Search the database
clearly and quickly

Record details

Record details

Record details

Record details

Record details

A man has been found guilty of raping a woman, beating her and forcing her into prostitution for his own gain. Nathan Husband denied all five charges for which he stood trial this week at Truro Crown Court.

Today (Friday, July 1) a jury threw out his claim that he was not, in his words, "a sadistic rapist who prostitutes someone for a drug habit I don't have", and found him guilty of all counts. He will be sentenced in August and has been told to prepare for jail time.

Earlier in the trial this week, prosecution counsel Rachel Drake told the jury how Husband, 32, had coerced the female victim into selling herself into prostitution for his own gain, raped her and repeatedly attacked and controlled her. The jury were told that he used the proceedings from the prostitution to feed his drug habits.

Ms Drake said: Nathan Husband controlled her in a number of ways. Mr Husband told her where to sit and if she moved without permission hed assault her. The defendant made her sit in a cupboard for over an hour and a half while he was doing a drugs transaction and then smoking drugs.

As well as this, an account from the victim mentioned several incidents where Husband had physically assaulted her to the point where she thought she might die. Husband conceded there had been an incident where some "pushing" and "shoving" occurred, but categorically denied forced prostitution, rape, and the assaults themselves - claiming the victim had struck him first.

While evidence was summarised by judge Anna Richardson, Husband could be seen in the dock, smirking, tutting and shaking his head at the specifics of the case. The jury deliberated for just short of two hours. They unanimously found Husband guilty on all counts.

The defendant remains on remand until August 30, when he will be sentenced by judge Richardson. If Husband is handed an immediate prison sentence, as is expected, it will not be the first time the serial menace and woman beater has spent behind bars.

Record details

A man who repeatedly raped a woman over a 20-year period has been jailed. Glenn Pearson, 59, was sentenced to 16 years in prison at Peterborough Crown Court today (June 29).

Pearson, who lived in Fenland at the time of the offences, began sexually abusing the woman in the early 1990s. His crimes only came to light when the victim spoke about the abuse in 2018.

After his arrest, Pearson denied all the offences in interview. At trial last month, he was found guilty of two counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, attempted rape, and buggery.

Pearson, who is now of Bideford in Devon, was sentenced to sixteen years in prison. He was also handed a lifelong restraining order against the victim.

DC Joe Passby said: Pearsons offences have had a huge impact on the victim, who was very brave in coming forwards and confiding in officers about the horrific abuse she had suffered. She stood firm despite unprecedented delays due to Covid and now the case has concluded can start her recovery from the trauma she was subjected to.

For support and more information on rape and serious sexual offences, visit the forces dedicated web page.

Record details

Record details

Record details

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."

Record details

Record details

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.

Record details

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.

Record details

Record details

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.

Record details

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.