Latest Offenders

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A man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a young girl over a period of several years - from when she was just six. Aron Scott, 27, from Thanet, began his campaign of abuse more than a decade ago. When his victim was just six-years-old, he would encourage her to engage in sexual acts. The offences continued when she was in her early teens and Scott raped her on a number of occasions. His victim later told her family about Scott's behaviour, and they contacted Kent Police in 2020. Her disclosures led to an investigation by the East Kent Vulnerability Investigation Team, who charged Scott with multiple sexual offences in September 2021. Scott, of Birds Avenue, Margate, later admitted 12 charges including rape of a child, sexual activity with a child and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. "The impact on his victim is difficult to underestimate..." On May 11, he was jailed for a total of 10 years and 10 months. An indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also imposed to prevent future offences following his release. Det Con Susan Kingsnorth, Kent Police's investigating officer, said: "These offences began when Scott was a child himself, but continued well in his adulthood. "The impact on his victim is difficult to underestimate and I would like to praise her for telling her family and then supporting us as we built the case that has now seen Scott jailed for a significant period of time. "I would urge anyone who is being or has been sexually abused, or anyone who knows of a child they fear may be the victim of such offences, to contact police immediately. "We will take action to protect the victim and bring any offenders to justice."

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A predatory sex offender who attacked women over a 26-year period has been found guilty of the murder of Shani Warren in 1987 and the kidnap and rape of another victim six years earlier.

The jury at Reading Crown Court has today found Donald Robertson, 66, guilty of the false imprisonment, indecent assault and murder of Shani Warren and the kidnap and rape of a 16-year-old girl.

Ms Warrens body was found at the edge of Taplow Lake, near Slough, on 18 April 1987. Her wrists and ankles were bound and she was gagged. A pathologist concluded that she had died from drowning, with a strong possibility of strangulation beforehand.

It was his opinion that Shani died by suicide, as there were no defence marks or evidence of sexual assault and she could have applied the bindings herself.

Despite these findings, Ms Warrens death was investigated as suspicious, but there was not enough evidence for the police to charge anyone in connection with the case. An inquest in 1987 concluded with an open verdict.

Six years earlier, a 16-year-old girl was attacked and raped as she was walking home in Slough. Robertson was arrested at the time but released when the victim did not point him out during an identity parade. Even though she identified him to police immediately afterwards, procedures at the time meant the identification was not considered sufficient to charge the defendant.

Advances in forensic science provided a breakthrough for both cases in the last few years with new evidence being discovered that clearly linked Robertson to these crimes.

When a cold case team at Thames Valley Police reviewed the unsolved case of Ms Warren, further forensic work found traces of Robertsons DNA on the gag found in Ms Warrens mouth something that hadnt been swabbed in the initial examination and on her bra. A pathologist who reviewed the new evidence and the previous pathologists findings concluded someone else had been involved in her death.

Evidence taken in 1981 from the other victims clothing was also tested, and a DNA profile matching Robertson was obtained.

This compelling forensic evidence played a vital part in the case presented by the Crown Prosecution Service at trial. It was supported in Ms Warrens case by accounts of her life and state of mind at the time of her death from witnesses who knew her well.

The prosecution successfully argued that the positive identification of Robertson made by the other victim after she was raped was admissible as evidence. Robertsons previous convictions for sexual offences, which spanned more than three decades, were also presented as evidence of his tendency to commit crimes of this nature, and that the DNA findings were unlikely to be a coincidence.

Robbie Weber of the Crown Prosecution Service said: Donald Robertson is a dangerous and deadly predatory sex offender who attacked women over almost three decades, using violent threats to get what he wanted. In the case of Shani Warren, he went as far as to take her life.

Advances in forensic science led to a breakthrough in the unsolved cases of Ms Warrens death and the sexual attack on another young girl, with new compelling DNA evidence clearly linking Robertson to both crimes. This evidence played a vital part in the case that we presented at trial which has today resulted in guilty verdicts.

Our thoughts are with Ms Warrens loved ones and the other victim in this case who have waited many years to see justice served.

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A man who sexually assaulted six people over a 41-year period has been jailed at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Paedophile John Ballantyne, 60, carried out his evil attacks in victims in Bonnybridge, Dennyloanhead and Moodiesburn, between 1977 and 2018.

His youngest victim was just 5-years-old.

Ballantyne will spend 12 years behind bars with a further 4 years on licence and will also be subject to sex offender registration requirements.

Investigating officers have described him as a "dangerous individual".

Detective Sergeant David Brown from Larbert Police Station said: "We welcome the sentencing of John Ballantyne, who has shown himself to be a dangerous individual who has indiscriminately offended against females and males, both adults and children, over a number of decades.

"His offending has had a significant and lasting impact on the lives of his victims. Todays sentencing ensures that he faces the consequences of his actions.

"I would like to commend the men and women who came forward to report Ballantynes crimes, for their bravery and resilience throughout this process.

"I hope the conviction and sentencing can help them move forward with their lives.

"We treat all reports of abuse and sexual crimes seriously and sensitively, regardless of when they occurred.

"I would urge anyone who has been subject to this sort of behaviour to come forward to police feeling confident that we will investigate it thoroughly.

"Anyone who wants to report crime can contact Police Scotland on 101."

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A sex offender who abused two children for a period of eight years has been jailed.

Robin Noble, of Halstead near Sevenoaks, committed a series of offences with one of the victims between 2008 and 2012, and with a second victim between 2005 and 2013.

The abuse was reported to Kent Police and Noble was arrested on December 13, 2018.

Noble, 65, was later charged with multiple sexual offences involving children and six counts of making indecent images of children.

He pleaded guilty to the indecent image charges but not guilty to the other offences. On April 1 this year he was convicted of 16 sexual offences involving children, after a 10-day trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

Now Noble has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment after a sentencing hearing at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, May 16.

He was also added to the sex offenders register indefinitely and made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

Investigator Becki Pike, from the West Kent Child Protection Team, said: "Noble subjected his two vulnerable young victims to dreadful crimes for his own gratification and, by pleading not guilty, forced them to revisit their ordeal.

"The victims displayed tremendous courage in speaking up and then assisting us to bring this appalling man to justice.

"I would urge anyone who has been a victim of any sexual offence to report this to the police.

"We have a team of specialist officers who work to ensure that offenders like Noble do not evade justice, just because a crime may have happened a long time ago.

"We will always treat any information with the upmost confidence and sensitivity."

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A COPs career was in ruins after he admitted sick sex attacks on five female officers. Ross Campbell, 44, repeatedly assaulted his colleagues during boozy nights out. Hes now on the sex offenders register after he confessed to a catalogue of vile incidents where he fondled and groped his victims. Fiscal Alan Townsend said: The accused was a temporary sergeant. The complainers were police constables, some working under his authority. Most of the complainers did not initially report what had happened. Once one of them came forward others agreed to do the same after being approached by an investigating officer. Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told about an incident in September 2019 during a night out in the city for Campbells birthday. Mr Townsend said: The complainer felt a slap on her buttocks. The accused just laughed. He slapped her buttocks another two or three times without her consent. The court heard Campbell groped a female officer five times in one night during a drunken session in Dundee and struck again on the train home. A colleague warned him that word was spreading of him being handsy. In a message Campbell, from the Cove area of Aberdeen, replied: Okay thanks bud. Was pretty wasted. Feel like sh** hearing this. I shouldnt have put myself in that position FFS. But in February 2020 he said a victim was giving him vibes before he fondled her privates through her clothing in a bar. He messaged her later and tried to play down what hed done. He said: Sorry if I was bugging you. Usual shambles of a police night out. She went to cops and Campbell was arrested by fellow officers at Police Scotlands Aberdeen HQ. He was supposed to go on trial yesterday but avoided that after he admitted the attacks. He was cleared of another three incidents. The court was told that one of his victims claimed Campbell was a really nice guy when sober. His solicitor Gareth Jones said: Mr Campbell offers an unreserved apology to all of the complainers in this case. Beak Graham Buchanan deferred sentence until next month. Superintendent Lorna Ferguson of Police Scotlands Professional Standards Department, said: "We are aware of the outcome of the case. The matter will be referred to the Deputy Chief Constable for Professionalism, Digital and Transformation for consideration under the Police Service of Scotland (Conduct) Regulations 2014.

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Norman Smith from Airdrie was found guilty of sexual assault and rape on two girls aged 9 & 10 years old.

He was sentenced to 6 years in prison backdated from the 16th May 2022. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.

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Dr Strange actress Zara Phythian has been jailed for eight years at Nottingham Crown Court for the historical sexual abuse of a young girl.

Phythians husband Victor Marke was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for jointly abusing the same victim - who was aged between 13 and 15, as well as the indecent assault of a second girl.

Zara Phythian, who is 37-years-old, is known for Accident Man 2 (2022), Tribal Get Out Alive (2020) and Marvel's Doctor Strange (2016) where she starred with Benedict Cumberbatch.

The child was given rum and asked if she wanted to play a game of dare, the trial heard

The alleged abuse began when the child was given rum and Phythian, of Taurus Close, Mansfield, asked her if she wanted to play a game of "dare".

Phythian, an experienced martial artist, dared the child to join in a sex act with her and her husband Victor, 59, of Mavis Avenue, Ravenshead, the trial heard.

The victim, who cannot be named, told the court Marke made threats against her and ordered her to film some of the abuse at the hands of the "Jekyll and Hyde" couple.

Phythian denied having any sexual contact with the victim, who was able to describe a Chinese calligraphy tattoo the actress has near her private parts.

The victim was abused at least 20 times as the offences continued until she was 16, Nottingham court hears

The victim, who came forward after a separate complaint in 2016, described how Marke pretended to be asleep before joining in what she believed was pre-planned abuse alongside Phythian.

Passing sentence, Judge Mark Watson told the couple he believed the start of the sexual abuse of the joint victim had been pre-planned.

The judge told Marke: I regard you as the driving force behind the abuse. You were clearly aware of the first incident but pretended to be asleep.

"This could only have been a ruse agreed in advance."

During the sentencing, the judge also said that Phythians "deviance" was shaped by the influence that Marke had on her from an early age.

Addressing Phythian, the judge added: "Whilst you denied in cross-examination that you were besotted with Victor Marke, on the evidence I have heard I am in no doubt that your deviance was shaped by the influence that he had upon you from an early age.

"I cannot ignore that it started at a time when you were still young."

But the judge added: Having said that, none of this excuses what you did these were choices you made.

"You were by then successful in your own right. You chose to play your part."

As she was led away to the cells, Phythian waved at the public gallery, where a woman shouted: "I love you, Zara."

The 37-year-old, from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and Marke, 59, were told they will have to serve at least half their sentences before being considered for parole.

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"You are a liar. You are a rapist."

These were the words a judge spoke to a man who claimed he was the victim, after he submitted a Bristol woman to a terrifying sexual assault. Though he denies wrongdoing, Haithum Alsuliman was not believed and a jury convicted him.

The 35-year-old, of Nags Head Hill in St George, was found guilty of rape following the attack early last year. He was produced for sentence today at Bristol Crown Court. (May 16, 2022)

The recorder Mr Neil Millard jailed him for eight years. He told him: "It is an offence to suggest that you were the victim here...It is an offence for you to say she lied about what happened.

"Mr Alsuliman, listen very carefully to what I am about to say to you. You are a liar. You are a rapist."

Alsuliman was handed an indefinite restraining order banning all contact with the victim. He was ordered to register his whereabouts to police indefinitely and was barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.

Nikki Coombe, prosecuting, said the woman had been drinking with friends and was intoxicated when she caught the bus to her Bristol home. She became aware of Alsuliman near a crossing, the court heard.

Miss Coombe said: "She doesn't remember his exact first words to her but he said something that caused her to stop to speak with him. He said 'Do you want help home because you seem wobbly?' She said 'no'."

With that Alsuliman kissed her on the mouth and neck and, thinking he would leave her alone, she walked on. But as she continued Alsuliman followed her and directed her off the pavement and behind a wall, to which he pinned her, the court heard.

Miss Coombe described how Alsuliman then pulled down her lower clothing and raped her. A car then pulled up nearby, causing him to stop.

The victim said during the ordeal her mind and body were doing different things. She said her mind said she should do something to make the man stop, while her body simply froze in shock.

After the attack Alsuliman asked the woman if she wanted him to walk her home and she again told him "no", the court heard. She arrived "inconsolable" at home, police were called in, and she underwent forensic tests which linked Alsuliman to her.

The woman told police she recalled giving the attacker her phone number, to make him go away. It later transpired both her and Alsuliman's phone histories had been deleted - but forensic analysis of Alsuliman's device showed it had called the woman's device around the time of the attack.

When Alsuliman was arrested he denied wrongdoing. He was then picked out from an identity parade.

Emily Lauchlan, defending, said her client had suggested he was a virgin before the incident. She said her client came from Syria to the UK in 2016, and had been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.

Miss Lauchlan told the court: "Up to this point he had tried to be an upstanding member of the community. He could do in-depth work on a one-to-one basis; that will ensure victim empathy can be dealt with and to reduce the likelihood of reoffending further."

PC David Stevenson said: I would like pay tribute to victim in this case for the bravery she has shown.

Having experienced the trauma of the incident, Alsuliman then put her through the further ordeal of a trial even though the evidence clearly pointed to him being the offender.

She has shown great courage and bravery in standing up to him and supporting our investigation and I hope she is able to find some comfort in the knowledge that her attacker is now behind bars for some time.

Victims of rape or sexual assault, recent or non-recent, can self-refer to The Bridge, a Sexual Assault Referral Centre available 24/7 365 days a year. Visit their website at www.thebridgecanhelp.org.uk or call 0117 342 6999.

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A pot-bellied paedophile who showed not one iota of remorse blinked in shock as he was caged for 15 years. Dad-of-two Martin Holmes, 36, was more than twice his victims age when he began abusing his nine-year-old victim in the mid-2000s. The abuse, which began with the then teenager touching his younger victim, escalated until the boy was in his mid-teens. Holmes had denied molesting the boy but was found guilty last month of 14 offences, including sexual assault of a child under-13 by penetration and sexual activity with a child. Jailing him for 15 years at Oxford Crown Court on Friday afternoon, Judge Michael Gledhill QC told the bespectacled defendant: You have denied the offences from the moment you were confronted with them until this very day. You do not accept that youve done anything wrong. You do not accept youve committed any criminal offences let alone sexually abusing this boy over these years. You say he is a complete liar and has made this all up. Youve shown not one iota of remorse for what you did. In March, jurors at Oxford Crown Court heard how Holmes, who was said to have been bullied at school, struck up a friendship with his victim after befriending the boys parents in the south Oxfordshire village where they lived. Prosecutor Laura Blackband told the jury that Holmes singled out his victim and groomed him. He was accused of experimenting on the boy, using him as a sexual outlet. The offending stopped when the defendant moved away from the area. The victim tried to bury what happened but spoke to his mother and then girlfriend about his seven-year ordeal after Holmes got in touch with the mans father via social media to ask about a car for sale. Lawrence Henderson, mitigating on Friday afternoon, reminded the judge that his client had no previous convictions and had two children of his own. He asked that Holmes was given a sentence that would provide light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Sending him to prison, Judge Gledhill said Holmes had been regarded as something of an oddball by his contemporaries in the village. The fact you were bullied at school is absolutely no excuse for what you did, but may indicate the sort of inadequate man in some respects that you are, he said. Turning to the victims family, who packed the public gallery for the sentencing hearing, Judge Gledhill said: I see his parents and his family in court, no doubt blaming themselves for not doing what they now realise they ought to have done because they trusted you. They are not to be blamed for that. They didnt commit these offences. They just trusted you and you have breached their trust as well as that of your so-called friend, the victim. Holmes, of Bluebell Avenue, Peterborough, will serve half of his 15 year sentence before he is eligible for release. A restraining order prevents him from contacting his victims family and he will be a sex offender for life.

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Robert Humble was jailed for a second time in 2021 after police found out he had files named naughty boys on his laptop. An elderly paedophile has been handed a fine for failing to inform authorities about a gold credit card. Robert Humble was sent to prison for two years and six months in 2019 for causing or inciting a male under 16 to engage in sexual activity, making indecent images of children and possessing illegal images. The 72-year-old, was jailed again in 2021 after police found out he had files named naughty boys on his laptop. Humble appeared back in court on Friday May 13 for sentencing for failing to comply with Sex Offender Register notifications. According to Teesside Live, he admitted not telling police about his new Visa Gold Credit card despite a requirement to do so as part of being on the register. Teesside Magistrates Court heard how police attended Humbles home in Beaufort Close, Guisborough, on January 18 this year to speak the pensioner about unrelated alleged offences. Prosecutor Saba Shan told the court that during a police interview the officers found the credit card and asked Humble if he had notified the authorities, to which he replied Im sure I have. However it was later confirmed that it had not been registered, which Humble accepted. Helen Sabiston, mitigating, said it has been an oversight by Humble, who suffers from Parkinsons disease, and the first time he had breached notification requirements. However the court was told Humble had twice previously breached a Sexual Harm Prevention Order in 2021. On that occasion his computer was checked as part of the order. Two files were found in the recycling bin which were named naughty boys and naughty boys 2. The court was told how Humble said he deleted them to avoid being the old me and being a sexual predator. Humble was fined 80 by magistrates for the breach of notification requirement over the credit card. He was also told to pay 119 in costs and a victim surcharge.

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James Thomas was convicted of 21 counts of rape of a girl under 13, sexual assault, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. A man who spent years sexually abused two young vulnerable girls has been made the subject of an extended sentence as a dangerous offender. James Thomas carried out a prolonged "campaign of rape" against one young girl and sexually assaulted another over a six-year period. The abuse started when one of the victims was aged just five. Thomas, aged 42, denied a total of 21 offences including oral, anal, and vaginal rape but was convicted following a trial at Swansea Crown Court. The court heard victim statements from the two young girls he abused in which they detailed the psychological impact the sexual offending has had on their lives including feeling scared around men, feeling isolated, suffering with nightmares and flashbacks, and resorting to self-harming to mask the emotional pain. As victims of sexual offences the females have lifelong legal anonymity. James Thomas, of Mansel Street, Carmarthen, had previously been convicted of nine counts of rape of a child under 13, two of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and 10 of sexual assault of a child under 13 at trial in March when he returned to the dock for sentencing on Monday. He has no previous convictions. Ian Ibrahim, for Thomas, said the dad-of-two faced a sentence that would change his life forever. He said the defendant had always worked hard, mainly in the car industry, to provide for his family and in recent years had experienced the deaths of both parents. Judge Catherine Richards told Thomas he had targeted and manipulated two young and vulnerable girls and subjected one to what could properly be called a "campaign of rape". She said having heard all the evidence in the case and having read a pre-sentence report on the defendant she was satisfied that he posed a significant risk of committing further sexual offences against young girls and that an extended sentence was necessary to protect the public. Thomas was given a 24-year extended sentence comprising 22 years in custody followed by a two-year licence period. He must serve two-thirds of the custodial element of the sentence before he can apply for release but it will be for the Parole Board to determine if he is safe to be returned to the community. He will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life. Speaking after the sentencing Mandy Tobias, district crown prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Rape is a harrowing crime that has a devastating effect on the victim. Thomas repeatedly abused two children to satisfy his own desires and now he will answer for his crimes thanks to the courage the children have shown in speaking out."

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A WARRANT has been issued for the arrest of a man convicted and given a custodial sentence in his absence this week for sexually assaulting an underage girl. Craig Elliott, 32, was found guilty of two counts of sexual assaulting a girl under 13 by touching on the third day of his trial at Durham Crown Court. The trial began on Monday afternoon as the court as given no good reason for the absence of the defendant, among suggestions that he may be in Ireland. Both offences are said to have taken place in early October last year and Elliott, formerly of West Crescent, Easington Colliery, but living while on remand at an address in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, in Scotland, denied them both at a plea hearing at the court, on November 2. The case was adjourned for trial this week, although there have been further mentions, a ground rules hearing and the pre-recording of cross-examination of the victim, in the meantime. Following the jurys guilty verdicts, Judge James Adkin imposed a 40-month prison sentence on Elliott and said the defendant should be subject of registration as a sex offender, indefinitely. The Crown will also seek the imposition of further restrictions by way of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, as well as a restraining order, for the protection of his victim, as and when the defendant is arrested and brought before the court. In the meantime, Judge Adkin issued a bench warrant not backed by bail for the arrest of Elliott.

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A SEX offender was caught messaging a 'child' in an undercover police sting. Ashley Mark Yard, 38, thought he was messaging a 13-year-old girl called Holly. He sent a picture of himself and made various sexual references between April 6 and April 8 last year. Yard, of Cocklands, Charminster, was in fact communicating with a police officer who was pretending to be the teenage girl. Judge Stephen Climie said it was "good fortune rather than design" that no actual child suffered harm as a result of Yard's "serious" offending. Yard previously pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He appeared in the dock for sentencing on Tuesday, May 10. Prosecuting, Hannah Williams said the defendant started messaging the 'girl' online. The undercover officer wrote in messages that Holly was 13 years old and from Derby. Ms Williams said the conversation continued with Yard writing that "he wants a long-term relationship" and asking her about what she was wearing. The communication moved to WhatsApp, where the defendant made references to sexual behaviour and whether the girl would like it. Officers attended an address in Poole where he was staying at the time in June last year. He identified himself and he was arrested. In interview, Yard made full admissions and expressed his remorse, Ms Williams said. The court heard the defendant was jailed for 18 months in 2010 for a series of convictions relating to making and distributing indecent images of children in 2007 and 2008. Mitigating, Amber Athill said her client "appreciates the seriousness of the offence", adding that he was "extremely anxious" ahead of the sentencing hearing. She described the offence as a "momentary slip up when he was using cocaine heavily". Ms Athill said the drug use made him act "impulsively" and he "forgot all he had learned and all he had achieved in those 14 years" since his previous criminality. The defendant was "disgusted and ashamed" after reading the conversation he had with the 'girl'. The court heard the offence carried a maximum sentence of two years. Judge Climie said the appropriate starting point was 15 months imprisonment before reducing this by a third to 10 months due to his guilty plea at an early stage. He decided against sending the defendant to prison. He said he would have only served a short time behind bars and then not be under supervision. "The public would be concerned for the future as am I," said Judge Climie. After hearing of the defendant's compliance with the previous 10-year sexual harm prevention order, Yard was made subject to a new indefinite order, which will likely run for the rest of his life. The judge sentenced Yard to a three-year community order, which would keep the offender under the "court and probation service's control for the next three years". He was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

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A MAN from Alderley Edge described as 'a dangerous predator' has been found guilty of rape following a trial at Chester Crown Court.

Daniel Exley, of Beech Close, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years by Recorder Simon Killeen on Friday, May 6.

The 37-year-old had been found guilty of two counts the previous day.

He had taken advantage of a 26-year-old woman who, at the time of the offences, was described as being in a state of vulnerability.

However, rather than admit to his crimes, Exley denied assaulting the woman and raping her.

The victim has been praised by the police officer who led the investigation for her courage in providing evidence that led to Exley's downfall.

As well as being handed a 90-month prison sentence, Exley must also sign the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

The horrific incidents happened between June 26 and 29, 2020.

The court also imposed an indefinite restraining order, barring Exley from contacting the woman in any way whatsoever.

Detective constable Catherine Hudson, who led the investigation, said: "Exley is a dangerous predator who took advantage of the woman at a time of vulnerability.

"The fact that he made his victim endure a trial and recount what he did to her was extremely distressing, but thanks to the bravery and courage that she has shown, Exley is now behind bars.

"The sentence handed to him reflects the severity of his crimes and I hope that this conviction sends a clear message that Cheshire Police takes all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously and will do all that we can to bring offenders to justice."