Latest Offenders

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A high-risk sex offender with a long history of targeting lone females resumed offending after moving to Carlisle and changing his name.

The case of 42-year-old Grant Huddart, formerly Grant Percival, whose victims have included children, has drawn criticism from national campaigners calling for stricter controls on sex offenders.

A News & Star investigation revealed that Cumbria Constabulary is supervising dozens of convicted sex offenders who have changed their names, allowing paedophiles like Huddart to restart lives without others easily discovering their past.

At Carlisle Crown Court, prosecutor Georgia Kennedy-Curnow detailed Huddart's February offense. He arrived in the city after serving time for sexually assaulting a young Kendal woman in June 2024, where he gained her sympathy by claiming to be suicidal.

In Carlisle, the victim—a young bar worker—was not assaulted, but Huddart's actions mirrored his prior crime. On February 23, while she collected glasses, he stared at her and asked: "Excuse me – can I ask you a question?" Then: “Would you care if I killed myself?”

Concerned, she offered tea. He asked if she hated him, if he was good-looking, and said he wanted to kill himself. He called her beautiful, adding: “I’d really like to say what I’d like to do you.” She declined. Before leaving, he requested a cuddle; she alerted police.

The court heard Huddart's 25 prior offenses, including breaches of sexual harm prevention orders and sex crimes:

• 2003: Indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl walking home from school.
• 2004: Sexually assaulting another 14-year-old in an alleyway.
• 2011: Offering a 14-year-old money for sex.
• 2011: Fixating on a female bus driver, staying aboard five hours and recording her.
• 2012: Sending a malicious or menacing message.
• 2014: Approaching a 13-year-old, claiming suicidality, and asking for hugs.
• 2018: Grooming an online female he believed was 15.
• 2024: Assaulting a 20-year-old in Kendal, lying about being a grieving father whose 18-month-old daughter died.

Defending, Clare Thomas said Huddart accepted responsibility, despite a probation officer's view otherwise. “He was consuming alcohol for the first time in a number of months,” she noted. He progressed in Lancashire supported housing but moved to Carlisle's John Street hostel when it ended. Local authorities deem him too "high risk" for accommodation in the next 12 months.

His sexual harm prevention order, barring approaches to lone females, left him feeling hopeless and lonely, Thomas said. Verbal abuse followed local press coverage of his 2024 case; he sought a Carlisle ban for a fresh start elsewhere.

Judge Michael Fanning addressed Huddart's complaints about press coverage and orders increasing isolation: “But your past interactions with women demonstrate that you seem to be incapable of forming a relationship in an appropriate way at all."

“So far as the reporting is concerned, the public, and in particular females who are vulnerable and who are alone, are entitled to know that you pose a risk to them.”

The judge said press reporting on his "predilections and location" is justified; anonymity would enable more offending. He jailed Huddart for 18 months.

A new indefinite sexual harm prevention order prohibits approaching female strangers, except inadvertently, for goods/services, or in therapy.

A News & Star FOI request showed Cumbria Police supervising 48 sex offenders who changed names in the last five years, costing as little as £15. Numbers rose: 15 in 2023, 12 in 2024, four so far this year.

In December 2024, 932 sex offenders were supervised in the community; by July 2025, it was 939—up from under 800 in 2020-2021. Most stem from convictions; others from civil orders like sexual risk orders.

Emily Konstantas of The Safeguarding Alliance welcomed government plans but urged more:

"The ability for registered sex offenders to change their names without proper monitoring remains an open loophole, one that has been exploited, is being exploited, and will continue to be until it is fully closed.

"It enables offenders to evade vital checks and places vulnerable children and adults at significant risk.

"While we welcome the Government’s recognition of this issue through the Crime and Policing Bill, the proposed reforms do not go far enough.

"Legislative change must be robust, enforceable, and capable of addressing both future and past exploitation of this loophole. 

"When someone sexually abuses a child or an adult, the victim’s rights must take precedence. Survivors cannot erase their trauma with a simple name change, and neither should an offender be able to erase their identity or their past to avoid accountability.

"We need a joined-up, mandatory system that ensures any name change by a registered offender is immediately flagged and shared across all relevant agencies. Anything less continues to fail the very people this system is meant to protect.

"We will continue to campaign for Della’s Law [an abuse survivor] as long as this loophole remains a risk." 

Labour MP Sarah Champion said:

"Across the country sex offenders are changing their names to avoid detection or to frustrate the justice system. This legal loophole makes us all more vulnerable and needs to be closed.

"Successive Ministers have recognised the threat of sex offenders changing their name, but the solutions they offer require the abuser to do the right thing - which seldom happens."

The Crime and Policing Bill requires sex offenders to notify police of name changes a week in advance; police can refuse if needed for public protection.

For details on reforms—and why they won't apply to all offenders—see the government's Crime and Policing Bill summary.

England and Wales have over 70,000 registered sex offenders in the community, up 52% from 2014.

Della's Law, partly enacted, aims to prevent registered sex offenders from changing names to evade detection.

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A trans child rapist bombarded a probation officer with threatening phone calls from jail, vowing to knife "a load of men", a court heard.

Marcia Walker, 51, made the calls from Frankland Prison—a top-security men's jail in Durham—where she is held as too dangerous for a women's facility. Inmates there include Soham killer Ian Huntley, ex-cop Wayne Couzens, and Milly Dowler murderer Levi Bellfield.

She left four voicemails threatening to "get a knife", adding to her history of threats: placing a nail bomb under a governor's car and having him shot; using an intercom to claim a bomb would detonate in the staff car park; sending a letter claiming she had bombed Theresa May as Home Secretary; attacking a prison guard; and threatening to kill another when her razors were confiscated, preventing shaving.

Walker, previously Mark Walker and jailed for 13 years in 2003 for raping two girls (one aged four), is legally female but barred from women's prisons due to her sex conviction.

She admitted sending a communication threatening death or serious harm and was jailed for nine months by Teesside JPs.

Walker is segregated at Frankland, with male prisoners locked in cells for 45 minutes while she washes and eats alone.

A source previously told The Sun:

“There is a lot of anger at the jail but it’s a Catch-22 situation.

“She has to be treated as a woman but cannot be moved to a female prison because she poses a risk. And, as she’s legally a woman, she must be kept apart from male inmates.”

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A registered sex offender, who had been released from prison weeks earlier, has been jailed after sending explicit messages to an undercover cop.

In February and March 2025, Scott Hemingway sent explicit messages to two ‘underage girls’ who he believed to be aged 14 and 12.

What Hemingway didn’t realise was that he was actually speaking to an undercover police officer.

The 39-year-old had been released from prison just four months earlier, after being convicted of a similar offence in December 2021.

He was arrested in March and charged and remanded into custody for the following:

• Attempt to cause/incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Attempt to cause / incite a girl 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity - offender 18 or over - penetration
• Arrange / facilitate the commission of a child sex offence x2
• Adult attempt to engage in sexual communication with a child x2
• Sex offenders register - fail to comply with notification of a change
• Breach of Sexual Harm Prevention Order

Hemingway, of no fixed address, appeared at Derby Crown Court on 26 September and admitted the charges against him.

He was jailed for 13 years, handed a further, indefinite SHPO, and fined.

DS Richard Foster said:

“Scott Hemingway is a dangerous criminal who, despite already being caught and only just being released from prison, was unable to stop offending.

“We actively target high risk individuals like Hemingway, and we will continue to do so to keep our communities safe.”

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A 37-year-old man has been jailed for 16 years after being found guilty of raping and assaulting  a woman.

John Dawson from Ernest Street in Crewe appeared at Chester Crown Court on 16 October to be sentenced after being found guilty of two rapes, intentional strangulation and assault, two counts of threatening to send an intimate photo or video, and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour.

The investigation began following an allegation of rape at a hotel in Crewe.

Further investigation led to officers uncovering Dawson controlling the woman financially by taking money from her account, having access to her social media accounts and messaging apps, and isolating her from friends and family.

He would also call her derogatory names and had assaulted her. Dawson was charged with the offences, which he denied, but was found guilty following a trial in July 2025.

A second man was found not guilty of rape during the trial.

DC Katherine Isherwood-Smith said:

“Dawson’s behaviour towards this woman was criminal and abhorrent. Dawson was deemed so dangerous to women that the courts jailed him for a substantial period.

“No one should ever be subjected to such degrading, manipulative and arrogant behaviour, and I hope seeing this man behind bars for a considerable time encourages others to come forward who may be suffering abuse. And I hope it goes as a warning to those who inflict such horrific acts that society does not tolerate violence or abuse against anyone.”

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Cory Jones, a 19-year-old of Rees Street, Treorchy, has been sentenced today to a total of eight years for committing 69 sexual or related offences against minors.

The offences occurred throughout 2024, when Jones was aged 17 and 18, and involved 37 victims, ranging in age from 10 to 16 years old.

The charges against Jones included:

• Sexual communications with a child
• Causing a child to watch a sex act
• Causing a child to engage in sexual activity
• Causing/inciting penetration of vagina
• Sharing intimate photographs without consent
• Blackmail
• Distributing indecent images
• Possession of images

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

Detective Inspector Stuart Prendiville expressed the gravity of Jones's actions, stating:

“Corey Jones deliberately targeted young women on social media, lying about his age and employing manipulative, deceptive tactics. His exploitation of vulnerable children for his own sexual gratification is a stark reminder of the dangers that exist online.

“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. It is our hope that the conviction and sentence handed down today will provide some measure of comfort and justice to those affected.

“Let this serve as a warning that such predatory behaviour will not be tolerated, and that we must remain vigilant in protecting our children."

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A man has been sentenced to 14 months imprisonment for a sexual assault and assault in Portsmouth.

Philip Rooney, 48, appeared at Winchester Crown Court today (Friday 17 October) in relation to two incidents which took place on Monday 21 July.

On Monday 21 July, Rooney approached a 16 year-old girl on Milton Lane in Portsmouth and touched her inappropriately over her clothing.

The girl then ran home and told her parents what had happened, who went out to look for Rooney.

On finding him, Rooney attempted to flee and was detained by the father whilst the police were called.

Rooney began head-butting the father repeatedly, causing him to sustain a bloody nose.

He escaped, but was subsequently identified by an officer and arrested the following day.

Rooney was found guilty by a jury at Winchester Crown Court on 15 September of sexual assault and assault by beating.

He appeared again at the same court today, where he was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment.

Detective Constable Amy Thatcher from the Eastern Criminal Investigations Department said:

“I am pleased with today’s sentence and to see Rooney face justice for his actions.

“I understand that coming forward to police to report can feel difficult and scary, but we have specialist teams who will support you.

“We are here to listen to anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault and we promise to take every report incredibly seriously and investigate robustly.”

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A man has been jailed for life today for offences including attempted murder and rape in Portsmouth.

Benjamin Coates, 42, of Eagle Avenue in Waterlooville was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court today (Friday 17 October) after he was found guilty of a number of offences committed against a woman in her 30s in Portsmouth between April and December 2024.

On 8 December 2024, Coates assaulted the woman, breaking her ribs, and then continued to assault her over a three-day period until 11 December, when police were called after a member of the public heard the woman screaming.

On police attendance, it was discovered that Coates had thrown the woman through a window, breaking her legs, and repeatedly kicked her in the face.

An investigation was launched by the Eastern Criminal Investigation Department and it was found that over the course of eight months, Coates had subjected the woman to repeated physical, sexual and emotional abuse and made threats to the woman’s family.

Coates was found guilty by a jury on 8 July 2025 of the following offences:

• Attempted murder
• Five counts of rape
• Intentional strangulation
• Controlling coercive behaviour
• Threatening to share intimate images
• Threats to kill

He has been sentenced to serve life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years. If released, he will remain on licence for the rest of his life.

Detective Sergeant Lucia Davies of the Eastern Criminal Investigations Department said:

“Benjamin Coates has received the only sentence appropriate for the unimaginable devastation and pain he has caused; a life behind bars.

“The depravity of the offences he has committed against the victim and her family are beyond words and I am glad that this dangerous man will not be able to subject any one else to this horrific behaviour.

“I cannot commend the victim enough for her bravery and courage in supporting us to bring this man to justice. I can’t begin to imagine the effect this has had on her both mentally and physically, but she has been integral to getting the result we did today. We couldn’t have done it without her unwavering strength.

“I know that no sentence will ever turn back time and undo the damage Coates has done, but I hope that knowing he will never be free will eventually help her begin her journey to rebuilding her life.

“I understand that coming forward and reporting to us can feel impossibly difficult and scary, but to anyone who is in an abusive relationship of any kind, I promise you that if you bring this to us, you will be listened to, you will be heard and we will do everything in our power to ensure that the perpetrator is brought to justice.”

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A paedophile drug-dealer from Angus is facing a return to prison after he admitted having sex with an underage girl.

Lewis Webster, 26, had repeated sexual encounters with the child over four months in Angus.

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A man who made arrangements to travel abroad and pay to rape children as young as six, and helped others to do the same, has been convicted. 

The Crown Prosecution Service’s dedicated Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit prosecuted Edward Gratwick, 68, following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA). 

Robbie Weber, Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS, said: 

"The abuse Edward Gratwick described inflicting on young children with other like-minded individuals was abhorrent. 

“It was clear from the evidence that he was intent on harming and abusing children and was willing to pay significant sums of money to do it. Not content with satisfying his own sexual desires, he also advised and encouraged others how they could commit equally horrific crimes.

“Our Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit, in collaboration with the NCA, built a comprehensive picture of his crimes, which resulted in his convictions. I would like to thank the jury in this case for their careful consideration of the harrowing evidence presented in court.

“All children have the right to feel safe and protected and I hope this conviction sends a clear message that the CPS, working closely alongside law enforcement partners, will relentlessly pursue justice and prosecute those who seek to sexually exploit children.”

The court heard that Gratwick, of Mitcham, London, was arrested at Stansted Airport on 7 March 2025 before boarding a flight to Bucharest, Romania. 

His home address was searched and a number of electronic devices and the drug GBL was found in his property. 

Analysis of his devices found hundreds of indecent images of children (IIOC) and numerous chats across a number of encrypted applications in which he discussed arranging and facilitating child sexual abuse with others. 

In his online conversations, the defendant sent IIOC to others and made arrangements to abuse specific children in the UK and abroad. These arrangements were often had with relatives of the children targeted. 

Gratwick also facilitated and helped others arrange to abuse children. In one conversation, Gratwick made an offer to supply GBL to another man to use on a child so that they could be sedated before he sexually abused them. 

In another conversation with a person based in Romania, the defendant discussed how much extra it would cost a customer to beat a 10-year-old child he purported to be managing.  

At trial, the prosecution used extensive digital and physical evidence to prove Gratwick’s intent to commit sexual offences against children and to facilitate the abuse of children by other like-minded individuals. 

Today (10 October) the jury found him guilty of 38 offences. He had already pleaded guilty to two other counts. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 28 November.

Danielle Pownall, Senior Investigating Officer at the NCA said: 

“The chat logs recovered from Edward Gratwick’s devices are some of the worst seen by specialist child abuse investigators at the NCA.

“Gratwick has continually denied the offences he faced, despite overwhelming and indisputable evidence, which shows his lack of remorse and disregard for the safety and welfare of children.  

“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the members of jury, who over the last six weeks have considered distressing evidence which no-one should ever have to hear. I echo the words of gratitude from Her Honour Judge Harden-Frost in light of what they have heard, culminating in guilty verdicts against Gratwick.

“Work continues with our international partners to identify those who Gratwick was engaging with and we will do everything in our power to safeguard any children from harm, wherever they are. We are grateful for the immediate response and support from UK and international partners during this investigation.”

Work continues to formally identify the victims and ensure safeguarding measures are put in place. 

To deal with some of the more complex and challenging child sexual abuse cases, the CPS has a dedicated Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit to share specialist understanding, build strong cases and increase the amount of successful prosecutions. 

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A man who secretly filmed himself abusing girls and women has been jailed.

Nottinghamshire Police said Andrew Hallam's offending was uncovered after one victim discovered the filming, leading officers to find his recorded footage and over 300 indecent images of children on his phone.

The 46-year-old from Beeston, Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to 20 sexual offences, including assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, sexual assault of a woman, and voyeurism.

He received a 14-year extended sentence—nine years and one month in prison, plus four years and 11 months on extended licence—at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday.

Hallam was also placed on the sex offenders register and given a lifelong sexual harm prevention order.

'Perverse behaviour'

Police said Hallam "went out of his way to try to record footage of women and girls in various intimate situations so that he could watch it back later."

He hid cameras in bathrooms and changing rooms, committing offences across Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire since 2019.

A force statement noted the assaults occurred "without his victims even realising it had happened."

Det Con Lucy Clarke said:

"committed a series of shameful acts that any right-minded person would have found revolting."

"This was a gross breach of trust and invasion of privacy from a man with a dangerous infatuation for underage girls," she said.

"None of his victims had any idea what Hallam had done until later, when the videos he'd taken were discovered and the truth emerged.

"His perverse behaviour caused immeasurable pain to his victims, so we're really grateful to them for working with us to get them justice."

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A woman who was raped in Calderdale has told a court: “I no longer feel like the same person. I don’t sleep at night. I have constant flashbacks. I am always scared.”   

Her attacker, Philip Walsh, was jailed for more than a decade yesterday after admitting rape and sexual assault partway through a trial at Bradford Crown Court in May.  

The 66-year-old, of Brooksbank Gardens, Elland, assaulted the victim in Elland in September last year and was arrested later that day.  

He was sentenced to 11 years behind bars and will be added to the Sex Offenders Register for life.  

His daughter Lynzi Walsh also appeared at Bradford Crown Court where she admitted perverting the course of justice after she gave a false statement to cover for her dad.  

The 40-year-old, of Kingsley Road, Mablethorpe, was given a suspended sentence of 12 months.

In her own words, the victim told the court: 

“I never go out alone. I feel like I’ve lost my sense of safety. I used to be a bubbly person who loved going out with my friends, laughing, and being social. That side of me has been taken away.  

“This experience has affected every part of my life. This will stay with me forever, it has broken me, and it’s changed the future I thought I would have.”

Detective Constable Katy Wilson, of the Calderdale Adult Protection Team, said: 

“I would like to commend the victim in this case for her immense bravery in coming forward to report this horrific crime.  

“It has clearly had a huge and lasting impact on her, and I hope the fact that Walsh is now behind bars can bring her some level of comfort as she tries to move forward with her life.  

“I would urge anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence, whether recent or not, to please report it to us so we can take action.  

“We have specialist officers to support you through the justice process and we are determined to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.”  

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A sex offender from Gillingham who targeted three vulnerable children has been jailed for 22 years.

Roy Humphreys initially abused two young boys in the 1970s through his association with one of their relatives. He befriended them and gained their trust before committing multiple sexual offences. 

A third victim suffered a similar fate around 30 years later. Humphreys gained access to the young child and abused them over an extended period.

His last victim disclosed their ordeal to a trusted relative in 2020, and the police were contacted. Humphreys was detained by detectives on 18 December.

Following his arrest, the previous two victims came forward and gave details of their abuse to investigators.

Humphreys, of Broadway, Gillingham was later charged with 18 sexual offences against children including rape, gross indecency and indecent assault.

He pleaded not guilty but was convicted by a jury of 17 of the indictments on 20 June 2025. On Wednesday 15 October, the 82-year-old was sentenced to 22 years’ imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court.

The criminal is already subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which will remain in place indefinitely.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Emma Davies, said:

‘Humphreys is a vile sexual predator who gained the trust of three young children before committing multiple offences. The appalling impact of his crimes on their lives has been significant and cannot be overstated.

‘I would like to commend the victims for their courage in coming forward to ensure this man has been brought to justice for his decades of offending. I hope this sentence encourages others who have suffered similar abuse in the past to contact us. Our specialist investigators will listen to you and take steps to hold the criminal to account for their actions, no matter how long ago it took place.’

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A man who raped a girl almost thirty years ago has been jailed for six years.

Steven Monk-Dalton, aged 56, who used to reside in Barrow but more recently lived in Ibiza, Spain, was jailed on 10 October after a jury found him guilty of a rape committed in the nineties.

After a four-day trial it took the jury just two hours to come to a unanimous decision.

A judge at Preston Crown Court sentenced him to six years in prison. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

The incident took place in August 1996 in Barrow and involved one girl.

Investigating Officer DC Kate Edkins said:

“I’d like to commend the victim in this case, now a woman, for her resilience during the entire investigation. Her bravery has shown that offenders of crimes as serious as this can still be brought to justice, no matter how much time has passed.

“Cumbria Police are committed to bringing perpetrators to justice and we will do everything in our power to hold them accountable for their crimes.

“I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault or child sexual abuse to contact police so our officers can investigate. You can speak with specialist officers with confidence and will be supported throughout any investigation.”

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A man found guilty of rape has had his sentence increased.

Alfie Rowbotham, aged 27 of Walpole Road, King’s Lynn has had his sentence increased to eight and a half years for raping a woman. He appeared at King’s Lynn Crown Court in June 2025 where he was originally sentenced to five and a half years, after being found guilty following an eight-day trial in March 2025.

The sentencing follows an incident on 19 September 2024, where a woman was walking home in the early hours of the morning from a night out in King’s Lynn. The woman was approached by Rowbotham who was walking his dog.

Rowbotham forced himself upon the victim, kissing and groping her before pulling her into an alleyway and raping her.

The victim fled the scene and entered a nearby taxi office for help where staff assisted her and called police.

Officers immediately identified Rowbotham through CCTV enquiries and he was arrested the same day. He was charged and remanded into custody.

Prosecutors from the CPS East of England Area appealed his original sentence for being unduly lenient and it has since been increased by three years following a hearing on 14 October 2025.

Investigating officer, DC Christine Copeman said:

“I would like to commend the victim in this case for her bravery in coming forward and supporting this prosecution.

“I hope that this increased sentence provides her with some level of comfort, knowing he will be behind bars for the foreseeable future.”

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A 54-year-old man has been found guilty of multiple sexual and violent offences against women in Fife and Perthshire.

Ian Hendry committed rape, assaults, and serious assaults between 1987 and 2022, and was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh on October 16, 2025.

The former dog trainer was also found guilty of abusing animals in his care, and will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

Detective Constable Dan Cogan of Police Scotland said:

"Hendry's offending spanned decades and he subjected women to sustained periods of physical and sexual abuse which continued over a number of years.

"Our thoughts remain with the victims who have had to endure the process of the trial and I thank them for their assistance with our investigations. I hope the verdict today brings them some sense of closure.

"Physical and sexual abuse will not be tolerated and time is no barrier to reporting a crime. I'd urge anyone who is experiencing abuse to report this to us so that we can fully investigate."