Latest Offenders

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A man has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for sexual offences involving children online.

Michael Dyos, of College Road, Southwater, West Sussex was jailed for a total of two years and six months on Monday (17/3) following a hearing at Lewes Crown Court.

The 59-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of arranging/facilitating the offence of causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

On 8 July last year, Dyos drove from Southwater, near Horsham, to Littlehampton to meet with a person who he thought was a 13-year-old child, having previously been involved in an online chat of a sexual nature with this person.

When he arrived in Littlehampton he was met by police officers and arrested. He was then charged on 9 July.

Dyos’s Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which was in place before the commission of these offences, remains in place until April 2031.

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A twisted catfish conman who duped four Dundee women into sending nude videos and images has been sentenced to register as a sex offender for five years.

Robi MacBain – a former soldier and convicted child abuser – stole an English man’s identity to create a bogus Facebook and Tinder persona.

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A sex offender who is subject to stringent conduct requirements was caught with pornography on his phone after making a drunken “nuisance” of himself at Tesco in Montrose.

Aaron Ryan must not possess devices capable of accessing the internet without permission as part of a seven-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) imposed in 2021.

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A sex pest football fan downed five bottles of Buckfast before groping a Perth bar worker and clubbing another man over the head with a guitar, a court has heard.

Neil Rodgers laughed after sexually assaulting the hotel worker, having consumed more than a litre-and-a-half of the tonic wine while with fellow Celtic supporters.

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A former Liverpool primary school teacher has been banned from the classroom for life after being convicted of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Prior to being caught up in a police sting, Alan Harbottle spent 12 years working at Mosspits Lane Primary School in Wavertree.

The 52-year-old will now never set foot in a school again after a teacher regulation agency panel felt his conviction was so severe he may not be allowed to work with young people for the rest of his life. Documents released from a hearing held in private have revealed how the former PSHE lead was caught by officers pretending to be a 14-year-old boy online.

Harbottle, who taught at Mosspits from September 2011, was arrested on suspicion of sexual communication with a child in May 2023. He appeared in court a month later and was subsequently suspended by the school.

Following a disciplinary hearing held in September 2023, Harbottle - who had led the school’s drama club, was dismissed. On June 1, 2023, he appeared at Southend on Sea Magistrates Court and was convicted of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to meet a child under 16 after grooming them online.

The ex-teacher admitted that he had been contacted by Essex Police following a police sting operation whereby Harbottle communicated with officers posing as a 14-year-old boy. He admitted that this had involved the exchange of sexualised nude images and discussion of sexual acts.

Harbottle also admitted that he organised a meeting with the boy as he believed. He was subsequently sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months, ordered to participate in a sexual offender programme for 30 days, undertake a rehabilitation activity requirement for 25 days and was barred from working with children.

The former teacher was also given a sexual harm prevention order for a decade. The court was told how in May 2023, Harbottle began speaking to someone on a legal dating app with someone he believed to be over 18.

The person was in fact a decoy police officer, who purported to be 14. The documents set out how sexualised photographs were exchanged at Harbottle’s behest and the conversation led swiftly to discussions about “specific and highly intimate sexual behaviour.”

The judge said: “It’s clear that you knew what you were doing, you made that obvious by the sense of some form of self-awareness during the course of those exchanges, and obviously that what you were doing was wholly wrong…” The Judge added how “nonetheless, you persisted, and so it was that you went to meet, what you believed to be, a 14-year-old boy… It must have been in your head, that there was a possibility you might have sexual activity with him…”

The court was told how Harbottle had written a letter in which he had “expressed, unusually but perceptively, [his] own relief at being caught”. The Judge said that it seemed to him that Harbottle had had time to reflect and to “appreciate that the actions of the police in trapping [him]… has perhaps saved you and indeed some other young person, from the reality of what this criminal offence would otherwise mean.”

It was accepted Harbottle had expressed genuine remorse and nothing else was discovered that suggested the former teacher was predatory in any other way. He was given full credit for his guilty pleas and was said to have a significant prospect of rehabilitation.

However, this was not enough for the Teacher Regulation Agency to permit him to return to the classroom. A three person panel found he had acted deliberately and he had fully expected to be suspended from the profession as a result.

The seriousness of the offending meant a lifetime ban was imposed on Harbottle. This means he is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

He will not be permitted to apply to have his eligibility restored.

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A "dangerous" and violent rapist who attacked a teenage girl has been jailed for 14 years.

Robert Green, 30, had denied offences, including rape, but was found guilty by jurors at Newcastle Crown Court.

The offending came to light after the victim visited a Tyneside hospital and a nurse raised concerns, the court heard.

Green must also serve four years on extended licence upon his release from prison, and must sign the sex offender register for life.

Judge Gavin Doig praised both the nurse for intervening, and the girl for reporting the rape to police.

In a statement read to the court, the victim said she still lived in fear of Green and had developed a distrust of men as a result of his actions.

'Lifelong impact'

Green, who appeared at court via video link from HMP Durham, could be seen violently gesturing, shouting and laughing throughout the sentencing hearing.

Judge Doig described Green, whom the court heard had never had a job, as a "dangerous" offender who posed a "high risk of serious harm" to other people.

Green, of no fixed abode, had 15 convictions for 31 offences on his record, including multiple episodes of serious violence for which he had been previously jailed, the court heard.

Det Con Kayleigh Falcus, of Northumbria Police, said Green was "extremely dangerous" and his actions had had a "lifelong impact on his victim".

The detective also paid tribute to the nurse, adding: "This case demonstrates so very clearly that safeguarding is everyone's business.

"If you've seen something which doesn't sit right, don't ignore it – report it to us."

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A sexual predator has been jailed at York Crown Court today, Thursday 20 March 2025.

Daniel Roberts, 31, of Jorvik Close in York, appeared in court charged with six offences of distributing indecent images of children, making indecent images of children, possession of extreme pornographic images and possession of prohibited images of children.

The defendant was remanded in custody since his last appearance at York Crown Court on Tuesday 19 November 2024, having pleaded guilty to 18 previous similar offences. He received a four-year custodial sentence with a four-year licence period.

Roberts has been investigated by North Yorkshire Police since June 2022 and throughout this time has continued to offend whilst on police bail, court bail and as a convicted registered sex offender. 

Following his arrest officers seized his devices which uncovered Category A, B and C indecent images of children and extreme pornography.

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A man who climbed through the window of a flat and raped a woman he first met just hours earlier has been jailed.

Antanas Jancevskis and his victim had both attended a barbecue in the area of Leicester’s Glenfield Road on 17 April 2022.

That night she was taken home by two friends and went to sleep on her sofa. However that night she woke to find 35-year-old Jancevskis lying on the sofa with her, where he subsequently raped her.

When he went to the toilet, she ran from her flat and alerted a member of the public, who in turn rang police. Jancevskis was arrested by police in the early hours of 18 April.

On 19 February 2025, following a trial at Leicester Crown Court Jancevskis – of Castle Street in Boston, Lincolnshire – was found guilty of one count of rape.

Today (Thursday 20 March) at the same court, he was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment and will be placed on the sex offender register for life.

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A former Harrogate man has been given a life sentence for a series of rapes and sexual assaults.

James Richard Arthur Dowson, 35, currently of no fixed address, but remanded in prison, was found guilty of two counts of rape against a girl under 16 and five counts of indecent assault against a girl under 14.

Dowson denied the offences but was found guilty by jury in November 2024 and remanded in custody until he was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on 3 March 2025.

He was also jailed at the same time for crimes committed in the West Yorkshire area after being found guilty of 10 offences including rape and sexual assault.

The judge sentence him to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 12 years and 247 days before he can apply for parole. He was also issued with indefinite restraining orders against the two victims and issued with a sexual harm prevention order. 

The sentences include a total of two years for the offences in North Yorkshire and the remainder for the offences committed in West Yorkshire.

Dowson targeted a girl in North Yorkshire who was aged just eight years old when the abuse began and carried on for five years.

The victim, now an adult, provided a very powerful and poignant victim personal statement that was read out in court. Here are some extracts:

“When the abuse was happening when I was a young child, I remember I felt confused. I lost respect for myself. During the abuse at its worst when I was 13, I felt helpless. I knew it wasn’t right, but I didn’t know what to do.  It was an out of body experience.  I didn’t actually process what had happened and the severity of it until I was 15 or 16 years of age.

“I became angry. I struggled to sleep at night. Certain smells and certain mannerisms from others would cause flash backs. 

“There were times where I felt so low I thought it would be easier if I wasn’t here. I felt worthless and developed self-sabotaging behaviour. 

“The abuse I suffered has also really affected my relationships with others. When I reached low points with my mental health my close family and friends were pushed away.

“When I did finally report the incident to the police, I had the unwavering support of my husband and I think this was what gave me the strength to persevere with the investigation. 

“The court process was extremely hard, however I really felt that my voice was heard, and I felt it was the final hurdle to closing this chapter of my life and starting a new chapter.

“I get to live my life now and watch my babies grow up and be present in the moment. I can wake up every day knowing that I have done the right thing.

“Throughout this process I have learnt that I am loved, I am cared about and that I do matter. This abuse had been in my head for 20 years. After I found out he’d been found guilty on 6 November I felt a wave of calm come over me and I have never felt like that before.”

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Abigail Garford, of North Yorkshire Police’s Safeguarding Investigation Team, said: “It was incredibly difficult for the victim to report this to the police. But she bravely detailed the horrific abuse that Dowson inflicted on her that has now led to his conviction. I know that she now feels a weight has been lifted of her shoulders since he was found guilty.

“Despite her ordeal, her main motivation throughout was to ensure he was locked away so that he couldn’t do the same to other women. This is truly commendable.

“I sincerely hope that the outcome encourages other victims of abuse to come forward and report what has happened to them. You will be listened to and we will do everything we can to bring justice for you.”

Judge Ahmed Nadim praised the victims for helping to make society a safer place, he said: “Without them giving evidence, a very dangerous offender would not have met justice and by taking the brave decision that they have and by giving evidence in the manner that they have, they have contributed to our society being a safer place.

“They are for that reason deserving of an enormous gratitude from this court on behalf of the society as a whole.”

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A sex offender who distributed graphic images of child abuse online has been jailed for six years.

Lee Maidens, from Doncaster, was communicating online with an adult and discussed committing offences against their 10-year-old child, South Yorkshire Police said.

Maidens, 44, of Brabbs Avenue, sent explicit images to the profile between 3 September 2024 and 3 October 2024.

At Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday, he was jailed after admitting offences including arranging or facilitating the commission of a sexual offence against a child under 13.

'Vile offences'

Maidens sent a number of indecent videos to the profile, showing victims as young as 11 months old being abused, police said.

Officers searched his home in October last year after receiving information he had been involved in online child sex offences.

Maidens also admitted attempting to cause a child to look at an image of sexual activity and two counts of distributing indecent images of children.

At sentencing, Judge Rachael Harrison noted Maidens' offending only stopped after he was arrested, tell him: "You are, by any view, dangerous."

Sam Musgrove, lead investigating officer, described Maidens' offences as "vile" and noted he refused to give any comment in his police interview.

"We will act on intelligence to bring offenders to justice and protect children online," she said.

Maidens was jailed for six years with an extended licence period of four years.

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A 35-year-old man has been sentenced for violent and serious sexual offences committed in Orkney. 

Stuart Harding was today, Wednesday, 5 March, 2025, sentenced to 15 years at the High Court in Edinburgh. He was also put on the Sex Offenders Register and made subject to a 20-year non-harassment order.

He was found guilty of multiple sexual offences, including rape, against three women and two female youths between June 2012 and April 2021. The verdict was delivered at the same court on Wednesday, 5 February, 2025. 

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A former coach at St Andrews Rifle Club has been placed on the sex offenders register after being found guilty of touching female students.

Volunteer Patrick Jess was found guilty of a string of sexual assaults at the Fife shooting club.

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A man has been jailed for five years for a string of sexual offences against children dating back to the 1980s.

Edward Riley, aged 56, of Pitway, South Petherton, Somerset appeared at Worcester Crown Court today (14 March) for sentencing, following his conviction in February.

Riley was convicted of six counts of indecent assault against a girl under 14, two counts of indecent assault against a boy under 14 and two counts of inciting a boy under 14 to commit an act of gross indecency

The offences were committed between 1982 and 1986 in Kidderminster .

Riley has been placed on the sex offenders register for life.

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A man from Tuebrook has been jailed for five years after sexually assaulting a girl under 13.
 
John Thompson, 46 years, of Pennsylvania Road was convicted of three offences of sexual assault against a child under 13 and one of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

Thompson was arrested in March 2022 after the victim came forward and reported his actions.

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A Met investigation into a man who sexually assaulted four teenage girls in Barking has seen him jailed for 18 and a half years.

Mark Franklin, 56 (10.03.68) of Westrow Drive, Barking was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 14 March. He has also been placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

The investigation was launched in April 2024 when a 15-year-old girl reported that she had been sexually assaulted by someone known to her.

Through building a rapport with the victim-survivor, officers discovered that Franklin had also abused three other girls.

On 22 October 2024 at the same court, Franklin was unanimously found guilty by a jury of:

• One count of rape of a child under 16
• Two counts of sexual assault by penetration
• Three counts of sexual assault
• One count of causing a child to engage in a sexual act

Detective Constable Jodie Singer, who led the investigation, said: “Today we achieved justice for these four girls and I hope the severity of the sentence can provide some comfort to them and their families.

“Throughout the entire investigation, Franklin showed absolutely no remorse. He was so comfortable in his offending that even after he filmed the horrific assaults, he never believed he would be caught.

“The young victim-survivors have shown remarkable bravery throughout this process, their strength and willingness to work with us has been vital in securing his conviction. I want to thank them for their trust in the police and for their resilience during such a distressing time.”

Between August 2023 and January 2024, Franklin sexually assaulted the four victim-survivors who were aged 15 and 16 when they visited his home. He would plie them with drugs and alcohol, and once they were inebriated, he would sexually assault them, often filming his actions.

He described the transformation when they took the drugs as ‘incredible’ and ‘absolutely breath taking’.

The court heard how Franklin attempted to minimise the abuse and said it was ‘just a bit of fun’.

Officers also uncovered extensive messages where Franklin confessed his love for one victim-survivor, telling her he had a secret crush on her and how beautiful he thought she was.

The Met are doing more to address violence against women and girls. Listening to victim-survivors, and working together with charities and partners across the criminal justice system, we’re working to ensure that all victims-survivors have the confidence to report these most awful crimes.

At the heart of our new approach in investigating rape, the Met have a greater focus on the suspect’s life, with a shift away from the ‘credibility’ of the victim-survivor. This means that the victim goes through a less invasive process when reporting an incident such as rape, which officers know is already an incredibly difficult time for them.