Latest Offenders Hereford

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Mehmet Bulut, 31, jailed for six years after attempted rape of woman in Hereford – faces deportation

A 31-year-old Turkish-Kurd man who arrived in the UK by small boat has been sentenced to six years in prison for the attempted rape of a woman in Hereford.

Mehmet Bulut, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court to one count of attempted rape. Judge Simon Drew KC sentenced him to six years’ imprisonment plus three years’ extended licence and classed him as a dangerous offender. The judge said the CCTV of the attack on the mature woman was shocking and his actions were terrifying. The court was told it was the judge’s understanding that Bulut, an absconder whose asylum claim had been withdrawn, would be deported.

Bulut arrived in the UK on a small boat on Boxing Day 2022. Immigration authorities later withdrew his asylum application for non-compliance.

In the early hours of 2 August, at around 4am, Bulut followed a woman near a subway in Hereford. He carried out a violent and sustained attack in which he removed some of her clothing while attempting to rape her. After initially walking away he returned and attacked her again. The victim told him to “f*** off”; he replied “just sex, just sex”. The incident was captured on CCTV.

Bulut was arrested later the same day after police received information he was working at a restaurant called Grillology. He told officers he had been “incredibly drunk”, having drunk from a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, and was shocked by what the CCTV showed. When asked if he had been trying to rape the victim he said: “I don’t know, I don’t know, I swear to God I don’t know. If you bring her here, I will kiss her hands and feet and ask for forgiveness.”

Defence barrister Dean Easthope said the hand-and-foot comment was a cultural expression of remorse rather than sexual, and that Bulut was disgusted, embarrassed and felt terrible. He had no previous convictions and a difficult upbringing. The defence noted that Bulut had suggested drunkenness might be some form of justification, but argued it in fact made matters worse.

The case has been added to our sex offenders database. Bulut is a convicted sex offender serving a determinate sentence with extended licence and is expected to be deported on release.

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A vile rapist who subjected his victim to a decade of horrific sexual abuse has been given a custodial sentence of 23 years.

Michael Pugh, 45, of Sutton St. Nicholas, Hereford, appeared before Worcester Crown Court on Friday (2 October) where he was sentence for 16 offences as follows:

• Six counts of rape
• Four counts of sexual assault
• Four counts of adult sexual activity with a person aged 13 to 17
• One count of wound / inflict grievous bodily harm without intent
• One count of engage in controlling / coercive behaviour

Pugh (pictured) was given a total custodial period of 23 years. This was comprised of an extended sentence of 15 years plus eight years on licence.

He was further given a restraining order of no direct or indirect contact with his victim for life, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) of 25 years, and to register as a sex offender for life.

Pugh’s offending related to 16 offences over 10-year period of rape and sexual abuse including forcing his victim to work on webcams and many other degrading and humiliating acts.

Detective Chief Inspector James Bamber of the Protecting People Unit (PPU) said:

“Our thoughts remain with the survivor of Pugh’s horrific sexual offences, and we hope the verdict allows them to move on with their life in some way.

“This long custodial sentence is down to the survivor’s courage and a good investigation by the team. The case is clearly an horrific one we hope we have got some sense of justice for them.”

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A child sexual abuser from Herefordshire was sentenced to 14 years in prison when he appeared in court today (Wednesday 7 October).

David McKimmie, 62, of Hope under Dinmore, was found guilty of the below 13 offences following a trial in November 2025 where he was found guilty for 11 offences relating to one victim and the remaining two following another trial in September relating to a separate victim.

• Seven counts of assault female child under 13 by touching
• Four counts of assault a girl under 13 by penetration
• One count of cause / incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• One count of sexual activity with a female child

McKimmie (pictured) was sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison, made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 15 years, and ordered to pay court costs of £6,000.

PC Chris Yarwood, officer in case, said:

“We are pleased to get this custodial sentence for McKimmie and would like to pay tribute to the survivors of his perverted actions for their courage in coming forward and giving us the evidence that has led to this successful conviction.

“They have patiently waited while this has gone through the courts over a few years, but we hope today’s sentencing will help them to move on with their lives and that it encourages other survivors of sexual abuse to come forward.

“Our message to anyone who has suffered similar abuses is we will always listen to you and act where appropriate no matter when the offences took place.”

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A rapist from Leominster has been sentenced to 10 years in prison following his appearance at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday (2 September).

Jack Preedy, 31, of Ryelands Road, Leominster was found guilty of rape for which he was handed a 10-year prison term, ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, and made subject to an indefinite restraining order against his victim as well as to pay a £228 victim surcharge.

Preedy (pictured) was also convicted of intentional strangulation for which he was sentenced to two years six months to run concurrently, engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour – 12 months concurrent and assault causing actual bodily harm – six months concurrent. His total sentence was 10 years.

Detective Inspector Ben Pearson of Hereford CID said:

“We are pleased to get this prison term for Preedy whose appalling sexual, violent and coercive behaviour has caused so much harm to his victim.

“We hope this conviction gives them the chance to move on in some respects of their life, and we would like to pay tribute to their bravery in coming forward and reporting his disgusting actions and for working with us to secure his conviction.

“We hope this will encourage other victims of rape or sexual assault to come forward and speak to us. We will always listen to you, take your concerns seriously and protect you from predators like Preedy.”

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A predatory and dangerous rapist who thought of his victims as ‘less than human’ has been sentenced to 13 years and six months today (Friday 12 December).

Fred Florence, 51, of Katherines Walk, Ledbury, was sentenced at Hereford Crown Court where he showed no remorse.

Florence (pictured) was already serving a seven years and six months term after being convicted in June this year for a nasty GBH assault in 2016 where his victim received life-changing injuries.

Today, he was given 13 years and six months for the rape sentence to start consecutively after his GBH sentence and will have to serve a further five years on licence once he is freed as he is such a dangerous offender.

He was also given three years for each of a two further counts of non-recent sexual assaults on two children victims to run concurrently with the rape sentence.

Florence must serve at least two thirds of both the GBH and rape sentences which total 21 years so he will not be eligible for parole before 2039, 14 years from now.

He must also sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

Detective Constable Sarah Carroll, of our Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team (OCSET), said:

“We are pleased that the judge has recognised the disgusting and evil nature of Florence’s sexual crimes which will never heal the pain of his victims but may hopefully allow them to start to move on with their lives now.

“His Honour Judge Jackson stated Florence was a predatory sex offender and self-centred bully who thought of his victims as less than human which shows his appalling attitude towards them.

“Such was the level of fear and intimidation he held over his victims; they delayed coming to police for many years, and we suspect there may be further victims who have been too scared to complain. So, we hope they will now come forward and speak to us.

“The victims have been extremely brave in coming forward to us and we would like to pay tribute to them as their evidence has led to a dangerous man being sent to prison for a long time.

“Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of Florence or who suspects they know of any other offences committed by him is urged to contact Hereford CID Supervision via 101.”

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A paedophile from Hereford who raped an underage girl he befriended on social media has today (Thursday 18 September) been sentenced to four years and three months.

Scott Chapman, 24, of Barklie Mead, Hereford, was convicted at Worcester Crown Court of one count of rape of a girl aged 13 to 15, four counts of sexual assault by penetration of a female aged 13 to 15 years, engaging in sexual communication with a child and making an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child.

Chapman was further served a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to last for ten years, which means he is prohibited from unsupervised contact with a female under the age of 16, prohibited from conducting in paid or voluntary work which would involve contact with a female below the age of 16, and he must inform police of his address and details.

Chapman added his victim on Snapchat and Instagram in 2020 when he was 19 years old, before meeting her and engaging in sexual activity with her even though he knew she was only 14 at the time.

He went on to rape and sexually assault his victim which was later reported to police, leading to his arrest in April 2022.

Evidence of these crimes and other sexual offences were uncovered by the investigation, and though he denied his intimate relationship with her, an examination of his phone proved otherwise.

Chapman continued to deny any sexual relations with his victim but ultimately pled guilty at court, which was reflected in his sentencing by the judge, alongside it being his first offence.

Detective Inspector Ben Pearson of Hereford CID said:

“We are pleased to get this custodial sentence for Chapman who preyed on an underage girl he met on social media before raping and sexually assaulting her.

“We hope today’s verdict shows we will always pursue sexual predators like him and bring them before the courts to face justice and that it will encourage other victims of rape and sexual assault to come forward.

“We will always listen to you, take your concerns seriously and protect you from offenders like Chapman.”

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A rapist from Hereford was sentenced at court yesterday (Wednesday 9 July) to eight years in prison.

Lukasz Szwagulinski, 36, of Whitecross Road, Hereford was found guilty of four offences – two counts of rape of a female, one of sexual assault by penetration and one of sexual assault between December 2024 and January 2025.

Szwagulinski was handed a prison sentence totalling eight years when he appeared before Worcester Crown Court. He was also handed a restraining order against his victim.

DC Amy Cook, of Hereford Reactive CID, said:

DC Amy Cook, of Hereford Reactive CID, said: “We are pleased to get this result for Szwagulinski whose predatory behaviour fully warrant this custodial sentence.

“I would like to pay tribute to the bravery and resilience of his victim and hope this result shows we will always listen to anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual abuse and prosecute where appropriate, and that it may encourage anyone who has suffered similar abuse to come forward and speak to us.

“We will always listen to you, take your concerns seriously and protect you from predators like Szwagulinski.”

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A man has been sentenced to 16 years after he was found guilty of raping a woman in Ross-on-Wye.

Mustafa Ogur, of Brookend Street in Ross-on-Wye, was found guilty after a trial at Worcester Crown Court and was sentenced yesterday (Monday 7 April).

Following his sentence in prison, he will remain on extended licence for eight years and be subject to a lifetime sexual harm prevention order.

An investigation was launched after a woman was raped near to Three Crosses Road and Springfield Road in the early hours of Sunday 21 July in 2024.

CCTV showed the 24-year-old preying on potential victims before the attack and witnesses described how he used Google translate on his phone to tell them ‘I want to make love to you’.

Ogur was arrested and charged with rape and sexual assault on 25 July 2024 and when officers entered his home they discovered him in the shower, having shaved his hair in an attempt to change his appearance and evade being recognised as the suspect.

Herefordshire CID Detective Inspector, Ben Pearson, said:

“It takes such bravery to first report and then talk about such a horrific experience, and I commend the victim, who has shown incredible strength and courage throughout the investigation and trial. I understand that nothing will ever take away the pain and suffering from such an experience.

“I am pleased with the sentencing given to Ogur yesterday. I’m unsure if a person capable of such an evil crime would reflect on the harm he has caused an innocent person, but I do know Ogur is a dangerous individual who will thankfully no longer be amongst our community for some time.

"It is never too late to report a sexual offence and if you have been a victim or you know someone who has been a victim of this crime, please know that we are here to listen to you and support you through every step of the process."

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A 25 -year-old woman has been jailed after pleading guilty to child sex offences.

Nichole Pratt, of Foster Crescent, Leominster was sentenced today (4 March 2025) at Hereford Crown Court to seven-and-a-half years in custody for causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13. She was also handed a sexual harm prevention order.

The incidents took place between 23 October 2023 and 1 August 2024.

Her offences were discovered when police received an anonymous tip that Pratt had subjected two children to sexual abuse and had created videos of the offences.

When Pratt was arrested, her phone and a USB stick were seized. The USB stick was found to contain category A videos of Pratt sexually abusing one child, while her phone contained videos of her sexually abusing another child.

When she was interviewed under caution, she denied any involvement in the offences. However, due to the overwhelming evidence against her, she later changed her plea to guilty at her plea and trial preparation hearing on 16 September 2024.

Angela Trafford, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“This was a truly harrowing and disturbing case. Nichole Pratt systematically abused two vulnerable young children in what can only be described as the most serious form of sexual abuse.

“The children concerned put their trust in Pratt. By her actions she has shown a flagrant disregard for that trust for her own gratification.

“The sentence handed down will hopefully act as a deterrent and send a message to the public that such cases are taken extremely seriously by the police, Crown Prosecution Service and ultimately the court.”

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A PERVERT and voyeur has been jailed for a string of sexual offences. 

Ryan Mountford appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday, (January 23). 

The 30-year-old, of Rundlemead, Mathon, near Malvern, was sentenced for five sexual assaults; sexual assault of a child; sexual assault on a male and arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence. 

Additionally, Mountford was also sentenced for voyeurism; intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence; four offences of making indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child and three of distributing an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child. 

The offences were committed in Malvern, Ledbury and Ross-On-Wye between January 1, 2013 and January 27, 2023.

Mountford was given a total of 12 years in jail being told he would serve a minimum of two-thirds of the sentence in custody before referral to the parole board to decide if he could be released. 

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A SEX offender from Hereford has been jailed for a string of acts of sex abuse against children and animals.

Knill Watkins pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of a child, two counts of sexual penetration with a living animal and two counts of assault of a girl under 13 by touching.

He also watched a person doing a private act, possessed a prohibited image of a child, and possessed extreme pornographic images of animals.

He had been committing the sex acts from 2012 to 2021.

Detective Constable Rich Britton said: "Watkins is a dangerous individual who committed horrendous crimes. I'm pleased that he will now face the consequences and will rightly be identified as a sex offender for life and spend time in prison."

On October 27 at Hereford Crown Court, Watkins, 34 from Withington, was jailed for 11 years and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

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A Birmingham paedophile dad has been jailed for seven and a half years for a sick string of online child sex offences. His catalogue of crimes included attempting to arrange the rape of a child under the age of 13.

Damien Lucas, 36, of New Street, Leominster was found with hundreds of horrific images and videos showing children being raped or tortured that he'd also shared. He was put behind bars for 92 months at Hereford Crown Court on Tuesday(May 23).

Lucas pleaded guilty to eight child sex offence charges dating between June 2021 and February this year. The unemployed dad-of-three had lived in Chelmsley Wood before moving to Leominster in 2021.

Detective Inspector Matt McNelis of West Mercia Police said: "Damien Lucas pleaded guilty to having hundreds of images including 199 Category A images.

"Each of these depicts the rape and or torture of a child, the possession and sharing of these images and videos re-victimises each child in perpetuity and we continue to work with partners, including Lucy Faithfull Foundation and Family Matters, to stamp out this vile trade in human misery.

“The strength of this seven year sentence sends a strident message to online child sex offenders across the country. The possession, making and distribution of indecent images of children and the grooming of children to provide opportunities to commit contact offences are abhorrent crimes that we are fighting hard to prevent every day."

Lucas pleaded guilty to these eight charges with Category A the most severe as "they involve penetrative sexual activity":

• Attempting to arrange or facilitate the rape of a child under 13 on October 26 last year
• Making indecent photos or pseudo-photos of a child on June 23 in 2021, relating to 114 Category A images
• Making indecent photos or pseudo-photos of a child on June 23 2021 relating to 58 Category B images
• Making indecent photos or pseudo-photos of a child on June 23 2021 relating to 270 Category C images
• Making indecent photos or pseudo-photos of a child on February 28 this year relating to 85 Category A images
• Making indecent photos or pseudo-photos of a child on February 28 this year relating to 101 Category B images
• Distributing an indecent photog or pseudo-photo of a child on October 26 last year relating to a Category B image
• Making indecent photos or pseudo-photos of a child on February 28 this year relating to 279 Category C images

The judge also ordered that Lucas he put under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and be on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

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A BRAVE woman has spoken out after her rapist was jailed, urging other victims to find the courage to come forward.

Gary Baxter of Husseys Lane, Kington, was jailed for a single count of rape at Worcester Crown Court. The 46-year-old was jailed for three years and 10 months and ordered to sign the sex offender register until further order.

His victim gave evidence at his trial until he changed his plea to guilty and he was jailed on January 26 this year.

The woman, who has lifelong anonymity, is urging more women and men who are attacked across Worcestershire and Herefordshire to come forward.

In an exclusive interview, she described how she was raped in October 2020, calling her attacker 'controlling and manipulative'.

She added: "He took my car keys so I couldn't escape. Later he managed to rape me. I'm a physically strong woman but I was no match for him. "I was in shock. But I knew I was raped. After this I really wasn't sure If I wanted to report him.

"Would I be believed? It's his word against mine. Some rapes are so violent the woman has physical injuries. I didn't. What evidence would there be to 'show' I was raped? Why didn't I fight more? These and many other questions were running through my mind. But I knew a crime had been committed against me.

"After the two days I went to the sexual assault referral clinic SARC to check me over and gather evidence while I was still deciding what to do. The nurses there are very supportive. They talked through all the options to help me make an informed decision. I agreed to an examination and samples. I was under no pressure to report to the police. It was here I felt the full magnitude of what had happened to me. I was so scared and traumatised but I decided I didn't want him to get away with it.

"So I decided to report to the police. The police were, for the most part, professional and sensitive while they interviewed me. I gave my evidence and was referred to many agencies to support me emotionally and to support me through the criminal justice system. One of the agencies I couldn't have done without was the Rape Crisis Centre or The Sexual Violence service. I was assigned an advocate who supported me all the way through the criminal justice system.

"Many survivors decide not to report their abuse for their own reasons. If this is you I do hope you reach out and get support.

"Whatever the outcome of reporting it is a very empowering process to speak out against your abuser. To stand up and fight. When all control is taken from you, this can help you take some control back. I'm speaking now because I wish you to know you are not to blame. They made the choice to rape you. It's not a loss of control on their part. There's nothing you said or did to deserve it. You are not weak. You are not a victim You are a survivor. You will be happy again."

The judge further ordered he may be placed on the barring list by the disclosure and barring service with restraining orders applied for until further notice. A victim surcharge of 190 was also imposed.

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A HEREFORD sex offender has been jailed for seven years for sexually assaulting a "defenceless young woman over a sustained period of time".

Roy Millist, who is 71 years old and from Hereford, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court to seven years in prison following his conviction for three counts of sexual assault by means of penetration.

Millist was found guilty in October of offences he committed between 2018 and 2021. His conviction followed a lengthy and thorough investigation by a team of detectives based in Hereford.

As well as the seven years in prison, Millist has been handed a lifetime restraining order in relation to the victim.

Detective Constable Emma O’Hare said: “Millist committed these terrible crimes against a defenceless young woman over a sustained period of time.

“While I welcome the verdict, I must pay true tribute is paid to the victim and her family who have shown immense courage and bravery in telling the police about his crimes and allowing us to bring him to justice.

"My hope is that the conviction and this substantial prison sentence will bring some measure of comfort to those whose lives are irrevocably damaged by his predatory and sickening actions.

“This sentence should serve as a strong that abuse will be forgotten or ignored over time. Survivors are strong, determined and have our full support and our investigations will uncover the truth and give them the justice they deserve."

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A HEREFORD man has been sentenced to three years in prison following his conviction for multiple sex offences.

Douglas Baker, 70 of Marlbrook Road, Hereford, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday, December 14.

He pleaded guilty earlier this year to five offences which he committed between 2019 and 2022.

The five charges for which he was convicted were two counts of inciting an underage girl to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual communication with a child, voyeurism – recording of a private act, and making an indecent photograph of a child.

Baker is now listed on the sex offenders register for life.

DC Harriet Wheadon-Hill said: "This sentence shows that abusing young girls will not go unchallenged or unpunished.

"Following extensive police investigations, together with the courage of the victims to come forward, we can uncover the truth and bring offenders to justice.

"West Mercia Police remains committed to seeking justice for rape victims and survivors of sexual abuse, and we, the police, and wider support services are here for them."