Latest Offenders

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A man who attempted to rape and sexually assault a woman in a place she was supposed to feel safe has been given a custodial sentence, handed a seven-year restraining order, and will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Qudus Ajeyemi, 27-years-old, of May Street in Hull, who identifies himself as Nigerian, was found guilty of attempted rape and sexual assault following a week-long trial that concluded at Hull Crown Court on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.

He was remanded into custody to await sentencing which took place yesterday (Monday, 15 June 2026), where he was given five years and six months behind bars before being deported upon conclusion of his sentence.

In March 2023, officers received an online report from a woman reporting she had been on a night out a few weeks earlier, and once returning to a property on Tavistock Street in Hull, she was escorted to a room by a man she identified as “Spartan”, whom she had only met briefly once before and did not know his full name.

She disclosed how she thought he was just assisting her by taking her to a friend’s room to rest, thinking he would leave. However, instead, he took advantage of her by touching her, and whilst his advances were rebuffed he proceeded to force himself upon her and attempted to rape her.

She reported that the following day he called the victim to apologise for what he had done, and the victim had recorded this conversation, which was key evidence at the trial.

Detectives from our Protecting Vulnerable People Unit were assigned to investigate the incident, identifying “Spartan” as Qudus Ajeyemi. 

Ajeyemi was subsequently arrested on suspicion of attempted rape and was interviewed where he denied attempting to rape the victim, despite the recording of his admission being played to him.

Detective Sergeant Ethan Anderson, leading the investigation from our Protecting Vulnerable People Unit added:

“I want to start by commending the woman who came forward and reported what had happened to her; reporting this type of crime is never easy and she has displayed nothing but immense bravery and strength throughout the complex and lengthy process; from reporting the incident through to his sentencing.

“Ajeyemi preyed on the woman, taking advantage of her and attempted to rape her in a space she ought to have been safe in, around friends.

“The trauma and emotional damage he caused will undoubtably stay with her for the rest of her life. The impact of this ordeal was only magnified by Ajeyemi’s refusal to admit what he had done, delaying the outcome for the victim and forcing her to endure a gruelling six-day trial.

“We take all reports of rape and sexual offences extremely seriously and continue to work relentlessly to take offenders like Ajeyemi off our streets.

“Specialist trained officers work closely with partner agencies across our force area to support victims and survivors, alongside aiding in preventing further incidents by putting perpetrators before the courts.

“It does not matter if it happened yesterday, a few weeks ago, or even years ago, our advice to any victim of any sexual offence is to speak to us when you are ready. Whether you tell a trusted adult or a friend, it is important that you tell someone. We will always do everything we can to hold those accountable for such vile crimes.

“Anyone who suspects crimes of this nature are taking place, please report it to us via our non-emergency number 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.”

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A man has been jailed for 13 years for sexually assaulting two children.   

Lee Lomas, 47, (pictured) raped one of the girls and incited sexual activity with the other.

Both of his victims were under the age of 13 when Lomas preyed on them.

He was arrested in Blackpool in May 2025 after the victims had disclosed to their parents what had happened.

Lomas, of no fixed address, appeared for sentence at Preston Crown Court last Friday after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to rape of a child under the age of 13, inciting sexual activity with a child under 13, and possession of indecent images of children.

He was jailed for a total of 13 years, made subject of a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was put on the sex offenders register for life.

Det Con Jon Porter of West Division CID, said:

“Lee Lomas committed abhorrent offences against two young victims and will now serve a lengthy sentence of imprisonment.

“The children were very brave in telling their parents what had happened and the offences were reported to us.

“If you have been a victim of sexual assaults or know someone who has been, please report it to Lancashire Police.

“We will support you and investigate thoroughly in order to bring offenders to justice.”

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A 25-year-old Northampton man has been jailed for seven years after he was found guilty of raping a woman.

The incident happened on June 28, 2025, when Liam Patrick Kieran Blanchfield raped a woman inside an Ipswich hotel.

During the incident, he verbally abused her and continued the assault despite being told numerous times to stop.

Blanchfield, previously of Barrack Road, Northampton, was arrested a short time later and subsequently charged with one count of rape and two counts of assault.

At Northampton Crown Court on February 24, he was found guilty of the offences by a jury.

He returned to the same court this week (June 15) where he was sentenced to seven years in prison.

He was also given an indefinite restraining order against the survivor.

Following the conclusion of the case, the survivor detailed how she feels she can now live in peace for the next few years.

Lead investigator - PC Kimberly Streuli said: “I would like to commend the survivor in this case for her remarkable bravery in coming forward and supporting this investigation. The strength she has shown has been instrumental in securing this conviction and ensuring a dangerous offender is held accountable for his actions.

“Northamptonshire Police take all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously.

“Tackling violence against women and girls remains a key priority for the Force, and we are committed to supporting victims and pursuing offenders relentlessly. I hope this outcome reassures others that they will be listened to, supported, and believed when they come forward.”

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A convicted child sex offender is back behind bars after officers were alerted to his online offending.

Lee Arthurs was the subject of strict restrictions via his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) when he was arrested at an address in Essex.

In March, the 41-year-old was dog-sitting for family in Colchester when he accessed various online chat platforms and attempted to engage in sexual communication with children.

He was swiftly arrested and an interrogation of his device revealed further chats and indecent images of children.

Arthurs, of Silk Street, Ipswich, was charged with three counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, three counts of making indecent images of children and four breaches of his SHPO.

He was immediately recalled to prison for the breaches.

He appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court in April and admitted the offences. He was sentenced there on 5 June to a total of five years imprisonment.

Detective Sergeant Gavin Tuck said:

Arthurs showed an absolute disregard of the law and started re-offending when he was released from prison.

His abhorrent crimes were identified by specialist teams and he was detained. He poses a significant threat to children, and it is right that he is now behind bars for a significant time.

Protecting children from these types of offenders is a priority for us at Essex Police. We continue to be vigilant, rigorously monitor those on licence, and will act swiftly.

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A convicted sex offender has been jailed again after breaching a strict court order.

Lewis Garraway, 28, flouted a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) by having contact with children, including some time unsupervised, without telling police.

The order was imposed on him in 2018 following a sexual offence with a girl and a two-week custodial sentence in a young offenders institution.

He breached the notification requirements of the order and was jailed for 18 months in October 2021.

Then, in 2024, Garraway met a woman in her early 20s through a dating app.

In October that year, he met her in person for the first time and stayed at her family home in the Littleport area, where two children also lived.

He failed to notify police of this contact, as required under the terms of his SHPO.

During his stay, he took one of the children to a park to play rugby without supervision, again breaching the order.

Garraway lied to his girlfriend that he was between properties, had lost the key to his home and had nowhere to live.

However, a family member grew suspicious and confronted Garraway after finding out about his previous offences.

The family member contacted police and on Friday, 12 June, at Cambridge Crown Court, Garraway, of Seagate Terrace, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire, was sentenced to one year and six months in prison after admitting breaching a SHPO and two counts of failing to comply with the Sex Offenders Register.

Investigating officer DC Claire Cummings said:

“Garraway showed a complete disregard for the restrictions placed on him to protect others, particularly children.

“Sexual harm prevention orders and notification requirements are there to manage risk and safeguard the public. Breaching them is a serious offence, and we will take robust action against anyone who fails to comply.

“I would encourage anyone who has concerns about someone’s behaviour, particularly where children may be at risk, to report it to us so we can take action.”

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A former village butcher has been jailed for indecently assaulting two girls more than 50 years ago. 

John Priestley committed his offences in the early 1970s, when he was the local butcher in Croston.

Priestley’s offending was reported to us in 2022, by one of his now his now adult victims, who was aged 11 when he first assaulted her.

Police enquiries identified Priestley’s second victim, who was 13 when he first assaulted her.

We launched an investigation and Priestley was interviewed. During the interview, Priestley denied any wrongdoing whatsoever.

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Priestley, 83, of Glamis Road, Leyland, was summonsed to court, where he pleaded not guilty, putting both of his victims through the ordeal of a trial.

A jury at Preston Crown Court saw through Priestley’s lies and unanimously found him guilty of seven charges of indecent assault after a trial in April.

On Monday (15th June), he appeared back in the dock at Preston Crown Court, where Judge Phillip Parry sentenced Priestley (pictured) to three-and-a-half years imprisonment.

In a Victim Impact Statement, one of the victims said:

“This abuse has affected me throughout my whole life. What he did to me enters my head almost every day and has done for the past 50 years. I have suffered emotionally since the abuse began.”

She continued: 

“One of the worst things about this abuse is the way it affected my ability to bring up my children and how it has affected my relationship with my husband. I made decisions about the children that I wouldn't have made if I had never been abused.

“I am a victim of John Priestley and as a result my husband, my children and my 

Grandchildren are also victims. I can never put the abuse out of my head.”

Det Con Will Hogan, of Lancashire Police said: 

“Priestley’s victims have had to live for more than 50 years with the harrowing effects of the crimes he committed, before they had the courage to report them. They now have justice after conducting themselves with such strength throughout this process.

“Priestley used his good standing as a village businessman to make himself seem like a good person – he is not. He pretended to be a member of the local community, someone who was known around the village as a decent person, all while he was sexually abusing young girls.

“Priestley is 83 and will spend a considerable time in custody and will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for the rest of his life.

“I hope Priestley’s victims feel some sense of justice, knowing he has finally been sentenced for his crimes.”

“If you’ve been a victim of any sexual offence, at any time, please report it to Lancashire Police.

“We will listen to you, support you and investigate appropriately, no matter how long ago it happened.”

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Craig Ferguson Jailed for 11 Years for Sexually Assaulting Two Schoolgirls in Gateshead

A predatory child sex offender who sexually assaulted two school-aged girls in Gateshead has been jailed for 11 years.

Craig Ferguson, 46, of Ulverston Gardens, Gateshead, tried to buy the complicity of one victim by supplying her with cannabis before the offences were reported.

Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department carried out a complex investigation. Ferguson was arrested and charged after initially denying any wrongdoing.

On 6 May, following a six-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court, he was found guilty of 10 child sexual offences. He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and a bladed article.

On 12 June he was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment with a one-year extended licence, having been classified as a dangerous offender. He must serve at least two-thirds of the sentence before release.

Ferguson will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and is subject to a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) plus two lifelong restraining orders protecting his victims.

Detective Sergeant Alan Gibbons said:  

“Craig Ferguson is a sexual predator who has continually taken advantage of vulnerable children for his own sexual gains. As always, my thoughts and appreciation go towards the two victim-survivors in this case, who both came forward to make reports around this dangerous man.

“They’ve both shown great bravery and dignity through the entire investigation and court process – which has now ended with their abuser being put behind bars for a lengthy stint. The sexual abuse of children is horrific and, as a Force, we’ll relentlessly pursue justice against anyone who looks to take advantage of the most vulnerable amongst us – children.

“No-one should ever have to experience this type of criminality, but please know if you have, we’re here and we’re ready to listen.”

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A man who had collapsed from drink and drugs sexually assaulted a Good Samaritan who had come to his aid.

Brenden Clarke, 33, collapsed in Bourges Boulevard on 4 February this year.

Two women, who had spotted Clarke while driving past, pulled over to help and called an ambulance.

As he came round, one of the women helped Clarke to sit up against a wall and remained with him to keep an eye on him.

However, Clarke, who was previously convicted of a sexual offence in 2009, began making sexual gestures towards her and tried to kiss her.

The victim immediately stood up to create distance and told him to stop.

Clarke then made further sexual comments and unsteady on his feet, attempted to walk into the road, forcing traffic to come to a halt.

The victim encouraged him back onto the pavement.

Clarke said he did not want to wait for medical help and claimed he was going to the probation office.

Concerned he may walk into the road again the two women walked with him.

However, while walking, Clarke again approached the same victim, sexually assaulted her and attempted to kiss her.

She removed his grasp and loudly told him to stop and keep his distance.

He repeated this behaviour before the victim pushed him towards a wall and he stopped.

On Wednesday, 10 June, at Peterborough Crown Court, Clarke, of no fixed abode but from the Peterborough area, was sentenced to one year in prison and placed on the Sex Offender Register for ten years. He had pleaded guilty to sexual assault and failing to comply with notification requirements of the Sex Offenders Register.

PC Niamh Skipworth, who investigated, said:

“This was a distressing incident for the woman was trying to help someone she believed needed medical attention. Clarke’s behaviour was disgraceful and left the victim shaken.

“I would like to commend the victim for her courage in reporting what happened and for the support she provided to officers throughout the investigation.

“This case demonstrates that sexual offending of any kind will be taken seriously, and we will continue to work to bring offenders before the courts.”

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A Swindon man who poses a significant risk to vulnerable sex workers has been jailed.

Sean Morris, 59, of Massinger Walk, Walcot, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 13 June, where he pleaded guilty to breaching his sexual risk order (SRO).

Morris has been subject to an SRO since 16 February 2023. He was arrested in August last year after breaching the terms of that order. On 12 June this year, he was arrested again for further breaches of his bail conditions. He was charged and remanded in custody ahead of his court appearance the following day.

On Saturday (13/06), he was sentenced to 20 weeks’ imprisonment, placed on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years, and ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge.

PC Katie Owers said: “Morris has repeatedly shown that he is unwilling to comply with the strict conditions put in place to protect vulnerable people. His behaviour poses a clear risk to sex workers in our community, and the court’s decision to impose a custodial sentence reflects the seriousness of his continued offending.

“We will continue to take robust action against anyone who breaches Sexual Risk Orders, and we hope this sentence provides reassurance to those who may be affected by his actions.”

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Two people have been jailed after police discovered a woman was offering her baby daughter to meet with a Shropshire paedophile who wanted to sexually abuse her.

Christopher Brownhill, aged 38, of Linley View Drive in Bridgnorth, met the woman through an online dating website in 2017, where their conversation quickly turned to their mutual sexual attraction to young children.

The woman also from Shropshire, but cannot be named for legal reasons to protect the identity of the child, sent Brownhill non-sexual pictures of her daughter who was aged one at the time.

After speaking online, the pair then agreed to meet in person with the woman promising to bring her daughter with her to the meeting.

The pair never ended up meeting, and Brownhill never met the woman’s daughter. However, Brownhill continued to talk to the woman online where he told her what he planned to do to her daughter if they ever did meet.

A police investigation was launched following intelligence given to officers, and Brownhill and the woman were arrested two years after they first started talking.

Both were soon charged with arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence. They were found guilty of the offence earlier this year following a two-week trial.

The also court heard how the investigation discovered Brownhill had communicated with another woman online about their mutual sexual attraction to young children. The pair spoke about arranging to meet so Brownhill could sexually abuse the woman's one-year-old twin nieces.

On Friday (12 June) at Shrewsbury Crown Court Brownhill was jailed for 11 years, and the woman was handed a six-year custodial sentence. Both were given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and required to register on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

The court was also told how the child no longer has any contact with her mother.

The officer who led the investigation from West Mercia Police said:

“This case concerns extremely serious offences involving the exploitation of a child, and both defendants demonstrated a clear intent to facilitate harm. While no in person meeting took place, the planning and communication between Brownhill and the child’s mother were deeply disturbing.

“Protecting children is our absolute priority, and we will relentlessly pursue those who seek to abuse or exploit them, whether online or in person. I hope the sentences handed to both defendants reflect the gravity of these offences and provide reassurance that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

“I would also like to commend the officers involved in the investigation, and to remind the public to report any concerns around child exploitation so that we can act and safeguard vulnerable victims.”

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Officers from our Police Online Investigations Team (POLIT) have worked tirelessly to secure the first victimless prosecution of its kind in the Midlands, which has resulted in the offender being sentenced today (Tuesday 16 June).

McKenzie Winkle, 18, of Great Wyrley, has been on remand in custody for more than seven months since his first appearance in court in October last year. Today, he has been jailed for three-years-and-nine-months at Stafford Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to two counts of encouraging serious self-harm by another, two counts of attempting to cause / incite a girl 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, three counts of making an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child and one count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Our investigation found that Winkle was operating as part of a Com group.

Typically, these are networks of people who carry out serious, high-harm offences against other young people they find online. Com group offenders, who are often under 18, can use grooming and exploitation tactics to coerce online victims into committing the acts.

Com group offenders are known to compete against each other to cause the highest harm to victims to gain notoriety. This involves encouraging offences of child sexual abuse, serious violence, cybercrime and extremism.

Uniquely, in this case, officers built all of the evidence and put forward a case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) which was victimless in nature. It meant that we were able to move quickly to apprehend Winkle and prevent him from causing further harm to vulnerable victims online, who could have been anywhere in the world.

After working closely with the National Crime Agency (NCA), officers went to Winkle’s address and arrested him 1 August last year. All of his digital devices were seized and sent for forensic examination, where the extent of his offending was uncovered.

As part of his sentencing today, Winkle has been put on the Sex Offenders Register for life and given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Detective Inspector Alex Glover, from POLIT, said:

“The damage that these Com groups are capable of is staggering, and I’m pleased that we’ve been able to build a case which has resulted in an offender being brought to justice in Staffordshire.

“I can assure local communities that we are working tirelessly, night and day, 365-days a year to identify those responsible for harm online, and in particular, those who may be part of these Com groups or committing similar offences.

“What is clear to see, however, is that there is a clear role for everyone to play in keeping people safe online.

“Spotting the signs that someone may be engaging with harmful people online as early as possible may be the difference between stopping them from being exploited. This can be anything from unexplained injuries which appear to be inflicted by themselves, a reluctance to stop speaking to certain users online and possession of extremist symbols.

“We have been robust in our investigation and pursuit of this offender, and I can assure people in Staffordshire that we will continue to take the same approach to anyone who is found to be committing these offences.

“We have a range of tools and tactics at our disposal to find the people who are doing this, and we won’t stop until we are able to stop them.”

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A man who sexually abused young girls in Kirklees has been jailed thanks to the courage of survivors who came forwards to report him.  

James Michael Butterworth, aged 83 of Lower Houses in Huddersfield, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court today ( Tuesday 16 June) after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences between 2007 and 2017.

Kirklees safeguarding detectives have praised the courage of two survivors who came forwards several years after offending took place to report his sexual abuse of them.  

Butterworth, known as Bamba,  was jailed for a total of four years for two counts of sexual assault on a female and two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15 .  

The offences against the victim took place between the years 2007 and 2010.  

He was also sentenced for four offences committed against a second victim.  

The offences of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching,  when the touching was sexual, took place between 2014 and 2017.  

All of the offences took place in the Kirklees area and were reported separately by the survivors in the early 2020s, initiating enquiries by specialist safeguarding detectives.  

Butterworth was identified as a suspect in both investigations and arrested in July and then August 2021.    

He was later summonsed to court in 2025 following a lengthy and detailed investigation.  

DC Joanne Hyde of the Kirklees Criminal Exploitation Team, who led the investigation with PC Bailey, said:

“Both survivors in this case have shown genuine bravery and determination in coming forwards and then supporting a prosecution against this man.  

“Butterworth is a dangerous and predatory sex offender who took advantage of them when they were both young  girls and went on to commit a number of  sexual offences against them.  

“We know the offences they suffered left them with trauma they have carried for years afterwards, and we hope seeing Butterworth sentenced today will bring them some comfort.  

"We continue to urge all victims of sexual offending who may not have come forwards, for whatever reason, to contact us.  

All reports are investigated by specialist safeguarding officers who can signpost victims to any support they may need.”

Description

A young woman who was subjected to sexual abuse at the hands of her father and his partner has bravely waived her right to anonymity, as the pair are jailed.

Demi Howes, who is now 18, went to live with her father Matthew Ward and his partner Sophie Eason when she was 15.

Shortly after her 16th birthday, Ward told Demi he could now ‘do what he wanted’ and began having sex with her.

Eason became involved too and was party to the ongoing abuse.

When Ward’s phone was seized by police following an unrelated incident, the abuse was discovered.

Ward’s phone contained messages he had sent to another woman, in which he was trying to instigate a sexual encounter between himself, Demi, and the woman.

Further examination of the phone showed messages which indicated Sophie Eason had also been involved in the abuse of Demi.

Ward, 37, of Boyer Street, and Eason, 30, of Teasel Grove, Derby, were arrested in March 2025 and subsequently charged.

The pair initially denied the charges against them, but on the first day of trial in September last year they changed their pleas and admitted the following offences:

Ward

• Adult sexual activity (non-penetrative) with a girl family member age 13-17 (3x counts)
• Adult sexual activity (penetrative) with a female child family member age 13-17 (5x counts)
• Offender over 18 engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 (1x count)
• Making indecent images of a child (2x counts)
• Distributing indecent images of a child (2x counts)

Eason

• Adult sexual activity (non-penetrative) with a girl family member age 13-17 (2x counts)
• Adult sexual activity (penetrative) with a female child family member age 13-17 (2x counts)

They appeared at Derby Crown Court on 12 June where a judge handed Ward a prison term of 15 years and four months, and Eason a term of two years and eight months.

The pair were also given indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, indefinite Restraining Orders in respect of Demi, and are required to register with police indefinitely.

In her Victim Personal Statement, which she read in court, Demi talked about how she found out Ward was her biological father at the age of 15.

She tracked him down on social media via Eason and went to live with them, after escaping a chaotic and abusive home environment.

“I was excited to meet my father and thought that I might have finally found somewhere I could be safe and belong.

“I thought I might have a chance at a family and being able to be a normal teenager.

“I wasn’t sure how to respond when [Ward] started flirting with me. When he started to sexualise me saying ‘I looked fit’ and I was ‘sexy’ I thought that maybe they were compliments. Maybe that was a normal thing dads do.

“I didn’t know what to do when he came into my bedroom when I was 15 and kissed me.

“When I turned 16 my dad told me I was 16 now and he could do what he wanted. That’s when he started to get Sophie involved and she would join in the abuse.

“It’s sick to think about, my own dad having sex with me and the woman I called mum joining in.

“At the time I thought it was dad and Sophie just being dad and Sophie, they made me think it was normal.

“I get teased about what Sophie and Mathew did to me.

“Some people still don’t believe me and that’s worse sometimes, even though I have told the truth about everything some of my family have rejected me over this.

“I think it’s easier to blame me sometimes than admit what the defendants actually are.”

Addressing the pair directly, Demi went on:

“I have night terrors and PTSD from what you did to me. I wet the bed and physically lash out and scream in my sleep talking about what you did.

“I can still feel what you did when I go to sleep it’s impossible to escape the trauma you have put me through…

“Neither of you should be allowed near children because you are dangerous paedophiles.”

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Gabrielle Rouse, said:

“Demi is an extremely brave and tenacious young woman, who has fought for justice despite not having a secure support system around her.

“The abuse inflicted on Demi by her own father and the woman she thought of as a mother is beyond harrowing.

“No child should have to go through what Demi has been through.

“Her courage has continued throughout the police investigation and court case, which can be extremely difficult for survivors of abuse.

“I want to thank Demi for helping us to investigate and seek justice on her behalf, it is down to her that Ward and Eason are now serving prison terms where they are unable to harm any other children.

“I know that Demi’s decision to speak out and waive her automatic anonymity was something she felt strongly about from the beginning, and I admire her resolve to share her story and allow us to report on the horrendous crimes of Ward and Eason.”

Description

A sex offender who committed “repugnant” crimes against a child has been sentenced to nine years in prison and has received an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order after being found guilty of non-recent child sexual offences.

Michael Matthews, 65-years-old, of Southland Court in Grimsby, appeared at Grimsby Crown Court for sentencing yesterday (Thursday, 14 May 2026) having pleaded not guilty to nine counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and sexual assault of a child under 13.

Following a four-day trial at Hull Crown Court which concluded on Friday, 8 May 2026, Matthews was found guilty by a jury of all ten offences after an investigation was launched by our Protecting Vulnerable People Unit relating to sexual offences against a young girl between 2009 and 2015.

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Amy Tindell remarked on the case:

“I would like to start by commending the sheer bravery of the person subjected to this abuse for her strength throughout the entirety of the investigation and the complexities of court proceedings.

“Matthews abused his position of trust and preyed on an innocent child for his own repugnant sexual gratification. I am reassured that he is now facing considerable time behind bars.

“Investigations of this nature are extremely complex and can be prolonged, but Matthews added to by refusing to admit his guilt and making them endure the gruelling ordeal of a trial.

“Whilst the result at court will not take away the pain and suffering endured by the person he abused, I hope it will bring a sense of justice to them and their family that Matthews will finally face the consequences of his abhorrent actions.

“I would like to reassure anyone who has suffered sexual abuse, whether recent or historical, that you will be listened to and supported.

“We take all reports of this nature incredibly seriously and whenever victims are ready to come forward, we will be there to listen and will act relentlessly to ensure sex offenders like Matthews are held accountable for these detestable crimes.

“If you are not ready to talk to us, there are lots of organisations you can speak to privately and confidentially.”

Description

The man pictured is Michele Scappatacci. He is a paedophile who last week was jailed for his crimes.

In November 2025, we received a report that Scappattacci had sexually assaulted and incited a young girl to engage in sexual activity with him, over the course of around four years.

An investigation commenced, and we found that Scappatacci had sexually assaulted his victim a number of times, and took pictures of her whilst doing so.

When we examined Scappatacci’s phone, we found an app, disguised to look like a calculator, and protected with a pin. Upon examination, we found 888 indecent images and videos, including images and videos of Scappatacci committing his crimes.

He was arrested and following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, charged with:

• three counts of raping a child 
• two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity 
• four counts of sexual assault on a child 
• two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act 
• three counts of making indecent photographs of a child 
• three counts of taking an indecent photograph of a child 
• possessing a prohibited image of a child 
• possessing an extreme pornographic image

Scappatacci ,58, formerly of Lancaster Drive, Clitheroe, pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court. He appeared back in the dock on 4th June, where he was sentenced to 18 years in prison, with a further eight years on extended license.

DC Marriam Fatima, of East Child Protection said:

“I must begin with talking about the victim. Despite her young age, she has shown an incredible sense of strength in what must have been an incredibly distressing time. I don’t doubt that it is because she had the courage to tell someone what had happened to her, that Scappatacci has been brought to justice.

“Scappatacci’s behaviour was nothing short of disgustingly paedophilic. He sexually abused a young girl for his own sordid interests. I welcome the considerable sentence handed down to him.

“Nothing will change what Scappatacci did to his victim, nothing will allow her to reclaim those years of her life. I can only hope that she can begin to rebuild her young life knowing that he has been brought to justice.

“If you are reading this and are a victim of any sexual offence. Please know that we want to help you – we will listen to what you tell us, we will investigate appropriately, and we will do all we can to get you justice.”