Latest Offenders Cheshire

Description

A paedophile fled to the Philippines after sexually assaulting a girl on a farm, a court has heard.

Depraved builder Wayne Hassall, 59, travelled to the Far East following the horrific attack on the victim in 2021 at his farm in Utkinton, Cheshire.

He spent years overseas before being arrested at Manchester Airport in August this year.

At sentencing, Judge Recorder Michelle Brown said she was satisfied Hassall "left the country to avoid prosecution for this offence."

The assault occurred when the girl was about to feed horses; Hassall suddenly kissed her, professed love, and sexually assaulted her, per Manchester Evening News.

She confided in her mother, leading to an investigation. Hassall flew to the Philippines, where he married.

An arrest warrant was issued in 2022. He returned to the UK in August and was detained.

Hassall, of Cherry Tree Farm, Quarry Bank, Utkinton, denied the charge but was convicted by jury and jailed for 28 months on November 10.

The victim said:

"I was angry at myself for letting it happen and I became angry at the world.

"I never used to be an angry person but it was all taken out of my control. I had chances to stop it happening and I did not - I will never forgive myself for that.

"I am numb and emotionally cold and I have felt that I don't deserve to be happy. I feel as if I have let everyone down. This has ruined me as a person.

"My innocence was taken away and because of that, I ask the question 'why me? Was it something I did? Why did he get to live in the Philippines?"

Her mother added:

"I hated what he did to her. He took away a huge chunk of her childhood when he abused her. He is a vile paedophile and a dangerous man."

Prosecutor Paulinus Barnes said Hassall discussed giving the girl money and tried to apologise.

Mitigating, Richard Thomas said:

"He has continued to deny that he behaved in any way he was alleged to.

"After the allegation was made in 2021, he was released under investigation by police without bail conditions and he went to the Philippines in March 2022 and got married.

"He came back for a couple of months in July 2022 then returned again in September of that year. At that time he was aware that the case was still being investigated, but police told him he could live his life.

"He went back and he in effect got stuck there. His wife became quite seriously ill and as there is no NHS in the Philippines he had to take out a loan to pay for treatment and had to give up his passport.

"For some time he was homeless in the Philippines and he tried every avenue to return that he could. It was not until August that he got a passport and the funds from his family.

"There was no extradition, he came back of his own accord and was arrested at the airport and has been in custody ever since."

The judge told Hassall the victim has been "significantly affected by what you did" and added: "She blames herself, but the fault lies entirely with you."

Hassall received a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and must sign the Sex Offenders' Register.

Description

A FUGITIVE sex offender from Middlewich found in a caravan up a farm track was dealing crack cocaine while on the run.

Callum Lord, of Sutton Lane, had white powder and crystals, £450 in cash, scales, snap bags, and cut ends of plastic bags when police found his mobile home hideout on June 26, last year.

He was caught after police acting on intelligence about his drug dealing in the Middlewich area traced him to the farm track near Church Minshull.

The 26-year-old was wanted for breaching his bail conditions and failing to show up at court for two breaches of a sexual harm prevention order made against him on May 4, 2022.

As well as the drugs, police found two mobile phones in the caravan.

A drugs expert confirmed the white crystals found in the caravan were crack cocaine.

When he was arrested, Lord told police he was addicted to the drugs, and they belonged to him.

Lord pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs before magistrates on September 18.

He returned to Chester Crown Court on Tuesday, November 4, where His Honour Judge Patrick Thompson jailed him for two years and eight months.

Judge Thompson also order the drugs to be destroyed, and the cash to be forfeited.

It will be added to a fund used in the fight against drug crime.

Description

A Winsford man who incited a young child to engage in sexual activity has been jailed.

Antony Hill appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 7 November where he was sentenced to nine years in prison.

The 27-year-old had earlier been found guilty of two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

Hill, of Bollin Avenue, Winsford, has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and handed a restraining order to preventing him from contacting the victim.

In July 2024 the victim, a young child, disclosed to their parents that they had been sexually assaulted by Hill.

The child described how over a number of months Hill had made them engage in sexual activity and touch him inappropriately, telling the victim that it was their little secret.

Following the reports an investigation was launched by detectives from Northwich Protecting Vulnerable People (PVP).

Hill was arrested in relation to the incident and when questioned he declined to answer any questions put to him by officers.

Despite his silence, he was charged in relation to the allegations and found guilty of all the charges following a three-day trial at Chester Crown Court.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Emily Mackay, of the Northwich PVP Unit, said:

“Firstly, I would like to commend the victim in this case for the bravery and courage that they have shown throughout this investigation.

“Nobody should have to experience what they have been though, and I hope that the sentence handed to Hill will provide them and their family with some closure and allow them to move forward with their lives.

“I also hope it encourages anyone who has been a victim of sexual offences to please contact us. We will investigate all reports thoroughly with the needs and wishes of the victim as our main priority.”

Description

A man who raped two women has been jailed for 16 years.

Lee Bailey, of Alvanley Road, Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port, was handed the sentence at Chester Crown Court on Friday 31 October 2025.

The 33-year-old had been found guilty of rape, attempted rape, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm against one victim. He was also convicted of rape and controlling and coercive behaviour against another victim.

In February 2021, a woman made a report of harassment against Bailey, which resulted in him being made subject to a Non-Molestation Order.

At the time, she also made a disclosure of rape but did not feel able to pursue a formal complaint at the time.

In August 2022, a second woman told police Bailey had raped and assaulted her. She stated Bailey had raped her when she could not consent after drinking alcohol on a night out and had stamped on her head.

Bailey was interviewed and denied the offences but did confirm that the victim was not able to consent due to her level of intoxication.

He was bailed with strict conditions not to have any contact with the victim but breached this within days. The victim told police Bailey had tried to coerce her into retracting her statement.

While this investigation was ongoing, the first victim contacted police and said Bailey had breached the Non-Molestation Order against him, and she now wished to pursue her complaint of rape.

In January 2023, she re-disclosed the rape offence and said he had also coerced her into having sex and even forced her to get out of a vehicle at night down a country lane without a mobile phone. He was later convicted of breaching the Non-Molestation Order.

Following a thorough investigation, he was served with a postal requisition to attend court to face charges in June 2024.

Bailey then failed to attend a hearing relating to the case in March 2025 and following his subsequent arrest was remanded until trial.

He was found guilty following a nine-day trial at Chester Crown Court in September 2025.

Detective Constable Abi Axon said:

“Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the bravery of the victims in this case who not only had the courage to report and speak about what had happened to them but also had to go through the stress of a trial.

“This significant custodial sentence is thanks to them, and I hope this gives them some closure, knowing that Bailey is now behind bars where he cannot do this to anyone else.

“Bailey is clearly a danger to women, and has no regard for the welfare of others, instead focusing on his own sexual desires, no matter the consequences. He even stated in interview he understood that someone who is intoxicated cannot consent but then went on to deny doing anything wrong.

“Thankfully, the jury saw through his lies, and he is now serving a lengthy custodial sentence.

“If anyone wishes to report a sexual offence, you can do so by calling us on 101, or please visit our website where you can find all the details you need to report it online.”

Description

A 37-year-old man has been jailed for 16 years after being found guilty of raping and assaulting  a woman.

John Dawson from Ernest Street in Crewe appeared at Chester Crown Court on 16 October to be sentenced after being found guilty of two rapes, intentional strangulation and assault, two counts of threatening to send an intimate photo or video, and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour.

The investigation began following an allegation of rape at a hotel in Crewe.

Further investigation led to officers uncovering Dawson controlling the woman financially by taking money from her account, having access to her social media accounts and messaging apps, and isolating her from friends and family.

He would also call her derogatory names and had assaulted her. Dawson was charged with the offences, which he denied, but was found guilty following a trial in July 2025.

A second man was found not guilty of rape during the trial.

DC Katherine Isherwood-Smith said:

“Dawson’s behaviour towards this woman was criminal and abhorrent. Dawson was deemed so dangerous to women that the courts jailed him for a substantial period.

“No one should ever be subjected to such degrading, manipulative and arrogant behaviour, and I hope seeing this man behind bars for a considerable time encourages others to come forward who may be suffering abuse. And I hope it goes as a warning to those who inflict such horrific acts that society does not tolerate violence or abuse against anyone.”

Description

A child rapist has been jailed for 21 years for subjecting a young girl to years of sexual abuse in Warrington.

Graham Jones, previously known as Graham Peacock, of Clonners Field, Stapeley, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday 10 October where he was handed the custodial sentence. He will also need to serve an extra five years on extended licence.

The 64-year-old had previously denied the charges, which consisted of four counts of rape, 14 counts of indecent assault, and four counts of gross indecency with a child, but was subsequently found guilty following a trial.

The court heard how Jones had abused the victim over many years in the Warrington area. The abuse began when she was aged nine and continued for several years.

The offences were reported in May 2022, and the victim bravely spoke about what had happened to her. Following enquiries, Jones was arrested and ultimately charged with multiple offences in June 2024.

On top of his 21-year sentence, Jones was ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register for life and is also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, plus restraining orders to protect the victim in this case.

Detective Constable Caroline Wharmby said:

“Firstly, I would like to commend the bravery of the victim in this case for speaking about what happened to her.

“No-one should have to go through what she has been through, and I hope the conclusion of this court process will help to bring her some sense of closure. Although nothing will make her forget what this despicable man did, her evidence and courage has meant he is now behind bars for a significant length of time, where he can’t do this to anyone else.

“Jones is clearly a sexual predator, taking advantage of an innocent young girl for his own twisted gratification.

“The fact that he committed such dreadful crimes over a number of years shows that he had absolutely no regard for how his crimes would impact the victim.

“Thankfully, the jury saw through his lies, and he now has many years in custody to contemplate his actions.”

Description

Dennis Kiwia appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday 29 September, where he was jailed for four years.

The custodial sentence comes after Kiwia was found guilty of the rape of a woman over 16 at the conclusion of a five-day trial on Friday 15 August 2025.

The court heard that on Saturday 23 December 2023, the victim, a 19-year-old woman, was on a Christmas night out with friends in Widnes. The group had been drinking at a pub in the town centre, with the victims’ friends later going home for the night, leaving her sitting alone as the venue began to close.

However, Kiwia was also in the premises with her.

CCTV footage taken from the night of the incident showed the 39-year-old calling the victim over and to sit with him and, after doing so, the pair struck up a conversation and Kiwia taking ‘selfie’ photographs with her on his phone before leaving the venue.

Further footage would show the victim appearing unsteady on her feet as she got up to leave the venue, with Kiwia seen walking arm-in-arm with her as they walked across the outside car park to his car.

The victim would later tell police that she awoke on Christmas Eve morning in Kiwia’s address, in the Albert Road area of Widnes, without any clothes on, unsure as to how she got there.

Quickly leaving Kiwia’s is address, she returned home to speak to a parent regarding how she believed she was raped, as she could not have been able to consent to any sexual intercourse.

The incident was then reported to Cheshire Police and Kiwia was promptly arrested by CID officers and brought into custody.

During interview, he told investigating officers that he had been drinking at the same venue as the victim and had spoken to her on the night in question. He went on to say that he helped her into his car following the closing of the venue and offered her a lift to her home, but claimed that she told him to take her to his home.

He then told officers that the pair engaged in consensual sex before falling asleep in the early hours, with the victim then waking up later that day and deciding to go home alone – despite him offering a number of times to take her there himself.

Despite his claims, Kiwia was subsequently charged.

Throughout the entire investigation, we would maintain he was innocent.

Detective Constable Gemma Nicolson, of CID Reactive North, said:

"Dennis Kiwia's inability to accept any accountability for his actions not only prolonged justice being served, but it forced also the victim to relive the entire ordeal all over again during his five-day subsequent trial.

"Kiwia maintained he was the innocent party in this case, where, in fact, he took advantage of a vulnerable young woman nearly 20 years his junior who had simply been out enjoying the Christmas festivities with her friends for his own pleasure.

"We treat all reports of rape and sexual assault with the utmost seriousness and place the needs of the victim at the very heart of our investigations, ensuring they are supported throughout every step of enquiries and any following court proceedings."

Description

A prolific offender who physically and sexually assaulted several women, threatened another with a firearm and engaged in sexual communications with a child has been jailed.

Lewis Gleave appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 5 September, where he was jailed for a total of four years plus a further 3 years on prison licence, in relation to three separate investigations.

The sentencing comes after the 21-year-old pleaded guilty to three counts of assault by beating, two counts of sexual assault, possession of an imitation firearm with intent, possession of an imitation firearm whilst committing a schedule one offence and inflicting actual bodily harm.

Gleave was also found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and engaging in sexual communication with a child at an earlier hearing.

The first incident occurred on Monday 12 August 2024, when Gleave had been out at Sandbach Park with four others, when he began making inappropriate and sexualised comments towards a 17-year-old girl who was with them.

His behaviour toward the girl further escalated when he tried to hug her without her consent and went on to slap her bottom.

The girl, and a 19-year-old man who was amongst the group, called out his behaviour, to which Gleave kicked the man to the floor and began punching him, accusing him of making up that he had inappropriately touched the girl.

Later that week, on Friday 17 August, the same group were in the park again, when Gleave was described as coming out of nowhere and approaching the group. He, again, slapped the bottom of the same girl he had touched earlier in the week. He also grabbed her head whilst she was sat on a bench and pushed it toward his crotch against her consent.

Gleave targeted the same 19-year-old man as he did previously, kicking him to the floor and demanding he fight him.

The man refused and Gleave left the area. He was arrested a short time later after he was reported to Cheshire Police.

A few weeks later, on Sunday 1 September, Gleave had been speaking to a 13-year-old girl via Snapchat and FaceTime. Whilst talking to the girl, Gleave began asking her questions of a sexual nature, telling her about sexual acts. Some of the conversation was overheard by a nearby adult.

When interviewed by police about this, he admitted to speaking to the girl as he had known her when he was younger, but denied the conversation being sexual.

On the evening of Friday 27 September, whilst still under investigation for the other offences, Gleave approached a 27-year-old near to the Victoria Centre in Crewe and demanded to know if they had been threatening a friend of his.

During this exchange, the victim noticed that Gleave had what appeared to be a gun in a holster under the hi-vis jacket he was wearing and even made stated that he was “carrying”, a reference to being armed with a gun. It was, in fact, a BB gun.

Enquiries in the area revealed that this exchange had been captured on CCTV footage, with an officer identifying Gleave from a tattoo on his neck.

Three days later, Cheshire Police were contacted by a worker at a supported accommodation centre for young people in Crewe, who reported that Gleave had entered the property and physically and sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman.

Gleave had dragged one of them across their room and strangled the other, with this only stopping when the boyfriend of one of the victims arrived at the address.

Following these disclosures, Gleave was arrested the same day and interviewed at Middlewich Custody by officers.

He denied any wrongdoing for all of the aforementioned offences until he went to court, eventually entering guilty pleas relating to the three counts of assault by beating, two of the sexual assaults, causing actual bodily harm and being in possession of an imitation firearm.

On top of his custodial sentence, Gleave has been handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, five restraining orders and will have to sign the sex offenders register.

Following his sentencing, Detective Constable Lydia Thompson, of the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, said:

“Lewis Gleave is a prolific and dangerous offender, who continued to offend despite being under investigation for numerous serious offences, without any care or thought for the impact this would have on his victims.

“Gleave has shown himself to be a risk to society, targeting a number of vulnerable people during his near three-month rampage, in which he failed to take no for an answer and attacked those who stood up to him.

“I am glad to see that the courts found Gleave guilty of the offences he refused to hold any accountability for, and I hope that the multiple victims his behaviour has affected can breathe a sigh of relief and begin to move on with their lives.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the victims in this case, all of whom have been affected by Gleave’s abhorrent actions in different ways, it was their bravery in disclosing what had happened to them that proved so vital in securing this conviction.

“They can rest assured in the knowledge that even when he does face release, he will be continually monitored by specialist officers to ensure he causes no harm or distress to them again.”

Description

A man has been jailed for eight years for rape.

William Kyaruhanga was handed the sentence at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 11 September.

The 58-year-old, of Belgrave Road, Macclesfield, had been found guilty of one count of rape.

On Saturday 30 December 2023, the adult female victim had been with friends at an address in Congleton. They had been drinking alcohol so she asked if anyone could give her a lift home. Her friend contacted Kyaruhanga, who she knew, to ask if he could take the victim back home.

Kyaruhanga arrived and stayed at the address for a while, and the victim fell asleep next to him on the sofa while her friends went upstairs to sleep.

The victim woke up to Kyaruhanga raping her. She pushed him away before going upstairs to tell her friend what had happened. Kyaruhanga was confronted and left the address. The victim then called police the following day to report the incident and Kyaruhanga was subsequently arrested.

Following an investigation, he was charged and was found guilty after a trial.

Detective Constable Doug Whitfield said:

“I welcome the substantial custodial sentence handed to Kyaruhanga, who tried to deny the offences, but the jury ultimately found him guilty of this despicable crime.

“Kyaruhanga chose to take advantage of a woman who was unable to consent while she was asleep. He clearly had no regard for her welfare or the impact this would have on her going forwards – I hope the conclusion of this case will provide her with some sense of closure.

“I also hope this serves as an example of how seriously we take offences of this nature. We will investigate all reports of sexual offences, with the needs and wishes of the victim as our main priority.”

Description

A man has been jailed after he admitted raping and sexually abusing a child in Northwich.

Steven Hargreaves appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 12 September where he was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison.

The 36-year-old from Northwich, had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

During the hearing, the court was told that the case began in June 2025 when the victims’ mother discovered a number of concerning messages from Hargreaves on the victims’ mobile phone.

After speaking to the victim, she revealed that Hargreaves had been sexually abusing and repeatedly raping her over a number of years.

The allegations were reported to detectives from the Public Protection Unit at Northwich and an investigation was launched.

Hargreaves was quickly arrested in relation to the incidents and during questioning he denied sexually abusing or raping the victim.

Despite his denial, he was later charged in relation to the offences, and as a result of the strength of the evidence against him, he pleaded guilty to the charges.

In addition to his prison sentence, Hargreaves was also handed a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a restraining order and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Felicity Gregory, who led the investigation said:

“Firstly, I want to praise the victim for the bravery and courage that she has shown throughout this investigation.

“Nobody should have to experience what she has been through, and I hope that the sentence handed to Hargreaves today will provide her with some closure.

“I also hope that the sentence encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward and report them to us.

“We treat all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously, and any allegation we receive will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.

“Victims should never feel ashamed to talk about what they have been subjected to. They will receive the help and support they need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside, and all victims of sexual offences have the right to anonymity.”

Description

He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The 34-year-old of Rigby Avenue was previously convicted of one count of attempt rape of a girl under 13 following a 6-day trial at Chester Crown Court.

He was also found not guilty of two counts of rape.

Cheshire Police launched an investigation into the abuse in 2021, following a disclosure made by the victim.

The jury heard how McPhee had attempted to rape the victim on a number of occasions, when she was between the age of 9 and 11 years old.

McPhee was investigated and subsequently charged.

Detective Constable Lindsay Wooffitt said:

"Firstly, I would like to commend the victim for the strength and courage she has shown throughout this case, and I hope the sentence handed to McPhee will provide her closure and a chance to move on with her life.

"McPhee is a dangerous individual, who sexually abused a little girl. He showed no remorse throughout the entire investigation, and even made his victim relive the experiences in court.

“Thankfully, as a result of the evidence gathered and the bravery of the victim, the jury were able to see through his lies, and he is now being held accountable for his actions."

DC Wooffitt added:

“As this case shows, Cheshire Constabulary takes any allegation of sexual offences extremely seriously, no matter how long ago they relate to.

“Any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority. Victims should never feel ashamed to talk about what they have been subjected to.

“They will receive the help and support they need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside, and all victims of sexual offences have the right to anonymity for life.”

Description

A 13-year-old girl was left "shaking" with fear after discovering the "friend" she was chatting with on Snapchat was actually a 29-year-old man.

The teen believed she was messaging a girl her age until Blake Potbury chillingly asked: "What if this wasn't the person you thought it was?"

Potbury, of Horace Black Gardens in Ellesmere Port, used his stepdaughter's phone to add the girl as a friend on October 16, 2023. After revealing his identity, he asked "whether she had a boyfriend, what was the oldest boy with whom she had done anything, and what she had done." He urged her not to tell anyone, but she immediately informed her mother, who contacted police.

Now 31, Potbury denied sexual communications with a child, claiming the girl lied to cover her "inappropriate" behavior. He was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court last month and sentenced on August 22.

Prosecutor Frances Wilmot described the victim's impact:

"The victim tells about how the offence affected her confidence, her being scared to live in the house for a length period of time. It took about a year before she felt she could leave the house. It's affected what clothes she would wear and the friends that she would see. She describes becoming sad and depressed, she couldn't believe that had happened to her, was closed off and didn't want to talk about it."

Defense attorney Oliver King noted:

"His report doesn't make for particularly good reading. At the heart of his offending seems to be class A drugs, and when he takes drugs his risk of harm is significantly elevated." He added: "The offence was relatively short in duration and came to an end without explicit messages exchanged and without any images being sent. It didn't get that far. This was nipped in the bud, it seems, fairly quickly when this girl told her mum. His phone was seized and examined and there's nothing on that phone to suggest a wider interest in children."

Judge David Knifton KC said:

"You sent a Snapchat request to the girl from your stepdaughter's phone, knowing that she was only 13. However she became concerned when she received the message, 'what if this wasn't the person you thought it was?' When she asked, you revealed your true identity accompanied by a photo of your face. You then proceed to send her a series of messages, accompanied by Xs and kisses, in which you questioned her about whether she had a boyfriend, what was the oldest boy with whom she had done anything, and what she had done. You also send several messages asking her to promise she would not tell anyone that you have connected or messaged her."

The judge added:

"Despite your outrageous suggestion that you were only questioning her out of concern or that she had been posing inappropriate questions, the jury concluded your motive was your own sexual gratification. But for the girl's decision to tell her mother, I have no doubt you would have continued to communicate with her. She was shocked and shaking when she saw the messages, which she said made her feel confused, upset, and scared about your intentions towards her. She describes feeling scared to leave her house. She also describes a loss of confidence, withdrawing from her friends, and becoming self conscious. She suffered the additional upset of a detailed interview with the police, and on being cross-examined that she had fabricated her account to conceal her own alleged wrongdoing. I'm quite sure she had never been involved in any inappropriate behaviour as you sought to attest in your trial."

Potbury had prior convictions for 12 offenses, including unlawful wounding in 2023 (suspended sentence in January 2024) and possession of a"large machete knife" (52-week prison term in November 2024). At the time of messaging, he was on bail. The judge noted: "You're assessed as posing a high risk of serious harm regarding your behaviour towards female children. It's noted in the updated report that you have the capability to act violently while children are present, that your drug use is a major concern, and that your offending occurred while under the influence of cocaine. Significantly your continued cocaine use is linked to your risk of serious harm."

Potbury was sentenced to 12 months in prison and subjected to a sexual harm prevention order.

Description

A former ordained Church of England priest has been found guilty of multiple counts of indecent assaults on nine women in Sheffield in the 1980s and 1990s.

Chris Brain, 68, has been found guilty of 17 counts of indecent assault at Inner London Crown Court on 20 August 2025. He was cleared of a further 15 counts of the same offence. 

Brain became involved in a religious community in the 1980s of which he was considered a leader.

It was at this time that Brain used his position to assault females associated with the religious group.

Brain’s role evolved into leading religious services in a local church which was famously known as the Nine O Clock Service (NOS) due to the fact they were held at 9pm on Sundays.  These services were different from the usual Church of England services due to the musical and media visual aspect of the service which was particularly successful in attracting younger people to them.

International and national attention was drawn to these services to such an extent that Brain was fast tracked to become an ordained priest within the Church of England in 1991.

However, at the same time Brain was using his position and status to indecently assault other women who were recruited into NOS.

South Yorkshire Police first arrested the defendant in April 2021 after the force started to receive allegations about Brain in the previous year and was charged by the Crown Prosecution Service in January 2024. 

The police investigation gathered evidence from interviews from victims and statements from witnesses in relation to allegations of non-consensual sexual acts with the defendant.

Julie Moss, Senior Crown Prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Chris Brain abused the trust and power he gained as a religious leader to sexually exploit and abuse young women. He instilled a culture of fear to subjugate and control NOS members into submission and to do his bidding.

“Brain discouraged members of the Nine O Clock service (NOS) from having any contact with family or friends outside of the NOS community to isolate members them and make them susceptible to his control.

“Brain set up a home base team in which he required female members of NOS to assist his household. This assistance included attending upon him in his bedroom before he went to sleep which is when many of the offences occurred. The victims were too scared of being excluded from the religious group to refuse. This became known as the ‘putting to bed ROTA’.

“Brain clearly engaged in controlling behaviour and is a narcissist who subjected his victims to awful and horrendous act of sexual violence. 

“We hope that these convictions help in some part to see justice delivered for the victims.

“We note that the jury could not reach a verdict on some counts, and we will carefully consider a retrial.”

The jury was unable to reach a verdict on four further counts of indecent assault and one count of rape. On 21 August 2025, the jury was discharged. 

Description

A man has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two children in Cheshire.

Paul Bishop, 43, of the Winsford area, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday 21 July, where he admitted eight sexual offences in relation to two victims.

The offences include six offences in relation to one victim and two offences in relation to the second victim. Bishop pleaded guilty to multiple counts of rape, including that of a child under 13, controlling and coercive behaviour and other sexual offences against children.

The abuse took place in the 2000’s and continued for a period of 15 years.

Bishop has since been remanded in custody until Monday 15 September, when he will appear at Chester Crown Court to be sentenced.

Detective Constable Leah Bird, who has been leading on the case, said:

“Firstly, I would like to commend the two victims in this case, who have shown an immeasurable amount of bravery and resilience throughout this whole process, despite being faced with the prospect of having to relive their trauma by way of a trial.

"Bishop denied his guilt from the date of his arrest and remained uncooperative to the Police investigation for a number of months. When faced with the evidence in this case, Bishop changed his plea to guilty on the first morning of trial for the horrific crimes that he has committed.

“Nobody should have to experience what Bishop’s victims have been though, although I do hope that they can now start to rebuild their lives, knowing that he is finally being held accountable for his actions, and due to be put behind bars where he belongs.”

Detective Constable Bird added:

“If anything can be achieved from this case, I hope that it encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward and report them to us.

“We treat all allegations of sexual offences extremely seriously, and any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.

“Victims should never feel ashamed to talk about what they have been subjected to. They will receive the help and support they need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside, and all victims of sexual offences have the right to anonymity.”

Description

A man has been sentenced to more than seven years after sexually abusing a child in Runcorn.

Shaun Ashley, of Cotton Lane, Runcorn, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday 17 July.

The 37-year-old was previously found guilty of two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching and one count of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15.

The case began in 2021, when the victim reported incidents of sexual assault committed by Ashely on at least three occasions. The incidents took place in the Runcorn area of Cheshire between 2014 and 2021.

Ashley was subsequently arrested and interviewed in relation to the incidents. Following a thorough investigation, he was later charged with multiple offences but denied them. He was found guilty following a trial.

On top of his custodial sentence, Ashely is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must comply with a restraining order protecting the victim in this case. He must also sign the Sex Offender Register indefinitely.

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said:

“Firstly, I would like to commend the victim in this case for reporting what happened to her and for her subsequent bravery throughout the trial after Ashley refused to admit his heinous crimes.

“But the jury saw through his lies and I hope the fact that he is now subject to a lengthy spell behind bars will give her some sense of closure.

“I also hope it encourages anyone who has been a victim of sexual offences to please contact us. We will investigate all reports thoroughly with the needs and wishes of the victim as our main priority.”