Latest Offenders Northampton

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A former Northamptonshire Police special constable has been jailed for two years and six months for child sex offences.

On December 1, 2021, Steven Hayden-Tift, 45, previously of Northampton, engaged in sexualised chat with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old boy but who was actually an undercover police officer.

During the conversation, which took place over Grindr and Snapchat, Tift sent sexual photos of himself and asked for similar photos back.

Following an investigation by Northamptonshire Police’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Unit (OCAIU), Tift was identified as the offender and arrested at his home address on December 19, 2021. 

He was subsequently charged with attempting sexual communication with a child and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, and was found guilty by a jury following a trial at Northampton Crown Court which ended on March 18, 2023.

He returned to the same court today (May 4) where he was sentenced to two years and six months, half of which he will serve in prison.

He was also handed a five-year sexual harm prevention order and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

Detective Inspector Matt Haworth, said: “We are pleased with the outcome of today’s sentencing as it means that Steven Tift will spend time in prison as a result of our investigation.

“Tift’s position as a Special Constable placed him in a position of trust which he grossly abused when he sought to use the internet to abuse a child. Thankfully in this case, the child in question was actually a police officer and we were able to take swift action to arrest him.

“I hope this case reassures the public that we work proactively at Northamptonshire Police to bring people like Tift to justice regardless of who they are or what roles they hold.

"As an organisation, we are determined to identify those who commit wrongdoing and who are not fit to serve the public and we will be relentless in our pursuit of them.

“We will continue working hard to keep our children in Northamptonshire safe and to bring anyone who threatens that safety to justice.”

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Southall pleaded guilty to two counts of kidnap and two of blackmail at an earlier hearing at Northampton Crown Court, and was sentenced at the same court on Friday, April 14, to a total of four and a half years.

At the same hearing Southall was also sentenced to 33 months for a 2020 robbery offence, and three months for a 2019 theft, both committed in Birmingham, as well as two offences which took place in Leicestershire - one count of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs for which he received a 42-month sentence, and six months for one count of making indecent images of children. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for seven years.

All Southall’s sentences will be served consecutively, making a total of 11 years in prison.

Detective Sergeant Cory Wise, of Northamptonshire Police, said: “I am pleased with the sentences handed out in this case as they demonstrate the seriousness with which we, and the courts, take crimes such as this.

“The victims in these incidents went through terrifying experiences at the hands of Sullivan and Southall, with their parents being put through equal distress wondering whether their children were going to be harmed or not.

“I hope both Sullivan and Southall spend their time behind bars reflecting on their actions and that they come out determined to make better life choices.

“Thankfully, incidents of kidnap and blackmail are rare in Northamptonshire but I hope this case reassures people that when they do happen, we deal with them quickly and robustly.”

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A convicted sex offender who posed as a single mum looking for an au pair online has been sent back to prison.

Peter Smith was jailed in 2012 after trying to trying to abduct two women three months apart while armed with a knife, and sexually assaulting one of them.

The creep was put on the sex offender register, meaning he had to notify police of his details so he could be monitored.

But when officers visited his home in Braybrooke Road, Desborough, to check on him on March 15 this year they uncovered more disturbing activity.

Smith, 43, had created an alias on website aupair.com pretending to be a single mother called Alex who was looking for an au pair, before moving chats onto WhatsApp where he continued to pose as a woman.

He had also created a Facebook profile under the alias of Liam Smith and didn’t notify the authorities of the username.

This month he admitted two charges of failing to comply with notification requirements and was jailed for 12 months by magistrates.

Smith was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge to fund victim services of £187.

A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said: “Registered sex offenders are very closely monitored by our management of sexual or violent offenders team (MOSOVO).

“This means regular unannounced visits to the offender’s home to ensure they are abiding by all of their conditions. If they are not, we do not give second chances and all offences will be dealt with robustly.

“Our team work really hard every day to ensure sex offenders are rigorously managed and if any breaches are identified we are very swift in dealing with them.

“I hope this case is a lesson to other sex offenders that our processes will always find you out. And that you will be sent to prison as a result.”

Convicted sex offenders must register with police when they are convicted or released from prison, for a period specified when they are sentenced.

They must register details including their name and aliases, address, bank details, passport and whether they are live with a child, as well as renewing details annually.

Failing to comply is punishable by up to five years in prison.

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A registered sex offender found in possession of child abuse images and illegal weapons has been jailed for 18 months.

On February 15 this year, Northamptonshire Police received information that Ryuken Miyamoto-Masamune, was in possession of indecent images of children.

Officers from the Force’s Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) team attended his home and discovered the 33-year-old had an electronic tablet containing illegal images, as well as a large collection of unlawful weapons, including eight samurai swords and a scythe.

Miyamoto-Masamune was immediately arrested and subsequently charged with one count of making indecent photographs of children, and 13 counts of possession of offensive weapons in a private place. At Northampton Magistrates’ Court on February 16 he pleaded guilty to all charges.

Appearing for sentencing at Northampton Crown Court last week, March 28, Miyamoto-Masamune was imprisoned for 12 months for the indecent images offence and an additional six months for the weapons offences. The sentences will run consecutively.

Investigating officer PC Al Knapper, of MOSOVO, said: “Miyamoto-Masamune is a dangerous sexual predator. Offenders like this are closely managed, including by unannounced visits by officers to ensure they are complying with the orders they are subject to.

“In this case, Miyamoto-Masamune was using a tablet he had not told his MOSOVO officer about. On it were a number of indecent images of children, many of which were of the most serious nature. Anyone who views or downloads material of this abhorrent nature is complicit in the abuse of children, and I’m pleased Miyamoto-Masamune is now in prison where he rightly belongs.”

Miyamoto-Masamune, of Wellingborough, was also issued with a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, which imposes restrictions around his contact with children and gives the MOSOVO team powers to monitor and review any digital devices he owns.

A destruction order was also made for all weapons and electronic devices seized from him. Miyamoto-Masamune will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.

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A man who discussed meeting what he thought was a nine-year-old girl for sexual activity was told he was 'very lucky' to be spared from prison.

Struan Taylor, formerly of Victoria Street in Kettering, believed he was speaking to the youngster's mum when he embarked on his sickening chat and thought she would let him abuse her child.

But he had no idea he was communicating with an undercover police officer when he suggested possible locations and sent 'disgusting' pictures.

On Friday at Leicester Crown Court the 24-year-old was handed a suspended sentence and placed on the sex offender register.

Taylor, now of Sutherland Way in Livingston, Scotland, was arrested on January 25, 2022, after sending sexual images of himself and explaining in detail what he wanted to do to the 'child' when they met.

He denied attempting to arrange or facilitate an act which would commission a child sex offence but was found guilty by a jury.

Taylor, who wore a blue suit in the dock, spent about two months in prison on remand before being released on bail ahead of his trial.

The court heard he had claimed he didn't get any sexual gratification - and that his pleasure was that the person he was talking to was able to live out their fantasies.

Sentencing, His Honour Judge Ebraham Mooncey said: "The jury said that what you were talking was palpable nonsense.

"What you were doing was living out sexual fantasies and your aim was to meet with a child."

Prosecutor Claire Fraser said there was a significant disparity in age and told the court that sentencing guidelines for the offence said it had a starting point of five years in prison with a range of between four and 10 years.

Defending, Stephen Garbett said no firm meeting was ever arranged and that the chat was always with the 'mother' and not the 'child'.

He said Taylor, who had no previous convictions, was 'horrified' by the messages he had sent.

He said: "He does accept that his behaviour was absolutely inappropriate and the language used was disgusting."

Mr Garbett added that Taylor was a 'very, very changed person' and urged Judge Mooncey to suspend any sentence he passed, acknowledging that it was a 'big ask'.

Mr Garbett said: "He is a person who made a pretty awful mistake."

His Honour Judge Mooncey told Taylor his behaviour was 'worrying' and reduced the sentence from four years in prison to three years because there was no real child.

He then further reduced it to two years because of his mitigation meaning it could be suspended. And he said that, because he had already had a taste of custody and because of the prospect of rehabilitation, that he was willing to suspend the two-year prison term for two years - telling Taylor he was very lucky to have avoided jail by the skin of his teeth.

He told him: "I hope the probation service can work with you and the court will never see you again."

Taylor was ordered to take part in rehabilitation activities and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

He will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offender register for 10 years.

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A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a rape which happened in the Abington area of Northampton.

In the early hours of October 11, 2020, a woman was enjoying an evening in the garden with her housemates after a long shift at work.

Also invited to the house that night was an acquaintance of one of the occupants - Nicu Botnari, previously of the Headlands, Northampton.

After the woman had called it a night and headed back to her bedroom to get some sleep, she awoke to find Botnari on top her, committing rape.

Following the incident, Botnari left the house and a short time later, the woman reported the incident to police.

An investigation was launched and at Northampton Crown Court in December last year, Botnari was found guilty of one count of rape. Today (March 13) at the same court, he was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Lead Investigator – Detective Sergeant Andrea Taylor, said: “As a police force, we never underestimate the courage it takes for a person to report a sexual assault and I want to reassure people that when they do, we will treat their report with sensitivity and confidence.

“Nothing will ever make the survivor in this case forget what Botnari did to her but she should be proud of the incredible bravery she has shown which has resulted in a dangerous rapist being sent to prison. Because of her - he can no longer hurt anyone else.

“This case continues to have a significant impact on her but I hope the conclusion today provides her with some comfort. She has so much going for her and I hope she can now see brighter things on the horizon.

“Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for Northamptonshire Police. We will believe you, we will support you, and we will do everything we can to put the person who committed the crime against you behind bars.”

*This press release and custody image have been released with the support and agreement of the survivor*

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A sex offender from Weedon has fled to Thailand to avoid jail after committing sexual assault.

Paul Strong, aged 65, of High Street was found guilty following a trial. He was subsequently invited to attend Northampton Crown Court for his sentence hearing and he responded to court staff with abuse, making it clear he intends to never return to the UK or engage with the court process.

Strong was sentenced in his absence at Northampton Crown Court on Friday, March 10. He was unrepresented as he withdrew instructions from his defence barrister.

A victim, in her statement, said that - as a result of Strong’s actions - she was left unable to eat, sleep or function. She felt “on edge” all the time and suffered financially as she had to stop going into work for 10 weeks. She felt isolated from her close friends because she feared running into Strong in public and feels unable to trust anyone ever again.

“This is just his way of using emotional torture, trying to make my life hell,” she said.

Strong has previous convictions including possession of an offensive weapon and breach of a restraining order.

The court heard that, when interviewed, Strong accepted he had a problem with alcohol and he had post traumatic stress disorder, for which he was medicated.

Her Honour Judge Rebecca Crane sentenced Strong to three years total in prison.

He was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years and a restraining order was imposed for 10 years.

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A man previously jailed for voyeurism in public toilets has been sent to prison again for breaching a court order to watch indecent videos online.

Christopher Rufford, aged 41, of Semilong, appeared at Northampton Crown Court on Thursday, February 9 after pleading guilty to breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) three times.

David Lee, prosecuting, told the court that Rufford failed to notify police about an additional device he had in addition to an online Snapchat account, which he used every day in July 2022 when he was in Northampton and Staffordshire.
  
Christopher Rufford, aged 41, was sentenced at Northampton Crown Court on Thursday, February 9 2023

The court heard that Rufford’s Amazon Fire tablet was found to have deleted internet history.

Mr Lee told the court that Rufford was also found to be searching for explicit videos involving defecation on December 14 2022, which he said reminded him of his previous offences of voyeurism in public women’s toilets.
Rufford was arrested on December 22.  He denied any knowledge of a Snapchat account and told police that his Amazon Fire must have automatically deleted his history for him but apologised for breaching the order.

The defendant has multiple prison sentences for voyeurism and subsequent breaches of SHPOs.

Emily Culverhouse, in mitigation, said: “He accepts that he should have changed his history and deletion settings. He was living in a house with multiple occupants at the time of his arrest and does not understand how these things were accessed but does accept that they were found in his possession.”

The defence barrister said Rufford was, at the time of offending, considered a “medium risk” to the public, which he had “worked hard” towards and he has elderly parents, who he is keen to spend time with.

His Honour Judge Mooncey told the defendant: “You are no stranger to this court and this kind of offending. You have a horrendous history with some persistent breaches and your sentences have increased as time has gone on.” He added: “You are using technology for your own dirty disgusting urges.”

Rufford sobbed and wept on the video-link as he was sentenced to 27 months in prison. The existing SHPO was kept in place until 2028.

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A Corby paedophile who asked what he thought was a teenage girl to post her knickers to him has appeared before a court again.

Anthony Farrow was jailed for 16 months in 2021 after being caught out in an online sting by paedophile hunters.

As part of his sentence he was also put on the register for sex offenders for 10 years, meaning he must tell police his address, bank account details, whether he lives with a child and passport details, and inform them of any changes of travel plans. Such measures are taken to monitor convicted sex offenders and keep tabs on their whereabouts.

But on November 30 the 34-year-old failed to notify police within seven days of having no fixed address, and weekly thereafter, and he was charged with failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements. Punishments for the offence range between a fine and a maximum of five years in prison.

Last week at Wellingborough Magistrates’ Court he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a fine of £100, as well as being ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge to fund victim services of £40.

At a previous hearing Northampton Crown Court had heard that Farrow sent sick messages to a Facebook user, who he thought was aged 13, and encouraged them to perform sex acts.

He also tried to video call them and sent a lewd image of himself. But after giving them his address to send their underwear to a paedophile hunter group turned up at his door – because he had been unknowingly talking to them all along.

The pervert had also messaged another paedophile hunter decoy profile of a 13-year-old girl and asked her questions about her underwear. When he was confronted by the paedophile hunter group he admitted contacting 10 children in total.

The court also previously heard that, despite admitting three child sex offences, he was reluctant to accept his offending was sexually motivated.

Farrow is also currently subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years, with restrictions on his contact with children and internet use.

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A Wellingborough man has been imprisoned on the Falkland Islands after he admitted sexually abusing children there. Officials obtained an extradition order to return Ryan Martin Elstow to the island to face justice.

However, the former RAF serviceman voluntarily travelled the 8,000 miles to the British overseas territory and pleaded guilty to a number of offences against children. His lawyer said his actions displayed "rank indifference" to his victims' suffering.

Elstow, 35, is believed to have returned to Northamptonshire in recent years to start a new life. However, following an investigation by the Royal Falkland Islands Police, he was charged last year with eight counts of 'sexual activity with a child', contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

In April last year, officials formerly requested the UK extradite Elstow so he could stand trial. But he voluntarily returned to the Falklands and appeared in the islands' only magistrate's court where he pleaded guilty to seven of the offences, denying the eighth related charge.

Senior Magistrate Malcolm Simmons found him guilty of that offence in November. Elstow was sentenced in the same court last Wednesday, January 11, to a total of seven years imprisonment

Speaking at the sentencing, Elstow's lawyer, James Ross, admitted his client's behaviour displayed "rank indifference to the suffering of others", according to Penguin News. However, in mitigation, Mr Ross said said Elstow had pleaded guilty to seven of the counts, had volunteered to appear in court and had "experienced real trauma" while serving with the RAF in Afghanistan.

A spokesperson from the Falkland Islands Prosecution Service told NorthantsLive: "The defendant will serve his sentence in His Majestys Prison Stanley and is likely to be deported to the United Kingdom at the conclusion of the sentence." The islands' prison population is in single figures.

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A 58-year-old man has been found guilty on 22 counts of indecent assault in connection with incidents which took place over a decade.

Rodney Paul Webster, previously of Northampton, tried to maintain his innocence when accused of the assaults against the three survivors, who were all children at the time of the offences.

Forcing the case to a trial at Northampton Crown Court, which took place in September, the jury heard how Webster raped and sexually assaulted the trio on multiple occasions between 1978 and 1988.

After deliberating for two days, the jury found him guilty on all 22 counts.

He was sentenced last Friday (December 9) to 14 years and eight months in prison.

Lead Investigator – Detective Constable Kelly Roberts, said: “Webster thought he had gotten away with his crimes, living in freedom for more than 30 years, but this case proves that it doesn’t matter how much time has passed – we will do everything in our power to ensure you end up in prison for what you have done.

“These three children are now adults and they have lived with this abuse for a very long time. I want to thank them for their strength and resilience during this prolonged investigation and for giving evidence in court. I know what Webster did to them will never leave them but they can be proud that they spoke out and that he is now in prison because of their courage.

“No matter when a person has been a victim of crime, justice can be found, and this case proves just that.”

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A 24-year-old man has been convicted of sexual assaulting a man inside his own home in Kingsthorpe, Northampton.

On January 16 this year, Budd Lee Simmons, previously of Northampton, was invited to sleep on the sofa at a friend’s house in Kingsthorpe after a night out. 

However, when everyone was asleep, Simmons entered a bedroom inside the house, and once inside, sexually assaulted a man in his own bed by inappropriately touching him.

The man woke up and Simmons fled the address with police being called a short time later.

Simmons was arrested and subsequently charged with sexual assault. At Northampton Crown Court on November 17 this year, he pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.

Lead Investigator – PC Jess Hurst, said: “First of all, I want to commend the man in this case for his bravery in coming forward, reporting this offence to us, and supporting the case throughout the court process.

“In his victim personal statement, he wrote that he keeps wondering if he could have done anything differently to prevent this offence from happening.

“Let me be absolutely clear – as with any case of sexual assault, the blame here is on the offender only. This man could not have done anything differently and he must not blame himself. Budd Simmons is the only person in this case who should feel responsibility and shame for his actions. 

“Men are often less likely to speak up when they are victims of sexual assault and abuse, and I hope this case shows that Northamptonshire Police will take their reports extremely seriously and that they will be treated with sensitivity and support throughout.

“Budd Simmons is now behind bars and that is solely down to this man’s bravery in coming forward. I hope the conclusion of this case provides him with a sense of closure and the ability to move forward.”

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A 32-year-old man has been sentenced to nine years and two months after he was found guilty of sex offences against a child.

In 2012, Matthew Bell, previously of Daventry, then aged 22, met the 14-year-old girl at a youth centre.

On numerous occasions for a period of two years, he sexually assaulted her at a number of locations, including at his home address.

In 2020, the woman came forward to report what had happened to her and an investigation was launched.

Bell was arrested and subsequently charged with two counts of sexual activity by penetration with a girl aged 14/15. At Northampton Crown Court on October 15, 2022, he was found guilty of both offences by a jury and was sentenced at the same court today (November 28) to nine years and two months in prison.

Detective Sergeant Cory Wise, said: “The woman in this case has suffered with the memories of this abuse for many years and I am so pleased for her that she has seen justice done and Matthew Bell recognised for the sexual offender he is.

“At only 14-years-old, this girl was unable to consent to a sexual relationship and it is important to make this point very clear. Bell knew exactly how young she was and yet still pursued her, grooming and manipulating her.  

“Bell will now spend a significant period of time in prison and I hope this case demonstrates what happens to adults who think it is acceptable to form “relationships” with children. It is a crime, it will always be a crime, and every single ounce of the blame lies with the offender.

“This woman can be proud that her bravery has seen justice done and I hope she can now move forward with her life following the conclusion of this case.

“Northamptonshire Police takes cases like these extremely seriously – we will believe you and we will do everything we can to bring your offender to justice.”

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A former police special constable has been jailed for trying to meet a '15-year-old girl' in KFC for sex.

Alex John Foster, 43, was caught by fellow cops in a KFC car park in Nottinghamshire with condoms and lubrication after grooming the teenage girl online.

A training officer with Northamptonshire Police at the time, Foster asked the girl, who was actually an undercover officer, what experience she had 'with lads' and said he was 'looking for someone to have sex with'.

Recorder James House KC told Foster that he was in a position of trust and his offences were bound to worsen the public's perception of police officers.

He added: “You knew perfectly well that communicating with a 15-year-old girl was not only wrong but unlawful."

Foster, from Northamptonshire, admitted three charges relating to sexual communication with a child, including arranging or facilitating and intentionally encouraging or assisting. He was jailed for two years.

Foster was also handed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and placed on the Sex Offenders’ register.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct's director of major investigations Steve Noonan said: “Mr Foster’s actions were abhorrent in sexually communicating online with a person he believed to be a child and then arranging and travelling to meet them for sexual purposes.

"He has rightly received a prison sentence for his appalling behaviour. We directed the investigation by Northamptonshire Police’s counter-corruption unit and I am grateful to their officers for their professionalism in helping to bring this offender to justice.”

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A Northampton man has been imprisoned for 15 years after using a room rental website to target a woman before raping her.

Ion Cojan, aged 37, of Worcester Close, appeared at Northampton Crown Court on Tuesday, November 8 after a jury found him guilty of raping a woman.

Andrew Fitch-Holland, prosecuting, said the victim was looking for a room to rent in Northampton and set up an account on a rental website, which contained her photo, name and age.

The court heard that Cojan contacted her to tell her he had a friend with a room to let. When the victim said she was no longer interested, Cojan told her she was “beautiful” and asked to meet on February 17, 2019.

Mr Fitch-Holland said Cojan picked the woman up from Northampton town centre in his car and she sat in the back seat, expecting to be taken for coffee as planned. However Cojan drove her to a secluded area by a lake, the court heard.

Mr Fitch-Holland said the assault went on for approximately 10 minutes before Cojan tried to pull the victim’s trousers down but she said no so he eventually stopped and drove her back into town. Cojan told the woman he would call her and they would have sex, blew her three kisses and drove off.

The victim walked home, feeling “disgusted” and “shocked” and then reported the rape to the police. In a statement, she said she cannot forget what happened to her and she does not trust men anymore.

Cojan was arrested and his mobile phone was seized; police discovered numerous searches for female users of a room rental website, which he was treating as a dating site.

Cojan has one previous conviction of sexual assault in 2009 when he pushed a woman onto a bed, held her throat and pulled her hair - preventing her from leaving. She was able to escape when he let go of her.

Rajiv Chopra, in mitigation, said Cojan is “genuinely remorseful” that he has “upset” the victim and wants to write an apology letter to her.

Addressing the judge, Mr Chopra said: “Please use your utmost discretion and leniency to give this young man a second chance.”

Her Honour Judge Lucking KC, sentencing, said: “You have a tendency to commit sexual offences against lone women by flattering them and then isolating them before subjecting them to sexual activity without consent.

“Your evidence at trial revealed your arrogance and misplaced sense of sexual entitlement.”

Cojan was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with an extended licence period of five years. He was also placed on the Sex Offender’s Register indefinitely.