Latest Offenders

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An aspiring Rothwell Buddhist who sexually abused two women and hoarded indecent images of children has been jailed.

Harvy Tak targeted two women between 2016 and 2023, filming both of them as they performed sex acts, Leeds Crown Court heard on Friday.

The court heard that Tak's first victim was handcuffed and blindfolded and was unaware he was filming her at the time. It was also said that she had set boundaries for the consensual sexual activity, which Tak ignored, leading to him being convicted for rape following a trial.

Her Honour Judge Rayfield told Tak as she sentenced him: "She made it clear to you and you made a promise...You were not entitled to ignore the caveat she asked of you but you continued to ignore it knowing that she didn't want that. I can't be sure whether you planned to do that from the outset.

"I will give you the benefit of the doubt that it was impulsive."

The court heard the young woman did not know that Tak had filmed the sexual activity. The judge said: "She was horrified and asked you to delete it but you wouldn't, demonstrating you put your own sexual needs and desires above hers. Over the years, you oscillated between agreeing to delete it and blackmailing her, telling her you wouldn't delete it until she agreed to meet your sexual demands."

It was said that when police arrested Tak in 2023, they seized a number of devices and discovered indecent images of children at categories A, B, and C.

He was released under investigation and it was found he had targeted another young woman. He again filmed them taking part in consensual sexual activity. The judge told Tak: "While she knew you recorded the act for your own personal use, what she didn't know is you retained that until the police found it.

"She was very upset that you still had that image of such a private act in your possession and describes one occasion where you showed her an image of a five-to-eight-year-old engaging in sexual activity with an adult man and you enquired whether this was the kind of activity she would be interested in.

"You told her you had accessed images from the dark web which enabled you to hide your IP address."

The court heard police discovered more indecent images at category A, B and C when Tak was arrested.

Prosecutor Michael Greenhalgh summarised the first victim's impact statement, in which she said she had suffered from anxiety between the offences taking place and her initial report to police. She said she was "ashamed" and "felt dirty."

She added: "Because I felt so low I believed at the time that by letting him abuse me in that way I was protecting others. It made me feel I wasn't worthy. When I reported this, my anxiety increased. I was scared he would turn up at my house. At times it would cause me to shut down.

"I was afraid of bumping into him and I get seeing him in my nightmares where he was oblivious about what he did to me, which made me more anxious about sleeping. I didn't want to sleep and would go to sleep very late and wake up early to avoid it. Sometimes I crash out where I am. I started drinking more caffeine."

In her statement, the second victim said: "This has caused my to develop severe anxiety and PTSD. I find it distressing to go to where the crime occurred. The crime has overall affected every manner of my relationships and has caused me to become very paranoid and not trusting of those around me.

"I find it difficult to connect in a healthy manner and I don't let people get too close. It has affected my ability to work, especially during the proceedings in the case and has left me with no choice but to be unemployed for the near future. My anxiety makes it extremely difficult to perform in work places."

Mitigating, Jane Brady, told the court Tak has a diagnosis of autism. She said: "He was [at the time of the offending] a much younger man who was deferential to authority. He is from a strict Chinese, Buddhist family who intended him to become a Buddhist."

It was said Tak was bullied at school and "isolated" due to being from the "only non-white family in Rothwell."

Ms Brady said: "The [pre-sentence] report acknowledges he had an isolated childhood which resulted in him being ill-prepared for relationships...His feelings are of great shame and reluctance to engage in the process but he will unequivocally not offend again."

Judge Rayfield jailed Tak for eight years and made him the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order until further order.

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A man who described himself as Cheshire’s very own Kardashian has been pleaded guilty to fraud and theft.

Jack Watkin, 26, formerly of Wilmslow Road, Alderley Edge funded his fantasy Instagram influencer lifestyle by defrauding businesses and individuals to a total value of more than £200,000.

Watkin appeared at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 24 June where he pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud by false representation.

He has been remanded in custody and is set to be sentenced for the fraud and indecent images offences on Wednesday 3 September at Chester Crown Court.

The court heard how Watkin used the lure of designer handbag brand Hermes as a ruse to trick people into giving him the money he needed to afford his extravagant lifestyle.

The sought-after handbags can’t be purchased over the counter. You must be invited to buy a Hermes handbag which makes it a lucrative investment as the resale value can be much higher than the original price.

The victims were told by Watkin that he had the contacts that could give them access to the handbags and that they could split the profits made on resale. They handed over their money in good faith, but when no bag or sign of any money from the investment opportunity arose, they would begin to ask for their money back, but he always had excuses.

He duped one woman into handing over thousands thinking she was investing in the much sought after luxury handbag when she was in fact paying his bills at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

She, like the others never received the handbags or their share in the profits of their resale.

The investigation was launched after the woman who inadvertently paid for his luxury hotel bill contacted the Metropolitan Police back in 2022 when she became suspicious of Watkin’s continued excuses.

The case was subsequently referred to Cheshire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit, who launched a full investigation.

Their enquiries unearthed a string of victims and a breath-taking amount of luxury goods, and hotel bills that Watkin's afforded by swindling his six victims.

During the investigation detectives also found indecent images on his mobile phone for which he was found guilty at a previous hearing for possession of indecent images, extreme pornography and prohibited images.

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A paedophile who asked a 13-year-old girl to call him “daddy” has been jailed for more than four years.

Mickey Boots, 28, of London Road, Yaxley, began speaking to the victim from Lancashire on 18 March 2023 when he added her on Snapchat.

They also spoke on Whatsapp, with Boots claiming he was 17 and the girl repeatedly telling him she was 13.

Boots encouraged her to touch herself and asked to see inappropriate images of her.

He also sent her some inappropriate photos in return and asked her to save his number in her phone as “daddy”.

Boots called her while touching himself and the conversations ended on 21 March 2023.

The victim reported Boots to Lancashire Police and Cambridgeshire officers attended his home to arrest him and seize devices.

In interview, Boots became agitated and accused officers of “antagonising” him when phone recordings of him speaking to the victim were played. 

On Monday (23 June), at Peterborough Crown Court, Boots was jailed for four-and-a-half years, having pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual communications with a child and cause/incite a girl to engage in sexual activity.

He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

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A Stirling creep who secretly photographed a teenage girl as she bent over her schoolbag had been engaging in sickening chats with other perverts.

Gerard Deery had three images of the girl – who was known to him but not related – plus one of her friend, hidden in a locked folder on his phone.

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A former junior school teaching assistant has been jailed for sexual offences against a child.

Geddes Abbott, 34, of no fixed address, admitted seven counts including assaulting a girl under 13 and causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.

He was sentenced to 10 years and eight weeks in prison at Norwich Crown Court on Tuesday.

Abbott had previously worked at George White Junior School in Norwich, which said it was "appalled and saddened" but that the offences did not relate to any pupils or the school.

The Inclusive Schools Trust said: "We are saddened that a former colleague could be capable of such awful offences."

"At Inclusive Schools Trust, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is of paramount importance to us.

It added all of the correct recruitment and safeguarding processes were followed before Abbott joined the school.

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A man has been jailed for raping a 13-year-old girl following an investigation led by specialist detectives at the Metropolitan Police.

Sorosh Amini, 21 (14.11.2003), of Station Road, Croydon was sentenced to 7 years in prison on Friday, 27 June at Croydon Crown Court, after previously being convicted of rape and sexual assault.

He was also issued with a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Amini was arrested and charged following a thorough investigation which utilised CCTV footage and specially trained forensic dogs to place him at the scene.

He left his home address in London the day after the offence. Officers then used phone data and CCTV to locate him in Liverpool and arrested him 5 days later.

Detective Inspector Donnett Oseni, who led the investigation, said:

“Amini’s attack on this vulnerable girl was predatory and calculated. He has demonstrated himself to be a dangerous sexual offender and this sentence prevents him from harming anyone else.

“I want to commend the victim for her courage in coming forward and reporting this offence to us. I hope today’s verdict will bring her and her family some semblance of closure.”

In August 2024, Amini approached the victim in broad daylight on North End Road in Croydon, persistently tried to engage her in conversation and would not leave her alone when told. He then followed her down North End Road and into an alleyway.

Here, he forcibly kissed her and tried to put a cannabis joint into her mouth. He also told her that he was friends with someone who recently stabbed a person in the area, making the victim scared that he may have a knife. Amini then raped her.

The victim reported the assault to police and received safeguarding and support from specialist officers.

Amini was convicted on Thursday, 1 January following a two-week trial at the same court.

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A vile County Durham man with a fantasy for sex attacks on women tried to rape a teenage girl walking alone in woodland.

Christopher Bates is the living embodiment of every woman and girls nightmare, a judge said as she jailed him for life on Thursday (June 26).

The 37-year-old, locked up in 2006 for attempted rape, pushed the girl into bushes and tried to rape her while she desperately fought him off and screamed for help.

It happened earlier this year when the high risk sex offender, who was living in a secure unit near Spennymoor after his release from prison, managed to escape while being taken to a dentist appointment.

Teesside Crown Court heard the teenage victim was walking alone when he approached her pretending to be lost. It was the first time he had been unsupervised in years.

Prosecutor Mr Paul Cleasby said: He asked her whether she was alone and whether she had a mobile phone.

The child gave directions but his mannerisms made her feel awkward and she decided to leave the woods.

But Bates chased her, catching up and saying he was going to do her before performing a sex act on himself.

Desperate, his teen victim lied saying she was only 10-years-old in a bid to deter his interest but he told her he didnt care, the court heard, and pushed her into thorny bushes before trying to rape her.

She managed to stop him for long enough until a passing dog walker came to her aid and he fled. The court heard her dad had previously taught her how to defend herself in case of such an attack.

Police arrested him a short time later. In bodycam footage he could be heard telling officers: To be honest I dont know what I was doing. I just lost my head.

He made no comment in two police interviews meaning the girl had to identify him from a line-up.

In an impact statement, read by the prosecutor, the girls mum said: She used to go for walks for hours. I am lucky if I get her out of the house for ten minutes.

When were out shopping if a man comes past her she starts to get scared, hiding behind her dad.

We cant go into the woods anymore. The woods where the offence occurred used to be her safe place.

The attempted rape bore a stark resemblance to the crime he had been jailed for 15 years for in 2006 when he pushed another girl into bushes before trying to rape her. His licence period ended just 17 days before he struck again.

Judge Jo Kidd jailed Bates for life, telling him: You are the living embodiment of every woman and girls nightmare.

You are the reason why from a young age we tell our girls how to defend themselves.

I have no doubt that the advice given by [the victims] dad to his daughter saved her from the most appalling and unthinkable, sadistic crime.

"You immediately set about to put a plan in place where you would relive your fantasy to drag a female into bushes."

He admitted attempted rape at an earlier hearing but was back before the court for sentence on Thursday.

He must serve six years and eight months before a parole board can consider him for release, and if he ever leaves prison he will remain on license for life.

Bates was also handed a restraining order against the victim and placed under a sexual harm prevention order which a judge said will prevent him contacting anyone under 18 if he is ever released, and even ban him wearing certain clothing.

He previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of exposure which was left to lie on file.

Detective Constable Dave Taylor, from South Durham CID, who led the investigation said:

This was an appalling and horrific crime that will have a significant and profound impact on the young girl for many years to come.

Christopher Bates targeted a young, vulnerable girl in a secluded, isolated area in a very predatory way which showed clear evidence of pre-planning.

He poses a significant risk to lone women and girls which is reflected in the sentence passed today.

I would like to take this opportunity to praise the bravery of the young girl who has shown remarkable courage throughout this investigation, which will have had a profound impact on her both mentally and physically.

I only hope that she, her family, and the community as a whole can take some comfort from the significant sentence imposed and that she is able to move forward with her life again.

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William Woods was found guilty of 57 offences at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 24  June, including inciting children under the age of 14 to commit an act of gross indecency, incite boys aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity and attempted rape.

In addition, he was found not guilty of one count of sexual assault and one count of neglect.

The 67-year-old of Lawton Street, Congleton, has been remanded in custody and is to be sentenced for his crimes on Friday 15 August.

During the course of his eight-week trial, it was heard that between 1976 and 2006, Woods had sexually abused eight children across the Northwich and Crewe areas of Cheshire.

Woods was football coach over the course of his offending and used his connections with family friends to build a position of trust and influence over the children, isolating them from their loved ones before sexually abusing them.

Woods also encouraged the young people to abuse one another, bringing multiple children together at his home to act out his warped sexual fantasisies.

Alongside his campaign of sexual abuse against these children, Woods was also physically abusive, with the court hearing how he had locked one of his victims in a cupboard for a prolonged period and burnt them with cigarettes and a pan that was being used for cooking.

In 2018, officers from Cheshire Police were approached by one of Woods’ victims. Subsequent enquiries into this victim’s case resulted in officers uncovering seven more victims, all of whom had been sexually and physically abused by Woods between the late 1970s and early 2000s.

Woods was interviewed on several occasions throughout the entire investigation before being formally arrested in 2022, outright denying any abuse - going so far as to tell interviewing officers that he had never even met several of the victims and that the ones he had previously met were lying about being abused.

The 67-year-old would be charged with 59 offences in January 2024.

Police Constable Emma Hughes, who oversaw the investigation, said:

"While on the outside William Woods looked to be a respectable member of the community; a coach of the local youth football team who had a good relationship with the children of family friends, he is, in reality, a malignant and opportunistic sexual predator who has already served a six-year sentence for sexual offences against young people in his care prior to our investigation into him in 2018.

“Being taken on holidays and camping trips are meant to be experiences that children should look back on with positive memories, but instead, Woods used the trust instilled in him to abuse the young people in his care, isolate them from their families and force them to act out his warped sexual fantasies over a period of 30 years.

“Despite the overwhelming amount of evidence against him, Woods refused to accept any responsibility for his own horrific actions. However, their abuser has now, at long last, been served justice and I hope that today marks the end of a very turbulent chapter in their lives that will allow them to find some sense of closure and begin to heal.

"Today's result is the culmination of over seven years policework and working alongside Woods' eight victims in bringing almost three decades of horrific abuse to a conclusion.

“Coming forward to disclose offences of this nature takes a huge amount of bravery. So, I would like to take this opportunity to commend each of the victims in this case whose evidence was vital in helping us build a case against William Woods, as I know it will not have been easy for them or their families to process.

“I would like to stress that, as this case has shown today, we take all reports of historic sexual abuse extremely seriously and we thoroughly investigate every report we receive, placing the victim's needs at the heart of the case, regardless of how long ago the offence occurred.”

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A man has been jailed for eight years after being found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a woman and assaulting another, causing actual bodily harm, in autumn 2024.

Mihai Marian (Mike Marian), aged 43, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday (20 June) following his trial at Stafford Crown Court last month. Along with this prison sentence, he has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

At the trial, jurors heard how Marian had met one of the victims through an online dating app. During one encounter with the victim, he stubbed out cigarettes on her back against her will.

Marian was then pursued by Leicestershire Police after he raped and sexually assaulted a different woman in October of the same year.

He was found guilty of the offences on 29 May and handed an eight-year prison sentence for rape, four years for the sexual assault, to be served concurrently, and six months imprisonment for the actual bodily harm, also to be served concurrently.

PC Steven Franklin, who was the officer in charge of the case, said:

“This was a horrifying case in which Marian showed no remorse and refused to admit his guilt.

“Thankfully, the jury saw through his lies and rightly convicted him for his offences.  

“I commend the bravery of the victims for coming forward and thank Leicestershire Police for their work in assisting us in this case.”

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A 24-year-old man from Lewisham has been given a one year and four month prison sentence after sexually assaulting six women on board trains in London.

Following a British Transport Police investigation, Zevenor Gordon from Glenton Road, Lewisham pleaded guilty to six counts of Sexual Assault at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday 5 June.

He was handed a 16 month prison sentence, a 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and must sign the Sex Offenders register for the next 10 years.

The SHPO prevents him from approaching, gesturing, or making any action that can cause harassment, alarm or distress or be intimidating to a woman or girl in a public place or on public transport and cannot enter any female public toilets.  

On six separate occasions from December 2023 to March 2024 Gordon sexually assaulted six women

On Saturday 9 December 2023, a 27-year-old woman was travelling to Dalston Junction when Gordon attempted to engage her in conversation before sexually assaulting her.

Days later on Thursday 14 December Gordon followed a woman in her fifties when she got off the tube at Dalston Junction before sexually assaulting her and jumping back on the tube.

On Wednesday 7 February 2024 Gordon sexually assaulted a woman in her mid-twenties on the platform at Baker Street station.

On Monday 26 February a 32-year-old woman was walking through London Bridge station when she too was sexually assaulted by Gordon.

On Monday 11 March a young girl in her school uniform was sexually assaulted by Gordon as she boarded the tube at Cutty Sark station.

Just two days later he sexually assaulted another woman in her early twenties at Cutty Sark station while was waiting on the platform to board the tube.

Gordon was arrested at his home following positive ID checks by officers.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Gemma Lee said

away after each sexual assault thanks to our fast acting officers we were able to ID him and bring him to justice.

“It is testament to the six victims who supported this case and by reporting their crimes that helped to build the picture of Gordons predatory behaviour.

"The Sexual Harm Prevention Order should act as a warning to others that we take all reports of sexual offences and unwanted sexual behaviour seriously and will support victims throughout our investigations.”

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A 51-year-old man from Wirral has been jailed for sex offences after indecent images and messages he sent to a teenage girl were found on his phone.

Karl Waterhouse of Audlem Avenue, Oxton was sentenced to 18 months at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 22 February) after pleading guilty to causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual communication with a child and possessing a number of Category C indecent photographs of a child.

In December 2021 indecent photos of a teenage girl and messages of a sexual nature were found on Waterhouse’s phone dating back to December 2019.

Waterhouse was also issued a restraining order for five years and a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.

Detective Inspector Philip Ryan said: “For years Waterhouse groomed his victim by sending her messages and storing disturbing images on his personal phone. 

“His deplorable behaviour caused great psychological harm to his victim and we welcome the sentences given out by the court.

“I hope this result gives his victim some sort of closure and allows them to move on with their lives knowing he cannot harm them or anyone else.

“Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and those who seek to do them harm.  I would like to take this opportunity to reassure anyone who has suffered a sexual offence that if you can find the courage to come forward please speak to us as soon as you can. Our specially trained officers will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.”

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Police found 187 images of children including those in the most serious category.

A man from Luton has been jailed for sharing indecent images of children on social media.

Shahed Miah, 50, was arrested as police searched his Warwick Road West home after receiving information that he had been sharing the sickening images via Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.

Police seized 14 devices including one that he had hidden in a pile of clothing and claimed was at his workplace.

And 187 indecent images of children were found on three of the devices ranging from the highest Category A to Cagetory C, as well as one prohibited image and 12 extreme pornographic images.

A forensic examination of one of the devices found a number of Facebook message streams and WhatsApp messages which showed that further images, including bestiality-related images, had been shared.

At a court hearing in July, Miah pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, three counts of distributing indecent images of children, one count of possessing an extreme pornographic image, and one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child.

He was sentenced to a total of two years two months in prison, as well as being subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years upon his release.

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A man’s plan to meet a teenager for sex was foiled when the girl turned out to be an adult who called the police.

Scott Ambrose, 35, booked a Peterborough hotel room on 7 August, 2021, and had also bought alcohol, sex toys and a camera.

He had started talking to the “girl” online a week beforehand and the conversation turned sexual, despite the her making it clear she was only 15.

Ambrose travelled to Peterborough railway station and booked a nearby hotel. However, things turned sour when he was instead met by a member of the public who made a citizen’s arrest and called police.

Officers arrived and Ambrose, of Hallaton Road, Peterborough, was arrested. His home, car and the hotel room were searched where police discovered the items showing intent to engage in sexual activity.

His phone was also seized, analysed and the chat log retrieved in full. It revealed he had sent photos of himself, a video discussing picking her up and taking her to the hotel room and even photos of the hotel room, before leaving to meet her.

In police interview, Ambrose declined to answer questions, however, he later admitted charges of attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Ambrose was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday (16 March), where he was jailed for two years and seven months.

He was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order to monitor any future offending, and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for the same timeframe.

DC Neal Holdsworth, from the force’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team, said: “We do all we can to bring those to justice who use the internet in this way - to groom and try to meet children under 16.

“Phones and social media mean children can be vulnerable to those who prey on their innocence and exploit their trust. I would urge parents to speak to their children about online safety and consider exactly who they are communicating with.

“Protecting young people from harm is one of our top priorities and we will continue to work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.”

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A PENSIONER who pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent exposure, one of which involved a child under 18, has been sentenced by a court in Cornwall. 

Allen William Glass, aged 67, of Old Road in Liskeard, was sentenced to 12 months in prison by Truro Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 21 March for two counts of indecent exposure.

The first offence took place at Old Road in Liskeard on Monday, August 22, 2022, when Glass intentionally exposed his genitals intending that someone would see them and be caused alarm or distress.

Glass repeated the offence of intentionally exposing his genitals again on March 2, 2023, at Old Road, Liskeard. 

The court ruled that the offences were serious because they were targeted and repeated over an ongoing period of time, specifically to a vulnerable child under the age of 18.

The victim impact statement was taken into consideration, and the court determined that only a custodial sentence would suffice as there was no realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

A restraining order was also issued, prohibiting Glass from contacting two people directly or indirectly as well as banning him from going to an address in Liskeard for a period of five years.

Glass was also required to register with the police in accordance with the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for five years. 

As part of his sentencing, Glass was also required to pay a surcharge of £154 to fund victim services, as well as £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The court also noted that Glass's guilty plea had been taken into account when imposing the sentence.

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A high-risk convicted sex offender has been jailed for six-and-a-half years for raping two women.

Darren Napier, 33, attacked one of the women in Fort William in the Highlands and other in Kennoway, Fife.

A judge at the High Court in Edinburgh told Napier that he had likely caused his victims long-lasting trauma.

Lord Lake said Napier had a significant history of previous convictions, including for sexual offences.

The court heard that a background report on Napier said he did not accept responsibility for his actions and presented a high risk of sexual reoffending.

The judge said: "Because of the gravity of the crimes and your previous record a custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal in your case."

He ordered that Napier be kept under supervision for a further four years and told him that if he breached licence conditions he could be returned to prison.

Napier had denied the rape charges at a trial at the High Court in Inverness, but was found guilty.

The first rape occurred between November 2018 and February 2019 at a house in Fort William.