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Police in Hampshire and in America have been conducting investigations into a website where explicit images of women in Hampshire were uploaded, and a global paedophile ring marketed the sale of child sex abuse material.

US authorities have made a number of arrests and have seized more than 1 million indecent images of children as part of their investigation. Meanwhile, officers in Hampshire have prosecuted a man involved in uploading falsified intimate images of adult women.

Officers in Hampshire first became aware of the website in January 2024 after a woman reported that images of her from her wedding day, which had been doctored to make her appear either nude or wearing lingerie, had been uploaded to the site.

More than 100 images of the woman had been shared, and were accompanied by comments containing written fantasies about sexually abusing the woman.

Through enquiries, Hampshire police were able to identify the person responsible for uploading the images – 30-year-old Ethan Orchard of Highland Road in Southsea, who was known to the woman and even made her aware of the images being shared, but did not disclose to her that he was the person responsible.

Orchard also shared doctored images of two other women he knew, and continued to post horrific violent and sexual fantasies on the website about them.

In addition, Orchard encouraged others online to harass one of the victims. Fortunately she did not receive contact from anyone.

Orchard was arrested and later charged with three counts of sharing a photograph of a person in an intimate state for the purpose of sexual gratification, and one count of encouraging the commission of an either way offence and believing it will be committed.

He pleaded guilty to the offences on 11 May this year, and was jailed for three years and four months on Friday 10 July. He was also made subject to a 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and was given an indefinite restraining order.

During enquiries into Orchard’s offending, investigating officer PC Steve Cann made contact with the FBI in February 2024 to make them aware of the website.

In November 2024, PC Cann became aware that the site domain had been seized by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Through liaison with the FDLE, Hampshire police were informed that Special Agents in America began investigating the site in July 2024, which was being used to advertise indecent images of children and make contact with buyers who wanted to buy child abuse material.

The FDLE’s cyber team then set about seizing the website domain and removing the website, and were able to seize 1.1million indecent images of children. Authorities were also able to identify more than 50 victims of child sex abuse spanning the United States, Canada, Australia and the UK.

Working with Homeland Security, FDLE identified 10 offenders comprised of two money mules based in the US, seven customers of child abuse material based in Florida, as well as Turkish resident Mehmet Bozuyuk who is alleged to have led the conspiracy by using stolen identities to facilitate the global sale and distribution of child sex abuse material.

Judicial proceedings remain ongoing in America, and a warrant is currently active for the arrest of Bozuyuk.

You can read more about the FDLE investigation here: https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/news/2025/april/fdle-ag-uthmeier-hsi-announce-international-csam-investigation-arrests

PC Steve Cann, of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, said:

“What happened to the women in Hampshire is truly shocking, and highlights the very frightening realities of how people like Orchard can exploit online spaces to cause serious harm.

“They were targeted, objectified, and left in constant fear for their safety because of what Orchard did.

“The most insidious part of this was the sheer scale of harm police were able to identify from this one website alone. Our counterparts in the US have conducted some incredible work to remove this website, along with more than a million indecent images of children, and have identified a global paedophile ring.

“It is truly horrifying to think that this kind of offending is carried out on such an enormous scale right under all of our noses on the internet.

“I want to commend the bravery of the three women in this case in coming forward, and their relentless commitment to supporting a very long and protracted investigation. They have played a crucial part in ensuring authorities could target offenders exploiting innocent people.

“The impact the offending has had on them is profound. One of the victims and her husband have had the memories of their wedding day completely tarnished and can no longer bear to look at the photographs from their special day. All of those affected have been betrayed in the most horrendous way, and I hope the action taken by police both locally and overseas goes some way in helping them recover from this ordeal.”

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A 71-year-old man from Southsea has been jailed for eleven years after he admitted sexually assaulting a woman at his home address in September 2025.

We received a report on Wednesday 24 September that a 44-year-old woman had been sexually assaulted a fortnight earlier on Wednesday 10 September at an address on St Andrews Road. Graham Michael Stubbs who lived at the address was arrested on Friday 26 September and subsequently charged with sexual assault and sexual assault by digital penetration. He later admitted both charges and was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 20 March 2026. The court was told that the woman had been feeling unwell and had said ‘no’ when Stubbs had initially touched her chest over her clothing. He later sexually assaulted her when she was sleeping.

Stubbs was sentenced to eight years in prison for the latter offence, but this was extended to eleven years because of the nature of the offence. He was sentenced to eight months in prison to be served concurrently for the earlier assault.

Officer in the case, DC Amy Thatcher said:

“Stubbs abused the victims’ trust after offering to help her as she was feeling unwell. Instead of helping her, her preyed upon her and sexually assaulted her. I welcome the extended period of his sentence that ensures that he can’t target other women.

“I commend the victim in this case who came forward to secure justice and stop Stubbs from preying on other women, her resilience throughout this case has been extraordinary. I hope this significant sentence helps her moving forward and encourages victims of similar offences to report to us and seek support. Our message is simple, you will be believed and we will investigate thoroughly to wherever possible secure justice and stop people from targeting women and girls”.

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A former teacher at a Southampton school has been jailed for sexual offences against a teenage girl.

Edward George Waller, 66, of Winter Road, Southsea, had denied offences that related to his time as a teacher at St Anne’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College in Southampton.

But on Wednesday 3 December, a jury found him guilty of one count of sexual activity with a child by a person in position of trust, and two counts of being a person in a position of trust causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Today (Friday 20 February), at Portsmouth Crown Court, Waller was jailed for six years.

He will be placed on the sex offender register indefinitely.

The court heard that the offences took place when Waller was a history teacher at the school and the girl was aged between 16 and 17 years old.

He gave a vulnerable female pupil his mobile number and after a short period, his messages became inappropriate and sexual, including sending naked images of himself.

The court heard that Waller later invited the girl to his home and had sex with her.

Today in court, the victim read out a statement detailing how Waller’s offending continues to impact her life, including her ability to form relationships, as well as the difficulty in having to relive her experience during the trial.

She continued:

“I want to be clear: I didn’t give evidence to hurt him. I did it for myself. These events have haunted me and I needed the closure I never got then. I’m not there yet — I’m deeply scarred by what happened then and by having to relive it now — but I believe I finally have a chance to heal in a way I couldn’t have without telling the truth.

“I write this on behalf of a vulnerable teenager who was simply looking for safety and love, who did not deserve what happened to her and who has carried shame that does not belong to her for far too long.”

In 2023, an investigation was carried out by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Operation Marmion team, who investigate allegations of non-recent sexual abuse perpetrated within institutions or by people of prominence.

Speaking after the hearing, officer in the case Detective Constable Laura Hardie said:

“The survivor of this abuse was a vulnerable teenage girl at the time. She was abused by someone she should have been able to trust – a teacher at her own school.

“She has shown incredible bravery in having to talk about what happened in court. I would also like to thank the witnesses who came forward in this case. Their support, along with the support of the victim, ensured Waller has now been brought to justice.

“We want anyone who has experienced sexual abuse to come forward, no matter when the offence took place. You will be listened to by specially trained officers and the matters will be investigated.

“If you are not ready to report a crime, there are a number of different types of support available and you can decide what to do next.”

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A man has today been jailed for 11 years for child sex offences in Portsmouth.

Colin Stear, 67, of Plymouth Street, Southsea, was charged with three counts of assaulting a boy under 13 by touching and two counts of causing or inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

This related to non-recent sexual offences against two victims between 2004 and 2018 in Portsmouth. 

Stear denied the offences but was convicted following a trial. He was sentenced today (2 May) at Portsmouth Crown Court to 11 years in prison, with a three-year extension to his licence period.

He was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

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A 30-year-old man has been jailed for eight years after being found guilty of two offences of rape, and one of sexual assault in Southsea, following a four-day trial at Winchester Crown Court.

Aaron Horsfall of no fixed address was sentenced on Thursday 20 March.

Horsfall was charged as part of our investigation into the rape of a 19-year-old woman at an address of Waverley Road on 16 September last year.

He will also have to sign the sex offenders register for life.

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A re-offending paedophile who breached a sexual harm prevention order by indecently exposed himself to two young girls has been jailed.

Peter Melville, 60, of Highland Road, Portsmouth, was sentenced to 46 months in custody at Swindon Crown Court last Friday (14/02).

Melville pleaded guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention order following an incident of indecent exposure in Covingham last year.

At around 2pm on September 3, 2024, the victims, aged 12 at the time, were approached by Melville who said he was sexually attracted to them before unzipping his trousers and attempting to expose himself.

We conducted CCTV and doorbell enquiries to identify the offender, who was formerly known as Raymond Casson with more than 10 previous convictions for sexual offences.

Firearms officers stopped and arrested Melville near the M4 in Swindon at 6.30pm and he remained in custody.

In a statement read to the court, one victim, who previously didn't feel scared at all, said Melville's actions left her feeling unsafe and afraid to go out by herself.

She said: "He looked like an innocent, normal man when he walked past - I didn’t think he was going to do something like that.

"I was crying and feeling terrified for a while. It was only when the police arrived I started to calm down because I knew
they were going to help and he wouldn’t come back."

Another victim described how she banged and kicked a house door in an attempt to scare off Melville after he approached her.

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Christopher Smith, 75, of Glasgow Road, Southsea, was locked up at Portsmouth Crown Court after being found guilty following a trial. 

The sick pervert was convicted of three counts of raping a male aged 16 or over, seven charges of sexual assault of a male aged 16 or above, and two counts of causing a boy to engage in sexual activity. He carried out the horrific crimes between August 2021 and April 2022.

The sex offender has to register with police indefinitely upon his release.

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Magistrates have imposed a sexual risk order against a man accused of having ‘spied on girls’ in cubicles.

Zac Soliman, 23, appeared before Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Prosecutors say Soliman had ‘1.5million indecent images of children’ on his phone – despite him doing a factory reset on the device when police came knocking.

The court also heard alleged incidents of Soliman using his phone to record children in cubicles.

Prosecuting, Ned Sillett said: “On one occasion, the defendant put his hand – holding his phone – under a cubicle where a 10-year-old girl, and on another occasion, a 16-year-old girl, were present.

“They were both unknown to the defendant. This indicates that he has an active sexual interest in children

“His devices were also searched, and a vast quantity of indecent images were found – 1.5m in total."

Mr Sillett: “The defendant was arrested earlier this year and he took so long to answer the door, police forced entry.

“When they entered, they found the defendant had done a factory reset on his phone.

“Sex toys and lubricant were also found, and evidence suggests he carries them around with him in a bag in public places.

“There is a significant risk to the public, particularly children.”

Soliman, of Shaftesbury Road, Southsea, requested an adjournment so he could obtain legal aid.

Chair of the Magistrates’, Mr Dickinson said: “I will adjourn a decision for a full sexual risk order until June 10 to allow for legal aid for the defendant.

“This is a one-off opportunity but we feel there is a substantial risk that must be managed.

“We believe it is right and fair to impose an interim sexual risk order.”

Such an order is a civil court order that prevents a person from carrying out certain activities.

The full details of Soliman's order were not given in court.

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A 36 year-old Hampshire man has been jailed after he admitted a sexual assault that took place in the early hours of the morning.

Paul Kevin Leslie Kearslake, aged 36, of Warwick Crescent in Southsea has been jailed for 28 months at Portsmouth Crown Court.

On Monday, January 8, a 37 year-old woman was approached by a man she did not know on Albert Road, Southsea, shortly before 2.30am.

Kearslake made sexualised comments towards her before touching her inappropriately over her clothing, Hampshire Police said. He ran off when she screamed.

He admitted both offences at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on Wednesday, January 10 and was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday, May 3.

Detective Inspector Claire Ratcliffe said: “I’m pleased that Kearslake admitted these offences without the need for a trial. 

"The sentence imposed underlines the seriousness of his offending. This was a frightening experience for the victim and a I hope such a swift resolution to the investigation and court process will provide her some reassurance.

“Reducing violence against women and girls remains one of our top priorities in Portsmouth and together with other agencies we do a lot of work to tackle this issue.

"Our Operation Rigging patrols see officers out and about in the city centre at our busiest times, identifying and intercepting predatory or concerning behaviour towards women.

“I would like to take this opportunity to remind people that if you have been the victim of a sexual offence, please report it to us – you will be listened to and you will be taken seriously. We will also work to get you the support that you need.”

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A 20 year-old man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after three women reported that they were approached in Southsea and touched inappropriately over their clothing.

Shueb Chowdhury of Harold Road in Southsea admitted three offences of sexual assault at Portsmouth Crown Court on 21 August 2023..

The court heard that at around 6:30am on Monday 10 July a 51 year-old woman was assaulted in the Canoe Lake area when a man she did not know approached her from behind and touched the back of her shorts with both hands. He then ran off towards Eastney along Eastern Parade.

Shortly after 3pm on the same day a 41 year-old woman reported that a man she did not know approached her on Empshott Road and touched her chest over her clothing before running off towards Devonshire Avenue.

The following week at 5pm on Tuesday 18 July a 24 year-old woman was approached on Fawcett Road by a man she did not know who touched her chest over her clothing before running off

Today at Portsmouth Crown Court (Friday 13 October) Chowdhury was sentenced to a total of 18 months in prison and he will also be subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and have to sign the Sex Offenders Register. Upon sentencing the judge described Chowdhury as: chilling and worrying.

Investigating officer DC James Adams said: These assaults all took place in daylight hours and were frightening experiences for Chowdhurys victims. We take all reports of sexual assault very seriously and Im pleased that we quickly managed to identify and arrest Chowdhury so that his offending did not escalate. Todays sentence sends a clear message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated in Portsmouth and we will relentlessly pursue offenders to secure justice for their victims.

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A 35 year-old man from Southsea has been sent to prison for 28 months after being found guilty of sexual activity with a child in Havant.

We received a report on Sunday 11 July 2021 that a 14 year-old girl was indecently touched by an adult at an address in Havant. Following an investigation involving specialist officers supporting the victim, Daniel Plumstead of Fawcett Road in Southsea was arrested and charged with sexual activity with a child.

On Thursday 15th of June 2023, Plumstead was found guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court and was sentenced at the same court on the same day. In addition to the 28 month custodial sentence Plumstead was sentenced to an additional month in prison for a bail act offence to be served consecutively. Plumstead will have to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years and is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for the same period.

DC Paul Osborne who investigated the case said: “This result sends a clear message that we investigate these kinds of reports thoroughly. I’m pleased that we’ve secured justice for the victim, who can move forward with her life safe in the knowledge that Plumstead is in prison.

“We take all allegations of sexual abuse extremely seriously, and we have specially trained teams that can investigate these kinds of offences and provide support to victims. If you have experienced these kinds of offences we can make a commitment to you that you will be heard and listened to, and your report will be believed. We are determined to put victims first and relentlessly pursue offenders, especially when investigating these kinds of cases”

“I would like to commend the victim for her bravery in reporting this matter to the police and for providing evidence”.

If you have been affected by child sexual abuse you can contact police on 101 and speak to a police officer in confidence.

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A PORTSMOUTH predator has been sentenced to four years in prison for sexually abusing two children. Duncan Daniels, 21, of Sackville Street in Southsea, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court today (April 22) for sentencing having previously pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual activity with a child, one count of sexual communication with a child and one count of sexual assault on a child. The offences first came to the attention of police in June 2019 when one of the victims reported that Daniels had touched her inappropriately on several occasions earlier that month when he was 18 and she was 14. Two days later, a second victim came forward to report that Daniels had sexually assaulted him in a number of incidents when he was just 12-years-old and again two years later when he was 14. Officers launched an investigation and Daniels was arrested and later charged. DC Maria Sweeney, who led the investigation, said: Daniels repeatedly took advantage of his two young victims in vulnerable situations and we would like to commend them for their courage in coming forward to report this abuse. Without their bravery, we would not have secured this conviction. I sincerely hope that this sentence begins to bring some closure to those he affected, and that it helps others who have suffered similar abuse to find the confidence to come forward and speak to the police knowing their voices will be heard. Police encourage anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse to contact police on 101 where you can speak with our specialist detectives in confidence.

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An assistant headteacher who groomed pupils and had sex with them in his office has been banned from the classroom for life.

Teaching watchdogs said PE teacher Sean Aldridge, now 39, had shown no remorse for targeting four girls aged 13 to 16.

He was jailed for 12 years in July 2019 at Portsmouth Crown Court.

He has now been struck off for life by the Teaching Regulation Agency watchdog over multiple offences while teaching at Warblington School, Havant.

Peter Ward, who chaired the disciplinary hearing, said: 'The panel was satisfied that the conduct of Mr Aldridge was wholly contrary to the standards expected of the teaching profession.

'Teachers are placed in a privileged position of trust and Mr Aldridge had abused his position.

'Mr Aldridge's conduct was of the most serious and gravest kind.

'Mr Aldridge's actions in committing the offences had undoubtedly caused significant hurt and suffering to pupils who had been placed in his care.

'The panel considered that Mr Aldridge's behaviour in committing the offences would affect public confidence in the teaching profession.

'Further, that public confidence in the profession would be severely damaged in the event he was allowed to teach following his release from prison.

'In the light of the panel's findings against Mr Aldridge which involved 25 counts of sexual activity with pupils, there was a very strong public interest consideration in respect of the protection of pupils given the serious and multiple findings of sexual activity with pupils.

The panel considered Mr Aldridge's actions had been calculated and deliberate. No documents in the form of mitigation were submitted on behalf of Mr Aldridge.

There was no indication from the documents before the panel that Mr Aldridge was remorseful or had shown insight into his conduct.

The panel was in no doubt that Mr Aldridge's misconduct was of the most serious kind and had been serious sexual misconduct.'

His first alleged victim told police they had sex every day and she had a miscarriage with his child in Year 11.

Father-of-two Aldridge, of Southsea, Hamphire, denies sexual activity with the girls at Warblington School.

Prosecutor Robert Bryan told jurors Aldridge had a 'secret second phone' which he hid in a jacket pocket in his wardrobe.

He used his middle name 'Jack' as a code name on his secret phone, and two of his victims had the number saved on their phones as 'Jack Ridge' to protect his identity, the court heard.

His alleged grooming began in 2007 after he gave a 15 year old pupil, who cannot be named for legal reasons, his mobile number because she was having 'problems at home'.

Mr Bryan said: 'The victim said her first sexual encounter was ruined because he kept repeating 'I could go to prison for this'.'

Banning him from the classroom for life today/yesterday, decision maker Alan Meyrick, for the Education Secretary, said: 'There was no indication from the documents before the panel that Mr Aldridge was remorseful or had shown insight into his conduct.'

In my judgement, the lack of insight means that there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour and this puts at risk the future well-being of pupils.

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A PAEDOPHILE ex-councillor who championed faster broadband speeds and blasted police as incompetent has been spared jail - despite downloading vile abuse images of children.

Damon Bower, who once served as vice-chairman of Haydon Wick Parish Council last year, had a short film on his iPhone showing a girl of between eight and 10 years of age being sexually assaulted. The 49-year-old had a small collection of indecent images on his mobile, together with fantasy stories detailing child abuse.

However, after hearing Bower had lost everything as a result of his conviction, a judge stepped short of jailing him – instead imposing a community order.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court police had visited the paedophile councillor's north Swindon home last June. They had received a tip-off that someone at the address had uploaded vile material to the internet, although no evidence was subsequently found to support that intelligence.

On Bower's mobile phone, detectives found a short film in the worst category, another short clip in the middle band and six images in the lower range.

He said, though not the subject of any charges, they also found a number of fantasy stories talking about child abuse on his devices.

"Once these were examined the defendant was interviewed. He admitted that he knew what indecent images of children were," Mr Meeke said.

"He accepted that he was the account holder and he said that he was vehemently opposed to child pornography because someone he knew had been raped at a young age and he would never let anyone hurt children.

"He accepted he had indulged in fantasy chat about child sex abuse. He couldn't remember how he received the images of child sexual abuse, he assumed it must have been through some sort of private messages. He accepted there would be some. He knew it was wrong and he apologised for it."

Bower, formerly of Oakhurst, but now living in Southsea, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.

Emma Handslip, defending, said probation officers had assessed him as being a low risk of reoffending.

Bower had not had access to his children since last year and he no longer has a partner or his old job. Since his arrest she said he had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and also made an attempt on his life.

"It is a man who has essentially lost everything," she said,

Imposing a three-year community order, Judge Peter Crabtree said: "It needs to be clear, if it isn't clear, this is a course I am taking which is a direct alternative to an immediate custodial sentence."

He pointed out that there was a relatively low number of images recovered by the police and probation believe he can be managed and rehabilitated in the community.

Bower must abide by a sex offenders' programme as directed, do 100 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation days and abide by a sexual harm prevention order.

He served as a Haydon Wick parish councillor from 2015 to July 2018, when he stepped down. He had served as vice-chairman of the council and subsequently as chairman of the planning committee.

Bower welcomed a parish revamp of children's play areas in late 2016, telling the Adver it showed what the council could do for the community.

In May 2017, he welcomed the prospect of faster broadband speeds as BT Openreach began installing new cables in north Swindon following a residents' campaign.

Later that year, he was quoted in the Adver grilling Wiltshire's police commissioner on the perceived lack of response from police in the face of gang violence in Haydon Wick. Residents were patrolling the streets because they felt police were "inept and incompetent".

Linda Brown, parish chairman said: "At no point in carrying out his parish duties had Damon reason to be alone with children. Whilst he was a councillor he gave us no cause for concern."

However, the sentence was welcomed by the NSPCC. A south west spokesman said: "The children in these abhorrent images and videos are victims of abuse and may have suffered greatly in order for them to be created.

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Karim Stuart watched his young victim a girl under 13 give evidence in a prerecorded video at Portsmouth Crown Court.

But the 57-year-old could not deny his guilt any longer and admitted what he had done.

Now as Stuart is waking up in a prison cell at the start of a long stretch in jail, the girls mother has told how her family has a scar for life inflicted by the pervert.

Speaking to The News the mother said: Im glad its over but I will never ever get over what hes done.

Its a scar for life for me.

I hope my daughter forgets it but I doubt she will.

She understands whats happened.

Watching her tape he must have realised that he cant get away with it.

Even the jury walked out crying.

My daughter has changed completely after what happened.

Stuart, of Earlsdon Street, Southsea, had denied four counts of raping a female child under 13 and two counts of assault on a female child.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Marie Duffy, has praised the victims courage for coming forward.

The young girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, broke down on a train and told her mother of the abuse in February this year.

Police said Stuart took advantage of the girl for his own sexual gratification.

Det Con Duffy, said: I would like to thank the victim for having the courage to come forward about these horrendous crimes and hope that todays sentence will help give her some closure, so that she can move on with her life.

It is because of her courage that the offender now faces a long prison sentence.

This sentence serves as a reminder of the seriousness of these offences.

We will always strive to bring offenders to justice; if youve been a victim or know someone who has, please call police on 101.

Stuart was jailed for 18 years at Portsmouth Crown Court by judge Sarah Munro QC on December 20.