Latest Offenders

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A dangerous sexual predator has been jailed for raping two women.

Matthew Hall, aged 39, from Newton Abbot, was described as a 'monster' by one of his traumatised victims and a 'worst nightmare' by the other.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of rape and a further five charges of sexual assault and one of assault by penetration.

He initially claimed to suffer with sexomnia - also known as sex sleep - but later admitted his guilt.

Exeter Crown Court was told he poses a danger to women. The judge sentenced him to 14 years with an extra two years added on extended licence due to the risk he poses.

The court heard harrowing victim personal statements from both women.

One said that before the incident she had been a happy, bubbly and independent woman. She now feels broken and mentally tortured by what happened. She suffers ongoing anxiety and panic attacks, flashbacks and nightmares.

Hall waited until the day after his planned trial had been due to start before admitting rape.

The victim said the wait for justice had only added to her agony but she had found the strength to fight for the truth.

The second woman said the rape had left her in a constant state of fear and still haunts her. She feels the confident person she was is a distant memory.

The defendant is a man of previous good character. The court was told Hall had a 'perfect blue-eyed boy image' which hid his true sinister nature.

A pre-sentence report described him as 'manipulative and predatory' and someone who took advantage of women when they were at their most vulnerable.

He poses a high risk of causing serious harm to women.

Judge Anna Richardson said 'in spite of extremely strong evidence' Hall waited before pleading guilty.

She accepted he is remorseful, to an extent. She added: "No person is one dimensional, and those references make clear that you can be kind, supportive, helpful, diligent, and are loved by your family and friends who are incredibly sad."

But she said a determinate sentence would not fully address the risk he represents to the public in the future. The parole board will decide when the right time is to release him after which he will be on licence for the full 16 years.

He was put on the sex offenders register for life.

Afterwards, investigating officer, Detective Constable Tia Smallridge said: “This has been a long and protracted investigation spanning over four years. The defendant, Mr Hall, targeted and took advantage of the victims, and violated them in a place where they should have felt safe from harm.

“Even throughout the court proceedings, various efforts to thwart the case has been successfully overcome and resulted in Hall pleading guilty.

“Hall is a dangerous sexual predator whose own sexual desire and preoccupation was his only thought. He showed no regard for the victims and the impact of his actions on their lives, not only at the material time of the offending, but also the lasting impact his actions will have in their futures.

“I praise the courage and commitment of both victims during the course of the investigation and court proceedings. Without their bravery and trust in the police and justice system to seek justice on their behalf, we would not be able to welcome the sentence passed by Her Honour Judge Anna Richardson today."

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A 60-year-old man from Tewkesbury has been sentenced to eight years in prison for raping a woman multiple times.

Vernon Steele, who is from the Northway area, had previously denied four counts of rape, but following a trial at Gloucester Crown Court, a jury unanimously found him guilty of all charges.

It took the jury just 34 minutes to reach their verdicts on Monday 16 June.

The court heard how in June 2023, Steele had befriended the woman, who had significant learning difficulties. 

Steele began to visit the woman regularly and told her neighbours that he was helping her with household chores and keeping her company.

The following month Steele showed her a video of him masturbating and pornography on his phone. The woman did not like this and told Steele to stop.

A few days later Steele raped the woman in her bedroom.

Steele then raped the woman in her home on three more occasions over the next ten days.

His crimes were reported to the police after a neighbour found the woman distressed and crying in her flat. She disclosed that Steele had raped her on four occasions and that she had said no each time.

Officers attended and spoke with the woman and Steele was arrested on suspicion of rape.

When Steele was interviewed by officers, he denied having engaged in any sexual activity with the woman and he was released on police bail to allow for further enquiries to take place.

Steele was re-interviewed by officers in December 2023 following an investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary's Criminal Investigation Department. He was shown forensic evidence which supported the woman's report that he had raped her.

Following this disclosure, Steele changed his account of events and said that he had consensual sexual intercourse with the woman on one occasion. 

Following a police investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges for four counts of rape. After he appeared at court, the court released him on bail.

Steele failed to appear at Gloucester Crown Court on 22 November 2024 and a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.

Gloucestershire Police then published a wanted appeal on their social media channels and he was located in the Newent area following sightings from members of the public.

Steele was re-arrested on 20 December 2024 and remanded in custody to await trial.

As well as being sentenced to eight years in jail, Steele will be placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Sentencing Steele, Judge Rupert Lowe said:

"You conceived that this vulnerable woman might be an outlet for your sexual frustrations. You showed her sexual video material on your phone but she didn't want to see it. 

"You were not to be deterred by her lack of enthusiasm for this and you got her into her own bedroom and removed her lower clothing and had sexual intercourse without her consent which is an offence of rape."

Investigating officer Detective Constable Jon Furse said:

"Steele raped the woman multiple times. He knew she was extremely vulnerable, and she had repeatedly told him no, but he ignored her and raped her. He subjected her to horrific crimes that will impact her for the rest of her life.

"Even though he denied the multiple charges of rape, the wealth of evidence we presented to the court meant his lies were uncovered with the jury returning a guilty verdict for all four counts in just 34 minutes.

"I would like to commend the victim in this case for her bravery and I would encourage anyone who has been raped to report it to us. Our specially-trained officers will listen and you will be believed and supported every step of the way." 

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A rapist who police said was a "danger to women" has been jailed for more than 13 years.

Jonathan Ellis, 30, of no fixed address, was found guilty of rape, sexual assault, coercive and controlling behaviour, making threats to kill and criminal damage after a trial at Leeds Crown Court.

Police said his crimes took place over an eight-year period between 2016 and 2024.

Ellis, from Dewsbury, was jailed at the same court on Monday for 13 and a half years, with three more years on licence due to the risk the judge said he posed.

Speaking after the sentence West Yorkshire Police's PC Isaac Taylor said Ellis had carried out some "shocking offences against his victim".

He said: "Given that offending included serious sexual assault, coercive control and stalking, it is no exaggeration to say he subjected his victim to a whole spectrum of abuse, and we do believe he poses a real danger to women.

"His victim has shown significant courage in coming forwards and reporting Ellis, and then in supporting the prosecution."

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A church pastor who sexually assaulted a female churchgoer under the pretence of "removing demons" from her body has been jailed for 10 years.

Walter Masocha, 61, groped the married woman at his home in Stirling, claiming he was a "gift from god".

The former University of Stirling lecturer also attempted to rape another woman during a campaign of abuse from 2006 to 2012.

Walter Masocha was found guilty at the High Court in Livingston on Wednesday, 2 July, 2025, of a number of sexual offences, including attempted rape, committed against two women between January 2006 and July 2012. He was sentenced at the same court on Monday, 28 July.

Detective Sergeant David Brown said:

"Masocha's abhorrent actions have caused lasting harm, and he will now be held to account for them in prison.

"We hope this sentencing provides the women affected with some sense of closure and helps them in moving forward with their lives.

"I would encourage anyone who has experienced sexual abuse to report it. Every report is taken seriously and will be fully investigated, and support will be provided by our specially trained officers and partner agencies."

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Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a man has jailed for six years for sexual activity with a girl.

Elvis Nosakhare, aged 41, of, Sheelin Grove, Bletchley, was sentenced to six years in jail at Aylesbury Crown Court today (29/7).

Nosakhare will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life and the court also issued a restraining order against him.

After a trial earlier this year, Nosakhare was found guilty of two counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl and three counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl.

Nosakhare met the mother of the victim via online dating and then abused her daughter in a disgusting betrayal of trust.

The offences happened in the Thames Valley.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Bryn Smith, of the Child Abuse Unit, said:

“I want to commend the victim for her bravery throughout both the investigation and court proceedings. I hope that Elvis Nosakhare’s conviction and sentence gives her some sense of justice.

“Thames Valley Police has dedicated teams who investigate sexual offences, support victims and bring offenders to justice.

“I would encourage anyone with information about sexual offences and victims of sexual offences to contact the police.

“You will be listened to and supported by experienced officers and staff.

“You can contact the force in many ways, by calling 101, via our website, or by visiting a police station.”

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A rapist who changed his story multiple times in a bid to escape justice has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years.  

Jordan Hewitt, 33, of Thorverton, was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on Friday 25 July after previously being found guilty by a jury of rape.

During the trial, the court heard how in May 2022 the victim in the case went out with friends in Tiverton.

At the end of the night, she received a Facebook message from Hewitt offering her a place to stay.

The victim met Hewitt, and they went together to the defendant’s brother’s house as she didn’t want to wake her mum.

The victim went to sleep fully clothed and was awoken by Hewitt raping her. She immediately shoved Hewitt off and called her mum for a lift home, disclosing to her straight away what had happened.

Later that day the victim sent Hewitt a Facebook message asking ‘why did you do that to me?’ Hewitt completely dismissed the question and replied asking her if she got back okay and saying she could call him if she wanted. She then blocked him on Facebook.

Around three weeks later Hewitt bumped into one of the victim’s friends and thinking quickly, the friend secretly recorded Hewitt giving his initial account of the incident to her.

In the recording Hewitt admitted penetrating the victim and then stopping when she shoved him off.

During this account Hewitt seemingly tried excusing his actions saying, ‘she clearly met me for a bit of fun’. Hewitt was then captured saying that the victim will be forced to leave town and beaten up should the matter go to court.

In interview, Hewitt claimed that it was the victim that initiated sexual activity. Hewitt initially denied making any threats around assaulting the victim.

Part of secret recording containing the threat was then presented to him, causing the defendant to panic. He then changed his story to admitting to making the threat but not meaning it.

The remainder of the secret recording was then played to Hewitt, in which he gave his account of the incident. This again caused him to panic and again change his account, now saying that the victim didn’t tell him to stop, but there was ‘a bit of a weird moment where she looked like she backed out’.

On the case going to court Hewitt yet again changed his account saying in his defence statement that he was too drunk to have sex.

Then in cross examination revised his account again saying that he didn't have sex due to the awkward angle between him and the victim, who was facing away from him.

Officer in the case Detective Constable Andrew Stacey from Exeter CID said:

“We welcome the sentence handed down by the court, which would not have been possible without the courage and continued support of the victim throughout the investigation.

“I would also like to thank all the witnesses who came forward and gave evidence, particularly one individual whose quick thinking to covertly record one of Hewitt’s accounts played a crucial role in exposing his ongoing deception.

“Hewitt is a manipulative man who showed a complete lack of regard for the individual he harmed. His persistent dishonesty and repeated changes to his story ultimately led to his downfall.

“I hope this outcome provides the victim with a sense of closure as she continues to move forward with her life.”

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Hamed Kianipanah, 36, of Brook Road, Brent, London, has today (Monday 28 July 2025) been sent to prison for nine years, plus an additional three years on licence, for raping a woman at an address in Richmondshire in 2022.

Kianipanah was found guilty on 5 June 2025 of having unconsented sex with the victim.

The jury heard evidence that Kianipanah had groomed and controlled the woman around the time of the rape.

However, she found the courage to make a report to North Yorkshire Police in 2023.

This sparked a two-year investigation led by Temporary Detective Sergeant Quita Readman from Hambleton and Richmondshire CID.

T/DS Readman said:

“When she felt ready to do so, she bravely approached the police and disclosed what had happened to her. She also got access to a range of professional support and care that is readily available to all survivors of rape and sexual assaults.

“With her support, we carried out a thorough investigation capturing the whole story of the grooming stages Kianipanah engaged in before and after the rape, maintaining a level of control over the survivor.

“The jury heard the compelling evidence, and they returned a unanimous guilty verdict against the defendant.”

T/DS Readman added:

“I have nothing but praise for the bravery of the survivor in this case. It also shows it is never too late to make a report to the police and seek support from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and organisations such as IDAS.

“We are here to help you - please don’t hesitate to get in touch.”

As well as the custodial sentence, Kianipanah has also been placed on the Register of Sex Offenders and been made subject of a restraining order.

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Osamah Al-Haddad, a 26-year-old Yemeni migrant, was found with disturbing child abuse material and bestiality videos on his phone after arriving at Heathrow Airport from Cairo in January 2024.

The explicit videos were discovered during a routine search as part of his asylum screening. Among them was a Category A video involving bestiality, which the judge later described as “grotesque” and “depraved.” Al-Haddad had entered the UK on a student visa and later sought asylum, claiming he faced persecution from the Houthis for refusing to join their military efforts.

Despite admitting to three counts of making indecent photos of children and one count of making a pseudo-image, Al-Haddad insisted he had no sexual interest in children and claimed the videos were sent to him via WhatsApp. However, the court questioned his credibility, noting the files had been saved on his device since 2021 and were not deleted. Judge Fiona Barrie emphasized the serious nature of the crimes and the real harm to the children depicted in the videos.

Al-Haddad was handed a 30-week suspended sentence, meaning he will not serve prison time unless he reoffends within a year. He was also placed under a ten-year sexual harm prevention order and must complete 150 hours of unpaid community work. The case has raised questions about the UK’s asylum policies, particularly in light of recent government proposals to bar foreign sex offenders from asylum protections—a policy that only applies to those sentenced to more than a year.

Despite the conviction, Al-Haddad's asylum application remains active. He currently resides in Plymouth, Devon, where he works at a restaurant and earns around £781 per month, most of which he reportedly sends to his wife and child in Yemen. His defense highlighted his desire to reunite with his family in the UK and continue supporting them financially.

After the sentencing, Al-Haddad was seen outside Isleworth Crown Court appearing indifferent, giving a thumbs up to a passerby filming him and denying knowledge of the images' source. The incident has sparked public outrage, as critics argue that individuals convicted of such offences should face harsher penalties, including deportation, especially when they are seeking refuge in the country.

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The man pictured below is Andrew Thomson. He is a 53-year-old paedophile and a monster.

You won’t see him on the streets of East Lancashire for a very long time. That’s because on Friday (25th July) he was jailed for 24 years after carrying out serious sexual offences against a six-year-old boy and an eight-year-old boy.

After we arrested Thomson for those crimes, we were contacted by two further victims who the defendant had befriended and then sexually assaulted some years earlier.

Thomson groomed his first two victims, attempted to rape them and carried out multiple sexual assaults against them. He also forced them to watch him perform lewd acts on himself in their presence.

Thomson told his victims not to tell anyone about what he was doing to them ‘or it will be bad luck in life’.

Those offences mainly occurred in Accrington.

DC Hannah Blundell, who works in our Force Major Investigation Team and investigated those offences, said:

“Thomson is a manipulative sexual deviant who carried out unspeakable sexual crimes against two vulnerable boys. This is some of the worst sexual offending I have seen in my career and I welcome the significant sentence Thomson has received, which reflects the very real danger he poses to all male children.

“I want to praise the victims for their bravery in coming forward, though they may not fully understand what happened to them or why.”

When news of Thomson’s arrest for those offences came to light, two further victims came forward.

Thomson befriended both those victims when he was in his late teens/early 20s and they were still at school.

Thomson pulled the third victim’s shorts down when he was sat on a tree stump and sexually assaulted. The victim, who was around nine of 10 at the time, was so traumatised by what happened, he moved away from the area.

The fourth victim was between eight and 10-years-old when Thomson invited him into his house in Accrington where he sexually assaulted him in his bedroom.

DC Jason Taylor, who is from our East Child Protection Team and investigated the offences against the third and fourth victim, said:

“Thomson has left a trail of destruction in his wake as a result of his abhorrent sexual conduct. This offending has spanned decades and has had a profound impact on all of his victims and their loved ones.

“I hope the outcome of this case encourages other victims to come forward, confident they will be believed, listened to and that we will do everything in our power to put their abuser before the courts.”

Thomson, of Bawdlands, Clitheroe, pleaded guilty to attempted rape of a child under 13, causing/inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

Sitting at Burnley Crown Court, Judge Sara Dodd also made Thomson subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and placed him on the Sex offenders Register for life.

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The man pictured is 32-year-old Joshua Adcroft and he is a deceitful and depraved sex offender.

He also uses the name Joshua Everitt and used to be a football stadium announcer.

His current employment opportunities are now extremely limited. That is because he was jailed for 14 years at Preston Crown Court on Friday (25th July) following our investigation into his abhorrent crimes.

Our investigations found that Adcroft had groomed an 11-year-old girl before going on to sexually assault her. He made threats against her if she told anyone what he had done.

In an impact statement to the court, she said:

“I felt empty inside when Josh first touched me. I felt overwhelmed and helpless. I now feel frustrated. I’m annoyed that I was too scared to tell anyone and feel that I let him do it.

“Previously Josh’s threats stopped me from telling people and reporting to the police as I was worried that he would carry them out. I isolated myself due to this. I was unable to tell anyone. He took away my ability to speak. However, after a period of time, I had the mindset of that not being my problem, and I was so relieved when I told my family.

“Josh has shown me a lot of love, treats and money since knowing him, but this would stop at times, and I found it confusing. Looking back, it was like a cycle which I’d now describe as ‘love bombing’. Josh messed with my head. At the time I wondered why my friends and family didn’t do this to me. It was continuous love from them, but I was always second guessing and wondering when they would stop loving me, like Josh did.”

Adcroft was a registered sex offender at the time of his latest offending but had kept his contact with the child a secret from the authorities.

The offending came to light in April 2024 and Adcroft was arrested by our British Transport Police colleagues following his return from a work trip.

Adcroft’s house in Accrington was searched following his arrest and two laptops and an iPad were found hidden inside an upstairs wardrobe. These devices had not been registered with the authorities – something he was required to do by a court order.

The electronic devices were searched and on two of them, our officers found indecent images of an eight-year-old girl from Essex. We also found a chat log, where Adcroft encouraged activity and instructed the girl’s mother on what images he wanted. These offences took place on 8th April and 9th April 2024. A criminal investigation has been launched into the conduct of the victim’s mother.

A further 53 indecent images of children were found on Adcroft ‘s hidden devices.

Adcroft, formerly of Lower Antley Street, Accrington, but now of no fixed address, was charged with three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, soliciting indecent images of children; and 11 breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

He pleaded guilty to all the offences. As well as being given the custodial sentence, Adcroft was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

DC Laura Fahey, of the East Child Protection Team, said:

“Adcroft is a manipulative individual who takes an unhealthy interest in young girls for his own perverted sexual interests.

“In contrast, the victim highlighted above has shown incredible courage in coming forward and speaking out about what Adcroft had done to her, despite his threats. His behaviour has clearly had a profound impact on her, as highlighted by her statement to the court.

“I welcome the sentence handed down to Adcroft. He is an extremely dangerous sexual offender who is now off the streets and away from children.”

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A Chorley man has been jailed for having sexualised online chat with a girl he believed to be 14 years old.

Anthony McFarlane, 34, (pictured) had inappropriate conversations via social media platform KIK and arranged to meet the girl at a hotel in Chorley.

However, the girl who McFarlane was talking to was in fact an adult acting as a decoy for a group who help to identify sexual predators.

McFarlane was detained by members of the group at the hotel on 11th April this year and arrested by our officers.

More than 200 messages had been exchanged between McFarlane and the decoy.

The messages showed that McFarlane clearly believed he was communicating with a teenager, and the messages were of a sexual nature.

One of the messages from McFarlane read: “Because think about it I’m meeting an under aged girl that’s staying at mine. That’s the nervous and scary part U get me. If we get caught I go to prison.”

McFarlane, formerly of Moor Road, Chorley, appeared at Preston Crown Court last Thursday (24th July) after pleading guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause/incite a girl age between 13 and 15 to engage in sexual activity.

He was jailed for three years, placed on the sex offenders’ register for life, and issued with a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Det Con Mark Edwards of our Internet Child Exploitation team said:

“McFarlane believed he was messaging a 14-year-old girl and was communicating with her for two months.

“The messages were of a sexual nature, and it was clearly his intention to meet the girl and engage her in sexual activity.

“Thankfully it was a decoy he was messaging, and no one came to any harm.

“This was abhorrent behaviour from McFarlane, and I welcome the prison sentence imposed on him.”

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A 33-year-old man who raped and sexually assaulted a woman has been jailed for five years.

Segun ‘Michael’ Ogundipe, of Tuffley Lane in Gloucester, denied the offences, but following a trial in May a jury found him guilty of rape, two counts of sexual assault and assault by penetration.

The court heard that in 2022 Ogundipe met the woman at her place of work and during their first meeting he asked her to go out for a drink with him.

She agreed and arranged to meet him after work the next day; texting him beforehand to make it clear that she was just getting to know him.

The following evening, Ogundipe picked the woman up in his car and they went to a bar. Throughout the course of the night Ogundipe began to sexualise the conversation, which made her feel uncomfortable.

Ogundipe then suggested he drive them to a different location to continue their evening. On the way there, he stopped at his house, saying he needed to get something from inside.

The victim needed to use the toilet and after she left the bathroom, Ogundipe sexually assaulted her and raped her.

He then drove her to an address in Cheltenham.

Even as he was driving, Ogundipe continued to try and touch the victim, who repeatedly told him to stop.

Due to the nature of his driving, Ogundipe was stopped by Gloucestershire Police officers who were on routine patrol. When the vehicle was stationary at the roadside, the victim took the opportunity to leave his car; initially telling officers that she wanted to go to a nearby family address and did not want to deal with what had happened to her. She then walked away.

Noticing how distressed and upset she was, an officer caught up with the victim who then disclosed that Ogundipe had raped her. 

Ogundipe was arrested on suspicion of rape and taken into custody where he was subsequently charged with two counts of sexual assault, assault by penetration and rape. 

The court was told that Ogundipe denied raping the victim and instead he claimed that she had initiated sexual activity and she had fully consented to having sexual intercourse with him.

The jury did not agree with his version of events and found him guilty.

In mitigation, the court heard that Ogundipe was of previous good character. His Honour Judge Lowe also took his positive character references into account before sentencing him at Gloucester Crown Court on Monday 21 July.

As well as being jailed for five years, Nigerian-born Ogundipe, who came to the UK to study in 2021, will be subject to deportation as a result of committing a serious offence here.

In a statement read out in court, the victim described to Ogundipe how being raped by him has impacted her life.

She said:

"It is still crazy to me to think how your words and your actions have made me question my worth entirely. Some days what you did to me plays over and over in my head. What you did was vile and one of the worst things you could do to someone. 

"I spent so long believing that I must have deserved what you did to me but I know now that you had no right to the rights of my body. Every single part of my life paused. I had to leave my job, a job that I loved deeply because I couldn't cope.

"I became scared to meet new people, to even smile at someone out of fear that it would be taken the wrong way. I lost my spark and even now I'm still only starting to heal."

Following Ogundipe's sentencing the victim said:

"I would encourage anyone who has experienced something similar to what I did to report it to the police. It doesn't matter if you feel ashamed or if you feel you are somehow to blame. You will be believed and supported."

Investigating officer Detective Constable Jon Furse said:

"Ogundipe's actions that night have caused serious harm and will have a lasting impact for the victim. I would like to commend her for the courage she has shown throughout this investigation.

"We are dedicated to ensuring sexual offenders are held accountable for their horrific crimes and I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of rape or other sexual assaults to please come forward and speak to police."

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A Cardiff couple who committed numerous child sex offences have been jailed.

Tracy Turner from Roath, and Stuart Compton of Cathays, sent messages to each other discussing their sex lives and arranging to sexually abuse three named children.

As part of the investigation, detectives reviewed 96,000 messages between the defendants who were discussing what they wanted to do to the child victims.

Turner, 51, admitted six charges of arranging the commission of child sex offences, and two charges of making indecent images of a child.

Compton, 45, also pleaded guilty to six charges of arranging the commission of child sex offences.

The investigation began in June 2025, when information was received of concerning conversations, involving Compton, on a dating app. As a result, his phone was seized revealing thousands of messages between him and Turner.

Today (Monday, July 28) they were jailed at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.

Turner was sentenced to 12-year custodial sentence with an extended two-year licence.

Compton was sentenced to life imprisonment and must serve a minimum of six years and 131 days before being considered for parole.

They are also subject to Restraining Orders and Sexual Harm Prevention Orders.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector David Butt from South Wales Police, said:

“Today’s sentencing concludes a 12-month investigation, during which time a small team of detectives reviewed approximately 96,000 messages which Tracy Turner and Stuart Compton sent to each other.

“The volume and nature of the content was disturbing – the worst of the worst – but the officers demonstrated resilience and determination to get justice.

“Thankfully, the victims had no knowledge of what was taking place. In statements provided to the court, some family members of the victims have described the devastating impact of the crimes, and we hope today’s sentencing brings them some comfort.

“Offenders like Turner and Compton believe they can hide behind phone screens, but this is clearly not the case.

“It is our absolute priority to protect children, and I am grateful to colleagues for their meticulous investigation into this appalling case, and the co-operation of the Crown Prosecution Service.

"The successful prosecution and conviction of these two dangerous sexual predators, will ensure that children are protected."

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A paedophile who was snared after seven years on the loose by DNA he handed over in a bid to become a Police Community Support Officer has been jailed for nine years.

Reinaldo Goncalo Bertoni Filho, 42, sexually assaulted girls aged 10 and 15 after approaching them in public in Surrey in 2017.

Both girls were able to escape from his grasp, but the identity of their attacker was initially a mystery.

However Filho, of Askew Road in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, essentially handed himself with a bid to join the police.

He was required to give DNA samples as part of the British Transport Police application process in 2024, and his records were then flagged as matching the two sex attacks seven years earlier.

At Guildford Crown Court on Friday, Filho was sentenced to nine years in prison for sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault of a child under 13. He must also serve an extra four years on licence after release.

The first attack was on a 15-year-old girl who was riding her bike in Hogsmill Open Space in Ewell in July 2017. The second incident involved a 10-year-old girl who was walking through Claygate Common in August 2017.

Rebecca Millardship from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Reinaldo Goncalo Bertoni Filho deliberately targeted children who were both in isolated spaces, where they should have been safe to enjoy themselves.

“What happened on those days has had a huge, long-lasting impact on every aspect of the lives of these two girls. They were left with memory flashbacks, terrified of men and fearful and anxious for years that they might see their attacker again, until Goncalo Bertoni Filho was arrested.

“One of the victims talked about how the attack had stolen her confidence, joy and safety. We hope that, with this sentence, both girls can now start to rebuild their lives, knowing their attacker has been brought to justice.”

The victim of the first attack managed to escape after biting Filho on the elbow and scratching his face, causing him to run off.

The ten-year-old victim said she was grabbed by a passing jogger, who pinned her against a tree.

She escaped by kicking him in the stomach, and ran away to tell a family friend what happened.

“His audacity at applying to join the British Transport Police as a PCSO defies belief, but it was this which ultimately led to being identified”, said Detective Sergeant Adele Robertson from the Surrey and Sussex Police Major Crime Team.

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A man from Swansea has been jailed after he pleaded guilty to three counts of rape and other offences involving four female victims.

28-year-old Jamil Ahmed, from Clydach, raped one of the victims after making threats of violence should she not have complied with his wishes.

Ahmed changed his plea for one count each of rape and controlling and coercive behaviour from not guilty to guilty in July.

He has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, with an extension period of eight years, to run concurrently.

Detective Constable Judith Williams said:

“Jamil Ahmed filled his victims with terror through his violent outbursts and threats which left them feeling like they had no option but to go along with his predatory demands.

“This was not something which happened on just one occasion. This was a prolonged pattern of behaviour, and that has played a huge part in achieving the extended sentence with which he has been served today.

“We applaud the victims for their bravery in coming forward, and hope they can begin to move on with their lives now that Jamil Ahmed will no longer be a part of them.

“To anyone else suffering, or who has been the victim of a sexual offence: please report it. Our team of specially-trained officers will be able to support you.”