Latest Offenders Brighton

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A sex attacker has been handed a 12-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of the rape of a woman on Brighton Beach in the dead of night.

Przemyslaw Pogorzzelec, 44, forced himself upon the woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, in the early hours on the morning on the beach in Brighton, East Sussex.

Sussex Police said the sex attack, which happened at 2am on July 31 last year, was seen by witnesses.

Pogorzzelec and the woman were approached by members of the Beach Patrol and security, and the victim told them she had not consented. was then detained and arrested by officers.

The rapist claimed he had chatted with the young woman and claimed he had consensual sex with her.

But when questioned by officers he could not remember her name, age, or anything about her.

Witnesses said she was not able to give consent.

She was given support by specially-trained officers throughout the investigation.

At Lewes Crown Court on May 2, Pogorzzelec, a builder of no fixed address but formerly of an address in Hove, was found guilty of rape, and of sexual assault by penetration.

He was jailed for a total of 12 years, and an extended licence period of three years was also imposed.

The court was told how the incident happened at 2am on July 31 last year.

Pogorzzelec had forced himself on the woman, and had taken intimate photographs of her on his mobile phone.

He was interrupted by the Beach Patrol and security from nearby venues.

Despite denying the offence, he was convicted by the jury after a trial in January.

At his sentencing hearing, it was revealed how Pogorzzelec was convicted in 2013 for exposure, contrary to the Sexual Offences Act.

Speaking after the case, Detective Constable Ciara Richardson said: 'The victim received support from our officers, and showed great courage to give evidence in the trial.

'This was a fast moving investigation where we gathered witness statements and footage which showed how Pogorzzelec had preyed on the young woman when she was alone on the beach.

'We are pleased that a dangerous offender is now in prison for these offences.'

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A FORMER teacher has been given a 12-year prison sentence for 11 sexual offences against four pupils at a boarding school.

Martin Haigh was a teacher at Ashdown House School, Forest Row in the 1970s and as well as being convicted of sexual offences he was also convicted for the possession of indecent images of children.

Haigh, 67, unemployed, of Lavender Street, Brighton, was sentenced at Brighton Crown Court today after a four day trial on charges of offences against two of the boys.

He was convicted of four offences, one of indecent assault and three of gross indecency, against two boys who were then pupils aged between seven and 12, at the school in the 1970s.

At a previous hearing before the trial, Haigh had also admitted seven other offences, three of gross indecency and four of indecent assault, against two other boys at the school during the same period.

He also admitted an offence of possessing indecent images of children, found on a computer at his address when officers searched it in 2015.

The images were taken from the Internet and there is no evidence that they were children known to him.

Haigh was sentenced to a total of 11 years for the sexual offences and an additional one year for the possession of indecent images.

He will be a registered sex offender for life and has been served with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) severely restricting his access to children and computers.

The prosecution, authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service, followed an investigation by East Sussex child safeguarding detectives after allegations were referred to them for the first time in January 2014.

Police emphasise that there are no current or recent safeguarding issues at the school in relation to this case.

Detective constable Paul Deadman said: "This was a complex and protracted investigation, during which it became clear that Haigh had systematically taken advantage of the trust of young and vulnerable boys to abuse them for his own sexual gratification.

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A man found guilty of the rape of two women has been jailed for 18 years.

Andrew Mellis, 58, of Tarner Road, Brighton, appeared at Lewes Crown Court on Monday (March 6) for sentencing having been convicted by a unanimous verdict in July last year of four counts of rape.

The first three offences had been disclosed following an investigation into an assault. During the investigation another woman came forward to report a further offence.

The two women had victim impact statements read out to the court detailing the impact and long-term effects that Mellis's crimes had had upon them over many years.

HHJ Christine Laing said that the crimes he had inflicted on his victims were 'brutal' and that he should feel shame at the way he had abused them. She deemed him 'a dangerous man' and in sentencing him to 14 years and ordered a further four years on licence in the light of the threat that he posed. He will also be placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Stewart Cameron, from Sussex Police's Brighton safeguarding unit, said: "Both of these women have shown huge amounts of coverage in coming forward and providing accounts of the harrowing abuse they suffered at the hands of Andrew Mellis.

"He has shown no remorse for what he did to them, subjecting them to the ordeal of having to stand in court to go through what happened to them all over again.

"This required enormous strength and bravery and it is thanks to them that justice has finally caught up with this evil man. I appreciate that this is something that will stay with them forever, but I hope that the verdict and the sentence will go some way to helping them rebuild their lives.

"The case also demonstrates that it's never too late to report offences of this nature. We will take reports very seriously, no matter how long ago they occurred, and your report will be handled sensitively and compassionately."

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He was sentenced to eight years in prison for each offence - which will run concurrently - and will also be placed on the sex offenders’ register

A man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a serious sexual attack which took place almost 40 years ago in Stevenage. Paul King, aged 63, from Brighton, appeared at St Albans Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday, February 8) for sentencing having previously pleaded guilty to indecent assault and attempting another serious sexual assault following an incident in 1983.

He was sentenced to eight years in prison for each offence, which will run concurrently. He will also be placed on the sex offenders’ register.

The court heard how one late February night in 1983, a teenage boy was walking on a snow-covered path through Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage when he was approached by a man and sexually assaulted.

The victim reported the incident to police but no offender was located at the time, however a DNA profile of the man was recorded. A forensic review of the cold case led to a positive DNA profile match for King. He subsequently was arrested, charged and later pleaded guilty to the offences.

Detective Inspector Iain MacPherson, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “I’m pleased that King has finally been jailed for this awful attack.

“Officers conducting a review of this cold case, assisted by the advancement of DNA technologies, were able to find justice for the victim almost 40 years later. I hope historical offenders hearing about this case sleep a little less easy at night knowing we could be knocking on their door.”

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A MAN who raped a student on her way home was caught after she made a video call and her friend recorded it. Just before 12pm on Wednesday, September 22 the woman in her 20s was dropped off by a taxi in The Avenue, Brighton. She was attacked but managed to make a video call to a friend who reported it to the police. Officers managed to use the footage to track down where the attack happened and identify the rapist. And now Ramees Akkara, 28, of Upper Bevendean Avenue in Brighton, has been found guilty by a jury at Hove Crown Court. Police visited the victims address at 2.40am after she had returned home alone and an investigation was launched after officers suspected she may have been the victim of a sexual assault. The woman was supported by specialist officers while evidence was gathered, but her whereabouts during the time of the attack, and a crime scene, were unknown. Over the following days, detectives carried out enquiries around the Upper Bevendean Avenue area, supported by a range of specialist officers. On Friday, October 1 detectives entered an unlocked property in Upper Bevendean Avenue and recognised it from the recorded video call. Five men who returned to the property were arrested on suspicion of rape and all five were interviewed over the next 24 hours. After DNA test results were fast-tracked, a forensic sample taken from the victim matched the DNA of one of the suspects, Ramees Akkara, who was re-arrested while enquiries continued. On Monday, October 4 he was charged with rape and remanded in custody until his trial began on Tuesday, March 22. This week a jury unanimously found Akkara guilty of rape and he was sentenced to eight years in prison. He will also be placed on the sex offenders register for life. Detective Chief Inspector Jon Gillings said: This was a hugely distressing case for the young woman involved, who fell victim to a predatory offender in Akkara. I would like to personally thank her for the incredible bravery she showed in supporting the investigation, which included giving evidence in court under extremely stressful circumstances. Without her courage and support, this conviction would not have been possible. My thanks also go out to her quick-thinking friend who recorded the call, and to all of the people who helped to secure this conviction. It was an incredible display of teamwork and I feel hugely proud to have worked with the individuals on this case. Many worked extended hours, putting their home lives second to identifying and charging a dangerous male who is now, due to their actions, no longer on the streets.

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A MAN has been jailed for a series of sexual offences, including two rapes, against a young boy over a ten-year period. Over a period of time, Simon Berry groomed a child in his local community, who was aged under ten. Having gained the boys trust, Berry, who was in his early 20s at the time, systematically assaulted him for nearly ten years. Detective Constable Stewart Cameron, of the Brighton and Hove safeguarding investigation unit, said Berry denied all wrongdoing, which meant that the victim, now himself in his twenties, had to give evidence at court. Now aged 33, Berry has been sentenced to 13-years in prison having been convicted of 16 counts of sexual assaults on the boy, including two rapes. In addition, Berry, of Whitehawk Road, Brighton, will also serve a further two years on extended prison licence. At Southwark Crown Court, he was told that he will be a registered sex offender for life and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, also to last for life, severely restricting his access to children and to digital communications devices. Detective Constable Cameron said the victims evidence was pivotal in securing Berry's convictions. "He has now faced justice at last, another example of the way in which we can successfully investigate such predatory offenders and safeguard local communities, he said.

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A Brighton man has been given a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence after being convicted of sexual assault on a girl then aged under 13, more than six years ago.

Jason Lineker, 34, of Mouslecoomb Way, Brighton, had been found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict at Lewes Crown Court on 27 August after a five-day trial which included evidence from witnesses and the girl herself.

On Friday 3 September he was sentenced to four and a half years plus one year on additional prison licence.

He will be a registered sex offender for life, and was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to last until further court order, severely restricting his access to children.

This was a re-trial after a previous jury had failed to agree on a verdict in November last year.

Detective Constable Angela Harvey of the Brighton Safeguarding Investigations Unit said: "The victim, a young child, was very brave, having to give evidence in two trials as a result of the hung jury outcome in November 2020"

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A Brighton pub and club owner has begun a three-year prison sentence for a sexual offence against a vulnerable 17-year-old girl from Brighton on his yacht in Majorca two years ago.

Kenneth McGrath, 61, a company director from St Martins Place, Brighton, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on November 30 after being convicted on November 10 of paying for the sexual services of a child, Sussex Police said.

He was acquitted of two sexual assault charges against the same girl.

Police stated he will be a registered sex offender for life and received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) lasting until further court order.

The SHPO bans him from providing massage services, taking images of under-18 girls without parental or guardian permission, and any employment involving contact with under-18 girls. He is also prohibited from possessing digital image-taking devices unless inspectable by police, and from contacting the victim.

In 2015, the girl was recommended by a mutual friend to McGrath, who sought a "girl friday" to work on his yacht in Majorca, hosting hen parties, police said.

However, officers reported no hen parties occurred; instead, McGrath exploited her isolation and vulnerability to coerce her into a sexual act and created a document purporting to show her willingness as part of her employment contract.

Detective Constable Melanie Wauchope said: “Ken McGrath exploited a balance of power between an employer and employee to control and manipulate a vulnerable young person into engaging in sexual activity. During the trial he tried to discredit her motives but clearly the jury did not believe him. We will always take seriously such reports and take action wherever possible.”

An NSPCC spokesperson said:

“McGrath has been shown to be a manipulative and calculating individual who exploited a vulnerable child for his own sexual gratification.

“It is flabbergasting that in a bid to cover his despicable actions he created a document suggesting his victim was a willing participant in her own abuse.

“We hope she has received all the support available to help her move forward with her life and that McGrath’s sentence gives her some form of closure, as well as protecting others.”

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A paedophile is starting a three year prison sentence for sexual and cruelty offences against a child. John Denian, 65, handyman, of Dewe Road, Brighton, was sentenced when he appeared at Brighton Crown Court on Friday. Denian was found guilty of incitement to gross indecency and indecent assault on a girl aged between 5 and 10 between 1980 and 1985, and cruelty to the same girl between 1980 and 1991. He was sentenced to one year for the indecency offences, and two years for the child cruelty offence, with both sentences running consecutively. He will also be register as a sex offender for ten years. Detective Constable Sarah Townsend said: "Denian took advantage of the vulnerability of this young girl, who he knew, for many years, starting when she was barely five years old. It was a quite appalling breach of trust and only a year ago did she feel able to come forward and tell us what had happened to her over so many years. "We admire her bravery in coming forward and being prepared to give evidence. It shows that we will always take such reports seriously and will investigate wherever possible." Following Denian's conviction his victim, who has anonymity under Sexual Offences Act, said: "My childhood was filled with fear, uncertainty, misery and the feeling I had nowhere to turn as a result of the violence and abuse I experienced. I felt conscious of small things every day, even what I wore and how I presented myself. "I spent years feeling petrified of John Denian and it has been extremely difficult for me to come forward and speak about this but it was the right decision to do so. "I also chose to give my evidence in court without the use of screens or video link because I wanted to face him as an adult, and show him I have control of my own life and I wasn't afraid of him any more. "I am delighted that he has been convicted and I can now move forward with the continued support of my friends and partner."

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A MAN who spent more than three years on bail before being charged has pleaded guilty to child pornography offences. Jonathan Barclay, of Chadborn Close, Brighton, has been given a 24-month community order and will be a registered sex offender for five years. His estranged husband has spoken of his upset at learning through this newspaper that his partner had been charged with such serious offences. Barclay, 51, co-founder of a Brighton events management company, pleaded guilty to five counts of downloading indecent images of children and one count of distributing an indecent image of a child. He had been arrested in October 2011 but not charged until January this year due to what police described as a very exceptional series of complex legal and technical issues. His case was used by the chief constable Giles York as an example of why a cap should not be put on the length of time people could be on police bail, arguing some cases were too complex. Mr Barclay had pleaded not guilty to causing or inciting a child between 13 and 17 years old to be involved in pornography and refusing an order to disclose a computer password. The court did not proceed with those charges but they will remain on file. His estranged husband, William Underwood, pictured right, who has changed his name to Christopher Clayton, said he was shocked to learn of the offences through The Argus when the paper first covered the story in January. The 21-year-old, who now lives in London, said Barclay had told him he was on bail after they moved in together but not what for, and he had not pressed the issue. The pair married in April, 2013 after meeting via a dating website that Christmas. They separated shortly after, before Barclay was charged. Mr Clayton said: I did not know how serious it was until I saw it in the paper. I was completely in love with him at the start. Since I got off the train there was a spark with him and I fell in love. He was a lovely guy when it was nice. When it was nice, it was lovely. But when I first found out about the case I felt violated. Now I think my whole wedding and everything with him was based on a lie from the beginning. Under the name Jon Philips, Barclay was featured on the website of Brighton events management company Showbizz, in Cheapside, earlier this year, as a co-founder. He no longer has anything to do with the company, a spokesman said. BACKGROUND The Home Secretary Theresa May is planning to limit the amount of time suspects can spend on police bail to an initial 28 days. Any time beyond that, up to three months, would need to be authorised by a superintendent. A magistrate would have to approve anything beyond three months. Under the changes set to go through Parliament, there would also be a presumption to release without bail during investigations. Sussex Police chief constable Giles York has argued against statutory time limits, saying rushed investigations would see more cases failing at court.

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A known paedophile who repeatedly raped a nine-year-old girl despite being under community supervision was today jailed indefinitely.

Kevin Hazelwood, 40, was already on the sex offenders' register for downloading child pornography but was still able to subject the girl to a string of assaults. He was told he must serve a minimum of five years and seven months.

He pleaded guilty at Lewes crown court on March 10 to six counts of rape, two counts of attempted rape and two counts of indecent assault, all on the same victim.

Hazelwood, from Brighton, also admitted charges of sexual activity with or in the presence of a child under 13, historic assaults on a girl dating back to the 1980s and for making indecent movies of children.

Judge Richard Hayward said Hazelwood was "cunning and manipulative" and was "unable or unwilling" to control his paedophile urges.

The court heard that in October 2002 Hazelwood was placed on the sex offenders' register after pleading guilty to 20 specimen counts of making indecent pictures of children.

Judge Hayward told him: "Before anyone rushes to judgment on this issue, I must say that you alone are to blame. You are cunning and manipulative of people. You gave every indication of complying with the sex offenders' register and there is no reason why a hard-pressed probation officer or anyone else should know anything about it."

He added: "You are a determined and predatory paedophile and you will remain a danger to young girls for the foreseeable future."

Gillian Etherton, prosecuting, told the court how Hazelwood befriended the nine-year-old girl's parents before using the relationship to "systematically sexually abuse" her from when she was about six years old until two weeks before his arrest in November 2005.

Miss Etherton said: "It would appear from a fairly early stage that the defendant took a keen interest (in the young girl).

"At face value he appeared to get on well with her and would say to her mother that he would in effect take her up to her room to give mum breathing space."

The mother recalled that suggestions of sleepovers with the girl at Hazelwood's home were always initiated by him, Miss Etherton said.

She added that the abuse came to light in November 2005 when the girl disclosed to her mother in conversation that "uncle Kevin does it to me".

"The mother immediately understood what the disclosure meant," said Miss Etherton.

The girl also disclosed that when she would cry while being abused, Hazelwood would "call her a baby".

As a result of the girl's conversation with her mother, police were brought in and in interview she said Hazelwood had subjected her to three years of abuse.

Miss Etherton said: "He would sometimes say to her 'I'm bored, let's play a game' and he would often entice her with different games and presents.

"She described how she didn't want any presents because they reminded her of him."

The court heard that Hazelwood had taken indecent pictures of the girl and had threatened to send them to her mother if she failed to maintain her silence over the abuse.

Miss Etherton said: "She felt to some degree to blame and in trouble and to some degree that explains her silence."

Following the girl's police interview in November 2005, Hazelwood was arrested and questioned but initially declined to comment, except to admit abusing another young girl between 1981 and 1985.

He later admitted to making indecent images, including taking pictures of the nine-year-old girl, which were later deleted.