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Description

A man has been jailed after sexually abusing a child and purchasing indecent images of children.

Ian Isherwood, of Shipton Street, Bolton, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday 27 April where he was sentenced to 15 years.

The 43-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children (categories A, B and C), possession of a category C image of a child, and assisting the commission of an offence.

Isherwood had also been found guilty of sexual activity with a child under 13, inciting sexual activity with a girl under 13, inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13.

The offences occurred in the Warrington area.

Cheshire Police arrested Isherwood in March 2024 after officers received information relating to a PayPal account which had been used to purchase indecent images of children. This account was linked to Isherwood.

His devices were seized and hundreds of indecent images of children were recovered. An image of a girl was also uncovered, who was identified and safeguarded. She stated she had been sexually abused by Isherwood when she was around eight-10 years old.

Isherwood was ultimately charged with multiple offences.

On top of his custodial sentence, Isherwood must sign the Sex Offender Register indefinitely and is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

DC Briony Shirley said:

“Isherwood is clearly a danger to children and has quite rightly been handed a significant prison sentence to reflect the severity of his crimes.

“Being in possession of indecent images of children is never a victimless crime, and on this occasion, officers identified and subsequently safeguarded a girl who Isherwood had previously abused.  

“The fact that he had then continued to look at images of children following this shows that he had absolutely no regard for anything other than satisfying his twisted and perverted sexual desires.

“I hope the victim in this case has been able to get some closure over what happened to her, knowing that Isherwood is locked up where he cannot do this to anyone else.”

Description

Detectives have praised a brave victim for her support in bringing a violent sexual offender to justice.

Chad Antony Martin Smedburg, aged 36 and of Ringwood, was sentenced to 10 years in prison – with an extended licence period of a further two years – for repeated violent assaults and rape involving the same female victim.

The defendant’s abuse spanned a period of several months, with his victim subjected to repeated assaults and he also had sex with her despite her making it clear she did not consent.

The victim reported the offending to police and was supported by officers and an independent sexual violence advisor (ISVA) as detectives from Dorset County CID carried out a detailed investigation and the matter went through the court process.

Following the offences, the defendant was brought under the supervision of Dorset Police’s High Harm Unit, which monitors the highest risk VAWG offenders in the county.

Smedburg subsequently entered guilty pleas to an offence of rape and three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, as well as breaching a suspended sentence order and unrelated driving matters and possession of class A and class B drugs.

He was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Wednesday 6 May 2026.

Investigations Officer Flo Winstanley, of Dorset County CID, said:

“First and foremost I want to praise the victim for the courage she has shown initially to come forward and report this despicable abuse and then for her support throughout the investigation and court process.

“I hope the bravery she has shown encourages other victims of violent and sexual abuse to come forward in the knowledge that they will be supported and we will do all we can to bring perpetrators to justice.

“With the victim’s support and our comprehensive investigation, we were able to hold Chad Smedburg to account for his violent sexual behaviour.”

Description

A 65-year-old man from Gosport has been jailed for fifteen years and handed an extended license period of a further five years after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences against a child that took place between 2021 and 2024 at an address in the town.

Stephen Street of Aspengrove was found guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court following a nine-day trial of the following offences against a girl who was aged under 10 at the time:

• Seven counts of sexual assault of a girl under the age of 13.
• One count of sexual assault by penetration of a girl under the age of 13.
• One count of causing or inciting sexual activity with a girl under the age of 13.
• One count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
• One count of engaging in sexual communication with a child.

At Portsmouth Crown Court on 19 January Street had also admitted:

• Six offences of making/possession of indecent images of children.
• One offence of possession of extreme pornographic images.

He was sentenced today (Wednesday 6 May) at the same court where he was also made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and restraining order.

Investigating Officer, DC David Sloan from the specialist Eastern Area Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

“The Judge in this case, HHJ Newton-Price KC, categorised Street as a “dangerous offender” who had "abused, damaged and corrupted" the victim and that he "exploited her” solely for his own pleasure. He went on to say that the sentence and extended license period reflected the very high risk of Street causing serious and enduring harm - physical and psychological - to other young girls.

“I want to commend the victim in this case for her courage shown throughout this process and telling us what happened during her three-year ordeal. Her bravery has brought Street to justice and resulted in a significant custodial sentence”.

Description

A registered sex offender has been jailed for breaching his Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

When police visited Mark Klein’s home in Blackburn in April last year, his phone was checked and found to have the Snapchat app on it.

That was in breach of one of the conditions of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order which was imposed on him in 2013 and remained in place.

While on court bail for that breach, Klein (pictured) was seen again by officers in March this year.

He refused to show them his phone, saying that he didn’t have it in his flat.

When the flat was searched, Klein’s phone was found on a bedside table and had been used shortly before the officers arrived.

This again breached his Sexual Offences Prevention Order. 

Klein, 59, formerly of St Michael’s Court, Blackburn, appeared at Preston Crown Court for sentence last week.

He had pleaded guilty to two breaches of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

The judge jailed him for 21 months.

PC Adam Knowles of our East Division Management of Sex Offenders and Violent Offenders unit, said:

“Mark Klein disregarded the conditions which the courts had imposed on him – orders which are designed to keep children and vulnerable people safe from him."
“The immediate custodial sentence which the judge passed shows the seriousness of the breaches.”

Description

A paedophile who sexually touched a young girl has been jailed.

Edwin Timewell, 58, assaulted the girl at a house in Peterborough at about 10am on 21 December 2024.

The girl alerted her parents and police were called.

Timewell admitted to officers he had touched the girl and said he didn’t know what he was doing.

On Wednesday (29 April), at Cambridge Crown Court, Timewell, of Essex Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire, was jailed for two years, having pleaded guilty to assaulting a girl under 13 by touching.

He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register until January 2036 and handed sexual harm prevention and restraining orders until April 2036.

Detective Sergeant Steph Parker said:

“Timewell claimed he didn’t know what he was doing in that moment but offences like this can have huge impacts on victims and their families and that is reflected in the sentence given by the court.”

Description

A private hire driver from Hastings has been sentenced for multiple sexual offences following two trials.

Abdulhamid Alammar, 34, of the Baldslow area of St Leonards-on-Sea, appeared at Brighton Crown Court on 5 May, where he was sentenced to a total of three years’ imprisonment. He was also made subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Alammar was convicted of sexual assault and causing a person to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity following a trial at Lewes Crown Court. The offences took place in Hastings in late 2024.

The court heard that on the evening of 29 November 2024, a woman in her 30s had booked a car home from a friend’s address. She was collected by Alammar, who instead of driving her to her requested destination, drove her to a secluded location, where he sexually assaulted her.

The offences came to light when officers were investigating a separate sexual assault reported in April 2025 by another woman in Hastings.

Once the November incident was disclosed to police, the victim was supported by specially trained officers and an investigation was launched.

Alammar was arrested and charged in relation to the November incident. At the time, he was already remanded in custody in connection with the April 2025 allegations.

He had previously been convicted following a trial in October 2025 of sexual assault in relation to the April offences and acquitted of rape and sexual assault by penetration.

Following the conclusion of both cases, he was sentenced in relation to all matters at Brighton Crown Court on 5 May.

Detective Constable Christina Bales, of the Hastings Safeguarding Investigation Unit, said:

“These were serious and predatory offences committed against women who should have felt safe. I would like to commend the victims for their courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation.

“Tackling violence against women and girls remains a priority for Sussex Police. We are committed to proactively identifying and relentlessly pursuing offenders, while working closely with partners to safeguard victims and prevent harm. Everyone has the right to feel safe, whether at home or in public, and we will continue to take robust action against those who commit these offences.

“We remain committed to ensuring victims of sexual offences receive support and that offenders are brought before the courts.”

Description

A 33-year-old man has been handed a life sentence after he was convicted of nine child sex offences.

Sean McDade, previously of Northampton, abused the child between May and July last year.

In a statement read out to the court during sentencing last week (April 30), the child said: “He scared me and made me think I would get in trouble if I told anyone.”

But the child did end up telling someone and McDade, who was already a registered sex offender, was arrested and subsequently charged with six counts of assault by penetration of a girl under 13, three counts of raping a girl under 13, and one count of causing/inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

After pleading guilty to the offences at Northampton Crown Court in January, McDade returned to the same court last week (April 30) where he was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 12 years.

Lead investigator - Detective Constable Kirstie Brooks from Northamptonshire Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said:

“I would like to commend the child in this case for their bravery, and I hope the conclusion of this case allows them to move forward onto brighter things.

“Although no sentence can ever take away what happened, I hope it brings them comfort that their abuser will now go to prison for a long time, and hopefully they can move on and finally get the life they deserve.

“Sean McDade is now where he belongs and we will continue working hard to put more people like him behind bars.”

Detective Superintendent Jen Castle said:

“This was an immensely challenging case involving an extremely manipulative and depraved offender however despite the complexity, DC Brooks approached every stage with professionalism, resilience and compassion.

“As a direct result of her work, the child in this case did not have to give evidence and I am grateful to her for the skill and sensitivity she demonstrated throughout the investigation.”

Description

A 40-year-old man formerly from Stanningfield has been jailed for sexual communication with a child.

Henry Hart denied two charges of engaging in sexual communication with a girl aged under 16, and one charge of inciting a girl under 16 to engage in sexual activity by penetration but was found guilty of all counts by a jury, following a six-day trial.

Hart appeared at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday 23 April where he was sentenced to five years and 10 months’ imprisonment.

He was also made subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), handed an indefinite restraining order and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

It was heard in court that Hart was known to the victim, who was 13 years’ old at the time, and that he used the social media platform Snapchat to send her messages of a sexual nature.

The matter came to light after a friend reported concerns for the victim to their family, who then informed police.

Detective Sergeant Scott Swallow, who was the officer in charge of the case, said:

“Hart is a predatory individual who groomed a young girl for his own sexual gratification.

“He denied any wrongdoing, claiming that he believed she was aged over 16, but provided no defence as to why he believed this other than that she looked and acted older; thereby forcing the victim to relive her experiences in court.

“The impact his actions have had on her and her family has been profound. I hope that in time they are able to move forward, knowing that Hart is in prison.

“We take reports of online offending very seriously and are committed to bringing to justice those who engage in these crimes.”

Description

A Porth man has been jailed for the rape of a woman he met on a dating app.

Dexter Walkey, 30, was found guilty following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

The court heard they had been on a night out in Cardiff and returned to the victim's home address.

She then woke to discover the defendant having sex with her which she had not consented to.

Walkey sent a text the following day apologising for his behaviour. He later denied the offence of rape but was found guilty on March 20, 2026.

He was sentenced on Friday, May 1, to eight years in prison and made subject to sex offender notification requirements indefinitely, in addition to a restraining order until further notice.

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Ellie Adkins from South Wales Police, said:

"I would like to commend the victim for reporting what happened to her and for the strength she has shown throughout the investigation.

"I hope that the sentence imposed by the court goes some way in allowing the victim to move forward with her life.”

Description

Sion Douglas Griffiths denied the charge

A man who raped his victim whilst she slept has been jailed.

Sion Douglas Griffiths (38), of King Edwards Street, Barmouth denied the charge which related to an incident that occurred at a property in Llanrwst in August 2021.

His victim was sleeping when she woke up to Griffiths sexually assaulting her. She told him to stop but he continued despite her trying to push him away. He continued with his attack until she again told him to stop.

Griffiths was found guilty of one count of Rape at a trial at Caernarfon Crown Court in March of this year. Yesterday he was sentenced at Mold Crown Court to seven years imprisonment.

He was also made the subject of a lifetime restraining order, prohibiting him from contacting the victim, and he will be placed on the Sex Offender’s Register indefinitely.

In a powerful personal statement read to the Court, the victim described how the incident has had a significant effect on her in the intervening time, including suffering panic attacks, and feeling scared and uncomfortable around men.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Sergeant Owen Taylor of the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit said:

“I welcome today’s sentence which sends a clear message that sexual violence in any form is not acceptable.

“I would like to praise the courage and determination of the victim who has endured a protracted process to get to today’s result. Her strength is commendable.

“If you have been the victim of a sexual offence, please be assured specialist officers will take your report seriously and conduct a suspect focussed investigation.

“Violence against women and girls is a force priority and we will relentlessly work to bring offenders to justice.”

Description

Thanks to the bravery of a survivor, a man who raped her has been jailed.

Muhammad Nasir, 18/12/1985, Stockport Road, Ashton Under Lyne, has today (Tuesday 5 May) been sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment with an additional four years' license at Manchester Crown Court after being convicted of rape, committed in July 2021.

The survivor and her mother courageously reported the offence via LiveChat on Tuesday 24 August 2021.

The court heard that on Saturday 24 July 2021, the survivor had been out with friends at a nightclub on Deansgate. She left alone and phoned her mother to let her know she was on her way home.

Outside the nightclub, she entered a taxi she had not prebooked, driven by Nasir.

While travelling along the A6 towards Longsight, Nasir diverted into a quiet, treelined culdesac off the A6, where he stopped the vehicle. He then sexually assaulted and raped the survivor.

Following the attack, Nasir drove the survivor to a cash machine for her to withdraw money to pay him. He took approximately £70 from her before dropping her at her home.

Detectives who investigated the taxi location at that time found that the journey that should have taken 20 minutes in fact took three and a half hours.

The survivor built up the courage to report the rape a month after the incident took place.

Detectives were able to retrieve CCTV footage from the nightclub which evidenced the survivor getting in a taxi.

The registration of the taxi was linked to Muhammad Nasir who was subsequently arrested on 15 September 2021 at an address on Ashton Road by Tameside response officers.

Nasir has also been handed a restraining order, a court order preventing him from ever becoming a taxi driver again and was told he would remain on the sex offender register for life.

In court today the survivor said:

“I am here today as a survivor of a rape that occurred when I was 20 years old. I want the court to understand the profound impact this crime has had on my life and the work I have had to do to rebuild it.

“The offender was a taxi driver - someone I should have been able to trust to keep me safe. Instead, he abused me. That betrayal has stayed with me and has shaped much of the fear and instability I have experienced since.

“Within the first year after reporting this offence, I was diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder.

“The trauma significantly affected my education; I missed a large number of university lectures, required extensions, and struggled daily to function. At times, I was unable to leave my room or remain at university.

“Beyond my studies, the impact left me anxious, withdrawn, fearful in everyday life, I struggled to feel safe leaving my home and had to make changes to my life to manage that fear.

“I felt as though I had lost my sense of self.

“Despite this, I have worked hard to rebuild my life by seeking support, committing to recovery and gradually regaining control. I now speak about my experience to raise awareness and support others and I have raised money for The Survivor Trust by completing a marathon - a charity I relied on heavily throughout the process.

“I know this experience will always be part of my life, but it no longer defines me.

“I am here today because I was believed by my family, friends and officers and charities who supported me throughout.”

Detective Constable James Adams from the Serious Crime Unit said:

“This was a truly heinous crime, and I want to pay tribute to the extraordinary strength and bravery shown by the survivor throughout this process.

“Coming forward, remaining engaged for more than four years and then choosing to raise awareness for others takes immense courage. Her determination to ensure that what happened to her does not define her is remarkable.

“Rape is one of the most serious and devastating crimes a person can experience. The sentence handed down today reflects the seriousness of Nasir’s actions and the lasting harm they caused.

“Greater Manchester Police will not tolerate sexual violence in any form, and we will always work to hold offenders to account.

“I would urge anyone who has experienced rape or sexual assault, no matter how long ago, to come forward. You will be listened to, believed and supported.”

Description

A man has been given an extended 18-and-a-half-year sentence after being found guilty of attempt rape at a Bradford park.

Khairul Amin aged 36 of Moor View Drive was convicted of attempt rape, intentional strangulation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.  

The victim a woman in her 30s rang police at around 9pm on 28 August to report that she had been attacked, sexually assaulted and strangled by an unknown man.

The victim suffered serious head injuries and was treated in hospital.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, she said:

“It has ruined my day-to-day life. I am still having flashbacks regularly.  

“The defendant has no idea how this has affected every part of my life, and I hope the sentence he receives reflects the pain, trauma and loss of confidence that I have endured since the assault.  

“I hope that he never gets the chance to rob any other person of their life, as he to mine.”

At Bradford Crown Court yesterday (1 May) he was given an extended sentence of 18 and a half years. He must serve 14 and a half years in jail before being considered for parole and the rest will be on licence.  

DC Sue Sutcliffe of Bradford District Safeguarding Unit said:

“The sheer bravery and courage it took for this woman to report this to us cannot be underestimated.  

“Through reporting this quickly we were able to launch a fast paced investigation carrying out extensive enquiries to locate Amin.  

“He was arrested, charged and brought before the courts all within a day.

“He was described in court as a dangerous individual.  

“I would urge anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence, to please report it to us so we can take action.    

“We have specialist officers to support you throughout the process and bring perpetrators to justice.”

Description

A Birmingham man who sexually abused a young girl in the city is facing jail.

Michael Wisdom was convicted of a series of sexual offences against children, as well as possession of indecent images in April this year.

Wisdom, 67, was reported when the girl, who he abused in Birmingham in 1979, came forward to report historic sexual abuse.

Last year the girl, now a woman, came forward and reported what happened to our officers.

Following an investigation, Wisdom was arrested at his home in Birmingham in late 2025.

When officers arrived, Wisdom tried to destroy his mobile phone, which was later confirmed to contain dozens of indecent images of children including Category A images (the most severe category).

The investigation also found messages from Wisdom to a woman discussing abusing a girl.

Wisdom denied all the offences in interview but offered no alternative explanation and was charged with indecent assault and possession of indecent images.

Wisdom was convicted on 27 April this year at Birmingham Crown Court and was remanded ahead of sentencing on 13 July.

Thanks to the survivors' accounts, we were able to build a case against Wisdom and secure justice for them.

Our specialist Non-Recent RASSO Team within our Public Protection Unit investigate all reports of sex offences, no matter how long ago they took place.

You can report a sexual assault or rape that happened at any time to us, even if it was months, years or decades ago. We take every report seriously, no matter how much time has passed.

We understand that there are lots of reasons why someone might not feel ready to tell anyone about what has happened right away.

We also know it is common for survivors to take time to realise that what has happened is a crime.

Description

Sex Offender Conviction: Mohamed Harun Jailed for Rape

A rape victim in her 20s who bravely fled the scene of her attack and immediately alerted police has been praised for her courage.

Mohamed Harun, 32, of Roker Avenue, Sunderland, invited the woman to an address in Sunderland in 2024 before raping her. She escaped to safety, contacted officers, and Harun was arrested two days later.

He was charged with one count of rape and pleaded not guilty. Following an eight-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court in March, a jury found him guilty.

Today (Monday, June 1), Harun was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years’ imprisonment by Judge Carolyn Scott at the same court. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Detective Inspector Martin Cottle, from Northumbria Police’s rape investigation team, said:

“Firstly, I want to praise the victim/survivor in this case for her bravery.

“She was preyed on in a horrific way because her attacker thought she was vulnerable, but she has shown immense strength to come forward.

“Thanks to her courageous actions, we were able to provide enough evidence to secure a charge two days later, which has ultimately resulted in this dangerous perpetrator being brought to justice.

"We would encourage anyone who has been the victim of any form of sexual abuse, no matter when it took place, to come forward.”

Description

A Hayle man who subjected two children to repeated sexual acts and rapes over many years has been jailed for 25 years.

Mark Vincent, 56, groomed two young girls convincing them that his abuse was ‘normal’ but they should keep quiet about it.

Vincent, of Guildford Road, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court for 23 non-recent sexual offences in Cornwall over a 25-year period.

On Friday 23 May, he was jailed for 25 years, with one year on licence, and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Following a trial in April, he was convicted of three counts of rape, two counts of attempted rape, eight counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16, nine counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a child under the age of 13 years to watch/look at an image of sexual activity.

The court heard that Vincent groomed the first girl before going on to rape and sexually abuse her for nearly 10 years.

He manipulated and controlled his victim into thinking his crimes were normal and they were in a loving partnership - but she shouldn’t tell anyone else.

Many years later he began his grooming process with the second girl by making her watch adult films. He once again insisted it was all normal but should be kept secret. Vincent sexually abused and raped her for three years.

The abuse came to light when the first victim saw Vincent in a public place in company with the second girl. Her urgent concern for the girl prompted her to call police.

Vincent was arrested and the second girl was identified. Both victims told police that he had sexually abused them from a very young age. Vincent denied any wrongdoing.

The case did not proceed to court at the time however, the criminal investigation was reopened in 2022 after one of the victims contacted police and requested a review.

A thorough review of the evidence was undertaken and resulted in the Crown Prosecution Service authorising charges.

Vincent consistently denied all the offences, claiming that one relationship was consensual and started when the girl was 16 and that the other girl was simply lying.

The jury were presented with evidence of an audio tape recording where Vincent admitted to a witness that he had sexually assaulted the first child, but insisted that: “I’ve changed - God, it sickens me.”

Vincent claimed in court that he had only made the admission to appease the witness.

His accounts were dismissed by the jury who took less than two hours to find him guilty of all 23 charges.

Detective Constable Andrew Colley, officer in the case, said:

“This case highlights the importance of reporting such offences to the police, no matter how much time has passed.

“Vincent is a very dangerous paedophile who has spent much of his adult life manipulating his way into the lives of very young girls. He was able to groom them into believing that they were in love with him to protect himself and to continue to carry out his offending throughout the years.

“I want to thank the victims and witnesses for their bravery and patience in coming forward and supporting this case which I know will have been extremely difficult for them. It is through their enormous courage that Vincent has been brought to justice.

“I encourage anyone who has experienced similar abuse to report it when they feel ready. Your information could bring an offender to justice - not just for you, but for others.”