Latest Offenders

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Child Sexual Abuse Survivor Speaks Out as Predator Jaydan Russell Jailed for 12 Years.

Braintree, Essex – A 26-year-old man described by a judge as a "dangerous offender" has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of horrific sexual crimes against a girl under 13, following a months-long police investigation that uncovered coercion, threats, and manipulation.

Jaydan Russell, of Mundon Road in Braintree, was handed the extended sentence at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, September 5, with an additional six years on licence upon release. He will also face indefinite notification requirements under sex offender laws, a restraining order, a sexual harm prevention order, and a lifetime ban from working with children.

The court heard a powerful victim personal statement from the young survivor, who said: “I was glad the police were supporting me. I felt like when I spoke to the police, I could tell them anything without worrying… Now it’s over I feel so relieved. I feel happy I’ve done everything I can to show people what he’s done.”

Russell admitted to four counts of rape of a child under 13, two counts of assault by penetration of a child under 13, one count of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child, and one count of voyeurism.

The investigation began in October 2024 after a report was made to Essex Police, leading to Russell's arrest on October 19. He refused to answer questions or provide access to his devices during interviews. While on bail, Detective Constable Chloe Gregory from the Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT) spent months gathering evidence, revealing the extent of Russell's grooming and threats. He had warned the girl she would never see her parents again if she disclosed the abuse, and he regularly deleted data from her phone to cover his tracks.

On March 30, 2025, officers from Harlow CAIT worked through the night to compile a file for the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorized the charges. Russell pleaded guilty after being confronted with the evidence, marking the first time he acknowledged his crimes.

Acting Detective Sergeant Charles O’Mahony of Harlow CAIT praised the survivor's courage, stating:

“The charges would not have been possible without the bravery of the survivor coming forward, not only telling those close to her what had happened but also later disclosing this abuse to detectives.

“At court, Russell pleaded guilty after hearing the weight of evidence against him. It was the first time there was any sign of him acknowledging his crimes or taking any responsibility for his depraved acts.

“During his sentencing hearing, the court was told he had minimised his offending, making excuses for his behaviour to professionals while on remand in prison. He was deemed to be a dangerous offender and an extended sentence was rightly passed. He’ll remain subject to strict conditions after his release.

“While he will now suffer the consequences of his actions, the sentence will never come close to the lifelong impact his offending has had on the survivor in this case and her family. The extent of his deflection, grooming and manipulation is almost as sickening as the abuse he perpetrated against a defenceless child.

“From the outset of our investigation, and from the moment this matter was reported to us, our focus has been on safeguarding this young girl and gathering the best possible evidence to ensure Russell can never harm another child again.”

The probe was supported by multiple Essex Police units, including the Online Investigation Team, Braintree CID, Grays Adult Sexual Abuse Investigation Team, and Braintree and Uttlesford Local Policing Team.

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Update 2025-09-09

An Isle of Wight man has been jailed for 18 years after being found guilty of multiple offences of non-recent child sexual abuse.

Michael Norman Smith, aged 61, formerly of Willow Way in Sandown was found guilty following a trial at Isle of Wight Crown Court on Friday 1 August of:

• Three counts of rape of a child under 13.
• Sexual assault of a child under 13 by digital penetration.
• Two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child under 13
• Three counts of causing/inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child aged 13-15

The offences were perpetrated against a boy between 1 May 2004 and 31 March 2010 on the Isle of Wight.

DC Amy Hicks, who investigated the case, said:

The sentence imposed by the Judge recognises the seriousness of Smiths offending and I hope that it provides some closure for the victim. This significant sentence ensures that Smith will be in prison for a very long time and will not be able to target other children in the community.

Our commitment to bringing offenders to justice is underlined when long-running and complex investigations like this result in such a significant sentence and I hope this sends a clear message that crimes of this nature will not be tolerated. I hope this outcome prompts victims of similar offences to contact us when they are ready to, so that we are able to secure justice for them as well.

2022-04-11

A man who lured children into his Sandown home by allowing them to play computer games has been jailed for sexually abusing a child in the 1990s and early 2000s.

58-year-old Michael Norman Smith sexually assaulted the boy between 1997 and 2003, beginning when the child was under the age of 10.

During a trial at Isle of Wight Crown Court, jurors heard how Smith, who lived at Willow Way in Sandown at the time of the offences, would often have children over to his address and would allow them to play computer games. Smith would also take them to do activities such as swimming or going to the cinema.

In 2019, Police were contacted by a man who stated that Smith had sexually abused him at the Willow Way address during this period when he was a child. After the abuse, the boy would then be given money, sweets or other food and drink items by Smith.

Following an investigation, Smith was charged with 2 counts of indecent assault and 3 counts of indecency with a child. He initially denied the offences and the case went to trial on 7th February this year.

On 9th February, part way through the trial, Smith changed his plea and admitted all of the abuse. Smith was subsequently remanded in custody to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 8th April where he was jailed for 6-and-a-half years.

Detective Sergeant Katy Lee of Hampshire Constabulary, who led the investigation, said:

Smith is a danger to children, and he groomed and manipulated the child in this case for his own perverse gratification.

The boy has had to deal with the impact of this abuse for the remainder of his childhood and into adult life. I want to commend him for now finding the courage to come forward and face his abuser.

His courage has ensured that a predator is now behind bars where he belongs, and Smith will pay the price for these awful crimes.

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A Coventry man has been convicted of serious sexual offences against a young boy.

Jonathan Philp pleaded guilty to rape and other sexual offences.

The boy came forward and reported the abuse, and Philp went on to admit the offences.

Philp, of The Monks Croft, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday and was remanded in custody until sentencing later this year.

We know that reporting rape, sexual assault or another sexual crime like indecent exposure or upskirting can be daunting.

We're here to support you whether you're ready to report it to us or if you'd prefer to talk to someone else.

If you want to talk it through before deciding whether to report to us, you can talk to a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), an Independent Sexual

Violence Advisor service (ISVA) or another support service.

Description

A Brighton man who repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted two young girls and a boy has been jailed for 16 years.

Daniel Ellett, 35, of Bolney Road in Brighton, abused his three victims over several years up until 2020.

All three were known to him, and aged between six and 13 years old at the time of the offending.

An investigation was launched in January, 2021 and Ellett was arrested while his victims were supported by specialist officers.

He was subsequently charged with two counts of rape against a boy under 13, two counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl 13 to 15, and one count each of rape of a girl aged 13 to 15, engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a boy 13 to 15, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, indecent assault on a girl and exposure.

At Brighton Crown Court on Wednesday, 2 July, he was found guilty of all charges.

At Lewes Crown Court on Thursday (4 September), Ellett was sentenced to a total of 19 years, comprising 16 years in custody with another three to be spent on extended licence.

He was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a restraining order against his victims and will be a registered sex offender for life.

Detective Constable Angela Harvey said:

“Daniel Ellett subjected his young victims to the most appalling ordeals for his own sick gratification.

“Some have been forced to live with the trauma into adulthood, and all will carry the impacts of Ellett’s crimes for the rest of their lives.

“I would like to thank all of them for supporting this investigation and helping to put a dangerous offender behind bars."

Description

A man has been jailed after he raped a woman in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Marin Covaci, 37, of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, picked up the survivor in Kidsgrove in December 2023. He told her he would drive her home.

When she got in, he drove to a layby, locked the car, and raped her.

After it happened, the survivor bravely told someone about the incident. We started investigating after receiving the report and arrested Covaci the next day.

He was charged with rape of a woman and causing a female to engage in sexual activity. He denied the offences in court.

Through the sheer bravery of the survivor and the evidence we’ve gathered during the investigation, the jury found Covaci guilty on both counts at an earlier hearing. He was jailed for six years at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Thursday (4 September), given an indefinite restraining order against the survivor and put on the Sex Offender’s register indefinitely.

Sergeant Lisa Bettany, from our rape and serious sexual offences unit, said:

“The offender in this case targeted this woman in a calculated attack.

“The survivor has shown tremendous courage in coming forward and supporting this investigation, which has ultimately led to a dangerous sex offender being locked up and punished for his crimes.”

Description

A rapist who continued to sexually assault a woman after she told him to stop has been jailed.

Daniel Wyatt, 28, initially engaged in consensual sexual activity with his victim but then ignored her pleas to stop.

The council worker eventually ceased but branded his victim "boring," Teesside Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Paul Newcombe said the first assault took place about 12 hours before the second incident occurred.

He added that the victim felt pain and screamed when Wyatt sexually assaulted her, and that Wyatt apologised for the act.

Wyatt, of Myrtle Road in Eaglescliffe, denied the offences but was convicted of rape and two counts of sexual assault by a jury earlier this week.

Erin Kitson-Parker, in mitigation, told the court that when she spoke to Wyatt before the hearing, he told her: "I made the biggest mistake of my life."

Judge Tom Mitchell sentenced the rapist to six and a half years in prison.

He said:

"When she told you to stop, you failed to do so. You didn't stop and that makes you a rapist. You sexually assaulted her twice. It was a mean thing to do. A very wrong thing to do. You knew that straight away because you apologised for it."

Wyatt was also required to sign on the sex offenders’ register for life and was made subject to a restraining order.

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A Tonbridge cleaner has been jailed after using his phone to spy on a woman showering at a gym.

The device hidden by Lee Drury was seen by the victim after she noticed a dislodged ceiling tile.

Drury had been working at the gym for just a few months, when on 19 June 2023 he secreted his iPhone in area used by customers. When the victim spotted it she took photos and alerted a manager.

Drury was challenged and although his phone matched the description given, when checked no images were found

Further offences

Police attended and he was arrested. A full forensic download of the phone showed he had accessed a camera app at the same time the victim had been in the showers.

Officers also recovered an illegal image of a child, which had been downloaded from the internet and was in the most serious category.

The investigation later led to the seizure of another phone belonging to Drury which contained further indecent images.

He was charged with multiple offences but denied any wrongdoing and was granted bail by magistrates, pending future court proceedings.

Drury went on to commit further offences and was arrested again, in August 2024, after initiating contact with a person who he believed to be a 14-year-old child.

He made several explicit requests to the child and sent pornographic content.

After a trial at Maidstone Crown Court, Drury, 35, was convicted of voyeurism and two counts of making indecent images of a child.

In relation to the online offences, he previously pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child, attempting to cause a child to watch others engaging in sexual activity and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

Jailed

On 4 September 2025, Drury, of Borough Green Road, Wrotham was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment. He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, lasting 15 years.  

Kent Police Investigator Natalie Armstrong, of the Offender Management Unit, said:

‘Drury was a registered sex offender, who was the subject of strict measures and monitoring by our officers and staff. He has clearly been unable to adhere to these measures and restrictions and has gone on to violate what should have been a safe and private space for women.

‘His clear determination to also groom and exploit children through the internet is indicative of someone with absolutely no understanding of the gravity of his actions. He has now faced the consequences and is rightly serving a custodial sentence, ensuring the public is protected from further harm.’

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A former Newham Labour councillor has been found guilty of sexual assault.

Daniel Lee-Phakoe, 38, of Libra Road, Newham, was found guilty of one count of sexual assault by touching by a jury at Inner London Crown Court.

The assault took place at a public house near Liverpool Street station on Friday 5 May 2023. Lee-Phakoe’s wife had arranged leaving drinks as she was moving department within the council.

During the evening, Lee-Phakoe approached the victim and carried out a series of persistent and unwelcome verbal sexual approaches, including a proposal of a sexual encounter in the bathroom. Lee-Phakoe also approached the victim’s side of the table, stood next to her and pinched her bottom with his left hand. The victim stated that Lee-Phakoe pinched her bottom at least ten times. His grip was described as firm and unrelenting. 

The victim who cannot be named for legal reasons said:

“The assault itself has left me feeling dirty, disrespected and a worthless woman who had suddenly become the focus of unwanted and disgusting sexual touching, demands for sex in a public toilet and being physically trapped in spite of attempts to move. His approach was both violating, aggressive and manipulative in assaulting me in a public place with his wife in the same bar and only a short distance away.

“This has been a horrendous experience. This sexual assault was unforgivable and I made the complaint to stop this happening to other women and to stand up to a sexual predator who has no idea or care of the impact of what he did to me.”

Lee-Phakoe left the table for a time and during that period the victim asked her friend to stand next to her in case he came back. Undeterred Lee-Phakoe approached the table again and tried to push pass the friend to get to the victim. The friend heard Lee-Phakoe persistently ask the victim to go to the toilets with him.

The friend said:

“He arrived at the table again and continued to push against me and comments towards the victim for 10 minutes or so. I said to him ‘can you please stop and calm down.’ He stopped pushing but continued to ask her to go toilets with him. After what seemed like an exceptionally long time, he finally left the table and the victim asked me to leave with her as she felt unsafe leaving on her own. I’ve known her many years and I’ve never seen her so frightened.”

Lee-Phakoe will be sentenced at a later date.

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A Salisbury man has been jailed for sexually abusing a child, at the retail store where he was working.

Joseph Marriott, 33, of St Andrew’s Road, Salisbury was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court  yesterday (04/09) having previously been found guilty of two counts of causing/inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He had previously admitted breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

His Honour Jason Taylor KC sentenced Marriott to 10 years custody - comprising 4 years 6 months imprisonment and 5 years 6 months on licence. He must also abide by the terms of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and register with the police indefinitely.

In addition he must pay a £228 surcharge.

The court heard how Marriott abused the child in the back room of the Salisbury store where he was employed, while her parents were shopping.

DC Billy Baker said:

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the young survivor and her family who have remained resolute and dignified throughout this ordeal; their support has been invaluable in bringing this offender to justice.”

Description

A man from Butetown has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for sexual offences against children.

Liton Ahmed, 47, denied six counts of sexually assaulting a girl by touching and one count of attempting to sexually assault a girl by touching.

But he was found guilty following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court in April 2025.

Ahmed was sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on August 26, 2025, to 18 years in prison.

Officer in the case Dc Steven Taylor said:  

“I want to commend the victims for their courage in coming forward- thanks to their reports and support, justice has been served.

"It has been a traumatic time for everyone involved and I am hopeful the outcome at court brings the victims and families some comfort which they deserve.”

Ahmed is also on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely, is subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and has a Restraining Order in respect of the victims until further notice.

Description

A man who collected and built a comprehensive library of indecent images of children has today (5 September) been jailed.

Sean Dempster of Welland Road in Lincoln appeared at Lincoln Crown Court where he was jailed for a total of three years.

The 31-year-old was first brought to our attention following a referral that a user of a Sony PlayStation account had uploaded a Category C indecent image of a child online.

Officers arrested Dempster on 21 May 2024 on suspicion of distributing indecent images of children and seized his mobile phone for examination. Digital media investigators found over 20,000 Category A-C indecent images of children on his phone.

Chat logs from Telegram and KIK were also found and revealed that Dempster, in addition to making indecent images of children by downloading and saving them, was also sending images and videos to other users.

Detectives also found chat logs where Dempster was causing/inciting what is believed to be children to commit sexual acts upon themselves and talking to them in a sexual manner.

Another referral from Instagram on 31 March this year was made to the force that Category A videos of children were sent in a private chat. Enquiries revealed that the account belonged to Dempster and that he had sent these images whilst he was on bail.

Dempster had also started using a new phone, which was later seized along with an iPad he tried to hide under a pillow from officers during a search of the property. He was immediately arrested for further offences and upon examining his phone and iPad, detectives found 5261 more Category A-C indecent images of children as well as 165 prohibited images of children.

Investigations revealed that Dempster had been in possession of a total of over 20,000 indecent images of children and had also distributed around 340 images of children online.

The case was taken to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) whilst Dempster was in police custody, and the 31-year-old was charged with three further offences of making indecent images of children and one charge of possession of prohibited images of children.

Dempster was remanded to custody and has remained there awaiting sentencing which has taken place today.  

He was sentenced to 30 months for distributing Category A images, which are the most serious types of indecent images of children. He was also guilty of the following and the sentences are to run concurrently:

• Distributing Category B indecent images of children, for which he was sentenced to nine months
• Distributing Category C indecent images of children, for which he was sentenced to three months
• Attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, for which he was sentenced to 24 months

He was also jailed for six months for making Category A indecent images of children and was guilty of the following. The sentences below will also run concurrently:

• Making Category B indecent images of children, for which he was sentenced to six months
• Making Category C indecent images of children, for which he was sentenced to six months
• Possession of prohibited images of children, for which he was sentenced to three months

Dempster will also be added to the Sex Offenders’ Register, has been given a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and has also been given a lifetime notification requirement.

Detective Constable Nicola Paradowski and Detective Constable Laura Gavin worked the case together. They said:

“It is evident from this case that Dempster has a relentless sexual interest in young children and that he is prepared to exploit children for his own sexual gratification. The sheer volume of indecent images that Dempster possessed was incomprehensible with some of the most disgusting and disturbing images and videos we have viewed. 

“These are still and moving images of the most appalling sexual abuse committed against children who are too young to understand, let alone consent to what is happening to them.  Perpetrators of this type of crime often believe they will go unnoticed, but hopefully this investigation reassures the public that Lincolnshire Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team will relentlessly pursue anyone who engages in such heinous behaviour”.

Description

A 43-year-old man from Southampton has been jailed for ten years for two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13.

Shane Allen, of Graham Street, who was found guilty at Southampton Crown Court on Thursday 3 July, was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday (2 September).

The offences, for which he has been imprisoned, took place in Hythe between Saturday 13 November 2021 and Saturday 16 July 2022.

The victim was six years of age at the time of the incidents.

As well as the time he will now spend behind bars, Allen has also been made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, restraining order and notification of requirement to register with the police, in accordance with the Sexual Offences Act (2003)

Trainee Detective Constable Elliot Thorne, of the Child Abuse Investigation Team (West), said:

“I am pleased for the young victim in this case that justice has now been served for them and their family, and that Allen has now been placed behind bars for a significant period of time.

“I’d like to place on record my praise and admiration for the very young victim in this case and the courage and determination they have shown throughout, supported by their family.

“Additionally, I’d like thank everyone who has been involved in this case, helping to secure this outcome. Their support and hard work during the investigation has ensured a dangerous man is now locked away and no longer able to harm any other child.

“While I know this result won’t rid the victim and their family of the memories of what Allen did, I truly hope it allows them to move forward, safe in the knowledge that he has now been punished for his crimes and can no longer repeat his offending.’

Directly addressing other victims of sex offences, Trainee DC Thorne, said:

“I really hope this sentence will reassure victims, both children and adults, that they will be listened to when reporting similar incidents to us.

“We encourage other victims to come forward and speak to us. We take allegations of this nature extremely seriously and work hard to bring offenders to justice, as this case hopefully again evidences.

“This case should also be a very clear message to other offenders out there that we will always work tirelessly to ensure you are brought to justice for your crimes.”

Description

A man who groomed and sexually abused a vulnerable young girl over a prolonged period has been sentenced to sixteen-and-a-half-years in prison today (Friday, 5 September 2025) at Manchester Crown Court following a complex investigation.

Junedh Ahmed (11/6/1999) of Shield Close, Oldham Manchester was found guilty of 14 offences including rape of a child under the age of 13, taking incident photographs of a child, and causing a child to engage in sexual activity following a three-week trial, which concluded on 26th July 2025 with Ahmed being remanded into custody.

Ahmed must sign the sex offender registry for life and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 20 years. He is also subject to an indefinite restraining order.

Our investigation into Ahmed began when the victim bravely disclosed the abuse to officers at Central Park Police Station. Detectives from our complex safeguarding team launched a detailed investigation, which uncovered a disturbing pattern of grooming, coercion, and sexual violence.

As part of sentencing proceedings, the girl bravely prepared a personal impact statement which was read aloud the court and included these words:

“Jay Ahmed made me lose pieces of my childhood I can never get back.

“There were times I felt like I was drowning in silence — too scared to speak, too ashamed to ask for help.

She continued to say: “It’s taken a lot of strength just to speak these words. But I’m speaking to them because I need the court — and the world — to understand what this kind of harm does.”

Her mother also provided an impact statement, which read:

“I have watched my daughter battle pain and confusion no child should ever know.

As her mother, I have fought every day to remind her she is not broken; she is strong, she is loved, and this was never her fault.

Jay Ahmed betrayed our trust, damaged a young girl's life, and many other young girls and shook our family to the core.”

A second girl was also identified as a victim in the case and in relation to her, Ahmed was found guilty of inciting a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Investigators conducted a thorough digital analysis reviewing social media data, search history, and mobile phone downloads to build a strong evidential package.

This investigative work was conducted despite Ahmed refusing to provide the PIN code for his mobile phones. As such, he was convicted of a criminal offence under section 53 of RIPA for failing to comply with our investigation by preventing police from reviewing the data contained on his devices.

Through our investigation, we determined that offences took place between December 2020 and February 2022, during which time Ahmed gained the trust of the victim’s family and used his position to obtain unsupervised access to the child.

Ahmed proceeded to groom the girl with gifts, alcohol, and emotional manipulation, before subjecting her to repeated sexual abuse and recorded several instances on his mobile device.

Ahmed was arrested in February 2022 and again in August 2022. Cowardly, he gave no comment in both police interviews and pleaded not guilty to the charges he faced.

After a jury was presented with a package of evidence, they found Ahmed guilty

Detective Constable Emma Davidson, who led the investigation, said:

“Ahmed led a calculated and sustained campaign of abuse against a young girl. The courage she has shown — not only in coming forward to report what happened, but in going through the difficult process of a trial — has been extraordinary.

“Her strength has helped bring a dangerous offender to justice, and we hope this outcome brings her some measure of healing.

“Our complex safeguarding team was pivotal throughout this case and built strong relationships with the victims and their families throughout the investigation, as well as provided access to tailored support.

“Having co-located multiagency teams are central to our proactive approach to protecting children and preventing further harm.”

Description

A predator who sexually abused two girls has been jailed.

Prosecutor Hillary Roberts said Rocco Malnati, 51, of Blaenavon Road in Govilon, “had a dark side to him” which led to him “committing a variety of sexual acts” against two victims between 2004 and 2010.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Malnati bought the first victim “treats” including alcohol and cigarettes. Mr Roberts said the defendant abused her by performing oral sex, “repeated acts of penial penetration,” making her expose her breasts while he masturbated, and assaulting her in his car in a lay-by.

The victim said she became aware she was being taken advantage of but “didn’t know any way out of it,” Mr Roberts added.

The prosecution said Malnati masturbated in front of the second victim when she was 11 and either topless or naked, and engaged in penetrative sexual abuse when she was a teenager. She said that when she confronted him and threatened to report him, he said he would kill himself.

The offences emerged in 2022 when one victim’s partner found sexual photos of her on her phone that Malnati had her send him.

Malnati was arrested and admitted sexual contact with the victims in interview, but claimed it was after they turned 16. He denied the offences, and a trial scheduled for September last year was delayed until July this year.

Ahead of trial, he pleaded guilty to five offences of sexual activity with a child for the first victim, and engaging in a sexual act in the presence of a child and sexual activity with a child for the second.

In a statement, one victim said Malnati “took my innocence at a very young age” and “used me as a piece of meat to satisfy his deviant sexual desires.” “I will never get my childhood back,” she said. “I never feel safe. I’m always looking over my shoulder for potential threats.”

Jeffrey Jones, in mitigation, said this was Malnati’s first custody experience as he had never troubled the courts before. “He [is] a man of hitherto clean character,” he said. Mr Jones noted Malnati had engaged with probation services, done charity work, and cared for two family members, showing “a positive side” to him.

“It’s clear to everyone that’s heard [the victims’ statements] that both have been significantly traumatised and deeply affected by your actions,” said Recorder Paul Lewis KC. “No sentence I can pass can undo the harm you have caused.”

Recorder Lewis sentenced Malnati to 14 years and 10 months, comprising 12 years and 10 months in custody and two years extended licence. He must register as a sex offender for life and was made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. Both victims received lifelong restraining orders against him.

“I want to recognise the courage [the victims] have shown in the investigation and today,” Recorder Lewis said.

Description

A man has been jailed for counts of rape, assault, and controlling and coercive behaviour following investigations by our detectives in the Criminal Investigation Department.  

Two women courageously came forward to report instances of rape, physical violence and controlling behaviour that they endured at the hands of this man. The perpetrator was physically aggressive and forceful over a long period of time with the one victim and caused significant psychological damage.   

Luke Cartwright (09/12/2002) of Balmoral Drive, Denton, has been sentenced after a trial at Bolton Crown Court to 15 years for seven sexual offences, including rape and coercive control against two women. He was initially arrested in February 2024 after reports were made that he abused and sexually assaulted a woman on multiple occasions from May 2022 to 2023.  

The victim bravely gave testimony in court about two separate incidents in which the perpetrator raped her in her sleep, and another where he forced himself on her, abused her and physically pinned her to the bed and wardrobe.  

Whilst enduring both physical and verbal abuse, the victim also recounts times at which Cartwright behaved in a controlling manner, such as checking through her phone every night, constantly checking her whereabouts, and hitting her in retaliation during arguments regarding his behaviour.  

In July 2024, a second woman came forward against the same perpetrator, reporting that Cartwright had raped her in her friend’s bedroom where she was staying to help with childcare. Her friend’s partner had let Cartwright into the house and the two men spent the night drinking. They later went upstairs to sleep, and Cartwright found the victim.  

She slept on a mattress beside her friends’ bed, along with their son, where Cartwright, who was heavily intoxicated, lay with her, forcefully assaulted her and raped her. Upon telling her friends what he had done, officers were called and arrested him at the scene, and CSI were able to forensically recover the mattress for further evidence.   

In November 2024, Cartwright was charged with two counts of rape and a single count of assault by penetration. 

The bravery and resilience of these women meant our dedicated detectives could ensure both victims were safeguarded from further abuse and had access to the systems available to get them the support they need.  

Both victims shared their experiences through victim impact statements, which were read to the court upon sentencing, outlining the abuse and trauma they suffered. Parts of each statement is below and demonstrates the long-lasting impact coercive control and domestic abuse can have.  

Person 1:  

“The anxiety that I would feel about how he would treat me frequently caused me to physically throw up. […] 

I know that I am not to blame, but I am still so frustrated with myself for letting him treat me like this. I don’t know how could I just freeze when he hit me or accept it when he tried to control me. When I think of that, I feel like I was so weak and there is real shame that I am still trying to work through.” 

Person 2: 

“When I would finally get to sleep, I would be constantly woken up by what happened. It was not a nightmare as such, but it was like I kept going back to that day. It kept replaying in my head, like I was there again. […]  

The main feeling, I have is anger. I am angry it happened. I am angry with myself that I feel I didn’t do enough to stop it. I know I said no and I pushed him off, however, I was still trying to be nice because I was scared. I sometimes blame myself for what happened to me, which also makes me feel angry.” 

Detective Superintendent Jen Tattersall, GMP’s lead for domestic abuse, said:

“Controlling and coercive behaviour is a massive priority for GMP along with all types of violence against women and girls which includes rape.  

"This case shows a really good investigation which highlights the complexities of that type of investigation and shows how much we take priority around our response to domestic abuse.  

"Cartwright is a dangerous offender. This conviction and sentencing is a fantastic result and demonstrates GMP’s dedication towards DA. We've invested in it, created dedicated DA teams, and we are prioritising it to raise the solved outcome rate for victims of controlling and coercive behaviour. 

"Controlling and coercive behaviour (CCB) can creep up on people, they think they are in a healthy relationship, and it slowly transforms into CCB, which makes it a challenge for victims to come forward and for policing, so GMP are trying to drive forward our overall response to domestic abuse and CCB.”