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A man who raped a stranger as she slept on his sofa after a party has been jailed for five years and nine months.

Michael Burns, 56, of South Shields, took the woman back to his flat to collect tobacco to take to a gathering they had both attended. Newcastle Crown Court heard she dozed off on the sofa and woke to find him raping her.

Prosecutor Emma Dowling said the woman did not know Burns but thought he seemed “ok” and had no concerns. She recalled him offering her a sealed can of Coke before she fell asleep.

“She believes she must have fallen asleep because the next thing she can remember is waking up and the defendant was having sex with her,” Miss Dowling said. “She shoved him off and managed to get out of the flat.”

Burns initially told police “she must have done something to him” after his DNA was found on her underwear. The 56-year-old, who has 44 previous offences including causing death by dangerous driving in 1994, later admitted rape.

In a victim impact statement, the woman said she lost her confidence, became paranoid and struggled to eat or sleep. She added it was something she would “never really get over”.

Judge Stephen Earl told Burns:

“Rape is a horrific offence, it is an offence which has consequences far beyond the actual act. You committed one of the most horrific offences you can commit against a woman as a man.”

The judge imposed lifelong sex offender registration and a restraining order.

Defence lawyer Claire Anderson said Burns is an alcoholic with mental and physical health problems and plans to move away after his release.

In a letter to the judge, Burns wrote he was “really, really sorry” and wanted to “sincerely apologise” to the victim.

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A paedophile was caught with a childlike sex doll and baby rape videos after police acted on a tip-off.

Scott Mullen, 32, of Swallow Way, Duffryn, Newport, was handed an eight-year extended sentence after being classified as a dangerous offender at Swansea Crown Court.

Prosecutor Joshua Scouller said Mullen initially admitted downloading 136 child abuse images and films between 14 July and 18 August 2024 — 23 at category A, 18 at category B and 95 at category C.

He later tried to vacate his guilty pleas and, representing himself, submitted a forged report from a legitimate digital investigations firm. Using the company’s logo, he claimed it suggested he might be innocent and had not downloaded the material deliberately.

The deception was uncovered and he pleaded guilty last June to perverting the course of justice.

Mullen was already a convicted sex offender, having received a community order in 2017 for possessing indecent images of children.

His barrister Jon Tarrant said in mitigation:

“The defendant does accept that there are issues here.”

Judge Geraint Walters told Mullen of the images: “These are real children being abused by sick adults.”

He added that the pre-sentence report concluded Mullen was a dangerous offender who presented a high risk of committing further serious offences, describing his attempt to deceive the court as “planned and sophisticated”.

Mullen was jailed for three years plus an extended licence period of five years. He must register as a sex offender for life and was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for life.

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A rapist who abused a girl has been jailed after the victim reported the historic offences to a close friend and a health professional.

Anthony Toward, 37, of Blakelaw, was arrested and charged with several offences, which he denied. Following a five-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court in February, a jury found him guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was remanded in custody.

Today (Monday) he was sentenced at the same court to 14 years in prison. He will also spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register and was given an indefinite restraining order.

Det Con Frank Cox of Northumbria Police, who led the case, said: "I'd firstly like to highlight the bravery of the victim-survivor in this case.

"The courage and determination she has shown throughout this process has ultimately led us to holding Toward to account for the attacks he carried out. While the sentence is no retribution for what the victim-survivor has been through – I hope it can provide some closure and help her move forward."

Det Con Cox added that Toward was a predator who had taken advantage of the victim. He added: "No-one should ever have to experience this type of abuse.

"Please know, if you've been a victim of any form of abuse – we are here for you and we will support you."

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A child sexual predator has been jailed – after arranging to watch the sexual abuse of a child online.

Tony Bonner, 62, is now behind bars after he was caught making arrangements to watch a live stream of a 12-year-old girl being sexually abused.

In 2023, Bonner engaged in communication with someone online who he believed had access to children overseas who he could watch being sexually assaulted via live stream and eventually meet. 

However, what he didn’t realise was he was actually speaking to a police officer who was closing in through their investigation.

A strike was planned, and in June 2024 Bonner was arrested by officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) with the support of Northumbria Police.

Officers also seized electronic devices to further build their evidence case and discovered indecent photographs/videos of children.

Bonner was subsequently charged with arranging the commission of a child sex offence and possession of indecent images of a child.

Faced with the overwhelming evidence against him, Bonner eventually pleaded guilty to all charges.

Today (Friday) Bonner, from South Shields, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court and was sentenced to four years in prison and a ten year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Lee Robertson, said:

“The vile actions of Bonner were clear and thanks to the dedicated work of officers he is now behind bars and facing the consequences of his actions.

“We would urge anyone who has been a victim of this type of offending, or has concerns about someone’s behaviour, to come forward and talk to police – support is available and you can help safeguard other vulnerable children."

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A man has been jailed for 13-years after he was found guilty of rape and sexual assault.

Robert James Hough, 56, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Friday (10 April).

Hough was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Following a trial, he was found guilty of rape and sexual assault at the same court on 29 January 2026.

The offences took place between 2016 and 2021.

Detective Constable Josie Frost, of the rape and sexual offences (RASSO) team, said:

“I would like to commend the outstanding bravery of the victim in coming forward and telling us what happened.

“Hough consistently denied the offences, but a jury found him guilty earlier this year.

“We remain committed to protecting victims of rape and sexual assault across Staffordshire and I would encourage anyone who has been a victim to come forward and talk to us.”

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A 47-year-old man who hid in the women’s toilets at Newcastle railway station and waited for someone to come in has been jailed, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Paul Southern, 16/10/1978, and of no fixed address, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on 26 March after pleading guilty to Voyeurism.

He was jailed for four months and will sign the sex offenders register for seven years.

The court heard how on Thursday 5 February this year, Southern had entered the women's toilets at the station and waited there for 40 minutes before a woman entered to use the facilities.

The victim, aged in her 40s, entered a cubicle and just seconds later noticed Southern's head appear under the divide. He looked at her for a few seconds before she shouted "what are you doing?" at him. She then banged on the door to try to get Southern to leave.

The victim then ran out of the toilets and informed her partner who approached BTP officers who were on patrol at the station.

Southern was then confronted by the officers, who asked him what he was doing before arresting him.

CCTV footage captured Southern’s movements leading up to the crime, during which he had been aimlessly wandering around the station before entering the women’s toilets.

BTP Detective Sergeant Graham Marshall Batey said:

“Southern’s actions that day were calculated as he laid in wait for a woman to enter the adjacent cubicle. It’s down to the bravery of the woman who reported his disgusting behaviour that we were able to immediately arrest him and put him before the courts.”

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A former Hampshire police inspector who sexually assaulted young men in custody during unnecessary strip-searches has been convicted of sexual offences and misconduct.

Gerard Hutchings, 66, abused 18 victims at police stations between 1999 and 2007.

A jury at Bristol Crown Court found him guilty of five counts of indecent assault, five of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, and one of misconduct in public office. He had already admitted 17 further counts of misconduct in public office and will be sentenced on 24 July.

The victims, aged 17 to 31, had been arrested for minor offences and attended stations for cautions or reprimands. Eight told the trial they were strip-searched without justification.

One man, arrested for shoplifting, said:

“He was trying to humiliate me. I do believe he took great pleasure in pointing out what a piece of scum I was and people like me should not walk the earth, or words to that effect. I have been strip-searched before and there was no following of the rules whatsoever. He never took any interest in my clothing.”

Hutchings was jailed for 16 months in 2008 after admitting 11 misconduct charges; prosecutors then accepted not-guilty pleas to 11 sexual offences. He was sacked by Hampshire Police in 2007 after 28 years’ service.

A new investigation began in 2020 after another allegation. Detectives identified the 18 victims from 373 names in his police notebook.

Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Rob France said:

“Hutchings’ behaviour was vile and degrading and clearly nowhere near the expectation we have of our officers. Thanks to the bravery of the victims in recalling their experience, and the hard work of investigators, Hutchings now faces another spell in prison for his awful behaviour.”

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"Monster" who drugged and raped two women jailed for 18 years

Khamal Hussain, 47, from South Shields, has been jailed for 18 years at Newcastle Crown Court after drugging two women with ketamine so he could sexually assault them while they were partially conscious.

The court heard Hussain told his first victim — met on a night out — about religion, spirituality and sensing auras before taking her home, giving her ketamine and raping her. She recalled feeling “in another world” with fragmented memories but remembered him saying he “liked to see how different people, particularly females, reacted to ketamine”.

The woman said the attack had destroyed her life. “I have shut myself off from everyone I love,” she told the court. “Most of all I lost me.” She lost her job and independence, contemplated suicide and added: “I will carry this with me for the rest of my life… I want everyone to see the monster you are and make sure you never do this to anybody else.”

While under investigation for the first attack, Hussain targeted a second vulnerable woman. He disabled his home security cameras, gave her ketamine and raped her.

She told the court she had been “robbed of the person I was” and left with scars for life.

Judge Thomas Moran described Hussain’s behaviour as “predatory”, “premeditated” and “carefully planned”. Praising both women’s bravery, he said: “Their bravery has saved other women from going through what they had to suffer.” He ruled Hussain a dangerous offender and ordered an extra four years on extended licence after release.

Detective Constable Kerry Kane of Northumbria Police called the crimes “completely abhorrent” and applauded the victims. “I hope today can mark a new beginning for both of them,” she said.

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A 21-year-old pervert, Lewis Herman, was jailed for six years and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life after abusing a 14-year-old girl, leaving her blaming herself.

Herman, of Westmorland Road, Newcastle, was 20 when he began Snapchat contact with the teen, lying that he was 17. He requested photos of her breasts and bottom, sent her a video of himself performing a sex act, and twice drove to meet her in Teesside for sexual activity in his car, per ChronicleLive.

At sentencing, Recorder Christopher Rose noted: "It appears a subsequent partner of yours realised what had happened before with this complainant and reported it to the police."

Herman was convicted of eight offenses, including sexual communication with a child, causing a child to watch a sexual act, sexual activity with a child, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. He pleaded guilty to causing and inciting the sending of child abuse images.

He faces a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and restraining order.

In her victim impact statement, the girl said:

"I'm completely overwhelmed by what happened. The emotional impact on my life has been significant and my mental health has deteriorated.

"My anxiety has got much worse and I'm constantly thinking about and reliving what happened to me. I struggle to sleep, I have nightmares.

"I sit and cry and think why did it have to be me. I still blame myself even though I know it was not my fault."

She added she dislikes being alone, feels unsafe, and panics seeing people resembling Herman.

Defending, Victoria Lamballe said:

"He continues to advance, at least in part, the account the jury rejected at trial. However he accepts the jury's verdict and has begun to acknowledge he has an unhealthy pre-occupation with sexual matters."

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Two rapists who "dehumanised" a teenage girl in a planned 30-minute ordeal have been jailed.

Taylor Dove, 22, from Grangetown in Sunderland, and Vieri Chapman, 25, from Gosforth in Newcastlealso known as Jevonni Copleywere convicted at Newcastle Crown Court of offences including rape. Dove received 12 years, Chapman 10 years.

Dove was also convicted of raping another teenager when he was 17, while on bail for that offence during the joint attack.

Judge Julie Clemitson said neither had any "regard" for their victim, who was "violated in the most vile way by two men at the same time." Dove "felt entitled" to sex, Chapman had a "troubling attitude towards consent," and alcohol played a role, but they prioritized their desires. "Had you both bothered to look at her rather than playing tag, you would have noticed she was crying," the judge said. It was "truly an ordeal," leaving her "bleeding and distraught." Neither showed remorse; Dove bragged to friends afterward.

The victim said she was determined not to be defined by the attack, but "I didn't want it to affect anything in my life but it ended up affecting everything in my life." The rapists "dehumanised" her and "gave no regard" to her feelings. "I don't think they realise the severity of what they did and how much it has affected me," she added.

Dove's first victim said: "Taylor Dove has destroyed my life. I only found the strength to report what he had done due to the fear he would do the same thing to someone else." She became a "shell" of her "happy and confident" self, and Dove showed no remorse. "I don't believe he thinks what he has done is wrong," she said.

Both must sign the sex offenders register for life.

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Sexual abuse survivors praised for bravery as abuser jailed for 24 years

Martin Jackson, 46, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison after being convicted of abusing school-aged girls in Sunderland, including threatening one with a knife after raping her.

The victims told a family member what had happened, and Northumbria Police were contacted. Jackson was questioned shortly afterwards and repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Following what police called “a complex investigation” by Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department, he was charged in September 2024 with multiple child sexual offences.

In December last year, Jackson, of Seymour Street, North Shields, was found guilty at Newcastle Crown Court of 17 counts: five of sexual assault on a child, four of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and eight of rape.

He appeared back before the same court on Monday (February 2) and was jailed for 24 years, with a further year on licence. He will remain on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

Victim impact statements described the lasting damage to their mental health, including anxiety, panic attacks and PTSD that continues to this day.

One victim said the abuse “haunts” her daily:

“When I leave the house or go to work, it comes back like a train plummeting at me.

“When I’m at home, I am alone with the flashbacks of the abuse. It is constantly repeating in my head, as if it were still happening. You would think my escape would be sleep, however, every single night I jolt awake from those nightmares that was my life for several years.”

Detective Constable Gavin James, who led the investigation, said:

“Martin Jackson is a sexual predator and a paedophile who preyed upon his young victims for his own sexual gratification.

“It is clear to me that he wanted to have control over the girls, even making threats if they were ever to speak out against him.

“While no outcome at court will ever take away from what has happened, I do hope this significant jail term will bring a sense of comfort to both survivors that their abuser is now behind bars.”

He added:

“Above all else, I would especially like to commend the bravery of both victims involved. They have both shown immense courage in coming forward about the non-recent abuse they suffered at the hands of Jackson, and I wish them well in their journey forward.

“My advice to anyone out there who has read this and can sadly relate to our survivors’ stories of abuse, is to open up to whoever you can if possible and remember that your local police force is here for you.”

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A "dangerous" rapist who attacked two women on the same day has been jailed for 14 years.

Wesley McKenna, 48, from Forest Hall, North Tyneside, targeted the first woman after meeting her in the street, then hours later attacked another in her home, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Judge Tim Gittins said McKenna’s actions had a "profound impact" on his two "vulnerable victims", with one fearing she had contracted hepatitis, which the rapist was known to have.

McKenna denied wrongdoing but was convicted of two counts of rape and four of sexual assault after groping and raping the women hours apart on 7 May 2024.

The judge ruled him a "dangerous offender" and ordered a further five years on extended licence upon release. McKenna must also sign the sex offenders register for life.

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A rapist who attacked two women has been jailed for 15 years.

Shaun Rogers, 29, from Blackfell in Washington, was under investigation for raping his first victim when he targeted his second, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Rogers admitted multiple offences, including several counts of rape.

In a statement read to the court, his first victim said:

"He took everything from me, my life, my joy, my happiness.

"He broke me in every way possible and left me an empty shell of a person."

Judge Graham Robinson commended her bravery in reporting Rogers and attending court to see him jailed.

The judge said Rogers "did not care" about raping the first woman, then tried to "gaslight" the second by denying the attack.

Rogers must sign the sex offenders register for life.

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CCTV operators in Newcastle spotted a man masturbating in the city centre's Manors Car Park, leading to his arrest for outraging public decency.

Dean Chalmers was lying on the ground behind a council vehicle when seen just after 7pm last June. Security staff arrived to find him still exposed.

Prosecutor Neil Pallister said: "They saw the defendant lying in Manors car park masturbating, which was clearly seen on the CCTV.

"While masturbating, the CCTV shows a number of members of the public entering and leaving the car park, who could easily have seen him. After he stopped masturbating, he continued lying on the ground with his penis exposed until security officers arrived in a van and spoke to him."

Chalmers, with 74 prior convictions—including a 102-month jail term in 2015 for sex offences and a suspended sentence last year for failing sex offender registration—pleaded guilty.

Judge Stephen Earl extended the suspended sentence's operational period by six months and imposed an 18-month community order, noting time served on remand.

The judge told him: "Masturbating in a public car park is probably not a good idea. You probably appreciate that now."

Defence lawyer Caroline McGurk said: "The members of the public in the car park before the security officers were called could not easily have seen the defendant because he had taken refuge behind some sort of council vehicle. He believed himself to be completely concealed.

"He went there to feel safe and engaged in an act he believed would not be viewed by anyone. He was genuinely horrified when he realised he had been seen on CCTV and the security officers were called and saw him in the offence was made out.

"The defendant has demonstrated steps to address his offending behaviour. He has been alcohol free since September, which is a result of his incarceration. He has done a lot of thinking while in jail and wants to better himself."

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A former headteacher has been indefinitely barred from teaching after discussing the sexual abuse of children on a fetish website.

Paul Brown, 54, was headteacher and designated safeguarding lead at Bransgore Church of England Primary School when an undercover police officer uncovered his actions.

A Teaching Regulation Agency report reveals that between July 4 and July 12, 2023, Mr. Brown used a BDSM website—including during school hours—for inappropriate conversations about child abuse.

He was arrested on July 18, 2023, and suspended. By December 8, 2023, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police ended the investigation with no further action.

In an internal probe, Mr. Brown admitted using the site in his car during work hours but off school grounds, unaware he was speaking to an undercover officer.

The woman claimed to sexually abuse her daughters, aged five and nine. Mr. Brown allegedly shared a past relationship involving similar abuse, saying he was sexually involved with the woman and children—but later clarified it was a fantasy, not true.

They discussed introducing him to the children, with him suggesting she teach the girls to French kiss beforehand. He eventually said "he was not the right person for her" and blocked the account.

He told police he believed it was all fantasy and the children didn't exist, but blocked her after hearing children during a phone call.

Mr. Brown apologized, calling it a one-off incident amid mental struggles, citing a "dark morbid and intense fascination" with such abuse due to his childhood experiences. He has since undergone counseling for his mental health issues.

The misconduct panel noted that, in his safeguarding role, he should have reported the account to police and remains "extremely concerned that Mr Brown’s actions could be repeated."

Mr. Brown had been headteacher since September 2013. He received an indefinite prohibition order with no review period.

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police spokesperson said: “Following notification of messages of a concerning nature online, we arrested a 54-year-old from Ringwood on suspicion of attempting to arrange or facilitate the commission of a child sex offence.

“As part of the arrest, a number of electronic devices were seized and examined.

“No indecent images or evidence of criminal activity was found on those devices.

“After consulting with the CPS, no further action was taken in this matter.”