Latest Offenders

Description

A man who groomed a child online before traveling from Scotland to commit multiple sex offences against her in Norfolk has been jailed for eight years.

Santiago McMurtrie, 37, of Foyers Road, Kinlochleven, Inverness, appeared via video link from King’s Lynn in Norwich Crown Court on Monday 19 January to be and sentenced for 11 counts of sexual activity with a child.

McMurtrie, who previously pleaded not guilty to the offences, stood trial on Monday 5 January and was found guilty on Friday 16 January by a jury.

He was sentenced to eight years in prison, with an additional one year to be served on licence. He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order not to contact the victim.

The following is an extract from the victim's statement read out in court: “I understand that Santiago McMurtrie will hear this statement being read out. I was a naïve and very young …girl. I want him to know that what he has done has had a massive impact on me emotionally, physically, and mentally. No matter what he has done to me, I will not let it ruin my life and I know that he will get what he deserves.”

On Sunday 8 November 2020 McMurtrie was arrested by Police Scotland at his home address in Inverness for sexual grooming of the female victim.

Mobile devices, seized by officers at the time of his arrest, were later found to contain evidence, including 330 messages between the McMurtrie and the victim, phone calls, and photos of the victim, including one of her in school uniform. 

The court heard that the victim had conversations with him about her age, and he was aware she was under the age of 16.

Forensic analysis showed the victim’s DNA on a fleece blanket owned by McMurtrie. DNA evidence also linked Santiago to the victim’s vest and her phone contained messages that confirmed her location, who she was with, and photographs of them together.

Sexually explicit message with a man saved in her contacts as ‘Santi’ and Santiago McMurtrie were also discovered on the victim’s phone.

Officers discovered McMurtrie had been speaking to the victim online after meeting via Pinterest and messaged her on platforms including Snapchat and WhatsApp, around four and a half months before meeting in Norfolk.

The court heard how McMurtrie had told his wife that he was going fishing on the Scottish Coast, when in fact, McMurtrie had travelled from Scotland to Hopton in Norfolk to meet his victim.

The victim’s family were alerted in November 2020 when the victim disclosed the relationship at school.

The victim also told a family member that she had sex with McMurtrie, that he loved her and they were going to be together. He told her that when ‘she turned 16’ he would travel down to meet her family, and she believed she was in love.

The victim had Santiago’s two mobile numbers saved to her phone – in one text message he described himself as her ‘husband’.

Detective Sergeant Tom Cole said:

“I would like to thank the victim and her family for coming forward, as this does take a great deal of bravery.

“McMurtrie knew what he was doing as a perpetrator of sexual offences against a child, he knew her age and spoke to her for some months online before arranging to see her in secret. He manipulated and groomed the victim and abused his position as an adult with a vulnerable child.

“We know that sentencing cannot heal the damage that has often been done in these cases but hope it goes somewhere to gaining some justice.”

Description

Homeless predator Darlington Asante, 27, posed as a Good Samaritan to help a drunk woman who fell in the street, but preyed on her vulnerability, carrying her to his makeshift shelter on Recreation Place and raping her. 

Judge Robin Mairs sentenced him to nine years in custody with a three-year extended licence, totaling 12 years, and placed him on the sex offender register for life. 

Description

A former headteacher who told a fellow paedophile he loved “young girls” has received an eight-month suspended sentence, with a judge citing a "near certainty" of rehabilitation.

Dean Juric, 54, was head of St Robert of Newminster School in Washington, Tyne and Wear, when arrested at home in January after being caught by a police decoy posing as a paedophile on social media.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Juric shared a photo of two schoolgirls in uniform, aged about 15, and an indecent image of a girl around 14 “posing in a sexual manner with her breasts partially exposed.”

In November 2024, he messaged the decoy asking if they were "horny" and "what were they into," then sent a video of a “young girl” in tight-fitting clothing.

Police raided his home, finding on his iPhone 54 category A images (including 23 videos), 36 category B images, and 290 category C stills and videos.

Conversations with other paedophiles revealed Juric replying “Schoolgirl” when asked what turned him on, calling a 14-year-old's image “perfect age,” and stating he was “into” “Love young girls.”

Juric admitted three counts of making indecent images and one of distributing an indecent image.

Judge Graham Robinson suspended the sentence for 18 months, ordering 150 hours of unpaid work and 40 days of rehabilitation.

He told Juric:

“You have fallen a long way from grace – many years of dedicated service to the community, now all thrown away.”

Noting Juric's "exemplary" side and steps to address his behavior, the judge praised rehabilitation courses, adding: “I am entirely satisfied that there’s not only a realistic possibility of rehabilitation, but it is a near certainty.”

Juric, of Tynemouth, North Tyneside, must sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

A spokesman for Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust, which runs the school, said:

“We unequivocally condemn the actions of Dean Juric.

“We are satisfied that every aspect of due process has been rigorously upheld, culminating in today’s sentencing.

“Throughout the investigation, our Trust fully cooperated with Northumbria Police, demonstrating absolute transparency.

“Legal constraints prevented us from sharing details with the school community, but our priority was always to protect the integrity of the process and the safety of our pupils.

“There were never any warning signs or concerns about Dean Juric’s behaviour.

“His arrest in January was a profound shock and betrayal of the trust placed in him by our entire community.

“Our Trust acted immediately and decisively, suspending Dean Juric upon learning of the arrest.

“He no longer has any association with our Trust.

“We extend our gratitude to Northumbria Police for their relentless pursuit of justice, their vigilance, and their unwavering resolve in bringing Dean Juric to account.”

The trust has referred Juric to teaching authorities for potential barring and added:

“We have taken decisive action to support the school and are fully committed to rebuilding and strengthening our community after this deeply unsettling period.

“We want to thank our staff and parents at St Robert’s who have worked together to support one another and maintain stability for our pupils, at this time.

“To all parents and carers: safeguarding is, and will always remain, our highest priority.

“We will not tolerate any breach of trust, and we will continue to do everything in our power to protect every child in our care.”

Description

A convicted sex offender who flouted a strict court order by using an internet phone has been jailed.

Saffian Liaqat, 31, was being managed in the community by specialist officers when they visited him at his home in Peterborough in August last year.

Liaqat was forbidden from using or owning any device capable of accessing the internet or storing digital images without informing police under the terms of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO). The order also stated he must surrender any such device to police when asked to do so.

When officers arrived at his home last year, Liaqat claimed he’d lost his basic, non-internet device permitted under his conditions, but officers later found an internet phone belonging to him hidden on top of a wardrobe.  

A further search of this device revealed Liaqat had been using it to access various social media platforms. 

Liaqat, of Longthorpe, Peterborough, later pleaded guilty to breaching a SHPO and was sentenced to one year in prison at Huntingdon Law Courts on Friday (23 January).

Detective Constable Claire Cummings, from the specialist management of sexual or violent offenders unit (MOSOVO), said:

“Liaqat showed a complete disregard for his sexual harm prevention order and notification requirements, which are in place to safeguard the public. These new convictions reflect the serious sexual risk of harm he poses.

 “Our specialist officers work tirelessly to monitor and manage all registered sex offenders in the community and won’t hesitate to put them back before the courts if they discover any breaches.”

Description

A barber who raped two women and shared footage of his victims on social media and with another man has been jailed for 10 years.

Anas Almarjeh, 27, was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow after Judge Lady Hood told him he had taken no responsibility for the crimes or shown "any insight" into the harm caused.

He denied the accusations at trial in October last year but was convicted of two rape charges and one of abusive behavior.

Almarjeh attacked his first victim while she was asleep at a house in Barrhead, Renfrewshire, in late 2019. He also took or recorded a "sexual image" of her, which he showed to a man.

He repeatedly raped and abused his second victim between 2019 and 2022, including being aggressive, name-calling, making threats, locking her out of her home, controlling her movements, contacts, diet, and finances, and taking her money and bank cards.

The woman ended up in tears; Almarjeh filmed her distress and posted it online. The crimes occurred in Glasgow's southside and Barrhead.

Lady Hood said Almarjeh claimed to be the victim of "false allegations" by the women and witnesses.

She added: "The impact statement [for the first woman] has spoken of how your actions affected her health and her ability to work and enjoy life as she did before.

"The second woman described your behaviour in detail. It included you posting footage of her in a distressed state on social media - something which had a destructive impact on her.

"Her mother also spoke of the dramatic change that she saw in her daughter."

Almarjeh was placed on the sex offenders register and given indefinite non-harassment orders banning contact with the victims.

Description

A ‘sexual predator' who groomed two young girls into engaging in sexual activity and sending explicit images before pressuring them to retract their account has been sentenced to nine years and nine months behind bars, he will be placed on the sex offenders register for life and handed an fifteen year Sexual Harm Prevention order following an appearance at Leeds Crown Court today (Monday, 26 January 2026).

In December 2025, Suleman Baig, 40-years-old, of Grimsby pleaded guilty on day two of his trial at Leeds Crown Court to the following offences:

• Three counts of sexual activity with a child
• Two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• Two counts of paying for sexual services of a child
• Two counts of sexual communications with a child
• Two counts of doing an act intending to pervert the course of justice
• Attempting to pay for the sexual services of a child
• Sexual assault
• Making indecent photographs of children
• Possession of prohibited images of children

Baig was first brought to the attention of officers in November 2021 through a third-party report of a concern for the welfare of a young girl. An investigation was launched, and detectives attended the school to speak to the girl where she disclosed a man had been requesting indecent images in return for money and taking part in sexual activity with her. Throughout this discussion the girl had shown officers she had been actively receiving multiple messages at that time from Baig via social media which further highlighted the extent of his fixation. 

Officers attended the home address of Baig the next day and, whilst at first he attempted to hide in his house, officers eventually gained entry, and he was arrested on suspicion of causing a female to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity. 

Whilst detectives were investigating these reports, concerns were raised of a second girl who has reportedly been subjected to sexual abuse from Baig. This resulted in the investigation developing with officers exploring new lines of enquiries which resulted in the second girl being interviewed and providing officers a statement of her account in relation to Baig’s offending.

Baig was originally released on conditional bail whilst evidence was being gathered and within this time, he breached his conditions on two different occasions (22 November 2021 and 26 November 2021) when he visited the home address of one of the girls whilst on bail, eventually sneaking into their home to ask her to pressure her friend to retract her statement. 

Electronics, including a mobile phone, were seized when Baig was first arrested and subsequently examined by our Digital Forensics Unit. The analysis uncovered thousands of text messages, along with explicit images and videos involving the young girls.

Baig was questioned regarding these findings and allegations and further arrested on suspicion of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity during the interview. 

Following Baig’s guilty plea he was released on conditional bail, with one of his conditions being to hand in all travel documents. He attended Grimsby Victoria Police Station on Wednesday, 10 December where he handed in a passport. This was later found to be expired, and it was established that he still had possession of his current travel documents. Baig was rearrested on suspicion of breach of bail conditions, and he was remanded to appear the next day (Thursday, 12 December). Following his appearance, he was remanded into custody until sentencing.

Leading the investigation Philip Shrimpton from our Protecting Vulnerable People unit said:

“I would like to start by commending the bravery of both young girls for reporting the abuse Baig had subjected them to.

“I would also like to thank the many witnesses and friends of the victims who came forward and were willing to stand in court to give statements. 

“Baig was a practising criminal solicitor and yet still committed such abhorrent crimes against these girls.

“It has been a lengthy, and complex investigation, but it is thanks to their courage that he is being held accountable for his despicable sexual deviancy.

“Baig is a manipulative sexual predator who groomed two girls for his own sexual gratification and attempted to pressure them to deny this to the police. 

“Whilst he continued to deny all these allegations up until day two of the trial, making the girls and their families go through all the court proceedings, I am glad he is now behind bars and prevented from causing further harm to others.

“We always treat cases of this nature with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity and would encourage anyone who has been a victim of recent or non-recent sexual abuse, or anyone who believes someone they know is suffering at the hands of a man like Baig, to please tell someone.“

Description

A registered sex offender has been jailed following serious online child-safeguarding offences and breaches of an order imposed after he committed 13 offences.

Rhys Jones, 27, from Bridgwater, was sentenced to an immediate three years in prison when he was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court on Friday 16 January.

He pleaded guilty to six counts of breaching the requirements of the Sex Offenders Register (SOR) by failing to notify police of new accounts, usernames, or email addresses on Snapchat, TikTok and Gmail.

Jones also breached the conditions of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order three times (SHPO) by using file sharing website Dropbox and installing Snapchat on mobile phones, and he also pleaded guilty to making four indecent images of children.

Alongside an immediate custodial term, he has been handed a restraining order to not contact his victim, a girl under 16 who he contacted for sexual gratification, which is in place until 2036. The SHPO is now in place indefinitely.

Jones’ latest offending came to light when officers made an unannounced visit to an address he was staying at to check he was complying with the conditions of the SOR and SHPO on Friday 7 November, which were imposed in August 2025 by Taunton Magistrates’ Court.

Jones was then arrested following mobile phone analysis where the offending was discovered. Officers found his devices were used to breach previous orders and were therefore seized.

These measures were imposed to reflect the gravity of his offending and to ensure longterm safeguarding of the victim and wider public.

Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Paul said: 

“Without the positive joint working of the newly formed Offender Manager Investigation Team, the digital team and CID, we would not have been able to achieve this sentence.

“This case shows the devastating impact online predators can have on vulnerable individuals. The victim showed exceptional bravery throughout this investigation, and this sentence reflects the seriousness of these offences. Our priority will always be the safety of children and young people, both online and offline.

“We want to reassure victims that they will be listened to, believed, and supported. Reporting abuse is incredibly difficult, but nobody must face it alone. If you are worried about your safety, or the safety of a child, please reach out. We have dedicated teams who will act swiftly to protect you, and we were supported in this case by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit.”

Description

A man who stalked a woman he had previously sexually assaulted has been jailed for eight years. 

Michael Davies, aged 60, from Merthyr Tydfil, was given an extended sentenced of eight years and four months in prison after being appearing at Merthyr Crown Court on Friday January 9. He is also subject to an indefinite restraining order and indefinite sexual harm prevent order (SHPO).

This followed a guilty plea to stalking involving fear of violence. 

Over the course of six years Davies sent the victim sinister messages on social media under a woman's name, including him threatening to strip her naked and hit her with a cane. He later revealed his identity as the person who had sexually assaulted her years previously. 

Following her report to the police, Davies was swiftly located and while attending his address, officers caught him in the act of being logged in to the pseudo account he was using online to threaten the victim.

In her victim impact statement, she said:

"He stalked me for six years. Only in 2025 did I realise it was Michael all along. It caused my world to crash down. I am in complete shock and going through the motions to get over it. I'm scared to accept what happened as I'm scared it will wreck my life if I let it.”

PC Rees said:

“Michael Davies conducted a campaign of stalking and harassment against his victim which nobody should have to tolerate.

“He left the victim worried of what he was going to do next, including whether he would turn up at her address.

“Any form of stalking or harassment is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated by police. Anyone who is experiencing this sort of behaviour should report it to us right away.”

Description

A man caught by online paedophile hunters encouraging two "teenage" girls to engage in sexual acts has won his bid to keep unrestricted internet access.

Robbie Smith, 31, faced potential limits on his online activity under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after his 2023 conviction.

But Folkestone Magistrates’ Court ruled such restrictions are not necessary or proportionate.

Smith was arrested in 2022 after evidence showed he encouraged two girls he believed were 13 to engage in sexual acts. The accounts were operated by adult decoys.

He initially denied the charges but later pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to cause or incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

Smith received a nine-month suspended sentence, two years' supervision, and 10 years on the sex offenders’ register.

His legal team opposed the SHPO application by the Crown Prosecution Service and police. SHPOs are civil measures that can restrict internet use, contact with children, or device access to protect the public from sexual harm.

At the January 12 hearing, via video link from his Ashford home, prosecutor Terry Knox said Smith, then 28, believed the girls were 13: "He was 28 at the time. He thought the girls were 13, so it shows you the age difference."

Smith sent one "girl" a message admitting he could get in trouble, then blocked her. For the other, chats referenced school, but he called her "babe" and "gorgeous," discussed masturbation, and said it was natural for her to "play with her privates."

Mr. Knox added: "There are elements of a grooming nature, but then the paedo hunters come forward. The SHPO is needed to protect the public, or to protect children, or vulnerable adults."

Defender Nigel Riley argued an SHPO must be necessary and proportionate: "My client accepts these are serious matters, but an order of this nature being made, well, the court takes each case on its own facts. And on these particular facts, I will persuade you, it’s not necessary to make such an order. They are made in many cases, but not as a matter of routine."

He noted the offenses occurred nearly four years ago (February-April 2022), with no prior or subsequent sexual offenses, no breaches of notification requirements, and that an SHPO "should only be made at the end of a case, not some four years after the offence has been committed."

Mr. Riley said Smith had a psychiatric disorder, unstable personality, depressive disorder, and was socially isolated amid a health scare: "He was socially isolated and on his computer [a lot] and was particularly depressed."

He added: "There were no underage victims; the matter was reported to police by the paedophile hunters, the vigilante group, and there has been no further offending, and four years have gone by. Were he to reoffend, he would be prosecuted and could get custody. He accepted full responsibility and had genuine remorse and embarrassment; he doesn’t need a further order."

Bench chairman Ken Benn said: "We do not think a SHPO is proportionate to issue; the notification requirements are adequate."

He reminded Smith to comply with the register until its 10-year term ends.

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.