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A 56-year-old man from Westbury has been jailed after admitting sexual communications with a child and attempting to meet them - compounding his offending by breaching bail conditions imposed by the court.

Swindon Crown Court heard how Philip Burgess sent sexually explicit messages online, to someone he believed to be 14-years-old. 

Having been arrested and subsequently bailed for the offence in February 2024, he committed further offences and was further arrested for breaching his conditions. An interim Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed on him. 

He was charged for these offences in November 2025, and while awaiting sentencing, Burgess was arrested and charged for breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Burgess was charged with the following offences: two counts of attempted sexual communications with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to meet a child following grooming, and breach of a sexual harm prevention order.

Appearing before court on Friday 27th March, he was given a total of 57 months imprisonment, barred from working with children and vulnerable adults and ordered to pay a £228 surcharge.

Detective Constable Daniel Jackson said:

“Burgess has clearly shown his intent to cause sexual harm to children, along with his disregard for any conditions imposed on him, we welcome this custodial sentence by the court.”

Record details

A man who enticed a person to sexually abuse a victim he believed to be her six-year-old daughter has been jailed.

Christopher Clinton was in fact talking with an undercover police officer when he engaged in the conversations between November 2024 and January 2025.

Clinton, aged 60, befriended the 'woman' on a social media network.

Posing as a middle-aged woman he then guided her to engage in sexual activity with a child he believed to be her daughter.

He also expressed a desire to develop an ongoing physical relationship with the child as she grew older.

Clinton was aware of the child’s purported age and had no idea he was in fact talking to a police officer.

Police investigators were able to track him down via his username to an address in Edwalton, where he was arrested on March 4 last year.

During his initial police interview, Clinton declined to answer questions and spoke only to deny that he posed a danger to any children.

He later pleaded guilty to arranging the commission of a child sex offence.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday 1 April he was jailed for two years and eight months.

He was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order which will closely restrict his future use of the internet as well as his access to children.

PC Summer Smith, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Internet Child Exploitation Team, said:

“Clinton genuinely believed he was talking to another like-minded individual who would help him to realise his depraved sexual fantasies.

“He claimed in his police interview not to be a danger to children, but sadly this is exactly what he is.

“Because if he had his way then he would have facilitated very real harm to a real child somewhere in the word, which is why I am so pleased that he has now been sentenced.”

Record details

Two brothers who raped a woman following a Christmas event have been jailed for a total of 18 years after an investigation by specialist Met detectives.

Following the sentencing hearing, the victim-survivor thanked Met officers for their help and support, acknowledging the teams efforts in bringing the dangerous predators to justice.

Justice came after Met officers and prosecutors argued the case should be taken to the Court of Appeal, after a judge initially ruled the defendants had no case to answer.

Marius Todoran, 40 (04.11.1985) of Girton Avenue, Brent, was sentenced on Wednesday, 8 April at Kingston Crown Court to eight years imprisonment for rape.

Vasile Todoran, 43 (18.06.82), of the same address, was sentenced at the same court to 10 years for rape, kidnap, and kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence.

The pair have also been added to the sex offenders register for life.

The brothers were brought to justice after the hard work and dedication from Met officers, who pursued CCTV, phone data and evidence from key witnesses to prove the offences.

Detective Sergeant Josh Dwyer, who led the investigation, said:

First and foremost, I want to commend the bravery of the victim-survivor. She has shown remarkable strength and courage in speaking to police and throughout the investigation and trial. Her testimony was instrumental in ensuring justice was achieved.

The impact of this case cannot be undone by todays sentencing, but we hope that it provides a small amount of closure.

The Met remains committed to tackling violence against women and girls, removing dangerous offenders from Londons streets, and ensuring victims-survivors get the right support at every stage of the criminal justice process.

That is why the original court decision - that there was insufficient evidence to proceed - was challenged, and the tenacity of the Met investigation team and prosecutors has ensured the Todoran brothers have been held to account for their horrific behaviour.

Following the sentencing, the victim-survivor said:

I would like to thank the police for all the help and support they offered me throughout the case, especially Detective Sergeant Josh Dwyer.

I dont think that I wouldve been able to get through this without all police officers help and care. I would also like to say to whoever reads this to trust and call the police when something happens to them.

The investigation

In December 2023, the victim-survivor, aged in her 40s, encountered Vasile Todoran after she left a Christmas event Queensbury, North West London. CCTV later showed her being forcibly taken to the address where the Todoran brothers rented a room. The victim-survivor attempted to get away from Vasile Todoran on multiple occasions before she was forced into the property, where she was raped.

A complex investigation followed, during which specialist officers reviewed hours of CCTV footage and analysed call and phone data to piece together the events of the evening and build a full picture of the brothers offending. This included interviewing key witnesses and carrying out urgent forensic submissions.

The brothers were later charged. A trial began in November 2024, but during proceedings the judge ruled that there was no case to answer, leading to the case being dismissed.

This decision was heavily challenged by both the investigation team and the prosecution and, as a result, was escalated to the Court of Appeal. The appeal overturned the dismissal and ruled that the case should return to the crown court for a full retrial.

Following a re-examination of all the evidence, the brothers were found guilty at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, 27 February 2026.

The Met continues to prioritise the safety of women and girls and is relentlessly targeting offenders to secure justice for victims of sexual violence. As part of the Mets victim-centered approach, the organisation has rolled out new, bespoke training to 23,000 officers and staff. This training is strengthening officer skills to better investigate rape and serious sexual offences and provide more meaningful support to victims. This training has seen stronger outcomes for victims and survivors, with the Met tripling charges for rape and serious sexual offences. More victim-survivors are also bravely reporting offences to police.

Record details

A sex offender has today been sentenced following a joint investigation by Cleveland Police and Yorkshire and Humberside's Regional Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU).

Luckvindar Singh, 41, used social media sites to talk to a child who he believed was 12 years old and began grooming her, often paying her compliments.

He turned their conversations sexual and went on to send her intimate photos and videos of himself performing a sex act on himself before asking her whether she would “meet an older guy”.

In February 2025, Cleveland Police's Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) arrested Singh at his home and seized his electronic devices for examination.

Officers from the force’s Digital Forensics Unit (DFU) examined his devices and found the video sent to the victim, as well as four videos which were categorised as extreme pornography.

Singh was charged with two counts of causing a child to watch/look at an image of sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to cause/incite a child to engage in sexual activity and possession of an extreme pornographic image.

Singh pleaded guilty to the offences in court and appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday 7th April where he was sentenced to 28 months in prison. He will be on the Sex Offender's register for 10 years and was also made subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Investigating officer Detective Constable Barnes from POLIT said:

“Despite being told the person he was speaking was 12 years old, Singh continued to groom her for his own sexual gratification.

“If you’re concerned about who you or someone else is speaking to online, please tell someone about it or report it directly to the police. We will continue to pursue those who groom and coerce children online and bring them before the courts.”

Detective Chief Inspector George Bardell of the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU) said: “Our team of online investigators work tirelessly to ensure that predators like Singh are identified so they cannot pose a threat to children. 

“By working alongside Cleveland Police, we have been able to demonstrate the strength in partnership working and ensured that justice is served.” 

Record details

A 74-year-old man was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of rape of a woman 16 years or over, and one count of sexual assault.

Stephen Biggs (04/03/1952) of Furness Square, Bolton appeared at Bolton Crown Court on Thursday 2 April, and was sentenced to nine years in prison.

In late March 2025, a woman befriended Biggs and he invited her alone to his address. Biggs gave her a unknown substance, which led to her feeling drowsy and later falling unconscious in the offender's home.

When she awoke, some of her clothing had been removed, and she found Biggs on top of her. The victim was struggling to gain full consciousness and passed out once again. After waking up, she found the offender still on top of her with his trousers unzipped and she managed to push him off her.

Following his arrest, Biggs was interviewed by officers, where he admitted to raping and assaulting the victim whilst she was unconscious.

The victim bravely shared in her interview: "Being older, this has really taken a toll on me. It’s ruined my confidence. I’m struggling within my own relationship with my partner. It’s destroyed me.”

Detective Constable Jordan Brown from our Bolton CID said:

"This was a horrific assault that happened to the victim all without her consent and without her knowledge at the time.

"She has been immensely brave coming forward to report this and supporting the investigation and I would like to thank her for her continued strength and courage during this difficult time.

"We remain committed to supporting victims of sexual violence and bringing offenders to account, no matter how long it takes.

"I urge anyone who may have gone through this to please come forward and report. You will always be treated with respect and your reports will always be taken seriously." 

Record details

A Coventry man has been jailed for 20 years after being convicted of sexually abusing a young girl in the city.

John Evans, aged 59, carried out the sickening campaign of abuse in the 1990s, when he repeatedly sexually assaulted the girl at an address in the city.

The abuse carried on until she was a teenager, and Evans was identified and arrested after the girl came forward as an adult to tell her story.

Thanks to her bravery in coming forward, Evans was arrested in 2023.

Asked about the abuse and confronted with the details of his crime, he offered no comment beyond the basics of the fact he had known the girl at the time.

He eventually admitted rape and indecent assault and sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on 31 March.

Evans, of Hearsall Lane, Coventry, was jailed for 20 years and will be on the sex offender register for life.

Record details

Thomas Tosh was found guilty of attacking the woman at his home in Drumchapel while she was intoxicated and incapable of consenting. 

The High Court in Glasgow heard how the 39yearold had collected the victim and her friends from a pub in Clydebank in the early hours of 30 September 2023. 

After dropping off all passengers apart from the victim, Tosh marked the fare as completed and logged out of the taxi’s GPS tracking system. 

He then drove the 23yearold woman in the opposite direction to where he was supposed to take her and brought her to his home, where he raped her. 

Two hours later, he logged back in to the tracking system while driving away from the direction of the victim’s home, where he had dropped her off. 

He was later identified after a friend of the victim showed her a picture of Tosh from social media. 

As well as the GPS evidence, the prosecution presented further evidence that proved the driver’s criminal actions. 

This included DNA results, text messages and witness accounts. 

On 7 April 2026, at the same court, Tosh was jailed for seven years, and his name was added to the sex offenders register indefinitely. 

A 10-year nonharassment order, banning him from contacting or attempting to contact the victim, was also granted.  

Faye Cook, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said: 

“This was a despicable betrayal of trust by a man who was responsible for getting a woman home safely after a night out. 

“Thomas Tosh deliberately concealed his location as he drove the victim to his home, where he raped her while it was clear she was unable to consent. 

“I want to recognise the courage shown by this young woman throughout the prosecution process. Her strength has helped bring a predatory offender to justice. 

“Scotland’s prosecutors will continue to use every tool available to pursue those who abuse women and girls, and to protect the public from harm.”  

Record details

A repeat sex offender has been jailed after offering to pay a “teenage girl” £300 for sex.

Zacharie Hall, 31, of Bishop Road, Castle Donington, had already served a 16-week youth custody sentence in 2013 for a sexual offence against a girl under 16. Last January he befriended “Tilly” on Facebook — a decoy run by paedophile hunters.

Over 18 days he sent her explicit messages, including a photo of his genitals, urged her to perform sexual acts on herself, and told her it was “normal” for girls of her age to have sex. He discussed taking her virginity, taking drugs and alcohol with her, and offered her £300 to sneak out and meet him. In one message he said: “Don’t bring any clothes — you won’t be needing them.”

Hall pleaded guilty to three counts of inciting a girl under 16 to engage in sexual activity. At Leicester Crown Court on Thursday, April 2, Judge Philip Head told him: “You made it clear your intention was to have sexual intercourse with her. You offered her £300 to meet. You told her to come to your house and talked about videoing the two of you having sex together.”

The judge described Hall’s attitude in the pre-sentence report as “really concerning” and said he was “minimising” his offending. Hall has a history of anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and emotionally unstable personality disorder.

He was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison, with an extended licence period of four years and four months. He will serve the first two-thirds behind bars and can only be released early if the parole board deems him no longer a risk. He was also made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Record details

A 19-year-old man has been sent to prison after he was found guilty of rape.

The incident happened inside a property in Weedon Road, Northampton in the early hours of August 9, 2025, when Toby Coucill, previously of Northampton, raped a girl in her late teens.

Following the incident, the girl fled the address and bravely called Northamptonshire Police.

Coucill was arrested and subsequently charged with raping a female over 16 and two counts of sexual assault.

In interview, Coucill initially denied that any sexual activity had taken place, but later changed his version of events to having had consensual sex when he was made aware of the forensic results.

A two-week trial which started on January 26 at Northampton Crown Court and ended on February 6 resulted in the jury finding him guilty of all three offences.

He was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court last month (March 20) to five years in prison.

Lead investigator - Detective Constable Chantal Lines from Northamptonshire Police’s SOLAR Team, a unit dedicated to investigating sexual offences, said:

“Although nothing will ever erase what Toby Coucill did to her, I hope the survivor in this case feels proud that it is because of her bravery in coming forward and taking the stand at court, that a rapist is now behind bars and unable to harm anyone else.

“Tackling violence against women and girls remains a priority for Northamptonshire Police and we continue working hard to put more people like Coucill where they belong - behind bars.”

Record details

A rapist has been jailed for 26 years for despicable crimes relating to women and children spanning three decades.

Christopher Welch, aged 66 of Westlands, Wrafton in Braunton, was convicted at Exeter Crown Court on 25th February of four counts of rape, one count of assault by penetration and one count of indecent assault against a woman.

Welch was also convicted of four counts of indecent assault against children, two counts of indecency with a child, and one count of assault of a child under 13 by penetration. He was also found guilty of indecent assault against another woman.

He appeared before court again today, Thursday 2 April, where he was handed a 26-year sentence, with three years on licence. As part of the sentence, Welch has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

The court heard how the offences were committed against three children and two women on multiple occasions in the 80s, 90s and 00s in Devon.

Police praised the victims for their courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation.

Their powerful victim personal statements were read out at court, with one victim stating: 

“The impact this man has had is irreversible and I carry the weight of what he did to me every day in the life not lived… Take as many years from him as he did from me. I thank the police that gathered the case, my support worker, the court, the jury and the judge, for their work and in finding what I believe is a just outcome, albeit bittersweet.”

Detective Constable Kerry Mitchell said:

“Welch is a vile human being and a dangerous sexual predator and I welcome today’s sentence.

“All of the victims showed immense courage in coming forward and telling someone about the offences.

“I hope that they, and the wider public, are reassured that Welch is now behind bars.

“If anyone has been victim of child sex abuse, whether recently or in the past, there are specialist units within Devon and Cornwall Police who will listen and investigate thoroughly.”

Record details

Our Child Abuse Investigation Team has seen a Suffolk man jailed for abusing two girls in Essex over 16 years.

Stephen Harper, 60, of Hill Rise in Stowmarket, was accused of assaulting two victims between 2008 and 2024 in the area of Stansted Mountfitchet.

Our officers have carried out an extensive, sensitive investigation since that abuse was reported to us in June 2024, working closely with the victims and their families to make sure they are supported and protected through this process.

Thanks to their statements and the case built by our investigators, the Crown Prosecution Service approved charges for Harper in September 2025.

He appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on 13 January 2026 and has since pleaded guilty to nine counts; five of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, and four of sexual assault.

He’s now been jailed for seven-and-a-half years, will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life, has been given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

'Nightmares about what he did'

In statements submitted to the court one victim said:

Since his arrest I have had nightmares about what he did to me.

Because I couldn’t cope with what happened to me and didn’t know how to process it I spiralled out of control.

I didn’t comprehend the damage I was doing to myself. I closed myself off emotionally and felt lost.

Despite this, she also said she hoped Harper received the mental health support he clearly needed.

'Incredible dignity throughout case'

Detective Siobhan Murphy said:

The two victims in this case have continued to carry themselves with incredible dignity throughout this case, and I’d like to thank them and their families for their support.

Both of them did something incredibly difficult by talking to us about what Harper had done, and with the work of the Child Abuse Investigation Team we have now seen a dangerous man put behind bars.

Record details

A 38-year-old man has been jailed for 16 months after being found guilty of indecent exposure and admitting offences including common assault at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Sukirthan Thangrasha of Highfield Lane in Southampton, who is a foreign national and states that he is originally from Sri Lanka, was charged and convicted after he assaulted a 25-year-old man on Friday 15 August 2025 at the premises in which he was staying on Highfield Lane in Southampton. 

The man was not seriously hurt. Thangrasha then indecently exposed himself to people inside the building.in relation to our investigations into the following incidents:

At Portsmouth Crown Court on Wednesday 11 March 2026 Thangrasha was found guilty of indecent exposure contrary to Section 66 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. At the same court he also admitted two charges of common assault contrary to Section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

On Wednesday 1 April at Portsmouth Crown Court he then admitted using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm, or distress when he shouted at a child in Kingston Cemetery in Portsmouth on 15 September.

He was sentenced at the same court to a combined total of 16 months in prison.

Record details

“I am a grown man but inside me still lives the boy I once was. A boy who was hurt, silenced and forced to carry a weight no child should ever bear. The abuse I suffered did not end when the acts stopped. It has lived with me every single day since. It has left deep emotional and psychological scars that have shaped my life, my relationships and my sense of safety in the world.”

These are the devastating words of one of paedophile Roy Green’s victims, read to a court today as Green was sentenced for a catalogue of sexual crimes against young boys.

One of the victims bravely came forward in 2023 to report what had happened to him and a police investigation then uncovered further victims who also had the courage to speak about what Green had done to them as children.

In December, Green, pleaded guilty to 32 charges relating to historic sexual assaults against male children between the ages of 8-14 between 1994-1999. The abuse was mainly carried out in the Accrington area.

Green (21/07/1944), of Sovereign Drive, Milton Keynes, appeared at Preston Crown Court today (Thursday, April 2nd) where he was sentenced to 21 years in prison.

Det Con Jack Owen, of Blackburn CID, said: “It has been a privilege to lead this investigation and assist in being able to right those wrongs from all those years ago. I sincerely hope that this fantastic outcome today will bring comfort to those courageous men who have come forward during this process. This despicable human being is now finally where he belongs, which is behind bars.

“I hope others who may have suffered similar abuse may also have the courage to come and speak to us safe in the knowledge we wil listen, we will investigate and we will put offenders before the courts.”

Record details

A rapist has been jailed for 20 years for subjecting his victim to a "prolonged campaign of sexual and physical abuse" that caused her life-changing injuries.

Joseph Wright, 28, of the Bushey area, was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on Tuesday (March 31) after being convicted of four counts of rape, sexual assault by penetration, grievous bodily harm, two counts of coercive and controlling behaviour, threats to kill, and actual bodily harm.

The abuse spanned 2020 to 2024. It began with assaults in March and April 2020 — the start of an escalating pattern of intimidation and control involving kicking and verbal degradation that left the victim distressed and isolated, police said.

In December 2022, Wright caused her life-changing injuries during a row at her home; she felt unable to report it due to his coercive control. Another violent incident occurred at a public event in 2024, which she minimised to police out of fear.

She ended the relationship on December 31, 2024. Wright was arrested on July 8, 2025, and charged the following day.

Detective Constable Jason Tinsey, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s sexual offences investigation team, said:

“The victim in this case has shown tremendous courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation through what has been an incredibly distressing experience. Her strength has been vital in ensuring Joseph Wright has been held accountable for his actions.

“Abuse of this nature is utterly unacceptable and will never be tolerated. We remain committed to protecting victims, pursuing perpetrators and making sure that those responsible for such serious harm face justice.”

Record details

A man has been jailed for 12 years for raping and sexually assaulting a child and sexually assaulting another child.

Liam Hailwood raped and sexually assaulted a girl at a property in Blackpool.

He sexually assaulted another girl at a property in Leyland.

At Preston Crown Court last week (26th March), Hailwood, 33, formerly of Hornchurch Drive, Chorley, appeared for sentence after being found guilty, following a trial, of 16 charges including rape of a female child under 13, attempted rape of a female child under 13, assault by penetration of a female child under 13 sexual assault of a female child under 13, sexual assault of a female child aged 13 or over, causing a female child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and causing a female child aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity.

He was jailed for 12 years, with an additional year on licence. He’ll have to serve a minimum of two thirds of this sentence.

Hailwood has been given a lifelong restraining order to protect the victims. He will also be subject to lifelong notification requirements and will have a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) imposed until further notice.

In a victim personal statement, one of the victims said:

“Emotionally, I live with feelings of failure, worthlessness, and shame. I blame myself, fear abandonment, and often feel broken inside. This offence has left permanent scars. My ability to feel safe, trust others, and live freely has been destroyed.”

The other victim said: 

“I feel that my childhood was taken from me, and at times I find myself making childlike decisions in adulthood as a way to seek comfort. I believe this is because I did not experience a normal childhood, and I continue to feel resentment about this loss.”

DC Sophie Llewellyn of Lancashire Police’s Child Protection Team said:

“Hailwood exploited two children and violated their most basic sense of safety, abusing them with devastating consequences. His actions caused lasting damage, and the court has rightly recognised this with a significant custodial sentence.

“The incredible bravery of the victims in coming forward has ensured this dangerous offender is off our streets and held accountable for his actions. While no sentence can ever undo the trauma caused, we hope this result offers them a sense of justice as they continue on with their recovery.”