Latest Offenders

Description

A child sex offender has been found guilty of 18 crimes after we launched an investigation.

Andrew Robert Pope, 56, of Burton-on-Trent, was found guilty by a jury at the end of a trial at Stafford Crown Court on 3 June.

Our detectives started investigating him in May last year after one of the survivors bravely came forward and told someone about what happened.

Throughout the course of our investigation, a number of survivors were spoken to. We gathered all of the evidence needed and arrested Pope, who denied all of the offences when he was interviewed in custody.

When we searched his house, we seized his phone and found indecent images on it.

It was during our investigation that a further survivor came forward and told us about more crimes that Pope had committed.

Through our evidence, and the bravery of the survivors, Pope was charged a number of offences and taken to court. He continued to deny his crimes but a jury deemed him guilty on all 18 charges, including:

• Seven counts of rape of a girl
• Nine counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl
• One count of making indecent photographs/pseudo-photographs of a child
• One count of assaulting a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm

Detective Sergeant Gemma Szalapski, from our rape and serious sexual offences unit, said: “By working tirelessly to find out the extent of Pope’s crimes, we were able to help another survivor come forward and seek the right support.

“It is their immeasurable bravery that has resulted in this outcome. I’m pleased that the verdict was reached and all of Pope’s offending will be recognised, despite his attempts to hide the truth.”

He is due to be sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on 3 October this year.

Description

A sheriff told a Stirling paedophile “I’m prepared to make your life very difficult”.

Mark Pentith sent vile messages to undercover police, believing he was chatting to a 13-year-old girl.

Description

A man tried to film himself "overpowering" and raping a teenage woman, a court has heard. Police found Ryan Bonsu had also filmed himself having consensual sex with other women without their knowledge or consent.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Bonsu has previous convictions for exposure including exposing himself to staff at a McDonald's drive-thru and masturbating in front of them. A judge said the 30-year-old's "predatory behaviour" had escalated over time, and he said an extended sentence was necessary to protect the public from the risk his poses to females.

The illicit video recordings came to light while Bonsu was in custody and he phoned a friend asking him to remove his computer hard drive from his flat.

The friend checked the contents of the drive and handed the device to the police. Officers were able to identify and trace women in two videos. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter

In an impact statement from the vicitm of the rape which she read to the court in person the woman said Bonsu had "stripped me of my femininity" and made her feel like an "object".

She said she had been left suffering with post-traumatic distress disorder and flashbacks so intense they leave her struggling to breath, and she said where once she had the confidence to go out and enjoy life she can no longer do that.

The woman said the defendant had stopped her reaching her full potential. She added that she hoped justice would be done and other families will be protected from him.

Ryan Bonsu, of Heol Undeb, Beddau, had previously been convicted at trial of one count of rape and had pleaded guilty to two counts of voyeurism when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.

He has two previous convictions for four offences of exposure - the first offence involved him exposing his penis and masturbating to staff at a McDonald's drive-thru, and the second involved him masturbating in front of a woman who had gone to his house to see the spare room he had advertised on a house share website.

Abigail Jackson, for Bonsu, said the defendant was an "extremely bright and capable man" whose life had taken "a very different path to the one his family envisaged for him". She said Bonsu had asked her to apologise to his victims, and she said he was truly sorry for everyone who had been affected by his actions.

Judge Shomon Khan said the defendant had engaged "predatory behaviour" which had escalated over time, and he told Bonsu he had "over-powered" his young victim "because of your need for sexual gratification".

The judge said a pre-sentence report had assessed Bonsu as posing a very high risk of serious harm to females in their late teens, and he said given the contents of the report, the facts of the case, and the defendant's previous offending he was bound to make a finding of dangerousness.

Bonsu was given a 14-year extended sentence comprising 10 years in custody followed by a four-year extended licence. He can apply to be released after serving two-thirds of the custodial element of the sentence but it will be for the Parole Board to determine if he safe to be released.

The defendant was made the subject of a 15-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life. As part of the SHPO the defendant is prohibited from having a profile on any dating app or website in any name other than his own unless he registers that name with police.

Description

A man has been found guilty of sexual offences against children in the Winsford area more than 20 years ago.

Graham Lightfoot, of Hartwell Grove, Winsford, was found guilty of 11 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault on children on Tuesday 10 June at Liverpool Crown Court following a seven-day trial.

The 57-year-old will appear back at court on Friday 11 July for sentence.

The investigation commenced in June 2023 when Cheshire Police received reports of abuse that two victims had suffered as children between the year 2000 and 2004.

It was described how Lightfoot had indecently assaulted them when they were aged as young as 11. One of the victims was also sexually assaulted by him.

Following a thorough investigation, Lightfoot was later charged with the offences. He denied the charges but was found guilty following a trial.

Detective Constable Kelly Mitchell said:

“Firstly, I would like to thank the victims in this case for their courage throughout this investigation.

“Their brave disclosures detailed how Lightfoot had assaulted them on numerous occasions across many years, and they spoke about how these events had significantly impacted upon their lives.

“It is thanks to them that this predator has now been convicted of some horrendous crimes and will face the consequences of his actions.

“Lightfoot took advantage of two young girls and subjected them to prolonged abuse, demonstrating his absolute disregard for anyone other than himself and his own twisted sexual gratification.

“To report any sexual offence, no matter how long ago it took place, please call 101 or report online via our website. In an emergency, always call 999.”

Description

Neil Hamilton sought to deny responsibility for the sexual assault, but jurors found him guilty of one count of assault by penetration at the conclusion of his Sheffield Crown Court trial.

In a statement read during Hamilton’s sentencing hearing, the man he targeted said: “After the incident I stopped eating, and didn’t think life was worth living.”

“I’ve been trying to regain some sense of masculinity,” the complainant said.

He described how the attack, which occurred on January 27, 2025, resulted in him “spiralling into using drugs” over the course of a 10-week period, and was sent back to that dark place during the course of Hamilton’s trial.

The complainant added: “Neil will be released from prison one day, however I will have to live with this for the rest of my life.”

A hearing held on June 10, 2025 heard how the complainant was heavily intoxicated when Hamilton, aged 58, assaulted him.

Sending Hamilton to begin a seven-year prison sentence, Judge Rachael Harrison told him: “Having heard the evidence, I’m sure that you waited until he was in that state before you sexually assaulted him, while he was face down.”

“I’ve read the victim personal statement, it’s clear that what you did to him had a profound effect on him.”

Hamilton, of Granville Road, Norfolk Park, Sheffield, was acquitted of one count of rape at the conclusion of the same trial.

Matthew Burdon, prosecuting, told the court that Hamilton has a criminal record of 19 previous offences from 10 convictions.

Among the previous convictions is an entry for indecent assault dating back to 2002, in which Hamilton preyed upon another intoxicated male who was unconscious when the assault began.

Mr Burdon said Hamilton was initially sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for the offence, but this was reduced to a three-year community order on appeal.

Defending, Dermot Hughes said both parties were voluntarily intoxicated when the latest offending was carried out.

He continued by telling the court that Hamilton was in the process of being transported back to Doncaster prison in a van when it was involved in a collision.

Hamilton, suggested Mr Hughes, suffered a back injury in the crash, and has been in “constant pain” since.

“His father is very elderly and very frail, and has not been able to make contact with the defendant…his greatest fear now is not only his father’s continued deterioration, but that his father may reach a terminal point without the defendant being able to provide him with any support,” added Mr Hughes.

Sending Hamilton to begin his prison sentence, Judge Harrison told him: “Your victim was particularly vulnerable due to personal circumstances.

“Whilst he was intoxicated, I am satisfied you waited until he was in a position where he could not defend himself.”

In addition to his prison sentence, of which he is likely to serve two-thirds behind bars, Hamilton was also ordered to remain on the sex offenders’ register for a period of 10 years.

Description

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a man has been jailed for sexual offences in West Oxfordshire.

Lee Butcher, aged 27, of Barrington Close, Witney, was convicted of a count each of knowingly/recklessly trespassing on a premises with intent to commit a sexual offence and sexual assault on a female, following a trial at Oxford Crown Court.

Butcher initially pleaded not guilty to the offences, but changed his plea to guilty on day three of the trial on Monday (9/6).

He was subsequently sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and he will be required to comply with notification requirements as a registered sex offender.

In the early morning of 10 August 2024, Butcher entered the victim’s home address via a kitchen window in West Oxfordshire.

He then went upstairs to the victim’s bedroom and sexually assaulted her, before leaving.

He was arrested and charged on the same day.

Investigating officer Detective Constable George Hill said: “Butcher made his way into an address via a downstairs window before going on to sexually assault his victim in a place she should have felt safe.

“There is absolutely no excuse for his behaviour, and I am pleased he eventually changed his plea to guilty and has now been sentenced to prison as a result.

“This kind of abuse is never acceptable and I hope that this custodial sentence shows that we listen and investigate fully, taking every action possible to safeguard victims.

“I would encourage any victims of assault and abuse to come forward and report this. You will be listened to and supported and we will seek to put offenders before the courts.”

Description

A paedophile from Burnley who committed horrific sexual crimes against two children has been jailed for 17 years.

Simon Richards, 50, was sentenced alongside his partner, Natalie Rabie, 46, who admitted conspiring to incite a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity.

The pair, both of Holcombe Drive, Burnley, were sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Monday (June 9) having previously resided in Surrey.

Richards pleaded guilty to 11 charges including multiple counts of rape of a child, attempted rape of a child, and making and distributing indecent images of a child.

Richards and Rabie were first arrested in June 2023 after the mother of one of the victims discovered sexual communications between Richards and the child, including the sharing of indecent imagery.

During police interviews, Richards replied 'no comment' throughout.

A thorough investigation by Surrey Police's child abuse team uncovered the extent of Richards' offending in the county.

For the offences of rape and attempted rape against one victim he received a nine-year sentence.

For offences against the second victim, including rape and sexual assault, and for the distribution of indecent images, he received a further eight years.

His sentences will be served consecutively.

The judge deemed Richards to be a dangerous offender, and he will be added to the Registered Sex Offenders list for life.

Both Richards and Rabie will be handed sexual harm prevention orders and indefinite restraining orders preventing them from any contact with the victims for the rest of their lives.

Rabie was sentenced to 20 months in prison for her crimes.

Investigating officer Harriet Francos said: “The bravery of the children involved in this investigation has been incredible.

"Their support for this case, alongside that of key witnesses,s has been vital in putting these predators behind bars.  

“Richards in particular, groomed these young people and poses a serious risk to children.

"It is a relief that he is now in prison and will have very strict conditions on him for the rest of his life.  

“I would urge anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse, to come forward and report it to us in the knowledge that you will be listened to, believed and supported.”

Description

A sex offender from Boston who was caught by paedophile hunters after he tried to groom a decoy under-age girl has been jailed for six years.

Graeme Denton, 46, will also have to serve an extended licence period of two years on his release from jail after a judge decided he posed a high risk to children.

Lincoln Crown Court was told Denton had exchanged hundreds of messages on Facebook and WhatsApp with the profile of a 12-year-old girl called ‘Tiff Jones’.

The profile was in fact being managed by an online child safety group, the court was told.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said during the exchanges Denton offered to pay the decoy £50 for a photo of herself and encouraged a meeting at a railway station where they could have intercourse.

Mr Howes said Denton also encouraged the decoy to touch herself.

The court was told Denton was a registered sex offender who was made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after he was sentenced to 28 months’ imprisonment at Norwich Crown Court in 2018 for similar offences.

When police arrested Denton at his Boston home in October 2024 they found a mobile phone he had not disclosed to the authorities, the court was told.

During his police interview, Denton denied intending to meet the decoy child.

Denton, of Wyberton Low Road, Boston, pleaded guilty to two charges of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, one charge of attempting to breach a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, two charges of attempting to incite a child aged under-13 to engage in sexual activity and one charge of attempting to arrange a sexual offence.

All six offences occurred between August 2023 and October 2024.

Stuart Lody, mitigating, stressed Mr Denton did not actually turn up for a physical meeting and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

“His offences have never actually been against a real child,” Mr Lody told the court.

“He appears to be amenable to treatment.”

Passing sentence on Monday (June 9), Judge Simon Hirst told Denton the probation service had concluded he was a ‘high risk’ to children.

“I am satisfied you do pose such a risk,” Judge Hirst added.

Description

A paedophile who travelled 130 miles to meet a “14-year-old girl” in Fife has been hounded out of his home, a court has heard.

After making arrangements online, Allan Cruickshank travelled from Peterhead to Kirkcaldy with the intent of spending a night in a guest house, engaging in illegal sex.

Description

A West Yorkshire Police officer has been jailed following his conviction for rape and sexual assault by penetration.

PC Ben Bottomley, aged 23, who is based in Kirklees District, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court today (Wednesday, 11 June) where he was sentenced to four years imprisonment for rape and one year imprisonment for sexual assault by penetration, to be served concurrently.

PC Bottomley will also be subject to the requirements of the Sex Offenders Register for life.

His conviction followed an investigation by West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate into off-duty offences which were reported to the police after he joined the Force.

He has been suspended from duty since the outset of this investigation. An accelerated misconduct hearing is due to take place next month with a view to him being added to the College of Policing’s Barred list preventing him from gaining further employment in policing. 

Tuesday, 22 April, 2025

A West Yorkshire Police officer has been found guilty of off-duty sexual offences.  

PC Benjamin Bottomley, aged 23, who is based in Kirklees district, has been found guilty of rape and sexual assault by penetration following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court.  

The charges relate to offences committed against one adult female victim. The rape offence occurred prior to PC Bottomley joining West Yorkshire Police and the sexual assault by penetration offence occurred while he was a student officer. Both offences were reported to the police after he joined West Yorkshire Police.  

Detective Chief Superintendent Tanya Wilkins, Head of West Yorkshire Police Professional Standards Directorate, said: “These were extremely serious allegations to be made against a serving police officer and he was immediately suspended from duty when the investigation commenced in June 2023.  

“The victim has shown immense courage in coming forward to report these offences. We do not underestimate how hard it is to report such offending in any circumstances but understand that there may also be additional concerns when the perpetrator works in policing.  

“I hope the investigation and subsequent prosecution show that police and partners will take action, regardless of the occupation of the offender.  

“We are committed to protecting women from violence and sexual violence. PC Bottomley has demonstrated a disregard for the victim’s right to consent and, in addition to any custodial sentence he is given, he will now be subject to extra conditions on him as a convicted sex offender.”  

“We will also now continue with misconduct proceedings with a view to PC Bottomley being barred from working in policing in any role in the future.”  

PC Bottomley is due to be sentenced on 11 June.

Description

A man has been sentenced to six years and 11 months in prison after pleading guilty to 17 counts relating to the possession, making and distribution of indecent images of children, publishing an obscene article and attempting to incite a boy aged 13-15 years to engage in sexual activity.

Harry Nyazai, 27, (DOB 13/5/1998), had also pleaded guilty to one count of outraging public decency at an earlier hearing, and was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Friday (6 June).

Nyazai, who had worked at a number of schools in Surrey, as well as a children’s holiday club and also advertised his services on social media as a babysitter and after school tutor, was arrested after police received information that he was uploading indecent images of children to a Google account in October 2022.

Nyazai was arrested on 24 November 2022 on suspicion of making indecent images of children. 

Following his arrest, a number of digital devices belonging to him were seized and examined, which showed that indecent images of children had been downloaded.

Nyazai was further arrested in January 2023 in relation to material on messaging apps which showed he was communicating with others who had similar interest in indecent images of children and child sexual abuse.

He was arrested again in February 2023 after further examination of his devices showed he had also been taking, making and encouraging distribution of indecent images of children, including children in his care.

The families of the children who were identified as victims of an offence were contacted at the time and provided with the appropriate support and care.

A Sexual Risk Order (SRO) against Nyazai was granted in February 2023. In May 2023, he pleaded guilty to two breaches of the SRO at Guildford Magistrates’ Court and was given conditional bail, including not to have any unsupervised access with anyone under the age of 18 years.

In June 2024, Nyazai was seen sitting in his car near a school playground in Farnham during break time.

Due to his suspicious behaviour, the witness took a photo of Nyazai’s car and reported the matter to the school who reported it to police.

He was subsequently arrested for outraging public decency after a number of items, including children’s underwear and indecent photos, were found in his car.

At the time of committing this offence, Nyazai was on bail for the other matters.

Following a further court appearance, he was remanded in custody.

Sentencing Nyazai to six years and 11 months in prison, the Judge HHJ Sellers said his “escalating activity” showed he was a “significant risk and therefore dangerous”.

As well as having his licence extended for a further three years, Nyazai was also barred from working with children, placed on the Sex Offender Register for life and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Description

A registered sex offender from the Isle of Sheppey has been jailed for targeting young girls and multiple breaches of a court order.

In 2021, Paul Knight pleaded guilty to sexual offences involving children and became subject to strict conditions on his conduct.

A 10-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) along with sex offender notification requirements (SONR) included restrictions around his interaction with young people, use of the internet and phones, and possession of bank cards.

Knight was also required to install monitoring software on his internet-enabled devices.

Unannounced inspection

On 10 November 2023, investigators made an unannounced visit to Knight’s home address and there was a delay before he answered his door. He then handed over his mobile phone for inspection, stating it was his only device.

Suspecting Knight had bypassed the monitoring software on this phone, he was arrested.

The officers then searched his property and recovered an iPhone hidden inside a wardrobe. It was locked and Knight said it did not belong to him. They also found he had bank cards he had not declared to the police.

On the following day, Knight, of Queenborough Road, Minster-on-Sea, was charged with five breaches of his SHPO, three breaches of his SONR, and possessing indecent images of a child.

He was remanded in custody and his two phones were then sent for further digital forensic examination.

Targeting children

When investigators gained access to his iPhone, they found Knight had been communicating with multiple young girls online for several months. He had been engaging in sexually explicit conversations and had sent indecent photos of himself whilst asking for illegal ones in return.

His phones also contained a total of 129 indecent images of children including one of the most serious category.

Knight was further charged with 13 counts of causing and attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of making indecent images of children.

Guilty

He pleaded guilty to all the indictments at Maidstone Crown Court. On Monday 9 June 2025, the 61-year-old received an extended sentence with a total of eight years and three months' imprisonment.

On his release he will be required to complete an additional four years on licence. Knight will also be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Description

A man who ran his hands over a woman’s thighs and bottom has admitted a charge of sexual assault.

Kyle Miller carried out the crime after drinking beers during a gathering at the woman’s home.

Description

A man who sexually assaulted three women on trains in London has been jailed.

Ahmad Ahmedzai, 30, targeted lone women on trains three separate times last year.

On September 10, he was on a train from Bushey to London Euston when he sexually assaulted a 28-year-old multiple times – but as the train was busy, she was unable to move away.

Then on November 2, he was on a Jubilee line train from Bermondsey when he again sexually assaulted another 28-year-old during a busy service.

Later that month on November 25, Ahmedzai was on a busy train from Watford Junction to London Euston, when he targeted a 22-year-old woman.

All three victims reported these assaults to the British Transport Police and he was tracked through facial recognition on CCTV.

Ahmedzai, of Great Road in Hemel Hempstead, was sentenced on May 30 at Inner London Crown Court to 27 weeks in prison after he pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault.

He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for seven years and is on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years and pay costs of £687.

Due to the order, he can only travel on the Transport for London network using an Oyster card or contactless card linked to his name – and when travelling outside of TfL he must notify police in advance.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Jack Leach said: “Ahmedzai is a dangerous predator who targeted women on busy services in order to hide his sick antics, but due to the brave actions of those he targeted, by reporting the crimes to us we were able to catch him.

“There is zero-tolerance for sexual offences on the rail network and we will do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice.”

Description

A DANGEROUS drug-driver is to spend longer behind bars after police found his stash of sickening child abuse images.

Craig Pryor, 46 and of of Robinson Road in Ellesmere Port, was jailed for four years in October after a motorcyclist was left with 'truly life-changing' injuries after being knocked off his bike. 

The victim was smashed into by Pryor in Winwick Lane, near to junction 22 of the M6 near Croft.

The day after the serious crash, when Cheshire Police were investigating the defendant, they rumbled his collection of images of children being sexually abused.

He was later charged with possessing indecent images of children, three counts of making them, and one of possessing prohibited images of children.

Having pleaded not guilty, matters went to trial, and he was convicted by a jury on all counts at Chester Crown Court.

He appeared back before the court recently to be sentenced, where Nicholas Williams, prosecuting, explained the nature of the offending.

Pryor was driving his grey Mercedes C350 erratically at around 9.20pm on Friday, May 26, 2023, when he caused the horrific collision in Winwick Lane.

He had gone to overtake the vehicle in front of him when he collided with a black Yamaha motorcycle travelling in the opposite direction.

The motorcyclist, a 42-year-old man from Woolston, suffered life-changing injuries, including the loss of an arm.

The extent of the victim’s injuries left the motorcyclist still receiving treatment more than 18 months after the collision, and it was said then that he could yet lose his leg.

Following roadside tests, Pryor was found to have delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and benzoylecgonine, the by-products of cocaine and cannabis use, in his system.

He was subsequently charged with two counts of drug driving and one of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, which he admitted at the last minute before his trial was due to start.

For the driving matters, Pryor was sentenced in October at Liverpool Crown Court to four years in prison and disqualified from driving for six years.

When investigating the defendant, police also came across 435 indecent images in his possession of children being sexually abused.

Of these, 255 were graded as category A – the most severe form of abuse involving child rape – while 100 were category B, and 80 were category C.

In addition, officers discovered 60 prohibited images of children, which are sexually explicit and generally in the form of sketches, paintings, and cartoons.

The particulars of the charges state that he possessed them in Ellesmere Port, where he lived, between February 2020 and May 2023.

For the abuse image charges, judge Steven Everett sentenced Pryor to an additional nine months in prison.

He must also sign the sex offender register and abide by the terms of a sexual harm prevention order, both for a period of 10 years.

In addition, the court approved an order to deprive him of his electronic device on which the images were stored.

Speaking after Pryor’s driving sentence, inspector Steve Griffiths, of Cheshire Police, said: “When you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you are in control of a powerful machine, easily capable of causing serious injury or even death.

“Pryor completely ignored this, not abiding by the rules of the road or considering the safety of others, ultimately colliding with a vulnerable road user who had been travelling on the same stretch of road.

“The victim has suffered tremendously, both psychologically and physically, as a result of Pryor’s reckless choices.

“I welcome the sentence handed to Pryor, and I hope he truly considers how his actions have permanently changed the victim’s life.

“I also hope this case can serve as a reminder of the long-lasting impact of dangerous driving, deterring others from the same fate.”