Latest Offenders Chester

Description

A man has been sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in prison after being found guilty of a series of sexual and violent offences against a woman.

Ainsley France (20/11/1997), of Lever Street, Radcliffe, was sentenced to 10 years and 6 months imprisonment after being convicted of two counts of rape, sexual assault and coercive and controlling behaviour.

A thorough investigation by officers from Bury CID uncovered overwhelming evidence of France's sustained campaign of abuse and controlling behaviour towards the victim.

The investigation established that France repeatedly stalked the victim while she was out in public with friends and family. 

France went on to rape and sexually assault the victim on multiple occasions. Despite being told to stop, he continued his abuse and mocked the victim.

The evidence gathered by investigators, alongside the victim's courage in supporting the prosecution, resulted in France being found guilty of all offences.

Detective Constable Christopher Davis, from Bury CID, said:

"The victim has shown incredible strength and courage throughout this investigation and without her determination a dangerous offender may not have been brought to justice.

"She was subjected to sustained abuse, violence and intimidation which left her isolated, frightened and living under the constant threat of further harm.

"While the sentence cannot undo the trauma she has suffered, we hope it provides some measure of closure and allows her to move forward knowing that France can no longer harm her or others.

"This case demonstrates our commitment to pursuing those who commit offences of this nature and ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.

"I would urge anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, stalking or controlling behaviour to come forward and report it. You will be listened to, supported and treated with the utmost care throughout any investigation."

Description

46-year-old Eisen Vir Raganit, of Westwood Road, Stockport, has been jailed for 5 years after being found guilty of raping a sex worker.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely when he appeared at York Crown Court on 6 October 2026.

In October 2024, the defendant arrived at the victim's home address in North Yorkshire after he booked an experience advertised on her website.

The website made it very clear that all customers must wear condoms during the experience.

Before any sexual activity took place, the victim also made it clear that she would only consent to sexual intercourse if a condom was used.

During the encounter, however, the defendant deliberately removed the condom without the victim's knowledge or consent and continued sexual activity. The victim immediately challenged his actions and asked him to leave. She reported the this to the police and Vir Raganit was arrested.

As part of the investigation, officers seized the defendant's mobile phone for forensic examination. Investigators identified material relevant to the case, including videos depicting the non-consensual removal of condoms during sexual activity, a practice commonly referred to as "stealthing". Some of the videos had been viewed shortly before the offence took place.

Vir Raganit was charged with rape but denied the offence throughout police interviews and pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court. However, following a trial in August 2026, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

In her victim personal statement, the victim said:

"It is two years since I was raped at my house. After it happened, I was extremely upset and nervous at first to meet new clients.

"Throughout the four years I had been working from home, I had never had anything like this happen to me before. I normally felt safe in my house, but this incident made me more aware of my safety. I wasn’t sure whether to report it to the police at first, and I wasn’t even sure if it was a sexual assault, but I am glad I reported it now."

She continued: "Even though I knew these investigations take time; I wanted to support the Police all the way to trial. One of the main reasons was that I think it is important to show other people who work in the sex industry that you can report things that happen to you, you will be believed and you can get justice."

Description

A 69-year-old man has been jailed for sexually abusing a child in the 1970s.

Stuart McDowell, from Stuart Place in Chester appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on 30 September to be sentenced after being found guilty of nine counts of indecent assault, four counts of gross indecency, attempting to have sexual intercourse, rape of a female and unlawful sexual intercourse.

He was sentenced to 20 years in prison extended for one year. He is also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and has to sign the Sex Offenders Register.

DS Craig Walker said:

“The length of sentence reflects how devastating his depraved behaviour has been on this survivor.

“This was a prolonged series of abuse which has had such a profound effect on her that she has struggled through life with challenges no one should have to go through.

“Despite the difficulties, she carried on even when she sometimes felt she couldn’t anymore. She is a true hero, and her sheer strength should not be underestimated.

“When she felt able to, she bravely came to us and told her story.  She got vital support, as well as the vindication she needed that his behaviour was wrong and should never happen to any vulnerable child.

“McDowell is now finally paying for his heinous actions against an innocent child.

“I hope others who have suffered, no matter how long ago, feel some hope in this conviction, and when the time is right, feel that they too can come forward to police and get the support that they need and the justice they deserve.”

Description

A sex offender who exposed himself to a woman on a train then masturbated in front of her has been jailed, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Nisan Fernando Kurukulasuriya, 39, and of Troutbeck Road in Altrincham, was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment at Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday 15 September. He pleaded guilty to Sexual Assault and Outraging Public Decency at a previous court hearing.

He was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which will bar him from sitting next to any woman he doesn't know on public transport, and will be on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

The court heard how, on Monday 20 April 2026, Kurukulasuriya was on a train from Stoke to Manchester when he sat next to a woman he didn't know who was on the phone.

He then sexually assaulted her repeatedly, doing so again even after being pushed away by the woman. The woman then noticed that he had exposed himself and was masturbating in front of her.  

She shouted at Kurukulasuriya, who in response stood up and ran away to leave the train. The woman immediately got up to report the incident to staff.

When the train arrived at Manchester Piccadilly, the woman went to speak to a member of railway staff. Kurukulasuriya meanwhile was stood only a few meters away, seemingly without a ticket that would let him through the gate line.

The woman told a member of staff at the gateline that Kurukulasuriya had exposed himself to her, and the member of staff immediately contacted BTP.  

Officers quickly attended, speaking to the woman and arresting Kurukulasuriya before taking him to custody. When police interviewed him, Kurukulasuriya showed no remorse for his actions and refused to answer any questions put to him.

BTP Detective Sargeant Mark Haviland said:

"Kurukulasuriya is a despicable man who targeted a woman travelling alone for his own sick sexual gratification. His brazen behaviour was terrifying, and I commend the victim for having the courage to report the incident so that we could take swift action.

"There is no place on the railway network for sexual offending of any kind, so I am pleased to see Kurukulasuriya rightfully jailed for his actions.

"We take every report seriously, and we will always believe you. No report is too small, and if you've been the victim of this offending, you can contact us discreetly by texting 61016 so we can secure justice for you.”

Description

“I hope one day I can feel safe again, trust people again and stop questioning ordinary things. I hope one day I feel like myself again.”

These are the words from a victim of child sex offences in Bradford.

James Eisen aged 53 of Hall Lane, Manchester admitted to four child sex offences in court.

He abused her whilst she was asleep.

At Bradford Crown Court yesterday (21 September) he was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, he was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years and made to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.

He admitted to two counts of taking an indecent photograph of a child and two counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15.

In a Victim Personal Statement read out in court she said:

“What he did to me has changed me as a person. I often feel like I’m still trying to work out who I am now.

“Before everything happened, I didn’t question myself or the world around me like I do now. If I could make sense of something, I think I could start to move on, but I’ve gone through every possible scenario in my head, and I still can’t understand why someone would do this to another human being.”

DC Alishia Walsh of the Bradford Child Safeguarding Unit said:

“What Eisen did to this young girl as you heard through her own words, has had a profound effect on her life.

“I hope the sentence today can bring her some closure and justice as she starts to rebuild her life.

“Eisen is a danger to children and deserves to be behind bars.

“I hope this case shows that we treat these offences seriously and do get positive outcomes at court.”

Description

A brave woman has spoken about the long-lasting trauma caused by a campaign of abuse at the hands of Elliot Allen Bulman that left her living in fear for both her own life and the safety of her newborn child.

In a Victim Personal Statement, the survivor said:

“I am making this statement to explain to the court the devastating, profound, and ongoing impact that the defendant’s actions have had on my life, my health, and my journey as a mother.

“While the jury finding Elliot guilty of rape, strangulation, threats to kill, assault occasioning ABH, and coercive control validates the living nightmare I endured, no sentence he receives can truly undo the catastrophic damage he has caused.”

The court heard how the woman was subjected to a prolonged and escalating campaign of abuse. There was no sudden moment when the young woman was cut off from her family and friends. Instead, over the course of their relationship, Bulman insidiously stripped away her relationships, one by one, distancing those who cared for her.

The woman continued:

"To ensure I had no lifeline, he executed a calculated campaign of isolation. However, he did not simply cut off every single person at once. Instead, he carefully audited my social circle, identifying specific individuals with whom he deemed surface-level communication was acceptable.

“He permitted just enough contact with them to prevent alarm bellsfrom ringing to the outside world. He used these interactions to parade himself as a loving, attentive, and caring partner, deliberately embedding himself in the centre of my relationships so he could monitor them firsthand.

“Simultaneously, he manufactured conflicts between myself, my family and my friends. By deceptively convincing me that my loved ones did not have my best interests at heart while subtly alienating them from me, he left me entirely marooned in the abusive environment he created.

“He hijacked my private thoughts and external connections by monitoring my phone, reading my messages, and dictating exactly who I could speak to and what I was permitted to say. I was a hostage in my own life, trapped under total surveillance, cut off from genuine support, and condemned to a constant state of walking on eggshells."

Whilst pregnant, Bulman’s control and abuse of the survivor escalated. Unable to attend appointments alone or speak to healthcare professionals in private, the expectant mother was unable to alert those around her to her predicament. Even when hospital staff tried to speak to her alone, Bulman blocked attempts at private conversations from taking place.

Following her discharge from hospital after the birth of her child, the abuse intensified, with the degradation, violence and isolation continuing. The new mother's pain and recovery were disregarded, and she was assaulted while holding her newborn baby.

The survivor continued:

“Elliot chose to perpetrate this horrific abuse and control during what should have been the most sacred, joyful, and protected times of my life: my pregnancy and the newborn stage of my child’s life. Instead of feeling safe, supported, and loved, I was subjected to a perpetual state of terror, hypervigilance, and agonizing physical pain.

“Because I was cut off from truly engaging with my support system, I had no one to lean on during the final stages of my pregnancy or the immediate aftermath of childbirth. My rare interactions with the outside world were forced to be entirely superficial. When my child was born—at a time when a woman is at her most physically and emotionally vulnerable—instead of being allowed to heal and bond with my baby, I was subjected to severe physical, psychological, and sexual violence. The enforced isolation meant I was completely trapped.

“When my child was a few months old, I found the courage to break through the walls of isolation Elliot had built around me and escape. I wholeheartedly believe that if I had not fled on that day, the consequences of remaining would have been fatal.”

The investigation began after police received a report that witnesses had to intervene when Bulman had assaulted the woman in a public place.

As officers took her statement, the young mother bravely disclosed the wider pattern of abuse she had suffered over many months, providing detailed accounts of the physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse she had endured.

Officers secured victim disclosures, witness evidence, photographs of injuries and digital material, building a compelling case against Bulman.

At Bolton Crown Court on Friday 18 September 2026, Elliot Allen Bulman (03/02/2004), of Peel Hall Road, Manchester, was handed an extended sentence of 15 years in custody and given an extended five years on licence after being convicted of five offences, including rape, coercive and controlling behaviour, non-fatal strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by penetration.

Description

A brave woman has spoken about the long-lasting trauma caused by a campaign of abuse at the hands of Elliot Allen Bulman that left her living in fear for both her own life and the safety of her newborn child.

In a Victim Personal Statement, the survivor said:

“I am making this statement to explain to the court the devastating, profound, and ongoing impact that the defendant’s actions have had on my life, my health, and my journey as a mother.

“While the jury finding Elliot guilty of rape, strangulation, threats to kill, assault occasioning ABH, and coercive control validates the living nightmare I endured, no sentence he receives can truly undo the catastrophic damage he has caused.”

The court heard how the woman was subjected to a prolonged and escalating campaign of abuse. There was no sudden moment when the young woman was cut off from her family and friends. Instead, over the course of their relationship, Bulman insidiously stripped away her relationships, one by one, distancing those who cared for her.

The woman continued:

"To ensure I had no lifeline, he executed a calculated campaign of isolation. However, he did not simply cut off every single person at once. Instead, he carefully audited my social circle, identifying specific individuals with whom he deemed surface-level communication was acceptable.

“He permitted just enough contact with them to prevent alarm bellsfrom ringing to the outside world. He used these interactions to parade himself as a loving, attentive, and caring partner, deliberately embedding himself in the centre of my relationships so he could monitor them firsthand.

“Simultaneously, he manufactured conflicts between myself, my family and my friends. By deceptively convincing me that my loved ones did not have my best interests at heart while subtly alienating them from me, he left me entirely marooned in the abusive environment he created.

“He hijacked my private thoughts and external connections by monitoring my phone, reading my messages, and dictating exactly who I could speak to and what I was permitted to say. I was a hostage in my own life, trapped under total surveillance, cut off from genuine support, and condemned to a constant state of walking on eggshells."

Whilst pregnant, Bulman’s control and abuse of the survivor escalated. Unable to attend appointments alone or speak to healthcare professionals in private, the expectant mother was unable to alert those around her to her predicament. Even when hospital staff tried to speak to her alone, Bulman blocked attempts at private conversations from taking place.

Following her discharge from hospital after the birth of her child, the abuse intensified, with the degradation, violence and isolation continuing. The new mother's pain and recovery were disregarded, and she was assaulted while holding her newborn baby.

The survivor continued:

“Elliot chose to perpetrate this horrific abuse and control during what should have been the most sacred, joyful, and protected times of my life: my pregnancy and the newborn stage of my child’s life. Instead of feeling safe, supported, and loved, I was subjected to a perpetual state of terror, hypervigilance, and agonizing physical pain.

“Because I was cut off from truly engaging with my support system, I had no one to lean on during the final stages of my pregnancy or the immediate aftermath of childbirth. My rare interactions with the outside world were forced to be entirely superficial. When my child was born—at a time when a woman is at her most physically and emotionally vulnerable—instead of being allowed to heal and bond with my baby, I was subjected to severe physical, psychological, and sexual violence. The enforced isolation meant I was completely trapped.

“When my child was a few months old, I found the courage to break through the walls of isolation Elliot had built around me and escape. I wholeheartedly believe that if I had not fled on that day, the consequences of remaining would have been fatal.”

The investigation began after police received a report that witnesses had to intervene when Bulman had assaulted the woman in a public place.

As officers took her statement, the young mother bravely disclosed the wider pattern of abuse she had suffered over many months, providing detailed accounts of the physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse she had endured.

Officers secured victim disclosures, witness evidence, photographs of injuries and digital material, building a compelling case against Bulman.

At Bolton Crown Court on Friday 18 September 2026, Elliot Allen Bulman (03/02/2004), of Peel Hall Road, Manchester, was handed an extended sentence of 15 years in custody and given an extended five years on licence after being convicted of five offences, including rape, coercive and controlling behaviour, non-fatal strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by penetration.

Bulman must serve a minimum of two-thirds of his sentence before being considered for parole. In addition, he will be subject to a Notification of Requirement to Register with Police indefinitely and is subject to a restraining order to protect the survivor and her immediate family for a minimum of 20 years.

Detective Constable Oliver Seymour from CID from City of Manchester district said:

"I’d like to thank the survivor for her immense bravery and patience whilst going through this process.

“I'd also like to commend her foresight in recording these incidents over a prolonged period and at great personal risk. It was no easy task given the level of control she was subjected to, but she not only made her own escape possible, but she also secured vital evidence that allowed us to bring him before the courts and hold him accountable for what he had done.

“This was an appalling case of domestic abuse involving sustained violence, coercive control and sexual offending. To be subjected to repeated assaults, intimidation and manipulation over a prolonged period, during what should have been one of the happiest times of her life, is simply abhorrent.

"Her courage in reporting these offences and supporting the investigation has been extraordinary. We know how difficult it can be for victims of domestic abuse to come forward, particularly where coercive control has left them isolated from friends and family.

"I hope this outcome provides reassurance that Greater Manchester Police will listen to victims, pursue offenders and work tirelessly to bring those responsible before the courts."

Description

A sex offender who subjected a woman to a terrifying ordeal on a train in Manchester has been jailed within 72 hours thanks to a fast-paced British Transport Police investigation.

Babatunde Odutola, 36, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Manchester Magistrates Court on Monday 14 September to 44 weeks imprisonment in total after pleading guilty to one charge of Outraging Public Decency and for breaching a suspended sentence order.

The court heard how just three days previously, at around 7pm on Friday 11 September, Odutola approached a woman whilst on a train travelling through Cheshire towards Manchester Piccadilly railway station. He looked her up and down intimidatingly and acted aggressively when she chose not to engage with him.

Odutola then began exposing himself while sat in a wheelchair and masturbating, looking at her and telling her to ‘come over’.

The victim was escorted out of the carriage by a fellow passenger, distressed by the incident. CCTV shows he continued to masturbate as other passengers passed through the carriage, undeterred. Police were called and Odutola was arrested by British Transport Police officers once the train had arrived into Manchester Piccadilly station.

British Transport Police Detective Constable Leonidas Christoforou said:

“Odutola is clearly an incredibly dangerous individual and his disturbing behaviour must have been terrifying for the victim, who he singled out when she was travelling on her own.

“He’s shown little remorse for his actions and denied the allegations against him during his police interview. But a stack of incriminating evidence, including damning CCTV and several witness accounts, left him with little choice but to plead guilty when he appeared in court.

“This was not a one-off from Odutola, who was already a registered sex offender, and this type of alarming, predatory behaviour simply will not be tolerated on our railways.

“Holding vile offenders like him to account is a number one priority for us as a force and we’re tireless in our efforts to bring them to justice.

“If you experience or witness these crimes on the railway, please report it to us by texting 61016. We will always take action.”

Description

This man began grooming and sexually exploiting a girl when he was 47, and she was just 14. Now he's behind bars.

Mark Rowley committed the offences in Brighton and around Sussex between 2022 and 2024.

The 14-year-old victim was subjected to repeated rapes by Rowley, where he would beat her if she refused to comply. He also verbally abused her, leaving her in fear of doing something that would make him angry.

Rowley made the victim believe that they were in a relationship, and he would also frequently request she took and sent him explicit photos.

In a report to police on 22 February this year, details of the abuse surfaced and an investigation was promptly launched.

Rowley was arrested on 27 February in connection with a number of sexual offences against the victim.

Mark Rowley, now 52, of Anna Sewell Way, Chichester, was charged the following morning with rape, engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl age 13 to 15, and meeting a girl under 16 years of age following grooming. He was then remanded in custody.

The case proceeded to trial on 17 August at Brighton Crown Court. On 21 August, the jury found Rowley guilty of all charges, and he was remanded back into custody ahead of his sentencing.

On Monday, 14 September at Brighton Crown Court, Rowley was sent to prison for 15 years.

The officer leading the investigation, Detective Constable Dan Bentley, said:

"In this case, Mark Rowley saw an opportunity to exploit, manipulate, and use the victim for his own sexual gratification.

"Rowley's actions have had a significant and lasting impact on the victim, who has shown immense courage throughout what has undoubtedly been an extremely difficult and distressing process.

"The victim has been supported by specialist officers throughout the investigation, and we commend her bravery in coming forward and supporting the investigation at every step.

"Now Rowley has been sentenced, we hope this outcome reinforces the message that reports of sexual offending will be listened to, will be supported, and will be taken seriously."

Description

A Chesterfield man has been jailed for sexual offences against a child and rape and coercive control against a woman.

Danny Hailes was found guilty of sexual activity with a child, sexual communication with a child, threatening to disclose private sexual photographs with intent to cause distress, and stalking involving fear of violence, against a girl in her early teens.

The 22-year-old was also found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour, and rape against a woman in her twenties.

Hailes offences first came to light when the school of the teenage girl raised concerns about him.

He was then arrested and was still under investigation for the offences against the first victim, when he went on to offend against the second victim.

Hailes was arrested again when the woman reported that he had been controlling her and had gone on to rape her.

Hailes was subsequently charged with the offences against both victims but denied all of them.

He was sent for trial in June this year and a jury found him guilty of the above charges against the two victims after a 13-day-trial.

Hailes, of Heather Vale Road, Hasland, had additionally been charged with controlling and coercive behaviour, rape, and stalking against a third woman but was found not guilty of these during the trial.

On 14 September, a judge sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Hailes was also handed a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and lifetime restraining orders in respect of his victims.

He will be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register and the Child’s Barred List, which means he can be prevented from working with children.

Officer in the case for Victim 1, Detective Constable Matt Charlesworth said:

“I would like to commend the victims in this case for their bravery in coming forwards and giving evidence in court regarding the horrific crimes they have been subjected to at the hands of such a dangerous, manipulative and controlling individual.

“I also wish to publicly extend my thanks to other witnesses who put their own anxieties and fears to one side, by providing evidence and making an invaluable contribution to securing his conviction.

“Whilst I am sure no sentence can offer suitable redress for the level of trauma Hailes has caused, I do hope that this outcome goes at least some way towards allowing all those affected by his actions the opportunity for some form of closure”.

Officer in the case for Victim 2, Detective Staff Investigator David Wright said:

“Danny Hailes said in open court that he was a player. The jury decided on the evidence that he was in fact a predator.

“At no point has he took responsibility for his actions, nor shown any remorse.

“He has made both victims relive their ordeals in court as an attempt to maintain control over them till the last.

“During the investigation, he refused to provide the PIN for his phones and was asked again in front of the jury by the prosecuting barrister for his PIN, but he refused.

“He clearly had something to hide, and the CPS applied for a deprivation order for his phones due to the nature of the offending.

“Above everything else, I must thank the victims for the courage they have shown in reporting Hailes’ crimes and seeing the case through till trial.”

Description

A former Greater Manchester Police officer today received a suspended sentence after being found guilty of a string of online child sex offences.

Michael Aspinall, 35, of Salford, Manchester, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court today (Monday 14 September) after being found guilty of three counts of attempting sexual communication with a child following a trial in July.

Aspinall, who was employed by Greater Manchester Police at the time of the offences, was arrested in October 2024 by detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU). He was immediately suspended from duty following his arrest.

Prior to sentencing, Aspinall had already submitted his resignation from Greater Manchester Police.

The investigation began after evidence was obtained that Aspinall had been communicating online with individuals he believed to be children. He was in fact communicating with a police officer. Following an investigation, he was charged with various offences.

In addition to his eight-month sentence, which has been suspended for two years, Aspinall will be on the sex offender’s register for 10 years, subject to a five-year serious crime prevention order, and undertake 20 days of rehabilitation.

An Accelerated Misconduct hearing held by GMP last week found that had he still been serving, he would have been dismissed without notice. He was additionally added to the College of Policing’s barred list.

An application to request forfeiture of Aspinall’s police pension has been made to the Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester.

Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Humphreys, from our Professional Standards Directorate, said: 

“Aspinall’s offending was clearly unacceptable for any right-minded member of society and particularly inappropriate for a serving police officer.

“His actions put the whole police service under scrutiny, but thanks to the hard work and diligence of undercover officers, he was arrested, found guilty, and has now received his punishment.

“A misconduct panel by GMP found that he would have been dismissed had he still been serving – his actions take away from the hard work of the men and women who work so hard for their communities every day, and it is only right that anyone committing these sort of offences are rooted out.”

Description

A registered sex offender has been convicted of sexually communicating with a child following a complex joint investigation by our Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT), Digital Forensic Investigation Unit (DFIU) and Sex Offender Management Unit (SOMU).

James Davidson (17/05/1966) of Stockport was sentenced to two years and seven months at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court today (Tuesday 8 September 2026) after pleading guilty to 25 breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and one count of sexual communication with a child yesterday (Monday 7 September).

Davidson will have his SHPO extended alongside his Sex Offender Registration Requirements by another 10 years.

He was previously jailed for two years in 2020 for offences including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to meet a girl under 16 following sexual grooming, and attempting to cause a child under 16 to watch a sexual act. Following his release from prison, Davidson was managed by GMP's Sex Offender Management Unit.

In March 2025, officers from SOMU executed a warrant at Davidson's address after receiving information that he may have breached the conditions of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

During a search of the property, officers located several electronic devices which Davidson had failed to declare, placing him in breach of both his SHPO and sex offender registration requirements.

Davidson was charged and remanded in custody for these offences before later being granted bail by the courts pending further proceedings.

The devices seized were submitted to GMP's Digital Forensic Investigation Unit for examination. Investigators faced a significant challenge due to the volume of devices recovered and Davidson's refusal to provide passwords and access credentials, which itself constituted a further breach of his SHPO.

Despite these obstacles, forensic specialists successfully decrypted the devices and conducted a detailed examination, uncovering a substantial amount of digital evidence.

Investigators discovered Davidson had been communicating online with multiple girls while using aliases and falsely presenting himself as a 17-year-old boy.

Further enquiries identified a child victim who had been targeted by Davidson. Messages recovered by investigators showed Davidson discussing his desire to have sex with the child.

After being informed the victim was only aged 14, Davidson stated that he ‘didn't care about the age’ and went on to describe his sexual desires in explicit detail.

The victim was identified and safeguarded with specialist support put in place. The child provided evidence which helped investigators build a strong case against Davidson.

In June 2025, Davidson was arrested on suspicion of sexual communication with a child. A further search of his address uncovered additional undeclared devices, resulting in further breaches of his SHPO.

Davidson was subsequently charged and remanded into custody. He remained in custody throughout these proceedings.

Although Davidson initially denied the offence of sexual communication with a child and elected for a trial, he changed his plea to guilty on the day his trial was due to commence on Monday 7 September.

Detective Constable Katy Shadwell, of our Online Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

"Davidson is a predatory offender who repeatedly ignored court orders designed to protect children and reduce the risk he posed to the public.

"This investigation demonstrates the determination of our officers and staff to identify and safeguard vulnerable children, regardless of the lengths offenders go to in order to conceal their activity.

"This sentencing is the result of outstanding teamwork in GMP, whose combined efforts uncovered overwhelming evidence of Davidson's offending and ensured he was brought before the courts.

"I would also like to commend the courage of the child victim, whose support and assistance played a vital role in securing this conviction."

Description

A man who subjected four women to years of sustained abuse, sexual violence, and coercive control has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 16 years.

Jacob Berry (18/10/1991), of Brierley Road East, Swinton, was convicted of seven counts of rape, four counts of controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault by penetration, following a trial at Manchester Crown Court earlier this year.

The court heard how Berry abused, controlled, intimidated and sexually assaulted four women between 2018 and 2025.

The investigation began in April 2025 following a report from a concerned member of the public who witnessed a woman being assaulted by a man inside a vehicle.

When officers initially spoke with the victim, she was intimidated of Berry and reluctant to disclose the full extent of his offending. Evidence of some of Berry's behaviour later came to light after incidents were broadcast online.

The report prompted a wider investigation by Greater Manchester Police, leading to Berry's arrest. As enquiries progressed, detectives contacted three other women known to Berry, uncovering the full extent of his offending over a number of years.

Between 2018 and 2020, Berry subjected another victim to repeated acts of serious physical and sexual abuse. The court heard how he spat at her, strangled her, extinguished a cigarette on her face, and assaulted her on numerous occasions. During one attack, he broke her nose, requiring surgery.

The victim was also subjected to multiple rapes, which the court heard were particularly degrading and humiliating in nature.

In 2020, Berry raped a further victim after a party. The woman later learned from another individual that a drink Berry had given her may have been spiked. Despite attempting to resist him, Berry continued to force himself upon her.

Following the attack, Berry manipulated his way into the woman's life. During that time, he subjected her to a sustained campaign of controlling and coercive behaviour designed to isolate, intimidate and terrorise her.

The court heard how Berry spat at, bit and assaulted the woman. On one occasion he stood on her neck and forced her to remove her clothing because he believed she was concealing mobile phone SIM cards. The abuse culminated in a violent incident during which the woman's elderly grandmother attempted to intervene and was knocked into a wall.

Following this, Berry met another woman in 2022. She later disclosed to detectives the extent of the abuse she had suffered.

Berry displayed aggressive and controlling behaviour towards both the woman and her children. He took her money, damaged her property and made threats to distribute intimate and degrading images of her. He repeatedly accused her of possessing a secret mobile phone that did not exist and, on one occasion, threatened to burn down her home.

As part of his ongoing campaign of abuse and control, Berry also subjected the woman to repeated acts of serious sexual violence.

All four women provided comprehensive accounts to detectives and demonstrated considerable courage throughout the investigation and subsequent court proceedings, ultimately contributing to Berry's conviction.

In addition to his custodial sentence, Berry was made subject to lifetime restraining orders to protect his victims.

Detective Sergeant Stacey Nolan, of Greater Manchester Police, said:

"Berry systematically abused, controlled and terrorised these women, leaving lasting emotional and psychological trauma. It is difficult to comprehend the ordeal each of them endured at his hands.

"Throughout this investigation, the victims demonstrated immense courage and resilience in coming forward and speaking about their experiences. I hope today's sentence provides them and their loved ones with a measure of justice and closure.

"Their bravery has been instrumental in securing this conviction, and Berry is now rightfully behind bars, where he can no longer manipulate, control or abuse any more women.

"This has been a lengthy and complex investigation, requiring the meticulous examination of a substantial volume of evidence. Through the relentless efforts of numerous officers and staff, a dangerous sexual offender has now been brought to justice.

"I would urge anyone experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence, controlling or coercive behaviour to come forward and speak to police. Preventing violence against women and girls and domestic abuse remains a priority for Greater Manchester Police, and we are committed to providing victims with the support, protection and assistance they need."

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A man who breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and failed to comply with the Sex Offenders Register has been jailed.

Michael Stuart Mason from Southbank, Chester appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday 17 August to be sentenced after pleading guilty to nine counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and one of failing to comply with the Sex Offenders Register.

The 77-year-old was sentenced to 22 months in prison, and his SHPO was extended for a further five years to 2036.

Mason had to sign the Sex Offenders Register and was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order after being given a suspended sentence at Mold Crown Court for distributing indecent images, possessing prohibited images and possession of extreme pornography in 2021.

The court heard that between 1 January and 20 April this year Mason failed to notify police that he had obtained a HP Laptop which he was required to do so under the Sexual harm Prevention Order.

He also failed to notify them of his new address which meant he’d failed to comply with the notification requirements for the Sex Offenders Register.

PC Gina Davies from the Sex Offender Management Unit said:

“We are dedicated in our efforts to make sure these offenders are adhering to their orders which are in place to manage them in the community.

“Mason showed absolute disregard for these orders – but the message is clear, if you fail to comply, you will be put before the courts and face time in jail.”

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A man who strangled and raped a woman in Crewe has been jailed.

Fikadu Yemane was sentenced to eight years imprisonment at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 27 August following a ten-day trial, in which he was found guilty of one count of rape and intentional strangulation.

Yemane, who is of Castleton Walk, Manchester, but originally from Eritrea, was also ordered to sign on to the Sex Offender’s Register indefinitely.

The case began on 16 July 2025 when the 29-year-old met the victim, a 19-year-old woman, in Manchester after arranging to meet via social media. The pair were known to each other and had agreed to travel to an address in Crewe alongside another man on the day of the offence.

At the address in Crewe, Yemane waited until it was just him and the victim alone in the property before forcing her into a bedroom, removing her clothing and going on to rape her. During the assault, he put his hand over the victim’s mouth and strangled her to the point that she nearly passed out, with visible marks being left on her neck as a result.

The second man later returned and pulled the 29-year-old off the victim, allowing her to escape and to call for help.

Yemane fled the scene on foot before officers arrived who quickly located and safeguarded the victim – he remained on the run for six days before being located and arrested in Manchester.

During this period, Yemane made active attempts to cover his tracks and evade police by changing the SD card in his phone.

In interview, Yemane told officers that, despite not engaging in sex, everything that had occurred between him and the victim had been consensual.

Enquiries at the address where the offence occurred had resulted in a condom with traces of both Yemane’s and the victim’s DNA being recovered in a wheelie bin. The victims’ underwear was also located in the same bin.

Detective Constable Jaymie Johnson said:

“Fikadu Yemane’s behaviour was downright predatory. He took advantage of a vulnerable victim, who thought she was with someone she could trust, before going on to rape her and cause her serious injury when she bravely fought back against him.

“Even when he was faced with evidence that directly linked him to the crime, that he had made active attempts to dispose of, Yemane caused further suffering to victim by forcing her to relive the ordeal all over again during his subsequent ten-day trail.

“With that in mind, I am glad that the jury have reached a guilty verdict on both counts and Yemane has been handed a significant custodial sentence. I do hope that now this case has reached its conclusion, the victim can be provided with a much-needed sense of closure and can begin to move forward with her life, knowing justice has been secured and her attacker has been held to account. I commend her for her bravery throughout the entire investigation.

“Even upon Yemane’s eventual release from custody, he will remain the subject of the Sex Offender’s Register, meaning he will be monitored by specialist officers for the remainder of his life, ensuring that he never causes harm to another person.”