Latest Offenders

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A Wolverhampton child rapist has been jailed for 24 years after subjecting two young girls to years of sexual abuse.

Joseph Smith, 37, used his position of trust to prey on the girls from for more than four years until he was arrested in June 2019.

West Midlands Police said Smith had been living in Wolverhampton when he began his abuse of the first girl by sexual touching, before raping her. The abuse continued for several years until the girl found the courage to report what was happening to her.

After detectives from the force's Public Protection Unit began an investigation into what happened, it emerged that Smith had also abused a second girl by sexually assaulting her.

Smith then denied the charges and forced both survivors to endure a two-week trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court which ended on November 24 when the jury found him guilty of nine counts of sexual assault and nine counts of rape.

On Thursday Smith, most recently of Wiltshire, was sentenced by a judge to 24 years in prison and will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Detective Constable Kerry Bromhall, of the unit, said: Smith subjected the girls to years of physical abuse, not to mention the psychological torment that such abuse often leaves behind.

I commend these young girls for their bravery, firstly in coming forward to report what happened to them, but also in continually reliving their experience through a lengthy investigation, hampered by Covid, and giving evidence at trial.

I truly hope this sentence gives them the closure they need and the knowledge that Smith is no longer able to do this to anyone else.

The force added that anyone who has been subjected to sexual abuse, no matter how long ago will be listened to by specialist officers.

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A perverted former nursing assistant collapsed when confronted by paedophile hunters for trying to have sex chats with a 12-year-old on Facebook.

John Gibson befriended what he believed to be a real child online, not realising it was a decoy account set up by vigilantes.

Gibson, who spent 20 years working in psychiatric hospitals until he was sacked for sending sexual images to an adult, engaged in the illicit chats last February.

Newcastle Crown Court heard during conversations over Facebook Messenger, Gibson and the "girl" spoke about "pets and tattoos".

Then, despite being repeatedly told he was talking to a 12-year-old child, the 50-year-old started to talk about sex, said he could be her "first boyfriend", sent a graphic picture and videos and requested the same in return.

Christopher Rose, prosecuting, told the court: "On one occasion he suggested that they get a hotel room in Basingstoke so she could stay with him and he could be her first boyfriend."

The court heard the group behind the fake profile, which was based in the south of England, contacted a similar organisation in the North East and Gibson was lured to a date with an adult, where the police were called.

Mr Rose said: "The defendant collapsed on the floor, complaining of chest pains and he was taken by ambulance.

"During that ambulance journey he admitted messaging a 12-year-old girl on Facebook, saying she wanted to come and meet him and he said no."

Gibson, of Hastings Street, Sunderland, admitted attempting to cause a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child under 13 to watch a sexual act.

Judge Robert Adams sentenced him to three years and two months behind bars.

Gibson must sign the sex offenders register for life and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.

Judge Adams told him: "It is very clear you knew and understood she was 12 and you didn't seem to care.

"There is no doubt whatsoever what you were talking about while talking about the hotel."

The court heard Gibson's alcohol abuse was a contributing factor to his offending and he came across the profile by chance "while looking for friends to talk to".

Fiona Lamb, defending, said Gibson has never been in trouble before and has been candid when questioned.

Miss Lamb said: "He accepts, unusually, that the offending behaviour was motivated by sexual gratification."

Miss Lamb said Gibson is "at a loss" to explain why he was attracted to a child profile but is willing to address his behaviour.

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A TWENTY nine year old man who took video footage of himself viewing child pornography on his computer has had sentence deferred for a criminal justice report.

Nathan Bryant, of Lerwicks Burnside, admitted taking or permitting to be taken indecent photographs of children at his home address between June 2014 and September 2020.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday that cyber crime analysis had uncovered several images and videos on two devices.

One seven-minute video had been taken using screen recording software and showed Bryant accessing a large number of indecent images of children being abused.

The video he made fell under category A images depicting penetrative sexual activity involving minors. One category B image, depicting non-penetrative sexual activity, and several category C images, depicting erotic posing, were also discovered.

Some of the children appeared to be only one or two years old, the fiscal added.

Mackenzie said it was clear from the video that Bryant was proactively seeking the material, contrary to a bizarre explanation that he had granted others access to view his computer remotely and initially maintained he had no interest in accessing material of such a nature.

When he was arrested, Bryant had also claimed to police that he had accessed the websites inadvertently and his computer had automatically downloaded some images.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client was aware of the consequences of the offence he had pleaded guilty to.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank granted a crown motion for forfeiture of the devices and continued Bryants bail while reports are prepared.

He also made Bryant subject to notification requirements under sexual offences legislation and deferred sentence until 7 March.

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A BRADFORD man bragged online about indecent images he had taken, not realising he was chatting to an undercover police officer on the other side of the Atlantic.

The US authorities then flagged up Haseeb Rashads online activity to the UKs National Crime Agency, and a British undercover officer made contact with the now 23-year-old.

Once arrested, Rashad was found to have around 600 indecent images of children on his phone and computer.

Only 19 and 20 at the time of the offences, he was said to have been groomed by an older man who encouraged him to take his own indecent images.

This led to Rashad, of Highlands Close, Bradford, taking two indecent photos of a young boy and sending them on to at least one other person via Snapchat.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Rashad suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, and was described as being abnormally compliant and suggestible in a report presented to the court.

He pleaded guilty to a total of nine charges, eight of which related to indecent images of children, with the final charge being possessing prohibited images of children.

The charges covered a year-long period from March 2019 to March 2020 and included taking two category C indecent photographs of a young boy and distributing those images; distributing eight category A, 16 category B and 7 category C indecent photographs of children, and making 388 category A, 115 category B and 85 category C indecent photographs of children.

Recorder Benjamin Nolan QC sentenced Rashad to 26 months in prison. He received 18 months for two counts of category A offences, nine months for two category B offences and six months for the category C offences, all of which will be served concurrently. He also received eight months for taking and distributing indecent images of a child.

Rashad was placed on the sex offenders register for ten years and he was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years. His electronic devices, including phone and computer, were forfeited.

In sentencing, the Recorder said: These offences were particularly vile involving very young children. Making and distributing images of children are serious incidents and require substantial sentencing.

The prosecutor told the court that Rashad initially began chatting to an undercover officer in the US using cloud-based instant messaging service Telegram, under the user name UKLad21, in March 2020.

He bragged about the indecent images he had taken, and shared links online to other indecent images, all for acceptance and credibility.

His activity was flagged up by the US authorities to the National Crime Agency, and an undercover officer from the UK, posting as SwimDad, sought Rashad out online.

In their chats, Rashad was said to have posted about hoping to get married and have his own children to abuse and about travelling to Eastern Europe to abuse children there, as well as detailing how he gained his victims trust and co-operation through a game of truth or dare.

Rashad was arrested on March 20, 2020, and initially did not admit that he had a sexual interest in children.

He told police that he had not actually viewed the indecent images in the links he posted online for others - but had just clicked on them once and then shared them.

Rashad co-operated with the police investigation by handing over his code to unlock his phone and gave permission for his online account to be accessed.

An examination of both his phone and computer, saw most of the indecent images found on his phone, with some in a secure folder entitled my eyes only.

In his defence the court heard that Rashad had been abused and groomed by an older man, who had persuaded the defendant to take the indecent images of a young boy.

He was guided, encouraged and incited, adding that Rashad, who had the victim of a traumatic experience, suffered from PTSD as a result and had a social anxiety disorder too.

His barrister said that Rashad had tried to get out by deleting the app he used to chat to others, but had relented and eventually reinstalled it.

He has the motivation and capacity to change, he added.

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An Eastbourne woman has been sent to prison after being convicted of exploiting a vulnerable teenage boy for sexual purposes, Sussex Police have said.

Police said that Carole Taylor, 35, of Seaside Road, was sentenced to a total of five years imprisonment at Brighton Crown Court on Friday (January 14), following a Sussex Police investigation.

Police said she had been convicted in December after a six-day trial at Chichester Crown Court of two counts of sexual activity of a child, of meeting a child following sexual grooming, and sexual communication with a child.

She will be a registered sex offender for life, police confirmed.

Detective Sergeant Michaela Haddock of the East Sussex Safeguarding investigations Unit said: [The boys] extraordinary bravery in providing evidence in this case is admirable and no doubt played a vital part in the jury returning the unanimous verdict that they did.

The sentence reflects the seriousness of the irreparable impact that Taylors behaviour has had on this child but I hope that it will now allow him to move forward positively with his life.

She added: All reports of the abuse of children are taken extremely seriously and anyone with information about any such offending can contact us at any time and arrange to talk in confidence to our investigators.

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A paedophile travelled from Greater Manchester to Wales after arranging to sexually abuse a young child - but was met by police officers instead.

Michael Crossley spent months chatting to someone he believed to be the girl's mother online and over the phone before making the trip from his home on Bury New Road, Radcliffe, Bury, to carry out his sick fantasies.

In fact he had been communicating with an undercover policewoman and officers were waiting for him when he arrived at the meeting point in Cardiff, WalesOnlines reports.

Crossley would later claim that he was actually a paedophile hunter and had been trying to expose what he thought was a mother who was selling her daughter for sex.

But the 34-year-old failed to turn up for his trial to put that version of events before a jury last year and jurors convicted him in his absence.

The defendant returned to the dock of Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court for sentencing for facilitating sexual activity with a child and also for being involved in a 110mph police chase in a stolen car an incident which took place in Bolton while he should have been on trial in Wales.

The court heard that in the August of 2019 Crossley was on an adult sex website where he contacted the profile of a woman who had a daughter.

The defendant began messaging the woman on the site and then talking to her on the phone and he made it clear he was interested in 'playing' with her and her child.

He then began asking for indecent pictures of the girl, talked about the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child, including full penetrative sex, and discussed money changing hands.

The court heard that the profile on the adult site was actually being run by an undercover policewoman.

Crossley made arrangements to meet the woman and her daughter in Cardiff and travelled from his home in Bolton to the rendezvous point where he was met by police officers. He was found to be in possession of condoms, sex toys, lubricant, and a doll as a present for the child.

In his subsequent interview the defendant claimed to be part of a paedophile hunter group and said he believe the woman he had been chatting to was a paedophile who had been trying to sell her daughter for sex.

Crossley maintained his not guilty plea and the matter went to trial last August but the defendant failed to turn up at court.

The trial went ahead without him and he was duly convicted by the jury but in the meantime he had been involved in a high-speed police pursuit in Bolton.

This offence had seen him hitting speeds of 110mph as he raced through residential streets in a stolen Audi car, speeding through red lights, and taking bends on the wrong side of the road.

Eventually he abandoned the car and fled on foot but the combination of a police helicopter and a police dog tracked him down to his hiding place.

When arrested he was found to be in possession of cannabis.

The court heard the Audi had previously been stolen during a robbery and it was showing number plates that had been stolen from a different car which was being serviced in a garage.

Crossley had already been convicted of arranging or facilitating sexual activity with a child and had pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle-taking, dangerous driving, driving without insurance, possession of cannabis, and failing to surrender to bail when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.

He has six previous convictions for six offences including producing cannabis, assisting an offender, and taking a vehicle without consent.

Barrister Isobel Thomas, for Crossley, said the defendant still denied his guilt as far as the sexual offence was concerned but acknowledged he was facing a custodial sentence of some length.

She said that in 2019 he was going through a 'difficult time' with his business being closed down and his relationship of 16 years breaking down.

As a result she said he turned first to cannabis, then cocaine, and then crack cocaine and his mental health began to suffer.

Recorder Lucy Crowther told Crossley a jury had rejected his claims to be a paedophile hunter trying to trap an offender and the conversations he had with the undercover officer showed he, in fact, was the paedophile.

She said the dangerous driving he then engaged in had been 'appalling' and it was remarkable nobody had been injured or killed.

Crossley was sentenced to a total of 54 months in prison comprising 42 months for the sexual offence, 10 months for the dangerous driving, and two months for failing to surrender to court all to run consecutively with each other.

He was sentenced to six months for aggravated vehicle-taking and to one month for possession of cannabis with these sentences running concurrently to the 54 months.

No separate penalty was imposed for driving without insurance.

Due to the nature of the sex offence Crossley can apply for release at the halfway point of his sentence but it will be for the Parole Board to decide if or when he is released during his sentence.

When he is released he will be on an extended one-year licence and he will be on the sex offenders' register for the rest of his life, as well as being made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

He was also disqualified from driving and must pass an extended test before he can get his licence back.

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A music teacher who targeted young girls during a campaign of grooming, abuse and rape has been jailed for 11 years.

Matthew Birch, 45, who was said to regard adolescent girls as being fair game, attacked his victims while he worked at secondary schools in North Lanarkshire and Fife.

The former police officer had initially been described as a fun teacher and a father figure but a court was told that he preyed on vulnerable girls with musical talent.

Birch, of Edinburgh, was found guilty in December of nine charges including rape and engaging in sexual activity while in a position of trust between 2006 and 2017. Passing sentence at the High Court in Glasgow, Judge William Gallacher said: You have been convicted of a

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Gareth Holliday, 37, was caught in a sting carried out by a paedophile hunter group, a court heard

A grieving dad has been jailed after he was caught trying to meet a 13-year-old girl for sex.

Gareth Holliday, 37, travelled an hour from his home in Blackburn to a location in Rochdale intending to have sex with an underage girl in his car, Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

Unbeknown to him, he had been trapped in a sting carried out by a paedophile hunter group.

The girl he believed he was meeting was in fact a much older woman acting as a decoy, the court heard.

Holliday was confronted at the scene and police were called.

He was arrested and in interview did not deny that he had been exchanging sexual messages with a person he believed to be 13-years-old.

However, he claimed he had gone to meet the girl to 'make sure she got home safe', the court heard.

Mark Friend, defending, said Holliday suffers from learning difficulties and has an extremely low IQ.

"He has been met with tragedy," Mr Friend added.

"He and his partner - who has similar learning difficulties - have been in a relationship for some time and that tragedy... was devastating, the loss of his second child.

"It's unlikely to engender much sympathy but it's right that the court hears it.

"Subsequent to his arrest he was subjected to some rather unpleasant treatment in the community and he's now moved address.

"He would not be a difficult man to bully."

Anna Bond, prosecuting, told the court Holliday had initiated the contact with the decoy on a social media site and asked if she would like to be his 'sex friend'.

The decoy immediately informed him she was 13-years-old but it did not deter Holliday from continuing to send sexually explicit messages via WhatsApp.

He sent pictures of himself performing a sex act and encouraged the decoy to do likewise, the court heard.

Holliday also deleted some of the messages and told the decoy to do the same.

Sentencing, Judge Elliot Knopf said: "You were astute enough to groom this person you believed to be a girl.

"You were astute enough to delete messages from your phone and to suggest to her likewise.

"A level of awareness that is a relevant factor it seems to me."

Holliday, who had no previous convictions, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison after admitting seven child sex offences.

He will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

"I accept that this will be difficult for you," Judge Knopf added.

"You are someone who may prove to be vulnerable.

"But you knew full well what you were doing... these are serious offences that are far too common in our society nowadays.

"Members of the public expect that people who involve themselves in this sort of activity will face an appropriate sentence to act as a deterrent and punishment, and to ensure that this behaviour, that is potentially so serious, will not be tolerated at all."

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Fletcher Massey targeted five teenage girls and a woman during a shocking and nasty series of incidents.

A depraved sexual predator who regularly behaved like a violent bully targeted five teenage girls and a woman during a shocking and nasty series of incidents, including making vile threats to kill.

Fletcher Massey raped one girl and degraded her by forcing her to cook and clean for him.

He sent a menacing knife emoji to another girl and threatened to stab her in the face, Hull Crown Court heard.

Massey, 21, formerly of Newland Grove, Hull, admitted nine offences, including rape, four of sexual activity with a child, two of assault causing actual bodily harm and another of intimidating a witness between June and September 2020.

He also admitted causing a girl to engage in sexual activity by forcing her to watch a video of him committing a sex act.

Ian Howard, prosecuting, said that Massey had consensual sex with a 15-year-old girl he met over Facebook during lockdown when she sneaked out of her home to see him.

He also had sex with another 14-year-old girl he met through Facebook after she went to his home.

In other incidents, he forced a 15-year-old girl to cook and clean for him and had sex with her at least six times a day.

He threatened her with violence and had sex with her on one occasion while holding a pillow over her face.

Massey also threatened to throw acid in her face.

He assaulted a pregnant 16-year-old girl by grabbing her by the throat and squeezing her neck until she was dizzy.

In another assault, Massey lost his temper with a 20-year-old woman he was in a relationship with and headbutted her in the face.

He intimidated another girl who was a witness by threatening to kill her during a voicemail.

He sent four emoji messages, including a knife image, and made 12 telephone calls in one day.

Massey also threatened in another call to knock her out and threatened in another message to stab her in the face.

Massey, who now prefers to be called Kai Massey, had convictions for attempted robbery, assault and possessing a knife.

Stephen Robinson, mitigating, said that Massey had suffered a wretched childhood and had been put in care.

"He has had trouble relating to how he deals with others," said Mr Robinson.

Massey's behaviour was impulsive, emotionally immature and "grossly lacking in social and life skills" but there was some hope for him for the future, the court was told.

"He does feel more positive for the future," said Mr Robinson.

Recorder Anthony Hawks told Massey: "You have committed extremely serious offences. At least, late in the day, you have had the decency and maturity to plead guilty."

Massey was jailed for 12 years and three months.

He was given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and must register as a sex offender for life.

After the hearing, Detective Sergeant Stu Fox said: It became clear to us from listening to the accounts of these girls that Fletcher Massey is an extremely callous, dangerous and perverted man who enjoys inflicting harm on young women for his own pleasure.

I cannot imagine the trauma that these girls have had to experience at the hands of this cowardly man, but they should be so proud of their strength in coming forward about the abuse they had suffered and remaining dignified throughout this entire investigation.

They have remained consistently engaged with us, entrusted us with distressing information and been strong throughout, even when they were going through personal traumas unconnected to the case.

Massey had tried to intimidate these girls into withdrawing their accounts, but the girls bravely stood against him, reported his actions and we were able to keep him remanded into custody, where he couldnt cause them, or anyone else, further harm.

I also want to thank the witnesses who have come forward and continued to offer support to the investigation, ultimately helping us to get justice for the victims.

There is nowhere other than behind bars that this man deserves to be. Im pleased he is now off the streets and hope this brings his victims some closure, although I understand this will not undo the damage and pain he has inflicted upon them."

An NSPCC spokesperson also commented on Massey's sentencing.

They said: Masseys last-minute admission of this horrific campaign of abuse against four young girls may have spared them the distress of reliving their experiences in court but can never undo the devastation his repulsive actions caused.

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A female paedophile who raped a young girl and shared images of the abuse online has admitted 34 charges in court.

Vicki Bevan, 37, repeatedly sexually assaulted the child under 13, who cannot be identified, and on some occasions carried out the perverted attacks alongside Paul Rafferty, 62, and a second man, 42-year-old Tony Hutton.

The abuse was filmed and photographed which ultimately led to the arrests of all three.

They had been set to stand trial in April, but the two men entered guilty pleas to a string of sexual offences earlier this month.

Bevan, of St Helens, Merseyside, cried as she appeared at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday via video link from HMP Styal and pleaded guilty to 34 sexual offences, including one count of rape and five counts of assault by penetration.

Bevan also pleaded guilty to 17 counts of making an indecent image of a child, with two of these counts made up of 52 Category A and 42 Category B images.

She also admitted two counts of possessing extreme pornography, relating to 100 'grossly offensive, disgusting or otherwise obscene' animal porn images.

The rape, one count of penetration and another of sexual assault on a child under 13 were carried out jointly with Rafferty, of St Helens.

A count of sexual assault involved Bevan and Hutton, also of St Helens, both performing a sex act on the victim

Jonathan Duffy, defending Bevan, yesterday said the two co-accused would be sentenced on March 25 this year and asked that Bevan be sentenced on the same date.

He said: 'Steps are currently in place for her to be seen by a psychiatrist. It's likely there will be a psychiatric report served in due course.'

Martine Snowdon, prosecuting, said pre-sentence reports had already been ordered on behalf of Rafferty and Hutton.

Judge Andrew Menary QC, Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, said he would also require a pre-sentence report from the Probation Service on Bevan.

Judge Menary directed that the report must consider exclusively 'the issue of dangerousness' - whether Bevan is a dangerous offender, as defined by law.

If the three paedophiles are found to be dangerous offenders, then they may receive extended sentences of at least two thirds - rather than half - of their custodial term behind bars.

He told Bevan she would now be subject to interim requirements of the Sex Offenders Register.

Bevan sobbed as Judge Menary remanded her in custody ahead of sentencing on March 25.

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A truly wicked paedophile has been jailed for repeatedly raping a young boy and making him carry out sex acts.

Kristopher Griffiths was told to reflect on what he had done by a judge who sentenced him to 17 years behind bars for the abuse of a boy aged under 10.

The 30-year-old, from Barnsley, would make the young boy carry out sex acts upon him and told his victim not to tell anyone about the abuse, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

The boy is said to have suffered severe psychological problems as a result of the abuse.

Amy Earnshaw, defending, told the court that Griffiths had been attacked while in prison and had to be moved from one wing to another.

Judge Jeremy Richardson told him the reality is that sex offenders are targets within the countrys prisons.

Sentencing him to 17 years in prison after admitting two counts of rape of a child and one count of sexual activity with a child, he said: I am aware that you will find prison particularly hard.

Offenders of your type, Im afraid, face particular problems in the custodial environment.

I have all of that well in mind and all other various features in the case.

Griffiths, of Meadsted Drive, Royston, was also made the subject of a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Judge Richardson added: I have kept a sense of proportion when fixing the sentence in this case. I make it clear it could easily have been slightly longer than that which I am imposing.

That boy has suffered severe psychological harm.

Your conduct was truly dreadful towards that boy. You deserve to be punished, of that there can be no doubt.

Reflect on what you have done. It was truly wicked.

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A MAN has been jailed for 18 years after being found guilty of historical child sex offences against two girls.

Stuart John Aldridge, aged 52 and of Bournemouth, was convicted of rape, two charges of indecent assault and two counts of sexual activity with a child following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.

The offences were committed over a period of around 10 years, starting in the late 1990s and involved two child victims.

One of the victims first disclosed the offences to police in April 2019 and the second victim was interviewed by officers the following month.

Aldridge was subsequently arrested and charged. He appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, February 16, where a judge sentenced him to 18 years' imprisonment.

Detective Constable Jo Shewbridge, of Dorset Polices Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: These two victims have shown great courage incoming forward to report the despicable abuse they suffered at the hands of Stuart Aldridge.

This led to a detailed investigation by the Child Abuse Investigation Team and, with the support of the victims throughout our enquiries and the court process, we have now been able to bring him to justice for his terrible actions.

I hope this case demonstrates that we will take reports of this nature extremely seriously and will fully support victims of sexual abuse who come forward.

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Speaking on the I'mPossible Conversation YouTube channel, Strachan, who calls himself a 'forgiveness life coach', said he has spent time learning about "personal development".

Strachan, from Edinburgh, told how he raped a girl while she was sleeping when he was 21.

He was asked by host Sukhee M: "You mentioned about 'forgiving myself for my past'. How can people use forgiveness to improve their lives?"

The DJ and event organiser, whose stage name is 'Craig Saint', replied: "Admit what you've done and just ask the universe. For me it was forgiving myself.

"When I had my spiritual awakening last year, it was so, so scary. I was reminded of something that happened when I was 21. When I was high and totally f**ked up I raped a girl.

"I had sex with her when she was sleeping. It lasted about 10 seconds - she was in my bed and as soon as it happened I instantly knew, 's**t, I should not have done that'.

"When I had my awakening, when I discovered god or the universe, this was 2019. And I kept getting all these horrible feelings because I was getting well-known in Edinburgh. My nights were getting really popular, and I had this like shadow behind me, like 'remember what you did - remember you can't forget this'.

"I got so, so bad. It got to like last summer and like it was eating me inside. It was absolutely tearing me apart. I've got a really upbeat, happy personality and I was trying to mask my real feelings by being happy.

"I was honestly dying, I felt so, so bad. I was contemplating suicide. I just wanted out - it was really, really hard."

After leaving Edinburgh he moved out to Ibiza and started dating another girl, who he said had also been raped.

'I MADE A HORRIFIC MISTAKE'

He said: "I felt so guilty. I kept feeling these feelings of guilt and shame for months afterwards."

Strachan added: "I really hope the girl forgives me one day... I was comparing myself to all these bad people when in actual fact I made a horrific mistake."

The interviewer asked him: "Have you forgiven yourself?"

Strachan, who now lives in Barcelona, said: "I think, right now, I have. I really do. This very second, I've been getting signs from the universe that I need to tell people about it, tell people my story."

The life coach said he lives by the "law of attraction", a belief that positive or negative thoughts bring positive or negative experiences into people's lives.

One concerned person told The Scottish Sun: "Whats concerning is lots of people are aware of this and this man is still being allowed to work in bars and nightclubs and no one seems to care or be bothered."

Strachan told The Scottish Sun: "I don't believe that someone should have to spend a lifetime carrying their mistake if they have done everything in their power to fix the situation. I did admit to this and I also got in contact with the girl and her family to apologise for the situation. And I really hope that they do.

"That's why I created The Forgiveness Movement - to help people who are afraid to speak up about their wrongs and give them help with how to seek forgiveness and forgive themselves.

"I believe we as a society need to have love, compassion and understanding for each other rather than blaming and condemning. We all make mistakes and we should forgive each other for our wrongs rather than shaming."

The description on the YouTube video reads: "Craig is an international DJ, producer and event promoter from Glasgow with a love for bringing joy into the lives of the people he meets - whether on the dance floor or in person. He is extremely ambitious, goal orientated and fun, inspiring others to create the best version of themselves.

"By having such a strong production work ethic, spending 5 focussed years in the studio, (releasing under his Sesentayuno alias) last year he landed gigs in Switzerland, Italy, Ibiza & across Scotland, as well as selling out events in his home club at The Mash House in Edinburgh.

"Local & international crowds alike bond with his ability to create an incredibly fun party vibe, which takes the dance floor on an unforgettable journey. Craig shifted his focus throughout the lockdown to personal development, the law of attraction, coaching & helping others through their spiritual awakening.

"Now focus back on music with a fresh perspective to producing & the industry, he is using his skills to coach others how to make 'Groovy Tech House' music and preparing tracks for upcoming releases."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: We are aware of the video and enquiries are being carried out.

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Paul Shakespeare 66 and of Scaleby Close, Upperby in Carlisle appeared at Gloucester Crown Court to be sentenced for one count of rape and one count of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

A pensioner has been jailed for raping a teenage dog walker more than 30 years ago after a DNA breakthrough.

Predatory Paul Shakespeare, 66, was told by a judge he faced a "belated day of reckoning" as he was locked up for nine years for attacking the then 18-year-old woman.

The court heard he targeted his victim as she strolled with her pooch on Cheltenham's Honeybourne Line, in April 1990.

The teen had been walking along a public footpath when she was approached by the stranger who threatened her with a wooden stick adapted with a protruded nail.

She was then dragged her the bushes and subjected to a "terrifying" rape while in a "paralysis" of fear, the court heard.

Shakespeare then threatened to kill the victim if she reported him and fled the scene.

Full DNA was recovered but despite numerous public appeals, including a Crimewatch reconstruction in 2008, he continued to evade justice for decades.

The victim told the court today that her life was never the same after the attack and she even attempted suicide with an overdose to erase the pain she carried forward.

She said that "It was the most scared I have ever been. I did not know if I would live or die."

But she was finally able to see her attacker face justice after Shakespeare was arrested for a separate incident in August last year and a subsequent DNA sample provided a match.

He initially tried to claim the sex was consensual but pleaded guilty to one count of rape and another of possession of an offensive weapon before the case came to trial.

"A belated reckoning"

Jailing him today at Gloucester Crown Court, Judge Michael Cullum said: "Today is a belated reckoning - some 30 years later.

"Any young woman would be traumatised for life by what you did.

"I am so relieved this day has finally come for the victim. Thirty years she has been denied justice and lived daily with the nightmare that you inflicted on her.

"That nightmare of course does not end with the sentence.

"She knew that this day would come and her remarkable faith in the system of criminal justice has been borne out. At least she and all women will be safe for you for a considerable period of time."

The court heard the defendant had a sharpened stick with a nail driven through it that he used as an adapted weapon and had 'eyed up' several women in the area before choosing a victim to rape.

"You know you are a rapist"

Judge Cullum added: "You were walking around waiting for a victim.

"This was planned. When you found your victim, you threatened and frightened her into the paralysis of compliance.

"You then twisted the situation and said she had waited for you.

"She would surely doubt and question her own actions - over which she would have had no control and no choice at the time.

The judge added that the victim was "stripped of her clothing and dignity" and told Shakespeare: "You embarked upon an attack that had nothing to do with consent - but everything to do with your physical power over her."

The judge added: "She was raped while walking a dog with people around and in daylight.

"Fortunately your physical limitations now mean people are going to be protected from you.

"This was not anything like consensual and as a result of your actions your victim tried to end her own life.

"That day you went out to rape. You did rape and you know you are a rapist."

"I had to pretend to myself it did not happen"

In a statement, the victim said she relived the trauma daily and would never be able to "forgive or forget."

She added: "I felt embarrassed, violated and dirty and did not want to share this with anyone.

"To cope I had to pretend to myself it did not happen and I did not share my dark secret.

"Each day I lived in fear and was fearful of my personal safety. I lost all confidence and had some very dark moments. I suffered nightmares and panic attacks for at least a year after the incident.

"Every night when I went to sleep I relived that night."

The victim said she also tried to take her own life with an overdose and hit "rock bottom".

She said she spent her life putting up barriers and felt like she was "broken and damaged goods".

"It does not get easier," she added. "Still after time had passed I felt dirty and unworthy and thought about what happened every day.

She said she relived her "intrusive" trauma by taking part in Crimewatch in 2008 but the appeal yielded no results.

But last year she received a knock on the door telling her her rapist had finally been identified.

She added: "I honestly don't know how I felt. Being raped will haunt me for the rest of my life. It was the most scared I have ever been. I did not know if I would live or die. I was petrified wondering if this man is going to kill me.

"I can not ever forgive and certainly can never forget. If I could take something to erase my memory I would. I know what happened made me a different person and stopped me being the person I want to be.

"Finally admitting what he has done does not take away the devastating impact for years of evading arrest. He never came forward and left me broken and unable to cope for many years.

"I hope he hears this statement and understands what his actions did for me. I only hope he is remorseful, to not just me but to his family."

"A deeply horrifying incident"

Shakespeare, of Carlisle, appeared via video link today and told he would serve at least two thirds of his sentence but would remain on the sex offenders register for life.

His defence team said he had "started to show remorse" for what he did and deserved credit for pleading guilty and avoiding the need for a trial.

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Simone Bowley said: "I would like to commend the victim as her bravery and courage has been phenomenal right from the day this horrific crime took place, through to present day.

"She has had to wait for more than 30 years for Shakespeare to admit his abhorrent crimes. The case has been reopened and reviewed over this time, and she has continued to work with us in the hope that one day he will be caught and brought to justice.

"This was a deeply horrifying incident which happened to a teenage girl who was walking her dog on a late Sunday afternoon. The impact of this crime was felt within the wider community too, as people were fearful of what took place day.

"We all had hope that we would be able to identify the man responsible for this, and I am glad that day has finally come."

Description

A 'depraved' Emersons Green man drugged a woman so he and others could rape her.

Daniel Bishop obtained the GHB 'date rape' drug from a Dutch website, Bristol Crown Court was told.

After slipping it into her drink he forced himself on her while she was unconscious and broadcast the abuse via the internet.

And he also arranged for other men to similarly abuse her, the court heard.

Bishop, 43, pleaded guilty to three rapes, three attempted rapes, a sexual assault and administering a noxious substance.

Judge James Patrick, who categorised him as a dangerous offender, jailed him for 14 years and eight months with extended licence of eight years.

He told Bishop: "You fall to be sentenced for a set of depraved offences.

"What you did is, in my judgement, degrading and humiliating."

The judge ordered Bishop to register as a sex offender for life and barred him from working with children and vulnerable adults.

Giles Nelson, prosecuting, said Bishop drugged the complainant before arranging for a man to rape her.

Though he invited other men to do the same they declined, the court heard.

When he raped the unconscious woman twice himself he put the assault online, the court heard.

Mr Nelson said: "The defendant was frank about his feelings as a sexual predator.

"He stated he preyed on prostitutes and said he had a sex addiction for which he had sought help."

Charley Pattison, defending, said her client had been blighted by mental health issues and addiction to alcohol.

She said: "He is devastated by what he has done.

"He has now, for the first time, come to terms with childhood experiences of trauma and how it may well have made him the person he is today.

"He is beyond sorry for what he has done."

Detective Constable Cheryl Aucott, the investigating police officer in the case, said: Daniel Bishop has been convicted of a series of appalling offences following a sensitive and complex investigation.

The victim in this case has shown incredible bravery in supporting these court proceedings.

"We hope this conviction encourages other victims of sexual offences to have the confidence to report incidents to us, so offenders can be brought to justice.