Latest Offenders

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A sex assault victim’s family said the Fife attacker should have been jailed after he was given unpaid work at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

Jordan Linton was found guilty by a jury of sexually assaulting the woman by penetration.

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A woman with multiple sclerosis has criticized a money and travel influencer who sexually assaulted her and avoided jail.

Curtis Heighes, 25, boasts thousands of followers for videos of his global travels, while offering fitness, lifestyle, and finance advice as a broadband salesman and amateur boxer.

The Record reveals Heighes, from Bearsden near Glasgow, as a sex predator who targeted a vulnerable woman during a broadband sales visit to her Paisley home. He denied the November 2023 abuse but was convicted after trial.

His victim, who cannot be named, warned others after he walked free: “It makes me feel sick knowing how easily someone like that can hide in plain sight.”

Over 60,000 follow his Curtis Unchained accounts, where he boasts of trips and boxing successes. While awaiting trial, he posted from Morocco joking about sex and holding what appeared to be a machine gun, plus camel rides in Egypt and sunshine breaks.

Heighes was spared jail at Paisley Sheriff Court due to his role as full-time carer for his elderly parents. His victim fumed: “What’s made this even harder is seeing the wider picture.

“Knowing he was being portrayed as a carer, while also knowing he was able to spend significant time abroad, makes it feel like that was used to make him look better and lessen the consequences.

“To me, it feels like something that benefited him in court, rather than reflecting the reality of who he is or what he’s done. That sense of injustice has been incredibly painful.

“Seeing the pictures of him online with guns, the Morocco posts where he jokes about sex, and the Curtis Unchained persona has also been deeply disturbing.

“That image is completely at odds with how he presented himself to me – and completely at odds with the harm he caused behind closed doors.”

The jury convicted him of kissing her, placing her on the bed, lying on top of her, and performing a sex act without consent.

Last month, he received 300 hours of unpaid work, an eight-month restriction of liberty order with an electronic tag and curfew from 8pm to 6:30am, a 10-year non-harassment order barring contact, and five years on the sex offenders register.

Now a property investment broker, he is banned from entering clients’ homes unaccompanied.

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A "cruel" and cowardly child molester who domestically abused his partner and stalked her after their breakup has been jailed for 11 years.

Mark Harvey, 42, from Kielder in Northumberland, sexually abused two girls and regularly attacked and threatened his partner during their 16-year relationship, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Originally from Blackpool, Harvey met her online around 2007 and moved in with her on Tyneside soon after, prosecutor Vincent Ward said.

He hit her on hidden body parts to conceal bruises, verbally abused and threatened her—saying he would "fight her to the death" and "chop her up"—accused her of cheating while sleeping with others, controlled her clothing and makeup, and isolated her from friends and family.

The court heard Harvey also used violence against children and kicked and hit the family's dogs.

After she ended the relationship in July 2023 upon learning of his child sex offences, Harvey stalked her by sending a phone and tablet with tracking and CCTV apps, unwanted gifts, logging into her social media, and mailing letters from prison under another inmate's name to evade security.

Harvey admitted 11 offences, including sexual activity with a child under 13, stalking, and controlling or coercive behaviour. He had prior convictions for benefit fraud in 2012.

In her statement, his ex-partner said he ruined her life, the abuse was all she knew for 16 years, and she still lives in fear, unable to rebuild. One molested girl called him "cruel" and reported repeated flashbacks and panic attacks.

Harvey initially denied many charges, absconded, and was arrested in Manchester in February 2025 before pleading guilty on the trial's second day.

Judge Thomas Moran described Harvey's sexual urges toward children as "uncontrollable," calling him "opportunistic and cruel." He noted the ex-partner's severe impact and one child's "severe psychological harm," adding Harvey lacked "the courage to accept what you did," sought to discredit his "courageous" victims, and his denial of child sexual interest was "plainly a lie."

Assessed as high risk to children and partners, Harvey was deemed dangerous: he must serve four years on extended licence, sign the sex offenders register for life, and comply with a 20-year sexual harm prevention order.

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An actor who preyed on young vulnerable victims has today (Wednesday 14 January) been jailed for sex offences against children.

John Shannon, who is also known as John Alford, aged 54, of Hartham Road, Islington, has been sentenced to eight years and six months in prison.

Shannon was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a Restraining Order until further order. He will also serve on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Sentencing Shannon at St Albans Crown Court, judge Recorder Caroline Overington said in her pre-sentencing remarks: “The girls were in what should have been a safe environment, you (John) returned to this house after a night at the pub.

“You (John) were a trusted family friend and fully aware that the girls were 14 and 15 years of age.

“You (John) have shown a lack of acknowledgement of your offending and showed little remorse.”

Following a trial at St Albans Crown Court in September 2025, he was convicted and now today, sentenced for the following offences:

• Count 1 Sexual Activity with a child - 3 yrs concurrent
• Count 2 Sexual activity with a child - 3 years concurrent
• Count 3 Penetrative sexual activity with a child - 8 years 6 months
• Count 4 Penetrative sexual activity with a child - 6 years concurrent
• Count 5 Assault by penetration - 4 years concurrent
• Count 6 Sexual Assault - 8 months concurrent

Reports were received from two victims in April 2022, and an investigation was launched by Hertfordshire Constabulary’s specialist Sexual Offences Investigation Team (SOIT) into Shannon’s offending.

He was arrested shortly after the reports were made and was subsequently charged on 16 July 2023 following a complex investigation. Shannon pleaded not guilty to all charges at a hearing in St Albans Crown Court on 26 September 2023.

During the trial, the court heard that in the early hours of Saturday 9 April 2022, two girls aged 14 and 15 were having a sleepover at a friend's house in Hoddesdon. John Shannon arrived at the property during the evening as a guest of the homeowner and was intoxicated.

After purchasing and supplying the victims with alcohol, Shannon then lured one of the victims into sexual intercourse on two occasions. He also sexually assaulted the second victim twice whilst she was falling asleep on the sofa.

Shannon completely denied all charges put to him.

Investigator Laura Harrison from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team, said:

“I want to praise the bravery of our two victims for coming forward and reporting John Shannon’s horrific crimes to police.

“Shannon has not shown any of signs of remorse, from his interviews in custody, to the trial which his victims had to endure.

“I hope that our victims are now able to move on in their lives knowing that Shannon will now be spending a considerable amount of time behind bars.

“This result reinforces the message that Hertfordshire Constabulary has a zero tolerance to crimes of this nature, and I hope Shannon is able to reflect on his behaviour and the trauma his actions have caused, not only for the victims but for their families as well.”

Lawyer Chris White for the Crown Prosecution Service said:

“John Shannon was fully aware of the girl’s ages, yet he chose to exploit them – giving them alcohol and then committing sexual offences against them.

“We commend the victims for reporting what happened. They were supported to give evidence against Shannon: their statements were recorded and played to the jury during the trial, and we arranged for screens to be provided so they did not have to face the defendant during cross examination.

“Shannon’s sentence today sends a clear message – we will pursue those who target young people for their own gratification.”

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A Scottish sex offender who called himself “Paedo Dave” online has been caught sending child abuse images to an undercover cop.

Serial offender David Munro, 56, from Johnstone, Renfrewshire, was under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order meant to prevent sex crimes, but he contacted paedophiles worldwide and shared images via Russian websites.

Using the username PaedoDave25, he boasted attraction to children as young as three and an interest in “hardcore” abuse images. He sent links to abuse images to an undercover officer posing as a paedophile named Jason.

Munro now faces a lengthy jail term after pleading guilty at Paisley Sheriff Court to three charges: sending messages discussing child abuse, distributing child abuse images, and breaching his SOPO by not declaring an internet-capable device.

The offences occurred between January and April last year at his home. Prosecutor Abigail McKenna told Sheriff Sheena Fraser that Munro used “a Russian-based picture website” and exchanged messages with the “undercover law enforcement operative.”

His lawyer said Munro “knows the inevitable outcome.” The case was adjourned.

In 2023, Munro was jailed for 27 months for similar offences, using his Xbox to access sites where he expressed sexual interest in young kids, discussed abusing them, and admitted he did “distribute or show” indecent photographs of children online.

In 2018, he was jailed another 27 months for distributing movies of child sexual abuse online and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.

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A man from Swansea has been handed a ten-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to multiple child sex offences.

25-year-old Jack Barrett, from Waunarlwydd, began chatting with the child victim online before encouraging them to carry out sexual acts. The victim is not from the South Wales Police area and so had no in-person interaction with Barrett.

Barrett pleaded guilty to the following charges:

• Two counts of cause/incite a girl 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity
• One count of causing a child aged 13 to 15 to watch/look at an image of sexual activity
• One count of engaging in sexual communication with a child
• One count of breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO)

Barrett has been handed an extended sentence of 10 years in prison.

Detective Constable Gemma McLean said: 

“Jack Barrett used online communication platforms to take advantage of a child, knowing that they were underage. He did this knowing what he was doing was wrong. 

“This investigation, conducted alongside another police force, uncovered the scale of Barrett’s offending, and the significant sentence that has been handed down today shows just how depraved his actions have been.

“He is fully deserving of a lengthy spell in prison. This sentence should be seen as an emphatic deterrent, and we encourage anyone who is a victim of online sexual abuse to come forward and help us bring the perpetrators to justice.”

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A violent rapist who targeted women for over four decades has been jailed for 16 years.

Phillip Berry, 60, from Fife, pled guilty last month at the High Court in Edinburgh to multiple rapes, attempted rapes, and serious assaults on several women between 1980 and 2023. He began his spree of violent and sexual offences as a teenager.

Berry was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, January 13, for what detectives described as "violent and depraved" crimes.

Detective Inspector Frank Keegan said: "Berry is a violent and depraved sexual offender.

"These women have been deeply impacted by his actions and I hope this sentence brings them some comfort.

"I want to acknowledge the strength of the women who provided information to police in this case. Berry's conviction is down to them.

"Police Scotland will fully investigate abuse wherever it occurs and whoever the perpetrator is, no matter how long ago it happened.

"I'd encourage anyone with concerns about sexual abuse to contact officers or one of our support services who will listen and investigate."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "A 60-year-old man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for carrying out violent and sexual offences against women for over 40 years.

"Phillip Berry, from the Fife area, carried out multiple rapes, attempted rapes and serious assaults on several women between 1980 to 2023.

"He pled guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh last month and was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, January 13."

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A 33-year-old man who sexually assaulted a woman in the Bradford district has been jailed for three years and six months.

Eden Dyson must now register as a sex offender for life after a jury at Bradford Crown Court found him guilty of the March 2025 assault. Dyson, with 28 previous convictions for 41 offences, was sentenced by Judge Kirstie Watson on Wednesday.

Barrister Abdul Shakoor said Dyson remembered little of the incident due to his drinking and use of controlled drugs, but wanted to apologize and was making good progress in custody addressing his issues.

“He knows the real test will come when he is released,” said Mr Shakoor.

“He’s extremely motivated to ensure he does not relapse into drug and alcohol abuse.”

The court heard Dyson is supporting other prisoners through the Samaritans and is proud of his work.

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A Bury resident has been convicted of child sex offences.

Stephen Shaw, of Cornwall Drive in Bury, appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Thursday, January 8, charged with engaging in sexual activity with a child and sexual communication with a child.

The 24-year-old was sentenced to a total of 22 months' imprisonment and placed on the sex offenders register for ten years.

A ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) has also been put in place on Shaw.

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A 22-year-old man who engaged in sexual activity with a child has been jailed for six years.

Michael Cooper, from Hartlepool, groomed his victim over social media with a fake name before engaging in sexual activity with her and becoming aggressive, threatening to grab her hair and choke her. 

He knew that she was under 16, telling her that he would get into trouble if she told anyone about what he was doing.  He even asked her to prove that she was under 16 by asking her to send a birth certificate to him to prove her age.

He appeared before Teesside Crown Court charged with 16 offences of sexual activity with a child and grooming, before he was sentenced to six years in prison, issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and put on the sex offenders’ register.

Temporary Detective Sergeant Sarah Blades, of Hartlepool CID said:

“The victim in this case was incredibly brave to come forward and report Cooper, despite his threats to her.  Thankfully she did, and was able to provide us with the information needed to build a case of evidence to put before the court, safeguarding other potential victims.

“Support is available for anyone who has experienced or is currently experiencing abuse, you are not alone. No one should ever suffer in silence, and Cooper’s sentence demonstrates that when victims come forward, their voices are heard.”

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A convicted sex offender was ensnared by an online child safety group after befriending what he thought was a 13-year-old girl, pressuring her for sex, and asking if she would marry him.

Over a week in September, 64-year-old Allan Cunningham messaged the decoy (an adult), calling her “darling” and “baby,” asking for photos, and saying she was “beautiful.” He confessed wanting sex with her, repeatedly declared his love, demanded reciprocation, and grew angry when she didn't respond.

He proposed running away together, called her his “little school girlfriend,” and asked for marriage. He urged secrecy from her parents and friends, suggested she call him “Daddy Allan” as it aroused him, and dismissed her age as irrelevant. He used the alias “Billy.”

Cunningham, of Weaver’s Brook, Cumberland Close, Ovenden, Halifax, was confronted by the group, leading to police involvement. Phone analysis revealed deleted internet history, breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

He pleaded guilty to attempting sexual communication with a child, SHPO breach, and Sex Offender Register violation via alias. He also faced charges for assaulting two emergency workers (February 15 incident) and a malicious police call (June 8).

Cunningham had prior convictions for violence, threats to kill, harassment, assault, and attempted child sexual communications, for which he received a community order.

In mitigation, his mental health suffered after his wife's death, with anxiety and depression possibly influencing his actions; he was seeing a psychiatrist.

Recorder Andrew Dallas sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, a new 10-year SHPO until 2036, 10-year sex offender registration, and deprivation of his mobile phone.

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A Highland serial sex predator who committed “industrial levels of grooming” against more than a dozen terrified girls is facing a possible life sentence.

Gareth Russell, from Fort William, preyed on his victims via apps such as Snapchat and TikTok while using fake names.

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The man pictured is Antony Farren and he is a dangerous paedophile.

Yesterday (12th January) he was sentenced to a total of 23 years following an investigation by our East RASSO (Rape and Serious Sexual Offences) Team.

The investigation found that 39-year-old Farren had given his 15-year-old victim drugs before inflicting a series of sexual offences on her.

All the offences happened in Rawtenstall.

While engaging in sexual activity with the child, Farren told her: “It feels like I’m raping you, I need to stop.”

Farren, formerly of Rawtenstall but now of no fixed address, was arrested in December 2024.

While he was on bail with conditions not to contact the victim, Farren sent her TikTok in an attempt to intimidate her.

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Farren was charged with a number of sexual offences, as well as witness intimidation.

Following a trial at Preston Crown Court, Farren was found guilty of two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child under 16, four counts of other sexual offences and one count  witness intimidation.

Farren was sentenced to 15 years immediate custody, with a further eight-year extended licence period after the judge deemed him to be a dangerous offender. He was also made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and told to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

DC Sarah Andrews, from the East RASSO Team, said:

“Antony Farren is a dangerous and manipulative individual who targeted and groomed his vulnerable victim for his sordid sexual interests. He knew what he was doing was wrong but continued anyway. I welcome the sentence handed down to Farren which reflects the seriousness of his offending and the very real danger he poses to female children.

“While the headlines will be about Farren and his abhorrent crimes, I want to make sure the victim in this case is not overlooked. She has shown incredible bravery in firstly coming forward and then reliving her ordeal while giving evidence, and I want to place of record my admiration for her.

“Finally, I want to praise the investigation team in this case, and in particularly DC Daniel Healey. As a result of their sensitive and professional approach, they were able to build a rapport with the victim, so she felt believed, supported and able to trust the police to deliver justice.”

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A convicted paedophile who was already serving a prison sentence for raping a young girl has been jailed for the sexual assault of a toddler.

Christopher Proctor, who now goes by the name Daniel Travis, assaulted the girl when she was just two years old.

In 2021 the girl came forward and reported the matter to police.

At this time, Proctor, was already serving a sentence for the rape of a separate young girl for which he was handed a 12-year-jail-term in 2019.

Proctor, 49, was arrested and later charged with sexual assault by touching which he denied.

The case was sent to trial, and the victim was called to give evidence.

Only after she was cross-examined by his defence team did Proctor change his plea to admit the offence.

The girl, who read a victim impact statement in court, spoke movingly about the effect Proctor’s abuse has had on her life:

“What happened to me has had a huge impact on my life and is quite difficult to put into words…

“The impact on my mental health has been significant. I am constantly anxious and on edge, particularly around men and unfamiliar places. I struggle to trust people, even those close to me and I often feel isolated because of this.

“I experience frequent flashbacks and panic attacks from the trauma of what Christopher did to me…

“I used to self-harm to get rid of the feeling of his hands on my skin.

“I have lost my confidence and self-worth. Some days I have even thought it might be better if I am not here. But I will get through this…

“I would like the court to understand the seriousness of the harm that has been caused to me. Not only at the time of the offence, when I was little, but the lasting impact it has had on my wellbeing and future.

“… I want Christopher to remember one thing – he may have taken away my innocence, but he will never take away my future…

“I am no longer a victim. I’m a survivor…”

Proctor, of no fixed address, was sentenced on 7 January and handed a jail term of three years and nine months.

He was placed on the sex offenders register for life, handed a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a 10-year restraining order.

Detective Constable Ellen Buggins, officer in the case, said:

“The survivor in the case showed tenacity and patience throughout, despite the time taken for this to be heard in court.

“She showed immense courage and was commended by the judge for reading out her victim statement in court.

“Travis (AKA Proctor) is a dangerous individual whose offences were horrific.

“It is only right that the public are protected from him, and he will be kept a close eye on for life.”

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Thomas Dodds, 22, targeted the woman as she walked home across the High-Level Bridge over the Tyne in the early morning hours of August 16.

Dodds followed her from Westmorland Road in Newcastle and onto the bridge where he approached her from behind, before overpowering her onto the floor.

He then attempted to rape her, before she stuck her fingers down his throat and pushed him away.

Dodds then fled the scene heading back towards the city centre.

The woman quickly reported the assault to the police, and an investigation was immediately launched.

Officers from Gateshead’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) carried out extensive CCTV enquiries in Gateshead and Newcastle.

After several lines of enquiries, Dodds was tracked down and arrested within days of the report being made.

Dodds, of Woodhorn Drive in Ashington, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court in September where he pleaded guilty to attempted rape and was remanded in custody.

Yesterday (Monday, 12) he appeared at the same court where he was sentenced to 5 years and 3 months behind bars.

Dodds will also serve two years on extended license and has been added to the Sex Offenders register for life. He was also handed a restraining order to protect the victim. 

In a Victim Personal Statement (VPS) which was read to the court, the victim bravely described how the events of that night had impacted her.

She said:

“I have struggled to process my emotions following what happened on the day.

“I was shocked, upset and emotionally unstable, but also angry and confused, questioning ‘why me?’.

“It is something that I never thought would happen to me and I wonder what could have happened to me, or where I would be now, if I hadn’t managed to fight off the stranger who attacked me.

“I had to take two weeks off from work to start and try to process what had happened, which also had a financial impact upon my income.

“When going out, I have a lot of anxiety about being alone and have noticed that I am a lot more cautious, especially in the dark.

“With the winter months and the nights being darker, I am more scared to be out in public by myself and find myself wondering if someone is behind me constantly.

“My independence has been completely ruined; I enjoy going to concerts and music events and would even go alone if none of my friends were available, though I do not feel able to do that anymore.

“At the time of writing this statement, over two months have passed since it happened, and I am still trying to process it.

“I am unsure of the long-term impacts this will have on my future life, but I would not wish for anyone to go through what happened to me.”

Leading the case from Northumbria Police, Detective Constable Burns said: 

“The act committed by Thomas Dodds that night, I believe, is every woman's deepest fear.

I’d like to thank everyone involved in this case—most importantly the victim – who has shown great resilience and bravery in revisiting the events of that night throughout this ordeal.”

Detective Constable Burns added:

“I’d like to stress that stranger offences of this nature are extremely rare in our region.

“I’m glad that Dodds will be spending time behind bars, as it demonstrates how seriously we take these types of reports and how hard we work to ensure justice is delivered to victims.”

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, or wants to share information, to get in touch.”