Latest Offenders

Description

A convicted sex offender who sparked a police hunt by repeatedly ignoring strict monitoring rules fled and climbed onto a roof when officers spotted him by chance.

Serial offender Stuart Webster went missing after release from a 10-year prison sentence for rape, prompting a police appeal for his whereabouts.

He had a "very poor record of compliance" with requirements to report regularly, Hull Crown Court heard. Webster, 42, of no fixed address but recently in custody, admitted breaching sex offender notification rules on August 23 and October 10, plus handling stolen goods on October 17.

Prosecutor Hannah Turner said Webster was convicted of rape in May 2015 and jailed for 10 years, with indefinite registration duties. He registered as homeless in Doncaster on July 9, requiring weekly police check-ins, but failed to comply.

Arrested in Doncaster in August for non-registration, he was later listed as wanted for further breaches. On October 17, Beverley police spotted him at the bus station. "Officers saw him and spoke with him," said Miss Turner. "He confirmed his name.

"He began to flee from the officers on foot. He was pursued by officers for some distance and the defendant ended up on the roof of a building – a low sloped roof.

"He dropped a bag that he was carrying with him. He was pursued further by officers and he was seen throwing items into a skip.

"He was detained in the Beverley area. Within the bag that he discarded were bottles of alcohol with the security tags still attached.

"He told officers that they were given to him by a friend, who had stolen them." One of three bottles was broken.

Webster had 76 prior convictions, including failing to register on July 10 and 17. He received a one-year conditional discharge on August 22.

Mitigator Billy Torbett said Webster pleaded guilty, faced prison, and had spent four months in custody. "He knows that this has to be something of a crossroads sentence," said Mr Torbett. "He has either got to sort himself out or he is going to be serving a life sentence in instalments. He is remorseful and he knows that he needs assistance in custody. Regrettably, it's the best place for him at the moment."

Deputy circuit judge Timothy Clayson told Webster: "You have got a very poor record of compliance." Originally from Grimsby, Webster was jailed for 14 months, including two consecutive months for breaching the conditional discharge.

Description

A serial sex offender jailed for life for a savage attack on a university lecturer is back behind bars after changing his name to deceive women into relationships.

Brian Travers received a life sentence and indefinite placement on the sex offenders register for the 2002 assault on the woman in her Edinburgh home. Register conditions required him to notify authorities of name or address changes and bank account details.

Released in 2022, Travers violated these by using the alias "David Quinn" to form romantic relationships with two unsuspecting women. One discovered his true identity via a letter addressed to Brian Travers in his flat; after Googling, she learned of his crimes. Having allowed him time with her young daughter and use of her phone during their six-month relationship, she reported him to police.

Travers, now 52, and accomplice Paul Gargaro were convicted for forcing entry into the lecturer's home, subjecting her to indecent assault, forcing her to reveal her bank PIN, and stealing credit cards, cash, jewelry, and a phone. Travers was identified by DNA after licking her ear while she was bound, blindfolded, and threatened with rape.

Judge Lord Phillip sentenced them to life, calling Travers "a cruel and calculating criminal" and "a danger to women" at the High Court in Edinburgh in July 2002.

Travers also served seven years for punching and undressing a 20-year-old American student in an Edinburgh park in 1997. Two days earlier, he robbed a mother walking with her baby near the Water of Leith, stealing her handbag with bank cards and money.

On January 22 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Travers pleaded guilty to failing to notify authorities of his name change between November 1, 2022, and August 10, 2024, and possessing two unreported bank cards and accounts from June 12, 2022, to August 10, 2024.

Fiscal depute Morgan Beattie noted Travers was on the register for life due to his 1997 and 2002 indecent assaults, and used "David Quinn" or "Quinny" in the relationships post-release.

Defense lawyer Nicola Haston said he failed to inform police due to "laziness" and was recalled on license.

Sheriff Watson stated: "These charges cover a period of 21 months where you used an alias and two years where you used bank accounts you did not register. I was told it was laziness, but it was not lazy to change your name and it was not lazy not to report that. No doubt distress was caused to those who discovered you had conducted yourself under a false name and were unaware of your offending."

Travers received an 18-month sentence, backdated to November 18 of the previous year.

In July 2016, Travers escaped Castle Huntly jail near Dundee during home leave, after bragging about meeting sex workers. Recalled and facing downgraded privileges, he absconded for four days before being found drunk in an Edinburgh pub. He broke his arm during arrest and was sentenced to 16 more months at Perth Sheriff Court in September 2016 for the escape.

Description

A member of security staff who targeted a 14-year-old girl while on duty at a Worcestershire rail station has been jailed, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Aamar Mohammed, 35, and of Shireland Road in Sandwell, was found guilty of two counts of Sexual Assault following a week-long trial.

At Worcester Crown Court on 12 January, a judge sentenced him to three years and eight months in prison.

He was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

On 14 November 2021, Mohammed approached the teenager at Worcester Shrub Hill railway station wearing a high-vis vest and asked where she was travelling to.

He walked her to the platform her train was due to arrive at before heading into an office at the station.

A short while later he asked her into that office as a warm place to go while she waited for her train. And as she approached, he turned the room’s lights off. 

Inside the office Mohammed forced himself upon the teenager and sexually assaulted her.

She managed to get away from him and return to the platform to board her train, and he then emerged from the office and waved at her as the service left the station.

The victim, who suffered bruising from the attack, reported Mohammed’s actions to her family who called the police.

He was arrested the same evening and an extensive investigation led by BTP detectives resulted in multiple charges being brought against him.

Specialist support was provided to the victim throughout the investigation and as the case progressed through courts. 

Mohammed failed to appear for a subsequent court hearing and had to be rearrested at his home address in March 2023.

BTP Detective Constable Tim Friend said:

“Aamar Mohammed used his trusted position as a station security guard to groom a teenage girl and subject her to a deplorable sexual assault. 

“His attack was so forceful that it left the victim with physical injuries, and will no doubt have a lasting impact on her psychologically. It is down to her bravery in reporting him to police, and determination to stick with the process as it progressed through the courts, that we have been able to bring a truly vile man to justice.

“We will stop at nothing to ensure sexual predators like Mohammed are removed from our communities and put behind bars where they belong.”

Description

A man convicted of multiple sexual assaults on London's transport network and beyond exhibited a disturbing pattern of behavior that traumatized victims.

Craig Anderson, 38, targeted women at Bank, Liverpool Street, and Westminster Underground stations, plus Redhill in Surrey, from June to October last year. CCTV showed him pushing through barriers at Bank on June 14, grinning while seeking a lone victim. In one assault, he laughed as his victim screamed and cried.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard he groped a woman on a staircase and, on a Gatwick train, asked another what she'd do if he tried to kiss her—then attempted it despite her warning she'd report him.

Anderson also stalked a woman met on a train, contacting her from eight numbers. In August, he sent her an unsolicited explicit image, later calling it “playful.”

He was convicted of four sexual assault counts and stalking causing serious alarm or distress from June 26 to October 3. From the dock, he shouted: “I can do what I want about girls.”

Prosecutor Ellen Alexander said: “He was deliberately targeting vulnerable women alone on public transport for sexual pleasure. He did not take no for an answer. He walks away smiling and sticking his tongue out. He does not understand the seriousness of what he has done.”

British Transport Police called Anderson a serious danger to women, noting his smirking during questioning and lack of remorse.

The BTP investigating officer said:

“Anderson is a dangerous predator who preyed on women for his own sexual gratification. During his initial questioning he smirked his way through providing no comment responses, highlighting his lack of remorse for his actions. It is thanks to the brave victims who supported this investigation that we have seen him convicted for these heinous crimes. If you experience or witness a sexual offence on-board a train or at a station, I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016. We take all reports seriously, and do everything possible to bring them to justice.”

Description

A Doncaster man who groomed two teenage boys by giving them money in exchange for engaging in sexual activity has been jailed.

An investigation began into Jack Meredith after a victim bravely reported his crimes to police.

He recalled how Meredith had asked him if he "wanted to earn some money", before paying him in exchange for sending indecent images of himself.

Meredith's phone was seized and examined which corroborated the victim's account and led to the identification of another victim.

Once again, Meredith groomed his victim by paying him in return for indecent images.

He also sexually assaulted him multiple times and sexually exploited him, resulting in him being charged with 10 offences.

Meredith, 28, of Kiln Court, pleaded guilty to two counts of inciting a boy aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity in respect of one victim.

He also admitted two counts of the same offence in respect of his other victim, as well as four counts of sexual assault, engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a boy aged 13 to 15 and inciting the sexual exploitation of a child aged 13 to 17.

A further 11 counts of sexual offences were ordered to lie on file.

Meredith was jailed for three years at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday (19 January) and made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

He was also given a 25-year restraining order against his victim and must sign the sex offenders' register for life.

Detective Constable Dani Duncan-Blakley said:

"I want to commend both victims for their bravery in telling us about the horrific sexual abuse they endured.

"Without their courageous testimonies, we wouldn't have been able to secure this criminal justice outcome and I hope this sentences provides some comfort to both of his victims after what must have been a torrid and traumatic experience.

"Please remember that it is never too late to report a sexual offence. If you have been a victim or you know someone who has been a victim of this crime, please know that we are here to listen to you and support you through every step of the process."

Description

A sleeping young woman "freaked out" in horror when she awoke to find a drunken man sexually assaulting her. In panic, she asked what he was doing and told him to leave.

She later felt "devastated" upon discovering a video of him joking about the incident, leaving her life "turned upside down," Hull Crown Court heard.

Joshua McBride, 21, admitted causing a person to engage in sexual activity during the Hull incident on September 15, 2024. The case was set for trial in November after he initially denied it and elected jury trial.

Prosecutor Hannah Turner said McBride tried kissing the woman at a property in the early hours, but she pushed him away. She fell asleep, then woke to pain in her mouth, finding his fingers prying her jaw open while he controlled her hand on his body.

"As soon as she realised what was happening, she freaked out," said Miss Turner. The woman asked: "What the f*** are you doing?" and leapt up, demanding he leave. Another person helped remove him, and she reported the assault.

The victim said her life was "turned upside down," fearing his return, suffering panic attacks, massive mental health deterioration, fatigue, and needing medication. It affected her family. She saw the video and felt McBride was "very dismissive," adding: "I feel I have been violated."

In a later statement, she noted improvement, reduced panic attacks, completed therapy, but still became tearful recalling it.

Defense lawyer Rachel Scott said McBride had no prior convictions: "This is the first time that he has ever been in trouble with the police and I can confidently say that it will be the last." He was immature then but now showed maturity and reflection. He had little memory, pleaded guilty late, and apologized.

McBride said: "I would never want to seek to make an excuse for what I did. I feel deep shame and regret for the mistake I made." Miss Scott clarified: "This wasn't a mistake. This was criminal behaviour." It gave him "the shock of his life," and he never wanted to repeat it.

McBride was involved in two football teams (on the board for one, handling finances), a cricket team, volunteered at events, and worked in a council's transport department.

Recorder Andrew Dallas noted McBride's "belated remorse," claiming until trial morning: "That's not the sort of thing I would do." He was "eight out of 10 drunk" during the "very serious sexual assault." "You knew that she was drunk and was not in any position to consent," said Recorder Dallas. He fought the case until the victim was "poised to give evidence and suffering anxiety and stress. She was devastated... and it has had profound consequences for her. You should be utterly ashamed of yourself."

McBride, of Manor Rise, Reepham, near Lincoln, received an eight-month suspended prison sentence, 180 hours' unpaid work, 15 days' rehabilitation, £1,630 costs, a 10-year restraining order, and must register as a sex offender for 10 years.

Description

A sex offender who groomed children over Snapchat and encouraged them to share indecent images has been jailed for ten years.

Jordan Longhurst, 27-years-old from Osborn Road, Fareham, was arrested on Monday 10 October 2022 after reports that linked him to uploading indecent images of children to the internet.

Following his arrest, investigators examined Longhurst’s mobile phone and discovered indecent images of children on his device. Officers also found evidence that Longhurst was communicating sexually with children online, inciting them to carry out sexual acts and screen recording them. He was then arrested again on Saturday 9 November 2024 after accessing indecent images of children online.

He was subsequently charged with the following offences, which he pled not guilty to at Portsmouth Crown Court Monday 24 March 2025. Longhurst failed to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday 17 November 2025 and was subsequently arrested. He then changed his pleas to guilty in relation to the following offences and was remanded into custody prior to sentencing:

• 10 counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity on Thursday 7 July 2022, Saturday 6 August 2022 (two counts), Sunday 7 August 2022, Sunday 4 September 2022, Sunday 2 October 2022, Monday 3 October 2022 (three counts), and between Monday 3 October and Thursday 6 October 2022
• Attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity on Sunday 7 August 2022
• Making 138 Category A still and moving indecent photographs of children between Sunday 27 April 2014 and Monday 10 October 2022
• Making 5 Category A indecent photographs of children between Saturday 26 October 2024 and Saturday 9 November 2024
• Making 93 Category B still and moving indecent photographs of children between Sunday 27 April 2014 and Monday 10 October 2022
• Making 13 Category B still and moving indecent photographs of children between Saturday 26 October 2024 and Friday 8 November 2024
• Making 117 Category C still and moving indecent photographs of children between Sunday 27 April 2014 and Monday 10 October 2022
• Making 22 Category C indecent photographs of children between Saturday 26 October 2024 and Tuesday 29 October 2024
• Failing without reasonable cause to surrender at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday 17 November 2025

Appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 23 January 2026 Longhurst was jailed for ten years. He was also ordered to sign on to the Sex Offenders Register for an indefinite period and handed a fifteen year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

PC Sarah Tickner, from the Internet Child Abuse Team (ICAT), said:

“The extent of Longhurst’s offending is deeply shocking. He persistently targeted young children online and encouraged them share sexual videos and imagery with him.

“Longhurst groomed and exploited these children for his own perverse gratification, and it is clear he poses a serious risk to children.

“I hope his sentence today encourages victims to come forward and feel confident that they will be listened to, supported, and that offenders who perpetrate crimes of this nature will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice.” 

Description

A man has been sentenced to 10 years, with an extension period of six years, after he was convicted of a rape and an attempt to rape.

Yusuf Nur, aged 47, of Cardiff, pleaded guilty to the two offences on September 15, 2025 and was today (January 23) sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court.

The court heard how, on August 17, at around 5.20am, the 19-year-old victim flagged down officers on patrol and reported the rape that had just occurred on Kingsway, in the city centre.

Nur was swiftly located, arrested and charged. Despite initially denying any contact, the extensive work carried out by officers including forensic and CCTV review, Nur then changed his plea to guilty.

Investigating officer DC Liberty Knox said:

“The bravery it takes to come forward and reporting an offence like this not to be underestimated, and I hope knowing Nur has been held accountable helps the healing journey to come for the victim.

“An extensive amount of work went into this investigation which in turn made Nur plead guilty. I would like to thank all the officers who supported this investigation and ensured Nur was held accountable for his actions.”

Description

A man has been sentenced after admitting a number of sexual offences against children.

Jonathan Goss, aged 51 from Harrow, Middlesex, was arrested in June 2022 after investigators from the National Crime Agency linked him to activity on a website known to be associated to child sexual abuse material.

Officers identified two online accounts - “jbaabaa99’ and ‘hard4girls’ – who were actively discussing the sexual abuse of young girls with others on the site, and were able to link these to Goss.

Following his arrest, a number of electronic devices were seized and officers found images of female children. Some were in swimming costumes and others were talking to friends but all seemingly had no knowledge they were being photographed.

These girls, who were aged between six and 14, were later identified and had safeguarding measures put in place for them.

Goss was arrested for the additional offences of making and possessing indecent images of children, and officers subsequently found a number of images – including the most severe category A images – on a laptop and mobile phone.

On 1 April last year he pleaded guilty at Willesden Crown Court to sexual communication with a child, arranging a child sexual offence, possession of over 200 indecent images of children and publishing an obscene article.

At Harrow Crown Court today (19 January) Goss was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. He was also given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Holly Triggs, from the National Crime Agency, said:

“The evidence we obtained showed Jonathan Goss has a sexual interest in children and went to great lengths to obtain this material online.

“He took photos of young children without their knowledge and collected some of the most severe child abuse images, keeping them in specific folders on his devices.

“The sentence handed down today should be a reminder to anyone that you can’t hide behind online usernames. The NCA will identify you and bring you to justice, and ensure children are safeguarded from harm.”

Description

Peter Phillips, 60, of Maderia Place, Brighton, pleaded guilty to rape of a female aged 16 or over and sexual assault by penetration at Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday (20 January).

Police became aware of Phillips’s offending when a 34-year-old woman from Worthing came forward. The victim and her family received support from specialist officers, and an investigation was launched.

She reported she had been sexually assaulted and raped by someone she met in Brighton in June 2025. This man was Peter Phillips.

He continued to groom her with money and drugs. Later that month, he invited her to a festival and encouraged her to consume alcohol and drugs, leaving her vulnerable. He then took her to a hotel, where he subjected her to a violent and sustained sexual assault before raping her.

He was arrested on 6 August 2025, charged the same day, and remanded in custody.

Following his conviction Phillips remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on 10 April. The court location will be confirmed.

Detective Police Constable, Ryan Dale said:

“Phillips has shown himself to be a highly dangerous and calculated sexual predator. We would like to thank the victim for her immense courage in coming forward and for supporting us in bringing him to justice.

“I encourage any victims of violence against women and girls, in any form, to report these crimes. It is never too late to seek justice. You are not alone, and help is available.”

Description

A man who sexually assaulted a woman after trapping her in a train toilet before going on to assault a teenager just minutes later has been jailed for six years.

Following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation, Daniel Odubanjo, 27 of King Avenue, Clapham, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday 12 January for one count of False Imprisonment and two counts of Sexual Assault after being found guilty following an earlier trial.

Odubanjo received six years in prison, ordered to pay a victim surcharge, and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which prohibits him from being under the influence of any substance while on public transport, at stations or on Network Rail property.

The court heard how on Friday 29 November 2024, on-board a service from Shenfield to Chelmsford, Odubanjo repeatedly banged on the toilet door while it was engaged.

The woman inside quickly washed her hands and unlocked the door expecting to find another passenger needing to use the facilities.

But instead she came face to face with Odubanjo who pushed her back inside the cubicle and locked the door, forcefully grabbing her wrists and sexually assaulting her.

In the struggle that ensued, the woman, who was 21 at the time, managed to open the door and attempt to get the attention of a fellow passenger but he grabbed her and pulled her back into the toilet where he continued the sexual assault as she screamed for help.

It was only when she lied about her age, claiming to be 14, that Odubanjo let her go.

In an extremely distressed state, she approached a member of staff and left the train at Chelmsford where she reported what had happened to BTP.

Just moments later, Odubanjo approached a 17-year-old girl boarding the service and sat opposite her, asking her a barrage of inappropriate questions before exposing himself.

When he left to go to the toilet, the teenager moved seats to sit closer to other passengers, telling them what had happened, but Odubanjo returned and sat next to her and sexually assaulted her.

A passenger sat nearby grabbed Odubanjo off the girl.

The train was met by BTP officers at Hatfield Peverel station, just outside Chelmsford, and Odubanjo was arrested at the scene.

BTP Detective Sergeant Hayley Whyte said:

"Odubanjo preyed on a young woman and a teenage girl in terrifying attacks just minutes apart.

“Both were left distressed and traumatised by the vile assaults he subjected them to. Despite this, their courage and determination to see him brought to justice has resulted in a suitably lengthy prison sentence.

“I commend their bravery, and that of the bystanders who intervened in the second attack.”

Description

A man who sexually manipulated two young girls across the country has today (Friday, 23 January 2026), been sentenced to a total of eight years behind bars, and will be required to be on licence for an additional three years.

He is also to be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely, and handed a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Luke Williamson, 34-years-old, of Bunyan Road in Kempston, Bedfordshire, appeared at Hull Crown Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to 20 child sex offences at a previous court hearing

Williamson sent thousands of messages, including videos and voice calls, through multiple social media channels to two teenage girls all under 16-years-old, living in West Midlands and Hertfordshire, leading them to believe he was in love with them and manipulating them into doing what he wanted for his own perverse sexual gain.

Williamson was charged in July 2025 and pleaded guilty in October 2025 to 12 counts of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence, three counts of sexual communications with a child, three counts of making indecent photographs of a child, causing a child to watch a sexual act and taking indecent photographs of a child.

Leading the extensive investigation into the scale of Williamson’s offending was Detective Inspector Cat Slaughter from our Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, who said:

“Williamson is a very calculated and manipulative man who preyed on vulnerable girls and in essence, groomed them with his methods being the same each time.

“He would first ask the girls how old they were and once he knew they were underage he continued with messaging them inappropriately.  Once they were overwhelmed by his interest, he progressed on to asking them for favours which included sending photographs of their legs and feet.

“He went on to initiate a phone or video call with the girls.  If they were reluctant or refused, he offered them money, alcohol, or vapes in a devious scheme to coerce them into doing what he wanted.  He then took the next step, persuading them to meet him in person which enabled him to continue his sexual offending against them.”

The investigation commenced when Williamson’s phone was seized in May this year as part of another investigation and examined by our Digital Forensics Unit who uncovered the messages, images and videos he had been sending.

It was established during the investigation that Williamson drove significant distances across the country to meet the girls, and location tracking data analysed from his phone showed that he would wait for hours in his car to execute his plan.

On one occasion, he went to such lengths that he meticulously planned and implemented entering one of the girl’s houses whilst her family members slept to engage in sexual activity with her.

Williamson was arrested in July this year and whilst he first refused to admit involvement in any of the allegations put to him, due to the amount of significant evidence and strong case built by the detectives, he entered a guilty plea at a Pre Trial Plea Hearing in October 2025.

DI Slaughter continued:

“Even whilst on remand for a previous investigation Williamson continued to write letters to one of the girls, making false promises, and further led her to believe that he was in love with her.

“When someone has been sexually manipulated, groomed or abused, people sometimes do not want to fully engage with an investigation, as was the situation with this case, and I want to acknowledge how incredibly difficult it is and that we completely understand and respect the girls’ decision.

“We believed that Williamson was a danger to young girls, and we continued to gather as much evidence as we could to build a strong case against him.  

“Before the Judge passed her sentence today, she said that Williamson is a high risk offender and a serious risk to teenage girls, I hope the result at court today demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting offenders like Williamson and I hope it provides some reassurance to anyone who has been or is a victim of any type of sexual offence. It is never your fault, you will be believed, and we will do all we can to hold those responsible to account.

“I would urge anyone who reads this court result about Williamson’s offending and is affected by it, or if it causes you concern, please come forward and report via our dedicated Major Incident Public Portal quoting log 72 of 17 November 2025.”

Jessica Randell, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, added:

"Luke Williamson repeatedly targeted and groomed young girls, before subjecting them to appalling degradation. He treated his victims as sexual objects to be used and discarded, showing a complete disregard for their dignity and wellbeing in doing so.

“To build this case, we dissected thousands of text messages between Williamson and his victims. This allowed us to build a comprehensive picture of the extent of his offending and ultimately secure guilty pleas to 20 counts of child sexual abuse.  

“Working closely with Humberside Police, we have been able to ensure that Williamson is rightfully imprisoned for his crimes and cannot subject any more victims to his disturbing patterns of behaviour. The CPS is determined to tackle child sexual abuse in all its forms and to help stop the devastating impact of these crimes on victims.”

Description

A man who failed to attend court has been sentenced in his absence after he was found guilty of rape, neglect and controlling and coercive behaviour in Crewe.

Foisal Ahmed, of West Street, Buckingham, was sentenced in his absence to eight years in prison at Chester Crown Court on Monday 19 January.

The 34-year-old was earlier found guilty of two counts of rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and child neglect, following a 9-day trial in September 2025.

In November 2023, Cheshire Police were called to an address in Crewe and spoke with the victim who disclosed Ahmed had assaulted her and raped her multiple times over several months. He also assaulted the victim’s young child during this time.

He was subsequently arrested and interviewed in relation to the offences and later charged.

Ahmed failed to appear at court on the final day of the trial, and a warrant has since been issued for his arrest. Detectives are now urging anyone with information as to his whereabouts to contact us.

Detective Constable Simon Knowles, who led the investigation, said:

“After all he put his victim through, Ahmed continues to torment her by failing to take any accountability for his actions and serve the sentence handed to him by the courts.

“Despite his cowardice, I am grateful for the sentence which reflects the severity of his despicable crimes, and I hope the conclusion of this case will bring the victim some closure.

“I would like to thank the victim for her bravery in talking to police about what happened to her, and I would encourage anyone who has experienced or been victim of an offence of this nature to please get in touch with us by calling 101 or visit our website.”

Description

A man who travelled to Swindon with the intention of sexually abusing a child has today been jailed (23/1).

Mark Bellas, 54, from Harebell Gardens, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, Bedfordshire was arrested in Swindon in October last year having travelled from his home address. He thought he was meeting a girl under the age of 13 who he was intending to sexually abuse. Instead, he was met by officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).  

At the time of his arrest, Bellas was on bail for distributing indecent images of children following an investigation by Bedfordshire Police. 

Today, at Swindon Crown Court, he was sentenced to 12 years with a five-year extended licence, given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be required to be on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely. 

Bellas pleaded guilty to two counts of arranging orfacilitatingthe commission of a child sex offence,attemptingto cause or incite the sexual exploitation of a child and five counts of distributing indecent images of children. He has been remanded in custody since his arrest by SWROCU last year. 

DI Dave Wells from SWROCU said:

“Due to the strength of the evidence gathered by the police, Bellas had no option but to plead guilty. He is a dangerous individual who preys upon children to fulfil his sexual desires, and I welcome the sentence handed down to him today. 

“Specially trained officers are all across the internet rooting out and prosecuting individuals’ intent upon sexually abusing and exploiting children. We worked in collaboration with our colleagues at the Metropolitan Police and the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) to bring Bellas to justice.”

Description

A man has pleaded guilty to 48 sexual offences against his former wife.

Philip Young, 49, formally of Swindon but now living in Enfield, appeared at Winchester Crown Court today (23/01) charged with dozens of serious sexual offences against his ex-wife, Joanne.

He pleaded guilty to the following offences:

• 11 counts of rape
• 11 counts of administering a substance with intent to stupefy / overpower to allow sexual activity
• 14 counts of voyeurism
• 7 counts of assault by penetration
• 4 counts of sexual assault
• One count of publishing an obscene article

He pleaded not guilty to making indecent images of children, possessing prohibited images of children and possessing extreme pornographic images.

He will proceed to trial for these offences, scheduled for October 5 this year at Winchester Crown Court.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Geoff Smith said:

“I welcome today’s guilty plea from Philip Young, who has admitted dozens of serious sexual offences against Jo.

“I want to pay tribute to her for her incredible bravery throughout this process and she continues to be supported by specially trained officers.

“I’d also like to commend the investigation team for their relentless hard work in getting the case to this stage and thank the Crown Prosecution Service for their support in ensuring Young faces justice for his abhorrent actions.

“As the wider case is now continuing through the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further."

James Foster, Specialist Prosecutor, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Philip Young has today pleaded guilty to 48 serious sexual offences committed against his former wife, Joanne Young.

“We worked closely with Wiltshire Police to build a thorough and compelling case that resulted in him pleading guilty to dozens of offences today.”