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A man who raped and sexually abused four teenage girls in the 1990s has been jailed more than 30 years after his offending began.

David Campbell's crimes were first brought to the attention of police in 2021 and after the first victim told officers from our Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) what he had done to her during her teenage years. As a result of further enquiries, three other women were identified. They too said they had been sexually abused by him when they were children.

The victims told police Campbell had abused them between 1992 and 1997 while he was living at an address in South Leicester. They said he had sexually abused them at moments when they were alone with him.

One victim disclosed that he had raped her and said that if she told anyone, he would tell people she had consented and 'came onto' him.

In interviews, Campbell provided a prepared statement to officers in which he denied any sexual activity at all with any of the victims – but was subsequently charged with several offences.

On 17 September, following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, he was found guilty of three counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape – all of which related to the same victim.

Ahead of the trial, he the 64-year-old had already pleaded guilty to two counts of rape relating to a second victim and two counts of indecent assault, which related to a third and fourth victim.

Yesterday (Thursday 5 November) at the same court, Campbell – of Deacon Street in Nuneaton – was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment. 

Detective Constable Emma Ball, from the CAIU, was the officer in the case. She said:

"Each of the woman involved in this case have grown up living their lives as victims of sexual abuse and they must be commended for their courage in speaking out about what happened.

"It's clear that David Campbell is a predator who has a sexual interest in underage girls.

"He took advantage of each victim when they were alone together and made comments towards them that if they told anyone what happened, no-one would believe them. He made them feel like they were the ones in the wrong.

"I hope the fact that he's now spending time in prison for what he did can provide each victim with a sense of closure and allows them to feel justice has finally been served."

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A man has been jailed after he repeatedly raped a woman during a sustained attack inside a house in Nottingham.

Dylan Millns, 28, was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (3rd November) after a jury found him guilty of multiple offences which took place in 2024.

A three-week trial heard the woman was subjected to a violent and degrading ordeal that lasted several hours. She was hit and raped repeatedly by Millns, who also pushed her head down into a pillow to the extent that she couldn't breathe.

Afterwards, the survivor contacted police and told officers about what had happened, including how she eventually managed to escape via a window.

Detectives went on to charge Millns and whilst waiting for trial he went on to commit a series of acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice, having telephoned the survivor on numerous occasions from HMP Nottingham in attempts to manipulate her into not giving evidence.

During the trial, Millns pleaded guilty to two counts of occasioning actual bodily harm. The jury then found him guilty of four counts of rape, once count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of intentional strangulation.

Following separate investigations, Millns also pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating in relation to a second woman, and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to a third woman all incidents taking place in 2023.

At his sentencing on Tuesday (3 November), Millns, of Wintersdale Drive, Leicester, was jailed for 15 years and handed an extended five years on licence.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register and restraining orders were put in place to protect each victim.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Oliver Bennett, of Nottinghamshire Police's Public Protection Unit, said:

"This was a sustained attack carried out by a truly despicable offender who inflicted brutal violence on the victim, leaving her significant emotional trauma. Throughout this case, he has shown no remorse for the suffering he caused.

"No one should ever have to endure what she experienced. The fact that Millns will now spend a considerable period behind bars is a direct result of her remarkable strength and determination in coming forward and supporting this investigation.

"The victim has shown exceptional courage throughout what has been an incredibly difficult process. While no sentence can undo the harm caused, I hope this outcome offers her some measure of justice as she continues her recovery with the support of her loved ones, who have also been deeply affected by this case.

"Violence against women and girls remains a key priority for Nottinghamshire Police. We are committed to protecting victims, bringing offenders before the courts, and doing everything we can to ensure those responsible for such abhorrent crimes are held accountable."

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We are continuing to encourage victims of non-recent sexual abuse to come forward after a woman was jailed more than 25 years after she began committing her crimes.

Gemma Baker started sexually abusing a young girl in 1999, when the victim was six years old. The abuse continued until 2003.

In 2021 the victim, who is now an adult, contacted police to report what happened and an investigation by our Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) was undertaken.

The victim told officers that Baker had been careful to carry out the abuse when they were alone together in the hope that no-one would find out what happened. In interview, 42-year-old Baker denied the allegations but offered no explanation as to why the victim would say such a thing.

Baker, of Speers Road in New Parks, was subsequently charged with 10 counts of indecency with a child.

On Thursday (29 October) she was found guilty of all offences following a trial at Leicester Crown Court and on Friday was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment. She was also placed on the sex offender register for life and made subject to a restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim.

Detective Constable Ash McPhillips was the officer in the case. She said:

“I know the victim that she feels a sense of relief that the woman who subjected her to horrific abuse at such a young age is now behind bars more than 25 years on.

“I must commend her bravery in reliving what happened in front of a jury. Her strength and courage in doing so played a vital role in ensuring Baker was convicted.

“I hope this case serves as a reminder to anyone else who has also been a victim that it’s never too late to come forward and seek justice for what happened.”

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A man wanted for a rape in Leicester has been jailed after he was arrested by officers in Surrey for driving through a red light.

Pandeli Dervishi was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months’ imprisonment today (Thursday 29 October) after being found guilty following a trial at Leicester Crown Court earlier this month.

The 24-year-old spent two months on the run from Leicestershire Police before catching the attention of an officer from Surry Police when he was spotted driving through a red light in Guildford.

At the time, Dervishi, of no fixed address, was on bail for rape after forcing a girl, then aged 17, to perform oral sex on him.

The incident happened during the evening of Wednesday 1 October 2025 inside the toilets of a pub in The Newarke, Leicester.

Officers were called after the victim was heard in distress by a member of the public and Dervishi was immediately arrested.

Following initial enquiries, detectives investigating the case had to bail Dervishi while they continued to obtain and review key evidence, including CCTV, forensic evidence and digital material.

After a thorough investigation had been completed by the officer in the case, DC Jon Williams, the case was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service and, in February 2026, Dervishi was charged with one count of rape.

After he failed to answer police bail at a designated police station, he was added to the Police National Computer as a wanted person, while officers carried out enquiries to find him.

At the end of March, following a review of phone data and financial records, DC Williams established that Dervishi was likely in the Guildford area.

In the early hours of Thursday 16 April, Dervishi's whereabouts were finally discovered when a Surrey Police officer spotted him driving a white Mazda through a red traffic light on the A320 Woking Road in Guildford.

After initially attempting to drive away, Dervishi was eventually stopped by police.

Subsequent enquiries confirmed he was wanted by Leicestershire Police, and he was arrested before later being charged with the rape offence.

He was also charged and last month pleaded guilty for failing to stop and driving without a license or insurance at Surrey Magistrates’ Court.

DC Jon Williams said:

"After committing a horrific offence against a young woman, Dervishi deliberately attempted to evade police by leaving the Leicestershire area and failing to answer his police bail.

"Checks revealed he was in the Guildford area and, while the net was slowly closing in on him, it was ultimately the manner of his driving that attracted the attention of a nearby officer. He again attempted to make off before being detained, at which point officers discovered he was wanted by Leicestershire Police in connection with this serious offence.

"During the time Dervishi remained on the run, the victim was left facing considerable uncertainty. While I continued to reassure her that we would find him, it is entirely understandable that she was anxious and concerned that she might never receive the justice she deserved.

"I am pleased that following the guilty verdict and today's sentencing, this case has finally reached its conclusion. I hope the outcome provides the victim with some measure of comfort and allows her to move forward knowing that Dervishi has been held accountable for his actions.

"I would also like to thank PC Chris Hale, from Surrey Police, whose vigilance and quick actions helped bring Dervishi before the courts."

Sergeant Steph Burnham, deputy commander for the Central Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA) added:

“We want Leicester city centre to be a safe place for everyone and have taken a proactive approach to deal with those who display such predatory behaviour and identify anyone committing similar offences and bring them to justice."

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A child sex offender has been jailed more than 20 years after carrying out his abuse.

Terrance Taylor was sentenced to a total of six years’ imprisonment when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court today (Thursday 17 September).

Seventy-four-year-old Taylor abused his young victim in the mid-2000s, touching her in an inappropriate manner. His crimes were brought to the attention of police in 2024 when the victim, who is now an adult, disclosed what had happened during her childhood.

In interview, Taylor denied ever having sexually abused the victim but could not tell officers from our Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) why she would make up such an allegation.

He was subsequently charged and in August, following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, was found guilty of two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration and two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 years of age.

Taylor, of Wokingham Avenue, Eyres Monsell, was also placed on the sex offender register indefinitely and made subject to an indefinite restraining order which prohibits him from contacting the victim.

Detective Constable Katie Harris, from the CAIU’s non-recent team, was the officer in the case. She said:

“The victim in this case has shown a great amount of bravery in coming forward and re-living what happened both to officers and a jury during the trial.

“She’s said she hopes this case will encourage other victims of sexual abuse – either now or in years gone by – to come forward. She echoes our message which is always that it’s never too late to make a report and ensure those responsible for such awful crimes are brought to justice.

“I hope today’s sentencing has provided her with a degree of closure and will now allow her to move on with her life.”

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An Uber driver who raped a passenger at knifepoint has been jailed for 16 years – following the victim’s swift actions in reporting the offence.

Officers were able to locate and arrest Adam Daley an hour after the incident in December last year, after the woman he attacked immediately contacted police.

Her rapid reporting enabled officers to carry out some swift enquiries to identify the defendant’s car and to track its movements through CCTV and ANPR cameras.

Crucially, it also ensured vital forensic and digital evidence was preserved.

This evidence proved key in securing Daley’s conviction and following a trial last month he was found guilty of one count of rape, one count of sexual assault, one count of possession of a bladed article and one count of threats to kill.

On Friday (10 July), at Leicester Crown Court, the 33-year-old of Chester Close, Leicester, was sentenced to a total of 16 years’ imprisonment. He has also been subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) until further notice and a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim.

At sentencing, he also pleaded guilty to two counts of making incident images of a child – evidence found by officers when his mobile phone was examined.

Specialist detectives from the force’s rape and serious sexual assault team, who investigated the incident, are now urging anyone else who could have been a victim of Daley’s to come forward.

Arresting Daley

The rape was reported to police shortly after 5.30am on Monday 29 December and had taken place in the back of Daley’s white Toyota Auris in a layby close to Soar Valley Way.

The victim, a woman in her 20s, and her friend had been outside a bar in Leicester city centre about to order an Uber when Daley pulled up alongside them. He offered to take them both home if they booked the trip through the app.

After dropping her friend home, Daley and the victim continued the journey to her address.

During the drive, Daley started making sexualised comments towards the victim and asking her inappropriate questions.

While heading out of the city, Daley then pulled over in a layby – claiming he needed to go to the toilet.

He then ordered the victim to move into the front of the car before before forcing her to perform oral sex on him by threatening her with a knife.

During this incident he has also pulled down the victim’s top and touched her breasts.

After pleading with Daley to stop, he left the woman in the layby and sped off. She immediately called 999 and an officer was dispatched to her.

Quick enquiries identified the registration of the vehicle and Daley as the insured driver.

Officers on shift in the force’s Roads Policing Team were put on alert and Daley was stopped at the junction of Vaughan Way and Great Central Street at 6.37am.

While officers were attempting to arrest Daley, he attempted to grab his phone and also to stamp on it - in a bid to destroy any evidence.

While in custody, detectives began carrying out extensive enquiries, including forensic examinations and reviewing CCTV and mobile phone data in order to track the defendant’s movements both before and after the attack.

Despite the victim’s DNA being found on his penis and underwear, Daley continued to deny the offence and claimed her DNA had transferred to him as she had drunk from a water bottle in the car, and he had later used the same bottle to wash his penis after urinating in the layby.

Following examination of his phone, detectives were able to establish Daley had driven past the victim while she was in the layby three times after the incident had taken place.

Detective Constable Matt Smith from Signal – the force’s dedicated rape and serious sexual assault team is the officer in the case.

He said:

“I want to commend the victim in this case during what has been an extremely difficult six months. Her actions that night and the strength and bravery she has shown during the investigation and trial has ensured a dangerous individual is now behind bars.

“Despite her deeply traumatic and distressing experience, that night she demonstrated exceptional presence of mind and was able to contact police immediately after Daley had driven off.

“Thanks to this, officers were able to act quickly to identify and locate the suspect in a very short space of time. This was crucial to our investigation and ensured not only key forensic evidence could still be detected but that he was apprehended before he attacked anyone else.

“Daley targeted a lone woman after she trusted him to get her home safely. Given his job as an Uber driver it is possible there could be more victims that have not come forward.

“We take reports of sexual assault very seriously and anyone who wishes to report offences will be spoken to by specialist officers in the team.”

At the time of his arrest, Daley also refused to provide a drugs wipe, so a blood sample was sent for testing and later came back as positive for cocaine.

He was charged and pleaded guilty to two counts of drug driving at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 1 April. He was banned from driving for 20 months, fined £200 and order to pay £85 court costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Senior Investigation Officer, Detective Inspector Majid Zaveri, said: “The courage of the victim and the professionalism and dedication of the response and investigation officers has led to this outcome.

“My thanks go to the victim who bravery and co-operation led to this quick arrest and allowed vital evidence to be secured. Thank you to the response officers for their quick actions and to the investigation team – including Detective Sergeants George White, Jon Davies and Detective Constables Matt Smith and Charlotte Worley – for their tireless work to ensure the defendant was brought before the courts.

“If you are a victim of a sexual offence, please know that we are here to listen to you, to help you and to support you. Please report to us or speak with someone you can trust.”

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A man who raped and began sexually abusing a teenage boy in 2015 has been jailed.

Mark Watson was sentenced to 12-and-a-half years at Leicester Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 9 July).

The 55-year-old’s offending was brought to the attention of police in 2021 when the victim, who is now an adult, told a third-party what had happened between 2015 and 2018.

He told officers from our Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) that Watson had raped him on several occasions and forced him to engage in other sexual activity. He said Watson had also physically assaulted him during that time and regularly threatened him with violence.

On 2 March, at the same court, Watson was found guilty of two counts of rape and two counts of sexual activity with a child following a trial.

Watson, of Linford Street in the Belgrave area of Leicester, was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) until further notice, placed on the sex offender register for life and made subject to a restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim for life.

Detective Constable Aisling McPhillips, the investigating officer, said:

“I want to praise the victim in the case for his continued support and understanding from the moment the incident was reported in 2021 to the end of the court process.

“Without the information and accounts he was able to provide, Watson would not have been convicted and sentenced for what is without doubt, abuse that no person should ever have to go through.

“I hope this sentence provides him with a sense of closure and allows him to move on with his life.”

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“It’s changed my identity and it has changed how I see myself” – Those are the words of a woman who was attacked by a registered sex offender in Leicester’s Frog Island.

The incident happened on the evening of 11 June last year while she was out for an evening walk along the canal towpath.

She was seen by Warren Laight, who began to closely follow her as she walked towards North Gate. During the walk Laight overtook her before stopping under a bridge.

The victim, who thought he might have been following her, tried to walk past him but Laight grabbed and sexually assaulted her. Struggling to break free, she managed to shout and attract attention which spooked Laight and caused him to run off.

The victim, who is in her 20s, provided a description of Laight to officers which assisted in identifying him through CCTV enquiries. Witnesses from nearby properties were also spoken to and provided a description of him.

On 13 June, Laight was arrested. In interview, he said he could not have carried out the attack as he was not in the area at the time and was staying with a family member.

Laight’s relative was spoken to by police and said Laight had been at her home address that day and had only left for 15 to 20 minutes to buy cigarettes.

However, officers were able to identify that Laight’s phone was not at her address at the time the incident occurred and was in fact at the scene of the attack.

Despite his denial Laight was charged. On 16 December, at Leicester Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to one count of attempted rape and one count of assault by penetration.

He was sentenced at the same court today (Friday 17 April) to a total of 13 years and six months in prison.

In her Victim Personal Statement, the victim said:

“The impact has gone far beyond the immediate incident. It has changed my identity, and it has changed how I see myself.

“I feel disconnected from who I used to be, I no longer find joy in the things that once defined me and feel I will never be able to do those things again.
“He has taken my life away from me the way in which I knew it. He has handed me a life sentence and now I am left to serve it.”

Detective Constable Josh Evans, the officer in the case, said:

“This is a deeply concerning case given the victim appeared to be chosen at random by Laight, who displayed predatory behaviour.

“She has told me how much the incident has impacted her day-to-day life and the way it’s changed her as a person. She’s afraid to go out alone and feels vulnerable when out in public.

“However, the fact that despite what’d just happened she was able to provide a description of him that allowed officers to identify him on CCTV and arrest him is a testament to her presence of mind.

“Despite initially denying he had any involvement – and a family member providing a false statement on his behalf – this evidence was key in leaving him with no alternative but to admit what he’d done.

“Hopefully today’s outcome provides the victim with a degree of closure and relief that Laight is back behind bars.”

• A 41-year-old woman was dealt with by way of a conditional caution for providing a false witness statement

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Jack-Leland Webster of Cedar Road, Earl Shilton, Leicester has been sentenced to nine years and five months in jail for several offences including rape, strangulation and stalking, while living in Manchester. 

On Wednesday 8 April 2026 at Manchester Crown Court, Webster was found guilty of rape and strangulation. He pleaded guilty to stalking the victim at a previous hearing. 

In June 2024, Webster, previously Jack Malone, had accused the victim of cheating with her ex-boyfriend, and as she attempted to exit the flat, he blocked the doorways to prevent her from leaving. 

The victim had been in communication with her ex after he had reached out to her to let her know he was concerned after he found out Webster had been impersonating him to message the victim and test her loyalty throughout their relationship. 

He got on top of the victim and while he strangled her, he said, “Don’t make me kill you. If you do, I’ll have to kill myself so we can be dead together.” He then sexually assaulted her. 

While on bail, Webster purchased numerous fake social media accounts to follow and contact the victim, as well as her family and her friends, which was in breach of his no contact conditions. 

On one occasion, the victim was followed by over 100 accounts on a social media platform in a matter of seconds. Webster also sent her messages whilst pretending to be her ex-partner. 

During interviews, Webster denied all charges against him.

When an officer tried to arrange his second interview, he was obstructive and told the officer to “pick me up from KFC” and “catch me if you can”. 

When he arrived for his interview, he brought with him a book on how to be a good debater and said this was to give an idea of how his interview would go. 

Webster showed no remorse throughout the investigation and treated it as a game. 

He pleaded guilty to stalking before he went to trial where a jury found him guilty of rape and strangulation.

On Wednesday 8 April 2026 at Manchester Crown Court, Webster was sentenced to nine years and five months in prison. He has also been given an indefinite restraining order.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Lucy Hatton said:

“Thank you to the brave victim in coming forward and reporting the abuse Webster subjected her to, as well as her continued support throughout the investigation, which allowed the police to safeguard her appropriately. 

“Jack-Leland Webster (formerly Jack Malone) is a very dangerous individual who was rightly remanded in custody following a prolonged stalking and domestic abuse campaign where he breached bail conditions multiple times. 

“I hope this sentence offers some reassurance for other victims of stalking and sexual offences.  

“We take all reports of stalking, rape and sexual assaults very seriously and will pursue these offenders and bring them to justice.” 

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The offences occurred in September 2023 and throughout the last two and a half years the victim has showed incredible strength and determination to ensure the man who abused her was brought to justice.

Riaz, 29, of no fixed address, deliberately targeted the vulnerable teenager after encountering her alone in the Hamilton area of the city shortly before midnight on Thursday 7 September 2023.

The girl had left her address a short time before and had been reported missing to police.

Riaz forced the teenager to go back to his-then home address in Harringworth Road. Once there he supplied her with cannabis and raped her.

She was able to leave the address and thanks to a night shift worker, who found her at around 4am the next morning (Friday 8 September), police were called.

While supporting the victim, detectives in the force’s specialist rape and serious sexual assault team – known as the Signal team – also carried out extensive enquiries during the next few days to identify and locate the suspect and the address where the offences had taken place.

This led to officers identifying the address in Harringworth Road and arresting him a few days later.

For more than two years, the officer in the case - DC Jon Williamsn - and other detectives in the team, have continued to carry out enquiries and gather evidence ahead of the trial.

This vital work led to Riaz being found guilty of two counts of rape against the victim.

DC Williams, from the Signal team, said:

“Throughout her ordeal the victim has shown incredible strength. It took extreme courage for her to share the details of what had occurred so that officers and staff could carry out a thorough investigation.

“It has been two and half years since this incident occurred but the victim’s determination and persistence to see this perpetrator punished for his actions has stayed with her. It is thanks to her that he is now going to spend many years behind bars.”

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A police detective has spoken about the courage of a girl which has led to a man being convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault against her.

Leon Blake, 59, was sentenced to six and a half years imprisonment at Leicester Crown Court last Thursday (12 February) after being found guilty of three counts of assaulting the girl by touching.

The girl was under 13 at the time of the offences. The offences came to light following the girl confiding in her mum. The victim’s mum then contacted the police.

Blake, of Tuckey Close, Sapcote, was arrested in February 2020 following the report being made. A police investigation, carried out by the force’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit, led to him being charged in March 2021.

During the investigation, continued support was provided to the victim and her family. This included specialist interviews with the young victim to help her feel as comfortable and as supported as possible.

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Ritik Devji said:

“I know it took time and a lot of courage for the victim to speak with her mum about the offences and I know she understandably found it extremely difficult during the investigation. Equally, I know it must have been devastating for the victim’s mum to hear this and to then contact police.

“However, this courage and dignity of both the girl and her mum has ultimately led to a sexual offender being convicted in court and sentenced. I am extremely grateful to them for this. We have continued to provide support to the victim and her family throughout the investigation and court hearing to ensure the right action was taken.”

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The man pictured is Jacob Atkinson and he is a sex offender.

During the 1980s he raped and indecently assaulted a child.

The catalogue of offences happened in Rossendale and started when she was just nine-year-old. The offences stopped when Atkinson left the area to go to university.

The offences only came to light four decades later when the victim first told her husband, then the Truth Project and then the police.

Atkinson, 55, of Birkdale Road, Anstey, Leicester, was questioned and later charged with a number of sexual offences against the victim.

Following a trial at Preston Crown Court in April, Atkinson was found guilty of rape, indecent assault and indecency with a child.

He returned to the same court today (30th January) where he was jailed for seven years, with the Judge taking into account Atkinson’s age and their sentencing powers at the time the offences were committed. Atkinson was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Dave Hindle, from our Major Crime Review Team, said:

“Atkinson targeted his vulnerable victim for his own sordid sexual interests.

“Once he got to his 50s he probably though he had gotten away with his detestable crimes. However, it’s thanks to the victim’s bravery in reporting these offences to us and then giving evidence in court that a light has been shone on who Atkinson truly is.

“While it’s not for me to comment on the sentence handed down to Atkinson, I am pleased that the victim finally has justice all these years on.”

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A man, who was working as a nurse at a Leicester hospital, has been sentenced today (Friday 5 December) for sexual assault.

The sentencing, at Leicester Crown Court, follows Telmo Ribeiro, being found guilty of the offences in October this year after a lengthy police investigation and subsequent trial.

Ribeiro committed the offences at the Leicester Royal Infirmary while he was working in the neurology ward. The offences relate to an adult female victim who was a patient in the hospital at the time.

During trial Ribeiro pleaded guilty to three computer misuse offences and one count of a data protection offence after images of medical records were found on his phone following his arrest.

Ribeiro had denied the sexual offences but was found guilty by a jury in October, following a trial at the same court.

The conviction of two counts of sexual assault offences relate to 2020 when Ribeiro sexually touched a woman (on two separate occasions) who was a patient in the hospital.

Ribeiro was arrested in 2020 and as part of the investigation, his phone was examined which led to the images of medical records being found. Some of these were photos of computer screens showing medical information while others were images of paper documents.

After a long and complex investigation, during which officers worked closely with University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Ribeiro, 38, of Watkin Road, Leicester was charged two years later, in May 2022.

He was jailed today (Friday 5 December) for two years. He was also made subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

The officer in the case Detective Constable James Moxon worked alongside Detective Sergeant Phil Brind-Surch from Leicestershire Police.

DC Moxon said:

“Telmo Ribeiro was in a trusted position and abused this trust in the most horrendous way. His actions are truly shocking, and my thoughts are with the victim of these crimes. Ribeiro should have been there to care for her and help her. He has shown no remorse, carrying out these offences and then denying the offences ever happened.

“The victim has shown true dignity and courage in speaking with us and helping to bring Riberio before the courts for his crimes. She bravely spoke to us about the horrific attacks she had endured and worked with us to secure these convictions. I truly thank her for that.”

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A man from a rural Leicestershire village has been jailed after carrying out a string of sexual offences against girls he groomed on Snapchat.

Paul Lipscombe, 51, from Rothley, was sentenced for a total of 34 crimes against six girls – aged between 12 and 15 – after targeting them via the social media app.

An extensive police investigation, being carried by a team of dedicated detectives, is working to uncover the true extent of his offending after identifying six girls he had abused from across the country.  

After gaining their trust, Lipscombe would arrange to meet with the girls in private locations where he would commit acts of rape and sexual assault.

With the use of AI technology, he was also found to be creating and distributing indecent images of children.

Today (Tuesday 11 November), at Leicester Crown Court, he was sentenced to 28 years and one month imprisonment after pleading guilty in February.

He has also been place on the sex offenders register for life. A restraining order had also been issued – preventing him from contacting the victims.

Police investigation

The gravity of Lipscombe’s offending first came to light to police in April 2024 after concerns were raised in Lincolnshire in relation to a missing 15-year-old girl.

Swift action by police led officers to discover the girl was at an address in Leicestershire with Lipscombe and he was initially arrested on suspicion of kidnap.

After the girl was taken to a place of safety she disclosed to police she had been raped.

The case was handed to detectives working Leicestershire Police’s dedicated Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU).

As the investigation progressed it became evident other offences against the girl had occurred and the defendant had also been in contact with other girls - using several different Snapchat accounts.  

As well as using his own name during these interactions, he also went by the names of ‘Dom Woodmore’ and ‘George’ when contacting girls.

Over the course of 10 months, detectives worked tirelessly to identify other girls he had been in contact with to establish if any offences had occurred.

Following this work a further five girls from across the country were subsequently identified and spoken to. If was clear from evidence on his phone and other devices that Lipscombe had been engaging in sexual activity with these girls also.

The offences against the six girls identified took place between September 2023 and April 2024.

When initially contacting the girls Lipscombe had told them he was in his late 20s or early 30s. Five of the six girls had met with him and been raped or sexually assaulted.

One of the girls, who was aged 14 at the time of his offending, had been communicating with him online. Lipscombe had been trying to encourage her to meet him.

She has chosen to speak out and tell her story:

Detailed examination of his devices and online storage accounts also uncovered a significant number of indecent images of children. Further investigation revealed Lipscombe had been creating many of these images using AI software.

He had also set up a website where others could buy illegal images of children and could pay him to create images for them using AI.

The investigation into Lipscombe’s offending remains ongoing.

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Lauren Speight from the CAIU, said:

“Lipscombe has been using Snapchat as a way to meet underage girls. He was able to groom them and persuade them to meet with him so he could carry out these horrendous crimes.

“Following a detailed examination of his devices, I was presented with the overwhelming amount of evidence relating to his conversations and encounters with these girls.

“When reviewing his electronic devices and online storage accounts, they contained a significant amount of illegal material which included both AI generated images and images of real children being abused. The software for creating the AI material was located on his computer.

“Not only was Lipscombe creating these images, but he was also found to have several online social media accounts and a personalised website, specifically for advertising access to these images at a cost.

“Our investigation into the offending carried out by this man is continuing. We suspect he may have been in contact with other girls and could well have committed sexual offences against others. We would urge anyone who has been in contact with him to contact us. We are specially trained to speak to children who may have been victims of similar offences.

“I would also like to praise the girls and their families for supporting our investigation during what has been an extremely difficult and distressing 18 months. It is thanks to them that Lipscombe is now behind bars and unable to prey on children anymore.”

In February, Paul Lipscombe pleaded guilty to a total of 34 offences:

• 21 counts of sexual activity with a child
• Six counts of making indecent photographs of children
• Three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13
• Two counts of rape of a child under 13
• One count of causing or indicting a child to engage in sexual activity
• One count of distributing indecent photographs of children

DC Speight added:

“Offenders like Lipscombe go to extreme lengths to manipulate and exploit children. This type of grooming and abuse can occur both online but also in person and often those being exploited don’t realise they are victims; they believe they are in a loving consensual relationship.

“We need to do all we can to keep children safe from those who want to cause them serious harm. In cases like these we often see victims being given money, gifts or even drugs or alcohol in exchange for engaging in sexual activity. We also often see that victims are made to feel special and thrive on the attention they are given. For many children and young people, it is having someone who they believe is there for them and cares about them.

“This of course is not the reality, and it is crucial everyone is aware of the issue and knows the signs to look out for.”

Record details

A man who began sexually abusing a woman when she was only around five years old has been jailed.

The crimes carried out by Barrymore James began in around 1990 and continued until approximately 1998 – sometimes happening two or three times a week.

His actions were brought to the attention of police in 2021 when his victim – who is now an adult – came forward to report what had happened. She said James had stopped abusing her when she was around 13 years old.

Speaking to officers from our Child Abuse Investigation Unit’s (CAIU) non-recent team, she recalled occasions where James had made her smoke crack cocaine and heroin before carrying out the abuse. She also said there were several occasions where he made her look at pornographic material.

James was interviewed about the allegations and dismissed the victim’s claims. However he was subsequently charged with a string of sexual offences.

On 22 July, following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, the 65-year-old was found guilty of:

• 12 counts of indecent assault
• Two counts of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 years
• Two counts of indecency with a child

Today (Monday 20 October) at the same court, James – of no fixed abode – was sentenced to 24 years’ imprisonment.

Detective Constable Katie Harris, from the non-recent team, said:

“The crimes carried out by James have had a lasting impact on the victim, who showed a lot of strength and courage in re-living the abuse in front of a jury.

“Thankfully the account she was able to provide was key in ensuring James was found guilty of all counts, meaning he’s now serving time in prison.

“It’s never too late to report sexual abuse and I hope today’s outcome has provided a degree of closure to the victim and allows her to move on as best she can.”