Latest Offenders

Description

A man who provided sweets to children at a summer camp which he had laced with sedatives has pleaded guilty to 17 offences.

Jon Ruben, 76, admitted offences including wilful ill treatment of eight children and possession of class C drugs following a police investigation which Senior Investigating Officer Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Neil Holden today (Friday) described as “horrific, complex and emotional”.

Ruben, of Wayte Court, Landmere Lane, Ruddington, Nottingham, also admitted sexual offences against two children and charges of possession of indecent images of children when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court today. None of the images concerned relate to children who were at the summer camp.

The charges Ruben admitted are:

• Eight counts of wilful ill treatment of a child in relation to eight separate victims
• One count of acquiring or possession of dutiable goods by fraudulent intent
• Three counts of possession of a class C drug
• Three counts of making indecent photographs of a child.
• One count of assault by penetration of a boy under 13
• One count of sexual assault of a boy under 13.

Ruben pleaded not guilty to a second charge of assault by penetration of a boy under 13.

The charges came following police attending Stathern Lodge, Canal Lane, Stathern, near Melton, on Monday 28 July this year following concerns raised that a number of children had become unwell while at the camp there which was being run by Ruben. A report was made that Ruben, who ran a charity providing short holiday breaks for children, may have been drugging children at the camp with a number of children reported to be unwell including feeling drowsy and sick.

East Midlands Ambulance Service also attended the scene with eight children, who were all boys aged between eight and 11, being taken to hospital as a precaution. An adult was also taken to hospital at the time. All were later discharged.

At the time of police attending, Ruben was found to be at a nearby pub with some of the children. He was arrested by officers at the pub and transported to custody.

Searches were carried out at Stathern Lodge with items including syringes and sedatives being found.

While initial investigative work led to Ruben being charged four days later on Friday 1 August with three counts of wilful ill treatment of a child, the force’s Major Crime team then continued more than three months of detailed and dedicated enquiries to uncover further evidence of Ruben’s crimes.

This included statements being taken from victims and witnesses, exhibits being sent off for examination and analysis of digital devices seized.

These enquiries led to it being found that on the evenings of Saturday 26 July and Sunday 27 July, Ruben had carried out a ‘sweet game’ with a number of children at the lodge which involved encouraging them to eat the sweets.

Following toxicology tests, a sedative was found to be present in children at the camp as well as within sweets which had been provided to the children. Inspection of the sweets found incision marks had been made.

Analysis of devices belonging to Ruben were found to contain more than 50 category A indecent videos of children. Category A images as well as Category B and C videos were also found. The categories indicate the seriousness of the content shown with category A being the highest.

The enquiries carried out also found evidence that Ruben had sexually assaulted two boys – both victims were under 13-years-old.

The evidence gathered by the investigating team led to Ruben being further arrested in October this year on suspicion of further offences and interviewed. Charges in relation to all alleged offences were then put to Ruben at court today.

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Holden said:

“This has been a horrific, complex and emotional investigation involving multiple young, innocent, vulnerable victims and a man who committed the vilest crimes.

“Our focus today must of course remain on the young victims and with the support of partners and dedicated Family Liaison Officers, we have and continue to support their welfare and to ensure their safeguarding going forward.”

Description

A 54-year-old man has been jailed after officers discovered he has been trying to message children for a sexual purpose.

Andrew Cobb, from Monmouth Street, Bridgwater, was sentenced today (Friday 14 November) at Taunton Crown Court, sitting at North Somerset Courthouse, to six years and seven months in prison. He was also made subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

The sentence comes after Cobb pleaded guilty to 15 offences including making indecent images of a child, engaging in sexual communications with a child and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The court was told how in April 2023, Cobb had been messaging someone online who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.

He was arrested in June 2023 and several of his electronic devices were seized, where officers discovered the true extent of his criminality.

The examination uncovered several persistent, manipulative conversations with at least nine children including requests for images and discussions around sexual activity.

In several cases, it was found he had initiated the conversation and sought to build trust and maintain secrecy, often framing the interactions as a private relationship or mentorship.

The court was told how Cobb had previously committed similar offences in 2011 and had been ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years, stopping in 2021 before his recent offending started. 

Officer in the case, DC Benn Murphy, said:

“This case exposes the calculated and relentless nature of Cobb’s online child exploitation.

“He deliberately targeted vulnerable children, manipulated them for his own gratification, and showed utter disregard for the harm he caused. His guilty plea reflects the overwhelming evidence built against him.

“We will not hesitate to pursue offenders like Cobb and bring them to justice. Protecting children is one of our absolute priorities, and we will do everything in our power to ensure those who prey on them are identified, stopped and prosecuted.”

Description

A man who sexually assaulted a woman and strangled another has been sentenced to 11 and a half years imprisonment.

Cameron Mackay, 37, of Rougemont Close, Salisbury, was sentenced today at Salisbury Crown Court after he was found guilty at trial of assault by penetration, sexual assault, indecent exposure, actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation.

In around April 2022, Mackay plied one of the victims, a woman in her 40s, with alcohol after she had been invited round to the suspect’s house by a friend. The victim then fell asleep and woke up to find Mackay sexually assaulting her.

On another occasion, in February 2023, the victim, a woman in her 30s, met Mackay while he was out walking his dog, when he invited her back to his address.

He then exposed himself to her, at which point she tried to leave. Mackay has then assaulted her and climbed on top with her, strangling her with both hands.

The victim managed to defend herself and escape the property.

Both incidents were reported to police in around June 2023. Following an investigation by South CID, Mackay was charged.

Detective Constable Dan Smith, of South CID, said:

“Mackay is a dangerous man who has committed serious offences which will no doubt have a long lasting impact on the victims.

"I would once again like to express my utmost thanks to the two victims in this case who have shown incredible bravery and strength in reporting their ordeal to police and having the courage to stand up in court and relive their stories.

“I recognise how difficult this can be to come forward and speak about these types of incidents and I hope this investigation shows that victims will always be listened to.

“I am pleased a lengthy custodial sentence has been given to Mackay - it reflects the serious nature of his offending.”

Description

Stephen Heap has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for sexual assaults on a female in the Vale of Glamorgan.

His offences were reported to South Wales Police when a victim bravely came forward in 2020.

Witnesses were traced across the UK as part of a thorough and protracted investigation.

Heap, of Chadderton, Oldham, denied the offences but was found guilty following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court in June 2025.

He was convicted of nine offences - four indecent assaults, two sexual assaults, assault of a child by penetration, sexual activity with a child and assault by penetration.

The 58-year-old was sentenced at Merthyr Crown Court on November 7, 2025, to 16 years in prison plus one-year extended licence.

In a statement to the court, the victim described experiencing nightmares, feeling isolated, and ‘unable to trust anyone’, because of Heap’s actions.

Officer in the case Detective Constable Stephen Jenkins, from South Wales Police, said:

“Justice would not have been obtained had it not been for the immense strength, courage and resilience demonstrated by the victim throughout the five-year period comprising of the investigation and the court process.

“I hope that the outcome at court allows the victim to find some peace and live the life that she deserves.”

Description

An 18-year-old nursery worker has been jailed for sexual offences against two children.

Thomas Waller, who was 17 at the time of the offences, was convicted of rape, two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of taking indecent images following a trial at Staines Magistrates Court in July. 

Waller, (24/04/2007), of Farnham, committed the offences against two children over two weeks in August 2024 when they were just three years old. 

He was newly qualified to work with children when concerns were raised by parents of one of the victims who had told them about a serious assault. Staff at the setting (which cannot be named for legal reasons to protect the identity of the victims) then called the police. Waller was arrested and during the investigation indecent images of a second victim were discovered on his mobile phone and a second investigation immediately initiated.  

Today, (Friday, 14 November) Waller was jailed for 10 years for rape, with an additional five years on licence. In addition, he was given a four-year sentence for inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one year for indecent images, which will run concurrently.

In statements to the court, the children’s parents described the affect his offending has had on them and their families.

The parents of one said, 

“This was not an accident. It was not a poor decision on the spur of the moment, it was premeditated and calculated. 

“This man continually gave no comment. This man chose to deny everything. He has had every opportunity to plead guilty and express remorse, and he has chosen not to. He has demonstrated no accountability for his actions.  

“We do not know yet what the long-term impact on our son will be. I am hopeful that with our support he will understand that he did nothing wrong and that he has nothing to be ashamed of. 

“We won’t know what he will think when he hears the name ‘Tom’ – as his parent, I always slightly hesitate and feel uncomfortable when I read that name out in a storybook, hear it on TV, or greet another kid’s parent with the same name. 

“The day after his appearance in court our son asked us if he was bad because of what Tom had done to him. He doesn’t understand how he was manipulated and how both his trust as well as his body was abused.” 

The parents of the second child said:

“I’ll never forget the ache in my heart when I understood what our child had gone through. 

“The worst part of this journey has been the feeling of complete helplessness. I couldn’t protect our child when they needed us most. And I can’t undo the damage that has been done to them. 

“Knowing that our child’s image was taken and shared without consent, shared with strangers, is something I cannot stop thinking about. 

“This whole experience has impacted every aspect of our lives. It has stolen our peace, our sense of security, and our ability to sleep soundly at night. We are constantly on edge, wondering how this will affect our child in the future, and we feel the weight of their burden every single day.” 

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Grace Cable, said:

“This deeply distressing case is every parent’s worst nightmare, and I would like pay tribute to the resilience of the victims and their families throughout this whole process. Their support and strength enabled us to secure this conviction and put a dangerous young man behind bars. 

“Thomas Waller had multiple opportunities to show remorse or account for his actions, both during the police investigation and the court process, but has chosen to remain silent.

“I hope his prison sentence helps the families affected by his crimes to start to move forward with their lives. 

“For any parent or guardian who wants to know how best to protect their child, my advice is that no one knows your child better than you. Always listen to what they have to say, and if you have concerns for their safety or welfare then please report them. Surrey Police take any allegation of sexual assault incredibly seriously and will do all we can to investigate and to deliver justice for victim-survivors and their loved ones.” 

Description

A Birmingham man who subjected a woman to a brutal assault in Walsall has been convicted of rape.

Simon Tang was convicted at Birmingham Crown Court following the attack on a sex worker near a car park in Birmingham Street, Walsall, on 5 May.

Bravely the woman came to us and told us of the ordeal she had been subjected to. She has been supported throughout her recovery and during the investigation by our specially trained teams.

During the assault she was hit repeatedly with a baseball bat which Tang had got from the boot of his car, leaving her with extensive bruising to her legs and head.

Specialist public protection officers worked with her to put together a case which saw her 56-year-old attacker convicted of two counts of rape, possessing an offensive weapon and actual bodily harm.

Tang, of Weoley Castle Road, Birmingham, will be sentenced on January 30.

DS Morgan Colley, from the investigation team, said:  “I would like to commend the bravery of the woman in this case as without her support we would not have been able to secure a positive outcome at court.

"This man posed a real danger to women and thanks to her, he has now been convicted of his crimes and remanded in custody ahead of sentence."

Description

Andrew Cullis, of Lynden Way in Swanley, was found to be in possession of a USB containing explicit images of children during a routine sex offender management check in February 2025.

The 43 year old was sentenced to two years and four months’ imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court on 17 October.

Description

A SEX offender has been jailed after failing to inform police of a YouTube account he claimed was ‘auto-generated’ by the video sharing platform.

Michael Holliday, 52, was put behind bars for 24 weeks after Workington Magistrates’ Court heard police discovered a YouTube username on his phone which had not been disclosed.

Prosecutor Pamela Fee said Holliday is a registered sex offender who is subject to notification requirements. He is managed by officers from the Management of Sexual or Violent Offenders team who ensure that such offenders are complying with orders.

Ms Fee said Holliday is required to undertake polygraph tests after being convicted of sexual communication with a child on the social media and video sharing platform, TikTok.

In 2022, he was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and made subject to Sex Offender notification requirements for seven years. He must notify police of any online usernames within three days, the court was told.

Ms Fee said Holliday had been assessed as ‘high risk’ for reoffending after previously breaching the SHPO.

The court heard that Holliday attended the polygraph appointment in Cockermouth on September 3 and during a pre-interview discussion, he admitted deleting the internet history from his phone, stating it was ‘normal pornography’.

Ms Fee said this was ‘a huge concern’. The defendant also said he had lost that phone on the beach in the days prior.

Officers attended Cockermouth Police Station and Holliday was arrested. His phone was seized and a search was carried out on the device. There was a username on YouTube that had been used on August 31. Holliday had not notified police of the username.

Ms Fee said there had been two previous breaches of the SHPO and within five and a half weeks, the defendant had committed further breaches. Holliday was ‘fully aware’ of the requirements, the prosecutor said.

Mike Woolaghan, defending, said Holliday’s use of YouTube was known to police and had been authorised by them.

“When it was set up, a username was set up,” Mr Woolaghan said. “What has happened, I think when YouTube was purchased by Elon Musk, there was a migration of data.

“It auto-generated a username. It wasn’t creating a new account. It was being auto-generated on the system.

“That is a username he was obliged to provide to the police. There is no suggestion there are two accounts being run side by side and one is being hidden.”

Mr Woolaghan said the defendant had some issues that were ‘unaddressed’ and he had experienced childhood trauma that he continues to struggle with.

“He would benefit from some ongoing support to address those underlying trauma issues,” the solicitor said. “Avoidance strategy is not the most appropriate strategy.”

Holliday pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to failing to comply with notification requirements.

Jailing the defendant for 24 weeks, presiding magistrate Mark Gear said only a custodial sentence could be justified.

Holliday, of Moss Bay Road, Workington, must also pay £85 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

Description

On Thursday 13 November 2025 at Manchester Crown Court, William Howarth (28/07/2002), of Miles Platting, was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison with a further six years on licence, at Manchester Crown Court.

It follows an investigation by our Sex Offender Crime Investigation Team (SOCIT) after Howarth was found to be in possession of an unregistered mobile phone in a visit from his offender manager in 2023, due to him being an already registered sex offender managed by GMP through a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).  

Howarth was subject to routine checks where he had to register his mobile device and hand it over to his offender manager from our Sex Offender Management Unit (SOMU) during home visits. 

Howarth was found to be in breach of his SHPO, and his mobile device was immediately seized and through forensic analysis, a number of messages were found to have been sent to several young girls under the age 16. 

An investigation was immediately launched, and with the help of police forces across the country, we managed to trace the children Howarth had been in communication with and they bravely agreed to give their accounts. 

One of the child victims told police how Howarth would call her “fat” and a “whore”. Whilst he told another girl how he liked her petite body and how big he would look next to her.

Another victim was living in terror after Howarth told her that nobody would believe what she had to say because she was young. In a message to her, he said “it sounds wrong but honestly don’t want to leave you. I’d rather risk it with you then leave u”, following him then disclosing to her his real age.  

Howarth would send messages to these child victims about what he would like to do to them sexually, and would frequently request indecent images of themselves, directing what poses he wanted them to do for him. In return, he would send them videos of himself masturbating. 

The child victims also explained how they felt pressured into sending him pictures of themselves to Howarth, and some were even subjected to threats from him. 

One child victim described to police how she blocked Howarth on a social media site, but that she would receive friend requests from different accounts he would use to continue to message her. When he did manage to message her, he would threaten to distribute images of her online. 

Howarth displayed controlling behaviour over the children he had been in contact with, not allowing them to refuse his requests. When the children attempted to make a stand and refuse to send further images, Howarth would threaten them by stating if they didn’t do as he asked, he would post their images online for people to see. 

In a hearing at Manchester Crown Court on 10 November 2025, Howarth pleaded guilty to the following 35 offences: 

Description

A paedophile fled to the Philippines after sexually assaulting a girl on a farm, a court has heard.

Depraved builder Wayne Hassall, 59, travelled to the Far East following the horrific attack on the victim in 2021 at his farm in Utkinton, Cheshire.

He spent years overseas before being arrested at Manchester Airport in August this year.

At sentencing, Judge Recorder Michelle Brown said she was satisfied Hassall "left the country to avoid prosecution for this offence."

The assault occurred when the girl was about to feed horses; Hassall suddenly kissed her, professed love, and sexually assaulted her, per Manchester Evening News.

She confided in her mother, leading to an investigation. Hassall flew to the Philippines, where he married.

An arrest warrant was issued in 2022. He returned to the UK in August and was detained.

Hassall, of Cherry Tree Farm, Quarry Bank, Utkinton, denied the charge but was convicted by jury and jailed for 28 months on November 10.

The victim said:

"I was angry at myself for letting it happen and I became angry at the world.

"I never used to be an angry person but it was all taken out of my control. I had chances to stop it happening and I did not - I will never forgive myself for that.

"I am numb and emotionally cold and I have felt that I don't deserve to be happy. I feel as if I have let everyone down. This has ruined me as a person.

"My innocence was taken away and because of that, I ask the question 'why me? Was it something I did? Why did he get to live in the Philippines?"

Her mother added:

"I hated what he did to her. He took away a huge chunk of her childhood when he abused her. He is a vile paedophile and a dangerous man."

Prosecutor Paulinus Barnes said Hassall discussed giving the girl money and tried to apologise.

Mitigating, Richard Thomas said:

"He has continued to deny that he behaved in any way he was alleged to.

"After the allegation was made in 2021, he was released under investigation by police without bail conditions and he went to the Philippines in March 2022 and got married.

"He came back for a couple of months in July 2022 then returned again in September of that year. At that time he was aware that the case was still being investigated, but police told him he could live his life.

"He went back and he in effect got stuck there. His wife became quite seriously ill and as there is no NHS in the Philippines he had to take out a loan to pay for treatment and had to give up his passport.

"For some time he was homeless in the Philippines and he tried every avenue to return that he could. It was not until August that he got a passport and the funds from his family.

"There was no extradition, he came back of his own accord and was arrested at the airport and has been in custody ever since."

The judge told Hassall the victim has been "significantly affected by what you did" and added: "She blames herself, but the fault lies entirely with you."

Hassall received a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and must sign the Sex Offenders' Register.

Description

In July, 2022, police received a report from Social Services that the victim had been sexually abused by Steven Smith in June of that year.

The victim and his family, who were known to Smith, were supported by specialist officers while an investigation was launched.

At the time of the report, Smith was already subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) relating to a conviction for child sex offences in 2017. The order prohibited Smith from having contact with male children under 18.

Smith, 28, of Lower Street in Pulborough, was arrested and charged with rape of a male child under 13, attempted rape of a boy under 13, sexual assault by touching of a boy under 13, and breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

At Lewes Crown Court on 21 August, 2024, Smith pleaded not guilty to all charges, but later admitted the breach of the SHPO.

He was convicted of the remaining offences following a trial, and at Lewes Crown Court on Monday, 3 November, he was sentenced to 12 years and nine months in prison.
Smith was also made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain a registered sex offender for life.

Detective Inspector Harry Doyle said:

“The child involved has shown immense bravery in coming forward to report this horrific abuse. Their courage, and the support shown by their family, have been vital throughout this process, which I know has been extremely challenging.

“Smith’s actions were appalling and represent a profound breach of trust. Such crimes cause lasting harm and have no place in our society.

“He will now spend a significant period behind bars, where he can no longer pose any threat to children or the wider public.

“We take all reports of abuse extremely seriously. If you believe you may be a victim, or know someone who might be, please come forward. We will listen, and we will support you.”

Description

Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been sentenced for rape in Oxford.

Following a thorough and detailed police investigation, Amin Abedi Mofrad, aged 35, of Mill Lane, Reading was today (13/11) sentenced to 9 years and 6 months in prison with an extended licence period of 3 years, at a hearing at Oxford Crown Court.

On 7 October this year, he was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict following a trial, at the same court, of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration.

The incident took place near to the Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford on 14 February 2024. During this time, Mofrad was living at the Holiday Inn Express on Grenoble Road.

The incident was reported to us on 7 April 2024. Mofrad was arrested and released on police bail.

Due to the time that had passed, CCTV was unavailable. Fortunately, through Project Vigilant - a Thames Valley Police initiative to target predatory behaviour - officers arrested Mofrad.

Project Vigilant is our dedicated approach to preventing sexual offences and identifying predatory behaviour in the night time economy and public spaces, including sexual comments, inappropriate behaviour and harassment.

Specially trained plain clothed and uniformed officers patrol areas outside of nightclubs, bars and pubs and public spaces.

In partnership, they work to identify and deal with anyone displaying predatory behaviour, preventing offences from happening.

During December 2024, the force was made aware of previously reported assaults which took place in Germany that related to Mofrad, four of which had resulted in convictions. These convictions were for assault and bodily harm offences.

The force was made aware of these offences via pre-existing protocols, which allow police forces to share and obtain information for operational purposes.

In our investigation, new evidence linking Mofrad to the previously reported offences in Oxford were found on his mobile phone on 13 December 2024.

Mofrad was arrested for a second time and charged and remanded, on 3 February 2025. At the time of this arrest, he had been staying at Best Western Plus Moat House, Mill Lane, Reading, due to personal safety concerns at the Oxford hotel.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Bethany Liversidge, of Oxford CID, said:

“Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to the immense courage displayed by the teenage victim in supporting this investigation from the start all the way to the finish.

“It is thanks to her support and bravery that we were able to bring Mofrad to justice.

“I hope that this result illustrates how committed Thames Valley Police is in investigating and preventing violence against women and girls and bringing offenders to justice.

“Project Vigilant is a valuable initiative which helps us to prevent crimes from happening, but when they sadly do, allows us to continue to build intelligence around predatory activity.

“The victim and their family have requested privacy at this time.”

Description

A judge has jailed a man who manipulated, groomed, and threatened to kill a decoy teenage girl when she refused to send him indecent images of herself.

Hiwr Ali Bayeze is now beginning a 42-month sentence for multiple child sex offences after what he believed was a 14-year-old girl turned out to be an adult decoy who reported him to the police.

Bayeze, 37, will also have to register as a sex offender for life after Mr Recorder Simon Jackson KC ruled that he had not shown remorse and presented “a significant risk of harm in the future to children”.

Bradford Crown Court heard how Bayeze, of Little Horton Lane, Bradford, contacted a social media account purporting to be that of a 14-year-old girl but which had been set up by a group that aims to proactively identify people that seek out children for sexual gratification.

The fictitious account would remain dormant until someone contacted it, and Bayeze did so on February 9 last year.

Between February 9 and 22 there was “extensive” contact running to more than 1,000 pages of messaging.

The decoy claimed to be 14, and this was repeated to Bayeze.

He asked if she was a virgin, told her he imagined having sex with her, that he would be caught by the police if her did something with her, and despite knowing her age he continued to ask her to engage in sexual activity.

They arranged to meet up, and the court heard that there was “a lot of content” relating to that rendezvous.

Bayeze repeatedly asked the decoy to take photographs of herself, called her “sexy”, said he wanted to kiss her, and that he loved her.

He also threatened the decoy that if she didn’t send a photograph “I’ll kill you if you say no.”

Bayeze pleaded guilty to four offences: attempted sexual communication with a child, attempt to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity, attempt to arrange the commission of a child sex offence, and attempt to meet a child following grooming.

In mitigation, the court heard how Bayeze, who came to the UK from Iraq following the death of his father, had suffered from various health issues since childhood that required daily pain medication.

Recorder Jackson told Bayeze:

“When the date was set for you to meet the child … you wished to engage in sexual activity with her.

“You plainly anticipated having intercourse with her.

“You set out the things that you would wish her to do, and you to do, in the course of your extended period of contact with her.

“This against the background that she told you repeatedly that she was only 14 and that she was sexually inexperienced.

“You persisted in your demands for her to send sexual images of herself … and you issued a threat to the person you were communicating with who told you to stop your persistent requests for images [by saying] ‘I’ll kill you if you say no’.”

He added: “You were extremely manipulative. You were threatening. You told her that you were crying, and this period of grooming extended for a period of time.

“You were persistent in your behaviour, and I am satisfied that you present a significant risk of harm in the future to children.”

Description

A child predator has been sentenced to prison after attempting to meet a teenage boy for sex.

Stephen Sussams, 62, travelled from his home with the intention of sexually abusing a teenage boy he had targeted through social media.

The grooming began on 4 July 2025, when Sussams initiated contact through a messaging platform. He gained the child’s trust by discussing everyday topics before escalating to sexually explicit conversations.

Over the course of two weeks, Sussams sent numerous graphic messages through platforms including Snapchat. He repeatedly requested indecent images of the child and described the sexual acts he intended to carry out if they were to meet in person.

Arrested

On 23 July 2025 Sussams was arrested as he waited for the child to arrive. Upon his arrest he refused to give attending officers the password to his phone.

He was charged the same day with multiple offences, including arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.

Sentenced

On Wednesday 12 November 2025, Sussams, of Biggins Wood Road, Folkestone, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison at Canterbury Crown Court. Upon release, he will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be placed on the sex offender register.

Detective Constable Jess Meadway said:

‘This was a thorough and swift investigation, which enabled us to apprehend a dangerous offender quickly. Sussams’ actions were deplorable, and his arrest sends a clear message that Kent Police will pursue offenders relentlessly.

‘We remain committed to ensuring that those who commit such crimes are held fully accountable for their actions.’

Description

A voyeur from West Yorkshire who hid a camera in a bathroom to record females has been jailed for over two years.

Leon Gresswell, 39, of Ovenden, Calderdale, had his "planned, devious, and perverted" behavior exposed at Bradford Crown Court.

He must register as a sex offender for 10 years and adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same period.

Prosecutor Camille Morland explained that Gresswell's phone, dropped in nearby woods, was found by a neighbor who discovered "of concern" images while identifying the owner. Police were notified, and Gresswell admitted recording the images for sexual gratification.

Victims' statements described feeling disgusted, dirty, and paranoid, saying his actions "made their skin crawl."

Mitigating, Michael Collins noted voyeurs often struggle emotionally with admissions, and Gresswell's late acceptance reflected "the seriousness with which he views this offence and the shame and embarrassment that comes from it." He added: "He has behaved in an appalling way and he accepts that."

Sentencing for four voyeurism counts, Recorder Simon Jackson KC called it "an entrenched pattern of deviant behaviour" showing no remorse or insight. He added: "It was planned. It was devious. It was perverted. It was more than what you in fact saw. It was what you hoped to see."

Gresswell received 18 months concurrent on three counts, plus eight months consecutive for the fourth, totaling 26 months in prison.