Latest Offenders

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Chester man jailed for historic indecent assault of teenage girl

David Evans, 50, of Wrexham Road, Eccleston, Chester, has been jailed for three years after admitting a historic indecent assault on a teenage girl.

Evans was sentenced at Mold Crown Court on Tuesday. He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault.

Prosecutor Laura Knightly said Evans collected the girl in his vehicle in Flintshire and drove her to a layby, where he suggested she perform a sex act on him. She did so.

His guilty plea was accepted on an agreed basis. Evans admitted driving the girl to the layby and engaging in a sexual act with her, but said the act was “consensual” and did not involve “force or coercion.” He also accepted he “was aware she was underage at the time.”

In a victim statement, the girl said she came forward after coming to terms with how “wrong” the act had been. After carrying the “weight of this in silence,” she contacted police “because the truth matters.”

“I hope he realises the impact of his actions,” she said.

Defending, Siôn ap Mihangel pointed to a Probation Service pre-sentence report and said guilty pleas in cases of this kind are unusual because of the stigma involved.

“This court will know that it is unusual that a defendant pleads guilty to crimes of this nature — ordinarily because of the stigma attached, defendants feel a jury should decide and that involves the individual having to relive the incident in court in front of the public,” he said. “That’s not happened in this case; he had the good sense to plead guilty.”

Mr ap Mihangel said Evans had significant mental health difficulties in his youth and was not diagnosed with borderline personality disorder until he was 34. Those difficulties were “not an excuse,” he said, but the court should take them into account. He argued a suspended sentence could be considered and said probation had found a community disposal could be an option.

“This is an historical offence,” he added, “going back some time. He is registered with his GP and has re-engaged with mental health services.”

Mr Recorder John Philpotts imposed three years’ imprisonment after credit for the guilty plea. He refused to suspend the term.

“I am afraid in my judgement, this offence is simply too serious to be suspended,” he said. “It gives the court no pleasure, but that must be served immediately. One factor I have to bear in mind is the deterrence to others.”

Evans must also register as a sex offender.

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“I am relieved that finally I have been strong enough to speak out, and I have been believed.”

An abuser who raped and assaulted a woman leaving her feeling “fearful and worthless” has been jailed for 17 years.

Mark Stephenson repeatedly raped the woman over several years when he was heavily under the influence of drink and drugs.

The 36-year-old also tried to control the woman’s life by restricting her access to friends, monitoring her phone and social media use, abused her both physically and verbally, damaged her house, and monitored what she could say to her family.

Stephenson, formerly of Blackhall Colliery, was arrested after the woman bravely told police what had happened.

He was charged with a number of offences, including rape and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, which he denied.

However, following an eight-day trial, a jury found him guilty of two counts of rape, one of engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and child neglect.

He also admitted harassment by breaching a restraining order after sending the woman text messages and phone calls, which was in breach of a restraining order that had been previously imposed to prevent him from contacting her.

Stephenson appeared at Durham Crown Court on Monday, August 10, where he was jailed for 17 years and handed a restraining order and Sexual Harm Prevention Order, both for 15 years.

In a victim impact statement which was read out in court, the woman said she was relieved she had spoken out and been believed.

“Speaking out about what has happened to me has been one of the hardest things I have ever had to do,” she said.

“I am now starting the long process of finding myself again, finding who I am, finding what I want for me, and rebuilding my life. Mark has taken everything from me – I will never be the same person because of him. My life has changed forever.

“He made me feel worthless, and made me feel like he was the only person who would ever want me or love me. I felt trapped, that was my life, and there was no other way.

“The violence and sexual violence that I experienced have left emotional scars that I will never be able to repair. I have experienced a life of abuse – I am scared to move on, scared to create a new life, and scared to trust someone new.”

Investigative Officer Rebecca Carey, from Durham Constabulary’s East Safeguarding Team, led the investigation. She said:

“First and foremost, I want to commend the woman for having the bravery to come forward and disclose what had been happening to police.

“It takes a great deal of courage to speak out against an abuser. But by standing up to Stephenson and having her voice heard, she has helped to take a dangerous and violent man off the streets, who poses a clear risk to women and girls.

“I hope that she is able to take some form of closure from this outcome and is able to move forward with rebuilding her life.”

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Jordan Richards, a 35-year-old from Kidderminster, was jailed for 21 years after pleading guilty mid-trial to 36 non-recent child sex offences against the same child.

Richards originally pleaded not guilty at Swansea Crown Court. The court started to hear about the abuse, including 31 counts of rape and the production of over 600 indecent images of the survivor, that occurred in the Ammanford area between 2012 and 2016. He changed his plea on the second day of the trial and admitted his guilt for every offence.

Richards appeared for sentencing in Swansea Crown Court on Friday, 21st August 2026. The total offences included:

• 3x Assault by penetration of a female aged 15 or 16 years old.
• 10x Oral Rape of a female aged 15 years old.
• 10x Oral Rape of a female aged 16 years old.
• 10x Rape of a female aged 17 years old.
• 1x Vaginal Rape of a female aged 16 or 17 years old.
• 1x Engage in sexual activity in the presence of a child aged 13 to 15 years old.
• Producing 600+ Indecent Images of Children

The judge regarded Richards offending as ‘cruel and isolating’. He described the way that the indecent images taken underlined the pleasure Richards took in ‘his lustful and filthy attitude towards the survivor’. He recognised the ‘profound and lasting effect it’s had on them and their family’ before passing his sentence.

Richards was given an extended custodial sentence of 25 years, consisting of 21-year imprisonment and an extension period of 4 years. He will also have an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, an indefinite restraining order against the survivor of his abuse and must make notifications under the Sexual Offenders Act for life.

Detective Sergeant Carl Pocock, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said:

“I’d like to take the opportunity to highlight the bravery of the survivor of this abuse. Richards subjected them to abhorrent sexual abuse through fear and control. It takes immense courage to overcome that and come forward to give evidence. It’s thanks to their resilience through the investigation that Jordan Richards will spend a significant amount of time in prison. I truly hope that this result gives them a sense of justice and peace and enables them to move forward with their life.

“I’d also like to thank the investigating officer, DC Morgan, and all specialist staff at our Digital Forensic Unit. Their efforts in securing and presenting the key evidence in this case undoubtedly led to the eventual guilty plea.

“I hope this conviction encourages other survivors, who have yet to come forward, that justice can be served despite the time that may have passed. Our specialist officers will work alongside Independent Sexual violence advisors from New Pathways to compassionately support you through the process."

The survivor of the case welcomed the sentencing of Richards and wished to share the following:

“I would like to say that I am pleased with the outcome of today’s sentencing. The investigation has been long and has without doubt has been very heavy on myself. I want to thank Dyfed-Powys Police for all the time, dedication and support they have provided me throughout the process and importantly making me feel safe.

"I would also like to give extra thanks and show my appreciation to Detective Constable Phil Morgan who has been my case worker and has shown determination and hard work throughout, along with Detective Sergeant Carl Pocock who has also worked so hard in securing today’s result.

"I also want to say a special thank you to New Pathways who have been there every step of the way and continue to support me afterwards.

"This case hasn’t been easy at all but I would encourage people that are yet to come forward to report it as you will be listened to and supported.

"We are not victims, we are survivors.”

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An ‘abominable’ individual has been sentenced to nine years behind bars for arranging the commission of the rape of a child, arranging the commission of oral rape of a child, and being in possession of indecent images of a child, following his appearance at Hull Crown Court on Monday, 24 August 2026.

Daniel O’Flynn, 37-years-old, of Great Union Street in Hull, pleaded guilty to all the offences in February 2026 and remained on remand until he was sentenced this week.

Following his nine-year sentence, O’Flynn will also be required to remain in custody for a further three years due to being deemed a dangerous offender. He will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life and has been handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Our Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT) first launched an investigation in November 2025 working alongside colleagues from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, where O’Flynn was flagged as sending multiple extreme pornographic and perverse messages via an unregulated porn site.

He would send hundreds of sexually explicit messages to a decoy profile, who he believed to be a registered sex offender with a one-year-old child whom they were offering to O’Flynn to act upon his deviancies.

The online conversations with the decoy continued over the course of a week, where O’Flynn arranged to meet the decoy for the purpose of abusing their child. O’Flynn would also often request indecent images and would send photos and videos whilst he performed sexual acts on himself. At the point where O’Flynn had arranged to meet the decoy, he was subsequently arrested by officers at Hull Paragon Train Station a few days after he first started up the conversation with the decoy.

O’Flynn was asked to hand over his phone upon his arrest, of which he refused and would not give officers his pin number saying he didn’t know it. This was a breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which was already in place in connection with a separate incident.

The analysis of this mobile phone linked O’Flynn to the offences and revealed that he was also in possession of indecent images of children.

During interview, O’Flynn claimed that he was the one trying to catch paedophiles, and that anything on his phone was only there to catch them. He stated some of the images and videos of himself were AI generated and that he didn’t do any of it despite the staggering amount of evidence of the videos being recovered from other devices found in his room.

Detective Constable Amy Gee leading the investigation from our Police Online Investigation Department said:

“O’Flynn is an abominable individual whose online presence showed utterly vile language, behaviour, photos, and videos.

“He specifically sought out who he believed to be a registered sex offender who was offering their child for O’Flynn to abuse all for his own atrocious sexual intentions.

“Whilst this incident involved a decoy, I hope the sentencing will provide a sense of justice, knowing a sexual predator like O’Flynn is off our streets.

“This result has seen an extremely dangerous man put behind bars. O’Flynn’s depraved actions have no place in our society, and we welcome the sentence and the orders that have been imposed on him to ensure close monitoring once he is released, and to prevent any further offending in the future.”

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A ‘pervert’ who attempted to engage in sexual activity and exploit who he thought was a 12-year-old girl, but was in fact a decoy, has been sentenced to six years in prison, given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely following his appearance at Hull Crown Court last week (Friday, 21 August 2026).

Mohammed Ahmed, 27-years-old, of Park Grove in Hull was found guilty following a week-long trial at Hull Crown Court that concluded on Friday, 10 July 2026 to attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

Detectives from our Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT) received a referral from colleagues in the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit to state that communication had commenced between Ahmed and who he believed to be a12-year-old girl, but was in fact a decoy, in June 2024.

Ahmed was sending sexual messages to the decoy profile, asking her to be his girlfriend and telling her that when they meet, he will take her somewhere private in his car.

Ahmed was subsequently arrested at his home address in July 2024 on suspicion of engaging in sexual communications with a child, and several mobile phones were seized, including the mobile phones used to engage with the decoy, to be forensically examined.

Detective Constable Sam Harrington, leading the investigation from POLIT said:

“Ahmed is a perverted individual, and a sexual predator, and I’m pleased he is now behind bars and unable to continue with his attempts to target vulnerable people.

“Whilst this investigation involved a decoy child, I hope the sentence sends a clear message to anyone attempting to commit these types of offences, that it is never acceptable to prey on the vulnerable and we will bring you to justice for your crimes.”

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Clitheroe sex offender jailed after indecent images found on laptop

Richard De’Andrade, 56, of Duck Street, Clitheroe, has been jailed after police found indecent images of children on a laptop seized during monitoring of a sexual harm prevention order.

De’Andrade was already subject to that order after a 2016 suspended sentence at Leeds Crown Court for making indecent images.

On 19 February last year, officers attended his home and seized a laptop. Forensic examination found one category A image, one category B image and 23 category C images of children.

Prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, Paul Brookwell said the images were in thumbnail form, which meant De’Andrade had previously viewed them in full. Police also recovered a USB stick concealed under a tray that had not been made available for inspection, breaching the existing order. Analysis of the USB found no offending material.

De’Andrade admitted the offences. Defending, Bob Elias offered little mitigation, describing the offences as “unpleasant,” and asked the court to consider the defendant’s ill health and that he is awaiting a heart operation.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Maher said: “You are a person with considerable technical ability and experience in the field of cyber security and computing.

“It may be a relatively small number of images, but people like you create a demand for this filth, so you contribute to the continued harm of the children depicted.”

De’Andrade was sentenced to 16 months in prison. The previous sexual harm prevention order was quashed and replaced with a new 15-year order. He will also be subject to sex offender notification requirements for 15 years. A deprivation order was made for the laptop and USB stick.

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Officers have praised the actions of security staff from a Leeds pub who intervened to protect a woman being attacked nearby.    

It comes as Ibrahim Albashir, aged 34, of no fixed abode, was today (25 August) made the subject of a hospital order at Leeds Crown Court after pleading guilty to attempted murder. He was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment and was told he will be detained in hospital for as long as necessary and that if he is discharged from hospital will serve the remainder of his sentence in prison.

Shortly after 9pm on 17 March 2024, police were called to Otley Road, Leeds, to a report from a member of security staff at The Original Oak pub that a man had attacked a woman with a glass bottle by a nearby bus stop. The caller and a colleague had intervened and stopped the victim from being attacked further.

Emergency services attended at the scene and the victim, who is now aged 32, was found to have lacerations to her neck, chest, head and hands and was taken to hospital for immediate treatment.    

The perpetrator was identified as Albashir who was arrested at the scene. He was taken to hospital to be checked over before being taken into police custody.  

Detective Inspector Richard James, of Leeds CID, said:

“Albashir has approached a lone woman and subjected her to a ferocious, sustained attack which has only stopped thanks to the intervention of these security staff.    

“Thankfully they heard the victim’s screams and rushed to her aid, potentially putting themselves in harm's way to protect her. They have not only detained Albashir but also treated the victim’s injuries until the attendance of paramedics. Without their actions, this could very easily have been a murder investigation.    

“It is hard for anyone to imagine the traumatic experience that the victim has been subjected to. Albashir has been convicted of the offence he committed against her, and I hope that this helps her find some form of closure on this truly awful chapter of her life.  

“We also understand the wider public concern that an incident such as this can cause. We will not tolerate violence against women and girls, and this investigation has been treated with the upmost seriousness since the outset.  

“We gathered the evidence that has resulted in Albashir being charged with and admitting an offence of attempted murder. The court has found, following expert medical advice, that Albashir is suffering from a mental disorder and should be detained within a hospital setting so that he can receive appropriate treatment.” 

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A Kirklees man has been jailed for 18 years after being convicted of multiple counts of rape.

Stephen Degnan, aged 47, from Heckmondwike was jailed at Leeds Crown Court today ( Monday 24 August) for five counts of  rape.

The 47-year-old had been found guilty by a jury at a trial in June of the offences which he committed against a woman in the Kirklees area.

He was also made subject of a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim on his release from prison

DC Isaac Taylor of Kirklees District Police, who led the investigation, said:

“We welcome the sentence imposed by the court on Degnan for what were appalling sexual offences, as reflected in the sentence imposed by the court today.

“The survivor in this case has shown real courage in coming forward and supporting both the police and CPS in bringing this prosecution and then through the trial process.  I hope she can take some comfort in seeing Degnan sentenced for this appalling offending

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A drug dealer who exploited and raped a teenage girl has been jailed for more than 22 years.

James Conroy, 43, of no fixed abode but from the Ely area, was arrested in September last year following reports he had been grooming the victim.

During a police search of a property in Soham, officers found signs of drug use, along with the victim’s belongings. Conroy was arrested and released on bail with conditions not to contact the victim or anyone under the age of 18.

A month later, it came to light that Conroy had raped the victim. He was arrested again and further bail conditions were imposed, including not going near the victim’s home. Officers also found three bags of white powder and £330 in cash in his car.

However, just days later, Conroy was seen leaving a shop close to where the victim lived and he began sending the victim a series of abusive, degrading and threatening messages across multiple social media platforms.

The victim did not respond to the messages, which included threats to murder people known to her, describing himself as "a martyr". In further messages, Conroy offered the victim drugs if she met him before subjecting her to further abuse, calling her names, telling her to die and threatening her with a meat cleaver.

The next day, officers stopped Conroy in his car at a garage in Ely and arrested him. A search of the vehicle uncovered 12 bags of cocaine with a street value of about £1000, along with a mobile phone and cash.

Following a trial in April, Conroy was found guilty of rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, witness intimidation, offering to supply cocaine and supplying a class A drug, namely cocaine.

He had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply a class A drug, namely cocaine.

At Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday (19 August), Conroy was sentenced to 22 years and five months in prison. He was also given a restraining order, placed on the Sex Offenders Register and handed a sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Constable Melanie Millar, who investigated, said:

"Conroy exploited and abused a vulnerable teenager for his own gratification before attempting to control, intimidate and manipulate her.

"Despite being arrested and placed on strict bail conditions, he continued to pursue the victim, sending her a barrage of abusive and threatening messages and showing a complete disregard for the law.

"I would like to commend the victim for the bravery and resilience she has shown throughout this investigation and court process. I hope this sentence provides her with some reassurance that Conroy can no longer cause harm.

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A child sex offender has been jailed for 16 years after being convicted of a catalogue of recent and non-recent sexual offences in a joint Devon & Cornwall Police and South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) investigation.

John Woodley-Rennie, 39, from Ocean Street, Plymouth, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court for sentence on Friday 21 August after pleading guilty to 16 charges including:

• Taking an indecent photo of a child 
• Distributing an indecent photograph of a child
• Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child
• Causing or inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Engaging in sexual communication with a child
• Arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence
• Attempted sexual communication with a child
• Making indecent images of children

Woodley-Rennie was first arrested in January 2025 after he travelled within Plymouth to meet with who he believed was a teenage boy. Instead, he was met by officers from SWROCU and arrested.

Devon and Cornwall Police launched a further investigation in July 2025 when, following his arrest by SWROCU earlier in the year, Woodley-Rennie attended Charles Cross Station and reported that he had carried out the sexual abuse of a male child in the 2010s in the Plymouth area.

The abuse took place on a numerous occasions over a prolonged period of time and was filmed or photographed by Woodley-Rennie.

Woodley-Rennie told the officers that he carried out and photographed the abuse at the request of a man he had met on Grindr. The man Woodley-Rennie claimed to be acting on behalf of has not yet been identified.

Detective Inspector Dave Wells from SWROCU said:

“Working closely with Devon and Cornwall Police, we have collectively ensured a dangerous sex offender has been taken out of our communities after committing offences which span years. 

“We are committed to working with police forces in our region, nationally and internationally to protect children by ensuring such dangerous individuals are identified and brought to justice.” 

Detective Constable Becca Boulton from Devon & Cornwall Police said:

“We welcome the sentence given to John Woodley-Rennie at Plymouth Crown Court today.

“Woodley-Rennie routinely abused his victim, photographing the abuse.

“The offences took place over many years and no doubt had a considerable psychological impact on the victim.

“I’d like to thank the victim for having the strength to talk about what happened to him and remaining engaged throughout the court process.

“We hope he is able to feel some closure knowing that a dangerous sexual predator has been taken off the streets for some time.”

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A child sexual abuser from Worcester has been sentenced to four years in prison for non-recent offences.

Liam Bunton, 35, of Ransom Avenue, Worcester, was convicted of two counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a teenage girl when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Friday (21 August).

Bunton (pictured) was sentenced to four years in prison for each offence to run concurrently, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £170, ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, and handed a restraining order against his victim until 2038.

Bunton’s offences occurred in the past decade and began when he started contacting his victim via Snapchat.

The offences were reported to West Mercia Police last year and an investigation was started by officers.

When interviewed, Bunton have ‘no comment’ responses but he was charged in December and sentenced at court on Friday.

Detective Sergeant Callum Godwin, of Reactive CID, said:

“We are pleased to get a custodial term for Bunton who preyed on an underage girl, after initially contacting her on Snapchat.

“We hope this result shows predators like him will be brought to justice for their offences, even if they are non-recent ones.

“We also hope this court result will encourage others to come forward and report sexual offences, not matter when they occurred.

“We will always listen to you, take you seriously and take action where appropriate.”

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A Walsall man has been jailed for more than 25 years after being found guilty of sex offences against young girls.

John Robinson, 61, abused three teenage girls while living in the Walsall area over more than 20 years, giving them alcohol and making indecent images of his offending.

The offences all took place between 2000 and 2023 and happened when the girls were teenagers.

We arrested and charged Robinson after one of the girls, now an adult, came forward to tell her story.

In the subsequent investigation, two more girls were identified and officers from our Rape and Serious Sexual Assault (RASSO) team were able to make contact with them and hear their story.

A Walsall man has been jailed for more than 25 years after being found guilty of sex offences against young girls.

John Robinson, 61, abused three teenage girls while living in the Walsall area over more than 20 years, giving them alcohol and making indecent images of his offending.

The offences all took place between 2000 and 2023 and happened when the girls were teenagers.

We arrested and charged Robinson after one of the girls, now an adult, came forward to tell her story.

In the subsequent investigation, two more girls were identified and officers from our Rape and Serious Sexual Assault (RASSO) team were able to make contact with them and hear their story.

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A man from Burnley has been jailed for breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

In 2019 Eamon Brewster was made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

As part of the conditions of his SHPO, Brewster was required to register any new devices with police within three days of purchase.

In August this year, officers attended Brewster’s home address to carry out a home compliance visit. During this visit they discovered a new laptop belonging to Brewster which he had not made them aware of.

Following enquiries, it was established that the laptop had been used for the last few weeks. As a result, Brewster was arrested for breaching his SHPO.

Brewster, 70, formerly of Parker Lane, Burnley appeared at Preston Crown Court for sentence on Saturday 15th August having pleaded guilty to one count of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. 

He was jailed for a year.

PC Anthony Hogan of the Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders team at East Division said:

“Brewster breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order by purchasing and using a new laptop without notifying police.

“He disregarded the order imposed on him by the court but was caught out by our team making unannounced visits to monitor his behaviour.

“I welcome the prison sentence handed out, it shows that breaching orders put in place by the court will not be tolerated.”

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Sex offender jailed after failing to declare internet devices

A registered sex offender has been sent back to prison after failing to tell police he had internet-enabled devices, in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Rafikul Ashrafi, 35, admitted three counts of breaching the order at Crewe Magistrates’ Court. He was jailed for 12 months.

The SHPO was imposed at Manchester Crown Court in August 2025 and is intended to restrict his ability to commit further sexual offences. Such orders allow specialist officers to monitor offenders through measures including home visits and checks on electronic devices.

Ashrafi committed the breaches on 30 July 2026 while living in Warrington. He failed to notify police that he possessed an iPhone, a Samsung mobile phone and a Lenovo Legion computer. Possession of those devices is lawful for the general public, but not declaring them was prohibited under the terms of his order.

Magistrates took his guilty plea into account but said the offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified. They said the case was aggravated by his previous convictions for similar offences, and by the fact that he was subject to licence conditions and a court order at the time. The court also noted that the breaches were committed “so soon” after his previous release from custody.

Ashrafi, formerly of Bewsey Street, Warrington, and now of HMP Altcourse, was not ordered to pay court costs. He must pay a £187 victim surcharge. The SHPO remains in force.

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A man from Gloucester who sexually abused two girls has been sentenced to six years in prison.

Michael Joynes, aged 69 and from Brockworth, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court for sentencing this morning (Friday 21 August).

As well as being jailed, Joynes was issued with a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining orders preventing him from contacting the two victims.

The judge heard how Joynes had repeatedly sexually abused two girls under the age of 13 between 2017 and 2019.

Several years later the survivors bravely came forward and told friends and relatives about Joynes' actions before making a police report.

An investigation was launched by Gloucestershire Constabulary's Public Protection Unit and the Crown Prosecution Service later authorised eight charges of sexual assault of a child under 13, contrary to section 7(1) of the sexual offences act 2003.

Joynes pleaded not guilty to all charges against him and the case went to trial. 

A jury later found Joynes guilty of six of the sexual assault counts, not guilty of one of the counts and were unable to reach a decision on another count.

Acting Detective Inspector Jennifer Adams said:

"I would like to thank the victims for their bravery, courage and strength in reporting this to us and providing such clear accounts of what had happened.

"I know the sentence given today won’t take away the horrific memories they now carry; however, I hope it does allow them to move on from the horrible crimes that Joynes subjected them to."