Latest Offenders

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A CONVICTED Shropshire paedophile has been jailed after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a child.

Kieran Bowers, 27, was jailed for six years at Shrewsbury Crown Court last week.

The crimes of the former Ellesmere man, now of Avondale Drive, Shrewsbury, came to light when a friend of his victim confronted him on WhatsApp.

Bowers was sentenced for four counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, as well as two counts of sexual communication with a child, and two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

The offences took place between July 2022 and April 2023.

He had separately admitted four charges of breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), after being found in possession of internet devices which he had not told police about.

Three charges of making indecent photographs of children were left on file.

Judge Anthony Lowe, sitting at Shrewsbury Crown Court last Friday, August 8, jailed Bowers for five years for the matters he was found guilty of at trial.

He added another 12 months in prison for breaching the SHPO imposed following the 2017 custodial sentence.  

Bowers is subject to the SHPO indefinitely and had also been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for the rest of his life following the Truro Crown Court case. Both orders remain in place.

He was told he must also pay a £228 surcharge upon his release.

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Child rapist Andrew Sidaway has been handed an extended jail sentence of 25 years. The 59-year-old raped his young victim on numerous occasions.

But she came forward and contacted the police in 2021. Sidaway, of Maclagan Street, Stoke, denied all the allegations but was convicted of five charges of raping a child under 13 after a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court in May. He was cleared of assaulting a child under 13 by penetration.

Prosecutor Jamie Scott said there was no evidence that Sidaway had abused other children. But he added the defendant exchanged messages with an undercover police officer which indicated a sexual interest in children.

The court heard Sidaway has previous convictions for downloading and viewing thousands of indecent images of children and breaching the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register.

Rashad Mohammed, mitigating, said Sidaway recognises he has 'lost the best of his last years'. He is now in prison which has been a shock for him. Mr Mohammed said: "He maintains his innocence and denies he has done any wrongdoing."

He said Sidaway's mum is aged 79 and he will not be able to provide assistance for her. Mr Mohammed asked Judge Sally Hancox to pass a determinate sentence so Sidaway has a release date to work towards.

But Judge Hancox sentenced Sidaway to a 25 year extended sentence which is made up of 21 years custody and an extended licence period of four years. Judge Hancox said: "The serious sexual offending you perpetrated on your victim has impacted her through childhood and into adulthood. What you did to her will always be part of her.

"You are now entirely alone. Worryingly the pre-sentence report contains continued denials of your sexual wrongdoing.

"I am satisfied you do provide a risk. A determinate sentence would not fully address the risk you possess. I find it necessary to pass an extended sentence to protect the public in the future."

Sidaway must serve two thirds of the custodial term (14 years) with the rest on licence. He was made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and placed on the sex offenders' register for life.

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A dangerous predator has been jailed after engaging in sexual communications with someone he believed was a child.

Alfred Liddle, 32, is now behind bars after being sentenced by a Judge following a complex police operation by officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) and Northumbria Police’s MOSOVO Safeguarding teams.

Liddle, of no fixed abode, believed he was talking to a 14-year-old girl online and persisted in sending her sexually explicit messages and images of himself.

What Liddle didn’t know was that he was actually speaking to a NEROCU police officer.

During the investigation, it was revealed Liddle already had a Sex Offender Notification and Sexual Harm Prevention Order against him and had breached both.

Officers arrested Liddle in April and he was subsequently charged with Engage in sexual communication with a child, Incite a child in sexual activity, Send photograph or film of genitals to a child, Breach of Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Breach of Sex Offender Notification Requirements.

Liddle appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on June 10 and pleaded guilty to all charges.

Today (Monday), he appeared before the same court and was sentenced to five years and three months in prison, with an extended licence period of a further two years and nine months.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Lee Robertson, said:

“This case has resulted in a repeat sexual predator behind bars, and I want to thank all those who worked to ensure this outcome.

“Liddle thought he could keep offending without consequences but he has learned that our officers will not stop in their pursuit of abusers.

“Under Operation Sentinel, our regional approach to tacking serious and organised crime, we will continue to investigate these online offences to safeguard children and protect the public.” 

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Detectives have praised the strength of a rape survivor for helping lock up the man who abused her.

The woman was subjected to a series of terrifying ordeals at the hands of Ashley Chambers last December.

She was raped by Chambers at a Nottinghamshire address on two separate occasions during the month.

The 38-year-old then attacked the same woman again – this time threatening her with knives and a pair of scissors.

This escalated to the extent that Chambers’ victim lost consciousness when he decided to assault and then strangle her.

She eventually regained consciousness and managed to escape the address by jumping out a window, before going to seek help.

The police were then notified, with officers arriving at the address soon after and leading Chambers away in handcuffs.  

Based on the victim’s brave decision to disclose what happened to her, a series of charges were brought against Chambers.

He went on to plead guilty to two counts of rape, intentional strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and threatening a person with an offensive weapon.

Appearing before Nottingham Crown Court on Friday (8 August), Chambers, of Ilkeston Road, Stapleford, was jailed for 12 years.

He was also made subject of an indefinite restraining order, banning him from having any contact with the victim.

Detective Constable Jessica Ratcliffe, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“I’d like to firstly praise the victim in this case, whose brave decision to share her experiences helped put Ashley Chambers behind bars.

“After going through such a horrific ordeal, she deserves so much credit for doing what she’s done since then.

“In stark contrast to her strength, Chambers showed himself to be a complete coward, with his despicable behaviour rightly seeing him sent to prison.

“While no amount of time will ever make up for the pain he caused, we were really pleased to see the judge impose such a significant sentence, which we hope will provide the victim with some small degree of comfort.”

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A paedophile who denied his crimes has had his punishment altered after being deemed unsuitable for programme work.

Steven Stronach, who had no legal representation on Thursday when his case called at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, stood silently in the dock as he was given new instructions on what he was required to do following his conviction earlier this year.

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A sex offender with a ‘blatant disregard’ for the law has been jailed for more than three years after breaching his court order.

Simon Smith, 35, of Crown Street West, Lowestoft, was sentenced to 40 months in prison at Ipswich Crown Court today after pleading guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and failing to comply with notification requirements on two occasions.

Smith was issued the SHPO in March 2022 for three offences of making indecent images of a child and possessing extreme pornographic images.

He was arrested in April this year after failing to attend a police station as required under the order.

In addition to breaching the SHPO, Smith also pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent images of children, possession of amphetamines and failing to attend court as soon as practicable.

Ali Barham, public protection manager, said: “Smith has been evading capture by police since May 2025.

“It is clear from our investigations and his actions that he was extremely difficult to manage in the community as he was not complying with his requirements and committing further offences, with the risk to the public escalating. Smith is also a known drug user and this added further cause for concern.

“A search of his property in Crown Street West located a laptop and a Samsung phone not known to police.

“This is a very positive sentence which will come as welcome news to local residents and the wider community.

“A clear and blatant disregard has been demonstrated by Smith with regards to his sexual harm prevention order as this order was put in place by the judicial system to protect the public from predators like him.”

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A Derby rapist carried out a “brutal” sex attack on a woman he’d only just met in some bushes in Chaddesden.

Derby Crown Court heard how Michael James’ victim repeatedly screamed for him to stop but gave up knowing he was twice her size and “it would only make things worse”.

The 25-year-old, of Chaddesden, then lied to the police claiming what happened was consensual before making the woman relive her ordeal giving evidence at a trial.

In a statement the victim said she could not look at herself in the mirror and blamed herself at first for what happened. Handing the defendant a 13-year jail term, Recorder Richard Paige said: “This was a brutal rape and despite what happened she was brave enough to go straight to the police to report it.

“You have not shown an ounce of remorse that your actions have had on the victim. (That night) you exchanged messages on Snapchat and then Facetime then agreed to meet up.

"You did meet in Scarborough Rise and she looked for a bench so you could share a cannabis joint.

“You have not shown an ounce of remorse that your actions have had on the victim. (That night) you exchanged messages on Snapchat and then Facetime then agreed to meet up.

"You did meet in Scarborough Rise and she looked for a bench so you could share a cannabis joint.

“There wasn’t one, she says you dragged her into some bushes, you say she went voluntarily and I give you the benefit of the doubt.

"While in the bushes you shared a joint and she described herself as being ‘very stoned, sleepy and drowsy’. You wanted more and she didn’t want more and told you ‘no’ but you told her words to the effect of ‘I am doing this’.

“She shouted at you to stop and get off her, she tried to get away but you stopped her. She said she gave up trying to stop you knowing if she fought back it would get worse. She is petite, it is no exaggeration to say you are twice her size.

“She says she will never get over what you did to her that night. It is likely to stay with her for the rest of her life and it is only her bravery and the work of police officers who should be commended which has seen this happen.

She has suffered severe psychological harm, more than two-and-a-half years later she still suffers flashbacks.”

Caroline Bradley prosecuting, said the rapes happened in Chaddesden in September, 2022. She read out a victim impact statement made by the woman, who bravely attended court to see her sex attacker jailed.

She said: "She did not sleep or eat for weeks and stopped looking after herself. She said she could not look at herself in the mirror and felt dirty. She said she did not want to live and she described a horrible feeling that will not leave her alone.

“She said ‘I will always be reminded of it and this will affect me for the rest of my life. I have this voice in my head telling me I am not good enough for anybody and I will never be loved’.

“She said ‘I blame myself but I am starting to learn it is not my fault’.”

James, of Meath Avenue, denied doing anything wrong. But having heard all of the evidence, a jury unanimously found him guilty of two counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of assault by penetration.

Rebecca Coleman, mitigating, said her client was born in in the USA and moved to the UK as a child but was then taken to Tunisia where he “suffered physical and sexual abuse” before coming back to England.

She said: “He still suffers flashbacks from this childhood trauma and used cocaine and cannabis as a way of blocking this out.

“In terms of the offence, you can see in the pre-sentence report he maintains his innocence but says he is ‘sorry from the bottom of my heart that I made someone feel hurt’.

"He has no previous convictions for any serious or sexual offences.”

As well as the jail sentence, the judge placed the defendant on the sex offender register for life. The 13-year term is made up of 10 years custody plus a three-year extended licence.

It means he will not be eligible to apply for parole until two-third of the way through the 10 year custodial stretch.

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A man has been jailed for seven years for non-recent sexual offences against three women.

In 2022, our Child Abuse, Trafficking and Exploitation Team launched an investigation into 67-year-old Graham Cockerill of Elwy Circle, Ash Green, Coventry.

Cockerill was reported to have sexually assaulted three women. The first victim, (then under 13), reported assaults by Cockerill taking place in the Coventry area between 2016 – 2022. Another victim made themselves known to investigators and reported offences by Cockerill throughout the 1970s, between the ages of nine and 14, in the Meriden area.

Through the course of the investigation, a further victim was identified who was aged in her 40s at the time. She sadly passed away in 1995 and had never reported the offences to police.

In June, following a trial at Warwick Crown Court, Cockerill was found guilty of:

• Three counts of sexual assault on a girl under 13 by touching
• Two counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14
• One count of indecent assault of a female over 16 years of age

On Tuesday last week (5 August), he was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment at Warwick Crown Court. He was also given a 10-year restraining order for one of the victims, a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will also be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Det Con James Manders, formerly of our CATE team, commented:

“This case demonstrates that in certain circumstances, a victim need not necessarily even be alive for us to obtain a conviction.

“Despite 30 years having passed since her death, and having never reported the crime to the police, we worked tirelessly to gather evidence to ensure we could bring Cockerill to justice. Thankfully, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided to progress with this case thanks to statements from living witnesses about the victim and the offender disclosing details of the crime to them.

“I’d like to thank the CPS lawyer who decided to authorise this charge and allow a jury to make up their minds about Cockerill’s guilt.

“The victims and witnesses in this case are amongst the most extraordinary people I have had the pleasure of knowing during my policing career. They showed great strength and courage throughout the process. As always, the service we provide to victims will always be at the forefront of any investigation, whether living or deceased.”

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Hassan Mahmood, a 23-year-old convicted child sex offender, fled the UK from Manchester Airport to Pakistan via Doha, Qatar, on the second day of his trial.

A warrant for his arrest was issued after he was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison in his absence by Manchester Crown Court on August 7, 2025. Greater Manchester Police have released his mugshot to aid in tracking him down.

Mahmood, formerly of Gigg Lane in Bury, was convicted last month of sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl, causing her to watch sexual activity, engaging in sexual activity in her presence, and sexual communication with her. The court heard he knew her age, having started an online relationship with her in January 2022, which became sexualized by February. He sent explicit images and videos, and during one FaceTime call, he performed a sex act. They met three times in person, including an incident in an Openshaw park where he persuaded her to perform a sex act, and other occasions involving kissing and hugging in his father’s car.

Mahmood, who had no prior convictions, became “obsessed” with the girl, declaring his love for her. After her mother discovered their Snapchat messages in May 2022, police were alerted. Following his arrest, Mahmood sent the girl an abusive letter telling her to kill herself for “snitching,” intended to intimidate her, though she was not deterred. The court noted his exploitation of her willingness to communicate for his sexual gratification.

Judge John Potter, sentencing, noted Mahmood’s absence and mental health difficulties raised by the defense. He indicated potential further proceedings for Mahmood’s flight from justice, with the arrest warrant remaining active as his exact whereabouts in Pakistan are unknown.

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A "manipulative" man who subjected a woman to years of coercive control and multiple rapes has been jailed for 13 years.  

Danny Foley, who was previously convicted in April of three counts of rape, one count of non-fatal strangulation, and one count of perverting the course of justice, was described by Mr Recorder Jeremy Benson as a dangerous offender who is a serious risk to the public.

Foley, of Church Road, Bulmer also pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour over a five-year period against the victim.

The court heard harrowing details of the abuse, including how Foley returned home drunk in the early hours and violently raped the victim while her young child was asleep in the house.

On another occasion, the 35-year-old threatened to kill himself with a knife unless the victim agreed to have sex with him.

“You are a manipulative individual,” said Mr Recorder Benson. “There was additional degradation and humiliation involved."

In one incident, Foley forced the victim to write a letter downplaying his actions before she went to the police, and encouraged her to maintain contact with him while he was on remand.

The court also heard that Foley has a history of violence, including a 2020 battery offence against a previous partner, and a suspended sentence in 2022 for coercive and controlling behaviour towards another former partner.

Despite having the opportunity to engage with probation officers to assist the court with a pre-sentence report on his risk to the public, Foley refused to cooperate.

“That is an example of the way in which you attempt to manipulate things,” said the judge.

Foley was handed a 13-year custodial sentence with a four-year extended licence period, meaning he could be recalled to prison after release if he poses a further risk.

He was also made subject to a restraining order until further notice and ordered to pay a £228 victim surcharge.

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A child sexual predator has been jailed – despite his efforts to evade being caught.

Barry Williams, 60, is now behind bars after engaging in inappropriate communications with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl.

The sentencing follows a complex police operation by officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU).

In February 2024, Williams was speaking to the ‘child’ online and persisted to send her explicit messages and requests for indecent images and videos.

However, Williams was actually speaking to a police officer who was quickly closing in through their investigation.

Officers witnessed Williams attempt to evade being caught by changing platforms and creating new profiles to try and hide his true identity.

Police seized and searched Williams electronic devices where they found truly horrific Category A, B and C indecent images and videos – with hundreds of child victims featured.

As a final step to manage the impending outcome, Williams legally tried to change his name to Colin Brown before charges were filed however, police acted quickly, and he was subsequently charged with Attempt to Engage in Sexual Communication with a Child, Attempt to Cause/Incite a Child to Engage in Sexual Activity, three counts of Possess Indecent Images of Children, Possess Prohibited Images of a Child and Possess Extreme Pornographic Images. 

Williams, of Ferryhill, appeared at Durham Crown Court on July 7, where he pleaded guilty to all charges.

Today (August 8), he appeared before the same court and was sentenced to 18 months in prison and a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Adam Abram, said:

“Williams made his vile desires very clear and despite the fact he tried to evade capture and tried to dodge the full consequences by changing his name, the overwhelming evidence collated by officers secured this sentence and ensured a dangerous predator is off the streets.

“Under Operation Sentinel, our regional approach to tacking serious and organised crime, we will continue to investigate these online offences to safeguard children and protect the public.

“We would urge anyone who has been a victim of this type of offending, or has concerns about someone’s behaviour, to come forward and talk to police.”

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A paedophile who sent sexual messages to someone he believed to be a 12-year-old girl is on the run after his sons helped him escape the country. 

Gualberto Santos, a 58-year-old previously living in Poplar, east London, was on trial for child sex offences in late 2023 after he was caught messaging a decoy account run by paedophile hunters. 

Sensing the trial was not going his way, Santos left the country on a coach to France from Victoria Coach Station – assisted by his sons who bought the ticket and packed his bag for him. 

The sex offender was found guilty in his absence but remains on the run, most likely in Portugal, with a four-year prison sentence hanging over his head if police catch up with him. 

On Friday, August 8, his sons – Anthony Sousa, 32, of Sutton Street, Shadwell, and Jorge Sandoval, 29, of New Cross Road in south east London – walked free with suspended prison sentences for perverting the course of justice. Both had been held in custody between conviction and sentence.

'Out of love for their father'

In November 2022, Santos was arrested after he sent sexual messages to somebody he believed to be a 12-year-old girl and attempted to meet her. 

He denied the offences and went on trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in October 2023. 

Realising that a guilty verdict was imminent, Santos decided to flee the country on October 31 and enlisted the help of his sons. 

Sousa assisted by buying the ticket to France, then both brothers met their dad at Victoria to see him off – Sandoval bringing a rucksack for him. 

Prosecutor Jonathan Wright said Santos has still not returned to the country to face justice. 

“There has been no return of Santos Snr and I see no evidence of efforts by the family to request and persuade him to come back to the country, on that there is complete silence,” Mr Wright said. 

Abigail Penny, defending Sousa, said the family have tried to convince Santos to return to the UK. 

She said: “I’ve been told that Mr Sousa’s mother has implored her husband to return to the country, and the very fact that he’s chosen not to even though two of his sons are in custody shows the kind of man he is. 

“These offences were clearly committed out of love for their father.” 

Judge Ross Cohen said he accepted that the brothers had acted out of loyalty to their dad. 

“I accept that you are both remorseful and were let down terribly by your father,” he said. 

The pair were each sentenced to 20 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. 

The brothers will each have to complete 80 hours of unpaid work. 

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Following a four-week trial in July this year, a man has been sentenced to 14 years – 11 of those in prison, of which he must serve two-thirds, with a further three on extended license, at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday 7 August 2025.

He is also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining orders for all victims and their families.

Umair Iqbal (28/11/1987), of Lecester Road, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, a private Quran and maths tutor was found guilty of 29 out of 30 counts of sexual assault against five children and adults aged eight - 18 years of age. The offences, including sexual assault of a child, took place over a ten-year period between 2010 - 2020 when Iqbal regularly attended the homes of the young women and girls to conduct his scheduled lessons.

Primary inquiries into Mr Iqbal began in October 2020 when the first account of sexual abuse was reported to GMP by a victim who was 15 years old at the time.

After years of believing the abuse was a fault of her own, the victim found the courage to inform her family and then the police.

A subsequent investigation into Mr Iqbal’s actions by Rochdale’s multi-agency safeguarding team, known then as the sunrise team, soon revealed the extent of his abusive behaviour, unearthing a further four victims, including a victim who had been abused from the age of eight years old.

Rochdale’s Detective Constable Alex Dodd who lead the case said:

Rochdale’s Detective Constable Alex Dodd who lead the case said: “All five victims were young Muslim girls from good families, abused by a person in a position of trust and silenced through fear of getting in trouble or being blamed for the abuse. Iqbal befriended families and used the good reputation of a community to hide behind his sordid sexual agenda.

"Securing justice for these victims is a positive outcome for Rochdale’s complex safeguarding team. The multi-agency work we do in Rochdale is a collaborative force for good.

"It involves GMP officers, children’s services, youth workers, social workers, health professionals, housing officers and public protection services, all working together to investigate child sexual exploitation (CSE), safeguard victims, uncover the truth and bring offenders to justice.

"I would like to recognise and thank all five victims and their families for their determination during the lengthy investigation and four-week trial, which was a distressing process for them.

"We encourage anyone who feels they may have been subjected to Mr Iqbal’s behaviour to come forward and report it on 101 quoting ‘Operation Ganister.’"

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A registered sex offender has been jailed after uploading hundreds of indecent images of children to the internet.

Mark Davies, 36, (pictured) used social media platforms Snapchat and Discord to upload the images.

The offences were committed after Davies had recently been released from prison for the sexual assault of a child.

Lancashire Police officers first arrested Davies and seized his mobile phone in Skelmersdale in July 2024, as part of an investigation into possessing indecent images, after which he was promptly recalled to prison.

Whilst under investigation for this offence, police identified that further accounts linked to Davies had uploaded indecent images of children - when on police bail in July 2024 and shortly after release in May 2025.

Davies was arrested again by officers from Lancashire’s South Internet Child Exploitation team, who obtained the evidence needed to remand Davies into custody.

Davies, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to six offences of making indecent images of children and one offence of possession of extreme pornographic images.

Appearing at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday (6th August), Davies was jailed for 22 months, given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and made subject of sex offender notification requirements for 10 years.

Det Con Pippa Jackson, of our South Internet Child Exploitation team, said:

“I welcome the prison sentence which has been imposed on Mark Davies for his abhorrent behaviour.
“Davies poses a serious risk to the public with his offending and the investigation by our team has prevented this man from committing further offences.”

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A man who raped a woman as she slept has been sentenced to five years and ten months behind bars, given a ten-year restraining order, and will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life following his appearance at Grimsby Crown Court today (Thursday, 7 August).

Craig Hillman, 36-years-old, of Dovedale Road in Scunthorpe was charged with rape in October last year, and pleaded guilty at a hearing at Grimsby Crown Court on Monday, 7 July. 

Detective Constable Rebecca McInnis from our Protecting Vulnerable People Unit said:

“Coming forward and reporting offences of such nature is not easy, and I commend the woman for the bravery and strength she has shown in coming forward, ultimately helping to take a sexual predator like Hillman off our streets.

“Hillman preyed on the woman and raped her as she slept, and this ordeal will undoubtedly stay with her for the rest of her life, and no amount of justice will take away the trauma Hillman has inflicted.

“We take all reports of rape and other sexual offences extremely seriously and we will continue to seek justice for those who have suffered at the hands of predators like Hillman.

“Our specialist trained officers work closely with partnering agencies across the region to support victims and survivors, as well as working hard to prevent further incidents by putting perpetrators before the courts.

“When you are ready, we encourage you to tell someone. Tell a trusted adult or friend, reach out to specialist support agencies and tell us. We will always do everything we can to hold those accountable for such vile crimes."