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A man who used Snapchat to contact teenage girls and coerce them into sexual activity has been jailed. Belal Hussain first contacted a 15-year-old girl via the app in June last year, meeting up with her in his car in West Bromwich.

The 34-year-old saw the girl again, along with another 15-year-old girl, later that month and pressured both into sexual activity with him before giving them money.

The girls recalled their traumatic experiences, including feeling pressured and scared by Hussain, to specialist West Midlands Police officers.

They quickly checked Hussains Snapchat account to identify him, and arrested him last September. Police seized electronic devices as evidence in court after Hussain refused to co-operate during interviews.

He also refused to provide passwords for any of his phones or devices. Despite this, officers continued with the investigation and charged him.

Hussain, of Jesson Street, West Bromwich pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child at Wolverhampton Crown Court. He was jailed for three years and six months.

He was also given a sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offender register for life.

Investigating officer PC Adrian Jackson said: This horrific exploitation and grooming of two teenage girls has had a devastating effect, with one of the girls attempting to take her own life.

Im relieved that she pulled through and even had the strength to speak out against the man who assaulted her, but I know the lifelong impact his actions will have had.

"We supported the girls throughout the investigation and partner agencies, including The Horizons Unit of Sandwell Childrens Trust.

"It was down to their courage in coming forward that we were able to convict Hussain and we hope this will provide some sense of justice following their traumatic ordeals."

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A 'predatory and dangerous' sex offender has been jailed after being found guilty of a string of serious sexual offences against three women.

John Todd was convicted of the attacks, including rape, which took place in Perth, Angus and Fife over a five year period.

The 34-year-old has now been sentenced to five years and 10 months behind bars after appearing at the High Court in Edinburgh today.

In a statement, Police Scotland officers praised the bravery of Todd's victims who came forward.

They added that they hoped the verdict would go some way to helping them move forward with their lives.

Detective Sergeant Lauren ONeil of Fife Divisions Rape Investigation Unit said: Todd is a predatory and dangerous man who has committed a variety of serious crimes against a number of different women over a protracted period of time.

It is thanks to the courage of the women who came forward that he has been now been found guilty of his crimes and the cruelty of his behaviour has been exposed.

I would like to commend the women for their bravery throughout this investigation and court proceedings.

"Hopefully the verdict today will help them moving forward.

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A 'prolific' sex offender who targeted children in Woking has been jailed. Police launched an investigation into Anthony Holloman Senior after allegations came to light in 2018.

During the course of their investigations into the allegations, police identified a number of victims over a 40 year period. Officers say Holloman targeted both boys and girls.

They were then 'manipulated' into not speaking about the abuse they were subjected to. But Holloman was finally arrested in August 2018.

Holloman, 80, of Grafton Gardens in Lymington, has now been found guilty of 17 counts of sexual offences against seven different children. He was jailed for 16 years at Guildford Crown Court.

Detective Constable Andrew Whittle, who investigated the case for Surrey Police, said: I would like to commend the incredible bravery of the victims who came forward and showed formidable resilience throughout the investigation and court process. This was a complex investigation which relied on the testimony of the victims and the determination of the Child Abuse Team to hold Holloman to account for his actions.

Holloman is a dangerous and prolific sex offender who targeted children over a considerable period of time. He showed breath-taking arrogance throughout his offending and subsequent trial, and it is a relief that he will be behind bars for a long time to come. I hope that this case shows that it is never too late to report sexual abuse and that we will do everything we can to investigate reports, support victims and pursue perpetrators.

If you are thinking of reporting sexual abuse, please be reassured that your report will be taken incredibly seriously, and that we have specialist support in place to help you.

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A magician faces many years behind bars after being convicted of raping and sexually abusing a young girl when he was a teenager. Jacob Blow, 31, is in poor health and currently undergoing dialysis treatment but was convicted by a jury of a total of four charges after a trial that lasted weeks.

Blow, from Threemilestone near Truro, has been on trial at Truro Crown Court charged with four counts of rape, attempted rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault. Cornwall Live reported last week how following a lengthy period of jury deliberation he was found guilty of two rapes and sexual assault. Blow was found not guilty of two further rapes.

Due to legal strikes and Blows dialysis treatment, the jury had to wait a week to reconvene and continue deliberations on the two outstanding counts, before this afternoon (Thursday June 30), convicting the defendant of the remaining charges of assault by penetration and attempted rape.

Blow, who was in some discomfort at the verdicts were read out, had his sentencing set for a date in August. Debating whether or not to bail Blow until then or immediately remand him into custody, Judge Anna Richardson said that although Blow has known since the first guilty verdicts a week ago that he faces jail, he still turned up as instructed today. She added that there are no grounds to believe he wont turn up for sentencing or that he will offend again given how long it is since his offending and that it relates to a single victim.

The first rape involved Blow kissing the complainant, pulling down her under garments, touching her sexually and then raping her.

Prosecutor Bathsheba Cassel said: She went on to tell the police the rapes were frequent and she would be raped once or twice a week.

The jury was told that the complainant first contacted police more than a decade ago, but the victim found herself unable to pursue the allegation and broke down on the way to the police station.

Blow was said to have initially tried to deny any wrongdoing before breaking down and admitting to his dad and police what he had done. However, he then denied the allegations saying he lied when initially speaking to the police because he thought if he agreed with what was being claimed that would be it and he could carry on doing magic.

Ms Cassel said: The impact on the complainant has been great. In 2019, she felt able to find strength and re-engage with the police and complete a video interview.

Ms Cassel said the attempted rape related to the defendant unsuccessfully trying to have anal sex with the girl.

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A man has been jailed for nine months and handed a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) after pressing his groin against a woman on a London Underground train.

Zane Donovan, 25, and of White Gardens, Dagenham, was sentenced to 41 weeks in prison and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years at Inner London Crown Court on Wednesday 22 June after pleading guilty to sexual assault.

He was also given a 5-year sexual harm prevention order, prohibiting him from attempting to speak to any female in a public place who is not known to him including on public transport.

At 6.30pm on Friday 25 March the victim, a pregnant woman, boarded a Victoria Line service at Green Park station and immediately felt a man pressing his groin against her from behind for around 20 seconds.

When she challenged him, he responded with How do you want me to stand, I got no space and left the train at Victoria station. Following CCTV enquiries, Donovan was arrested several days later.

British Transport Police (BTP) Detective Constable Brittany Armstrong said: This incident was particularly alarming and distressing for the victim, and Im pleased to see Donovan behind bars for such inappropriate behaviour.

Some people may not consider pressing a sexual offence, or serious enough to report especially in a crowded environment, however in the eyes of the law this is sexual assault and offenders will be caught and punished accordingly.

If you experience or witness this behaviour on the network, we urge you to alert an officer or report it by texting us on 61016. We will always take you seriously.

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A sex offender was told he had "no realistic prospects of rehabilitation" after being caught accessing indecent images of children online for a second time. Ryan Hall, of Hill Close in Penycae, was jailed after "reverting to his old ways".

Prosecuting, Alexandra Carrier, told Mold Crown Court how police enquires back in March 2021 found that an account that had uploaded an indecent image to the internet belonged to Hall. He was arrested and his home in Wrexham was searched where officers found two internal hard drives, an external hard drive, an iPhone and a computer desktop tower.

In a folder found on the tower, police discovered over a dozen indecent images of children. There were a total of 233 files that "indicated Hall had a sexual interest in children", according to Ms Carrier, but these were not charged.

The court was told how, in interview, the 22-year-old confirmed that the desktop tower was his, having built it himself. However, when probed about the images they found on the device, he answered no comment.

Hall was previously convicted in 2019 for making indecent photographs of children. The court also heard how, armed with a knife, he had previously lunged at a detective who had cornered him on a bus and was sentenced to 27 weeks at a young offenders' institute meaning he would have been under post-sentence supervision at the time he sought out these indecent images.

Defending, Henry Hills, told the court how his client was experiencing poor mental health - as well as abusing alcohol and cocaine - at the time these discoveries were made. Mr Hills said Hall had since tried to make steps that would lead him towards a "better life", mainly having started a new job in January this year as a chef.

However, the judge Rhys Rowlands felt that there was "no realistic prospects of rehabilitation", especially considering that this was Hall's second time in possession of such content. He said: "The reality of the situation is that this is a sex offender who, despite having the assistance of the probation service, has reverted to his old ways.

He continued: "The difficulty is that the courts can, and try, to draw back from custody in these cases if there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation when it's a first offence but this is Mr Hall's second time." The judge remained unconvinced that Hall wanted to change, telling his solicitor that it would be "asking an awful lot" of the courts to give Hall "another chance" after accessing this "filth".

When passing a 30-week jail sentence, he said: "The number of images recovered is somewhat modest by comparison to what is commonly seen by the courts. Nonetheless, these are serious matters as you were accessing the material over a not insignificant period of time. Of course, you have the previous conviction in 2019 for behaving in exactly the same fashion."

The judge ordered that Hall be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the next decade. An order to have all items that were seized by the police destroyed was also granted.

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A brave rape victim brought her terrifying ordeal to an end when she managed to punch her attacker in the face.

The woman, whose identity is protected, had fallen asleep on a sofa in a flat after a night out, and woke up to find Dean Graham raping her.

Her blow to his face stopped the attack, but Graham then pretended nothing had happened and asked her why she had hit him.

Graham, 42, of Kirkley Drive in Ponteland, denied rape and sexual assault but was convicted by a jury after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

Prosecutor David Comb told the court: "Mr Graham took advantage of the situation in which he found himself, for his own sexual gratification.

"When she went to sleep on the living room sofa, he approached."

The victim had been celebrating her birthday in December 2018 and had gone to a friends house in Newcastle to spend the night.

Mr Comb said she woke up when she realised what was happening to her and added: "At that stage she punched him in the face, which did succeed in causing him to stop.

"She was shocked and distressed and commenced a search for her mobile phone.

"As she did that, he followed her around, pretending nothing had happened and asking why she had punched him in the face."

Mr Recorder Tony Hawks sentenced Graham to six years and ten months behind bars and said he must register as a sex offender for life.

The court heard Graham had previous convictions for violence and disorder, but none for sexual offences.

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A sleazy shop worker who supplied booze to a 13-year-old girl sent her Instagram messages saying he loved her and wanted them to marry.

Vinit Kotadiya gave bottles of alcohol to the schoolgirl after meeting her at the East Lothian convenience store where he worked. The 23-year-old sent her perverted messages despite her repeatedly telling him her age.

Kotadiya, of the city's Meadowbank area, presented her with the gift of a rucksack containing 120 and bottles of vodka and Dragon Soop. But the victims mother became suspicious and police were called in after Kotadiyas offending was discovered.

Kotadiya appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday and pled guilty to sending messages that were grossly offensive, or of an indecent, offensive or menacing character. He also admitted giving alcohol to the girl.

Fiscal depute Morgan Beattie said Kotadiya encountered the girl outside the Lifestyle Express shop in Bridge Street, Tranent. Ms Beattie said the pair continued to engage over the next month and Kotadiya gave her his Instagram details.

The court heard the girl followed Kotadiya on social media and shed told him her age. Ms Beattie said Kotadiya would arrange to meet the victim at the back of the store where he handed over alcohol.

In a message sent on February 14 last year, Kotadiya asked the girl to be my Valentine and she again told him she was 13. Kotadiya sent her back a message saying, I will wait for you.

Ms Beattie said the accused sent the girl messages saying he loves her and wants to marry her. During this time, Kotadiya gave the victim a rucksack containing alcohol and cash.

The prosecutor said: Over this time, the (girls) mum became concerned by (her daughters) activity and observed messages between her and her friends which confirmed the accused had been giving her gifts including alcohol.

Police were alerted and Kotadiyas mobile phone was seized and examined. Kotadiya, a first offender, admitted carrying out the offences in January and February last year.

Sheriff John Cook deferred sentence on Kotadiya until next month for reports. The sheriff said he would consider arguments at that hearing on whether Kotadiyas conviction required him to be added to the sex offenders register.

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A vile paedophile who abused three child victims before leading police on a high speed chase has been put behind bars for over 10 years.

Kenneth Harrison's abuse came to light after one of the children who he assaulted bravely spoke out and filed a report.

Officers attended Harrison's Darlington home to arrest him but instead he was spotted speeding off in a car from police. This sparked an 18 minute chase which saw Harrison drive through red lights and reach speeds up to 90mph without any lights on.

Harrison appeared at Teesside Crown Court via video link from HMP Durham, to be sentenced for offences of sexual assault of a child and one count of dangerous driving, he pleaded guilty to the charges in a previous hearing. Chronicle Live reports that the court heard Harrison's offending impacted three separate lives and he 'burst into tears' as the prison sentence was given.

At a hearing last week, prosecutor Robin Turton said Harrison carried out sexual offences against three children, and left one feeling 'targeted'. The court heard that Harrison also sexually assaulted a child while abroad and 'very drunk'.

Mr Turton said that after the crimes were reported to the police, they went to arrest him on March 11 this year. Harrison was seen driving a vehicle in Darlington, but 'drove away at speed' upon seeing the officers.

He said: "He drove at excess speed during the pursuit which lasted 18 minutes, he drove in excess of 90mph in a 40mph zone and went through red lights. He was eventually arrested when he alighted at his address and later denied any sexual offending."

Chris Baker, defending, said Harrison had 'expressed deep regret with what happened' and said there was 'remorse'. He added that he entered guilty pleas as he did not want the victims to be put through the trial process.

Mr Baker said: "It is his first custodial sentence and has described difficulties with mental health during his incarceration. He has depression and suicidal thoughts, he wants to undertake all the help that is provided by the prison.

"He knows he's done something utterly appalling."

Sentencing Harrison, Judge Chris Smith said: "Your actions have created three separate victims which will impact three separate lives. You have expressed remorse, which I'm satisfied means it's appropriate to give you full credit for your guilty pleas."

Harrison was given a prison sentence of 10 years and eight months and will be on the sex offender's register for life. Because of the time he will spend in custody, he was banned from driving for eight years and four months and must sit an extended re-test.

With his head in his hands, Harrison burst into tears after the lengthy sentence was passed.