Latest Offenders

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Women sexually abused as children have thanked one of our officers after their abuser was sent to prison for 22 years.

Thanks to work of specialist detectives, Scott Layfield was convicted in May of 26 charges including rape and sexual assault.

The charges relate to offences against six girls between 2011 and 2021, mainly in the Rayleigh area.

"I’m glad he’s been seen for who he truly is."

One of the women said:

“Scott Layfield has made my childhood memories a blank space, something that most adults enjoy looking back on.

“The subject of this court case as well as so much more, has changed the way I subconsciously handle everyday situations.

“Thank you to Essex Police, especially PC Nick Schneider who has made these last eight years of waiting feel a little less daunting!

“The sentencing, no matter how long he gets, will never make my childhood reality disappear but I’m glad he’s been seen for who he truly is.”.

“All I want now is to be able to live my life without fear"

Another of the women said:

“The crimes that were committed to me are something I will have to live with for the rest of my life and have caused me a great deal of pain and emotional trauma.

“No sentence will fully feel like justice, but it is a step in the right direction.

“I would like to thank Essex Police and PC Nick Schneider for the hard work and support they have put in to helping me, and the other victims, on a daily basis through the years they have worked with us.

“All I want now is to be able to live my life without fear that he’ll be able to hurt me or anyone else again.”

"A huge thank you to Nick and Mike"

Another said:

“I would like to thank Essex police, especially PC Nick Schneider for taking this case seriously and helping to bring Scott Layfield to justice.

“Although this doesn’t change what has happened, I can now move on with my life without worrying about where he might be and preventing others from going through this.”

Another woman said:

“A huge thank you to Nick and Mike Budd and everyone at Essex Police for their years of dedication and hard work in bringing this evil man to justice. Thank you for believing us and helping us get the justice we deserved.

“Thank you to everyone at SERICC, including Paula and Anji, for supporting me through my darkest days and being there when I needed someone to talk to.

“To any other victims, whether in this case or any other: you’re not alone. Please reach out when you’re ready—there are people who will believe you, support you, and help you.”

"He didn’t account for Essex Police"

Layfield, 52, of Paddock Close, Leigh-on-Sea, was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday 30 July to immediate custody for 22 years, with a six-year extended licence, and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

PC Schneider, who led the case, said:

“I want to pay tribute to the courage and perseverance of the women involved in this case and I want to thank them for trusting us with their story.

“Scott Layfield subjected them to things no-one should ever have to experience and yet they have shown great dignity throughout the investigation and the court case.

“Layfield told one of the girls no-one would believe her but he didn’t account for Essex Police. The women in this case have stood up against Layfield and their testimony has ensured he’s now behind bars.

“If someone has the courage to come forward and report the abuse they’ve faced, we listen to them, support them, and investigate.

“I believe there may be other people abused by Layfield and if there are, please come forward and tell us what happened.”

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We are sharing the below article on behalf of the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU). 

A man who pleaded guilty to 25 child sexual abuse offences, including the rape of a girl in the UK and arranging the livestreaming of abuse of a girl in the Philippines, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison, with a further eight years to be served on licence. 

Paul Hopkins, 50, from Romsey in Hampshire, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court today (30 July). He was arrested in March 2025 following an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU). 

Officers found Hopkins was attempting to make plans online to meet a young girl to sexually abuse. This led to the discovery that he was livestreaming the abuse of a nine-year-old girl in the Philippines, facilitated by her mother. Through work with international partners, supported by the NCA, the victim was safeguarded and the mother was arrested. 

Investigators went on to find evidence on Hopkins’ devices of further offences, including the non-recent rape, attempted rape and sexual assault of a young girl in the UK.  

The Crown Prosecution Service authorised 25 charges of sexual offences involving children, and the overwhelming evidence led to Hopkins pleading guilty to all counts. 

DI Dave Wells from the Online Investigations Team at SWROCU said: “Paul Hopkins is the most dangerous sex offender my team has investigated, not only due to the severity and number of crimes he has been convicted of, but fact he offered advice to other offenders on how to avoid detection when accessing material and livestreaming abuse. 

“His sentence not only reflects the huge harm he has caused, but the level of risk he posed to children here and in other parts of the world. 

“My team, and teams across the country, are working with national and international law enforcement partners to target such offenders. I hope anyone using the internet to access child sexual abuse material or livestream such abuse under the illusion they are anonymous or hard to trace, is now looking over their shoulder knowing they could be next.” 

Daniel Newell, Regional Manager for the Philippines at the National Crime Agency said:

“Today’s sentencing shows that no matter where you are in the world, if you pay for children to be sexually abused, you will be identified and brought to justice. 

“Through our International Liaison Network, officers from the NCA have worked closely with the Philippines National Police (PNP) Woman and Children Protection Unit and International Justice Mission (IJM) to identify, locate and safeguard the victim in this case, and I would like to thank them for their continued support in countering the proliferation of live-streamed child abuse. 

“We know the Philippines is a key hub for this type of abuse, with the UK representing one of the top three consumers, so our work with the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC) is crucial to combat this threat. 

“We will continue to work collaboratively with global partners to tackle this crime by sharing intelligence and working together on joint operations, and we are committed to protecting any child across the globe who we become aware may be at risk”. 

Sentencing Hopkins, HH Judge Fuller described Hopkins as “a predatory and dangerous man”, and that “analysis carried out by officers showed the abuse as extensive.” 

Hopkins was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

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A man who was arrested within hours of raping a woman in Sheffield has been jailed for the offence.

Ilias Hassan, 23, of Bristle Street, Northampton, raped a woman at a student accommodation in Sheffield city centre in the early hours of 8 May 2023.

The victim bravely reported the incident to police and officers arrested Hassan later the same day.

At his police interview on 13 May (2023), Hassan provided a prepared statement in which he did not admit to the offence, but provided no comment to all questions put to him.

Officers gathered lots of evidence including CCTV footage showing Hassan with the victim, witness statements, and messages sent by Hassan on social media.

In Hassan’s prepared statement he said, “my recall of events is very clear”, but officers retrieved a voice note he sent following the rape in which he said: “I actually can’t remember anything like. I don’t remember nothing.”

Hassan pleaded not guilty to rape but was found guilty of the offence following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court on 13 February 2026.

On Wednesday 29 July at the same court, he was sentenced to five years and three months imprisonment. He was also given a 10-year restraining order and required to register with the police indefinitely in accordance with the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

DC Alice Watson-Flowers said:

“Firstly, I want to commend the bravery of the victim in this case.

“She not only found the courage to come forward and report this horrific crime to us, but she was also put through the ordeal of a trial because of Hassan’s cowardly refusal to admit his guilt.

“While I appreciate a jail term will never detract from the trauma of such an offence, I hope it can provide some sense of justice.

“We are completely committed to tackling all forms of sexual abuse in South Yorkshire and I want to make it absolutely clear that we fully investigate every single report made to us.

“If you have been raped, sexually assaulted, or sexually harassed, you can report to us in confidence online or by calling 101.

“If you don’t feel able to report to police, try and talk to someone you trust. You can also seek specialist and confidential support via the 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line.”

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A man has been jailed for 23 years after abusing five victims and attempting to cover up his crimes using fake evidence.

Ian Perrin, 64, of Tremont Street, Wolverhampton, came to the attention of Bedfordshire Police after one of the victims reported that she had been sexually abused by him.

Following the disclosure, officers from the Protecting Vulnerable People (PVP) unit launched an investigation and Perrin was arrested.

As enquiries progressed, four further victims came forward and reported abuse dating back to the late 1990s.

During his trial, Perrin forged text messages claiming to be from one of the victims, falsely stating that accusations against him had been fabricated. Investigators quickly established that the messages were not genuine.

Following a trial at Luton Crown Court, Perrin was found guilty of all 11 offences on Thursday 23 May.

The charges included rape, indecent assault, gross indecency, child cruelty and neglect, and perverting the course of justice.

He was sentenced last week (23 July) at Luton Crown Court to 23 years' imprisonment.

Perrin was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register until further order.

Detective Constable Claire Long said:

“Perrin sexually abused four people and neglected a fifth. He was a prolific offender who is now behind bars.

“I commend each victim for coming forward and for the courage they showed in speaking out during what was a very difficult trial.

“We are committed to tackling all forms of sexual abuse and want victims to know that it is never too late to come forward.

“Our specialist teams investigate offences like this every day, working tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice while ensuring victims receive the support they need throughout the process.

“When you feel ready to speak to us, our officers are here to listen. You will be heard, and you will be supported.”

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A PENSIONER who tried to incite a seven-year-old child to performing a sexual act on him has been jailed.

David Hughes, of Meadow Orchard, Broadway, near Evesham, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court, sitting in Redditch, on Monday (July 27) for attempting to arrange or facilitate the offence of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The 77-year-old tried to arrange to get a seven-year-old girl to perform a sexual act on him between October and November 2023 in Worcester.

He denied this in court, but was found guilty in June following a trial.

At sentencing, Hughes was jailed for four years by Recorder Michael Burrows.

His Nokia, iPhone, and Computer towers were all seized, he will need to register with the police on a regular basis once released, and he was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order, which will restrict his ability to reoffend.

Hughes cannot use a device to access the internet without first allowing the police to ensure the device retains his internet history, use a device which can store digital images unless police officers can inspect it upon request, and using the internet to contact anyone under 16.

Alongside these restrictions relating to technology, Hughes is also prohibited from having unsupervised contact with children under 16, live with a child under 16, or leave England and Wales without first informing the police where he is going and for how long.

He was also ordered to pay £4,830 in costs and a £228 surcharge by the end of October.

Description

A paedophile who contacted a teenage girl on Snapchat asking for sexual pictures of her was sent to prison for three years and eight months at Worcester Crown Court on Monday (27 July).

Jude Maruska, 23, of Lingmell Court, Worcester, was already subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for similar offences which he breached several times to contact his victim.

Maruska was convicted of two counts of breaching an SHPO for which he was sentenced to 20 months in prison for each to run concurrently and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228, and one count of causing/inciting a girl 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity (non-penetration) for which he was sentenced to six months in prison consecutively. His mobile phone was also confiscated.

He was already subject to an SHPO which was issued to him in August 2024 when he was given a suspended sentence after also being found guilty of requesting indecent images from children on social media.

For breaching the SHPO his suspended sentence was activated, adding another 18 months consecutively to his term and bringing the total to 44 months imprisonment (three years and eight months).

The terms of the order meant Maruska was prohibited from using any application that does not retain its usage or history on his phone. However, officers from West Mercia Police’s Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) found he had used Snapchat and it had been installed on his phone, during a routine visit last month.

They analysed the content and discovered he had been offending again between May and June by contacting a teenage girl on Snapchat and asking her to send him sexual images.

On Monday 22 June, detectives from South Worcestershire CID charged him with the offences, and Maruska admitted them, adding there was a second girl he also contacted.

Detective Inspector Colin Berry from the MOSOVO team said:

“We are pleased to get a custodial sentence for Maruska who continued to offend, breaching the terms of his SHPO and despite being on suspended sentence.

“We hope this result shows our work to manage offenders is effective in monitoring their behaviour and that we will not hesitate in bringing them back before the courts to face justice if they do re-offend.”

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Matthew Mills jailed for more than four years after strangling partner and breaching sex offender rules

A registered sex offender described by a judge as “a genuine, serious risk to women” has been jailed for 50 months.

Matthew Mills, 30, of Argoed, Brymbo, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court for sentence after admitting intentional strangulation, assault, two breaches of a domestic abuse protection order (DAPO) and two failures to comply with sex offender registration requirements.

On 4 December 2022, Mills strangled his then-partner Emily Griffiths for around 60 seconds after she returned later than agreed from a Christmas night out. He shouted at her, became aggressive and grabbed her throat despite her attempts to calm him. She freed herself but he repeated the attack a short time later. The relationship ended the following day.

Mills was already a registered sex offender until 2030 after a 2020 conviction for a sexual act with a child under 16. He breached those registration conditions twice in 2025.

He then breached a DAPO protecting another former partner, Kayley Davies. On 2 January this year, during an argument, he threatened to punch her, pushed her into a countertop and pulled her fingers back as she tried to open a door, causing pain. On 6 January he contacted her twice by phone while she was at a McDonald’s in Flintshire, telling her he loved her despite being prohibited from doing so and after she said she was cutting contact.

Prosecutors noted Mills had 20 previous convictions for 52 offences.

Defending, Philip Tully said: “He’s fully aware of the position he now finds himself in. Mr Mills accepts that breaching any court order is serious. At the time of the commission of these offences he was going through a very difficult time in his life. Regarding the breach of the DAPO that involved him meeting – by consent – his ex-partner Kayley Davies, he accepts the common assault would have been highly unpleasant.”

Mr Tully added that his client recognised the strangulation of Ms Griffiths would also have been “highly unpleasant” for the victim. “He accepts that at the time, this was a volatile relationship. He is determined to turn his life around and stop offending. During the time he’s been on remand, he has completed an anger management course, healthier choices course, a mental health wellbeing course and a communication skills course. He also has a trusted job as a cleaner on the wing. He wants to go back to his business as a car mechanic and buying and selling cars.” He accepted what he did was wrong and that he deserved to be punished.

Judge Simon Mills told the defendant: “You’ve embarked on a life path which is leaving, frankly, a trail of misery, distress, fear and all the rest that goes with it. You’re proving yourself to be a genuine, serious risk to women. If you harm a woman in the future, I promise you any of the Judges here in north Wales will consider treating you as a dangerous offender and that may lead to a lengthy extended sentence.”

Mills was sentenced to a total of 50 months’ imprisonment and made subject to a seven-year DAPO to protect Ms Griffiths.

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“People think that a rapist is someone hiding down an alley, or in a bush with a knife, that will drag you away and force themselves on you… but Ans made me realise that a rapist can be charismatic, educated and can arrive with a smile.”

These are the powerful words of a rape survivor as rapist Muhammad Ans was sentenced to 20 years behind bars, with a further three years to be served on extended licence.

Ans, who resided in Tavistock, was convicted of four counts of rape committed against three women following a 14-day trial at Plymouth Crown Court.

He returned to court for sentence today, Thursday 30 July.

During the trial, the court heard how Ans, 29, met all three women on dating apps between 2023 and 2025.

Ans met the first victim on the dating site Bumble before meeting in-person towards the end of 2023.

Following an initial meeting and meal, he took her back to his accommodation in Coventry where he went on to rape her. After this initial offence, Ans went on to rape the same woman again in a series of events in early 2024.

The court heard how Ans messaged the first woman again in August 2024, and asked to meet up with her. She confronted him about him raping her over a series of messages and he apologised and offered to take her out shopping and to go for meals together. She refused.

Just over a week later, Ans met the second victim via the dating app Baddoo. By this time, Ans had moved and was now living in a flat in Tavistock.

After some initial messaging, Ans collected the second victim in his car and invited her back to his flat where they proceeded to drink some alcohol. The woman made it clear to him that she was not interested in sex, but he went on to rape her.

Messages between them shown at court show that after Ans had dropped the victim home, she had messaged him and challenged him about what did to her. In response to these challenges Ans messaged the victim back apologising to her and stating that he couldn’t stop himself.  

Ans went on to offer to take the victim shopping and claimed that he wanted to get to know her and go to the beach with her. The victim refused and told him that she was going to report him for what he had done to her.

The incident was reported to police that same day, and an investigation was launched by Detective Constable Craig Ferguson as the case officer.

Ans was identified, and his vehicle details established.

A wanted appeal was issued for Ans, and he was located and arrested in Leeds having fled Tavistock after having been challenged by the victim.

In interview, Ans denied the offence but agreed that he had met the victim. He claimed that all sexual contact between them had been consensual and that his admissions in the messages were a confusion on his part despite his clear acknowledgment and apologies.

Ans’ phone was seized from him and submitted for examination. Ans was bailed with conditions not to contact the victim.

In August 2025, another victim was identified by the officer. She disclosed that she had met Ans via Tinder and had gone for a drink with him before going back to her address where he raped her.

Ans was further arrested in relation to this offence and was charged and remanded.

In review of the digital download Ans’ phone data, DC Ferguson discovered the messaging between Ans and the first victim.

The officer then managed to identify and contact the victim who confirmed that she too was victim of rape by Ans. He was then charged with these offences too, and the case for all three victims was joined.

Upon sentencing, the court heard from all three women abused by Ans.

The first victim explained:

“I’m finding it hard to describe the initial impact of Ans’ rape.

“After the violent event occurred, it felt like I had to burn everything that made up the woman I was, so that then it would have happened to her rather than me.

“I rarely slept, and when I did, nightmares accompanied me. My anxiety was through the roof, supplemented by intrusive thoughts, intense nausea, and debilitating panic attacks.

“Ans clearly saw the pain he had inflicted on me and then went on to hurt others in the same way. I truly believe that he is a dangerous and predatory man. No sentence can undo the damage he has caused or the years I will continue to live with the consequences of his actions.”

In a statement, the second victim said:

“When I think about what Ans did to me; him raping me started a chain of events that have led to some of the darkest and most difficult times that I have faced in my life.

“I still feel an intense amount of anger and rage towards him. I had told him ‘NO’, and I had pushed his hands away and pulled my leggings back up. My words meant nothing to him, and I now recognise that he had already decided what was going to happen to me, regardless of whether I consented to it or not.

“People think that a rapist is someone hiding down an alley, or in a bush with a knife, that will drag you away and force themselves on you… but Ans made me realise that a rapist can be charismatic, educated and can arrive with a smile.

“Regardless of how he portrayed himself to me and others he is nothing but a rapist monster. He is a disgusting human being, and I hate him with every part of me.”

The third victim said:

“In terms of the physical impact, it took me many weeks before I was able to sleep properly again. Even now, I continue to experience nightmares and flashbacks relating to what happened. I became scared to be at home on my own in-case he showed up, my own home felt wrong and unsafe.

“Psychologically, the impact of these events has affected almost every aspect of my life. I have suffered from severe anxiety and panic attacks as a result of my experience with Ans.

“The events have significantly affected my ability to trust others, particularly men.

I find it difficult to form new relationships now as a result. As a girl who just wanted her happy ending, I feel I have paid a high price for trying to find it.

“I see Ans as directly responsible for my current symptoms and state of mind.

"If I hadn’t met him and he hadn’t done these things to me, I believe that I would be in a very different position now in my life. I feel that he is a risk to women, and that he used me sexually despite me making my boundaries clear.”

Sentencing, Judge Matthew Turner KC spoke of how each victim was at the time of the offending in a vulnerable position in their lives.

He added that the woman initially found Ans charming, but he preyed upon that to rape them and satisfy his own sexual desires.

Judge Turner said that Ans’ lack of recognition of his criminality was “deeply troubling” adding that there was a complete disconnect between how he viewed his actions and the “single minded pursuit of your own sexual gratification”.

In addition, Ans will be required to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Following conviction, DC Ferguson said:

“I welcome the sentence of Muhammad Ans today.

“In this case all three women were unknown to each other yet their experiences of Ans were all incredibly similar. The evidence clearly showed that he made the same types of comments and offers towards each victim after raping them.

“This included apologising to them, telling them that it was a mistake, and that people make mistakes when first meeting, as well as offers of giving certain victims money and to take them shopping.

“In relation to one of the victims, it was also explained that he had offered to pay her $3,000 in compensation if she would ‘leave it’. This victim refused his offer and had screenshot the messages he had sent, and sent these on as part of her evidence.

“Ans is a sexual predator who targeted these women on dating sites with the sole purpose of meeting up with them for sex. His motivation was clear.

“These women were looking for meaningful relationships, and were not seeking casual sexual encounters, and they made this clear to Ans.

“Despite this Ans created situations where they were each caused to be alone with him, and he then proceeded to rape them, and forced them into depraved sexual acts.

“Ans was driven by his sexual appetite, and the voices of his victims did not matter to him. He chose what was going to happen, and he forced his will onto others.

"Their clear boundaries and lack of consent did not matter to him.

“I want to pay tribute to the bravery and resilience of the three victims in this case who have each displayed tremendous courage and strength, both in giving their evidence to the police, but also in attending the court to give their evidence in a lengthy trial.

“The trial has been complex process, and the victims have shown patience and resolve in waiting to provide their evidence to the court. This case could not have brought without their support, and I want to thank each of them personally.

“Ans has been found guilty of these heinous crimes and he will now be imprisoned for a lengthy period in custody.

“We remain committed to supporting women and girls who are victims of violence, and those persons who have been the victim of sexual offences. We will listen and will actively seek charges and prosecutions against those responsible for such offending.”

Description

A man has been jailed for almost two decades after admitting numerous counts of rape and sexual offences against two female victims.

Wesley Brito, 47, formerly of the Redhouse area of Swindon, appeared at Swindon Crown Court yesterday (29/07) for sentencing after pleading guilty to multiple sexual assaults of a child under 13, five counts of sexual activity with a child, rape and attempted rape of a child, sexual assault by penetration and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

He also pleaded guilty to the rape of a woman now aged in her 40s.

Brito, a Brazilian national, was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment.

He is also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining order and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

The offences took place over a number of years and involved a woman and a child who were both known to Brito.

The incidents were first brought to Wiltshire Police’s attention in February 2025 after the adult victim disclosed the abuse to a third party.

In June 2025, the adult victim reported the offences to officers herself, and in the following months the young victim bravely told officers about Brito’s horrendous offences against her.

Brito was subsequently charged with numerous sexual offences, leading to yesterday’s sentencing.

Investigating officer DC Chloe Smith from our Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT) said:

“The offences committed by Wesley Brito have had a devastating impact on those involved.

“The bravery demonstrated by the victims throughout the investigation has been remarkable and I commend their courage and strength for coming forward.

“Reporting sexual offences can be extremely difficult and I recognise the immense bravery they have shown.

“I hope yesterday’s outcome reassures people that reports of sexual offences are taken seriously and victims will be listened to.”

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A sex offender has been jailed after targeting a child in Rochester.

An investigation into Manh Hung Le was launched after his victim disclosed they had been made to watch pornography and perform an indecent act several years previously.

Le was arrested in April 2023 and later charged with sexual activity with a child and causing a child to watch a sexual act.

Court

He denied the allegations but was convicted of both counts at Maidstone Crown Court. On Tuesday 21 July 2026, the 45 year old was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison.

Le, of Grove Street, Deptford, London, will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 15 years and placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Investigating Officer Detective Constable Ella Bootes said:

‘Le’s actions have caused significant and lasting trauma for his vulnerable victim, who we commend for their bravery in coming forward.‘Le did not show any remorse for his actions and, by reporting his abuse, the victim has enabled us to secure his imprisonment and safeguard other children who may have been at risk.’

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Former Hertfordshire teacher Deborah Franklin convicted of gross indecency against boy she tutored

Deborah Franklin, 65, of Radlett, Hertfordshire, has been found guilty of eight counts of gross indecency against a boy she privately tutored in the 1990s, when he was aged between nine and 12.

Franklin, then in her 30s, married and a teacher at a preparatory school in Hertfordshire, was trusted by the boy’s family to conduct tutoring sessions in his room. Prosecutor Gavin Pottinger told jurors at St Albans Crown Court that she was a woman “whose boundaries were just not there.”

The court heard that Franklin took her clothes off in front of the boy, kissed him, got him to touch her and performed multiple sexual acts. On one occasion she tied him to her bed and blindfolded him during sexual activity. The complainant, now in his 40s, said she described herself as his “girlfriend” but urged him to be discreet. He had “no memory of work ever being done” during the sessions.

The boy’s sister described Franklin as “fun, she was charismatic. I thought she was cool.” The boy viewed her as “young” and “high energy,” someone who “presented like a mate” and spoke about drugs, cigarettes and sex. His sister once saw Franklin under the covers of his bed.

Franklin denied all charges, saying she could not remember tutoring the boy. She told the court it was “quite common for teachers and parents and children to socially interact” and that it would not have been “unusual” to be in a pupil’s bedroom or on their bed while tutoring them.

She was charged under the Indecency with Children Act 1960, the law in force at the time (later replaced by the Sexual Offences Act 2003). Franklin was remanded in custody. Judge Kamran Choudhry told her there is a “high possibility” of a jail sentence when she appears for sentencing on 1 October.

Description

Today (Monday 27 July) at Winchester Crown Court a 66-year-old man has been found guilty of thirteen non-recent sex offences, which took place between 1994 and 1999 against three men and a child.

Allan Michael Grimson of Grove Road in Hollesley, Suffolk was served a postal requisition on Friday 7 February 2025 and his subsequent trial began on Monday 29 June 2026.

Grimson has been found guilty of:

• The indecent assault of a 19-year-old man in Tyne and Wear in 1994.
• Five indecent assaults of a 17-year-old boy in Portsmouth in 1999.
• The rape of an 18-year-old man in Portsmouth in 1999.
• Four indecent assaults of a 14-year-old boy in Portsmouth in 1999.
• One offence of taking indecent images of a child in Portsmouth in 1999.
• The indecent assault of a 19-year-old man in Portsmouth in 1999.
• The prosecution follows a detailed investigation undertaken by Hampshire & Isle of

Wight Constabulary into the offences that took place at locations including a flat on London Road in Portsmouth.

Grimson, a former Royal Navy petty officer who is already serving a life sentence after he was convicted in 2001 of two murders, has been remanded into custody to appear at the same court for sentencing on 6 November 2026.

From the CPS

A former Royal Navy petty officer already serving a life sentence for the murders of two young men has been convicted of a series of non-recent sexual offences.

Allan Grimson, 66, was found guilty by a jury at Winchester Crown Court of offences committed between 1994 and 1999 against a teenage boy and young Royal Navy recruits.

Grimson, who served as an instructor at the Royal Navy Firefighting School at Horsea Island, used his position to target and sexually abuse boys and young men over a number of years. Victims included a 14-year-old boy and young servicemen at the start of their naval careers.

The convictions follow a review of allegations dating back more than 20 years, including a case reconsidered following a referral to the Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel.

After reviewing the evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges against Grimson.

Grimson is already serving a life sentence for the murders of Royal Navy ratings Nicholas Wright and Sion Jenkins, whom he killed in 1997 and 1998 after meeting them in Portsmouth. They were both sexually assaulted before they were murdered.

James Foster, Specialist Prosecutor, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

"Today's verdicts are the result of the courage and determination shown by the victims, some of whom first reported what happened to them more than two decades ago.

“Non-recent sexual abuse cases can present significant evidential challenges, particularly where allegations relate to events many years in the past. However, the passage of time is not a barrier to justice where there is sufficient evidence to bring a prosecution.

"Following a referral to the Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel, we carried out a fresh review of one of the original decisions in this case and concluded that criminal charges should be brought.

"I would like to thank the victims for the bravery they have shown throughout this investigation and trial. We hope today's outcome provides some measure of justice and recognition of the abuse they suffered."

Description

Two brave victims coming forward has helped officers bring a teaching assistant and martial arts instructor to justice for sexual offences.

Tom Jun Ahnstrom, aged 25 and of Southampton, pleaded guilty to offences including two charges of sexual communications with a child, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and causing a child to watch a sexual act.

The offences involved two female teenage victims.

After a search of his devices police also found illegal material, Ahnstrom further admitted three charges of making indecent photographs of a child.

The defendant made contact with his first victim via Snapchat in July 2022 and engaged in sexual communication toward her.

Ahnstrom also made contact with his second victim via Snapchat in the summer of 2022 and sent her sexually explicit messages.

Ahnstrom was arrested on Friday 8 December 2023 after an allegation was received in relation to the first victim and the second victim was also identified following further enquiries.

Both victims bravely came forward to give an account of what had happened to police and support the subsequent investigation, led by detectives from Dorset Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT).

Ahnstrom was subsequently charged and, after admitting the offences, he appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Tuesday 28 July 2026 and was sentenced to six years in prison and made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for a period of 15 year. Lifetime restraining orders were also imposed preventing Ahnstrom from contacting both victims.

Detective Constable Samantha Flynn, of CAIT, said:

“Thanks to the courage these victims have shown in coming forward, we were able to conduct a thorough investigation and hold Ahnstrom to account for his abusive behaviour.

“I hope the brave actions of these victims helps others find the strength to come forward and report offences to us, in the knowledge that we will fully support them and take action against perpetrators involved.”

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Wanted: Convicted sex offender George Casson after prison recall

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for help to locate convicted sex offender George Casson, 30, from Harrogate, after a prison recall was issued on 3 July.

Casson breached his licence conditions by failing to attend Probation Service appointments. Officers said: “Extensive enquiries have been ongoing to locate Casson and we’re now appealing for your help to help find him.”

He is believed to be in the Harrogate area and has links to Lancashire and Weston-Super-Mare in Avon and Somerset.

Casson is white, 5ft 4in, of small build, with cropped brown hair and blue eyes. He has previously had a short brown beard or stubble but may now be clean-shaven.

Last December he was jailed for 19 months after pleading guilty to one charge of sexual communication with a child, committed over several weeks some years earlier.

Anyone who sees Casson should call 999. Information about his whereabouts can be given to police on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its website, quoting reference 12260124861.

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A Sheffield man has been jailed this month for rape after members of the public bravely secured evidence against him.

Ansar Younis, 41, of Hatherley Road, Sheffield, raped an unconscious woman in Sheffield city centre at 1.14am on 20 September 2025.

Witnesses called the ambulance service who then called South Yorkshire Police to the scene of the attack. The ambulance service took the woman to hospital to be treated for injuries, and complete an early evidence kit to provide forensic evidence.

Four girls who witnessed the assault challenged Younis and when he ignored them they filmed the attack in order to provide evidence against Younis.

Upon arrival of officers, one of the witnesses was able to identify Younis, leading to his arrest.

Younis was interviewed on the day of his arrest, but provided no comment to all questions.

He was charged with rape and remanded into custody. Younis pleaded not guilty to the offence but was found guilty following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court on 31 March 2026.

Earlier this month (2 July) Younis was sentenced to nine years imprisonment.

Detective Constable Sophie Windle, the officer in charge of the case, said:

“This was a horrific attack against a woman who did not and could not consent.

“Rather than talk about the man who carried out this sick act, I would like to recognise the bravery of the four girls who intervened to record the offence, providing evidence that was absolutely instrumental at trial.

“Sheffield District Commander Jamie Henderson thanked the girls following the incident, and I would like to add my thanks now that justice has been served. These girls were upstanders, not bystanders. As soon as they realised what was happening they stepped in and they have helped put a rapist behind bars.”