Search results for Southampton

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Kieran Bunday, a previously convicted child sex offender, has been jailed after sexually assaulting a teenage boy at a birthday party in Norwich.

Bunday, 38, from Southampton, Hampshire, was a guest at the party in July 2023. Norwich Crown Court heard the victim was sitting in the lounge playing on his phone when Bunday, who was “fairly drunk,” sat beside him and began rubbing his legs over his trousers, touching his thighs, groin and penis. The assault continued for three to four minutes after the boy asked him to stop. When others entered the room, Bunday behaved as if nothing had happened.

The victim later said the incident left him feeling “disgusted,” “dirty” and “horrible about myself.” In a victim impact statement, he described becoming a “shell of who I used to be,” adding that he had attempted to take his own life afterwards and only recovered “because of the support of my family.”

Bunday had previously been jailed in 2012 for two counts of rape of a child and gross indecency with a child. He admitted the new charge of sexual assault.

Judge Andrew Shaw described him as a “dangerous offender” who posed a “high risk to children of serious harm by you committing further sexual offences.” The judge imposed an extended sentence of six years, comprising three years and four months in custody followed by two years and eight months on licence.

In mitigation, Benjamin Thiele-Long said Bunday had been young at the time of his earlier offences and claimed he had “no memory” of the birthday-party assault because of his drunkenness, though he had admitted the charge and was “anxious” about the outcome.

Bunday was also made the subject of a 10-year restraining order banning any contact with the victim and remains on the sex offenders’ register for life. The teenage victim cannot be identified for legal reasons.

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A Southampton man has today been jailed after admitting sexual activity with two underage girls.

Patrick Sheppard, 19, of no fixed abode, appeared before Southampton Crown Court today (2 October) where he was jailed for two years and 11 months.

He previously pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child at the same court on Wednesday 29 April.

The court heard how Sheppard committed the offences against two girls, both aged 14. The incidents happened at an address in Totton and an address in Nursling between March 2024 and November 2025.

Sheppard also pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle dangerously, driving with a proportion of a controlled drug above the limit and using a vehicle without insurance following an unrelated incident in Southampton in April 2025.

As part of his sentence for both the sexual offences and driving offences, he was also handed two 10-year restraining orders, a three-year driving ban and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

Detective Constable Gintare Jatautaite, from Amberstone, the dedicated rape and sexual assault investigations team, said:

“Firstly I would like to thank both victims for their bravery throughout the investigation and court process.

“We encourage other victims to come forward and speak to us. We take reports of this nature extremely seriously and work hard to bring offenders to justice.

“This case should also be a very clear message to other offenders out there that we will always work tirelessly to ensure you are brought to justice.”

Police Staff Investigator Rebecca Stevens, who works on the Child Abuse Investigation Team and investigated one of the assaults, said:

“Sheppard preyed on two young girls and took advantage of their vulnerability.

“His predatory behaviour is abhorrent, and I am pleased we were able to secure justice for these brave girls.

“Our force is dedicated to protecting the children in our community. If you have any concerns about child abuse, please contact us. You can call 101 or reach out via our website.”

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Alexander Storey, 47, jailed after police find over 1.5 million child abuse images on his computer.

A convicted sex offender who previously served a life sentence for attempting to rape a teenage girl has been jailed after police uncovered more than a million images and videos of child abuse material on his computer.

Alexander Storey, 47, of HMP Channings Wood, was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court after officers discovered a vast collection of indecent images of children.

Prosecutor Keeley Harvey told the court that police received information that someone at Storey’s Southampton address had been accessing child abuse material online. Officers attended the property on 7 March 2025 and seized several electronic devices, including a computer tower built by Storey.

Storey initially made no comment in interview. Two days later he admitted the computer contained the images. He told officers he “wanted to test his boundaries by looking at indecent images to see if he would be aroused by them” and that he “had been physically aroused but not emotionally so.”

He pleaded guilty to making 310 Category A images, 338 Category B images and 2,435 Category C images of children. Category A images are the most serious. Investigators also found a further 1,542,256 images and 1,085,573 videos that had not been categorised due to the volume of material recovered.

The court heard that Storey has a long history of sexual offending, including the attempted rape of a 15-year-old girl whom he followed onto a secluded footpath. He received a life sentence for that offence and served 18 years in prison before his release in 2022.

Defence barrister David Storry said Storey had made full admissions and cooperated with the investigation. He asked the court to note that the offences were non-contact and that Storey had never attempted to communicate with a child.

Judge William Mousley KC sentenced Storey to two years’ imprisonment with an extended licence period of three years. The computer used in the offences was ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.

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Two brave victims coming forward has helped officers bring a teaching assistant and martial arts instructor to justice for sexual offences.

Tom Jun Ahnstrom, aged 25 and of Southampton, pleaded guilty to offences including two charges of sexual communications with a child, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and causing a child to watch a sexual act.

The offences involved two female teenage victims.

After a search of his devices police also found illegal material, Ahnstrom further admitted three charges of making indecent photographs of a child.

The defendant made contact with his first victim via Snapchat in July 2022 and engaged in sexual communication toward her.

Ahnstrom also made contact with his second victim via Snapchat in the summer of 2022 and sent her sexually explicit messages.

Ahnstrom was arrested on Friday 8 December 2023 after an allegation was received in relation to the first victim and the second victim was also identified following further enquiries.

Both victims bravely came forward to give an account of what had happened to police and support the subsequent investigation, led by detectives from Dorset Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT).

Ahnstrom was subsequently charged and, after admitting the offences, he appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Tuesday 28 July 2026 and was sentenced to six years in prison and made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for a period of 15 year. Lifetime restraining orders were also imposed preventing Ahnstrom from contacting both victims.

Detective Constable Samantha Flynn, of CAIT, said:

“Thanks to the courage these victims have shown in coming forward, we were able to conduct a thorough investigation and hold Ahnstrom to account for his abusive behaviour.

“I hope the brave actions of these victims helps others find the strength to come forward and report offences to us, in the knowledge that we will fully support them and take action against perpetrators involved.”

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A 61-year-old man from Southampton has been jailed for 16 years and nine months for child sex offences in Totton.

Peter Bryan Rudd, of Acacia Road, was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court yesterday Thursday (16 July).

Following a five-day trial at the same court, between Tuesday 7 April and Monday 13 April, Rudd was found guilty of raping a child aged 11-years-old and two counts of sexual activity with a child.

His crimes, which took place over a four-year period, were first reported to police in May 2024.

As well as the time he will now spend behind bars, Rudd was also placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life, handed a lifetime restraining order, preventing him from having any contact with the victim, and made subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Upon his eventual release from prison, Rudd must also complete an additional year of supervision.

Speaking during sentencing, His Honour Judge Rowland, said:

"The victim and their family have all been extremely courageous."

Speaking after sentencing, Police Staff Investigator Rebecca Stevens, of the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

“I am very pleased that justice has been served for the young victim in this case, and their family.

Rudd is a sexual predator and extremely dangerous man, who has been placed behind bars for a significant period of time, where he belongs.

“He is now locked up and no longer able to harm any other young person, ensuring children and the wider community are safer as a result.

“Rudd stole the innocence of this child, but I would like to place on record my praise and admiration for the child and their family.

“They have shown incredible strength, courage and determination throughout this investigation.

“While I know this outcome won’t rid the victim and their family of the memories of what Rudd did, I truly hope it allows them to move forward, safe in the knowledge that he is safely locked away."

Directly addressing other victims of sex offences, PSI Stevens, said:

“I also hope this sentence will reassure victims and their families that they will be listened to when reporting similar incidents to us.

“We encourage other victims to come forward and speak to us, as we take allegations of this nature extremely seriously and work hard to bring offenders to justice.

“This case should also be a very clear message to other offenders out there that we will always work tirelessly to ensure you are brought to justice and held accountable of for your crimes.”

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Two men have been jailed for a combined total of 21 years after admitting to offences relating to the sexual exploitation of children.

An investigation by the Internet Child Abuse Team (ICAT) began in July 2024 after officers identified indecent images of children being uploaded online and linked them to Gary Mellor, who was living in Southampton at the time.

Mellor was arrested at his home address in September 2024 and his mobile phone was seized.

The court heard that analysis of the device led to the discovery of indecent images involving children, including images created by Mellor himself. Investigators also uncovered disturbing online conversations between Mellor and Darren Mabey, in which the two men discussed the sexual exploitation of children.

Depraved messages exchanged between the pair were read aloud to the court, revealing discussions about their previous interactions with children, meeting at local leisure facilities including The Rapids in Romsey, and their plans to "swap" children.

This evidence led officers to identify and arrest Mabey, who was also living in Southampton at the time. During his arrest in November 2024, officers seized 10 digital devices, on which investigators found further messages discussing plans to sexually exploit children, as well as additional indecent images of children.

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court, Gary Mellor pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children (Category A, B and C) and arranging/facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child under the age of 13.

Darren Mabey pleaded guilty to making an indecent image of a child (Category A), arranging/facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child under the age of 13, possession of an offensive weapon in a private place, and possession of a Class B controlled drug.

Appearing at the same court for sentencing on Tuesday 14 July, Gary Mellor, 43, of Castle Street, Salisbury, was jailed for 10 years and Darren Mabey, 33, of Brighton Road, Lewes, was jailed for 11 years.

In addition to their time behind bars, both men will be subject to indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Orders (SHPOs) and will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Detective Darren Hemingway-Guy, from the Internet Child Abuse Team, who led the investigation, said:

"This was a deeply distressing investigation which revealed the extent of the danger posed by both of these men.

"The abuse and exploitation uncovered during this investigation was devastating. Sexual offences involving children often have a lifelong impact on victims and their families, and these are some of the most complex and challenging investigations officers are asked to undertake.

"I want to acknowledge the courage shown by those affected throughout this investigation and court process. Reliving traumatic experiences and knowing the details of these offences would be examined in court is an incredibly difficult thing to endure, and that bravery should not be underestimated.

"While nothing can undo the harm caused, I hope these sentences provide some measure of justice and help those affected as they continue to move forward with their lives.

"Thanks to the dedication and persistence of investigators, specialist officers and digital forensic teams, Mellor and Mabey are now where they belong, behind bars.

"Child abuse and exploitation, whether committed in person or facilitated online, are among the most abhorrent offences we encounter. We will continue to identify, target and prosecute those responsible, and do everything within our power to safeguard children from harm."

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A 34-year-old man from Southampton has been jailed for six years and two months for child sex offences.

John Joseph Sullivan, of Wharncliffe Road, Southampton, was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on Wednesday (17 June).

He had previously pleaded guilty to 31 counts of sexual assault of a child aged under 13 years, taking, making and distributing indecent images of a child, voyeurism and possession of extreme pornography. The incidents occurred in 2023.

Sullivan was first arrested in January this year. Following an examination of his electronic devices, he was subsequently charged and remanded in custody.

As well as the time he will now spend behind bars, he was also handed an extended licence period of three years and ten months, which he will serve upon his release from prison.

Sullivan was also made subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.

Speaking after sentencing, DC Aimee Scott-Molloy, of the Internet Child Abuse Team, said:

“I’m pleased that justice has been served for the young victim and their family, and that Sullivan is behind bars, where he belongs.

“He is now locked up and no longer able to harm any other young person, ensuring children and the wider community are safer as a result.

“Sullivan stole the innocence of this child, but I would like to place on record my praise and admiration for the child and their family.

“They have shown incredible strength, courage and determination throughout this investigation.

“While I know this outcome won’t rid the victim and their family of the memories of what Sullivan did, I truly hope it allows them to move forward, safe in the knowledge that he is now locked up.”

Directly addressing other victims of sex offences, DC Scott-Molloy, said: “I really hope this sentence will reassure victims and their families that they will be listened to when reporting similar incidents to us.

“We encourage other victims to come forward and speak to us. We take allegations of this nature extremely seriously and work hard to bring offenders to justice.

“This case should also be a very clear message to other offenders out there that we will always work tirelessly to ensure you are brought to justice.”

Description

A man has been jailed for a sexual offence against a girl in Southampton.

Michael Marshall, 33, attended the girl’s family home address in late 2022 where he put his arm around the girl – who was aged 12 at the time – and asked her if he could kiss her on the lips.

Police were informed in January 2023 and a lengthy investigation was carried out.

Marshall was subsequently charged last year with causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He denied the offence but was convicted at Southampton Crown Court on 2 March this year.

Following this Marshall, formerly of Colne Avenue in Southampton, also pleaded guilty on 12 March this year to a separate charge of failing to comply with Sex Offender Notification Requirements, by failing to notify police of his home address following his conviction.

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court on Thursday 30 April, he was jailed for three years.

DC Jodi Cheeseman said:

“The young girl at the heart of this case took the very brave step to report her experience, and this is to be commended.

“Because of this, Marshall – who poses a clear risk to children – is now in prison where he belongs.

“Not everyone has the courage to speak to police, and we understand this. We hope that any child that experiences any form of abuse has the confidence to report this to an adult they trust – whether that be a family member or a teacher for example, as there are people out there who will listen and who can provide you with support.”

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A 38-year-old man has been jailed for 16 months after being found guilty of indecent exposure and admitting offences including common assault at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Sukirthan Thangrasha of Highfield Lane in Southampton, who is a foreign national and states that he is originally from Sri Lanka, was charged and convicted after he assaulted a 25-year-old man on Friday 15 August 2025 at the premises in which he was staying on Highfield Lane in Southampton. 

The man was not seriously hurt. Thangrasha then indecently exposed himself to people inside the building.in relation to our investigations into the following incidents:

At Portsmouth Crown Court on Wednesday 11 March 2026 Thangrasha was found guilty of indecent exposure contrary to Section 66 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. At the same court he also admitted two charges of common assault contrary to Section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

On Wednesday 1 April at Portsmouth Crown Court he then admitted using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm, or distress when he shouted at a child in Kingston Cemetery in Portsmouth on 15 September.

He was sentenced at the same court to a combined total of 16 months in prison.

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A man who admitted to sexual offences against three women in Southampton has today been jailed for three years.

While walking along Upper Shaftesbury Avenue, Portswood, in the early hours of Tuesday 25 November, last year, a woman was approached by Sohail Amiri.

Despite not knowing the woman, he started walking alongside her, telling her she was beautiful and asking for "just one kiss".

After repeatedly being told no, Amiri, 30, an Afghan national who was living in Highfield Lane at the time, grabbed the woman's wrist and attempted to force himself upon her.

Throughout the assault, she repeatedly told him no as he repeated the words "just one kiss", before breaking free and fleeing for safety.

After receiving the report, local officers began enquiries in the area to track down CCTV, identify the movements of Amiri after the assault and trace him to his address, arrest him and seize the clothing he had been wearing at the time.

It was heard this work also led to identifying his involvement in another reported incident two months earlier.

Southampton Crown Court was told Amiri had approached a woman in Westwood Road, Bevois, on September 23, around 6.40am in the morning, asking for "just one kiss", but she ignored him and continued walking.

When she arrived at work, she told a colleague about this, who said the same thing had happened to her, but that the man had also pushed her while saying the same phrase.

The court heard following a DNA match to saliva from the incident in Portswood and mobile phone data confirming his locations, among a number of other enquiries, Amiri was charged.

Earlier this year, he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault, one of attempted sexual assault, and to entering the United Kingdom without leave.

And today he was jailed for three years at Southampton Crown Court by Judge Nicholas Rowland. He was also handed a 10 year sexual harm prevention order.

Speaking after the hearing, DCI Michael Higgins, who oversaw the investigation, said:

"Sohail Amiri's behaviour was predatory, and created a great deal of fear and anxiety for all three women, who should be able to feel safe in their own community.

"Their courage and bravery throughout meant we have been able to present a case to the court which Amiri has had no choice but to plead guilty to.

"While nothing can undo what they have been through, I hope today's sentencing brings a measure of reassurance to them, and to the public, that we take behaviour like this extremely seriously, and will do all we can to bring perpetrators to justice."

District commander for Southampton, Superintendent Alex Charge added:

"Following the assault in Portswood, our neighbourhood enforcement team's dogged and tenacious attitude meant we were swiftly able to track Amiri's movements, locate him and bring him into custody. Our investigation team then used all the available extensions to keep him there while we pulled together all the evidence required to obtain charges from the CPS.

"Ensuring Southampton's streets not only are safe, but feel safe for all who live, work in and visit the city is the utmost priority for us, and we will not tolerate anyone who wants to target lone women in our communities.

"We have also been really clear that we police without fear or favour, and regardless of ethnicity or nationality, if you commit a crime then we will use all powers available to us to deal with you."

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A 25-year-old man has been jailed today for 10 years for raping a woman he had been harassing during a night out in Southampton.

Musafar Hotak began following a woman, who had been on a night out with friends, in the city centre, paying her unwanted attention.

A court heard on Tuesday 12 July, 2022, he approached the 24-year-old woman, who was trying to find her partner. He told her he knew her partner, and offered to help reunite them.

Instead, he led her to his own address, where he went on to ignore her repeated pleas for him to stop and sexually assaulted and raped her. She eventually managed to push him away and flee the property.

In a statement to the court, the victim described how her life had been “destroyed in ways she never thought possible, something me shattered.” She spoke of living “in fear, shame, silence, and unbearable pain that I still can’t fully describe. I was left feeling broken, empty, and terrified of the world around me.” She told the court “I had lost every piece of myself, and it felt like there was no way back. I felt like a stranger in my own skin,” adding that “before this, I was full of life.” but following the attack “it’s exhausting to live in constant fear.” She said the impact “has left scars on every part of my life. I’ve been surviving it every day since.”

When the victim reported the attack to police, an investigation was launched, with support for her from specialist officers.

As part of this investigation, forensic samples were taken at the time the offence was reported. However, Hotak had left the country and was not able to be arrested until he returned to the UK in 2024.

Hotak, an Afghan national who lived in Mount Pleasant Road, Southampton, had denied raping the woman, but was found guilty following a trial at Southampton Crown Court last month.

Today, at the same court, he has been jailed for 10 years.

Along with his time in behind bars Hotak will put on the Sex Offenders Register for life and is subject to a restraining order. 

Detective constable Laura Cook, the officer leading the investigation said:

“We are pleased to see Hotak behind bars for what he has done.

"Reducing violence against women and girls is a priority for us, and this case shows our determination to pursue offenders and protect victims.

"This has been a long and incredibly difficult journey for the victim, and her courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation has been truly commendable.

“I also want to recognise the dedication of the wider investigations team, whose hard work and professionalism throughout this case helped ensure that a dangerous offender has been brought to justice.

“I hope today’s outcome brings the victim some sense of closure after everything she has endured.”

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A married Romanian man who paid £20 to have sex with a 15-year-old girl in a Southampton park has been jailed and faces likely deportation.

Cristian Tataru, 41, of Brintons Road, committed the offence at Hoglands Park in 2022 after paying the girl’s boyfriend £20, Southampton Crown Court heard.

He later left the UK and was arrested in Dover on his return in 2025.

Prosecutor Giles Bedloe said:

“In a prepared statement, he admitted having sex with the victim in this case. He said he thought she was 18 and thereafter gave a ‘no comment’ interview.”

The girl had told a relative she had been raped three times by three different men. Tataru pleaded guilty to paying for the sexual services of a child but denied a separate rape allegation, which will lie on file.

Defence barrister Andrew Houston said Tataru first came to the UK in 2016 to support his family in Romania. “He has a wife who has three children,” he told the court. “He knows he has let his wife and stepchildren down. He is sorry for what he has done. He has always accepted there was sexual activity.”

Houston added that Tataru felt aggrieved he was the only one prosecuted, as the other men’s whereabouts were unknown.

Passing sentence, Judge Gary Lucie told him: “You paid £20 to have sex with [the victim]. She was 15 and you were 38 – more than twice her age.

“You were acting with others including her partner at the time, who was abusing her. This was all about commercial exploitation.”

Tataru was jailed for three years and four months. He will serve half in prison before release on licence, and was given a five-year restraining order and placed on the sex offenders register for life. He is expected to be deported once his sentence is complete.

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Jake Radwell, 42, a registered sex offender from Kent Street, Southampton, has admitted breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) while overstating his involvement with People's Pride Southampton, an LGBTQ+ charity he claims to have founded.

Radwell, who has posed as a prominent advocate for the group since before its 2019 inception as a community organization, was swiftly removed that year after his conviction came to light, according to the charity.

The breach occurred at a Southampton party on April 12, 2025, where a child was present and the parent was unaware of Radwell's status.

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court on February 3, 2026, in a red hoodie, Radwell confirmed his name and pleaded guilty. The case was prosecuted by James Kellam.

Defense lawyer David Storry said Radwell assumed others at the party—who knew his status—had informed the parent, adding: "The party was kept on CCTV, he was never unsupervised, and of course, he has pleaded guilty."

A People's Pride spokesperson stated Radwell has overstated his role, including as spokesperson and chairman post-2019, and rebuffed his claims: "He no longer has involvement and hasn't since being dismissed, although we do often get told he is out and about taking to people on our behalf, which we like to make absolutely clear he has nothing or will have anything to do with us."

The spokesperson explained not challenging his earlier claims to avoid seeming like they were "steamrolling" him.

The SHPO was imposed on April 10, 2017. When People's Pride briefly incorporated as People's Pride Soton CIC from June 19, 2023, Radwell was listed as a director, but the charity says this was without its knowledge.

Radwell told multiple media outlets, including the BBC in 2022, that he was founder and chairman, criticizing Southampton City Council over a monkeypox warning. He co-signed a 2023 letter opposing Britain First on the group's behalf, claimed to organize Pride In The Park in 2022, and sent a 2024 press release promoting that year's event.

In 2024, he helped organize Southampton Global Fusion, launched by trustees of Edmund Kell to collaborate with cultural groups.

Judge Gary Lucie adjourned the case until March 3, 2026, for a pre-sentence report. Radwell remains on unconditional bail.

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A Romanian fugitive wanted for sex trafficking offences has been arrested by the National Crime Agency.

46-year-old Manix Lacatusu was detained by specialist officers from the Agency’s National Extradition Unit (NEU) in the Shirley Road area of Southampton on Wednesday 14 January.

He is wanted by the Romanian authorities for the sexual exploitation and trafficking of two girls, one of whom who he attempted to transport to Italy in 2015.

Having failed to answer a summons for his trial he was convicted in his absence. A judge in the Romanian county of Gorj subsequently sentenced him to ten years in prison in May 2024.

Investigations by the NCA and Romanian partners identified that Lacatusu had been living in the UK for several years under a number of aliases to evade detection. Having spent time in the Midlands and North West of England, he was eventually tracked down to Southampton by NEU investigators.

Following his arrest, he was taken to Westminster magistrates’ court where he consented to extradition, and was remanded in custody.

Andy Kelly from the NCA’s National Extradition Unit said: “Manix Lacatusu was wanted for serious offences in his home country, and thanks to our close working with Romanian partners he was tracked down and will now face justice.

“The NCA has specialist teams working night and day to locate fugitives like him, there is no hiding place in the UK.”

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A controlling and abusive man has today been jailed for 10 years for the rape and assault of a former partner.

Levi Slack-Smith deliberately isolated the woman, who he was in a relationship with at the time, from her friends.

He would threaten to send intimate photos of her to people she knew, make derogatory and aggressive comments towards her, and when she tried to break up with him he assaulted her.

A court heard the 21-year-old would hit and kick the woman, and strangled her on multiple occasions - including one incident where he caused her to pass out.

It was also heard Slack-Smith had raped her on multiple occasions during their relationship.

At Portsmouth Crown Court, he was convicted, following a trial, of four counts of rape, and five of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Slack-Smith, of Thorndike Close, Southampton, had also previously pleaded guilty to malicious communications and making threats to disclose private sexual photographs.

As part of his controlling and obsessive behaviour, he disliked her going anywhere without him and would repeatedly blame her for his actions, including telling her "I don't know why you do this to me" after he had kicked her down the stairs.

In a statement read at court today, she said:

"There are so many things Levi has said and done to me which shows he has no respect for women, or any human being at all. He raped me, beat me, spat at me, degraded and abused me in every possible way he could. He tried to destroy me and my life.

"Since the trial, I have felt a huge sense of relief knowing that he was found guilty and remanded. I have been able to go out by myself and I have gone back to college to do what I always wanted to do and hopefully one day I will fulfil my dreams.

"I want to thank everyone who has helped me throughout, especially my ISVA (independent sexual violence advisor), who was there for me and helped me out so much. I can’t thank the police officers enough – it may have taken a while but we got there and got the best possible outcome – thank you."

He was also sentenced today for a dangerous driving offence, after officers pursued him in a car with cloned plates near his home - reaching speeds of up to 60mph - and arrested him on February 13, this year.

Judge Daniel Sawyer today jailed Slack-Smith for 10 years and five months, telling him:

"This ‘relationship’ had almost the entire range of abuse – sexual, violent and emotional abuse.

"Two of the ABHs involved strangulation. It is shockingly dangerous and can lead to sudden unpredictable death. It is a uniquely terrifying form of abuse and the biggest red flag there can be in terms of domestic violence.

"The court looks extremely seriously on this violence. In terms of harm there was undoubtedly severe psychological harm here."

Speaking after the sentencing, investigating officer PSI Rebecca Stevens said:

"Levi Slack-Smith is a vile and reprehensible man, who has no respect for women and refuses to take ownership of his own behaviour and actions.

"Thanks to the immense courage shown by the woman in this case, he now has plenty of time to contemplate those actions, and he is not able to pose a threat to any other women."