Latest Offenders

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Heavily tattooed Jai Pennycuick had abused a young girl at a flat in Edinburgh's Broomhouse in the 1990s.

The victim only reported to police what happened in May 2020 after coming forward and speaking to specially trained officers Pennycuick, now 39, was then quizzed by officers weeks later as part of an investigation into historic sex crimes.

Prosecutor Bill McVicar told the High Court in Glasgow: "He broke down crying and subsequently gave as full an account of the incident as he could remember. "He accepted what he had done was wrong ... and that he now had to face the consequences of what he had done."

Pennycuick - a construction site labourer - pleaded guilty to a charge of lewd and libidinous conduct towards the child on an occasion between June 1996 and June 1997.

The girl would have been as young as seven years old at the time.

Mr McVicar told how Pennycuick, of the capital's Pilton, was convicted of a number of sex crimes in England and Wales in the late 90s including indecent assault of a boy.

Until he was jailed, Pennycuick, who describes himself as single, had been attempting to find a partner on internet dating sites.

One recent post states: "Hi my name is jai I'm looking for a long term-relationship. I live in Edinburgh I have no kids never been married I like the outdoors and traveling I work on building sites."

Kenneth Cloggie, defending, said: "He cannot change the past and he is ashamed of that."

Sentencing, Lord Matthews said Pennycuik was also young at the time, but that he now had to deal with him as an adult.

The judge cut the jail-term from two years due to the guilty plea and further placed Pennycuik on the Sex Offenders Register (SOR) for 10 years.

Pennycuick will have to notify police of any change of address once he is released from prison.

As a Registered Sex Offender he will be subject to close monitoring by Police Scotland and criminal justice social workers and could face prosecution for any breach of the SOR imposed on him.

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Kyle Welsh, from Stockton, was investigated by police after they received a third-party report in 2020 that he had sexually assaulted a child from around 2009 to 2013.

The girl was aged roughly six or seven when the abuse began.

Cleveland Police said specialist officers provided safeguarding and support during the investigation, and remarked on the girl's courage to come forward.

Welsh appeared at court in March and pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a child and sexual activity with a child. He was remanded in HMP Durham and appeared for sentencing at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday 18 May.

Welsh, of Consett Close, Stockton, received a prison sentence of five years and 10 months and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) as well as a restraining order on his release.

Speaking on Tuesday 24 May, officer in the case Detective Sergeant Cheryl Hall, said: "This was an upsetting case involving offending against a child who was only six or seven years old when it began.

"The victim lived with what happened to her for many years until she felt able to confide in someone, which took an enormous amount of courage.

"I hope she can take some comfort now that Welsh is behind bars and that he will also be subject to strict conditions.

"I hope she can begin to rebuild her life and I wish her well for the future."

Detective Chief Inspector Deb Fenny added: "I cant emphasise enough that police are here for victims of sexual abuse - no matter how long ago it may have taken place.

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A teenager who woke up to find a man raping her said she hoped he rots in prison after he put her through months of misery. Jacquani Phillips, 21, filmed part of his abuse of the woman who was then still under-18 during the ordeal near Bicester on October 10 last year. His victim, who was in court on Tuesday afternoon to see him jailed for eight-and-a-half years, said her life had stopped in the six months after he raped her and as the case proceeded for trial. In her impact statement, read to Oxford Crown Court, she told her abuser: Youre disgusting. A horrible piece of work and I honestly hope you rot in prison. Prosecutor Jonathan Stone told the court that the victim had taken medication on the night of the rape, which put her into a deep sleep. She woke up three times in the night to find that Phillips was raping her in the bed. Despite the effects of the medication, she elbowed him and told him no making it clear she did not want to have sex with him. Police forensic experts later found videos on his phone taken in the early hours of the night of the sexual assaults, which appeared to show him molesting an unresponsive woman. There was also an explicit photograph. Jailing him for eight-and-a-half years, of which he will serve at least two-thirds in custody, Judge Nigel Daly told Phillips: I have considered whether life imprisonment is appropriate in this case. It is not. I have considered the dangerousness provisions [where Phillips would receive an extended licence period] and whether or not they apply in this case. I have considered that they do not. A restraining order bans him from contacting his victim indefinitely and he will remain a sex offender for the rest of his life. Lucy Tapper, mitigating, said that although a few years older than his victim was immature for his age. That claim was supported by a psychiatric report. He was a 21-year-old man who had taken responsibility for his actions in spite of knowing there was a lengthy sentence ahead of him, she said. Ms Tapper reminded the judge there were a number of positive character references submitted in support of her client. Prior to his remand he had dreams of becoming a pastry chef. Phillips, of Ploughley Road, Ambrosden, pleaded guilty a month before his trial date to rape, sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault. He hada one previous conviction for fare dodging on the railway.

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A 63-year-old man has been jailed having been found guilty of sexually abusing a young girl over several years. Brian Matthews, of London Road, Bexhill, has been handed a 19-year sentence for his offences.

Matthews began sexually assaulting his victim when she was only nine years old. The abuse continued into her late teens.

As well as the sexual abuse, which included multiple counts of rape, Matthews subjected the girl to both "emotional and psychological abuse" as he attempted to normalise his behaviour and control the actions of the victim. His abusive actions continued for many years.

Police eventually received reports of the crimes and began investigating. The victim was provided with specialist support from officers whilst Matthews was arrested and charged with the following offences:

- Four counts of assault on a girl under 13 by touching

- Four counts of assault on a female over 13 with penetration

- Rape of a girl aged 13 to 15

- Two counts of rape of a female aged 16 or over

- Two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child

- Cruelty to a person under 16

- Engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour

Having been charged, Matthews denied all the charges brought against him. He was found guilty by a jury on all of the above charges with the exception of one charge of rape of a female aged 16 or over, whilst the judge discharged the jury from reaching a verdict on the charge of engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour.

On April 28 at Lewes Crown Court, Matthews was handed his sentence of 19 years in jail including one year on extended licence. He has been placed on the sex offenders' register for life.

Matthews was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) forbidding any contact with the victim or any child under 18 without consent of a parent/guardian and social services, or if inadvertent and not reasonably avoidable. He is prohibited from possessing any device which may be capable of storing or accessing digital images unless access is provided for inspection by a police officer or police employee.

Detective Liz Brunt said: Brian Matthews depraved, horrific abuse robbed his young victim of her childhood and she will have to live with the effects for the rest of her life. I would like to thank her for the incredible bravery she has shown not only in reporting these crimes initially, but in supporting our investigation and helping to put a dangerous predator behind bars.

Without her courage and determination, this simply would not have been possible. Hopefully this sentence will offer some measure of comfort to her and stop Matthews from causing further harm to young people.

For information on reporting sexual offences and the support that is available, see the Sussex Police website.

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A rapist who tried to impress a woman by claiming he rapped with Dappy of N-Dubz threatened to firebomb her house after sexually assaulting her. Randall Reynolds, 27, knew his victim was aggressively drunk when he raped her in January. Swindon Crown Court heard how Reynolds had assured the victims friends nothing would happen when they left her house for 40 minutes to go to the shops. Instead, he used that time to rape her. Judge Jason Taylor QC assessed that the defendant posed a significant risk of serious harm to members of the public and that the public needs to be protected as he handed Reynolds a lengthy custodial sentence. The defendant had initially reached out to the victim on social media, telling her he was famous and trading off the story that he had rapped with Dappy. They agreed to meet in a pub in Swindon and the victim brought her friends with her on the date for added reassurance. According to the prosecution, the victim drank pitchers of cocktails while the defendant was drinking very slowly because the hostel in Bristol he was staying in required him to be sober. He was well aware of the state she was in, prosecutor Mr Welling added. A video was played to the court where the victim was propped up by her friends. It must have been obvious to you that she was incapable of giving informed consent, Judge Taylor said. Reynolds was arrested after he threatened to return to Swindon, telling the victim he would come to your yard and blow your house up which left her terrified. The pair had been taunting each other on social media after the incident. At the police station it became obvious that Reynolds was telling conflicting lies, Judge Taylor said. At first, Reynolds denied doing anything sexual because it was obvious how drunk she was. In the interview, he told police: I know what right and wrong is, she was falling everywhere and you know when a womans drunk, you dont take advantage. However, the defendant changed his story when police requested a sample, admitting he had had sex with the victim but claimed she was a willing participant. The defendants defence counsel Emma Handslip argued that Reynolds has a learning disability which affects his ability to read social cues. While Judge Taylor conceded Reynolds learning disability may have played a part in his assessment of the night, he confirmed that the reduction in culpability could only be moderate. When you were spoken to by police, you were fully aware of what you should and shouldnt do when a woman is drunk. You prioritised your sexual gratification over her welfare. You were indeed acutely aware of the licence and hostel conditions yet the fact you were unable and or unwilling to control yourself is something I simply cannot ignore. Reynolds, of Ashley House Probation Hostel in Bristol, was sentenced to six years imprisonment. He will then be on licence for two years after his release.

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A man in South Yorkshire has been sentenced to a decade behind bars after raping a woman in her own home last year. Soloman Sanyas, 46, of Wincobank Avenue has been on trial for the past week at Sheffield Crown Court charged with rape, witness intimidation and assault after he raped his victim in her own home last year. During the trial the court head how on May 16 2021 Sanyas entered the home of his victim while she was out. The victim, known to Sanyas, returned home earlier than anticipated and found Sanyas in a bedroom. Following a verbal altercation Sanyas dragged his victim down the stairs and raped her in her living room. Detectives and forensic teams attended and found Sanyas gained entry through a window after using garden furniture to climb up. PC Bernice O'Brien from the Sheffield Protecting Vulnerable People Team said: During this investigation the victim has showed great bravery throughout and I would like to commend her for continuing to ensure Sanyas receives the punishment he deserves. During the investigation Sanyas intimidated the victim on multiple occasions and had known associates threaten her to stop police intervention. By remaining strong she has ensured that Sanyas cannot harm her or anyone else. I am pleased Sanyas has received a lengthy custodial sentence. Sanyas was sentenced on Tuesday to ten years in prison after being found guilty of all charges. He was also given a restraining order for ten years to not contact his victim.

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David Dibell, of Washington, was given another prison sentence and Daniel Walmsley was also locked up A child rapist jailed for 24 years has had his sentence extended for warehousing large amounts of cocaine and heroin. David Dibell was given the lengthy sentence in February this year for sex offences against a young girl. Now he and Daniel Walmsley have both been jailed for drugs offences. Newcastle Crown Court heard police executed a search warrant at Walmsley's home at St Andrew's Drive, Washington, on May 2 2019, where David Dibell's Vauxhall van was parked on the drive. Neither of them were present but a police search recovered a number of incriminating items. In a bedroom, there were class C tablets, a phone and cash while in the kitchen there was money and a tin containing 18g of MDMA mixed with cocaine, worth up to 1,800. There were also scales and a cup with traces of powder and a total of 15,485 in cash. In Dibell's van, here was 852g of 77% pure cocaine, worth up to 42,000 and 1,816g of heroin, worth up to 43,000 or much more if cut into smaller deals. The phone found in Walmsley's bedroom showed messages from 2018 indicating he was involved in supplying cocaine and he made reference to the drugs being "lethal". Walmsley, 31, of Weardale House, Washington, who has 64 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply cocaine and possessing MDMA while Dibell, 28, of no fixed address but formerly of Washington, who has 12 previous convictions, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin. Dibell pleaded guilty on the basis he was warehousing the drugs for someone else in order to raise money for family court proceedings. Walmsley was jailed for three years and nine months while Dibell got two years and eight months, consecutive to the 24 year sentence he is currently serving for child sex offences. David Lamb QC, for Walmsley, said he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, has not offended in the four years since the drug dealing and he is set to miss the birth of his child, Gavin Doig, for Dibell, said had previously worked hard as a joiner and added: "He was foolish enough to get himself involved in warehousing drugs."

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A man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a young girl over a period of several years - from when she was just six. Aron Scott, 27, from Thanet, began his campaign of abuse more than a decade ago. When his victim was just six-years-old, he would encourage her to engage in sexual acts. The offences continued when she was in her early teens and Scott raped her on a number of occasions. His victim later told her family about Scott's behaviour, and they contacted Kent Police in 2020. Her disclosures led to an investigation by the East Kent Vulnerability Investigation Team, who charged Scott with multiple sexual offences in September 2021. Scott, of Birds Avenue, Margate, later admitted 12 charges including rape of a child, sexual activity with a child and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. "The impact on his victim is difficult to underestimate..." On May 11, he was jailed for a total of 10 years and 10 months. An indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also imposed to prevent future offences following his release. Det Con Susan Kingsnorth, Kent Police's investigating officer, said: "These offences began when Scott was a child himself, but continued well in his adulthood. "The impact on his victim is difficult to underestimate and I would like to praise her for telling her family and then supporting us as we built the case that has now seen Scott jailed for a significant period of time. "I would urge anyone who is being or has been sexually abused, or anyone who knows of a child they fear may be the victim of such offences, to contact police immediately. "We will take action to protect the victim and bring any offenders to justice."

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A predatory sex offender who attacked women over a 26-year period has been found guilty of the murder of Shani Warren in 1987 and the kidnap and rape of another victim six years earlier.

The jury at Reading Crown Court has today found Donald Robertson, 66, guilty of the false imprisonment, indecent assault and murder of Shani Warren and the kidnap and rape of a 16-year-old girl.

Ms Warrens body was found at the edge of Taplow Lake, near Slough, on 18 April 1987. Her wrists and ankles were bound and she was gagged. A pathologist concluded that she had died from drowning, with a strong possibility of strangulation beforehand.

It was his opinion that Shani died by suicide, as there were no defence marks or evidence of sexual assault and she could have applied the bindings herself.

Despite these findings, Ms Warrens death was investigated as suspicious, but there was not enough evidence for the police to charge anyone in connection with the case. An inquest in 1987 concluded with an open verdict.

Six years earlier, a 16-year-old girl was attacked and raped as she was walking home in Slough. Robertson was arrested at the time but released when the victim did not point him out during an identity parade. Even though she identified him to police immediately afterwards, procedures at the time meant the identification was not considered sufficient to charge the defendant.

Advances in forensic science provided a breakthrough for both cases in the last few years with new evidence being discovered that clearly linked Robertson to these crimes.

When a cold case team at Thames Valley Police reviewed the unsolved case of Ms Warren, further forensic work found traces of Robertsons DNA on the gag found in Ms Warrens mouth something that hadnt been swabbed in the initial examination and on her bra. A pathologist who reviewed the new evidence and the previous pathologists findings concluded someone else had been involved in her death.

Evidence taken in 1981 from the other victims clothing was also tested, and a DNA profile matching Robertson was obtained.

This compelling forensic evidence played a vital part in the case presented by the Crown Prosecution Service at trial. It was supported in Ms Warrens case by accounts of her life and state of mind at the time of her death from witnesses who knew her well.

The prosecution successfully argued that the positive identification of Robertson made by the other victim after she was raped was admissible as evidence. Robertsons previous convictions for sexual offences, which spanned more than three decades, were also presented as evidence of his tendency to commit crimes of this nature, and that the DNA findings were unlikely to be a coincidence.

Robbie Weber of the Crown Prosecution Service said: Donald Robertson is a dangerous and deadly predatory sex offender who attacked women over almost three decades, using violent threats to get what he wanted. In the case of Shani Warren, he went as far as to take her life.

Advances in forensic science led to a breakthrough in the unsolved cases of Ms Warrens death and the sexual attack on another young girl, with new compelling DNA evidence clearly linking Robertson to both crimes. This evidence played a vital part in the case that we presented at trial which has today resulted in guilty verdicts.

Our thoughts are with Ms Warrens loved ones and the other victim in this case who have waited many years to see justice served.

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A man who sexually assaulted six people over a 41-year period has been jailed at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Paedophile John Ballantyne, 60, carried out his evil attacks in victims in Bonnybridge, Dennyloanhead and Moodiesburn, between 1977 and 2018.

His youngest victim was just 5-years-old.

Ballantyne will spend 12 years behind bars with a further 4 years on licence and will also be subject to sex offender registration requirements.

Investigating officers have described him as a "dangerous individual".

Detective Sergeant David Brown from Larbert Police Station said: "We welcome the sentencing of John Ballantyne, who has shown himself to be a dangerous individual who has indiscriminately offended against females and males, both adults and children, over a number of decades.

"His offending has had a significant and lasting impact on the lives of his victims. Todays sentencing ensures that he faces the consequences of his actions.

"I would like to commend the men and women who came forward to report Ballantynes crimes, for their bravery and resilience throughout this process.

"I hope the conviction and sentencing can help them move forward with their lives.

"We treat all reports of abuse and sexual crimes seriously and sensitively, regardless of when they occurred.

"I would urge anyone who has been subject to this sort of behaviour to come forward to police feeling confident that we will investigate it thoroughly.

"Anyone who wants to report crime can contact Police Scotland on 101."

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A sex offender who abused two children for a period of eight years has been jailed.

Robin Noble, of Halstead near Sevenoaks, committed a series of offences with one of the victims between 2008 and 2012, and with a second victim between 2005 and 2013.

The abuse was reported to Kent Police and Noble was arrested on December 13, 2018.

Noble, 65, was later charged with multiple sexual offences involving children and six counts of making indecent images of children.

He pleaded guilty to the indecent image charges but not guilty to the other offences. On April 1 this year he was convicted of 16 sexual offences involving children, after a 10-day trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

Now Noble has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment after a sentencing hearing at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, May 16.

He was also added to the sex offenders register indefinitely and made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

Investigator Becki Pike, from the West Kent Child Protection Team, said: "Noble subjected his two vulnerable young victims to dreadful crimes for his own gratification and, by pleading not guilty, forced them to revisit their ordeal.

"The victims displayed tremendous courage in speaking up and then assisting us to bring this appalling man to justice.

"I would urge anyone who has been a victim of any sexual offence to report this to the police.

"We have a team of specialist officers who work to ensure that offenders like Noble do not evade justice, just because a crime may have happened a long time ago.

"We will always treat any information with the upmost confidence and sensitivity."

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A COPs career was in ruins after he admitted sick sex attacks on five female officers. Ross Campbell, 44, repeatedly assaulted his colleagues during boozy nights out. Hes now on the sex offenders register after he confessed to a catalogue of vile incidents where he fondled and groped his victims. Fiscal Alan Townsend said: The accused was a temporary sergeant. The complainers were police constables, some working under his authority. Most of the complainers did not initially report what had happened. Once one of them came forward others agreed to do the same after being approached by an investigating officer. Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told about an incident in September 2019 during a night out in the city for Campbells birthday. Mr Townsend said: The complainer felt a slap on her buttocks. The accused just laughed. He slapped her buttocks another two or three times without her consent. The court heard Campbell groped a female officer five times in one night during a drunken session in Dundee and struck again on the train home. A colleague warned him that word was spreading of him being handsy. In a message Campbell, from the Cove area of Aberdeen, replied: Okay thanks bud. Was pretty wasted. Feel like sh** hearing this. I shouldnt have put myself in that position FFS. But in February 2020 he said a victim was giving him vibes before he fondled her privates through her clothing in a bar. He messaged her later and tried to play down what hed done. He said: Sorry if I was bugging you. Usual shambles of a police night out. She went to cops and Campbell was arrested by fellow officers at Police Scotlands Aberdeen HQ. He was supposed to go on trial yesterday but avoided that after he admitted the attacks. He was cleared of another three incidents. The court was told that one of his victims claimed Campbell was a really nice guy when sober. His solicitor Gareth Jones said: Mr Campbell offers an unreserved apology to all of the complainers in this case. Beak Graham Buchanan deferred sentence until next month. Superintendent Lorna Ferguson of Police Scotlands Professional Standards Department, said: "We are aware of the outcome of the case. The matter will be referred to the Deputy Chief Constable for Professionalism, Digital and Transformation for consideration under the Police Service of Scotland (Conduct) Regulations 2014.

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Norman Smith from Airdrie was found guilty of sexual assault and rape on two girls aged 9 & 10 years old.

He was sentenced to 6 years in prison backdated from the 16th May 2022. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.

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Dr Strange actress Zara Phythian has been jailed for eight years at Nottingham Crown Court for the historical sexual abuse of a young girl.

Phythians husband Victor Marke was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for jointly abusing the same victim - who was aged between 13 and 15, as well as the indecent assault of a second girl.

Zara Phythian, who is 37-years-old, is known for Accident Man 2 (2022), Tribal Get Out Alive (2020) and Marvel's Doctor Strange (2016) where she starred with Benedict Cumberbatch.

The child was given rum and asked if she wanted to play a game of dare, the trial heard

The alleged abuse began when the child was given rum and Phythian, of Taurus Close, Mansfield, asked her if she wanted to play a game of "dare".

Phythian, an experienced martial artist, dared the child to join in a sex act with her and her husband Victor, 59, of Mavis Avenue, Ravenshead, the trial heard.

The victim, who cannot be named, told the court Marke made threats against her and ordered her to film some of the abuse at the hands of the "Jekyll and Hyde" couple.

Phythian denied having any sexual contact with the victim, who was able to describe a Chinese calligraphy tattoo the actress has near her private parts.

The victim was abused at least 20 times as the offences continued until she was 16, Nottingham court hears

The victim, who came forward after a separate complaint in 2016, described how Marke pretended to be asleep before joining in what she believed was pre-planned abuse alongside Phythian.

Passing sentence, Judge Mark Watson told the couple he believed the start of the sexual abuse of the joint victim had been pre-planned.

The judge told Marke: I regard you as the driving force behind the abuse. You were clearly aware of the first incident but pretended to be asleep.

"This could only have been a ruse agreed in advance."

During the sentencing, the judge also said that Phythians "deviance" was shaped by the influence that Marke had on her from an early age.

Addressing Phythian, the judge added: "Whilst you denied in cross-examination that you were besotted with Victor Marke, on the evidence I have heard I am in no doubt that your deviance was shaped by the influence that he had upon you from an early age.

"I cannot ignore that it started at a time when you were still young."

But the judge added: Having said that, none of this excuses what you did these were choices you made.

"You were by then successful in your own right. You chose to play your part."

As she was led away to the cells, Phythian waved at the public gallery, where a woman shouted: "I love you, Zara."

The 37-year-old, from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and Marke, 59, were told they will have to serve at least half their sentences before being considered for parole.