Latest Offenders

Description

The offences occurred in September 2023 and throughout the last two and a half years the victim has showed incredible strength and determination to ensure the man who abused her was brought to justice.

Riaz, 29, of no fixed address, deliberately targeted the vulnerable teenager after encountering her alone in the Hamilton area of the city shortly before midnight on Thursday 7 September 2023.

The girl had left her address a short time before and had been reported missing to police.

Riaz forced the teenager to go back to his-then home address in Harringworth Road. Once there he supplied her with cannabis and raped her.

She was able to leave the address and thanks to a night shift worker, who found her at around 4am the next morning (Friday 8 September), police were called.

While supporting the victim, detectives in the force’s specialist rape and serious sexual assault team – known as the Signal team – also carried out extensive enquiries during the next few days to identify and locate the suspect and the address where the offences had taken place.

This led to officers identifying the address in Harringworth Road and arresting him a few days later.

For more than two years, the officer in the case - DC Jon Williamsn - and other detectives in the team, have continued to carry out enquiries and gather evidence ahead of the trial.

This vital work led to Riaz being found guilty of two counts of rape against the victim.

DC Williams, from the Signal team, said:

“Throughout her ordeal the victim has shown incredible strength. It took extreme courage for her to share the details of what had occurred so that officers and staff could carry out a thorough investigation.

“It has been two and half years since this incident occurred but the victim’s determination and persistence to see this perpetrator punished for his actions has stayed with her. It is thanks to her that he is now going to spend many years behind bars.”

Description

Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been jailed for raping and sexually assaulting a woman in Berkshire.

Farai Maumbe, aged 43, of Nightingale Avenue, Chertsey, was convicted by a unanimous jury of two counts of sexual assault by penetration, as well as one count each of rape, intentional strangulation and sexual assault, following a fiveday trial at Reading Crown Court ending on 12 December last year.

Returning to the same court on Friday 13 February, Maumbe was sentenced to eight years in prison.

On 20 May 2023, Maumbe went to the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her.

Despite the victim telling him to stop and trying to resist, he continued to sexually assault her, rape her and strangled her while doing so.

The following day, when the victim confronted Maumbe about what happened, he told her that “no means yes to me”.

Maumbe was arrested on 22 May 2023 and was charged on 21 December the same year.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable William Blundell, part of East Berkshire’s CID, said:

“I welcome this sentence, which reflects the gravity of these offences and the ongoing risk the defendant poses.

“Just as he did when confronted by the victim the day after the attack, Maumbe continued throughout the trial to deny responsibility and showed no remorse for his actions.

“Thames Valley Police treats all reports of sexual offences with the utmost seriousness. Our officers are dedicated to conducting thorough investigations, supporting victims through every stage of the criminal justice process, and working closely with partner agencies to help prevent offending.

“We remain resolute in our commitment to identifying, arresting and bringing to justice those who commit sexual violence.”

Description

A child sex offender was exposed when he travelled internationally to meet the victim he groomed online.

Gary Burrows, 34, initiated sexualised social media conversations with the girl.

Aware that his victim was only 15-years-old at the time, Burrows enticed her to send him a series of sexually explicit images – and sent them back too.

He also arranged to meet her in person and flew to Canada once she turned 16.

Ontario Provincial Police were made aware that Burrows was having sexual relations with the victim in September 2023 but took no further action as 16 is the age of consent in that country.

It was, however, reported to Nottinghamshire Police to investigate potential offences committed whist the victim was still 15 years old.

Burrows’ phone was examined, and he was arrested in October 2023.

Burrows, formerly of Lime Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, went on to plead guilty to making indecent photos of a child, causing a child aged 13 to 15 to look at an image of sexual activity, and engaging in sexual communication with a child.

He also pleaded guilty to two counts of causing a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday 20 February, he was jailed for three years and placed on the sex offenders’ register.

He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that will tightly restrict his activities once he is released from prison.

Detective Constable Jason Jenkins, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Burrows is a calculating sex offender who poses a significant danger to young girls.

“He knew exactly what he was doing and had absolutely no care for the very significant harm he was causing.

“As his victim was outside the country, he may have thought he could have gotten away with such depraved behaviour.

“This was, obviously, proven thoroughly wrong when he was placed before the courts.

“Those who choose to act this way can be warned – you will be held accountable.”

Description

Fabrizio Broussett was stopped at Gatwick Airport trying to fly to France to meet a teenage girl he had been sexually abusing.

Broussett, 23, of Chartham Road in Croydon, came to the attention of Sussex Police in April, 2025, when Counter Terror officers seized his mobile phone as part of a separate investigation.

The phone had no evidence of terror offences. But officers did find 18,000 videos – some depicting violent sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl in France – and 33,000 messages with the teenager.

Broussett had images of her ID card and passport confirming she was only 14 years old, and many of the messages were degrading and sexually aggressive, with texts including ‘6 days and I’m gonna rape my 14-year-old child’. The victim was not related to Broussett.

Sussex Police engaged with Interpol to conduct urgent welfare checks on the victim, who located her and made sure she was in no further danger.

On 18 May, 2025, Broussett was arrested at Gatwick Airport attempting to board a flight to Lyon, France.

Further enquiries found Broussett had visited the victim for two separate weeks in February and April, 2025, booking BnBs in the Saint-Etienne area. There was also evidence Broussett was planning to meet her again before he was detained.

He was charged with two counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child, four counts of making indecent images of a child, three counts of arranging/facilitating a child sex offence and one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child.

Broussett admitted all the charges at Croydon Crown Court on Friday, 11 July, 2025.

At the same court on Tuesday, 17 February, he was jailed for 15 years, with another three spent on extended licence. He was also given a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and indefinitely placed on the sex offenders register and barred from working with children and vulnerable people.

Detective Constable Tasha Smith said:

“Fabrizio Broussett is a committed offender who proactively groomed and abused a child for his own sexual gratification.

“The victim in this investigation must live with the impact of his offending for the rest of her life, but I hope her abuser being now behind bars can bring her some measure of comfort.

“I would like to thank our partners in Counter Terror policing and Gatwick Airport for their support in helping to bring a dangerous offender to justice.”

Description

A convicted sex offender from Maidstone has been sent back to jail for seven years after he was caught re-offending, six weeks after being released from prison.

Lee Webster was caught using a false name and claiming to be 28 years old to send explicit messages and images to who he believed was a 12 year old girl.

He also attempted to arrange to meet for sexual activity.

Following an investigation, the 39 year old was arrested at his home address in Fairmeadow, Maidstone.

Charged

Lee Webster was charged with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to facilitate a child sex offence, breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and failing to comply with the sex offenders register requirements.

He was sentenced on Tuesday 17 February 2026 at Maidstone Crown Court to seven years in prison with a further five years on licence.

Police Sergeant Gemma Hemsley said:

'We monitor and manage registered sex offenders within our communities to ensure they comply with their conditions and to reduce the risk of further offending.

'However, Webster is a prolific offender who was arrested just 42 days after his release from prison for breaching these conditions and committing new offences.

'He is a manipulative individual who not only provided false details regarding his name and age, but also attempted to conceal evidence by deleting social media apps from his phone.

'Webster has repeatedly attempted to deceive authorities and disregard the strict conditions placed upon him. His behaviour highlights the continued danger he poses, and I welcome the court’s decision to hold him accountable for his actions.'

Description

Police are appealing for help to trace a wanted man from Darwen.

Lewis Ainsworth is wanted for breaching sex offender notification requirements and is also wanted on a Crown Court warrant, according to police.

According to police, he is around 5ft 5, slim, with blue eyes.

He has links to Blackburn, Darwen and Blackpool, and to Stoke-on-Trent.

A police spokesperson said:

"We are asking for your help to find Lewis Ainsworth who is wanted.

"Ainsworth, 22, who is from Darwen, is wanted for breaching sex offender notification requirements and on a Crown Court warrant.

"He is around 5ft 5, slim, with blue eyes.

"Ainsworth has links to Blackburn, Darwen and Blackpool, and to Stoke-on-Trent.

"Any sightings of Ainsworth or information as to where he might be, please email [email protected] or contact 101 – quoting log LC-20220422-0189."

Description

A delivery driver who sexually assaulted two women at their Maidstone homes has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison.

On 26 June 2025, Shafiullah Rasooli delivered food to a woman who had ordered it online. As she opened the door, he made inappropriate remarks before stepping into the property and sexually assaulting her.

He left the address and then returned to commit a further sexual offence, before taking her phone to enter his contact details. Over the following days, Rasooli made multiple calls to the victim’s phone, causing her considerable distress.

A week later, on 3 July , Rasooli made a further delivery to another woman. He made indecent comments to the victim and asked about her relationship status before sexually assaulting her.

Both women reported the incidents to Kent Police and an investigation was launched.

Investigators reviewed CCTV in the area to identify Rasooli’s vehicle. This, accompanied by screenshots of the victims’ orders and the contact details he had left with one of the victims’ phones, assisted officers to track him down.

Charged

The 29 year old of St Peter’s Street, Maidstone, was later charged with three counts of sexual assault.

He denied the offences and was convicted following a trial at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court.

On Wednesday 25 February 2026, Rasooli, an Aghan national, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to two and a half years’ imprisonment. He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Matthew Kerr said:

‘Rasooli took advantage of his job to prey on the two vulnerable victims who had simply ordered food. His actions made them feel unsafe and violated in their own homes and he arrogantly thought he could get away with it.

'However, a prompt investigation led to his arrest and he is now serving a prison sentence.

'I would like to commend both victims for courageously reporting these crimes and then assisting us throughout the subsequent trial. I hope they can find some closure knowing their actions have protected other potential victims from harm.’

Description

A rapist who attacked his victim in Ashford after they agreed to meet on a date has been jailed.

Adrian Richardson, formerly of Mersey Road in Tonbridge, was found guilty of two sexual offences following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

Investigation

Kent Police launched an investigation after Richardson’s victim reported her ordeal to them in May 2023.

The offender and the woman had met online and she later met with him in person, but told him she did not want sex.

Ignoring her wishes, Richardson sexually assaulted her before raping her.

The victim managed to alert a trusted friend and later called the police to report Richardson’s crimes.

Richardson, 46, was arrested and, following an investigation, was charged on 18 April 2024.

Jailed

After pleading not guilty, he was convicted of rape and sexual assault in majority jury verdicts.

On 19 February 2026, Richardson was sentenced at the same court to seven years’ imprisonment. He will be subject to notification requirements of the sex offenders’ register for life.

Detective Sergeant Luke Stainer said:

'Richardson showed no respect for this woman, who had set her boundaries, and subjected her to a sickening ordeal that has had a long-lasting impact. I’m pleased that the offender will spend a significant period behind bars and will be subject to notification requirements for life, providing further protection to safeguard against future victims. I hope it helps the victim in this case to move forward from the horrific experience that she was made to endure.

'Sexual criminals who would prey on women in this way need to understand that no means no, and should expect to be tracked down and made to answer for their actions. Specialist support will be offered to victims who come forward and reports will be fully investigated.'

Description

A judge has called for an investigation after a convicted rapist attacked a woman while absconding from prison day release for a second time.

Neil Trennan, 61, received his third life sentence for assaulting a student during unsupervised day release from HMP North Sea Camp in Lincolnshire last year.

Trennan was first jailed for life in 1991 for breaking into a woman’s home in Sheffield, hitting her with a dumbbell, and raping her while unconscious.

He received a second life sentence in 2002 after escaping a “distracted” prison officer on day release in Norwich and hitting a woman with a brick in a public toilet.

Sheffield Crown Court heard that Trennan had confessed to parole boards of being aroused by violence and enjoying “violent, non-consensual sex.”

In July last year, on day release from Lincolnshire, he traveled to Sheffield, followed a student into her home, and attacked her with a knife. She knocked the knife away and locked herself in the bathroom.

The judge said that if she had not fought him off, Trennan would have subjected her to a violent rape.

On Wednesday, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, Recorder of Sheffield, imposed a third life sentence with a minimum of 10 years, stating it would likely never be safe to release him.

Judge Richardson called it “very unwise” to allow unsupervised release “given what was known about (him),” adding he had “been given no adequate explanation for the decision” and would send his remarks to the Lord Chancellor, who “may demand one.”

He said: “This is an appalling case of history repeating itself and of insufficient heed being taken of that history when you were placed in open prison conditions.

“That must never happen again. As I have stated you pose immense and enduring dangers to women of acute violence and associated sexual depravity.

“No woman is safe whilst ever you remain at large.”

Description

A registered sex offender from Gillingham has been jailed for using private browsing mode when accessing the internet.

In 2015, Malcom Nix was found guilty of sexual offences involving children and became subject to strict conditions on his conduct. An indefinite sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) was put in place which included strict restrictions around his use of the internet, specifically that any device Nix uses to access the internet must have the capacity to retain and display his browsing history.

Phone review

On 9 September 2025, investigators made a regular visit to Nix’s home address when he refused to allow them entry. He was asked to hand over all internet enabled devices for inspection and gave the officers his mobile phone which was in his pocket.

Officers searched the phone and noticed that Nix had been using private browsing mode which is a direct breach of his SHPO.

On the following day, Malcom Nix, of Trafalgar Street, Gillingham, was charged and remanded in custody.

Imprisonment

He pleaded guilty to the offence at Maidstone Crown Court and on Wednesday 18 February, the 66 year old was sentenced to 13 months’ imprisonment. Nix will also continue to be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Investigating Officer, PC Areolito Gashi said:

‘We regularly visit registered sex offenders living in our communities to monitor their conduct and ensure they are complying with any conditions in place to prevent further crimes.‘

In this way, we endeavour to protect the most vulnerable in our community. Nix has shown that he remains a danger to children and, once his crimes were discovered, he was swiftly arrested and brought back before the court to answer for his actions.’

Description

Horsham man Keith Clifton has been jailed for a string of rapes and sexual abuse against a young girl over several years.

Clifton, 58, of Tanyard Close in Horsham, first began abusing his victim when she was four years old, subjecting her to sexualised behaviour and sexual assaults.

On her 5th birthday, Clifton began to rape her, continuing on a regular basis until she was around 13 years old.

Clifton was arrested at his home in 2018 after the victim, who is now a woman in her 20s, approached Sussex Police.

She was given support by specialist officers while a thorough investigation was launched.

He was subsequently charged with six counts of rape of a girl under 13, five counts of assault by penetration, four counts of assault by touching, two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child and one count of causing/inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Following a two-week trial at Hove Trial Centre concluding on Friday, 23 January, Clifton was convicted of five counts of rape, four counts of sexual assault by penetration and five counts of sexual assault on a child. The remaining charges resulted in a hung jury.

At the same court on Monday (23 February), he was jailed for 22 years and subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order significantly reducing his ability to reoffend.

Detective Sergeant Ellen Jones said:

“This significant custodial sentence reflects the immense harm caused by Keith Clifton to his victim.

“While he will now spend a significant portion of his life behind bars, the trauma this courageous woman must live with is nothing short of a life sentence. The strength she has shown to support this investigation cannot be overstated, reading out her own victim impact statement in court to say she feels ‘she has her life back’.

“I also commend the investigating officer for their diligence in a complex, distressing investigation that has resulted in a successful outcome and another dangerous offender off the streets of Sussex.

“If you are a victim of sexual offending, no matter how long ago, please report it to us. We will do all we can to get you the justice you deserve.”

Description

A perverted 78-year-old pensioner, George Laidler, who offered money to view babies and children being abused overseas in depraved online chats, has been branded a danger and jailed. Laidler, previously imprisoned for child sex attacks, asked about costs for young children to be abused on camera in Africa.

In one conversation with what he believed was a 15-year-old Ghanaian schoolboy, he requested to see sexual activity involving a six-year-old. He also discussed a sex act on a "baby boy," but when told the child was nine, Laidler replied it was "too old."

The vile exchanges were uncovered when a bail hostel worker found a secret phone Laidler, a registered sex offender, should have declared. The device also contained a child abuse video and an extreme pornography image.

Laidler, of Warwick Terrace, Sunderland, admitted attempted sexual communication with a child, three charges of arranging a child sex offence, making an indecent child photograph, possessing extreme porn, and breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard he was jailed in 2018 for three indecent assaults on children and child abuse images offences. He has now been sentenced to six years and eight months.

Recorder Toby Hedworth told him: "The chat on the phone indicates you were communicating with what you deemed to be individuals in Africa, particularly Ghana and you were seeking from those opportunities to engage remotely in sexual offences with extremely young children.

"Any review of the words exchanged between you and those you were communicating with indicates the most depraved conduct on your behalf and the most depraved desires.

"You are, and remain in my view, a danger to members of the community if you were to have access to children. You are 78 years of age now and I have to have regard to that in terms of when and if you will be able to return to the community."

Defence barrister Shaun Routledge said the chats showed those on the other end were "more interested in getting money out of the defendant."

Description

Ryan Greenhow (20/02/1989) of Oldham has been jailed for seven years and four months at Manchester Crown Square Court today (Tuesday 24 February 2026).

Greenhow pleaded guilty to 22 counts of non-contact child sex offences including child sexual exploitation, sharing images or film to cause alarm, causing or inciting a child aged under 16 to engage in sexual activity and malicious communications at an earlier hearing.

The offences occurred between November 2024 and March 2025 and involved Greenhow contacting six victims via social media platforms including WhatsApp, TikTok and Snapchat.

Greenhow then blackmailed the victims into sending him indecent image. He would send the victims, aged between 12-15, an indecent image, making claims that the image depicted them when it was a picture of a naked woman obtained from the internet, and threatened to send the image to their friends and family if the victims did not do as Greenhow said.

This led to him making demands for indecent images from victims located in areas across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Buckinghamshire.

Greenhow would then send numerous text messages threatening his victims, including saying “This is your last chance, everyone will know this is you” and “I have seen your nudes, add me”.  On some occasions the victim would respond and say that she did not know what they were talking about, but kept receiving messages telling them that it was their “last chance”.

Some of the victims did send Greenhow images and reported his activity to their parents, carers and school teachers.

We are committed to tackling child sexual offending across Greater Manchester. Between April 2023 and May 2025, Snapchat was identified as being the biggest social media platform involved in cases, with it being involved 61% of the time.

Strangers not known to the victim account for almost half (49%) of online offenders, with 22% of all our child sexual abuse offences within GM in 2023/2024 being online, which is slightly above the national picture of 20% being online.

Greenhow will also be made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Adair, of our City of Manchester Division, said:

“Firstly, I would like to thank the victims in this case for coming forward, reporting their ordeal to the police and allowing us to investigate, resulting in today’s sentencing.

“Greenhow used several different social media platforms pretending to be a 15-year-old boy and followed the same method with each of his victims – sending them random images obtained from the internet, falsely attributing them to the victim, then threatening to share the image with the victim’s friends and family in exchange for an indecent image of the victim.

“Once our investigation was underway, detailed phone analysis led to us identifying further victims. Officers worked to safeguard these victims from any further harm.

“This sentencing is part of our wider work to tackle child sexual exploitation and we’re committed to protecting victims and bringing offenders to justice.”

Description

A serial child rapist whose abuse spanned two decades has been jailed for 28 years but refused to attend his sentencing at Canterbury Crown Court, denying his victims closure.

Kevin Wernham, 54, from Ashford, was convicted of 28 offenses—including rape, sexual assault, and causing a child to engage in sexual activity—after a month-long trial in October last year.

Jurors heard how the mechanic, living on a caravan park in Aldington, preyed on young victims, plying one with alcohol, forcing others to watch pornography, and making them perform sexual acts. He even invited other men to join in and told one youngster not to reveal it, calling it their "shared, special grown-up thing."

Victims came forward with similar ordeals, leading to his conviction. The abuse had a "severe psychological and life-long impact," stealing their childhoods, said Judge Sarah Counsell.

One victim's statement, read by prosecutor Paul Valder, described:

"My daily life is a constant battle with emotions and unpredictable negativity—emotions such as rage, sorrow, shame, panic and terror. The quality of my life is marred by severe mood swings, making it a rollercoaster of emotions. I oscillate between feelings of despair and brief moments of positivity. The daily impact on my life is profound and I feel myself in a constant tug of war."

The victim also reported disturbed sleep, nightmares, flashbacks, hallucinations, and an "obsession" that Wernham still posed a threat.

Defending, Sarah O'Kane cited Wernham's health issues and enhanced prison status, arguing for a determinate sentence.

But Judge Counsell, noting a probation report's finding of no remorse and victim-blaming—Wernham maintained innocence, accused victims of perjury, and blamed another man—imposed an extended sentence to protect the public.

Addressing the empty dock, she said:

"These remarks are directed at Mr Wernham, although he has not been willing to attend this hearing to face the consequences of his actions. He was convicted by a jury at trial of what was serious and systematic sexual abuse of children. He took advantage and preyed on his victims’ vulnerabilities… stealing their childhoods. They learnt about sexual behaviour far too early and this will have a life-long impact on them all."

The judge added:

"He has not faced up to his actions" and still blames others. "He has maintained throughout that his victims are not telling the truth about what happened. The jury has found otherwise. He has suggested they had various incentives to lie and that one victim had a financial motive. His behaviour was truly a campaign of rape and sexual abuse against vulnerable children."

The report highlighted Wernham's "controlling, manipulative and distorted thinking," complete denial, no remorse, victim-blaming, and claims of a mistrial with "concocted" evidence.

Deeming him a high risk to children, Judge Counsell imposed a 30-year extended sentence: 24 years' imprisonment (serving at least two-thirds before Parole Board consideration), plus six years' extended license upon release.

This runs consecutively to a four-year determinate term, of which he serves half before the 24-year term begins.

Wernham must sign the sex offender register for life, comply with a sexual harm prevention order, and may be barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.

Description

A teenage girl has been commended for her courage in helping to jail a Kirklees man who seriously sexually assaulted her.

Kirklees safeguarding detectives have welcomed the sentencing of Nico Barraclough, aged 33, at Leeds Crown Court today (23/2) for serious sexual offending against a young teenager in the Kirklees area. 

They praised the victim’s bravery in disclosing what the 33-year-old had done, despite attempts he made to stop her speaking of his crimes.

Barraclough, of Bradshaw Lane, Honley, was sentenced to 11 years in prison with three years extended licence after being found guilty of an offence of rape, causing a child to watch a sexual act, and two offences of engaging in sexual activity with a child.  

The offending took place between between July 2023 and April 2024 when it was reported to police after the victim disclosed what Barralcough had done.

An investigation was quickly launched by specialist officers at the Child Safeguarding Unit resulting in Barraclough’s arrest on 15 April.

Following further enquiries he was charged to appear before magistrates just two days later.

DC Paul Campbell of the Kirklees Child Safeguarding Unit, said:

“We welcome the sentencing of Barraclough for extremely serious sexual offending against a young and vulnerable girl.

“He groomed and exploited her, and also attempted to stop her talking to anyone about the sexual offences he was committing.  

“She has shown real courage in disclosing what took place and then, with her family, supporting both the police investigation, and subsequent prosecution of Barraclough.

“Rather than admit his guilt, despite strong evidence of his offending, he chose to put both her and her family through the ordeal of a trial and this was reflected in his sentence.

“We hope seeing him jailed has brought the victim some closure and comfort, and continue to urge all victims of sexual abuse to contact us.

“All reports are investigated by specialist officers with the victim’s needs at the heart of everything we do.”