Latest Offenders Bedford

Description

A man has been jailed for raping a woman after approaching her in Bedford.

Robel Gebremariam spotted the woman walking in Greyfriars in the early hours of 6 July 2024 and approached her.

He walked along next to her and then took her to a shop where he bought her a bottle of alcohol.

He then booked a taxi and took her to the house he was staying in where he supplied her with more alcohol before raping her.

The victim reported what had happened to police shortly afterwards.

An investigation was launched by Bedfordshire Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) team, and Gebremariam was identified through intelligence work and CCTV.

The 25-year-old of Dudley Street, Bedford was found guilty after a four-day trial earlier this year and was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on Tuesday (14 July) to nine years in prison with a one-year extended licence.

Detective Constable Olivia Phillips from RASSO said:

“The victim showed remarkable bravery in coming forward and speaking to officers and played a vital role in ensuring Gebremariam was caught quickly.

“I am glad he will now serve a custodial sentence, and I hope this sends a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated.

“We are committed to tackling male violence against women and girls and this case demonstrates how seriously such offences are treated. We continue to encourage victims to report to us - you will be listened to, supported, and taken seriously, as protecting women and girls remains a policing priority for us.”

Description

A man has been jailed after he was convicted of raping a woman in Newport Pagnell.

Sean Wilcox, aged 35, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on 2 July 2026 to a total of 18 years’ imprisonment for offences committed in both the Thames Valley and Bedfordshire force areas.

Wilcox was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict on 16 January 2026 following a four-day trial at Aylesbury Crown Court.

He was convicted of rape in relation to a Thames Valley Police investigation and also pleaded guilty to six counts of theft from a motor vehicle, three counts of fraud by false representation, three counts of vehicle interference, two counts of burglary with intent to steal and one count each of theft from a person, possession of class A drugs, namely cocaine and possession of class B drugs, namely cannabis.

He also pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker and one count each of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and common assault.

The conviction relates to an incident that occurred at around 4.30am on 26 July last year in Dulwich Close, Newport Pagnell.

After attempting to gain entry to vehicles in the area to steal items, Wilcox began trying the doors of nearby properties. He entered a house through an unlocked door and found the victim, a 29-year-old woman, asleep on a sofa.

He then raped the victim before fleeing the property.

On 27 June 2025, whilst Wilcox was committing vehicle offences, two off-duty officers attempted to restrain and arrest him.

Wilcox assaulted them both, as well as strangling a police dog. He also assaulted a member of the public who assisted the officers.

Luckily the three individuals involved, and the police dog, sustained no injuries as a result

Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, Wilcox was arrested on 1 August 2025 and charged the following day.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Jessica Cooper, of Milton Keynes CID, said:

“The bravery and courage shown by the victim throughout this investigation has been admirable.

“No sentence will ever change the impact that this man has had on her life. However, we hope that this sentence provides her with some measure of justice.

“This was a deeply traumatic offence committed against a woman who was asleep in a place where she had every right to feel safe.   

“I would like to commend the victim for the strength she has shown in supporting this prosecution and helping to ensure that Wilcox was held accountable for his actions.

“We remain committed to investigating all reports of rape and serious sexual offences thoroughly, supporting victims and bringing offenders before the courts.”

Description

A man from Dunstable has been sentenced for raping and sexually assaulting a child.

Paul Millard, 43, carried out the abuse for around three years, bribing the child with sweets so she wouldn’t tell anyone.

However, she disclosed to her mother what had happened, and Millard was arrested by Bedfordshire Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People (PVP) team.

Millard, of no fixed address, was found guilty of 10 counts relating to child sexual abuse, including four of rape.

He was sentenced today (Friday) to 18 years, plus seven on licence.  

Detective Constable Natasha Drew from PVP said:

“This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community and the sentence Millard received reflects the severity of his crime. 

“Our priority throughout this investigation has been ensuring a dangerous offender is prevented from causing any future harm, while supporting the wellbeing of the victim, and we commend her courage in helping us put Millard behind bars.

“We hope this outcome provides a measure of reassurance to the community that we will always pursue those who pose a risk to children and ensure they are brought before the courts.

“Child sexual abuse is one of the most monstrous of crimes and we work tirelessly to support the victims through an investigation and bring these perpetrators to justice.

“Please remember it’s never too late to report a crime and you are helping us to put these dangerous perpetrators in prison.”

Description

A 24-year-old man from Bedford has been sentenced after forcing a teenage girl into marriage and subjecting her to cohesive and controlling behaviour.

Mohammed Al-Amin began a sexually abusing the victim when she was in her early teens.

In February last year, she bravely came forward to report that she was a victim of coercion and exploitation, and we launched an investigation.

She also disclosed that she has been coerced into entering an Islamic marriage via Zoom in a language she didn’t understand, when she was still under the age of 18.

She described the significant pressure she faced, including expectations on how to dress and behave in particular ways to “avoid bringing shame” upon him and his family.

After the relationship ended, Al-Amin sent abusive and threatening messages the victim, saying that he would kill her family.

Al-Amin of Saxon Way, Great Denham, Bedford, was found guilty of one count of forced marriage and two counts of sexual activity with a child. He was sentenced today (Friday) at Luton Crown Court to three years and seven months. He was also handed a five-year retraining order and will have to be on the Sex Offenders' Register for seven years.

Detective Constable Hollie Fraser, who investigated, said:

“This was a challenging investigation, and I am pleased that Al-Amin has received a custodial sentence.

“I want to commend the immense bravery shown by the victim in coming forward to report what she endured. Despite living in fear, she found the courage to speak out. Her actions not only helped bring the offender to justice but also send a powerful message to others that support is available.

“It great to see how far the victim has come since this happened - she has been able to start a new chapter of her life away from the perpetrator and I wish her well.

“Forcing someone into marriage without their consent is abuse and control, not tradition.”

Description

A paedophile who sexually abused a teenage girl over a seven-month period has been jailed.

Linden Chirico, 38, touched the girl and got her to touch him inappropriately, multiple times between January and July 2022.

He admitted the offences, which all happened in the East Cambs area, in interview but then denied them in a second interview.

On Thursday (16 April), at Cambridge Crown Court, Chirico, of Close Road, Pavenham, near Bedford, was jailed for seven years, having been found guilty of two counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl and one count each of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl and cause/incite a girl to engage in sexual activity – no penetration.

He was also handed a ten-year restraining order, an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

DC Anna Griffiths, who was the officer in the case, said:

“Chirico shamefully attacked the victim and then tried to deny he’d done anything wrong.

“Child sexual abuse can have a long-lasting impact on victims and the trauma it causes is reflected in the sentence. I would like to commend and thank the victim for the courage she had shown in coming forward and supporting the prosecution.

“I would urge anyone who believes they have been sexually abused, no matter how long ago it happened, to report it to us.”

Description

A prolific sex offender has returned to jail after touching himself inappropriately while staring at a child on a train, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.   

Tajinder Sabherwal, 44, and of High Street, Bedford, appeared at St Albans Crown Court on 7 April where he was sentenced to two years and two months in prison having pleaded guilty to Outraging Public Decency. He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

The court heard how, on 22 March last year, a mother and her 11-year-old daughter were on a train from London St Pancras to Peterborough when Sabherwal boarded the service and sat adjacent to them so that the child was in his line of sight.

The mother turned around and noticed that Sabherwal was touching himself over his shorts while staring at her daughter.

She turned around again and made eye contact with Sabherwal who, on realising he had been caught in the act, left his seat and walked down the train.

The mother texted 61016, BTP’s text-to-report service, and officers boarded the service at Biggleswade but Sabherwal had already left the train.

BTP detectives identified Sabherwal as the offender and he handed himself in at Luton police station before offering no comment to all questions put to him in police interview.

The 44-year-old has a long history of committing sex offences on the railway.

In 2021 he was jailed for 18 months for exposing himself to women and touching himself inappropriately on multiple occasions at stations and on trains across London and Surrey.

BTP Detective Constable Agata Barker said:

“This was an extremely disturbing incident for the victim and her mother. Sabherwal stooped to a new low, committing this vile offence while staring at a young child.

“He is evidently a repeat offender and poses a serious danger to women and girls, so I am pleased to see him return to jail where he can’t target the public with his repulsive behaviour.”

Description

A 63-year-old man from Dunstable has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for raping a child.

Stephen Byrne was arrested after the victim, now an adult, disclosed the abuse she suffered as a child.

He was found guilty of five counts of rape of a girl under 13 following a six-day trial at Luton Crown Court.

Byrne received an indefinite restraining order, a sexual harm prevention order, and will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

Victim's Statement

The victim spoke about the impact of the abuse, saying:

“At the time the abuse happened, I was far too young to understand what was being done to me.

“I trusted him, and he took advantage of my vulnerability and innocence. I was sexually assaulted and raped at an age where I should have been safe, protected and carefree.

“Instead, I experienced emotional and physical harm that no child should ever have to endure. My childhood was taken from me.

“It makes me incredibly sad that this abuse has affected me for so many years, but today I finally feel that I can begin to heal.”

Detective Sergeant Natalie Miller from the PVP team expressed admiration for the victim's courage in coming forward.

“Firstly, I would like to praise the victim for her bravery in coming forward and helping us bring another sexual predator to justice," she said.

“This was a lengthy and complex investigation, and I am pleased that Byrne was given such a significant sentence and hope that this outcome will help the victim get closure now he’s behind bars."

Detective Sergeant Miller highlighted the profound impact of sexual abuse on victims, adding:

“Sexual abuse is one of the most devastating experiences a child can endure. It not only shatters their sense of safety and innocence during their formative years, but its impact can echo throughout their entire life, affecting their emotional wellbeing, relationships, and sense of self well into adulthood."

Description

A Bedford man has been jailed for more than five years after attempting to rape a woman.

Carlton Lancelot-Mungofa – known only to the victim as Carlito - had been at a house with a group of people in January 2021 when he sexually assaulted and attempted to rape a woman.

The victim immediately contacted her mother and disclosed what had happened. The police were informed and Lancelot-Mungofa was identified and arrested.

Following an investigation by Bedfordshire Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) team, Lancelot-Mungofa was found guilty of attempted rape after the jury deliberated for just two and a half hours after a four-day trial.

The 27-year-old was sentenced at Luton Crown Court today (Thursday) to five and half years.

The victim described how this incident impacted her life in her victim personal statement. She said:

“When all this happened, I lost what I thought was a good part of my life surrounded by friends, going out, having drinks, and just enjoying life.

“Nights out were always full of laughter and never ended badly, until the night everything changed. After that happened, it felt like I lost all of it. The people I was closest to started seeing me differently, as if that one moment defined me.

"I will never get that time back. My life has felt like it has been on pause and I don’t know if it will ever be the same again or if I will ever fully recover from this."

Detective Sergeant Joanna Tyrrell from RASSO said:

“This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim, and I want to commend her courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation.

“Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of Lancelot-Mungofa’s actions and sends a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure those who commit violent and predatory offences against women are brought to justice.

“We would encourage anyone who has been the victim of rape or serious sexual assault victims to come forward, safe in the knowledge that they will be treated with sympathy and respect and given the support they need.”

Description

A Luton man will be spending a substantial amount of time in prison after admitting to sexually abusing several children.

Damian Schisnach, 38, was convicted of number of offences relating to four different victims; both male and female, over a three-year period.

After pleading guilty on the first day of his trial in October last year, to eight charges, which included rape, sexual assault, taking and making indecent images of children and causing and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Schisnach, of Ferrars Close, Luton, was sentenced yesterday (Wednesday) at Luton Crown Court to 21 years.

He was also given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Constable Lesley Waring from Bedfordshire Police said:

“Schisnach is a sexual predator. His offending spanned several years and was identified due to the brave victims coming forward. 

“This is the worst case of child abuse I have dealt with, and I commend the victims and their families for having the strength to come forward. I have seen first-hand the devastation and trauma that this type of crime causes to families and so thanks to the evidence, he had no choice but to plead guilty on the first day of the trial.

“We work hard to tackle all forms of abuse against children and would urge anyone who has concerns that a child is being sexually abused, or has been a victim themselves, no matter how long ago, to come forward.

“Our specialist teams carry out many investigations like this one and have successfully brought many perpetrators to justice, whilst ensuring the victim has the support they need.

“Please remember it’s never too late to speak out. When you are ready, our officers are there to listen and your voice will be heard.”

Description

A man who flew from America to Bedford after arranging to rape a child has been jailed for more than 11 years.

In February last year, Rahamim Shy, 47, travelled from his home in New York after arranging online to meet a young girl for sex.

Shy had set up the meeting after months of correspondence, however, unbeknown to him, the girl did not exist.

An in-depth investigation and operation carried out by Bedfordshire Police’s Internet Child Abuse Investigation Team (ICAIT), meant Shy was arrested when he arrived in Bedford.

He was found guilty on Wednesday (29 January) of arranging the commission of a child sex offence – namely rape and possessing indecent photographs of a child following a trial at Luton Crown Court.
He was found not guilty of possessing a prohibited image of a child.

He was sentenced to 11 years and six months.

Investigating Officer David Paton, from ICAIT, said:

“Shy is a predator who had clear intentions of raping and abusing a child.

“Child sexual abuse will not be tolerated in Bedfordshire and we’re committed to tackling offenders to prevent them from causing further harm. In this case the child fortunately did not exist, but the immediate threats remain the same, and we work tirelessly to identify predators who pose a risk to our society.”

Description

A man who sexually manipulated two young girls across the country has today (Friday, 23 January 2026), been sentenced to a total of eight years behind bars, and will be required to be on licence for an additional three years.

He is also to be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely, and handed a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Luke Williamson, 34-years-old, of Bunyan Road in Kempston, Bedfordshire, appeared at Hull Crown Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to 20 child sex offences at a previous court hearing

Williamson sent thousands of messages, including videos and voice calls, through multiple social media channels to two teenage girls all under 16-years-old, living in West Midlands and Hertfordshire, leading them to believe he was in love with them and manipulating them into doing what he wanted for his own perverse sexual gain.

Williamson was charged in July 2025 and pleaded guilty in October 2025 to 12 counts of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence, three counts of sexual communications with a child, three counts of making indecent photographs of a child, causing a child to watch a sexual act and taking indecent photographs of a child.

Leading the extensive investigation into the scale of Williamson’s offending was Detective Inspector Cat Slaughter from our Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, who said:

“Williamson is a very calculated and manipulative man who preyed on vulnerable girls and in essence, groomed them with his methods being the same each time.

“He would first ask the girls how old they were and once he knew they were underage he continued with messaging them inappropriately.  Once they were overwhelmed by his interest, he progressed on to asking them for favours which included sending photographs of their legs and feet.

“He went on to initiate a phone or video call with the girls.  If they were reluctant or refused, he offered them money, alcohol, or vapes in a devious scheme to coerce them into doing what he wanted.  He then took the next step, persuading them to meet him in person which enabled him to continue his sexual offending against them.”

The investigation commenced when Williamson’s phone was seized in May this year as part of another investigation and examined by our Digital Forensics Unit who uncovered the messages, images and videos he had been sending.

It was established during the investigation that Williamson drove significant distances across the country to meet the girls, and location tracking data analysed from his phone showed that he would wait for hours in his car to execute his plan.

On one occasion, he went to such lengths that he meticulously planned and implemented entering one of the girl’s houses whilst her family members slept to engage in sexual activity with her.

Williamson was arrested in July this year and whilst he first refused to admit involvement in any of the allegations put to him, due to the amount of significant evidence and strong case built by the detectives, he entered a guilty plea at a Pre Trial Plea Hearing in October 2025.

DI Slaughter continued:

“Even whilst on remand for a previous investigation Williamson continued to write letters to one of the girls, making false promises, and further led her to believe that he was in love with her.

“When someone has been sexually manipulated, groomed or abused, people sometimes do not want to fully engage with an investigation, as was the situation with this case, and I want to acknowledge how incredibly difficult it is and that we completely understand and respect the girls’ decision.

“We believed that Williamson was a danger to young girls, and we continued to gather as much evidence as we could to build a strong case against him.  

“Before the Judge passed her sentence today, she said that Williamson is a high risk offender and a serious risk to teenage girls, I hope the result at court today demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting offenders like Williamson and I hope it provides some reassurance to anyone who has been or is a victim of any type of sexual offence. It is never your fault, you will be believed, and we will do all we can to hold those responsible to account.

“I would urge anyone who reads this court result about Williamson’s offending and is affected by it, or if it causes you concern, please come forward and report via our dedicated Major Incident Public Portal quoting log 72 of 17 November 2025.”

Jessica Randell, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, added:

"Luke Williamson repeatedly targeted and groomed young girls, before subjecting them to appalling degradation. He treated his victims as sexual objects to be used and discarded, showing a complete disregard for their dignity and wellbeing in doing so.

“To build this case, we dissected thousands of text messages between Williamson and his victims. This allowed us to build a comprehensive picture of the extent of his offending and ultimately secure guilty pleas to 20 counts of child sexual abuse.  

“Working closely with Humberside Police, we have been able to ensure that Williamson is rightfully imprisoned for his crimes and cannot subject any more victims to his disturbing patterns of behaviour. The CPS is determined to tackle child sexual abuse in all its forms and to help stop the devastating impact of these crimes on victims.”

Description

A man who travelled to Swindon with the intention of sexually abusing a child has today been jailed (23/1).

Mark Bellas, 54, from Harebell Gardens, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, Bedfordshire was arrested in Swindon in October last year having travelled from his home address. He thought he was meeting a girl under the age of 13 who he was intending to sexually abuse. Instead, he was met by officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).  

At the time of his arrest, Bellas was on bail for distributing indecent images of children following an investigation by Bedfordshire Police. 

Today, at Swindon Crown Court, he was sentenced to 12 years with a five-year extended licence, given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be required to be on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely. 

Bellas pleaded guilty to two counts of arranging orfacilitatingthe commission of a child sex offence,attemptingto cause or incite the sexual exploitation of a child and five counts of distributing indecent images of children. He has been remanded in custody since his arrest by SWROCU last year. 

DI Dave Wells from SWROCU said:

“Due to the strength of the evidence gathered by the police, Bellas had no option but to plead guilty. He is a dangerous individual who preys upon children to fulfil his sexual desires, and I welcome the sentence handed down to him today. 

“Specially trained officers are all across the internet rooting out and prosecuting individuals’ intent upon sexually abusing and exploiting children. We worked in collaboration with our colleagues at the Metropolitan Police and the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) to bring Bellas to justice.”

Description

A 78-year-old man from Luton has been sentenced after sexually assaulting and abusing multiple women and girls over a period of 30 years. 

Barry Tatum, of Regis Road, came to the attention of Bedfordshire Police in August 2017 after one of the victims reported that she had been sexually abused by him.   

Following this disclosure, an investigation was launched by the Protecting Vulnerable People (PVP) team, and Tatum was arrested. 

As the investigation progressed, seven further victims of varying ages came forward, reporting abuse dating back to the late 1980s. 

Tatum was subsequently charged with 23 offences and following a five-week trial at Luton Crown Court in August, he was found guilty of 16 offences: five counts of indecent assault, six counts of sexual assault, three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, and two counts of making indecent images of a child.  

Today (Thursday) he was jailed for 10 years with an additional three years on licence. He was also handed a restraining order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order after the judge described his actions as a campaign of abuse that he had shown no remorse for.

Detective Constable Matt McCarthy from the PVP team said:

“For three decades Tatum groomed and abused the trust of many innocent women and girls, acting in a persistently predatory manner and subjecting them to wholly inappropriate sexual abuse.

“This verdict is a testament to the bravery and resilience of the victims who came forward and shared their experiences.

“Their courage has ensured that a dangerous offender has now been brought to justice. We hope this outcome brings some measure of closure and reassurance to them and to the wider community. 

“We work hard to tackle all forms of sexual abuse. Please remember it’s never too late to speak out. Our specialist teams carry out many investigations like this one and have successfully brought many perpetrators to justice, whilst ensuring the victim has the support they need. 

“When you are ready, our officers are there to listen and your voice will be heard.” 

Lawyer Paul Robson from the Crown Prosecution Service said:

“The strong testimonies of the victims were central to our case and to securing Tatum’s conviction.

“Not only did these women come forward to report him, but they also showed great courage by giving their accounts in court, despite everything they had been through. As a result, Tatum will now serve time in prison for his crimes.

“We would like to thank the victims for their support through this process. We also recognise the outstanding work of the police, barristers, and other professionals who ensured justice was served.”

Description

A Bedford man has been jailed for grooming a girl into sexual activity in exchange for money and drugs.

Robert Brookes, 37, gave the victim cocaine and cannabis on a regular basis before offering to pay her cash if she engaged in sexual activity with him. 

He also befriended a friend of the victim over social media and attempted to groom her in the same way.

Brookes came to our attention when a relative of the victim saw the messages that he had sent to her.

After a lengthy investigation, Brookes was found guilty of two counts of causing/inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, two counts of supplying a Class A drug and two counts of offering to supply cocaine.

He was sentenced today (Wednesday) at Luton Crown Court to six years and three months.

Detective Constable David Widdicombe from our Protecting Vulnerable People team said:

“Brookes is a vile individual who took advantage of a young girl in the worst possible way, so I am pleased he has received a custodial sentence.

“The victim was very brave telling us what happened, and I hope she is now able to move on from this chapter in her life.

“Combatting violence against women and girls is a huge focus in policing. We are working tirelessly to put abusers behind bars and this case should serve as a warning to other perpetrators that we will do whatever it takes to bring a case to court and get justice for victims.

“Sadly, we are seeing an increase in reports of grooming – these predators build a relationship with the victim either in person or online to gain their trust before taking advantage of them.

“Grooming can happen both in person and online, often by a stranger, but it can also be someone your child knows. It can be difficult to tell if your child is being groomed – the signs aren't always obvious and may be hidden  - therefore we are encouraging parents or carers to familiarise themselves with some of the signs to look out for and to talk to their children and let them know they can come to you if something happens to them that doesn’t feel right.”

Description

A man has been jailed for raping a girl he met in Luton last year.

Samad Ali, 34, was found guilty of raping the victim after supplying her with cannabis.

An investigation was launched by Bedfordshire Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) team, and Ali was arrested.

Following a four-day trial, Ali of Bury Park Road, Luton was found guilty of rape.

He was sentenced yesterday (Thursday) to a total of 17 years; 11 years for rape and six years for the drug offences, with an extended licence of five years due to dangerousness.

Detective Constable Olivia Phillips from the RASSO team, who investigated, said:

“This was a complex and sensitive investigation, so I’m pleased that Ali has received a significant custodial sentence and is no longer a danger to any other women or girls.

“The victim in this case has showed enormous courage coming forward and speaking to officers to help ensure Ali was caught quickly and served justice.

“We take all reports of rape and sexual assault seriously, and it is never too late to report. We have several specially trained victim engagement officers who work closely with victims, supporting them throughout the investigation and justice process, as well helping them to move forward.”