Latest Offenders

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We can confirm a former officer has been jailed for two years in prison following a Merseyside Police investigation.

Former Detective Constable John Rigby appeared at Chester Crown Court today (Friday 16 January) after pleading guilty to paying for the sexual services of a boy aged 16/17 and three counts of causing a computer to perform a function to secure/enable unauthorised access to a program/data.

An accelerated Misconduct Hearing was held on Wednesday 17 December, which was chaired by Chief Constable Rob Carden, when he was formally dismissed.

It was found he had breached the standards of professional behaviour in terms of authority, respect and courtesy as well as discreditable conduct.

Rigby was arrested on Thursday 6 November and the following day he was charged and remanded and pleaded guilty on 7 November.

He appeared in Chester Crown Court today where he was sentenced to two years for paying for the sexual services of the boy and one year for the computer misuse offences, to be served concurrently. He was additionally served with a restraining order relating to the victim.

Detective Inspector Stephen Croasdale from the force Child Criminal and Sexual Exploitation Team, who led the investigation, said:

“Merseyside Police carried out a swift and thorough investigation into the actions of former Det Con John Rigby as soon as the allegations came to light.

“We were able to gather enough evidence to prove his offending, leaving him no choice but to admit what he had done.

“It’s only right that he now spends time in prison, when I hope he reflects on his crimes and the impact it has caused.

“Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting young people from sexual abuse and stopping those who seek to do them harm.

“As you can imagine for victims of such an appalling crime, the impact on them is significant and long-lasting.

“We urge anyone who is a victim of any form of sexual abuse to please report this to police, and specially trained officers will listen to you and treat you with sensitivity and compassion throughout the entire legal process and beyond.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Sarbjit Kaur, head of Merseyside Police's professional standards department, added:

“Former Detective Constable John Rigby was rightly dismissed at an accelerated Misconduct Hearing due to the serious offences he admitted.

“The overwhelming majority of people who work for Merseyside Police join the force to support and help the public and they serve our communities with compassion and integrity on a daily basis.

“We will not allow individuals to damage the good name built up by the vast majority of our officers who do an exemplary job and serve our communities with compassion, integrity and professionalism.

“I would also like to reassure the public that as soon as he admitted the offences, his salary was stopped and he hasn’t received any payment from Merseyside Police since this date.

"We cannot afford to have officers and staff working for us who do not uphold the highest levels of professionalism, honesty and integrity and will always be robust in dealing with officers, or staff, whose conduct is unacceptable.

"It is vital that we as a police force maintain the public’s trust and confidence and ensure that officers and staff throughout the force realise the importance of maintaining standards and working with honesty and integrity.

"The public quite rightly have high expectations of police officers and Merseyside Police is committed to meeting those expectations by demanding high standards of professionalism, honesty and integrity.”

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A rapist has been jailed for more than eight years after being convicted of multiple crimes.

Osman Bahidiny, 27, of Port Street, Evesham, was sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison—six years for raping a woman in Bromyard in October 2023—at Worcester Crown Court on January 7.

He was also convicted of burglary, two thefts, attempted theft, dangerous driving, and driving while disqualified and without insurance. Bahidiny was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely and disqualified from driving for two years.

Now behind bars, his victim has spoken out about the “disgraceful time it takes" for rape victims to get justice. Adult rape survivors wait an average of 417 days from charging to Crown Court completion, plus years for police investigations.

The anonymous survivor said: “I am not alone in feeling this way. Why are people having to wait over five years before their case is heard?"

She described the wait as "mentally draining," adding: "justice has been done but it's taken a long time. For other victims who have to wait a distressing amount of time it must be horrific."

She reported the assault on December 31, 2023, after realizing “it was happening to others." The delay took its toll: “It kicks the strength out of you,” she said. “I installed CCTV all around my house and slept with a bat because he was just roaming free.

“Not enough is done, and the system needs changing because I shouldn’t have to live in this fear. I’m the one with a life sentence, not him."

According to Rape Crisis England & Wales, one in four women have been raped or sexually assaulted since age 16. Fewer than three in 100 rapes recorded by police in 2024 resulted in a charge that year.

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A convicted sex offender was caught with over 1,500 indecent images of children while under police supervision following his release from prison for similar offenses.

Anthony Beresford was monitored by the police's public protection unit (PPU) after serving a 14-month sentence imposed in 2020 for indecent images crimes.

Norwich Crown Court heard that during a July 2022 visit, officers found he had a KIK social media account and a laptop, breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) from his 2020 sentence.

Prosecutor Peter Gair said the device contained 359 Category A images—the most serious—along with 612 Category B and 552 Category C images.

Beresford, of Hall Lane, North Walsham, appeared in court on Thursday (January 15) after admitting the indecent images offenses and SHPO breach.

Judge David Pugh noted Beresford, who runs a business selling 1980s computer equipment online, had "accessed vast numbers of indecent images of children."

However, imposing a 14-month suspended sentence for 24 months, Judge Pugh accepted the offending occurred over three years ago and had not been repeated.

Mitigating barrister Andrew Oliver said Beresford uploaded images to his phone but did not realize they were on the laptop.

"He thought the images uploaded to his phone had been deleted," said Mr. Oliver.

Mr. Oliver added that Beresford accepted the offenses, showed "insight" into his behavior, and committed them over three years ago during a marital separation.

He explained Beresford was accessing social media into the "very early hours," which was the "trigger for this offending."

Beresford was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work, up to 15 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR), and an accredited program of up to 26 sessions.

He was also placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years and subjected to a 10-year SHPO.

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A convicted rapist kicked a stranger in the head outside a bar, mistakenly believing the victim was also a sex offender.

Christopher Lawton threw Damon Birch out of Perry's Bar in St Helens and left him unconscious on the pavement after a vicious boot to the face.

The attack stemmed from a woman's claim inside the pub that Mr. Birch had raped her and served time for it, though prosecutors confirmed he had no such convictions. In contrast, Lawton was jailed for 12 years in 2004 for raping and indecently assaulting a mother and daughter, an ordeal a judge called "every woman's worst nightmare."

Liverpool Crown Court heard on Thursday that Merseyside Police responded to the September 30 incident around 11:30 p.m., finding Mr. Birch on the ground with shoulder and head pain. Prosecutor Laura Atherton said CCTV showed Lawton, 45, of Mount Pleasant Avenue, pushing the victim out, then kicking him in the head before walking away. Mr. Birch was unconscious for up to four minutes.

Hospital scans revealed extensive bruising to his chest and abdomen, but no fractures. He recalled little, having gone out for a smoke after drinking with a friend.

In a victim statement read to the court, Mr. Birch said: "At the beginning, I was struggling to lay down due to the uncontrollable pain I was in. I'm frightened to do day to day things, even going to St Helens town centre. I can't even walk past or be around Perry's Bar. It really triggers me. If I was to see the male, I would run. I can't understand why this would happen to me. I'm constantly scared and anxious. I feel the assault has taken my independence away. I can't relax going out. I'm constantly looking behind me."

Lawton had prior youth convictions for assault and ABH. Defense counsel Isabella Denn-White said: "Obviously, the defendant has a serious set of convictions, but dating back to 2004. He was released in 2012 and has been out of trouble since. He has got positive factors in his life. His partner supports him in court. Importantly, and he expressed it again today, he is extremely remorseful. He recognises the impact on the victim. He tells me that he is his mum's carer. His mum is sadly passing away of cancer and has about three months to live. He cares for her daily. He has not worked since 2015 after a diagnosis of paranoid psychosis. He is now on medication and working through that with professionals and the support of his partner. It was an alcohol-related lapse in judgement. It is clearly an issue with alcohol here, and bad decision making."

Lawton admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Wearing a black Hugo Boss polo shirt, he blew a kiss to his girlfriend in the gallery before being led to the cells.

Judge Ian Harris sentenced him to 18 months' imprisonment and a 10-year restraining order, saying: "You pushed Mr Birch out of the bar. His recollection is going outside for a smoke. He then remembers nothing, apart from being struck on the floor. He was defenceless, and you kicked him forcefully to the head on the floor. The victim describes constant pain in his shoulder, headaches, having a massive bruise down his ribs. He describes the mental and emotional impact as rendering him frightened to do day to day things, even going to St Helens town centre. The commission of this offence while heavily intoxicated is a factor that increases the seriousness. The plain fact is that you kicked this man to the head, causing him to become senseless for a period of some minutes. Fortunately for you, there were no long term physical difficulties. In mitigation, there is your guilty plea. The pre-sentence report indicates that you suffer from anxiety and paranoid psychosis. Your mother, sadly, is unwell. This was a vicious attack on a defenceless individual. By your own admission, you were heavily intoxicated. You kicked a defenceless man to his head when he was on the floor, causing him to become unconscious. The only appropriate punishment, in my judgement, is immediate imprisonment for this type of offending."

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A man from Congleton has been jailed after he admitted to sexually abusing young girls online.

James Lawton appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 9 January where he was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.

The 23-year-old, previously of Mill Street, Congleton, had earlier pleaded guilty to; causing a child to look at images of sexual activity, possession of indecent images of children, two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child, three counts of making indecent images of children, and possession of extreme pornography.

He also pleaded guilty to inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

In addition to his prison sentence, Lawton was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and handed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

The investigation began in January 2025 when Cheshire Police received intelligence relating to Lawton’s online activity that suggested he was engaging in sexual communications with a child.

Subsequently, officers from the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team conducted a warrant at Lawton’s home in Crewe where he was arrested and a number of electronic devices were seized and sent for analysis.

During this time, officers received a further report from Sussex Police that prior to his arrest, Lawton had been requesting sexually explicit images from a 12-year-old girl in their force area.

Lawton told the child that he was 15 and sent her sexual images and videos of himself, encouraging her to do the same.

He also requested indecent images from a 9-year-old girl from Nottingham.

During examination of the devices, officers recovered 368 indecent images and videos of children, over 129 of which were category A.

Lawton was later charged with the offences, which took place between June and August 2024.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Phil Limberg of the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team at Cheshire Police, said:

“We are committed to pursuing and bringing to justice those who view indecent images online and prey on vulnerable children using social media and messaging apps.

“Lawton is clearly a dangerous and predatory individual who was intent on engaging with young girls online for his own perverse sexual gratification, despite knowing full well that they were underage.

“Thankfully he has been given a substantial prison sentence and can no longer pose a threat to young girls.”

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A sex assault victim’s family said the Fife attacker should have been jailed after he was given unpaid work at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

Jordan Linton was found guilty by a jury of sexually assaulting the woman by penetration.

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A woman with multiple sclerosis has criticized a money and travel influencer who sexually assaulted her and avoided jail.

Curtis Heighes, 25, boasts thousands of followers for videos of his global travels, while offering fitness, lifestyle, and finance advice as a broadband salesman and amateur boxer.

The Record reveals Heighes, from Bearsden near Glasgow, as a sex predator who targeted a vulnerable woman during a broadband sales visit to her Paisley home. He denied the November 2023 abuse but was convicted after trial.

His victim, who cannot be named, warned others after he walked free: “It makes me feel sick knowing how easily someone like that can hide in plain sight.”

Over 60,000 follow his Curtis Unchained accounts, where he boasts of trips and boxing successes. While awaiting trial, he posted from Morocco joking about sex and holding what appeared to be a machine gun, plus camel rides in Egypt and sunshine breaks.

Heighes was spared jail at Paisley Sheriff Court due to his role as full-time carer for his elderly parents. His victim fumed: “What’s made this even harder is seeing the wider picture.

“Knowing he was being portrayed as a carer, while also knowing he was able to spend significant time abroad, makes it feel like that was used to make him look better and lessen the consequences.

“To me, it feels like something that benefited him in court, rather than reflecting the reality of who he is or what he’s done. That sense of injustice has been incredibly painful.

“Seeing the pictures of him online with guns, the Morocco posts where he jokes about sex, and the Curtis Unchained persona has also been deeply disturbing.

“That image is completely at odds with how he presented himself to me – and completely at odds with the harm he caused behind closed doors.”

The jury convicted him of kissing her, placing her on the bed, lying on top of her, and performing a sex act without consent.

Last month, he received 300 hours of unpaid work, an eight-month restriction of liberty order with an electronic tag and curfew from 8pm to 6:30am, a 10-year non-harassment order barring contact, and five years on the sex offenders register.

Now a property investment broker, he is banned from entering clients’ homes unaccompanied.

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A "cruel" and cowardly child molester who domestically abused his partner and stalked her after their breakup has been jailed for 11 years.

Mark Harvey, 42, from Kielder in Northumberland, sexually abused two girls and regularly attacked and threatened his partner during their 16-year relationship, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Originally from Blackpool, Harvey met her online around 2007 and moved in with her on Tyneside soon after, prosecutor Vincent Ward said.

He hit her on hidden body parts to conceal bruises, verbally abused and threatened her—saying he would "fight her to the death" and "chop her up"—accused her of cheating while sleeping with others, controlled her clothing and makeup, and isolated her from friends and family.

The court heard Harvey also used violence against children and kicked and hit the family's dogs.

After she ended the relationship in July 2023 upon learning of his child sex offences, Harvey stalked her by sending a phone and tablet with tracking and CCTV apps, unwanted gifts, logging into her social media, and mailing letters from prison under another inmate's name to evade security.

Harvey admitted 11 offences, including sexual activity with a child under 13, stalking, and controlling or coercive behaviour. He had prior convictions for benefit fraud in 2012.

In her statement, his ex-partner said he ruined her life, the abuse was all she knew for 16 years, and she still lives in fear, unable to rebuild. One molested girl called him "cruel" and reported repeated flashbacks and panic attacks.

Harvey initially denied many charges, absconded, and was arrested in Manchester in February 2025 before pleading guilty on the trial's second day.

Judge Thomas Moran described Harvey's sexual urges toward children as "uncontrollable," calling him "opportunistic and cruel." He noted the ex-partner's severe impact and one child's "severe psychological harm," adding Harvey lacked "the courage to accept what you did," sought to discredit his "courageous" victims, and his denial of child sexual interest was "plainly a lie."

Assessed as high risk to children and partners, Harvey was deemed dangerous: he must serve four years on extended licence, sign the sex offenders register for life, and comply with a 20-year sexual harm prevention order.

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An actor who preyed on young vulnerable victims has today (Wednesday 14 January) been jailed for sex offences against children.

John Shannon, who is also known as John Alford, aged 54, of Hartham Road, Islington, has been sentenced to eight years and six months in prison.

Shannon was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a Restraining Order until further order. He will also serve on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Sentencing Shannon at St Albans Crown Court, judge Recorder Caroline Overington said in her pre-sentencing remarks: “The girls were in what should have been a safe environment, you (John) returned to this house after a night at the pub.

“You (John) were a trusted family friend and fully aware that the girls were 14 and 15 years of age.

“You (John) have shown a lack of acknowledgement of your offending and showed little remorse.”

Following a trial at St Albans Crown Court in September 2025, he was convicted and now today, sentenced for the following offences:

• Count 1 Sexual Activity with a child - 3 yrs concurrent
• Count 2 Sexual activity with a child - 3 years concurrent
• Count 3 Penetrative sexual activity with a child - 8 years 6 months
• Count 4 Penetrative sexual activity with a child - 6 years concurrent
• Count 5 Assault by penetration - 4 years concurrent
• Count 6 Sexual Assault - 8 months concurrent

Reports were received from two victims in April 2022, and an investigation was launched by Hertfordshire Constabulary’s specialist Sexual Offences Investigation Team (SOIT) into Shannon’s offending.

He was arrested shortly after the reports were made and was subsequently charged on 16 July 2023 following a complex investigation. Shannon pleaded not guilty to all charges at a hearing in St Albans Crown Court on 26 September 2023.

During the trial, the court heard that in the early hours of Saturday 9 April 2022, two girls aged 14 and 15 were having a sleepover at a friend's house in Hoddesdon. John Shannon arrived at the property during the evening as a guest of the homeowner and was intoxicated.

After purchasing and supplying the victims with alcohol, Shannon then lured one of the victims into sexual intercourse on two occasions. He also sexually assaulted the second victim twice whilst she was falling asleep on the sofa.

Shannon completely denied all charges put to him.

Investigator Laura Harrison from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team, said:

“I want to praise the bravery of our two victims for coming forward and reporting John Shannon’s horrific crimes to police.

“Shannon has not shown any of signs of remorse, from his interviews in custody, to the trial which his victims had to endure.

“I hope that our victims are now able to move on in their lives knowing that Shannon will now be spending a considerable amount of time behind bars.

“This result reinforces the message that Hertfordshire Constabulary has a zero tolerance to crimes of this nature, and I hope Shannon is able to reflect on his behaviour and the trauma his actions have caused, not only for the victims but for their families as well.”

Lawyer Chris White for the Crown Prosecution Service said:

“John Shannon was fully aware of the girl’s ages, yet he chose to exploit them – giving them alcohol and then committing sexual offences against them.

“We commend the victims for reporting what happened. They were supported to give evidence against Shannon: their statements were recorded and played to the jury during the trial, and we arranged for screens to be provided so they did not have to face the defendant during cross examination.

“Shannon’s sentence today sends a clear message – we will pursue those who target young people for their own gratification.”

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A Scottish sex offender who called himself “Paedo Dave” online has been caught sending child abuse images to an undercover cop.

Serial offender David Munro, 56, from Johnstone, Renfrewshire, was under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order meant to prevent sex crimes, but he contacted paedophiles worldwide and shared images via Russian websites.

Using the username PaedoDave25, he boasted attraction to children as young as three and an interest in “hardcore” abuse images. He sent links to abuse images to an undercover officer posing as a paedophile named Jason.

Munro now faces a lengthy jail term after pleading guilty at Paisley Sheriff Court to three charges: sending messages discussing child abuse, distributing child abuse images, and breaching his SOPO by not declaring an internet-capable device.

The offences occurred between January and April last year at his home. Prosecutor Abigail McKenna told Sheriff Sheena Fraser that Munro used “a Russian-based picture website” and exchanged messages with the “undercover law enforcement operative.”

His lawyer said Munro “knows the inevitable outcome.” The case was adjourned.

In 2023, Munro was jailed for 27 months for similar offences, using his Xbox to access sites where he expressed sexual interest in young kids, discussed abusing them, and admitted he did “distribute or show” indecent photographs of children online.

In 2018, he was jailed another 27 months for distributing movies of child sexual abuse online and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.

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A man from Swansea has been handed a ten-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to multiple child sex offences.

25-year-old Jack Barrett, from Waunarlwydd, began chatting with the child victim online before encouraging them to carry out sexual acts. The victim is not from the South Wales Police area and so had no in-person interaction with Barrett.

Barrett pleaded guilty to the following charges:

• Two counts of cause/incite a girl 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity
• One count of causing a child aged 13 to 15 to watch/look at an image of sexual activity
• One count of engaging in sexual communication with a child
• One count of breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO)

Barrett has been handed an extended sentence of 10 years in prison.

Detective Constable Gemma McLean said: 

“Jack Barrett used online communication platforms to take advantage of a child, knowing that they were underage. He did this knowing what he was doing was wrong. 

“This investigation, conducted alongside another police force, uncovered the scale of Barrett’s offending, and the significant sentence that has been handed down today shows just how depraved his actions have been.

“He is fully deserving of a lengthy spell in prison. This sentence should be seen as an emphatic deterrent, and we encourage anyone who is a victim of online sexual abuse to come forward and help us bring the perpetrators to justice.”

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A violent rapist who targeted women for over four decades has been jailed for 16 years.

Phillip Berry, 60, from Fife, pled guilty last month at the High Court in Edinburgh to multiple rapes, attempted rapes, and serious assaults on several women between 1980 and 2023. He began his spree of violent and sexual offences as a teenager.

Berry was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, January 13, for what detectives described as "violent and depraved" crimes.

Detective Inspector Frank Keegan said: "Berry is a violent and depraved sexual offender.

"These women have been deeply impacted by his actions and I hope this sentence brings them some comfort.

"I want to acknowledge the strength of the women who provided information to police in this case. Berry's conviction is down to them.

"Police Scotland will fully investigate abuse wherever it occurs and whoever the perpetrator is, no matter how long ago it happened.

"I'd encourage anyone with concerns about sexual abuse to contact officers or one of our support services who will listen and investigate."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "A 60-year-old man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for carrying out violent and sexual offences against women for over 40 years.

"Phillip Berry, from the Fife area, carried out multiple rapes, attempted rapes and serious assaults on several women between 1980 to 2023.

"He pled guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh last month and was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, January 13."

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A 33-year-old man who sexually assaulted a woman in the Bradford district has been jailed for three years and six months.

Eden Dyson must now register as a sex offender for life after a jury at Bradford Crown Court found him guilty of the March 2025 assault. Dyson, with 28 previous convictions for 41 offences, was sentenced by Judge Kirstie Watson on Wednesday.

Barrister Abdul Shakoor said Dyson remembered little of the incident due to his drinking and use of controlled drugs, but wanted to apologize and was making good progress in custody addressing his issues.

“He knows the real test will come when he is released,” said Mr Shakoor.

“He’s extremely motivated to ensure he does not relapse into drug and alcohol abuse.”

The court heard Dyson is supporting other prisoners through the Samaritans and is proud of his work.

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A Bury resident has been convicted of child sex offences.

Stephen Shaw, of Cornwall Drive in Bury, appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Thursday, January 8, charged with engaging in sexual activity with a child and sexual communication with a child.

The 24-year-old was sentenced to a total of 22 months' imprisonment and placed on the sex offenders register for ten years.

A ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) has also been put in place on Shaw.

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A 22-year-old man who engaged in sexual activity with a child has been jailed for six years.

Michael Cooper, from Hartlepool, groomed his victim over social media with a fake name before engaging in sexual activity with her and becoming aggressive, threatening to grab her hair and choke her. 

He knew that she was under 16, telling her that he would get into trouble if she told anyone about what he was doing.  He even asked her to prove that she was under 16 by asking her to send a birth certificate to him to prove her age.

He appeared before Teesside Crown Court charged with 16 offences of sexual activity with a child and grooming, before he was sentenced to six years in prison, issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and put on the sex offenders’ register.

Temporary Detective Sergeant Sarah Blades, of Hartlepool CID said:

“The victim in this case was incredibly brave to come forward and report Cooper, despite his threats to her.  Thankfully she did, and was able to provide us with the information needed to build a case of evidence to put before the court, safeguarding other potential victims.

“Support is available for anyone who has experienced or is currently experiencing abuse, you are not alone. No one should ever suffer in silence, and Cooper’s sentence demonstrates that when victims come forward, their voices are heard.”