Latest Offenders Worcester

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Ian Cockbill, aged 59, of Wichenford, Worcester appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday (22 January) after pleading guilty to publishing an obscene article and making an indecent photograph or pseudo/photograph of a child.

Cockbill has been placed on the sex offenders register, and has been handed a sexual harm prevention order, both for 10 years.

Cockbill was arrested in December 2023, following a investigation by West Mercia Police’s Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team (OCSET). A category B indecent image of a child was found on his phone, along with evidence of a conversation in which he discussed his intention to commit a sexual act on a five-year-old child. The offences took place in April and June 2023.

Detective Constable Giuseppe Saladino from OCSET said “This was a sickening case, where Cockbill demonstrated a desire to sexually abuse and harm a very young child.

“Offenders like Cockbill have no place in our communities and we will continue to root out those intent on causing harm, and bring them to justice before the courts”

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A man who admitted raping a 10-year-old child after grooming her into believing they were in a legitimate relationship has been jailed for six years.

Ryan Sutton, aged 24, met the girl on the messaging app Snapchat in March 2023, sharing messages and images.

Their contact then moved onto texting, phone calls and FaceTime video chats, leading the girl to believe Sutton was her boyfriend and was in love with her.

On April 23, 2023, Sutton travelled from his home in Worcestershire to meet the girl in Finedon.

They were later found together in woodland, prompting Sutton to run off. He was later arrested while trying to leave the area by car.

An investigation was launched by the Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) at Northamptonshire Police, amid concerns that Sutton had had sexual contact with the girl.

Condoms had been found in his bag at the time of his arrest, but the victim had not indicated any sexual abuse – it would take almost three months for her to bravely reveal to officers that Sutton had in fact raped and sexually assaulted her, disclosures which were backed up by forensic evidence.

Sutton went on to be charged with rape of a girl under 13, assault of a girl under 13 by touching, assault of a girl under 13 by penetration, engaging in sexual communication with a child, and being an adult meeting a girl under 16 following grooming.

On February 22, 2024, Sutton, of Astwood Road, Worcester, entered guilty pleas to the charges at court.

On Thursday, December 19, he appeared at Northampton Crown Court for sentencing, where he was jailed for six years, with a further year to be served on extended licence.

Sutton was also made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

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A Worcestershire man who tried to facilitate sexual activity with a child was today (Monday 6 January) sentenced to 32 months at court and handed a lifetime sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Julian Davis, 62, from Stourport-on-Severn, was arrested on December 4, 2024, following an operation by officers from West Mercia Police’s Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team (OCSET).

Officers who arrested Davis at a location in Worcester found items in his vehicle such as cable ties, handcuffs, a whip, lubricant, amphetamine drugs, Viagra and baby wipes, as well as mobile phones which were seized and downloaded.

Davis was interviewed then charged on December 5 before he was bailed on December 6 with conditions including not to contact directly or indirectly anyone under the age of 18, ahead of today’s appearance at Worcester Crown Court.

He was found guilty of being an adult attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, possession of a controlled drug of Class B – amphetamine and arranging / facilitating commission of an offence of sexual activity with child/cause/incite child to engage in penetration.

Davis was sentenced to 32 months imprisonment, given a lifetime SHPO and ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely, as well as to pay £150 costs.

Detective Constable Richard Britton, of West Mercia’s OCSET, said: “We carried out this operation on December 4 targeting Davis following intelligence work he was attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child.

“What we found in his car was alarming and showed his sickening intentions. Fortunately, on this occasion we were able to stop an offender before they could abuse a child.

“We were glad to get charges brought against Davis and this prison sentence imposed today. Upon his release, he will remain subject to a lifetime sexual harm prevention order and will remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.”

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A man has been jailed for six years and three months, after being convicted of sex offences.

Dillon Robb, aged 29, of HMP Hewell was convicted of four counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15 and two counts of engaging in sexual communications with a child.

He was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court today (Friday 13 December). Robb was also given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and has been placed on the sex offenders register for life.

The offences took place in Telford between August and September 2023.

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A man has been jailed for four years for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child online.

Matthew Jenkins, aged 35 of Flaxley Close in Redditch, appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday (15 October) after he pleaded guilty to all offences. He was sentenced for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to look at an image of sexual activity and attempting to cause or incite a girl aged 13 to 15 in sexual activity.

For the later offence he was sentenced to four years in prison. For the other two offences, he was given a further two sentences of 18 months each to be served concurrently.

Jenkins, who was previously known by the alias Marcus Benjamin Pearson, has been placed on the sex offenders register and has been given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Jenkins had been involved in sexual communication with the profile of a 13 year old child online.  He had sent videos of himself masturbating and had also incited the child profile to masturbate.

He was arrested in May 2022 by West Mercia Police’s Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team (OCSET) at his home in Redditch. Photographs were taken at the scene and of clothing that matched with the photographs sent during the chat.

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A Bewdley man has been jailed after being found guilty of rape. Audey Loveridge, 47, was sentenced to eight years and two months at Worcester Crown Court today, October 3.

West Mercia Police said Loveridge was found guilty of a rape that took place nearly two years ago. He was also handed a restraining order and made to register as a sex offender.

Speaking following sentencing, Det Con Simon Reilly, of West Mercia Police, said the jail term was "welcome in offering closure" for the victim. But he added that trauma would "sadly live on."

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "A 47-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years and two months after he was found guilty of rape. Audey Loveridge, of Woodman Caravan Park, Ribbesford Road, Bewdley was sentenced at Worcester Crown court today (3 October), after he was found guilty of a rape that took place in December 2022.

"Loveridge also received an indefinite restraining order against the victim and has been ordered to register as a sex offender for life."

Mr Reilly said: “The sentencing is certainly welcome in offering closure for the victim, and I hope it assists her in being able to move forward with her life, however, I know the level of trauma inflicted upon the victim is something that sadly lives on.”

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A CONVICTED sex offender has been in court for twice breaking the terms of a court order but cannot complete unpaid work as a punishment because of a health condition.

Raimundo Soares Pinto, 47, of Brewery Walk in Worcester admitted breaching a sexual offences prevention order at a previous hearing.

He appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday (July 5) for breaching the order, made on February 2, 2022.

He admitted breaching the SOPO  in Worcester on October 24 last year, entering the guilty plea on March 14.

By entering a guilty plea, he accepted that 'without reasonable excuse' he downloaded a VPN called Fox Speed to his mobile phone which he was prohibited from doing by a sexual offences prevention order.

He also admitted, on the same date, that he without reasonable excuse, did something, namely downloaded a VPN called Opera Browser to his Lenovo laptop, which he was were prohibited from doing by a sexual offences prevention order made on February 14, 2022.

Pinto was handed a community order which will run until July 4, 2026. As part of the order he must complete rehabilitation activity for up to a maximum of 40 days.

He was deemed 'unsuitable for unpaid work' due to health issues.

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A former children's charity worker and imam has been jailed for grooming a boy online.

Umar Dawood, from Redditch in Worcestershire, taught children in the area and also volunteered at the children's charity, West Mercia Police said.

The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to three charges at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to three years in prison at Worcester Crown Court.

He was also given a sexual harm prevention order and ordered to register as a sex offender.

Dawood, of Evesham Road, was jailed on June 10 after admitting to causing a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He was also given a nine-month concurrent sentence for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child as an adult, and a one-month concurrent sentence for possessing extreme pornography.

Det Sgt Pete Wheeler, of West Mercia Police’s child sexual exploitation team, said: “Dawood previously held a position of trust and was a local imam teaching children within the local community. He also volunteered with a local children’s charity.

“The outcome of this investigation goes some way to ensuring that he is not able to work with children in the future, and we hope will provide some reassurance that this offending has attracted a custodial sentence.”

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A man has been jailed after sexually assaulting a grandmother as she slept in her bed in Worcester.

Daniel Edwards, 28, entered the house through a kitchen window and then attacked the victim, in her 40s, in her bedroom, the court heard.

The woman, who had previously rejected him, woke up from what she thought was a bad dream, swore at him and told him to leave, jurors were told.

The father-of-one was found guilty of assault by penetration at Worcester Crown Court on Friday following the attack in a flat in Warndon in 2013.

Judge Nicholas Cole jailed Edwards for six years, half to be served in custody.

In the summer of 2013 the woman woke up to discover Edwards, who was “half-naked”, sexually assaulting her.

She thought she was having a “bad dream'” and then feared she was going to be strangled.

When she woke up the victim swore, asked Edwards what he was doing and told him to get out of her house.

He denied assault and claimed he only shook her to wake her because he was looking for somewhere to stay because he was locked out of his home.

The same woman had previously told Edwards she was “old enough to be his mum” as she rebuffed him.

The judge said the offence was aggravated because it was committed in the early hours of the morning and Edwards had been drinking.

Speaking after the hearing the victim said she had wanted an apology from Edwards but had never received one.

She thought he had “no conscience” about what he had done.

The woman, who declined the use of a screen when she gave evidence during the trial, said: "I'm still sad. I take no pleasure from this.

The victim, who cannot be identified, often sleeps on the sofa of her home because she cannot bear to sleep on the same bed where she was assaulted, has suffered mental health problems, has to see a psychiatrist and has been prescribed antidepressants.

Speaking of Edwards she said: "He's a sexual predator. I think women are safer now."

Edwards, from Pershore, Worcestershire, is subject to notification requirements indefinitely meaning he must inform police of any change of name or address.

He is also barred from working with children or other vulnerable people.

Edwards was cleared of assault by penetration against a girl aged 13 to 15, alleged to have taken place between 2008 and 2011.

The jury also cleared him of trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, with regards to the woman in her 40s.

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A serial abuser has been jailed for nine years for serious sexual offences committed in Perthshire.

Clifford Hodgkins, 42, abused a woman over the course of 19 months between September 2020 and January 2022 at locations in Blairgowrie.

He was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh earlier this year of rape, physical and sexual assaults and abusive behaviour, including brandishing a screwdriver at his victim.

He was sentenced to nine years in prison with a further three years' supervision and placed on the sex offenders' register for life.

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A DANGEROUS paedophile has been jailed for 18 years for sexually abusing and raping a boy as the victim is praised for his courage in speaking out.

Robert Hampton, aged 77, of Somers Court in Upper Howsell Road, Malvern was found guilty of seven counts including the rape of a boy under 13.

He was convicted of: one count of rape of a boy under 13; two counts of offender of any age causing/inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity-penetration; one count of attempted rape of a child under 13; three counts of assaulting a boy under 13 years of age by penetration with a part of his body/ a thing.

He was sentenced yesterday at Worcester Crown Court to 18 years in prison and one year on licence for his crimes committed between January 2007 and December 2018.

Detective Constable Hannah Croft, said: “I would like to commend the bravery of the victim and their family in this case. Without their courage, perseverance and tenacity, Hampton would not have been brought to justice.

“Hampton is a dangerous individual and I’m glad his sentence reflects the heinous crimes he committed. I hope if anything positive is to come out of today is that it gives other victims the confidence to come forward and speak with the police”.

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A MAN has been jailed for 28 years for being found guilty of 57 counts of historic child sexual abuse - including in Herefordshire.

Gary Bennett, 61, of Shenstone Close, Bromsgrove will serve a minimum of 18 years after being sentenced at Worcester Crown Court.

His abuse took place over a nine-year period from 1995 and 2004 across many different areas including Leominster, Bridgnorth, Kidderminster, Stourbridge, Habberley and London.

There were seven victims in total six male and one female all of whom were children or teenagers when the abuse took place. The offences he committed included rape, attempted rape, buggery and indecency with a child.

The abuse was first reported to police in May 2018 and an investigation was launched immediately.

Inspector Julie Taylor, who led the investigation, said: This has been a long and complex case and Im pleased that Bennetts victims have finally been able to see him face justice.

The abuse he put them through is absolutely sickening and is something which will affect them for the rest of their lives.

I dont underestimate the immense courage it took for the victims to come forward, and Id like to commend them on their conduct throughout. Despite many delays in court proceedings, they have remained patient, dignified and determined.

Id encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault, whether as an adult or child, and whether recent or not, to get in touch with us. You will be taken seriously and you will be listened to.

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Roger Timothy John Steele, 49, of Washington Street, Kidderminster, was jailed for eight years for assaulting a teenaged girl aged 14 or 15.

A man who lured a teenage girl into his car before sexually assaulting her has been sentenced to eight years in prison. Roger Steele, 49, came across the young woman while she was shopping in Rhyl.

Caernarfon Crown Court heard Steele had offered the girl a lift and he forced himself on her until she kicked him and ran away.

Steele, who now lives on Washington Street, Kidderminster, denied assault by penetration of a female aged 13 or over between 2007 and 2008, but was found guilty by a jury last week. Prosecutor Paulinus Barnes said Steele carried out the assault at his house.

As Steele attempted to assault her, she kicked him but he told her that no-one would believe her and threatened to hurt her or her family if anyone else found out, reports North Wales Live.

The victim finally revealed what had happened after learning several years later in 2021 that Steele had been convicted of another offence. Her statement revealed that although not entirely due to this particular incident, she continues to be tortured by night terrors.

She now feels a sense of relief following Steele's prosecution, and no longer fears for her or her family's safety but is still uncomfortable and anxious around men.

Steele's defence counsel, Edmund Potts, said Steele could still be rehabilitated, noting his recent employment progression in the construction industry from ground worker to supervisor.

In sentencing Steele, Judge Nicola Saffman highlighted the premeditated nature of his actions in luring the girl to his home and using physical force and threats against her family. She issued an indefinite restraining order preventing Steele from contacting his victim and noted that he is also subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

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Simon Neale, 54, recently admitted sexually assaulting the girl while she slept and recording the act.

A court heard the child had no idea what happened until police investigated Neale’s electronic devices and found the images indecent, leading to assault charges sexual.

Neale, formerly of Telford but recently of Catshill in Worcestershire, had his door knocked on by police in July 2022 while living in Telford.

They had traced potentially illegal activities to him using a Dropbox account and his Internet Protocol (IP) address, prosecutor Mr Robert Edwards told Shrewsbury Crown Court this week.

Mr Edwards said that when officers knocked on Neale’s door and asked him to come in, he asked them “is that Dropbox?”

His home was searched and officers seized his devices. Police found hundreds of indecent images of children, still and moving, on a Sony laptop and an 8GB SD card, including 119 category A images, the most serious in the eyes of the law, depicting the worst abuses.

In interviews with police, Neale said he was “addicted to pornography” and had “unintentionally” downloaded images of children, the court heard.

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THE editor of the Worcester Observer newspaper faces a potential jail sentence for making indecent photographs of children. 

Rob George of Rowan Close, Bromsgrove, admitted three charges of making indecent photograph/pseudo photography of a child when he appeared in Courtroom 2 of Worcester Magistrates Court. 

The 42-year-old pleaded guilty to making one category A image - the worst level identified within the sentencing guidelines. 

He also admitted making two category B images and 36 category C images during the court hearing on Thursday, (February 15). 

Magistrates heard the images were made between March 7, 2014, and October 14, 2021, in Bromsgrove. 

Lauren Millichip, prosecuting, said: "The offence is aggravated by the age and vulnerability of the children, between one and eight-years-old."

The prosecutor added there were also moving images found in a video file.

James McAulay, defending, asked for a pre-sentence report to be completed before George is sentenced. 

Roger Phillips, chairman of the magistrates bench, said the bench declined jurisdiction in the case, given the seriousness of it. 

George, who was given unconditional bail, was told to attend his sentence which was scheduled to take place on Friday, March 15 at Worcester Crown Court.

The chairman told George magistrates were granting the report which he said would consider "all options" including custody.

George was also told he would immediately have to register on the sex offenders register, telling him to do this at Worcester Police Station. 

George is listed as being the editor of Worcester Observer, Malvern Observer and Evesham Observer on their websites.

He has also worked as a reporter at the Bromsgrove Standard.