Search results for Chester

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."

Description

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.”

Description

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.”

Description

A man has been jailed for raping a 16-year-old girl, as well as brutally assaulting her during a period of six weeks last year.

Callan Hennessey (24/12/03), of Ferndene Road, Manchester, has been jailed for nine-and-a-half-years after pleading guilty to assault, strangulation, the creation of indecent images, and a further assault. He was found guilty of one count of rape.

He received his sentence today (27 August) at Manchester Crown Court.

The investigation began in April 2025, when a relative of the victim of Hennessey contacted the police, after the girl, then 16, had attended hospital with injuries including two black eyes, bleeding to her ear, a swollen jaw and other abrasions to her head and face.

Following extensive enquiries over the following weeks, which also saw Hennessey arrested, officers found that he had assaulted and raped the girl, with her injuries drawing the attention of family members.

When officers attended an address on 8 April 2025, officers discovered bedsheets covered in his victim’s blood. Hennessey was also seen to have himself had blood on him by a relative following the incident.

Hennessey plead guilty to assault and strangulation, while being found guilty of rape following a trial. The rape occurred several weeks before the assault in April.

He will also now be subject to an indefinite restraining order and will be placed on the sex offender's register for life.

Hennessey’s victim has supported the investigation throughout and bravely told officers about the crimes inflicted on her.

Detective Constable James Carter, from GMP’s City of Manchester CID, said: 

“Firstly, I want to pay tribute to the victim in this case – this is something no-one should ever have to go through and her bravery and resilience has been remarkable.

“Hennessey violently attacked someone who is several years younger than him - a child - leaving her in a bloodied and terrified state following the incident. His vile actions, including rape and strangulation, now mean he is rightfully behind bars where he belongs.

“I would urge anyone who has been the victim of any similar crimes to please get in touch – we will do what we can to help you and work to get you the justice you deserve.”

Description

Chester man jailed for historic indecent assault of teenage girl

David Evans, 50, of Wrexham Road, Eccleston, Chester, has been jailed for three years after admitting a historic indecent assault on a teenage girl.

Evans was sentenced at Mold Crown Court on Tuesday. He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault.

Prosecutor Laura Knightly said Evans collected the girl in his vehicle in Flintshire and drove her to a layby, where he suggested she perform a sex act on him. She did so.

His guilty plea was accepted on an agreed basis. Evans admitted driving the girl to the layby and engaging in a sexual act with her, but said the act was “consensual” and did not involve “force or coercion.” He also accepted he “was aware she was underage at the time.”

In a victim statement, the girl said she came forward after coming to terms with how “wrong” the act had been. After carrying the “weight of this in silence,” she contacted police “because the truth matters.”

“I hope he realises the impact of his actions,” she said.

Defending, Siôn ap Mihangel pointed to a Probation Service pre-sentence report and said guilty pleas in cases of this kind are unusual because of the stigma involved.

“This court will know that it is unusual that a defendant pleads guilty to crimes of this nature — ordinarily because of the stigma attached, defendants feel a jury should decide and that involves the individual having to relive the incident in court in front of the public,” he said. “That’s not happened in this case; he had the good sense to plead guilty.”

Mr ap Mihangel said Evans had significant mental health difficulties in his youth and was not diagnosed with borderline personality disorder until he was 34. Those difficulties were “not an excuse,” he said, but the court should take them into account. He argued a suspended sentence could be considered and said probation had found a community disposal could be an option.

“This is an historical offence,” he added, “going back some time. He is registered with his GP and has re-engaged with mental health services.”

Mr Recorder John Philpotts imposed three years’ imprisonment after credit for the guilty plea. He refused to suspend the term.

“I am afraid in my judgement, this offence is simply too serious to be suspended,” he said. “It gives the court no pleasure, but that must be served immediately. One factor I have to bear in mind is the deterrence to others.”

Evans must also register as a sex offender.

Description

Marley Murray (23/06/2007), of Cotefield Road, Manchester, has been sentenced following a series of violent and sexual offences committed against a 16-year-old girl over a period of several months in 2025.

Thanks to the immense bravery and support from the survivor, Murray has been sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to six years in prison after he was convicted of rape, threats to kill and three counts of common assault. He was also handed a 10-year restraining order and has been placed on the sex offenders' register.

She first reported in March 2025, where the survivor recalls during an argument, Murray grabbed her by the throat, restricting her breathing, and struck her head repeatedly.

In June 2025, Murray subjected her to prolonged violence in her home. Murray verbally abused her and damaged her personal items. Murray raped the victim, ignoring her repeated refusals. 

The horrific display of abuse continued into July 2025, when Murray was once again violent with the victim at his address in Wythenshawe. He made threats to kill the victim whilst holding a knife, and physically assaulted her, causing visible injuries. 

Following this assault, the survivor managed to contact police covertly and escape the address.

In a statement shared with the court, the victim said:

"Marley was capable of ruining everything, he would ring me constantly accusing me of seeing other people.

"Every time I would go to sleep, I would have flash backs of everything the moment I close my eyes.

"I still have these flashbacks now of what he did to me, specifically I still have flash backs of the rape.

"I was used to Marley hitting me, it got to a point where it didn’t bother me because I was used to that, but being raped has impacted me differently.

"I always think the worst in a situation because of the trauma he’s put me through.

"I now am trying to rebuild my life."

Detective Superintendent Richard Hunt from Rochdale Police says:

"It is crucial to acknowledge the bravery and resilience demonstrated by the survivor in this case.

"Murray's utter disregard for his actions and continued attempts to contact, hurt, and abuse the victim highlights the importance of this sentencing.

"Her courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation has been instrumental in securing justice and ensuring the safety of others.

"Operation Soteria underscores the importance of victim-focused approaches and collaborative efforts between police, the Crown Prosecution Service, and support services to enhance the criminal justice response to such heinous crimes.

"The survivor's bravery not only highlights the personal strength required to confront such trauma but also serves as a beacon of hope and empowerment for other victims.

"It is through initiatives like Operation Soteria that we strive to create a more supportive and responsive environment for survivors, ensuring their voices are heard and their experiences validated.

"I urge anyone who might have experienced anything similar to please come forward and report. You will always be listened to and supported."

Description

Szuhel Lee, 53, of Roberts Street, Salford, has been jailed for 27 months after being caught attempting to arrange the sexual abuse of a child with an undercover officer – less than a year after his release from a 10-year US prison sentence for a similar offence.

Lee was first jailed in Florida in 2013 after travelling to Orlando with the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with a child under 16. He was released in 2022. In August 2025 he began messaging an undercover officer from Operation Xcalibur on a porn website, later moving the conversation to Telegram.  

On 5 September he asked about sexually abusing the officer’s purported granddaughter and requested to speak to the “girl.” One message he sent read: “Do you s*** his d***?”  

He was arrested in October 2025. Police recovered hundreds of indecent images of children from his devices, including 121 Category A images and videos of children aged four to six, 135 Category B images and videos of children aged 0–12 months, and 1,109 Category C images of children aged six to eight. Seven extreme pornographic images depicting bestiality were also found.  

Lee pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to attempted sexual communication with a child, making Category A, B and C indecent images of children, and possession of an extreme pornographic image.  

Prosecutor Eleanor Brambell told the court the conversation began on 12 August 2025 and that Lee “said he wanted to speak to the ‘granddaughter’” before asking her to describe sexual abuse.  

Defending, Clare Ashcroft said Lee had received no offence-related courses in the US prison and “has never been given the opportunity to engage with the probation service and to address what is a sexual interest in children.” She described him as an isolated individual with little family contact who “felt very alone and didn’t know what to do.”  

Recorder Alexandra Simmonds sentenced Lee, stating: “The similarity between the previous case and this one demonstrates a continued sexual interest in children on your part, and a perseverance to continue that behaviour not withstanding the length of sentence.”  

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

Description

A man from West Sussex who committed multiple child abuse offences, including paying for children in the Philippines to be sexually abused to order, has been jailed for 12 years.

National Crime Agency investigators identified Robert Pasteiner through suspicious payments totalling over £200,000 made to individuals in the Philippines, including arrested facilitators of live-streamed child sexual abuse (CSA).

The 76-year-old was arrested in February 2023 at Heathrow Airport, shortly before he was due to depart for the Philippines. Investigators analysed his mobile phone and discovered he had arranged to meet a 12-year-old girl in his hotel.

A search of his luggage found presents including perfume and jewellery, as well as condoms and Viagra – clear markers of his intentions. A large quantity of Filipino Pesos and false documents were also concealed in his suitcase.

Further searches of his home address uncovered 15 electronic devices, six of which contained indecent images of children. They also seized paperwork containing handwritten notes of who Pasteiner had been speaking to in the Philippines, including a number of child sexual abuse facilitators.

He had documented details about their family, phone numbers, emails, payment details, how much money he sent and when and what the payments were for; noting some as being for a ‘show’.

The NCA worked closely with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to identify and safeguard his victims.

In May 2026 Pasteiner pleaded guilty to 36 offences including causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, attempted sexual communication with a child, arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child and making indecent images of children.

He was sentenced today (Thursday 23 July) at Portsmouth Crown Court to 12 years in prison. He also received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sex Offender’s Register, both for life.

NCA Senior Investigating Officer Danielle Pownall said:

"Robert Pasteiner is a depraved man who posed a significant threat to children around the world.

"The items recovered during our investigation are a clear sign of his intentions in travelling to the Philippines. With thanks to International law enforcement partners in the Philippines we were able to arrest Pasteiner and safeguard victims.

"The NCA along with partners at home and abroad will continue to tirelessly hunt down perpetrators of child sexual abuse and protect the most vulnerable in our society."

Description

A man has been jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to numerous child sex offences committed over a period of more than a year.

Peter Declan West (24/01/1992), of Alder Street, Salford, received his sentence today (22 July) at Manchester Crown Court.

West had previously pleaded guilty to:

• Six counts of sexual activity with a child
• Three counts of making an indecent image of a child
• Engaging in sexual communication with a child
• Two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child
• Causing a child to watch a sexual act
• Possessing a prohibited image of a child
• Distributing an indecent image of a child

Beginning in December 2024, West began grooming a 13-year-old girl online. Initially beginning as text conversations, this evolved into more explicit and inappropriate chats.

After screenshots were discovered by the father of the girl, West was reported and then arrested by officers in June 2025.

He answered no comment to all questions when interviewed, and was released on bail to allow officers to gather more evidence.

It was soon found out that West and the girl had engaged in sexual activity, after officers downloaded material from his phone.

West would pick the girl up from Oldham and drive her to his home in Salford, where he would emotionally manipulate the girl.

The girl, having been groomed for a significant amount of time, was originally conflicted about what to do during the process due to the manipulative actions of West.

However, she bravely spoke about the crimes she had endured, and which helped ensure West was arrested, charged, and prosecuted.

In addition to his eight-year sentence, he has received an additional extended licence period of six years.

Detective Constable Bethany Hulmes, from GMP’s Salford district, said:

“West groomed and manipulated a young girl to engage in sexual activity, abusing her trust to make her think he cared for her.

“However, West cared for no-one but himself and his vile actions rightfully mean he is now behind bars for several years.

“I want to pay tribute to the young victim and her family in this case – they have endured so much over the last couple of years, and I hope today’s result can bring them some level of closure.

“Any crimes of this nature are always taken with the utmost seriousness by GMP, and we would urge anyone who believes they have a similar story – no matter how long ago – to please get in touch with us. We will support you and do what we can to get you the justice you deserve.”

Description

On Monday 13 July 2026 at Manchester Crown Square Court, Jovhan Pascoe (17/08/1986) of Moss Bank Road, Crumpsall, was sentenced to life in prison, to serve a minimum of 15 years, for the rape of a woman. 

He has a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in place.

On Wednesday 10 September 2025, officers were called to reports of a serious sexual assault at an address on St Chads Street, in Cheetham Hill, at around 3:30am. Pascoe was arrested on suspicion of rape and remanded into police custody. 

The survivor was supported by officers, and an investigation was immediately launched.

In an impact statement describing the traumatic effects the rape has had on her life, she said:

"I am writing this impact statement to explain the profound effect this crime has had on me. Since that night I haven’t slept properly. I have to sleep with a light and that's if I can get to sleep.

"Some nights I don’t sleep for days, because I’m terrified and nervous thinking someone going to walk in and hurt me again, the slightest noise makes me jump. Even the sound of a car revving outside, or if something falls on the floor and makes a bang, I get palpitations where my chest and heart start racing like having adrenaline rush, my anxiety levels go up. It can take me hours to calm myself down, but I manage it."

Throughout interview in police custody and the investigation, Pascoe denied the offence and made derogatory comments about the survivor. 

Whilst in court, Pascoe would interrupt the judge when he was speaking by whistling and clicking to get his attention.

On 13 March 2026, Pascoe was found guilty of rape by jury following a five-day trial at Manchester Crown Square Court. On 13 July 2026, he was jailed for life in prison, to serve a minimum of 15 years. 

Detective Constable Katie Geldard from City of Manchester CID said:

“I’d like to thank the brave victim for coming forward and reporting this horrendous crime to us, and for working with us throughout the course of the investigation.  

“Thanks to her courage, this dangerous sexual predator has been removed from the streets and put behind bars. I hope this sentence brings her a sense of justice as she rebuilds her life. 

“Anyone who may have been a victim of sexual assault can contact Greater Manchester Police at any time. We 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." 

Description

A taxi-driver who picked up a vulnerable woman and raped her in her own home has today received a 16-year sentence.

Khalafalla Yagoub (19/01/1980), of Burnett Avenue, Salford, was found guilty of rape last month, with his sentencing coming today (13 July) at Manchester Crown Court.

The court heard how on the evening of 28 November 2025, a 19-year-old woman was out in Manchester with her friends.

After leaving a bar at 3am the following morning, Yagoub picked the woman up in her taxi – though the woman was intoxicated, in a vulnerable state, and had not booked the taxi.

After taking her back to her home, Yagoub raped the woman. He had claimed in police interview that he had helped the woman and that it was consensual – stating that it was a ‘gift’ for driving her home.

This turned out to be a sinister lie.

In the days after, his victim reported feeling unwell, and soon received a call from Yagoub, not knowing who he was. Yagoub told the woman about their encounter, with the woman realising that she had been raped while in a vulnerable and intoxicated state, and with no recollection of what had taken place. While she had some images in her mind, she had believed them to be a dream.

She then bravely reported the incident to the police.

Officers attempted to track Yagoub and could not locate him, but soon found that he was due to travel on flight to Istanbul on 3 December. He was arrested at the airport before he could board and subsequently taken into custody.

Yagoub’s victim bravely gave evidence as part of the trial– with Yagoub seen to be laughing while she read this out. This was later acknowledged by the judge in his sentencing remarks.

In total, Yagoub received an 11-year custodial sentence with a five year extended licence. He will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and restraining order.

Detective Constable Oliver Smith, from Greater Manchester Police, said:

“Yagoub picked up a vulnerable woman and took advantage of her while she was in no fit state to consent. His actions were vile and I want to commend the woman for her bravery in coming forward – this work has been about ensuring justice for her.

“He spun a web of lies during his police interview, claiming various falsehoods about how he had helped her and that everything that happened was consensual. None of this was true.

“He is now behind bars where he belongs, and I hope that this result can bring some level of closure to his victim.”

Description

A 76-year-old man has been sentenced following an investigation into a number of sexual abuse reports against two victims from over 40 years ago.

Kenneth Goodman (18/11/1949) of Greendale Drive, Radcliffe, was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 years and three counts of gross indecency with a girl under the age of 14 after two brave women came forward and disclosed to police the abuse they endured at the hands of Goodman. He will serve six years in prison and he will be placed on the sex offender's register for life.

Both victims were in their early teenage years at the time of the abuse and knew Goodman in a professional capacity.

The first survivor (Woman A) approached our officers in 2018 to report the abuse Goodman subjected her to. This investigation then led us to identifying a second survivor (Woman B), who confirmed she had been in a sexual relationship with Goodman as a teenager.

Woman A was subjected to abuse on numerous occasions when she was around Goodman, and he made inappropriate comments to her and coerced her into sexual activity when they were alone together.

Woman B was groomed over a period of around three years by Goodman, who manipulated her at the age of 12 into being in a relationship with him and engaging in sexual activity. Goodman told the victim that as she had turned 13, they could "go further with their intimacy". This abuse continued until around the time the victim turned 15.

Following his arrest in 2019, Goodman denied the offences, but a jury found him guilty at a trial in March earlier this year.

Both women shared a statement at court following sentencing:

Woman A: "I have waited a very long time for this day. The sexual abuse you exposed me to will stay with me for the rest of my life. This is both the recollections of the acts and the subsequent impact they have taken on me.

[…]

You took away so much. I have lived with this every day, whilst presuming, rightly or wrongly, that you were enjoying your life. Free from the consequences of the sexual acts you committed on a child.

"The sentence determined by the court today, will hopefully, finally, give me some kind of justice and closure."

Woman B: "When you took my innocence, you took my spark. The spark that’s in all children which, when properly nurtured, becomes a light that leads them through life, enabling them to find love and to be loved.

"Enabling them to experience pure, unadulterated happiness. I have never experienced any of those things. But I’m here now taking back my spark, hoping it’s not too late for me to discover how to be truly happy.

Detective Sergeant Jonathan McGregor from our Serious Crime Division said: "This has been an ongoing investigation and the victims have shown incredible strength and patience throughout the process.

"I would firstly like to express my gratitude to them, as their support during this investigation has led to the conviction and sentencing of Goodman.

"This was an awful case about abuse of power. Goodman took advantage of these women from such a young age, and they have carried this with them since.

"I hope this sentence can now provide them with a sense of comfort and reassurance that no matter how long it has been, we will always take reports of this nature seriously, and we will do everything we can to ensure perpetrators see justice.

Description

A man from Chester has been jailed for over 5 years after engaging in online child sex offences.

Nicholas Jones appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday 29 June where he was sentenced to 5 years and 3 months in prison, with an extended licence period of 5 years. 

On top of the custodial sentence, Jones, of Canal Side, Chester, was also ordered to sign on to the Sex Offender’s Register indefinitely.

The sentencing comes after Jones pleaded guilty to:

• four counts of making an indecent photograph of a child;
• two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child;
• two counts of attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity;
• distributing an indecent photograph of a child;
• attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act;
• and the breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Jones also pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis.

 Over the course of his hearing, Chester Crown Court was told that Jones had been handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order following a conviction in 2019.

Under the terms of this order, he was prohibited to have any unsupervised contact with anyone under 16, installing encryption software or deleting data and history on any of his devices.

On Tuesday 2 January 2026, Cheshire police were contacted by a person claiming that Jones had been engaging with a decoy account of a 12-year-old girl they had created.

The reporting person went on to say Jones set up a social media account to talk to the ‘child’, had attempted to engage in sexual communication with them and sent several sexualised pictures and videos to them.

Officers swiftly attended Jones' address and promptly arrested him. Whilst inside the property, Jones pointed out to officers a quantity of cannabis as well as an unregistered mobile phone. He told officers that they would find "loads of pictures on his phone."

Upon reviewing the phone, Digital Forensics Officers found over 320 child sexual abuse images stored on the device.

Despite answering no comment to all questions put to him in interview, the 55-year-old was charged with the offences.

Police Constable David Howells, of the Sex Offender Management Unit, said:

"Despite being handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order following a previous conviction for similar offences, Nicholas Jones clearly had not learnt his lesson and, following the report made to us, we took immediate action against him.

"Jones knew his actions were exploitative and downright illegal so, when faced with our officers, he was left with no choice but to admit to them that he had a large quantity of these abhorrent images on an unregistered personal device.

"Our officers from the Sex Offender's Management Unit regularly conduct visits to offenders who, like Jones, pose a serious risk to the community and are subject to preventative orders to ensure they are complying with the conditions within them. When any breaches of these orders are found, swift and decisive action is taken in order to protect the most vulnerable in our society."

Description

A rapist has been jailed for 16 years following an investigation by our City of Manchester CID.

Bilal Alfroh, (2/12/91), of Gorton, had been found guilty of several counts of rape and actual bodily harm.

He also admitted an additional count of actual bodily harm and was jailed at Minshull Crown Court on 19 June 2026.

He will serve at least two-thirds of his sentence and has a lifetime restraining order against his victim.

His female victim prepared a statement for court, in which she said:

“I would like to thank everyone who was with me, supported me and made me feel that I was never alone.

“Even those I may have only seen once but who made me feel safe at that moment, thanks for everything.

''I hope that one day I can forget all this and start living again. Thank you for taking the time to listen to what I had to say.''

Alfroh carried out a sustained campaign of physical and sexual violence against his victim, including throwing a gym weight and pouring hot tea over her.

Detective Constable Adam Gawecki said:

“The victim has shown immense bravery in reporting these horrific crimes so Alfroh could be brought to justice.

“In her statement, she detailed the impact this horrific series of incidents has had on her - how it has impacted on her ability to socialize, and how it affects her sleep and depression.

“The victim detailed how the defendant would become aggressive towards her and raped her multiple times.”

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Repeat Sex Offender Conor Hodgkins Jailed for Portsmouth Sexual Assault

A 35-year-old repeat sex offender who claimed asking an unknown woman for oral sex and aggressively grabbing her did not amount to sexual assault has been sentenced to 15 months in prison.

Conor Hodgkins, of no fixed abode and currently held at HMP Winchester, was found guilty of sexual assault at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on 12 June 2026. He appeared via video link.

The court heard that on 7 July 2025 at around 5.30pm, Hodgkins targeted a woman on Winston Churchill Avenue in Portsmouth. He followed her, made sexual noises, then grabbed her shoulders aggressively and said: “I want to f**k you.”

The woman was left frightened and tried to fight him off. Passing motorists stopped to assist her. Hodgkins fled the scene.

Hodgkins has 42 previous convictions for 90 offences, including a sexual assault in 2015, and had breached court restrictions on three occasions. His last known address was in Southsea.

Representing himself, Hodgkins denied the offence and accused the prosecutor of lying. He told the court the woman was wearing a short skirt and that he asked her for oral sex after she “looked his way”, but she did not answer and carried on walking. He admitted being under the influence of drugs but claimed he only put his arm around her and did not grab her shoulders.

Hodgkins said: “I just want to put it all past me now. I have been in jail for 12 months. I have never stalked anyone in my life.”

He also denied his 2015 conviction, claiming he had merely “pushed a woman by the chest” who was “harassing” him.

Judge David Melville rejected Hodgkins’ account and sentenced him to 15 months’ imprisonment. However, due to time already served on remand since July 2025, the judge stated Hodgkins had “almost certainly served his sentence already” and is expected to be released shortly.

A 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) was imposed. Hodgkins must not approach unknown women, engage in sexual activity in public, or behave in a way that could cause harassment, alarm or distress.