Search the database
clearly and quickly

Record details

A Kennington man, who posed as a minicab driver to rape a woman who fell asleep in his car months after carrying out a violent attack on another woman near his home, was sentenced to 19 years in prison today (Thursday, February 24).

The court was told how 38-year-old Michael Mehari stalked the streets of Kennington to attack vulnerable women on their way home from a night out.

The first attack took place on Sunday, December 29, 2019, as the victim, in her twenties, was making her way home from a night out with friends. She was hit on the head before being dragged into a secluded pathway in the Kennington Park Road area.

He remained at large before striking again in the early hours of March 20 last year. The court heard the second victim, also in her twenties, had ordered an Uber to King Cross and she got into Mehari’s car, believing it was her taxi. She dozed off in the back of the vehicle and awoke to find Mehari attacking her.

He had taken her to a quiet side street in Kennington. She confronted him, left the vehicle and reported the incident to transport staff at a nearby tube station who called police.

An investigation was launched and enquiries led to the arrest of Mehari. A DNA sample, taken in custody, linked him to both the 2019 and 2022 attacks.

Detective Constable Tristan Jones of the Met’s Central South Command said: “Mehari is a dangerous opportunist who actively sought lone women.

“Identifying and apprehending those who commit violence against women and girls is a priority to which we are absolutely committed.

“I applaud the bravery of the victims in this case. I sincerely hope that the sentence handed to Mehari provides them with a degree of closure and a sense that justice has been done.

“I urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault to contact police or a support agency. Please don’t suffer in silence.”

Mehari must serve at least two thirds of his prison sentence before being considered for release. He will also be subject to sex offender notifications for life.

Record details

An Edinburgh man appeared in court after sending explicit videos to '13-year-old Josh' on social media site dedicated to street hockey and tried to arrange a meeting.

A predator used a street hockey Facebook group to groom a ‘schoolboy’ who turned out to be anundercover cop.

Spirit Traum was the administrator of a social media group dedicated to the sport and was contacted by ‘13-year-old Josh’ who wished to join.

Traum, 22, started sending explicit photos and videos of himself to ‘Josh’ along with obscene messages.

But the youngster was actually a police officer tasked with catching perverts online by using fake accounts, as the Daily Record reports.

Police swooped on Traum hours after he tried to arrange to meet ‘Josh’ near his Edinburgh address.

Traum appeared at the city’s sheriff court on Tuesday and pled guilty to attempting to communicate indecently with an older child.

He also admitted attempting to meet someone he believed was an older child with the intention of engaging in unlawful sexual activity.

Fiscal depute Alan Wickham said the officer posing as Josh sent a request to join a Facebook group on street hockey where Traum was one of the administrators.

Mr Wickham said: “Josh was pretending to be interested in learning the game.”

Traum began sending explicit images to Josh over the course of seven days, the court heard, and stated he was the person in the photos, including one where he was naked and tied up.

Mr Wickham said Josh told the accused he was 13 and “regularly reminded” him of his age during their conversations.

Trauma asked the ‘teenager’ if he was “smooth or hairy”, later adding: “I like boys smooth.”

Mr Wickham said Traum continued to send explicit images and videos and asked for nudes of Josh to be sent in return.

The prosecutor said: “It was suggested by the accused that they meet. The accused stated he wanted to meet Josh to play hockey but went on to state, ‘You might get f****ed after’.”

Police detained Traum at his home in the city’s Fountainbridge area on September 28 2021, and he was taken to Dalkeith police station.

Record details

35-year-old Joshua Pelling, a highly predatory paedophile turned drug dealer from Sandown, has been sentenced to 8 years in prison for over 20 sexual offences and possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply.

Pelling, previously of Avenue Road, admitted the 21 sexual charges – which included inciting a 10-year-old girl to engage in penetrative sexual activity and indecent images of children – back on 31st October last year.

The court heard back then graphic details of Pelling’s paedophilic offending, which dated between April 2015 and March 2019. It was detailed how some of the girls were asked to complete sexual tasks and send sexual images or videos of themselves. The victims included real girls in Dorset, Lancashire, Humberside and across the pond in America.

The 35-year-old was given bail but soon found himself back before the courts. On 20th December, Pelling admitted possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply and to a breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after officers raided his Sandown home and found a large quantity of cannabis worth around £3,100. They also found a phone logged into Discord that held a username not registered with the Police.

Pelling was remanded in custody at HMP Lewes to appear at the Isle of Wight Crown Court for sentencing today (Thursday) – well aware that he would most likely receive a lengthy prison sentence.

Standing before the court in an all grey tracksuit earlier this afternoon, Pelling uttered practically inaudible remarks of ‘yes’ to all of the 23 charges put to him.

Prosecutor, Barry McElduff, told the court that the offences were committed on Omegle, LiveMe and TikTok and that Pelling had tried his best to evade the authorities by connecting to his neighbour’s internet routers instead of his own. Police wrongly arrested 1 person after an email trail led back to their address rather than Pelling’s – that individual was subsequently released from custody.

He was finally caught by Hampshire Constabulary’s Internet Child Abuse Team (ICAT) after they received information from a number of agencies – including the FBI in America.

Pelling posed under numerous aliases on all 3 sites in attempts to conceal his identity including ‘Kitty Rain’, ‘Unicorn Strikeforce’ and ‘Unsub’, to name just a few. He would pretend to be a young girl – like those he was talking with. He would then blackmail the victims by threatening to expose the explicit content he had secured if the children didn’t give in to his continued demands.

Mr McElduff added that it was ‘serious, targeted and strategic offending’ and that Pelling took advantage of children.

Defending, Jim Osborne said that his client fully sympathised with the children that his actions had affected.

Recorder Malcolm Gibney said that the children were persuaded by Pelling to engage in a games-like dare and that the offences were of a nature that any right-thinking person would find disgusting and wholly unacceptable.

Joshua Pelling received a sentence of 8 years in prison with a further 2 years to be served thereafter on extended licence.

Detective Constable Martin Timmis, who led the investigation, said:

“The level of depravity that Pelling reached to torment these poor children for his own sick gratification is utterly despicable.

“The tasks that these girls were forced to perform were shocking and degrading, and has understandably traumatised them.

“Pelling is evil and twisted and belongs in prison. The lives of children have been shattered by his actions, and an innocent man was brought into custody as a result of Pelling’s warped deflection tactics.

“These young girls have shown immense bravery by reporting this abuse to the authorities, and I am grateful to our partners including our overseas counterparts in America who have pulled together to safeguard these children, and put a stop to vile Pelling’s horrific cycle of offending.”

Record details

A FORMER soldier who volunteered to support the Ukraine war effort has been prosecuted after police discovered he had a collection of extreme pornography and indecent cartoons of children.

Michael Lee, 27, who was one of the first former British servicemen to volunteer to fight in the war, has been put on the Sex Offender Register after he pleaded guilty to several indecent image offences.

All involved cartoons, Carlisle Crown Court was told.

Prosecutor Brendan Burke said that the offences - which were committed over a six year period - came to light when police searched the defendant’s address in Workington and seized two digital devices.

Both contained illegal indecent child images. Lee, whose address is now Westminster Street, Gateshead, admitted the following offences:

• Possessing 317 extreme pornographic images, involving bestiality.
• Downloading indecent child images – all of them cartoons, including 12 which were the worst Category, A; 7 which were Category B; and 32 which were Category C.
• And possessing a prohibited image of a child.

Kim Whittlestone, defending, handed the court a character reference from the Ukrainian platoon commander who served with Lee.

One of the first foreigners to volunteer for the war effort, Lee had uses his own military experience to help train other recruits to “Nato standard” and had taken part in operations. He was well-liked by his comrades.

“He’s been an industrious young man," said Miss Whittlestone.

“This defendant had a very difficult upbringing. He had alcoholic parents and there was [Social Services] intervention.” Lee had begun consuming alcohol when he was 13. Drinking heavily, he had described himself as a “functioning alcoholic.”

The barrister said: “Since July of last year, he’s been totally alcohol free. He volunteered in Ukraine and, in essence, says that saved him.”

Volunteering had given him focus, helping him to stop drinking.

Miss Whittlestone said Lee, like many such offenders when first confronted by such offending, had denied having a sexual interest in children. “He understands that is unrealistic,” said the barrister.

He was resolved to apply himself to the proposed sexual offender treatment programme.

Judge Nicholas Barker noted the prolonged period of the offending, which happened between November 2015, and March, 2021. But it was right to take into account the defendant’s challenging upbringing and his volunteering in Ukraine.

Lee was the “very example” of a defendant suitable for an alternative sentence to custody, focused on rehabilitation, said the judge. 

Judge Barker imposed a three-year community order, with 25 rehabilitation activity days. Lee must take part in the Sex Offender Treatment Programme.

Lee will be on the Sex Offender Register for five years. As punishment, he must complete 120 hours of unpaid work.

Record details

A CARLISLE man who sexually assaulted a woman while she and he were drunk has been put on the Sex Offender Register.

James Greenwood, 39, with neither preamble nor warning, began removing the shocked woman’s clothing as she lay on the floor in her pyjamas. As she resisted, he apologised, telling her: “You need to understand you’re a beautiful woman.”

At the city’s crown court, a barrister outlined how the late-night incident had caused the woman severe psychological harm.

The experience left her suffering panic attacks and an “enormous sense of dread” while also damaging her self-confidence and her sense of self-worth. Greenwood, of Sybil Street, Carlisle, admitted a sexual assault.

Brendan Burke, prosecuting, outlined the facts.

He said the defendant and the woman had spent an evening together, both drinking heavily. “They were both very drunk,” said Mr Burke. During the evening, Greenwood told the woman he wanted their relationship to develop.

Mr Burke said: “She repeatedly told him that she wasn’t interested; and ultimately, in frank terms, told him: ‘I don’t fancy you.’”

By 11pm, said Mr Burke, both the woman and the defendant were “very drunk” and there came a point when she was lying on the floor in the property’s living room, in her pyjamas.

Initially, she was unaware of what happened next but then realised that Greenwood had started to remove her clothing. She immediately resisted, flailing around and demanding to know what he was doing.

“I can’t believe that you’ve done that,” she told Greenwood, who said he was sorry. The woman then started recording what happened on her phone.

“She asked him why he did it,” said Mr Burke. “He said: ‘I just cracked. Sorry. I love you.” Mr Burke continued: “She was asking him leave.

“He initially didn’t want to; he was asking her not to call the police.” He then did leave, telling his victim as he did so: 'I think you have a problem. I hope things are okay between us.'”

The prosecutor went on to read from the woman’s victim impact statement, in which she described the lasting effects of the sexual assault. She had been left feeling socially isolated and panic-stricken.

She needed counselling as a result of what happened. She added: “I don’t want to be seen as a victim… but I don’t want anybody else to be a victim of [the defendant] or hurt by what he is capable of.”

Jeff Smith, for Greenwood, said the defendant was immediately “overwhelmed with guilt” when the woman reacted to the assault. He was apologetic "in the extreme,” said the lawyer.

“There was a huge mistake made after both parties had consumed significant amounts of alcohol and were lying on the floor together.” Now supported by an alcohol charity, the defendant had been alcohol free for 30 days.

Mr Smith added: “He knows now that she didn’t appreciate his attentions and very much regrets the distress and harm caused to this lady and hopes that she can recover and move on.”

Judge Nicholas Barker accepted that Greenwood had not gone to the woman’s property with the intention of assaulting her. But what happened caused “severe psychological harm” to the victim, said the judge.

Judge Barker added: “She’d made it clear she wasn’t interested… You knew even in your drunken state that you were doing something you shouldn't have done. That's why you were so apologetic to her.

“You had absolutely no justification for doing what you did.”

The court heard that Greenwood’s only previous conviction was for a drink driving offence in 2013, prompting the judge to remark that the defendant clearly had an inappropriate relationship with alcohol.

But, given the absence of previous offending, Judge Barker said he could suspend the two year jail term he imposed for two years. Greenwood must complete 20 rehabilitation activity days and 200 hours unpaid work.

As well as putting the defendant on the Sex Offender Register for a decade, the judge imposed an indefinite restraining order which bans the defendant from having any contact with the victim.

Record details

A dangerous sex offender who sexually assaulted and robbed a woman as she walked home from a night out has been jailed for 10 years.

Aaron Burns, 31, followed his victim as she walked through Lancaster city centre at around 2am on November 14, 2019. When she got to her home the victim felt somebody put a hand over her face and a hand around her waist.

Burns then said: Youre coming with me or Ill murder you. Burns pulled her onto a canal towpath, before asking what money she had and going through her handbag.

He then sexually assaulted her in a harrowing ordeal. The victim pushed Burns away and shouted for him to leave her alone. But he then grabbed her mobile phone and threw it into the canal, telling her she wasnt using it.

Burns then ran off and the victim sought help. Burns, of no fixed address, was arrested and linked to the offence from CCTV footage recovered by Lancashire Constabulary's investigation team.

He denied any wrongdoing but was found guilty of sexual assault, kidnap and robbery following a trial at Preston Crown Court. He was sentenced at the same court earlier this month.

Having deemed Burns to be dangerous, the Judge told him that he must serve at least two thirds of his sentence before he is eligible for parole. Burns was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

DI Dylan Hrynkow, of Lancaster CID, said: This was an appalling offence committed against a young woman as she walked home from a night out with friends. This crime has understandably had a profound impact on her made all the worse by the fact Burns forced her to relive the ordeal by running a trial.

"He did this in the full knowledge that he was responsible for this despicable crime. I would like to commend the bravery of the victim. Burns is a dangerous offender who poses a risk to the public by his appalling offending and I am glad he has been given a significant custodial sentence. The notification requirements mean he will be monitored by the authorities for the remainder of his life.

Chief Supt Karen Edwards, our Divisional Commander for the West of the county, said: The persistence and determination of the diligent investigation team has led to a dangerous offender being taken off the streets of Lancaster. We are committed to protecting women and girls from all form of violence and where we identify this type of abhorrent behaviour we will do everything we can to put the perpetrators before the courts.

I hope the outcome of this case will encourage other victims of sexual offences to come forward, knowing they will be believed, listened to and we will do everything in our power to put the perpetrator before the courts.

Record details

Police have released a picture of a man who has been banned from every women's toilets in the UK. Asere Shumba has been jailed after breaching a court order when he was found in the women's toilets at a McDonald’s in Derby.

Derby Crown Court heard how Shumba, of Shakespeare Street, Sinfin, was caught by a female staff member in the cubicles of the ladies' toilet in the St Peter's Street branch just after 6pm on December 28, 2022.

Shumba was already serving a ban for previously taking photographs of women in the lavatories in the Sinfin branch as well as in the former Walkabout bar in the Market Place. His photograph was sent to staff members at the restaurant, which led to his recent arrest and sentence.

The 27-year-old was spotted heading into the women's toilets at the St Peter's Street branch and officers were called. Shumba was arrested at his home address later that evening.

In December, when Shumba was arrested, a different court heard a statement from a female member of staff in St Peter's Street. In it, she said "I recognised him and he followed me upstairs and made some conversation with me. I thought he was going to sit down and order some food but instead, I watched as he walked into the female toilets."

That staff member said there was a woman in the toilets and when they entered she said 'I think there's a male in one of the cubicles acting suspiciously' so she banged on the door and the defendant replied 'what do you want?' They said to him 'you are in the female toilets, you need to get out' and he replied 'I thought this was the male toilets?'."

Serena Varatharajay, prosecuting, said: "He was convicted on June 9, 2021, of voyeurism and that offence was for him hiding in a toilet and taking photographs of a female in cubicle next door. His phone was seized and on it was found images of people.

"On December 28, last year, the defendant was in McDonald's in Derby and was seen entering the female toilets by a female staff member. She asked him to leave and he replied that he thought it was the male toilets."

In January 2021 Shumba had been handed a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after being convicted of two counts of voyeurism. On two occasions he had filmed women using the female toilets, once at a McDonald’s restaurant in Surrey and then he was caught again at the former Walkabout bar in Derby.

Shumba was banned from entering any women’s toilets or changing rooms but breached the conditions of the order when he once again entered the female toilets late last year. At that hearing, the same court heard how Shumba locked himself in cubicles then filmed the victims as they went to use the facilities.

On the first occasion, he was spotted and ran out the fast-food outlet, chased by the woman who told how she felt “violated” by what happened to her. And the second time, in Derby, he was identified, arrested by police, slipped his handcuffs and ran off.

Chasing officers caught him and seized his mobile phone on which almost 400 upskirt-style photographs were discovered. Jailing him for 20 weeks, Recorder Graham Huston said: "You now understand that the breaching of that order leads to custody and you have now been remanded for the last eight weeks.

"You will then be on a 12-month licence after that and should you be arrested in similar circumstances you can expect to be returned to custody."

Lauren Fisher, mitigating, said her client had pleaded guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention order at the earliest opportunity. She said he had completed all of the unpaid work, treatment programmes and probation service requirements from his last sentence.

Record details

Man sentenced to a minimum term of 35 years in prison for murder, rape, and sexual assault of a woman in Ashton-Under-Lyne.

On Thursday 25 August 2022, officers were called to a concern for welfare of a woman at a property in Ashton-Under-Lyne.

Officers attended the scene, and a 26-year-old woman was found dead at the scene.

A 52-year-old man was arrested and remanded into custody.

The victim was later confirmed to be 26-year-old Elizabeth McCann.

Elizabeth’s family are continuing to be support by specialist GMP officers and support services at this incredibly difficult time.

Simon Goold (16/11/1970) of Manchester Road in Ashton-Under-Lyne was later charged with murder, rape, and assault by penetration and was further remanded to await trial.

Today (Wednesday 22 February 2023), Goold was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to a minimum of 35 years in prison for murder, rape and sexual assault.

Duncan Thorpe of GMP’s Major Incident Support Unit said: “Firstly, my thoughts are with Lizzie’s family and loved ones at this very difficult time.

“Lizzie was preyed upon by Simon Goold. He befriended her and plied her with drinks. He then took her back to his flat where he raped and sexually assaulted her, before strangling her with a ligature, she sadly died as a result of her injuries.

“Goold’s disregard for Lizzie and her welfare is unfathomable. He claimed that this was a game gone wrong and the catalogue of injuries that Lizzie sustained were horrific and definitely not consented.

“Goold is an extremely dangerous individual who fully deserves the sentence imposed on him today.”

Record details

A company director told a 14-year-old ‘girl’ who asked him for a job that she could be ‘daddy’s sex slave’.

Paul McCombe, 49, had been due to stand trial at Oxford Crown Court on a charge of attempted sexual communication with a child.

But he pleaded guilty on Monday (February 20) after a judge threw out submissions that the prosecution should be stopped as McCombe had been ‘entrapped’ in the undercover police sting operation.

McCombe. who has previously been convicted of sending sexual messages to children, added the ‘girl’ on Snapchat on July 15. The Oxfordshire man claimed to be called Connor Jones, a man in his late 20s.

By July 19, the girl ‘M’ – in fact a decoy account run by an undercover police officer – asked ‘CJ’ whether she knew him. He replied: “No.”

They began exchanging messages. Those made it clear McCombe understood the girl’s purported age, as at one point he asked: “When was you 14? You are sexy.”

Over the ensuing days, they sent a series of images to each other. None of hers were sexual, while his showed his exposed groin.

In another exchange, she told McCombe she was going to Asda with her mum and asked him she should ring him. “Yes, as long as you are naked hahaha,” he replied.

‘M’ asked the defendant what he did for a living. Told that he ran his own company, she asked him for a job. He said: “You can be daddy’s sex slave.”

Later in their correspondence, he said he would come to see her and made a veiled reference to sexual activity that could happen between them on that visit. She had earlier told him she lived in Newcastle, while McCombe said he lived in Oxford.

Lawyers for McCombe had tried to get the incriminating Snapchat messages he sent the decoy account thrown out, which would have cut the prosecution’s case at the knees.

Recorder John Ryder KC did not buy Richard Sutton KC’s argument that McCombe was the victim of police entrapment and messages that were ‘come hither in nature’. He ruled that the messages were admissible – and so could go in front of the jury.

After that ruling, McCombe, formerly of an address in Shrivenham, returned to courtroom four and entered his guilty plea to a single count of attempted sexual communication with a child under-16.

He was granted conditional bail to return to court on April 21.

Record details

A DEVASTATED mother told how her family’s life had been “completely wrecked” by a Christchurch paedophile who was jailed for eight years for sexually abusing her toddler son.

Giving a victim impact statement at Bournemouth Crown Court, the woman broke down while describing the toll taken by the “vile and disgusting behaviour" of Adam Weeks (25), of Moorcroft Avenue.

She said: “This is the most painful experience I have had as a mother. I feel I have failed my son.

“He was a predator preying on us to get to our son. The betrayal has devastated both me and my partner."

The mum, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she had felt suicidal at times, adding: “I will never be the same person, Adam has stolen that from me.”

She went on: "His actions have completely wrecked us as a family and words will never really convey the impact of his actions.

"I cannot understand why he did this to us.

"Now I think he is a predator.

"I am terrified of what could have happened in time, what Adam may have gone on to do."

She added: "Although it has wrecked our life, my son is safe."

Weeks was serving a suspended sentence for possessing over 1,000 indecent images of children when he committed the abuse in June last year at an address in Bournemouth.

He was also subject to a sexual harm prevention order imposed a month earlier which banned him from having contact with a child or having photos of any children.

But prosecutor Charles Gabb KC said the defendant had lied to the parents of the toddler – known as Child A in court – telling them all the charges against him had been dropped.

During a meeting in July, however, a probation officer found indecent images of children on Weeks' phone, including a video of him abusing Child A.

He was arrested, and a search of his iPhone and iPad revealed more indecent images and videos.

Also found were videos of a nine-year-old American child whom Weeks had “groomed” online, manipulating him with payment into sending sexual videos.

Weeks later claimed to police that the boy – referred to as Child B – had been "blackmailing" him, something Mr Gabb called: “Utterly ludicrous.”

Weeks had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to two charges of sexual assault of a child under 13, four offences of taking indecent images of a child, six charges of making indecent photographs of a child, and two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Defending Weeks, Guy Ladenburg said his client had been raped at the age of 10 in a school toilet, and later in life had been repeatedly abused by a boyfriend.

But Mr Ladenburg admitted Weeks had a “very entrenched pattern of behaviour” and “cannot help himself or resist the temptation of touching" a child.

He said he also struggled to “accept the culpability” of what he had done.

Sentencing, Judge Robert Pawson told Weeks: “Whether you accept it or not you are a paedophile.”

He said that due to the “seriousness” of the offences he was jailing him for eight years, followed by an extended licence period of a further four years.

Weeks was also given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

Speaking after the case DC Steve Cartwright, of Dorset Police’s paedophile online investigation team, said: “Adam Weeks was a convicted sex offender who continued to subject young children to despicable sexual abuse for his own gratification.

“Through our investigation we were able to expose his offending and ensure he was held to account for his actions.

“Offending of this nature often has a devastating and lifelong impact on the child victims involved and we remain committed to identifying those involved in these horrific crimes and bringing them before the courts.”

Record details

A dangerous pervert who sexually assaulted a woman in a ladies' toilet claimed he was in there because he identified as female.

Ian Bullock, 39, subjected his victim to a 'vile' attack after loitering in the toilets at busy Birmingham New Street station.

The woman, who was on her way to work last March, said she thought it was odd when she spotted Bullock in the loo – but assumed he worked at the station because of a high-visibility jacket he was wearing.

As she washed her hands, Bullock made a 'beeline for her', British Transport Police said. He bent down next to her as if he was going to pick something up before launching the 'pre-meditated' attack.

The woman challenged Bullock who afterwards 'casually' walked out of the toilets before sitting down and removing the high-vis jacket he had been wearing. She carried on watching him as he put on a beanie hat in an attempt to disguise himself – before reporting what had happened to station staff.

BTP officers were called and officers arrested Bullock. When interviewed, Bullock tried to claim the reason he was in the toilets was he now identified as female, police said. Sources last night suggested it was an 'off the cuff remark' and stressed Bullock was treated as a man throughout proceedings.

He was convicted of sexual assault at Birmingham and Solihull Magistrates' Court in December. He was sentenced to 16 months in prison and ordered to sign the sex offender's register for ten years. He also was handed a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order which bars him from entering or loitering outside women's toilets, and wearing any type of high-vis jacket other than for a lawful employment purpose.

Detective Inspector Ian Wright said: 'Bullock is a dangerous individual who deliberately changed his clothing in order to loiter in the female toilets undetected and launch this vile, pre-meditated assault on the victim in a space she had every right to feel safe in.

'I would like to commend the bravery of the victim, who faced with an unimaginably awful situation and reported what had happened – meaning officers were able to arrive quickly and arrest him at the scene.

'Bullock deserves every day of the prison sentence he's been handed.'

Controversy over sex offenders identifying as female has grown following the conviction of transgender rapist Isla Bryson, who was initially placed in a women's prison after being convicted of two attacks.

Bryson was taken to Cornton Vale prison – Scotland's only all-women jail – before being moved to a men's prison following public outcry.

The issue was raised in the Commons yesterday by Alba Party MP Neale Hanvey. Mr Hanvey said the case and others have 'illustrated the danger and naivety of self-ID'. He added that latest figures for England and Wales show that 97 of the 230 transgender prisoners in England and Wales are being held for sexual offences.

The Government said transgender women held in women's prisons in England and Wales have committed no assaults or sexual assaults since reforms were introduced in 2019. In October 2022, further reforms required that transgender prisoners with male genitalia should no longer be held in women's jails.

Record details

AN evil thug dragged a schoolgirl into a field and repeatedly raped her as he held a screwdriver to her neck, a court heard.

Phillip Williams planned the attack which came after forcing his victim to take cocaine and alcohol.

After raping the child, the defendant - who was also armed with a length of rope - forced the muddy and half-naked girl into his car.

He took her on a lengthy journey to secluded woodlands in Port Talbot, Wales, where he beat her up and repeatedly demanded oral sex.

Sentencing Williams to 22 years in prison, followed by an eight-year licence period, a judge told him he was so deceptive and manipulative that friends and family had no idea what he was really capable of.

Swansea Crown Court heard the incident took place in the summer of last year when Williams put into action his plan to commit child rape.

The defendant forced his victim into a muddy field in the Llandovery area and beat her before stripping her, forcing her to consume alcohol and cocaine.

He tied her hands and then repeatedly raped her while holding a screwdriver to her neck.

The court heard the child was crying and resisting Williams during the ordeal and when she asked the defendant why he was doing what he was doing he replied: "Because I can."

After attacking the girl Williams – under the influence of cannabis and alcohol – took her phone and dragged her into a car taking her to woods near Margam Park.

Once in the woods he beat up the girl and again demanded oral sex, which was refused.

The court heard the girl eventually managed to retrieve her phone from Williams and flee the woods and she then called 999.

Police were soon on the scene and found the girl – muddy, half-dressed, shoeless, and in an extremely distressed state – and took her to safety.

An investigation was launched – which included looking for evidence at the site of the rapes where the child's underwear was recovered – and 48-year-old Williams was identified.

The defendant tried to evade capture but a manhunt by Dyfed-Powys Police and South Wales Police located him and he was arrested.

He denied all the allegations against him.

In a victim impact statement read to the court by barrister Helen Randall the teenager described the devastating impact of her ordeal.

She said she used to be an outgoing girl who would talk to anyone but now feels paranoid and untrusting of strangers and is constantly worrying about people's intentions.

She struggles to sleep, has lost weight, feels isolated at school, and keeps having nightmares that Williams will find her again no matter where she is.

The teenager said "it feels like he took control of my life" and "nothing will ever be the same again".

She said she feels like she wants to change her appearance, change her name, and move away to start a new life.

Judge Catherine Richards told Williams he had subjected his young victim to a "brutal" ordeal which had caused "severe psychological harm and has affected every aspect of her life".

The defendant can apply for release after serving two-thirds of the custodial element of the sentence but it will be for the Parole Board to determine if he is safe to be released and on what conditions.

Williams will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.

Speaking after the sentencing, Dyfed-Powys Police detective inspector Dale Thomas said the defendant had thought he could get away with his crimes.

But thanks to the bravery of the victim and the efforts of the investigating team he had been brought to justice, with the jury in the case taking just 40 minutes to reach its verdicts.

Record details

A 40 year-old man has been sent to prison for 21 years with two years on licence after he was convicted of multiple sexual offences at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday 31 January.

Mark Turner from Corbett Road, Hollywood, Birmingham, was charged with:

• Gross indecency with a girl under 16
• Indecent assault of a female under 14
• Cause/incite a child to engage in sexual activity by penetration
• Sexual assault of a child

The charges relate to child sex offences against three victims, two of whom were discovered following the initial report which was made to detectives in 2018.

Detective Constable Fiona Millership said: The verdict and the sentence handed down to Turner will I hope offer some solace and comfort to those he hurt.

Tuner is a predator of children and once our investigation was under way, we uncovered more victims who, between 2001 and 2004, he also abused and sexually assaulted.

Not only should the sentence of 23 years serve as a warning to those sexually abusing children but my hope is that it reassures other victims and survivors that they can trust us to find them justice. If you have been abused, sexually assaulted, raped or exploited, talk to us and let us help you.

If you feel you are a victim of any sexual offence you can report it to us via West Mercia's Victim Advice Line on 0800 952 3000 or visit www.victimadviceline.org.uk. This is a free, independent and confidential support service. In an emergency always dial 999.

Record details

A 29-year-old Eaglescliffe man who pleaded guilty to five charges relating to sexual communications with four children has received a four-year prison sentence and he will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) for 10 years.

Jonathan Wall appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Friday (17th February) where he received his sentence.

Detective Sergeant Derric Wade from Cleveland Polices Child Abuse Investigation Unit said: We will continue to do all we can to protect vulnerable children from abuse whether that be in person or, as in this case, online.

Walls offending understandably had a terrible impact on the victims and on their families who then had to hear the full details in court.

On that note, Id like to pay tribute not only to the victims but also to their parents and extended family who were key to supporting the victims when they came forward to speak to specially trained officers, and for their general support throughout the investigation and court process.

I hope the fact that Wall will spend time in prison and that he will also be subject to strict conditions and restrictions for a considerable period will bring them some relief as they continue to come to terms with what happened.

Record details

A paedophile was caught with images of children as young as five-months-old being abused, a court heard.

Sean Hammerton has a history of sexual offences involving children stretching back six years. 

The 28-year-old asked online forum users for “young selfies” and said he was “into those aged 10 plus".

When officers seized his silver iPhone they found 730 still and moving images of children, aged six months to five years.

They also found images of “extreme bestiality”.

Prosecuting, Mr Andrew Houston said that the defendant boasted online about how he “kept his images so they couldn’t be found".

Hammerton, of Bursledon Road, Southampton, appeared at the city crown court on Monday charged with possessing and distributing indecent images of children, and possessing extreme pornography.

He pleaded guilty to the offences committed between 2017 and 2020.

He also admitted to breaching a suspended sentence. 

Mr Houston told that in 2016 Hammerton was handed an 18-month suspended sentence for distributing and taking indecent images of children, sexual assault, and voyeurism.

In 2020 he was found to be in breach of a sexual harm prevention order after using an incognito private browsing mode to watch porn.

He was also caught with three prohibited images of children. 

Speaking on the previous convictions, Mr Houston said: “When the defendant was 16 he began discussing the sexual abuse of others.

“His crimes spanned over 10 years.

“He then went on to commit further offences during the period of his suspended sentence.”

Defending, Charles Gabb said that entering a guilty plea was Hammerton’s “sincerest way of expressing remorse".

He said: “The effect upon others is very reprehensible.

“Mr Hammerton has got to do something about this because it’s longstanding and a problem.

“This dark side of his life can be exposed in such a format that he learns ways to avoid it in the future.

“Sometimes, it takes people a bit longer to face reality.

“One can only hope that a new chapter of his life is about to begin.”

Passing sentence, Judge Nicholas Rowland said: "There are a number of passages of offending after your previous conviction.

"I can see you are highly manipulative and you do pose a significant risk of harm."

Hammerton was jailed for four and a half years.