Latest Offenders SA

Description

An Oldbury man has been jailed for more than 17 years after coercing young girls into sending indecent images.

Arun Wilding contacted several girls, all under 16 years of age, on social media and blackmailed them into sending indecent images.

His offending started in December 2024 and lasted until December 2025.

The 22-year-old would like and comment on girls’ social media posts before messaging them privately. The conversation would then move to another social media platform where he would ask the girls to send images of themselves.

If they stopped responding to him, he harassed and blackmailed them, threatening to share their images online until further images were provided.

Wilding found out which area or school the girls attended to frighten them into complying with his requests.

Earlier this year, Wilding of Highbury Road, Oldbury was charged with 16 offences including blackmail, engaging in sexual communication with a child, threatening to share a photograph of a person in an intimate state and causing a girl to engage in sexual activity.

He pleaded guilty to all offences at earlier hearing and on 1 September, at Wolverhampton Crown Court, he was sentenced to 17 years and nine months in prison.

He has also been handed a sexual harm prevention order which restricts his behaviour.

DC Elle Willows, from our Public Protection Unit, said:

“Wilding's behaviour was predatory and he exploited young people for his own gratification.

“I hope that this sentence brings some closure for all of those affected by Wilding’s actions, and that they can move forward with their lives.”

Description

A Walsall man has been jailed for more than 25 years after being found guilty of sex offences against young girls.

John Robinson, 61, abused three teenage girls while living in the Walsall area over more than 20 years, giving them alcohol and making indecent images of his offending.

The offences all took place between 2000 and 2023 and happened when the girls were teenagers.

We arrested and charged Robinson after one of the girls, now an adult, came forward to tell her story.

In the subsequent investigation, two more girls were identified and officers from our Rape and Serious Sexual Assault (RASSO) team were able to make contact with them and hear their story.

A Walsall man has been jailed for more than 25 years after being found guilty of sex offences against young girls.

John Robinson, 61, abused three teenage girls while living in the Walsall area over more than 20 years, giving them alcohol and making indecent images of his offending.

The offences all took place between 2000 and 2023 and happened when the girls were teenagers.

We arrested and charged Robinson after one of the girls, now an adult, came forward to tell her story.

In the subsequent investigation, two more girls were identified and officers from our Rape and Serious Sexual Assault (RASSO) team were able to make contact with them and hear their story.

Description

A former headteacher of a school in the West Midlands has pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children.

Russell Bond, aged 41, from Walsall, appeared at Birmingham Magistrates on August 6 where he pleaded guilty to one charge of possessing indecent images. He was arrested at his home on 22 October last year.

Bond, who is now a registered sex offender and will be closely monitored, will appear back at court at a later date for sentencing.

We are aware that this matter has been the subject of speculation within the local community and across social media.

We can confirm the offences were unconnected to the school where he had been in employment.

Description

In October 2023 a 20-year-old man was subjected to a serious sexual assault in a city park. Today (Wednesday 15 July) the perpetrator was jailed.

During the afternoon of 9 October, the victim was sitting on a bench in Abbey Park when he was approached by 43-year-old Islamuddin Talash.

The pair briefly spoke about bicycles, with Talash telling the victim he had one that he was willing to give him.

Talash then suggested they went to his flat so the victim could look at it. However, while they were walking through the park, Talash took the victim into a bush and raped him.

Shortly before the incident two teenage boys became suspicious of Talash and his behaviour. They were able to capture footage and an image of him on their phones.

The witnesses decided to keep an eye on them and approached the bushes. Talash ran away and they were able to safeguard the victim.

An officer working with the investigation team decided to walk through the park and on doing so saw a man fitting the description and image of the suspect sitting on a bench.

He was arrested in the park and following further enquiries and medical evidence he was charged with rape.

During a trial at Leicester Crown Court last month, Talash of Westfield Road in Smethwick, was found guilty of rape.

He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment and placed on the sex offender register indefinitely.

Detective Sergeant Sarah Jones was the officer in the case. She said:

“The actions of the witnesses on that day were crucial in this investigation, they did absolutely the right thing by acting on their suspicions.

“They, along with the victim, deserve enormous credit for giving an account in court that led to today’s outcome.

“The two boys were able to provide an image and footage which assisted officers in getting a positive identification. An officer who was working within our team took it on herself to do a walk-through the park and immediately spotted a man and recalled his similarities to the man in the image provided by the witnesses.

“He was arrested straight away and charged within hours. This outcome is a testament to the great work that went into the investigation and the strength of evidence secured this result.

“The victim was vulnerable, and the defendant used this for his own sexual gratification. We hope that this case reassures the local community and helps the victim put the events of that afternoon behind him.”

Description

A 36-year-old man from Wiltshire has been jailed having pleaded guilty to numerous child sex offences and possession of cocaine.

Christopher Saunders-Pope of Randalls Croft Road in Wilton was sentenced to three years and four months by HH Judge Townsend at Swindon Crown Court today (28 May) following an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).

Saunders-Pope was arrested by SWROCU officers in March 2024 after he had been communicating online with who he thought was a teenage boy. He travelled within the county intending to meet the child to sexually abuse. Instead, he was met by officers from the Unit and arrested.

In April this year he pleaded guilty to the following offences:

• Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child 
• Arranging / facilitating commission of offence of sexual activity with a child 
• Making indecent photograph / pseudo photograph of a child (three counts)  
• Distributing an indecent photograph / pseudo photograph of a child 
• Possessing extreme pornographic image 
• Possessing a class A drug (cocaine) 

Detective Inspector David Wells from SWROCU said:

“When we arrested Saunders-Pope, he had travelled that day having made plans to abuse a young boy. Instead, he was taken into custody and prevented from causing the harm he intended. 

“Law enforcement agencies are constantly across the internet working to identify anyone looking to abuse or exploit children. Saunders-Pope's arrest was part of this ongoing work.”

HH Judge Townsend also handed Saunders-Pope a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Description

A man has been sentenced for child sex offences after being caught flying a drone over a primary school in Salisbury.

Jeremy Bird, 48, of Coldharbour Lane, Salisbury, appeared at Winchester Crown Court yesterday (28/04) after pleading guilty to two counts of making indecent images of children and recklessly allowing an aircraft to endanger people or property.

He was jailed for 19 months, suspended for two years. He was also made the subject of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

On September 13th, 2023, police received a report that a drone had been flown over a primary school within the Salisbury area on several occasions, following the children within the playing fields.

At around the same time, police received a further report from another school within the Salisbury area reporting that when teachers were taking the children out to visit a harvest festival, a man was seen recording the children and trying to chat with them.

The man was seen a short time later in a vehicle appearing to be taking more pictures of the children.

Enquiries by police identified the suspect as Jeremy Bird. He was arrested and searches of his devices found a considerable number of indecent images of unknown children.

He was subsequently charged and convicted.

Complex Crime Investigator Debbie Quayle said:

“I’d like to thank the schools for reporting Jeremy Bird’s behaviour – without their support we would be unaware of the extent of his offending.

“Mr Bird has taken no accountability for his actions and the fear he put into the children when flying his drone near to them to film them.

“He has now been sentenced and has been made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which places limits on his internet use and travel.

“He is also not allowed to own or use a drone and must also allow officers into his address to do checks.

“I hope this investigation also shows that we will not tolerate any person who uses drones in an inappropriate manner, and they will be put before the courts.”

Description

A member of security staff who targeted a 14-year-old girl while on duty at a Worcestershire rail station has been jailed, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Aamar Mohammed, 35, and of Shireland Road in Sandwell, was found guilty of two counts of Sexual Assault following a week-long trial.

At Worcester Crown Court on 12 January, a judge sentenced him to three years and eight months in prison.

He was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

On 14 November 2021, Mohammed approached the teenager at Worcester Shrub Hill railway station wearing a high-vis vest and asked where she was travelling to.

He walked her to the platform her train was due to arrive at before heading into an office at the station.

A short while later he asked her into that office as a warm place to go while she waited for her train. And as she approached, he turned the room’s lights off. 

Inside the office Mohammed forced himself upon the teenager and sexually assaulted her.

She managed to get away from him and return to the platform to board her train, and he then emerged from the office and waved at her as the service left the station.

The victim, who suffered bruising from the attack, reported Mohammed’s actions to her family who called the police.

He was arrested the same evening and an extensive investigation led by BTP detectives resulted in multiple charges being brought against him.

Specialist support was provided to the victim throughout the investigation and as the case progressed through courts. 

Mohammed failed to appear for a subsequent court hearing and had to be rearrested at his home address in March 2023.

BTP Detective Constable Tim Friend said:

“Aamar Mohammed used his trusted position as a station security guard to groom a teenage girl and subject her to a deplorable sexual assault. 

“His attack was so forceful that it left the victim with physical injuries, and will no doubt have a lasting impact on her psychologically. It is down to her bravery in reporting him to police, and determination to stick with the process as it progressed through the courts, that we have been able to bring a truly vile man to justice.

“We will stop at nothing to ensure sexual predators like Mohammed are removed from our communities and put behind bars where they belong.”

Description

Four men have been convicted of exploiting, sexually assaulting, and raping a vulnerable 16-year-old runaway girl after picking her up in Birmingham in July 2019.

The victim entered Arqash Zaffar's BMW on Alum Rock Road. She alleged Zaffar raped her multiple times over the following days, including in a Walsall hotel room where men took turns abusing her.

Mohammed Nadim, also in the car, groped her in the back. Shahban Arif arranged her hotel stay in Walsall. Shiraz Nassar raped her in his Manchester flat after Zaffar drove her there overnight.

After a five-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court, the jury found:

• Zaffar, 41, of Persehouse Street, Walsall: guilty of five counts of rape, four of causing penetrative sexual activity without consent, and one of arranging travel for exploitation.
• Nadim, 45, of Wednesbury Road, Walsall: guilty of one sexual assault.
• Arif, 42, of Holden Crescent, Walsall: guilty of one exploitation offense.
• Nassar, 40, of Fir Road, Denton, Manchester: guilty of one rape.

Sentencing is adjourned to March 19, 2026.

Prosecutor Tim Clark KC opened: "She was a vulnerable teenager - she was known to social services. She had been reported missing from her home on a number of occasions. One of those occasions when she had gone missing was between July 11 and August 12, 2019. The Crown's case is she spent some of that time in the company of these four men. It's the Crown's case three of these defendants, Zaffar, Nadim and Nassar, either sexually exploited her themselves or were present when she was sexually assaulted. Zaffar and Arif were involved in her exploitation sexually by others."

The girl, described as "extremely upset," disclosed the abuse to her social worker after returning home on August 12, 2019. She identified Zaffar as "Mikey," Nadim as "Dimma," Nassar as "Soldier," and Arif by his "rat-like face" (nicknamed "rat" at trial). She admitted claiming to be 19.

On July 20, she was driven to a dead end, asked to kiss both men (who exposed themselves), then to a car park where Nadim assaulted her and Zaffar forced oral sex. Later, with Arif ("small, proper skinny guy") in the car, she was taken to Manchester and raped by Zaffar and Nassar.

She claimed Zaffar raped her in a Walsall hotel before a "baby-faced" man called "Young Boy," and in another room boasted she was "sexually available," raping her before others took turns.

Her ordeal ended when dropped off near Selfridges in Birmingham. All defendants admitted being with her but denied the offenses.

Description

A man has been jailed for 30 years after physically and psychologically abusing a woman which led to her being raped and stabbed.

Gurwinder Singh, aged 36 has been sentenced after years of controlling behaviour and assault against a woman.

He began his campaign of abuse by verbally insulting and degrading her, then he began to physically assault and stalk her.

On 6 May last year he attempted to murder the woman after stabbing her several times.

He forced his way into her address with a knife and threatened to kill her. She was then stabbed multiple times to her arm, chest and stomach.

Singh then proceeded to undress and rape her and repeatedly threatened to kill her.

We arrested Singh shortly after on suspicion of a number of offences including attempted murder and rape.

Singh from Walsall was found guilty following a trial earlier this year and appeared at Stafford Crown Court this week for sentencing.

The court was told it was only a matter of millimetres that Singh didn’t kill her.

Detective Sergeant Chloe Collins who led the investigation said:

“Singh’s 30 year sentence shows the severity of his violent behaviour that lasted several years.

“This culminated in May last year when the woman nearly died. She told officers who arrived at the address that if they hadn’t have responded when they did, she would’ve been dead.

"I want to acknowledge the incredible courage and resilience shown by the victim throughout this investigation. Her strength has been instrumental to this case.

“Singh is a very dangerous and controlling man and is rightly behind bars for a long period of time.

"Our commitment to supporting victims of domestic abuse and sexual offences remains unwavering. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure they receive the protection, care, and justice they deserve.

"I also want to recognise the dedication and professionalism of our specialist teams—both internal and external—including our forensic departments, digital forensic unit, the Crown Prosecution Service, and partner support agencies. Their expertise and collaboration have been vital in securing this outcome."

Description

A man who sexually assaulted a woman and strangled another has been sentenced to 11 and a half years imprisonment.

Cameron Mackay, 37, of Rougemont Close, Salisbury, was sentenced today at Salisbury Crown Court after he was found guilty at trial of assault by penetration, sexual assault, indecent exposure, actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation.

In around April 2022, Mackay plied one of the victims, a woman in her 40s, with alcohol after she had been invited round to the suspect’s house by a friend. The victim then fell asleep and woke up to find Mackay sexually assaulting her.

On another occasion, in February 2023, the victim, a woman in her 30s, met Mackay while he was out walking his dog, when he invited her back to his address.

He then exposed himself to her, at which point she tried to leave. Mackay has then assaulted her and climbed on top with her, strangling her with both hands.

The victim managed to defend herself and escape the property.

Both incidents were reported to police in around June 2023. Following an investigation by South CID, Mackay was charged.

Detective Constable Dan Smith, of South CID, said:

“Mackay is a dangerous man who has committed serious offences which will no doubt have a long lasting impact on the victims.

"I would once again like to express my utmost thanks to the two victims in this case who have shown incredible bravery and strength in reporting their ordeal to police and having the courage to stand up in court and relive their stories.

“I recognise how difficult this can be to come forward and speak about these types of incidents and I hope this investigation shows that victims will always be listened to.

“I am pleased a lengthy custodial sentence has been given to Mackay - it reflects the serious nature of his offending.”

Description

A sex offender who told a friend he had “f***** up” after inappropriately touching a teenage girl has been jailed for two years.

David Marsh, 40, of Melvin Close in Salisbury, abused his victim on August 9, 2023, leaving her "haunted" by the memory. He was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on Wednesday (October 1).

Marsh pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity with the girl at his initial magistrates' court appearance in January, and admitted attempted touching when his crown court trial began in August. Judge Adam Feest imposed immediate imprisonment, with Marsh expected to serve half his sentence before release on licence.

Prosecutor Mike Mason said the offences occurred within minutes, after which Marsh confessed to a friend and turned himself in to police. The victim reported the crime to her family, who believed her; her clothing was forensically tested.

Mr. Mason added: “The defendant contacted a friend saying that he had ‘f***** up’ – those are his words – and needed to talk to her. He arranged to talk to her that evening, which he did. He said he knew what he had done was inappropriate, and he had done something really stupid.”

In victim impact statements, she said Marsh "stole her innocence" and left her "on edge" around men. She wrote: “It is difficult for me to put into words how I have been affected. The thought of bumping into him or seeing him when I’m out and about fills me with dread. I regularly have thoughts about it, which is upsetting and a permanent reminder. I was not able to concentrate well on my schoolwork, and I think that suffered as a result. I feel like people like me need to be protected from him.”

Defense lawyer Nicholas Cotter argued the incident was "not pre-planned" but "impulsive," adding: “I don’t think the defendant understands what made him do it. He is profoundly remorseful about what happened. From the very outset, he has admitted to others, not just the police, the criminality that he has latterly accepted. He is terrified about going to custody.”

Mr. Cotter requested a suspended sentence, but Judge Feest rejected it, saying: “You took the opportunity, for reasons that only you will ever understand – if that – to sexually abuse her. She had, and still, suffers significantly from what you did.” He accepted Marsh's remorse as genuine.

Marsh, who had no prior convictions, will be on the sex offenders' register for 10 years. He also faces a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, an indefinite restraining order, and a £140 victim surcharge.

Description

A Salisbury man has been jailed for sexually abusing a child, at the retail store where he was working.

Joseph Marriott, 33, of St Andrew’s Road, Salisbury was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court  yesterday (04/09) having previously been found guilty of two counts of causing/inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He had previously admitted breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

His Honour Jason Taylor KC sentenced Marriott to 10 years custody - comprising 4 years 6 months imprisonment and 5 years 6 months on licence. He must also abide by the terms of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and register with the police indefinitely.

In addition he must pay a £228 surcharge.

The court heard how Marriott abused the child in the back room of the Salisbury store where he was employed, while her parents were shopping.

DC Billy Baker said:

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the young survivor and her family who have remained resolute and dignified throughout this ordeal; their support has been invaluable in bringing this offender to justice.”

Description

Craig Arrowsmith, 48, of Hoadley Green, Salisbury, appeared at Salisbury Crown Court yesterday (01/09) after pleading guilty to sexual communication with a child, making indecent images of children and four counts of possession of extreme pornography, namely bestiality.

He was jailed for 12 months, suspended for 18 months.

He must also complete 200 hours of unpaid work, pay compensation of £500 and complete up to 35 days of rehabilitation activity days. He will also be required to sign on to the sex offender’s register for 10 years.

On January 30, 2024, police received a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) referral from the victim’s school raising concerns that the victim was receiving inappropriate messages from Arrowsmith.

Arrowsmith was arrested and bailed. An examination of his phone revealed that between March 2023 and January 2024, Arrowsmith repeatedly messaged the victim, a 15-year-old girl, on a social media platform, many of which were sexual in nature.

Four videos featuring bestiality were also found on his phone, as well as a total of 245 category C indecent images were also found on his phone, all of which related to superimposed photos of the victim.

Arrowsmith admitted the offences and was sentenced yesterday.

DC Louise Butler of the Child Abuse Investigation Team said:

“Firstly, I would like to thank the victim for her bravery throughout the case.

“Her courage in speaking with us and giving a video recorded interview has led to Arrowsmith being sentenced yesterday.

“Arrowsmith’s crimes are abhorrent. Despite knowing the victim was only 15 years old, he continued to message her in a sexual manner and used photos of her to impose her face onto an AI-generated female’s naked body.

“He has now been sentenced and will be on the Sex Offender’s Register for the next decade.”

Description

A Salisbury man has been sentenced to six years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple sexual offences dating back as far as 1994.

Michael Colin Bell (known as Colin Bell), 72, of Pinewood Way, Bemerton Heath, was sentenced on June 8 at Salisbury Crown Court for two counts of indecent assault, two counts of sexual assault, and two counts of gross indecency.

The offences span several decades, with some dating back over 30 years.

During the sentencing hearing, powerful victim impact statements were read aloud in court. One victim described the lasting trauma:

"Trying to explain how this has affected me is the hardest thing I've ever done because there is no way to explain what this has done to me, all I can do is try and describe what is my life now.

"There is not a day I don't think about what happened to me. If I am not busy, I have flashbacks and I am back to being abused, like it is still happening to me. I still feel like he owns me and I am his trophy. I wake up at night sometimes and see the darkness in the corner of the room. I can't move and am frozen. I want to move, but can't.

"I hate the feeling of people touching me and this has massively affected my relationships. I have to sleep with a pillow between my legs as the feeling of my legs touching makes me feel sick.

"I hate the feeling of my own skin."

A second victim said:

"The abuse happened over a number of years.

"The person who did this to me was a trusted family friend — someone I was told I could count on, someone who was meant to protect me. Instead, he betrayed that trust in the most painful way.

"I spent years questioning myself. I asked if what happened was normal. I wondered if I had done something to deserve it. That kind of self-doubt and shame doesn’t disappear just because time passes — it settles in your bones. As a child, I didn’t have the words to make sense of what was happening. That confusion — that feeling of being lost inside your own life — stayed with me for years."

Another victim said:

"As a direct result of what I experienced, I have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and severe anxiety. I now suffer from frequent panic attacks, which have affected both my personal life and my ability to work. 

"There are times when I cannot relax, even in the safety of my own home. Memories intrude unexpectedly-triggered by sounds, smells, or even certain words.

"These flashbacks make it incredibly difficult to find peace, and I live in fear of when the next one will strike."

The case was first reported in 2022.

Investigating officer Sergeant Myles Scott, who worked on the case for four years, said:

“I am really glad that Colin Bell has finally been held to account for the abhorrent actions he chose to commit against children. This case shows that if you commit offences, they will eventually catch up with you — no matter your age or how long ago they occurred.

“I want to thank the victims for their strength and courage throughout this investigation. Their support was vital, and I hope this sentence helps them begin to rebuild their lives.

“I also hope this outcome reassures other victims that they will be believed, and that justice can be pursued regardless of how much time has passed.”

Description

An asylum seeker from Syria who raped a 12-year old girl after offering her vape and crisps while he worked illegally at a supermarket in Birmingham, could face deportation under a change in the law.

Mohammed Wahid Mohammed who's 22 and who lived in Walsall, told the victim it was "not safe on the streets" and gave her a vape and crisps, before raping her.

It happened on the 24th September last year at Villa Supermarket in Handsworth.

"The victim had been helping a homeless woman"

The girl, who had left her home earlier that day, ended up in Birmingham city centre around 8.30pm that night.

Andrew Wallace, prosecuting, told the court the victim had been helping a homeless woman despite having only "a couple of pounds on her".

He said "She bought the lady a cup of tea. The homeless lady then walked her down Villa Road to Villa Supermarket.

"As soon as the defendant saw her he said: 'You look really young. You look really cold do you want to come into the shop? It's warm in there, I'll get you something to eat and drink".

"He knew she was far away from home"

He continued: "He knew she was far away from home, there was discussion about that.

"Ironically, he told her it wasn't safe on the streets. He coaxed her into the shop under the pretence of being concerned. Really he only had sex in mind."

Birmingham Crown Court heard Mohammed promised the girl some food and told her to take a vape, crisps and fizzy drink from the shelves.

He then said he was going to get a "new drink" from a storeroom out of the back, but led her to an upstairs bedroom where he had been sleeping, and attacked her.

Mohammed was sentenced to 12 years in prison after admitting two counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13, and being found guilty of three counts of rape by a jury.