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A sex offender was exposed by an undercover police officer after sending explicit messages to a young girl.

Neil Wilson sent the officer sexually explicit messages after they met on an online chatroom.

Despite being told that she was 13, he went on to request explicit photos of her too.

Nottinghamshire Police were alerted to the 46-year-old’s behaviour and arrested him at his home address on 14 December 2023.

His devices were then examined, and explicit messages sent to an actual young girl were exposed.

Indecent images of children were also uncovered.

This included 25 ‘Category A’ images - the most severe classification of indecent images of children.

Six images classed as ‘Category B’ and 80 labelled as ‘Category C’ were also found.

Wilson, formally of Osmaston Walk, Mansfield, went on to plead guilty to inciting a female child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and possession of extreme pornographic images.

He also pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photos of a child.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday (8 May), he was jailed for a total of 15 years – an eight-year jail sentence with an added seven-year extended license.

Wilson was also made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and was placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Detective Constable Oliver Pemberton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Wilson’s actions were completely disgraceful, and it was thanks to the fantastic work of officers that he was exposed.

“Keeping children safe from harm means keeping them safe from people like Wilson who attempt to prey on them online where they think nobody can see what they are doing.

“I’d like to take this time to praise the strength of the victim throughout the investigation and lengthy court process.

"I hope this result helps give the victim and their family some closure and also serves as a warning to others about the consequences of such depraved behaviour.”

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On Thursday 14 May 2026 at Manchester Crown Court, Dean Clarke (13/01/2001), of Cannon Hussey Court, Salford, has been sentenced to five years in prison for sexual communication with a child and sexual activity with a child.

Clarke’s offences came to light on Friday 21 October 2022 when a report was made to police by the victim’s mother that a 21-year-old man was communicating with her 13-year-old daughter via an online video and messaging platform.

The victim’s mother had discovered the messages from Clarke sent to her daughter on a personal laptop used at home. Some of the messages implied they had had a sexual relationship as they also talked about pregnancy tests. 

An investigation was immediately launched and officers arrested Clarke that same day. He was taken into custody for interview, where he denied all offences. Clarke’s mobile phone was also seized to be examined for evidence. He was released under bail conditions while enquiries continued. 

Evidence retrieved from Clarke’s mobile phone provided evidence that he was communicating with the victim in a sexual manner. Communications were consistent between Clarke and the victim between August and October 2022.  

The messages also suggested that Clarke had a relationship with the victim that was of a sexual nature. Photographs found also showed the victim and Clarke hugging, and on one occasion, the victim kissing Clarke’s cheek.  

After mobile phone and other digital evidence had been reviewed, Clarke was arrested again. During interviews Clarke continued to deny all offences and said his accounts had been hacked. Regarding the conversations found on his phone between himself and the victim; Clarke either said he could not recall or remember, and that he would not send messages of that nature.

On the first day of trial in March 2026, Clarke pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of sexual communication with a child. 

On Thursday 14 May, Clarke was sentenced to five years in prison. He has been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order. Clarke has also been issued with a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim.

In a statement read in court, the victim’s mother spoke of how her daughter has been affected by the abuse, and of how it has impacted her life and education.  

Her mother said:

“She [the victim] explicitly said to me that she does not want to talk about it and does not want anyone to know about it. She was suffering with severe depression and anxiety at the time.  

“She did not attend school for four years. It is hard to put into words the impact this has had on her as she approaches her adult life. The loss of her education is by far the biggest impact on her in my opinion. 

She continued:

“The abuse [the victim] suffered has completely changed her as a person. She used to be quite fun and outgoing. She is not anymore. She is quite withdrawn now. She has trust issues. She cannot trust anyone. She struggles to build relationships.”  

The victim’s mother also spoke of how the abuse negatively affected her daughter's eating and sleeping habits. She added:

“She has isolated herself emotionally. She will not speak to me about it. I respect her views on this and hope she can move on with her life.” 

Detective Constable Robert Webster from GMP Salford’s Child Protection Investigation Unit, said:

“I’d like to thank the brave victim for sitting through interviews and helping us build a case against Clarke.  

“We understand it must have been very painful for her to revisit the abuse she was subjected to in order to help us with the investigation.”

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Dean Edwards has been jailed for a rape committed almost 20 years ago.

The victim bravely came forward in 2023 after learning Edwards was serving a prison sentence for another rape.

He protested his innocence but was found guilty following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

On Monday, May 11, 2026, Edwards was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to eight years imprisonment, with an extended licence period of four years.

The 48-year-old was also made subject to sex offender notification requirements and a restraining order indefinitely.

The court heard the rape was committed in the woman’s house while Edwards was under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

It was not reported to police at the time.

In a Victim Personal Statement, the victim described the profound impact of the incident on her life:

“I've felt an immense amount of guilt for not reporting the incident to police earlier than I did.

“When I found out about other matters he been responsible for I couldn't help but think perhaps I could have helped the other women by going to police earlier.

“I'm not sure I'll ever get over what he did to me. I just hope now to be able to move on with my life safe in the knowledge that at least for some time he won't be able to attack any other woman.”

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Nick Young, from South Wales Police, said:

“The victim has shown immense bravery to speak out when she did.

“I hope that the outcome at court brings her some comfort that Edwards has been brought to justice and that her bravery has helped protect other women from harm.

“The passage of time is no barrier for investigating crimes like this and we encourage victims to come forward.”

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We have renewed our appeal to find 47-year-old Green who is wanted for breaching his notification requirements under the conditions of the sex offenders register.

Extensive enquiries have been ongoing to locate Green and we continue to appeal to the public to help find him.

We believe that he could be in Newcastle or Carlisle and he also has links to Merseyside.

If you have seen him or have any information, please call North Yorkshire Police on 101.

If you have an immediate sighting of him, please call 999.

If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can pass information to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via their website.

Please quote reference number 12260043991 when providing any information.

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A 61-year-old man has been jailed after he was found guilty of non-recent sexual offences.

Enrico Gusman, formerly of Churchfield in Monks Eleigh, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 8 May. He was sentenced to eight years and eight months’ imprisonment after a jury unanimously found him guilty of three offences of causing a girl to engage in a penetrative sexual activity.

The victim was 15 years’ old at the time, whilst Gusman was aged in his 50s.

In her victim personal statement, which was read out in court, the victim highlighted the impact of Gusman’s actions.

She said:

“I experience frequent panic attacks, as well as persistent and distressing flashbacks… I feel on edge most of the time. I feel like I am always in ‘fight or flight’ mode and struggle to feel safe… My sleep is severely affected… This has also affected my working life… My education was also directly impacted… I feel as though I lost my childhood.”

Gusman was made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and handed a restraining order, which lasts until further notice. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offender’s Register.

DC Ellie Evans-Eastman, who was the officer in charge of the case, said:

“Reporting abuse of this nature takes a tremendous amount of courage, and I would like to commend the victim for coming forward. She has shown an enormous amount of strength throughout what has been a lengthy legal process.

“Offences of this nature can be complex for police to investigate, but this case demonstrates that justice can be achieved even years after an offence has been committed.

“Enrico Gusman is a sexual predator, who groomed a child for his own sexual gratification. The impact of this has been significant and long-lasting, and in the victim’s own words have taken away her childhood.

“I hope the outcome of this investigation gives confidence to those who have been abused and are suffering in silence that they are not alone, and that Suffolk police will do everything we can to hold those responsible to account.”

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Michel Marie Antoine Baucage of Plas Avenue, Prestatyn was found guilty after trial

A 77 year old man has today been imprisoned for 10 years for historic sexual offences against a child.

Michel Marie Antoine Baucage of Plas Avenue, Prestatyn was found guilty after trial of four counts of assaulting a child by touching, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, was made the subject of an indefinite restraining order, placed on the sex offenders register, and was also given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Constable Rebecca Watkiss of the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit said:

“I welcome today’s sentence, providing a clear message to all victims of paedophiles such as Baucage that whilst their crimes may be historic, we will treat all reports of abuse with the utmost seriousness, and whenever possible, we will bring perpetrators before the Court and hold them to account.

“I would like to highlight the courage of the victim in this case, and I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of this or any other similar abuse, to contact us via our live webchat or on 101.”

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A teaching assistant from Bury has been sentenced after pleading guilty to multiple sex offences against a vulnerable boy of primary-school age.

Terri Cook (17/11/1987) of Masefield Avenue, Radcliffe, appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday, where she was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for eight charges of sexual offences.

In September 2025, officers from our Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU) began in intense investigation into Cook after a member of the public reported seeing her out with a young boy. The subsequent investigation showed she had been grooming and manipulating him into engaging in a sexual relationship with her.

Officers found numerous messages on her phone where she had been inciting sexual communications with the boy and holding indecent images of him. Cook was also found to have been buying him expensive items, jewellery, and clothing during their relationship for a period of over nine months.

In a powerful statement to the court, the victim's mum shared:

"He [the victim] was a happy boy who was extremely kind and caring to everyone around him. Despite experiencing traumatic events earlier in his life, he continued to be positive and compassionate. He smiled every day and made us all laugh.

To Miss Cook,

I trusted you. You were in a position of trust and power. Your role was to help children and keep them safe. Instead, you abused your position and harmed [the victim], not once but repeatedly. You knew about his past and deliberately used his vulnerability to your advantage. You have taken so much away from him at such a young age. This will affect his life forever, and it will be him who lives with the consequences of your selfish actions."

The CPIU play a vital role in protecting the children and young people across GM, working tirelessly to protect the most vulnerable members of the community. In the last year, the CPIU have increased their solved outcome rate, up to 14.3%, signifying our continuing work to bring justice to children and young people who have been abused.

Detective Sergeant Adam Stanfield from Burys CPIU said:

"I'd firstly like to thank the immense bravery and courage of the victim, throughout these proceedings.

"It is no easy thing to go through, but his and his family's support throughout this case has enabled us to put a sexual predator behind bars.

"This case was a horrific example of calculated abuse of power, and Cook targeted a vulnerable child who put his trust in her.

"Grooming is a form of manipulation that can leave lasting emotional and psychological damage, and our priority remains protecting young people and supporting victims as they recover.

"This sentencing also emphasises our unwavering commitment to protecting male victims. They can be victims too and I urge anyone who believes they may have been through anything similar to please report to us.

"We will always listen. You will always be taken seriously. And we will always take action."

Record details

An Essex woman has waived her legal right to anonymity to talk about the impact of being raped and harassed by her former partner.

Ebony Boatwright wants to “shift the shame” and hopes that by sharing what happened to her she can show others that there is a way out.

30-year-old Ebony spoke this week after her former partner Harrison Ackland, of Morris Avenue, Billericay, was jailed for 18 years for raping, assaulting and harassing her.

She said:

“That experience was the hardest thing I have been through in my entire life.

“If I’m honest at times I did not think I would survive. The abuse was so significant and impacted every part of my life.

“I shrank myself to try and be as invisible as possible, but in the end you realise you can’t change them by changing yourself.”

In October 2024, despite being subject to a restraining order preventing him from contacting her, Ackland was in Ebony’s home.

He got angry after she returned from an evening out, grabbed her by her hair, screamed in her face, and slapped her.

When she got upset, he shouted that “if she just listened then things like this wouldn’t happen” and Ebony said this was a pattern of behaviour.

He raped her repeatedly.

There is strength in sharing

Ebony said:

“There was what I would describe as a trauma bond between us and if he had not been found guilty and jailed I feel like his incessant contact and behaviour would have worn me down.

“Taking that big step to report his crimes and seeing him remanded after being charged was so important to me.

“It felt like a big weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

“He denied the offences and I had to go through a trial, but I’m so grateful to the jury and want to express my thanks to them for listening and returning a verdict which has helped me move forward with my life.”
Ebony said she feels she has been lifted up by the support she received.

“The officers in this case and my ISVA were absolutely amazing and I do not think I would have been able to get through it without them.

“I feel positive that the mood around these types of offences and violence against women is changing. We must shift the shame.

“There is a strength in sharing, we are stronger together, bonded by our shared experience.”

Jailed

In January, 28-year-old Ackland was found guilty of six counts of rape, assault occasioning abh, harassment, intentional strangulation, intentional suffocation, engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour following a trial at Basildon Crown Court. He previously admitted breach of a restraining order.

At the same court on Monday 11 May Ackland was given a 24-year sentence, made up of18 years immediate custody with a further six years on extended licence.

He is also subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Remarkable strength

“Ackland’s offending was sustained and violent and this sentence reflects the gravity of his crimes. I hope it goes some way to help Ebony as she rebuilds her life. She has shown remarkable strength and resilience throughout this process.

“She is also committed to helping others by sharing her experience and talking about what happened to her. That is truly remarkable.

“As a force we are dedicated to tackling violence against women and ensuring those who commit these type of offences are arrested and brought before the courts."

DS Martin added:

“The tenacious and tireless work of the officer in this case should also be commended. Her work has ensured that Ackland’s sentence is very strong and protects not only Ebony, but all women, from him.”

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A sex offender who arranged to meet a schoolgirl he believed was 14 at a Southend Travelodge has been jailed for five years.

Marcel Romanowski, 28, travelled to the hotel in February 2025 after exchanging sexual photographs and graphic messages about taking her virginity. The girl, who was actually 13, fled the room after two minutes and staff called Essex Police.

Basildon Crown Court heard the pair had met on the adults-only dating app Badoo in January 2025 after she messaged him. In the days before the meeting, Romanowski searched online about the age of consent and what would happen if a 14-year-old became pregnant.

“You believed that she was 14 and you were making enthusiastic preparations to take her virginity,” Judge Samantha Cohen told him.

“Within a few messages, it was clear that the purpose for both you and her was to meet up for sex.”

Defence barrister Chris Martin said the case arose from “rather peculiar circumstances”, adding: “This was not Mr Romanowski scouring the internet… He was genuinely only using adult-only dating sites… In a nutshell, it was him that was singled out by the child and not the other way around.”

A trial earlier this year heard the girl had contacted multiple adult men on the app. After moving to WhatsApp, she told him she was 14 and under 18. “You were not deterred by her age,” the judge said. “You said that was okay and you immediately resumed your messaging with her.”

Their messages were “highly sexual” and they exchanged images. Romanowski forwarded one of the girl’s images to a friend — an offence of distributing an indecent image of a child for which he was not charged. “You demonstrated a callous disregard for her privacy and her dignity,” Judge Cohen said.

The judge noted he had messaged 159 adult women that week and was “completely obsessed with sex”. As he drove to Southend he watched pornography about virgins, but the girl was getting cold feet. CCTV from a fast-food restaurant showed her looking “obviously nervous and uncomfortable”.

Romanowski texted her to follow him outside so others would not see them together. “That is because you knew that what you were doing was both morally and legally wrong,” the judge said.

They were in the Travelodge room for only two minutes before she fled. She later accused him of sexual assault, but the jury failed to reach a verdict and prosecutors did not seek a retrial.

Romanowski, formerly of Cheney Road in Danbury, was convicted of sexual communication with a child, inciting a child to engage in a sexual act, meeting a child following sexual grooming and possession of cannabis.

He was sentenced to five years in prison, placed on the sex offenders register for life and made subject to a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order restricting his internet use and contact with children.

Judge Cohen told him:

“You, Mr Romanowski, were the adult in this situation and you could and of course should have stopped what was happening, immediately reported her to Badoo and never gone to meet her.”

Record details

A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to six years in prison for serious sexual and violent offences.

Kerr Armstrong, was found guilty on Tuesday, 31 March, 2026 of offences including rape and assault. He was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 13 May, 2026.

The offences took place between February, 2020 and December, 2021 in the East Lothian, Midlothian and Scottish Borders areas.

Constable Craig Turnbull said:

"Armstrong is a violent and depraved individual who now faces the consequences of his abhorrent actions.

"Our thoughts remain with his victim and I hope his sentencing provides her with some measure of comfort. His conviction is as a direct result of her strength in coming forward and assisting our investigation.

"Police Scotland will always thoroughly investigate, and we are here to listen and support victims. Anyone who is a victim of abuse or believes they know someone who may be a victim, please contact us or relevant support agencies."

Record details

A man has been jailed for more than two decades after being found guilty of multiple historic rape and sexual assault offences against two victims.

Following a trial by jury at Swindon Crown Court, Nicholas Embling, 61, of Herschel Close, Oakhurst, Swindon, was convicted of multiple counts of child sexual abuse.  

Today (14/05), he was jailed for a total of 24 years.

Embling was reported to police in 2021, and an investigation was launched by Swindon CID.

Officers found that Embling had raped and sexually assaulted two female victims known to him on multiple occasions from 2002 onwards.

He was subsequently charged with more than a dozen offences, and following a trial by jury, was found guilty of all counts.

We are including sections of the victims’ personal statements with their permission.

Victim one said:

“I sit in this court today as someone who has survived a lifetime of trauma. Trauma is not something that simply disappears with time, it lasts a lifetime and reveals itself when you least expect it.

“My childhood was difficult; I experienced abuse, manipulation and control by someone who should have protected me.

“I have trust issues and have learnt to rely on myself because independence and strength were things I had to develop in order to survive.

“Speaking openly in this court has had to be one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Reliving painful memories is not easy and finding the courage to tell my truth has taken all I have.

“I want to thank everyone involved from [redacted] those many years ago, to [redacted], Mr Scutt and Natalie. Thank you for believing in me and giving me the inner strength to get through this journey.

“Attending court has been the hardest thing I’ve done but now I stand tall knowing I have nothing to be ashamed of.

“For this is not the end of the story, it is only the beginning.”

Victim two said:

“It has taken five years to reach this day, a day I once thought would never come. The day my voice is heard, and the truth of my experience has finally been recognised.

“Finally facing the individual who stole my childhood and caused profound harm to my life has required courage, which I did not know I possessed.

"The damage caused can never be fully undone. The years that were taken from me cannot be returned. Yet through this painful journey, I have discovered a strength within myself that I did not expect.

“Enduring abuse instead of love and safety I should have known has a lasting wound, one that may never truly heal.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Natalie, the Court, Mr Scutt and the jury for listening to my words and believing my accounts. You may never fully comprehend how difficult it has been to speak out, but please know that I am forever thankful for your time and belief.”

Detective Inspector Natalie Stride said:

“Nicholas Embling perpetrated the most abhorrent offences over a prolonged period against two victims known to him and trusted by him. It cannot be underestimated the harm he has caused.

“He took advantage of their age and vulnerability, beginning his abuse of them at a young age and then escalating his behaviour over the years, leading to him committing some of the most harrowing crimes a person could commit against a child.

“When then faced with what he had done, Nicholas Embling denied all offences, forcing the victims to relive their traumatic experiences through a trial.

“I want to pay tribute to them for their patience, bravery and courage firstly by coming forwards to the police and finally facing Nicholas Embling in court and giving evidence against him.

“Their strength has resulted in this guilty verdict and Nicholas Embling receiving a significant custodial sentence. Although this may offer some comfort to the victims involved, nothing will ever change the harm in which they have gone through.

“I want to reassure any victims of non-recent abuse that you will be listened to and that there is support available to you, when you feel empowered and ready to speak about it.”

Record details

A man has been jailed for 10 and a half years after being found guilty of three counts of rape and false imprisonment

Benjamin Wilson (03/08/1990) of Norwood Avenue, Chesterfield, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison after being found guilty of offences committed in Manchester city centre in June 2022.

Detectives carried out a sensitive, victim-led investigation after Wilson exploited an extremely vulnerable and intoxicated victim.

The victim plucked up the courage to go on a night out with friends in Manchester, however, she became separated from them and was later subjected to a serious sexual assault, linked to a suspected drink spiking.

During the evening, the victim and her friend believed their drinks had been tampered with. She later found herself alone, heavily intoxicated, and extremely vulnerable. She encountered Wilson near a takeaway, where he took advantage of the situation, guiding her into a taxi before repeatedly raping her at a flat in Manchester.

The following morning, Wilson dropped her near the hotel where she had been due to stay with her friend. She reported the incident shortly afterwards.

Due to the trauma she experienced and previous medical PTSD, officers worked closely with the victim’s parents and a trusted colleague to support the investigation and help identify, locate, arrest, and charge the offender.

From the outset, investigators faced significant challenges, including limited early forensic opportunities, issues securing CCTV footage and the need to prioritise the victim’s wellbeing.

Hundreds of hours of work went into analysing witness accounts, financial and phone data, intelligence checks, and overcoming cross-force barriers to make an arrest in Derbyshire.

Officers progressed the case carefully to avoid causing further trauma, using digital evidence, including phone data and social media, to establish key links and identify the suspect.

The case was ultimately built through meticulous investigation, persistence, and, crucially, the strength and courage of the victim’s testimony.

DC Phillip Sargeant of Longsight CID said:

“I am awestruck not only by the courage of the victim in coming forward, but also by her patience and resilience in waiting for justice.

“The impact on her, her family and her support network has been profound. I hope today’s sentence provides some measure of closure and enables them to move on from this traumatic experience.

“We have worked hard to support her throughout, allowing her to guide the pace of the investigation and how she engaged with the process.

“I hope this case reassures others that they will be taken seriously and supported sensitively by Greater Manchester Police, no matter how long it takes.”

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A child sex offender groomed and arranged to meet who he believed was a 14-year-old child despite being subject to court orders in relation to similar offending.

Eddie Howard, 26, from Exeter, was snared by a paedophile hunter group earlier this year who then called Police who attended and arrested him.

Howard appeared at Exeter Crown Court for sentence on Wednesday 13 May after previously pleading guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, causing a child aged 13-15 to watch a sexual act and breach of a sexual harm prevention order.

He was sentenced to four years and two months in prison.

The court heard how between 9 December 2025 and 6 January 2026 Howard engaged in online communications with who he believed was a 14-year-old boy using a friendship app and then Whatsapp.

However, Howard was actually speaking to members of a well-known paedophile hunter group. 

Howard soon turned the conversation sexual and sent a string of inappropriate messages. 

Howard also sent a video of a male – believed to be Howard himself – performing a sex act.

On 7 January members of the hunter group arranged to meet Howard. They attended Exeter Quay and located Howard nearby.

Police were then called and officers attended and arrested Howard.

Howard has previous convictions for similar offending and was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and suspended sentence at the time.

During interview Howard admitted breaching his Sex Offenders’ Register notification requirements, but offered no further comment.

Officer in the case, DC Saduni Loku Heeraluge said:

“Eddie Howard is a determined and prolific sex offender whose previous convictions have done little to curb his behaviour.

“He went to Exeter Quay believing he was going to meet a child and although it wasn’t a real child in this case, it demonstrates that Howard remains a danger to young people.

“As soon as we were contacted by members of the group our officers attended and arrested Howard and we are pleased he has been brought to justice in such a swift manner.”

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A man from Cannock who breached a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) has been jailed for more than two years.

Neil Fillingham, 45, was jailed for two-years-and-eight-months at Stafford Crown Court on Thursday 30 April after he admitted 11 counts of breaching a SHPO and one count of failing to comply with notification requirements of the sex offenders register.

In January 2024, Fillingham was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, for causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and engaging in sexual communication with a child. As part of this sentence, he was also served with a 10-year SHPO.

In January last year, we received a report that Fillingham was potentially speaking to children on Instagram and Kik.

After gathering the evidence, we arrested him at his home and seized his phone. Messages on the phone, which had previously been deleted, were recovered.

He was later arrested on another occasion after we found evidence of him using more electronic devices to communicate with people online. An iPhone and an iPad, which had been supplied by his employer, were seized. He did not notify officers that he had access to these devices, which breached the conditions of his SHPO.

Now, he’s serving time in prison.

Our dedicated management of violent and sexual offenders team in Staffordshire are working tirelessly every single day to ensure those who currently serving orders are abiding to their conditions closely.

Those who fail to follow the conditions set out, as evidenced in this case, will be met with robust action and brought before the courts.

Record details

A sex offender who groomed a 12-year-old schoolgirl handed himself in to police six years later during a mental health crisis.

John Bailey, 38, of Annie Street in Orford, Warrington, lured the girl and her friends to his flat in February 2020 after buying them vapes, cigarettes and alcohol. He kissed her and touched her inappropriately.

The initial Cheshire Police investigation collapsed after the girl withdrew her complaint. It was reopened in March 2026 when Bailey phoned officers, admitted the offence and later made further disclosures in interview.

He told police he had tried to kiss the girl but she turned away, so he kissed her neck. He admitted twice attempting to touch her under her clothing; she pushed him away both times, but he overpowered her on the third attempt and touched her for two to three seconds. He denied any sexual interest in children.

Bailey, who has 21 previous convictions for 31 non-sexual offences, appeared via video link from HMP Altcourse at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor David Watson said the girl had met Bailey in a shop before he took the group back to his flat.

In mitigation, Jim Smith described the case as “unusual”, saying his “vulnerable” client had contacted police after the investigation had closed because of a “mental health or existential crisis”. Such honesty was rare, he added.

Judge Anil Murray told Bailey: “It seems to me that this case is less about using alcohol to dull the senses than about grooming. You invited a 12-year-old girl back to your flat, offering vapes and alcohol – that is grooming behaviour.”

He added: “You are clearly remorseful as you handed yourself in to the police and made admissions. Remorse is a significant mitigating factor here.”

However, the judge concluded: “Clearly, a sentence of imprisonment has to be imposed. On balance, I cannot suspend the sentence.”

Bailey was jailed for 20 months. He must sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and comply with a sexual harm prevention order for five years.