Latest Offenders Chester

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A man has been jailed for 13 years after Greater Manchester Police’s Cold Case Unit linked him to the indecent assault and attempted rape of a 74yearold woman in Stockport from more than 30 years ago.

The conviction follows a renewed cold case investigation and advances in forensic science that allowed evidence from 1992 to be reexamined.

Aron Traynor, 56, of London Road, Stockport, was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday 8 May 2026 for the violent indecent assault and attempted rape of a woman in 1992.

The victim, who has since passed away, was attacked by a stranger while walking near her home. Despite extensive forensic work at the time, no suspect was identified.

The case remained under active review. In 2005, the Cold Case Unit commissioned further forensic analysis, producing a nearcomplete DNA profile that was added to the National DNA Database, but no match was found at that time.

A breakthrough came when a DNA sample taken from Traynor following an unrelated arrest for drink-driving in August 2023 matched the profile developed by the Cold Case Unit, finally bringing longawaited justice for the victim’s family.

 In October 2023, the Cold Case Unit was formally notified of the match, and Traynor was arrested shortly afterwards.

A fiveday jury trial in March 2026 found him guilty on both charges.

Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Hughes said:

“Time is quite simply no barrier to justice.

“Today’s sentencing shows that we never close investigations into serious violent or sexual offences. DNA is crucial, but it’s the painstaking work of our officers - revisiting evidence, tracing witnesses, and rebuilding the investigative picture - that ultimately brings offenders to justice.

“Offenders should be in no doubt that forensic science continues to advance, and every interaction they have with the criminal justice system increases the chance of their crimes being uncovered.

“I’d like to thank the victim’s family for their support and cooperation in this case. Although the victim sadly has not lived to see justice served, I hope this sentence gives her family a sense of peace that the offender has been held accountable.”

A statement from the victim’s son was read in court, describing the devastating and lasting impact the attack had on his mother’s confidence, independence and wellbeing. He said the assault changed her life profoundly and affected the whole family.

GMP remains committed to tackling violence against women and girls and ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice — no matter how much time has passed.

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A man has been jailed after sexually abusing a child and purchasing indecent images of children.

Ian Isherwood, of Shipton Street, Bolton, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday 27 April where he was sentenced to 15 years.

The 43-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children (categories A, B and C), possession of a category C image of a child, and assisting the commission of an offence.

Isherwood had also been found guilty of sexual activity with a child under 13, inciting sexual activity with a girl under 13, inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13.

The offences occurred in the Warrington area.

Cheshire Police arrested Isherwood in March 2024 after officers received information relating to a PayPal account which had been used to purchase indecent images of children. This account was linked to Isherwood.

His devices were seized and hundreds of indecent images of children were recovered. An image of a girl was also uncovered, who was identified and safeguarded. She stated she had been sexually abused by Isherwood when she was around eight-10 years old.

Isherwood was ultimately charged with multiple offences.

On top of his custodial sentence, Isherwood must sign the Sex Offender Register indefinitely and is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

DC Briony Shirley said:

“Isherwood is clearly a danger to children and has quite rightly been handed a significant prison sentence to reflect the severity of his crimes.

“Being in possession of indecent images of children is never a victimless crime, and on this occasion, officers identified and subsequently safeguarded a girl who Isherwood had previously abused.  

“The fact that he had then continued to look at images of children following this shows that he had absolutely no regard for anything other than satisfying his twisted and perverted sexual desires.

“I hope the victim in this case has been able to get some closure over what happened to her, knowing that Isherwood is locked up where he cannot do this to anyone else.”

Description

Thanks to the bravery of a survivor, a man who raped her has been jailed.

Muhammad Nasir, 18/12/1985, Stockport Road, Ashton Under Lyne, has today (Tuesday 5 May) been sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment with an additional four years' license at Manchester Crown Court after being convicted of rape, committed in July 2021.

The survivor and her mother courageously reported the offence via LiveChat on Tuesday 24 August 2021.

The court heard that on Saturday 24 July 2021, the survivor had been out with friends at a nightclub on Deansgate. She left alone and phoned her mother to let her know she was on her way home.

Outside the nightclub, she entered a taxi she had not prebooked, driven by Nasir.

While travelling along the A6 towards Longsight, Nasir diverted into a quiet, treelined culdesac off the A6, where he stopped the vehicle. He then sexually assaulted and raped the survivor.

Following the attack, Nasir drove the survivor to a cash machine for her to withdraw money to pay him. He took approximately £70 from her before dropping her at her home.

Detectives who investigated the taxi location at that time found that the journey that should have taken 20 minutes in fact took three and a half hours.

The survivor built up the courage to report the rape a month after the incident took place.

Detectives were able to retrieve CCTV footage from the nightclub which evidenced the survivor getting in a taxi.

The registration of the taxi was linked to Muhammad Nasir who was subsequently arrested on 15 September 2021 at an address on Ashton Road by Tameside response officers.

Nasir has also been handed a restraining order, a court order preventing him from ever becoming a taxi driver again and was told he would remain on the sex offender register for life.

In court today the survivor said:

“I am here today as a survivor of a rape that occurred when I was 20 years old. I want the court to understand the profound impact this crime has had on my life and the work I have had to do to rebuild it.

“The offender was a taxi driver - someone I should have been able to trust to keep me safe. Instead, he abused me. That betrayal has stayed with me and has shaped much of the fear and instability I have experienced since.

“Within the first year after reporting this offence, I was diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder.

“The trauma significantly affected my education; I missed a large number of university lectures, required extensions, and struggled daily to function. At times, I was unable to leave my room or remain at university.

“Beyond my studies, the impact left me anxious, withdrawn, fearful in everyday life, I struggled to feel safe leaving my home and had to make changes to my life to manage that fear.

“I felt as though I had lost my sense of self.

“Despite this, I have worked hard to rebuild my life by seeking support, committing to recovery and gradually regaining control. I now speak about my experience to raise awareness and support others and I have raised money for The Survivor Trust by completing a marathon - a charity I relied on heavily throughout the process.

“I know this experience will always be part of my life, but it no longer defines me.

“I am here today because I was believed by my family, friends and officers and charities who supported me throughout.”

Detective Constable James Adams from the Serious Crime Unit said:

“This was a truly heinous crime, and I want to pay tribute to the extraordinary strength and bravery shown by the survivor throughout this process.

“Coming forward, remaining engaged for more than four years and then choosing to raise awareness for others takes immense courage. Her determination to ensure that what happened to her does not define her is remarkable.

“Rape is one of the most serious and devastating crimes a person can experience. The sentence handed down today reflects the seriousness of Nasir’s actions and the lasting harm they caused.

“Greater Manchester Police will not tolerate sexual violence in any form, and we will always work to hold offenders to account.

“I would urge anyone who has experienced rape or sexual assault, no matter how long ago, to come forward. You will be listened to, believed and supported.”

Description

A man from Manchester has been jailed following an investigation carried out by the Constabulary’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team.

Talha Ahmed was sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment at Chester Crown Court on Friday 1 May. He was also made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Ahmed, of Cranford Avenue, Burnage, Manchester, had previously pleaded guilty to five counts of attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to look at images of sexual activity, three counts of making indecent photographs or pseudophotographs of a child and one count of attempting to incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

He also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a prohibited image of a child and one count of possession of indecent images or pseudophotographs of a child.

The case against the 25yearold began on 17 September 2024 when officers from the Constabulary’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT) executed a Section 8 warrant at Ahmed’s home address. This was in connection to offences relating to the possession, creation and sharing of indecent images of children.

Upon arrest, Ahmed told officers that illicit images had been sent to him by another person but claimed that he had since deleted them. During a subsequent search of the property, officers seized two mobile phones belonging to him.

While interviewed in custody, Ahmed was questioned about the possession and distribution of indecent images. He answered “no comment” to all questions and was later released on conditional bail while his devices were examined by digital media investigators.

Examination of the devices revealed the presence of Category A, B and C indecent images of children.

Further evidence showed that Ahmed had also committed additional offences by engaging in sexual communications with a child, requesting intimate images from her and sending sexual images of himself.

Ahmed was arrested and interviewed for a second time in February 2025, during which he was questioned about the sexual communications with the teenager and the exchange of images. He again chose to answer no comment to all questions put to him.

Digital forensic enquiries revealed that Ahmed had been communicating with the child across multiple social media and messaging platforms over a period of three years, from June 2021 to the point of his arrest in September 2024.

Ahmed was 20 years old when the offending began, and the victim was 14.

Detective Constable Faye Taylor, of the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

“Engaging in communication with young people solely for the purpose of sexual gratification is truly abhorrent, and I welcome the sentence handed down to Talha Ahmed today.

“Ahmed was fully aware that the person he was communicating with was an underaged child, six years his junior. Despite this, he chose to engage in sustained contact with her over a period of more than three years in pursuit of his own warped fantasies.

“Ahmed believed that hiding behind a screen would allow him to avoid detection. He was wrong.

“Officers from within the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team deal with some of the most harrowing investigations due to the serious nature of child sexual abuse offences and the content that is often involved in such cases.

“Despite this, OCAIT officers work tirelessly, 365 days a year, to secure convictions and preventative orders against dangerous offenders, helping to protect some of the most vulnerable members of our society, children, from harm and exploitation.”

Description

A 24-year-old man who raped a young woman in Wrexham has been jailed.

Gift Oladele, of the Manchester area and currently of no fixed abode, violently attacked the 19-year-old victim as she walked home following a night out with friends.

Oladele introduced himself to the victim and her friend in the city centre in the early hours of September 7 last year.

He insisted on walking her home, claiming he was heading in the same direction.

As they walked alone towards Mold Road, he raped her on an isolated footpath.

Following the attack, he warned her not to report the incident to police.

Oladele was arrested hours later and subsequently charged and remanded into custody following a thorough investigation.

He denied rape and sexual assault, claiming the victim had consented, but a jury found him guilty at Mold Crown Court in March.

At Caernarfon Crown Court on Thursday, 30 April, he was sentenced to a total of 25 years, including 17 years in prison, with an extended licence period of eight years.

He was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order to protect the victim for life. 

Wrexham Chief Inspector Caroline Mullen-Hurst said:

“Oladele is a dangerous predator who left a young woman fearing for her life as he subjected her to a disturbing and terrifying attack as she walked home following a night with her friends.

“He demonstrated no remorse for his crimes after forcing her to relive the traumatic experience through a trial.

“I would like to praise the dignity and courage she has shown throughout the investigation, and for her bravery in reporting this incident to us.

“Thankfully, today’s sentence has removed Oladele from the streets, preventing any further harm to anyone else. I hope it reassures the public that North Wales Police is committed to eradicating all incidents of violence against women and girls and is working tirelessly to bring perpetrators of sexual abuse to justice.

“I would urge any victim of sexual assault to get in touch with us. You will be listened to, your report will be taken seriously and fully investigated. We are here to support you.”

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Vijay Chawla (10/03/1959) of Rectory Lane, Bury has been sentenced to seven years at Manchester Crown Court today (24 April 2026).

Chawla was found guilty of rape and sexual assault against the same victim at a trial in January 2026.

On Saturday 18 March 2023, officers received a disclosure from a 72-year-old woman who reported she had been raped the night before at an address in Manchester.

Despite repeatedly telling him to stop, Chawla forced himself on the woman and subjected her to a terrifying ordeal.

Officers attended the scene, and the female victim was immediately supported by specialist officers and support services.

Chawla was arrested on the same day and later released pending further investigation.

Detective Sergeant Sam Cullen, of our Criminal Investigations Department, said:

“Firstly I would like to thank the victim in his horrifying incident to come forward and report their abuse to us, allowing us to conduct a thorough investigation.

“I commend the victim in this case for supporting our investigation, which has resulted in today’s sentence and sees justice served against Chawla.

“Our officers will provide support, conduct thorough investigations, and take firm action against offenders. Your allegations will be taken seriously, and you will be treated with dignity and respect."

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On Wednesday 22 April 2026 at Bolton Crown Court, Tayumur Raja (08/06/1996) of Abbeyhills Road, Oldham, was handed nine years in jail after he was found guilty of sexual assault by digital penetration. 

He is subject of the Sex Offender Register indefinitely. 

At around 4.15am on 25 September 2021 the victim - a 17-year-old girl at the time, now a woman - left a nightclub in Oldham and walked to St Mary’s Way junction with Yorkshire Street and got into a taxi. She got out a short while later and walked to the bottom of Yorkshire Street as she did not have cash and could only pay using her mobile device. 

She contacted another taxi using her mobile phone and a short while later, a vehicle pulled up next to her. The girl got into the car believing it to be her taxi. The driver was Raja. 

Raja drove her to a carpark on Park Road, with the girl as his passenger, before he sexually assaulted her. 

The victim managed to get free from Raja and ran from the vehicle to the safety of a nearby supermarket where staff helped her. 

In a statement read in court, the victim said in part:

“Before September 2021, I was a normal 17-year-old girl. I was going to college, working, learning to drive, and spending time with my friends. I was excited about my future and had plans to become a nurse. I was starting to gain independence and figure out who I was as a person. Life felt normal, safe, and full of possibilities.  

“Before that night, I always believed things like this happened to other people; not to someone like me. But that night, he turned me into someone that bad things happen to, and everything I thought I knew about safety changed. 

“After what had been a normal night out with friends, I got into what I believed was a taxi because I just wanted to go home. I had no idea that my life was about to change completely, through no fault of my own.  

“The fear I felt in that moment is something I cannot fully put into words. It was a fear I had never experienced before, a real fear for my life. He stole my safety from me. That fear didn’t end that night. It stayed with me for almost five years while I waited for something to be done and for justice to finally happen.” 

She continued:

“Over time, I became more and more isolated. Relationships with people close to me broke down because I struggled to trust anyone. Eventually, I left home and moved into a hostel because I felt disconnected from everything and everyone.  

“The anger, pain, and confusion I felt took over my life. I pushed people away because it felt easier than trying to explain how broken I felt inside. I tried to get mental health support several times, but nothing seemed to help at the time, and I felt completely stuck, like there was no end to what I was going through.” 

Throughout the investigation Raja showed no remorse for his actions and continually denied the offence.  
At one point during his interview, he laughed when it was explained to him that the allegation was a serious one and that there was a need to ask him questions about it. He declined to comment and claimed the victim had given consent.

The detailed account bravely given by the victim along with evidence gathered by the police showed this was not the case and the jury convicted him. On 6 March 2026, at Bolton Crown Court, Tayumur Raja was found guilty of sexual assault by digital penetration. He has been sentenced to nine years in prison. 

The victim added:

“I want to thank the police for taking me seriously and for not giving up on this case despite how long it has taken. Despite everything, this process has also helped restore some of my faith in people.  

“Although he has never admitted what he did or shown any remorse, I hope the sentence he receives allows him to reflect on the damage he has caused. What he did affected years of my life, and I hope he understands that. More than anything, I hope he never does this to anyone else.

“I hope my voice encourages others to come forward and seek help. Our voices deserve to be heard.” 

Detective Constable Paul Fay, Oldham CID, said:

“I commend the bravery of the victim-survivor. Thanks to her, a dangerous sexual predator is now behind bars. 

“I hope this gives the victim a sense of justice as she looks to move forward and rebuild her life. 

“I urge all victim-survivors of rape and sexual offences to please come forward and report them to us. You will be believed and supported. We can work at a pace that suits you so we can bring perpetrators to justice.” 

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A dangerous sex offender has been put behind bars after our officers found he was failing to comply with his sex offender requirements.

Sebastian Pavel Baltatu was tracked down by officers from our Sex Offender Management Unit (SOMU) after routine checks revealed he had unlawfully returned to the country, having previously been deported in 2020.

Baltatu (02/09/2001) was jailed for three years in 2019 after being found guilty of the rape of a child under the age of 13.

Following enquiries, officers confirmed Baltatu was living in Manchester and he was located after attempting to make a claim for Universal Credit.

Baltatu was arrested in March 2026 following a co-ordinated operation led by officers from SOMU.

After establishing his location, officers attended an address in Gorton, Manchester. He was arrested and taken into custody, where he remained until his court date.

At Manchester Crown Court on 17 April 2026, Baltatu was jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to five breaches of his sex offender requirements and a breach of his deportation order. He now faces deportation for a second time.

Detective Sergeant Daniel Sanchez, from our Public Protection Department, said:

“Sebastian Baltatu poses a clear and ongoing risk to the public, particularly to children, and it was vital that he was located and brought before the courts.

“Despite having been deported following a serious sexual offence and being subject to strict requirements, Baltatu chose to unlawfully return to the UK and deliberately breach the conditions placed upon him.

“Officers are proactively reviewing sex offenders who are believed to be living overseas to ensure they have not returned to the UK.

"Where concerns are identified, swift action is taken to locate those individuals and arrest them where necessary.

“Through determined and methodical work by officers from our Sex Offender Management Unit, we were able to establish his whereabouts and ensure he was arrested safely.

“This case underlines our unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in our communities and taking robust action against offenders who believe they can evade the law.

"We will continue to work closely with partner agencies to identify those who pose a risk and ensure they are dealt with decisively.”

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A man has been jailed for more than 2 years for possessing indecent images of children.

Jonathan Peter Clark, 47, of  The Valley in Winchester was found to be in possession of 195 indecent images after officers launched an investigation in May 2023 after he was identified as being the user of an online account suspected to have uploaded an indecent image to the internet.

He was arrested in October of the same year, and an analysis of his phone found 195 indecent images graded from A, the most serious, to C. 

Clark was charged with possession of indecent images of children, and breach of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and pleaded guilty at Basingstoke Magistrates Court in March 2026.

He was yesterday (16 April) sentenced to 2 years and 8 months in prison at Winchester Crown Court. 

His Honour Judge Parker KC also ordered the destruction of his mobile phone and granted Clark a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

PC Neil Nancarrow, of the Internet Child Abuse Team, said: “Jonathan Clark is a repeat sexual offender who has continued to break the law, he clearly poses a serious risk to children and I am glad to see him put behind bars. 

“Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary is committed to keeping the children in our community safe and I hope this investigation evidences how seriously we take crimes of this nature. We will continue to work hard to bring offenders of these abhorrent crimes to justice.

“Online offending around indecent images of children is a crime. Each image represents a child that has been abused. If you are looking at, making, or distributing these images, we will take action.”

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A man, aged 41, has been jailed for 13 years after being found guilty of two counts of rape and coercive and controlling behaviour.

Aftab Zulfiqar (09/03/1985), of no fixed address, was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on 15th April 2026.

Through exceptional courage, the survivor came forward to report Zulfiqar, beginning a process that required her to confront and relive deeply traumatic experiences in pursuit of justice.

The survivor was in a relationship with Zulfiqar for three years, during which she was subjected to sustained and escalating abuse that had a profound impact on her life.

Zulfiqar controlled every aspect of her daily routine, including what she wore, when she slept, what she ate and drank, who she was allowed to speak to and how she lived, isolating her from friends and support networks.

His constant demands for contact while she was at work placed significant pressure on her which resulted in her losing a job she loved, increasing her reliance on him.

During the relationship, Zulfiqar raped her on multiple occasions, exploiting the trust of their relationship and manipulating her into believing the abuse was not rape.

Over three years, the survivor endured mental, emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Despite the trauma she suffered, she showed exceptional courage in reporting Zulfiqar in October 2023 through our LiveChat function, concluding in him being arrested.  

LiveChat is a great way to report crimes discreetly.

She fully supported the investigation and stood up in court to give evidence against the man who abused her.

The survivor, in her victim impact statement, said:

“My relationship with Aftab has had a huge impact on my life, more than can be put into words really. I had little confidence any way but since being with Aftab, I have none at all.

“He drilled it into me that much that I’m ugly and worthless that I believed it and now struggle with confidence, and I don’t want to meet anyone.

“I don’t think I could ever trust someone again, I gave Aftab everything and he was never nice to me.

“I was so scared of doing anything wrong. At the smallest thing, he would attack me then throw me out of his flat.

“I was always to blame for everything – he once stood on the plug of my hair dryer and then smashed my hairdryer up and physically attacked me because it was somehow my fault.

“It makes me worried for future relationships and how I’ll be because I am so deeply hurt.

“I really feel that my relationship with Aftab and everything he has put me through will stay with me forever, but I’m determined that he hasn’t won, and I can now start to live a peaceful life after being put through 5 and a half years of hell.”

Following his arrest, Zulfiqar continued to cause distress by posting about the investigation and those involved on social media, leading to his remand in custody, where he has remained since September 2024.

Detective Constable Lucy Hamilton said:

“I want to commend the survivor for the remarkable courage she has shown in coming forward and supporting this investigation.

“Reporting offences of this nature is incredibly difficult, and it is through her bravery that a very dangerous man is now behind bars.

“We want to be absolutely clear: we take all reports of rape and sexual offences extremely seriously, and we will relentlessly pursue perpetrators.

“It is also vital that people understand coercive and controlling behaviour is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated.

“I hope this outcome provides the survivor with some measure of justice as she continues to rebuild her life. Her courage has protected other women from harm, and we will continue to stand with her, and every survivor, in the fight to bring offenders like Zulfiqar to justice."

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A man who repeatedly raped and sexually abused his young victim over several years has been jailed for 18 years.

David Jones, 66, from Moston, began raping the girl when she was a child and continued the abuse for years, leaving her “ashamed” and feeling “dirty and disgusting”, Greater Manchester Police said.

He was arrested in 2021 after the victim came forward and was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on Friday, April 10.

In her victim impact statement, the woman said: “After what had happened to me, I had tried to block it all out and get on with my life.

“But over the years it has been eating away at me. I felt dirty and disgusting when I thought about it and I was ashamed to tell people. During everyday life, I can’t eat properly or sleep, because I am overthinking about my past, and how this now affects me with other people, it is hard for me to shut my brain off.

“I have to try and do things to keep me busy, so I don’t focus on what happened and to try and control my anxiety. I just want justice for what happened to me so I can try and make things better for myself, get my confidence back and try and leave what happened in the past so I can move forward with my life.”

Jones was found guilty of five counts of rape, sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, sexual assault and indecent assault. He was also given a lifetime restraining order against the victim.

Detective Constable Nicola Woods, of GMP’s Online Child Abuse Investigation team, said: “I would firstly like to commend the bravery of the victim who has shown immense courage and strength during this investigation.

“David Jones preyed on her innocence and repeatedly subjected her to multiple rapes and sexual assaults which continued for well over a decade. He is now behind bars, and I hope that this will give her the chance to begin to move on from this horrific ordeal.

“No matter the age of when abuse happened, if you have gone through this or have witnessed such incidents, please come forward. You will be supported, listened to, and we will do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice.”

Description

A convicted sex offender offered cash to have sex with an “11-year-old girl” unaware he was messaging an undercover police officer posing as the child’s aunt.

Richard Smith, 35, of Nixon Phillips Drive, Hindley Green, Wigan, told the officer: “Money isn’t a problem.”

The 35-year-old, who was subject to strict notification requirements at the time, first contacted the officer on the Chat IW website last August using the username “Whitestick”. The officer used the name “AuntofLil”, which denotes a female child to those in the know, Bolton Crown Court heard.

Smith claimed in his profile to be a 28-year-old from Aberdeen. He asked: “Oh hello, go on how old is she?” Told the “nieces” were 11 and 14, he moved the conversation to the encrypted app Teleguard, known to be used by paedophiles.

He asked for pictures of the girls, where they lived, and whether they were “innocent and naive”. When told they were in London he replied: “Oh it said Greater Manchester lmao fair enough tho I can travel to London.”

After a phone call discussing dates and money, Smith chose the £180 option and later offered £250 to “secure the slot” when told another client had already booked the Sunday. He described the 11-year-old as the “opportunity of a lifetime” and asked about a long-term arrangement. He responded with “a great deal of enthusiasm” to a Snapchat image of children’s underwear.

Smith did not finalise the meeting and was arrested a week later.

He pleaded guilty to arranging or facilitating a child sex offence and breaching notification requirements by failing to disclose his social media aliases.

The court heard he had been convicted in 2018 of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child after performing a sex act during a FaceTime call with a girl under 16, witnessed by her mother.

Defence barrister David Toal said Smith accepted sending the messages but stressed his “voluntary desistance”. “He drew back and that’s the reason why there’s no actual serious harm committed by him. He stopped because he chose to stop,” he told the court.

Recorder of Bolton Judge Nicholas Clarke KC sentenced Smith to six years’ imprisonment, imposed a sexual harm prevention order and ordered him to sign the sex offenders’ register for life. The judge described it as “quite alarming that such websites and facilities are available”.

Description

A 45-year-old man has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for one count of attempted rape and two counts of sexual assault after a court found him guilty following a trial earlier this year.

Michael Modlinsky (06/10/1980) from Salford, appeared at Bolton Crown Court yesterday (07/04/2026) for sentencing following an investigation led by our Salford Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

He will serve an additional three years on licence upon release, while also being subject to a lifetime restraining order.

In August 2025, the victim first met Modlinsky and after a few encounters with one another over the course of four weeks, the offender initiated more contact and began making overtly sexual comments towards her. Despite repeatedly telling him there was nothing between them, this continued.

On one evening, Modlinsky began grabbing the victim and forcing himself on to her while also threatening to rape her - the victim bravely managed to push him away and leave the room before reporting the offence to police.

In his police interview, Modlinsky denied ever making such comments and denied the assault on the victim. A jury, however, found him guilty on all three counts.

Detective Constable Chloe Catterall from our Salford CID said:

"This was an incredibly frightening incident for the victim, and her courage throughout this investigation and the court proceedings has been remarkable. I hope today's sentencing offers her some sense of closure and reassurance.

"This case demonstrates our commitment to thoroughly investigating reports of sexual assault and violence, and ensuring offenders face the full consequence of their actions.

"I urge anyone who may have gone through this or witnessed such incidents to please come forward - you will always be listened to, supported and taken seriously."

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A 74-year-old man was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of rape of a woman 16 years or over, and one count of sexual assault.

Stephen Biggs (04/03/1952) of Furness Square, Bolton appeared at Bolton Crown Court on Thursday 2 April, and was sentenced to nine years in prison.

In late March 2025, a woman befriended Biggs and he invited her alone to his address. Biggs gave her a unknown substance, which led to her feeling drowsy and later falling unconscious in the offender's home.

When she awoke, some of her clothing had been removed, and she found Biggs on top of her. The victim was struggling to gain full consciousness and passed out once again. After waking up, she found the offender still on top of her with his trousers unzipped and she managed to push him off her.

Following his arrest, Biggs was interviewed by officers, where he admitted to raping and assaulting the victim whilst she was unconscious.

The victim bravely shared in her interview: "Being older, this has really taken a toll on me. It’s ruined my confidence. I’m struggling within my own relationship with my partner. It’s destroyed me.”

Detective Constable Jordan Brown from our Bolton CID said:

"This was a horrific assault that happened to the victim all without her consent and without her knowledge at the time.

"She has been immensely brave coming forward to report this and supporting the investigation and I would like to thank her for her continued strength and courage during this difficult time.

"We remain committed to supporting victims of sexual violence and bringing offenders to account, no matter how long it takes.

"I urge anyone who may have gone through this to please come forward and report. You will always be treated with respect and your reports will always be taken seriously." 

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A second Registered Sex Offender has been locked up after being caught by Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology.

Officers were alerted to Phillip Loxam (28/01/1969), of Edgeley, Stockport, when the vans were deployed in the town centre on 12 February this year.

When approached by officers, he was questioned and detained for a number of offences, including having software on his phone to conceal its internet history.

He was also found to have a concealed second unregistered mobile phone, which was located on his person after his arrest.

Loxam was jailed for 20 months when he appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday (13/3/26) when he admitted three breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

He was previously sentenced to a 20-month prison sentence in July 2024 for seven breaches of his SHPO.