Latest Offenders London

Description

Police are appealing for more than 50 more victims to come forward after one of the country's most prolific sex offenders was found guilty of drugging and raping 10 women.

Chinese PhD student Zhenhao Zou, 28, filmed nine of the attacks as "souvenirs", and kept a trophy box of women's belongings, Inner London Crown Court was told.

Warning: This article contains details of sexual offences

Jurors found him guilty of 11 counts of rape against 10 women, three in London and seven in China, between 2019 and 2023. Two of the victims have been identified and another eight have yet to be traced.

The Metropolitan Police believe Zou could be the "most substantial and prolific offender we've come across in recent times", responsible for many more crimes.

Police believe more than 50 other women may have fallen prey to the engineering student, which would make him one of the worst sex offenders the UK has seen.

Officers have video material showing women who have not been identified and believe around 25 of those victims were raped in the UK and around 25 in China.

All of them are of Chinese heritage and an appeal is being launched for those women to come forward from that community.

The mechanical engineering student was also convicted of three counts of voyeurism, 10 of possession of an extreme pornographic image, one of false imprisonment and three of possession of a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offence, namely butanediol.

He was cleared of two further counts of possession of an extreme pornographic image and one of possession of MDMA with intent to commit a sexual offence, and four counts of possession of drugs with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Zou - who first moved to Belfast in 2017 to study mechanical engineering at Queen's University before moving to London in 2019 - showed no visible reaction as the verdicts were read out in court.

Catherine Farrelly KC, prosecuting, told jurors Zou "presents as a smart and charming young man" but is "also a persistent sexual predator; a voyeur and a rapist".

Zou, who also used the name Pakho online, befriended fellow Chinese students on WeChat and dating apps, before inviting them for drinks and drugging them at his flats in London or an unknown location in China, the court heard.

The jury heard how he would secretly film his attacks using a mobile device and hidden cameras, and was shown evidence found on SD cards at his accommodation of him raping unconscious women in London and in China.

Senior Crown Prosecution Service prosecutor Saira Pike thanked the "incredibly strong and brave" women who came forward to report his "heinous" crimes.

"Zou is a serial rapist and a danger to women," she said.

"In some instances, we have not been able to identify Zou's victims. Without knowing who these women are, we have not been able to support them through a deeply distressing period of time.

"We have always been determined to seek justice for both the unidentified and identified victims in this case."

Description

A Met Police special constable groped a “distraught” 14-year-old schoolgirl in the queue at Tesco.

Hassnain Shahzad, 27, of Ilford Lane in Ilford, then went on to sexually assaulted the schoolgirl a second time as she left the store with her mum.

Despite being convicted of two sexual assaults on the young girl, Shahzad left Inner London Crown Court a free man on Thursday (February 28) after he was given a suspended sentence.

Shahzad was a special constable in the Met's East Basic Command Unit, which covers Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge.

The incident took place at a Bishopsgate store at 10.48pm on August 25, 2023.

Shahzad was queuing up behind the girl and her mum when he passed the victim, touching her bottom.

As it was crowded the victim didn’t realise at first that his actions had been intentional, but she made a mental note of the fact he was carrying pineapple chunks.

When she left the store with her mum Shahzad was caught on CCTV approaching the young girl again on the pavement and touching her again.

The footage clearly showed he was able to avoid the victim but police said he “made a beeline for her”.

The girl bravely alerted her mum about what had happened in the street and in Tesco.

The girl’s mum said: “She was distraught and just wanted to go back home rather than the hotel. At this stage two young women approached us to see what had happened.

“They implored us to go back to the store and see how they could help us. I never got their names but I’m extremely grateful to them for taking the time to talk to us and suggesting we went back to Tesco and see the CCTV.”

She praised her daughter for mentioning the assault and not backing down during the difficult legal process.

She said: “At no point did she say ‘I don’t want to do this’, or withdraw from the prosecution.

“It was a stressful time for her as she had her exams which she completed and never asked for extra help. She doesn’t see it as brave, but I am in admiration of my child.

“Even now, months later, my daughter remains a beacon of kindness and understanding towards others, despite the fear that shadows her every step.

“It's heartbreaking to watch. I’ve seen the way her body tenses, the subtle shift in her expression when she sees men approaching or staring at her. There’s a fear in her eyes that no child should have to experience.”

The mum continued: “Despite this, she continues to show compassion to everyone around her, trying to push through the overwhelming anxiety that clutches at her heart.

“It’s a daily struggle that no one should have to endure, and yet she faces it with such quiet strength. But I can't help but feel the weight of what she's going through and how much more we need to do to protect her, to help her feel safe again.

“That day would mark the tragic end of her innocence, snatching away her right to view the world through the innocent eyes of a child.

“Before the assault, she was a carefree spirit, always bubbling with laughter and playful. She radiated a kind of unfettered happiness that was contagious, relishing the company of her family without a care in the world.

“We’ll never know now what her life would have been like without Shahzad’s actions. I find myself seeking her permission for even the simplest gestures of affection, like a hug. The days of spontaneous affection are gone, replaced by a painful necessity to ask, a stark reminder of the trust that was shattered.”

After being told by the victim that her attacker had bought pineapple chunks, Shahzad was identified by City of London Police on CCTV and via his bank details.

He was arrested at home a month later and a number of items were seized, including clothing identical to that shown on CCTV.

Officers also found video footage on his phone from two days after this sexual assault, showing him filming women on the street without their permission.

Despite the mounting evidence, Shahzad denied the charges and the case went to trial.

The girl’s mum said: “It was an act of cruelty that despite the clear CCTV footage and bank records confirming Shahzad had bought pineapple chunks he still pleaded not guilty. He has shown no moral compass or remorse.

“He’s only sorry he was caught. He was clearly aware of the age of his victim and putting her through the court process that most adults find hard to deal with. We had to listen to his defence suggest that it was a touch you might experience on a busy train. This was not a busy train, this was a wide pavement and he had followed us to continue his attack.”

Shahzad was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

He’s been ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and will be on the sex offenders register for seven years.

(Image: City of London Police) The girl’s mum hopes that by speaking out about the attack, victims of similar abuse might come forward.

She said: “My daughter and I hope that by going into detail about the pain and suffering this has caused us, it will empower more children and women to come forward and shout loudly about the abuse they have endured.

“Protecting children and women from harm is not an awareness day or week, it is an everyday challenge that all in society need to face up to. There needs to be more accountability for men who denigrate women and our schools need to be regularly talking about the dangers children and women face on the streets.

“We’re not speaking for ourselves, but for others who can’t speak out due to the trauma they have endured, or because they have disabilities. Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual assault deserves to be believed, support and given a voice.”

She also praised City of London Police’s Detective Constable Sarah Elsom for her support.

She said: “I reported the crime online the following morning and within 20 minutes someone from the City of London Police called me which I thought was very quick.

“At no stage did I doubt their intentions to support my daughter and fully investigate the case.

“I think it was divine intervention that Sarah was assigned to our case. The dedication of Sarah and her team to pursue Shahzad was remarkable. They did not stop until he was found, arrested and brought to justice.”

Description

A PAEDOPHILE who was on bail after he downloaded indecent images of children went on to groom a vulnerable girl and meet her in a field.

Steven Pearson, 44, had contacted the girl on an app called Roblox and travelled from London to meet her in the Manningtree area last October.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard on Friday how the girl had gone missing from her address after saying she was going to meet her teenage boyfriend.

Callum Munday, prosecuting, said the girl’s grandfather spotted her about an hour later and saw she was being followed by Pearson.

Pearson told officers at the scene he was “just exploring the countryside and saw a girl that needed help” when he had in fact been touching her sexually.

Mr Munday said: “Officers found Pearson was on police bail for other child sex offences – he was prevented from having unsupervised contact with children under the age of 18.”

When police examined Pearson’s devices, they found he had sent messages to an account which read: “Love you princess, have you had a good day at school?”

The girl told police Pearson had contacted her on the Roblox app before the two then communicated on the messaging app Discord and arranged to meet.

The court heard Pearson had also been engaged in sexual communication with a decoy account and that he believed he was talking to a 13-year-old girl and asked her to take pictures of herself at school.

Pearson, of Somerfield Road, Islington, London, admitted two charges of engaging in sexual communication with a child, and one charge each of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, sexual assault of a girl under 13, causing a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and meeting a girl under 16 years of age following grooming.

Jack Coyne, mitigating, said Pearson accepted he is sexually attracted to children and that he does not enjoy having become “a pariah”.

He said: “He’s got no friends, no family – nobody who wants to speak to him.

“A large part of that is due to his offending, no doubt. He is not seeking sympathy but those are the circumstances for him.”

Sentencing Pearson, Judge Mary Loram KC said the offending was aggravated by the fact he was on bail for previous sex offences.

She said: “There can be no doubt to how vulnerable she was to people like you, who would prey on her and manipulate those vulnerabilities to their own ends.

“You travelled some distance to meet with her – your intention was to have sex with her.”

Pearson was jailed for ten years, registered as a sex offender for life, and ordered to serve a 20-year sexual harm prevention order to stop him having contact with anyone under the age of 18.

Description

A 44-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of raping a teenage girl in Newton-le-Willows 14 years ago.

Sayed Miah, of Commercial Road, London, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today, Thursday 20 February, after a jury found him guilty of rape. 

Miah has also will be required to sign the Sex Offender Register for life.

In 2011, Miah was living in Newton-le-Willows when he raped a 15-year-old girl after she had been walking through an area known locally as “the dingle”. 

A thorough investigation was carried out at the time, but no one was ever brought to justice due to a lack of evidence.

In 2021, Miah was arrested in London for an unrelated offence and his DNA was taken. This resulted in a match for the rape in 2011 and Merseyside Police were able to arrest and charge him.

Detective Constable Alex Fowler said: “I hope this sentencing shows that time is no barrier when we investigate crimes and 14 years later, we have been able to prove Miah’s despicable actions on that day.

“This court result is only possible thanks to the bravery of the victim and also the sheer determination of Merseyside Police in getting her justice.

“Thankfully a jury found him guilty and he will now spend a considerable amount of time in prison.”

Detective Constable Fowler added: “Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and those who seek to do them harm.

Description

A man from London was sentenced on Friday 14 February to 12 years imprisonment and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, following an investigation into child sex offences in Portsmouth.

William Brown (48) of Beatrice Close in Hillingdon, London appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday for sentencing, following his conviction at the same court on Thursday 19 December 2024 where he pleaded guilty to:

• Rape of a boy under 13
• Two counts of cause/incite a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Two counts of assault a boy under 13 by touching
• Grooming

The Eastern Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT East) launched an investigation into Brown, after reports were received that he had groomed an 11 year-old boy Portsmouth in September 2023 and sexually abused a 7 year-old boy Port Solent in 2020.

Description

A man who groomed a young girl by giving her art supplies and taking her on day trips before raping her has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

John Angeli, 60, was found unanimously guilty of 12 charges including rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault on a child under the age of 13 following a trial at Luton Crown Court in December.

In addition, he also pleaded guilty to four counts of rape, voyeurism, and possession of indecent images of a child.

Over the course of several months, Angeli deliberately groomed the young girl in a Bedfordshire town giving her money, sweets and drinks to coerce her into believing they were in a relationship. He then raped and sexually assaulted her, filming some of the abuse.

At court Judge Allison Hunter highlighted the level of grooming Angeli went to, he said: “You set about grooming her from the outset so that she believed she was having a loving relationship that you persuaded her was completely appropriate for her age.”

On Friday (3 January), Angeli, of Steeplestone Close, London, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years.

He will be placed on licence for life and will be subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and restraining order.

Description

A 'twisted' English teacher who admitted receiving a sex act from a 16-year-old student in a cupboard at school after class was spared jail today.

David Howard, 47, wooed the teenager with a Valentine's Day card and a love letter declaring he was 'besotted' with his victim, who branded him a 'predator' today.

Howard joked that they could get caught by the cleaner when they secretly met in the cupboard at the end of the school day, Woolwich Crown Court was told.

He sent her cards, letters, mini-discs and books, including a paperback by notorious sexual libertine and sex criminal Marquis de Sade. They also met out of school and spent long periods speaking on the phone.

'I fear I have become besotted by you', he told her. 

The court heard that he was single, then aged 24, and in his first teaching job at Crown Woods School, Eltham - since renamed Leigh Stationers Academy. 

Howard, of Lewes, now married with a child, pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in sexual activity, while in a position of trust, in 2002.

He was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, plus thirty days of a Probation Service-ordered rehabilitation activity requirement and must sign the sex offenders register for seven years.

He was seen in the company of the girl, then 16 and still wearing her uniform, in the Blackheath area of south-east London.

She told the court she later reported him to the deputy headmaster and another teacher at the time, but nothing happened.

Prosecutor Matthew Dalton said the now 38-year-old victim first reported Howard - who quit teaching for the legal profession - in 2021 and gave a video-recorded statement to police on August 27 that year.

'I received a Valentine's Day card when I was sixteen years-old,' she told officers.

The card was posted to her family home and was followed by a hand-written A4 letter in which Howard wrote: 'I fear I have become besotted by you.'

'The author was her teacher, who also got on the same train as her when she travelled to school,' said Mr Dalton. 

'They also spent time together outside school.'

The victim told police she performed a sex act on him in a cupboard 'at the end of the corridor, on the top floor.'

She spent so long on the house phone with Howard her mother asked: 'Who are all these calls to,' and said: 'That's the big phone bill.'

She also once visited Howard's flat, but there is no suggestion any sexual activity took place there.

Over ten years later, in 2013 she sent him a letter saying she was now aware he 'groomed and abused' her, but Howard did not reply.

Judge Charlotte Welsh told Howard: 'You chose to use that girl to make you feel better, which was an extremely cruel thing to do. She was not equipped to deal with your sexual advances.

'It was highly selfish behaviour, a twisted immoral attempt at courtship that was criminal.

'I accept your remorse is genuine, but that is cold comfort to the victim. There is a genuine prospect of rehabilitation and I accept your understanding that what you did was so wrong.' 

The victim attended the hearing and read aloud her impact statement, a few metres from Howard. 

'Predators like him are able to identify vulnerable children like me,' she said.

'The grooming was so powerful that for a decade I was convinced it was a consenting relationship.

'What happened was a badly kept secret. The Deputy Head saw us together, I told another teacher and they did nothing, allowing him to continue to sexually abuse me.'

'I was anxious, agoraphobic, isolated and afraid and fearful in public,' she told the packed courtroom.

'I have nightmares of David Howard chasing and attacking me.

'I have been driven to pour boiling water on my wrists to reduce stress and moved to a home near a railway level crossing, with the intention of ending my life.

'I hope all the teachers feel one tenth of my guilt and shame for not reporting. He told me he was in a relationship with another pupil and I believe he abused others.'

Mr Dalton added: 'Howard was flirty with her in the classroom and she describes him as popular and as the "cool teacher" and he would have been twenty-four years-old at the time.

'She says that she had a crush on him and would lie to her parents about where she was when she was with Howard.'

The victim recalled the light-hearted way Howard dealt with the stock cupboard act. 'There was a joke about getting caught by the cleaner as it was the end of the school day.'

Howard's lawyer James Martin told the court his client is now seeing a counsellor, but Judge Welsh noted this only began when he was arrested.

'This was many, many years ago and you are passing sentence on someone who is a different human being,' said the lawyer.

'He is now married with a child and this was his first job and he was immature and teaching children not much younger than himself.

'He accepts it was morally unacceptable and was not aware it was criminal and does not accept that he groomed her.

'What took place in the cupboard was slightly before her exams and it was never a full sexual relationship, just that one off incident in the cupboard as distressing as that may be.

'There were very personal circumstances at the time that I would rather not get into in open court,' said Mr Martin. 'He has dealt with a substantial amount of residual guilt for what he has done.

'Some time ago he wrote a letter of remorse and apology to the victim and that letter is in the hands of the Crown Prosecution Service and available if she wants to read it.

'He will have to find a new career now and at his age that in itself is a significant punishment. He moved away from the teaching profession to engage in the world of law.'

Judge Welsh told first-time offender Howard: 'By its nature it was abusive at all times. You sent her a Valentine's Day card and told her you were besotted.

'You spent time together outside of the school, not even surreptitiously and others knew what was going on.

'It took her many years to understand that what you did to her was abuse and I cannot give justice as to how it has impacted her life.

'The people who should have stepped in to stop what was going on did nothing and she is still plainly suffering anxiety and clearly not managing it.

'You tell me you saw your involvement as a genuine relationship, but it was a warped view given that she was a schoolgirl and you were a schoolteacher.

'I am told you acknowledge this now and are disgusted by what you did then.'

The Judge ruled Howard's behaviour did not amount to grooming, adding: 'It must have been a stressful environment in a large London comprehensive and you had a crisis of confidence and mental health difficulties.

'You quit teaching as you were unable to cope'.

Description

Police are appealing for any possible victims who may not have contacted police to come forward after a man was convicted of child sex offences.

Mustafa Mehmet was found guilty of repeatedly raping a young girl after exploiting a relationship with her mother in Hackney.

Mehmet, 34, (14.02.90), of Malden Court, N4 was unanimously found guilty of rape of a child, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, causing a child to watch a sexual act and assault (ABH) on Friday, 6 December at Wood Green Crown Court.

He has been remanded in custody and sentencing will be at the same court on Friday, 31 January 2025.

The sexual assaults and abuse took place over a three-year period from the mid-2000s and started when the child was eight years old.

Detectives from Central East’s Child Abuse Investigation Team have been working to identify possible further victims of Mehmet and encourage anyone who has been a victim of Mehmet to come forward and report to the police.

Mehmet exploited his friendship with the victim’s mother, allowing him to gain access to the child to conduct a prolonged campaign of abuse and sexual assault.

An investigation was launched after the victim reported the offences in 2019, leading to Mehmet being charge in January 2024. Local officers supported the victim throughout the investigation and trial, acknowledging the bravery it took to make the first steps in reporting the crime in the first place.

Description

Two people have been jailed following an investigation into payments for child sexual abuse.

Detective Constable Matthew Cranston, from Central East Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: This has been a truly harrowing experience for the child and I am glad that both people involved have received appropriate prison sentences.

"We remain seriously concerned about the predatory nature of Ahmads offending in this case. If you recognise him and have a specific concern about his interaction with a child, please get in touch with us on 101, contact @MetCC on X, or make a report on the Mets website.

Ferdous Ahmad, 38 (05.12.86), of Queensbridge Road, Brixton, and the woman, from Devas Street, Tower Hamlets, were found guilty after a two-week trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday, 30 September.

Ahmad was convicted of:

• Two counts of sexual assault
• Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child
• Inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• Sexual communication with a child
• Two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity
• Inciting a child to engage in sexual activity

The woman was convicted of:

• Two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity
• Inciting a child to engage in sexual activity

We will not be confirming the womans identity so as to avoid identification of the child victim.

They were sentenced at the same court on Monday, 16 December.

Ahmad was sentenced to 12 years in prison and issued with a Sexual harm Prevention Order and Restraining Order.

The woman was sentenced to five years in prison.

Description

A man has been jailed after being found guilty of the rape and manslaughter of Natalie Patricia Shotter in Southall.

Mohammed Noor Iidow, 35 (17.02.89) of St Paul’s Close, Hounslow appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday, 13 December where he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of ten years and eight months.

The sentencing concludes an extensive investigation by the Met Police.

Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, from Specialist Crime South said: “No sentence can reverse the pain that Natalie’s family have had to endure over the past few years. I commend the determination, strength and dignity they have shown.

“Iidow’s offences are shocking and difficult to comprehend. This man drove to the park that night and took advantage of a women, who then died as a result of his actions.

“Those involved in the investigation were committed throughout to prove that Natalie’s death was caused by being raped. This was a complex and challenging investigation, however Iidow will now be spending a significant amount of time behind bars.”

The investigation was launched on Saturday, 17 July 2021, after Natalie was located by a member of the public, unresponsive on a bench in Southall Park at around 05:42hrs. She was sadly declared dead at the scene.

When reviewing CCTV footage from the night of the attack, detectives discovered Iidow walking past Natalie multiple times before approaching her and raping her repeatedly. He then left her on the bench and drove home. He was arrested at his home in Hounslow on 4 August 2021.

Iidow was charged on 21 December 2023 with manslaughter and rape and following a three-week trial at the Old Bailey, he was found guilty of both counts on Friday, 18 October 2024.

Description

A Beckenham predator robbed a woman’s phone then used it to lure her into a secluded area where he raped her. 

Hussein Roble, 26, targeted a lone woman who was visibly drunk as she left the Earl of Chatham pub in Woolwich on November 18 last year. 

Over the course of just over an hour he sexually assaulted, robbed, strangled and raped the woman. 

First he led her to an underground car park where he partially undressed and sexually assaulted her, prosecutor Michael Hillman said.

When she walked off he caught up with her, grabbed her by the throat and snatched her phone. 

The victim chased him and pleaded for her phone back, at which point Roble scaled a fence and opened the door to the communal stairwell of a block of flats. 

Mr Hillman said: “He then told the victim she couldn’t have her phone back or leave unless she did what he wanted.” 

After he raped her Roble returned the woman’s phone at which point she ran home and phoned the police. 

Roble has a long history of violence including convictions for class A drug dealing and domestic violence. 

In 2015 he was charged with but cleared of the murder of Ahmed Ahmed in Plumstead. 

Officers were therefore able to match hand prints he left in the stairwell to Roble and he was arrested in April. 

Roble initially denied any wrongdoing but later pleaded guilty to rape, sexual assault and robbery. 

At Woolwich Crown Court on Monday (September 30) George Wills, defending Roble, said he is “genuinely remorseful” and has an awareness of his need to change. 

While a report by an experienced probation officer said Roble has gang affiliations, Mr Wills said his client is categorically not a gang member.

Sentencing Roble, Judge David Miller said: “It was a sustained incident in which you saw and, in my judgement, targeted an obviously vulnerable lone woman. 

“She was clearly intoxicated and she was on her own in the semi-deserted streets of Woolwich in the early hours of the morning."

Judge Miller said Roble is “undoubtedly” a dangerous offender who poses a risk to women. 

He therefore passed an extended sentence, meaning he must serve at least two-thirds of his term in custody, rather than half. 

The sentence will be made up of a nine-year prison sentence and an extended seven-year licence period. 

Roble, of Beckenham Road in Beckenham, will also be required to sign the sex offenders register for life. 

Description

A “prolific” and “historic” child abuser from London has been jailed.

“Shocking” sexual abuse by Christopher George Pearce began in Hammersmith back in 1984.

His two victims were aged five and seven at the time.

Pearce’s crimes continued until 1988 when he sexually abused another two children in Chelsea who were ages six and seven.

Police began investigating Pearce in March 2020 after he was caught trying to groom who he believed was a child online.

Once his arrest was posted online, two of his victims came forward and evidence was found dating back as far as 1988.

Pearce, of Cale Street, Chelsea, was sentenced to 16 years in prison by Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, September 27.

Detective Superintendent Tony Larkin for the Metropolitan Police, who led the investigation said: “I want to thank the victims for coming forward, speaking to and working with officers through a long and complex investigation.

I hope the bravery and willingness of the victims serves as an inspiration to those who may otherwise fear reporting this kind of abhorrent abuse.

“I am in no doubt that since 1984 Pearce has been an incredibly dangerous child sex offender and is now no longer free to commit offences against children.

“The officers in this case showed true determination in securing justice for all the victims - they are a credit to the Met.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse – no matter how long ago – to please come forward to police. We assure you that you will be listened to and we will help you get support you so rightly deserve.”

Crimes of this nature can be reported online or on the telephone or in person to the police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Description

A predatory paedophile who planned sexual attacks on innocent children has been jailed.

Sean Wallace, 43, of Woodside Road, Wood Green, was sentenced to 14 years and six months in prison for arranging the rape of a child under 13 and distributing an indecent image of a child.

During an undercover operation in which a police officer posed online as a woman with access to a child, Wallace contacted the officer asking if he could sexually abuse the fictional child.

He sent sexual images of himself as well as indecent images of other children, Scotland Yard said.

During online chat and telephone calls Wallace spoke openly about his desire to abuse young girls and made arrangements to meet the woman in order that he could rape the child.

He was arrested at his home address after he failed to attend the planned meeting, stating that he was nervous and needed more time to build up trust with the woman before meeting her.

The examination of his mobile phone identified that Wallace was speaking online to numerous apparently underage girls.

He was charged on August 19, 2022 and held on remand until his sentencing at Wood Green Crown Court on September 19.

Detective Sergeant Robert Blant, whose team led the investigation, said: “Sean Wallace is a dangerous predatory offender, who preyed on innocent and vulnerable young children.

“My team worked around the clock to bring Wallace to justice by going through large amounts of disturbing digital evidence collated from his online activities and seized from his home.

"I’m pleased that as a result of great policing work, we have prevented a dangerous individual from continuing to offend and ruin the lives of children or young people.

“Our dedicated teams will continue to apply their expertise in investigating child sexual offences to safeguard children and young people across London.”

As part of the New Met for London plan, officers are working closely with third sector partners, including The Children’s Society to help young people, parents and carers spot the signs of sexual abuse and predatory behaviour online and offline.

Description

A ‘predator’ NHS doctor who pursued his ‘amorous intentions’ by sexually assaulting a cleaner in a hospital cupboard has avoided a prison sentence.

Chiemedo Ikpo has been described as a ‘predator’ who took advantage of a female cleaner at St Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight after sexually assaulting her in a cupboard. The court heard how Ikpo squeezed his victim’s bottom for six seconds while she was in the cleaning cupboard and the incident has resulted in the victim being ‘an absolute mess at work’.

Ikpo, 50, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court where he was handed community service after being found guilty of sexual assault following the incident at the hospital. Portsmouth Crown Court heard the doctor was initially suspended but was then allowed to work under supervision - including in gynaecology - while waiting for his trial. He was dismissed by the hospital after his conviction in June this year, more than four years after the incident.

A statement from the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was read to the court by prosecutor Andrew Houston.

She said: “I can’t stop looking over my shoulder at work to make sure there’s no one behind me.

“I have been an absolute mess at work, crying all the time.

“It took me a while to feel safe in [the] cleaning cupboard.

“There’s been no support from the hospital. There’s been more support for Mr Ikpo than there has been for me.”

Hannah Hurley, defending, said that the incident was ‘out of character’ for Ikpo and that he denied that there was 'any sexual element' to the incident. She urged the judge not to send him to prison and she said that ‘this has impacted his mental health’.

His Honour Judge William Ashworth said that Ikpo's role as a doctor was 'a position in which a lot of respect and trust is placed' and that any sexual assault is a 'gross violation'.

He said there was an 'imbalance of power' where ‘the victim is left feeling she is “just a cleaner”’ because of the ‘wholly irresponsible’ way in which Ikpo decided to pursue his ‘own amorous intentions with her.’

He added: "No one is just a cleaner. We are all humans. We are all equal."

Ikpo, who is now based in Orpington, Greater London, was handed given a community order of 24 months, including 100 hours of unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He will also be required to pay £2500 in costs and he will be registered as a sex offender.

Description

Disgraced BBC News presenter Huw Edwards has been given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after he admitted charges of making indecent images of children.

The court heard that among a number of WhatsApp exchanges with a man later convicted of sex offences, Edwards was offered “naughty” images of somebody described as "yng (sic)", to which he replied "go on".

He will be placed on the sex offenders' register for seven years.

In July, the former newsreader admitted having 41 images, which were sent to him on WhatsApp – including some showing a victim aged between seven and nine.

During his sentencing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court he was also told to attend a sex offender treatment programme.

Edwards was sent images by a 25-year-old convicted sex offender called Alex Williams.

The court heard that in another exchange with Williams, Edwards replied "yes" followed by three 'X's when asked whether he wanted sexual images of a person whose "age could be discerned as being between 14 and 16".

He responded to Williams with: "Amazing". The court heard he was also sent a link with more images, then discussed buying Williams a Christmas present.

Two months later, after yet another exchange, Edwards told Williams: "Don't send anything underage", however this was not the last contact Edwards had with Williams.

The judge sentencing him remarked that the former broadcaster's "long-earned reputation" was "in tatters".

A BBC spokesperson said the corporation was "appalled" by Edwards' crimes.

"He has betrayed not just the BBC, but audiences who put their trust in him.”

Edwards pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. Under the law, images can mean photos or clips.

The chief magistrate, District Judge Paul Goldspring, accepted Edwards’ submission that he did not make or create the images in the conventional sense, and instead met the legal definition of doing so by opening them on WhatsApp.

The court previously heard that Edwards sent hundreds of pounds to Williams after he sent him pornographic images.

While most of the images were of adult men, a significant proportion of the images were of children.

Of the 377 images, 41 were indecent images, which means they were underage.

The court heard that the Category A images Edwards was in possession of were mostly children aged 13-15.

One child was aged between seven and nine.

The offences were committed between December 2020 and August 2021.

Williams first contacted Edwards in 2018 via Instagram, and has since been convicted and sentenced for distribution and possession of indecent images of children – and it was during that investigation that Edwards’ involvement was revealed, the court heard.

Throughout the hearing, Edwards sat leaning forward, his hands clasped in front of his mouth, elbows propped on his thighs.

Summing up the case, the judge said there was no evidence that Edwards did anything further with the images he received from Williams.

The court heard Edwards had not directly paid for the images, but that there was a clear inference that Williams would request gifts and presents after sending them, and that Edwards had sent money, described by the prosecution as amounting to around £1,000 to £1,500.

Edwards had told Williams not to send images of people who were underage, but only at a later stage, the judge said, adding “this is not a case where, despite protestation not to, nonetheless the images were still sent”.

But the judge found Edwards’ remorse was genuine, and he said the former broadcaster’s decision-making at the time of the offences may have been impaired by his mental health difficulties.

He said Edwards did not pose a risk to the public or children, and an immediate custodial sentence was not necessary because the evidence showed he could be rehabilitated.

The appropriate sentence would be 12 months for the most severe abuse images, the judge said, but, taking into account the mitigation and early guilty plea, he said the sentence would be six months suspended for two years.

It means Edwards will not go to jail unless he commits another offence within the sentence period.

The magistrate also read from a pre-sentence report to highlight the impact such offences have on the victims.

It described how distributing child abuse images “perpetuates a cycle of abuse” and can lead to ongoing traumatisation of victims, impacting them throughout their lives and potentially making them vulnerable to further sexual abuse.

Edwards was found to have seven category A images - the most serious classification.

He also had 12 category B pictures, and 22 photographs in category C, the least serious classification.

The category B and C pictures showed children aged between 12 to 15.

Reacting to the sentencing, the prime minister said he was "shocked and appalled" by the case.

Until last year, Edwards was one of the main presenters on BBC One's News at Ten and often fronted coverage of major national events.

He was the BBC's highest-paid journalist, receiving between £475,000 and £479,999 between April 2023 and April 2024.

The BBC has asked him to return the £200,000 he earned between his arrest last November and his resignation this April.

The BBC's director general said last week that "discussions are under way" about the possibility of clawing back the money.