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Update

A 45-year-old British man was charged on Friday, 16 January with 15 further offences relating to possession of indecent images of children and acts of outraging public decency.

Vincent Chan, 45 (28.10.80), of Stanhope Avenue, Finchley was charged on Friday, 16 January with the following offences:

• Nine counts of taking an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child, at category A, B and C
• Six counts of acts of outraging public decency

The charges relate to nine separate girls.

The charges relate to offending which predates other offences, which Chan has already pleaded guilty to. He awaits sentencing.

Those offences involved offending at a nursery in West Hampstead. These new charges did not take place at the same location.

Officers continue to work at pace and the investigation is ongoing.

Chan remains in custody.

2025-12-03

A nursery worker has pleaded guilty in one of the most harrowing and complex child sexual abuse investigations undertaken by the Metropolitan Police Service. 

The conviction, which includes 26 charges, marks a chilling chapter in the fight against crimes targeting society’s most vulnerable.

Vincent Chan, 45 (28.10.80), a British national of Stanhope Avenue, Finchley, appeared at Wood Green Crown Court on Wednesday, 3 December for a pre-trial hearing. Chan pleaded guilty to 26 offences relating to sexual assault offences against children and the taking and making of indecent images of children.

The offences include five counts of sexual assault of a child by penetration, four counts of sexual assault of a child by touching, 11 counts of taking indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child, and six counts of making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child. The latter offences involved images across categories A, B, and C, with category A depicting the most severe abuse.

Families of the identified children have been contacted directly and are receiving specialist support. A dedicated NSPCC helpline has been set up for all families whose children attended the nursery to discuss concerns and access support.

Chan will be sentenced at the same court on Friday, 23 January.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, who led the Met’s investigation, said:

“Child sexual abuse is one of the most horrific crimes imaginable, and Chan’s offending spanned years, revealing a calculated and predatory pattern of abuse. He infiltrated environments that should have been safe havens for children, exploiting the trust of families and the wider community to conceal his actions and prey on the most vulnerable.

“Our investigation remains ongoing, and we are continuing to review digital devices and assess Chan’s conduct across all relevant settings. We recognise the member of staff who raised their concerns, as without that first report of child cruelty Chan’s abuse could have continued unchecked, putting countless more children at risk.

“These appalling offences have caused deep shock and distress. We thank the community for its continued cooperation and reaffirm our commitment to supporting victims and their families. If you have any concerns, please contact the dedicated NSPCC helpline on 0800 028 0828 for specialist support. We are working closely with the NSPCC to ensure every family affected receives the help they need.”

Leigh Day, representing some of the families who attended the nursery at the time of the offending, have issued the following statement:

"As parents we are still trying to process the sickening discovery that our children were subjected to despicable abuse by Vincent Chan at the nursery.

“In admitting the charges, we are spared the prospect of hearing Vincent Chan's crimes at the nursery described in graphic detail in a trial. We trust the judge to pass the strongest sentence to fit the crimes Vincent Chan has committed against young children, innocent victims who could not fight back.

“We would like to thank the Metropolitan Police Service for their assistance and support so far, but appreciate that their investigations in this case are not yet complete.”

Chan’s guilty plea comes after a determined investigation from Met officers following his arrest on 11 June 2024.

The initial arrest on suspicion of child cruelty was prompted by a member of staff at the nursery, who reported that Chan had been capturing disturbing footage of children at the nursery he worked at in West Hampstead. Chan had been using a nursery-issued iPad to record the footage, which he then distorted by adding superimpositions and music for comedic purposes. He also shared stills with his colleagues.

At the point of arrest, officers seized 25 digital devices from his home and three from the nursery. Forensic teams trawled through the devices, where they uncovered substantial amounts of indecent images and videos of children, including evidence of contact sexual offences against children.

The videos depicted sexual contact offending taking place within the nursery, at times when Chan was responsible for minding the children.

Following this discovery, officers worked quickly to rearrest Chan on Monday, 8 September and formally charged him with the child sexual offences the following day.

A further 26 digital devices were seized from his home and 15 more from the nursery. In total, 69 devices were retrieved and analysed by Met officers as part of this investigation. Officers continue to investigate and review the materials, noting no further evidence of contact offending against children has been identified.

In light of the complex nature and scale of Chan’s offending, Met officers have worked sensitively to identify the victims. At this time, four young children have been identified as victims of contact-related sexual offending or being the subject of indecent images.

Their parents or guardians have been visited and informed by specially trained local officers and provided with a contact. Following these difficult conversations, families were also given direct access to specialist support services and local community partners for long-term, trauma-informed support.

Helen Reddy, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Vincent Chan abused his position whilst working at a nursery to commit these horrific crimes against very young girls.

“It was a heinous breach of trust by someone working in a caring profession and in what should have been a safe place for children.

“The evidence against him was compelling and the nature and number of offences the CPS charged him with reflects the seriousness of his offending.

“The CPS will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to pursue perpetrators of child sexual abuse and secure justice for victims.

“I encourage the reporting of child sexual abuse to the police as you are not alone and there is always help available.”

Kellie Ann Fitzgerald, NSPCC Assistant Director for London and the South East, said:

“We are shocked and horrified by the nature and scale of the child sexual abuse that has come to light through this police investigation. Our thoughts are with all the children, families, and communities that have been impacted by Chan’s appalling breach of trust.

“The effects of child sexual abuse can be devastating for victims and their families, so part of our response must be to offer hope and healing. Alongside the local safeguarding partnerships, our first priority is to ensure that anyone directly impacted or worried about their child has the fastest possible access to the help and support they need. A dedicated NSPCC helpline has been set up - 0800 028 0828 - and our child protection specialists will be able to advise and take any necessary action to ensure the right support is put in place for every family.

“We are working with a network of specialist child sexual abuse services to provide therapeutic support for any child or parent who needs it. At the NSPCC, our ‘Letting the Future In’ service provides children and parents with the space, help and resources to process what has happened to them, and take vital steps towards recovery.

“In addition, our professional learning services are bringing together a range of resources for early years, education and community organisations to promote safe practice, and our schools service is working with education settings to help children know who they can turn to so they can be protected and supported. We encourage any setting which feels it could benefit from this support to reach out to us.”

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Usama Al-Sari (14/08/1997) of Moorton Avenue, Manchester has been sentenced today (16 January) at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to rape, sexual assault, intent to commit a sexual offence, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, making threat to kill, and possession of a class B controlled drug.

He will serve 14 years in prison and an additional eight years on license. He will also be subject to an indefinite restraining order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

On Tuesday 9 September 2025, we received a report that a woman had been raped at Heaton Mersey Park, Stockport. Our officers then worked quickly and effectively to find and detain the offender and ensure the victim was safe from further harm. He was arrested within the hour of the original report.

The victim disclosed to officers that Al-Sari had approached her and forced her to come with him whilst threatening her with what seemed to be a firearm. Upon arriving at the park, Al-Sari proceeded to rape the victim, who managed to later escape and run to a place of safety.

Thanks to the immense support of the public who helped the victim after the incident, and following further calls to report from the public and the offender, our officers were able to attend the location where they arrested Al-Sari and found the weapon, which was thankfully deemed a non-viable firearm.

Following the sentencing, the victim shared:  "I want to thank the police for their care, professionalism, and safeguarding-led approach. Being supported and treated with dignity made a huge difference, and I hope this case encourages all institutions to reflect on how they support victims of serious violence."

Detective Constable Heather Parke, the officer in the case, said:

"Following this sentencing I hope this outcome provides reassurance to the victim and our wider communities.

"I want to commend the victim for her courage during this investigation. Coming forward and reporting this incident enabled our officers to ensure the offender saw justice and the victim was able to receive the right support.

“This is a shocking and incredibly rare incident and will have an immeasurable impact on the victim. We understand this incident is deeply concerning, and I want to reassure our communities that incidents of this nature are treated with the highest priority.

"Our commitment is to protect victims, provide the right care and support and pursue justice and we encourage any victims to come forward and report."

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A Romanian fugitive wanted for sex trafficking offences has been arrested by the National Crime Agency.

46-year-old Manix Lacatusu was detained by specialist officers from the Agency’s National Extradition Unit (NEU) in the Shirley Road area of Southampton on Wednesday 14 January.

He is wanted by the Romanian authorities for the sexual exploitation and trafficking of two girls, one of whom who he attempted to transport to Italy in 2015.

Having failed to answer a summons for his trial he was convicted in his absence. A judge in the Romanian county of Gorj subsequently sentenced him to ten years in prison in May 2024.

Investigations by the NCA and Romanian partners identified that Lacatusu had been living in the UK for several years under a number of aliases to evade detection. Having spent time in the Midlands and North West of England, he was eventually tracked down to Southampton by NEU investigators.

Following his arrest, he was taken to Westminster magistrates’ court where he consented to extradition, and was remanded in custody.

Andy Kelly from the NCA’s National Extradition Unit said: “Manix Lacatusu was wanted for serious offences in his home country, and thanks to our close working with Romanian partners he was tracked down and will now face justice.

“The NCA has specialist teams working night and day to locate fugitives like him, there is no hiding place in the UK.”

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A man has been sentenced for multiple sexual offences against a child, following the brave victim coming forward to the police to report his abhorrent actions.

James Russell abused his position of being known to the victim, messaging her on a social media platform when she was 15-years-old. He continued to send inappropriate and sexual content for months, asking if the victim 'loved' him and sending photos of his genitalia.

The victim bravely came forward and disclosed what Russell had been sending her.

He was charged with engaging in sexual communication with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of inciting the sexual exploitation of a child.

Today (Friday 16 January), Russell, aged 44, was handed a five-year sentence.

Courageously, Russell's victim shared the impact of his disgusting actions, speaking about the impact it had on her mental health:

"For the 12 months following the abuse it was so hard to be alive. The energy and fight it took just to get through the day was so great that I didn’t want to live anymore. I was so terrified.

"Brushing your teeth, washing your hair, these are activities that we should be able to do. But I just couldn’t do any of them. I couldn’t even make myself a cup of tea. On a bad day, I couldn’t speak or eat. And there were a lot of bad days.

"This kind of abuse is not a subject you can easily talk about. It feels embarrassing. I feel stupid, like I should have known what was happening. I often blame myself for what happened."

Alyshea Sharp, who worked on the case, said:

"Russell abused his position of trust with his victim which has caused her great pain.

"I would like to commend the victim's bravery throughout this whole investigation. It has been extremely difficult for her to recount the actions of Russell, but I hope this sentence today provides her with some comfort knowing Russell is now being held accountable for his actions, and the trauma it has caused her."

Russell, of no fixed abode, initially plead guilty to the counts of inciting the sexual exploitation of a child at Sheffield Crown Court on 17 September 2024. He pleaded not guilty to engaging in sexual communication with a child and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, but later changed his plea at the same court on 5 September 2025.

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A man has been jailed for raping and sexually abusing a young girl over a nine-year period.

Paul David Withnell, aged 74, of Presteigne, Powys, was found guilty of 19 non-recent child sex offences following an 8-day trial at Merthyr Crown Court in November 2025.

Today, the child rapist was sentenced to 21 years in jail.

At the November trial, the court heard how the victim was just seven years old when her childhood was cruelly stripped from her. The prosecution explained how this was just the start of a pattern of sexual abuse that would continue until she was fifteen.

It was told how the abuse began in the 1980s through the guise of a sick game called ‘tickle and fight’ where the offender would ask the victim to touch his penis, and he would touch her vagina.

Over time, Withnell began to fabricate a twisted fantasy in which he and the young girl were in a romantic relationship. It was during this time that Withnell began raping his victim which, in one instance, resulted in her becoming pregnant and experiencing a miscarriage during the summer school holidays.

She was around just thirteen years old.

Delivering her impact statement in court today, the victim said: “As I look back over my childhood, I am left with lasting trauma, flashbacks and memories that will never leave me...

"My innocence was ruined far too young, and I was forced to live in a world for adults when I was a mere child…”

The extent of Withnell’s sexual interest in young girls was further revealed through his collection of naked photographs and personal drawings of young girls. When asked about the nude images, the defendant told police “I think children, girls, between the ages of 13 and 16/17 are at their most beautiful. Or I did think that. That’s why I wanted to capture that in my drawings.”

In March 2025, Withnell pleaded guilty to a single charge of taking indecent photographs of a child but denied all the other charges against him.

Continuing her statement, the victim described the lasting impact of the abuse she suffered as a child.

She Said:

“No matter how resilient I have learnt to be as an adult, I will never escape the shame of my past. I feel as if I’ve been left with a permanent dirty stain that is always there, and no matter how I live my life now and try to forget my past, that stain remains - and will inevitably remain throughout my future.”

In total, Withnell was found guilty of the following offences:

• 4x Rape of a female under 16
• 6x Gross indecency of a girl under 14
• 8x Indecent assault of a girl under 16
• 1x Making indecent photographs of a child

Sentencing Withnell at Cardiff Crown Court today, the judge explained that he heard about the consequences the defendant's actions have had on the victim's life, causing her 'unspeakable hardship, misery and upset'.

"You caused her to endure decades of emotional pain… and now you must atone for your appalling conduct," he said.

“I think about that fourteen-year-old girl as she was undergoing the miscarriage… and I ask myself how frightened, isolated and scared that young teenager must have felt at having to undergo and endure that experience.

"It is almost impossible to articulate in adequate English how utterly appalling that experience must have been for her.”

Withnell has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life, as well as being subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Inspector Christine Beaton said:

“I want to commend the victim in this case for her bravery in coming forward to report these horrendous crimes.

“I understand that reporting crimes of this nature, particularly many years after they happened, can be especially daunting.

“The dignity and strength shown throughout the course of the investigation is testament to her resilience, bravery and determination to secure justice.

“Thanks to her support, and the diligent work of the investigation team, Withnell has finally been held to account for his vile actions.

“As Withnell faces his time in prison, I hope the victim in this case can take some solace in today’s outcome as she begins to move forward with her life.

“I hope this case reassures others that we will always take reports of sexual abuse incredibly seriously, no matter how recent or non-recent they may be.

“If you have been a victim of rape or sexual abuse, please come forward. We are compassionate, capable, and committed to supporting you every step of the way.”

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We can confirm a former officer has been jailed for two years in prison following a Merseyside Police investigation.

Former Detective Constable John Rigby appeared at Chester Crown Court today (Friday 16 January) after pleading guilty to paying for the sexual services of a boy aged 16/17 and three counts of causing a computer to perform a function to secure/enable unauthorised access to a program/data.

An accelerated Misconduct Hearing was held on Wednesday 17 December, which was chaired by Chief Constable Rob Carden, when he was formally dismissed.

It was found he had breached the standards of professional behaviour in terms of authority, respect and courtesy as well as discreditable conduct.

Rigby was arrested on Thursday 6 November and the following day he was charged and remanded and pleaded guilty on 7 November.

He appeared in Chester Crown Court today where he was sentenced to two years for paying for the sexual services of the boy and one year for the computer misuse offences, to be served concurrently. He was additionally served with a restraining order relating to the victim.

Detective Inspector Stephen Croasdale from the force Child Criminal and Sexual Exploitation Team, who led the investigation, said:

“Merseyside Police carried out a swift and thorough investigation into the actions of former Det Con John Rigby as soon as the allegations came to light.

“We were able to gather enough evidence to prove his offending, leaving him no choice but to admit what he had done.

“It’s only right that he now spends time in prison, when I hope he reflects on his crimes and the impact it has caused.

“Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting young people from sexual abuse and stopping those who seek to do them harm.

“As you can imagine for victims of such an appalling crime, the impact on them is significant and long-lasting.

“We urge anyone who is a victim of any form of sexual abuse to please report this to police, and specially trained officers will listen to you and treat you with sensitivity and compassion throughout the entire legal process and beyond.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Sarbjit Kaur, head of Merseyside Police's professional standards department, added:

“Former Detective Constable John Rigby was rightly dismissed at an accelerated Misconduct Hearing due to the serious offences he admitted.

“The overwhelming majority of people who work for Merseyside Police join the force to support and help the public and they serve our communities with compassion and integrity on a daily basis.

“We will not allow individuals to damage the good name built up by the vast majority of our officers who do an exemplary job and serve our communities with compassion, integrity and professionalism.

“I would also like to reassure the public that as soon as he admitted the offences, his salary was stopped and he hasn’t received any payment from Merseyside Police since this date.

"We cannot afford to have officers and staff working for us who do not uphold the highest levels of professionalism, honesty and integrity and will always be robust in dealing with officers, or staff, whose conduct is unacceptable.

"It is vital that we as a police force maintain the public’s trust and confidence and ensure that officers and staff throughout the force realise the importance of maintaining standards and working with honesty and integrity.

"The public quite rightly have high expectations of police officers and Merseyside Police is committed to meeting those expectations by demanding high standards of professionalism, honesty and integrity.”

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A rapist has been jailed for more than eight years after being convicted of multiple crimes.

Osman Bahidiny, 27, of Port Street, Evesham, was sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison—six years for raping a woman in Bromyard in October 2023—at Worcester Crown Court on January 7.

He was also convicted of burglary, two thefts, attempted theft, dangerous driving, and driving while disqualified and without insurance. Bahidiny was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely and disqualified from driving for two years.

Now behind bars, his victim has spoken out about the “disgraceful time it takes" for rape victims to get justice. Adult rape survivors wait an average of 417 days from charging to Crown Court completion, plus years for police investigations.

The anonymous survivor said: “I am not alone in feeling this way. Why are people having to wait over five years before their case is heard?"

She described the wait as "mentally draining," adding: "justice has been done but it's taken a long time. For other victims who have to wait a distressing amount of time it must be horrific."

She reported the assault on December 31, 2023, after realizing “it was happening to others." The delay took its toll: “It kicks the strength out of you,” she said. “I installed CCTV all around my house and slept with a bat because he was just roaming free.

“Not enough is done, and the system needs changing because I shouldn’t have to live in this fear. I’m the one with a life sentence, not him."

According to Rape Crisis England & Wales, one in four women have been raped or sexually assaulted since age 16. Fewer than three in 100 rapes recorded by police in 2024 resulted in a charge that year.

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A convicted sex offender was caught with over 1,500 indecent images of children while under police supervision following his release from prison for similar offenses.

Anthony Beresford was monitored by the police's public protection unit (PPU) after serving a 14-month sentence imposed in 2020 for indecent images crimes.

Norwich Crown Court heard that during a July 2022 visit, officers found he had a KIK social media account and a laptop, breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) from his 2020 sentence.

Prosecutor Peter Gair said the device contained 359 Category A images—the most serious—along with 612 Category B and 552 Category C images.

Beresford, of Hall Lane, North Walsham, appeared in court on Thursday (January 15) after admitting the indecent images offenses and SHPO breach.

Judge David Pugh noted Beresford, who runs a business selling 1980s computer equipment online, had "accessed vast numbers of indecent images of children."

However, imposing a 14-month suspended sentence for 24 months, Judge Pugh accepted the offending occurred over three years ago and had not been repeated.

Mitigating barrister Andrew Oliver said Beresford uploaded images to his phone but did not realize they were on the laptop.

"He thought the images uploaded to his phone had been deleted," said Mr. Oliver.

Mr. Oliver added that Beresford accepted the offenses, showed "insight" into his behavior, and committed them over three years ago during a marital separation.

He explained Beresford was accessing social media into the "very early hours," which was the "trigger for this offending."

Beresford was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work, up to 15 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR), and an accredited program of up to 26 sessions.

He was also placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years and subjected to a 10-year SHPO.

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A convicted rapist kicked a stranger in the head outside a bar, mistakenly believing the victim was also a sex offender.

Christopher Lawton threw Damon Birch out of Perry's Bar in St Helens and left him unconscious on the pavement after a vicious boot to the face.

The attack stemmed from a woman's claim inside the pub that Mr. Birch had raped her and served time for it, though prosecutors confirmed he had no such convictions. In contrast, Lawton was jailed for 12 years in 2004 for raping and indecently assaulting a mother and daughter, an ordeal a judge called "every woman's worst nightmare."

Liverpool Crown Court heard on Thursday that Merseyside Police responded to the September 30 incident around 11:30 p.m., finding Mr. Birch on the ground with shoulder and head pain. Prosecutor Laura Atherton said CCTV showed Lawton, 45, of Mount Pleasant Avenue, pushing the victim out, then kicking him in the head before walking away. Mr. Birch was unconscious for up to four minutes.

Hospital scans revealed extensive bruising to his chest and abdomen, but no fractures. He recalled little, having gone out for a smoke after drinking with a friend.

In a victim statement read to the court, Mr. Birch said: "At the beginning, I was struggling to lay down due to the uncontrollable pain I was in. I'm frightened to do day to day things, even going to St Helens town centre. I can't even walk past or be around Perry's Bar. It really triggers me. If I was to see the male, I would run. I can't understand why this would happen to me. I'm constantly scared and anxious. I feel the assault has taken my independence away. I can't relax going out. I'm constantly looking behind me."

Lawton had prior youth convictions for assault and ABH. Defense counsel Isabella Denn-White said: "Obviously, the defendant has a serious set of convictions, but dating back to 2004. He was released in 2012 and has been out of trouble since. He has got positive factors in his life. His partner supports him in court. Importantly, and he expressed it again today, he is extremely remorseful. He recognises the impact on the victim. He tells me that he is his mum's carer. His mum is sadly passing away of cancer and has about three months to live. He cares for her daily. He has not worked since 2015 after a diagnosis of paranoid psychosis. He is now on medication and working through that with professionals and the support of his partner. It was an alcohol-related lapse in judgement. It is clearly an issue with alcohol here, and bad decision making."

Lawton admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Wearing a black Hugo Boss polo shirt, he blew a kiss to his girlfriend in the gallery before being led to the cells.

Judge Ian Harris sentenced him to 18 months' imprisonment and a 10-year restraining order, saying: "You pushed Mr Birch out of the bar. His recollection is going outside for a smoke. He then remembers nothing, apart from being struck on the floor. He was defenceless, and you kicked him forcefully to the head on the floor. The victim describes constant pain in his shoulder, headaches, having a massive bruise down his ribs. He describes the mental and emotional impact as rendering him frightened to do day to day things, even going to St Helens town centre. The commission of this offence while heavily intoxicated is a factor that increases the seriousness. The plain fact is that you kicked this man to the head, causing him to become senseless for a period of some minutes. Fortunately for you, there were no long term physical difficulties. In mitigation, there is your guilty plea. The pre-sentence report indicates that you suffer from anxiety and paranoid psychosis. Your mother, sadly, is unwell. This was a vicious attack on a defenceless individual. By your own admission, you were heavily intoxicated. You kicked a defenceless man to his head when he was on the floor, causing him to become unconscious. The only appropriate punishment, in my judgement, is immediate imprisonment for this type of offending."

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A man from Congleton has been jailed after he admitted to sexually abusing young girls online.

James Lawton appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 9 January where he was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.

The 23-year-old, previously of Mill Street, Congleton, had earlier pleaded guilty to; causing a child to look at images of sexual activity, possession of indecent images of children, two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child, three counts of making indecent images of children, and possession of extreme pornography.

He also pleaded guilty to inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

In addition to his prison sentence, Lawton was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and handed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

The investigation began in January 2025 when Cheshire Police received intelligence relating to Lawton’s online activity that suggested he was engaging in sexual communications with a child.

Subsequently, officers from the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team conducted a warrant at Lawton’s home in Crewe where he was arrested and a number of electronic devices were seized and sent for analysis.

During this time, officers received a further report from Sussex Police that prior to his arrest, Lawton had been requesting sexually explicit images from a 12-year-old girl in their force area.

Lawton told the child that he was 15 and sent her sexual images and videos of himself, encouraging her to do the same.

He also requested indecent images from a 9-year-old girl from Nottingham.

During examination of the devices, officers recovered 368 indecent images and videos of children, over 129 of which were category A.

Lawton was later charged with the offences, which took place between June and August 2024.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Phil Limberg of the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team at Cheshire Police, said:

“We are committed to pursuing and bringing to justice those who view indecent images online and prey on vulnerable children using social media and messaging apps.

“Lawton is clearly a dangerous and predatory individual who was intent on engaging with young girls online for his own perverse sexual gratification, despite knowing full well that they were underage.

“Thankfully he has been given a substantial prison sentence and can no longer pose a threat to young girls.”

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A sex assault victim’s family said the Fife attacker should have been jailed after he was given unpaid work at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

Jordan Linton was found guilty by a jury of sexually assaulting the woman by penetration.

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A woman with multiple sclerosis has criticized a money and travel influencer who sexually assaulted her and avoided jail.

Curtis Heighes, 25, boasts thousands of followers for videos of his global travels, while offering fitness, lifestyle, and finance advice as a broadband salesman and amateur boxer.

The Record reveals Heighes, from Bearsden near Glasgow, as a sex predator who targeted a vulnerable woman during a broadband sales visit to her Paisley home. He denied the November 2023 abuse but was convicted after trial.

His victim, who cannot be named, warned others after he walked free: “It makes me feel sick knowing how easily someone like that can hide in plain sight.”

Over 60,000 follow his Curtis Unchained accounts, where he boasts of trips and boxing successes. While awaiting trial, he posted from Morocco joking about sex and holding what appeared to be a machine gun, plus camel rides in Egypt and sunshine breaks.

Heighes was spared jail at Paisley Sheriff Court due to his role as full-time carer for his elderly parents. His victim fumed: “What’s made this even harder is seeing the wider picture.

“Knowing he was being portrayed as a carer, while also knowing he was able to spend significant time abroad, makes it feel like that was used to make him look better and lessen the consequences.

“To me, it feels like something that benefited him in court, rather than reflecting the reality of who he is or what he’s done. That sense of injustice has been incredibly painful.

“Seeing the pictures of him online with guns, the Morocco posts where he jokes about sex, and the Curtis Unchained persona has also been deeply disturbing.

“That image is completely at odds with how he presented himself to me – and completely at odds with the harm he caused behind closed doors.”

The jury convicted him of kissing her, placing her on the bed, lying on top of her, and performing a sex act without consent.

Last month, he received 300 hours of unpaid work, an eight-month restriction of liberty order with an electronic tag and curfew from 8pm to 6:30am, a 10-year non-harassment order barring contact, and five years on the sex offenders register.

Now a property investment broker, he is banned from entering clients’ homes unaccompanied.

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A "cruel" and cowardly child molester who domestically abused his partner and stalked her after their breakup has been jailed for 11 years.

Mark Harvey, 42, from Kielder in Northumberland, sexually abused two girls and regularly attacked and threatened his partner during their 16-year relationship, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Originally from Blackpool, Harvey met her online around 2007 and moved in with her on Tyneside soon after, prosecutor Vincent Ward said.

He hit her on hidden body parts to conceal bruises, verbally abused and threatened her—saying he would "fight her to the death" and "chop her up"—accused her of cheating while sleeping with others, controlled her clothing and makeup, and isolated her from friends and family.

The court heard Harvey also used violence against children and kicked and hit the family's dogs.

After she ended the relationship in July 2023 upon learning of his child sex offences, Harvey stalked her by sending a phone and tablet with tracking and CCTV apps, unwanted gifts, logging into her social media, and mailing letters from prison under another inmate's name to evade security.

Harvey admitted 11 offences, including sexual activity with a child under 13, stalking, and controlling or coercive behaviour. He had prior convictions for benefit fraud in 2012.

In her statement, his ex-partner said he ruined her life, the abuse was all she knew for 16 years, and she still lives in fear, unable to rebuild. One molested girl called him "cruel" and reported repeated flashbacks and panic attacks.

Harvey initially denied many charges, absconded, and was arrested in Manchester in February 2025 before pleading guilty on the trial's second day.

Judge Thomas Moran described Harvey's sexual urges toward children as "uncontrollable," calling him "opportunistic and cruel." He noted the ex-partner's severe impact and one child's "severe psychological harm," adding Harvey lacked "the courage to accept what you did," sought to discredit his "courageous" victims, and his denial of child sexual interest was "plainly a lie."

Assessed as high risk to children and partners, Harvey was deemed dangerous: he must serve four years on extended licence, sign the sex offenders register for life, and comply with a 20-year sexual harm prevention order.

Description

A man from Worthing has been jailed for 2 years and 4 months after being convicted of possessing child abuse material and carrying out a sustained campaign of online deception and abuse against young women and teenage girls.  
 
Charles Wood, 34, was sentenced yesterday (13 January) at Lewes Crown Court after pleading guilty to a series of offences including possession of child abuse material and sharing images without consent.
 
Wood was found to be in possession of 30 images of child abuse material, spanning categories A, B and C, and possessing an extreme pornographic image.
 
The court heard that Wood went to extreme lengths to deceive and exploit his victims. He created a fictitious online persona, posing as a teenage girl named ‘Riley’.
 
Using this persona, Wood amassed a substantial following on social media platforms including TikTok and Instagram, as well as dating sites. To further the deception, he used a voice changing application to impersonate a young female voice, the audio then being used to communicate with his victims. The voice-changer videos were played in court. Judge Van Der Zwart described these videos as chilling, in the degree to which they were able to convey to the victims that they were communicating with a female. Before sentencing, the judge told Wood he presented a high risk of harm to children and women and girls, using either his real persona or false ones.
 
While posing as Riley, Wood formed online relationships with teenage girls and young women. He sent sexually explicit images and videos, and pressured victims to do the same. Some of the images he obtained were later shared with other predatory men online. Enquiries to identify those individuals remain ongoing.
 
Wood also targeted vulnerable teenage girls he knew to be selling content online. By posing as ‘Riley’, he directed these girls to himself, enabling him to obtain further sexual images without payment.
 
As part of his offending, Wood sent messages and images falsely claiming that ‘Riley’ was self-harming and attempting to end her life. He also pretended to be ‘Riley’s’ mother, using different names to continue the deception.  
 
Wood was convicted of multiple offences under the Online Safety Act, including sending false communications with intent to cause harm and sharing intimate images without consent. These offences related to three separate victims.
 
Wood was arrested on 21 November 2024 and bailed with conditions while the investigation continued. He was charged at Worthing Custody Centre on 10 September 2025 with eight charges; possessing an extreme pornographic image, possessing a total of 30 images of child abuse in categories A, B and C, sending false communication with intent to cause harm and sharing a private image without consent.
 
Wood appeared at Worthing Magistrates Court on 14 November 2025, where he pleaded guilty to all charges.
 
On Tuesday, 13 January, at Lewes Crown Court, he was jailed for 2 years and 4 months. He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which will last 10 years, and the court ordered that all his devices be destroyed.
 
Investigator Rose Horan, from the Online Child Abuse Team, said:

“Wood’s behaviour was deliberate, sophisticated, carefully planned, highly manipulative and cruel. He set out to manipulate and control young women and girls for his own sadistic and sexual gratification. The three victim impact statements helped to convey how psychologically damaging his actions were, leaving the victims feeling betrayed and violated. 
 
“Wood’s offending is another unwelcome reminder of the dangers posed to children online. His devices contained moving images recording the sexual abuse of young children. These children, wherever they are in the world, live with the trauma of the abuse they have suffered.
 
"The Online Child Abuse Team continue to work with our partners to identify and apprehend offenders, while educating families on steps they can take to keep their children safe online."

Description

An actor who preyed on young vulnerable victims has today (Wednesday 14 January) been jailed for sex offences against children.

John Shannon, who is also known as John Alford, aged 54, of Hartham Road, Islington, has been sentenced to eight years and six months in prison.

Shannon was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a Restraining Order until further order. He will also serve on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Sentencing Shannon at St Albans Crown Court, judge Recorder Caroline Overington said in her pre-sentencing remarks: “The girls were in what should have been a safe environment, you (John) returned to this house after a night at the pub.

“You (John) were a trusted family friend and fully aware that the girls were 14 and 15 years of age.

“You (John) have shown a lack of acknowledgement of your offending and showed little remorse.”

Following a trial at St Albans Crown Court in September 2025, he was convicted and now today, sentenced for the following offences:

• Count 1 Sexual Activity with a child - 3 yrs concurrent
• Count 2 Sexual activity with a child - 3 years concurrent
• Count 3 Penetrative sexual activity with a child - 8 years 6 months
• Count 4 Penetrative sexual activity with a child - 6 years concurrent
• Count 5 Assault by penetration - 4 years concurrent
• Count 6 Sexual Assault - 8 months concurrent

Reports were received from two victims in April 2022, and an investigation was launched by Hertfordshire Constabulary’s specialist Sexual Offences Investigation Team (SOIT) into Shannon’s offending.

He was arrested shortly after the reports were made and was subsequently charged on 16 July 2023 following a complex investigation. Shannon pleaded not guilty to all charges at a hearing in St Albans Crown Court on 26 September 2023.

During the trial, the court heard that in the early hours of Saturday 9 April 2022, two girls aged 14 and 15 were having a sleepover at a friend's house in Hoddesdon. John Shannon arrived at the property during the evening as a guest of the homeowner and was intoxicated.

After purchasing and supplying the victims with alcohol, Shannon then lured one of the victims into sexual intercourse on two occasions. He also sexually assaulted the second victim twice whilst she was falling asleep on the sofa.

Shannon completely denied all charges put to him.

Investigator Laura Harrison from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team, said:

“I want to praise the bravery of our two victims for coming forward and reporting John Shannon’s horrific crimes to police.

“Shannon has not shown any of signs of remorse, from his interviews in custody, to the trial which his victims had to endure.

“I hope that our victims are now able to move on in their lives knowing that Shannon will now be spending a considerable amount of time behind bars.

“This result reinforces the message that Hertfordshire Constabulary has a zero tolerance to crimes of this nature, and I hope Shannon is able to reflect on his behaviour and the trauma his actions have caused, not only for the victims but for their families as well.”

Lawyer Chris White for the Crown Prosecution Service said:

“John Shannon was fully aware of the girl’s ages, yet he chose to exploit them – giving them alcohol and then committing sexual offences against them.

“We commend the victims for reporting what happened. They were supported to give evidence against Shannon: their statements were recorded and played to the jury during the trial, and we arranged for screens to be provided so they did not have to face the defendant during cross examination.

“Shannon’s sentence today sends a clear message – we will pursue those who target young people for their own gratification.”