Search the database
clearly and quickly

Description

A former Hampshire police inspector who sexually assaulted young men in custody during unnecessary strip-searches has been convicted of sexual offences and misconduct.

Gerard Hutchings, 66, abused 18 victims at police stations between 1999 and 2007.

A jury at Bristol Crown Court found him guilty of five counts of indecent assault, five of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, and one of misconduct in public office. He had already admitted 17 further counts of misconduct in public office and will be sentenced on 24 July.

The victims, aged 17 to 31, had been arrested for minor offences and attended stations for cautions or reprimands. Eight told the trial they were strip-searched without justification.

One man, arrested for shoplifting, said:

He was trying to humiliate me. I do believe he took great pleasure in pointing out what a piece of scum I was and people like me should not walk the earth, or words to that effect. I have been strip-searched before and there was no following of the rules whatsoever. He never took any interest in my clothing.

Hutchings was jailed for 16 months in 2008 after admitting 11 misconduct charges; prosecutors then accepted not-guilty pleas to 11 sexual offences. He was sacked by Hampshire Police in 2007 after 28 years service.

A new investigation began in 2020 after another allegation. Detectives identified the 18 victims from 373 names in his police notebook.

Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Rob France said:

Hutchings behaviour was vile and degrading and clearly nowhere near the expectation we have of our officers. Thanks to the bravery of the victims in recalling their experience, and the hard work of investigators, Hutchings now faces another spell in prison for his awful behaviour.

Description

A Registered Sex Offender has been jailed for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. 

Anthony Kirkbright, 58, (pictured) began a friendship with a vulnerable woman after his release from prison in 2025.

She was unaware of his past until officers made an urgent disclosure to her last October.

Despite her telling Kirkbright that she no longer wanted him to visit he continued to attend at her address and sent numerous unwanted text messages.

Kirkbright also contacted social services, attempting to cancel a care package she had in relation to her health which caused considerable disruption to her.

The unwanted contact put him in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which had been imposed on him following convictions for previous offences, including sexual assault.

One of the conditions of the SHPO was ‘not to continue to associate or seek association with any female after being told by her that the association is unwelcome to her’.

Kirkbright was arrested on 5th November on suspicion of breaching the SHPO. He was then charged and remanded.

At Preston Crown Court last Thursday (26th March), Kirkbright, formerly of Great Bolton Street, Blackburn, appeared for sentence after pleading guilty to breaching the Sexual Harm Prevention Order at an earlier hearing.

He was jailed for 30 months and made subject of a further Sexual Harm Prevention Order until 2036 – Kirkbright also remains subject to Sex Offender Notification Requirements.

Lisa Parrington, Offender Manager for the Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) team, said: “

Kirkbright is a dangerous offender who uses persistence and lies to gain access to women. He continues to pose a very high risk to women, and I welcome the prison sentence imposed on him by the court.

“Lancashire Police take reports of violence against women and girls extremely seriously, it is a priority of the force.

“We will investigate thoroughly all reports made to us in order to try and bring offenders to justice and provide support to victims.”

Description

A former special constable with Northamptonshire Police has been convicted of multiple sex offences.

In 2020, Northamptonshire Police received intelligence regarding potential illegal images of children possessed by 48-year-old Wissem Bonafia.

In August, they attended his address in Barton Seagrave where he was arrested and multiple electronic devices were seized.

Upon inspection, they were found to contain numerous indecent images and videos of various females from prepubescent age up to the age of 17, many of which Bonafia had taken himself.

The offences took place between 2014 and 2019.

Bonafia was arrested and subsequently charged with six counts of raping a woman aged 16 years or over, one count of assault by penetration of an object/thing, six counts of assaulting a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm, five counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child, four counts of making an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child, one count of causing/inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child and one count of committing an act/series of acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice.

A trial date was set for February 16, 2026, which saw a further two charges added - one count of rape, and one count of causing/inciting a child to engage in non-sexual activity.

On day one, Bonafia pleaded guilty to six of the offences - five counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child and one count of assaulting a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm.

The remaining 21 were taken to trial with the jury hearing the evidence over the course of two weeks.

As the trial progressed, Bonafia pleaded guilty to a further four counts of assaulting a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm.

Today (March 30), Bonafia was found guilty of a further 12 offences.

He was found not guilty of three counts of rape, one of engaging in sexual communication with a child and one of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child.

Lead investigator - Detective Constable Caroline Knight said:

“First of all I would like to thank the women in this case for their resilience and patience while our investigation took place. It has taken a long time to bring it to trial and I cannot speak about them highly enough.

“They have shown great bravery in supporting our case and providing their evidence in court, despite experiencing the most heinous of crimes perpetrated by a person who knew what he was doing was wrong.

“They were all vulnerable in their own way and should be proud of what they have done to get it to this point. I want to thank them for staying on board and in times of hesitation, believing in and continuing with the process.

“Without them giving their evidence and remaining stoic in the witness box whilst experiencing thorough cross examination, we would not have had as good a case as we did.

“I also want to thank Jeff Wells from our Digital Forensics Unit. Without his diligence at the beginning of this investigation, we would never have identified these children. Also Michelle Mallison from the same team for providing additional evidence for court and standing in as Jeff’s replacement at the last minute. And retired DI Helena Congreve and my other supervisors, who supported me through the investigation. 

“And finally to our KC Sam Skinner and his colleague Laura Blackband who prosecuted this case marvellously.

“We will now prepare for sentencing, and I hope this case demonstrates our determination to bring those responsible for sexual crimes, no matter who they are, to justice.”

Detective Inspector Lee Jones said: “This has been a really complex investigation with a lot of moving parts, and I am grateful to DC Knight for her diligence, victim care and unwavering determination to bring Wissem Bonafia to justice.

“Bonafia’s crimes are a disgrace to the uniform he once wore, and I hope this investigation and subsequent result at court reassures the wider public that we will do all we can to root out individuals like him.

“We have a lot of brilliant special constables in this force who continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, and for them and their work, we are really grateful.”

Bonafia resigned from special constable duties on November 9, 2021. An accelerated gross misconduct hearing was held by Northamptonshire Police on February 16, 2023, which determined that, had Bonafia still been a serving police officer, he would have been dismissed without notice.

Description

A 36-year-old man has been jailed after admitting breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and making indecent images of a child.

Mark Anthony Sinclair, formerly of Kettering, was issued a SHPO in January 2024 at Wood Green Crown Court after he was convicted of a sexual offence involving a child under 16.

The 10-year SHPO was issued with certain conditions he was required to abide by, including not deleting his internet history or having unsupervised contact or communication with any child under the age of 18.

However, in May last year, Sinclair engaged with someone who he believed to be a 12-year-old girl in an online chat room before moving the conversation on to a private messaging app.

What he didn’t realise, however, was the profile he was sending messages of a sexual nature to, was in fact a covert operation to safeguard and protect children from online predators. 

Evidence of the SHPO breach was passed on to Northamptonshire Police’s MOSOVO team who arrested Sinclair on May 21. His mobile phone was seized which on further investigation was found to contain indecent images of children.

He was subsequently charged with one count of breaching his SHPO, one count of being an adult attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child as well as three counts of making indecent photographs/pseudo-photographs of a child.

And the next day (May 22) Sinclair appeared before Northampton Magistrates’ Court, where his case was transferred to Northampton Crown Court for trial, however on July 24, he pleaded guilty to all charges.

Last month (February 25) Sinclair returned to the same court for sentencing and was jailed for 44 months. He was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.

PC Holly Morgan-Humphrey from the Force’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), who led the investigation, said:

“Mark Sinclair thought he was sending private messages of a sexual nature to an unknown 12-year-old girl he befriended in an online chat room.

“Although thankfully there was not a real child in this case, it does not lessen the seriousness of it at all as the content of his messages were not only extremely concerning but also showed a total disregard for the court order put in place to protect children from him.

“I hope this case reassures the public that we are working proactively to continue to keep children in Northamptonshire safe from online predators and to bring anyone who threatens that safety to justice.”

Description

Thomas Serpell, 28, sent sexualised messages to a nine-year-old boy, asking him to “be his boyfriend”, to kiss him and if he could see him naked. The messages were described in court as “sexual and disturbed”.

Serpell later told the boy to delete the messages and not tell his mother, which the child did. He then claimed the messages were a “joke”. When reported to police, Serpell denied any messages had been sent.

At Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, the victim was said to have been left “confused and uncomfortable”. In a victim personal statement, the boy said he was now scared to go out alone, was struggling to eat and sleep, had become more isolated and at times “feels he doesn’t want to be here anymore”. There were concerns about self-harming.

Judge Paul Hobson told Serpell: “You only have to think how frightening and disturbing this episode must have been for that child. The impact on him has been significant.”

Serpell, of Regent Street, Aberaman, Aberdare, pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual communication with a child. He was previously of good character.

In mitigation, Nick Gedge said the offence occurred shortly after his client suffered an epileptic seizure. He added that Serpell knew what he had done was wrong and expressed “remorse and regret”. Mr Gedge said his client had been bullied at school and by his father because of his sexuality.

Judge Hobson rejected the mitigation, saying: “You claim you sent these messages after coming out of an epileptic seizure. I do not accept your illness had an impact on your behaviour or your recollection of what you did… Epilepsy does not cause people to sexually offend against children, you have sought to minimise your behaviour.”

Serpell was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. He was also made subject to a restraining order, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offender notification requirements, each for 10 years.

Description

A man has been jailed after being found guilty of raping a man in Leeds.  

Abdi Wahab Abdulla, aged 31, of Harehills Avenue, Leeds, was found guilty following a four-day trial at Leeds Crown Court of rape and attempt rape. He previously pleaded guilty to a charge of theft against the same victim.  

He was sentenced today to seven and a half years imprisonment and will be added to the Sex Offenders Register.

The offences happened on the morning of 14 January 2023. The victim, who was 19-years-old at the time, had been on a night out and fallen asleep inside the Queens Arcade in Leeds city centre.  

CCTV footage shows Abdulla enter the arcade and approach the victim, before searching him and putting items in his pocket.  

The victim woke up at this point, and Abdulla is seen helping him to his feet and walking out with him.  

Abdulla has gone on to follow the victim over some distance, initially threatening him with a knife and orally raping him near the Merrion Centre before attempting to anally rape him in Woodhouse Moor Park. It is after the oral rape that the victim has realised that his phone, keys and credit card were missing from his pocket.  

The victim reported the offences to the police later that day.  

Abdulla was made a suspect as a result of officers positively identifying him in CCTV images, and he was arrested on 12 February 2023. He was later also the subject of a forensic DNA hit.  

The Judge commended the detectives involved in the investigation.

Detective Constable Jack Powell, of Leeds Safeguarding, said:

“The victim was by his own admission, and verified by CCTV footage, heavily intoxicated at the time of these offences, leaving him in an extremely vulnerable state and unable to consent to any sexual activity.  

“Abdulla has taken advantage of this, firstly stealing the victim’s property before threatening him at knifepoint and subjecting him to horrific sexual offences. The way Abdulla followed him over a considerable period of time demonstrates a predatory nature and shows the danger that he poses.  

“These offences have had a huge impact on the victim, and I know no sentence can or will ever make up for the awful ordeal that he has suffered. I hope though that he is reassured that Abdulla has been held accountable for what he did and that he feels safer knowing that Abdulla is now in prison.  

“The victim received specialist safeguarding support throughout this investigation, and I would urge anyone who has been the victim of any sexual offence to please come forward so that you can also be safeguarded. Offences against boys and men in particular are believed to be under-reported. I want to reassure male victims that you are not alone and that there should be no stigma in coming forward.”  

Description

A Hove man has been jailed after admitting sexually assaulting multiple women in public spaces.

Fattah Derrahi, 59, a British national of Farm Road in Hove, was charged with 11 counts of sexual assault against 11 women over a four-year period 

Between September, 2021, and October, 2025, Derrahi primarily targeted women who were exercising or post-exercise, often engaging them in conversation by complimenting their ‘energy’.

Derrahi would engineer physical situations including helping the women stretch, dance or conduct breathing exercises, before sexually assaulting them.

Many of the sexual assaults took place along the seafront, particularly around the Hove Lawns area.

Derrahi was arrested in November, 2025, subsequently charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and remanded in custody.

Appearing at a pre-trial preparatory hearing at Lewes Crown Court on Monday, 15 December, Derrahi admitted nine charges. He later admitted a further two charges relating to incidents in 2021.

At the same court on Friday (27 March), he was sentenced to six years in prison.

Detective Inspector Jenny Pietersen said:

“Brighton and Hove is a safer place now that Fattah Derrahi has been brought to justice.

“I want to extend my gratitude to the brave women who came forward and reported Mr Derrahi for his heinous behaviour. Today we received justice for those involved and all women using open spaces in our communities. 

“We remain committed to improving our service to women and girls in Sussex, working with our partners to prevent crime in the first place, provide support to victims and catch perpetrators.”

Description

A Sunderland paedophile who sent voice notes of himself masturbating has been sentenced.

Darren Jarrett, 42, was talking online to someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy who he sent multiple sexual images and voice notes to.

However, what he didn’t know, was he had actually been speaking with a police officer from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) as part of a wider investigation.

Jarrett, of Margate Street in Sunderland, sent countless sexually explicit messages discussing the long list of people he was allegedly talking to as well as voice notes of himself masturbating.

Communication began in March 2025 and in June the same year, Jarrett was arrested by officers and had several devices seized.

He was subsequently charged with engage in sexual communication with a child and cause/incite a child to engage in sexual activity and later pleaded guilty to all charges.  

Yesterday (Thursday), he appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 24 months, a 10-year Sex Notification requirement and a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

NEROCU Detective Constable Georgina Lewis, said:

“Jarrett sent extremely explicit messages and voice messages, even when he believed he was talking to a child. He is a dangerous predator and thankfully, this investigation has led to a successful outcome at court.

“As always I’d like to thank all the officers and staff involved in this investigation and anyone who has been a victim, or wants to talk to an officer and raise some concerns, to get in touch immediately – you will be heard and you will be supported.”

Description

Three girls have been praised for their bravery as a man was jailed today for the sex offences he committed against them.  

Antonio Napolitano, aged 39, of Turnsteads Drive, Cleckheaton, was found guilty on 6 February following a trial at Leeds Crown Court of three counts of assault a girl under 13 by penetration and five counts of assault a girl under 13 by touching.  

He appeared again today at Leeds Crown Court where he was given an 18-year extended sentence for the offences that spanned a 10-year period. He has also been added to the Sex Offenders Register for life, been made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which restricts contact with children and a restraining order.

Detective Constable Yvonne Brear, of Kirklees Safeguarding, said:

“Napolitano is a dangerous sexual predator who has preyed on vulnerable young girls.  

“One of the victims made a disclosure to a trusted person in 2017 about offences committed against her two years earlier. She then had the further courage to report this to the police. An investigation was carried out but unfortunately at that time we were not able to charge Napolitano with any offences.  

“Two further reports were made in January 2025 relating to offences against two other girls. Extensive enquiries were conducted into these crimes and this also included reviewing the previous report made against Napolitano.  

“We were able to arrest and charge Napolitano with offences against all three victims within days of these two further victims coming forward. He has been remanded in custody since that time.  

“All three girls were under the age of 13 when these offences have been committed against them and they have shown considerable bravery throughout this process. I hope that they, and the wider public, are reassured that Napolitano is now behind bars.  

“If anyone has been the victim of child sex abuse, whether recently or in the past, there are specialist child safeguarding units within West Yorkshire Police who will listen and investigate when you feel ready to report.”  

Description

After a young victim bravely spoke out about the long term sexual abuse he had suffered at the hands of a man, that man has now been jailed.

Police arrested 44-year-old David Newsom, of Regency Close, Uckfield on 18 November, 2025 in relation to serious sexual offences committed against a boy between 2017 and 2025.

The victim was only around 10-years-old when the abuse began.

Charges were authorised the day after Newsom’s arrest, and he appeared at Brighton Magistrates' Court where he was remanded in custody.

At a hearing at Lewes Crown Court on 7 January, Newsom pleaded guilty to eight offences. Rape, four counts of sexual assault against a child under 13, and three counts of sexual activity with a child.

Newsom was remanded back into custody ahead of his sentencing.

On March 23 at Brighton Crown Court, Newsom was sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Leading the investigation, Detective Constable Nandi Luthuli, said:

"Without the victim’s courage in speaking out about the sexual abuse he endured, this could have continued unchecked.

"The final offence took place just one month before Newsom’s arrest, bringing an end to around nine years of sexual abuse.

"Let there be no doubt. Anyone abusing children will be investigated and held accountable.

"And to victims, we will listen to you. There is no shame in speaking out, and you should never feel you have to suffer in silence.

"The abuse cannot be undone, but this chapter is now closed. We hope the victim can now move forward and begin to heal."

Description

A 52-year-old man from Halesworth has been jailed after being found guilty of non-recent sexual assault offences.

Johnathan Chapman, formerly of Johnathan Chapman, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court today (Friday 27 March) where he was sentenced to 34 months’ imprisonment.

He was found guilty by a jury of two counts of sexual assaults against two victims at an earlier hearing, following a six-day trial.

The offences took place on separate occasions when the victims, both female, were aged in their mid-late teens.

Chapman was also given a five-year restraining order against both victims and made subject of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

DC Samuel Jones, who was the investigating officer for the case said:

“Chapman has proven himself a predator and a danger to women and girls.

“He has shown a callous disregard for his victims’ welfare, forcing them to relive their deeply traumatic experiences by denying any wrongdoing and refusing to accept responsibility for his actions.

“I would like to commend the victims for their bravery to report the crimes against them, and for their perseverance to seeing the case through to conclusion.

“Whilst nothing can undo the impact on their formative years, I hope today’s conviction offers them some comfort in knowing that Chapman is now being brought to justice.”

Description

A man from Keighley has been given an extended sentence of 29 years for raping a child. 

Joshua Moore aged 32 of Buxton Street was found guilty by a jury of five child rapes, assault by penetration, sexual assault and making indecent images. 

He was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on 20 March to 25 years in jail and four on licence. He was made to sign the sex offenders register for life and given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. 

Detective Constable Stuart Barrows of Bradford District’s Child Safeguarding Team said: 

“Moore is an extremely dangerous sexual predator who has shown no remorse throughout the case. 

“He has had to put his victim through a trial, where she has had to relive the ordeal again. 

“The actions of Moore are abhorrent and disgusting and whilst this significant sentence will never undo what’s happened, I hope it can provide some comfort to the young girl as she tries to rebuild her life. 

“Bradford District Safeguarding Team have specially trained officers who take reports of this type of offending seriously and sensitively. We will listen and support you throughout the process.” 

Description

Pervert Thomas Shaw had sex chats with undercover police officers after believing he was chatting to schoolgirls.

The 38-year-old dad used Kik Messenger to contact two 14-year-olds and a 12-year-old.

He asked them to wear school uniforms when sending photos, carried out a sex act, and asked to meet two of them “without their parents knowing”. Shaw, of Mallorie Road, Norton, pleaded guilty to three counts of attempting sexual communication with a person under 16 and five counts of making indecent images of children in February and March 2025.

Charlotte Johnson, prosecuting, told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court: “Police attended the defendant’s address and seized multiple devices including three phones which all had indecent images of children on them. The age ranges of the children in the images were between four and 12, both female and male. The defendant gave ‘no comment’ answers during the interview and said he couldn't remember speaking to any of the children online.”

Hamish Noble, mitigating, said:

“These offences were committed following separation from his wife. He'd become isolated, bored, he was not working, and was drinking too much. He was lonely and knew it was wrong. He has intense feelings of shame and disgust. He has some understanding of the position of the children in this case.

“He's now stopped drinking and attends a charity at Port Vale Football Club. He’s not been able to see his own children. He had a difficult childhood himself, he was forced to leave his mother’s house aged 12, and he has had some difficulties with her.”

Judge Richard McConaghy imposed a two-year community order including 30 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions and 200 hours unpaid work. Shaw is now subject to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Judge McConaghy said: “You have denied having any sexual interest in children - that is blatantly untrue and something you need to address. You are hiding behind the drink but I acknowledge you are shameful for what has taken place in this case.”

Description

A man who raped a 17-year-old girl in Stratford has been jailed for ten years.

In 2024 the victim was using the bathroom at a gathering at a friend’s house when 22-year-old Mohammad Tawfiqi, also present, forced his way into the room, locked the door and attacked her.
 
We shared an appeal to trace Tawfiqi, who had told those at the house he was called Papino.

A member of the public from Hereford then called us to identify Tawfiqi, an Iranian national who was living in Stratford at the time, and he was then arrested at his place of work.
 
He attempted to give a false name to officers – and in interview he offered a pre-prepared statement denying any wrongdoing.
 
But thanks to the bravery of the victim, a strong case was built against him and on Thursday 19 March at Warwick Crown Court he was found guilty of rape.
 
That same day he was jailed for ten years.
 
Detective Constable Ella Stewart said:

“The victim has shown incredible bravery throughout this process and I want to publicly thank her for all she has done.
 
“Tawfiqi has shown no remorse for his appalling attack and, though no sentence will take away what happened, we are glad he is off the streets.”

Description

A man has been sentenced after being found guilty of one count of rape, two counts of sexual assault by penetration and six counts of sexual assault, after he appeared at Guildford Crown Court last Monday (16 March).

Scott Brand, 22 (DOB:20/03/2004), of Epsom was sentenced to five years and six months in prison and was also given a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. 

Brand committed a series of serious sexual offences against three victims using different names to conceal his identity.

The investigation began in June 2021 after a 17yearold girl reported that Brand had sexually assaulted her at his home, choking her with a metal object during the attack. She immediately disclosed the incident to a friend and later reported it to Metropolitan Police. Brand was arrested shortly afterwards.

She said: “I was sad, angry and scared; constantly on high alert, whether this be in public, or whether it was to do with the severe trauma I was trying to cope with.”

A second victim, also 17, came forward days later. She reported repeated violent sexual offences involving choking, hitting and assaults that occurred while she was unconscious or asleep. She said, “My views on how relationships are formed are now very distorted due to what happened.”

Her allegations related to the same period and showed clear similarities in Brand’s behaviour, methods and use of false names.  Both girls told police that Brand went by the name “Oskar” during the time they spent with him.

During further interviews, both victims disclosed additional offences, including oral rape and attacks at an abandoned golf course.

A third victim, aged 16 at the time, was later identified. She reported that Brand, who had introduced himself as ‘Damon,’ had forcefully sexually assaulted her at her home after pressuring her throughout their relationship.

She said: “Having someone I initially felt safe with breaking my trust at 15 has indubitably shaped the way I view both romantic and platonic relationships involving a male partner, and the way I view myself.”

Following advice from the CPS, Brand was charged with 11 offences, including two rapes, sexual assault by penetration and multiple counts of sexual assault.

At his first trial in June 2025, he was convicted of one count of sexual assault by penetration relating to the third victim, though the jury could not reach verdicts on the remaining counts.

A retrial was held in December 2025, where Brand was convicted of rape, sexual assault by penetration and multiple sexual assaults against the first two victims. He was found not guilty of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.

Reading out her impact statement at the sentencing hearing, one victim said:

“No woman should ever go through something like that, no woman should ever be afraid that they will be assaulted by their next partner, no woman deserves to feel isolated or alienated because someone thought it was within their right to take something without asking for consent.”

One of the victims also praised the case officer, DC Jamie Vernon, for his exceptional empathy, professionalism, and unwavering dedication throughout the investigation and court process.

DC Jamie Vernon said:

“I would like to pay tribute to the victims. They were young girls when this investigation began, and the serious crimes they suffered had a profound impact on their formative years, disrupting both their education and home lives.

“The nearly five years it took to finally secure justice was extremely traumatic, but they showed remarkable bravery and resilience.

“I am incredibly proud of them and have watched them grow into strong young women.”