Latest Offenders

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A former school pastoral care manager who groomed and sexually assaulted a teenage pupil has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Simon Taylor, 43, preyed on the vulnerable child at Hethersett Academy despite a written warning from the school for "unprofessional" conduct.

The ex-army veteran, who lost a leg in a 2009 bomb attack in Afghanistan, targeted her after she sought support, presenting himself as "someone other than a teacher" and making her feel she should "only need or want to talk to him."

Initial messages on the school's message board led to the warning, but contact shifted to email and phone, where Taylor sent explicit images, used emotional blackmail, and threatened self-harm if she didn't send pictures.

At Norwich Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to five charges: sexual activity with a child while in a position of trust, two counts of sexual assault by intentional touching, and two counts of sexual communication with a child.

He was sentenced to prison and placed on the sex offenders' register for life.

In a victim statement read in court, she said Taylor had "stolen her childhood," "emotionally destroyed" her, and affected every part of her life. She went from being "confident, outgoing and full of life" to someone who "struggles to leave their bedroom" and lives "in constant fear they would find and harm them." She added: "My childhood was stolen from me. I never had the chance to be a normal teenager."

Prosecutor Isobel Ascherson said Taylor targeted "a particularly vulnerable child," with offending spanning over two years and continuing after she left school. He "groomed" the girl, making her "think that he was the only one who cared or could help her," and "wanted to have sex with (the girl) and wanted to meet outside school." He threatened self-harm if she didn't send images, and in one message wrote: "I look forward to some fun, as long as we’re both looking for fun, we can just have some fun until you find a nice lad hey."

The assaults involved touching her breasts in a car—once while she was a pupil and once after she left. She reported him to police in 2022 and "told his wife what he had done to her."

Taylor, a married father now of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, and formerly of Dereham, served with the Norfolk-based Light Dragoons on four tours of Iraq and Afghanistan. In the 2009 blast, he broke nearly every bone, lost the lower half of his right leg, and was thrown from the vehicle; driver Lance Corporal Richard Brandon died.

After discharge, Taylor fundraised for veterans' charities through events like long-distance mountain bike rides across northern England and the world's longest downhill cycle race in the Alps.

Mitigating, Richard English said Taylor had no further therapeutic intervention post-discharge, "accepts that he has caused great harm," and feels "genuine remorse, sorrow and shame."

Judge Andrew Shaw said Taylor "ignored formal and informal warnings about his behaviour" and "targeted, manipulated and groomed [the victim] into thinking you were the only adult he cared." He praised her "remarkable dignity and courage" while noting the "immeasurable harm" caused.

The Inspiration Trust, which runs Hethersett Academy, said Taylor has not been employed there since July 2021.

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A man from Haydock who subjected his victim to years of sexual and physical abuse was jailed yesterday (Monday 12 January).

Alan Earwaker, aged 35, from Haydock has been jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour and rape offences.

As well as a prison sentence, Earwaker was also handed an indefinite restraining order against the victim and an indefinite notification requirement.

The victim reported several incidents to Merseyside Police. Earwaker was then arrested in June 2025 and charged with rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, stalking, assault by beating, intentional strangulation, criminal damage, threats to kill, public order and common assault.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Greame Kehoe said:

“Earwaker abused, threatened, stalked and sexually assaulted his victim.

“Despite his horrific crimes she bravely reported these incidents to our officers and gave several lengthy statements that ensured his prison sentence.

“I would like to praise the courage and dignity shown by the victim throughout the investigation and court proceedings.

“I hope this sentencing shows and reassures the public how seriously the courts take these offences and how Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting anyone from violence and sexual abuse.

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

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

“We urge anyone who is a victim of any form sexual abuse to please report this to police, as we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.

“We take all such reports extremely seriously, and in addition, work with partner organisations such as Victim care Support Service and RASA who are there to support victims of this crime.”

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A man has been sentenced after being found guilty of child sex offences.  

Bradford District Children Vulnerable to Exploitation Team carried out an investigation in David Masters after a report in 2024 about a 16 year old who was missing from her home.  

A complex investigation involving multiple victims was carried out and Masters was charged with a number of offences.  

He was found guilty of sexual activity with a child, arrange/facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child and two counts of cause or incite sexual exploitation of a child. He previously admitted to nine counts of making indecent images of children and two counts of distributing indecent images of children.  

Masters aged 46 of Brookroyd Lane Birstall was sentenced on 12 January at Bradford Crown Court to 11 years. He was made to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He was also given a restraining orders against his victims.  

One of Masters’ victims, who was 15 at the time of the offences, said in a Victim Personal Statement:

“It feels like the colour has gone from my life and everything has gone grey. I don’t think about my future now. I feel directionless and like I don’t know where I’m going or what I can do.”

One of the other victims, who was 17 at the time, said in her Victim Personal Statement:

“It feels like my life has become a trap I can’t get out of. I’m trying to rebuild my life after what he did, but sometimes it feels like I will never get back to normal, and I can never be the person I always wanted to be.”

PC Helena Stroud of Bradford’s Children Vulnerable to Exploitation Team said:  

“We welcome the sentence handed down to Masters. He is dangerous individual who exploited children for his own person gain.  

“Police and partners are committed to protecting and safeguarding children from harm and bring perpetrators of child exploitation to justice.  

“Our specialist teams work tirelessly to investigate reports, identify suspects, and safeguard vulnerable individuals across our communities.  

“We urge anyone who has concerns or information about child exploitation or sexual offences to come forward. Reporting these crimes is vital to protecting victims and preventing further harm.  

“Together, we can protect the most vulnerable and ensure that West Yorkshire remains a safe place for children to grow and thrive.”  

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A defenceless cat suffered brutal injuries after ex-Royal Marine Paul Thorpe, 62, heartlessly "dangled" the pet over a fence and into the jaws of a dog from a breed known for its potential to cause "serious injury or even death".

Moments earlier, Thorpe had casually asked the dog's owner how his two dogs were with cats, possibly driven by "morbid curiosity" about what would happen.

The cat's hind leg was bitten down to the bone, and its tail was bitten off, Hull Crown Court heard. On November 5, 2025, Thorpe, from Ashthorpe, Orchard Park estate, north Hull, pleaded guilty to failing to prevent unnecessary suffering to the cat.

Prosecutor Mark Luxford said Thorpe, then a neighbour in Star Hill Road, Driffield, picked up the black cat while its owner was absent and "quizzed" another neighbour about his dogs. He then "dangled" the cat over the fence, placing it "in effect, on the head of one of the dogs". The dog attacked, and Thorpe "seemed to gain some enjoyment" without intervening, showing a "lack of any apparent guilt". The owner tried to stop it but was bitten on the hand.

It was "sadistic" behaviour causing "a high level of pain and suffering" and "grave injury", Mr Luxford added. "The defendant failed to intervene once the dog started attacking the cat."

In police interview, Thorpe admitted acting recklessly, apologised, and offered to pay vet bills. He had three prior convictions, including an eight-year jail term in December 2009 for the "very serious" rape of a child.

Mitigating, Holly Thompson said Thorpe hadn't minimised the incident: "This was a short-lived incident, one that caused an immense degree of harm. It was a momentary or brief lapse in judgement. This was entirely unacceptable conduct. The defendant has accepted that it was. He made admissions and apologised in full."

His actions were "odd and without any real motive", with "no precursor" or negative neighbour relations. "He is an entirely nice guy and is friendly and helpful. He is entirely apologetic at his conduct and he did not, at the time, realise the severity of it. He was unable to come to terms with it and he buried his head in the sand. He has come to terms with it now. He acted largely out of character." Thorpe served in the Royal Marines until medically discharged in 1990, having seen "atrocities".

Recorder David Kelly said Thorpe deliberately placed the cat in harm's way, with "suggestions of some sadism" and "little remorse if any". He imposed an eight-month suspended prison sentence, 15 days' rehabilitation, and £300 compensation each to the cat's owner and the bitten man.

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A mother tearfully confronted her rapist in court, saying, "You didn't listen to me when I said no, but you will listen now," as he was jailed for the assault.

Louis Cooper chillingly told his victim he "liked it when she was squirming" during the rape and laughed when he learned he had injured her. Though he denies the offense, the victim stated: "That day changed everything about me. The person I was before this happened died that day."

At Liverpool Crown Court, jurors heard that Cooper, 30, of Rossmore Road East in Ellesmere Port, began consensual sex with the complainant but suddenly changed position without consent. Despite her saying "Louis, no" and trying to push him off, he held her down and raped her. She was unable to "say or do anything" or "move." Afterward, he said: "Halfway through that, I realised I was raping you. I kind of liked it when you were squirming though." He later laughed about her injury and texted her referencing it.

In her victim impact statement, she said tearfully: "What he did to me didn't end when it was over. That day changed everything about me. The person I was before this happened died that day. People hear the word rape and think it's just one moment. It became my whole life. It followed me into my home, my job and sleep until nothing felt normal any more.

"I stopped trusting people. I became frightened of the world. My mental health deteriorated to the point that I tried to take my own life three times. I was not coping, I was not functioning and I was not surviving. I lost my confidence, independence and sense of self. I had to leave my job and move house in order to feel safe again. It still follows me every day.

"Louis Cooper didn't just hurt me, he scarred me. He took my peace, confidence and safety. He took years of my life. Surviving is not the same as living. This was not something I could just move on from. It followed me into every day and every part of my life.

"It didn't just only happen to me. My children watched their mum disappear. They watched me deteriorate, cry and shut down. They've lived with the aftermath of something they should never have been touched by. I wanted to protect them from everything, and I couldn't protect them from the things he did to me.

"My family have lived with this for years too, living with the fear that, one day, they would lose me. I will carry the impact of this for the rest of my life. This is for you Louis. You didn't listen to me when I said no, but you will listen now. This was rape, this was abuse and it nearly killed me."

Cooper has one prior conviction: three years in prison in 2020 for drug trafficking. Defense barrister Mark Connor argued: "He has no previous convictions for any violence at all. He has no previous convictions for any sexual offence. This appears to be an isolated incident. While on bail for a significant period of time, he committed no further offences. This is not a case that calls for an extended determinate sentence. Mr Cooper knows that he will receive a significant sentence of imprisonment. I ask your honour to pass the least possible sentence commensurate with the seriousness of these offences."

Convicted of rape by jury, Cooper appeared via video link from HMP Liverpool, wearing a grey Under Armour sweatshirt, with short dark hair and a beard. Judge Brian Cummings KC sentenced him to eight years in prison plus four years on extended license, noting: "It is apparent that you continue to deny the rape. It is apparent, more than three years on from the offence, that her thoughts continue to be dominated by the rape, and her life has been severely adversely affected.

"It cannot be said that this is your first experience of custody. It is, of course, now your second such experience. I take account of the character evidence presented on your behalf. It is apparent that there is a better side to your character. I take account of the fact that you have a young child. That is always a tragic aspect of any case where a court has to impose a prison sentence.

"I am afraid, notwithstanding the submissions made by Mr Connor, my own assessment, having observed the evidence given in the trial in your case, including your own evidence, is that there is a significant risk of serious harm being occasioned to members of the public by the commission by you of further specified offences. I am not satisfied that a determinate prison sentence will be sufficient, and the sentence in your case will be an extended licence sentence."

Cooper received a lifelong restraining order barring contact with the victim and must sign the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

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A man has been jailed after raping a woman in Tamworth.

Mehmet Ogur, 27, of Tamworth, was sentenced to seven years at Stafford Crown Court today (Monday 12 January) after he was previously found guilty of rape of a woman and attempted rape of a woman following a trial.

He met the survivor in a park on 18 January last year after they had been speaking over Snapchat and raped her.

It was reported to us two days later and Ogur was quickly arrested and questioned by detectives. He was charged and taken to court.

DC Samuel Infanti, from our rape and serious sexual offences unit, said:

“The survivor in this case has shown tremendous bravery in coming forward and telling us about what happened. It is because of her bravery that Ogur will now be punished for his crimes.

“We’re determined to act robustly against those responsible for sexual offences in Staffordshire and to support survivors as much as possible.”

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A judge has ordered sex offender Fintan Burke to remain in custody for re-evaluation of his risk to the public.

The 35-year-old, formerly of Newbury and latterly of no fixed address, horrified witnesses by committing a sex act in public view on the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath near Toomers Wharf last July, causing a woman in her 60s to end up in the water.

He also faces sentencing for assaulting emergency workers and racially aggravated public order offences.

Burke, pictured in a 2017 Thames Valley Police custody photo before his jailing for assault causing grievous bodily harm, has prior convictions for outraging public decency and indecent exposure.

He was due for sentencing at Reading Crown Court on Thursday, January 8, but refused to participate via video link despite the presence of barristers, judge, and staff.

Defense barrister Naomi Perry requested an adjournment, saying: “I can only ask for an adjournment in the hope that he will deign to attend [next time].”

Prosecutor Tom Blackburn urged proceeding in his absence.

Judge Rachel Drake, noting difficulty, highlighted a pre-sentence report deeming Burke a “high risk” to the public. She feared his mental health had deteriorated since a three-month-old assessment, adding: “If I were to simply sentence him today or adjourn until next week when he could refuse to come on the [prison video] link, it’s likely he would be released immediately or very shortly thereafter [due to time spent in custody on remand].”

Although a prior psychiatric report found him fit to plead and understand proceedings, Judge Drake worried this might no longer hold. She refused to sentence and release him without an updated report, stating: “If he is not now fit to plead, or his condition has deteriorated such that he should be in hospital, then now is the right time to make that decision rather than him being released now or in February and breaching the terms of his [mandated early release on licence] recall terms or committing another offence and having to start again and be assessed from scratch.”

She ordered assessment by the same psychiatrist to detect any changes and adjourned sentencing to Thursday, February 5, remanding Burke in custody.

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A sex offender who groomed children over Snapchat and paid them for indecent images has been jailed.

Ian Della-Rocca, aged 39, was arrested in November 2024 after he was involved in sexual communication online with a person he believed was a 14-year-old girl.

The person he was speaking to was in fact a police officer.

Following his arrest, investigators examined Della-Rocca’s mobile phone and discovered that he had been speaking to real children on Snapchat.

From January 2023 and up to the point of his arrest Della-Rocca, who was living in North Baddesley at the time of the offences, had been engaging in sexual conversations with the children. Police identified three teenage girls who were based across the UK who were paid money by Della-Rocca in exchange for indecent pictures and videos. Police located almost 1,200 indecent images of children on his phone.

On one occasion, he met one of the children – a 15-year-old girl – and took her to school.

He was subsequently charged with the following offences, which he admitted at Southampton Crown Court:

• Three counts of possession of indecent images of children
• Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child
• Adult attempt to cause a child to watch / look at an image of sexual activity
• Possess a prohibited image of a child
• Distribute an indecent image of a child
• Three counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child
• Three counts of cause / inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• Three counts of paying for the sexual services of a child aged 13 to 15
• Cause / inciting a child to look at an image of sexual activity
• Attempting to meet a girl under 16 years of age following grooming

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court on Friday 9 January 2026, Della-Rocca, of Wilson Road in Chessington, was jailed for 6 years and 8 months.

He was also ordered to sign on to the Sex Offenders Register for life, and handed a 15 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

PC Ollie Green, from the Internet Child Abuse Team (ICAT), said:

“The relentlessness of Della-Rocca’s offending is really shocking. He persistently targeted young girls online, going as far as to pay them to provide him with indecent images.

“Della-Rocca groomed and exploited these children for his own perverse gratification, and it is clear he poses a serious risk to children.

“The girls have been incredibly brave in speaking to police about Della-Rocca’s behaviour, and it is because of them that we were able to secure so many criminal charges against him.

“I also want to extend my thanks to policing colleagues across the UK for their efforts in helping bring this man to justice.”

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A child sex offender spared jail after being exposed by online paedophile hunters now faces prison for breaching a strict court order.

Dean Jordan, 32, from Canterbury, narrowly avoided prison in September after his conviction for sexual communication with a child.

The homeless man walked free after a judge suspended a 12-month sentence for two years and placed him on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

Registrants must provide police with personal details, including name, address, date of birth, and bank and passport information, within three days of conviction or release.

Homeless offenders face stricter rules, requiring weekly reports to a designated police station and details of a regular location.

Jordan failed to comply on two occasions—in October and on Boxing Day.

When arrested for the breaches, officers found a small quantity of amphetamine on him.

Jordan, of no fixed address, admitted two counts of failing to comply with notification requirements and possession of a class B drug at Margate Magistrates’ Court on December 31.

Defender Scott Neilson told the court Jordan had been remanded in prison for four months before sentencing.

“He got released and had nowhere to stay as his family disowned him,” he said.

“He’s had a real mental health struggle, and he’s street homeless.”

The court heard that due to struggles sleeping rough, Jordan began taking amphetamines, leading to drug issues.

Magistrates were told he was willing to work with probation and the Forward Trust for drug and alcohol support.

Mr Neilson added: “He was low and depressed over the Christmas period, and he contacted his family but was rebuffed, but he does have some mental health issues.

“He’s feeling better now, and he was open with the police that he wants support.”

As the suspended sentence was imposed at crown court, magistrates sent the case back to Canterbury Crown Court, where Jordan will learn his fate on a date to be set.

Jordan, who gave a care-of address in Station Road East, Canterbury, was granted bail.

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Lee Spence, a 25-year-old Fife man currently serving an eight-and-a-half-year sentence for attempting to murder his father in a premeditated blade attack at HMP Perth, has been placed on the sex offenders register due to a separate incident involving a 16-year-old girl in Glenrothes. The assault on the teenager occurred before his imprisonment, where Spence followed her and made inappropriate, lewd comments, causing her significant distress. This behavior was classified as sexual in nature, leading to charges and highlighting a pattern of violent and inappropriate conduct that echoes his family's troubled history, including his father's own convictions for child abuse.

In court, the judge underscored the seriousness of Spence's actions toward the girl, noting the profound impact on the young victim and the need for public protection. As a result of this conviction, Spence will be monitored under the sex offenders register upon release, joining his father on the list. The case draws attention to Spence's vengeful tendencies and ongoing risks, with authorities emphasizing measures to prevent future incidents.

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Jordan Gouldmartin (28/11/1994) of Ludlow Drive, Leigh, was found guilty by a jury of sexual assault of a boy under the age of 13.

Following the verdict yesterday (Thursday 8 January 2026) Gouldmartin was sentenced to five years imprisonment at Manchester Crown Square Court.

On release, Gouldmartin will be subject to a five-year licence period. The court also imposed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a lifetime restraining order to protect the victim.

Detective Constable Jennifer Bradley said:

“We welcome the sentence handed down at Crown Court. This outcome reflects the gravity of the offence and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable members of our community.

“I want to personally thank the young victim for their courage in coming forward and reporting this horrific incident to the police.

“Their strength has been instrumental in securing justice and ensuring protections are now in place to prevent further harm.”

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A man has been jailed after admitting rape, assault with intent to commit a sexual offence, false imprisonment and controlling and coercive behaviour.

In March 2025, Paul Devaney, aged 42, of no fixed abode, committed a catalogue of offences against the same woman which included punching her in the face and pinning her to a sofa in an address in Stockton, using his knee to restrict her breathing.

The woman was raped by Devaney and video evidence of this was found on a mobile phone.

Devaney was arrested and later charged after detectives worked diligently in their investigation.

He pleaded guilty at court to committing an offence with the intention of committing a relevant sexual offence, rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and false imprisonment.

At Teesside Crown Court today, Friday 9th January 2026, Devaney was sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommendation to serve a minimum of eight years in prison, and he was given a lifetime restraining order.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Jess Mangham, said:

“I am satisfied with the sentence today. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the victim in this case who has shown bravery and courage despite the significant impact this incident has had on her life. Devaney will now spend a significant period behind bars, preventing him from harming others.”

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Wilson, 49, of Garth Farm Road, Winlaton, Gateshead, denied two charges of rape but was convicted by a jury after a trial.

Mr Recorder Mark Giuliani told him: "You didn't take no for an answer. You decided your desires and your needs were more important than her wishes.

"She was making it clear she wanted you to stop. You didn't.

"She was saying 'no, don't, stop' and you ignored her wishes because you wanted to satisfy your own carnal desire and didn't give a care about her wishes."

Recorder Giuliani described the victim's impact statement as "chilling," noting she felt "so dirty she couldn't even touch her own skin" to clean herself afterwards.

He added: "She describes she was subjected to a violent sexual assault by you which has left her traumatised, scared and has greatly affected her life.

"Afterwards she felt ashamed and dirty, at one point washing herself with Dettol to feel clean again."

The court heard Wilson has a record for violence.

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A man who abused multiple children has been jailed for six years.

Adam McLaughlan, 34, of Penkridge, was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Tuesday (6 January) after he was previously found guilty of 14 counts of sexual assault of a girl.

The abuse happened over a number of years in Staffordshire before the survivors bravely came forward and told us about what happened.

Officers from our public protection unit (PPU) worked tirelessly to support the survivors and to build the evidence needed to secure a significant number of charges against McLaughlan.

At an earlier court hearing, he denied all of the charges put to him. But, because of the strength of our investigation and the bravery of the survivors, the jury deemed him guilty on 14 counts.

As part of his sentencing, McLaughlan was also served with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), placed on the Sex Offenders Register and served with a restraining order against the survivors.

Detective Constable Patrick Hipwell, from our public protection unit (PPU), said:

“I’m pleased that we’ve been able to deliver this outcome for the survivors in this case, who have each shown tremendous courage in coming forward and telling us about what happened.

“I want survivors to know that, no matter how recent or long ago offences may have taken place, we will always work relentlessly to delivery justice and to support you thoroughly throughout this process.”

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A man who raped and sexually assaulted a girl in Newcastle-under-Lyme has been jailed for more than 14 years.

Henry Saklatvala, 38, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, was sentenced to 14-years-and-three-months behind bars at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Thursday (8 January) after he admitted two counts of the rape of a girl, two counts of sexual assault on a girl and one count of attempting to rape a girl.

In July last year, we started investigating Saklatvala after the survivor came forward and told someone about the offences.

We worked hard to support her and to gather all of the evidence needed to secure a number of charges against Saklatvala.

Because of the survivor’s bravery, and the strength of our investigation, Saklatvala admitted the offences at an earlier hearing and is now behind bars for a long time.

As part of his sentencing, Saklatvala was served with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and given an indefinite restraining order against the survivor.

Detective Constable Mylene Bepole, from our child protection team, said: “I’m pleased that we’ve been able to deliver this outcome for the survivor in this case, who has shown immeasurable bravery in coming forward.

“No matter how recent or long ago offences may have been, we want to deliver these types of outcomes for survivors across Staffordshire. That starts with coming forward and speaking to specialist officers in confidence.”