Latest Offenders

Description

Two girls who were sexually abused by a man in Wisbech say they finally feel 'free' after seeing him jailed for 18 years.

Andrew Howell, aged 37, of Llandusyl, Carmarthenshire  - but formerly of Wisbech - had denied a catalogue of offences against the two victims but was jailed last month after being found guilty by a jury at Peterborough Crown Court.

The offences took place in the Wisbech and King's Lynn area between 2021-2023 and came to light when one of the victims rang a helpline to report it.

In July 2024 Howell was charged with 24 offences:

• 13 counts of sexual activity with a child
• 1 count of rape of a child
• 2 counts of attempted rape of a child
• 3 counts of making indecent photographs of children
• 5 counts of inciting sexual activity with a child.

His first court appearance was August 2024 but he refused to admit his guilt.

However at a trial at Peterborough Crown Court on 1 December 2025 a jury found him guilty of all charges and he was sentenced (at the same court on 25 February 2026) to 18 years' imprisonment. He was also put on the sex offenders register for life.

In a statement read to the court one of the young victims spoke of the importance of seeing her abuser behind bars.

Addressing Howell she said:

"You are a manipulative and insecure monster and are finally where you belong.

“Sometimes I feel like I can finally go to sleep, at ease, knowing there's no way of you ever getting to me again and then there you are, appearing in my nightmares.

"But I have finally started to realise that not everyone is as evil as you. Despite the battles I fight every day, I have grown into a strong, confident and independent women who is falling back in love with her life.  You would be intimidated by this new person I am today.

"After everything you put me through, it matters to me that the sentence reflects the truth of what really happened...it's part of finally getting closure and being able to keep moving forward with the life I am rebuilding for myself."

The other victim said:

"For me, a proper sentence is not just about punishment, it is about finally being able to move forward, begin healing, and feel that the truth of what happened to me has been heard and believed.

"At the end of the day, I know I will never fully recover and heal from what he did to me. However, I am now so strong and incredibly proud of myself for continuing to live my life, one that is now filled with happiness and love.

"Although I will carry these scars for a long time, possibly even forever, I feel free. Free from pain, free from fear and most of all free from the monster himself".

Following sentencing Detective Constable Christina Wilkinson praised the victims for their bravery:

“From the very start of this investigation, both victims have shown remarkable courage. Their strength and honesty have been central to securing this conviction, and this outcome is a testament to their resilience.

“Howell’s continued refusal to take responsibility for his actions, and his decision to put the victims through the ordeal of a trial, highlights the level of manipulation and harm he inflicted. Despite this, the victims stood firm, and I hope this sentence brings them some measure of closure as they continue rebuilding their lives.

“I want to reassure anyone who has experienced abuse that we will listen, we will support you, and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

"If this has happened to you or someone you know, then please come forward and report it to us, no matter when it happened. You will be given help and support by our dedicated teams."

Description

"He manipulated me with lies to get what he wanted and scarred me for life with his actions. He has impacted my life in the most brutal way, and I will never get over it. This has been so mentally and physically draining for me."  

The victim of Jordan Reynolds has spoken after he was given a lengthy sentence.  

Reynolds, aged 30, was sentenced to a total of 17 years and six months at Bradford Crown Court with four years extended licence yesterday (Wednesday).  

He was jailed following an investigation by detectives at Calderdale Safeguarding, which saw him charged with multiple sexual offences, including several counts of rape.  

Reynolds was also convicted of criminal damage, perverting the course of justice, coercive and controlling behaviour and unrelated charges of affray and assault of an emergency worker.

Speaking after he had been sentenced, Detective Constable Katy Wilson of the Adult Protection Team, said:

“Reynolds subjected his victim to a horrendous ordeal and I hope the lengthy sentence he has received will give her some comfort.

“I also hope it encourages other victims to come forward and report offences to our specially-trained officers, who will investigate all reports and provide support throughout the process.” 

Description

A Gillingham rapist who drugged and repeatedly abused a man he met online has been jailed following his death.

On Tuesday 21 May 2024, the 61 year old victim went to Derek Rowley’s home address in Beatty Avenue, Gillingham after arranging to meet online.

During the afternoon, both men took a cocktail of drugs, including crystal meth, ketamine and GHB before engaging in consensual sex.

CCTV from Rowley’s bedroom captured the entire incident and showed at 5pm the victim became unresponsive. Rowley is seen to administer a liquid from a syringe into the victim’s mouth before raping him numerous times.

This continued until 9.38pm when Rowley was seen to go downstairs to tell his relative someone had died in his bedroom. An ambulance was called at 9.53pm and when paramedics arrived they confirmed the victim was deceased.

Rowley was arrested at the scene and later charged with 11 counts of rape and administering a substance to stupefy. He denied the offences but a jury at Maidstone Crown Court found him guilty on all counts.

On Thursday 5 March at the same court, the 45 year old was jailed for 17 years.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Lee Neiles said:

‘This was a truly shocking and disturbing case. Rowley exploited the victim in the most appalling way, showing complete disregard for his welfare.

‘Thanks to the meticulous work of our investigation team and the evidence presented to the jury, Rowley has been held accountable for his actions and will now face a consideration amount of time behind bars.

‘Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family during this incredibly difficult time who have shown tremendous dignity throughout the investigation and trial.’

Description

Connor Dorritt, 22, from Gateshead, has been jailed for two years and eight months after attempting to meet what he believed was a 12-year-old girl for sex at Newcastle Central Station.

Instead, he was confronted by a vigilante group who had set up a decoy profile to catch online child abusers.

Dorritt admitted attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity and possessing indecent images of children.

He contacted the profile on December 21, 2023, with the message "hey baby, how are you doing," prosecutor David Povall said. Over several weeks of daily chats, he was repeatedly told she was 12.

Dorritt suggested she visit his home to "hug" and "play games" involving a blindfold, offering up to £50 for her pictures. He then discussed sexual acts, offering money in exchange, and said she could use the cash for her train ticket.

"He encouraged her to keep this secret," Povall said, adding "she must not tell anybody" or he "could be arrested 'because of the age'".

On February 29, 2024, Dorritt arrived at a station coffee shop expecting to meet her but was met by the group. "This was a concerted effort to meet a 12-year-old child for the purposes of [sex]," Povall said.

Police arrested him and found four indecent videos of children aged 10-13 on his phone, totaling 16 minutes—one in the most serious category, three in the second.

Recorder Paul Reid described Dorritt's two-month messages as "deeply sexualised," noting the paedophile "acknowledged her extreme youth" and referred to it "many times." "It is quite clear you had sexual interest in very young children," the judge said, adding Dorritt went to the station to "perform unspeakable sexual acts upon" a 12-year-old.

Dorritt must sign the sex offender register and comply with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Description

A serial rapist with prior convictions for brutal attacks in the North East has received a second life sentence for raping a woman after luring her to his flat.

Clifford Ian Church, 63, was captured after a police hunt across York and North Yorkshire.

He lured the 25-year-old woman to his flat, forced her to submit by hitting her to the floor, and told her, “you are going to be hit every time you refuse,” prosecutor Catherine Silverton told York Crown Court. He also said she needed “teaching a lesson” and locked them inside.

She escaped naked into the Harrogate block's communal area. Church, naked except for socks, chased her up two flights of stairs, grabbed her as she clung to a door frame, and tried dragging her back until a resident, hearing her screams, intervened.

The victim had viewed him as a “nice old man,” Ms. Silverton said.

After the rape, Church dressed, tossed her clothes into the communal area, and fled.

Church was on parole from a life sentence for raping, attempting to rape, and sexually assaulting a 37-year-old on Redcar seafront—an incident Judge Simon Hickey called “very similar” to the 2025 rape. He was also jailed for eight years in 1997 for rape, attempted rape, and attempted indecent assault of a 16-year-old in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. He has eight rape and attempted rape offenses total.

Church, formerly of Harrogate and now recalled to prison for his first life sentence, pleaded guilty to rape and assault.

Judge Hickey imposed a second life sentence with a 12-year minimum before parole consideration, calling it a “prolonged, determined and sustained incident that must have left the 25-year-old victim terrified.” Church is on the sex offenders’ register for life.

The August 9, 2025, rape prompted urgent appeals across York, North Yorkshire, Cleveland, and West Yorkshire.

Ms. Silverton said Church met the homeless drug addict victim in Leeds, persuaded her to bus to Harrogate with promises of £100 and drugs for bagging heroin and crack cocaine. He paid her £100 en route but mentioned nothing sexual until inside, where he locked the door, demanded she undress, and hit her when she refused.

Police arrested the drinking Church at Bradford Interchange on September 19. He was released from his first life sentence on November 1, 2017.

Defense lawyer Rebecca Randall cited his guilty plea as best mitigation, sparing the victim testimony. Institutionalized, he worked as a laundry orderly and advised new prisoners against self-harm. He struggled with long-term alcohol and drug addictions post-2017 release, lacking needed help.

Description

This is the moment a registered sex offender was identified by Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology.

John Thompson was on our watchlist and spotted by one of the LFR cameras in Piccadilly Gardens on 28 January.

When he was approached by officers following the alert, Thompson admitted having an extra mobile phone in his possession, which breaches his Sexual Harm Protection Order (SHPO) and led to his arrest. 

Thompson, (10/06/1982), from Manchester, was in court this week after admitting to a total of 35 breaches of his SHPO and a breach of his sex offender notification requirements.

He was jailed for 16 months when he appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday (03/03/2026). He was also ordered to pay £187 costs.

Without LFR, this level of noncompliance could easily have gone unnoticed, leaving both the risk and Thompson's behaviour hidden.

We have been using LFR since October 2025, with 20% of arrests being for registered sex offenders and three-quarters of suspects being charged with offences.

Description

A 31-year-old man has been jailed for nearly three years after he admitted to breaching the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Simeon William James Weekes, previously of Wigston, Leicestershire, was issued with a SHPO in February 2018 following his conviction for making indecent photographs/pseudo photographs of children.

The SHPO was issued with certain conditions he was required to abide by, including not deleting any search history or downloading and deleting mobile phone apps.

However, on September 16 last year, when police officers made an unannounced visit to Weekes’ home address in Northampton, they analysed his mobile phone and found that he had downloaded and then deleted a social networking app.

He was arrested and subsequently charged with breaching his SHPO.

On October 29 last year, Weekes appeared at Northampton Crown Court where he pleaded guilty, returning to the same court earlier this year (January 15) where he was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.

Investigating officer PC Leanne Tyson, from the Force’s MOSOVO team, said:

“Being given nearly three years in prison for deleting your app history may seem harsh to some, but we will never apologise for taking a zero-tolerance approach when it comes to the management of sex offenders.

“The conditions of a SHPO are put in place for a reason and there are no excuses for not abiding by them.

“We will always seek prison sentences and we will continue working hard to bring more people like Weekes to justice.”

Description

The bravery of a victim asking a member of the public for help, has resulted in a man being sentenced for rape of a child.

The court heard how the victim was subjected to this abhorrent act by a stranger, Ammar Moqbal, after being given alcohol while at a party. The victim left the party and bravely approached a member of the public asking for help.

A report was made to the police and Moqbal was promptly arrested and later charged with rape of a child aged 13/14/15.

He attended Sheffield Crown Court where he denied the offences, pleading not guilty, however he was later found guilty by a jury in October 2025.

Yesterday (3 March) Moqbal, 32, of Exter Driver, Sheffield, was handed a nine-year sentence at the same court.

During court, the victims brave account was shared:

"What happened to me that night has affected each and every part of my life.

"That night I was with my friends and could have never known what was about to happen. I found myself in a situation I could not control and as a child could not see a way out of.

"Whilst trying to work through what had happened, I lost the normality of just being in school. I couldn’t concentrate on my work or studies, as there was not enough head space for me to deal with the trauma I suffered, as well as what others were saying to me. 

"The confidence and naivety I had at the time of the incident, has been taken from me, and now I will always struggle to do what most people would not think twice about.  This can be as simple as leaving my home and going somewhere new. 

"I think the best way to describe my state of mind now, is similar to suffering a bereavement. It's like I am grieving for the life I feel I have lost. I feel like it’s a constant struggle to move my life forward due to the barriers I face now.

"I worry that one day these all of these things will overcome me, what happened will overcome me. I can't and will not allow this to happen.

"I will not let those who harmed me win, that time is done.

Description

I thought we had some sort of secret relationship. He made it seem like it was something special, something I had to keep quiet. But I was a child. I now understand that what happened wasn’t right. It wasn’t a relationship – it was abuse.

These are the words of the victim of Frankie Allwork.  

Allwork, 27, was jailed at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday (2 March) after he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child.  

He was convicted following an investigation by detectives from the Child Vulnerability Exploitation Team (CVET) into offences which occurred over several months at Allwork’s address in Kentmere Avenue and at the victim’s home.

Allwork was given a total sentence of 12 years. He will serve a minimum of eight years in custody.  

He was also served with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a restraining order and was required to sign on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.  

Speaking after Allwork had been sentenced, the officer in the case Detective Constable Jody Bergstrom, said:

“I would like to thank the victim for her courage in coming forward to report Allwork’s crimes.

“He knew she was under the age of consent, but this did not stop him sexually abusing her over a period of several months.  

“I hope this outcome will give her some closure.  

“I hope it will also encourage other victims to speak with our specially-trained officers who will investigate all reports and provide support throughout the investigation.” 

Description

Sam Levett, 34, from Gravesend, received a 15 year sentence after being convicted following a trial of multiple rapes and sexual assaults committed against a child between 2019 and 2020.

He must serve at least 10 years in custody before being eligible for parole and has also been made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Sergeant Matthew Childs and Detective Constable Chris Taylor received commendations from the Judge for the quality of the investigation during a hearing at the Old Bailey on 16 February.

Description

Gordon Jackson, 69, of Marine Road, Deal, was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to the sexual touching of a child.

Jackson was a private maths tutor and committed the offence during a lesson. He was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on 17 February when he was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Description

A man with a history of child pornography offenses was caught breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) after his offender manager spotted "children's clothing and nappies" at his home.

Kris Hatton, 34, first received an SHPO in 2021 following a police raid that uncovered a collection of child rape images.

At Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, March 4, Hatton admitted violating the order, which prohibited deleting online history from internet-capable devices or using encryption software to hide activity.

Prosecutor Georgiana Pantelli said:

"On November 11, 2024, two officers met with the defendant at Walton Lane police station because his offender manager had raised concerns about children's clothing and nappies found at his address.

"He was asked to produce his phone. One officer immediately noted a VPN (virtual private network) had been downloaded to his device, along with the Opera browser, which has a VPN and private mode built-in. Incognito mode may have also been used on Google Chrome."

A VPN creates an encrypted link between a device and the internet, masking its IP address and activity. Incognito mode allows private browsing without saving history, cookies, site data, or form information.

Ms Pantelli added that Hatton downloaded the Opera browser in September 2024 and the VPN in November, days before detection. His Motorola phone showed 4,839 deletions of internet history, including porn sites and online chats.

Hatton, of Rice Lane in Fazakerley, had a 2014 police caution for four charges of possessing indecent images of children.

In June 2020, officers found 765 files on his devices, including a baby being molested: 143 category A, 180 category B, and 442 category C images, plus one extreme porn file and four prohibited child images. He avoided prison but received a five-year SHPO and Sex Offenders Register requirement.

In 2023, another iPhone check revealed 137 category C, 28 category B, and 33 category A images of girls aged 6-10. He was jailed for 30 months and given an indefinite SHPO.

Defense counsel Callum Ross said:

"He had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, which is the strongest point of mitigation in this case. This offending is of some age, being from 2024. It seems there have been no further breaches since this breach.

"Hatton has a learning disability and low cognitive function, and childhood experiences left him with poor problem solving skills. He's still a relatively young man being 34, and he has not received any assistance from probation since 2021, but has served an immediate custodial sentence since then."

Recorder Alexander Leach KC sentenced Hatton to 16 months in prison, stating:

"While it's correct there was no direct evidence of any serious harm in this case, I'm aware you accessed a chat facility and records were deleted, therefore increasing the risk of further sexual offending."

Description

Liam Antony Rodgers, 33, of no fixed address, has been sectioned after sexually assaulting a woman and repeatedly stabbing another man in an unprovoked attacked.

Partway through his trial for the sex offences, Rodgers pleaded guilty to sexual assault and causing a person to engage in sexual activity.

He also pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent following the assault on a man in January 2024, which he carried out whilst on bail for the sexual assaults. He was originally charged with attempted murder, but the prosecution accepted the lesser plea after the defence prepared psychiatric reports on him.

At York Crown Court on Tuesday (3 March), Rodgers was detained under the Mental Health Act in a secure psychiatric unit, subject to special restrictions that allow doctors to set conditions on his behaviour in the community, including compulsory mental health treatment, and to return him to hospital if concerns arise.

He was also given a lifetime restraining order preventing him from contacting the woman, approaching her, or posting about her on social media.

The judge told Rodgers, “You are not likely to be released for many, many years, if ever". Had he not been mentally ill, he would have received a jail sentence of 16 years the judge told the court.

The brave victim of the sexual assaults reported the abuse to North Yorkshire Police in September 2023, prompting an investigation to be launched.

In a personal statement, the woman described how she was still dealing with the lasting and difficult impact of Rodgers’ actions on her life today.

“I feel disillusioned and very untrusting of those around me now, and I don’t think this will ever change or improve from here,” she said, explaining that “I have just had to adapt to being on constant high alert around others.”

She added: 

“Even as I am writing this now, it casts my mind right back to those days, and I am in a lot of pain recalling these times.”

The victim of the assault also described how, even two years after the attack, he still feels unable to go out alone at night and continues to suffer from nightmares.

He explained how Rodgers had been waiting for him in the corridor of their accommodation before repeatedly stabbing him to the head.

The incident took place on the afternoon of 29 January 2024, when Rodgers launched a sustained attack, striking the victim multiple times before grabbing him in a tight hold and continuing the assault.

Witnesses later said that the way Rodgers carried out the attack made them genuinely believe he intended to kill.

Detective Constable Karen Everitt of North Yorkshire Police, who led the investigation into the sexual assaults, said:

“The victim of these horrific sexual assaults was targeted by Rodgers who is a highly dangerous and manipulative man.

“Throughout the police investigation, she has shown remarkable strength and resilience. Her determination was driven by a desire to ensure that Rodgers could never treat anyone else in the same way again, and that he would finally be held accountable for his actions.

“This has been an extremely long and difficult journey for her, made even harder by the fact that Rodgers refused to take responsibility until the eve of the trial. As a result, she had to endure the full length of the police and CPS processes. Despite this, she has come through it and is now in a much stronger and happier place in her life.

“I hope she feels proud of herself for her courage in bringing Rodgers to justice and for ensuring that the public is now aware of him and his despicable behaviour. This outcome would not have been possible without the extraordinary strength she has shown throughout.”

Commenting on the assault, Investigator Corrina Graham-Merrett of North Yorkshire Police said:

“Rodgers carried out a sudden and extremely violent attack on the victim, giving him no opportunity to defend himself or escape.

“The determination and courage shown by the victim throughout this investigation has been remarkable, especially given the fear and trauma he endured.

“Witnesses were clear that the nature of Rodgers’ actions made them believe he intended to kill, and today’s sentence reflects the gravity of that behaviour. I hope this outcome brings the victim some sense of justice as he continues to rebuild his life.”

Description

A manhunt is underway for rapist Jonas Amogbokpa, 55, who fled midway through his trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

Amogbokpa kidnapped and raped a stranger in his car after spotting her walking home in Lewisham in August 2024.

He gave evidence on Wednesday, February 11, but failed to return the next day, telling his lawyer he was ill. Police found his door open at his home address, but he was gone.

Convicted in his absence of rape and kidnapping with intent to commit a sexual offence, he was not on remand. The judge issued an arrest warrant, describing him as a danger to the public. Efforts to trace him continue after three weeks.

A source said: “He clearly felt the evidence didn’t go well for him. He didn’t come to court the next day, telling his lawyer he was ill.”

Another source added:

“He had not been held on remand and so was able to escape justice. The judge has said he is a danger to the public due to his crimes. 

“So far, he has not been apprehended. I think it is important that the public are made aware of this criminal who is now back on the streets of south London hiding out somewhere.”

A Met Police spokesperson said:

“Police enquiries to locate him are ongoing. 

“Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

Description

Man jailed for 10 years for raping 15-year-old girl on family holiday in West Wales caravan

Leon Kidner, 34, of Castell Toch Caravan Park, Pendine, Carmarthenshire, was convicted at Swansea Crown Court of two counts of sexual assault by penetration and one count of rape.

The attack happened in a caravan on the site while the girl was on holiday with her family. Kidner had given her cannabis and knew she had been drinking alcohol. In the early hours he sexually assaulted and raped her; forensic examination later showed he had ejaculated inside her.

He lied to police and the jury, claiming the sex was consensual and had been initiated by the 15-year-old. The jury rejected his account.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the girl said the rape left her feeling “violated” and “like something was taken away from me”.

She added: 

“I struggle to sleep and suffer with nightmares… my schoolwork has suffered… I couldn’t really talk to anyone about what happened as nobody truly understands what I have been through… It has impacted all aspects of my life – my relationships with others, my education, my well-being, and how I see myself. I feel hollow and unstable. Every day feels like a struggle to feel normal again.”

Kidner has 34 previous convictions for 71 offences, including violence and robbery, but none of a sexual nature.

In mitigation, Lowri Wyn Morgan said her client was “deeply sorry” and accepted he faced a lengthy sentence. She told the court he had a troubled childhood, had been passed between family members, left school at 14, and that drink and drugs had dominated his adult life. He was now waiting to join the 12-Step addiction programme.

Judge Geraint Walters told Kidner the jury had rejected his account and that he now accepted his guilt. The judge said the “wickedness” of such offending “leaves a life-long scar” on victims and leaves them feeling violated.

Kidner was jailed for 10 years. He will remain on the sex offender register for life and was made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

After sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Katie Rees of Dyfed-Powys Police said:

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the victim in this case who showed profound courage from the very outset of the investigation, despite her young age.

“The victim showed immense strength, character and resilience… It is thanks to her bravery that Leon Kidner will now spend a significant period in prison.

“I welcome the sentence passed today, which highlights the seriousness of the offences. While it cannot undo the harm caused, it will hopefully provide the victim with a degree of closure.”