Latest Offenders

Description

A barber who raped two women and shared footage of his victims on social media and with another man has been jailed for 10 years.

Anas Almarjeh, 27, was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow after Judge Lady Hood told him he had taken no responsibility for the crimes or shown "any insight" into the harm caused.

He denied the accusations at trial in October last year but was convicted of two rape charges and one of abusive behavior.

Almarjeh attacked his first victim while she was asleep at a house in Barrhead, Renfrewshire, in late 2019. He also took or recorded a "sexual image" of her, which he showed to a man.

He repeatedly raped and abused his second victim between 2019 and 2022, including being aggressive, name-calling, making threats, locking her out of her home, controlling her movements, contacts, diet, and finances, and taking her money and bank cards.

The woman ended up in tears; Almarjeh filmed her distress and posted it online. The crimes occurred in Glasgow's southside and Barrhead.

Lady Hood said Almarjeh claimed to be the victim of "false allegations" by the women and witnesses.

She added: "The impact statement [for the first woman] has spoken of how your actions affected her health and her ability to work and enjoy life as she did before.

"The second woman described your behaviour in detail. It included you posting footage of her in a distressed state on social media - something which had a destructive impact on her.

"Her mother also spoke of the dramatic change that she saw in her daughter."

Almarjeh was placed on the sex offenders register and given indefinite non-harassment orders banning contact with the victims.

Description

A ‘sexual predator' who groomed two young girls into engaging in sexual activity and sending explicit images before pressuring them to retract their account has been sentenced to nine years and nine months behind bars, he will be placed on the sex offenders register for life and handed an fifteen year Sexual Harm Prevention order following an appearance at Leeds Crown Court today (Monday, 26 January 2026).

In December 2025, Suleman Baig, 40-years-old, of Grimsby pleaded guilty on day two of his trial at Leeds Crown Court to the following offences:

• Three counts of sexual activity with a child
• Two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• Two counts of paying for sexual services of a child
• Two counts of sexual communications with a child
• Two counts of doing an act intending to pervert the course of justice
• Attempting to pay for the sexual services of a child
• Sexual assault
• Making indecent photographs of children
• Possession of prohibited images of children

Baig was first brought to the attention of officers in November 2021 through a third-party report of a concern for the welfare of a young girl. An investigation was launched, and detectives attended the school to speak to the girl where she disclosed a man had been requesting indecent images in return for money and taking part in sexual activity with her. Throughout this discussion the girl had shown officers she had been actively receiving multiple messages at that time from Baig via social media which further highlighted the extent of his fixation. 

Officers attended the home address of Baig the next day and, whilst at first he attempted to hide in his house, officers eventually gained entry, and he was arrested on suspicion of causing a female to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity. 

Whilst detectives were investigating these reports, concerns were raised of a second girl who has reportedly been subjected to sexual abuse from Baig. This resulted in the investigation developing with officers exploring new lines of enquiries which resulted in the second girl being interviewed and providing officers a statement of her account in relation to Baig’s offending.

Baig was originally released on conditional bail whilst evidence was being gathered and within this time, he breached his conditions on two different occasions (22 November 2021 and 26 November 2021) when he visited the home address of one of the girls whilst on bail, eventually sneaking into their home to ask her to pressure her friend to retract her statement. 

Electronics, including a mobile phone, were seized when Baig was first arrested and subsequently examined by our Digital Forensics Unit. The analysis uncovered thousands of text messages, along with explicit images and videos involving the young girls.

Baig was questioned regarding these findings and allegations and further arrested on suspicion of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity during the interview. 

Following Baig’s guilty plea he was released on conditional bail, with one of his conditions being to hand in all travel documents. He attended Grimsby Victoria Police Station on Wednesday, 10 December where he handed in a passport. This was later found to be expired, and it was established that he still had possession of his current travel documents. Baig was rearrested on suspicion of breach of bail conditions, and he was remanded to appear the next day (Thursday, 12 December). Following his appearance, he was remanded into custody until sentencing.

Leading the investigation Philip Shrimpton from our Protecting Vulnerable People unit said:

“I would like to start by commending the bravery of both young girls for reporting the abuse Baig had subjected them to.

“I would also like to thank the many witnesses and friends of the victims who came forward and were willing to stand in court to give statements. 

“Baig was a practising criminal solicitor and yet still committed such abhorrent crimes against these girls.

“It has been a lengthy, and complex investigation, but it is thanks to their courage that he is being held accountable for his despicable sexual deviancy.

“Baig is a manipulative sexual predator who groomed two girls for his own sexual gratification and attempted to pressure them to deny this to the police. 

“Whilst he continued to deny all these allegations up until day two of the trial, making the girls and their families go through all the court proceedings, I am glad he is now behind bars and prevented from causing further harm to others.

“We always treat cases of this nature with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity and would encourage anyone who has been a victim of recent or non-recent sexual abuse, or anyone who believes someone they know is suffering at the hands of a man like Baig, to please tell someone.“

Description

A registered sex offender has been jailed following serious online child-safeguarding offences and breaches of an order imposed after he committed 13 offences.

Rhys Jones, 27, from Bridgwater, was sentenced to an immediate three years in prison when he was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court on Friday 16 January.

He pleaded guilty to six counts of breaching the requirements of the Sex Offenders Register (SOR) by failing to notify police of new accounts, usernames, or email addresses on Snapchat, TikTok and Gmail.

Jones also breached the conditions of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order three times (SHPO) by using file sharing website Dropbox and installing Snapchat on mobile phones, and he also pleaded guilty to making four indecent images of children.

Alongside an immediate custodial term, he has been handed a restraining order to not contact his victim, a girl under 16 who he contacted for sexual gratification, which is in place until 2036. The SHPO is now in place indefinitely.

Jones’ latest offending came to light when officers made an unannounced visit to an address he was staying at to check he was complying with the conditions of the SOR and SHPO on Friday 7 November, which were imposed in August 2025 by Taunton Magistrates’ Court.

Jones was then arrested following mobile phone analysis where the offending was discovered. Officers found his devices were used to breach previous orders and were therefore seized.

These measures were imposed to reflect the gravity of his offending and to ensure longterm safeguarding of the victim and wider public.

Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Paul said: 

“Without the positive joint working of the newly formed Offender Manager Investigation Team, the digital team and CID, we would not have been able to achieve this sentence.

“This case shows the devastating impact online predators can have on vulnerable individuals. The victim showed exceptional bravery throughout this investigation, and this sentence reflects the seriousness of these offences. Our priority will always be the safety of children and young people, both online and offline.

“We want to reassure victims that they will be listened to, believed, and supported. Reporting abuse is incredibly difficult, but nobody must face it alone. If you are worried about your safety, or the safety of a child, please reach out. We have dedicated teams who will act swiftly to protect you, and we were supported in this case by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit.”

Description

A man who stalked a woman he had previously sexually assaulted has been jailed for eight years. 

Michael Davies, aged 60, from Merthyr Tydfil, was given an extended sentenced of eight years and four months in prison after being appearing at Merthyr Crown Court on Friday January 9. He is also subject to an indefinite restraining order and indefinite sexual harm prevent order (SHPO).

This followed a guilty plea to stalking involving fear of violence. 

Over the course of six years Davies sent the victim sinister messages on social media under a woman's name, including him threatening to strip her naked and hit her with a cane. He later revealed his identity as the person who had sexually assaulted her years previously. 

Following her report to the police, Davies was swiftly located and while attending his address, officers caught him in the act of being logged in to the pseudo account he was using online to threaten the victim.

In her victim impact statement, she said:

"He stalked me for six years. Only in 2025 did I realise it was Michael all along. It caused my world to crash down. I am in complete shock and going through the motions to get over it. I'm scared to accept what happened as I'm scared it will wreck my life if I let it.”

PC Rees said:

“Michael Davies conducted a campaign of stalking and harassment against his victim which nobody should have to tolerate.

“He left the victim worried of what he was going to do next, including whether he would turn up at her address.

“Any form of stalking or harassment is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated by police. Anyone who is experiencing this sort of behaviour should report it to us right away.”

Description

A man caught by online paedophile hunters encouraging two "teenage" girls to engage in sexual acts has won his bid to keep unrestricted internet access.

Robbie Smith, 31, faced potential limits on his online activity under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after his 2023 conviction.

But Folkestone Magistrates’ Court ruled such restrictions are not necessary or proportionate.

Smith was arrested in 2022 after evidence showed he encouraged two girls he believed were 13 to engage in sexual acts. The accounts were operated by adult decoys.

He initially denied the charges but later pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to cause or incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

Smith received a nine-month suspended sentence, two years' supervision, and 10 years on the sex offenders’ register.

His legal team opposed the SHPO application by the Crown Prosecution Service and police. SHPOs are civil measures that can restrict internet use, contact with children, or device access to protect the public from sexual harm.

At the January 12 hearing, via video link from his Ashford home, prosecutor Terry Knox said Smith, then 28, believed the girls were 13: "He was 28 at the time. He thought the girls were 13, so it shows you the age difference."

Smith sent one "girl" a message admitting he could get in trouble, then blocked her. For the other, chats referenced school, but he called her "babe" and "gorgeous," discussed masturbation, and said it was natural for her to "play with her privates."

Mr. Knox added: "There are elements of a grooming nature, but then the paedo hunters come forward. The SHPO is needed to protect the public, or to protect children, or vulnerable adults."

Defender Nigel Riley argued an SHPO must be necessary and proportionate: "My client accepts these are serious matters, but an order of this nature being made, well, the court takes each case on its own facts. And on these particular facts, I will persuade you, it’s not necessary to make such an order. They are made in many cases, but not as a matter of routine."

He noted the offenses occurred nearly four years ago (February-April 2022), with no prior or subsequent sexual offenses, no breaches of notification requirements, and that an SHPO "should only be made at the end of a case, not some four years after the offence has been committed."

Mr. Riley said Smith had a psychiatric disorder, unstable personality, depressive disorder, and was socially isolated amid a health scare: "He was socially isolated and on his computer [a lot] and was particularly depressed."

He added: "There were no underage victims; the matter was reported to police by the paedophile hunters, the vigilante group, and there has been no further offending, and four years have gone by. Were he to reoffend, he would be prosecuted and could get custody. He accepted full responsibility and had genuine remorse and embarrassment; he doesn’t need a further order."

Bench chairman Ken Benn said: "We do not think a SHPO is proportionate to issue; the notification requirements are adequate."

He reminded Smith to comply with the register until its 10-year term ends.

Description

A convicted sex offender who sparked a police hunt by repeatedly ignoring strict monitoring rules fled and climbed onto a roof when officers spotted him by chance.

Serial offender Stuart Webster went missing after release from a 10-year prison sentence for rape, prompting a police appeal for his whereabouts.

He had a "very poor record of compliance" with requirements to report regularly, Hull Crown Court heard. Webster, 42, of no fixed address but recently in custody, admitted breaching sex offender notification rules on August 23 and October 10, plus handling stolen goods on October 17.

Prosecutor Hannah Turner said Webster was convicted of rape in May 2015 and jailed for 10 years, with indefinite registration duties. He registered as homeless in Doncaster on July 9, requiring weekly police check-ins, but failed to comply.

Arrested in Doncaster in August for non-registration, he was later listed as wanted for further breaches. On October 17, Beverley police spotted him at the bus station. "Officers saw him and spoke with him," said Miss Turner. "He confirmed his name.

"He began to flee from the officers on foot. He was pursued by officers for some distance and the defendant ended up on the roof of a building – a low sloped roof.

"He dropped a bag that he was carrying with him. He was pursued further by officers and he was seen throwing items into a skip.

"He was detained in the Beverley area. Within the bag that he discarded were bottles of alcohol with the security tags still attached.

"He told officers that they were given to him by a friend, who had stolen them." One of three bottles was broken.

Webster had 76 prior convictions, including failing to register on July 10 and 17. He received a one-year conditional discharge on August 22.

Mitigator Billy Torbett said Webster pleaded guilty, faced prison, and had spent four months in custody. "He knows that this has to be something of a crossroads sentence," said Mr Torbett. "He has either got to sort himself out or he is going to be serving a life sentence in instalments. He is remorseful and he knows that he needs assistance in custody. Regrettably, it's the best place for him at the moment."

Deputy circuit judge Timothy Clayson told Webster: "You have got a very poor record of compliance." Originally from Grimsby, Webster was jailed for 14 months, including two consecutive months for breaching the conditional discharge.

Description

A serial sex offender jailed for life for a savage attack on a university lecturer is back behind bars after changing his name to deceive women into relationships.

Brian Travers received a life sentence and indefinite placement on the sex offenders register for the 2002 assault on the woman in her Edinburgh home. Register conditions required him to notify authorities of name or address changes and bank account details.

Released in 2022, Travers violated these by using the alias "David Quinn" to form romantic relationships with two unsuspecting women. One discovered his true identity via a letter addressed to Brian Travers in his flat; after Googling, she learned of his crimes. Having allowed him time with her young daughter and use of her phone during their six-month relationship, she reported him to police.

Travers, now 52, and accomplice Paul Gargaro were convicted for forcing entry into the lecturer's home, subjecting her to indecent assault, forcing her to reveal her bank PIN, and stealing credit cards, cash, jewelry, and a phone. Travers was identified by DNA after licking her ear while she was bound, blindfolded, and threatened with rape.

Judge Lord Phillip sentenced them to life, calling Travers "a cruel and calculating criminal" and "a danger to women" at the High Court in Edinburgh in July 2002.

Travers also served seven years for punching and undressing a 20-year-old American student in an Edinburgh park in 1997. Two days earlier, he robbed a mother walking with her baby near the Water of Leith, stealing her handbag with bank cards and money.

On January 22 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Travers pleaded guilty to failing to notify authorities of his name change between November 1, 2022, and August 10, 2024, and possessing two unreported bank cards and accounts from June 12, 2022, to August 10, 2024.

Fiscal depute Morgan Beattie noted Travers was on the register for life due to his 1997 and 2002 indecent assaults, and used "David Quinn" or "Quinny" in the relationships post-release.

Defense lawyer Nicola Haston said he failed to inform police due to "laziness" and was recalled on license.

Sheriff Watson stated: "These charges cover a period of 21 months where you used an alias and two years where you used bank accounts you did not register. I was told it was laziness, but it was not lazy to change your name and it was not lazy not to report that. No doubt distress was caused to those who discovered you had conducted yourself under a false name and were unaware of your offending."

Travers received an 18-month sentence, backdated to November 18 of the previous year.

In July 2016, Travers escaped Castle Huntly jail near Dundee during home leave, after bragging about meeting sex workers. Recalled and facing downgraded privileges, he absconded for four days before being found drunk in an Edinburgh pub. He broke his arm during arrest and was sentenced to 16 more months at Perth Sheriff Court in September 2016 for the escape.

Description

A member of security staff who targeted a 14-year-old girl while on duty at a Worcestershire rail station has been jailed, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Aamar Mohammed, 35, and of Shireland Road in Sandwell, was found guilty of two counts of Sexual Assault following a week-long trial.

At Worcester Crown Court on 12 January, a judge sentenced him to three years and eight months in prison.

He was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

On 14 November 2021, Mohammed approached the teenager at Worcester Shrub Hill railway station wearing a high-vis vest and asked where she was travelling to.

He walked her to the platform her train was due to arrive at before heading into an office at the station.

A short while later he asked her into that office as a warm place to go while she waited for her train. And as she approached, he turned the room’s lights off. 

Inside the office Mohammed forced himself upon the teenager and sexually assaulted her.

She managed to get away from him and return to the platform to board her train, and he then emerged from the office and waved at her as the service left the station.

The victim, who suffered bruising from the attack, reported Mohammed’s actions to her family who called the police.

He was arrested the same evening and an extensive investigation led by BTP detectives resulted in multiple charges being brought against him.

Specialist support was provided to the victim throughout the investigation and as the case progressed through courts. 

Mohammed failed to appear for a subsequent court hearing and had to be rearrested at his home address in March 2023.

BTP Detective Constable Tim Friend said:

“Aamar Mohammed used his trusted position as a station security guard to groom a teenage girl and subject her to a deplorable sexual assault. 

“His attack was so forceful that it left the victim with physical injuries, and will no doubt have a lasting impact on her psychologically. It is down to her bravery in reporting him to police, and determination to stick with the process as it progressed through the courts, that we have been able to bring a truly vile man to justice.

“We will stop at nothing to ensure sexual predators like Mohammed are removed from our communities and put behind bars where they belong.”

Description

A man convicted of multiple sexual assaults on London's transport network and beyond exhibited a disturbing pattern of behavior that traumatized victims.

Craig Anderson, 38, targeted women at Bank, Liverpool Street, and Westminster Underground stations, plus Redhill in Surrey, from June to October last year. CCTV showed him pushing through barriers at Bank on June 14, grinning while seeking a lone victim. In one assault, he laughed as his victim screamed and cried.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard he groped a woman on a staircase and, on a Gatwick train, asked another what she'd do if he tried to kiss her—then attempted it despite her warning she'd report him.

Anderson also stalked a woman met on a train, contacting her from eight numbers. In August, he sent her an unsolicited explicit image, later calling it “playful.”

He was convicted of four sexual assault counts and stalking causing serious alarm or distress from June 26 to October 3. From the dock, he shouted: “I can do what I want about girls.”

Prosecutor Ellen Alexander said: “He was deliberately targeting vulnerable women alone on public transport for sexual pleasure. He did not take no for an answer. He walks away smiling and sticking his tongue out. He does not understand the seriousness of what he has done.”

British Transport Police called Anderson a serious danger to women, noting his smirking during questioning and lack of remorse.

The BTP investigating officer said:

“Anderson is a dangerous predator who preyed on women for his own sexual gratification. During his initial questioning he smirked his way through providing no comment responses, highlighting his lack of remorse for his actions. It is thanks to the brave victims who supported this investigation that we have seen him convicted for these heinous crimes. If you experience or witness a sexual offence on-board a train or at a station, I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016. We take all reports seriously, and do everything possible to bring them to justice.”

Description

A Doncaster man who groomed two teenage boys by giving them money in exchange for engaging in sexual activity has been jailed.

An investigation began into Jack Meredith after a victim bravely reported his crimes to police.

He recalled how Meredith had asked him if he "wanted to earn some money", before paying him in exchange for sending indecent images of himself.

Meredith's phone was seized and examined which corroborated the victim's account and led to the identification of another victim.

Once again, Meredith groomed his victim by paying him in return for indecent images.

He also sexually assaulted him multiple times and sexually exploited him, resulting in him being charged with 10 offences.

Meredith, 28, of Kiln Court, pleaded guilty to two counts of inciting a boy aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity in respect of one victim.

He also admitted two counts of the same offence in respect of his other victim, as well as four counts of sexual assault, engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a boy aged 13 to 15 and inciting the sexual exploitation of a child aged 13 to 17.

A further 11 counts of sexual offences were ordered to lie on file.

Meredith was jailed for three years at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday (19 January) and made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

He was also given a 25-year restraining order against his victim and must sign the sex offenders' register for life.

Detective Constable Dani Duncan-Blakley said:

"I want to commend both victims for their bravery in telling us about the horrific sexual abuse they endured.

"Without their courageous testimonies, we wouldn't have been able to secure this criminal justice outcome and I hope this sentences provides some comfort to both of his victims after what must have been a torrid and traumatic experience.

"Please remember that it is never too late to report a sexual offence. If you have been a victim or you know someone who has been a victim of this crime, please know that we are here to listen to you and support you through every step of the process."

Description

A retired Plymouth criminal defence solicitor who sexually assaulted clients at court and in a police station has been jailed for 13 years.

Alan Harris, 72, exploited his professional access as an opportunity to abuse vulnerable young people with complex backgrounds who were desperately dependent on his legal help.

He arrogantly preyed on his victims during private consultations and made them believe that they were powerless to speak out - and that no-one would believe them if they did.

Harris, of Thorn Park, Plymouth, was convicted of 10 sexual offences against seven victims - six male and one female - following a five-week trial at Winchester Crown Court which concluded in early December.

He had denied all the charges.

Harris was today [Wednesday 25 February] sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison at Winchester Crown Court for five sexual assaults and five indecent assaults between 1988 and 2015.

Her Honour Judge Angela Morris told Harris:

There is no greater fall from grace than this.

She said Harris has been a well-respected local solicitor but there was a darker side to his character.

The Judge added Harris had a duty of professional care and responsibility towards vulnerable clients who relied upon and placed their trust in him as their legal advisor.

They were easy targets you were able to exploit for your own sexual gratification, she told him.

The Judge added: You were supposed to be there to help them navigate the criminal justice system, not sexually abuse them in the midst of if.

Judge Morris described Harris offending as a gross breach of trust of the most serious kind.

Senior Investigating Officer Chief Superintendent Roy Linden said:

The sentencing today of Alan Harris shows that nobody is above the law, regardless of their profession or standing.

It was Harris job to represent his clients and ensure they were treated fairly and safely within the criminal justice system.

Instead, he abused his privileged status, his role and the private access afforded to him as an opportunity to sexually assault the victims, making them think nobody would ever believe them.

This has been a protracted and complex investigation involving non-recent sexual offences that date back more than 35 years to the late 1980s.

Alan Harris exploited a position of trust and targeted his victims because of their vulnerabilities, thinking they were powerless to speak out because of their circumstances and their dependence on him professionally.

Today he has been brought to justice due to the tenacity, patience and strength of the victims, and our thoughts remain with them.

The court heard Harris spent his working life as a criminal defence solicitor in Plymouth. He retired in 2016.

The victims were clients of Harris and were all from incredibly traumatic backgrounds who had themselves been charged with or suspected of multiple offences.

Many of them were under the age of 21 and still in their teens when they were abused.

Harris, a defence and duty solicitor, sexually assaulted them during private legal consultations. Their circumstances meant they were powerless to report the abuse at the time.

The majority of the offences took place within the cells at Plymouth Magistrates' Court and in Charles Cross Police Stations custody suite.

Others happened at private homes and in Harris car.

The court heard Harris traded on the victims compromised and vulnerable situation and utter dependence upon him. He used this position to abuse their trust for his own sexual gratification.

Ch Supt Linden added:

All the victims in this case have shown enormous courage in reporting these offences, placing their trust in the criminal justice process and in giving evidence in court.

Devon and Cornwall Police acknowledges that some of Harris offending happened during private legal consultations within the custody suite at Charles Cross Police Station.

It remains a fundamental legal right for a defendant and solicitor to meet and speak in private; it was Harris who exploited this.

As soon as we were made aware of the reports against Harris, we referred these to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and Harris retired shortly after this referral.

Police stations and magistrates courts should be places of safety where criminal offences are dealt with, not facilitated.

It doesnt matter who you are, what your background is or how long ago it happened; if you are a victim of a sexual offence we will listen to you, support you, and investigate what you report to us.

Speaking directly to victims of sexual offences: We would encourage anyone who has been in this situation to come forward, and we will review each case on its own merits to determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed.

Description

A sleeping young woman "freaked out" in horror when she awoke to find a drunken man sexually assaulting her. In panic, she asked what he was doing and told him to leave.

She later felt "devastated" upon discovering a video of him joking about the incident, leaving her life "turned upside down," Hull Crown Court heard.

Joshua McBride, 21, admitted causing a person to engage in sexual activity during the Hull incident on September 15, 2024. The case was set for trial in November after he initially denied it and elected jury trial.

Prosecutor Hannah Turner said McBride tried kissing the woman at a property in the early hours, but she pushed him away. She fell asleep, then woke to pain in her mouth, finding his fingers prying her jaw open while he controlled her hand on his body.

"As soon as she realised what was happening, she freaked out," said Miss Turner. The woman asked: "What the f*** are you doing?" and leapt up, demanding he leave. Another person helped remove him, and she reported the assault.

The victim said her life was "turned upside down," fearing his return, suffering panic attacks, massive mental health deterioration, fatigue, and needing medication. It affected her family. She saw the video and felt McBride was "very dismissive," adding: "I feel I have been violated."

In a later statement, she noted improvement, reduced panic attacks, completed therapy, but still became tearful recalling it.

Defense lawyer Rachel Scott said McBride had no prior convictions: "This is the first time that he has ever been in trouble with the police and I can confidently say that it will be the last." He was immature then but now showed maturity and reflection. He had little memory, pleaded guilty late, and apologized.

McBride said: "I would never want to seek to make an excuse for what I did. I feel deep shame and regret for the mistake I made." Miss Scott clarified: "This wasn't a mistake. This was criminal behaviour." It gave him "the shock of his life," and he never wanted to repeat it.

McBride was involved in two football teams (on the board for one, handling finances), a cricket team, volunteered at events, and worked in a council's transport department.

Recorder Andrew Dallas noted McBride's "belated remorse," claiming until trial morning: "That's not the sort of thing I would do." He was "eight out of 10 drunk" during the "very serious sexual assault." "You knew that she was drunk and was not in any position to consent," said Recorder Dallas. He fought the case until the victim was "poised to give evidence and suffering anxiety and stress. She was devastated... and it has had profound consequences for her. You should be utterly ashamed of yourself."

McBride, of Manor Rise, Reepham, near Lincoln, received an eight-month suspended prison sentence, 180 hours' unpaid work, 15 days' rehabilitation, £1,630 costs, a 10-year restraining order, and must register as a sex offender for 10 years.

Description

A sex offender who groomed children over Snapchat and encouraged them to share indecent images has been jailed for ten years.

Jordan Longhurst, 27-years-old from Osborn Road, Fareham, was arrested on Monday 10 October 2022 after reports that linked him to uploading indecent images of children to the internet.

Following his arrest, investigators examined Longhurst’s mobile phone and discovered indecent images of children on his device. Officers also found evidence that Longhurst was communicating sexually with children online, inciting them to carry out sexual acts and screen recording them. He was then arrested again on Saturday 9 November 2024 after accessing indecent images of children online.

He was subsequently charged with the following offences, which he pled not guilty to at Portsmouth Crown Court Monday 24 March 2025. Longhurst failed to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday 17 November 2025 and was subsequently arrested. He then changed his pleas to guilty in relation to the following offences and was remanded into custody prior to sentencing:

• 10 counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity on Thursday 7 July 2022, Saturday 6 August 2022 (two counts), Sunday 7 August 2022, Sunday 4 September 2022, Sunday 2 October 2022, Monday 3 October 2022 (three counts), and between Monday 3 October and Thursday 6 October 2022
• Attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity on Sunday 7 August 2022
• Making 138 Category A still and moving indecent photographs of children between Sunday 27 April 2014 and Monday 10 October 2022
• Making 5 Category A indecent photographs of children between Saturday 26 October 2024 and Saturday 9 November 2024
• Making 93 Category B still and moving indecent photographs of children between Sunday 27 April 2014 and Monday 10 October 2022
• Making 13 Category B still and moving indecent photographs of children between Saturday 26 October 2024 and Friday 8 November 2024
• Making 117 Category C still and moving indecent photographs of children between Sunday 27 April 2014 and Monday 10 October 2022
• Making 22 Category C indecent photographs of children between Saturday 26 October 2024 and Tuesday 29 October 2024
• Failing without reasonable cause to surrender at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday 17 November 2025

Appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 23 January 2026 Longhurst was jailed for ten years. He was also ordered to sign on to the Sex Offenders Register for an indefinite period and handed a fifteen year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

PC Sarah Tickner, from the Internet Child Abuse Team (ICAT), said:

“The extent of Longhurst’s offending is deeply shocking. He persistently targeted young children online and encouraged them share sexual videos and imagery with him.

“Longhurst groomed and exploited these children for his own perverse gratification, and it is clear he poses a serious risk to children.

“I hope his sentence today encourages victims to come forward and feel confident that they will be listened to, supported, and that offenders who perpetrate crimes of this nature will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice.” 

Description

A man has been sentenced to 10 years, with an extension period of six years, after he was convicted of a rape and an attempt to rape.

Yusuf Nur, aged 47, of Cardiff, pleaded guilty to the two offences on September 15, 2025 and was today (January 23) sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court.

The court heard how, on August 17, at around 5.20am, the 19-year-old victim flagged down officers on patrol and reported the rape that had just occurred on Kingsway, in the city centre.

Nur was swiftly located, arrested and charged. Despite initially denying any contact, the extensive work carried out by officers including forensic and CCTV review, Nur then changed his plea to guilty.

Investigating officer DC Liberty Knox said:

“The bravery it takes to come forward and reporting an offence like this not to be underestimated, and I hope knowing Nur has been held accountable helps the healing journey to come for the victim.

“An extensive amount of work went into this investigation which in turn made Nur plead guilty. I would like to thank all the officers who supported this investigation and ensured Nur was held accountable for his actions.”

Description

A man has been sentenced after admitting a number of sexual offences against children.

Jonathan Goss, aged 51 from Harrow, Middlesex, was arrested in June 2022 after investigators from the National Crime Agency linked him to activity on a website known to be associated to child sexual abuse material.

Officers identified two online accounts - “jbaabaa99’ and ‘hard4girls’ – who were actively discussing the sexual abuse of young girls with others on the site, and were able to link these to Goss.

Following his arrest, a number of electronic devices were seized and officers found images of female children. Some were in swimming costumes and others were talking to friends but all seemingly had no knowledge they were being photographed.

These girls, who were aged between six and 14, were later identified and had safeguarding measures put in place for them.

Goss was arrested for the additional offences of making and possessing indecent images of children, and officers subsequently found a number of images – including the most severe category A images – on a laptop and mobile phone.

On 1 April last year he pleaded guilty at Willesden Crown Court to sexual communication with a child, arranging a child sexual offence, possession of over 200 indecent images of children and publishing an obscene article.

At Harrow Crown Court today (19 January) Goss was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. He was also given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Holly Triggs, from the National Crime Agency, said:

“The evidence we obtained showed Jonathan Goss has a sexual interest in children and went to great lengths to obtain this material online.

“He took photos of young children without their knowledge and collected some of the most severe child abuse images, keeping them in specific folders on his devices.

“The sentence handed down today should be a reminder to anyone that you can’t hide behind online usernames. The NCA will identify you and bring you to justice, and ensure children are safeguarded from harm.”