Latest Offenders

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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 man has been jailed for two years for possessing and distributing indecent images, including images of children.

George Goodier, 24, a former nursey worker from Grace Woodford Drive in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, was found to be in possession of over 1,800 indecent images, as well as having distributed over 250 images.

Officers launched an investigation and Goodier was arrested in December 2024, during which items including his mobile phone were seized from his address.

His phone was examined and 1,861 indecent images and videos were found, as well evidence that he had distributed 268 indecent images.  

Following further thorough investigations by the Specialist Investigation team and digital forensic examination, it was confirmed that none of the images found on his devices related to any children to whom he had access and were all internet-accessible illegal images.

Goodier was charged with three counts of possessing an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child, three counts of distributing an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child and one count of possessing extreme pornographic image/s portraying a sexual act with an animal.

Goodier pleaded guilty to all offences and was jailed for a total of two years at Isle Of Wight Crown Court on Friday 4 July.

He is also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order  for ten years and lifelong registration requirements.

PC Trudi May from the Internet Child Abuse Team said:

“Goodier very clearly poses a serious risk to children and I am very glad to see him put behind bars, as well as being subject to strict conditions when he is released.

“Goodier worked in a trusted position around children and I am relieved that we have been able to bring his crimes to light and ensure that he never works with children again.

“Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is committed to keeping the children in our communities safe and I hope that this investigation evidences how seriously we treat offences of this nature.”

Description

Illegal child images were found on the phone of a registered sex offender when police made a surprise visit to his Edenbridge home.

David Johnson was arrested after officers were alerted by monitoring software which had been installed on his phone.

Johnson had been the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), following previous convictions in 2021 relating to the access of indecent images.

The SHPO contained a raft of measures to deter him from reoffending.

These included Johnson being prohibited from using any device capable of accessing the internet unless it had been installed with a web monitoring program.

He also had to inform police of any devices he possessed and allow these to be inspected.

Software alert

On 9 January 2025, officers received an alert linked to suspicious activity on one of his phones.

Days later they made an unannounced visit to Johnsons home near Main Road, Edenbridge.

A review of the camera roll on a phone led to the recovery of several images showing a very young child who was naked.

Johnson was arrested and searches of the property led to the discovery of internet enabled devices which he hadnt told police about, including a tablet and a television.

The investigation led to evidence of further SHPO breaches, after alias names he used for websites were identified, including ford19656 and slimguy1965.

He was charged with making indecent images of children, two counts of breaching a SHPO and a further four counts of failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Guilty

Johnson, 60, pleaded guilty and on Monday 2 July was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to four years imprisonment.

Detective Constable Steph Kirkin said:

Sexual Harm Prevention Orders are just one of several tools which help us protect children and other vulnerable people, and which allow us to closely monitor convicted offenders.

'Having been released from prison, David Johnson has demonstrated contempt for the sanctions imposed by the court designed to prevent him from reoffending. He even deleted monitoring software installed on another one of his phones.

Johnson is now facing the consequences of his actions and I hope this case demonstrates just how strictly we manage registered sex offenders. Where we see flagrant breaches and fresh offences committed, we will take robust action.

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A former teaching assistant has been jailed for five years and three months after he pleaded guilty to non-recent sex offences against a teenage girl.

Jonathan Bath, 42, of Parliament Close, Skegness, was convicted of 5 offences at Lincoln Crown Court yesterday (Monday 7 July).

These included 2 counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl 13-15, 2 counts of non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl 13-15 and one count of inciting a girl 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences came to light after a woman approached police in 2024 to report the abuse she suffered at the hands of Bath when she was a pupil at the school between 2005 and 2007.

Bath has been barred working with children and vulnerable adults and will now be subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offender’s register indefinitely.

The name of the school where Bath worked, and the age of the victim cannot be published to protect their anonymity.

Detective Constable Lisa Willard condemned his actions while commending the woman who came forward to provide evidence for their bravery.

She said: “This sentencing marks the end of a long and painful journey for the survivor, who has shown immense courage in coming forward and speaking out. The man who abused them was in a position of trust—as a teaching assistant, he had a duty to protect and nurture the children in his care. Instead, he exploited that authority in the most appalling way.

“This case is a stark reminder that abuse of power, especially in environments where children should feel safe, will never be tolerated.

“Most importantly, justice has finally been served for the victim. I hope this outcome brings them some measure of closure and reinforces the message that it is never too late to speak out. We will always listen, and we will always act.

“And finally, I’d like to thank all those at Lincolnshire Police who worked on this case. Their professionalism and dedication were unparalleled and is a testament to their passion for public service.”

Description

A RAPIST who attacked a young woman trying to help him on a bridge in Warrington has been jailed.

Rhys Fowler, of Grangemoor in Runcorn, hung his head as he sat in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday.

Wearing a grey t-shirt and glasses, the 26-year-old only occasionally looked up to glance at proceedings and the public gallery.

Prosecuting, Frances Willmott told the court that Fowler was found guilty of two counts of rape following his trial in June.

It was heard that in 2017, the then 17-year-old was drunk when he committed the first rape.

His victim told him that she didn’t want to perform an intimate act with him when he told her ‘tough s**t’ and raped her.

The court heard how his victim was pinned down by him as she tried to push him away before he stopped.

Then, on October 15, 2018, Fowler was on a bridge in Warrington when he threatened to commit suicide.

A woman tried to assist Fowler, who had climbed over the bridge and told her not to touch him.

After 10 minutes, the then 19-year-old climbed back before he demanded she give him her hoodie.

Fowler told the young woman she could only have it back if she performed oral sex on him, which she refused.

The victim, who was also a teenager, gave him the hoodie but wasn’t wearing a t-shirt, so was left standing half naked on the bridge before he then proceeded to rape her.

Fowler was later arrested in 2023 after he distributed an indecent image of a child and was found with further indecent images and extreme pornography on his mobile phone.

This included one category A video, 18 category C images and one video, three extreme pornographic images and evidence of 17 prohibited images. These images included children aged between five to 15 years old.

Some images were not accessible to police upon investigation, as Fowler has been attempting to delete them and wipe his phone shortly before his arrest.

Fowler pleaded guilty to distributing, making and possessing indecent images of children, but denied the two counts of rape.

At his trial, Fowler continued to deny the charges but was later found guilty by a jury.

On Friday, the 26-year-old appeared before Liverpool Crown Court once again for his sentencing.

Bravely, an impact statement was read to the court by a victim.

“For a long time, I was angry at myself and felt like I’d let myself down,” she told the court.

“I felt who I had been was stolen from me. I constantly felt dirty and unclean.

“It’s been hard to build a life as normal girls my age have done. I now, as a woman, feel as if that has been taken from me.

“It happened to me, it will never go away.”

Defending, Philip Clemo began by speaking openly to the court that he did not seek to dimmish what a victim had bravely told the court.

He told the court that Fowler displays a level of immaturity, even aged 26, and so his immaturity as a teenager when he committed these offences should be taken into account.

It was also heard that Fowler has been seeking therapy and employment while on remand in custody.

“He is using what is about to happen to him as an opportunity to better himself and come out a better man than when he went in,” said Mr Clemo.

Judge Gary Woodhall spoke of the ‘degradation’ of Fowler’s victim on the bridge in Warrington, and the fact that the victim of the first rape ‘didn’t have time to react’.

It was also noted by Judge Woodhall that Fowler was deemed ‘immature’ at 26, and that therefore he would have been even more so when he committed the offences.

Fowler glanced at the floor as he stood in the dock and was sentenced to a total of six years and five months immediate imprisonment.

The 26-year-old must abide by a sexual harm prevention order until further notice and sign the sex offenders register for life.

Description

A man has been jailed for sexually abusing a child in Warrington.

Odday El-Saddi appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday 7 July, where he was sentenced to 17 years in prison and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

The 48-year-old of Regency Square, Warrington, was earlier found guilty of 15 counts of sexual offences, including sexual assault of a child under 13, and rape of a child under 13.

The jury heard how El-Saddi had started sexually assaulting the victim when they were just 9 years old – with the abuse taking place on multiple occasions between 2019 and 2022.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Jessica Taylor said:

"Firstly, I would like to commend the victim for the strength and courage they have shown throughout this case, and I hope the sentence handed to El-Saddi will provide them closure and a chance to move on with their life.

"El-Saddi is a dangerous individual, who sexually abused a child for years. He showed no remorse throughout the entire investigation, and even made his victim relive the experiences in court.

“Thankfully, as a result of the evidence gathered and the bravery of the victim, the jury were able to see through his lies and he is now being held accountable for his actions."

DC Taylor added:

“Sexual assault of children causes terrible distress to all involved, not least the victim themselves, and I urge anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault – no matter how long ago the incident took place – to come forward and report it.

“We treat all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority, and any allegations will be thoroughly investigated.”

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Two survivors of sexual abuse have been praised for their courage and honesty after helping detectives put a rapist behind bars.

Both women were vulnerable teenagers when they were raped by Jordan Hutchinson but possessed the bravery to speak to officers about the degrading ordeals he subjected them to.

Their accounts, along with messages recovered from Hutchinson’s mobile phone, gave detectives the evidence they needed to secure charges against him.

The first victim was raped and sexually assaulted by Hutchinson during late 2019 and early 2020.

He raped the second victim on multiple occasions between the summer of 2020 and early 2021.

One victim locked herself in her bathroom and called a friend in panic after being raped by Hutchinson.

Despite the weight of evidence against him, Hutchinson continued to deny his offending in interviews and took the case to a trial at Nottingham Crown Court in April.

A jury believed the victims not Hutchinson, and he was convicted of six counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault.

Hutchinson, aged 24, of Foxearth Avenue, Nottingham, was handed an extended custodial sentence of 15 years when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday (4 July).

He was also given an indefinite restraining order, which forbids him from contacting either victim, and was added to the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Detective Constable Laura Sunderland, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“These two young women were both subjected to appalling sexual assaults at the hands of Hutchinson.

“Officers are full of admiration for their courage and dignity in speaking out and helping us to put him behind bars.

“This outcome would not have been possible without them and the judge also praised them as courageous, intelligent, articulate and truthful.

“The way they have conducted themselves is a stark contract to Hutchinson’s behaviour.

“Messages on Hutchinson’s phone revealed he knew what he had done was wrong, and yet he continued to commit these appalling sexual assaults.

“He also persisted in denying his offending, which meant both victims had to face a lengthy legal process and a trial.

“My thoughts are with them and their families following the sentencing and I hope the jail term handed down to Hutchinson at least gives them some closure.

“I also hope the sentencing will encourage other victims of rape and serious sexual assault to have the confidence to come forward.

“Our experienced officers are here to help the victims of crimes like this. You will be listened to and supported, and we will do our best to ensure offenders will be brought to justice.”

Description

A pervert who had sexual communications with a child has been locked up.

Curtis Smith, who was sentenced for the original offences in 2021, was back before Teesside Crown Court after admitting five counts of breaching his sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard Smith, 25, of no fixed abode, had not only failed to notify police he was using certain social media platforms he was also using aliases on platforms including Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram without notifying officers what those aliases were.

Judge Advocate Thomas Mitchell said the defendant was placed on seven year order for having sexual communication with a child and officers uncovered the breaches when they visited his home. He said: "If you use an alias, you tell police what that alias is. This was a deliberate breach by you."

Judge Mitchell said it wasn't just one breach, it was several using different platforms. However, he added: "There is no evidence of you having communicated with children."

But, he said he was talking to females on the sites. The judge said that he felt Smith does potentially pose a risk to the public and ordered him to serve 15 months in prison.

He said the sentence would serve as a starting point for any courts in the future if he reoffends.

Description

A sex offender who breached a sexual harm prevention order has been jailed.

Aaron Cane, of Furness Avenue, Blackpool, admitted four counts of breaching the order and two counts of failing to comply with notification requirements.

Lancashire Police said officers discovered Cane had breached the conditions of his order after a routine check. He was arrested and later charged with the offences.

The 39-year-old was jailed for four years at Preston Crown Court.

Cane's order stated he had to notify police of any address he stayed at or visited where a person under 18 would be living.

He also had to notify police of any other name or alias he may use, to retain the history of his internet use and to inform police of the passwords to his devices.

He is also not allowed to have supervised or unsupervised contact with children under 16, and to not create social media accounts without approval by police.

Det Sgt Kat Knock said:

"Cane had clear conditions of his order, which he was ordered to follow.

"He instead knowingly chose to breach them despite the consequences he knew he would face.

"These restrictions are there for a reason – to protect the public. They are not taken lightly, and anyone found to be breaching them will be brought before the courts."

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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 man has been jailed for 20 months after making online sexual advances to a police officer he believed was a 12-year-old girl.

Jonsen Lamb did not realise he was chatting to and making sexual suggestions to an undercover officer in April, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

The 26-year-old, of Low Seaton Village, near Workington, pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act.

He also admitted breaching sex offender notification requirements by failing to keep police up to date with personal information.

Lamb had been subject to notification requirements since April 2021 when he was given a community punishment and ordered to undergo rehabilitation work for previous sexualised online chat with a decoy he believed was a child.

The court was told during the latest incident and despite it being made clear the "girl" was more than half his age, Lamb sent a series of sexual suggestions as well as explicit still and moving images.

He also asked for pictures to be sent to him and asked about the pair meeting up.

'Pretty dangerous'

After two days of online exchanges, the operative terminated their chat.

Lamb was arrested and surrendered a phone on which police found the message thread after he provided the device PIN.

Defending Lamb, Marion Weir said a probation officer's pre-sentence report referred to him as being immature as well as having poor social communication skills.

The court was told he was also still coming to terms with an autism diagnosis.

Lamb had completed previous court-imposed rehabilitation work and remained offence-free for a time.

But earlier his year he reverted back to what a prosecutor called "carbon copy" offending amid "struggles and stresses" in his life.

Judge Michael Fanning said Lamb was a "pretty dangerous young man" who posed a "high risk to children".

As well as the jail term, he will remain subject to sex offender notification requirements for 10 years.

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Suaiel Riaz Haider (11/08/1981) of Mosley Avenue, Bury groomed, raped, and abused a teenage girl in the early 2000s and today he has been brought to justice following a complex investigation led by specialist detectives from Bury’s Complex Safeguarding Team.

Today (07/07/2025) Hazier was sentenced to 14 years in prison for two counts of rape of a girl under the age of 16 and four counts of indecent assault and must abide by conditions set out in a lifelong sexual harm protection order.

Haider has signed the sex offender’s register for life.

Haider was convicted on 13/06/2025 after he was found guilty by a unanimous jury following a two-week trial at Manchester Crown Court.

We commenced a retrospective investigation into offences Haider committed as far back as a quarter of a century ago after a survivor courageously came forward to police in 2021.

Detectives worked closely with her to record video statements, narrow in on specific details, and gather evidence to strengthen disclosure.

The victim met Haider in 2000 when she was 15 years old, and he was 19 years old. He groomed her through providing lifts from school, food, cigarettes, and alcohol. Their relationship quickly turned sexual.

He began making derogatory comments towards her, which progressed to sexual offences.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges, subjecting the victim to a trial, and throughout he continued to deny all offences until the jury deemed him guilty.

Detective Sergeant Sarah Beale, of our Bury Complex Safeguarding Team, said:

“The strength and courage of this survivor demonstrated while supporting our investigation and subsequent legal proceedings is commendable.

“It was incredibly brave of her to speak about the abuse, and this played a crucial role in ensuring Haider couldn’t get away with his crimes any longer and faced justice.

“Today marks the conclusion of a long and complicated investigation, and I hope that brings a sense of closure to her.

“We are on an upward improvement journey in how we tackle CSE – whether it be the abuse of children yesterday or today.

“I hope this case provides confidence to anyone who has experienced child abuse that if they come forward, they will be listened to, and we will do everything we can to secure justice.”

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A County Durham paedophile "haunted” the lives of two girls after carrying out sickening abuse.

Despite his continued denials, Ian Tate was convicted of five offences against the girls, one under 16 and the other under 13, following a trial at Durham Crown Court earlier this year.

The 48-year-old defendant of Hopper Terrace, Trimdon Grange, denied the offences, of either engaging in sexual activity with a child or causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Despite his claims that the victims were both lying, the trial jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts to all five counts.

At a sentencing hearing on Friday (July 4) the court heard impact statements read by both victims.

One said she suffered flashbacks and recalled the defendant telling her no-one would believe her if she reported his actions.

She said it made her feel physically sick just to hear his name, even if it was said in reference to someone else.

The abuse has caused her to suffer depression and anxiety and has led her to self-harm.

Tate’s other victim said he left her, “a scared little girl” feeling that she could tell no-one what had taken place.

She said it led her into substance misuse to, “take away the pain” inflicted on her by the defendant.

Dan Cordey, representing Tate, said he was limited in what he could say on the defendant’s behalf due to his continued denials.

Mr Cordey said other than two ageing motoring offences Tate had a previous clean record and, since his conviction, has experienced his first taste of custody.

He said the defendant has suffered mental health issues in recent years, exacerbated by his excess alcohol intake.

Judge Nathan Adams said despite his continued claims of innocence and lack of remorse, the offences, “clearly took place”.

He said both victims have been “haunted” by his actions.

Judge Adams imposed consecutive sentences of nine and six years, totalling 15 years, on Tate, who he classed as, “an offender of concern”.

He said Tate must serve at least half of the nine-year term behind bars and two-thirds of the six-year sentence, giving a minimum of eight-and-a-half years.

Depending on the view of the Parole Board, however, he may remain locked up for ten years and six months.

On conclusion of the sentence, the defendant will be subject of a one-year licence extension.

Judge Adams made Tate subject to lifetime registration as a sex offender.

He will also be subject of restraining orders relating to each of the victims and to the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), both for 20 years.

Tate was told he will almost certainly be prohibited from ever working with children and young people, but that would be a matter for the barring service.

Description

A paramedic who secretly gave a pregnant woman an abortion drug, killing their unborn child, has been jailed for 10 years and six months.

Stephen Doohan, who was a clinical team leader with the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), administered the drug after he found out the woman was pregnant with his baby.

The woman, who did not know Doohan was married when they were in a relationship, suffered a miscarriage after the 33-year-old crushed pills into a syringe and injected her as she lay in bed at his Edinburgh home in 2023.

Doohan pleaded guilty to assault, sexual assault and causing the woman to have an abortion at the High Court in Glasgow last month.

Judge Lord Colbeck said Doohan had put his victim, who has not been named, "through considerable pain over a number of days, and left her facing a lifetime of pain and loss".

He added: "You researched and planned what you did to your victim.

"You used resources available to you as a paramedic before manipulating the woman and executing that plan under the guise of consensual sexual activity.

"You left her in what can only be described as considerable pain and anguish over the prospect of losing her child before she did, in fact, do so.

"The offences committed by you, frankly, are almost as serious as any this court is ever asked to sentence."

The judge stated the emotional victim impact statement he had read "radiates with raw pain" suffered by the woman.

Lord Colbeck also imposed a non-harassment order for an indeterminate period of time on the 33-year-old.

Doohan previously featured in a BBC documentary series, Paramedics on Scene.

He was suspended by the ambulance service after it learned of what he had done and he is no longer employed by them.

Doohan - who was married at the time – met the woman in Spain while he was on holiday in 2021.

He did not tell her that he was married and they remained in contact.

She found out she was pregnant with his child in March 2023 and by this time he had temporarily separated from his wife.

The court heard that the woman was at his home in the Grange area of Edinburgh a couple of days after he learned of the pregnancy.

She was in bed when he did something she could not see, but she said she was not "suspicious of his actions" at that time.

The court heard how he used the syringe on her and the woman began to suffer stomach cramps the next day.

Later at his flat, he gave her diazepam for the pain.

The court heard how she ended up in a "deep sleep" and awoke to find Doohan "initiating sexual contact".

This time she was suspicious of what he was doing but she was also feeling the effects of the diazepam.

When Doohan left the room, the woman took the chance to look under the mattress and found star-shaped tablets and a syringe with tablets crushed inside.

After searching online, she found matching images for drugs that could induce a termination.

'Appalling case'

Doohan initially denied what he had done before sobbing and claiming he was "scared".

He said he had got the pills from a doctor but insisted they would not work as it was the wrong dose.

The court heard how Doohan and the woman went to hospital but he pleaded that he would be arrested if she "told the truth".

The next day, the woman collapsed in the shower and had to return to hospital.

This time she insisted Doohan did not come in the examination room.

It soon emerged that she had suffered a miscarriage.

The court heard Doohan bought the woman gifts including perfume and tickets for a football match to keep her quiet.

But she eventually reported him to the ambulance service, the information was passed to police and Doohan was arrested.

Prosecutor Scott McKenzie said the woman has been "significantly affected" by her ordeal.

Mark Stewart KC, defending, said Doohan was "deeply sorry" for what he had done.

The lawyer added he had issues at the time which affected his "judgement and decision making" although that did not excuse what happened.

When he was convicted, the ambulance service said: "This is an appalling case, and our thoughts are with the victim.

"We recognise the courage it must have taken for her to come forward and speak out.

"As soon as we learned of the serious allegations and charges against Doohan, we immediately took action to protect the public and liaised with Police Scotland."

'Calculated and heinous actions'

Fiona Kirkby, the procurator fiscal for high court sexual offences, said: "Stephen Doohan's calculated and heinous actions caused the loss of the victim's pregnancy, robbing her of plans she had for the future.

"He has now been held accountable for this fundamental breach of trust.

"While offences like this are thankfully rare, I hope this prosecution sends a clear message to all those who seek to inflict sexual harm towards women.

"We recognise that reporting sexual offending can be difficult but would urge anyone affected to come forward and seek support when they feel ready to do so."

Description

A serial sexual predator has been jailed for 28 years after he was finally brought to justice because of fresh police investigations that were launched in the wake of the "Jimmy Savile scandal inquiry".

Gavin Lancell managed to evade being held to account for his depraved actions many years earlier but the police eventually reviewed his case and investigated further after one of his victims contacted a high-profile police operation that had been set up following allegations made against Savile, a former BBC disc jockey and the presenter of TV series Jim'll Fix It.

Lancell's luck at last ran out when the sexual allegations against him were finally taken forward and were heard during a trial at Hull Crown Court.

Lancell, 53, formerly of Bransholme, Hull, denied 20 sexual offences, including rape, having sex with a girl under 13, indecent assault and indecency with a child, between 1992 and 1996, but he was convicted by a jury of all the offences.

David Godfrey, prosecuting, said that Lancell, previously known as Gavin Eckles, had a "clear sexual fascination" for two young girls and he committed sexual offences against them. One of them spoke out in 1996 but she was "not listened to" and both girls came forward in 1999 and spoke to police.

"Their accounts were recorded on video," said Mr Godfrey. "Both girls made clear allegations of sexual abuse in 1999 but, at this time, like in 1996, the allegations being made by the girls were not taken further and the defendant was not prosecuted." One of the girls made attempts in 2012 to contact the police to hold Lancell to account.

A female detective constable told the court that an Op Hydrant programme was set "on the back of the Jimmy Savile scandal inquiry" to look into allegations of historical sexual abuse. It was initially set up to review allegations against 'institutions, politicians and celebrities".

One of the victims was aware of this initiative and she again contacted the police. The case was transferred to Humberside Police for investigation. She and the other victim were again spoken to by police in 2021 and provided further video evidence.

Lancell had been interviewed by the police in 1999 and he made denials but the details had not been transcribed or stored. He was arrested and interviewed in October 2021.

"Allegations of this sort have a habit of bubbling up to the surface," said Mr Godfrey. "They never go away and, indeed, that's what happened in 2021."

Lancell told police: "I am strongly denying it. I am still in shock." He claimed that he felt "disgusted" because he had "done nothing wrong". He replied "No" when individual allegations were put to him.

"My story hasn't changed because it never happened," he claimed. "I did nothing then and I have still done nothing." He continued his denials during the trial.

Lancell, of Bramham Grove, York, will have to register as a sex offender for life. He had been on bail during the trial but this was revoked and he was remanded in custody after he was convicted by the jury.

He was sentenced in his absence after declining to come up from the cells into the courtroom.