Latest Offenders

Description

A convicted child sex offender has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for the rape and sexual abuse of two young children.

Steven Stanley Dunn, aged 49 and previously of Southway in Plymouth, previously pleaded guilty to six non-recent child sex offences.

He appeared at Plymouth Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday 25 February.

The court heard how the incidents were committed against two children in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Dunn currently resides in prison after being convicted in 2016 of rape and sexual assault against three children committed in the 2010s. 

He was previously sentenced to 16 years in prison, a term he was serving when the latest proceedings against him were brought.

While in prison, further reports were received and detectives carried out immediate enquiries which lead to Dunn being charged for the additional offences relating to the two children in this case.

In total, he was convicted of two counts of sexual assault, two counts of penetration, one count of indecent assault and one count of rape.

The latest sentence started from when it was passed on Wednesday.

The court heard from the victims who read out their victim impact statements in court.

One of the victims described living ‘in a constant storm of trauma’ and suffering from adverse mental health. She added that Dunn is ‘a coward and a monster’.

The second victim said:

“I have had hours of therapy, taken medication and struggled through school. I have spent years struggling with anxiety and depression. I have days where I am so unbelievably sad that I can't really do anything.”

Police Staff Investigator Aimee Cattell said:

“I want to firstly commend the bravery and courage of the victims who came forward. Reporting incidents such as these is incredibly daunting and I don’t underestimate how hard this must have been.

“Nothing will ever take away what Dunn did to these girls, but I hope that the court outcome today goes someway in helping them move forward with their lives.

“If you have been a victim of rape or sexual abuse, please come forward. No matter the passage of time, you will be listened to and believed. We are committed to supporting you every step of the way.”

Description

A sex offender who crept into elderly people’s homes during a series of disturbing incidents was caught after a determined investigation and help from the public.

Tyler Reilly broke into one elderly woman’s home while she was in the shower and attempted to get through a bedroom window while another woman was getting changed.

The 32-year-old also sneaked into a flat at an OAP's complex and told the elderly occupant ‘not to scream’.

Detectives investigated the series of incidents, which all took place in the West Bridgford area, and analysed hours of CCTV footage.

An image of a suspect was released to the public and this helped identify Reilly as the offender.

He was arrested by neighbourhood officers who found him living in a tent in Wilford Road.

Reilly, of no fixed abode, went on to plead guilty to two counts of trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offence, burglary and failing to comply with the requirements of the Sex Offenders’ Register.

At Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (26 February) he was handed an extended jail sentence of 14 years.

Detective Sergeant Ben Skellern, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“The victims in this series of incidents were alarmed to come face-to-face with an intruder inside their homes or on their property.

“They must have felt horrified that their safe space had been violated in this way by Reilly.

“We believe our investigation, with the help of the public who identified him, may have prevented further and more serious offences being committed.

“During the investigation it became clear this series of incidents were linked and we were looking at one offender who needed to be identified quickly and arrested.

“We are very grateful to the members of the public who came forward to help our appeal.”

Inspector Tim Cuthbert, local area commander for Rushcliffe, said:

“These incidents caused concern in the West Bridgford community and we know a number of Reilly’s victims were vulnerable people who lived alone or in assisted accommodation.

“Neighbourhood teams carried out additional patrols in the areas affected as the investigation took place and I hope these provided some comfort.

“I also hope our robust investigation and the outcome in court reassures both the victims and the wider community about how seriously we treat offences of this nature.”

Description

A dangerous offender who sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl has been handed an extended 21year sentence after our officers irrefutably linked him to the crime through DNA evidence.

Their work led a Crown Court judge to issue a formal commendation to the investigative team for bringing him to justice.

Judge Martyn Levett described how the case required:

“focused attention and hard work from people who work late at night and probably very early in the morning.”

He continued:

“Investigating a case such as this provides many challenges due to the constellation of different pieces of evidence.

“I appreciate that much of the work involves putting together a coherent case which is then presented to the jury. Sometimes that is not easy.

“I probably only see part of what goes on behind the scenes in the preparation of such cases.

“This is only possible with teamwork and backup. It’s often forgotten that these cases cannot function on their own, and the welfare of everyone has to be well looked after before, during and after the course of a trial.

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank all those concerned in this case, and if I may, single out DC Tamsin Lyons, DC Debbie Hewett, DC Owen Clements and DS Gavin Wiseman.
They should be commended for their hard work. A commendation is truly deserved.”

Judge Levett praised the detectives for presenting a coherent case in which “all the arrows pointed to one man”.

That man was 28yearold Dominic Boultwood.

Already a convicted sex offender, Boultwood lured his victim to a wooded area of Bourne Valley Nature Reserve, near Mersea Road, Colchester, on Thursday 9 May 2024.

After engaging her in a sexualised conversation and confirming her young age, he pulled her to the ground and sexually assaulted her.

On several occasions he warned the girl not to report him to police or tell anyone what had happened.

Distressed and crying, she asked to leave. Boultwood told her to remain at the scene for five minutes while he walked away.

She later felt able to leave and returned home, quickly confiding in a friend. We were alerted soon afterwards and launched an immediate investigation, putting specialist support in place for the girl and carrying out urgent enquiries.

Numerous pieces of evidence pointed to Boultwood, but crucially he was linked through DNA discovered on the victim’s clothing.

Arrested

We arrested him on Wednesday 15 May and searched his home, where a quantity of cannabis was seized.

In interview, Boultwood claimed he had been fishing in the nature reserve on the day of the offence. He denied seeing or speaking to any child, acknowledging that doing so would breach court orders.

Boultwood had previously been convicted in 2015 of a separate sexual assault and received a sevenyear sentence, comprising four years in custody and three years on licence. He was subject to notification requirements and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which allowed monitoring software to be installed on his mobile phone.

During his first interview, Boultwood said that if he had committed the offence as alleged, he would admit it. After being presented with forensic evidence, he provided a prepared statement in a second interview, claiming his DNA could have been on the girl’s clothing because he regularly slept and urinated in the area.

He was charged with sexual assault and assault by penetration and was remanded in custody.

Jailed

Boultwood stood trial at Ipswich Crown Court in March last year, also facing a charge of making indecent images of children following a previous examination of his mobile phone. Officers had found a number of sexualised images of children aged between three and 13.

Due to the overwhelming evidence gathered against him, a jury convicted him of all three offences.

Appearing at Woolwich Crown Court on Wednesday 25 February, he was deemed a dangerous offender requiring an extended sentence to protect the public. This comprised 13 years’ imprisonment and an additional eight years on extended licence.

He will remain subject to indefinite notification requirements and a renewed Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which will help deter and detect any future offending. A lifelong restraining order was also imposed to protect the victim.

Judge Levett said Boultwood had:

“manipulated a very young girl to fulfil his sexual desire” and added that places such as nature reserves should be spaces where children feel safe to walk without any sense of danger.

'The sooner you speak out the better'

The mother of the victim, who must remain anonymous, said:

“Officers were amazing. I know these things are scary but the sooner you speak out the quicker police can get the person and hopefully, in time, give closure.

“It may take a while, but patience is important. These things may not affect you instantly, but they will long term.

“Everyone needs to speak out and everyone needs to feel safe so maybe we do need to see more of a presence in quiet, enclosed areas.”

A dangerous sexual predator

Detective Inspector James Holmes, of our Serious Crime Directorate, said:

“Boultwood is a dangerous sexual predator who poses a very real risk to young girls.

“Despite his previous imprisonment for sexual offending and the strict conditions imposed upon him as a registered sex offender, he chose to completely disregard those matters – showing utter contempt for his victim and the law.

“We firmly believe he was fully aware of his despicable actions in preying on a lone 13yearold schoolgirl and knew we were looking for him in the days after the offence.

“He has never shown the slightest remorse.

“Thanks to the evidence we gathered, a jury saw through his lies and convicted him over his horrific actions. He is now back where he belongs – in prison.

“I want to pay tribute to the victim, who has shown patience and bravery throughout this investigation. I hope that, with the support of her family and those around her, she is able to move forward.

“If you are a victim of a sexual offence in Essex, you will be listened to and your voice will be heard.

“We have teams of specialist officers dedicated to investigating sexual offences against children. Even if you do not feel ready to speak to police, you can contact an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor, who will listen and help you access the support you need.”

Description

The offences occurred in September 2023 and throughout the last two and a half years the victim has showed incredible strength and determination to ensure the man who abused her was brought to justice.

Riaz, 29, of no fixed address, deliberately targeted the vulnerable teenager after encountering her alone in the Hamilton area of the city shortly before midnight on Thursday 7 September 2023.

The girl had left her address a short time before and had been reported missing to police.

Riaz forced the teenager to go back to his-then home address in Harringworth Road. Once there he supplied her with cannabis and raped her.

She was able to leave the address and thanks to a night shift worker, who found her at around 4am the next morning (Friday 8 September), police were called.

While supporting the victim, detectives in the force’s specialist rape and serious sexual assault team – known as the Signal team – also carried out extensive enquiries during the next few days to identify and locate the suspect and the address where the offences had taken place.

This led to officers identifying the address in Harringworth Road and arresting him a few days later.

For more than two years, the officer in the case - DC Jon Williamsn - and other detectives in the team, have continued to carry out enquiries and gather evidence ahead of the trial.

This vital work led to Riaz being found guilty of two counts of rape against the victim.

DC Williams, from the Signal team, said:

“Throughout her ordeal the victim has shown incredible strength. It took extreme courage for her to share the details of what had occurred so that officers and staff could carry out a thorough investigation.

“It has been two and half years since this incident occurred but the victim’s determination and persistence to see this perpetrator punished for his actions has stayed with her. It is thanks to her that he is now going to spend many years behind bars.”

Description

Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been jailed for raping and sexually assaulting a woman in Berkshire.

Farai Maumbe, aged 43, of Nightingale Avenue, Chertsey, was convicted by a unanimous jury of two counts of sexual assault by penetration, as well as one count each of rape, intentional strangulation and sexual assault, following a fiveday trial at Reading Crown Court ending on 12 December last year.

Returning to the same court on Friday 13 February, Maumbe was sentenced to eight years in prison.

On 20 May 2023, Maumbe went to the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her.

Despite the victim telling him to stop and trying to resist, he continued to sexually assault her, rape her and strangled her while doing so.

The following day, when the victim confronted Maumbe about what happened, he told her that “no means yes to me”.

Maumbe was arrested on 22 May 2023 and was charged on 21 December the same year.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable William Blundell, part of East Berkshire’s CID, said:

“I welcome this sentence, which reflects the gravity of these offences and the ongoing risk the defendant poses.

“Just as he did when confronted by the victim the day after the attack, Maumbe continued throughout the trial to deny responsibility and showed no remorse for his actions.

“Thames Valley Police treats all reports of sexual offences with the utmost seriousness. Our officers are dedicated to conducting thorough investigations, supporting victims through every stage of the criminal justice process, and working closely with partner agencies to help prevent offending.

“We remain resolute in our commitment to identifying, arresting and bringing to justice those who commit sexual violence.”

Description

A child sex offender was exposed when he travelled internationally to meet the victim he groomed online.

Gary Burrows, 34, initiated sexualised social media conversations with the girl.

Aware that his victim was only 15-years-old at the time, Burrows enticed her to send him a series of sexually explicit images – and sent them back too.

He also arranged to meet her in person and flew to Canada once she turned 16.

Ontario Provincial Police were made aware that Burrows was having sexual relations with the victim in September 2023 but took no further action as 16 is the age of consent in that country.

It was, however, reported to Nottinghamshire Police to investigate potential offences committed whist the victim was still 15 years old.

Burrows’ phone was examined, and he was arrested in October 2023.

Burrows, formerly of Lime Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, went on to plead guilty to making indecent photos of a child, causing a child aged 13 to 15 to look at an image of sexual activity, and engaging in sexual communication with a child.

He also pleaded guilty to two counts of causing a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday 20 February, he was jailed for three years and placed on the sex offenders’ register.

He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that will tightly restrict his activities once he is released from prison.

Detective Constable Jason Jenkins, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Burrows is a calculating sex offender who poses a significant danger to young girls.

“He knew exactly what he was doing and had absolutely no care for the very significant harm he was causing.

“As his victim was outside the country, he may have thought he could have gotten away with such depraved behaviour.

“This was, obviously, proven thoroughly wrong when he was placed before the courts.

“Those who choose to act this way can be warned – you will be held accountable.”

Description

Fabrizio Broussett was stopped at Gatwick Airport trying to fly to France to meet a teenage girl he had been sexually abusing.

Broussett, 23, of Chartham Road in Croydon, came to the attention of Sussex Police in April, 2025, when Counter Terror officers seized his mobile phone as part of a separate investigation.

The phone had no evidence of terror offences. But officers did find 18,000 videos – some depicting violent sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl in France – and 33,000 messages with the teenager.

Broussett had images of her ID card and passport confirming she was only 14 years old, and many of the messages were degrading and sexually aggressive, with texts including ‘6 days and I’m gonna rape my 14-year-old child’. The victim was not related to Broussett.

Sussex Police engaged with Interpol to conduct urgent welfare checks on the victim, who located her and made sure she was in no further danger.

On 18 May, 2025, Broussett was arrested at Gatwick Airport attempting to board a flight to Lyon, France.

Further enquiries found Broussett had visited the victim for two separate weeks in February and April, 2025, booking BnBs in the Saint-Etienne area. There was also evidence Broussett was planning to meet her again before he was detained.

He was charged with two counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child, four counts of making indecent images of a child, three counts of arranging/facilitating a child sex offence and one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child.

Broussett admitted all the charges at Croydon Crown Court on Friday, 11 July, 2025.

At the same court on Tuesday, 17 February, he was jailed for 15 years, with another three spent on extended licence. He was also given a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and indefinitely placed on the sex offenders register and barred from working with children and vulnerable people.

Detective Constable Tasha Smith said:

“Fabrizio Broussett is a committed offender who proactively groomed and abused a child for his own sexual gratification.

“The victim in this investigation must live with the impact of his offending for the rest of her life, but I hope her abuser being now behind bars can bring her some measure of comfort.

“I would like to thank our partners in Counter Terror policing and Gatwick Airport for their support in helping to bring a dangerous offender to justice.”

Description

A convicted sex offender from Maidstone has been sent back to jail for seven years after he was caught re-offending, six weeks after being released from prison.

Lee Webster was caught using a false name and claiming to be 28 years old to send explicit messages and images to who he believed was a 12 year old girl.

He also attempted to arrange to meet for sexual activity.

Following an investigation, the 39 year old was arrested at his home address in Fairmeadow, Maidstone.

Charged

Lee Webster was charged with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to facilitate a child sex offence, breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and failing to comply with the sex offenders register requirements.

He was sentenced on Tuesday 17 February 2026 at Maidstone Crown Court to seven years in prison with a further five years on licence.

Police Sergeant Gemma Hemsley said:

'We monitor and manage registered sex offenders within our communities to ensure they comply with their conditions and to reduce the risk of further offending.

'However, Webster is a prolific offender who was arrested just 42 days after his release from prison for breaching these conditions and committing new offences.

'He is a manipulative individual who not only provided false details regarding his name and age, but also attempted to conceal evidence by deleting social media apps from his phone.

'Webster has repeatedly attempted to deceive authorities and disregard the strict conditions placed upon him. His behaviour highlights the continued danger he poses, and I welcome the court’s decision to hold him accountable for his actions.'

Description

Police are appealing for help to trace a wanted man from Darwen.

Lewis Ainsworth is wanted for breaching sex offender notification requirements and is also wanted on a Crown Court warrant, according to police.

According to police, he is around 5ft 5, slim, with blue eyes.

He has links to Blackburn, Darwen and Blackpool, and to Stoke-on-Trent.

A police spokesperson said:

"We are asking for your help to find Lewis Ainsworth who is wanted.

"Ainsworth, 22, who is from Darwen, is wanted for breaching sex offender notification requirements and on a Crown Court warrant.

"He is around 5ft 5, slim, with blue eyes.

"Ainsworth has links to Blackburn, Darwen and Blackpool, and to Stoke-on-Trent.

"Any sightings of Ainsworth or information as to where he might be, please email [email protected] or contact 101 – quoting log LC-20220422-0189."

Description

A delivery driver who sexually assaulted two women at their Maidstone homes has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison.

On 26 June 2025, Shafiullah Rasooli delivered food to a woman who had ordered it online. As she opened the door, he made inappropriate remarks before stepping into the property and sexually assaulting her.

He left the address and then returned to commit a further sexual offence, before taking her phone to enter his contact details. Over the following days, Rasooli made multiple calls to the victim’s phone, causing her considerable distress.

A week later, on 3 July , Rasooli made a further delivery to another woman. He made indecent comments to the victim and asked about her relationship status before sexually assaulting her.

Both women reported the incidents to Kent Police and an investigation was launched.

Investigators reviewed CCTV in the area to identify Rasooli’s vehicle. This, accompanied by screenshots of the victims’ orders and the contact details he had left with one of the victims’ phones, assisted officers to track him down.

Charged

The 29 year old of St Peter’s Street, Maidstone, was later charged with three counts of sexual assault.

He denied the offences and was convicted following a trial at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court.

On Wednesday 25 February 2026, Rasooli, an Aghan national, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to two and a half years’ imprisonment. He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Matthew Kerr said:

‘Rasooli took advantage of his job to prey on the two vulnerable victims who had simply ordered food. His actions made them feel unsafe and violated in their own homes and he arrogantly thought he could get away with it.

'However, a prompt investigation led to his arrest and he is now serving a prison sentence.

'I would like to commend both victims for courageously reporting these crimes and then assisting us throughout the subsequent trial. I hope they can find some closure knowing their actions have protected other potential victims from harm.’

Description

A rapist who attacked his victim in Ashford after they agreed to meet on a date has been jailed.

Adrian Richardson, formerly of Mersey Road in Tonbridge, was found guilty of two sexual offences following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

Investigation

Kent Police launched an investigation after Richardson’s victim reported her ordeal to them in May 2023.

The offender and the woman had met online and she later met with him in person, but told him she did not want sex.

Ignoring her wishes, Richardson sexually assaulted her before raping her.

The victim managed to alert a trusted friend and later called the police to report Richardson’s crimes.

Richardson, 46, was arrested and, following an investigation, was charged on 18 April 2024.

Jailed

After pleading not guilty, he was convicted of rape and sexual assault in majority jury verdicts.

On 19 February 2026, Richardson was sentenced at the same court to seven years’ imprisonment. He will be subject to notification requirements of the sex offenders’ register for life.

Detective Sergeant Luke Stainer said:

'Richardson showed no respect for this woman, who had set her boundaries, and subjected her to a sickening ordeal that has had a long-lasting impact. I’m pleased that the offender will spend a significant period behind bars and will be subject to notification requirements for life, providing further protection to safeguard against future victims. I hope it helps the victim in this case to move forward from the horrific experience that she was made to endure.

'Sexual criminals who would prey on women in this way need to understand that no means no, and should expect to be tracked down and made to answer for their actions. Specialist support will be offered to victims who come forward and reports will be fully investigated.'

Description

A judge has called for an investigation after a convicted rapist attacked a woman while absconding from prison day release for a second time.

Neil Trennan, 61, received his third life sentence for assaulting a student during unsupervised day release from HMP North Sea Camp in Lincolnshire last year.

Trennan was first jailed for life in 1991 for breaking into a woman’s home in Sheffield, hitting her with a dumbbell, and raping her while unconscious.

He received a second life sentence in 2002 after escaping a “distracted” prison officer on day release in Norwich and hitting a woman with a brick in a public toilet.

Sheffield Crown Court heard that Trennan had confessed to parole boards of being aroused by violence and enjoying “violent, non-consensual sex.”

In July last year, on day release from Lincolnshire, he traveled to Sheffield, followed a student into her home, and attacked her with a knife. She knocked the knife away and locked herself in the bathroom.

The judge said that if she had not fought him off, Trennan would have subjected her to a violent rape.

On Wednesday, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, Recorder of Sheffield, imposed a third life sentence with a minimum of 10 years, stating it would likely never be safe to release him.

Judge Richardson called it “very unwise” to allow unsupervised release “given what was known about (him),” adding he had “been given no adequate explanation for the decision” and would send his remarks to the Lord Chancellor, who “may demand one.”

He said: “This is an appalling case of history repeating itself and of insufficient heed being taken of that history when you were placed in open prison conditions.

“That must never happen again. As I have stated you pose immense and enduring dangers to women of acute violence and associated sexual depravity.

“No woman is safe whilst ever you remain at large.”

Description

A registered sex offender from Gillingham has been jailed for using private browsing mode when accessing the internet.

In 2015, Malcom Nix was found guilty of sexual offences involving children and became subject to strict conditions on his conduct. An indefinite sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) was put in place which included strict restrictions around his use of the internet, specifically that any device Nix uses to access the internet must have the capacity to retain and display his browsing history.

Phone review

On 9 September 2025, investigators made a regular visit to Nix’s home address when he refused to allow them entry. He was asked to hand over all internet enabled devices for inspection and gave the officers his mobile phone which was in his pocket.

Officers searched the phone and noticed that Nix had been using private browsing mode which is a direct breach of his SHPO.

On the following day, Malcom Nix, of Trafalgar Street, Gillingham, was charged and remanded in custody.

Imprisonment

He pleaded guilty to the offence at Maidstone Crown Court and on Wednesday 18 February, the 66 year old was sentenced to 13 months’ imprisonment. Nix will also continue to be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Investigating Officer, PC Areolito Gashi said:

‘We regularly visit registered sex offenders living in our communities to monitor their conduct and ensure they are complying with any conditions in place to prevent further crimes.‘

In this way, we endeavour to protect the most vulnerable in our community. Nix has shown that he remains a danger to children and, once his crimes were discovered, he was swiftly arrested and brought back before the court to answer for his actions.’

Description

A married Romanian man who paid £20 to have sex with a 15-year-old girl in a Southampton park has been jailed and faces likely deportation.

Cristian Tataru, 41, of Brintons Road, committed the offence at Hoglands Park in 2022 after paying the girl’s boyfriend £20, Southampton Crown Court heard.

He later left the UK and was arrested in Dover on his return in 2025.

Prosecutor Giles Bedloe said:

“In a prepared statement, he admitted having sex with the victim in this case. He said he thought she was 18 and thereafter gave a ‘no comment’ interview.”

The girl had told a relative she had been raped three times by three different men. Tataru pleaded guilty to paying for the sexual services of a child but denied a separate rape allegation, which will lie on file.

Defence barrister Andrew Houston said Tataru first came to the UK in 2016 to support his family in Romania. “He has a wife who has three children,” he told the court. “He knows he has let his wife and stepchildren down. He is sorry for what he has done. He has always accepted there was sexual activity.”

Houston added that Tataru felt aggrieved he was the only one prosecuted, as the other men’s whereabouts were unknown.

Passing sentence, Judge Gary Lucie told him: “You paid £20 to have sex with [the victim]. She was 15 and you were 38 – more than twice her age.

“You were acting with others including her partner at the time, who was abusing her. This was all about commercial exploitation.”

Tataru was jailed for three years and four months. He will serve half in prison before release on licence, and was given a five-year restraining order and placed on the sex offenders register for life. He is expected to be deported once his sentence is complete.

Description

A man from Biddulph has been jailed for 10 years after being found guilty of raping a woman.

Ryan Bedson, from Shepherd Street, Biddulph appeared at Chester Crown Court on 23 February to be sentenced after being found guilty of three rapes following a trial in December 2025. The jury were undecided in relation to a second victim and those proceedings were stayed.

The 31-year-old was jailed for 10 years. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register and given a restraining order to prevent him from contacting the victim.

The victim had been in an abusive and controlling relationship with Bedson when he raped her on several occasions.

DC Rachel Lloyd said:

“This was a complicated investigation in which the suspect denied all allegations put to him. He never took ownership for what he had done. While the trial involved the rape of two women, he was found guilty of the rape of one. There was a hung jury in relation to the other. However, both victims showed tremendous bravery in coming forward and supporting a prosecution.

“I’d like to thank them for coming forward to help us put this man behind bars.

“It has been a tough journey for both, and they have come a long way. Sexual violence has such a profound impact on victims that they often no longer feel like the person they were before. They’ve had the courage and strength to rebuild their lives and I have every faith that both will succeed.

“Victims should never feel ashamed to talk about what they have been subjected to. It is the perpetrator who should feel shame.

“If you have been a victim of sexual assault or rape, don’t stay silent, please contact us. You will receive the help and support you need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside, and all victims of sexual offences also have the right to anonymity.”