Latest Offenders

Description

A sex offender who raped a teenage boy in a Nottingham park has been jailed.

The victim, then aged 17, had gone for a walk through the Forest Recreation Ground on 18 July 2024 around 11.30pm.

He encountered a man, now known to be Mohammed Darweesh, who he believed was drunk and who began to pester him.

The victim tried to move away from 24-year-old Darweesh but he kept blocking his path.

He believed Darweesh was armed with a knife and agreed to follow him away from the path where the sexual assault took place.

Darweesh fled from the scene on foot with the teenager’s watch and a £10 note.

A passer-by pursued Darweesh in his van and the attacker dropped the watch on the floor.

Darweesh was later struck by a car in Mapperley Road around 4am the following day after members of the public saw him lying in the road.

He was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Darweesh was identified as a suspect by detectives following forensic and other inquiries and was arrested when he was released from Queen’s Medical Centre.

Darweesh, of no fixed abode, was handed an extended jail sentence of nine-and-a-half years when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday (1 April).

Upon release he will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to protect vulnerable people.

He had pleaded guilty to rape and attempted rape.

Description

A married man who sexually assaulted three victims at a hotel spa has walked free from court.

Dad-of-two Zia Khan targeted a teenager and two women while they were in a jacuzzi and pool area.

The 'arrogant' 48-year-old later lied and claimed that his victims had fabricated the allegations against him.

Nottingham Crown Court heard how how Khan touched the victims inappropriately while they used spa facilities at the Village Hotel, in Attenborough.

The sex attacks took place in April and May 2023, prosecutor Anthony Cheung said.

The first sex assault involved a teenage girl who was in the jacuzzi at the hotel.

He sat next to her in the jacuzzi before inappropriately touching her, NottinghamshireLive reports.

Mr Cheung said: "At first, (she) thought it was an accident. But it then happened again.

"She was too scared to say anything. She looked to one of her friends for help.

"Upon seeing this, the defendant got out of the jacuzzi and walked away."

In the second attack, one woman was getting into the water when she saw Khan walking towards her.

Khan inappropriately touched her as he walked past her.

The prosecutor added: "Later that night, at around 8.30pm, the third victim was in the jacuzzi with her friend and the defendant.

"The defendant had started to submerge himself under the water."

"Once submerged, the victim felt a foot touch her foot.

"She immediately moved away as she thought it was an accident. But this occurred again."

Mr Cheung said Khan went on to inappropriately touch the woman.

The incident was reported to staff, with Khan arrested two days later.

After his sex attacks, the victims told police the perpetrator was wearing yellow swimming shorts.

These were seized from Khan's home in Bramcote, Nottinghamshire, when he was arrested.

Laura Hocknell, defending, said: "He is not devoid of any insight, he has said how sorry he is and he shows a degree of victim empathy.

"He’s had to take a long, hard look at himself.

"It has been humiliating for him but the other side of him is that he’s worked all of his life and is the father to two children."

Judge Michael Auty KC said Khan came across as 'arrogant' during his trial when he told jurors how his victims had made up their claims.

But he went on to say that Khan's conviction and public outing in the media has made him a 'different man' who feels humiliated by his actions.

Judge Auty said: "No man worthy of the name ever sexually assaults a woman, end of. It is despicable behaviour which was degrading and humiliating for them.

"You might say it is nothing more than a bit of fun for you but this can have the most profound and long-lasting effect on wholly innocent women.

"They did not deserve what you did to them and you denied the offences saying they had all made it up.

"Imagine for just one moment what your reaction would be if someone would have done that to your beloved wife or your beloved daughter.

"You would be furious and rightly so.

"I make it plain that the women who came forward were extraordinarily brave and none of them did anything wrong.

"Sending you to prison would send out a powerful message that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated [and] during the trial you came across as rather arrogant but you are a different man today.

"Inevitable humiliation has come your way, finding yourself in the press and what that has done to you in your community.

"There’s a large part of me that wants to send you to custody but that would not compensate those victims and there would be no input and intervention from the probation service and you might well go out and do this again."

Khan, of Rivergreen Crescent, was handed a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years, for three counts of sexual assault.

He was made subject to a 35-day rehabilitation activity requirement and told to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work .

The sex offender must pay £1,000 compensation to two of the victims and £750 to the third.

Khan was also handed a 10-year restraining order banning him from going to the Village Hotel complex and he must remain on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Description

A convicted sex offender claimed he got a ‘bad email’ when he was caught looking at pornography on a library computer.

Keith Smith, 72, had an iPhone plugged into the computer when he was confronted by someone who saw him viewing images of semi-naked women.

He was sat next to a young girl at the time, Manchester Crown Court heard. After being confronted, he claimed he had ‘received a bad email’. He was later identified through library records and police asked him to produce the phone for analysis. Smith refused.

“He said he had borrowed his friend’s phone to take pictures of the gas and electric meters,” prosecutor Olivia Gatfield said.

Smith, from Levenshulme, admitted breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) imposed in 2011 after he was caught with indecent images of children. One of the conditions stated he must show his internet history on request by the police.

His barrister, Naomi Duckworth said he didn’t own a smartphone, so used a friend’s. He was concerned police would go to his friend ‘gun’s blazing’ so refused to provide their details, she added.

Smith’s behaviour showed ‘poor judgement’, but no charges were brought against him - only for breaching the SHPO - Ms Duckworth added.

Handing him a suspended jail term, Judge Hilary Manley said: “The reason you came to the attention of the police is because you were in a library accessing pornography whilst sitting near a little girl.

“The excuse you gave for not handing over the phone to the police, I find, is not believable. Breaches like this are taken very seriously by the courts.”

Ms Gatfield earlier told the court that on October 28, 2023, a woman was at the Arcadia Library in Levenshulme using a computer, when her attention was drawn to Smith’s screen. On the screen was a woman with her breasts concealed by a plant, she said.

“The defendant was seen scrolling over several photos which were clearly of a sexual nature," the prosecutor said. "He was sitting next to a girl."

The woman confronted Smith. He denied the images were explicit and left. When he was later arrested and interviewed he told officers that while taking pictures of his gas and electric meters he got a ‘sudden urge’ to search for an adult film star.

The court heard he had three convictions for 21 offences, the majority of which were for sex offences.

Defence counsel Ms Duckworth said her client suffered with anxiety and depression. “The defendant explained he did not give the police details of where he got the phone from as he was concerned the police would go in ‘gun’s blazing’,” she added.

A presentence report prepared by the probation service found he had not been open about his behaviour and sought to ‘make excuses’.

Smith, of Stanhope Street, Levenshulme, was handed an eight month jail term suspended for 18 months. He must complete an accredited programme, 15 days of rehabilitation activity requirements and pay £150 court costs.

Description

A man from Bradford has been jailed for a number of child sexual offences.  

Richard Barker, 56, of Keighley Road was charged with six counts of possession of indecent images of a child, three counts of engage in sexual communications with a child and two counts of cause or incite a child aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity.

He appeared at Bradford Crown Court on 9 June 2023 where he pleaded guilty to all 11 offences.  

The charges relate to incidents he committed through playing online games with two children. He then engaged in sexual communication with them and encouraged them to send indecent images of themselves.  

After he pleaded guilty to those 11 offences, sentencing was adjourned as further disclosures were made.  

Barker was then arrested and charged in July 2024 with two counts of sexual assault and four counts of rape.  

He pleaded not guilty and went on trial at Bradford Crown Court on 4 November.  

He was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape and cleared of the other offences.  

Today (31 March) at Bradford Crown Court, Barker was sentenced to a total of 17 years in prison as well as a four-year extended license period.

He was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Detective Constable Donna Stokes of Bradford Safeguarding Team said:  

“Barker is a predatory man who purposely targeted the most vulnerable children in society to satisfy his own sexual gratification.  

“This has been a lengthy investigation over a number of years with delays due to Covid.  

“I would like to praise the bravery and courage of the victims in reporting the abuse they endured. I hope today’s sentence can give them some comfort in knowing Barker will be behind bars for a long time.  

“Bradford Safeguarding team treats all reports of sexual offences with the upmost care and sensitivity. We take all reports and investigate them thoroughly.” 

Description

A “depraved” sexual predator who raped a woman and secretly filmed others in his Peterborough home has been jailed.

Craig France, 33, targeted young women at nightclubs and plied them with alcohol before taking them to his property where he had set up hidden cameras.

France recorded himself carrying out sexual acts on some of his victims while they were unconscious or sleeping.

He was arrested in September last year and initially denied the crimes, but pleaded guilty to rape, sexual assault, three counts of voyeurism and exposure at a hearing last month.

During the investigation, police identified four victims, but it’s believed there could be more.

France’s offending came to light in August last year after a woman reported he had raped her two years previous, and she was now aware he had filmed it.

The victim had been given a shot of “Sambuca” by France while they were in his garden and the next thing she knew, she woke up in his bed with no recollection of what had happened, but knew something untoward had taken place.

Officers trawled through more than 6,000 disturbing images and videos of several unidentified women, who were secretly filmed at his home between March 2022 and September 2023.

They also found the video which showed the victim being raped by France, while she appeared to be “lifeless”.

It showed France carrying the victim, who was unable to stand, before dropping her in a hot tub and then dragging her on a concrete floor.

A further three victims were identified from the videos and images, who were distraught to learn they had unknowingly been filmed, with one saying she felt France had “taken her dignity” and another saying she felt “disgusted”.

On one occasion, France can be seen sexually assaulting a victim as she lay asleep on his sofa and, on another, he filmed an unsuspecting woman’s body in a sexual manner, close-up.

Officers also found a clip where France was seen naked in daylight at a roadside in the Broxbourne area of Hertfordshire. 

Today (Monday, 31 March), at Cambridge Crown Court, France, of Hammonds Drive, Fengate, Peterborough, was sentenced to 10 years and seven months years in prison. He was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). 

Description

A St Andrews paedophile who shared sick child abuse clips with other perverts was thwarted by a police dog when he tried to hide his phone in his grandfather’s bedroom.

Convicted sex offender Arron Kyle was brought from HMP Perth to Dundee Sheriff Court to admit taking or making and distributing the material.

Description

A MAN who admitted sexually assaulting a 'vulnerable' woman alone in her home has been jailed.

Shahzaib Hassan was also added to the sex offenders register for 10 years after pleading guilty to attacking the victim in Dalrymple.

The 26-year-old was heard to have been previously 'denied responsibility' to social workers - after he admitted pushing his hands between her body and arms and touching her breasts during the incident on December 21, 2023.

An allegation that he also massaged her shoulders and arms, knowing she did not want this to happen, was deleted from the same charge, in a plea deal with prosecutors.

Sentencing was previously deferred for criminal justice social work reports and a risk assessment for Hassan, of High Croft Avenue, Glasgow.

When he returned to court, Sheriff Shirley Foran said she was "concerned of denials" in background reports, with "comments attributed" that were "completely contradictory" to his plea.

The court heard Hassan was "due to be married in his home country". Sheriff Foran added: "I want him to be in this country."

Sentencing had to be deferred again, with the offender then being abroad on the previous calling.

When he returned to court on March 25, his solicitor said: "He had been dreadfully embarrassed in front of social work and spoke stupidly.

"He is positive he was not factually correct [in denying responsibility].

"He accepts this was an offence he did intentionally and no accident.

"He tells me he would adhere to any non-custodial disposal.

"He is embarrassed by his conduct and expressly asked me to convey his apologies to the court as well as the victim."

Sheriff Foran said: "This woman allowed you entry and you attacked her in her home when alone and vulnerable. I see little remorse.

"I consider this predatory behaviour requires to be marked by a custodial sentence."

He was jailed for 36 weeks, discounted from 40 after his guilty plea.

The sheriff added: "You will now be subject to sex offender notification requirements for 10 years."

Description

A rapist who preyed on a young woman during a night out has been jailed after he was caught on CCTV thanks to a detective’s perseverance.

In September last year, Gagandeep Gulati found his victim alone in Leicester’s Jubilee Square.

He approached her and coerced her into going to Castle Gardens, where he raped and sexually assaulted her. He videoed the incident on his phone and sent clips to other people.

An investigation led by detectives from Signal – the force’s specialist rape and serious sexual violence investigation team – began.

Over the course of a week, Detective Constable Matt Smith undertook the painstaking process of trying to find the victim on CCTV. Eventually footage was found showing 20-year-old Gulati’s movements but his identity was still unknown.

When DC Smith visited the accommodation where Gulati was staying to carry out further enquiries, he immediately recognised him from the footage arrested him.

DC Smith worked solidly to review this evidence for the Crown Prosecution Service in order to negate any attempt by the defence to use the CCTV and myths and stereotypes to discredit the victim.

In interview, he tried to claim that he had been sexually assaulted by the victim and that she was the one who raped him. However, he was charged with one count of rape, one count of assault by penetration, one count of sexual assault and one count of sharing an intimate film.

On Friday (28 March), following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, Gulati – formerly of Peacock Lane, Leicester – was found guilty of all offences and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment. He was also placed on the sex offender register for life.

Description

A "depraved" teacher pretended to be a 16-year-old girl online to trick two boys into sending him intimate images of themselves. The boys were left "broken" by Daniel Fuge's "twisted need for control," Mold Crown Court heard.

Fuge, 38, whose parents live in Wrexham, had been working as a primary school teacher in the Middle East. He denied the offences but was convicted by a jury last month. Today [Monday] a judge jailed the "depraved" paedophile for 10 years. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now

He was given a seven year sentence for inciting a boy aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity with penetration, and jailed for a further three years for the same offence without penetration against a second boy. Eric Lamb, prosecuting, told the court Fuge posed as a girl, 16, and encouraged the first boy, 13, to send naked photos of himself.

He then incited the boy to send a video of himself carrying out a sexual act. Police investigated and found someone using the same account had also incited a second boy, 14, to send Fuge naked photos of himself.

Fuge, of Prospect Road, Dorchester, Dorset, was traced as being a primary school teacher working in Saudi Arabia. Fuge's devices, found at his parents' home in Wrexham, contained five indecent images of children in category C.

The court also heard Fuge had been arrested in summer 2022, but later threw himself towards a train in Dorset, after which he was treated for a fractured arm. Today the first victim's father read out a powerful statement to the court.

Addressing Fuge, who was on a video link from HMP Berwyn, he said his son had been "smart, kind and considerate" but fell victim to "feeding (Fuge's) twisted need for control". After Fuge leaked photos on the internet, his son was bullied in school but also intimidated at home - where he should have felt safe - by Fuge's online presence "prowling just out of reach".

The father added: "My wife and I feared our son would commit suicide because of your lurid bearings." But finally the "faceless evil" is over, he said.

"It's your turn to feel ashamed, it's your turn to feel embarrassed, it's your turn to feel fear of what might happen," he said. The mother of the second victim said in a statement, read by the prosecutor, she was worried about her "broken boy".

She was frightened he could take his own life and checked on him every hour. She said she was "so pleased" that both boys "are still here with us". Nevertheless his father felt he had failed to protect his son from the "monster" Fuge.

She added: "You may have stolen their childhood but you won't steal their future." Nicholas Williams, defending, said Fuge had incited the video of the first victim and shared the video with the second victim.

But "someone else" had then taken the second victim's phone, found the video and posted it around the school. The offences had been denied until a jury convicted Fuge, but neither boy had had to give evidence in person, added defence counsel.

Mr Williams admitted it was "worrying" that his client had been a primary school teacher. However there was no link between his crimes and any pupils in the Middle East, he said.

The judge, His Honour Rhys Rowlands, said the "depraved" defendant had deceived both boys. He noted the second boy was told to send more images and threatened in capital letters that images would be shared online if he didn't.

Jailing him he ordered him to sign the sex offender register and be made subject to a sexual harm prevention order both for ten years. There was an indefinite restraining order prohibiting Fuge from contacting his victims and he is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.

Description

A man has been jailed for six years after attacking and sexually assaulting a woman who had been enjoying a night out socialising with friends in Middleton. The victim will also have an indefinite restraining order against her to protect her, and he will be subject to indefinite sex offender notification requirements.

Dewan Gazi (12/07/1980), of Croxdale Walk, Blackley, had previously been found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and one count of section 47 assault at Manchester Crown Court.

Shortly after midnight on Sunday 28 July 2024, the woman was walking home when she was suddenly confronted by Gazi, who grabbed her by the arms and began to touch her over her clothes.

The woman feared for her safety and began to shout for help, as well as punching the offender who continued his attack, including pulling at her shorts.
He then pushed his victim into nearby bushes with a low metal barrier, which she struck and caused her considerable pain.

Around this time, a man and woman in a nearby address heard the commotion and came out to find the man holding his victim on the pavement. After intervening and questioning Gazi, who claimed to be providing help, he ran off and the woman was assisted by the couple.

The man chased Gazi down the street and away from the area, before returning to help.
She was taken to hospital with pain and bruising – as well soreness to her fist where she had punched her attacker.

Following CCTV checks, Gazi’s vehicle was identified as being in the area around the time of the incident, and was later seized by officers as part of their enquiries.

Further CCTV footage showed Gazi working in a takeaway in Middleton, watching his victim walk past, before he ran out to his vehicle and followed her in his car shortly before launching his attack.

He was later arrested and charged with his offences by officers within Rochdale CID.
The man and woman who assisted the victim have since received a bravery award from GMP for their actions, and the judge commended their ‘neighbourhood spirit’ in coming to the victim’s aid and chasing away the attacker.

Description

Charles Andrew Chapman, 61, of Sycamore Road, Barlby, Selby, has today (Thursday 27 March 2025) been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for the non-recent sexual abuse of two girls in the Harrogate area.

• He was found guilty of all 19 offences at York Crown Court on 27 February 2025.
• They happened more than a decade ago and include:
• Rape of a girl under 13
• Assault a girl under 13 by penetration
• Cause or incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity (both penetration and no penetration)
• Cause or incite a girl aged 13-15 to engage in penetrative sexual activity
• Assault a girl under 13 by penetration
• Assault a girl under 13 by touching
• Engage in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15
• Engage in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15
• Engage in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13
• Attempt to engage in sexual activity in the presence of a child aged 13-15

As well as the custodial sentence to which he must serve an additional one-year on licence, Chapman has also been placed on the Register of Sex Offenders for life and been made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Description

A 32-year-old Northampton registered sex offender has been handed a 12-month prison term for his blatant disregard for the conditions placed on him.

In 2021, Said Mohamed was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register (SOR) for five years after he was convicted of the sexual assault of a girl under the age of 13, which took place in 2017.

As part of his SOR requirements, Mohamed must notify the police of any changes to either his name or address within three days.

However, after serving a custodial sentence for a breach of a community order, Mohamed failed to inform Northamptonshire Police of his new address.

On Tuesday, January 7, this year, Mohamed was arrested and subsequently charged with one count of failing to comply with SRO notifications and put before Northampton Magistrates’ Court. His case was committed to the county’s crown court, and he was remanded in custody.

On Monday, March 3, Mohamed, of no fixed address, appeared at Northampton Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment.

At the same hearing, Mohamed was sentenced to a further 20 weeks imprisonment to run concurrently, after pleading guilty to one count of harassment. This was in relation to a breach of a restraining order imposed by Willesden Magistrates’ Court in July 2023.

Lead investigator, Detective Sergeant Will Corlett from the Force’s MOSOVO Team, which closely manage sexual and violent offenders, said: “Said Mohamed is rightly back in prison for his blatant disregard of the conditions imposed on him by the courts.

“These very strict notification requirements were put in place to ultimately protect the public, which Mohamed is expected to abide to. However, his continued refusal to engage with either the police or other agencies, clearly demonstrate that he thinks he is above the law.

“It is our duty to protect the most vulnerable people in our society from people like Mohamed, and we take the management of sex offenders extremely seriously and invest significant time and resources into doing everything we can to keep the public safe.

“We closely monitor sex offenders and their movements, adopting an absolute zero-tolerance approach to situations like this. There is no room for manoeuvre. If a breach is identified, there are no second chances and just like Mohamed – offenders will be sent to prison.”

Description

A 31-year-old man has been given a hospital order after committing a series of sexual offences against women in Bristol.

A trial of facts found Haroon Shahid, from Fishponds, carried out two counts of attempted rape and one sexual assault in the Clifton and Redland areas last year.

Investigating officer Det Con Florence Dickinson praised three victims who she said had each "played an invaluable part in ensuring a dangerous sexual offender is off the streets and unable to commit any further harm".

An additional section 41 restriction means Shahid can only be discharged from hospital if the justice secretary agrees.

Shahid was given a hospital order under section 37 of the Mental Health Act.

His arrest followed work led by Avon and Somerset Police's dedicated rape and serious sexual assault investigation team, Operation Bluestone.

Det Con Dickinson said the three victims had shown "incredible strength and bravery in coming forward to report their experiences", support the investigation and attend court.

"We believe there may be more victims out there who've yet to come forward, as we strongly suspect Shahid was targeting young women in Clifton and Redland during early 2024," she added.

The officer urged anyone affected, or who wanted to speak to police, to call 101 or contact officers online, using the reference number: 5224075576.

The jury at Bristol Crown Court came to a unanimous decision on 19 March following the trial of the facts

The process is held when, based on medical evidence, a court decides a person is unfit to stand trial. A trial of the facts is then held to determine whether the accused has committed the offences alleged.

Description

A man who raped a vulnerable woman in Kettering town centre has been jailed for six years and nine months.

On the evening of October 7 last year, CCTV operators spotted the woman being assaulted in a car park off Commercial Road and alerted Northamptonshire Police.

Officers arrived to find 36-year-old Florin Bogatu standing over the highly distressed victim, and he was arrested on suspicion of rape.

Investigators were able to build a CCTV timeline showing how Bogatu first approached the woman, who he did not know, before following her and then leading her to the car park where he tried to rape her, orally raped her and further sexually assaulted her.

Bogatu, of Trafalgar Road, Kettering, was charged with one count of attempted rape, one count of rape, and one count of assault by penetration.

He went on to enter guilty pleas to all three counts and on Monday, March 24, appeared before Northampton Crown Court for sentencing.

For the oral rape, he was sentenced to six years and nine months’ imprisonment, with a six-year term given for the attempted rape and four years and six months for the assault by penetration, all to be served concurrently.

Bogatu was also placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.

Speaking afterwards, investigating officer Detective Constable Victoria Thomas of SOLAR, the Force’s dedicated rape investigation team, said: “Firstly, I want to commend the bravery and resilience of the survivor, who has shown huge courage in reporting her ordeal and seeing the case through to court.

“Every step of the way, she has been determined to support our investigation and has done everything she can to help to secure this conviction.

“Bogatu deliberately and opportunistically targeted this woman, who was alone and vulnerable, subjecting her to an awful assault.

“Thankfully the CCTV footage gave him no option but to admit his guilt, and I’m really pleased to see him receive a substantial prison sentence.

“Our Force is dedicated to tackling and preventing violence against women and girls, including sexual violence, and we will do all we can to support survivors and bring offenders to justice.”

Description

A 31-year-old man has been sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court today after being convicted of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to arrange / facilitate the commission of child sex offence - rape / assault by penetration of child under 13.

Liam Lewis from Ferndale, Rhondda Cynon Taff, has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. He is also subject of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will have to register as a sex offender indefinitely.