Latest Offenders Worcester

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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.

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A dangerous sex offender from Droitwich has been sentenced to more than 20 years.

Adam Essex, aged 41 years from Droitwich, was handed the 26-year sentence at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday (28 November). He had previously been found guilty of eight serious sexual offences including two counts of rape, sexual assault by penetration, controlling and coercive behaviour with the threat of violence and witness intimidation. 

The offences took place between August 2021 and April 2022 and the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on all eight charges.

The victim initially reported the crimes in March 2022 and the early investigation, led by DC Rachael Lynch from Worcester station, involved teams from patrol and CID, resulting in Essex being arrested on three separate occasions as further offences came to light. 

He was charged and remanded with controlling and coercive behaviour on 11 April 2022. Following this charge, an extensive action plan was put in place to move the case forward to court. 

DC Mark Wilson was asked to assist DC Lynch, finally leading to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising charging Essex with eight serious sexual offences.

Detective Inspector Sharon Wallace-Rathmell said: “This was an extremely challenging investigation and I’d like to congratulate DCs Lynch and Wilson, and the wider teams, for the dedication and commitment they have shown throughout, culminating in a long sentence for a dangerous sex offender.

"Officers who work in the field of Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) can find themselves working on complex and multi layered cases which require resilience and perseverance. They are skilled and professional officers working with compassion and dedication to support victims and prosecute offenders and I thank them for their work.”

Essex will remain on the sex offenders register for life and will remain on licence for four years upon release from prison.

Issued by MN, Corporate Communications

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A Worcester man has today (10 October 2023) been sentenced to life imprisonment for attempted murder and sexual assault.

Anthony Roberts, 56, of Amber Heights in Worcester was handed the sentence this afternoon at Worcester Crown Court.

He will serve a minimum term of 19 years and 3 months.

During the early hours of Sunday 7 May 2023 Roberts sexually assaulted a 71-year-old woman on Kleve Walk in Worcester, before stabbing her multiple times and leaving her for dead on the riverside path.

Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Lougher said: “This was an incredibly violent attack on an innocent woman, which shocked the local community to the core.

“Thankfully, the victim survived but her road to mental and physical recovery will be a long one.  The outcome could have been very different.

“I’d like to commend her on the courage she has shown in helping us to bring her attacker to justice. 

“I have no doubt that the mental impact of this attack will haunt the victim for the rest of her life, but I hope that today’s sentence will allow her to begin to move forwards.

“I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank the team involved in bringing Roberts to justice. He was located and arrested extremely quickly and charged within 24 hours of the attack. 

“I hope this case shows that we take violence incredibly seriously and won’t hesitate to take action against perpetrators.”

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A sex attacker raped a child at a country park - just two weeks after he was released from prison. Wayne Scarratt took the young victim's mobile phone, bank card and bus pass following the ordeal, leaving her stranded.

The girl was left with a fractured right cheek and collarbone and also suffered bruising to her right eye, face and foot. She managed to flag down a passing cyclist, who then reported the incident to police.

Officers found Scarratt, 28, hiding in a hedgerow in Malvern following the sick attack in Chasewater Country Park, near Burntwood, last August. He was arrested and later convicted of rape and other sexual offences after being found guilty by a unanimous jury on May 25 this year.

Scarratt, of Malvern, Worcestershire, was sentenced to 19 years behind bars at Stafford Crown Court for rape, assault by penetration, assault, theft and breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order during a hearing on Monday, September 4. He will serve a minimum term of 12-and-a-half years behind bars.

Detective Constable Dan Hopkins, from Staffordshire Police, said: “I’d like to commend the survivor for her immense bravery throughout this entire investigation. I hope this sentence provides some sort of comfort for her and her family and it serves as an example to anyone who is a survivor that we are committed to securing justice.”

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A Worcester man has been jailed after he was found guilty of sexual offences against children.

Michal Friga, aged 42, of Wylds Lane, committed the offences between March 2020 and March 2021 and was convicted in August by a jury at Worcester Crown Court.

Yesterday (Wednesday 30 August) he was sentenced to nine years.

His conviction follows a complex investigation run by acting Detective Sergeant Gemma Leighton from South Worcestershire’s Protecting Vulnerable People department.

Friga was jailed for one count of sexual assault by penetration for which he received seven years custody and two further counts of sexual assault by touching for which he received a further two years custody.

He will also be required to sign the sex offenders register for an indefinite period and has been made subject of a sexual harm prevention order, also in place for an indefinite period.