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Detectives have praised the courage of victims in helping lock up a teenage rapist.

Lucan Wright was aged 17 when he raped a girl and a woman during separate incidents.

Both were assaulted in Nottinghamshire by Wright, now aged 20, back in 2023.

They weren't isolated offences, with Wright raping the woman and teenage girl multiple times.

His serious sexual offending was accompanied by threats of violence and controlling and coercive behaviour against both victims.

Having committed those offences as a teenager, he then subjected a third victim to a prolonged violent ordeal, between last December and January this year.

The teenage girl was strangled, physically assaulted multiple times, threatened, and imprisoned in a Worksop property against her will for nearly a month by Wright.

His catalogue of criminality was eventually discovered when his three victims each made the brave decision to come forward and tell police what he'd done.

He would go on to be charged with multiple counts of rape, engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour, strangulation, false imprisonment and making threats to kill.

Wright, of Northumbria Close, Worksop, was also charged with multiple counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by beating.

While he admitted to those charges, he denied the rest, which prompted the need for a trial at Nottingham Crown Court that concluded in July of this year.

That's when a jury convicted him of each of the other offences, with a sentencing date then set for this Tuesday (13 October) before the same court.

Appearing before the court via video link, Wright was ruled a dangerous offender by Judge Michael Auty, who handed him an extended 15-year custodial sentence.

He was sentenced to 12 years in custody – of which he must serve at least half before he is considered for release – and will then spend a further three years on licence.

Wright will have to sign the sex offenders' register for the rest of his life, while he was also made the subject of a restraining order.

This will last until further order and bans him from contacting any of his three victims in any way.

Detective Constable Chloe Buckley, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

"As the judge rightly summarised, Lucan Wright is a dangerous individual who poses a real threat to women and teenage girls.

"It is hard to comprehend the harrowing experience each of these three victims were put through at the hands of Wright.

"He was responsible for raping two of them on more than one occasion and for subjecting the other to a horrible ordeal of prolonged violence.

"These are horrendous crimes that can devastate people's lives, so it is to their absolute credit that they found the strength to come forward.

"The bravery they showed played a critical role in ensuring the truth about Wright was revealed and he received this deserved custodial sentence.

"Putting a stop to all incidents of violence against women and girls remains a key priority for this police force.

"We hope this sentence encourages more victims to have the confidence to report offenders, so we can put them before the courts."

Description

Hartlepool lorry driver jailed for nine years over plans to watch girl, 10, being raped

Christopher Lumley, 38, of Hartlepool, has been jailed for nine years after arranging to video-call and watch a 10-year-old girl being raped by her grandfather.

Teesside Crown Court heard Lumley was already under investigation after the FBI identified chats with another child sex offender in the USA. Cleveland Police were alerted by the National Crime Agency in March. When officers arrived at his home he said he knew why they had come and that he had “messed up”.

Investigators found more than 700 “extremely disturbing” indecent images of children, including babies and toddlers, on his phone. Around 370 were in the most serious category. He had distributed about 540 images online, including 252 in the highest category, and had discussed raping children aged from zero to 12.

Released on bail, Lumley returned online, downloaded and shared hundreds more images, and contacted a man called Tony on a Russian website used by child sex abusers. Tony was an undercover officer posing as a grandfather who had been abusing his granddaughter for two years, beginning when she was eight. Lumley arranged a video call to watch the girl being raped and sent the officer bondage-related images to give him “ideas”.

He was arrested again in August. Officers found he had made more than 3,000 visits to the site and held a further 1,180 indecent images of children, of which about 250 had been distributed.

Lumley admitted arranging the commission of a child sex offence and making and distributing indecent images of children.

Judge Deborah Sherwin described it as “particularly worrying” that he committed further, more serious offences while on bail. She said his collection contained images of the “most serious depravity that can be imagined” and were “some of the worst” to come before the court. Any “right-minded” person would find his actions “disgusting”.

Lumley must sign the sex offender register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order indefinitely.

Description

A man has been jailed for separate incidents of sexual assault and burglary in the Malpas area.

Jorden Hansen, of Penny Court, Malpas, was sentenced to 43 months at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 8 October.

The 32-year-old was sentenced for two counts of sexual assault, one count of using threatening behaviour to cause alarm or distress and one count of burglary.

On 17 April 2026, two teenage girls aged 16 and 13 entered an abandoned building in Malpas. Before entering, they saw a man sat in a blue car nearby.

An hour later, the man entered the building and located the girls. He stood in the doorway, blocking the girls’ exit. He asked how old they were and remarked, ‘oh, old enough, give me your Snapchat’.

The man then hugged both girls without their consent, with his hand on their lower backs.

On 23 April 2026, a 17-year-old girl was walking along High Street, Malpas, when she spotted a man in a blue car. He was repeatedly looking at her in his rearview mirror while he was driving.

She turned into Chester Road and the man continued to drive at a slow pace behind her. She called a friend as she feared for her safety. 

Hansen was identified as the man involved in these two incidents and was subsequently arrested.

At court he was also sentenced in relation to a previous, unrelated incident where he broke into a nursing home in High Street, Malpas, on 28 August 2025.

During the early hours, a resident informed staff a man had been in her room and had jumped out of the window.

It was found that someone had entered several residents’ rooms after gaining access through the windows and searched through their belongings.

Following enquiries, this was later linked to Hansen and he was arrested.

DC Ireland of Chester CID said:

“Firstly, I would like to thank the young victims in this case for their bravery in coming forward and speaking to police about what happened to them.

“These incidents were undoubtedly distressing, and I hope the victims, their families and the wider public can take some comfort from knowing that Hansen has now been convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment.

“This outcome ensures he has been held accountable for his actions and provides protection to the wider community.”

PC Wright added:

“As well as targeting teenage girls, Hansen also targeted vulnerable people in a nursing home, violating what should be their safe space.

“Thanks to the work of our officers, we were able to link this to Hansen and we welcome the sentence handed to him."

Description

A man has been jailed for nine-and-a-half years for the non-recent rape and sexual abuse of a child.

Paul Colvin, 57, of Moorhall Lane, Stourport-on-Severn, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Friday 25 September.

He was found unanimously guilty after trial in June of the rape of a child. He previously pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual abuse of a child, and seven counts of non-penetrative sexual activity with a child at an earlier hearing, all in respect of the same victim. 

The victim has been updated by officers throughout the investigation and has been offered access to specialist support services she may benefit from.

The victim bravely provided a statement to the court which highlighted the impact the offending had on her. She said:

“The abuse I suffered as a child has had a lasting impact on my life. One of the biggest impacts, which I feel is the most significant, is that my childhood was completely swept out from under me.

“I did not have a normal childhood like others, I didn’t get to enjoy my life, be innocent and carefree; instead, I felt I had to grow up before my time. I have very little happy memories of my childhood, I know I enjoyed family holidays with my dad and grandparents, but I only have those memories from photographs.

“It deeply saddens me that I don’t remember all the time I spent with them. All those memories are locked in a box in my head, and my brain has not filtered out the bad, but has instead locked a chunk of my life away to protect me.”

T/DS Carl Spicer, officer in the case from our criminal investigations department, said:

“I wish to commend the bravery and strength of the victim to report these crimes.

“Her resilience and patience throughout the police investigation and court proceedings have been exemplary.

“Colvin has been punished for his offending and I wish to reassure victims of sexual assault, that they will be believed, supported and that we will always investigate any abuse and bring offenders to justice, regardless of when it happened.

“Colvin was calculated in his offending and systematically sexually abused a young child over a significant period of time without a single care for her well-being. His offending has had a serious and lasting impact on the victim, who we will continue to support.”

Description

A man has been jailed for 13 years following his conviction for a series of serious offences, including rape.

Andrew Warren Lowe, 36 of Belgrave Road in Keighley was found guilty following a trial at Leeds Crown Court. Today, Wednesday 14 October 2026, he was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to 13 years. He was also given a restraining order.

The court heard how the victim was subjected to sustained abuse over a number of years between 2010 and 2017. During this period, Lowe repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted the victim, alongside engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour, physical violence and sustained emotional abuse.

This case involved some of the most serious and distressing crimes that can occur behind closed doors, including repeated sexual assaults and violence which left the victim with lasting trauma.

The investigation was complex and related to non-recent allegations, with the offences being reported to police around three years after they had occurred.

Despite this delay, the victim showed exceptional courage in coming forward and remained fully engaged with the investigation throughout.

The court also heard that Lowe physically assaulted a child. Rather than being able to grow up in a safe environment, the child was instead exposed to violence and abuse at Lowe’s hands.

His bravery throughout the investigation was acknowledged, as was the profound and lasting impact these experiences are likely to have on him well into the future.

Throughout the investigation and during the trial, Lowe denied all allegations put to him and showed no remorse, refusing to take any responsibility for his actions.

Following conviction, Detective Sergeant Natalie Hawksworth from North Yorkshire Police said:

“This case involved a victim being subjected to horrifying abuse over a sustained period of time. Lowe was a predator who repeatedly targeted and abused the victim for his own personal gain and sexual gratification, showing no regard for the devastating impact his actions would have.

“The bravery shown by the victim in coming forward cannot be overstated. Reporting non-recent abuse is incredibly difficult, and her unwavering support of the investigation has ensured that a dangerous individual is now behind bars and no longer poses a risk to women and children.

“The effect of these offences has caused lifelong trauma for the victim, something she will now have to live with forever. She truly deserves happiness, and I hope this sentence brings some sense of closure following such a horrendous ordeal.”

“I would also like to commend the child victim in this case, who was extremely brave and should never have had to endure abuse in what should have been a safe environment. I hope that now justice has been served, he can begin to feel safe and reassured about the future.”

Description

A man has been jailed for the rape and sexual abuse of a woman and child in Bristol.

Suleman Aqeel, 23, of Elstree Road, Speedwell, Bristol, was convicted and sentenced to 17 years at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday 30 September. He will serve 12 years in prison and a further five years on licence.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and sexual assault by penetration of a woman aged 16 or over, the rape of a girl under 16, controlling and coercive behaviour with violence, taking indecent images of children, intentional strangulation, meeting a child following sexual grooming, and sexual activity with a child.

Aqeel used social media, including sites such as Snapchat, to arrange to meet young girls. He drove an orange BMW and would give his victims alcohol before sexually abusing them, sometimes when they were asleep.

On one occasion, he drove one of his victims to Baddock’s Wood, in Southmead, and persisted in his sexual advances against her wishes before raping her.

He would also frequently film his offending on a mobile phone and was either violent to his victims or made threats of violence against them, would damage property belonging to them, used a tracking device on one victim’s phone, used degrading and insulting language, and would also make threats to disclose intimate videos and images.

Aqeel was arrested on 4 June 2025 and was charged the following day ahead of his first court appearance on 6 June last year.

We have maintained contact with the victims throughout the investigation and have offered them access to specialist support services they feel they may benefit from.

His victims revealed the impact of Aqeel’s offending in statements which they bravely read in court. The first said:

“He disintegrated me as a human and treated me like an animal. He made me feel like I didn’t have a purpose. I feel like no one can ever shock me in the way they treat me now.

“He’s made me so scared of doing things wrong and I overthink everything I do. When I found out he pleaded guilty to some of the things he had done, some weight came off my shoulders. I couldn’t have lived with myself knowing he was out there and doing it to someone else. I wouldn’t wish that kind of relationship on my worst enemy.”

The second victim added:

“He made me do things a child should never be involved in. He took away my innocence which is something I can never take back. He got me at my most vulnerable position, so he had full control and was in a place of power to take advantage of me. Even though he changed my life in ways, I’ll never forget what he did to me. I work towards my goals and aspirations way harder now than I ever have. I’m motivated to do better every day.”

DC Sacha Hooper and DC Florence Dickinson, the officers in the case from Operation Bluestone, said:

“We would like to commend the bravery of the victims in reporting their ordeal to us, and for supporting an investigation into the abuse by Aqeel which has understandably caused them significant distress.

“We recognise the incredible strength they have shown in engaging with us and the criminal justice system. In doing so, these young women have helped us put a dangerous offender in prison for a significant period of time, therefore preventing him from causing further violence against woman and girls, and we hope it gives them the closure and justice they deserve.”

Description

Eastbourne man Richard Bennett, 46, has been jailed for 18 years for rape, assault and abusive offences against a woman known to him.

On 5 February the victim reported that Bennett, of Lower Willingdon, had become increasingly controlling, lying about being a police informant to keep the victim in fear and preventing her from seeking help and support.

She reported that at times he would strangle her, assault her and threatened to kill her. She reported that she was subject to years of sexual abuse.

She was petrified of him but built up the courage to flee from him.

After the report to police the victim was safeguarded and given support by specialist officers.

Bennett handed himself in on 11 February and on 12 February he was charged with rape, assault causing actual bodily harm, coercive controlling behaviour and strangulation and was remanded into custody.

On 11 August at Lewes Crown Court, he was convicted after being found guilty of rape, assault causing actual bodily harm, coercive controlling behaviour and strangulation.

On 18 September, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Detective Constable Marc Thomas said:

The victim had suffered years of abuse at the hands of Bennett, who impacted every part of her life, isolating her and forcing her to stay indoors as his behaviour became more threatening.

She has been strong in supporting this investigation and it thanks to her that Bennett is now behind bars.

Description

A man from Crewe has been jailed for sexually, physically and emotionally abusing two women.

Jacob Evans appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday 12 October, where he was handed a 21-year sentence – consisting of 15 years imprisonment and six years remaining on extended licence.

Evans, of French Lane, Baddington, had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of rape and sexual assault by penetration.

The 22-year-old had also pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, two counts of making threats with a bladed weapon and two counts of engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour.

The court heard that between 2021 and 2025 Evans had abused two different women.

Both women reported to police that the 22-year-old had physically assaulted them and threatened them both with violence on multiple occasions. One of the women went on to tell officers that she had even been threatened with a knife by Evans.

The victims in this case also disclosed that they had been raped by Evans a number of times as well as having been forced to engage in other sexualised activity under the threat of violence.

Alongside the physical violence and sexual assaults, Evans also emotionally manipulated the women, verbally degraded them and went through their phones.

One woman reported that Evans bullied her into letting him drive her car, despite not being insured. He also forced her to sell her own belongings in order to buy him sports clothing, alcohol and a brand-new iPhone and Apple watch. Shortly after being given the devices, he sold them and kept the money for himself.

Evans was arrested and interviewed twice after both victims came forward to disclose the offences. Following his initial arrest, he told officers under caution that he “wasn’t worried” about the allegations made against him.

Despite denying any wrongdoing and providing no comment answers in interviews with officers, Evans was subsequently charged and remanded in custody. He would change his pleas to guilty on the first day of trial.

Alongside his custodial sentence, Evans was also handed an indefinite restraining order against both women.

Detective Constable Toby Hills, of Crewe Reactive CID, said:

“The two women at the centre of this investigation have been subjected to a torrent of abuse by an individual who thought he could hold power over and manipulate them both without facing any form of consequence.

“Despite bearing the brunt of an onslaught of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, these two women bravely came forward to prevent their abuser from harming anyone else. This investigation required them to relive their trauma, which I know would not have been an easy task for them, so I would like to extend my most profound thanks to them both for their courage, bravery and willpower shown throughout this entire case.

“What has been uncovered over the course of this emotionally challenging investigation is that Jacob Evans is an extremely volatile individual who poses a serious risk to women. I am very glad to see the court also saw this and has handed him a considerable custodial sentence, meaning he will have plenty of time to reflect on the consequences of his deplorable behaviour.

“Even when he is eventually released from prison, Evans will be under constant supervision on a six-year extended licence period and will be the subject of an indefinite restraining order requiring him to remain on his best behaviour, or face returning to a prison cell.”

Description

The owner of a martial arts club has been jailed for raping a woman at his studio in Reading.

Juan Miguel Figueroa-Ball, aged 44, of Long Acre Close, Canterbury, was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment at Reading Crown Court on 8 October after being convicted of rape.

He was also made subject to a restraining order for 10 years and will remain on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

A jury found Figueroa-Ball guilty of one count of rape following a six-day trial at Reading Crown Court. He was convicted on 25 August.

The offence took place on 21 July 2023 at Ceres Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on Richfield Avenue, Reading.

Figueroa-Ball had offered the victim a free one-to-one introductory session at his studio, when he took advantage of getting her alone. During a Ju-Jitsu roll, Figueroa-Ball attacked the victim and raped her.

Investigating officer Temporary Detective Sergeant Jennifer Cox, of Thames Valley Police’s Harm Reduction Unit, said:

“This was a traumatic offence which has had a lasting impact on the victim. Throughout a lengthy investigation and trial process spanning more than three years, she showed remarkable courage and resilience.

“By reading her Victim Personal Statement in open court herself, she demonstrated immense bravery and dignity. Her courage and determination to see this case through has helped ensure the offender was held accountable for his actions.

“Violence against women and girls remains a priority for Thames Valley Police. We are committed to thoroughly investigating offences of this nature, supporting victims, and bringing offenders before the courts.

“I hope this conviction reassures victims that they will be listened to, taken seriously, and supported throughout the criminal justice process. I would also like to thank the investigators, specialist staff and our criminal justice partners whose dedication has helped secure this outcome.”

Figueroa-Ball was acquitted of one count of sexual assault in relation to the same incident.

Description

A rapist who subjected his victim to a sustained campaign of sexual abuse and stalking has been jailed for more than 18 years.

Tommy Eastwood, 26, of Dering Way, Gravesend, was convicted of multiple rapes and stalking offences following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

In December 2024, the victim reported that over a period of 8 years Eastwood had subjected her to stalking, as well as coercive and controlling behaviours.

An investigation was launched and Eastwood was arrested.

During the investigation, the victim further disclosed numerous sexual assaults over the same period.

On each occasion, Eastwood attended the victims home address in Gravesend where he forced her to endure repeated sexual abuse.

Officers then rearrested Eastwood in April 2025.

Charged

He denied the allegations but was later charged, and on 14 April 2026 was found guilty of 2 counts of rape, 1 count of sexual assault, stalking and engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour.

On Friday 2 October Eastwood was sentenced to 18 years and 6 months imprisonment.

Investigating officer Detective Constable David Brown said:

‘Eastwood repeatedly targeted his victim in her own home causing untold distress and trauma over a prolonged period.

‘Her bravery and determination in coming forward and reporting this abuse is immeasurable.

‘Through a thorough and intricate investigation, we were able to secure this significant custodial sentence, which I hope provides some closure for the victim and allows her to move forward with her life.’

Description

A man has pleaded guilty to 19 child sexual offences at Drayton Manor Theme Park.

Josef Luke Hammond, 24, of Birmingham, appeared at Stafford Crown Court yesterday (Monday 12 October) and admitted 19 counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching. 

Hammond was a ride operator at Drayton Manor when the offences took place. He was first brought to our attention in August 2024 after a girl told her parent that Hammond had touched her inappropriately.  

After flagging this with staff at the theme park, CCTV was reviewed and Hammond was immediately sent home, and the police were informed. On the same day, the suspect was arrested and brought in for questioning.  

Following an investigation, we found that Hammond had sexually assaulted 19 victims. 

Faced with the overwhelming evidence in court, Hammond was left with no choice but to admit to all of the offences. 

He has now been bailed ahead of his sentencing date at Stafford Crown Court on 11 December.

Detective Inspector Vanessa Furnival, from our child protection team, said:

“I’d like to recognise the bravery of the victims in this case who have all shown immense courage in coming forward and supporting us with our efforts to secure this outcome today. 

“I’d also like to recognise the rapid response from staff at Drayton Manor, who immediately removed Hammond from his duties. While we’re pleased to secure this conviction, we would advise any parents or guardians who think their child may have been a victim to get in touch with the police directly.”   

Hammond was a ride operator from March 2024 to August 2024. 

Description

A woman who had sexual activity with a teenage boy has been jailed following an investigation by detectives.

Clare Louise Townsend, aged 37 and of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child on Friday 10 April 2026. She was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on Monday 12 October 2026 to three years and nine months in prison and made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) for ten years.

Townsend was also given a five-year restraining order and placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

The defendant met the victim, who was aged 15 at the time, around late October 2024. Over the following months, Townsend supplied class A drugs to him, including cocaine and MDMA. 

The defendant had sexual activity with the victim on at least ten occasions.

In February 2026, Townsend was located in an insecure warehouse in Sherborne and arrested.

Detective Constable Holly Spillman, of Dorset County Safeguarding Hub, said:

"Once concerns were raised about the relationship between Townsend and the victim, an investigation into serious sexual offences commenced. With vital assistance from Dorset Council’s Child Protection Team, we were able to gain the support of the victim and safeguard him and his family from further harm.

"The actions of Townsend have had a long-lasting and significant impact on the victim, who is now trying to recover from the trauma and re-build the childhood that was taken from him.

"I would like to commend the bravery and resilience of this young man in coming forward and telling us what happened to him.

"Also, I would like to personally thank Corinne Chapman of the Wessex RASSO Unit, Crown Prosecution Service, and the social worker involved for their input throughout this investigation. The assistance and support they provided has been vital in achieving this outcome. 

"I hope this outcome will provide other victims with the courage and strength to come forward, and reassurance that they will be listened to, believed and protected from harm."

Description

We can confirm that a man has been jailed for 23 years for non-recent sex offences.

Daniel Scott Ingram, 38, of Beckwith Street, in Birkenhead, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today (Monday 12 October) after being found guilty of 13 counts of rape and five counts of sexual assault. 

Ingram committed his offences against a girl between 2000 and 2014.

He was sentenced to 23 years in prison with a further seven years on extended licence. Ingram was also given a lifetime restraining order, an indefinite Sex Offender Notification order and ordered to pay a victim's surcharge and collection order.

See below for an extract from the woman’s Victim Personal Statement:

“It’s extremely difficult to put into words how this has all impacted me because 99% of the time I try to put it in a box in the back of my mind and pretend it wasn’t me. Denial has been my automatic response for so long because facing the reality was just too hard. I hoped that if I buried my thoughts deep enough, they’d go away but what you did to me is unfortunately never far away.

“You were a monster. You groomed me. You manipulated me. You exploited my trust and preyed on my innocence and vulnerability to make me into the perfect play thing that you could manipulate as you pleased. You stole my innocence from me.

“I’ve come to realise that there’s no escape from your own mind and I’m emotionally exhausted being forever on my guard, not being able to allow myself to enjoy things for fear that something might happen. Even those moments that are meant to fill you with joy, mine are mostly filled with fear. You have not only taken away my childhood, but you also continue to take away parts of my adult life.

“This is the first step of my healing because I have faced you and made people aware of what kind of monster you are.”

Detective Constable Robert Sandham said:

“Ingram is clearly a dangerous and calculated individual who committed the offences over a period of several years.

“He thought he could get away with it, deny what happened and force the victim to go through the ordeal of a trial. Thankfully, a jury saw through his lies and today he begins a lengthy prison sentence for his deprived actions. I sincerely hope that his sentencing can bring some comfort to the woman who is still living with the trauma to this day.

“With these types of investigations, our specialist team is here to support victims with sensitivity and compassion, every step of the way, from the initial report through to court proceedings. I would continue to urge anyone who is a victim of any form of sexual abuse to please report this to police, or through our partner agencies.

“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.”

Description

A teenager who met a girl at a busy train station and raped her in the toilets has been jailed for five years.  

The conviction follows a thorough investigation led by British Transport Police (BTP) detectives from its Major, Serious and Organised Crime (MSOC) team.

Tommi Harwood, 18, and of Andersons, Stanford-le-Hope, was found guilty of Rape following a five-day trial.

On Friday 9 October at Snaresbrook Crown Court, he was sentenced to five years imprisonment. He was also handed an indefinite restraining order and an eight-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

The court heard that on 5 September 2024, Harwood, aged 16 at the time, was messaging the 16-year-old victim on Snapchat and told her his name was “Bobby”.

During the conversation it was mentioned that she was on a train, and Harwood asked to meet her at Romford station.

The train pulled into the station at just after 8pm and he met her on the platform.

He then led her into a waiting room and repeatedly asked her to check if anyone was in the women’s toilets.

After a short while she went to use the toilet, but Harwood followed and raped her.

They returned to the platform and he told the victim, “If we see police, run across the tracks”.

The victim bravely reported what happened to her and met with BTP detectives the following day.

A manhunt was launched to track down Harwood, but initial efforts to locate him were unsuccessful.

That was until BTP officers spotted him at Basildon station on 25 October where he was stopped by rail staff for travelling without a valid ticket.

He was promptly arrested and taken to police custody to be interviewed.

The victim’s detailed account twinned with forensic and CCTV evidence resulted in the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorising the rape charge.

BTP Detective Constable Ross McAlpine said:

“The young victim has shown tremendous courage, not only by speaking up and reporting what happened to her, but by supporting our enquiries and the court proceedings that followed.

“She has been supported throughout our investigation by specialist officers, and I hope the fact her attacker is now behind bars brings her some sense of justice.

“Harwood’s attack was premeditated and frankly abhorrent. Through his actions, he has shown that he poses a very real threat to women and girls.

“Tackling sexual offending is a top priority for us at BTP. I would urge anyone who experiences or witnesses this offending to report it to us by texting 61016 or dialling 999 in an emergency.

“Just as we have in this case, we’ll stop at nothing to put dangerous sex offenders before the courts.”

Description

A man who previously served a prison sentence for child sexual offences in Tamworth has been jailed again after failing to comply with his Sex Offender Register requirements.

On Friday (2 October), Danny Richardson, 34, of Atherstone, Warwickshire, was sentenced to one-year-and-four-months in prison at Stafford Crown Court after admitting six counts of failing to comply with Sex Offender Register notification requirements, two counts of supplying false information in purported compliance with a notification requirement and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) / interim SHPO.

Officers interviewed Richardson in 2024 after responding to intelligence that he had not provided accurate information relating to where he lived and visited.

He also used an alias, opened a new bank account and had access to a second mobile phone, which he did not tell police about.

Officers brought him in for questioning, leading to the charges and his further jail term.

Police Offender Manager, Sonia Wiseman, from our Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders team (MOSOVO), said:

“This outcome is welcomed and sends a clear message that breaches of Sex Offender Notification Requirements will not be tolerated in Staffordshire.

“We remain committed to active, robust management of registered sex offenders, intervening promptly where risks are identified and bring those individuals back through the court system.”