Latest Offenders West

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A depraved Scots predator has been caged after being convicted of raping two women as they slept.

Craig Dodds subjected a woman to horrific repeated sexual attacks 'several times a week' between April 2020 and April 2022.

During that time, Dodds, 25, from West Lothian, also slapped the woman on the body, issued threats of violence and repeatedly punched walls and himself on the head while blaming his actions on her.

Dodds was also convicted of raping the woman on various occasions at an address in West Lothian between September 2020 and April 2022.

He was also convicted of raping a second woman in Falkirk in 2018, Edinburgh Live reports.

While handing down a sentence of seven years and six months at the High Court in Edinburgh at the end of June, Lord Harrower told how, while living with his victim in West Lothian, he raped her several times a week while she slept.

On one occasion, the woman woke to find him engaging in sexual intercourse with her and locked herself in the bathroom and had a shower before sleeping on the sofa for the rest of the night. Despite this, Dodds continued to sexually assault his victim on several occasions.

Dodds also engaged in a course of abusive behaviour towards her including slamming doors, punching walls, directing abusive and derogatory remarks towards her and shouting at both her and a child.

On one occasions he assaulted the woman by slapping her leg to her injury.

The depraved abuser was also convicted of the rape of a second woman in Grangemouth in August 2018. On that occasion Dodds had driven her home after an evening socialising.

The woman had been drinking and woke to find Dodds having sexual intercourse with her in her own bed. Despite protesting, Dodds did not stop.

At the High Court in Edinburgh Dodds was sentenced to seven years and six months imprisonment and placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

The sentence was backdated to May 15, 2025, when he was remanded in custody. A non-harassment order was also imposed, preventing Dodds from contacting, approaching or communicating with either victim for an indefinite period.

Lord Harrower said: "So far as harm is concerned, I have had regard to the complainers’ evidence and to their personal statements which bear witness to the devastating psychological impact which your offending has had upon them. As regards culpability, I bear in mind that these are your first offences.

"Although you are now aged 25 and the guideline for sentencing young persons does not apply, I have taken account of your relative youth and immaturity at the time these offences were committed. Rehabilitation is an important consideration, and I bear in mind also that you have responsibilities as a father. But for all these considerations the sentence I am about to impose would have been significantly longer.

"Had I been sentencing you separately in relation to these offences, I would have sentenced you as follows. In respect of charge 1, the offence is aggravated by reason of the fact that it occurred in the victim’s own home, while she was asleep or unconscious, and therefore in a vulnerable state.

"Your culpability is mitigated by youth and immaturity more for this offence than for the others. The term of imprisonment would have been 4 years and 6 months. In respect of charge 2, I would have sentenced you to a term of imprisonment of 1 year, 3 months of which would have been attributable to the child aggravation.

"In respect of charge 3, not only was the complainer asleep at the time of your offending, but it occurred repeatedly over a lengthy period, during much of which she would have been particularly vulnerable as a result of the course of abusive behaviour you inflicted upon her.

"Your offending was further aggravated because you risked causing an unwanted pregnancy. In respect of this charge, I would have sentenced you to a term of imprisonment of 6 years, 6 months of which would have been attributable to the domestic abuse aggravation."

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A teenager has spoken bravely of the ordeal she suffered, as the man who raped her was sentenced to a total of 24 years in prison.

Carl Houldey, from Tipton, was arrested after we were contacted by the girl alongside members of her family – when she reported that she had been attacked.

Specialist officers carried out extensive enquiries including a sensitive video recorded interview with the girl, interviews of Houldey, forensic analysis of clothing, and analysis of his phone.

He was subsequently charged with four counts of rape and a number of other sexual offences.

However, following a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, the 65-year-old was found guilty by a jury and was sentenced on Thursday 3 July to 24 years in prison, with a minimum of 16 years to be served before he is eligible for parole.

Houldey, of Shakespeare Road, was also put on the sex offenders register for life, given a sexual harm prevention order, and a restraining order against the girl he abused.

The girl has been supported by our officers throughout the court process, and as a survivor of sexual assault, has life-long anonymity by law.

In her victim personal statement, which she read from behind a screen in court, she said she wants people to be aware of what she went through: “Before this happened, I used to feel happy and safe. I liked going to school, playing with my friends, and spending time with my family.

“But after what he did, everything changed.

“At the beginning I felt upset and worried about what was going to happen next. I keep wondering if it was my fault, even though people tell me it wasn’t.

“I wish this had never happened to me. I just want to feel normal again.

“I am proud of myself that I told someone about it.

“I’m trying to be strong, even though I don’t feel strong. I have some good friends, and I am going to try and enjoy my life that is now different because of what you did to me.”

Investigating officer, DC Adrian Jackson, from our Public Protection Unit, said:

“Hearing that statement was incredibly powerful.

“By bravely speaking out and explaining what happened to her, a dangerous rapist has been put behind bars.

“She talks of moving forward with her life and that is something we all hope for, as well as knowing that by speaking out she has potentially protected others.

“The girl’s school safeguarding team must be commended for providing invaluable support to her during the investigation.

“For anyone reading this who has suffered abuse – support is available in a number of different places, and we are here for you.”

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A 20-year-old man convicted of serious sexual crimes has been jailed for eight years.

Riley Kirk was sentenced to prison at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday, 30 June, 2025, and placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

He was found guilty at the same court on Monday, 26 May, 2025. The offences, which included rape and sexual assault, took place in the Falkirk and West Lothian areas between October 2019 and January 2023.

Detective Constable Marc Lunn said:

"Riley Kirk is now facing the consequences of his abhorrent actions.

"This outcome was made possible thanks to the victims who came forward and reported him. I commend them for the strength they have shown during the investigation and court proceedings. Our thoughts remain with them, and I hope this sentencing offers them some comfort as they move forward with their lives.

"I would also like to reassure our communities that we are committed to investigating all reports of sexual crimes and remain determined to bring those responsible to justice. I urge anyone who has been the victim of any offence of this nature to contact us - you will be fully supported by our officers and partner agencies."

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A rapist from Worcester who duped a man into visiting his flat then raped him in 2009 has today (Monday 12 May) been sentenced to nine years at court.

Steven Ronan Wilson, 55, (pictured) previously known as Stephen Dorr, of Penncricket Lane, Rowley Regis, was handed the term at Worcester Crown Court, after he was previously found guilty of rape and sexual assault on 4 April.

Wilson’s victim had been on a night out in Worcester city centre in 2009 when he left his friends to go home and went to a taxi rank on The Cross to wait for a taxi.

There, he was approached by Stephen Wilson - who he did not know and had never seen before - and was asked whether he wanted to go back to his flat in Worcester to attend “a party where there are lot of girls.”

However, when the victim arrived at the flat there was no party and no girls. As he entered the flat, Wilson locked the door behind him.

Wilson put some pornography on the TV and told him to perform oral sex on him.

Believing he had no choice and fearing for his safety, he carried out the act for which Wilson was charged with rape. Wilson then sexually assaulted his victim.

Detective Constable Chris Hawkes, who led the investigation, said: “Wilson’s victim was incredibly scared during his time trapped in his flat and feared for his safety as he did not know Wilson, or what he was capable of.

“His awful ordeal lasted for three or four hours as it was light outside when Wilson eventually allowed him to leave the flat.”

The victim recognised Wilson – previously known as Stephen Dorr - after his picture appeared in the local press in 2011 in connection with a conviction for grooming offences involving boys in similar situations.

Today at court, Wilson received a nine-year custodial sentence for rape with a concurrent two-year custodial sentence for sexual assault. 

Wilson was also ordered to remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

DC Hawkes added: “We are pleased to get this court result for Wilson who subjected his victim to a degrading and humiliating ordeal back in 2009.

“The victim only came forward in 2021 having seen local press articles online about sexual offences committed by Wilson - formerly called Stephen Dorr - in 2011.

“We hope this shows that we will always take reports of sexual assault and rape seriously, no matter how long ago they occurred and always investigate them thoroughly.

“The victim in this case showed incredible bravery and strength to come forward about Wilson’s crimes, and we hope his conviction will go some way to help him move forward with his life.”

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A Sandwell man who arranged to meet a 12 year-old girl for sex has been jailed.

Gary Jefferis was jailed for four years at Wolverhampton Crown Court after he admitted sending messages online in November last year.

Jefferis, 65, used online chat platforms to send explicit messages, asking the age of the girl he was speaking to.

When he was told he was speaking to a 12-year-old, he said that wasn't an issue.

Over the course of the messages, Jefferis repeatedly asked to meet the girl and sent sexual messages and photos.

Jefferis arranged to meet the girl at Sandwell and Dudley train station with the intention of having sex.

When Jefferis arrived at the station, however, he was arrested by officers.

In interview, Jefferis said he hadn't intended to go through with his plan and that he was not really interested in girls.

Despite this, the extensive record of messages he had sent showed his intentions.

Jefferis, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison on 14 March this year.

He was also given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

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A man has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for sexual offences involving children online.

Michael Dyos, of College Road, Southwater, West Sussex was jailed for a total of two years and six months on Monday (17/3) following a hearing at Lewes Crown Court.

The 59-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of arranging/facilitating the offence of causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

On 8 July last year, Dyos drove from Southwater, near Horsham, to Littlehampton to meet with a person who he thought was a 13-year-old child, having previously been involved in an online chat of a sexual nature with this person.

When he arrived in Littlehampton he was met by police officers and arrested. He was then charged on 9 July.

Dyos’s Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which was in place before the commission of these offences, remains in place until April 2031.

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A Scots charity worker sent vile sexual messages to an 11-year-old schoolgirl before attempting to meet up with her.

Crawford Robertson lured the child into chatting to him on the Snapchat app by pretending to be a teenager before he began sending her the sordid messages. Robertson, 22, told the vulnerable victim he wanted to kiss her and asked her to engage in sexual activity with him and then arranged to meet up in Edinburgh in November 2022.

The pervert turned to meet up with the youngster at the capital's Wester Hailes shopping centre but ran off when a family friend of the child's parents intervened. Robertson was later arrested by police and he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in October last year where he pleaded guilty to two sexual offences involving the child.

He admitted sending indecent communication to the youngster and attempting to meet up her with the intention of engaging in sexual activity. Robertson returned to the dock for sentencing on Friday, January 10, where Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss spared him custody and instead issued an "onerous" community payback order.

The sheriff said: "Quite clearly you have pled guilty to two serious charges which will be of concern to the public. The custody threshold has clearly been crossed but I am attaching particular weight to the fact that you have no previous convictions and also your age."

Robertson, from West Calder, West Lothian, was was placed on a social work supervision order for two years and ordered to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work in the community. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for two years and handed strict restrictions on his computer use and his contact with any child under the age of 18.

The court was told Robertson works from home on a temporary contract processing telephone calls from the public arranging donations to charity organisations. The parents of the victim were in attendance at the sentencing hearing and afterwards described Robertson as "a dangerous predator".

The mother of the child said: "I can't believe he wasn't jailed for what he did to my little girl. He pretended to a teenager at first to win her trust before sending her disgusting sexual suggestions about what they could do together.

"She was only 11 at the time - what kind of person does that? We are just lucky that a friend of the family was there to chase him off or who knows what could have happened to her."

Robertson pleaded guilty to intentionally sending sexual communications via Snapchat to an 11 year old child for the purposes of obtaining sexual gratification by offering to kiss her and inviting her to engage in sexual activity on November 1, 2022.

He also admitted to attempting to meet up with the child with the intention of engaging in unlawful sexual activity at Wester Hailes Plaza, Edinburgh, on the same date.

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A West Lothian who told jurors that he wouldn’t abuse women because it would be like “scaring away the prey” has been jailed.

Tendayi Magadu, 51, made the hunting reference when he told prosecution lawyer Shanti Maguire that he wouldn’t harm females. However, jurors at the High Court in Edinburgh heard evidence that showed Magadu raping two women, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The court heard how the sex offender made a recording with his mobile phone of the rape of one his victims. He also made a recording of his victim “doing a private act” with also the intention of obtaining personal “sexual gratification” or her “humiliation”.

Magadu, of Broxburn, denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him by the Crown. He gave evidence in his own defence.

During proceedings, jurors heard how Magadu verbally abused his victims, calling one of the women “used goods”. When Ms Maguire asked him about the abuse, Magadu denied any wrongdoing.

He said: “Why would I do that? That would be like scaring away the prey.”

Magadu was convicted on Thursday afternoon of raping two women in the West Lothian town. These sexual assaults took place between August 2010 and November 2019. He was also convicted on voyeurism charges by making recordings of one of the woman, who is now aged 42.

Magadu also raped another woman, who is now aged 46. Magadu was brought to justice after police learned of his activities.

Jurors saw the recording that he made of him raping the woman. The court heard that at the time of the assault, the female, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was asleep and was incapable of providing consent to her attacker.

Magadu removed her clothing and raped her. When she awoke, he pushed her on her bod and restrained her before continuing the attack. He then made two further recordings of her performing private acts violating voyeurism laws.

The court also heard evidence that on an occasion between August and November 2010, Magadu raped another woman whilst she was “intoxicated”.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges. In her closing speech to jurors, Ms Maguire urged them to return guilty verdicts in the case.

She said that Magadu’s decription of women as “prey” was indicative and insightful of his wider attitudes towards females. Ms Maguire added: “It may have been an analogy but what an analogy it was.”

She also said: “The Crown have led a clear, powerful and compelling body of evidence against the accused.

“I invite you to find the accused guilty of each of the charges on the indictment.”

After conviction, it emerged that Magadu had convictions for road traffic offences and had served a prison sentence for attempting to pervert the course of justice. Defence solicitor advocate Brian Gilfedder asked judge Lady Poole to continue his client’s bail ahead of a sentence hearing next month.

Lady Poole deferred sentence to obtain a report on Magadu’s background. She also placed him on the Sex Offenders Register. She told Magadu: “You will be remanded in custody meantime.”

Lady Poole then thanked them for their service in a case which was not “easy” or “pleasant” to serve as jurors. She also thanked them for their service which she described as being of “real value” to the public interest.

Magadu will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on November 15 2024.

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A former West Sussex social worker has been jailed for abusing his position and engaging in sexual communications with vulnerable children.

An investigation was launched on 3 March when sexual messages were found on a vulnerable teenage girl’s Snapchat account between her and a man later identified as Thomas Weller, 33, from Horsham.

The messages were sexual, and continued despite the girl telling Weller she was a child.

Weller also offered to buy her alcohol in exchange for sexual acts.

The investigation also found Weller had used his position to access personal data.

He was arrested on 24 March and further sexual communications were found with another teenage girl on his Snapchat account.

Weller was subsequently charged with two counts of sexual communication with a child and misconduct in public office.

He pleaded guilty to both counts of sexual communications at Lewes Crown Court on 5 July, and admitted the misconduct in public office at the same court on Wednesday, 31 July.

At the same court on Friday (27 September), Weller was jailed for 34 months and given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Gillings: “Thanks to the bravery and support of Weller’s victims and their families, we have been able to bring an extremely disturbing offender to justice.

“Weller held a position of trust, with a duty to protect vulnerable children. His crimes are a betrayal of that responsibility.

“I would again like to thank West Sussex County Council for supporting this investigation and for all involved for their work in catching Weller, putting him behind bars and securing an order that will significantly limit his ability to cause further harm.”

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A Horsham man who repeatedly sent money to people in the Philippines in return for indecent images of children has been jailed.

Laurence Harvey, 65, of Searles View in Horsham, sent £46,467 to a number of people linked to child sexual exploitation between 2 September, 2011, and 9 August, 2021.

He was arrested in May, 2022, and several devices were seized and found to contain sexual images and communications with children.

Harvey would communicate directly with the children and ask them to perform sexual acts, and in one instance sent a woman money in return for indecent images of a child she claimed was her daughter.

He claimed the money was sent for charitable purposes, or to adults he had met on the internet in return for online sex acts.

Harvey was subsequently charged with arranging the commission of a child sex offence, possession of an indecent photograph of a child, two counts making an indecent photograph of a child and two counts of arranging the sexual exploitation of a child under 13.

He pleaded guilty to all charges and, at Lewes Crown Court on 6 August, he was sentenced to 56 months in prison and given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order severely restricting his use of digital devices, the internet and travel to the Philippines.

Detective Sergeant David Rose said: “Laurence Harvey is an online predator, who sought out children and vulnerable people to exploit in the most appalling ways.

“The vast sums of money he was willing to spend over a ten-year period point to a committed offender, who showed no regard for the devastating impact of his crimes on these innocent children and his families.

“This was a complex investigation, but thanks to the hard work of the Online Child Abuse Team we have been able to bring a dangerous individual to justice and put him behind bars where he can cause no further harm to the public.”

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A musician who told horrified strangers he was 'evil' and shared warped thoughts about buying a baby to abuse is facing jail.

Cameron Shaw, 28, contacted random people via social media using different accounts and struck up conversations. But he quickly moved the chat towards the twisted abuse of youngsters.

Shaw asked one man if he knew anyone who would have a baby for him and that he would even pay 'monthly' for the child.

The fiend added: "Can you help me get a baby or a desperate woman who will have one for me."

He then said he would do 'evil stuff' to the baby and wanted to make the child 'cry a bit' because he enjoyed 'seeing them in pain'. Shaw later told a woman on Telegram that he wanted to 'have a bairn for a couple of hours' and liked to see 'bairns in pain'.

Another man was sent a video by Shaw which showed an 8-month-old baby being sexually abused. The sickened people who were contacted by Shaw in June and July last year took screenshots of what he was sending and reported him to police.

He told officers he was 'disgusted and disturbed' by the allegations being made against him and that he would 'never hurt a child'. A raid of his former bedsit flat in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, found 53 images of child abuse along with 18 videos with many at the most depraved level on various devices.

Shaw, of Fauldhouse, West Lothian, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted sending sexual communications. He also pled guilty to possessing indecent images of children between March and July last year.

The court heard Shaw had previously taught youngsters piano as a private tutor and in a formal education setting.

Describing one chat Shaw had with a stranger, depute fiscal Carla McGuire said: "The complainer states that her husband said something like 'this f****rs trying to sell a bairn' then showed her a chat with JLad123 on Telegram. She states JLad123 messaged about how he could 'have a bairn for a couple of hours' and then JLad123 wrote about being 'evil' and that he liked to see 'bairns in pain'."

The prosecutor revealed that in a chat with another man, Shaw had said: "I'm looking for some c**t who can be as evil as I am. I want to use something, someone small, in a really evil way."

Neil Kilcoyne, defending, said: "He understands the serious nature of the charges and understands the gravity of what he has done."

Sheriff Louise Gallacher deferred sentence on first offender Shaw until August for reports and continued bail. But the sheriff warned: "Bail is continued but that is not an indication of what the sentence will be, these are very serious matters."

Shaw was placed on the sex offenders' register.

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A suspected drug-driver failed to register a new vehicle with police, putting him in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Steven Shevlin was stopped by officers from the Specialist Enforcement Unit (SEU) carrying out proactive patrols near Arundel.

The unit aims to deny criminals the use of the road network.

It followed a request from the Violent Sex Offender Register Team (ViSOR) who police offenders subject to the Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and work with Sussex Police teams to ensure these orders are enforced.

Shevlin had a fraudulent registration mark on his vehicle, and was also found in possession of cannabis and offensive weapons in the form of a baton and a knuckle duster.

The 34-year-old appeared before Lewes Crown Court on May 16 for sentence.

It followed an investigation by officers from Crawley CID to ensure the conviction in court.

Shevlin, formerly of Stoney Lane, Shoreham, admitted breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which was imposed in 2020, requiring him to provide information to police in order to protect the public from the risk of sexual harm.

But he failed to declare the new vehicle he was driving.

He also admitted possession of cannabis, fraudulent use of a vehicle registration mark, failing to provide a specimen of blood for analysis when suspected of drug-driving, possession of offensive weapons, and driving without valid insurance.

Shevlin was sentenced to a total of 50 weeks in prison for the offences and was given a further three-year driving disqualification.

Drug-driving is one of the fatal five factors that lead to people being killed or seriously injured on our roads.

The court was told how the SEU carried out patrols in Arundel on November 23 last year.

Shevlin was stopped while driving a Ford Transit van, he provided a positive roadside DrugWipe test for cannabis, but refused to provide a sample of blood when he was taken to custody.

SEU Inspector Ollie Pullen said: “Through regular proactive patrols we disrupt criminals using our road network, while also catching intoxicated or disqualified drivers to help keep people safe on our roads.

“In this case, we found Shevlin in a vehicle which he was required to register with the police, but had failed to do so.

“I’m pleased that our officers caught an offender who has tried to evade police and evade his responsibilities under the Sexual Harm Prevention Order to inform the police.

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A sex offender who terrorised women and girls is facing a lengthy jail term after being convicted of his crimes. John McKechnie was found guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh.

He was convicted of two charges by a jury, having earlier pleaded guilty to 14 other offences. The 32-year-old was convicted of rape, possessing indecent images of children, and domestic abuse offences.

The court heard he preyed on women and girls in West Lothian between 2015 and 2022. Detective Inspector Adrian Ure, of Police Scotland's National Child Abuse Investigation Unit, spoke out after his conviction.

He said: "John McKechnie's offending and behaviour was appalling. He showed complete and utter contempt for the abuse he inflicted upon his victims, and the horrific sexual abuse featuring in the images and videos he was viewing.

"There is no hiding place for these offenders, and as a result of our investigation, he will now rightly face the consequences of his actions. Any form of child sexual abuse is a serious criminal offence and is a priority for Police Scotland.

"We encourage anyone with concerns about a child at risk of abuse, or a potential victim, to contact police immediately." McKechnie is due to be sentenced for the offences next month

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A pervert florist committed a sex attack on a teenager at a hotel after she attended a Calvin Harris concert.

Kaeleb Thomas, 21, pounced on the then 19-year-old at Glasgow city centre's Jury's Inn on July 3 2022.

The victim had been at the Hampden Park gig with her friend before she met up with Thomas and his friend, who she knew, at the hotel room.

Court papers state Thomas sexually assaulted the teenager by repeatedly placing his hand underneath her shorts.

Thomas, of Livingston, West Lothian, went on to touch her inappropriately over her underwear.

He then touched her legs, sat astride her and kissed her on the neck.

On two occasions Thomas performed a sex act on her.

Thomas was found guilty on Tuesday by a jury of the single charge at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Alan Jackson, defending, told the court that his client is a first offender who has worked as a florist for two years.

Sheriff Tony Kelly said: "You were convicted of a serious charge which puts you at risk of custody in light of its seriousness."

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month.

Thomas is now subject to sex offenders requirements and was granted bail meantime.

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A pensioner has been jailed for sexually abusing two young children in the 1990s. The victims came forward and told police they were assaulted by Mukhtar Singh Bajwa between 1990 and 1995.

A specialist team of detectives from the West Midlands force's Public Protection Unit began an investigation. Bajwa, now 67, was found guilty of two counts of gross indecency and four counts of indecent assault at an earlier hearing at The Park Hall Hotel, Wolverhampton.

He was jailed for nine years. Survivors of sexual abuse are protected by law and have life-long anonymity.