Latest Offenders

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An obsessed paedophile carefully catalogued more than 10,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse, a court heard. Nigel Miller, 38, blamed a lack of self-esteem, a difficult childhood and lockdown for his sick behaviour.

Police raided his address in Barnstaple and found he had a massive collection of indecent images he had found on the internet. Most were of real children but some were computer generated.

Miller was already a convicted paedophile and had previously completed a course designed to change his ways. The judge said his behaviour was a warning to others about the dangers for people who spend their lives in the twisted virtual world.

He admitted five offenses of having indecent, prohibited and extreme images and was jailed for 18 months.

Police raided his address in August 2022 and seized a number of devices. They were alerted over concerns he had been using a file sharing platform called MegaNZ to collect and store images on the cloud.

The found more than 12,000 in the most serious category involving the abuse of very young children. There were also CGI images and 60 showing people having sex with animals.

Prosecutor Zoe Kuyken said Miller was convicted in 2014 for similar offences and had a caution from 2018. He had previously completed a sex offender treatment programme.

Nick Lewin, defending, said Miller was now a different man. He said the sex offender programme was now more sophisticated than it was decade ago and he would respond better to it.

Judge David Evans said the offences had happened over a period of two years. He accepted unemployed Miller was genuinely remorseful and was socially isolated, suffered with anxiety and depression and had not tackled difficult childhood experiences.

"You admit you are sexually attracted to underage children," said the judge. "You warn you may well reoffend and you do not know what there will be to stop you."

He said Miller had had spent most of his life jobless, drawing benefits and spending his time in the virtual world.

"You are standing warning to others of the potential corruptions of life spent in that way," added Judge Evans.

Miller, of Bear Street, was made subject of a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years. He must serve 40 per cent of his sentence before being released.

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A Torquay man has been jailed for a total of 17 years plus one on extended licence for raping a child and other sexual offences.

Michael Dickinson, 67, of Abbey Road, Torquay, will also have to sign on to the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and was given a 25-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Dickinson pleaded to guilty to two charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and was convicted of two charges of rape of a child under 13 following a trial in December. He was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on Thursday 13 February.

Detective Constable James Kelly, who led the investigation said:

 “The sentenced passed by the judge today is to be welcomed.

“Praise is due to the young victim for the bravery they have shown in reporting this to us and for remaining engaged with the investigation and prosecution of this case, all the way through to its conclusion. Also, for her family who have undoubtedly helped and supported her through this process.

“Devon & Cornwall Police is clear in its approach to reports of this nature – we will listen, and you will be heard.

“We will always actively investigate any such crime and seek to bring those responsible to justice for the victims, who we would urge to come forward and report offences to us.”

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A Devon paedophile "learned a great deal" from his sex offender programme - then went back to searching the dark web for child abuse images.

James Power from Honiton completed the Horizon programme for sex offenders after being convicted of filming sex sessions with women and collecting more than 1,000 child images in 2021.

He was regarded as a success and even attended poetry evenings with someone who supported him through the course. But when his offender manager knocked on his door they found he had been using a phone to look at sick images and take photos of himself with his penis out at various locations.

Power, 44, of Roundball Close, has now been sentenced to two years and four months. He admitted three breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and three charges of downloading indecent images of children.

Peter Coombe, prosecuting, said his offender manager visited Power at his home in May 2024. When he answered the door he appeared "flustered".

He had hastily deleted the Kik app from his phone and said he had been "looking at something he shouldn't". It turned out he had joined a group to look at people having sex with animals.

In total, 174 indecent images of children were found on his phone, 24 in the most serious category of abuse.

Police returned in February 2025 and Power was again slow at reaching the door. He initially denied hiding a phone but then took the officer to an airing cupboard where he had stashed a device among the linen.

Analysis of the phone showed he had been accessing the internet since the start of the year and had a clear sexual interest in children. There were also photos of Power exposing himself at locations including the public toilets in King Street. He sent the images to adults online and had also been chatting on a dating site and deleting images.

Zoe Kuyken, defending, said Power had done well on the Horizon programme and learned a great deal from it. He had gone above and beyond what was expected of him which made his return to court concerning.

She said he had gone from having a great deal of support from Horizon and probation to not a lot and had "handled the transition poorly" by going back on the internet when he was alone in the evenings and off work with sciatica.

He describes himself as addicted to the material and living in a fantasy world. He looked at bestiality websites because he was seeking social contact, she said. He would like to be banned from the internet and is highly remorseful. She said if he was sent to prison he would lose his landscaping job.

Judge David Evans said Power may need more active supervision in the community in future. He will serve either 40 or 50 per cent of his sentence behind bars.

Power's SHPO was extended to 2036.

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A Torquay man fired an air gun after losing his temper with a group of noisy men outside his house. Mike McCabe hit one man on the arm, a court heard.

He was already under police investigation for downloading child sex abuse images from the internet and sharing them with other paedophiles on Kik Messenger. The 39-year-old of Upton Road appeared at Exeter Crown Court to be sentenced for the separate crimes.

He said he was very sorry and just wanted to get on with his life. But the judge jailed him for two years and eight months.

The judge said the most serious offence in the eyes of the court involved the discharge of the air rifle. It happened in June of last year when McCabe yelled at a group of men near the coach station to turn the music down.

They heard shots and the defendant appeared armed with a BB gun, said prosecutor Zoe Kuyken. He fired towards the group and hit a man on the elbow causing a small mark.

Police arrested him and McCabe said he had drunk four pints and been smoking cannabis. He said he had only wanted to scare the group.

The defendant admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, three offences of downloading indecent images, distributing images and also possession of prohibited images.

In November 2023 police received intelligence from the National Crime Agency of suspicious activity linked to the defendant's IP address. The seized McCabe's phone and found almost 500 indecent images of children on his phone, 184 extreme images and five prohibited images.

A total of 346 images were in the most serious category of abuse and further analysis revealed 73 had been distributed on Kik. McCabe told police he was under the influence of drink and cocaine.

Martin Salloway, defending, said McCabe was "alone drunk and lonely" at the time and spending too long on the internet. He distributed the images to like-minded people and was extremely remorseful. "He is keen to get on with his life," said Mr Salloway.

Recorder Simon Levene said McCabe could have had the victim's eye out by firing the air rifle. He ordered McCabe be subject to a sexual harm prevention order as part of the sentence.

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A Devon man has been jailed for 30 months after admitting the sexual abuse of a child.

Charles Kirkby, 39, of Church Road, St Thomas, Exeter, appeared at Exeter Crown Court for sentencing on Friday 13 June after previously pleading guilty to two sexual assaults of a girl aged under 13.

At the sentencing hearing the court heard how Kirkby abused the girl on a date in 2024.

After the girl bravely told her mother, police were called and Kirkby was arrested the same evening.

In interview he stated he was under the influence of alcohol but denied any sexual offending.

Kirkby was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Officer in the case, DC Jon Stephens from the Public Protection Unit, said:

“By bravely disclosing what had happened to her, the victim in this case has allowed us to investigate and bring Kirkby to justice for his offending.

“His actions were motivated by sexual desire and showed no consideration for the child victim.

“We ask anybody who has been the victim of child sexual abuse to report it, whether it be recent or non-recent, and we will investigate each matter thoroughly.”

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A vile Sunderland rapist has been jailed for eight years after admitting shocking crimes against two women. James Wright, 25, of Hampstead Road was sentenced on Friday at Newcastle Crown Court.

Wright was called "clearly a dangerous man" by the Northumbria Police officer who led the investigation into him. Wright admitted sex offences including two charges of rape and two of assault in court in May.

He assaulted one of his victims by throwing a mobile phone at her, the police said. His eventual arrest came after two complex investigations which were triggered when both victims came forward to police.

In court on Friday, Wright was sentenced to eight years behind bars and four years on extended licence following his release. He will also be on the Sex Offenders' Register for life and has been given restraining orders preventing him from contacting both victims.

Following his sentencing, Police Staff Investigator (PSI) Hayley Anderson, of Northumbria Police’s Rape Investigation Team said:

"James Wright is clearly a dangerous man who has shown with his consistent violent behaviour that he has no regard for the effects this type of abuse can have.

"No-one should ever have to experience what these women have been through, and their bravery in the decision to report these incidents to police means their abuser is now behind bars. I hope this sentence has given them both the closure they deserve, and also hope it urges others who may be suffering in silence to reach out and report abuse to us."

PSI Anderson said the convictions and sentencing should show other survivors of sexual offences that the force would support them and hold abusers to account. She added: "If you’ve been a victim of sexual abuse, please know that we can help you; report to us today."

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A brave woman who had her life shattered by a man over 20 years ago has seen her rapist finally jailed for his crimes.

David Watson-Williams, aged 43, of Stanfield Close, Lockleaze, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today (Monday, July 7) after being found guilty of rape.

After two days of deliberating evidence, the jury took just 45 minutes to unanimously find Watson-Williams guilty of raping a woman at a flat in St Pauls in the early 2000s.

He was immediately taken into custody on Wednesday, April 30 before being sentenced today.

Watson-Williams has been jailed for 12 years with an extended three-year licence.

He will remain on the sex offenders' register for life.

The victim reported in August 2021 that she was raped by a man she recognised.

She walked home to her flat by a friend around 3am and left her door unlocked before going to be fully clothed.

At home she then fell asleep before being woken by someone raping her.

She pretended to stay asleep for her own safety but was able to squint to see who the rapist was. She recognised him as Watson-Williams.

In a statement read out to the court, the victim said: “What should have been a bright chapter in my life was shattered by a man who knew, without a doubt, that I had no romantic or sexual interest in him.

“Yet, he hatched, in cruel premeditation, a plan to take what he wanted, with no regard for the destruction he would leave in his wake, that man is you, David.

"You’re the man that raped me in my bed. The bed in which my childhood memories were scattered lovingly around me.

“The terror you inflicted forced me to leave my home, the place where I should have felt most secure. I had to take refuge from you.

“Now, single, and childless, while I cannot say you are solely responsible for these parts of my life, I know you have been a significant factor.

"Your actions have altered the course of my life in ways I am still trying to understand and untangle.”

PC Chris Quick, the officer in the case, was able to quickly identify the suspect as Watson-Williams.

The attacker had several features which matched the description provided by the victim. He also had a conviction of rape since 2003.

A passport photo obtained by the police in the early 2000s, the victim positively identified the suspect.

PC Quick, formerly of Avon and Somerset’s Operation Bluestone Team, which is dedicated to solving rape and serious sexual offence cases, said:

“I cannot commend the victim enough for having the bravery to tell us what happened. This is a very traumatic event which she has lived with for nearly 20 years before deciding to report it to the police.

“The sentence reflects the seriousness of what happened to her. She was attacked in her own home, where she should be safe, and has been extremely courageous to come forward about the attack which left her feeling vulnerable and living in fear for years.

“Incidents such as this have a lasting and profound impact and we hope that both victims have had the justice they so rightly deserve.

“We hope this conviction sends out an important message – any acts of violence will never be tolerated, and every victim deserves to be heard and supported, no matter how long ago the attack took place.”

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A former police officer has been spared jail after admitting he downloaded a video featuring children as young as nine being sexually abused.

George Voisey was branded "a disgrace" at Lewes Crown Court on Friday after he admitted downloading the Category A footage, the most serious classification for that type of material.

The 24-year-old, from Horsham, was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

He will also be on the sex offenders' register for seven years and will have to attend 20 rehabilitation days and put in 150 hours of unpaid work.

Voisey had admitted downloading one Cat A video and two counts of downloading indecent images between 22 June and 24 October last year.

He was arrested and suspended from duty after Sussex Police were alerted to his activity by the National Crime Agency in October.

Investigators found five Category B indecent images and seven Category C indecent images of children on his mobile phone.

Voisey had downloaded the Category A video from the Telegram app and sent it to himself on Snapchat.

He was not on duty at the time of the offences and resigned from the force on 1 March this year.

Judge Stephen Mooney told Voisey:

"Up until now you were of good character and had a promising career, all of which you have thrown away.

"You have chosen to seek out images and a video of children being abused.

"Each image or video you look at is a permanent record of a child's life that has been ruined.

"Each is a child in torment and you have contributed to that.

"You are a disgrace."

Sussex Police has referred its investigation to the Independent Office of Police Conduct and will now consider misconduct proceedings against Voisey.

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Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been jailed for numerous child sexual offences in Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

Roderick Bryce-Hagain, also known as Roderick Bryce-Stafford, aged 52, of Milton Road West, Edinburgh, was sentenced to 22 years in prison, with a five-year extended licence period, at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday (1/7). The judge also deemed Bryce-Hagain a dangerous offender.

Following a three-week trial at Oxford Crown Court, which concluded on 24 April, a jury unanimously found Bryce-Hagain guilty of:

• Eleven counts of sexual assault
• Four counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child
• Three counts of rape
• Three counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child
• Three counts of causing a child to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity
• Two counts of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent
• Two counts of inciting a child to engage in penetrative sexual activity
• Two counts of inciting a child to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity
• One count of attempted rape
• One count of causing a child to engage in penetrative sexual activity

Bryce-Hagain sexually abused four boys in Oxfordshire and Berkshire over several years.

Bryce-Hagain was charged by postal requisition on 18 October 2023.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Nicola Fullerton, of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: 

“I would like to thank the victims for the strength and courage they have shown throughout this long investigation.

“We would encourage sexual offence victims to come forward to police, no matter how long ago offences occurred.

“We will listen and do everything possible to bring offenders like Roderick Bryce-Hagain to justice.”

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Police Scotland acknowledge the sentence of nine years in jail given to a man who pleaded guilty to non-recent assault and sexual offences in the Buchan area of Aberdeenshire.

John Sinclair, 72, last month admitted to offences which took place between 1974 and 1980.

He was remanded in custody and was sentenced today (Thursday, 25 August) at the High Court in Aberdeen.

Detectives from Police Scotland’s National Child Abuse Investigation Unit (North East) led the investigation into the case and Sinclair was arrested and charged on 3 October, 2019.

Detective Inspector Anna Johnston said:

"We welcome the sentencing of John Sinclair and I would like to thank the victims in this case who assisted us with our investigation.

“The passage of time does not make these incidents any easier to talk about and their bravery is to be commended.

“I would like to take this opportunity to urge anyone who has or is being subjected to any form of abuse or harm to get in touch with the police and report it.

“We treat all reports seriously, with the utmost professionalism and sensitivity, no matter when the offence took place.

“Cases like this show that Police Scotland is determined to bring the suspects of these crimes to justice.”

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Following a Warwickshire Police investigation, a man has been sentenced for sexually assaulting three women in Leamington last year.

Emmanuel Atugo, aged 29 of Southorn Court, Leamington, appeared at Warwick Crown Court today (Tuesday 8 July).

On 27 June last year,  Atugo sexually assaulted a woman he had only just met while in his car on Bath Place in Leamington.

On 1 August, Atugo sexually assaulted a woman he had known for a short while at her home in Leamington. 

While on bail for both offences, on 17 November Atugo sexually assaulted another woman he knew at his house in Leamington. He was charged and remanded in custody following his arrest.

Atugo was found guilty by a jury of five counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual assault by penetration, at Warwick Crown Court on 29 May this year.

Today, he was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment and four years on licence following his release. He will also be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Detective Constable Ella Stewart from our Domestic Abuse and Rape Team said:

“I cannot praise enough the strength all three victims have displayed throughout this process, and I am relieved that they have finally received the justice they each deserve. 

“I hope this case reassures victims of sexual abuse that we are committed to investigating and bringing dangerous offenders to justice.”

Ellie, an Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) with Safeline who supported one of the victims through the investigation, said: “Working in partnership with the investigating officer, DC Stewart, was a really positive experience for the victim and the ISVA. Her compassion, clear communication, and commitment made a real difference. 

“Together, we helped ensure the victim felt heard, supported, and empowered throughout the investigation and court process. Ultimately, to see justice done.” 

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A teacher from Birmngham has been jailed for sending naked images of himself to girls, after he contacted them online pretending to be a teenage boy.

Jamie Morgan, aged 27, made contact with three girls on the social media platform Snapchat and encouraged them to send him naked images of themselves.

He used various usernames and told one of the girls he was a 17-year-old boy.

Morgan went on to send the girls naked images of himself, and persuaded one of the girls into sending him a similar image of herself.

But concerns were being raised about him and after officers were contacted early this year, they carried out an investigation into his online activity which resulted in him being arrested on 30 January.

At a hearing at Birmingham Crown Court in March, Morgan admitted three counts of sending indecent images and one charge of inciting a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity.

On Thursday (10 July)  Morgan of Park Close, Erdington, was jailed for three years and six months. He has also been put on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

DC Darren English from West Midlands Police Public Protection Unit, said:

"Morgan lied and manipulated his young victims, believing that doing so online and by using a fake identity would shield him from being found out. But we were able to quickly unmask his criminal activity and bring him before the courts.

"These young girls and those around them have shown great strength in supporting our investigation throughout and it has resulted in Morgan now being locked up."

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A drunk Northumberland sex offender was caught after the brave teenage victim secretly recorded the "disgusting" things he was saying to her. John Rutherford began making sexualised comments to the girl before he sexually assaulted her.

But as the 40-year-old was making the lude comments, the brave victim managed to covertly record what he was saying to her. Following the sex assaults - which involved Rutherford "grabbing" her - the teen managed to break away from him before reporting what happened to police.

On Friday, Rutherford, of Amble, Northumberland, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for two counts of sexual assault. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.

David Povall, prosecuting, said Rutherford had been "drinking heavily" before he began making sexual comments to a teenage girl. He said: "[The victim] recorded some [comments] on her mobile phone. The defendant was very heavily intoxicated."

Soon after, ex-RAF serviceman Rutherford sexually assaulted the girl after he "grabbed her by the waist". The frightened girl eventually managed to break free and contacted police.

Lorraine Mustard, defending, said Rutherford was of previous good character and "remorseful" and that he did not want to use alcohol as an excuse. She added he was supported by his wife and other members of his family.

Sentencing him, Recorder Thomas Moran said: "[The victim] was completely terrified. Despite her fear, she recorded some of the disgusting things you were saying to her. [The recording] reveals you were very drunk." The court was told that Rutherford, who works as an electrical engineer, is "genuinely remorseful".

He was given a 10 month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months and must complete 30 rehabilitation days. A 120 day alcohol monitoring requirement was imposed alongside 100 hours unpaid work.

He will be on the sex offenders register for 10 years and a 10 year restraining order was imposed.

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A man who raped a woman twice while her children were in the house has been jailed.

Abdul Hamed, 35, of no fixed address, assaulted a woman in a "horrendous ordeal" after climbing through her window in Swindon in the early hours of 18 June.

"Hamed entered her home through a window in the middle of the night, significantly breaching her sense of safety and privacy in the one place that she should have felt safest," said DC Ashleigh Moran of Swindon Police.

Hamed has been sentenced to six years and eight months in prison at Swindon Crown Court.

'No remorse'

"This was a traumatic incident for the victim and I want to thank her and commend her for her incredible bravery that she's shown throughout this process," DC Moran continued.

The incident was reported to police the day after it happened, and Hamed was arrested.

He pleaded not guilty to the offences and was unanimously found guilty following a six-day jury trial.

"He has shown no remorse throughout this investigation and now faces several years behind bars for his actions," DC Moran added.

"I hope this sentencing will bring an element of closure for the victim and she can start to move forward with her life."

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Three men have been found guilty for the kidnap, false imprisonment and rape of a woman who had been on a night out in Bedford.

Gemti Hyka, 31, of Cambridge Road, Ibrahim Bezati, 36, of Caves Lane, and Vullnet Haka, 33, of Washburn Close – all from Bedford, were found guilty of offences including kidnap, false imprisonment and rape following a three-week trial at Luton Crown Court.

The trial heard how in September 2021, the victim went to Bedford town centre to enjoy a meal and some drinks with a friend and later went to a nightclub where she was approached by Hyka, but she walked away with her friend.

Later that evening on the high street, Hyka approached the victim again, who had split away from her friend. He then kidnapped her and took her to a BP garage in his car in Newnham Avenue. The victim tried to signal for help but was unsuccessful. He then took her to a house in Kempston where Bezati and Haka were waiting.

At the property, the victim was forced to take cocaine before being raped by all three men. She eventually managed to escape and flagged down a member of the public who helped her contact the police and family.

All three denied the offences but were found guilty at Luton Crown Court today, Thursday (14 April):

• Hyka was found guilty of one count of kidnap, one count of false imprisonment and three counts of rape.
• Bezati was found guilty of one count of false imprisonment and two counts of rape.
• Haka was found guilty of one count of false imprisonment and two counts of rape.

Detective Constable Hannah Latton, from Bedfordshire Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) team said:

Detective Constable Hannah Latton, from Bedfordshire Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) team said: “This was an horrific case where the victim was effectively targeted by these men, who took her to a property where she was held against her will and repeatedly raped.

“Thankfully incidents such as these are incredibly rare, but the result should serve as reassurance to anyone who has been through the trauma of rape or serious sexual assault. We will believe you and do everything in our power to bring such predators to justice.

“The victim showed tremendous courage by facing her attackers in court, even though they had the audacity to deny the offences, putting her through a further ordeal of re-living the incident during the trial. Her evidence was crucial to ensuring these men will remain behind bars for a considerable amount of time.

“Nobody should feel they cannot speak up about abuse. We will treat every case professionally with the utmost compassion and have specialist officers trained to support people who have experienced such horrendous offences.”