Latest Offenders Leicester

Description

A phone store manager who stole videos and images of children from his customers mobile phones for his sexual gratification has been jailed.

Steven Drew, 38, of Newstead Way, Loughborough, Leicestershire appeared at Lincoln Crown Court earlier today (23 March) where he was jailed for seven years. Drew will also serve an extra two years on licence for the following:

• Sexual assault of a girl aged under 13.
• Five counts of taking indecent images of children.
• Three counts of making indecent images of children.
• Possession of prohibited images of children.
• Possession of extreme images.
• Two counts of voyeurism.
• Possession of a Paedophile manual.
• Three counts of causing a computer to perform function to secure/enable unauthorised access to a programme or data.

In 2022, Lincolnshire Police received information that an Emule user, a file sharing website, had shared and was offering to share indecent images of children online. A warrant was executed at an address in Lincolnshire on 11 January 2023, and Drew, who was living and working in Lincolnshire at the time, was arrested two days later on suspicion of distributing indecent images of children.

His digital devices were seized during the warrant. After forensic examination, detectives uncovered thousands of Category A-C images, as well as prohibited images of children and extreme images, with some of them dating all the way back to 2007.  It was also found that Drew had been using his position as a manager in a phone shop to obtain images and videos of children when customers would bring their devices in.

Drew was further arrested on 8 January 2024 for possession of indecent images of children, taking indecent images of children and voyeurism. He was released on bail with one of the conditions being not having contact with any child under the age of 18.

Other evidence found on the 38-year-old’s phone also showed that he had sexually assaulted a young girl under 13 prior to him being arrested.

Whilst Drew was on bail the Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) worked tirelessly with their victim identification colleagues to ensure Drew’s victims were identified and safeguarded.

Drew was arrested for a third time in June 2025, on suspicion of 14 offences and was remanded into custody. During investigations it was found that Drew continued to take indecent images of children whilst he was on bail.

He pleaded guilty to 17 counts at a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on Thursday 30 October and remained in custody until his next court appearance.  

Drew has been placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and has also been given a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

The officer in charge of the investigation, DC Nicola Paradowski from POLIT, said:

“Drew is a dangerous individual who has manipulated and exploited people to obtain images of their children for his sexual gratification. The type of offending Drew has conducted is abhorrent, and it’s evident from this case that Drew has a clear sexual interest in children, and that he would stop at nothing to fulfil his needs.

“I would like to thank the families for their courage and support throughout the investigation, even though this has been a deeply upsetting time for them. Lincolnshire Police take this type of offending extremely seriously and we continue to be relentless in our pursuit to bring people like Drew to justice.”

Judge Hirst who passed today’s sentence stated that Drew had a long-standing sexual interest in children and that he posed a significant risk of causing serious harm.  Judge Hirst therefore deemed Drew as a dangerous offender which means he will serve an extended sentence period in prison.

Description

A paedophile has been jailed for sexual offences against girls which began more than 50 years ago.

George Davey, 76, abused the first victim between 1975 and 1985 and a second girl between 1983 and 1986. 

He sexually abused a third girl between 1995 and 2003, and a fourth victim between 2001 and 2002, and later in 2022. 

Davey also sexually assaulted a fifth victim in 1993 and exposed himself to a woman more recently between 2019 and 2020. 

Davey’s crimes came to light in December 2022 when one of the victims reported she had been sexually abused by him. This encouraged others to come forward. 

On Wednesday (18 March), at Cambridge Crown Court, Davey, of Shelthorpe Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, was jailed for 22 years and four months, having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to:

• nine counts of indecency with a child 
• two counts of attempted rape of a girl under 16
• one count of indecent assault on a girl under 14
• one count of indecent assault
• one count of sexual assault on a female
• one count of exposure

DC Louise Wick, who investigated, said:

"This conviction for historic offences shows that justice is possible no matter how long ago the crimes occurred. 

“The sentence reflects the gravity of Davey’s predatory abuse and the devastating harm it has caused to his victims.

“I would like to thank them for their remarkable courage in coming forward and supporting a prosecution, which has led to Davey being jailed for a very long time.

“I hope this result offers some reassurance to the victims and their families as they continue rebuilding their lives.”

Description

A 31-year-old man has been jailed for nearly three years after he admitted to breaching the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Simeon William James Weekes, previously of Wigston, Leicestershire, was issued with a SHPO in February 2018 following his conviction for making indecent photographs/pseudo photographs of children.

The SHPO was issued with certain conditions he was required to abide by, including not deleting any search history or downloading and deleting mobile phone apps.

However, on September 16 last year, when police officers made an unannounced visit to Weekes’ home address in Northampton, they analysed his mobile phone and found that he had downloaded and then deleted a social networking app.

He was arrested and subsequently charged with breaching his SHPO.

On October 29 last year, Weekes appeared at Northampton Crown Court where he pleaded guilty, returning to the same court earlier this year (January 15) where he was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.

Investigating officer PC Leanne Tyson, from the Force’s MOSOVO team, said:

“Being given nearly three years in prison for deleting your app history may seem harsh to some, but we will never apologise for taking a zero-tolerance approach when it comes to the management of sex offenders.

“The conditions of a SHPO are put in place for a reason and there are no excuses for not abiding by them.

“We will always seek prison sentences and we will continue working hard to bring more people like Weekes to justice.”

Description

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.”

Description

A dangerous sexual predator who groomed a 12-year-old girl with a torrent of over 1,000 messages has been jailed for nearly five years, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Michael Lawrence, 38, of Tudor Road, Hinkley, was found guilty and sentenced for two counts of Inciting a Girl Under 13 To Engage In Sexual Activity on 13 February, following an earlier trial at Leicester Crown Court.

Despite maintaining his innocence and pleading not guilty, Lawrence was sentenced to four years and 11 months in prison, plus two years on extension.

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely and also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with a child under 16 unless with consent where they know of his convictions.

The order also prevents him from using social media or apps to contact children as well as deleting search history, wiping or encrypting any devices.

The court heard how Lawrence befriended the school child at Kettering station in summer, 2022. Over a period of two years, he sent the victim a barrage of more than 1,200 messages and voice notes on social media.

Once he had groomed her into a friendship, he then began sending increasingly brazen sexual messages where he told her had a “crush” on her and repeatedly tried to instigate sexual contact. In one message he said “sorry if I’m being flirty with you I’m naughty.” Before the next day then suggesting they could “be together secretly.”

In one 30-day period alone, he sent 223 messages, including one conversation where he warned her to be careful with what she tells her dad about him.

The barrage of messages only came to light following a separate police investigation. When officers went to the remorseless predator’s address to arrest him, he said “do you think I’m f****** dangerous?”.

BTP Detective Constable Alex Price said:

“This sentence is testament to the courage of the young girl who supported our investigation to get this extremely dangerous sexual predator behind bars.

“The disgusting motive for Lawrence’s behaviour is obvious from the sheer number of messages he sent to her and his deliberate, escalating behaviour over two years, yet he’s never shown any remorse for his actions nor the lifelong impact they will have had on the young girl.

“If you experience or witness any sort of behaviour which makes you feel uncomfortable on the railway, text us discreetly on 61016, or call 999 in an emergency. We will always take you seriously, and we’ll stop at nothing to bring sexual offenders like Lawrence to justice.”

Description

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.”

Description

For more than three years a woman was subjected to malicious communications online at the hands of her former partner.

After a lengthy and complex investigation, Declan Guess was jailed yesterday (Thursday 12 February) for three-and-a half-years at Leicester Crown Court. He was also made subject to a restraining order, a sexual harm prevention order and will be placed on the sex offender register.

The victim was in a relationship with 24-year-old Guess, but after their relationship ended, he began sharing intimate photographs of her online, taken when she was a teenager.

In October 2022, the victim’s family reported that strangers were visiting their home looking to engage in sexual activity with her.

When the visitors were challenged, they showed posts that had been published on multiple websites advertising the victim as providing sexual services.

After an investigation was launched Guess was identified as being involved in these malicious posts.

When officers seized his mobile phone they discovered a quantity of intimate images of the victim, indecent images of other children as well as images depicting bestiality.

During the investigation over 500 indecent images of children were discovered across his devices.

Once Guess’s devices were examined, new evidence was uncovered relating to his online offending and he was further arrested again in June 2025 for stalking.

In August 2025 a Stalking Protection Order (SPO) was issued by the courts prohibiting 24-year-old Guess from having any form of contact with the victim, whether in person, online or by third party.

Despite the order being in place he breached the conditions in September 2025 when he started following the victim on Instagram, this led to him being arrested and remanded into custody.

He was subsequently charged with stalking, breach of stalking protection order, possession of extreme pornographic images, three counts of making indecent images of children and three counts of distribution of indecent images of children (IIOC).

Earlier this week Guess was due to stand trial but pleaded guilty on the first day to stalking and distribution of IIOC (category A and C).

Investigating officer, PC Kate Butler from the Artemis team, said:

“The impact these offences have had on the victim are immense. Her whole life was turned upside down. “

In her Victim Personal Statement (VPS), the victim, who is now in her 20s, said: “Men started turning up at my family home looking for me and I found out this was because my name, my intimate photos and my address had been put online advertising me for sex. This was frightening and left me feeling very vulnerable.

“The whole situation has caused me so much stress and upset over the years. I just wanted it to stop. What Declan has done to me has had a very severe impact on my self-esteem and mental health. In many ways it has ruined my life.”

PC Butler added:

“While we can’t turn back time for the victim, we hope that Guess’s guilty plea helps her to put those events behind her. We are pleased his admission of guilt has meant that the victim has not been subjected to giving evidence in court. 

“This has been an extremely complex investigation, and we thank the victim and her family for their courage in reporting what they had been through and we hope this reassures the wider community that we do take these offences seriously and will use our powers to bring people to justice.

“We also believe there may be other victims of Guess, who for whatever reason have not reported offences to us, we would urge you to get in touch. We have specialist officers who can support and guide you through the process and put you in touch with other support agencies.”

Description

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.”

Description

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.”

Description

A 34-year-old man convicted of rape and breaching a sexual risk order has been jailed for more than six years.

Oliver George White admitted the breach of the sexual risk order before the jury was sworn in at his trial on August 7, 2025, at Northampton Crown Court, but continued to deny three other serious sexual offences.

The breach of the sexual risk order occurred on February 6 this year, when White without any reasonable excuse failed to notify police of a relationship, which he was required to do under the terms of the order issued by Northampton Magistrates’ Court on March 6, 2024.

White, previously of Loughborough, stood trial in connection with the other three sexual offences, and on August 20, he was found guilty of raping a woman at her Northampton home between January and September 2023.

However, the jury found him not guilty of two of the three charges - a second count of rape and one of attempted rape, and he was discharged by the presiding judge in relation to these matters.

Last month (October 16), White returned to Northampton Crown Court to be sentenced and was handed a six year and two-month prison term. He was also given an indefinite restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim.

Detective Sergeant Elizabeth Jeeves, of the Force’s SOLAR Team which investigates rapes and serious sexual assaults, paid tribute to the bravery of his survivor.

DS Jeeves said:

“Oliver White showed a lack of empathy and remorse towards the survivor in this case, who showed immense courage throughout the trial.

“Without her bravery throughout our investigation and court case, White could still be on the streets, but instead he has rightly been jailed for the abhorrent crime he committed.

“Violence against women and girls remains a priority for the Force and we are committed to bringing the likes of White to justice. We know how hard it is to take that step of reporting to us, but when you do, we will do all we can to support you.”

Description

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.”

Description

The actions of two witnesses who reported separate rape disclosures made by different women have led to the man responsible being jailed for more than 17 years.

Adam Shellard was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court after being convicted in August for a total of 10 offences.

Today’s (Friday 31 October) outcome follows a complex and sensitive police investigation which has taken five years to conclude.

Since 2020, specialist detectives have been working tirelessly to gather vital evidence relating to a string of sexual offences committed by the 27-year-old.

This first began after both victim’s confided in two separate people about the abuse they had endured.

Following these disclosures, in July and October of that year, those admissions were reported to police.

Detective Constable Chris Sherwin and Anna Pulsford, from the force’s dedicated rape and serious sexual offences investigation team, were assigned as the officers in the case.

Initial contact was made with the victims to offer support and discuss their options regarding the progression of the case.

Over the course of the next 18 months, DC Sherwin and DC Pulsford worked closely with the women as they undertook the difficult process of reliving the trauma inflicted upon them.

It was established Shellard, of Bosworth Road, Measham, had committed these offences over a five-year period.

During that time, one of the women was subjected to repeated acts of rape, sexual assault, coercion, physical violence, and threatening behaviour.

The second victim was raped multiple times over the course of just over a month.

Due to the strength of the case and the detailed accounts provided by the victims, Shellard was charged in March 2022 with 10 offences.

Six offences – three counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of coercive and controlling behaviour – were against the first woman.

And three counts of rape were against the second woman.

During the investigation, officers also uncovered additional offences involving a person connected to one of the victims. Shellard was subsequently charged with one count of racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence.

Following a trial in August this year, he was found guilty of all crime and was sentenced today to a total of 17 years and seven months.

DC Sherwin said:

“The two women disclosed what Shellard had done to someone they knew, and it was these two people who initially came reported to police. I want to truly thank them for coming forward and alerting police to the horrendous crimes being committed by Shellard.

“The victims in this case have shown so much strength during what has been an extremely difficult and long process. They have wait five years to get justice and their determination to see this through to the end has meant that a dangerous sex offender is now behind bars.

“This case really highlights the importance of the people around us having the courage to make a stance and speak up when. If someone you know is a victim of a crime, don’t stay silent. What you know could be the key to protecting someone’s life or ensuring those who cause the most harm in our communities are held accountable.”

Description

A rapist convicted of four counts of rape against two victims was sentenced to a total of 17 years in jail yesterday (Wednesday 22 October) – following a case in which the Judge said he ‘sought to dominate all aspects of the victims’ lives’.

The sentencing hearing, held at Leicester Crown Court, follows Charles Isabirye’s conviction after a trial at the same court last month.

Isabirye, formally of Ratcliffe Road, Loughborough, denied the offences throughout the trial and claimed this his victims made up their allegations in collusion with each other.

At the sentencing hearing, where Isabirye was also sentenced for one count of breaching a restraining order and three counts of witness intimidation – counts which the jury also found him guilty of – His Honour Judge Evans, commented about the complex nature of the investigation and the conduct of the officer in the case, DC Sarah Le Boutillier

He stated she “conducted herself with professionalism” despite accusations made by Isabirye about her conduct and integrity.

Addressing Isabirye, he said:

“You continue to focus the blame for your current predicament on one of the victims, stating that ‘If it was not for her, you would not be in prison’.

“During the trial, you focussed upon the unfairness of the prosecution rather than the witness testimony, cleaving to the notion that the case was closed. You found and saw conspiracies everywhere and painted yourself as the victim.

“I have no doubt that you present as a serious risk to women.”

The 48-year-old was also made subject to a restraining order prohibiting contact with the victims and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

DC Le Boutillier added:

“I have nothing but praise for the victims in this case, not only for coming forward and reporting what happened to them, but for the bravery they showed in court throughout a lengthy, difficult trial.

“Isabirye sought to discredit them at every opportunity.

“While it doesn’t change what they went through, I hope they find some comfort in knowing he’s in prison for a significant amount of time.”

Description

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.”

Description

A man who sexually assaulted a woman after a night out in Brigg was sentenced at Grimsby Crown Court on Monday, 6 October 2025 to four years and eleven months in prison and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

James Ward, 34-years-old, of Bottesford, pleaded guilty to assault by penetration after approaching a woman who had been socialising with friends at a bar in Brigg during the early hours of Sunday, 1 August 2021.

After engaging her in conversation, Ward left the venue with the woman and took her to a nearby field, before sexually assaulting her. The woman was later found by her friends in a state of distress, while Ward fled the scene.

An investigation was launched to understand the circumstances surrounding the assault and following lines of enquiries, Ward was identified and arrested at his home address on Sunday, 1 August 2021 and subsequently charged.

Leading the investigation, Detective Constable Rebecca McInnis said:

“Ward’s actions were abusive and exploitative, targeting a vulnerable woman for his own predatory gratification.

"This traumatic experience will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the woman, and while no outcome can reverse the harm caused, I hope his guilty plea provides some measure of relief.

“We take all reports of rape and sexual offences extremely seriously and remain committed to seeking justice for those who have suffered at the hands of exploitative predators.”