Latest Offenders

Description

A paedophile from Coventry who was using the internet to try to arrange to meet and sexually abuse children has been jailed for eight years.

Richard Stevenson, aged 39, is behind bars after an investigation by our Major Crime Unit (MCU).

Stevenson began chatting with someone on an online forum about his detailed fantasies of sexually abusing very young children.

He revealed how he wanted a ‘partner’ to take part in the abuse with, and sent them videos showing child sexual abuse 

But the person he was speaking to was actually a police officer, and enquiries led to Stevenson being arrested as he sat in a van in Coventry on 2 May this year.

Stevenson, of Waveley Road, Coventry, admitted attempting to arrange a child sex offence, and making and distributing indecent images of children.

At Warwick Crown Court last Friday (4 September) he was jailed for eight years. 

He will spend a further two years on licence and was given a sexual harm prevention lasting for 18 years. He will be on the sex offenders register for life.

DC John Marsh, from our MCU, said:

“Stevenson’s offending is simply appalling. 

“He was clearly determined to gain access to a child to commit sexual abuse.

“On multiple occasions, he outlined his horrific plans, and we’re in no doubt that he would have seen those plans through had he had the opportunity.

“We’re absolutely committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable people and will use all the techniques and resources we have to do that and target those who seek to do them harm.”

Description

A former teacher has been convicted of sexual offences against three of her students.

Bronwen James, 30, of Chippenham, Wiltshire, was today found guilty at Winchester Crown Court of three counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust, relating to a 16-year-old male student.

James had earlier pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of sexual communication with a child, and one count of making an indecent photograph of a child, relating to two female students, aged 13 and 14 at the time.

James abused her position as a teacher by engaging in sexual communications with a 13-year-old female student at a Hampshire school. The offending later progressed into a sexual relationship when the girl was 14.

James then pursued a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old male student at the same school, telling him that she loved him and wanted him to move away with her.

James subsequently moved to a different school in Wiltshire, where she engaged in a sexual relationship with another 14-year-old female student.

James was arrested in August 2023 and went on to commit further offences against one of the students while on bail.

The Crown Prosecution Service built a strong case based on the accounts of the victims, together with digital evidence including messages and communications between James and those she abused. This evidence was central to securing both her guilty pleas and today's conviction.

Bethany Adams, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

"Bronwen James was trusted to educate and protect children. Instead, she used that trust to groom and sexually abuse three students.

"James manipulated her victims with calculated precision, exploiting her position of authority to isolate them and normalise the abuse. This was not a lapse in judgement; it was a sustained pattern of predatory behaviour against children in her care.

"The courage shown by James's victims in coming forward has been instrumental in securing this conviction. I hope it gives them, and their families, some measure of justice."

James will be sentenced at a later date.

Description

Household Cavalry soldier Graham Jarvis jailed for 12 years after plotting to rape a seven-year-old girl and a 10-month-old baby

Graham Jarvis, 38, a Household Cavalry soldier based at Hyde Park barracks in central London, has been jailed for 12 years after arranging to sexually abuse two children he believed were real.

At Southwark Crown Court on Thursday he was sentenced for two counts of attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence. He denied the charges, was convicted at trial, and has been dismissed from the Army.

In January 2024 Jarvis began talking online with a woman who said she lived in Wales and had daughters aged seven and 10 months. He told her he was “into girls” and arranged to travel to her home in February. The woman was an undercover police officer. He was arrested that month before the meeting could take place.

The court heard he asked about the older girl’s sexual experience and was told she had previously been abused by two men. He also asked the mother to help him rape the baby.

Judge Adam Hiddleston told Jarvis “this was not a case of fantasy on your part.” He said he had no doubt that when the meeting was set up, “you believed the children were real.” He added: “You wanted to meet them and when you did, with the assistance of their mother, you intended to rape them.”

The judge said he read Jarvis’s messages “with horror.” They showed “cold and clinical” treatment of the children and a willingness to “treat them simply as objects to satisfy your urges.”

Lisa Wilson, representing Jarvis, said he was “at a low ebb” during a “traumatic period” when the offences were committed.

Finding that Jarvis may pose an ongoing risk to children, the judge ordered him to serve at least eight years in custody, with two extra years on licence.

Jarvis will be recorded on our database as a convicted child sex offender following this sentence.

Description

A manipulative and violent man has been jailed for more than seven years after subjecting two women to terrifying serious assaults which left them fearing for their lives, and sending multiple women sexually explicit images.

Tobias King, of no fixed abode, became the subject of an extensive manhunt in 2025 after he repeatedly strangled and seriously assaulted a woman at a hotel in Honiton.

The 36-year-old, who has previously lived in Devon and Somerset, left her in the room unconscious and stole her purse and phone, a court heard.

He evaded police for nearly two weeks by staying in tents and hotels but was caught after using a bank card he had stolen.

King was remanded in custody and has since pleaded guilty to strangulation, false Imprisonment, threats to kill, actual bodily harm and theft.

At his sentencing hearing at Exeter Crown Court on Wednesday 9 September, the court heard police were called by the general manager of the Premier Inn in Honiton in late 2025, at 9am, reporting a woman with significant injuries had attended the hotel reception in a distressed state, requesting immediate assistance.

Her injuries included extensive bruising to both arms, her neck, legs, face and nose.

The victim, who had been staying overnight at the hotel, told police she had been subjected to repeated physical assaults. This included multiple incidents of being strangled, causing her to lose consciousness on separate occasions.

In a statement to police, she described how each time she regained consciousness, the assault continued and King stated he ‘had to kill her’ and that he was ‘not going to prison for anyone’.

She added he took her mobile phone and purse before leaving the room and fleeing the hotel in the early hours of the morning at around 3am.

The assault left the victim with extreme facial bruising and throat damage which left her barely able to talk for months.

After King was apprehended, he was also charged with an outstanding offence of a serious assault against another woman in similar circumstances.

He attacked her in a hotel room in Bournemouth in late 2022. He was said to have put his hands around her neck and squeezed so hard that she couldn’t breathe.

He then attacked her again two weeks later. He threw her on a sofa, hitting her in the head and using both hands to strangle her, causing swelling and bruising.

The following month he sent her social media messages asking her to drop the case against him, as well as sending her sexually explicit videos.

King admitted two counts of intentional strangulation, one count of common assault and one count of sending indecent images to the victim.

King also pleaded guilty to four counts of sending a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation. The charges related to sending several women unsolicited pictures of his genitals between January and October 2025 using different numbers and social media platforms, despite being told to stop.

A guilty plea was also given for a charge of sending unsolicited sexually explicit images and videos in February 2021 to a woman in Bristol through email and WhatsApp.

For all the offences he was handed an extended sentence for a total of 10 years, of which 88 months is a custodial sentence, and was given an indefinite restraining order against the two strangulation victims. He was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register and will be subject to notification and reporting rules.

Detective Constable Nathan Ralph, of Devon & Cornwall Police, said:

“The victims have shown incredible bravery throughout the investigation, and their commitment to engaging in the criminal justice process has ensured that this dangerous offender will not be able to harm anyone else.

“Violence against women and girls is a priority in our force area, and these convictions exemplify our dedication to apprehending high-risk perpetrators.

“We would urge any persons that have been victims of abuse to talk to us; you will be listened to and taken seriously.”

Detective Sergeant Duncan Sandle, of Avon & Somerset Police, said: “Tobias King is a violent and manipulative offender who is a danger to any woman.

“The victims have shown incredible bravery and resilience, and I hope this outcome helps them with the ongoing recovery process so they can move forward with their lives.

“I also hope this successful conviction sends out a clear message to all those who commit offences of violence and abuse – we will pursue you and you will be held accountable for your crimes.”

Description

A paedophile who groomed and abused a young child in Ashford in the 1990s has now been jailed.

Trevor Bagnall was arrested after the victim came forward to report what happened to them 30 years previously.

An investigation was launched and it was revealed that Bagnall had subjected his victim to repeated incidents of sexual abuse between 1995 and 1999.

The 68 year old was arrested in May 2020 and later charged.

He denied any wrongdoing.

Following a trial, Bagnall, of Farthing Fields in Bordon, Hampshire, was found guilty of gross indecency and sexually assaulting a child.

Sentenced

He was sentenced to 3 years and 9 months’ imprisonment at Canterbury Crown Court on Friday 4 September 2026.

Investigator Becki Pike, said:

‘We couldn’t have secured a conviction against Bagnall without the exceptional bravery of the victim in reporting the crime and working with us to gather the necessary evidence.

‘Bagnall refused to admit accountability and demonstrated zero remorse for his crimes, needlessly dragging his victim through a lengthy court trial in the process.

‘While nothing will erase the impact of Bagnall’s vile actions, I hope the custodial sentence offers some comfort to the victim.’

In a statement to the court, the victim shared:

‘For many years, I believed I should have done something sooner. I carried guilt for not speaking out. I now understand that I was a child trying to survive. The responsibility for what happened belongs entirely to Trevor.

‘The sentence the court imposed marks the end of the criminal proceedings, but it will not mark the end of the sentence I continue to live with.

‘Every day I carry the consequences of Trevor’s choices. His abuse has shaped my relationships, my confidence, my career, my emotional wellbeing and my sense of identity. Those losses cannot be measured by the length of any sentencing because they will remain with me for the rest of my life.’

Description

A Registered Sex Offender has been jailed after breaching his notification requirements by sending sexualised messages to who he believed was a child.

Neil Tobijanski, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 26 months in prison on Wednesday 2 September at Chester Crown Court.

The 58-year-old had pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), and breaching sex offender notification requirements.

Between 19 May 2026 and 8 June 2026, Tobijanski had been sending sexual messages online to who he believed was a 12-year-old boy but was in fact a decoy.

Tobijanski is a registered sex offender and had previously served a custodial sentence in relation to possession of indecent images of children.

Tobijanski was linked to the account which was sending the sexualised messages to the decoy and information placed him in the Tattenhall area.

Officers attended this location on 1 July 2026, and he was arrested and transported to custody.

DC Shortall said:

“Tobijanski had strict conditions and he breached these by talking to someone who he believed was a child, sending sexual messages and even explicit images of himself.

“Although there was no young victim in this case, the reality could have been very different, and that is why registered sex offenders are robustly managed, and any breaches of their conditions dealt with.”

Description

A man who admitted to attempting to speak to young girls online has been jailed.

Elwyn Jones, 64, of Nant Peris, appeared for sentencing at Caernarfon Crown Court on 4 September.

He previously admitted to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, distribute an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child and three counts of making indecent photographs / pseudo-photographs of a child.

He also admitted to possessing extreme pornography and possessing a prohibited image of a child.

In November 2025, Jones began speaking to who he believed was a 13-year-old girl online.

He encouraged their communication to be sexual and sent indecent images to her.

He did not know that this was a fake profile, and he was arrested by police.

He was jailed for three years, made subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and will be on the sex offender register for life.

Detective Constable Megan Roberts said:

“Jones has proved himself to be a danger to children by attempting sexualised communication with a young girl.

“It is lucky on this occasion that this was a decoy profile and that no child became victim to his predatory behaviour.

“We remain committed to protecting all young people from those who attempt to abuse them.”

Description

A man, originally from from Nantwich, who used social media to blackmail children into sending him indecent images of themselves has been jailed.

Ethan Mason appeared at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday 9 September, where he was sentenced to four years in prison.

The 22-year-old, now of Hyacinth Court, Newcastle-under-Lyme, was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely and handed indefinite restraining orders in relation to the victims.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent images of children, three counts of engaging in sexual communications with a child, distribution of indecent images if children, causing a child to engage in sexual activity and sending a photograph of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation.

The investigation began in February 2023 when the mother of a teenage girl in Manchester contacted police reporting that her 12-year-old daughter had been engaging with a man on Snapchat who was using the username ‘CHESHIREPOLICE1’.

During the conversations the user had threatened the victim, stating that if she didn’t send him naked images of herself, then he would come to her house. Fearing for what he may do, the victim sent a number of images and videos of herself to the offender.

Following the reports an investigation was initially launched by Greater Manchester Police, who traced the account and identified Ethan Mason as the offender, who was residing in Cheshire.

The investigation was subsequently passed to Cheshire Police and on Wednesday 14 August 2024, officers conducted a warrant at his former home on Glover Drive, Willaston.

Mason was arrested at the scene and during the search officers located several mobile phones along with a set of police style handcuffs, several pairs of children’s shoes and a knife.

In his interviews Mason answered no comment to all the questions put to him by officers and he was subsequently released on conditional bail while his mobile devices were sent for further analysis.

While on bail he spoke to a neighbour about his arrest, admitting that he had blackmailed a 14-year-old girl using snapchat. He also made further admissions in relation to blackmailing second teenage girl along with possession of indecent images.

His neighbour posted the disclosure on social media, which resulted in Mason being moved to other addresses while the investigation progressed.

During analysis of his mobile phones, officers recovered 11 category B and C images, along with four category B videos.

Officers also identified the second victim as a 14-year-old girl in Lancashire. Within the messages sent to the teenager, Mason stated he was going to post all over social media that the victim had sexually assaulted him if she didn’t send him the images requested.

After speaking to the teenager, officers also identified a third victim, a 14-year-old-girl from Lancashire, who had also been groomed by Mason.

After gathering a full file of evidence, Mason was subsequently charged in relation to the allegations.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Corinne Kinvig, of the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team at Cheshire Police said:

“Engaging in communications with young people solely for the purpose of sexual gratification is truly abhorrent, and I welcome the sentence handed Ethan Mason today.

“Mason was fully aware that his victims were children, but he purposefully chose to target them with intimidating and threatening messages, even going as far as using an account called ‘CheshirePolice1’. He believed that hiding behind a screen would allow him to avoid detection, but he was wrong.

“Thanks to courage of the victims who spoke out about what had happened, along with the work of the dedicated team of officers here at the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team, Mason’s identity has now been revealed, and he has now been held accountable for his actions.

Detective Constable Corinne Kinvig, added:

“While Mason is now behind bars, unfortunately we know that there are many other offenders who are using social media to prey on young children.

“That is why we want all parents to speak to their children about what they are doing on their phones, what apps they’ve got installed and who they’re communicating with.

“While we understand that this can be a difficult conversation, it essential that young people understand that it’s not normal to view or share inappropriate images and videos online, not only is it really dangerous and harmful, but also once an image has been sent, they never know where it will end up.”

Description

A Medway sex offender who repeatedly breached a court order is back behind bars.

In 2018, Ian Collard became subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after he was convicted of attempting to cause a girl to engage in sexual activity.

This prohibited him from using social media, dating applications or websites, and from accessing the internet without notifying the authorities. It also required him to make any devices available for inspection by officers upon request and to live at approved premises in Beckenham.

Collard repeatedly breached the terms of the order and has previously been returned to prison as a result.

Following his latest release, Kent Police received a report on 20 June 2026 from a woman who had seen previous media coverage relating to Collard's conviction. She told officers he had been communicating with her via social media, engaging in conversations of a sexual nature and claiming to be homeless and wanting to move in with her.

The 36 year old, formerly of Station Road, Gillingham, was arrested on 6 July and later charged with 12 breaches of the SHPO.

He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing and, at Maidstone Crown Court on 4 September 2026, was jailed for 3 years and 3 months.

Detective Constable James Neville said:

'Collard is a high risk sex offender who continues to show a blatant disregard for the restrictions imposed on him by the courts.

'These measures are in place to protect the public, yet he has repeatedly chosen to ignore them despite previous convictions and prison sentences for similar breaches.

'His persistent offending demonstrates an ongoing risk to others, and we will continue to take action whenever he fails to comply with these conditions. This sentence reflects the seriousness of his behaviour and sends a clear message that anyone who repeatedly breaches orders designed to safeguard the public can expect to be brought back before the courts.'

Description

A detective has praised a “courageous” rape survivor who fought to secure justice against her attacker.

At York Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 8 September 2026), Scarborough man Phill Blunt was jailed for eight and a half years for the rape which occurred at an address in the local area more than two years ago.

The 39-year-old (pictured below) was due to stand trial for the offence in July this year, but he changed his plea to guilty at the last moment.

Up until then, the victim was preparing to give evidence at court.

As well as the custodial sentence, Blunt has also been made subject to a restraining order to protect the victim in the future and placed on the Register of Sex Offenders indefinitely.

Detective Constable Jack McCabe, of the Scarborough and Ryedale Safeguarding Investigation Team, said:

“The survivor of this sickening offence has been nothing but courageous during this long-running investigation and court proceedings.

“Her strength and determination have shone throughout, and I truly hope she can now begin to build a happier future now that Blunt is behind bars for a considerable length of time.”

DC McCabe added:

“As for Blunt, at least he finally admitted his guilt and spared the victim the additional trauma of reliving the rape during a trial.

“Thankfully, victims can provide evidence by video link these days, and defendants are often screened from victims’ view if attending court in person.

“Victims of sexual crimes also have their anonymity protected for the rest of their lives by law.

“Ultimately, this case shows that those who commit rape do face the consequences of their despicable actions, and that victims receive professional support and care throughout from the police and our partner agencies.

“If you or someone you know needs our help, please come forward. We are here for you.”

In her victim personal statement, she said:

“Reporting him to the police was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but it was also the best decision I could have made.”

Description

A high-risk registered sex offender has been sentenced for a second time after admitting sexually assaulting a young girl over a period of years in Wigan.

Peter Hawke (06/12/1955) pleaded guilty to ten counts of sexual assault of a girl under the age of 13 by touching and was sentenced to six years at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday 8 September 2026.

In addition to his custodial sentence, Hawke will be subject to a Notification of Requirement to Register with Police indefinitely, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to restrict Hawke’s future contact with children, and a restraining order to protect the survivor and her immediate family.

The child, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, disclosed the abuse, which took place on multiple occasions between 2021 and 2023, after Hawke had already been imprisoned for separate sexual offences against another girl.

Following the girl’s disclosure, specialist officers from Greater Manchester Police launched an investigation, working closely with partner agencies including the Sexual Offender Management Unit (SOMU), probation services and safeguarding professionals.

Through sensitive victim engagement, a video-recorded interview and extensive enquiries, officers gathered evidence showing that Hawke had repeatedly sexually assaulted the child.

Detectives progressed the investigation while Hawke was serving a five-year custodial sentence for similar offences.

Following extensive planning with partner agencies ahead of his release from HMP Risley, officers arrested Hawke at the prison gates on 25 June 2026. He was subsequently interviewed, charged and remanded back into custody the same day.

The investigation was led by Child Protection Detective Constable Sarah Gleave, working alongside colleagues from the Sexual Offender Management Unit (SOMU), probation services and safeguarding partners. Their coordinated approach secured the evidence required to bring Hawke before the courts while ensuring comprehensive safeguarding measures remained in place at every stage.

Due to his history of sexual offending against children, SOMU assessed Hawke as posing a very high risk of harm. Officers noted significant concerns regarding the ongoing risk he posed within the community, together with his lack of remorse and absence of empathy for those he harmed.

Detective Constable Gleave, of GMP's Safeguarding Unit, said:

"I’d like to thank the young girl at the centre of this, who showed immense courage in speaking about what had happened to her. Thanks to her bravery, the support of her family and the close collaboration between police, probation, SOMU and other safeguarding partners, we were able to build a strong evidential case and bring Hawke before the courts again.

"We carefully planned his arrest so that the moment he was released from prison he was taken straight back into custody to answer for these further offences.

“The evidence gathered during the investigation resulted in Hawke pleading guilty to all ten offences and enabled a swift charge and remand while continuing to safeguard those affected.

"We would ask everyone to be mindful of the real impact that rumours, speculation and social media comments can have. The young girl in this case is entitled to lifelong anonymity, and we urge people not to identify or speculate about any child connected to these offences.

"Victims and their families deserve privacy, dignity and the opportunity to move forward with their lives."

Description

A Merseyside man has been jailed for a series of child sexual offences following an investigation by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit's Internet Child Abuse Team (ICAT).

Robert Daw, 26, of Redwing Lane, Liverpool, was sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment at Liverpool Crown Court today (Tuesday 8 September) after admitting multiple offences relating to the sexual exploitation of children online. He also received a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely. 

The investigation began after Daw used social media and messaging platforms to communicate with someone he believed to be under-16 years of age. During the conversations, he sent sexually explicit messages and attempted to develop a sexual relationship.

Officers arrested Daw in December 2024 and seized a number of electronic devices for forensic examination.

Digital forensic examination of Daw's devices uncovered indecent images of children, prohibited images of children, and evidence that he had been communicating with numerous children online. Investigators recovered almost 1,500 screenshots and screen recordings of online conversations, together with indecent images and videos that had been stored on his devices. Officers were able to identify and safeguard three children aged 12 and 13, with support provided through the relevant police forces and partner agencies.

Detective Constable Naomi Puig from the NWROCU's Internet Child Abuse Team, said:

"Daw used online platforms to target and exploit children for his own gratification.

"Through detailed digital investigations, officers uncovered the extent of his offending and were able to identify and safeguard a number of children.

"This sentence demonstrates our commitment to pursuing offenders who use the internet to target children and bringing them to justice."

Description

Convicted rapist jailed for posing as lottery winner to breach sexual harm prevention order

Leon Pedley, 34, of Latimer Road, Annan, has been jailed for two years and eight months after posing as a lottery winner and offering a woman £60,000 to spend a weekend with him at a Carlisle hotel.

The deception was a breach of his sexual harm prevention order, imposed after his 2012 conviction for “abduction and rape” in Scotland. The order bans him from any face-to-face contact with a woman unless approved in advance by his offender manager.

Prosecutor Brendan Burke told Carlisle Crown Court that Pedley cynically duped a vulnerable woman. Pedley spent the weekend with her at the hotel. It was accepted he did not have the £60,000 he promised. An earlier hearing was told there appeared to be “deliberate targeting.” Burke described the incident as a “deliberate breach” of the order.

Days before the encounter, Pedley had been released from jail for similar offending. He had served 23 months after posing as a millionaire to gain “sexual favours,” offering a woman £4,000 to meet and another £4,000 if she would have sex with him. She received no money.

Pedley was investigated for an alleged rape during the hotel stay, but prosecutors took no further action.

Judge Michael Fanning imposed the sentence. Pedley remains on the Sex Offender Register.

Description

Robert Ashcroft, of no fixed address, groomed the child from December 2025.

The 41-year-old targeted and sexually assaulted her on numerous occasions up until February 2026 when she found the courage to disclose what he had done.

After it was reported to police, he was arrested and questioned in custody before being charged with six counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. He was also charged with a separate attempted burglary offence.

Ashcroft initially denied the offences against him until after the child had given evidence in court. He then changed his plea to guilty.

On Friday 4 September Ashcroft appeared at Teesside Crown Court to be sentenced to 10 years and five months imprisonment. He is also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 15 years and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

During the trial, the court heard how Ashcroft was caught by the occupant who watched him via doorbell footage trying to break in.

He was arrested nearby on the day it occurred on Monday 7 July 2025.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Emily Thompson, from Cleveland Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People team, said:

“Ashcroft exploited and abused the young child and refused to accept responsibility for his heinous actions. It was only until a week before the trial after putting the child through unparallelled stress and trauma that he admitted to what he had done.

“I want to commend her for the courage and strength shown throughout the investigation. The resilience she has demonstrated throughout has been remarkable for such a young person and I sincerely hope she is proud of herself for that.

“While no sentence can undo the harm and trauma caused, I believe the length of this sentence reflects the seriousness of the offences. I hope it provides the child and the family a sense of justice and enables her to move forward with her life.

“Finally, I want to remind anyone else who is suffering abuse of any kind that help is available and I urge and encourage you to come forward. We have specially trained officers who will listen to you, who will believe you and who will support you - frequently supplemented by help from our expert local agencies."

Description

A man who sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl in the City of London was sentenced yesterday (Monday 7 September 2026) at Southwark Crown Court.

Sofiane Belasri, 41, of Dalston Lane, E8, was found guilty following a trial in July 2026.

On 4 July 2024, Belasri approached the victim, who was with her two friends, near Liverpool Street station. The friends went on to sit on some steps outside the station on Bishopsgate.

Belasri sat behind the victim and repeatedly touched her, grabbing her and putting his arms around her neck, while trying to kiss her.

The victim told him that she wasn’t interested and to get off her, but Belasri went on to put his arms over her shoulders and touched her breasts.

Belasri then offered to buy them a vape if they went down an alley with him and performed oral sex on him.

At this point, the victim’s friend ran across the road to Bishopsgate Police Station to report Belsari.

City of London Police officers immediately went to the scene and arrested Belasri for sexual assault.

Yesterday, the court gave Belasri a two-year suspended sentence. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years

Detective Inspector Matthew Alexander, of the Public Protection Unit at the City of London Police, said:

“I want to praise the victim and her friends for the bravery they have demonstrated in coming forward. Without her assistance we wouldn’t have been able to bring this case to court.

“We recognise that reporting offences of this nature can be difficult, and we would encourage anyone who has been affected, or who has concerns about the safety of another person, to contact police.

“Our specialist officers are trained to handle reports with care, sensitivity and professionalism, while working relentlessly to investigate offences and bring offenders to justice.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe. We will continue working closely with partners and communities to identify offenders, protect vulnerable people and keep the City a safe place for all who live, work and visit here.

“We are reviewing the sentence handed down by the court.”