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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."

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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.”

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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."

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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.”

Record details

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.”

Record details

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.

Record details

A Leamington man has been jailed for more than a decade after raping and sexually assaulting a woman.

During a five-day trial at Warwick Crown Court, the court heard how Alexander Jesus had sexually assaulted the woman on multiple occasions at her home in March 2024.

After attending the Sexual Abuse Referral Centre (SARC), she reported what had happened to police and a thorough investigation saw the 23-year-old charged with rape, sexual assault and assault by penetration.  

He claimed the victim had made everything up, but the jury found him unanimously guilty on all counts and on Thursday (7 May), he was sentenced at Coventry Crown Court.

He was jailed for ten years and given an extended four-year licence period after the judge identified him as a violent sexual offender. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Donna Parry said:

“I would like to commend the survivor in this case for her bravery in coming forward and for her commitment to the investigation.

"Her strength and courage are remarkable and while I know no sentence will undo the damage he’s done, I hope it goes some way to helping her rebuild her life.

“I don’t underestimate how difficult it can be to report rape and sexual assault, but we will do everything we can to secure justice for you.”

Record details

Detectives have praised the bravery, determination and resolve shown by the teenage victim of a sustained sexual attack as the man responsible was today jailed for his crimes.

The victim shared a powerful victim personal statement with the court. An excerpt from the statement reads:

“This will affect my future because the incident has affected my self-worth and my belief in myself. I have recurring thoughts that I am useless. This is because I believe the suspect saw me as some cheap tat on the road that he could do whatever he wanted with. This is something I overthink about a lot.”

Omarie Adams, aged 34, of Second Avenue, Armley, was found guilty on 18 March of four counts of rape, one count of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault. The offences were all committed against a 13-year-old girl on 11 September 2025.  

He was sentenced today to an extended sentence of 20 years. He was also added to the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and made the subject of a restraining order.

Adams, who was a stranger to the victim, took her from the street in broad daylight and drove her to multiple locations around Leeds where he sexually abused her for a period of two hours. He claimed in the three-day trial that he had not noticed the victim was wearing her school jumper.  

Adams was identified after police conducted enquiries into the telephone number he provided to the victim after the ordeal. The victim also provided an incredibly detailed and accurate description of the suspect.

Detective Constable Ellie Middlemass, who was the officer in case, said:

“Adams subjected a vulnerable young girl to hours of atrocious abuse, and this has understandably had a significant impact on her life.  

“Following a detailed investigation, helped enormously by the detail and consistency provided by the victim, Adams was charged and has now been convicted of a number of very serious offences.

“I would like to recognise the immense bravery, determination and resolve shown by the victim throughout the investigation. I hope the knowledge that Adams will now spend a substantial amount of time behind bars will provide some comfort as she works hard to move on with her life.

“I also hope the successful outcome in this case might encourage any victims of similar offences to please come forward and report them to us. We treat all sexual offences, recent or not, extremely seriously. We have specialist officers who can support you through the process and will do everything we can to get justice for you.”

Giving the final words to the victim, she said:  

“I have supported this investigation because I want the suspect to be locked away so that he faces justice and knows he cannot get away with what he has done and won’t go on to do this to someone else.”

She closed by saying:

“Omarie Adams has taken away my dignity. This is not something I will ever get back. I hope he rots in prison.” 

Record details

A man has been jailed for serious sexual assaults on two former partners.

James Nolan, formerly of Belper, preyed on the women while they slept.

He raped and sexually assaulted the first woman at an address in Derby.

The woman was in and out of sleep, in the early hours of the morning, when she realised Nolan was raping her.

Their relationship had ended a week before the rape occurred.

The second woman, a subsequent partner of Nolan’s, woke one morning to find him sexually assaulting her at another address in Derby. The woman ended their relationship immediately after the incident.

The incidents happened two years apart and both women made independent reports to police a short while after they occurred.

In respect of the first victim Nolan, 30, was summonsed to appear at court to answer charges of rape and sexual assault.

He offended against the second victim while waiting to appear at court on those charges.

Nolan was arrested in relation to the second assault and was subsequently charged with sexual assault by penetration and remanded into police custody.

The following day Nolan attended a court hearing and denied the offence; he was then bailed by the court ahead of a trial being set.

Nolan appeared at court again in November 2025 and admitted the rape against the first woman and the sexual assault counts against both women.

A judge sentenced Nolan to serve 10.5 years in prison during a hearing at Derby Crown Court on 20 April this year.

Nolan, of Gateway Plaza, Barnsley, was also handed indefinite restraining orders in respect of both women and is required to register with police indefinitely.

Detective Constable Michelle Arnold, officer in the case for the first incident said:

“The two women in this case showed real bravery by coming forward and reporting Nolan’s crimes to us.

“I know there was a lot of worry and uncertainty for both victims throughout. From making an initial report and concerns about being believed, to Nolan initially refusing to admit his crimes which made the ordeal of a trial a very real prospect.

“I’d like to thank both women for having the courage to speak with us and trusting us to seek justice on their behalf.”

Detective Constable Jeannette Gardner, who led the investigation into the second incident, added:

“Despite it taking several years for the case to conclude in court the women remained steadfast with their support for the police investigation and wider legal proceedings.

“Their persistence has led to this outcome at court, with Nolan being taken off the streets and unable to cause any further harm.

“James Nolan is predatory individual who exploited women who trusted him, and who he claimed to care about offending against them when they were at their most vulnerable.”

Record details

A man who raped and sexually assaulted two children has been jailed for more than a decade.

Callum Waterhouse, aged 27 of Llwyn-Yr-Eos, in Nelson, Wales, has been jailed for 16 years after a jury unanimously found him guilty of nine offences following an eight-day trial at Bristol Crown Court which concluded in March.

Among the offences Waterhouse was found guilty of, these included some ‘multiple offence’ charges, which means several incidents have been compiled into one charge.

He was convicted of:

• Two counts of multiple rapes of a girl under 13 years old
• Two counts of multiple assaults of a child by penetration
• Sexual assault of a child under 13
• Rape of a girl
• Three counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15 when the offender was over 18.

Waterhouse, then 18, moved from Wales to Bristol in 2016 where he groomed a child and raped and sexually assaulted her on a number of occasions.

When he moved back to the Torfaen area of Wales later that year, at the age of 19, he groomed a teenage girl and raped and had sexual activity with her on a number of occasions.

The investigation first came to our attention in 2018 when Waterhouse’s first victim told the second victim what had happened, resulting in a report to our colleagues at Gwent Police who reported the matter to ourselves.

In a statement, Waterhouse’s first victim said:

“Callum Waterhouse didn’t just take my childhood, he took my teenage years and the pain and trauma will live with me, but it won’t get the best of me.

“It took 10 years to get to court, but I am finally being heard now.”

She added:

“I hate that this happened to me, I hate that he’s had such an affect, impact and change on my life.

“No jail time will ever give me what I should’ve had back. I blame Callum Waterhouse for the character you’ve forced me to be, for the failure in relationships and the lack of confidence and for making men my biggest nightmare.”

Waterhouse’s second victim said:

“I felt lost and unsure about how to navigate and transition into adulthood. It has caused me eight years of constant grief and worry, feeling like I haven’t been able to move on with my life.”

The Crown Prosecution Service agreed charges in relation to both victims and, following an update to the first victim in July 2023, she made further disclosures about Waterhouse and he was charged with further offences in October 2023.

The case, which was due to go to trial in November 2024, was then postponed until the end of February this year.

On Thursday 5 March this year, Waterhouse was found guilty and he was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court last Thursday (7 May) to 16 years in prison.

He was told he must service a minimum of nine and a half years before he would be eligible to apply for parole.

In her statement, the victim said directly to Waterhouse:

“Today, I walk away from this, leaving all the evil and darkness with you. I give you my pain, my flashbacks and my fears, they will now be yours and I will now build a beautiful life for myself.

“I will finally know what happiness and freedom feels like, I refuse to live my life as your victim, I will work to rebuild myself. I refuse to let you have a hold on me any longer and you will now live with all the questions and I hope you live with guilty for the rest of your life.”

Record details

A paedophile who sexually assaulted a young girl has been jailed for five-and-a-half years.

Robert Clark, 47, sexually assaulted the girl over a 12-month period between summer 2020 and 2021.

The abuse came to light after the girl told her mum what had happened and she went to the police.

Clark, of Fairfields Crescent, St Ives, was found guilty following a trial of two counts of sexual activity with a child under 13.

He was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday (8 May) and handed a sexual harm prevention order, an indefinite restraining order and an indefinite order to remain on the sex offenders’ register.

Detective Sergeant Mark Williamson, who investigated, said:

“Clark’s abuse of the young victim was beyond sickening.

“I would like to praise the victim and her family for the bravery and composure they have shown throughout this whole ordeal.

“I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault to please come forward and report it to us, you will be taken seriously and we will investigate thoroughly.”