Search the database
clearly and quickly

Record details

A victim of a serial sex offender jailed for 21 years for offences against nine people has been awarded 77,000 damages after his criminal injuries case was reopened more than 25 years later.

The man, now 42, was sexually abused between the ages of 13 and 15 by Colin Waterfield, of Norwich, who was sent to prison aged 70 in 2017 having being found guilty of rape and sex assaults on eight children and an adult.

Norwich Crown Court heard how the pensioner had been investigated in the 1990s for the sexual abuse of boys, but no charges were brought. The case was reopened in 2013.

Following Waterfields conviction, the victim was advised by police to seek a medical reopening of his case with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), which had previously awarded him just 1,000 damages in 1996, when his mother had made an application.

Now the Norwich man has been awarded a further 77,000 in damages based on being classed in the severe category of sexual abuse crimes.

His continuing struggles with severe anxiety and depression, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which have left him unable to work for close to 10 years, were taken into consideration.

The man, who cannot be named, also continues to suffer from flashbacks and has had suicidal thoughts, and for a periods of time has been left homeless and dependent on alcohol and drugs.

Now living with his partner, the man - who has become a father - said: "Nothing can ever take away what happened to me, but this compensation award will make a big difference for me and my family as everything has been a struggle.

It will help us pay the bills, heat the home and take some of the pressure off us, pressure which all stems from the continuing impact of what happened to me.

It obviously cant change the past, but it is some recognition of the impact on my life, and some form of closure too.

Medical reopening of the case allowed for new evidence to be considered, including a report from a clinical psychologist who highlighted persistent and disabling symptoms linked to the offences against him.

Rebecca Pick, a specialist in making claims for compensation to the CICA who worked on representations on the man's behalf by Hudgell Solicitors, said: "This award is far from an end for him, it never is for anyone who has suffered such horrific abuse.

"However, he has moved to try to have a fresh start with his partner and child, and we hope this helps give him that.

Record details

A PENSIONER who told a child to “shh” while he sexually assaulted them has been put behind bars.

Leslie Cook, 71, assaulted the child in 2020.

Police officers said the offence came to light when the victim disclosed what had happened to their family.

The prosecutor in the case told Chelmsford Crown Court that Cook “tested the water” with his victim before going on to abuse them.

Judge Mary Loram KC said Cook, of St Osyth Road, Little Clacton, groomed the child before launching two sex attacks on the same day.

Cook was jailed for five years, put on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely, and limited by the conditions of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which has been granted for ten years.

Cook had denied sexual assault of a child and causing a child to engage in sexual activity but was convicted of the offences by a jury last month.

A life-long restraining order was also put in place against the victim during the sentencing on Friday.

A victim impact statement read to the court on behalf of the child’s mother said they often become tearful while at school.

She said: “I witnessed my once very confident [child], who I would describe as chatty, become very reclusive and scared.”

Judge Loram said Cook “continued to blame” the victim and gave a “petty example” of them lying to try to discredit them.

She added: “You put your fingers over your mouth to indicate to them not to say anything.

“Two times you abused them. If they thought it was over they soon realised it wasn’t.”

Cook’s mitigation said he is “very much a pillar in his community” and maintains he is innocent of any crime.

“I cannot realistically submit there is any alternative to a custodial sentence,” said his barrister.

“A prison sentence will be a real and enduring punishment for him given his age and his health.”

Record details

A MAN previously sentenced to almost 20 years for a string of child sexual offences has been jailed for three more years following a further investigation by detectives.

Mark Greenwood, of Normanton, was jailed at Leeds Crown Court in 2019 after he pleaded guilty to six sexual offences and three counts of making indecent images of a child.  

Following his conviction, a second complainant came forward to report that she had been abused by Greenwood as a young child.

Detectives at the Wakefield District Safeguarding Unit opened an investigation into this report and Greenwood was later charged with sexual assault.

The 57-year-old pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared before Leeds Crown Court in November. He was sentenced today.

He remains on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and subject to indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Will Denton, of the Wakefield District Safeguarding Unit, said: “We welcome the extension to Greenwood’s sentence and commend the bravery of the victim and her family for coming forward and speaking with our officers.

“There is no doubt that he is a dangerous man who deserves to remain behind bars for a substantial amount of time.

“I hope this result will encourage other victims to engage with our specially trained officers who work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice.”

Anyone with child safeguarding concerns is advised to contact either West Yorkshire Police or their local authority’s children’s social services.

Record details

A TEACHER from Southampton who caused two children "significant psychological harm" by sending them sexually-explicit messages during lockdown has been jailed for two years.

Calum Lacey admitted engaging in sexual communication with a child and inciting another girl to engage in sexual activity.

The 33-year-old of Station Road, Southampton, questioned one of his victims about her bra size and sexual preferences, Southampton Crown Court was told.

Lacey was among the perverts who preyed on school-age children confined to their homes as the first wave of Covid swept Britain in 2020.

Stuart Ellacotte, prosecuting, said one of the defendant's victims threatened to report his behaviour but Lacey begged her not to, saying he would lose his livelihood and his girlfriend.

Mr Ellacotte said Lacey was arrested in March last year and told police: "I made a mistake".

"He was drinking heavily and accepted he may have crossed the line when drinking."

In a statement read to the court by Mr Ellacotte, one of Lacey's victims said: "It will stay with me for the rest of my life."

Stephen Tricker, mitigating, accepted that the defendant's behaviour had a "profound" effect on his two victims.

He added: "Mr Lacey does not seek to minimise or fail to identify and accept his wrongdoing. He has accepted it head-on.

"He has lost his home, he has lost his relationship, and he has lost his career. He has paid a very high price for his conduct."

Mr Tricker said Lacey was ashamed of his behaviour.

He added: "His relationship was failing. He was drinking heavily and he was depressed. Before this, he was someone of previous good character."

The offences were committed between March and October 2020.

Judge Christopher Parker KC said Lacey's behaviour had caused his victims significant psychological harm.

He told him: "You have no previous convictions and have taken some steps to address your behaviour. You entered guilty pleas at the earliest opportunity."

But he jailed the defendant for 12 months for each offence. The two terms will run consecutively.

Judge Parker said: "The gravity of these offences, and the gravity of the consequences, is such that it is not possible to suspend these sentences."

Lacey was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for five years and was also placed on the sexual offenders' register for ten years.

Record details

A sheriff has decided against jailing a voyeur who secretly filmed up the skirts of fellow university students and used night vision technology to spy on children.

University of the Highlands and Islands computer science student Iain Grant also had a stash of videos featuring a woman who he had followed on foot on a number of occasions and discreetly filmed without her knowledge.

Record details

The man was found with 12,529 indecent images of children, including over 2,000 of the most serious category.

A man has been jailed after he secretly recorded naked women and children by hiding cameras in coat hangers and water bottles. Dean Gordon, 41, admitted sexually assaulting a young girl and taking indecent photographs of children, possession of extreme pornographic images and possession of a prohibited image of a child.

Police from the online child sex abuse and exploitation team (OCSAE), based in North East Borough Command Unit, carried out a search of Gordon's home in Leytonstone, east London, in August 2021 where they uncovered numerous videos of children being secretly recorded as well as camera devices hidden inside objects including a water bottle and coat hooks.

Officers seized over 200 exhibits over the three day search.

After analysing the devices police found a number of child and adult female victims, who were all known to Gordon, had been covertly recorded.

In total, Gordon had 12,529 indecent images of children, including over 2,000 of the most serious Category A images. This included 436 images of the numerous child victims he covertly recorded for his own sexual gratification.

The court heard that the 41-year-old befriended families with young female children and recorded them naked or semi-naked.

In one case, he sexually abused a young girl whilst she lay asleep and recorded himself abusing her.

Several videos of naked women were also found.

Gordon, of Rosewood Court, Leytonstone at his first appearence in court in August 2022.

On Wednesday he appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court where he was sentenced to six years and eight months’ imprisonment.

Following the hearing Detective Constable James Cronin of the OCSAE team credited the victims for their "incredibe bravery in the "complex investigation".

Detective Constable James Cronin of the OCSAE team in North East BCU said: "This has been a complex investigation involving specialist officers undertaking countless hours of work to uncover his wrongdoing and locate and assist victims of his abuse.

"The victims, especially the children, have shown incredible bravery by coming forward and sharing their story.

"Anyone who believes they have been a victim of child abuse should contact police on 101 and, as this case demonstrates, we will carry out a thorough investigation and bring perpetrators to justice."

Record details

Andrew Telford, of Stanwyck, Sutton Hill, Telford was today (Wednesday 18 January) sentenced to 15 years and one month at Shrewsbury Crown Court. He will also be on licence for a year following completion of his sentence.

The 61-year-old previously pleaded guilty on 30 November 2022 to multiple charges of serious sexual offences against a child which included sexual assault by penetration, sexual assault, sexual assault by touching and making indecent images of a child.

The court heard how Telford abused his victim over the course of 9 years.

Officer in charge of the case Detective Constable Lisa Roberts said: We welcome the lengthy sentence that has been handed to Telford today, hopefully it will allow the victim to gain some closure from a very traumatic part of their life.

Following a lengthy investigation, Telford pleaded guilty to all charges meaning the victim did not have to face the trauma of giving evidence at a trial, and a very dangerous individual has been swiftly sentenced. However, the real tribute remains with the victim, who showed immense courage and bravery in coming forward to report this abuse.

Record details

Ahmed Khalio, a married man with an 11-month-old son, had no previous convictions.

A shop worker has been jailed after he sexually assaulted a girl wearing her school uniform on her 16th birthday.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Ahmed Khalio groped the teenager inside the convenience store where he worked and pinned her against the counter, but later claimed he had only been "messing around".

The city's top judge today told the dad that his sickening attack had been "outrageous".

The girl stopped in the Go Local store on Scargreen Avenue in Norris Green on her way from school on the day of the attack early last year, the court heard yesterday (Tuesday, January 17).

Andrew McInnes, prosecuting, said the youngster was alone and still wearing her school uniform on what was her 16th birthday.

Khalio, who was employed as a part-time shop assistant, was stacking shelves when she entered. He then followed her as she approached the till and touched her on her bottom.

The 22-year-old walked away to the front door before returning to her, pressing his body against hers from behind and sandwiching her against the counter.

Khalio - of Webster Road in Wavertree - asked her "if she loved him" as well as how old she was, telling her "not to tell anyone what happened".

The pervert then lifted up her skirt and began touching her legs and thighs before continuing his assault by touching her over her underwear.

The incident lasted a "couple of minutes" and only stopped when another customer entered, causing him to "jump away quickly" and allowing her to escape.

She was left "scared and in shock" and reported the attack to police that evening after telling a friend about what had happened to her.

The teen recalled "telling him to get off her" but Khalio continued regardless, while she also stated she had been "so scared she felt she couldn't scream or shout".

Under interview, the sex offender "accepted flirting" with the girl - whom he thought was aged 17.

He also "denied putting his hand up her skirt or touching her private area" and said he had "just been messing around".

Khalio, a married man with an 11-month-old son, has no previous convictions.

Sam Parham, defending, told the court: "He is extremely sorry for his actions and any negative impact on this young lady."

The defendant was assisted by an interpreter in the dock after being found guilty of four counts of sexual assault following a trial before magistrates.

Khalio was jailed for six months, as well as being handed a seven-year notification requirement and a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim for the next two years.

Sentencing, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said: "You simply took advantage of the fact she was alone and no one else was about. You touched her despite the fact she plainly did not want this attention from you.

"This lasted for a couple of minutes, although for her it must have felt like an eternity. Although you express some remorse for this incident, you continue to maintain that you did not simply assault her - certainly not in the was she describes.

"Your behaviour on this particular day was outrageous."

Record details

A Corby paedophile who asked what he thought was a teenage girl to post her knickers to him has appeared before a court again.

Anthony Farrow was jailed for 16 months in 2021 after being caught out in an online sting by paedophile hunters.

As part of his sentence he was also put on the register for sex offenders for 10 years, meaning he must tell police his address, bank account details, whether he lives with a child and passport details, and inform them of any changes of travel plans. Such measures are taken to monitor convicted sex offenders and keep tabs on their whereabouts.

But on November 30 the 34-year-old failed to notify police within seven days of having no fixed address, and weekly thereafter, and he was charged with failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements. Punishments for the offence range between a fine and a maximum of five years in prison.

Last week at Wellingborough Magistrates’ Court he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a fine of £100, as well as being ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge to fund victim services of £40.

At a previous hearing Northampton Crown Court had heard that Farrow sent sick messages to a Facebook user, who he thought was aged 13, and encouraged them to perform sex acts.

He also tried to video call them and sent a lewd image of himself. But after giving them his address to send their underwear to a paedophile hunter group turned up at his door – because he had been unknowingly talking to them all along.

The pervert had also messaged another paedophile hunter decoy profile of a 13-year-old girl and asked her questions about her underwear. When he was confronted by the paedophile hunter group he admitted contacting 10 children in total.

The court also previously heard that, despite admitting three child sex offences, he was reluctant to accept his offending was sexually motivated.

Farrow is also currently subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years, with restrictions on his contact with children and internet use.

Record details

A north-east man has been jailed after police caught him with almost 17 days’ worth of child sex abuse videos.

Jordan Gall, 27, was found in possession of nearly 7,000 indecent images of children and more than two weeks’ worth of video footage – most of which were in the worst category.

Record details

A man has been jailed for abusing a young girl.

Paul Latham was found guilty of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15 in Brighton at Hove Crown Court.

The court heard how Latham, then aged 47, knew the girl was underage, but engaged in sexual activity with her at addresses in Hove and Woodingdean.

In November last year, the jury found him guilty of two counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with the victim.

Latham, now 65, was found not guilty of rape.

He was sentenced to nine years in prison by Judge Jeremy Gold KC.

Unemployed Latham, of Wicklands Avenue, Saltdean, will serve a minimum of six years before he can be considered for parole, and will remain on the sex offenders' register for life.

The judge also imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order which restricts Latham’s access to children.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, described how she had felt degraded because of the abuse, and continues to have anxiety.

She felt that Latham had taken advantage of her as a child, but is now rebuilding her life and is happy that justice has been served.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Andy Lawrence said the victim received support from specially-trained officers after she made her report in 2018.

With support from Detective Constable Lisa Hampson from the sexual offences investigation team, they were able to bring the charges against Latham to secure the conviction.

DS Lawrence said: “Predatory sex offender Paul Latham has now faced justice for preying on a young teenage girl.

“The victim in this case showed extraordinary bravery and tenacity. She has remained determined through a very difficult period.

“We have worked tirelessly to secure this conviction. Victims of sexual offences will always be supported and we take their report seriously.

“We  hope that the outcome of this case will give victims of sexual offences the confidence to come forward and report information to us.

“No matter how long ago the offence was we will try to seek justice.”

Record details

A man raped a girl four times over a protracted period starting with an attack when she was five years old. Gareth Reilly, of Newport, has shown no remorse for the crimes which began in the early 2000s.

The 46-year-old appeared at Newport Crown Court where he was sentenced for four offences of raping a child and one of indecent assault, all against the same victim. He denied the offences but was found guilty following a trial. Judge Richard Williams said Reilly had carried out an "entrenched pattern of serious sex offending against a particularly vulnerable child".

The judge told him: "You are 46 and have not otherwise been in trouble. You maintain your innocence and there is no remorse to be taken into consideration. The probation service has found you pose a low risk of further offending in general but a high risk of a further sexual offence against a child."

There is no suggestion that Reilly, of Fairoak Avenue in Maindee, has targeted any other children, his barrister Byron Broadstock told the court. "He's a man of, until these convictions, good character. He was in employment and had been for many years. The effect [of the case] on his children and his parents has been profound... He knows he is facing a very significant sentence but beyond what I have said – given that he has been found guilty by a jury – there is little I can say."

Judge Williams said Reilly poses a "significant" risk of causing serious harm to girls and has shown "little prospect" of rehabilitation. Classing Reilly as a dangerous offender the judge handed him an extended sentence of 20 years in prison followed by four years on licence. He must serve two-thirds of the prison term in custody before he can be considered for parole.

Reilly will be on the sex offenders' register indefinitely. A hearing to decide a restraining order and sexual harm prevention order will take place on February 24.

Record details

A man has been jailed after raping a woman on multiple occasions in a house.

Gheorghe Tirzuman, 39, raped a three times woman at a house in St Helens. Police said his victim was subjected to "great physical and emotional abuse" during the month in which she was raped multiple times by Tirzuman.

Tirzuman, of Quebec Quey was jailed for 14 years yesterday after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court for the three counts of rape, which happened in August 2021. He has also been given a indefinite restraining order and made to sign the sex offenders register.

Merseyside Police have praised the bravery of his victim for coming forward and bringing the rapist to justice.

Detective inspector Laura Lamping said: "Thanks to the bravery of Tirzuman’s victim he will now spend a considerable amount of time behind bars for his actions. Tirzuman subjected his victim to great physical and emotional abuse and I would like to take this opportunity to praise her in coming forward and the fear they have overcome to bring him to justice.

"While no sentence will repair the damage that Tirzuman has caused, I hope that by seeing him sent to prison for such a considerable period of time will give his victim some sort of closure and allow them to move on with their lives knowing he can no longer harm her or anyone else.

"We are committed to protecting victims of sexual offences, and anyone who reports an incident to us will be safeguarded and supported throughout the investigation.

"Anyone that has been a victim of a sexual offence or is concerned for the safety of someone they know should come forward and speak to us. We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

"As shown in this case time is no barrier to reporting offences and I would urge anyone who has been victim of a sexual offence at any time to come forward and we will do everything we can to help and support them."

"Anyone with information or wants to report sexual offence allegation is asked to call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If you’ve been affected by sexual violence of any kind don’t be afraid to tell someone, find the courage to come forward and get the help you deserve."

Record details

A DANGEROUS sex offender who abused two young girls in the 1980s and 90s has been jailed.

Raymond Higgins, of Old Forest Way in Shard End, was found guilty of eight offences of indecently assaulting the girls for over eight years.

The 71-year-old was jailed for 14 years at Coventry Crown Court and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

He was arrested and questioned in 2019 after the women he abused came forward and reported him to the police.

West Midlands Police say in interview, he denied being responsible for any of the assaults, accusing the two victims of colluding to cause him problems.

The force added Higgins was deemed a dangerous offender by the court.

DC Sunita Sharma, from the Public Protection Unit at Coventry, said: “These were a series of appalling assaults on two young girls.

“Higgins denied any responsibility when questioned by officers and we welcome his conviction.

“These kind of offences are taken extremely seriously, no matter how long ago they took place.”

Record details

A groper who sexually assaulted 11 different women on public transport and at a park has avoided jail.

Shaid Akhtar, 42, admitted the string of sexual assaults, which took place between June and July last year.

During most of the incidents he put his hand on the women’s thighs - but grabbed several of the victims’ breasts.

A judge, who said he repeatedly targeted “lone women” travelling late at night on public transport, handed him a suspended sentence after hearing Akhtar has spent the last six months in prison.

Akhtar, who has been diagnosed with autism, was remanded into custody after committing the July assaults just days after he appeared in court charged with the June offences.

Judge Vanessa Baraitser said: “I have every reason to believe your actions have a very sinister undertone - evidenced by you repeatedly targeting women over a short period of time on 11 separate occasions and locations at times when you were most likely to find women alone.

“There is clear evidence of planning because you have placed yourself repeatedly in these locations and there is evidence of significant planning.”

She added: “You appear to be a candidate for rehabilitation. There has already been a clanging of prison gates as you have spent six months behind bars awaiting sentence.”

On Monday, January 16, Inner London Crown Court heard Akhtar sexually assaulted three women on the London Underground on June 27 last year between 8.30pm and 10.50pm.

The court heard he sat next to the women and put his hand on one of their thighs and grabbed them.

One of the women was followed by Akhtar as she tried to move away, the court heard.

On July 8, Akhtar approached a woman sunbathing in Mountsfield Park near Hither Green and put his hand on her thigh, the court heard.

On July 11, Akhtar was arrested and appeared before magistrates on the sexual assault charges before being bailed.But just two days later he was out sexually assaulting women again, the court heard.

Between July 13 and July 15, Akhtar targeted six women on National Rail trains and one in a cafe in Mountsfield Park.

Two of the women were assaulted on July 13 between 7.30pm and 8.30pm and three were targeted between 4.30pm and 11pm the next day.

One of the women assaulted on July 14 told the court in a victim impact statement: “This incident has made me feel like I need to be much more aware when out in public.

“I was assaulted at 4.30pm in broad daylight while out to collect my daughter at the train station. I was very shocked and could not process what took place.”

Just after midnight on July 15, Akhtar sexually assaulted another woman, who has never been identified.But the sexual assault on her was reported by a witness, who said Akhtar put his hand on her body and grabbed her breasts.

Later that morning at around 11am, Akhtar approached a woman at a park cafe in Hither Green, touched her breasts and said: “You are beautiful, would you like to come home with me?”

When Akhtar was arrested on July 20 he was found to have a small amount of cannabis on him, the court heard.

Akhtar, of Lewisham, south east London, admitted 10 sexual assaults and one count of possession of cannabis and was found guilty of one count of sexual assault.

He was given a 13-month suspended sentence for two years.

He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

British Transport Police PC Matthew Smart, said: “Arktar is a predatory individual who clearly targeted lone women for his own sexual gratification.

“He failed to understand the severity of his actions, and thanks to the victims’ reports we were able to catch him and remove him from the network.

“There is absolutely no place for this behaviour on the railway and we are dedicated to ensuring women and girls can travel without fear of harassment or intimidation.

“If you experience or witness a sexual offence on the network, I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016 or via the Railway Guardian app. In an emergency always dial 999. Nothing is too small or too trivial to report and we will always take you seriously.”