Latest Offenders

Description

A ‘VILE’ man from East Yorkshire has been jailed after he attempted to groom someone who he believed to be a teenage girl online.

Phillip Buckingham, 61, of Dunhill Road, Goole, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and was sentenced to nine months in prison.

He was also given a sexual harm prevention order and will be placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

An investigation was launched into Buckingham in November 2022 after he used messaging apps under the username ‘funtimefred’ to contact a social media profile which he believed belonged to a 13-year-old girl.

Over the course of several days, between Sunday, November 6 and Wednesday, 9 November 2022, he sent a series of sexually explicit messages, including an indecent image of himself, and encouraged the recipient to send a photo in return.

But the profile was a decoy operated by an undercover police officer, set up to identify and stop individuals attempting to talk to children online.

Following further enquiries, officers observed Buckingham using his phone outside his place of work. He was then arrested on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with a child and taken into custody to be interviewed.

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Paul Twidale said:

“Buckingham is a vile individual who sought to exploit who he believed to be a vulnerable child.

“When questioned, Buckingham denied his intentions, stating that if those he had spoken to online had turned out to be under 18, he would have ended the chat.

“Thankfully no child was harmed as Buckingham was talking to a decoy social media account, and I am pleased he is now behind bars and facing the consequences of his disturbing behaviour.

“I’d like to commend the dedication and professionalism of our undercover officers, whose efforts play a vital role in protecting children and bringing offenders to justice.

“We take reports of sexual offences extremely seriously and we will continue to do everything we can to bring offenders before the courts.”

Description

A serving volunteer Met Special Constable has been found guilty of committing several serious offences, including rape of a child under thirteen.

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a Metropolitan Police Service Special Constable has been convicted of sex offences committed in Buckinghamshire and London.

Gwyn Samuels, formerly known as James Bubb, aged 27, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of a number of offences by a jury at Aylesbury Crown Court sitting at Amersham Law Courts today (28/8), following a 12 day trial.

The defendant was found guilty of the following counts relating to victim one:

• One count of assault of a child under 13 by penetration
• One count of rape of a child under 13
• One count of sexual activity with a child
• One count of of assault by penetration

The defendant was found guilty of the following count relating to victim two:

• One count of rape

The jury found the defendant not guilty of one count of rape and one count of sexual activity with a child. Both of these counts were in relation to victim one.

At the time of the offences, the defendant identified as a male called James Bubb, but during our investigation, which was supported by The Metropolitan Police Service, changed their name to Gwyn Samuels and now self-identifies as a transgender woman.

When the victims reported the offences to the police, they stated they had been committed by a man that they knew as James Bubb.

The defendant raped and abused the first victim over a period of years at locations in London and Chesham, the latter where the defendant was living at the time. The victim was 12-years-old when the offences started.

The defendant raped the second victim on an occasion between 2018 and 2023. The victim was 18-years-old in 2018.

The defendant met both victims online, through the website Omegle and the app Kik.

The defendant is a Metropolitan Police Service Special Constable, but is currently suspended from the role.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Kirsty Pendle said:

“Gwyn Samuels, previously known at the time of the offences as James Bubb, is a dangerous, predatory sex offender.

“The abuse inflicted on the victims by the defendant was appalling, therefore I am pleased the jury has convicted the defendant of a number of offences on the indictment.

“I would like to commend the courage and bravery shown by the victims in coming forward and reporting these crimes and their strength throughout this investigation and court proceedings.

“This case demonstrates that Thames Valley Police takes reports of sexual offences extremely seriously.

“We have specifically trained officers who will listen and support you at every stage.

“We keep an open mind as to any other offending committed by this defendant.

“The defendant, who at the time of the offences identified as a male called James Bubb, used the website Omegle and the app Kik to meet the victims."

Description

A married lawyer who once helped run Britain's best post office paid an underage boy in Roblox game vouchers in return for explicit videos.

Sean Hudson, 62, of Romsey Drive, Boldon, groomed the child, who was living in the Glasgow area, over the Telegram online messaging app using an alias. He asked the boy to record sexual videos and engage in acts of sexual touching, then sent him codes to make purchases on the gaming platform.

Hudson, who has now been jailed, suggested visiting him in person although no meetings were ever actually arranged.

The vulnerable teen, who had health problems and spent a lot of time at home in his bedroom, said he went along with Hudson's sickening requests because he was getting gifts, effectively bribing him.

Prosecutor Daniel Ingham told Newcastle Crown Court the offences happened between March 31 and May 28 last year. The victim sent a number of sexualised images, and now feels "shame, frustration and guilt that he engaged with a predator" and no longer feels safe. Mr Ingham described graphic requests by Hudson, who said he was going to "coach" the boy.

Hudson, a solicitor, helped run West Boldon Post Office in South Tyneside when it was named Independent Post Office Retailer of the year at the Retail Industry Awards in 2019.

He admitted causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual communication and having sexual communication with a child.

Recorder James Wood KC sentenced Hudson to 21 months behind bars and said he must register as a sex offender for ten years.

The recorder told him:

"Initially you asked questions about his day to day life and having secured his confidence you then began to ask him to send you sexual pictures, videos, and engage in acts of sexual touching himself. In return you offered him money in the form of online vouchers for the sexual images or videos, vouchers which would enable him to make purchases on his Roblox account."

Recorder Wood KC added:

"By reason of your profession as a solicitor and lawyer you should have well known the gravity of the acts you were perpetrating upon your victim and of the consequences their discovery would have for you and him. You must have been fully aware of the gravity of what you were doing and a qualified officer of the court conducting themselves in this way will inevitably be regarded as offending with real gravity."

Mark Harrison, defending, said Hudson was involved in a professional company for a quarter of a century but resigned from that partnership when charged. He has been married for 35 years, has adult children, has since sought counselling, and provided references from colleagues and friends about the other part of his character.

Mr Harrison said Hudson was going through a "time of particular stress" when he committed the offences, had been working too hard while carrying out voluntary roles in the community, made no steps to have an actual meeting with the victim, and has made suicide attempts during the proceedings.

Mr Harrison told the court:

"He has regret and remorse towards the victim and the victim's family. He is deeply sorry for the harm he has caused to all of them. He has lost his good name, career, standing in the community, friendships and trust of his family."

Description

A pervert trucker was injured as he was 'accosted' by paedophile hunters at his North Staffordshire home.

Gary Mosedale hurt his back as he tried to stop the group from entering his property in Blythe Bridge.

But the 58-year-old was arrested following the confrontation. Now Mosedale has been jailed for four years.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that in late May 2024 the HGV driver messaged a Facebook profile of a 'girl' who immediately identified herself as aged 13.

The conversation moved to WhatsApp and became sexual with Mosedale explaining what orgasms were. He instructed her to carry our sex acts on herself. He was in fact communicating with a paedophile hunter.

Prosecutor Jonathan Dickinson said:

"Mosedale said, 'It is too bad you are not 16'. He called her beautiful. He said, 'When you are 16 or 17 boys will be after one thing'.

"He asked if she had seen a c**k. He went on to explain what sex and orgasms were. He instructed her to play with her breasts. He told her she will enjoy it. He showed a video of a woman but deleted it. He encouraged her to try it, telling her she is doing it right."

A hunter group attended Mosedale's home address on May 31.

Mr Dickinson added: 

"The initial interaction was caught on CCTV. He tried to block them from entering his house."

Mosedale, of Bridgwood Road, Blythe Bridge, pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child; attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity; and attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act. The court heard he has 17 previous convictions for 46 offences but no previous sexual offences.

Catherine O'Reilly, mitigating, said Mosedale had taken responsibility for his actions. He asked to be remanded in custody. Miss O'Reilly said: "He has nothing of a sexual nature on his record. He received an injury to his back as a result of the actions of the group.

"He has struggled in the custodial environment. He is now in a wheelchair. He has sought medical help. He is working, packing tea bags. He worked as an HGV driver prior to being remanded."

Judge Richard McConaghy said:

"In late May you engaged in sexualised conversation online with a profile you believed to be a 13-year-old girl. You moved on to provide specific instructions of how to masturbate and encouraged that profile to do so. You also sent videos of a sexual nature, showing the acts that you were describing. The conversation lasted over a few days.

"It turned out, of course, that the profile was not in fact a 13-year-old girl. But that does not change the fact that you believed it to be so.

"You have been convicted on 17 previous occasions for 46 offences, but the last of those was over 20 years ago. None of your previous convictions were of a sexual nature.

"I acknowledge what took place in terms of your remand into custody. It was at your own request, for your own protection. I have seen the video clip as to what took place at the front door of your address. I have expressed my disquiet at the way you were accosted at your front door."

Mosedale was made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and was placed on the sex offenders' register for life.

Description

A man has been convicted of a series of sexual offences against women.

Alexander Steven, 52, was found guilty of numerous sexual offences, including rape and attempted rape, at Edinburgh High Court today, Wednesday, 27 August, 2025.

The offences took place between October 2020 and December 2022 in Dundee.

Detectives began an investigation into Steven in January 2023 after a woman came forward and reported a non-recent rape.

An extensive investigation identified a further four victims.

Steven was arrested and charged in April 2023.

Detective Inspector Craig Ross:

"Alexander Steven is a calculating and violent sexual predator who targeted a number of women over a two year period.

"His behaviour was appalling and he will now face the consequences of his actions.

"The fact that he has been convicted today is a tremendous credit to the women who came forward to police.

"I hope this conviction gives confidence to others who may have experienced anything similar to come forward, safe in the knowledge that we will thoroughly investigate.

“I would like to reassure anyone who comes forward that you will be listened to and supported throughout."

Description

A paedophile sexually abused a 14-year-old schoolgirl while on bail for grooming a 13-year-old, a court heard.

Cian Williams, 18 at the time, sent sexual messages to the 13-year-old on Snapchat in 2024, offering her cannabis for a sex act and requesting explicit images. While on bail, he targeted a 14-year-old, inviting her to his home for sex and sending her explicit photos.

Williams, now 20, admitted to multiple offences, including sexual activity with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and grooming. A charge of perverting the course of justice was left on file. He was sentenced to nine years’ detention, with two-thirds served in custody and the rest on licence.

The 13-year-old victim felt betrayed, struggled to trust others, and feared encountering Williams. The 14-year-old experienced anger, loneliness, panic attacks, and nightmares. Defence counsel noted Williams’ bipolar disorder diagnosis and immaturity, but Judge Nicola Jones deemed the offences too serious for anything but immediate custody.

Williams received an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, barring him from school grounds, a 15-year restraining order against contacting the victims, and a deprivation order for his mobile phones.

Description

A man who raped a 13-year-old girl in Dulwich has been convicted of breaching a court order.

Gholahun Shittu was jailed for eight years in 2015 when aged 24 he befriended a 13-year-old girl using Facebook then raped her.

Shittu, now 34, of Wards Wharf Approach in Silvertown, has now been convicted of further offences.

He was found guilty of three charges of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by failing to let police inspect three phones in his possession in May last year.

The SHPO was made to protect the public following his 2015 conviction.

Shittu appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on August 13.

He was sentenced to six months in custody suspended for one year.

Description

A predatory sex offender who groomed a child from west Kent and then raped her in his flat has been jailed. 

Ako Hawla fled the country to try and avoid justice but was tracked down in France and returned under a European Arrest Warrant.

Officers were initially alerted to concerns for the victim’s welfare, after she was reported missing on 13 June 2019.

Groomed

Hawla had previously groomed the child through various social media platforms and apps and had persuaded her to meet him.

He was 19 at the time but when the victim told him she was only 13 he claimed he was also a juvenile.

They travelled to his address in Frobisher Road, Erith, where the victim was repeatedly abused.

Patrols searching for the missing child tracked her to the flat and when Hawla realised police were at his home he instructed the victim to pretend she simply sleeping on his couch. He told her to tell officers she was 17.

Hawla was arrested and later bailed, as investigating officers sought to build a successful case.

He then fled the country but in April 2024 was tracked down in France and extradited to the UK.

Extradited and jailed

A trial then took place at Woolwich Crown Court where Hawla, now aged 26, was found guilty of rape, as well as a further five sexual offences. He was also convicted of child abduction.

On 14 August 2025, Hawla was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment.

He will have to serve at least two thirds of the sentence before he can be considered for parole. He was also made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. 

Detective Constable Kim Bashford said:

‘Hawla exploited a child’s trust in the most sinister and deplorable way. He struck up conversations with her through social media apps and after they met for the first time then subjected her to a truly terrifying ordeal.

'Having successfully pursued Hawla into Europe; it is really pleasing that we have now been able to finally ensure he has faced justice. I really do hope that the victim starts to feel safer and can rebuild her life now that he is prison.

Online safety

DC Bashford added:

‘I would also like to encourage parents to remind children of the precautions they should take when using the internet and social media apps.

'Children should only communicate with people that they know personally and report any suspicions or inappropriate advances from strangers to their parents, schools or the police.’

Description

A teenager sent videos of his penis to schoolgirls, a court has heard. Rio Thomas has been described as posing a high risk of harm to children.

The 19-year-old's barrister told Swansea Crown Court that her client had done very little in latter teenage years apart from staying in his bedroom and taking cannabis and cocaine on a daily basis.

Sending the teenager down, a judge said it was clear from everything he had read about Thomas that he had "an obsession with sexual matters" and said a "clear and structured plan" would need to be put in place to manage the defendant in the community.

Ieuan Rees, prosecuting, told the court that between June and December last year the defendant sent a series of videos of himself masturbating to girls using the messaging app Snapchat. He also sent the children sexually explicit messages, some of which referenced sex acts he wanted to engage in with his mother.

The court heard that when his victims blocked him from contacting them the defendant would create a new Snapchat account and resume his contact.

The matter was reported to police and the defendant was arrested in Briton Ferry on December 14. The prosecutor said that as the teenager was being taken to the waiting police van he asked if his handcuffs could be removed so he could put his jacket on - when the cuffs were released, he ran off.

The court heard that officers chased Thomas but were unable to find him. A drone was brought in to help search the area, and the defendant was located in Gethin Street some two hours later.

When interviewed, Thomas denied sending the videos, saying images of him were everywhere in Port Talbot, Maesteg and Bridgend as " I used to be a horny b******".

The court heard police were later able to link the Snapchat accounts from which the videos had been sent to Thomas and to addresses associated with Thomas, including his grandmother's house in Maesteg.

Rio Thomas, of Glanymor Street, Briton Ferry, had previously pleaded guilty to causing a child to watch a sexual act, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, engaging in sexual communications with a child, and escaping lawful custody when he returned to the dock for sentencing. He asked for four counts of engaging in sexual communications with a child involving different young girls to be taken into account.

Thomas has one previous conviction for one offence of aggravated vehicle taking for which he was given a referral order.

Helen Randall, for Thomas, said the defendant began taking cannabis at the age of 14 and cocaine at the age of 15, and said he had spent his latter teenage years doing very little "apart from staying in his bedroom and using those drugs on a daily basis". She said it was clear from the pre-sentence report that the defendant could not explain his offending but said the report highlighted how his drug use and immaturity played their parts.

Judge Geraint Walters said it was clear from everything he had read about Thomas that he had "an obsession with sexual matters" and said the teenager had been described as posing a high risk of harm to children. He said a "clear and structured plan" would need to be put in place to manage the defendant in the community upon his release.

With discounts for his guilty pleas, Thomas was sentenced to 28 months in a young offenders institution. He will be a registered sex offender for the next 10 years and was made the subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

Description

A former prison officer has been placed on the sex offenders register after police discovered a huge stash of child abuse photos at his Dundee home.

Paul McDowell appeared at the city’s sheriff court to admit downloading the obscene material over a four year period.

Description

David Devine, a 44-year-old man from Busby, East Renfrewshire, Scotland, has been convicted of raping and sexually assaulting a 39-year-old woman at his home in December 2022.

The assault took place on the sofa in his living room while his children and the victim's children were sleeping upstairs. Devine carried out the attack after his wife had gone upstairs to check on the children. The incident ended when his wife returned and intervened.

Following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, Devine was found guilty of rape and sexual assault. He was sentenced to six years in prison. Additionally, he has been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and issued with a non-harassment order preventing him from contacting the victim.

Description

The man pictured is Danny Dunne and he is a paedophile.

You won’t see him on the streets of East Lancashire any time soon because he is today starting a long stretch in prison after officers from our East RASSO (Rape and Serious Sexual Offences) Team put him before the courts.

Dunne committed a number of sexual offences against a child in Pendle between 2009 and 2019.

After suffering in silence, the brave victim informed police of what Dunne had done to him in June 2024.

Dunne, 28, of Glen Street, Colne, was confronted about his offending and confirmed it was true.

He appeared in the dock at Preston Crown Court earlier this year where he pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including rape, attempted rape, sexual assault and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Dunne appeared back at the same court today (22nd August) where he was given a sentence totalling nearly 17 years. He was jailed for 10 years and eight months and given an extended licence period of seven years. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

DC Dan Healey, of the East RASSO Team, said:

“I would like to pay tribute to the victim for coming forward and showing incredible bravery in facing the abuser and to see justice through to the end after being subjected to the abhorrent offences committed by Danny Dunne.

“The victim is now able to look forward with life and begin the process of seeking closure. In contrast, Dunne will hopefully reflect on the horrendous crimes he has committed, from within his prison cell.

“Lancashire Police want people to know, that if you report a sexual offence, then we will do all we can to ensure justice is sought, whether it's a recent offence or a non-recent offence, all reports are treated the same and we will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice."

Description

A transgender woman who failed to disclose her gender status to a male sexual partner has been found guilty of sexual assault today at Teesside Crown Court.

Ciara Watkin, 21, of Walton Street, Stockton-on-Tees, was found guilty of multiple charges relating to sexual acts that she performed on the 21-year old man over a number of days in June 2022. The sexual assault charges were brought after Watkin failed to disclose her transgender status to the man, which meant that he could not have given informed consent to the sexual activity between them.

The court heard how the pair had initially met over Snapchat, exchanging messages over a couple of weeks before meeting at a house in Thornaby. After drinking and chatting, the pair went to the bedroom of the property where Watkin told the defendant that she was on her period, preventing him from touching her below the waist as she performed sexual acts upon him. A few days later, Watkin attended the victim’s home where further sexual activity took place.

Following this, Watkin initially blocked all contact with the man but eventually got back in touch with him, before telling him during an exchange of text messages that she was transgender and that she had male genitalia.

Sarah Nelson, Senior Crown Prosecutor at CPS North East, said:

“It is clear from the evidence in this case that, prior to engaging in sexual activity with the victim, Watkin had made no attempt to inform him of her transgender status.

“The Crown Prosecution Service has shown that, by failing to disclose this to him, it would not have been possible for him to give informed consent to sexual activity.

“The victim has made clear in police interview that he would not have engaged in sexual activity had he known that Watkin was transgender and, consequently, these events have had a significant impact on his mental wellbeing.

“We hope that he can take some comfort from seeing Watkin convicted for these serious sexual offences today.”

Watkin will be sentenced on 10th October at Teesside Crown Court.

Description

A man has been jailed for six years for domestic-related offences in Southport.

Aiden Spillane, 44, of Cockleshell Square, Gosport, in Hampshire, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today (Thursday 21 August) after being found guilty of sexual assault and two counts of controlling or coercive behaviour.

Spillane lived in Southport during the time of his offences, which occurred between January 2016 and August 2023.

Detective Constable Rebecca Morgan-Richardson said:

“We are committed to tackling any form of abuse or violence against women or girls.

“I hope this sentence sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate any violence or abuse against women and will use our powers to bring people to justice.

“Domestic abuse can happen to anyone and we have specially trained officers who will listen to you and support you with sensitivity and compassion. I would also ask everyone to look out for your family members, friends or neighbours that may be suffering, by contacting us you could be helping someone who is too afraid to help themselves. Everything you tell us is taken extremely seriously and will be investigated thoroughly."

Description

A 29-year-old man from Christchurch, Dorset has been jailed for three years and nine months for the rape of a woman in Ringwood.

Joshua Blachford, of Everest Road, pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on Tuesday 12 August.

The incident, for which he has now been imprisoned, took place at an address in the town between Saturday 17 February and Sunday 18 February.

In an emotive Victim Personal Statement read out to the court, the victim recounted how she will never be able to get back the person she once was.

In her statement, she said: “Before I was raped, I was confident. Outgoing. Full of energy and ambition. That version of me feels like a stranger now – someone who was stolen in the space of a single, horrific event.

“My relationship with my own body has changed. I used to be body positive. I liked the way I looked. Now I hide in baggy clothes, desperate not to be seen, not to be noticed, especially by men. Being looked at feels threatening. I no longer feel like a woman – I feel like a target.

“This rape has changed the way I see everything. The world. Myself. My future. And although I’m trying, healing isn’t about “getting back to normal” for me because normal no longer exists.”

She ended her statement by saying, “I’ve had to accept that the person I was will never return. And that’s a grief I carry on top of everything else.”

As well as the time he will now spend behind bars, Blachford has been made subject of a notification of requirement to register with police upon his release from prison.

He must also abide by the conditions of a restraining order, which prevents him from having any contact with the victim.

Detective Constable Emma Kelly, of the Western Amberstone team, said:

“I am so pleased for the victim in this case that justice has now been served for her, and that Blachford has been placed behind bars, where he belongs.

“While I know this result won’t rid the victim of the memories of what Blachford did, I truly hope it allows her to move forward with her life, safe in the knowledge that he can no longer harm anyone else.

“I must place on record my thanks to the victim in this case for her support throughout our investigation. Without her bravery and determination, we would not have been able to achieve this outcome at court.”

On what this sentence might do for other victims, DC Kelly, said:

“I hope it will reassure other victims that they will be listened to when reporting similar incidents to us, and that detectives on our dedicated Amberstone teams will work tirelessly to secure justice.

“At this point, I would like to encourage other victims to come forward and speak to us. We take allegations of this nature extremely seriously.

“This sentencing should also be a very clear message to other offenders out there that we will always thoroughly investigate any report made to us, in our determined effort to bring you before the courts.”