Latest Offenders

Description

A rapist who sexually exploited teenage girls and threatened a 12-year-old girl into sharing indecent images has been jailed.

Gurpreet Randhawa carried out the vile sex attacks on two 15-year-old girls he’d persuaded to meet with him.

He raped one girl on three separate occasions between August and September last year.

On the last occasion he drove her to a car park in Wolverhampton before raping her in the back of the vehicle. When she tried to resist his advances he grabbed her by the throat.

The girl showed real courage to inform her school of the attack who then alerted us. We were quickly able to identify Randhawa – who went by the name of Ziggy - and he was arrested the same day.

We established Randhawa had used other aliases and contacted a 12-year-old girl through social media and engaged in sexualised conversations.

He sent inappropriate videos and pictures of himself and threatened to harm the young girl if she didn’t too. He even encouraged her to ask friends to do the same.

Randhawa shared with her live footage of him having sex with another girl, who he knew was aged just 15.

He smoked drugs with her, and forced himself upon the girl. She was also completely unaware the attack was being filmed.

It was through the courage of the girls in recalling what happened to them, that we were able to present a strong case against Randhawa.

He pleaded guilty to four offences of rape, two of taking indecent images of a child, a further two offences of sharing indecent images and engaging in sexual communication. These all took place between July 2024 and September 2025.

The 21-year-old, from Wellington Road, Wolverhampton, was jailed for 18 years at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Thursday (12 February).

DC Mark Tallis, from our public protection unit, said:

“Randhawa targeted and exploited these young girls for his own sexual desires. He persuaded two of the girls to meet him and raped them.

“These were horrific experiences for the girls, as it was for the 12-year-old girl who was threatened if she did not reciprocate his appalling actions in sharing indecent images.

“It was through the courage of the girls in coming forward and telling us about these awful crimes we were able to convict Randhawa for his deplorable behaviour. Their bravery has taken a dangerous man off the streets and prevented others from being targeted.”

Description

A man who sexually abused a child over the course of six years is now behind bars following an investigation by specialist safeguarding detectives in Leeds.

David Lawn, 62, of St Johns Garth, Aberford, began sexually assaulting the victim in the 1990s. 

She then came forward to disclose the abuse as an adult, and in 2021 the Leeds Safeguarding Unit launched a detailed investigation culminating in Lawn being charged with multiple sexual offences.

He went on trial at Leeds Crown Court last month where he was found guilty of all 16 charges including three counts of raping a female under the age of 16.  

On Friday 13 February Lawn was given an extended sentence of 20 years in prison plus one year on license, and he will be added to the sex offenders register for life.  

In a lengthy and extremely powerful victim impact statement, the woman described how the abuse had affected every part of her life – you can read a summary of her words below:

“As a young child, I learned fear long before I learned safety. I should have been learning to read, to play, to trust — instead I was learning how to disappear inside myself, how to make my body small and my voice smaller.  

“As I grew older, the confusion hardened into something heavier. I learned to split myself in two — the girl who smiled and played and went to school, and the girl who carried a secret so heavy it bent her spine.

“As a young adult, I carried the weight of my childhood like an invisible rucksack filled with stones. I was already exhausted, already living a life shaped by survival rather than possibility.  

“Adulthood, so far, has been a long lesson in learning how to live with a nervous system that never learned to rest. I check doors and windows repeatedly, I plan every outing with escape routes. Even in my own home, I am scanning for danger, waiting for it.

“For decades, I lived as two people inside one body — the terrified little girl who learned to freeze, to hide, to survive and the adult who learned to function while carrying wounds no one could see. I wore a mask so well that even I sometimes believed it. But underneath it all, the child inside me was still waiting to be heard.

“This statement is her voice. This process is her truth. This moment is her justice.

“She finally has someone standing up for her. She finally has someone telling the truth she was never allowed to speak. I hope she can look at the woman I am now and feel proud. Proud that I didn’t stay silent. Proud that I fought. Proud that I survived long enough to tell her story.

“And now, for the first time, I know he cannot reach me. That knowledge is a kind of freedom I have never felt before.  

“I cannot change what happened to me. But I can choose what happens next. I can choose to speak, to stand, to reclaim the parts of myself that were taken.  

“I have a voice now. I have truth now. I have strength now.

“She is scared. I am not.”

Detective Constable Christine Walkin, who led the investigation, said:

“Lawn subjected a vulnerable young girl to a campaign of sickening abuse and this has understandably had a significant impact on her life.  

“Following a lengthy investigation we were able to obtain enough evidence to secure an extensive list of charges against Lawn, all of which he has now been convicted of.

“I would like to recognise the immense courage shown by the victim throughout the investigation and court proceedings. I hope the knowledge that Ward will now spend a substantial amount of time behind bars will provide some comfort as she works hard to move on with her life.

“I also hope the successful outcome in this case might encourage any victims of similar offences to please come forward and report them to us.  

“We treat all sexual offences, recent or not, extremely seriously. We have specialist officers who can support you through the process and will do everything we can to get justice for you.”

Description

A registered sex offender who made a determined effort to hide his internet activity from Police has been jailed for 21 months.

Peter Ash, 52, of Kenwyn Hill Caravan Park, Truro, was also found to have an image of a dog being sexual abused on an electronic device.

Ash appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence on Friday 13 February after pleading guilty to three breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention order, possession of extreme pornography and a breach of his notification requirements as a sex offender.

As part of the sentence defendant must also sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years.

The court heard how in 2022 Ash was convicted of possessing child sexual abuse images and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order as part of his sentence.

In September 2025, Devon & Cornwall Police received intelligence that a user of an online platform had communications discussing child abuse

Ash was identified and arrested at his home in Truro.

Upon arrest it was discovered that Ash had attempted to conceal a mobile device within his home address and therefore committed several breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The breaches were a result of Ash failing to notify Police of a new electronic device, installing encrypted applications and using a virtual private network (VPN) to mask his IP address and attempting to prevent Police from tracing his internet history

An examination of a device found an image of a person carrying out a sex act on a dog, this forming the possession of extreme pornography charge.

Police Constable Dean Martin from the Paedophile Online Investigation Team, said:

“I welcome the sentence given to Peter Ash at Truro Crown Court.

“The conditions of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order are strictly imposed to manage risk and protect the most vulnerable members of our community in Devon and Cornwall.

“We take any violation of court-ordered conditions extremely seriously and this investigation highlights our commitment to proactive monitoring and our refusal to tolerate any behaviour that undermines public safety or the welfare of those - human or otherwise - who cannot protect themselves.

“Peter Ash made determined efforts to mask his internet history, showing no regard to the order previously given to him to curb his offending and protect others.”

Description

A woman raped by Norfolk cafe owner Andrew Hubbard has said her life has been “completely overshadowed” by the ordeal.

In a victim impact statement read at his sentencing, the woman – who cannot be named for legal reasons – said her life had been “completely overshadowed by anxiety and fear”. She feels “constantly in fear” and that “danger lurks around every corner”. The thought of seeing Hubbard or members of his family “terrifies” her. She is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), describing every day as a “battle for survival”. She is afraid to go out, “struggles to cope with everyday life” and says the offences have “robbed me of my freedom”.

Hubbard, 34, who previously owned Lily Mai’s (formerly Craft Burger) in Cromer’s New Street, was jailed for eight years at Norwich Crown Court on Friday for rape and controlling and coercive behaviour.

The court heard he entered the victim’s bedroom with his genitals exposed and orally raped her. The woman said she only complied because she was “so scared at that time”.

He was convicted after a trial that began in late September last year. Jurors deliberated for more than 11 hours before finding him guilty. He was cleared of a second rape, kidnap, voyeurism and escape from lawful custody.

Judge Anthony Bate said Hubbard’s conduct had a “profound” impact on the “vulnerable” victim.

Defence barrister Paul Mylvaganam said Hubbard intends to appeal his conviction but has apologised to the victim and expressed remorse. He described his client as a “successful businessman” who had tried to support his family from the “remnants” of his businesses. Sentencing was adjourned from December after Hubbard instructed a new barrister.

Hubbard, formerly of Hannah Close, Sheringham, and now of St Mary’s Close, Roughton, was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order and placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Police investigated after the victim’s identity was circulated online, breaching her lifelong anonymity. Judge Bate had urged Norfolk’s chief constable to launch a probe. The investigation has now closed.

A force spokesman said: “Following digital enquiries, no suspect could be identified as the original social media post, and associated meta data, is no longer available.” Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Description

A man has been handed a 15-year custodial sentence for raping a woman in Telford.

Mark Hirons, of Habershon Close, Lydbury North, was found guilty of rape, assault and intentional strangulation relating to offences carried out in Telford.

The court heard how officers were made aware of the offences in May 2025 when the victim reported the incident to the police.

The 38-year-old was subsequently arrested, and an investigation was carried out. Hirons was later charged and stood trial where he was found guilty in November 2025.

On 9 February he was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court to 15 years in prison, as well as being given a restraining order.

Detective Constable Darren Wincott, from Telford’s Protecting Vulnerable People team, said:

“I am very grateful for the sentence the judge has handed to Hirons, who is clearly a very dangerous individual who preys on women.

“I would like to commend the victim in this, who has been incredibly brave throughout this investigation. I hope the sentence can offer her some form of closure and will enable to her to move forward with her life.”

Description

A DNA breakthrough has resulted in a prison sentence for a man who thought he had escaped justice for raping a teenage girl almost 20 years ago.

The incident happened on 7 October 2006, when Kennedy Jimmy, then 25, met the victim and her friend in a supermarket car park in Shefford. 

He arrived in a car driven by a friend and waited until the others went inside the shop before pulling the victim into the back of the car and raping her.

She managed to escape and ran to a nearby pub, where her friend called the police.

Although detectives launched an investigation and carried out extensive lines of enquiry at the time, Jimmy – known to the victim only as ‘Kenny’ – could not be identified.

As part of Operation Painter, a specialist review of historic rape and sexual assault cases by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, a forensic analysis revealed a DNA match, which led to his arrest in November 2022.

Jimmy, now 44, of Wessex Court, Sunny Bank, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, was convicted of rape after a five-day trial at Luton Crown Court in October last year and was sentenced today (Friday) to six years with a life-long restraining order. 

Detective Constable Rhian Batterham-Jones said:

“This conviction demonstrates that time is no barrier to justice. Jimmy thought he had escaped accountability, but advances in forensic science and the determination of our team proved otherwise.

“I want to commend the victim for her incredible courage in coming forward and reliving such a traumatic experience two decades later.

“I hope this gives other victims the courage to come forward to report any sexual offences, no matter how long ago the crime took place. You will be believed and supported, and justice can be done.”

Description

Carmarthenshire man jailed for abducting and drugging teenage girl.

Richard Knight, aged 73, of Pendine, Carmarthenshire, has been jailed for three years and nine months after he admitted to abducting a teenage girl, making indecent images of children, and being concerned the supply of drugs.

Dyfed-Powys Police received a call in the early hours of Monday 11 April 2022, from a concerned mother, who was worried the welfare of her 15-year-old daughter. That night, the teenage daughter made a distressed phone call to her mum, saying she wanted to come home having taken drugs at Richard Knight’s house.

Police immediately attended the address but received no answer at the door. With concern growing for the young girl, officers forced entry into the property where they found a small cannabis grow, but no people inside.

Officers became aware that Knight had used his car to return the girl home. Knight subsequently returned to his home address where he was arrested by officers on suspicion of drink driving, possession of cannabis with intent to supply, and supplying cannabis to his teenage victim.

With Knight taken into police custody, a further property search found a variety of controlled drugs believed to be kept for personal use. Several digital devices were also seized from the house.

During an interview, the victim told officers that while she had agreed to meet with Knight, she believed he knew that she was 15 years old, and he also knew that she wouldn’t be telling her mother where she was going.

She told officers about the range of drugs she was given, and that some were provided to her on a fruit pastel sweet. CCTV enquiries showed Knight in the local Spar shop buying fruit pastels that same afternoon, before picking the teenager up and driving her to his house.

A thorough forensic examination of the drugs and the devices seized from the house led to the suspect being further arrested in December 2022.

Work carried out by the Digital Forensics Unit found a total of 1101 unlawful images on Knight’s devices, with 122 of them falling in category A – the most serious type of indecent image.

Drugs experts at Dyfed-Powys Police valued the cannabis grow at his property to be worth between £6,000 and £20,000. In addition to the cannabis, officers also seized six different types of Class A drugs from the address.

Following a lengthy and complex investigation, Knight was charged with 12 offences including child abduction, possession of indecent images of children, and being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs.

Knight admitted the drug offences on 10 April 2025 and entered further guilty pleas for the three counts of making indecent images of children at a second hearing on 12 May 2025.

The defendant denied the child abduction charge, and a trial was set to take place at Swansea Crown Court on Monday 12 January 2026. Knight changed his plea immediately before the trial was due to start.

Today, the 73-year-old was sentenced to three years and nine months in jail.

The officer investigating this case, Detective Constable Jon Gouldson, said:

“This was a very serious case involving a man who groomed a young and vulnerable girl for his own satisfaction.

“There is no doubt that Richard Kight knew that taking this 15-year-old girl into his home was wrong and ultimately amounted to child abduction.

“Taking a child without a parent’s permission is a crime. There are no grey areas here.

“It is unlawful to take, or keep, a child under the age of 16 without permission of their parent or someone who has parental responsibility for them.

“We welcome today’s sentencing and want to be clear that arranging to take a child without a parent's permission, or creating/possessing indecent images of children is illegal and has serious consequences.

“Today’s result shows that we will do everything we can to investigate these crimes and bring such offenders to justice.”

Description

Two men who preyed on and raped a vulnerable 13-year-old girl in a hotel room have now been sentenced to a combined total of 16 years and seven months behind bars following an appearance at Hull Crown Court on Friday, 30 January 2026.

Riley Smith, 19-years-old of New Street, Louth pleaded not guilty and after a four-day trial which concluded on Friday, 25 July 2025 at Grimsby Crown Court, he was found guilty of joint enterprise rape by a jury and has now been sentenced to seven years behind bars and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Shahram Ibrehemi, 20-years-old of The Crescent, Bridlington pleaded guilty to three counts of rape at an earlier court appearance and has now been sentenced to nine years and seven months behind bars and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Mark Tomlinson who lead the case said:

“We launched our investigation after receiving a report that on Thursday 26 December 2024, a vulnerable 13yearold girl was taken into a hotel room on Anlaby Road in Hull and repeatedly raped by a man later identified as Ibrehemi, while another man, later identified as Smith, kept watch.

“Smith was staying in a hotel room in the city centre and met up with Ibrehemi earlier in the day.  Both men then approached the young girl on Paragon Street several times asking for her phone number. She disclosed her age, yet they repeatedly told her it did not matter.

“They returned to her location on Paragon Street later in the night and saw that she was now highly intoxicated. Exploiting her vulnerabilities, the men, supporting her ability to stand, picked her up and escorted her to the hotel room.

“It was then in the hotel room, Ibrehemi continuously raped the young girl whilst Smith kept a look out and entered the room on multiple occasions telling Ibrehemi to shut the teenage girl up as she was going to get them both caught.

The young girl told us that during their first interaction, the men gave her a phone number in case she wished to contact them. It was this number that enabled us to identify a suspect.”

“Officers spoke with the victim and hotel staff to help identify those involved. One of the key lines of enquiry was obtaining the hotel’s CCTV, which showed the girl being escorted to a room by two men. This footage allowed us to confirm the identities of Ibrehemi and Smith”.

Following police enquiries, Ibrehemi was located and arrested on Tuesday, 14 January 2025. He provided a nocomment interview and was subsequently charged and remanded into custody.

Smith was arrested in Grimsby on 19 March 2025 after evading police for two months. He denied all allegations, but after a sevenday trial was found guilty of joint enterprise rape.

Detective Constable Mark Tomlinson continued:

“During interview, both men denied knowing each other beforehand and showed no remorse for their actions.

“This has been an incredibly traumatic experience for the young girl, particularly having to go through the court process. I want to commend her bravery, it is because of her courage that these two men are now behind bars and unable to subject anyone else to their abhorrent behaviour.

“Whilst it will never take away the trauma she endured on that night, I hope this sentence provides reassurance to victims that we will not only prosecute the offender but anyone that assists or aids a criminal offence will be put before the courts under the joint enterprise act.

“Our main priority will always be with the victims, giving them a voice and working with partners and other agencies to make them feel supported and safeguarded every step of the way. We also continue to take huge steps to reduce re-offending, deter perpetrators, and above all, keep victims safe.”

Description

Today (Thursday 12 February), following an extensive South Yorkshire Police ‘cold case’ investigation, a jury has unanimously found David Hill guilty of the rape of a woman from over 40 years ago.

On Saturday 7 September 1985, at just past midnight, a young woman walking back to her car after a night out was held at knifepoint and raped in an underground car park in Sheffield.

Despite a thorough investigation being launched - which included a detailed statement from the victim, as well forensic samples from the victim's clothing - the offender was never traced. Sadly, the victim died 12 years later without ever seeing the man who attacked her brought to justice.

In 2018, our Major Incident Review Team (MIRT) began reviewing the case. The MIRT reviews South Yorkshire’s most serious cold cases, as well as more recent incidents such as murders.

As part of this review, evidence gathered during the original investigation was re-tested and due to the advance of forensic techniques the DNA of the offender was identified. However, no matches were found on the national database.

Then in 2021, during one of the regular reviews of the case, we re-tested the DNA and matched it to Hill.

The 75-year-old's DNA had been added to the national database after he was arrested for a separate public order offence. Hill was subsequently arrested on suspicion of rape, but he denied the offence, saying he had no memory of the victim but that he must have had consensual sex with her.

Head of the Major Incident Review Team, Dave Stopford said:

"Due to the victim having sadly died, we, alongside the Crown Prosecution Service, applied to the court to have her original police statement read as ‘hearsay’ evidence, which is when evidence is provided in a manner other than as firsthand, direct testimony.

"This resulted in us carrying out a number of enquiries to prove that the victim's statement could be trusted. I would like to thank the victim's close friend and family member, who provided evidence of her character meaning the court agreed to hear her evidence."

Despite the evidence linking Hill to the rape, he pleaded not guilty. However, following a week-long trial, a jury has today seen through his lies and found Hill, of Broom Valley Road, Rotherham, guilty of rape. He has been remanded into custody and will appear before Sheffield Crown Court on 20 March for sentencing.

Mr Stopford added:

"I want to commend the victim in this case. It is tragic that she is no longer here to witness Hill facing justice, but I hope it brings her loved ones some comfort to know that we never gave up on pursuing him. The victim bravely assisted the police in the initial investigation and died very young, and our thoughts remain with her loved ones.

“I would like to thank the witnesses who helped secure this conviction. The lead investigator at the time, ex-Detective Chief Superintendent Robert Varey, and ex PC Sue Botley, who assisted in the examination of the victim, both provided crucial evidence during the trial.

"I would also like to thank the scientists involved, whose work is invaluable in these historic cases, and without them this perpetrator may never have been brought to justice for this crime.

"This has been a very lengthy and complex investigation. A number of investigating officers on my team have been involved over the years, culminating in Investigating Officer Rachel Morton working many hours to submit the case to the CPS and the courts.”

Description

Today (Tuesday 10 February) a St Helens man has been jailed for 10 years for committing child sex offences.

Aaron Ward, 26 years, of Gamble Avenue, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, plus one year extended sentence.  He also received an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be subject to the Sex Offenders Register.

In July last year it was reported that Ward had committed historic child offences to a young girl from when he was 17-years-old and spanning over several years.

Following an investigation, Ward was charged with six sex offences to which he pleaded guilty to three counts of Assault by Touching and Cause/Incite a Child to Engage in Sexual Activity. However he was found guilty at trial for Rape of a Child and Assault by Penetration.

Officer in Charge of the investigation, Detective Constable Molly McKeown, said:

“Today’s sentencing follows a lengthy investigation to bring Ward before the courts so that he pays for his crimes.

“The victim showed immense courage despite her young age and was extremely brave to speak to police about this horrendous abuse.

“As part of the work of the Knowsley and St Helens Child Protection team this result has been brought today. Our sole focus is protecting young people and bringing offenders to justice. We have specialist dedicated officers who investigate these offences.”

Detective Constable McKeown added: “Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and those who seek to do them harm.

 “I would like to take this opportunity to stress that if you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, or know of a child being abused, please come forward and report this to police. 

“We take all such reports extremely seriously and if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.”

Description

A man has been told he will serve a 14-year prison sentence after his appeals were rejected.

Oliver Mullen, aged 38 from Bradford-on-Avon, was convicted at Bristol Crown Court in October 2024 after being found unanimously guilty of raping two women.

He was sentenced to 14 years in prison, with a further four years on extended licence and was added to the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Mullen appealed both the conviction and the sentencing, with the request being heard at the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday 28 January. His conviction appeal was refused and the sentencing appeal was dismissed.

During the trial, the jury was told how Mullen had raped a woman who was not in a position to consent at a property off Atchley Street, in Bristol, on 21 May 2021.

The jury was also told how he had previously raped another woman in Ashley Avenue, in Bath, on the 10 April 2016.

In one of the victim’s statement, read out at his sentencing, she said:

“Daily, I feel fear, shame, anger, isolation and distrust. He watched me struggle to breathe and then he raped me. Today, I can breathe again.

“I find it difficult to trust new people, especially men, and this has deeply affected my ability to form meaningful relationships. The trauma I carry with me has shaped my world in ways I cannot fully express.”

Speaking following the conclusion of the appeal process, DC Lee Townsend said: 

“Mullen has repeatedly not taken accountability for his actions, and his latest appeals have only furthered the pain and suffering for his victims.

“Both women have shown exceptional strength of character and bravery throughout this investigation and the prolonged court proceedings, and I only hope that this finally closes what is an undoubtedly difficult chapter for both of them, and has provided them both with justice.

“Mullen is a dangerous man, who took advantage of his victims when they were vulnerable and unable to consent to his heinous crimes. I only hope that this sends a clear message to anyone else who thinks of committing such horrible acts against women and girls.”

Description

A man has been jailed after he was found guilty of two counts of rape in Sussex.

Carlo Di Tella, 46, stood trial accused of the rapes on a woman known to him in St Leonards.

The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, received support from specialist officers.

She has been praised for her bravery and courage during the trial process at Lewes Crown Court.

The court was told how Di Tella had targeted the woman while she slept.

The offences happened in January 2023, and the victim reported her experience to the police.

At Lewes Crown Court on 16 January, Di Tella, of Bohemia Road, St Leonards, was sentenced to six years in prison for each count of rape, to run concurrently.

The court also imposed a ten-year restraining order on Di Tella and he has been placed on the sex offenders register.

In a statement, the victim said she has lived with the fear of seeing Di Tella in the community, and said the rapes have had a “devastating” impact on her life.

She described the “emotional rollercoaster” of the case, and said: “I will live with this ordeal for the rest of my life.”

Investigating officer PC Sally Smith said:

“This was a complex investigation and we were determined to get justice for the victim who was extremely brave and courageous when she reported the rape almost three years ago.

“She continued to support the investigation through the trial process. It shows we take reports of rape extremely seriously, and we encourage victims of rape and serious sexual offences to report their experience to the police.”

Description

A Chippenham sex offender has been jailed after committing fresh child-related offences five years after his first conviction.

Lewis Walker, 31, of Bakehouse Close, admitted making 38 indecent images of children and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

He first appeared at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court in December before being sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court in January.

Walker was convicted at Bristol Crown Court on 10 January 2020 of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and was handed a five-year SHPO banning contact with children and restricting his use of internet-enabled devices.

For the latest offences he was jailed for seven months, ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for seven years, and given a new seven-year SHPO with similar restrictions.

Description

Justin James, 46, from Ely, Cardiff, has been jailed for sexually assaulting three females over a three-year period.

James was found guilty of five counts of sexual assault by penetration and six counts of sexual assault by touching.

He was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, January 23 to 14 years imprisonment and placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

A further hearing yesterday (Tuesday, February 10) confirmed that James is also subject of a Restraining Order and Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Lewis Clarke, from South Wales Police, said:

“The victims and their relatives have been deeply impacted by James’ offending and were massively relieved at the conclusion of the trial that their voices had been heard.

“The sentencing will, of course, not undo what happened to them but gives them a piece of mind that they have been taken seriously and that they will be protected from Justin James by the sentence he has received.”

Description

A 36-year-old man has been jailed for 17 years for two counts of rape against one woman and sexually assaulting another woman, both while they were asleep.

Craig Winston, a former Gloucestershire Police student officer, was found guilty in December last year of several offences following a trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

After an investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary's Criminal Investigation Department, on 17 December a jury found Winston guilty of four offences against one woman.

This was two counts of rape, one count of causing a female to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity and one count of engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour. He was also found guilty of one count of sexual assault by penetration relating to another woman.

The offences were committed off-duty, and he was found not guilty of four other counts.

His Honour Judge Anthony Lowe sentenced Winston on Friday (6 February) to 17 years in prison for the offences, and told Winston he must serve at least two-thirds before being released on licence. Judge Lowe also gave Winston 20-year restraining orders to protect both women.

During the hearing, it was said evidence presented at trial showed Winston had researched online about sexually assaulting people who were drugged or unconscious, along with the effect of various drugs on them.

The court was told his internet history indicated an interest in degrading and punishing through sexual abuse.

One of the survivors was in court and read a statement in which she described Winston as a "selfish, twisted, depraved bully".

She said Winston had threatened her by saying she would lose everything if she reported him to the police, and he said his career as a police officer would be jeopardised if she did report it and that it would be all her fault.

She added:

"Yet it was your and only your actions that brought you here, and those colleagues of yours that have helped and supported me to be able to stand here today, when so many woman are unable to do so with their abuser."

A statement was read to the court on behalf of the other victim. She said: "There is no statement that can truly describe the ways that Craig Winston ruined my life, but after today I can finally begin to walk the difficult road of moving on. I am indescribably relieved now that this process if over, and I can begin to move on with my life."

In mitigation, Winston's defence barrister said he was a relatively young man who was of previous good character, and that he had an awful childhood which may explain some of the ways in which Winston navigated his life. He said the impact of a custodial sentence on Winston would be profound.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Ed Garlick said:

"I do not underestimate how difficult it is for victims and survivors of sexual abuse to come forward and report crimes to the police, even more so when that offender is a serving police officer.

"Winston subjected both women to unimaginable harm, and although no sentence changes his horrific actions, I hope they find some comfort in knowing that by bravely coming forward, they have stopped his ability to harm anyone else.

"I commend both women for their courage in working with us, following this case through to court and giving evidence in front of a jury. It is due to them that Winston will now be behind bars for a number of years."

The court was told the crimes were reported to police after Winston had joined the service.

Judge Lowe said:

"Mr Winston was a probationary police officer and even the most scrupulous vetting system would not have exposed the matters."

Winston had been a student officer based in the Forest of Dean. He was arrested and suspended from duty as soon as the allegations came to light in October 2022 and resigned from the Constabulary in February 2023.

At the time the allegations were made he was still in his probationary period having joined the Constabulary in January 2022.

The Force referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and the IOPC returned it to the Force to investigate.

The case was then investigated by Gloucestershire Police's Criminal Investigation Department with charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service.

At the time of Winston’s conviction, Deputy Chief Constable Katy Barrow-Grint said:

"I am deeply shocked at the heinous crimes committed by Craig Winston, including some whilst he was a serving student police officer.

"The courage the survivors have demonstrated over the past four years is commendable and I'd like to thank them for their assistance in helping us hold him accountable.

"There is absolutely no place in policing for someone like him and we will now begin misconduct proceedings against him to ensure his name is placed on the police barred list.

"I hope this case reassures the public we will not hesitate to investigate allegations of criminal wrongdoing by our officers and staff and bring them to justice."

Gemma Kneebone, a Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said:

"A thorough police investigation revealed that Craig Winston had a sexual interest in degrading abuse against women, and that he researched the use of various drugs to render people unconscious.

"This evidence, together with the accounts of two women who spoke of their personal experiences with Winston, enabled the Crown Prosecution Service to build a compelling case which resulted in his conviction and a very significant prison term.

"This prosecution would not have been possible without the evidence provided by these two women, and I would like to thank them for their bravery in coming forward and supporting this prosecution."