Search results for Weymouth

Description

Detectives have secured an evidence-led prosecution that resulted in a violent sex offender being put behind bars.

Simon Evans, aged 56 and of Weymouth, was sentenced to 12 years in prison with an extended licence period of a further three years. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for an indefinite period.

The defendant subjected the victim to a prolonged and violent sexual assault during the evening of Friday 20 June into the early hours of Saturday 21 June 2025 at an address in Weymouth.

The victim was unconscious throughout the assault, which was photographed and filmed by the defendant. He later threatened to share the intimate footage with other people.

The matter was reported to Dorset Police on Sunday 22 June 2025 and that evening, Evans was arrested and taken into custody.

A detailed investigation ensued and although the victim felt unable to support the investigation, detectives worked hard to gather other evidence through a forensic examination of the defendant’s phone, address searches, DNA samples and analysing footage.

Evans was charged with rape, sexual assault and 11 counts of sexual assault by penetration.

He was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 20 March 2026 after pleading guilty to all of the charges against him.

Police Staff Investigator Samantha Sheppard, of Dorset Police, said:

“Simon Evans subjected the victim to a prolonged and horrific sexual assault and documented the entire ordeal, all while she was unconscious.

“Detectives worked extremely hard to gather enough evidence to ensure Evans could be held accountable for his appalling and contemptible actions.

“Tackling violence against women and girls is a key Force priority and we are committed to supporting victims and ensuring robust action is taken against perpetrators.

“There are many reasons a victim may choose not to support a criminal investigation, but I hope that the result of this case, secured without the victim being in a position to support the investigation, helps and inspires other victims of rape and sexual offences to find the strength to come forward and report matters to us. Victims can be assured that they will be fully supported by specially trained officers and that we will thoroughly investigate the offences.”

Description

A former school teacher from Weymouth has been jailed for eight years after being found guilty of child sex offences.

Dr Richard John Haddlesey, 52 and whose address was given as Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth, appeared before Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday, December 8 for sentencing.

The court heard how he had sexually abused a girl over a period of years involving the touching of genitals. The girl had told police the first incident took place, when she was in year four, at an address in Weymouth.

This happened on a number of occasions over a period of years.

Providing an impact statement in court, the survivor of Haddleseys abuse said she had felt constant shame, anger and self-hatred but said Haddlesey had not won.

She said: You have not won because I continue to speak. I could go on for days telling you about how your behaviour has changed me as a person but that would be a waste of my time because you dont care.

People say that you should forgive people who hurt you so I forgive you but can you forgive yourself? You have not won, you do not have power anymore, I have the power. Day after day I feel stronger and what you did will not define me as a person.

His Honour Judge Stephen Climie said the victim had shown extraordinary strength to give evidence in the face of Haddleseys constant denial.

In police interview, she said she hadnt felt able to tell people about it at the time but, when she was 12, had seen Haddlesey at the school she attended and burst into tears. Haddlesey had applied for a job at the school and was being shown around.

In mitigation, Haddlesey was said to be of otherwise good character and suffering with anxiety. HHJ Climie was told the proceedings of the court had weighed heavily on Haddlesey.

The offences for which Haddlesey was sentenced took place between April 17, 2013 and April 10, 2015.

Haddlesey was found guilty of three offences after a trial in November. Jurors deliberated for nearly seven hours before returning majority verdicts on two counts of assault by touching a girl under the age of 13 and one count of inciting or causing a girl under the age of 13 to perform sexual activity.

Haddlesey worked as a supply teacher at various schools in Dorset.

HHJ Stephen Climie sentenced Richard Haddlesey to eight years in jail, of which he will serve two thirds, and subjected to him to a sexual harm prevention order as well as a restraining order.

Description

A PERVERT from Weymouth who believed he was sending sexual messages to schoolgirls has been jailed for five years following a sting operation by a group of paedophile hunters.

Martin Hunt had been exchanging sexual messages with who he believed were two underage girls - one of which he was told was just 12 years old.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard how Hunt, aged 40, of Ranelagh Road, had sent hardcore pornography to 'girls' known as Kirsty, aged 12, and 13-year-old Lou.

They were in fact fake profiles being run by what the court described as 'paedophile hunters'.

During this period, the court heard how Hunt was in breach of a two-year suspended sentence and sexual harm prevention order after previously trying to engage in sexual communications with a child in 2020.

Hunt pleaded guilty to two attempts to engage in sexual communications with a child, one attempt to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity, one attempt to cause a child to watch a sexual act, and one breach of a sexual harm prevention order - between September 15 and September 29 last year.

Prosecutor, Christopher Wing said: "He was placed on a two-year suspended sentence and sexual harm prevention order for previously engaging in sexual communications with a child.

"He breached that order by acquiring a mobile phone, which he used to speak to two young girls - aliases being managed by a group of paedophile hunters."

Mr Wing said the group went to his address on October 3 last year and detained him until a police constable made the arrest.

He added: "He spoke to an alias known as ‘Kirsty’, aged 12. In the communication, he was asking about underwear, whether she had seen a penis, and asking if she had sex.

"The communication with 'Lou’ resulted in him asking for pictures of her vagina.

"He asked for photos of her and when one was sent of a picture of a girl on horse he then spoke about women having sex with horses as well as using a brush handle during sex."

Since his arrest, Hunt has been imprisoned at HMP Lewes.

Mitigating, Timothy Akers said: "These offences were committed over a short period of time.

"He did not deceive these profiles or lie about his age, or use another identification.

"He would describe himself as a lonely person who struggles to form interpersonal relationships with the outside world - and he committed these offences to give himself some sort of intimacy.

"He's motivated to take programmes in prison to assist him in his future.

"The images sent were of adults involved in sexual intercourse.

"He said he would never commit an offence against a child. He knows this isn’t normal behaviour."

Presiding over the case HHJ Stephen Climie said: "You were caught out by a group that trap people, who seek sexual activity with children online - all while you were under a suspended order.

"On more than one occasion you made, someone you believed to be underage, view online sex.

"I believe you pose a risk of serious psychological harm, I find you dangerous as you would seek to engage with children online."

Hunt was sentenced to five years in prison.

He will also serve a three-year licence period upon his release, where he will also serve a sexual prevention order for three years.

The judge said he will remain on the sex offenders register for a period that is not limited.

Description

A WEYMOUTH man has been jailed for four years and two months for grooming offences involving a 14-year-old girl. Matthew Lucas Cheshire, aged 21 and of Ranelagh Road, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court today after admitting three offences of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and a charge of sexual activity with a child. He was sentenced to a total of four years and two months in prison with an extended licence period of a further two years. The defendant was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for a period of 10 years. Cheshire who was 20 at the time was first arrested by officers from Dorset Police on August 6, 2020 following a report from a third party that he had been involved in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl who he had contacted over social media. When he was interviewed, the defendant said he had been in contact with her over social media but denied any sexual contact or communication. Cheshire was released on police bail and his phone was seized for examination. It revealed messages exchanged between the defendant and the 14-year-old girl involving sexualised content and there were references to sexual activity that had taken place between them. He was further arrested on September 10 following reports that he had been seen with the girl, in breach of his bail conditions. It was also found that Cheshire had continued to message the girl in a further breach of the terms of his bail. Detective Constable Andy Hale, of Dorset Polices Child Exploitation Team, said: Matthew Cheshire groomed his young victim over social media and engaged in a sexual relationship with her, despite knowing her age. Even when he was arrested and given bail conditions not to contact her, he continued to message the girl and meet up with her. Cheshire has received a significant sentence for his offending and the victim has been safeguarded as a result of a detailed investigation. I hope this will encourage anyone else who is the victim of this type of offending to come forward in the knowledge that action will be taken and offenders will be prosecuted.

Description

A WEYMOUTH man was sent to prison for two years after admitting to sexual activity with a 15-year-old. Christopher Hole, 28 and from Weymouth, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court after pleading guilty to four counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child under the age of 16. On September 25 2019 Dorset Police received a third party report of sexual activity involving a 15-year-old girl and a 27-year-old man. A police spokesman said: "The victim was spoken to and reported that she had engaged in sexual activity with the man on four occasions. "Following enquiries, a 27-year-old Weymouth man attended a voluntary police interview and was subsequently issued with a postal requisition for four offences of sexual activity with a child." Hole was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on August 27. The judge sentenced him to two years in prison for the offences and gave Hole a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years. He was also placed on the sexual offenders register for 10 years.

Description

Update - July 2022 Reportly working in Bury, BL9 under the name Christopher Penguin. A 29-year-old Weymouth man who groomed and then molested a 15-year-old girl has been jailed for 13 months. Christopher Barrow, pictured, travelled to meet the child after booking them into a hotel for New Years Eve after making contact online. But when one of her concerned friends told an older sister what was going on the police were brought in and he was arrested at The Angel Hotel in Chippenham. Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court on Tuesday that the child was still 14 years old when she put a message on social media site Kik last year. She put out a general invitation for people to talk to her and he answered that invitation. They seem to have got on well, he said. Although the girl made it clear from the outset that she was 14, and he said he was a pub manager aged 28 or 29, the correspondence soon took a sexual tone. In a game of truth or dare they asked each a series of questions starting with her wanting to know if he would cuddle her. He said he would and then asked if she were over 16 if she would have sex with him. It is clear at all times he knew she was under the age of 16. There was an arrangement to meet on or about her 15th birthday in July last year. Mr Meeke said that had not taken place because her parents had other plans but in September and October she and Barrow hatched the plan for New Years Eve. He booked a room at the hotel and she met him at the train station on December 31, having told her family she would be staying with friends that night. During the messaging she had told him she wanted to wait until she was 16 to lose her virginity, but after kissing and cuddling in the room he sexually touched her. Mr Meeke said after meeting up with him some of her friends, who knew what was going on, tried to text her but got no reply. After she eventually replied to the texts they went to find her, as they were concerned for her safety, and one of the friends then mentioned it to her older sister. A policeman was at the reception the next day when Barrow walked past and when asked if he knew the girls age he answered no comment, and was promptly arrested. Barrow, of Reedling Close, Weymouth, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child. Mike Jeary, defending, said his client had been honest about what he did with the police and was willing to go on the Thames Valley Sex Offenders course. He said he was a well educated man but had drifted from job to job and had plainly groomed the girl before meeting her. Jailing him Judge Tim Mousley QC said: I am satisfied there was a degree of grooming towards her and it only came to an end when a friends older sister contacted the police. He jailed him for 12 months for the sex offences with a month added on for failing to surrender to custody last week. He also imposed a sexual offences prevention order restricting his liberty and told him he must register as a sex offender for ten years.

Description

A SEX offender has been jailed for assaulting a young woman after he stalked her through Weymouth town centre in the early hours.

Ian David Hewer, of Rodwell Road, pleaded guilty to one count of assault by penetration after the attack on December 1 last year.

Dorchester Crown Court was told how the 19-year-old woman had left a group of friends after a night out and had arranged to meet another for a lift home.

Hewer, aged 40, followed her through the town and to the back of Debenhams in Commercial Road.

CCTV footage showed Hewer pounce on the victim in an alcove at the back of the store.

The court was told by prosecutor Heather Shimmen that Hewer had punched the woman twice in the head, put his hand over her mouth and told her to shut up. She said that the victim had been left severely affected by the attack, which had ruined her relationships and left her unable to pursue employment prospects.

The court was told that members of the public had heard the victim shouting during the attack and came to her aid. One caught up with Hewer after he fled and recognised him as a past work colleague. Hewer told the man that the victim was his ex-wife and that it had been a misunderstanding, so that he was let on his way. But when the man went back to the victim, he realised this was not the case and gave the police Hewer’s name.

Hewer, who has six previous convictions for 15 offences, kept his head bowed during proceedings.

In mitigation, Neil Hinton said Hewer did not know why he attacked the girl but regretted his actions.

He added: “He was affected by drink and clearly his judgement was affected by drink.

“He did end up seeing the victim of this assault in the town by herself. It seems he followed her to where she had stopped to phone her friend, and at that point attacked her. He is shocked and horrified by what he did. It is something that he deeply regrets.”

Sentencing Hewer to four and a half years in prison, Judge Roger Jarvis said: “This was a stranger assault of the most terrible kind.

“You stalked your victim and you subjected her to a terrible ordeal.

“Full credit to members of the public who came to her aid.

“Who knows what would have happened if they had not?”

Hewer was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Police praise for passers by

After the case, DC Declan Cummings, of Weymouth CID, said: “This was a very serious and frightening assault and this is reflected in the severity of the sentence.

“I would like to thank the members of the public who intervened after hearing the shouts of the victim. They greatly assisted police during this investigation and without their help it may not be possible to identify the offender.

“Their public-spiritedness helped to bring Ian Hewer to justice.”

Description

Now of Waterloo, Hampshire. A TEENAGER who raped a seven-year-old girl in Weymouth has been jailed for nine years. Joshua James Andrew Foster, 19, was convicted of rape of a child under the age of 13 following a trial at Dorchester Crown Court. The charge related to an accusation that he forced the young girl to perform a sex act on him. Foster, of Hereford Road, Weymouth, was also found guilty of causing or inciting a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity following an allegation that he exposed himself to the same young victim and dared her to perform a sex act on him. Both offences took place in January of this year. The teenage defendant broke down in tears in the dock as the guilty verdicts were delivered. Earlier in the trial, witnesses had watched a recorded police interview in which the young victim, who is now eight, told police about what happened to her. She said the first incident with Foster was a secret and described it as gross before going on to use dolls to show the interviewing officer how he had forced her to perform the sex act. The girl said: I didnt want to do it but he just forced me. The young victim then told how on another occasion she and Foster were playing a dare game when he exposed himself to her and dared her to perform a sex act, something she refused to do. She said in interview: He wanted me really badly to do it but I didnt want to. Foster gave evidence and completely denied any sexual activity ever taking place but it took the jury of seven men and five women just over four-and-a-half hours to reach guilty verdicts on both counts. As he returned to court to be sentenced Lee Christmas, representing Foster, asked Judge Roger Jarvis to consider his clients youth and previous good character when deciding on his punishment. The judge told the defendant: The jury has convicted you of one of the most serious offences in the criminal calendar. He added: The crowns case is that it was borne out of your own sexual frustration. This was little girl who had no real concept of what was going on and you took appalling advantage of that child to vent those sexual frustrations. Judge Jarvis said the emotional effects of Fosters offending could remain with his young victim forever. He said: It will be a burden to her for the rest of her life. Your inability to control your sexual requirements means that you must now spend a very long time in custody. Judge Jarvis sentenced Foster to nine years in prison for the rape charge and six years for inciting or causing a child to engage in sexual activity, with the two sentences to be served concurrently. Foster will also be placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely. Victim's father welcomes ruling THE FATHER of Fosters young victim has welcomed the nine-year sentence handed down by the judge and said it was no less than he deserved. He said: I am glad with the result that he got nine years, he deserved it. Shes a brave girl and if she hadnt come forward he could have done that to someone else. Hes definitely got everything he deserved. The girls father also praised the role of the police in bringing Foster to justice. He said: They have done a good job and the way they have worked with my daughter has been really good. Following the verdict officer in the case Detective Constable Georgina Guyett issued a statement praising the young victims strength and courage in coming forward. She said: Dorset Polices Child Abuse Investigation Team would like to take this opportunity to express their thanks to the victim in this case. It took a great deal of strength and courage to come forward and speak up against Mr Foster and their actions in doing so have protected others from being potential victims. We would like to reassure all victims of abuse that they can come forward at any time and in confidence to talk about their own specific situation.