Latest Offenders

Description

A man has been jailed for raping a 16-year-old girl, as well as brutally assaulting her during a period of six weeks last year.

Callan Hennessey (24/12/03), of Ferndene Road, Manchester, has been jailed for nine-and-a-half-years after pleading guilty to assault, strangulation, the creation of indecent images, and a further assault. He was found guilty of one count of rape.

He received his sentence today (27 August) at Manchester Crown Court.

The investigation began in April 2025, when a relative of the victim of Hennessey contacted the police, after the girl, then 16, had attended hospital with injuries including two black eyes, bleeding to her ear, a swollen jaw and other abrasions to her head and face.

Following extensive enquiries over the following weeks, which also saw Hennessey arrested, officers found that he had assaulted and raped the girl, with her injuries drawing the attention of family members.

When officers attended an address on 8 April 2025, officers discovered bedsheets covered in his victim’s blood. Hennessey was also seen to have himself had blood on him by a relative following the incident.

Hennessey plead guilty to assault and strangulation, while being found guilty of rape following a trial. The rape occurred several weeks before the assault in April.

He will also now be subject to an indefinite restraining order and will be placed on the sex offender's register for life.

Hennessey’s victim has supported the investigation throughout and bravely told officers about the crimes inflicted on her.

Detective Constable James Carter, from GMP’s City of Manchester CID, said: 

“Firstly, I want to pay tribute to the victim in this case – this is something no-one should ever have to go through and her bravery and resilience has been remarkable.

“Hennessey violently attacked someone who is several years younger than him - a child - leaving her in a bloodied and terrified state following the incident. His vile actions, including rape and strangulation, now mean he is rightfully behind bars where he belongs.

“I would urge anyone who has been the victim of any similar crimes to please get in touch – we will do what we can to help you and work to get you the justice you deserve.”

Description

On 20 August, James White, 39 of St Michael’s Crescent in Stockton, was jailed for 14 offences related to assault, sexual assault, rape, and domestic abuse.

White has been sentenced to 24 years in prison. 

The investigation was initiated following a 999 call at 1:08pm on 30 November 2025, where a relative of the victim told us that she had been attacked by White, that he had a knife, and he was still in the house.

The victim had called the relative to let him know she was in danger, after which White fled the address.  She had bruising over her face and other injuries to her back and torso.

She disclosed that White had threatened her with a knife prior to this report and had also used it to cut her on her abdomen.   

Just half an hour later at 1:36pm, our officers had located White at a nearby pub and he was arrested.

Further enquiries found that, over the course of five weeks between 17 October and 30 November 2025, White had been involved in a pattern of violent and abusive behaviour against her, including rape and sexual assault.

White pleaded not guilty to the charges. On 9 June 2026, the jury found the suspect guilty of all offences.

The list of charges that White was found guilty for is as follows:

• Two counts of rape of a woman over 16
• Assault of a female 13 and over by penetration with body part
• Engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in a relationship
• Five counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm
• Two counts of threatening a person with a knife in a private place
• Threats to kill
• Two counts of intentional strangulation

Investigating officer DC Baylie Cairns of the Domestic Abuse and RASSO team said

“The victim escaped the cycle of abuse by having the courage to tell a family member it was taking place – at which point we were called and were able to take action against her abuser. 

“Over the course of five weeks, James White subjected the victim to a campaign of horrific abuse, violence and sexual assaults.

“She showed remarkable bravery and courage in speaking to me about the offences committed against her.

“White has now been sentenced to 24 years in prison, preventing him from posing a risk to the victim and others.

“While nothing can undo the harm caused, we hope this sentence offers her some comfort and reassurance that justice has been served."

Description

Police have secured a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) against a man who repeatedly posed a risk to women in the Cheltenham area.

Victor Valentine, aged 29 and of St Paul's in the town, appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Monday (24 August) and was issued with a five-year order.

A Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) is a court-imposed order in the UK designed to protect the public from sexual harm by restricting the behaviour of individuals deemed to pose a risk.

Although Valentine has not been convicted of any sexual offences, the court heard how he is a self-proclaimed misogynist and member of an online incel group, with a history of unprovoked violence towards women in a public setting. He has also persistently breached the terms of numerous Civil Orders handed to him.

As a result of the SHPO, Valentine is now prohibited from:

• Using any computer or device capable of accessing the internet unless:
  he has notified the police VISOR team within 3 days of the acquisition of any device;
  and he registers the device with the police VISOR team; and (iii) the device has the capacity to retain and display the history of internet use, is at all times set to retain the history of internet use, and no history of internet use is deleted;
  and the device has location data turned on at all times, and no location data is deleted;
  and he makes the device immediately available on request for inspection by a police officer, or police staff employee.
• Owning or possessing more than one internet enabled device at all times
• Having a registered, guest or alias account on a specified incel website or any other online platform, forum, chatroom, or application that promotes or facilitates incel-related ideology or content.
• Entering, using or loitering near to any female public lavatory, changing room or female only space for any reason.

The order is in place until 25 August 2031 and Valentine faces arrest if any of the conditions are breached. He could also face a maximum of five years imprisonment.

Detective Sergeant Paul Howell from the Public Protection Unit said:

"Valentine is well-known for his misogynistic hostility and violence towards women, and we are pleased to have secured this SHPO against him.

"Even though Valentine has not been convicted of any sexual offences, this is a preventative measure to keep women and girls in the county safe from harm.

"This order will reduce Valentine’s ability to further explore his ideology and gives police the opportunity to monitor his behaviour in the community to help reduce his risk of further offending.

"Tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a priority for Gloucestershire Constabulary and we will do all we can to prevent crimes, bring offenders to justice, and protect women and girls."

Description

A man from Neath Port Talbot has been handed an extended sentence after he was found guilty of several sexual offences.

24-year-old Talvinder Atwal, from Briton Ferry, was found guilty in July of multiple rapes and sexual assaults of a woman. He was also found guilty of intentional strangulation in relation to the same victim.

In total, Atwal, who had pleaded not guilty to all charges, was found guilty of two counts of rape, one count of assault by penetration, one count of intentional strangulation, two counts of sexual assault on a female and one count of engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour.

He has been handed an extended 17-year prison sentence.

Detective Inspector Meirian Evans said:

“Talvinder Atwal made his victim’s life a living hell and subjected her to repeated sexual crimes.

“The length of the sentence imposed upon him highlights the significance and seriousness of his level of offending.

“He completely violated the victim and his actions are reprehensible. We commend the victim for her bravery in coming forward, and hope that she can now finally begin to move on with her life."

Description

A former Scout Leader from Warrington has been jailed after he was found guilty of a string of child sex charges.

Aaron Ashbrook was found guilty of eight offences - which include indecent assault on a boy under 14 and making indecent images of children - following a 4-day trial at Liverpool Crown Court which concluded on Friday 31 July.

The 59-year-old, who used to run a Scouts group in Warrington, returned to the court for sentencing today, Thursday 27 August, where he was jailed for 12 years.

The court heard how Ashbrook began abusing the victim in 1994 - when the victim was just 8 years old - and continued over a two-year period.

The victim bravely reported the abuse to Cheshire Police in May 2023, and an investigation was launched.

Officers arrested Ashbrook at his home on Windermere Avenue, Warrington.

Several electronic devices were seized at the address. Forensic examination of these devices revealed six indecent images and videos of children being sexually exploited, five of which were of category A (the most serious type).

Ashbrook was subsequently charged with the offences.

Sergeant Dani Byng said:

“What Ashbrook did was every parent’s worst nightmare.

“He was trusted to look after the victim, but instead of caring for him, he preyed on the victim’s vulnerability for his own perverse sexual gratification.

“The harm and distress Ashbrook’s actions have caused the victim is immeasurable, and it is a testament to the victim’s strength, bravery, and determination that we have been able bring Ashbrook to justice, 30 years since the offences occurred. I hope that the conclusion of this case will provide him with some closure and allow him to move forward.

“Sexual assault of children causes terrible distress to all involved, not least the victim themselves, and I urge anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault – no matter how long ago the incident took place – to come forward and report it.

“We treat all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority, and any allegations will be thoroughly investigated.”

Description

Repeat Wrexham sex offender jailed again after undeclared phone found with 108 child abuse images

Andrew Williamson, 45, of Coopers Close, Wrexham, has been jailed for 28 months after admitting three offences of making indecent images of children and one breach of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

He appeared for sentence at Caernarfon Crown Court on Thursday.

Williamson is a registered sex offender with a long history of making indecent images and failing to comply with court orders. His SHPO requires him to register any internet-enabled device with police.

He was released in April 2026 after a two-year sentence imposed in January 2025 for making indecent images. He obtained a basic mobile phone, then asked probation if he could get a Samsung Galaxy. That request was refused.

Suspicion was raised when he contacted probation from a different number. That number belonged to a new phone. Police attended his home in June, seized the device and arrested him after finding pornographic searches. Analysis confirmed 108 indecent images of children: 47 category A (the most serious), 11 category B and 50 category C. The children shown were predominantly girls aged 8 to 12.

Prosecutor Joseph Lees said Williamson has seven previous convictions for 42 offences, 32 of them for making indecent images.

Alun Williams, defending, said:

“It's accepted that clearly the custody threshold has been crossed; it's a case of how long he gets.

“He's never been in a relationship and describes himself as lonely. He presents as a fairly sad individual.

“He now accepts he has a problem with this horrible interest in children and says he would like some help.

“His offending history is exclusively offences of this type, apart from two convictions of excess alcohol.”

Williamson believed alcohol had:

“contributed to this type of offending.” Williams added: “We've effectively got a vicious cycle of offending. Custody is inevitable; there's clearly no realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”

Judge Nicola Jones told him: “We've said this to you before; these offences involve real children who are being raped and tortured in the most appalling ways. It is not a victimless crime.”

She imposed an overall custodial term of 28 months.

Description

A 31-year-old man has been jailed after grooming and sexually assaulting a teenage girl.

Callum Jaxon, of no fixed abode but of the Merseyside area, appeared for sentencing at Caernarfon Crown Court today, Thursday 27 August, after previously admitting six offences.

They included two counts of sexual assault, engaging in sexual communication with a child, sending a message to arrange to engage in sexual activity with a child, meeting a girl following grooming and engaging in sexual activity with a girl.

The offences against the 15-year-old victim took place in Holyhead between March and April last year.

Jaxon met the girl after speaking to her online, and on occasions, would collect her from school in his car.

He regularly discussed having sex with her and used sexualised language with her, despite knowing her age and vulnerability.

On one occasion when they met, he began intensely kissing her chest without her consent. Despite attempting to push him away, he did it again, leaving a bruise on her skin. Moments later, he engaged in sexual activity with the victim without her consent.

Days later, he asked the victim to remove all messages between them off her phone, warning he may get into trouble if she did not.

Jaxon was jailed for six years and a lifetime restraining order was put in place to protect the victim.

He must also register as a sex offender for life and was also made the subject of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Leslie Ellis said:

“Jaxon groomed the victim and despite knowing her age and vulnerability, he continued to meet her to pursue her for his own sexual gratification.

“The victim was courageous in coming forward to give her account, which has resulted in Jaxon’s sentence today.

“We encourage all victims of sexual assault to come forward with the confidence that they will be heard and supported.

"Violence against women and girls will not be tolerated and remains a foremost priority for North Wales Police. We will continue to pursue those responsible and bring them to justice."

Description

A convicted sex offender has been jailed after breaching a strict court order by meeting up with children.

Jason Baker, 36, flouted a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) by contacting two 15-year-old girls.

The order was imposed in 2017 when he was given a four-year jail sentence for a sexual offence on a girl under 13.

He breached the notification requirements of the order and received a two-year community order in June 2025.

However, in September that year, he also met up with the two girls near to where they lived in Soham on multiple occasions and offered them drugs.

Police were informed and Baker, of no fixed address, was arrested.

He was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison at Cambridge Crown Court on Tuesday (25 August) after admitting three counts of breaching a SHPO, two of supplying class A drugs and one of making an indecent image of a child.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Paul Evans, said:

“Baker is a dangerous and predatory individual and is clearly a risk to young girls.

“I would like to thank the victims for their bravery and courage in coming forward in this case. A thank you must also go to officers from the child sexual exploitation hub, who played a vital role in supporting the victims.

“Sexual harm prevention orders and notification requirements are there to manage risk and safeguard the public. Breaching them is a serious offence, and we will take robust action against anyone who fails to comply.

“I would encourage anyone who has concerns about someone’s behaviour, particularly where children may be at risk, to report it to us so we can take action.”

Description

Work by specialist officers have ensured a man is now behind bars for raping a woman in Southend.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate identified Abdul Omer through carrying out enquiries with local agencies and studying CCTV following the attack in Great Eastern Avenue.

A woman in her 50s reported being assaulted by a man she didn’t know on the evening of 23 August last year.

The woman told officers her attacker had said his name was ‘Akky’. And it was through enquiries in the Southend area that officers established ‘Akky’ was Omer.

Through our investigation detectives established the thirty-one year-old was living at an address in Chelmsford.

They then alerted the Neighbourhood Policing Team and, after he was spotted by the Chelmsford City Council CCTV team, they arrested him the following day.

Omer, of St Fabians Drive, Chelmsford, was then charged with rape. He admitted the offence at Basildon Crown Court on 5 January 2026.

At the same court today (Wednesday 26 August) he was sentenced to 12 years in prison with a fure

Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood, who led the investigation, said:

“I want to praise the bravery shown by the woman in this case. She has shown tremendous courage in reporting what had happened and trusting us to get her justice.

“Abdul Omer was identified through excellent detective work – speaking to people and following lines of enquiry – and ultimately he was left with no option but to admit what he had done.

“His arrest highlights the excellent teamwork across different parts of Essex Police, and the fantastic partnership work the local authority.

“Tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority for Essex Police and we will continue to work to support victims and bring those responsible to justice.”

Description

Mark Thornton, 60, of Lambley Avenue, Tynemouth, avoided an immediate prison sentence after admitting further breaches of the court orders imposed following child-sex offences.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Thornton was jailed in 2016, made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and required to comply with sex offender notification rules after he was caught by paedophile hunters using a decoy profile while trying to meet a child for sexual activity. The same group later caught him a second time. He has ten previous convictions, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and attempting to meet a child for sexual activity. He has also breached the sexual harm prevention order on four earlier occasions.

On 8 May this year, risk management officers found Facebook, TikTok, Telegram and X on his phone, in breach of the order. On Facebook and TikTok he was using aliases that had not been registered with police, a further breach. Eight days later, police found a tablet computer and a bank card that he had also failed to register as required.

Thornton pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching the sexual harm prevention order and one count of breaching his notification requirements. Judge Michael Robinson said Thornton became irritated when spoken to by probation and complained he was viewed as “once a sex offender always a sex offender”. The judge added that Thornton is assessed as posing a high risk of serious harm to children.

Antonia Adie, defending, said Thornton had forgotten about the tablet and failed to register the bank card, but had registered the account. She said: “It’s not persistent or serious in respect of him going out and buying the devices. There’s no suggestion he committed the substantive offences he did nine or ten years ago.” She added that his last conviction was in 2020 and that he has shown “he is capable of complying with the order and being managed in the community and staying out of trouble”. That period, she said, coincided with him meeting his now 81-year-old civil partner, who is terminally ill.

Judge Robinson said he had intended to send Thornton to prison, but instead imposed 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with programme requirements and £150 costs after hearing about the partner’s condition. He told Thornton: “It’s an act of mercy on my part which I do not expect to be thrown back in my face. Stay away from chatrooms and the like, comply with the restrictions and stay out of trouble.”

Description

A man who manipulated and raped a teenage girl has been jailed for eight years.

Kato Tsang, 45-years-old, of Bridge Street in Brigg, North Lincolnshire, who identifies himself as Chinese, was found guilty of raping a girl under 16-years-old following a seven-day trial that concluded at Grimsby Crown Court on Tuesday, 28 July 2026.

He was subsequently bailed by the courts to await sentencing which took place yesterday (Tuesday, 25 August 2026), where he was also handed a lifelong Restraining Order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order valid for 20 years.

An investigation was launched by our Protecting Vulnerable People Unit in May 2022, after a teenager came forward disclosing she had been raped by a man she knew, naming him as Kato Tsang.

Officers were immediately deployed to arrest Tsang and transported him to custody where he was interviewed.

When questioned, Tsang offered a pre-prepared statement claiming he was not responsible and had not committed the offence. After this, he answered no comment to the rest of the questions asked.

Tsang was subsequently conditionally bailed pending further investigation whilst detectives got to work gathering evidence and obtaining a victim impact statement from the teenager.

Following a lengthy and complex investigation, he was then charged in September 2025 with rape of a girl under 16-years-old.

Leading the investigation was Detective Constable Becky McInnis from our Child Sexual Exploitation Team, who said:

“Our investigation uncovered how Tsang would manipulate and ploy the teenager with alcohol and behave in an over-familiar manner towards her, with CCTV enquiries from the day of the incident showing Tsang touching her numerous times and putting his arm around her, invading her personal space.

“He then offered to take her home but not before he took her to a secluded location where he raped her.

“It took a lot of courage for the teenager to tell someone she trusted what had happened to her, before then taking that next brave step and reporting it to the police with the support of her parents. For this, I commend her immensely.

“This has been a complex and lengthy investigation with the woman being forced to sit through the gruelling ordeal of a trial to relive what happened to her as a teenager all over again after Tsang’s refusal to admit what he had done and lack of accountability.

“The events of that night will undoubtedly stay with the woman for the rest of her life, and no amount of justice will erase the physical and mental harm Tsang has inflicted, but I hope knowing he is behind bars for a very long time will bring some kind of relief.

“We take all reports of rape and other sexual offences extremely seriously and continue to seek justice for those who have suffered at the hands of predators like Tsang.”

Description

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.

Description

“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.”

Description

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.”

Description

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.”