Latest Offenders

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The parents of a girl who spoke up about a serious sexual assault she was subjected to have praised her bravery as her attacker was today given a 30-year extended sentence.

Stephen Jeffries had abused three girls over almost two decades, with those he targeted aged as young as 11.

The 35-year-old, who was described by the judge as being considered a most dangerous offender was also put on the sexual offender register for life and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order until further notice.

He was arrested following a break-in at a Birmingham home in December 2024, during which a girl was sexually assaulted.

Through forensic evidence, investigators identified a suspect within days of the offence and arrested Jeffries from his home in Northfield on 12 December, 2024.

Specialist officers worked with the girl and her family, to establish exactly what she had been through and offered them support as the investigation developed.

Today her parents have shared some of the victim statements they gave to the court as Jeffries was jailed.

Her father, said:

"Life is incredibly challenging for women, who regularly face a world where their safety and dignity are threatened.

"I deeply admire my daughter for her courage in standing up against this injustice; it truly reflects her remarkable strength and character.

"No parent should ever have to watch their child endure this kind of pain.

"While I know no sentence or decision can undo the harm that has been done, I hope the court will take into account the devastating impact this crime has had—not just on her, but on all of us who love her.

"I want justice, not just for my family, but also to send a message to others: that actions like this cannot and will not be tolerated."

While her mother said: "Stephen Jeffries may have found her at her most vulnerable that night but what he did not realise is what a brave girl she truly is.

"The same strong girl that spoke up, she has done what most adults cannot face doing let alone a minor, her braveness is why we are all stood in this room today to ensure consequences are faced.

"No matter what sentence is given here today, no sentence will be as long as the one my daughter has been given as this will be with her for the rest of her life."

Jeffries was also further charged with sexually assaulting two other girls, with those offences dating back to between 2005 and 2024.

Today at Birmingham Crown Court the judge, His Honour Judge Dean Kershaw, also commended the bravery of the victims and their families in the case.

In passing a sentence of 22 years custody and eight years on an extended license, he described Jeffries as being a very high risk to the public, and that he had imposed the extended sentence to protect the public.

Detective Sergeant Nicky Simms from our public protection unit, said: "The three victims and their families have remained strong and committed during this entire process.

"Their strength, fortitude and resilience attending every court hearing, has meant we have been able to bring a dangerous and deviant perpetrator to justice.

“It is down to the courage and bravery of these victims reporting and recounting the horrific details of the crimes committed against them, alongside the support and dedication of officers, that ensured that the defendant had no option but to enter guilty pleas.

“This sentence means he has now been imprisoned and is unable to harm others.

"I would encourage anyone who has been victim of abuse to report this to the police.

“Even years after an attack or sexual abuse has ended, we will listen and can give support as we work through a case to hopefully bring them justice for the ordeal they have been subjected to.“

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A JUDGE has praised a sexual abuse victim’s exceptional courage after her abuser was jailed for almost 20 years.

Judge Michael Maher said the girl – who was just six when the abuse began and is now a teenager – had shown maturity well beyond her years in how she dealt with the trial she was forced to go through by her abuser.

The comments came as dangerous sexual predator Ben Slaney was sentenced to 18 years. He will have to serve at least 12 years in prison before he is considered for parole.

Slaney, 33, of Portland Road, Blackpool had denied the abuse and claimed his victim was making it up but after a trial a jury saw through his lies and he was found guilty of three charges of sexual touching, covering multiple incidents over a three-year period; sexual assault by penetration and making category A and B images of children.

He was jailed at Preston Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday, March 18th) where he was also given a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a lifetime restraining order.

Slaney will be on the sex offenders register for life.

In a statement read to the court the victim said words could not describe how much she envied a life of never having been put through her ordeal.

She added:

“I’ve endured a life of pain since the first time that man took advantage, of the little girl I once was.

“I stand proud of myself for defending what’s right as I know he will be on a register for the rest of his life because of his actions. I have helped achieve justice not only for myself, but also for potential others. I still find myself wondering how different my childhood could have been if I wasn’t forced to grow up so soon.

“I hope this conviction will give courage to any too scared yet to speak, or too young yet to understand.”

Det Con Lucy Cross, of Blackpool Police, said:

“First and foremost I would like to praise the courage and tenacity of the victim in this case. She has shown incredible bravery firstly in speaking out about what happened to her and then in facing down Slaney when he accused her of lying and dragging her through a trial. I am in awe of her.

“Slaney is clearly a dangerous paedophile who has preyed on a vulnerable victim and who has shown no remorse for his actions. I welcome this sentence and I hope it gives others who may have suffered similar abuse the confidence to speak out in the knowledge that Lancashire police will listen, will investigate with professionalism and sensitivity and will aim to put offenders before the courts.”

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A convicted rapist, described by a judge as one of "the most dangerous sex offenders in the country" has been given a life sentence.

Anthony Croft attacked his teenage victim after latching on to her in bars in Blackpool town centre in June last year; buying her drinks and following her around even after she tried to get away from him.

As she then walked home in the early hours, he approached her again in the Claremont area of North Shore, having followed her all the way from town.

When they approached an alleyway, he pounced on her and dragged her into an alcove in the alleyway where he sexually assaulted her.

She bravely managed to fight him off and ran to a nearby house for help and Croft scurried away.

The incident was captured on C.C.T.V. which the sentencing judge described as some of the "most chilling" he had ever seen.

Detectives launched an investigation and worked tirelessly to identify the offender, finding footage of him and identifying him through facial recognition. Croft was located and arrested in Liverpool.

He had only been released from prison a month before the assault after serving a 21-year sentence for child rape.

Anthony Croft, now aged 52 and of no fixed address, was jailed for life at Preston Crown Court this week for kidnap and sexual assault. He must serve at least eight years before he can be considered for parole.

Det Insp Liam Davy, of Blackpool Police’s Domestic Abuse, Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team, said:

“My view remains that, but for the tenacity and bravery of this victim, I have little doubt Anthony Croft would have harmed her even further. The footage that captured this horrendous ordeal is something that will stay with detectives who worked on this case. It is unforgettable and haunting. 

“At the sentencing hearing, the Judge described this predator as someone who "must be amongst a handful of the most dangerous sex offenders in the Country". I couldn't agree more. It is our job to hunt and capture these individuals and Blackpool Police will continue to strive to keep women and girls safe on our streets, in our venues and in their homes.” 

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"Monster" who drugged and raped two women jailed for 18 years

Khamal Hussain, 47, from South Shields, has been jailed for 18 years at Newcastle Crown Court after drugging two women with ketamine so he could sexually assault them while they were partially conscious.

The court heard Hussain told his first victim — met on a night out — about religion, spirituality and sensing auras before taking her home, giving her ketamine and raping her. She recalled feeling “in another world” with fragmented memories but remembered him saying he “liked to see how different people, particularly females, reacted to ketamine”.

The woman said the attack had destroyed her life. “I have shut myself off from everyone I love,” she told the court. “Most of all I lost me.” She lost her job and independence, contemplated suicide and added: “I will carry this with me for the rest of my life… I want everyone to see the monster you are and make sure you never do this to anybody else.”

While under investigation for the first attack, Hussain targeted a second vulnerable woman. He disabled his home security cameras, gave her ketamine and raped her.

She told the court she had been “robbed of the person I was” and left with scars for life.

Judge Thomas Moran described Hussain’s behaviour as “predatory”, “premeditated” and “carefully planned”. Praising both women’s bravery, he said: “Their bravery has saved other women from going through what they had to suffer.” He ruled Hussain a dangerous offender and ordered an extra four years on extended licence after release.

Detective Constable Kerry Kane of Northumbria Police called the crimes “completely abhorrent” and applauded the victims. “I hope today can mark a new beginning for both of them,” she said.

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East Renfrewshire priest found guilty of sexually assaulting man

An East Renfrewshire priest has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a man.

Canon Stephen Baillie, 61, of Saracen Street, Glasgow, was convicted at Paisley Sheriff Court of assaulting the man at St Joseph’s Church in Clarkston between June 27 and 28, 2024. The jury heard the victim was “heavily intoxicated and unable to consent” when Baillie placed his hands inside the man’s clothing and masturbated him, removed his clothing, repeatedly performed oral sex on him, watched him shower, touched his buttocks and placed a finger at his anus.

The victim told the jury the pair had been out for a “business dinner,” sharing two bottles of wine at Malaga Tapas in Clarkston before heading to Maxwells Bar and then the manse on Eaglesham Road to call a taxi.

“I agreed to go across to the manse to call a taxi,” he said. “Stephen turned to open a bottle of port which I declined and asked for water which he got from the fridge. The way I was feeling started to physically change. My temperature went through the roof, I couldn’t regulate my temperature at all.

“I said I needed air and he took me out the back door. He put his hand down the front of my trousers and tried to masturbate me. I recall coming to on a sofa and he was attempting to perform oral sex on me. I stood up, I felt physically sick. I was then sick while standing up, he kept saying, ‘I’m so sorry.’ He stripped me down and led me to a shower.”

The man described how Baillie stood “squirting shower gel on him” before drying him and assaulting him again. “He was very insistent on drying me, he knocked his head against my genitals and attempted oral sex again,” he told the jury. “He ran his hands a few times over my buttocks and placed his finger on my anus… I was feeling broken, feeling a lack of energy.”

The victim’s partner told the jury the couple have been attending therapy as a result of the “traumatising” incident, which has also caused intimacy issues between them.

Baillie, a priest for 36 years who served churches in Greenock, Paisley, Clarkston and Eaglesham, denied the charge. He has no previous convictions.

Defence agent Brian Fitzpatrick asked for background reports and continued bail. Sheriff Eoin McGinty adjourned sentencing for reports and allowed bail to continue to “allow him to put his affairs in order.”

Baillie was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and will return to court for sentencing next month. He has been removed from his role as Parish Priest.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Paisley said:

“The Diocese of Paisley notes the conviction of Canon Stephen Baillie, a former priest of the Diocese, for the sexual assault of an adult man.

“The offence was reported directly to Police Scotland by the complainer, and the Diocese was not approached prior to the police investigation. 

“As the complainer was not identified as a child or vulnerable adult, the case does not fall within the Church’s safeguarding procedures as defined under national safeguarding policy. 

“The Diocese nevertheless recognises that the conduct established in court represents behaviour incompatible with the standards expected of ordained ministry and commends the courage of those who came forward to report the matter and participate in what has been a long and painful process.

“A canonical process, which was previously initiated pending the court’s decision, will now resume so the diocese can consider what action to take. Following his conviction, he has been removed from his role as Parish Priest.

“The diocese continues to work to foster a culture of care, through a shared commitment to creating and sustaining safe church environments. We also renew our pledge to offer shelter, support, and compassion to anyone harmed by the Church and to walk with them on the path to healing.”

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A registered sex offender, formerly from west Kent, has been jailed for a year after he used fake names to access social media.

In 2008, Ryan Page was convicted at Maidstone Crown Court of raping a woman and he was sentenced to six years and 10 months in jail.

Upon his release he was subject to conditions that included restrictions around his use of the internet.

In 2023, officers found he had been using social media platforms under false names. This included calling himself both ‘Jim White’ and ‘Ryan Wenham’ on Snapchat, and ‘Ryan Chantilly’ on Facebook.

Breaches

These were clear breaches of the notification requirements imposed by the court, and Page was tracked down at a hotel in Folkestone and arrested in November 2024.

The 38 year old, of no fixed address, was subsequently charged with four counts of failing to comply with his sex offender notification requirements.

He denied the charges and, when he failed to appear for a trial in October 2025, was found guilty in his absence.

A warrant was issued for his arrest, and Page was located in Somerset on Monday 9 March 2026.

Sentenced

He was then sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on the following day. Police investigator Natalie Armstrong said:

'Anyone convicted of a crime which places them on the sex offenders register also has strict conditions placed on them when they are released back into the community.

‘Page showed a complete disregard for these restrictions when he used false names whilst accessing the internet. We have officers tasked with regularly checking offenders' conduct and where they identify any transgressions, the offender is swiftly brought back before the court to answer for their actions.

‘Page has shown that he continues to be a potential threat to vulnerable victims and he is now starting a prison sentence as a result.'

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A man who raped, sexually assaulted, and psychologically abused two women has been jailed for nearly 20 years.

On Thursday, 12 March, Ethan Nolan, 24 (DOB: 13/10/2001), from Bristol, was sentenced to 19 years and six months after being found guilty of three counts of rape, two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour (CCB), one count of sexual assault by penetration, one count of sexual assault by touching and one count of intentional strangulation.

In 2022, Nolan raped a woman he was in a relationship with while she slept at her home in Bristol. He then tried to manipulate her and convince her it was normal.

In April 2023, he entered a relationship with a second woman in Surrey, began restricting her from seeing friends and changing the way she dressed. He also coerced her into giving him her bank cards and made her send him money.

His behaviour escalated from psychological to physical abuse. He would regularly beat the woman and on one occasion remarked: "If I leave bruises over you, people will know you are mine." Nolan then raped her twice in the space of a couple of months.

Following a six-day trial at Bristol Crown Court in January, Nolan was found guilty of all offences.

At sentencing, he was also handed a lifelong restraining order and put on the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Nat Stone, from Surrey Police's Sexual Offences Investigation Team, said:

"Nolan is a dangerous man and his behaviour has impacted many lives. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the courage of both victims to come forward and tell Police what happened.

"Thanks to their bravery and support over the last two years, Nolan will now serve a significant amount of time behind bars.

"This investigation and court result is evidence of the hard work by numerous officers and staff members and that shows that we take every report of domestic abuse and sexual assault seriously. If you have been a victim of abuse or sexual violence, or you recognise any of these behaviours in a friend or partner, please contact police. You will be listened to, and we will do everything we can to support you.”

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Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a man has been jailed for child sex offences in Buckinghamshire.

Danny Raymond Smith, aged 34, of Bangors Close, Iver, was jailed for 16 years at Amersham Crown Court on Monday (16/3).

He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

On 14 November 2025, Smith pleaded guilty to five counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, two counts of raping a child under 13, one count of sexual activity with a child, and three counts of taking indecent photographs of a child.

Smith groomed and abused two children between 2017 and 2025, with his crimes coming to the attention of police when he attempted to upload indecent images of children to a Google account.

He was arrested on 23 July 2025 following a warrant at his home address, and was charged on 24 July.

Thousands of indecent images were found on a computer owned by Smith, 2842 of which were Category C, with 956 being Category B and 956 being Category A.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Lucy Sandford, of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit based in Aylesbury, said: “I would like to commend the incredible bravery of the victims in this case. By coming forward and putting their trust in the police, they have helped us to put a dangerous and predatory man in prison.

“Smith targeted two children, who are some of the most vulnerable members of our society. I would urge anyone who has concerns for a child to please contact police. We will listen and we will work tirelessly to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice.”

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An asylum seeker stalked a young woman home before sexually assaulting her in a chilling attack that left her terrified even in her own "safe place".

Sami Rasouli, 21, faces deportation to Iran after serving half of his two-year sentence for the offences committed last August. Leeds Crown Court heard on Tuesday that he spotted the victim waiting for a bus on Boar Lane, followed her onto the same bus — sitting directly behind her despite other seats being available — and trailed her home after the 45-minute journey.

Prosecutor Paul Canfield told the court Rasouli called her beautiful, asked for her Snapchat, then used Google Translate to ask her to the park and demand a kiss. "The defendant ran towards her and grabbed her and pulled her into him to kiss her, but she swerved, resulting in him kissing her cheek." He then pushed her into a bush and touched her genitalia over her clothing.

A neighbour heard her screaming and rushed out barefoot; she escaped and ran home. Rasouli was arrested the next day. He initially denied the allegations in a prepared statement, claiming "no DNA on the complainant." His DNA was found on the victim, and he admitted two counts of sexual assault on the day of his trial.

In her victim personal statement, she said she could not sleep fearing he was waiting outside. "She felt frightened even when inside her own home because her home was supposed to be her safe place." She remained "very on edge and constantly aware of her surroundings" and unable to use buses or trains.

Rasouli had no previous UK convictions. Mitigating, Eleanor Mitten said he was 20 at the time, had fled danger in Iran seeking asylum with no family here, claimed he was heading to his barber shop job, and expressed remorse.

Jailing him, His Honour Judge Marson KC told Rasouli:

"In my judgement, it is clear you wanted some sexual contact with her, whether she consented or not. It is also clear there was some planning. As one might expect, she has suffered psychological harm which still persists today.

"The courts must protect women from attacks such as these. Women should be allowed to walk freely in public without risk of attack... I hope that you will be deported when this [sentence] has been served. But if you are not, you will be released on licence."

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A DJ who systematically groomed and abused girls as young as nine in the late 1990s has been jailed for a further 12 years, on top of his existing 24-year sentence.

Darren Gibson, 56, pleaded guilty in November to 43 counts of child sexual abuse, including eight of rape, while already serving the previous term for similar offences. His adoptive sister and partner, Rebecca Kirton, 41, admitted 14 counts and was given an additional 7 years and 6 months on top of her existing 12-year sentence.

The pair were convicted of 14 similar offences at Leeds Crown Court in November 2024. Media coverage prompted more victims to come forward, leading West Yorkshire Police to launch a new investigation.

At Leeds Crown Court today, they were sentenced for abusing 12 further victims aged between nine and 15. Gibson must serve a minimum of 24 years of his sentence.

Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS Yorkshire & Humberside Julie Moss said: 

"Darren Gibson systematically preyed on young girls over several years, using his position as a DJ at local children's events to target young children and take advantage of trust placed in him by the local community to cover up his criminality.

"Rebecca Kirton was not a passive bystander. She actively facilitated Gibson’s abuse, helped him access his victims and frequently carried out the abhorrent abuse herself.

"Gibson thought only of himself and his own sexual gratification through all of his offending. Both he and Kirton showed complete disregard for the devastating and lasting impact of their actions on very young and clearly vulnerable children.

“The 12 victims in this case have experienced the unthinkable. They were systematically abused when they were far too young to understand what was happening to them, let alone consent. All of them have shown immense bravery in coming forward to report the abuse - the impact of which has not dwindled in the two decades since it took place. I hope today's sentences can finally bring them some sense of justice for the immense and lasting harm they have suffered.

“The CPS will always seek justice for victims of child sexual abuse, no matter how much time has passed.”

Between 1997 and 2004, Gibson targeted victims at children's events where he performed as a DJ, including a 'crisps and pop' night at a local children's club. He also approached other girls in his local area, presenting himself as a trusted figure before subjecting them to sustained sexual abuse, often over multiple years.

Kirton actively facilitated the offending. Much of the abuse occurred at the couple’s home, in Gibson’s car, at performance venues, and elsewhere. He frequently plied victims with alcohol and, on occasion, drugs, and took some to obtain contraception.

Both initially refused to engage with police but later pleaded guilty to all charges.

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A sex offender is back behind bars after police received reports he had accessed indecent images of children on his phone.

Benjamin Linard, 36, of Old Mill Terraces, Beccles, was sentenced to 28 months at Ipswich Crown Court on March 6 after pleading guilty to breaching his Sexual Harm Protection Order (SHPO) and three counts of making indecent images of children.

The former prisoner was convicted in 2017 for making and distributing indecent images of children, possessing prohibited images and extreme pornographic material involving animals. He was jailed for 20 months, placed on the Violent and Sex Offenders Register (ViSOR) for 10 years and given an indefinite SHPO. He had been managed by the Public Protection Unit since his release.

Linard was arrested on February 6, 2025, after officers seized his phone and found one Category A image, three Category B images and three Category C images, plus evidence of deleted internet searches for child abuse material. He was charged in October 2025.

Jenna Brock, an officer from the Public Protection Unit, said:

"Linard has demonstrated that he has a relentless sexual interest in children and cannot be trusted to behave lawfully.

"The prohibitions imposed through his new Sexual Harm Prevention Order will allow the police to monitor his online behaviour for the next 10 years following his release from prison, reducing the risk to the public.

"Suffolk Constabulary is committed to using every legal and investigative tool available to prevent further harm, protect vulnerable children, and bring offenders of criminality against children to justice."

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A man has been sentenced after a number of instances of making and distributing indecent images, along with breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and a restraining order.

Callum Wray, aged 25, from Annan Road in Billingham (pictured below), was placed on the Sex Offenders Register after being convicted of making indecent images or pseudo-photographs of children in 2022. He was given a suspended prison sentence, placed on the Sex Offenders Register and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He was also given a restraining order to protect the victim.

Wray was re-arrested in June 2025 after an investigation which led to him being charged with two breaches of a SHPO, failure to comply with notification requirements and breach of a restraining order. In February he was additionally charged with making and distributing indecent images.

Wray was sentenced to a total of three years imprisonment today, Wednesday 18th March.

Detective Constable Niamh Birdsall said:

“I am pleased with the outcome today which has resulted in communities being protected from Callum Wray and his predatory behaviour.

“We will put people before the courts where necessary, in order to protect our communities and bring offenders to justice.”

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A rapist has been jailed after forcibly trying to prevent his victim from calling the police.

Luke Frost followed the woman home after a chance encounter on 13 May last year.

Frost, who was known to the victim, was filmed on a doorbell camera as he sexually assaulted her outside.

He then forced his way into her living room where – despite her clear protests – he raped her.

Frost, who has a history of violence against women, repeatedly spat on and verbally abused his victim during the ordeal.

He then tried to take her mobile phone away as she attempted to call the police for help.

That didn’t work, and officers soon arrived at the scene.

Frost, aged 33, fled but was chased down and arrested the following day.

During a trial at Nottingham Crown Court in November, he claimed that any sexual activity had been consensual.

A jury disagreed and convicted him of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.

Appearing at the same court on Friday 13 March, Frost, of Bridge Street, Worksop, was given an extended 13-year sentence.

Detective Constable Ella Redfern, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Frost subjected his victim to a prolonged and vindictive sexual attack after meeting her in the street and following her home.

"Despite her very clear protests, he proceeded to sexually assault and rape her in her own home – the one place where she should feel absolutely safe.

"Aware of what he’d done, he then tried to prevent her from calling the police.
Thanks to the bravery of his victim and the compelling evidence she provided, justice has now caught up with Frost, who will spend a very considerable period of time behind bars.”

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A man has been jailed for eight years for a serious sexual assault in Glasgow.

Mohand Mageed, 26, attacked a woman in Glasgow city centre on the evening of Sunday, 9 February, 2025.

He was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, 18 March, 2026, after previously being found guilty on Monday, 16 February, 2026.

Mageed has also been given a lifetime non-harassment order in respect of the victim.

Detective Inspector Shirley Coyle said:

“This was a shocking attack on a young woman in a busy city centre. Mageed is a dangerous individual who now faces the consequences of his actions.

“We welcome this sentencing and I would like to thank the woman for her courage in reporting this crime to us and throughout our investigation.

“We remain committed to tackling sexual crimes and bringing those responsible to justice. I’d encourage anyone who has been a victim of such crimes to come forward and report it to us.

“We’ll thoroughly investigate and have specially trained officers and partner agencies to support you throughout.”

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A man from Accrington has been jailed for sexually assaulting a woman while she slept. 

Jason Brown (pictured) took advantage of his victim after she had a couple of drinks and fell asleep.

They were known to one another when the offences happened in June 2024.

The victim had two drinks, either side of eating, before falling asleep on the sofa at a house in Accrington.

She later woke up to find the lower part of clothing had been removed and Brown was assaulting her.

A few days later, the victim reported what had happened and Lancashire Police launched an investigation.

Brown was arrested and during interview admitted that the victim had not been able to consent to sexual activity.

Brown, 31, formerly of Broadfield Road, Accrington, pleaded guilty last month to two offences of assaulting a female by penetration.

Returning to Preston Crown Court Sessions House for sentence yesterday (17th March), he was jailed for six years and 10 months.

Detective Constable Robert Williams of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said:

“Jason Brown took advantage of a woman in a vulnerable state and sexually assaulted her.

“This was abhorrent behaviour by Brown, and I welcome the prison sentence imposed on him.

“Lancashire Police take all reports of sexual offences seriously and will thoroughly investigate them in order to bring offenders to justice.”