Latest Offenders London

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Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been jailed for sexual and violent offences in Reading.

Jahmel Flemming, aged 28, of Eldon Park, London, was sentenced to thirteen and a half years in prison at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday (30/9).

He was found guilty by the jury of:

• Three counts of actual bodily harm
• Two counts of rape
• One count of sexual assault
• One count of sexual assault by penetration
• One count of assault
• He pleaded guilty to one count of common assault.

He was found not guilty of one count of intentional strangulation.

On 13 December 2024, Flemming subjected the victim, a woman, to a relentless series of serious physical assaults, both in public and in private. This included pulling her hair and punching her repeatedly, leaving her with a fractured cheekbone, and severe swelling and bruising to her face and body.

Then inside a property, Flemming sexually assaulted and raped the victim, whilst using physical violence against her.

Flemming was arrested on the same day as the offences and charged the next day.

Further charges were made by postal requisition on 28 January this year.

Investigating officer, Detective constable Becky Edey said:

“Jahmel Flemming is a violent individual whose actions are inexcusable. His prolonged and vicious assault showed no regard for the victim, leaving her with significant injuries.

“Thanks to the victim’s courage, Flemming has now been held accountable and will no longer pose a threat to others.

“I would like to take this opportunity to commend the incredible bravery shown by the victim in this case. Her strength has not only led to justice being served but has also helped prevent further harm to others, and we are truly grateful. I hope this outcome provides her with some closure and allows her to begin moving forward with her life.”

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"You will have to face the consequences for your actions, as I have been doing for all these years."

A man has been jailed for a total of 11 years after being was found guilty by a jury on 22 August 2025 of three counts of rape in York, and a further count of rape and one account of sexual assault in the London area.

Kieran Mullen, 34 from Dace Road in London, appeared at Wood Green Crown Court, London, for sentencing on Friday 3 October.

The court heard that Mullen raped the first victim in York in 2013 and the second in London in 2020.

The North Yorkshire victim bravely read out her victim personal statement in court, she said:

"Before I met you, I always saw the good in people and I trusted others easily.

"That changed the night you raped me.

"You wrought such dehumanising violence on my body. You violated me in a way that's difficult to verbalise.

I won't ever forget the way you made me feel that night, like a worthless object for you to use however you wanted.

"I should have been able to grow into womanhood and discover who I wanted to be, but you decimated my sense of self-worth and self-confidence at a pivotal time in my life. I felt worthless and used for years afterwards.

"Now, standing here after so long and knowing that I am finally believed, that every juror heard me and recognised the truth, and that you will finally face justice, has changed how I feel. I have spent years feeling intimidated by you, scared of you, since the rape. But I have been heard and believed and feel validated, the scales have shifted and now I have some power back too. You will have to face the consequences for your actions, as I have been doing for all these years."

Detective Constable Charis Meredith, the investigating officer for the York offences, said:

"These convictions, and this result, are a testament to the strength of the women involved and their support networks around them who enabled them to proceed with this case. It hasn't just meant securing justice and closure for themselves, but I hope it gives confidence to other victims to come forward, knowing that they will be listened to and the police and wider criminal justice system will do everything they can to get justice for them.

"For any other victims, no matter when it took place, please come forward to the police - it's never too late."

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A man who evaded justice for 14 years has been jailed thanks to a major forensic breakthrough and the perseverance of a specialist police department.

Donatas Venclovas was sentenced to more than seven years in prison at Leicester Crown Court today (Friday 3 October) after admitting a series of sexual offences.

In 2011 three women were attacked in Leicester by the same man – all within the space of around an hour.

The final assault left crucial DNA evidence, but the-now 34-year-old of Craven Gardens, Ilford, wasn’t identified until a breakthrough in February this year linked him to the unsolved crimes.

The 2011 investigation

On Saturday 8 January 2011, police received a report of an attempted rape in The Rally park in Tudor Road, involving a-then 57-year-old woman.

Around 8.50am, the victim was pushed to the ground after she witnessed the suspect with his hands down his trousers. 

He attempted to remove her clothing, but she fought back, biting his hand and screaming for help, which alerted a resident in a home close by and forced him to flee.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, detectives launched a large-scale investigation.

DNA recovered from the victim’s face and inside of her mouth provided a vital forensic profile of the offender, but it did not match anyone on the national police database at the time.

As part of investigative enquiries, police issued a witness appeal together with a e-fit of the suspected perpetrator. Following this, a further two women came forward to report being indecently assaulted by a similarly described man on the same morning.

CCTV enquiries confirmed it was the same man and they had both occurred in the city centre, shortly before the attack in the park.

The first happened shortly before 7.40am in Rutland Street. The woman, who was 25 at the time, was grabbed from behind. One hand grabbed her around the neck and the other hand between her legs.

Minutes later, near to St Nicholas Circle, he exposed himself and sexually assaulted another woman – then aged 74 – by putting his hand up her skirt.

He fled after being disturbed by someone nearby and made his way to the park when the third incident took place.

Detectives undertook extensive enquiries at the time of the attacks – including reviewing hours of CCTV, public appeals, and house-to-house.

Statements were also taken from key witnesses but despite a thorough investigation the suspect wasn’t identified.

Hope for the investigation came the following year, in 2012, when the same DNA profile was uncovered on the fence of a property that was burgled in London.

The identity of the suspect remained unknown.

2025: case reopened

The breakthrough came in February 2025 when Donatas Venclovas was arrested in London on suspicion of assault.

A DNA sample taken in custody matched the profile from the 2011 attacks – giving detectives the evidence needed to reopen the case.

Leicestershire Police’s specialist rape and serious sexual assault investigation team immediately launched a renewed investigation.

Detectives meticulously reviewed all the historical evidence in an effort to build a compelling case against the defendant.

Due to the length of time passed, tracking down all three victims initially proved difficult.

The victim who was attacked in The Rally was the first to be found. The victim in the Rutland Street incident was also identified. Unfortunately, the victim who was 74 in 2011, had since passed away but detectives were able to trace her family to inform them of the development in the case.

Despite the difficulties, the officer in the case – Detective Constable Shannon Hughes – remained committed to securing justice for the women.

She said:

“For more than a decade the women in the case have had to live with knowing the man who attacked them had not been identified and could still be out there.

“The actions of one of the victims on that morning in 2011 has ultimately led to this case finally being solved but the case still required a full review of old material, as well as reconnecting with the victims and carrying out new enquiries to ensure the case was fit for trial in 2025.

“Luckily the victims have been spared any added trauma of having to relive what happened to them in court and hopefully today will put an end to what has been many years of living with unresolved pain.”

Venclovas was charged with one count of attempted rape and three counts of sexual assault. Faced with the overwhelming evidence he pleaded guilty to all four offences at the start of the trial in August.

He was sentenced to a total of seven years and two months. 

Detective Inspector Lorna Granville added:

“At the heart of this investigation are the three women who were assaulted that day 14 years ago. They have carried the burden of these crimes for years and it is their courage and determination that has helped bring Venclovas to justice. We recognise the immense impact these crimes have had on their lives, and I want to pay tribute to them for the strength they have shown throughout.

“I also want to commend the officers and staff from our Signal team – Leicestershire’s Police specialist rape investigation unit – specifically the work of DC Shannon Hughes, who with the team, has worked tirelessly over the past nine months to bring this case to court. Their persistence, professionalism, and absolute commitment to securing justice for victims has been outstanding.

“This case clearly highlights that justice can be achieved, no matter how much time has passed. Unsolved cases will always be reinvestigated should new evidence or information come to light.”

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A 22-year-old man from Tottenham has been given a 16-months prison sentence after sexually assaulting a women and masturbating on board a London Underground train.

Following a British Transport Police investigation, Rohan Uddin, of Bedford Road, Tottenham pled guilty on Wednesday 9 July 2025 to outraging public decency, sexual assault and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

He was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday 16 September and handed a 16 month prison sentence which, includes 12 months for outraging public decency, three months for sexual assault and two months for the two counts of assault emergency worker. He was ordered to pay £187 surcharge.

Uddin has also received a 10 year sexual harm prevention order which prohibits him from talking to or engaging with any women or girls not known to him when travelling on public transport, entering a station or travelling on transport while under the influence of any intoxicating liquor or substance, placing his hands inside clothing in order to touch his genitals while on board or at stations and from travelling without a valid ticket or payment for travelling.

The court heard how Uddin sexually assaulted a woman on an east bound Central Line train at Marble Arch station just after 9pm on Tuesday 29 April 2025.

Uddin chose to sit next to a lone passenger in a relatively empty tube carriage and began to masturbate as he sexually assaulted her.

The woman in her twenties moved away from Uddin, scared for her own safety. She was able to get an image of him which enabled police to identify Uddin and place a wanted marker on his name.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service stopped him for unrelated reasons in June and arrested him upon discovering he was wanted. He then assaulted the two officers, leading to him being further arrested.

Detective Constable Sexton-Thomas said:

"It is thanks to the brave woman reporting this horrific incident to staff and to officers that we have been able to get this vulgar and sickening individual off of the railway network.

"The sentence handed down and the long-lasting Sexual Harm Prevention Order should act as a warning to others that we take all reports of sexual offences and unwanted sexual behaviour seriously and we will always support and believe victims throughout the investigation."

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A registered sex offender has been convicted after breaching his court order and assaulting two young children in Norfolk.

Timothy Harris, aged 46, of Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, was today (Friday 26 September 2025) found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict following a four day trial at Norwich Crown Court of the following offences:

• Engaging in sexual activity in front of a child aged under 13
• Four counts of intentionally touching a child aged under 13
• Failing to comply with notification requirements

He was handed a 14 year custodial sentence plus a further four years on licence.

It comes after police received a report of sexual assault against children in December 2024.

Harris had been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life in 2016 after being convicted of rape at Swindon Crown Court.

But he failed to tell police in London who were monitoring him that he was spending time in Norfolk.

He was arrested in Leyton on 18 December 2024 and taken to King’s Lynn Police Investigation Centre  for questioning.

He denied the offences.

The officer in charge of the case PC Gary Ranger said:

“These were abhorrent offences committed in breach of a court order put in place to manage those on the Sex Offenders Register carefully.

“He tried hard to cover his tracks by failing to notify police he had moved but was found out due to the courage and bravery of his victims.

“Norfolk police will always pursue such offenders both historic and recent to keep people safe and ensure dangerous and predatory offenders like Harris are brought to justice.”

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The Met is working closely with partners to identify further victim-survivors after an investigation led to a man being jailed for rape and reckless transmission of a sexually transmitted disease.

Jonathan Carl, 42, (29.4.1983) of Station Road, Hornchurch was jailed for 17 years at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 29 August and handed a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He had been found guilty of one count of rape and pleaded guilty to one count of grievous bodily harm on Wednesday, 11 June.

Now detectives are appealing for help in identifying many more potential victims of rape and reckless transmission.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Bishop, who led the investigation for the Metropolitan Police, said:

“Our investigation uncovered the scale of Carl’s offending and ensured he was brought to justice. But we remain extremely concerned about the wellbeing of those who have not yet been identified. We believe as many as 318 men may be a victim, and might need to come forward for testing and support.

“You may have met Carl through an online dating platform, or visited his home address in Hornchurch, which is distinctively located above a fish and chip shop.

“Your health and wellbeing are our absolute priority. We are working closely with NHS partners and charities to ensure anyone affected can access confidential testing, advice, and support. Please be assured you are not alone – we are here to help.”

Police launched an investigation in January 2024 after an allegations of rape were reported by two men, the offences took place in August 2023 and October 2022.

Detectives acted swiftly and arrested Carl on 25, January 2024 to prevent any further offending. Carl was identified through digital download examinations and co-location data from the victim and suspects phones.

Carl was charged with rape and GBH on 4, February 2024 in relation to the allegations made in January 2024.

The investigation involved in-depth digital analysis of Carl’s mobile phone, police analysed phone calls, social media messages and cell site information. These combined revealed that Carl had used multiple dating apps, including Grindr and SCRUFF, to meet men.

Detectives believe Carl had sexual contact with up to 400 men over four years.

So far, 82 men have been identified and spoken to, they were advised by the NHS after being informed of Carl’s health status.

However, detectives believe there are hundreds more who may still be unaware.

Two victims have bravely came forward to help with our appeal, to share a few words to show the impact Carl had on them:

Victim one: 

“[I felt] powerless, I felt like there was nothing I could do. It made me feel like I didn't matter, it made me feel less than human. The main reason I came forward to police, is because I wanted to stop this from happening to anyone else.”

Victim two:

“It has damaged me from having any sort of romantic relationship in the future, due to people's overall thoughts on HIV. It makes me fry my brain as I overthink about what I could have done differently. I still struggle with this guilty feeling.”

It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly transmit a sexually transmitted infection under the offences against a persons act, it amounts to grievous bodily harm.

Anyone who may have had contact with Jonathan Carl is urged to contact detectives directly on 0207175273, you can also email, [email protected].

To contact police, you can dial 101 or via our online reporting system and state reference CAD2972/19Sept25.

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An asylum seeker who raped a woman in Hyde Park has been jailed for eight and a half years.

Abdelrahmen Adnan Abouelela, a married father of one, approached her in the central London park as she was walking home alone from a night out in November 2024. He then lured his victim to a secluded spot where he raped her.

Abouelela, who claims he was held as a political prisoner and tortured in Egypt, is in the UK illegally, Judge Gregory Perrins told Southwark Crown Court.

Judge Perrins told the 42-year-old defendant, whose address was given as a hotel in Ealing, west London: "You were driven purely by your own sexual desires."

Automatic deportation order

"It must have been obvious to you that she was a woman under the influence of alcohol who was alone and vulnerable," Judge Perrins told the court.

"You made the decision to take advantage of her vulnerability."

Judge Perrins added: "You simply did not care that she could not consent: you just took what you wanted."

Abouelela arrived in the UK in April 2023 and claimed asylum for fear of persecution in his home country of Egypt, the court was told.

His wife and son currently live in Turkey, the court heard.

Judge Perrins commended the victim for her "immense bravery and courage" in giving evidence during Abouelela's trial at the same court earlier this year.

Jurors found Abouelela guilty of one count of rape on 22 May.

Because he was given a prison sentence of more than 12 months, he will be subject to an automatic deportation order.

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An 18-year-old who sickeningly and opportunistically sexually assaulted four women over three days on the transport network has been jailed, following a British Transport Police investigation.

Hadi Al Koumi, 18, of Bideford Avenue, Ealing, was sentenced on Friday (12 September) at Isleworth Crown Court to 4 years and 8 months after he pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault and was found guilty of a further sexual assault carried out over a two-day period.

He was also handed a 6-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a life-long signature on the Sex Offenders Register.

The court heard how, on 6 August 2024, at around 5.15pm, the first victim – a woman in her 30s – was at St John’s Wood underground station when her train arrived. As she went to board, Al Koumi crouched down behind her and sexually assaulted her, before running away.

Two days later, on 8 August, the second victim – a woman in her 30s – was at Green Park underground station at around 2.40pm when her train arrived. Al Koumi then walked up behind her and sexually assaulted her. As the victim turned to look at him, he walked away, before looking back to her and winking at her.

Less than two hours later at 4.20pm, the third victim - a woman in her 40s - was at East Acton underground station was distracted by her phone. Again, Al Koumi approached the victim from behind and sexually assaulted her.

Then, later that day at around 11.15pm, a fourth victim, a woman in her 30s, was on board a train between Greenford and Perivale station when she was approached by Al Koumi, who attempted to engage her in conversation. The victim politely asked him to leave her alone, to which he persisted. After telling him again, he stood up, as did she, and he sexually assaulted her. The victim managed to throw a glass at him as the doors opened and she left the train, before calling 999.

Al Koumi was captured on CCTV during all four offences and the incidents were linked together and his images were circulated. On 27 August 2024, officers from the British Transport Police (BTP) North Tasking Unit (East) were on patrol at Perivale station when Al Koumi was spotted and arrested.

Detective Sergeant Matthew Nolan said:

“Al Koumi took deliberate advantage of the rail network in order to assault multiple women for his own sexual gratification.

“He's clearly a dangerous predator who has exhibited a disturbing and abhorrent pattern of offending towards women, so I’m grateful to see the sentencing handed down today, and I hope it can bring some sense of closure and comfort to the women he targeted.

"There is zero-tolerance for sexual offences on the rail network, and we have uniformed patrols and specially-trained plain clothes officers on patrol at stations and on trains around the clock to keep the travelling public safe. We will continue to do everything in our power to bring offenders like Al Koumi to justice.”

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A community leader who abused his position of trust to carry out sexual offences against children in Chatham has been jailed.

Qari Sher Mohammad targeted a total of four children over almost a decade until his brave victims raised the alarm.

Concerns about his behaviour were first raised in 2018, when one of the children revealed he had touched her sexually, while carrying out duties connected to his role as an imam. This happened at a mosque in Thorold Road, between March 2014 and October 2016.

Arrested 

He was arrested and interviewed in April that year, but the investigation did not progress to a charge at that stage due to concerns about the potential impact a trial would have on the young victim.

Between May 2022 and December 2023, Mohammad sexually assaulted three further children and he was arrested on 11 December.

As part of their enquiries, investigating officers returned to the victim who had made the previous allegation in 2018. Now an adult, she stated she wished to support a police prosecution for the crimes committed against her.

Mohammad, of Woodford Road, Forest Gate, London was charged with multiple counts of sexual touching of a child. He denied the offences and, on 7 March 2025, was convicted at Canterbury Crown Court on 16 indictments.

Jailed

On Friday 12 September 2025, Mohammad, 61, was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. He will be the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years once he is released. 

Detective Constable Conor Middleton said:

‘This man was in a position of authority when these appalling offences were committed. The children showed immense courage by reporting his actions and I would like to commend them and their parents for assisting our investigation.

‘Mohammad is now serving a prison sentence and he should reflect on his actions and the impact they had on these vulnerable victims.’

Description

A convicted paedophile has been jailed for the sixth time after grooming and sexually assaulting an eight-year-old boy.

Stephen Lott, 47, of Kingsbridge Road in Harold Hill, has abused young boys and girls since the mid-1990s, when he repeatedly orally raped a girl aged five to seven.

He has since accumulated 22 child sexual abuse convictions, including groping girls aged five and eight at South Kensington station in 2016.

Out of prison, Lott reoffended in late 2023, grooming the boy over nine months with gifts before kissing him and inviting him home for further abuse.

Lott claimed the kiss was accidental during a hug, but a jury convicted him of sexual assault on a child and meeting a child following grooming.

At his August 8 sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Lott attributed his behavior to childhood struggles making friends.

Supported by his sister, her husband, and a church official, he begged Judge Ross Cohen for "one more chance," citing plans for a YouTube career making sci-fi videos.

But Judge Cohen said: “You delude yourself and others that your behaviour towards children is innocent and based on an affinity you have for them as a result of your own low confidence.

“The sad truth, Stephen Lott, is that your behaviour towards children is both sexualised and predatory.”

The judge noted Lott’s prior convictions, including gross indecency with a child aged five to seven—which would be charged as oral rape today.

The victim’s mother’s statement read: “Steve never made me aware he had previous convictions. It’s made me feel really anxious for my son, that he’s had to go through this. It’s been a really horrible time.

“It’s disheartening and sinister, I feel like a failure for not protecting him.”

Deeming Lott “dangerous,” Judge Cohen imposed an extended sentence: four years in prison plus three years on licence.

A parole board may release him after two years and ten months if deemed safe; otherwise, he serves the full term, remaining on licence until 2032.

The Met Police released Lott's latest custody image today (September 10).

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A former Newham Labour councillor has been found guilty of sexual assault.

Daniel Lee-Phakoe, 38, of Libra Road, Newham, was found guilty of one count of sexual assault by touching by a jury at Inner London Crown Court.

The assault took place at a public house near Liverpool Street station on Friday 5 May 2023. Lee-Phakoe’s wife had arranged leaving drinks as she was moving department within the council.

During the evening, Lee-Phakoe approached the victim and carried out a series of persistent and unwelcome verbal sexual approaches, including a proposal of a sexual encounter in the bathroom. Lee-Phakoe also approached the victim’s side of the table, stood next to her and pinched her bottom with his left hand. The victim stated that Lee-Phakoe pinched her bottom at least ten times. His grip was described as firm and unrelenting. 

The victim who cannot be named for legal reasons said:

“The assault itself has left me feeling dirty, disrespected and a worthless woman who had suddenly become the focus of unwanted and disgusting sexual touching, demands for sex in a public toilet and being physically trapped in spite of attempts to move. His approach was both violating, aggressive and manipulative in assaulting me in a public place with his wife in the same bar and only a short distance away.

“This has been a horrendous experience. This sexual assault was unforgivable and I made the complaint to stop this happening to other women and to stand up to a sexual predator who has no idea or care of the impact of what he did to me.”

Lee-Phakoe left the table for a time and during that period the victim asked her friend to stand next to her in case he came back. Undeterred Lee-Phakoe approached the table again and tried to push pass the friend to get to the victim. The friend heard Lee-Phakoe persistently ask the victim to go to the toilets with him.

The friend said:

“He arrived at the table again and continued to push against me and comments towards the victim for 10 minutes or so. I said to him ‘can you please stop and calm down.’ He stopped pushing but continued to ask her to go toilets with him. After what seemed like an exceptionally long time, he finally left the table and the victim asked me to leave with her as she felt unsafe leaving on her own. I’ve known her many years and I’ve never seen her so frightened.”

Lee-Phakoe will be sentenced at a later date.

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Prolific Sex Offender Admits to Drugging and Raping Woman Multiple Times, Plus Offenses Against Others

A man described as "a prolific, calculated sex offender" has confessed to drugging and raping a woman on four occasions, along with committing sexual crimes against five additional women.

Chao Xu, aged 33, faced initial charges for raping a woman following a social event at his residence in Greenwich, south-east London. Subsequent accusations emerged involving further offenses against other victims.

At Woolwich Crown Court, Xu entered guilty pleas to 24 sexual offenses, encompassing sexual assault, voyeurism, and upskirting. He remains in custody pending his sentencing date of November 14.

Investigators suspect the Chinese national's criminal activities extend far beyond the current charges and are encouraging additional victims to report.

Concealed Camera in Air Freshener

In June, during a networking gathering at his home, Xu offered a female attendee the chance to stay and recuperate after she felt ill. He proceeded to drug and rape her repeatedly, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Authorities discovered hidden cameras placed by Xu in various spots, such as within an air freshener and in restrooms.

His mobile device contained hundreds of unauthorized intimate photos and videos of unidentified women.

Police now estimate that Xu's offenses span several years and include many more incidents.

Leading the probe, Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Sanderson stated: "Xu is a calculated prolific sex offender, who has preyed on unsuspecting women using cowardly methods - administering drugs to rape, sexually assault and take intimate images without consent.

"Our investigation is ongoing and we continue to examine a large amount of evidence, which will help identify any further potential victims."

Xu, a UK resident since 2013, admitted guilt to four rape charges, eight counts of assault by penetration, four sexual assaults, four voyeurism offenses, two instances of administering substances with intent, and two upskirting violations—formally known as operating equipment under another's clothing without consent—occurring from February 2022 to June 2025.

The court was informed that the upskirting incidents involved cameras at a workplace and London Bridge Underground Station.

He denied one sexual assault charge and one assault by penetration count, but prosecutors indicated they would not proceed to trial, opting instead to leave them on file.

'Serious Danger to Women'

Recorder Simon Stirling, the presiding judge, addressed Xu: "You have pleaded guilty to a large number of offences for which the inevitable outcome is a lengthy custodial sentence."

Crown Prosecution Service's Suzanne Crane remarked that Xu had "deliberately drugged women to render them unconscious and vulnerable, enabling him to rape and sexually assault them without their knowledge."

She further noted: "Xu is a serious danger to women, and without the bravery of victims who came forward, his offending may well have continued undetected."

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A man who raped a 13-year-old girl in Dulwich has been convicted of breaching a court order.

Gholahun Shittu was jailed for eight years in 2015 when aged 24 he befriended a 13-year-old girl using Facebook then raped her.

Shittu, now 34, of Wards Wharf Approach in Silvertown, has now been convicted of further offences.

He was found guilty of three charges of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by failing to let police inspect three phones in his possession in May last year.

The SHPO was made to protect the public following his 2015 conviction.

Shittu appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on August 13.

He was sentenced to six months in custody suspended for one year.

Description

A predatory sex offender who groomed a child from west Kent and then raped her in his flat has been jailed. 

Ako Hawla fled the country to try and avoid justice but was tracked down in France and returned under a European Arrest Warrant.

Officers were initially alerted to concerns for the victim’s welfare, after she was reported missing on 13 June 2019.

Groomed

Hawla had previously groomed the child through various social media platforms and apps and had persuaded her to meet him.

He was 19 at the time but when the victim told him she was only 13 he claimed he was also a juvenile.

They travelled to his address in Frobisher Road, Erith, where the victim was repeatedly abused.

Patrols searching for the missing child tracked her to the flat and when Hawla realised police were at his home he instructed the victim to pretend she simply sleeping on his couch. He told her to tell officers she was 17.

Hawla was arrested and later bailed, as investigating officers sought to build a successful case.

He then fled the country but in April 2024 was tracked down in France and extradited to the UK.

Extradited and jailed

A trial then took place at Woolwich Crown Court where Hawla, now aged 26, was found guilty of rape, as well as a further five sexual offences. He was also convicted of child abduction.

On 14 August 2025, Hawla was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment.

He will have to serve at least two thirds of the sentence before he can be considered for parole. He was also made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. 

Detective Constable Kim Bashford said:

‘Hawla exploited a child’s trust in the most sinister and deplorable way. He struck up conversations with her through social media apps and after they met for the first time then subjected her to a truly terrifying ordeal.

'Having successfully pursued Hawla into Europe; it is really pleasing that we have now been able to finally ensure he has faced justice. I really do hope that the victim starts to feel safer and can rebuild her life now that he is prison.

Online safety

DC Bashford added:

‘I would also like to encourage parents to remind children of the precautions they should take when using the internet and social media apps.

'Children should only communicate with people that they know personally and report any suspicions or inappropriate advances from strangers to their parents, schools or the police.’

Description

A mental health counsellor from Eltham who had a six-month online relationship with a 14-year-old girl has avoided prison.

Steve Hughes, 55, sent sexualised and grooming messages to the young girl after he sought her out on social media in November 2022.

In May 2023 he was confronted by paedophile hunters as he discovered he had spent the last six months messaging a decoy account.

On inspection of his phone it was then revealed that Hughes had also been messaging three other “girls” - all aged either 13 or 14 – who were also decoy accounts run by other paedophile hunter organisations.

Hughes, of Eltham Hill, claimed at trial that he knew all along that these were “scam” accounts and that he did not genuinely believe he was talking to teenage girls.

But a jury unanimously rejected his defence and convicted him of four charges of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

On Monday, August 18, Hughes was sentenced to 18 months in custody suspended for 18 months.

He will be the subject of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order which will allow police to monitor his online activity.

Prior to his arrest Hughes was an experienced adult counsellor and psychotherapist working in Welling and later Eltham.

His website stated he successfully worked on issues relating to “sex and shame”.

Judge David Miller said:

“Between October 2022 and May 2023 you sought out teenage girls to form digital relationships with.

“You found four girls, you engaged in chat with them on various social media sites and you soon turned the conversations sexual – there is an element of grooming , particularly regarding on girl who you were in communication with for six months.”

He told Hughes that if these were actual children, rather than decoys, he would have received a considerably higher sentence and one which would not have been suspended.

“Having read the pre-sentence report and the character references, I’m suspending the sentence because I consider there’s a realistic chance of rehabilitation. I think you will comply with the order and won’t reoffend,” Judge Miller said.

Hughes was ordered to pay £4,380 to cover the four-day Woolwich Crown Court trial he elected to have.