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A registered sex offender has pleaded guilty to a number of sex offences which took place more than two decades ago.

Terry Edwards, 57, of Wells Street, Swindon, appeared at Swindon Crown Court yesterday (03/11) where he admitted three counts of indecent assault – the offence name used at the time of the offending – against two young female victims between 1995 and 2001.

Edwards, who has previously been convicted of indecently exposing himself, also pleaded guilty to breaching the notification requirements of his sex offender's registration.

He was remanded into custody ahead of sentencing on 21st January, 2027.

PC Katie Owers, based in our MOSOVO team, said:

"This is an awful case in which Edwards has sexually abused two young girls known to him.

"I want to take this opportunity to recognise and commend the incredible bravery of the victims involved in this case.

"They have gone through significant trauma and they have shown tremendous strength and courage throughout the investigation, helping to secure this conviction of Edwards.

"I hope this case reassures others who may have experienced similar offences that they will be listened to, taken seriously, and supported, no matter when the abuse took place.

"We will always investigate historic abuse and work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice."

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A man has been jailed after he repeatedly raped a woman during a sustained attack inside a house in Nottingham.

Dylan Millns, 28, was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (3rd November) after a jury found him guilty of multiple offences which took place in 2024.

A three-week trial heard the woman was subjected to a violent and degrading ordeal that lasted several hours. She was hit and raped repeatedly by Millns, who also pushed her head down into a pillow to the extent that she couldn't breathe.

Afterwards, the survivor contacted police and told officers about what had happened, including how she eventually managed to escape via a window.

Detectives went on to charge Millns and whilst waiting for trial he went on to commit a series of acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice, having telephoned the survivor on numerous occasions from HMP Nottingham in attempts to manipulate her into not giving evidence.

During the trial, Millns pleaded guilty to two counts of occasioning actual bodily harm. The jury then found him guilty of four counts of rape, once count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of intentional strangulation.

Following separate investigations, Millns also pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating in relation to a second woman, and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to a third woman all incidents taking place in 2023.

At his sentencing on Tuesday (3 November), Millns, of Wintersdale Drive, Leicester, was jailed for 15 years and handed an extended five years on licence.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register and restraining orders were put in place to protect each victim.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Oliver Bennett, of Nottinghamshire Police's Public Protection Unit, said:

"This was a sustained attack carried out by a truly despicable offender who inflicted brutal violence on the victim, leaving her significant emotional trauma. Throughout this case, he has shown no remorse for the suffering he caused.

"No one should ever have to endure what she experienced. The fact that Millns will now spend a considerable period behind bars is a direct result of her remarkable strength and determination in coming forward and supporting this investigation.

"The victim has shown exceptional courage throughout what has been an incredibly difficult process. While no sentence can undo the harm caused, I hope this outcome offers her some measure of justice as she continues her recovery with the support of her loved ones, who have also been deeply affected by this case.

"Violence against women and girls remains a key priority for Nottinghamshire Police. We are committed to protecting victims, bringing offenders before the courts, and doing everything we can to ensure those responsible for such abhorrent crimes are held accountable."

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A man who performed a sexual act on himself in front of a child has been jailed.

Paulius Grabauskas, 31, was already on police bail for other offences when he approached the 14-year-old girl in Derby Drive, Dogsthorpe, Peterborough, at 9.30am on 17 July.

He took a sex toy from a bag and used it to perform a sexual act on himself in front of her.

Grabauskas had also been reported to police in April after he exposed and touched himself inappropriately in view of other passengers on a bus in Peterborough.

Then in June, Grabauskas was reported to police once again after he was seen performing an indecent act in a bush near a primary school in Orton Goldhay, Peterborough.

At Cambridge Crown Court on Friday (30 October), Grabauskas, of Eastfield Road, Peterborough, was jailed for two years and three months after admitting two counts of exposure and one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

He was also handed a ten-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Det Sgt Angus Cashman, who investigated, said:

“Grabauskas is clearly a dangerous individual who has no control over his sexual urges.

“His crimes will have a lasting impact on all of his victims - especially the 14-year-old girl who he targeted and subjected to a disturbing act for his own sexual gratification.

“I am pleased he has now faced justice and I’m glad the sentence reflects the seriousness of his actions.”

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Paul Newman, 29, of no fixed abode in Colchester, received a suspended prison sentence after admitting multiple breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and sex offender notification requirements.

Newman was convicted in 2024 of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child. His SHPO required him to register new bank cards, mobile phones, and changes of whereabouts with police within set timescales.

Ipswich Crown Court heard he was arrested in February after registering a Monzo bank card several weeks late, beyond the three-day limit. He also failed to notify police he had become homeless following eviction from the Riverside Hotel in North Station Road, Colchester.

In July he opened the Snapchat app (which automatically deletes messages) on his girlfriend’s phone. In August he was arrested after being reported as a high-risk missing person and handed over an unregistered mobile phone.

Newman admitted three counts of breaching the SHPO and two counts of failing to comply with notification requirements. Prosecutor Lauren Holmes outlined the breaches.

Mitigating, Benedict Peers said the offences arose because Newman was homeless and were not deliberate. “He had a difficult childhood, to put it neutrally – he has a history of learning difficulties and poor mental health which appears to be triggered by relationship problems,” Peers said. He added that Newman had informed other professional services of his homelessness (though not police within three days) and, on the Snapchat use: “This was a phone supplied to him by his partner – it already contained the application Snapchat. He logged into that application to see what his partner was posting on Snapchat.”

Newman’s former foster carer told the court he had completed a catering course and secured a job, despite a social worker previously saying this was unlikely.

Judge David Pugh sentenced Newman to 16 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. He must also complete 180 hours of unpaid work and pay a £187 victim surcharge.

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A man has been convicted of the rape of a woman in the Hyde Park area of Leeds earlier this year.

Uvesh Vahora, aged 36, of no fixed abode, was found guilty today following a trial at Leeds Crown Court of one count of rape. He has been remanded in custody to be sentenced on 11 November.

The incident on Autumn Avenue on the night of 9 April was the subject of a public appeal at the time.

The victim was able to identify the property where the offence took place and Vahora, who was living there at the time, was arrested.

The court was told Vahora, whose self-defined ethnicity is Asian Indian, was in the country as a student.

Detective Inspector Tom Crosfill said:

“Vahora has subjected the victim to a terrifying experience with her being in genuine fear for her life thinking that he was going to kill her.

“After disclosing the offence to friends, she contacted police with officers arresting Vahora within around five hours of this offence taking place. He has been held on remand since that time.

“In the meantime, those working on this investigation have gathered the evidence including victim and witness statements, CCTV and digital lines of enquiry that has led to Vahora’s conviction.

“I understand how incredibly difficult it can be to report rape and other sexual offences and I really hope that this conviction demonstrates how seriously an offence of this nature is treated from the outset. Our message to victims is that you will be listened to, you will be supported and we will do everything possible to bring perpetrators before the courts.”

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Scott Miller, Westlife Tribute Act Member, Jailed for 11 Years After Convictions for Rape and Abuse

Scott Miller, a 39-year-old member of Scotland’s official Westlife tribute band Westlive, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after being found guilty of eight charges, including the rape of two women.

Miller, from Hamilton in Lanarkshire, was convicted following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow. The offences spanned October 2012 to November 2021, mainly in North Lanarkshire. He had denied the charges. As well as the jail term, Judge Andrew McIntyre ordered him to be supervised for a further three years on release.

Westlive had performed across the UK and Europe and recently supported Blue, Peter Andre and Scouting For Girls at a festival.

Jurors heard that Miller subjected the first victim to a campaign of verbal abuse, shouting and swearing at her, threatening and mocking her, accusing her of infidelity, controlling who she could contact and damaging her phones. The abuse became physical and included choking her until she lost consciousness. He raped her at a hotel in Edinburgh and again at a property in North Lanarkshire.

The second victim was also repeatedly abused. Miller raped her on a number of occasions while she was initially asleep. He threw a bar stool at her, striking her on the head, and was verbally abusive. Other violence included grabbing her and throwing her to the floor, hurling a bottle at her and pushing her so that she fell against a door.

Judge McIntyre described Miller’s attitude as “characterised as ongoing denial, minimisation and blame of others”. Addressing him, the judge said: “Over a period of nine years, you engaged in a course of serious violence and sexual abuse of women. It is plain that it had a profound effect on the women that you targeted. That was evident from their evidence and the victim impact statements that they have submitted. It is clear it caused physical and enduring psychological harm. You continue to blame the women who you abused. They are not to blame – you are.”

One of the victims later described being traumatised by “a smear campaign waged against my name” before the trial. She said: “I was called a liar. My character was dragged through the mud. Stories were told, opinions were formed and people, who had never lived a day in my shoes, were happy to believe the worst of me. I was painted as a psychopath – as someone who had made everything up. Imagine having to live through that abuse only to then have to fight to prove that it happened. I would not wish that on anyone.”

She added: “This was never about revenge. It was about accountability. It was about justice and finally having the truth recognised.”

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A man has been jailed for 11 years after raping a woman in Wirral.

Stephen David Beattie, 39, of no fixed abode, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday (Monday 2 November) after being found guilty of rape, engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour and witness intimidation.

Beattie committed the offences against a woman between 2020 and 2025.

In an extract from the Victim Personal Statement, the woman said:

“What happened to me has affected every part of my life and I still struggle with it every day. I find it very difficult to sleep. When I do fall asleep, I often have nightmares about Stephen. In those dreams he is chasing me and I can’t get away from him.

“Although I am dealing with the impact of everything that happened, I take some comfort in knowing that Stephen does not currently have the opportunity to control me, isolate me or take away my freedom again. Being free from that control has allowed me to begin rebuilding my life, but the effects of his actions remain with me every day.”

Detective Constable Patrick Shaw said:

“Beattie is a dangerous offender who committed serious offences against a woman over several years.

“It’s only right that he now faces a lengthy prison sentence and I sincerely hope this brings some comfort to the victim.

“If you or someone you know has been the victim of a sexual offence, please be assured that we have specially trained officers to guide you through the process.”

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Paul Black, of Wordsworth Crescent, met the girls after adding one of them on Snapchat – a social media app – in January 2026.

The 36-year-old then groomed one of them by asking if they wanted to make money through sexual intercourse.

Over a period of three months between March and July Black met the girl and then her friend where he raped and sexually assaulted them in his car.

On Tuesday 3 November Black appeared at Teesside Crown Court and was sentenced to 15 years with three on extended licence, an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, on the sex offenders register for life and a 10 year restraining order after pleading guilty to 28 offences including:

• Three counts of making indecent photographs of children
• Eight counts of rape
• Four counts of sexual assault
• Four counts of paying for sexual services of a child
• Five counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• Two counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming
• Engage in sexual communication with a child
• Assault by penetration

During the hearing, the court heard how Black drove from his home in Gateshead to meet the girls in various areas of Teesside for up to an hour each time.

After sexually assaulting and raping the girls, he would give them each up to £60 to £100 in cash each time.

It came to police’s attention when one of the girls was found to be in possession of a large amount of money. She confided to an adult who then reported it to officers.

Despite providing a different name to the girls and using a pseudo one on Snapchat, he was identified by officers and arrested.

Following questioning in custody, he was subsequently charged.

Detective Constable Sean Hobbs, from Cleveland Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People team, said:

“Black is a predator who has used Snapchat to groom young girls solely for his own sexual gratification.

“He would entice the children to meet him by promising to give them large amounts of money. He then abused them sexually through demanding threats and violence causing fear.

“It has understandably been distressing for the girls to relive what Black had done to them, but they have shown such courage in opening up to an adult and then to officers.

“This has gone a long way to ensure Black has no choice but to admit to what he has done and secured a prison sentence.

“I hope it provides some reassurance that they were both listened to, supported and that Black has now been held accountable for his actions.”

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A man has been jailed for seven years for a series of violent and sexual offences.

Derek McNee, 42, committed the crimes against two women in the Glasgow and East Dunbartonshire areas between 2021 and 2025.

He pled guilty to the charges on Wednesday, 2 September and returned to the High Court in Glasgow today, Monday, 2 November for sentencing.

He was also made the subject of a non-harassment order against both women and will be placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

McNee was previously a Police Scotland officer, who resigned in 2016.

Detective Inspector Mairi MacDonald said:

"Derek McNee subjected these women to horrific abuse, and I would like to commend their courage in coming forward and speaking to us.

"They played an instrumental role in bringing this despicable individual to justice and I hope this outcome provides them with some closure and comfort.

"Police Scotland does not tolerate violence or sexual abuse in any form, and I hope this outcome gives other victims the confidence to come forward and make a report to us.

"We are here to listen and to help, and our specially trained officers will support you throughout the process, alongside our partner agencies."

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A 36-year-old man has been jailed for eight years for the rape of a woman in Southampton.

Daryl Joyner-Smith, of Munro Crescent, Southampton, appeared at Southampton Crown Court today (3 November) for sentencing having been found guilty of rape following a trial at the same court last month.

During the trial, the court heard on the evening of Saturday 23 February 2019, the victim, now in her 40s, had been socialising with friends in Southampton.

After spending the evening with the victim and a group of friends, Joyner-Smith accompanied her back to an address in Millbrook. The victim later went to bed and woke to find Joyner-Smith raping her. Despite repeatedly telling him to stop, her pleas went unanswered. The court heard how she stared at a spot on the wall, wishing for the ordeal to be over.

The offence was subsequently reported to police and an investigation was launched by detectives from our specialist Operation Amberstone team.

Following a trial at Southampton Crown Court, a jury found Joyner-Smith guilty of rape on 2 October.

Appearing at the same court today, he was jailed for eight years. In addition to his custodial sentence, Joyner-Smith was also handed a lifetime restraining order and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Addressing Joyner-Smith in court, the victim said:

"What you did to me has affected my life in so many ways. Since the day you raped me, my life has never been the same.

“You have taken away some of the freedom and enjoyment I should be able to feel in my everyday life. I should be able to go out, spend time with my family and friends, enjoy normal things without that sick dread feeling in my stomach, without carrying this fear around with me.

“It is difficult to explain how draining it is to live with the effects of something that happened years ago, yet still feels as though it follows me into so many parts of my life.

“I have been paying the price since the night you raped me. My sleep, my memory, my confidence, my trust in people and my sense of safety have all been affected. I have had to live with the consequences of your actions while trying to carry on being a mother, going to work and managing everyday life.

“You have taken so much from me, and the damage you have caused cannot simply be undone by a guilty verdict and this sentencing. Although I have finally received justice, that does not mean the pain has disappeared. However, knowing that you have finally been held accountable gives me some hope that I can begin to rebuild my life.”

PSI David Bolton, from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary's specialist Operation Amberstone team, said:

"I would like to commend the courage shown by the victim throughout this investigation and the court process. Reporting rape takes immense bravery, and her determination has resulted in a dangerous offender being brought to justice.

"Joyner-Smith took advantage of a vulnerable woman for his own gratification, causing harm that can last a lifetime. Today's sentence reflects the seriousness of his offending and ensures he is being held accountable for his actions.

"Our message to victims of rape and sexual offences is clear: you will be listened to, you will be supported, and we will do everything we can to investigate reports thoroughly and pursue those responsible.

"I hope this outcome provides the victim with some measure of closure and helps her move forward knowing that the man who committed this offence has been brought to justice."

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A man who sent a sexually explicit video to a 14-year-old-girl has been jailed.

Ross Moorhouse, aged 25, befriended the girl in April last year after meeting her on a bus in Nottinghamshire.

He later exchanged a series of Facebook messages with her before sending her a video of himself engaging in a sexual act.

He also asked her to send him an inappropriate image of her own.

After his arrest around a week later, Moorhouse claimed to have sent the video by accident while drunk.

His account, however, was undermined by a subsequent message in which he said he wanted 'a young thing.'

He later pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual communication with a child, and two other charges of breaching a restraining order against the same woman – in April 2025 and July this year.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday 29 October, Moorhouse, of no fixed address, was jailed for three-and-a-half years.

He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention order that will tightly restrict his access to children and the internet when he is released.

Detective Constable Bethany Stout, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

"Moorhouse knew exactly how old this girl was but still went out of his way to engage her in a highly inappropriate conversation.

"If that wasn't bad enough, he then sent her an entirely unsolicited and sexually explicit video of himself.

"As he has now discovered to his cost, that amounted to an extremely serious criminal offence.

"I am pleased he has now been jailed and hope this case will serve as a warning to others about the consequences of behaving in this way."

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Mohammed Riaz, 47, of no fixed abode, has been jailed for 22 years at Bradford Crown Court for offences including rape, stalking, exposure and assault.

The complainant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, faced two trials before Riaz was convicted of all the offences against her. A jury found him guilty of some charges in February 2026; the remaining convictions followed a retrial in September. He continues to deny any wrongdoing and had no previous convictions.

Judge Richard Gioserano sentenced him on Monday and ordered that he serve two-thirds of the term before release on licence. He must register as a sex offender for life, and an indefinite restraining order bans him from contacting the complainant.

In addition to the rapes, the court heard that Riaz subjected the complainant to physical violence, threats to kill, and uninvited visits to her home. She only fully disclosed the abuse to police after his arrest and remand.

In her impact statement she said she was proud of the UK justice system: “I never imagined I would have the strength to stand in court and tell my truth, but the justice system gave me that opportunity.” She described the outcome as giving her relief, pride and empowerment.

Judge Gioserano told Riaz: “There is no remorse in you. It's clear from the pre-sentence report that you still deny doing anything wrong to her.” He noted that the victim’s courage meant the defendant now had to answer for his actions, and that the overall offending required a sentence of more than 20 years.

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A 66-year-old man has been jailed after being found guilty of non-recent child sex offences.

Peter Eason, of Owlthorpe Drive in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday, 29 October, where he was sentenced to six years and six months’ imprisonment.

Eason had denied the charges against him but was found guilty by a jury of the following five offences after a nine-day trial:

• Three counts of sexual activity with a child
• Two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity

The court heard the offences began in the Woodbridge area more than a decade ago and involved one victim, a child.

The offending continued for several years and was reported to police in February 2024.

A Victim Personal Statement was read out in court on behalf of the victim. It said: “I was a child, still growing up and developing my understanding of the world, relationships and trust. These should have been years of safety, discovery and ordinary childhood experiences. Instead, they became years in which my boundaries were violated, and my childhood was taken from me… I cannot simply leave these experiences in the past because the abuse itself has ended. I continue to live with the consequences every day, and I expect that they will affect me for the rest of my life.”

The victim’s father notes the impact Eason’s actions had on his daughter: “As parents, now knowing how you were abusing our daughter, we reflect on her younger teenage years, when she was still a child. We painfully remember our concerns about her wellbeing during those years, how she became distant from us, and we worried about her apparent low self-esteem… Somehow our daughter found the incredible inner strength and integrity to admit to us, to the Police and to this Court what you had done to her, in order to hold you accountable for your despicable behaviour... Our priority now as parents will be to support our daughter, as we move forward to help her put this terrible experience behind her, and to rebuild her life.”

In addition to his sentence, Eason was ordered to sign the sex offender’s register and was handed a 10-year restraining order in respect of the victim.

Detective Constable Shelly Drake, who was the officer in charge of the case, said:

“Eason knew the victim from an early age and exploited her innocence for his own gratification. He was an opportunistic sexual predator who took advantage of situations to sexually abuse his victim, which has had a lasting impact on both her and her family.

“I would like to praise the victim for her bravery and strength in disclosing what happened to her and reporting it to police.

“It is never too late to report sexual abuse and I urge anyone who has been abused to report it to police. We will support you and do all we have to bring those responsible to justice.”

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We are continuing to encourage victims of non-recent sexual abuse to come forward after a woman was jailed more than 25 years after she began committing her crimes.

Gemma Baker started sexually abusing a young girl in 1999, when the victim was six years old. The abuse continued until 2003.

In 2021 the victim, who is now an adult, contacted police to report what happened and an investigation by our Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) was undertaken.

The victim told officers that Baker had been careful to carry out the abuse when they were alone together in the hope that no-one would find out what happened. In interview, 42-year-old Baker denied the allegations but offered no explanation as to why the victim would say such a thing.

Baker, of Speers Road in New Parks, was subsequently charged with 10 counts of indecency with a child.

On Thursday (29 October) she was found guilty of all offences following a trial at Leicester Crown Court and on Friday was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment. She was also placed on the sex offender register for life and made subject to a restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim.

Detective Constable Ash McPhillips was the officer in the case. She said:

“I know the victim that she feels a sense of relief that the woman who subjected her to horrific abuse at such a young age is now behind bars more than 25 years on.

“I must commend her bravery in reliving what happened in front of a jury. Her strength and courage in doing so played a vital role in ensuring Baker was convicted.

“I hope this case serves as a reminder to anyone else who has also been a victim that it’s never too late to come forward and seek justice for what happened.”

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Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a rapist has been jailed after being convicted of repeated sexual offences, coercive control and a number of other serious offences against multiple victims in Didcot.

Mike Loveridge, aged 18, of Newbury Road, Didcot, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday (29/10) to eight years in prison with a four-year extension period, making a total sentence of 12 years.

The sentence follows a four-day trial at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court, sitting as a Youth Court, where on 24 September he was found guilty of three counts of rape and one count each of controlling and coercive behaviour, causing a female aged 13 or over to engage in sexual activity without consent, exposure, and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Loveridge was also sentenced for additional offences committed against other victims between April and May 2026, including one count each of harassment, harassment by breaching a restraining order, sending grossly offensive, indecent or menacing communications, and intimidating a witness.

The court also imposed five restraining orders to protect victims and granted an indefinite animal disqualification order, preventing Loveridge from keeping or being involved in the care of horses.

The court heard that between January and June this year, Loveridge subjected one of the victims to serious sexual violence and controlling behaviour.

His controlling and coercive behaviour included isolating the victim, making threats, subjecting her to violence and intimidation, and creating an atmosphere of fear. On one occasion, Loveridge contacted a funeral director in the victim’s presence to arrange her funeral.

Loveridge was arrested on 8 June and charged the following day.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Angelique Lihou said:

“Mike Loveridge’s offending was serious, persistent and caused significant harm to a number of victims. Thanks to their courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation, he has now been held fully accountable for his actions.

“This outcome is the result of a thorough investigation and demonstrates our determination to pursue offenders and put them before the courts, regardless of their age.

“The sentence imposed reflects the gravity of these offences and the risk Loveridge poses to others. I would encourage anyone who has been the victim of crime to come forward and report it. We will listen, investigate thoroughly and do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.”