Search results for Worcestershire

Description

Three men who preyed on a student have been sentenced to a total of more than 20 years. 

• Arjan Purewal
• Jaskaran Thandi
• Hassan Jangheer

Jaskaran Thandi, 23, of HMP Hewell, Redditch, was sentenced to six years and four months for aiding and abetting rape and two years concurrently for sexual assault. 

Arjan Purewal, 23, of Wolverhampton Road, Oldbury, West Midlands was convicted of rape, blackmail, perverting the course of justice and possession of an identification document with improper intention following a trial in March 2025. 

On Friday 9 October, at Worcester Crown Court, Purewal was sentenced to seven years and six months for rape, one year concurrent for blackmail, one year consecutively for perverting the course of justice and a further eight months concurrently for the possession of an identification document – a total of eight years and six months. 

Further charges of conspiracy to rape a female and sexual assault on a female were ordered to lie on file. Purewall must also sign the sex offenders register for life. 

Hassan Jangheer, 23, of Grenville Drive, Smethwick, West Midlands, was sentenced to six years for aiding and abetting rape and two years concurrently for sexual assault 

All three were ordered to pay victim surcharges of £228.

West Mercia Police were called to reports of a stranger rape on Vine Lane in Clent on Saturday 16 September 2023 at around 3.30am. 

The victim reported she had been orally raped and then dumped in the middle of nowhere, stating the perpetrators were in a silver-grey BMW car. 

The three picked her up in Birmingham and drove up and down Broad Street before heading to Clent Hills near Hagley. 

Purewal orally raped the woman before Jangheer forced her to perform a sexual act on him and Thandi sexually assaulted her. Purewal filmed the appalling assault on his mobile phone. 

It is also believed Purewal had hired the BMW – using someone else’s driving licence and ID documents – to target a victim and carry out the rape. 

The survivor has been given appropriate help and support following the ordeal. 

Detective Inspector Warren Matthews said:

“We welcome the result achieved at court. 

“The behaviour of the perpetrators was appalling, and it is right that they are now behind bars. Their vile and predatory actions caused significant harm to the survivor, but we hope the sentencing helps on her path to recovery. 

“I also hope this outcome provides reassurance to victims and survivors that when they come forward, they will be heard. 

“We treat all reports seriously, investigate them thoroughly, and remain committed to bringing offenders to justice while supporting those affected throughout the process." 

Description

A sex offender who committed a string of offences against children has been jailed.

Michael Farney, aged 51, of Michael Crescent, Malvern pleaded guilty to 24 charges at Worcester Crown Court yesterday (15 October).

Farney’s offences included:

• Nine counts of inciting a girl under 13, or aged between 13 and 15, to engage in sexual activity.
• Eleven counts of causing a child under 13, or aged between 13 and 15, to watch/ look at an image of sexual activity.
• Four counts of taking indecent photographs / pseudo-photograph of a child.

The offences were committed between December 2025 and March 2026 and involved children as young as six.

Farney used Snapchat to engage with young girls, sharing indecent images and videos of himself, and inciting them to engage in sexual acts themselves.

He was arrested by West Mercia Police’s Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team (OCSET) in March 2026 after credible information linked his online account to engaging with a 14-year-old online. He was rearrested the following month, as an examination of his phone revealed he had been engaging in online conversations and video calls with hundreds of young girls.

His phone also contained 40 indecent images of children, including 6 Category A images which are the most extreme. Farney screen recorded his encounters with young children on Snapchat using his mobile phone, which he retained to rewatch at a later date.

Farney will serve nine years and 4 months in jail, a sentence reduced from 14 years in light of his guilty plea.

He has also been given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which prevents him from working with children and will be placed on the sex offenders register for life. His devices have been seized and he will also have to pay a surcharge.

Detective Constable William Thomas said:

“Farney’s predatory behaviour caused harm to a large number of child victims, but we were able to act swiftly and build an investigation which has put him in jail, where he can cause no further harm.

“Every day we are working relentlessly to pursue those who harm children. Often this work goes on unseen but please be assured we are stopping offenders in their tracks, and most importantly protecting the most vulnerable.”

“It’s vital we all play our part in keeping children safe. Make sure you understand the platforms your children are using, and create an environment where children feel comfortable talking and raising concerns. Early intervention and open communication remain some of the most effective tools in preventing online exploitation." 

Description

A man has been jailed for nine-and-a-half years for the non-recent rape and sexual abuse of a child.

Paul Colvin, 57, of Moorhall Lane, Stourport-on-Severn, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Friday 25 September.

He was found unanimously guilty after trial in June of the rape of a child. He previously pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual abuse of a child, and seven counts of non-penetrative sexual activity with a child at an earlier hearing, all in respect of the same victim. 

The victim has been updated by officers throughout the investigation and has been offered access to specialist support services she may benefit from.

The victim bravely provided a statement to the court which highlighted the impact the offending had on her. She said:

“The abuse I suffered as a child has had a lasting impact on my life. One of the biggest impacts, which I feel is the most significant, is that my childhood was completely swept out from under me.

“I did not have a normal childhood like others, I didn’t get to enjoy my life, be innocent and carefree; instead, I felt I had to grow up before my time. I have very little happy memories of my childhood, I know I enjoyed family holidays with my dad and grandparents, but I only have those memories from photographs.

“It deeply saddens me that I don’t remember all the time I spent with them. All those memories are locked in a box in my head, and my brain has not filtered out the bad, but has instead locked a chunk of my life away to protect me.”

T/DS Carl Spicer, officer in the case from our criminal investigations department, said:

“I wish to commend the bravery and strength of the victim to report these crimes.

“Her resilience and patience throughout the police investigation and court proceedings have been exemplary.

“Colvin has been punished for his offending and I wish to reassure victims of sexual assault, that they will be believed, supported and that we will always investigate any abuse and bring offenders to justice, regardless of when it happened.

“Colvin was calculated in his offending and systematically sexually abused a young child over a significant period of time without a single care for her well-being. His offending has had a serious and lasting impact on the victim, who we will continue to support.”

Description

A paedophile from Droitwich was sentenced to a total of 19 years when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court last Friday (4 September) for non-recent sexual offences.

Nigel Moor, 75, of Droitwich, admitted to the following when he appeared before Worcester Crown Court on Monday 6 July:

• Seven counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration.
• Five counts of sexual assault on a female.
• Four counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching.
• Three counts of assault on a female 13 and over by penetration.

Moor was sentenced to 14 years in prison with an additional five years on extended licence when he is released; a 15-year sexual harm prevention order, which prevents him from coming into contact with children under 16 except for specific exceptions, and restraining orders preventing him from contacting any of his victims for the next two decades.

His offences first came to light when a victim reported him to police in December 2024. They disclosed he had abused them over an 11-year period.

In June 2025, a second complainant also came forward and reported similar offences, this time over an eight-year period.

Officers from our Protecting People Unit (PPU) launched an investigation which resulted in the charges and convictions against Moor.

Detective Inspector Marie Green from PPU said:

“This sentencing puts Moor behind bars where he belongs for his vile sexual abuse of children.

“We hope this outcome will encourage other survivors of sexual abuse to come forward and report it to police, no matter how long ago it happened.

“We are here to support and protect you from predators like Moor and will always listen to you, take your reports seriously and seek justice where appropriate.”

Description

Jordan Richards, a 35-year-old from Kidderminster, was jailed for 21 years after pleading guilty mid-trial to 36 non-recent child sex offences against the same child.

Richards originally pleaded not guilty at Swansea Crown Court. The court started to hear about the abuse, including 31 counts of rape and the production of over 600 indecent images of the survivor, that occurred in the Ammanford area between 2012 and 2016. He changed his plea on the second day of the trial and admitted his guilt for every offence.

Richards appeared for sentencing in Swansea Crown Court on Friday, 21st August 2026. The total offences included:

• 3x Assault by penetration of a female aged 15 or 16 years old.
• 10x Oral Rape of a female aged 15 years old.
• 10x Oral Rape of a female aged 16 years old.
• 10x Rape of a female aged 17 years old.
• 1x Vaginal Rape of a female aged 16 or 17 years old.
• 1x Engage in sexual activity in the presence of a child aged 13 to 15 years old.
• Producing 600+ Indecent Images of Children

The judge regarded Richards offending as ‘cruel and isolating’. He described the way that the indecent images taken underlined the pleasure Richards took in ‘his lustful and filthy attitude towards the survivor’. He recognised the ‘profound and lasting effect it’s had on them and their family’ before passing his sentence.

Richards was given an extended custodial sentence of 25 years, consisting of 21-year imprisonment and an extension period of 4 years. He will also have an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, an indefinite restraining order against the survivor of his abuse and must make notifications under the Sexual Offenders Act for life.

Detective Sergeant Carl Pocock, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said:

“I’d like to take the opportunity to highlight the bravery of the survivor of this abuse. Richards subjected them to abhorrent sexual abuse through fear and control. It takes immense courage to overcome that and come forward to give evidence. It’s thanks to their resilience through the investigation that Jordan Richards will spend a significant amount of time in prison. I truly hope that this result gives them a sense of justice and peace and enables them to move forward with their life.

“I’d also like to thank the investigating officer, DC Morgan, and all specialist staff at our Digital Forensic Unit. Their efforts in securing and presenting the key evidence in this case undoubtedly led to the eventual guilty plea.

“I hope this conviction encourages other survivors, who have yet to come forward, that justice can be served despite the time that may have passed. Our specialist officers will work alongside Independent Sexual violence advisors from New Pathways to compassionately support you through the process."

The survivor of the case welcomed the sentencing of Richards and wished to share the following:

“I would like to say that I am pleased with the outcome of today’s sentencing. The investigation has been long and has without doubt has been very heavy on myself. I want to thank Dyfed-Powys Police for all the time, dedication and support they have provided me throughout the process and importantly making me feel safe.

"I would also like to give extra thanks and show my appreciation to Detective Constable Phil Morgan who has been my case worker and has shown determination and hard work throughout, along with Detective Sergeant Carl Pocock who has also worked so hard in securing today’s result.

"I also want to say a special thank you to New Pathways who have been there every step of the way and continue to support me afterwards.

"This case hasn’t been easy at all but I would encourage people that are yet to come forward to report it as you will be listened to and supported.

"We are not victims, we are survivors.”

Description

A child rapist who also committed multiple other sexual abuses of children was sentenced to 27 years in prison at court yesterday (Thursday 13 August).

Luke Simon, 42, of Redditch, was found guilty at Worcester Crown Court of 22 child sexual offences that took place between in the past decade.

These were two counts of rape of a child under 13 and 20 sexual assaults on children under 13 for which he was sentenced to 27 years.

Simon (pictured) was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and a restraining order was also put in place.

His offences, which were against more than one child, were brought to light in 2023 and sparked an investigation by West Mercia Police’s Protecting People Unit (PPU) which resulted in yesterday’s sentencing.

Detective Sergeant Izabela Majchrzyk from PPU said:

“We would like to pay tribute to the survivors of Simon’s vile predatory actions for their courage in coming forward and giving us the evidence that has led to this successful conviction.

“We hope today’s sentencing will help them to move on with their lives and that it encourages other survivors of sexual abuse to come forward.

“Our message to anyone who has suffered similar abuses is we will always listen to you and act where appropriate no matter how long ago the offences took place.”

Description

A Pershore man has today (Thursday 6 August) been sentenced to 11 years and nine months in prison for multiple non-recent sexual abuse offences against a child.

Martin Cowley, 70, of Checketts Close, Pinvin, was found guilty of 14 counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16 years at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday 14 May following a four-day trial.

Cowley (pictured below) was today sentenced to 11 years and nine months for his crimes which date back to the 1990s.

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life, made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which bans him from contacting under 18s, and handed a 15-year restraining order not to contact his victim.

The offences were first reported to police in 2023 which led to the charges and trial.

Detective Sergeant Louise Sutton, of the Protecting People Unit (PPU), said:

“We are pleased to get this custodial sentence against Cowley whose victim was only a child at the time. He may have thought he had got away with his disgusting crimes but today shows he has not escaped justice.

“We would like to pay tribute to the victim for their courage in coming forward and giving the evidence to us that has led to this successful prosecution. They have waited 30 years for this day.

“We hope today’s sentencing will help them to move on with their lives and that it encourages other victims of sexual abuse to come forward.

“We will always listen to you and act where appropriate no matter how long ago the offences took place.”

Description

A PENSIONER who tried to incite a seven-year-old child to performing a sexual act on him has been jailed.

David Hughes, of Meadow Orchard, Broadway, near Evesham, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court, sitting in Redditch, on Monday (July 27) for attempting to arrange or facilitate the offence of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The 77-year-old tried to arrange to get a seven-year-old girl to perform a sexual act on him between October and November 2023 in Worcester.

He denied this in court, but was found guilty in June following a trial.

At sentencing, Hughes was jailed for four years by Recorder Michael Burrows.

His Nokia, iPhone, and Computer towers were all seized, he will need to register with the police on a regular basis once released, and he was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order, which will restrict his ability to reoffend.

Hughes cannot use a device to access the internet without first allowing the police to ensure the device retains his internet history, use a device which can store digital images unless police officers can inspect it upon request, and using the internet to contact anyone under 16.

Alongside these restrictions relating to technology, Hughes is also prohibited from having unsupervised contact with children under 16, live with a child under 16, or leave England and Wales without first informing the police where he is going and for how long.

He was also ordered to pay £4,830 in costs and a £228 surcharge by the end of October.

Description

A man from Redditch who exploited his position as a photographer has been jailed for more than eight years for a string of sex and voyeurism offences.

Steven Liles, aged 60, of Weatheroak Close, appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Friday (26 June) having previously been found guilty at trial for offences spanning from 2009 to 2019.

Liles began working as a freelance photographer and videographer for private events and dance schools across the Midlands after he was made redundant from a previous job. It was through these roles he met many of his victims.

Liles converted his home garage into a photography studio and set up a hidden camera in his office, where he would ask the people he was taking photos of to get changed.

The footage was discovered by police after his devices were seized, and during the trial in April he was found guilty of three counts of voyeurism. Two of these counts relate to footage of children and the third relates to footage of an adult.

Liles also befriended women with children and exploited his relationship with the mothers to groom and sexually assault the young girls. He was found guilty of one count of sexual assault on a child under 13 and three counts of sexual activity with a child.

When handing Liles the eight years and six months jail term, Judge Jackson described the sex offender as ‘a deviant behind a mask’, and the words, ‘targeted’, ‘groomed’, ‘sexual predator’, and ‘false friend’ were heard throughout.

Detective Sergeant Shelley Aplin from the Major Investigation Unit said:

“I want to commend the victims for their unwavering courage and patience throughout the entire investigation, which has undoubtably been extremely difficult for them.

“They have told their story and should hold their heads high. Everyone who has come forward and supported this investigation has helped bring this offender to justice.

“Liles is a predator whose behaviour affected so many lives and caused immense emotional turmoil. It was right that he has been given a lengthy prison sentence.”

Liles was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) indefinitely, which prohibits him from contacting and having unsupervised contact with children once released from prison.

He was also ordered to pay £4360 in court charges.

Description

A paedophile who carried an envelope filled with girls’ underwear while attempting to meet a 12-year-old girl he had groomed online has been jailed for four and a half years.

Christopher Webb, 38, of Tilesford, Worcestershire, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court after an undercover police operation.

He began communicating with someone he believed was a 12-year-old girl on social media, sent explicit images of himself, asked for similar images in return, and arranged to meet at Gloucester railway station on 26 March 2025. He made clear his intention to have sex with the child.

Officers arrested him on arrival. He was carrying a black bag containing an envelope of girls’ underwear bearing his home address. Phone searches later confirmed he knew his intended victim was underage, including web searches for “do under 16s need a train ticket?”

Webb pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child, attempting to cause or incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity involving penetration, and attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.

He received concurrent sentences of 10 months, four years and six months, and two years and three months respectively. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Det Con Rich Britton, from West Mercia’s Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team, said:

"We are pleased to put this paedophile behind bars before he could carry out any of his disgusting intentions on an actual child, so this operation was a good result to protect potential victims from his depraved behaviour.

"Webb was caught red-handed, thinking he was speaking online to a girl, and we would warn any other individuals thinking of communicating with a child and attempting to arrange sexual activity like this to be warned it could be the police and you too could be sent to prison."

Description

A woman who waited over eight years for her rapist to be jailed said the criminal justice system left her "unheard and ignored."

The victim, a mother of two who cannot be named, reported the rape in 2017. Her attacker, Allan Peyton, 45, was sentenced today to five years at Worcester Crown Court for rape and assault by penetration.

She described her "continuous battle for justice" as leaving her "hopeless and abandoned."

The court heard Peyton entered her home in the early hours of May 7, 2017, and raped her while intoxicated. She reported it to West Mercia Police the next day.

Delays stemmed from a poor police investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) initially declining to charge due to insufficient evidence before reversing the decision, and shortages of courts and staff. Peyton was convicted in July, but sentencing was postponed three times since summer.

The CPS stated: "We recognise the profound impact delays can have on victims and this is why we are taking action by working closely with police colleagues to help build the strongest case from the outset.

"Whilst in recent years this has led to a reduction in the time taken between the CPS receiving a file and making a charging decision, we know there is still more to do and that is why last week we launched our new strategy for Violence Against Women and Girls."

Ch Supt Edd Williams of West Mercia Police said: "We expect a high standard for investigations and support to survivors and if someone feels we have fallen below this we encourage them to talk to us through our complaints process so we can learn and improve.

"We hope today's sentencing can finally bring some form of closure."

Description

A paedophile who raped and sexually abused a boy has today (Wednesday 12 November) been sentenced to 25 years.

Jason Lane, 44, of Old Coach Road, Droitwich, had previously been found guilty of 16 offences against his victim in June at Redditch Crown Court.

Lane was found guilty of the following ahead of today’s hearing at Worcester Crown Court where the judge described him as a “very dangerous individual”: 

• Three counts of rape of a boy under 13
• Two counts of rape of boy aged 13 to 15
• Four counts of assaulting a boy under 13 by touching
• Three counts of cause/incite a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Cause/ incite a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity by penetration
• Two counts of attempt to cause/incite a boy aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity without penetration
• Causing a child under 13 to watch/look at an image of sexual activity

His total sentence was 25 years – 21 years with four on licence, and he was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

DC Allie Thompson, of our Protecting Vulnerable People team, said:

“We are pleased to get this lengthy sentence for Lane whose predatory sexual behaviour has caused much harm to his victim and their family.

“I would like to commend the victim and their family for their bravery in coming forward and assisting with the process which has secured a conviction and ultimately taken a very dangerous individual off the streets.

“We hope the sentence will some way assist the victim in moving on with their lives with the correct support and assistance moving forward.

“I would also like to thank the officers who have worked tirelessly throughout this investigation in order to obtain this substantial sentence their hard work over several years has assisted in securing this conviction.

“We hope that today’s sentencing shows that we will always pursue sexual predators like Lane and bring them before the courts to face justice and that it will encourage other victims of sexual offences to come forward.

“We will always listen to take your concerns seriously and protect you from the dangerous offenders like Lane.”

Description

Jose Martin Holden, aged 32, of George Street, appeared at Worcester Crown Court last week (Friday, August 1) for sentencing. 

Today (August 4), the force released a custody image of Holden for the first time.

He was found guilty of two counts of rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault following a trial at Worcester Crown Court from June 9 to June 13. 

He was found not guilty of attempting to assault by penetration. 

On sentencing, His Honour Judge Jackson deemed Holden a dangerous offender and dismissed mitigating circumstances from the defence regarding his learning difficulties. 

The Judge also told the court that the way Holden spoke about women during his arrest was "dehumanising". 

In court, the Judge said: "You have no insight into your behaviour...There is a significant risk of you causing further harm to other women."

Holden was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for count 1 (rape) with an extension of five years on licence. 

He was also sentenced to eight years for count 2 (assault by penetration), two years imprisonment for count 4 (sexual assault) and 10 years imprisonment for count 5 (rape). 

The above sentences will all run concurrently to the 20 years imprisonment for count 1. 

The court heard that Holden will have to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before he is eligible to appear before the parole board. 

He was also handed an indefinite restraining order and cannot directly or indirectly contact the victims. 

One of Holden's victims told the court in a victim impact statement how delays in the case have made her feel as though she has “already served a four-year sentence”.

She told the court: “The consequences of his actions have rippled into every part of my life.

"You've destroyed parts of me, but you will not destroy the new life I am beginning."

Description

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.”

Description

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.