Latest Offenders

Description

A 13-year-old girl was left "shaking" with fear after discovering the "friend" she was chatting with on Snapchat was actually a 29-year-old man.

The teen believed she was messaging a girl her age until Blake Potbury chillingly asked: "What if this wasn't the person you thought it was?"

Potbury, of Horace Black Gardens in Ellesmere Port, used his stepdaughter's phone to add the girl as a friend on October 16, 2023. After revealing his identity, he asked "whether she had a boyfriend, what was the oldest boy with whom she had done anything, and what she had done." He urged her not to tell anyone, but she immediately informed her mother, who contacted police.

Now 31, Potbury denied sexual communications with a child, claiming the girl lied to cover her "inappropriate" behavior. He was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court last month and sentenced on August 22.

Prosecutor Frances Wilmot described the victim's impact:

"The victim tells about how the offence affected her confidence, her being scared to live in the house for a length period of time. It took about a year before she felt she could leave the house. It's affected what clothes she would wear and the friends that she would see. She describes becoming sad and depressed, she couldn't believe that had happened to her, was closed off and didn't want to talk about it."

Defense attorney Oliver King noted:

"His report doesn't make for particularly good reading. At the heart of his offending seems to be class A drugs, and when he takes drugs his risk of harm is significantly elevated." He added: "The offence was relatively short in duration and came to an end without explicit messages exchanged and without any images being sent. It didn't get that far. This was nipped in the bud, it seems, fairly quickly when this girl told her mum. His phone was seized and examined and there's nothing on that phone to suggest a wider interest in children."

Judge David Knifton KC said:

"You sent a Snapchat request to the girl from your stepdaughter's phone, knowing that she was only 13. However she became concerned when she received the message, 'what if this wasn't the person you thought it was?' When she asked, you revealed your true identity accompanied by a photo of your face. You then proceed to send her a series of messages, accompanied by Xs and kisses, in which you questioned her about whether she had a boyfriend, what was the oldest boy with whom she had done anything, and what she had done. You also send several messages asking her to promise she would not tell anyone that you have connected or messaged her."

The judge added:

"Despite your outrageous suggestion that you were only questioning her out of concern or that she had been posing inappropriate questions, the jury concluded your motive was your own sexual gratification. But for the girl's decision to tell her mother, I have no doubt you would have continued to communicate with her. She was shocked and shaking when she saw the messages, which she said made her feel confused, upset, and scared about your intentions towards her. She describes feeling scared to leave her house. She also describes a loss of confidence, withdrawing from her friends, and becoming self conscious. She suffered the additional upset of a detailed interview with the police, and on being cross-examined that she had fabricated her account to conceal her own alleged wrongdoing. I'm quite sure she had never been involved in any inappropriate behaviour as you sought to attest in your trial."

Potbury had prior convictions for 12 offenses, including unlawful wounding in 2023 (suspended sentence in January 2024) and possession of a"large machete knife" (52-week prison term in November 2024). At the time of messaging, he was on bail. The judge noted: "You're assessed as posing a high risk of serious harm regarding your behaviour towards female children. It's noted in the updated report that you have the capability to act violently while children are present, that your drug use is a major concern, and that your offending occurred while under the influence of cocaine. Significantly your continued cocaine use is linked to your risk of serious harm."

Potbury was sentenced to 12 months in prison and subjected to a sexual harm prevention order.

Description

A man who sexually abused two young girls and tried to blame his drug and alcohol use has been jailed, a court heard.

David Prothero repeatedly assaulted the children, including molesting one in her school party dress and orally raped a victim. In total, he subjected four children to sexual abuse or violence.

At Swansea Crown Court, Judge Huw Rees described Prothero's behavior as "inexcusable" and said it would have "devastating" long-term impacts on the victims.

Prosecutor Andrew Kendall said the abuse emerged in August last year when one victim disclosed to her mother that Prothero had assaulted and orally raped her. One incident involved him touching her breasts while she wore a party dress.

Police investigation revealed more victims: a teenage girl he repeatedly abused sexually, and a boy and girl he physically assaulted.

Prothero, 39, of Tumble, Carmarthenshire, pleaded guilty to two counts of oral rape of a 13-year-old female, four counts of sexual activity with a female under 18, four counts of sexual assault on a female, child ill-treatment, and assault by beating. He had one prior conviction for drunk and disorderly from 2009.

Defense counsel James Hartson said Prothero had no history of sexual or violent offending, was "mortified, ashamed, and deeply embarrassed," and was "struggling to come to terms" with his actions. He noted Prothero's past as a carpenter before addiction issues, but added that blaming drink and drugs "is not an explanation which washed with probation and which will not wash with this court - there can be no excuse."

With plea discounts, Prothero was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years' imprisonment, serving two-thirds in custody before license release. He is a lifelong registered sex offender, subject to indefinite sexual harm prevention orders, and lifelong restraining orders barring victim contact.

Dyfed-Powys Police Detective Inspector Rebecca Thomas called it a "disturbing case" with four young, innocent victims. She praised their bravery:

"The bravery shown by the victims in this case must be recognised. Their courage to speak out against this abuser is ultimately what has put David Prothero in prison today. These children are a credit to themselves and to their family.

"If anyone, no matter how old or young, finds themselves suffering silently, I want to encourage you to come forward and speak with us. We have a dedicated team of investigators, specially trained in crimes of this nature, who will support you every step of the way. We are compassionate, and we are capable. We will do everything we can to secure justice, as we have seen today.

"I won’t forget the moment one victim said 'he can’t control me anymore' when Prothero entered his guilty pleas.

"This is as much about freedom as it is about justice. I hope the victims in this case can take heart knowing that Prothero is in prison, as they begin to move forward with their lives."

Description

A 62-year-old man who tried to meet a 14-year-old girl for sexual abuse has been warned he is in a “position of some jeopardy” ahead of sentencing.

Jonathan Quinnell, formerly of Orpington and now living near Reading, sent sexual messages in December 2023 to an account he believed was a child, suggesting a meetup and discussing assault and rape.

The account was a decoy run by paedophile hunters, who confronted him on December 20, 2023.

Quinnell, who describes himself on LinkedIn as a psychic, hypnotherapist, life coach, healer, and published author, appeared at Croydon Crown Court on January 5 without legal representation.

He had previously pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming and attempting sexual communication with a child.

Quinnell told Judge Anthony Dunne OBE he had “put off” hiring a lawyer due to anxiety and stress.

Judge Dunne adjourned sentencing until February, warning Quinnell to prioritize legal representation:

“This is a very serious matter... You’re convicted of two very serious offences where the likely consequence is a custodial sentence.

“There will be the issue of whether I can suspend the sentence so it isn’t served immediately, but there’s a chance that isn’t the case. You are in a position of some jeopardy.”

Quinnell has four weeks to find a lawyer.

Description

A convicted sex offender was caught with child sexual abuse images and extreme pornography depicting bestiality.

Aled Williams, 52, of Felindre, Llandysul, appeared at Swansea Crown Court after admitting a series of online sex offences.

He admitted three offences of making indecent images of children between December 2017 and September 2025, involving 103 Category A (most serious), 48 Category B, and 27 Category C images.

Williams also possessed 60 extreme pornographic images depicting bestiality and eight prohibited images of children on September 10, 2025.

He faced five charges of attempted sexual communication with a child, with the oldest dating to January 2024.

Additionally, he breached a sexual harm prevention order—imposed by Swansea Crown Court on May 18, 2018—by failing to produce an internet-enabled device to police between June 19 and September 11, 2025.

Williams pleaded guilty to all charges on December 19 and was told he faced an “inevitable” prison sentence.

Judge Paul Hobson sentenced him to nine years total: three years in custody and a six-year extension period.

Williams must register as a sex offender for life and is subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Description

A former Barnet councillor who abruptly quit last year has pleaded guilty to multiple child sex offences.

Liron Velleman, elected as a Labour councillor for Whetstone ward in 2022, resigned from the council in April without explanation and also left his role at the Community trade union.

At Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court yesterday, he admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity.

The court heard that Velleman sent the girl naked pictures of himself and asked whether she was “at home alone”. He also told her to “show me your bra” and asked “whether she was a virgin”.

The offences occurred between December 3 and 10, 2024, and were uncovered in a Metropolitan Police sting operation.

Defence barrister Ali Hussain said Velleman had been suffering from depression and described him as “a person of good character.”

He added:

“He is currently unemployed. He is a family man. There is a great deal about his background which will assist the court to see how exactly he came to find himself in this position.”

Velleman will be sentenced on February 10 at the same court.

Upon his resignation, a Labour Party spokesperson told Barnet Post: “Liron Velleman has resigned from Barnet Council and is no longer a member of the Labour Party,” while a Community union spokesperson said: “Liron Velleman no longer works for Community.”

Description

A 34-year-old man, Thomas Treharne, sent a video of his penis to a 16-year-old girl via Snapchat, leaving her "frightened" and leading to self-harm. The victim said she began using cannabis "to forget the images she'd seen" and "to cocoon up and try [her] best to forget what happened."

The pair met, formed a friendship, and connected on Facebook before moving to Snapchat. Initial messages were "innocent," but Treharne soon sent inappropriate requests, asking her to "bend over" and "get her breasts out." He then sent a photo of himself performing a sex act over clothing, followed by the explicit video.

In her victim impact statement, she described suffering "stress and anxiety," feeling "frightened," tensing up at his name, fearing stalking, insomnia, and self-harm. She added: "I think of him and it upsets me... Thoughts of the defendant impact my mental health... I feel like I have changed."

At Cardiff Magistrates' Court, Treharne, of Commercial Road, Maesteg, Bridgend, pleaded guilty to sending a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress, or humiliation. He had no prior convictions.

In mitigation, the court heard of his poor mental health, lack of social skills, weight struggles, "plagued by isolation and loneliness" since teenage bullying, anxiety, depression, his mother's 2023 death from a heart attack, gambling addiction, and ongoing debts.

He received an 18-week suspended sentence for 18 months, a 25-day rehabilitation requirement, £250 compensation, seven-year sex offender notification, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Description

A rapist who told "outlandish" lies to discredit DNA evidence linking him to his crimes has been branded "a pathetic, dangerous man" upon being jailed.

Ricky Dighton, 39, denied abusing his victim, claiming "a number of sons in the world" he might have fathered could be responsible for the scientific evidence. He also accused involved parties of lying for money.

After pleading not guilty to multiple charges including rape and assault by penetration, he was convicted by a jury in August.

At his December 18 sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court, where he maintained innocence, Judge Gareth Branston deemed him a public danger, condemning his "appalling, selfish and wanton" behavior for sexual gratification.

The court heard devastating details of the "overwhelming" consequences. The prosecutor, visibly upset, read the victim's statement detailing severe psychological harm.

Other statements called Dighton's crimes "monstrous," condemned his lack of remorse, and described "the most horrific" acts of abuse, while praising the victim's "extraordinary bravery."

Defense counsel Beverley Cherrill admitted little could be said given his "vehement" denials, urging no extended sentence as risk could be managed via custody, sex offender notification, and a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Judge Branston disagreed, imposing a 26-year extended sentence for significant risk: 22 years' imprisonment (serving at least two-thirds before parole consideration) plus four years' extended license.

He said the jury "saw through your lies" about "unidentifiable and mysterious" individuals, noting "immeasurable, everlasting and crushing" harm inflicted.

"These offences are some of the most serious and damaging. They involved targeting [the victim] and an ongoing denial in the face of overwhelming evidence," Judge Branston added. "There is a total lack of insight, a total lack of empathy. I am satisfied there will remain for the foreseeable future a significant risk to the public of serious harm by way of the commission of further offences."

Mitigation was limited to no relevant or recent convictions.

In conclusion: "Ricky Dighton, you are a pathetic man for not taking responsibility and a dangerous man."

Dighton must serve 14 years and eight months before parole eligibility, then face lifelong sex offender notification and an indefinite SHPO. His only reaction was a phone gesture to supporters as he left the dock.

Description

A sports coach was found with indecent images of child abuse after police seized his mobile phone, which contained search terms like "young gymnast" and "girl cheerleaders."

Ciaran Bright, 30, was visited by officers at his Cardiff home on July 25, 2025, following a South Wales Police investigation triggered by a referral from social media company Kik about an individual uploading such images.

At a sentencing hearing Friday at Cardiff Magistrates' Court, prosecutors said a seized phone revealed two category A images, two category B images, and four category C images, downloaded between April 2 and July 18, 2025. Search terms included "young gymnast," "girl cheerleaders," and "children on leashes."

Bright, of Pennsylvania, Pentwyn, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. The court heard he had previous good character.

On LinkedIn, Bright described himself as a director of SportsXtra, working with clubs including Cardiff City FC and Swansea City FC.

In mitigation, the court heard his life had "spiralled" due to drug use, but he is addressing it. He has lost his career, is unemployed, has supportive family, and showed no evidence of direct child contact.

Bright received a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, plus a 14-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 200 hours of unpaid work. He must comply with sex offender notification requirements and a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

A SportsXtra spokesperson said:

"We are very shocked by this news, and are deeply dismayed that Ciaran has behaved in such a deplorable way.

"Safeguarding is our highest priority and as soon as we learned about the allegations against Ciaran we immediately suspended him, in line with our procedures, and ensured he had no further contact with young people.

"We remain committed to maintaining the trust placed in us and continue to review our safeguarding policies to ensure the strongest possible protections are in place."

Description

A man has been jailed for six years after he was convicted of raping and sexually assaulting a girl.

Benjamin Patrick Brayson, 23, sexually abused the youngster when he was also a child, Soheil Khan, prosecuting, told York Crown Court.

Sean Smith, for Brayson, said the defendant was “described as immature emotionally and vulnerable”.

Mr Smith said: “It affects his thinking and motivated his offending behaviour. He is still immature.”

Brayson, of Hambleton Avenue, Thirsk, denied three charges of rape and two of sexual assault, all committed when Brayson was aged 16 or younger.

He was convicted by a jury earlier this year after the girl gave evidence against him.

He was jailed for six years and put on the sex offender register for life. He had no previous convictions.

Description

A convicted sex offender who shared explicit messages with what he thought were children on social media has been jailed.

Christopher Bradshaw, 32, contacted an account in May, not knowing it was a decoy run by an online child abuse activist group.

Despite the “child” telling him she was only 13 years old and still at school, he proceeded to strike up conversations of a sexual nature before sharing his number and moving the conversations to WhatsApp.

He also contacted another decoy account around the same time, with the “child” explaining she was only 14. Again, Bradshaw continued his explicit conversations and shared his number so they could exchange messages on WhatsApp.

Despite not using his real name, officers traced the phone number shared with the decoy accounts back to Bradshaw and later arrested him.

Bradshaw, from March, pleaded guilty to inciting a girl aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements. He was sentenced to six years in prison at Peterborough Crown Court on Tuesday (23 December).

Detective Sergeant Rob Hutchings, from the management of sexual or violent offenders unit (MOSOVO), said:

“Bradshaw is clearly a risk to children. Protecting young people from harm is one of our top priorities and we will do all we can to bring offenders to justice.”

Description

A rapist who abused four young girls has been jailed for 12 years and nine months after being confronted by vigilantes at his home.

Brian Stobie, 70, was convicted of offenses against the girls—one under 16 and three under 12—in Edinburgh between 1990 and 2007.

The former bus driver was caught in a 2022 vigilante sting while attempting to contact underage girls online, but he communicated with adults instead.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Alison Stirling sentenced Stobie for the "serious nature of your offending."

Stobie, of Duke Street in Leith, denied eight charges of abuse but was convicted after testimony revealed he made victims sit on his knee, molested them during flat visits, exposed himself, and raped one.

Prosecutor Martin Crawford said: "These were experiences that happened when they were children, in circumstances which were outwith their control."

The court heard one victim struggles with trust, intimate relationships, and avoids the abuser's area.

Defense counsel Andrew Crosbie noted Stobie was targeted in an online "sting" for seeking naked pictures from young girls, leading to a live-streamed confrontation at his home in August 2022.

Stobie admitted four charges of attempting indecent communication with underage girls.

Mr. Crosbie said: "He accepts that he has been convicted of offences of real gravity."

Stobie was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and given a non-harassment order barring contact with his victims.

Description

A furious judge threatened to personally escort a paedophile to the cells after custody officers claimed they could not handle disabled prisoners.

At Bournemouth Crown Court, Judge Robert Pawson sentenced Geoffrey Cheffings, a former prison officer from Christchurch, to five-and-a-half years in prison. However, he was outraged when officers refused to use a nearby public lift to transport the 76-year-old cancer sufferer, who relied on a walker.

“I will escort him down to the cells myself if I have to,” the judge declared.

He questioned prison custody officer supervisor Jordan Fairbrother, who explained the dock only had steps to the cells: “As far as I am aware we can’t take anyone with a disability, or is struggling to walk.”

Fairbrother noted that disabled offenders are typically handled at Salisbury Crown Court, which has a secure lift.

Unimpressed, Judge Pawson—highlighting prior delays in the case—responded: “I can’t move the case to Salisbury now. I will bring him to the doors of the cells downstairs.”

When Fairbrother said that wasn't possible, the judge suggested using a bus: “I will take him round the back of the court to where they get on, and take him to the doors of the bus.”

Informed no bus was available, Pawson ordered Fairbrother to call his superiors: “I don’t want you to get in trouble but you can tell them that this is what is going to happen, I will bring him to the doors of the cells or to a bus.”

Shortly after, four guards used the public lift to take Cheffings to the cells.

Cheffings, an army veteran who served 12 years in the tank regiment and rose to troop sergeant, appeared in court wearing an 'Army Veteran' jumper with a Union Jack. His last job was as a taxi driver.

Prosecutor Stuart Ellacott detailed how Cheffings paid a mother in Africa to perform a sex act on her two-year-old son, which she live-streamed to him. He also sent money to individuals in the Philippines and Pakistan for similar abuses of children.

Cheffings was arrested in August 2023 after a couple he met on a dogging website grew suspicious of his interest in children. They created a fake profile claiming two daughters aged nine and 14, leading Cheffings to discuss raping them in a Travelodge.

Already under National Crime Agency investigation for downloading indecent images via his Google account, Cheffings' phones revealed obscene child photos and images of animal abuse, including category A material.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of facilitating the sexual assault of a child under 13, four counts of possessing indecent images of children, and one count of possessing grossly offensive animal images.

Representing himself, Cheffings attributed his actions to “boredom” after retirement: “I don’t really know – boredom, sat at home after retiring. I think basically it was boredom.”

He acknowledged the harm to children: “Yes I do.”

Noting Cheffings' previously “unblemished character” but delayed case due to cancer treatment, Judge Pawson sentenced him to 64 months, stating the case exposed the “downside of the internet and real-life consequences of immediate contact around the world and the ability to transfer money.”

Cheffings must register as a sex offender for life, abide by a sexual harm prevention order, and serve two-thirds of his sentence before release on licence.

Description

A convicted sex offender who had sex with a teenage girl in a West Yorkshire field has been jailed.

Ryan Laing, 27, a fairground worker, messaged the girl on Snapchat before the incident in September last year, Leeds Crown Court heard on Monday.

During one of their walks, they settled in a field where Laing began "nudging" her. The pair "started play fighting" before he "slept" with her. The girl was "adamant it was consensual" and Laing "stopped when she told him to stop."

Her mother discovered the messages and contacted police. In his interview, Laing claimed the allegations were "false" and motivated by her family's knowledge that he was a registered sex offender.

Laing had previously sexually assaulted another teenager at age 22, leading to his placement on the Sex Offenders' Register, which he later breached.

He pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child. In mitigation, Anastasis Tasou said: "Anything I am about to say is not designed in any way to minimise the seriousness of the offence caused to the victim and those associated with her.

"This is clearly an event which could only end up with a custodial sentence. He was living an isolated life. He was living alone in a trailer. He drank alcohol and would regularly drink himself into a stupor - in his words - and would do stupid things in drink. He lost his grandmother, with whom he tells me he was particularly close...

"Since he has been in custody, he tells me he has obtained a job and has been working and has signed up for education.

"He never entered mainstream education in any way and that would have had a consequential effect on any association he had in any peer group and sexual experience is also highlighted, notwithstanding his previous convictions, he is rather someone who found himself in a certain set of circumstances and used that as an opportunity."

His Honour Judge Menary jailed Laing for four-and-a-half years, requiring him to serve up to half in custody before release on licence.

Description

A man has been jailed for 12 and a half years after he was found guilty of rape and paying for sexual services of a child.

Rishi Nayyar, 40, from Ashford, pleaded not guilty to rape, but guilty to paying for sexual services of a child.  However, following a five-day trial from Monday, 29 September, to Friday, 3 October, he was found guilty of rape.

He appeared at Guildford Crown Court on Thursday, 18 December and was sentenced to 12 years and six months imprisonment (with an extended licence period of four years) for rape, and three years’ imprisonment for three counts of paying for sexual services of a child. The prison sentences will run concurrently.

Our investigation began in April, when we received a phone call from a mother to report that her daughter had been subjected to a non-recent rape.

Officers spoke with the victim, who informed them that she had been speaking with a man, Nayyar, about help with getting a job.

However, Nayyar abused his position and started to buy her gifts and offer to pay for things including sexual activity with her.

During interview, Nayyar tried to deny that he had paid the girl for sex or touched her in a sexual way. The rest of his interview was answered with ‘no comment’.

Detective Constable Lauren Lovett, from the Child Abuse Team, who investigated the case said:

“This result was down to the thorough teamwork of the forensic department, digital department and financial department, who all played a key role in the investigation.

“This excellent collaborative working across these departments ensured that we could be in the best position evidentially when presenting this case to the Crown Prosecution Service.

“The victim in this case has shown commendable bravery throughout the entire process, most notably giving evidence in the presence of her abuser at court.

“It is down to her courage that we were able to secure a conviction leading to a lengthy term of imprisonment - and in turn protect other members of the public from this dangerous child sexual offender.

“This conviction achieved by the Child Abuse Team in partnership with other agencies demonstrates the tireless commitment Surrey Police have when tackling violence against women and girls.”

Description

A registered sex offender has been jailed after being found in possession of indecent images of children.

Jason McCall, a convicted paedophile, is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention order which poses prohibitions on what the 49-year-old is allowed to do.

This includes the use or possession of any electronic device with internet access, without notifying police within three days, and making any such device immediately available upon request for examination by officers.

Detectives made an unannounced visit to McCall’s address on 12 November.

At first it appeared that he wasn’t at home, so an officer called his mobile.

McCall answered and claimed he was miles away from home. Officers then spoke to staff at the address, who advised them McCall was at home and accompanied them to his door – which he answered.

McCall was then asked to hand over all internet enabled devices, which he did but claimed he couldn’t find his phone. An officer then called the phone, which began ringing, and McCall eventually produced it from his trouser pocket.

When handing the device over he told officers ‘There is stuff on there’.

McCall was arrested but refused to be interviewed by officers. His devices were found to contain several indecent images of children.

He was charged and remanded to appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court on 13 November, where he admitted making two category A images, one category B image, and two category C images.

McCall, of Derby Road, Wingerworth, was then remanded into prison custody ahead of a sentencing hearing at Derby Crown Court on 12 December.

He was handed a three-year jail term by a judge.