Search results for Lincolnshire

Description

A man has been jailed for 14 years after pleading guilty to 13 charges under the Sexual Offences Act, many of which involved children.

Rhys Lynn, 32, of HMP Lincoln, pleaded guilty to the offences which took place between July 2017 and April 2026.

He pleaded guilty to all 13 offences in the face of such robust and compelling evidence.  He appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday 7 August where he was jailed after the judge applied an exceptional extended period of four years to the maximum custodial term of 10 years.

He is also banned from working with children or vulnerable adults and will be required to sign the sex offenders register for life.

The officer in charge of this case, DC Portia Hakes of Lincoln’s Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, said:

We welcome the sentence handed down by the court. This man committed a series of serious sexual offences and has rightly been held accountable for his actions. The extended sentence recognises the ongoing risk he poses and provides additional protection for the public. I hope this outcome gives victims some reassurance that their voices will be heard and their experiences taken seriously.

A man has pleaded guilty to thirteen charges under the Sexual Offences Act, many of which involved children, during a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on 19 June.

Rhys Lynn, 32, of HMP Lincoln, pleaded guilty to the following offences which took place between July 2017 and April 2026:

• Make 267 indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (Class A images)
• Make 102 indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (Class B images)
• Make 387 indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (Class C images)
• Possess an extreme pornographic image
• Two counts of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Causing a child under 13 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity
• Causing a child under 13 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity
• Two counts of breaching a sexual harm protection order
• Causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child aged between 13-17
• Threaten to share a photograph or film of a person in an intimate state
• Send a photograph or film to cause alarm, distress, or humiliation

Lynn has been remanded into custody and will appear at Lincoln Crown Court on 7 August 2026 for sentencing.

The officer in charge of this case, DC Portia Hakes of Lincoln’s Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, said:

“Thanks to the bravery of a child victim coming forward, we were able to secure vital evidence involving numerous vulnerable victims across the UK. Due to this evidence, this dangerous and relentless offender has been remanded into prison awaiting sentencing. We wish to thank vulnerable child victims for having the courage to speak out against individuals like this and help end the suffering to other children across the UK.”

2023-02-23

A sex offender previously jailed for getting girls to send him naked photos is back behind bars after he failed to notify the authorities he was in a new relationship with a partner who had two young children.

Rhys Lynn, 27, was jailed for 16 months after he admitted failing to notify the police of his new partner’s address and breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order on four occasions.

Lynn, formerly of Hawthorn Avenue, Cherry Willingham, and now of The Quays, Gainsborough, was sentenced to five years and four months imprisonment at Lincoln Crown Court in February 2019.

In addition to his jail term, Lynn was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and told to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Those orders required Lynn to notify the authorities if he began a relationship which put him in possible contact with children or if he was staying at a new address.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Lynn started working at a chicken factory in Gainsborough and began a relationship with a woman who had two young children around a year after he was released from prison.

Caroline Bradley, prosecuting, said Lynn did not disclose his offending to the woman and on occasions would act as a babysitter for the children and stay at their address.

There were also other child visitors to the property, and Lynn also visited a friend who had a teenage daughter, Miss Bradley told the court.

Lynn was arrested after the authorities became aware of the contact.

During interview he admitted failing to disclose his new relationship to his risk offending manager and the Probation Service because he was happy.

Neil Sands, mitigating, said Lynn had been successfully co-operating with the Probation Service for a year after his release from prison before this new relationship began.

Mr Sands told the court Lynn’s best mitigation was his early guilty plea and candour with the police.

Passing sentence Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight made it clear there was no evidence of further sexual offending.

But the Judge told Lynn: “I understand the desire for happiness, but you have a history others do not.”

Lynn’s sentence hearing in 2019 was told he posed as a teenager and also threatened his victims that he would distribute images of them that he had already obtained if they did not send him even more.

That hearing was told the five girls involved, one of whom was only 12, were left badly affected by their contact with Lynn over the internet with a number of them having to undergo counselling.

One later told police that her chances of success in her A levels had been completely wrecked by him.

Lynn had set up accounts on sites such as Instagram and Snapchat using fictitious names claiming he was a teenage boy, his original sentence hearing was told.

Four of the girls sent him naked photographs of themselves and Lynn also sent sexual images of himself to them

Before being sentenced in 2019 Lynn admitted five charges of causing or inciting exploitation of a child, two charges of causing a child to watch a sexual act, a further charge of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and three charges of making a total of 1,218 indecent images of children.

Description

Leslie Jones, 59, of Haven Road, Barton, has been jailed for two years after admitting further offences involving indecent images of children while subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

Jones admitted breaching a sexual harm prevention order on 16 June, three offences of making indecent images of children, and one of possessing prohibited images of children, between 3 February and 16 June. Prosecuting, Michele Stuart-Lofthouse told Hull Crown Court that police received information about an internet user involved in a file-sharing programme for child sexual abuse. As a registered sex offender under a 10-year order imposed on 28 October, officers attended his home. Asked if he had any devices other than a mobile phone, he replied “No.” A tablet he had tried to “conceal” was found in a bedroom.

It contained 45 Category A videos of young girls (three lengthy), 62 Category B images (60 videos), 1,025 Category C images (including 18 videos), and two prohibited images of children. There was no distribution.

Jones had nine previous convictions, including wounding in 1999, drink-driving, producing drugs and breaching a community order. On 28 October he received a 14-month suspended sentence, 150 hours’ unpaid work and 25 days’ rehabilitation activity, plus the 10-year sexual harm prevention order and sex offender registration, after admitting making indecent images of children, possessing prohibited images and possessing extreme pornography images of bestiality between April 2021 and December 2022.

At that earlier hearing, when he lived in Dundee Street, west Hull, police seized a mobile phone, tablet and laptop on 14 March 2023. They found 813 Category A, 562 Category B and 5,996 Category C indecent images of children (including videos), plus 478 prohibited images and three extreme pornography images. Search terms included “Lolita.” The girls depicted included ages five, six, eight, nine and 11. Jones denied distribution or a sexual interest in children and claimed the material appeared by accident—a claim branded a “lie.” He was told: “Nobody has that many accidents.” Recorder Geraldine Kelly KC said he had “deliberately” searched for and downloaded the images because of an “unnatural, perverted sexual interest in children” and that he “should be ashamed,” describing a “sordid collection.”

Mitigating, Julia Baggs said that after the October appearance Jones lost his job and home, received abuse in the street and became reclusive. He completed all but seven-and-a-half hours of unpaid work and began finding paid employment outside the area. It was “deeply disappointing” he had reoffended. He had been on remand since the new offences came to light and had difficulties settling into prison.

The two-year term includes a consecutive nine months for activating the suspended sentence. His phone and tablet were forfeited and he must remain on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Description

A man who plied a group of girls with drugs before sexually assaulting one of them has been jailed for four years and nine months.

James Briggs, aged 42 of Coniston Avenue, Grimsby, was found guilty at Exeter Crown Court on 6 July 2026 of sexual assault on a child under 13.

Briggs had also previously pleaded guilty to six counts of offering to supply and supplying a controlled class B drug - Ketamine.

The court heard how Briggs had sexually assaulted the girl in East Devon in 2023.

The girl bravely came forward to police to report the incident which resulted in Briggs being arrested and his mobile phone seized.

Examination of his phone showed that Briggs had recently purchased Ketamine and videos evidenced children being under the influence of drugs.

In interview, Briggs stated he had been speaking with the girl in relation to her mental health issues and she had become upset. He denied sexual offending.

Briggs was sentenced on Friday 17 July 2026 and was given a prison sentence of four years and nine months, was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years and made subject to a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The officer in case DC Jonathan Stephens said:

“We welcome the outcome and would like to acknowledge the courage shown by the victim and other child witnesses in this case. We ask anybody who has been the victim of child sexual abuse to report it, whether it be recent or non-recent, and we will investigate each matter thoroughly”

Description

A man has been jailed after storing thousands of indecent images and videos of children on 21 devices and engaging in sexual communication with children spanning almost 20 years. Forensic analysis uncovered more than 19,000 images and 628 videos.

Douglas Bowyer, 67, of Chester Way, Boston, appeared before Lincolnshire Crown Court today (Friday 9 July), where he was sentenced to eight years in prison.

This highly complex case began on 26 October 2020 after we received information from a regional unit focused on identifying, safeguarding and supporting victims of child sexual abuse.

A user with the handle ‘Boy4GirlUK1’ had engaged in sexualised conversation with someone whom they believed to be a 13-year-old female child. This user also incited the child to commit sexual acts.

During the conversation, ‘Boy4GirlUK1’ said that they were a 19-year-old male from Lincolnshire, named Dan. The profile picture on the subject’s profile was a blonde-haired young male.

The user then provided the Snapchat account of ‘danny_boi5620’.  The conversation continued on to the Snapchat platform, with the user again being sexualised in the conversation and inciting the child to masturbate.

Specialist digital research was conducted to establish the identity of the person behind the profile.

On 10 November 2020, Police arrested Douglas Bowyer, then 61, at his home in Boston.

Bowyer was previously unknown to police, but in interview he gave a full and frank admission to the offences put to him. 

He admitted regularly talking to children online ‘for some time’ through the app ‘Chat Avenue’.  He said this sometimes progressed on to Snapchat.  He admitted posing as a 19-year-old called Danny, admitting to having spoken to around 50 children, referring to himself as ‘a stereotypical dirty old man’. 

Extensive forensic digital investigation

When Bowyer was arrested in October 2020, officers seized numerous computer towers, laptops, mobile phones, hard drives and discs for forensic examination. Owing to the number of exhibits seized from the address, 49 in total, a forensic strategy had to be put in place to triage and work through the devices in stages.

This meticulous forensic work uncovered the extent of his depravity, requiring the officer in charge of the case to view and grade over a million images, 19,000 images and 628 videos of which were classified as follows:

• Category A – 2,923 images, 256 videos
• Category B – 2,326 images, 79 videos
• Category C – 12,956 images, 279 videos
• Prohibited – 798 images
• Extreme – 1 image, 14 videos

In addition to the thousands of indecent images that were identified across the numerous devices, there were also hours’ worth of recorded live chats and online conversations. From this information it became immediately apparent that Bowyer had been having sexualised conversations with a large number of female children online for years. 

In the case of two children who were aged 13 and 15 at the time that have been identified by Police, Bowyer had online ‘relationships’ for several years with them. One child had even disclosed during an online chat that they had been receiving counselling for potential clinical depression, highlighting the extent of his exploitation. He not only targeted children because of their age and vulnerability but also sought to manipulate those experiencing mental health difficulties.

Extensive enquiries were conducted to try and identify all of the children in the images; however, it appears that Bowyer has been talking to children from all over the world for a significant period of time – the earliest dating back to 2002.

Despite extensive enquiries, only three victims have been officially identified. They are all now adults.

At a plea trial hearing in April 2026, Bowyer pleaded guilty to the following offences:

• Two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child
• Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child
• Three counts of causing or inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity – penetration
• Attempting to cause or incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity – penetration
• Six counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child
• Possessing a prohibited image of a child
• Possessing extreme pornographic images / images portraying rape
• Possessing extreme pornographic image / images portraying an act of intercourse / oral sex with a dead / alive animal.

The officer in charge of this case, Detective Constable Nicola Paradowski of the Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), said:

This has been a hugely complex and intensive investigation. The scale of Bowyer’s offending over nearly two decades, coupled with the volume of devices seized and the number of potential victims identified, meant investigators were faced with an immense amount of material requiring forensic examination. This amounted to thousands of hours of painstaking digital research to be able to present compelling and robust evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service.

I would like to thank the victims for the courage and determination they have shown in supporting this case and helping to bring this manipulative and prolific offender to justice. Their evidence has been instrumental in exposing the full extent of his offending and securing this conviction.

As part of his sentence, Bowyer was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and was issued a Sexual Harm Protection Order. 

Description

The strength, courage and resilience of brave victims of a sex offender has resulted in their abuser being jailed for 18 years and 11 months.

Raymond Utley committed vile and heinous sexual acts against his victims, causing them emotional and psychological turmoil that destroyed one woman's childhood.

Utley raped and sexually abused his first victim when she was just 14 years old, with offences taking place in Doncaster, Barnsley and Sheffield.

He would buy her alcohol and even filmed himself on a camcorder sexually abusing her.

Utley's offending had a traumatic impact on his victim for over two decades. However, she showed incredible bravery and courage to report his crimes to police, resulting in him being charged with multiple sexual offences.

In respect of his first victim, Utley, 59, of Eastern Avenue, Gainsborough, pleaded guilty to two counts of raping a female under the age of 16, three counts of indecent assault and one count of taking an indecent photograph of a child.

Detective Constable Mike Tilley, who was the officer in charge of the case for South Yorkshire Police, said:

"Utley exerted power and control over his victim, causing her psychological turmoil which has haunted her for decades.

"He was even twisted enough to record himself sexually abusing his victim, using a camcorder that he kept in a locked case.

"He then destroyed all evidence of this but the power of her testimony ensured that he would face justice for crimes committed more than two decades before.

"This was a complex investigation as we worked alongside Lincolnshire Police to ensure that all of Utley's victims were able to secure justice and I do hope that today's sentencing brings closure to them because it is the very least that they deserve after the ordeal they were put through.

"Please know that if you have been a victim of a sexual offence, you are not alone. We are here to listen, we are here to support you and you will be believed."

Utley also pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault in respect of two other victims, with these cases investigated by Lincolnshire Police.

DC Joe Wood, of Lincoln Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, said:

“Following today’s sentencing, our thoughts remain firmly with the victims, who showed immense courage and resilience throughout this investigation.

"The offences committed between 1 August 2021 and 31 October 2022 were committed against children - young people who should have been safe, protected, and free from harm.

“I want to be absolutely clear: we will always listen. We will always support. We are committed to gathering robust evidence, ensuring that victims feel heard, believed, and treated with dignity at every stage of the process. No child should suffer in silence, and we encourage anyone who has been affected by abuse to come forward - when you do, you will be taken seriously.

“Investigations of this nature are complex and often deeply distressing, but our officers work tirelessly alongside partner agencies to build strong cases and bring perpetrators of such heinous crimes to justice. Today’s sentence reflects the gravity of these offences and sends a clear message that abuse of children will not be tolerated.

“I would like to thank the victims for their bravery in coming forward and their support throughout the judicial process. It is because of their strength that this offender has been held to account.

“Our commitment does not end here. We will continue to work to protect the most vulnerable in our communities, pursue those who cause harm, and ensure that justice is served.”

Utley, who was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday (3 July), faced further charges of sexual abuse and rape in respect of the same three victims with these ordered to lie on file.

Description

A referral from National Crime Agency (NCA) colleagues has led to the conviction of a man from Wragby, near Market Rasen, for multiple sexual assault offences against children. 

McCorley Booth, 30, of Newton Close, Wragby, Market Rasen pleaded guilty to inciting a girl under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity, assault of a boy under 13 by touching, two counts of making indecent images, and distribution of indecent images.  

He appeared before Lincoln Crown Court, yesterday (Thursday 25 June) and was sentenced to a total of seven years in prison.

Booth pleaded guilty to two offences which took place in February 2025 and was sentenced as follows: 

• Cause / incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity – no penetration [seven years]
• Make indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child [eight months concurrent]

He was remanded into prison and later pleaded guilty at a subsequent hearing to three offences dating back to 2024, and was sentenced as follows: 

• Assault a boy under 13 by touching [four years concurrent]
• Make indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child [eight months concurrent]
• Distribute an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child [eight months concurrent]

He was handed a 15-year sexual harm prevention order along with a five-year restraining order. He will be placed on the sex offender register for life.  

Thanks to fast-moving intelligence provided by NCA colleagues, we were alerted to some disturbing content appearing on a web chat.

Booth was swiftly arrested at a location in Market Rasen on suspicion of making and distributing indecent images. A download of his phone subsequently identified multiple offences.  

A search of his house uncovered a pair of distinctive trousers which also helped identify him as the perpetrator in one of the disturbing images discovered on downloads from his phone.

The officer leading this investigation, Detective Constable Kye Sykes said:

This has been a deeply troubling investigation. The offences uncovered represent a profound abuse of trust and a calculated exploitation of vulnerability. It is particularly disturbing to confront the reality that someone in a position of responsibility could manipulate and harm those who should have been safe in their presence. 

Throughout this case, our thoughts have remained firmly with the victims and their family. The impact of such offences extends far beyond the immediate criminal acts; it leaves lasting emotional and psychological harm for all associated with the case. I want to commend their courage in supporting the investigation and engaging with the process despite the immense sensitivity and difficulty. 

I would also like to recognise the outstanding work and ongoing collaboration between our partner agencies. Safeguarding vulnerable individuals requires a coordinated and determined response, and this case demonstrates the strength of that partnership. From frontline officers to specialist investigators, and from child protection services to digital forensic experts, every contribution has been vital in securing this conviction and preventing further harm. 

Let me be clear: individuals who prey on the vulnerable and seek to exploit their position for such warped and criminal purposes will be relentlessly pursued. We will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to identify, disrupt, and bring to justice those who pose a risk to our communities. Protecting the public - particularly children and vulnerable people - remains our absolute priority.

Description

A ‘manipulative and devious’ man who sexually assaulted a child on multiple occasions has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Kevin Rawlings formerly of High Street, Spalding, appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on Tuesday, 23 July after being found guilty of 11 charges at an earlier hearing in May.

The 58-year-old had denied three counts of sexual assault and eight charges of failure to comply with a sex offenders notification but was judged responsible for the offences by a jury.

The crimes date back to a number of incidents in 2021 and saw Rawlings breach restrictions placed on him for previous sexual offences.

Rawlings had been remanded in custody following his conviction until yesterday where he appeared before court officials to receive his sentence.

He was jailed for eight years and, after serving his sentence, could be recalled to prison again if he offends within four years of release.

On sentencing, the judge referred to Rawlings as manipulative and devious.

The result concludes a lengthy investigation spanning multiple years and finally brings Rawlings to justice for his crimes.

Multiple agencies worked together, as well as a number of officers within Lincolnshire Police to piece together the evidence.

DC Sarah Oliver of Lincolnshire Police said:

“Rawlings showed total disregard for the victim at the centre of this case and should be ashamed of his actions.

“His behaviour is unacceptable on every level and there is no place for it in our county or society at large. He will rightfully spend a long time in prison.

“I am proud of the bravery and maturity the victim has shown in standing up and speaking – this has significantly impacted their childhood. But I’d like to thank them for remaining steadfast in the investigation and it is thanks to their courage that he is in prison.

“I know this isn’t the end for them, but I hope this sentence does in some way, help them move forward.

“And finally, I want to thank all those involved in the investigation who came together to ensure Rawlings was brought to justice and made to answer for his crimes.

“It was a complex case that required a broad variety of skills and expertise to bring to conclusion.”

Description

A convicted sex offender has been jailed again after breaching a strict court order.

Lewis Garraway, 28, flouted a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) by having contact with children, including some time unsupervised, without telling police.

The order was imposed on him in 2018 following a sexual offence with a girl and a two-week custodial sentence in a young offenders institution.

He breached the notification requirements of the order and was jailed for 18 months in October 2021.

Then, in 2024, Garraway met a woman in her early 20s through a dating app.

In October that year, he met her in person for the first time and stayed at her family home in the Littleport area, where two children also lived.

He failed to notify police of this contact, as required under the terms of his SHPO.

During his stay, he took one of the children to a park to play rugby without supervision, again breaching the order.

Garraway lied to his girlfriend that he was between properties, had lost the key to his home and had nowhere to live.

However, a family member grew suspicious and confronted Garraway after finding out about his previous offences.

The family member contacted police and on Friday, 12 June, at Cambridge Crown Court, Garraway, of Seagate Terrace, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire, was sentenced to one year and six months in prison after admitting breaching a SHPO and two counts of failing to comply with the Sex Offenders Register.

Investigating officer DC Claire Cummings said:

“Garraway showed a complete disregard for the restrictions placed on him to protect others, particularly children.

“Sexual harm prevention orders and notification requirements are there to manage risk and safeguard the public. Breaching them is a serious offence, and we will take robust action against anyone who fails to comply.

“I would encourage anyone who has concerns about someone’s behaviour, particularly where children may be at risk, to report it to us so we can take action.”

Description

A man has been jailed after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences against two girls, following investigations into crimes committed decades apart.

Stuart Wright, 72, of Broad Lane, Moulton, Spalding, was found guilty of sexual offences at a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday, 27 April.  

On Thursday, 21 May, the 72-year-old, who had denied the allegations made by the two girls, was sentenced to 11 years in prison and issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The court heard that the offending spanned more than 20 years. The first victim reported assaults that happened between 2017 and 2020. It was when the second victim became aware of the first survivor coming forward to police, that she took the brave step to come forward herself, reporting offences dating back nearly 30 years, between 1997 and 2000. The victims were both children when the offences took place and were unknown to one another.

Detectives carried out a thorough investigation, gathering evidence relating to both survivors' accounts, despite a significant passage of time since some the offences were committed.

Throughout the investigation and court process, both women were supported by Specialist Sexual Violence Advisers, who played a crucial role in supporting them throughout the investigative process, post-charge, and throughout the trial.

Detective Sergeant Katherine Brennan, who led the investigation throughout the court process, said:

"Some of these offences took place many years ago, and the sentencing proves that it is never too late to get justice.

"Crimes against children are some of the most emotive crimes that detectives will investigate, and I want to thank the various detectives and police staff who have worked on this case since the initial report to Police for their contribution in bringing this offender to justice.  

"The survivors showed immense strength and courage in coming forward and speaking to police about what they endured, and this bravery cannot be overstated. I hope that the sentence handed down by the court today provides them with a sense of justice.

"I would also like to recognise the invaluable work of the Specialist Sexual Violence advisers, who have provided ongoing, dedicated support and helped ensure the victims felt listened to and supported throughout this lengthy investigation."

Description

A paedophile who sexually touched a young girl has been jailed.

Edwin Timewell, 58, assaulted the girl at a house in Peterborough at about 10am on 21 December 2024.

The girl alerted her parents and police were called.

Timewell admitted to officers he had touched the girl and said he didn’t know what he was doing.

On Wednesday (29 April), at Cambridge Crown Court, Timewell, of Essex Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire, was jailed for two years, having pleaded guilty to assaulting a girl under 13 by touching.

He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register until January 2036 and handed sexual harm prevention and restraining orders until April 2036.

Detective Sergeant Steph Parker said:

“Timewell claimed he didn’t know what he was doing in that moment but offences like this can have huge impacts on victims and their families and that is reflected in the sentence given by the court.”

Description

An Uber Eats delivery driver who returned to a customer's address in Boston and raped her after a delivery has been jailed.

Jitendrakumar Prajapati, 47, of Castle Square, Wyberton West Road, Boston, appeared before Lincoln Crown Court on 27 March. He was sentenced to a five-year custodial sentence, reduced to three years and eight months after pleading guilty to rape. He was also sentenced concurrently for 18 months for sexual assault and served a deportation order.

The court heard how that Prajapati’s vulnerable victim had used the delivery service just after lunchtime on 19 January. He struck up conversation with her, stating that he’d just moved to the area and didn’t know anyone, that he needed help getting a visa and help to work. He asked for the victim’s Instagram account details, and they swapped phone numbers, playing on the good nature of the victim - to be able to keep in touch about helping him with his visa application.

He returned to the property at around 5pm the same day where they engaged in general conversation for a while before things took a sinister turn and he raped his victim.

After leaving the property, he sent a message to his victim saying, “Hey I am sorry”.  He then changed his WhatsApp username and enabled ‘disappearing chat after 24 hours’. More messages were exchanged where the victim accused him of raping her. His responses were apologetic and begging her not to tell.

Thanks to the courage of this young woman, police were notified, and swift investigative work identified the vehicle that he had used to make the initial delivery, which was traced to Prajapati. He was swiftly in custody by around 9pm, having been arrested on suspicion of rape and non-fatal strangulation, a charge which was later dropped at court.

The detective investigating this case, Detective Constable Jessica McKiernan, said:

“Bringing this offender to justice was made possible by the extraordinary courage shown by the victim in coming forward at the earliest opportunity. Her trust in us allowed our officers to begin swift and focused inquiries, which led to the suspect being located within hours. Her bravery has been vital in ensuring he is now held to account. We hope this outcome offers her some sense of reassurance as she moves forward on her own terms.”

Description

A man has been jailed for more than two decades after sexually abusing three pre-teen girls.

The abuse, which started as far back as the late 1990s, was reported to police in 2023 and Paul Wood was arrested.

The 60-year-old was subsequently charged and remanded.

He denied committing 17 sexual offences against three victims and the case was sent to trial.

On 10 March, he was found guilty of all charges by a jury:

• x5 counts of rape of a girl under 13
• x10 counts of assault by touching a girl under 13
• x1 count of sexual assault
• x1 count of attempt rape of girl under 13

Wood, of Wendover Rise, Cleethorpes, Lincs. was sentenced that same day.

A judge ordered him to serve a 21-year prison term and handed Wood an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Natalie Jones, officer in the case, said:

“The victims in the case have shown great courage from the outset of this investigation, and I’d like to thank them for coming forward and reporting Wood’s abuse.

“Disclosing abuse is never easy and we know that many people keep it a secret for a long time before feeling able to talk about it or report it.

“This case is testament to the fact that no matter when sexual abuse happened, we will investigate it and seek justice.

“Wood is a dangerous paedophile who belongs behind bars.

“I hope that the three young women in this case can now seek to move forward with their lives, knowing that Wood has been held publicly accountable for what he did to them.”

Description

A Boston man has been jailed for raping a girl under the age of 13.

George Cordell, 32, of Boston was sentenced to 12 years and six months following his appearance at Lincoln Crown Court today (16 March).

Cordell will serve an extra four years on licence, will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register and will also be given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).  He also has a restraining order against him. 

Cordell was convicted of two counts of raping a girl under 13, two counts of assault by penetration of a girl under 13, and two counts of sexual touching of a girl under 13.

The offences happened in the Boston area between August 2024 and September 2025.  

The 32-year-old was arrested in September 2025 and was charged on 11 November. Cordell also pleaded guilty to all charges during a hearing on 22 December and was remanded into custody until his next court appearance.

Detective Constable Sabooha Richeux, who led the investigation, said:

“We’d like to thank the victim for her bravery throughout the difficult steps of what was a highly emotional and sensitive case. Her strength and courage made such an impact to our investigation, which meant that we were able to secure an arrest, a charge and ultimately convict the man responsible for the crime.”

Description

A judge has called for an investigation after a convicted rapist attacked a woman while absconding from prison day release for a second time.

Neil Trennan, 61, received his third life sentence for assaulting a student during unsupervised day release from HMP North Sea Camp in Lincolnshire last year.

Trennan was first jailed for life in 1991 for breaking into a woman’s home in Sheffield, hitting her with a dumbbell, and raping her while unconscious.

He received a second life sentence in 2002 after escaping a “distracted” prison officer on day release in Norwich and hitting a woman with a brick in a public toilet.

Sheffield Crown Court heard that Trennan had confessed to parole boards of being aroused by violence and enjoying “violent, non-consensual sex.”

In July last year, on day release from Lincolnshire, he traveled to Sheffield, followed a student into her home, and attacked her with a knife. She knocked the knife away and locked herself in the bathroom.

The judge said that if she had not fought him off, Trennan would have subjected her to a violent rape.

On Wednesday, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, Recorder of Sheffield, imposed a third life sentence with a minimum of 10 years, stating it would likely never be safe to release him.

Judge Richardson called it “very unwise” to allow unsupervised release “given what was known about (him),” adding he had “been given no adequate explanation for the decision” and would send his remarks to the Lord Chancellor, who “may demand one.”

He said: “This is an appalling case of history repeating itself and of insufficient heed being taken of that history when you were placed in open prison conditions.

“That must never happen again. As I have stated you pose immense and enduring dangers to women of acute violence and associated sexual depravity.

“No woman is safe whilst ever you remain at large.”

Description

A ‘perverted criminal’ who admitted sexually abusing a young girl for his own sexual gratification has been sentenced to ten years and six months behind bars, placed on the sex offenders register for life and handed a 20 year sexual harm prevention order following an appearance at Grimsby Crown Court today (Friday, 20 February 2026)

Peter Coope, 39-years-old of Station Road in Healing pleaded guilty to inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration, rape of a girl under 13 and assault a girl under 13 by touching, at an appearance at Grimsby Crown Court on Monday, 17 November 2025.

Coope’s crimes first came to officers’ attention through a third-party report at Grimsby Police Station after a young girl had disclosed the abuse that he had subjected her to.

Officers attended Coope’s home address, and he was arrested the same day (Monday, 21 April 2025).

An investigation was launched, and Coope initially denied all the allegations, telling the detectives that the girl was lying and that she must be making this up as she is ‘troubled’. He has since pleaded guilty at court to all four offences at court.

Detective Constable Liam Greenwood who led the investigation said:

“Coope is a perverted criminal who sexually abused a young girl, before telling her not to tell anyone about his atrocious actions.

“Thankfully she told a trusted adult, and I’d like to commend her for the bravery that she has shown both in that moment and throughout the investigation and the court process. Thanks to her this dangerous man is now behind bars and off our streets.

“I hope that today’s conviction reassures anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence that we will listen to you and we will support you.”