Latest Offenders

Description

A RAPIST who attacked a young woman trying to help him on a bridge in Warrington has been jailed.

Rhys Fowler, of Grangemoor in Runcorn, hung his head as he sat in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday.

Wearing a grey t-shirt and glasses, the 26-year-old only occasionally looked up to glance at proceedings and the public gallery.

Prosecuting, Frances Willmott told the court that Fowler was found guilty of two counts of rape following his trial in June.

It was heard that in 2017, the then 17-year-old was drunk when he committed the first rape.

His victim told him that she didn’t want to perform an intimate act with him when he told her ‘tough s**t’ and raped her.

The court heard how his victim was pinned down by him as she tried to push him away before he stopped.

Then, on October 15, 2018, Fowler was on a bridge in Warrington when he threatened to commit suicide.

A woman tried to assist Fowler, who had climbed over the bridge and told her not to touch him.

After 10 minutes, the then 19-year-old climbed back before he demanded she give him her hoodie.

Fowler told the young woman she could only have it back if she performed oral sex on him, which she refused.

The victim, who was also a teenager, gave him the hoodie but wasn’t wearing a t-shirt, so was left standing half naked on the bridge before he then proceeded to rape her.

Fowler was later arrested in 2023 after he distributed an indecent image of a child and was found with further indecent images and extreme pornography on his mobile phone.

This included one category A video, 18 category C images and one video, three extreme pornographic images and evidence of 17 prohibited images. These images included children aged between five to 15 years old.

Some images were not accessible to police upon investigation, as Fowler has been attempting to delete them and wipe his phone shortly before his arrest.

Fowler pleaded guilty to distributing, making and possessing indecent images of children, but denied the two counts of rape.

At his trial, Fowler continued to deny the charges but was later found guilty by a jury.

On Friday, the 26-year-old appeared before Liverpool Crown Court once again for his sentencing.

Bravely, an impact statement was read to the court by a victim.

“For a long time, I was angry at myself and felt like I’d let myself down,” she told the court.

“I felt who I had been was stolen from me. I constantly felt dirty and unclean.

“It’s been hard to build a life as normal girls my age have done. I now, as a woman, feel as if that has been taken from me.

“It happened to me, it will never go away.”

Defending, Philip Clemo began by speaking openly to the court that he did not seek to dimmish what a victim had bravely told the court.

He told the court that Fowler displays a level of immaturity, even aged 26, and so his immaturity as a teenager when he committed these offences should be taken into account.

It was also heard that Fowler has been seeking therapy and employment while on remand in custody.

“He is using what is about to happen to him as an opportunity to better himself and come out a better man than when he went in,” said Mr Clemo.

Judge Gary Woodhall spoke of the ‘degradation’ of Fowler’s victim on the bridge in Warrington, and the fact that the victim of the first rape ‘didn’t have time to react’.

It was also noted by Judge Woodhall that Fowler was deemed ‘immature’ at 26, and that therefore he would have been even more so when he committed the offences.

Fowler glanced at the floor as he stood in the dock and was sentenced to a total of six years and five months immediate imprisonment.

The 26-year-old must abide by a sexual harm prevention order until further notice and sign the sex offenders register for life.

Description

A man has been jailed for sexually abusing a child in Warrington.

Odday El-Saddi appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday 7 July, where he was sentenced to 17 years in prison and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

The 48-year-old of Regency Square, Warrington, was earlier found guilty of 15 counts of sexual offences, including sexual assault of a child under 13, and rape of a child under 13.

The jury heard how El-Saddi had started sexually assaulting the victim when they were just 9 years old – with the abuse taking place on multiple occasions between 2019 and 2022.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Jessica Taylor said:

"Firstly, I would like to commend the victim for the strength and courage they have shown throughout this case, and I hope the sentence handed to El-Saddi will provide them closure and a chance to move on with their life.

"El-Saddi is a dangerous individual, who sexually abused a child for years. He showed no remorse throughout the entire investigation, and even made his victim relive the experiences in court.

“Thankfully, as a result of the evidence gathered and the bravery of the victim, the jury were able to see through his lies and he is now being held accountable for his actions."

DC Taylor added:

“Sexual assault of children causes terrible distress to all involved, not least the victim themselves, and I urge anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault – no matter how long ago the incident took place – to come forward and report it.

“We treat all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority, and any allegations will be thoroughly investigated.”

Description

Two survivors of sexual abuse have been praised for their courage and honesty after helping detectives put a rapist behind bars.

Both women were vulnerable teenagers when they were raped by Jordan Hutchinson but possessed the bravery to speak to officers about the degrading ordeals he subjected them to.

Their accounts, along with messages recovered from Hutchinson’s mobile phone, gave detectives the evidence they needed to secure charges against him.

The first victim was raped and sexually assaulted by Hutchinson during late 2019 and early 2020.

He raped the second victim on multiple occasions between the summer of 2020 and early 2021.

One victim locked herself in her bathroom and called a friend in panic after being raped by Hutchinson.

Despite the weight of evidence against him, Hutchinson continued to deny his offending in interviews and took the case to a trial at Nottingham Crown Court in April.

A jury believed the victims not Hutchinson, and he was convicted of six counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault.

Hutchinson, aged 24, of Foxearth Avenue, Nottingham, was handed an extended custodial sentence of 15 years when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday (4 July).

He was also given an indefinite restraining order, which forbids him from contacting either victim, and was added to the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Detective Constable Laura Sunderland, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“These two young women were both subjected to appalling sexual assaults at the hands of Hutchinson.

“Officers are full of admiration for their courage and dignity in speaking out and helping us to put him behind bars.

“This outcome would not have been possible without them and the judge also praised them as courageous, intelligent, articulate and truthful.

“The way they have conducted themselves is a stark contract to Hutchinson’s behaviour.

“Messages on Hutchinson’s phone revealed he knew what he had done was wrong, and yet he continued to commit these appalling sexual assaults.

“He also persisted in denying his offending, which meant both victims had to face a lengthy legal process and a trial.

“My thoughts are with them and their families following the sentencing and I hope the jail term handed down to Hutchinson at least gives them some closure.

“I also hope the sentencing will encourage other victims of rape and serious sexual assault to have the confidence to come forward.

“Our experienced officers are here to help the victims of crimes like this. You will be listened to and supported, and we will do our best to ensure offenders will be brought to justice.”

Description

A pervert who had sexual communications with a child has been locked up.

Curtis Smith, who was sentenced for the original offences in 2021, was back before Teesside Crown Court after admitting five counts of breaching his sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard Smith, 25, of no fixed abode, had not only failed to notify police he was using certain social media platforms he was also using aliases on platforms including Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram without notifying officers what those aliases were.

Judge Advocate Thomas Mitchell said the defendant was placed on seven year order for having sexual communication with a child and officers uncovered the breaches when they visited his home. He said: "If you use an alias, you tell police what that alias is. This was a deliberate breach by you."

Judge Mitchell said it wasn't just one breach, it was several using different platforms. However, he added: "There is no evidence of you having communicated with children."

But, he said he was talking to females on the sites. The judge said that he felt Smith does potentially pose a risk to the public and ordered him to serve 15 months in prison.

He said the sentence would serve as a starting point for any courts in the future if he reoffends.

Description

A sex offender who breached a sexual harm prevention order has been jailed.

Aaron Cane, of Furness Avenue, Blackpool, admitted four counts of breaching the order and two counts of failing to comply with notification requirements.

Lancashire Police said officers discovered Cane had breached the conditions of his order after a routine check. He was arrested and later charged with the offences.

The 39-year-old was jailed for four years at Preston Crown Court.

Cane's order stated he had to notify police of any address he stayed at or visited where a person under 18 would be living.

He also had to notify police of any other name or alias he may use, to retain the history of his internet use and to inform police of the passwords to his devices.

He is also not allowed to have supervised or unsupervised contact with children under 16, and to not create social media accounts without approval by police.

Det Sgt Kat Knock said:

"Cane had clear conditions of his order, which he was ordered to follow.

"He instead knowingly chose to breach them despite the consequences he knew he would face.

"These restrictions are there for a reason – to protect the public. They are not taken lightly, and anyone found to be breaching them will be brought before the courts."

Description

A man has been jailed for 20 months after making online sexual advances to a police officer he believed was a 12-year-old girl.

Jonsen Lamb did not realise he was chatting to and making sexual suggestions to an undercover officer in April, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

The 26-year-old, of Low Seaton Village, near Workington, pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act.

He also admitted breaching sex offender notification requirements by failing to keep police up to date with personal information.

Lamb had been subject to notification requirements since April 2021 when he was given a community punishment and ordered to undergo rehabilitation work for previous sexualised online chat with a decoy he believed was a child.

The court was told during the latest incident and despite it being made clear the "girl" was more than half his age, Lamb sent a series of sexual suggestions as well as explicit still and moving images.

He also asked for pictures to be sent to him and asked about the pair meeting up.

'Pretty dangerous'

After two days of online exchanges, the operative terminated their chat.

Lamb was arrested and surrendered a phone on which police found the message thread after he provided the device PIN.

Defending Lamb, Marion Weir said a probation officer's pre-sentence report referred to him as being immature as well as having poor social communication skills.

The court was told he was also still coming to terms with an autism diagnosis.

Lamb had completed previous court-imposed rehabilitation work and remained offence-free for a time.

But earlier his year he reverted back to what a prosecutor called "carbon copy" offending amid "struggles and stresses" in his life.

Judge Michael Fanning said Lamb was a "pretty dangerous young man" who posed a "high risk to children".

As well as the jail term, he will remain subject to sex offender notification requirements for 10 years.

Description

Suaiel Riaz Haider (11/08/1981) of Mosley Avenue, Bury groomed, raped, and abused a teenage girl in the early 2000s and today he has been brought to justice following a complex investigation led by specialist detectives from Bury’s Complex Safeguarding Team.

Today (07/07/2025) Hazier was sentenced to 14 years in prison for two counts of rape of a girl under the age of 16 and four counts of indecent assault and must abide by conditions set out in a lifelong sexual harm protection order.

Haider has signed the sex offender’s register for life.

Haider was convicted on 13/06/2025 after he was found guilty by a unanimous jury following a two-week trial at Manchester Crown Court.

We commenced a retrospective investigation into offences Haider committed as far back as a quarter of a century ago after a survivor courageously came forward to police in 2021.

Detectives worked closely with her to record video statements, narrow in on specific details, and gather evidence to strengthen disclosure.

The victim met Haider in 2000 when she was 15 years old, and he was 19 years old. He groomed her through providing lifts from school, food, cigarettes, and alcohol. Their relationship quickly turned sexual.

He began making derogatory comments towards her, which progressed to sexual offences.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges, subjecting the victim to a trial, and throughout he continued to deny all offences until the jury deemed him guilty.

Detective Sergeant Sarah Beale, of our Bury Complex Safeguarding Team, said:

“The strength and courage of this survivor demonstrated while supporting our investigation and subsequent legal proceedings is commendable.

“It was incredibly brave of her to speak about the abuse, and this played a crucial role in ensuring Haider couldn’t get away with his crimes any longer and faced justice.

“Today marks the conclusion of a long and complicated investigation, and I hope that brings a sense of closure to her.

“We are on an upward improvement journey in how we tackle CSE – whether it be the abuse of children yesterday or today.

“I hope this case provides confidence to anyone who has experienced child abuse that if they come forward, they will be listened to, and we will do everything we can to secure justice.”

Description

A County Durham paedophile "haunted” the lives of two girls after carrying out sickening abuse.

Despite his continued denials, Ian Tate was convicted of five offences against the girls, one under 16 and the other under 13, following a trial at Durham Crown Court earlier this year.

The 48-year-old defendant of Hopper Terrace, Trimdon Grange, denied the offences, of either engaging in sexual activity with a child or causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Despite his claims that the victims were both lying, the trial jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts to all five counts.

At a sentencing hearing on Friday (July 4) the court heard impact statements read by both victims.

One said she suffered flashbacks and recalled the defendant telling her no-one would believe her if she reported his actions.

She said it made her feel physically sick just to hear his name, even if it was said in reference to someone else.

The abuse has caused her to suffer depression and anxiety and has led her to self-harm.

Tate’s other victim said he left her, “a scared little girl” feeling that she could tell no-one what had taken place.

She said it led her into substance misuse to, “take away the pain” inflicted on her by the defendant.

Dan Cordey, representing Tate, said he was limited in what he could say on the defendant’s behalf due to his continued denials.

Mr Cordey said other than two ageing motoring offences Tate had a previous clean record and, since his conviction, has experienced his first taste of custody.

He said the defendant has suffered mental health issues in recent years, exacerbated by his excess alcohol intake.

Judge Nathan Adams said despite his continued claims of innocence and lack of remorse, the offences, “clearly took place”.

He said both victims have been “haunted” by his actions.

Judge Adams imposed consecutive sentences of nine and six years, totalling 15 years, on Tate, who he classed as, “an offender of concern”.

He said Tate must serve at least half of the nine-year term behind bars and two-thirds of the six-year sentence, giving a minimum of eight-and-a-half years.

Depending on the view of the Parole Board, however, he may remain locked up for ten years and six months.

On conclusion of the sentence, the defendant will be subject of a one-year licence extension.

Judge Adams made Tate subject to lifetime registration as a sex offender.

He will also be subject of restraining orders relating to each of the victims and to the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), both for 20 years.

Tate was told he will almost certainly be prohibited from ever working with children and young people, but that would be a matter for the barring service.

Description

A paramedic who secretly gave a pregnant woman an abortion drug, killing their unborn child, has been jailed for 10 years and six months.

Stephen Doohan, who was a clinical team leader with the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), administered the drug after he found out the woman was pregnant with his baby.

The woman, who did not know Doohan was married when they were in a relationship, suffered a miscarriage after the 33-year-old crushed pills into a syringe and injected her as she lay in bed at his Edinburgh home in 2023.

Doohan pleaded guilty to assault, sexual assault and causing the woman to have an abortion at the High Court in Glasgow last month.

Judge Lord Colbeck said Doohan had put his victim, who has not been named, "through considerable pain over a number of days, and left her facing a lifetime of pain and loss".

He added: "You researched and planned what you did to your victim.

"You used resources available to you as a paramedic before manipulating the woman and executing that plan under the guise of consensual sexual activity.

"You left her in what can only be described as considerable pain and anguish over the prospect of losing her child before she did, in fact, do so.

"The offences committed by you, frankly, are almost as serious as any this court is ever asked to sentence."

The judge stated the emotional victim impact statement he had read "radiates with raw pain" suffered by the woman.

Lord Colbeck also imposed a non-harassment order for an indeterminate period of time on the 33-year-old.

Doohan previously featured in a BBC documentary series, Paramedics on Scene.

He was suspended by the ambulance service after it learned of what he had done and he is no longer employed by them.

Doohan - who was married at the time – met the woman in Spain while he was on holiday in 2021.

He did not tell her that he was married and they remained in contact.

She found out she was pregnant with his child in March 2023 and by this time he had temporarily separated from his wife.

The court heard that the woman was at his home in the Grange area of Edinburgh a couple of days after he learned of the pregnancy.

She was in bed when he did something she could not see, but she said she was not "suspicious of his actions" at that time.

The court heard how he used the syringe on her and the woman began to suffer stomach cramps the next day.

Later at his flat, he gave her diazepam for the pain.

The court heard how she ended up in a "deep sleep" and awoke to find Doohan "initiating sexual contact".

This time she was suspicious of what he was doing but she was also feeling the effects of the diazepam.

When Doohan left the room, the woman took the chance to look under the mattress and found star-shaped tablets and a syringe with tablets crushed inside.

After searching online, she found matching images for drugs that could induce a termination.

'Appalling case'

Doohan initially denied what he had done before sobbing and claiming he was "scared".

He said he had got the pills from a doctor but insisted they would not work as it was the wrong dose.

The court heard how Doohan and the woman went to hospital but he pleaded that he would be arrested if she "told the truth".

The next day, the woman collapsed in the shower and had to return to hospital.

This time she insisted Doohan did not come in the examination room.

It soon emerged that she had suffered a miscarriage.

The court heard Doohan bought the woman gifts including perfume and tickets for a football match to keep her quiet.

But she eventually reported him to the ambulance service, the information was passed to police and Doohan was arrested.

Prosecutor Scott McKenzie said the woman has been "significantly affected" by her ordeal.

Mark Stewart KC, defending, said Doohan was "deeply sorry" for what he had done.

The lawyer added he had issues at the time which affected his "judgement and decision making" although that did not excuse what happened.

When he was convicted, the ambulance service said: "This is an appalling case, and our thoughts are with the victim.

"We recognise the courage it must have taken for her to come forward and speak out.

"As soon as we learned of the serious allegations and charges against Doohan, we immediately took action to protect the public and liaised with Police Scotland."

'Calculated and heinous actions'

Fiona Kirkby, the procurator fiscal for high court sexual offences, said: "Stephen Doohan's calculated and heinous actions caused the loss of the victim's pregnancy, robbing her of plans she had for the future.

"He has now been held accountable for this fundamental breach of trust.

"While offences like this are thankfully rare, I hope this prosecution sends a clear message to all those who seek to inflict sexual harm towards women.

"We recognise that reporting sexual offending can be difficult but would urge anyone affected to come forward and seek support when they feel ready to do so."

Description

A serial sexual predator has been jailed for 28 years after he was finally brought to justice because of fresh police investigations that were launched in the wake of the "Jimmy Savile scandal inquiry".

Gavin Lancell managed to evade being held to account for his depraved actions many years earlier but the police eventually reviewed his case and investigated further after one of his victims contacted a high-profile police operation that had been set up following allegations made against Savile, a former BBC disc jockey and the presenter of TV series Jim'll Fix It.

Lancell's luck at last ran out when the sexual allegations against him were finally taken forward and were heard during a trial at Hull Crown Court.

Lancell, 53, formerly of Bransholme, Hull, denied 20 sexual offences, including rape, having sex with a girl under 13, indecent assault and indecency with a child, between 1992 and 1996, but he was convicted by a jury of all the offences.

David Godfrey, prosecuting, said that Lancell, previously known as Gavin Eckles, had a "clear sexual fascination" for two young girls and he committed sexual offences against them. One of them spoke out in 1996 but she was "not listened to" and both girls came forward in 1999 and spoke to police.

"Their accounts were recorded on video," said Mr Godfrey. "Both girls made clear allegations of sexual abuse in 1999 but, at this time, like in 1996, the allegations being made by the girls were not taken further and the defendant was not prosecuted." One of the girls made attempts in 2012 to contact the police to hold Lancell to account.

A female detective constable told the court that an Op Hydrant programme was set "on the back of the Jimmy Savile scandal inquiry" to look into allegations of historical sexual abuse. It was initially set up to review allegations against 'institutions, politicians and celebrities".

One of the victims was aware of this initiative and she again contacted the police. The case was transferred to Humberside Police for investigation. She and the other victim were again spoken to by police in 2021 and provided further video evidence.

Lancell had been interviewed by the police in 1999 and he made denials but the details had not been transcribed or stored. He was arrested and interviewed in October 2021.

"Allegations of this sort have a habit of bubbling up to the surface," said Mr Godfrey. "They never go away and, indeed, that's what happened in 2021."

Lancell told police: "I am strongly denying it. I am still in shock." He claimed that he felt "disgusted" because he had "done nothing wrong". He replied "No" when individual allegations were put to him.

"My story hasn't changed because it never happened," he claimed. "I did nothing then and I have still done nothing." He continued his denials during the trial.

Lancell, of Bramham Grove, York, will have to register as a sex offender for life. He had been on bail during the trial but this was revoked and he was remanded in custody after he was convicted by the jury.

He was sentenced in his absence after declining to come up from the cells into the courtroom.

Description

A rapist who put his hand over an 18-year-old woman's mouth to silence her pleas for him to stop has been jailed for three years.

Thomas English, from Darlington, was 20 when he ignored his victim repeatedly saying "no" part-way through consensual sex, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The offending emerged when English contacted police to say someone was demanding £500 from him or he would be reported for sexual assault.

English, now 24, initially denied rape but changed his plea to guilty on the second day of his trial.

The encounter in 2022 began as consensual but English refused to stop when the woman told him to, prosecutor Rebecca Brown said.

Instead, he placed his hand over her mouth and began getting rougher and more "forceful" before she was finally able to push him away, the court heard.

'Worried sick'

Several weeks later he received a message from a third party demanding he pay £500 or be reported to police, Ms Brown said.

English contacted police to report the message but officers also asked about the alleged sexual assault, which led them to interview the victim.

Messages were also found on English's phone in which he claimed he had "got lost in the moment" and did not hear the woman, to which she replied that was nonsense and she had told him to stop four times.

English also said he had been "worried sick" ever since and, when he looked in the mirror, all he could see was a rapist because that was what he had done to the woman, the court heard.

There was also a message in which English said he "felt awful" and "couldn't have been more apologetic".

'Rape is rape'

In a statement read to the court, the woman said the rape had "tainted" her view of intimacy forever and her later teenage years had been ruined by English.

She said she found peace knowing he could not hurt her or any other woman again.

In mitigation, the court heard it was "consensual sex gone too far" and English, of Bushel Hill Drive, was "bitterly ashamed" for his "vile" actions.

Judge Stephen Ashurst said English "selfishly ignored" the woman's wishes and "rape is rape".

He said English was an "intelligent young man" but was "relatively immature and naïve about certain emotional matters".

The judge also said the remorse English had expressed showed he had appeared to have learned from his "serious error".

English must also sign the sex offender register for life.

Description

A care worker engaged in sexual activity with a vulnerable man she was supposed to be looking after.

Megan Neilson, 28, was appointed to support the 29-year-old who suffers from cerebral palsy as well as epilepsy and also has a learning disability.

The pair quickly struck up a close bond which led to them both declaring that they loved each other.

Neilson repeatedly kissed and cuddled him during trips to a bowling alley and at Strathclyde Park while she later performed a sex act on him as they sat in a car parked at the Falkirk Wheel.

Their improper relationship came to light after the pair turned up hand-in-hand at his dad's house and told him they were together.

Neilson told the sickened father she would resign from her role as a support worker but police were called in.

When officers arrived at her home, Neilson asked: "Is this about the inappropriate relationship?"

Neilson, of Airdrie, Lanarkshire, denied any wrongdoing between June and August 2022 and went on trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

But jurors took an hour to convict her of engaging in sexual activity with the man while being a person who provided care services to him.

Jurors were shown a police interview with the man where he told them how he believed he was in a relationship with Neilson and described sexual acts between them.

He said: "She said if anybody found out about us she would lose her job, her daughter and her college course.

"I felt awkward because this had never happened to me before."

When asked how he felt about telling his parents and the police about Neilson, he replied: "I feel as if I made her a promise and broke it."

His dad told the court he had been 'suspicious' of the pair before they told him they were together.

He said: "They said 'we've something to tell you, we are in a relationship' and it took a while for it to sink in what was being said.

"I questioned Megan that it would be so wrong because she was one of his carers and she said 'I'm going to leave anyway so it will be fine'.

"I was in shock but then realised my suspicion was confirmed that there was something going on and I had this sickly feeling because it was a major breach of trust by the support worker working with him.

"He is still not the same wee laddie."

The court was also shown messages sent from Neilson to the man.

One said: "I love you. If it means losing everything, that's fine."

She then told him: "Delete this mind."

Neilson denied any sexual contact between the pair but said she resigned from her support role after developing an 'emotional relationship' with him.

The mum-of-two added: "I'm not sure why he has said this, it was maybe because he couldn't be with me but I can't get my head round it.

"I feel terrible, it has affected me really really badly and it has given me a lot of anxiety but there was nothing sexual between me and him."

Depute fiscal Lewis Devoy told jurors Neilson had committed a 'gross breach of trust' and said the man had 'no reason' to lie.

Lewis Kennedy, defence advocate, told the jury: "Her position is really straightforward and that is she was only involved in an emotional relationship with the complainer and that it was never sexual."

Sheriff Linda Nicolson deferred sentence on the first offender until next month for reports and continued her bail.

She added: "You have been found guilty by the jury of this charge which is obviously very serious."

Neilson, who is now unemployed, was placed on the sex offenders' register.

Description

A man who groomed and sexually assaulted a teenage girl at a shop in Stockport has been jailed today (4 July 2025).

Daniel Hashmi was found guilty of six offences, including attempted rape, against the same girl after a trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

Hashmi (14/10/1980), of Audley Road, Levenshulme, Manchester, was sentenced to ten years in prison.

He will additionally have to sign the sex offender’s register for life, as well as being given a restraining order and lifelong sexual harm protection order.

He was arrested in December 2024 after the sister of a friend reported her suspicions to the police.

It was established that the offences had taken place in Hashmi’s business premises on Wellington Road South, Stockport, between November and December last year.

Hashimi had bought vodka and vapes for his victim, on one occasion blocking the door in a back room to the shop with a sofa to prevent her leaving before sexually assaulting her.

He denied the offences but was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault on a female, two counts of attempted rape, and assault by penetration after a trial.

Detective Constable Ben Swapp, of Stockport’s Complex Safeguarding Team, said:

“The girl and her family have shown enormous courage, and we will continue to support them.

"Aspire social workers and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) are working with the victim to help in rebuilding her life.

"GMP's Stockport Complex Safeguarding Team is a multi-agency team focused on protecting vulnerable children and young people from exploitation and harm.

"This team, which includes police officers, social workers, and other professionals, works to identify, assess, and respond to safeguarding concerns, particularly those related to child exploitation.

"We are absolutely committed to removing offenders like Hashimi from the streets, as the danger he poses to society, and particularly to children, is significant.

“Hopefully today’s sentence and our investigation will give victims the confidence to report these types of crimes and trust us to investigate them thoroughly to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The victim made the following statement in court: "I thought I could trust him. He is an adult and they are meant to be protectors, but after this I will never trust anyone again.

"This has affected me more than anyone will ever know - I feel betrayed and completely let down.

"He has taken away the most important things that I will never get back - I feel used and that's the worst thing."

Description

A 24-year-old man has been jailed for life following a significant Met Police investigation into an attempted rape and rape of a child.

Navroop Singh, 24, (09/10/00) of Mellow Lane East, UB4 was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years for five charges, including rape, on Friday, 4 July at Isleworth Crown Court.

Singh was convicted of the attempted rape of a woman in Southall Park, Ealing on Sunday, 13 October 2024, and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, on Thursday, 8 May at Isleworth Crown Court following a four-day trial.

Singh had previously pleaded guilty to a further three offences –

• Possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence
• Rape a girl under 13
• Assault a girl under 13 by penetration

These charges relate to the rape of a child at Hayes End Park, Hillingdon on Wednesday, 23 October 2024.

An investigation was launched by police and detectives who tracked down Singh, using forensics, CCTV and witness accounts to build a file of evidence against him.

Acting Chief Superintendent Sean Lynch, who leads policing in West Area, said:

"I would like to commend the strength of the victim-survivors and their families and thank them for their unwavering bravery in reporting these awful incidents to us.

“Today’s conviction is testament to the officers’ thorough investigation, which has identified a violent sexual offender and undoubtedly prevented further harm.

“We are continuing to prioritise tackling violence against women and girls with our increased specialist teams. I hope that the community will find reassurance in our action to put this predator behind bars.”

Officers launched an investigation following reports of an attempted rape of a woman in her 20s on 13 October 2024.

Police were alerted by the victim, who, by chance, was met with two off duty officers near to the gates of the park who accompanied her to the nearest police station.

Singh had been sitting on a bench in the park during the early hours of 13 October 2024, where he waited for a potential victim to walk past. He was carrying an imitation firearm, which he had ordered and assembled, and used to threaten the victim while he attempted to rape her.

On the days following the report, officers trawled through hours of CCTV footage to try and identify an offender.

With the investigation was ongoing, a child was raped at a different park on 23 October 2024. Officers immediately made a link between the offences.

Using the increased resources which were made available, officers secured additional forensic evidence. Officers were able to trace the offender to within a few doors of his home address where they delivered leaflets to appeal for witnesses and carried out increased patrols of the area.

As a result of the officers efforts, they were able to trace the offender to within a few doors of his home address.

Singh was arrested on Sunday, 27 October.

Each of the victims have been supported by specialist officers throughout the investigation and court process.

Description

A sex offender was arrested by police after he attempted to meet and abuse a six-year-old girl.

Michael Clarey, 59, went online specifically to try to find a child to abuse on 6 February and used a false name to cover his tracks.

He admitted to being a paedophile who had previously abused children and began exchanging messages with someone who sent him a photo of a six-year-old girl, taken at random from a blog post.

Clarey believed he was talking to the girl’s parent – although police believe it was an online activist group.

He asked if he could sexually abuse the girl and said he would take her for a meal and shopping first in Cambridge or Norwich.

However, here the conversation ended, and it was not discovered until police officers paid Clarey an unannounced visit on 25 February.

Clarey was living under restrictions placed on him by a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) imposed by a court in 2021, but officers discovered he had flouted this by hiding devices, including one behind a TV. It was this device which contained the incriminating messages.

Clarey, of New Close Road, Little Thetford, near Ely, appeared at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday, 27 June, and was jailed for five years and three months after admitting attempting to arrange / facilitate commission of a child sex offence.

He must serve a further five years extended sentence upon release under the management of the Probation Service. Any breaches could result in him being recalled to prison.

Clarey also admitted five counts of making indecent photographs/pseudo photographs of a child, possessing a prohibited image of a child and 14 breaches of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), for which he received no separate penalty.

DC Andrew McKeane said: “Clarey was never going to meet the girl whose photo was sent to him online but the intent to commit despicable sexual offences was clear.

“The girl in the photos, which were taken some years ago, had no link to anyone involved and is a victim in this case. We have spoken to her parents in Berkshire and they were understandably shocked and upset.

“Clarey has a complete disregard for the law and is a danger to children. He was aware what his SHPO restricted him from doing, but he chose to ignore it.”