. That night, the teenage daughter made a distressed phone call to her mum, saying she wanted to come home having taken drugs at Richard Knight’s house.

Police immediately attended the address but received no answer at the door. With concern growing for the young girl, officers forced entry into the property where they found a small cannabis grow, but no people inside.

Officers became aware that Knight had used his car to return the girl home. Knight subsequently returned to his home address where he was arrested by officers on suspicion of drink driving, possession of cannabis with intent to supply, and supplying cannabis to his teenage victim.

With Knight taken into police custody, a further property search found a variety of controlled drugs believed to be kept for personal use. Several digital devices were also seized from the house.

During an interview, the victim told officers that while she had agreed to meet with Knight, she believed he knew that she was 15 years old, and he also knew that she wouldn’t be telling her mother where she was going.

She told officers about the range of drugs she was given, and that some were provided to her on a fruit pastel sweet. CCTV enquiries showed Knight in the local Spar shop buying fruit pastels that same afternoon, before picking the teenager up and driving her to his house.

A thorough forensic examination of the drugs and the devices seized from the house led to the suspect being further arrested in December 2022.

Work carried out by the Digital Forensics Unit found a total of 1101 unlawful images on Knight’s devices, with 122 of them falling in category A – the most serious type of indecent image.

Drugs experts at Dyfed-Powys Police valued the cannabis grow at his property to be worth between £6,000 and £20,000. In addition to the cannabis, officers also seized six different types of Class A drugs from the address.

Following a lengthy and complex investigation, Knight was charged with 12 offences including child abduction, possession of indecent images of children, and being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs.

Knight admitted the drug offences on 10 April 2025 and entered further guilty pleas for the three counts of making indecent images of children at a second hearing on 12 May 2025.

The defendant denied the child abduction charge, and a trial was set to take place at Swansea Crown Court on Monday 12 January 2026. Knight changed his plea immediately before the trial was due to start.

Today, the 73-year-old was sentenced to three years and nine months in jail.

The officer investigating this case, Detective Constable Jon Gouldson, said:

“This was a very serious case involving a man who groomed a young and vulnerable girl for his own satisfaction.

“There is no doubt that Richard Kight knew that taking this 15-year-old girl into his home was wrong and ultimately amounted to child abduction.

“Taking a child without a parent’s permission is a crime. There are no grey areas here.

“It is unlawful to take, or keep, a child under the age of 16 without permission of their parent or someone who has parental responsibility for them.

“We welcome today’s sentencing and want to be clear that arranging to take a child without a parent's permission, or creating/possessing indecent images of children is illegal and has serious consequences.

“Today’s result shows that we will do everything we can to investigate these crimes and bring such offenders to justice.”

Description

Two men who preyed on and raped a vulnerable 13-year-old girl in a hotel room have now been sentenced to a combined total of 16 years and seven months behind bars following an appearance at Hull Crown Court on Friday, 30 January 2026.

Riley Smith, 19-years-old of New Street, Louth pleaded not guilty and after a four-day trial which concluded on Friday, 25 July 2025 at Grimsby Crown Court, he was found guilty of joint enterprise rape by a jury and has now been sentenced to seven years behind bars and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Shahram Ibrehemi, 20-years-old of The Crescent, Bridlington pleaded guilty to three counts of rape at an earlier court appearance and has now been sentenced to nine years and seven months behind bars and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Mark Tomlinson who lead the case said:

“We launched our investigation after receiving a report that on Thursday 26 December 2024, a vulnerable 13yearold girl was taken into a hotel room on Anlaby Road in Hull and repeatedly raped by a man later identified as Ibrehemi, while another man, later identified as Smith, kept watch.

“Smith was staying in a hotel room in the city centre and met up with Ibrehemi earlier in the day.  Both men then approached the young girl on Paragon Street several times asking for her phone number. She disclosed her age, yet they repeatedly told her it did not matter.

“They returned to her location on Paragon Street later in the night and saw that she was now highly intoxicated. Exploiting her vulnerabilities, the men, supporting her ability to stand, picked her up and escorted her to the hotel room.

“It was then in the hotel room, Ibrehemi continuously raped the young girl whilst Smith kept a look out and entered the room on multiple occasions telling Ibrehemi to shut the teenage girl up as she was going to get them both caught.

The young girl told us that during their first interaction, the men gave her a phone number in case she wished to contact them. It was this number that enabled us to identify a suspect.”

“Officers spoke with the victim and hotel staff to help identify those involved. One of the key lines of enquiry was obtaining the hotel’s CCTV, which showed the girl being escorted to a room by two men. This footage allowed us to confirm the identities of Ibrehemi and Smith”.

Following police enquiries, Ibrehemi was located and arrested on Tuesday, 14 January 2025. He provided a nocomment interview and was subsequently charged and remanded into custody.

Smith was arrested in Grimsby on 19 March 2025 after evading police for two months. He denied all allegations, but after a sevenday trial was found guilty of joint enterprise rape.

Detective Constable Mark Tomlinson continued:

“During interview, both men denied knowing each other beforehand and showed no remorse for their actions.

“This has been an incredibly traumatic experience for the young girl, particularly having to go through the court process. I want to commend her bravery, it is because of her courage that these two men are now behind bars and unable to subject anyone else to their abhorrent behaviour.

“Whilst it will never take away the trauma she endured on that night, I hope this sentence provides reassurance to victims that we will not only prosecute the offender but anyone that assists or aids a criminal offence will be put before the courts under the joint enterprise act.

“Our main priority will always be with the victims, giving them a voice and working with partners and other agencies to make them feel supported and safeguarded every step of the way. We also continue to take huge steps to reduce re-offending, deter perpetrators, and above all, keep victims safe.”

Description

Today (Thursday 12 February), following an extensive South Yorkshire Police ‘cold case’ investigation, a jury has unanimously found David Hill guilty of the rape of a woman from over 40 years ago.

On Saturday 7 September 1985, at just past midnight, a young woman walking back to her car after a night out was held at knifepoint and raped in an underground car park in Sheffield.

Despite a thorough investigation being launched - which included a detailed statement from the victim, as well forensic samples from the victim's clothing - the offender was never traced. Sadly, the victim died 12 years later without ever seeing the man who attacked her brought to justice.

In 2018, our Major Incident Review Team (MIRT) began reviewing the case. The MIRT reviews South Yorkshire’s most serious cold cases, as well as more recent incidents such as murders.

As part of this review, evidence gathered during the original investigation was re-tested and due to the advance of forensic techniques the DNA of the offender was identified. However, no matches were found on the national database.

Then in 2021, during one of the regular reviews of the case, we re-tested the DNA and matched it to Hill.

The 75-year-old's DNA had been added to the national database after he was arrested for a separate public order offence. Hill was subsequently arrested on suspicion of rape, but he denied the offence, saying he had no memory of the victim but that he must have had consensual sex with her.

Head of the Major Incident Review Team, Dave Stopford said:

"Due to the victim having sadly died, we, alongside the Crown Prosecution Service, applied to the court to have her original police statement read as ‘hearsay’ evidence, which is when evidence is provided in a manner other than as firsthand, direct testimony.

"This resulted in us carrying out a number of enquiries to prove that the victim's statement could be trusted. I would like to thank the victim's close friend and family member, who provided evidence of her character meaning the court agreed to hear her evidence."

Despite the evidence linking Hill to the rape, he pleaded not guilty. However, following a week-long trial, a jury has today seen through his lies and found Hill, of Broom Valley Road, Rotherham, guilty of rape. He has been remanded into custody and will appear before Sheffield Crown Court on 20 March for sentencing.

Mr Stopford added:

"I want to commend the victim in this case. It is tragic that she is no longer here to witness Hill facing justice, but I hope it brings her loved ones some comfort to know that we never gave up on pursuing him. The victim bravely assisted the police in the initial investigation and died very young, and our thoughts remain with her loved ones.

“I would like to thank the witnesses who helped secure this conviction. The lead investigator at the time, ex-Detective Chief Superintendent Robert Varey, and ex PC Sue Botley, who assisted in the examination of the victim, both provided crucial evidence during the trial.

"I would also like to thank the scientists involved, whose work is invaluable in these historic cases, and without them this perpetrator may never have been brought to justice for this crime.

"This has been a very lengthy and complex investigation. A number of investigating officers on my team have been involved over the years, culminating in Investigating Officer Rachel Morton working many hours to submit the case to the CPS and the courts.”

Description

Today (Tuesday 10 February) a St Helens man has been jailed for 10 years for committing child sex offences.

Aaron Ward, 26 years, of Gamble Avenue, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, plus one year extended sentence.  He also received an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be subject to the Sex Offenders Register.

In July last year it was reported that Ward had committed historic child offences to a young girl from when he was 17-years-old and spanning over several years.

Following an investigation, Ward was charged with six sex offences to which he pleaded guilty to three counts of Assault by Touching and Cause/Incite a Child to Engage in Sexual Activity. However he was found guilty at trial for Rape of a Child and Assault by Penetration.

Officer in Charge of the investigation, Detective Constable Molly McKeown, said:

“Today’s sentencing follows a lengthy investigation to bring Ward before the courts so that he pays for his crimes.

“The victim showed immense courage despite her young age and was extremely brave to speak to police about this horrendous abuse.

“As part of the work of the Knowsley and St Helens Child Protection team this result has been brought today. Our sole focus is protecting young people and bringing offenders to justice. We have specialist dedicated officers who investigate these offences.”

Detective Constable McKeown added: “Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and those who seek to do them harm.

 “I would like to take this opportunity to stress that if you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, or know of a child being abused, please come forward and report this to police. 

“We take all such reports extremely seriously and if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.”