Latest Offenders

Description

“I was a teenager who was just finding her place in this world, looking for care, love and acceptance, all of which were sadly lacking in my reality. You took this need and my naivety and warped it and used it to satisfy your paedophilic needs.

“You took so much from me, that wasn’t yours to take.

“You preyed on my weaknesses and vulnerability to feed your twisted and perverse desires. What was taken can never be given back, what was endured can never be forgotten.

“For years I repressed my pain and shame, but it was always there. It was there in my intimate relationships; it was there in my lack of self-worth and self-esteem."

These are the words taken from the Victim Personal Statement of a woman who was abused by South Kirkby man Alan Ward when she was a teenage girl.

Ward was jailed today (7 July) for a number sexual offences which took place in the 1980s and 1990s in South Kirkby.

He was aged in his 30s when he started a sexual relationship with the victim who was 14 at the time. The relationship continued until she was in her late teens.

During her early teens, the court was told how Ward, who worked at a petrol station on Barnsley Road in South Kirkby, would sexually assault the girl.

During the first incident, Ward told the victim:

“I’m getting you ready for when you’re sixteen.”

The victim came forward to report Ward in 2020.  This prompted an investigation by the Wakefield District Safeguarding Unit which led to Ward, who more recently worked as an ice cream man, being charged with non-recent sexual offences.

Ward denied the allegations made against him. But after a trial at Leeds Crown Court, he was found guilty of four counts of indecently assaulting a girl under 16 which took place in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was also found guilty of a further sex offence (buggery) which took place over the same period.

Appearing before Leeds Crown Court for sentencing today, Ward, aged 71, of Barnsley Road, South Kirkby, was given a concurrent jail sentence of 13 years.

DC Anna Potton of the Wakefield District Safeguarding Unit said:

“The victim has shown immense bravery in coming forward and going through a lengthy legal process in which she had to relive her ordeal by giving evidence against her abuser.  

“Ward is behind bars where he cannot pose a threat to any other children. I hope that his conviction and sentence brings the victim some comfort as she begins to move on with her life.”

“West Yorkshire Police has dedicated safeguarding units across each district of the force. We are here to listen when you are ready and we will investigate what is reported to us.

“If you’ve been the victim of rape, sexual assault or any other sexual offence, please report it to us. It's never too late."

Description

A 36-year-old man has been jailed for more than 18 years after he pleaded guilty to multiple child sex offences.

Joseph Hewitt, previously of West Haddon, appeared at Northampton Crown Court last month (June 26) where he admitted to two counts of raping a girl under 13, one count of raping a girl aged 13-15, and three counts of engaging in penetrative sex with a girl aged 13-15.

The offences were committed against a girl and took place over a period of six years when she was aged 10-16.

Following a report made, Hewitt was arrested and subsequently charged, and after admitting the offences at court, he was sentenced to 18 years and six months in prison.

Lead investigator - Detective Constable Kirstie Brooks, said:

"Joseph Hewitt subjected this young girl to serious sexual abuse over a number of years, causing harm that no child should ever have to endure.

“I welcome the significant custodial sentence handed down by the court, which reflects the severity of his offending and ensures he will spend a considerable period of time behind bars.

“I would also like to thank the survivor in this case for her bravery in coming forward and supporting the investigation. Reporting offences of this nature can be incredibly difficult, and her courage has been instrumental in bringing Hewitt to justice. I’d also like to thank retired officer Sharon Jephcott for her help in investigating this case.

“Northamptonshire Police is committed to protecting children and pursuing those who seek to exploit or abuse them. We will continue to work tirelessly to investigate reports of child sexual abuse and hold offenders accountable for their actions.”

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Ramsgate sex offender sentenced for historic abuse.

A sex offender from Ramsgate has been jailed for over 20 years after his crimes were uncovered 30 years later.

Historic abuse

John Sladden carried out a sustained campaign of sexual abuse against three young girls over several years. In March 2024, all three victims made formal reports to Kent Police.

Two victims initially came forward together, reporting that Sladden had sexually assaulted them on multiple occasions when they were children. A third victim later contacted officers, stating that she had been subjected to prolonged sexual abuse by Sladden over several years in her childhood.

Based on their accounts, detectives established that the offences took place from the late 1990s into the early 2000s. A thorough investigation was launched, involving detailed enquiries into the historic offences.

Guilty

The 72-year-old was arrested and charged with multiple sexual offences. Following a four-week trial at Canterbury Crown Court, on 11 June 2026 a jury found him guilty of 11 child sexual offences. Sladden was sentenced at the same court on Friday 3 July to 21 years’ imprisonment.

Detective Constable Susan Kingsnorth said:

‘This was a complex investigation into multiple reports of historic sexual abuse, and I am pleased that our specialist team was able to secure justice for the victims. Sladden’s abuse of these three women has had a devastating and lasting impact on their lives, and I hope this conviction can provide them with some comfort.

‘I hope this outcome encourages other victims who have suffered sexual abuse, no matter how long ago, to come forward and speak to us. You will be listened to and supported.’

Description

A child rapist from the Evesham area was sentenced to 25 years when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court sitting at Redditch today (Tuesday 7 July).

Shaul Samson, 32, of HMP Hewell, was found guilty after a trial at Worcester Crown Court in May of the following multiple sexual offences and was sentenced today as follows:

• One count of rape of a child under 13 – 25 years (21 years plus four years on licence)
• Two further counts of rape of a child under 13 – 18 years to run concurrently
• One count of attempting to rape a child under 13 – 11 years concurrent
• Four counts of assaulting a child under 13 by penetration – 12 years concurrent
• Causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity – six years concurrent
• Four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 – six years concurrent
• Engaging in sexual activity in front of a child – three years concurrent
• Four counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act – four years concurrent
• Sexual communication with a child - 18 months concurrent
• Making an indecent photograph of a child – one year concurrent

Samson must serve at least two thirds (14 years) of his sentence before being considered for parole. He was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

Samson’s offences came to light in October 2025 following a disclosure by his victim to a third party who reported it to West Mercia Police. The offences had taken place over an 18-month period.

He was arrested on 10 October and a police search of his home address discovered numerous sex toys, bondage items, lube and condoms.

Digital forensics of his phone showed he sent sexual messages to his victim and showed them explicit images and videos of other children as well as videos of him engaging in sexual activity with adults.

Samson denied the charges when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday 14 November, but the case went to trial at Worcester Crown Court in May where he was found guilty.

Detective Constable Susie Woolf, of the Public Protection Unit (PPU), said:

“We are pleased to get this lengthy sentence for Samson whose disgusting predatory behaviour has had a terrible impact upon his victim.

“We hope this will feel like some sense of some justice for his victim and we would like to praise them for their bravery and courage in reporting his vile offending.

“He is now behind bars where he belongs so we hope this court result will encourage other victims of rape or sexual assault or those who know of such crimes to come forward and speak to us so we can attempt to bring their abusers to justice too.

“We will always listen to you and act where appropriate to bring predators like Samson before the courts with the aim of securing justice and custodial sentences as in this case.”

Description

The strength, courage and resilience of brave victims of a sex offender has resulted in their abuser being jailed for 18 years and 11 months.

Raymond Utley committed vile and heinous sexual acts against his victims, causing them emotional and psychological turmoil that destroyed one woman's childhood.

Utley raped and sexually abused his first victim when she was just 14 years old, with offences taking place in Doncaster, Barnsley and Sheffield.

He would buy her alcohol and even filmed himself on a camcorder sexually abusing her.

Utley's offending had a traumatic impact on his victim for over two decades. However, she showed incredible bravery and courage to report his crimes to police, resulting in him being charged with multiple sexual offences.

In respect of his first victim, Utley, 59, of Eastern Avenue, Gainsborough, pleaded guilty to two counts of raping a female under the age of 16, three counts of indecent assault and one count of taking an indecent photograph of a child.

Detective Constable Mike Tilley, who was the officer in charge of the case for South Yorkshire Police, said:

"Utley exerted power and control over his victim, causing her psychological turmoil which has haunted her for decades.

"He was even twisted enough to record himself sexually abusing his victim, using a camcorder that he kept in a locked case.

"He then destroyed all evidence of this but the power of her testimony ensured that he would face justice for crimes committed more than two decades before.

"This was a complex investigation as we worked alongside Lincolnshire Police to ensure that all of Utley's victims were able to secure justice and I do hope that today's sentencing brings closure to them because it is the very least that they deserve after the ordeal they were put through.

"Please know that if you have been a victim of a sexual offence, you are not alone. We are here to listen, we are here to support you and you will be believed."

Utley also pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault in respect of two other victims, with these cases investigated by Lincolnshire Police.

DC Joe Wood, of Lincoln Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, said:

“Following today’s sentencing, our thoughts remain firmly with the victims, who showed immense courage and resilience throughout this investigation.

"The offences committed between 1 August 2021 and 31 October 2022 were committed against children - young people who should have been safe, protected, and free from harm.

“I want to be absolutely clear: we will always listen. We will always support. We are committed to gathering robust evidence, ensuring that victims feel heard, believed, and treated with dignity at every stage of the process. No child should suffer in silence, and we encourage anyone who has been affected by abuse to come forward - when you do, you will be taken seriously.

“Investigations of this nature are complex and often deeply distressing, but our officers work tirelessly alongside partner agencies to build strong cases and bring perpetrators of such heinous crimes to justice. Today’s sentence reflects the gravity of these offences and sends a clear message that abuse of children will not be tolerated.

“I would like to thank the victims for their bravery in coming forward and their support throughout the judicial process. It is because of their strength that this offender has been held to account.

“Our commitment does not end here. We will continue to work to protect the most vulnerable in our communities, pursue those who cause harm, and ensure that justice is served.”

Utley, who was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday (3 July), faced further charges of sexual abuse and rape in respect of the same three victims with these ordered to lie on file.

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A man has been jailed after he was convicted of raping a woman in Newport Pagnell.

Sean Wilcox, aged 35, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on 2 July 2026 to a total of 18 years’ imprisonment for offences committed in both the Thames Valley and Bedfordshire force areas.

Wilcox was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict on 16 January 2026 following a four-day trial at Aylesbury Crown Court.

He was convicted of rape in relation to a Thames Valley Police investigation and also pleaded guilty to six counts of theft from a motor vehicle, three counts of fraud by false representation, three counts of vehicle interference, two counts of burglary with intent to steal and one count each of theft from a person, possession of class A drugs, namely cocaine and possession of class B drugs, namely cannabis.

He also pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker and one count each of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and common assault.

The conviction relates to an incident that occurred at around 4.30am on 26 July last year in Dulwich Close, Newport Pagnell.

After attempting to gain entry to vehicles in the area to steal items, Wilcox began trying the doors of nearby properties. He entered a house through an unlocked door and found the victim, a 29-year-old woman, asleep on a sofa.

He then raped the victim before fleeing the property.

On 27 June 2025, whilst Wilcox was committing vehicle offences, two off-duty officers attempted to restrain and arrest him.

Wilcox assaulted them both, as well as strangling a police dog. He also assaulted a member of the public who assisted the officers.

Luckily the three individuals involved, and the police dog, sustained no injuries as a result

Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, Wilcox was arrested on 1 August 2025 and charged the following day.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Jessica Cooper, of Milton Keynes CID, said:

“The bravery and courage shown by the victim throughout this investigation has been admirable.

“No sentence will ever change the impact that this man has had on her life. However, we hope that this sentence provides her with some measure of justice.

“This was a deeply traumatic offence committed against a woman who was asleep in a place where she had every right to feel safe.   

“I would like to commend the victim for the strength she has shown in supporting this prosecution and helping to ensure that Wilcox was held accountable for his actions.

“We remain committed to investigating all reports of rape and serious sexual offences thoroughly, supporting victims and bringing offenders before the courts.”

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A man who raped a teenager and sexually assaulted two girls dating back to the 1990s has been jailed for 15 years.

David Trigg, of Whitchurch, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday 26 June 2026 where he was handed the 15-year sentence following a trial.

The 60-year-old had been found guilty of one count of rape of a female under 16, seven counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14, and one count of sexual assault.

The offences took place in the Malpas area of Cheshire.

One of the complainants in this case contacted police in 2022 to report that Trigg had raped her in the late 1990s.

An investigation was subsequently launched and a further two complainants came forward.

They both reported they had been sexually assaulted by Trigg between the late 1990s and the early 2000s.

Following extensive enquiries into the reports, Trigg was charged and although he denied the offences, he was found guilty following a trial in April 2026.

On top of his custodial sentence, Trigg must sign the Sex Offender Register indefinitely and is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a 14-year Restraining Order against all three of the complainants.

DC Kelly Connolley, the investigating officer, said:

“Firstly, I would like to recognise the bravery of the three complainants in reporting what happened to them. This has been a lengthy investigation from reporting the offences to obtaining a conviction.

“The offences date back almost 30 years, and these women have had to carry this on their shoulders for all that time, knowing that their abuser had never faced justice for his vile actions.

“But now he has a long spell of custody ahead of him, and I hope this brings some closure to the complainants.

“I also hope this case demonstrates that you can come forward and report incidents of this nature to police, no matter how long ago the offence took place.”

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A man has been convicted of raping and attempting to rape a woman in Congleton.

Lee Reszka, of Longridge, Knutsford, was found guilty of rape and attempted rape on Friday 3 July following a five-day trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

The 35-year-old has been remanded into custody and will appear back at court on Monday 10 August for sentencing.

In November 2023, Reszka had attended the victim’s address on the pretence he was looking for a mutual acquaintance, knowing full well they were not present.

While at the address, the victim allowed Reska to use the toilet, however instead of leaving afterwards, he approached her and attempted to rape her.

The victim managed to get away from him, but he then orally raped her before leaving the address.

She then disclosed what had happened to friends and it was reported to police.

A piece of clothing worn by the victim was forensically tested and DNA found on it provided a match to Reszka. The victim also had injuries consistent with the offences.

DC Neilson-Bird said:

“Reszka made the conscious decision that day to attack the victim, knowing that she was alone. He used force to get what he wanted, ignoring her attempts to fight him off.

“Throughout the investigation Reszka maintained his lies and tried to mislead the police, changing his account as more evidence emerged. He continued to try and portray the victim as a liar who had fabricated the incident, putting her through the stress of a trial. But the jury has seen him for what he is and convicted him of his crimes.

“We would like to highlight the courage of the victim in this case for speaking about what happened to her, and we hope that Reszka’s conviction will help to bring her some closure.”

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A Great Yarmouth man who raped a woman after taking her to his home has been jailed for 10 years.

Paul Glascott, aged 42, of Anson Road, Great Yarmouth, was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court today (Friday 3 July 2026) after being found guilty of rape following a trial at the same court in February 2026.

On Sunday 29 May 2022, a woman contacted police reporting that she’d woken up at an unknown address, where a man had been trying to have sex with her. She had no knowledge of who he was, where she was or how she got there.

She called officers from the safety of a friend’s house and agreed to forensic examinations. These established full intercourse had occurred, which she had no memory of.

Enquiries led officers to identify Glascott and he was arrested at his home on 31 May 2022.

CCTV established that in the early hours of 29 May Glascott had got into a taxi on Marine Parade in Great Yarmouth, leaving the door open behind him. Soon after, the victim can be seen walking up to the open taxi door before getting inside.

In a statement read to the court today the victim said:

“This has affected in me in so many ways, it has affected my mental health, my relationship with my partner, my relationship with my friends and has also at times impacted my job.

“I struggle with feeling ashamed and guilty about the impact this has had on my partner and family, this has not just affected me, but everyone around me, my whole support network who have had to support me for the last four years.

“In May 2022, I lost a part of myself. I lost my confidence, my sense of safety, and the life I once recognized. I feel empty and I do not know if I will ever fully regain the person I was before this happened.”

Investigating officer Detective Constable Sophie Brown said: “I would like to thank the victim for her immense bravery and patience through both the investigation and legal proceedings.

“Glascott is a dangerous opportunist who preyed on a vulnerable woman who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Our thoughts remain with her and we hope today’s sentence provides some measure of justice and reassurance.

“We will always stand beside victims to ensure those responsible are held to account.”

Description

A man has been given a 10-year sentence following an investigation into his violent and sexual offending.

Joseph Pennycook, now 22, threatened to kill a teenage girl and sexually abused her.

He had denied the allegations but was convicted, following a trial at Southend Crown Court, of sexual assault by penetration, two charges of intentional strangulation, making threats to kill, coercive and controlling behaviour and harassment.

Essex Police launched an investigation in January 2025 after the survivor contacted us to report his offending. Pennycook, of Danbury Close, Leigh, was arrested. He denied all the allegations put to him but was subsequently charged.

At the same court on Tuesday 23 June he was jailed for eight years, with a further two years on extended licence.

He is subject to a restraining order in relation to the survivor and witnesses. He has also been placed on the sexual offenders register for life.

'working hard to start my life again'

After the sentencing the survivor in this case said:

I don’t know what to say to try and find the right words to show the impact of what has happened to me.

I was always watching over my shoulder. There is no excuse for what he has done, and it will always impact me.

I am working hard to rebuild my confidence; I found it hard to get work and my mental and physical health has been severely impacted.

I’m happy that I stood up and spoke up for myself.
He lied, but he is now behind bars and I’m working hard to start my life again.

Officer in the case Detective Constable Aaron Aujia said:

I want to pay tribute to the survivor in this case.

She showed remarkable bravery to speak up after suffering these heinous crimes. Pennycook is a dangerous individual and is rightly serving a lengthy custodial sentence.

Violence against women and girls has no place in Essex, and tackling these offences remains one of our highest priorities. We are committed to relentlessly pursuing offenders, supporting victims and survivors, and working with partners to prevent harm before it happens.

We know the devastating impact these crimes have on individuals, families and communities, which is why we continue to invest in specialist investigations, safeguarding and prevention activity.

Our message is clear: if you commit offences against women and girls, we will do everything in our power to identify you, build the strongest possible case, and bring you before the courts.

At the same time, we will continue to listen to victims, put their needs at the heart of our response, and work to make Essex a safer place for everyone.

Description

A Bridgend man has been jailed for 15 years for multiple child sex offences

James Carr, 68, from Bridgend, was found guilty of 10 counts of sexually assaulting of a boy under 14, two counts of rape of a male under 16, and two counts of buggery after a week-long trial at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court. The offences occurred between 1986 and 1995 and later were reported to police in 2022.

He was sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Wednesday, July 1, to 15 years in prison.

Carr was also made the subject of a lifelong restraining order and will have to register as a sex offender for life.

Detective Constable Rebecca Evans said:

“The bravery it takes to come forward and report offences like these cannot be underestimated.

“We hope that this sentence will go some way in helping the victim rebuild his life and heal from the awful events that took place. I thank him for his strength and dignity throughout this investigation.

“An extensive amount of work went into this investigation, and this sentence sends a hugely positive message to victims of sexual abuse that they will be believed, their attackers will be identified, and they will be brought to justice.”

Description

A Maidstone predator who attempted to groom two young girls he had contacted on social media has been jailed.

Trevor Cook was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months’ imprisonment after he bombarded his potential victims with obscene images of himself and repeatedly demanded explicit content from them in return.

At around 4.45pm on 22 February 2026, Kent Police was made aware that Cook had planned to meet one of the children at a fast food restaurant near Broadway.

Officers promptly attended the scene and arrested him. His phone content was reviewed and investigators established he had been attempting to meet girls for sex.

When his home was searched, officers seized train tickets and proof of a hotel booking.

Charged

Cook, of Massey Close, Maidstone, was later charged with attempting to communicate with a person under the age of 16 for the purposes of obtaining sexual gratification, attempting to cause or incite a child under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity, and arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.

Guilty

The 41 year old pleaded guilty to the offences and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday 29 June.

Following his release, Cook will serve an extended licence period of 4 years and be made the subject of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Alan Wolfe, said:

‘Cook intentionally targeted underage victims and attempted to groom them. He tried to gain their trust by calling them ‘Princess’, feigned interest in their family members, and promised gifts of sweets and chocolates.

‘To a child, these actions might be misconstrued as affection. In reality, Cook is a dangerous paedophile who intended on carrying out a sexual assault on at least one child.

‘I am pleased the judge identified his lack of remorse concerning his offending. The prison sentence will prevent him committing further offences and – upon his release – he will be closely monitored by specialist officers.’

Description

A man from Chester has been jailed for over 5 years after engaging in online child sex offences.

Nicholas Jones appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday 29 June where he was sentenced to 5 years and 3 months in prison, with an extended licence period of 5 years. 

On top of the custodial sentence, Jones, of Canal Side, Chester, was also ordered to sign on to the Sex Offender’s Register indefinitely.

The sentencing comes after Jones pleaded guilty to:

• four counts of making an indecent photograph of a child;
• two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child;
• two counts of attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity;
• distributing an indecent photograph of a child;
• attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act;
• and the breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Jones also pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis.

 Over the course of his hearing, Chester Crown Court was told that Jones had been handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order following a conviction in 2019.

Under the terms of this order, he was prohibited to have any unsupervised contact with anyone under 16, installing encryption software or deleting data and history on any of his devices.

On Tuesday 2 January 2026, Cheshire police were contacted by a person claiming that Jones had been engaging with a decoy account of a 12-year-old girl they had created.

The reporting person went on to say Jones set up a social media account to talk to the ‘child’, had attempted to engage in sexual communication with them and sent several sexualised pictures and videos to them.

Officers swiftly attended Jones' address and promptly arrested him. Whilst inside the property, Jones pointed out to officers a quantity of cannabis as well as an unregistered mobile phone. He told officers that they would find "loads of pictures on his phone."

Upon reviewing the phone, Digital Forensics Officers found over 320 child sexual abuse images stored on the device.

Despite answering no comment to all questions put to him in interview, the 55-year-old was charged with the offences.

Police Constable David Howells, of the Sex Offender Management Unit, said:

"Despite being handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order following a previous conviction for similar offences, Nicholas Jones clearly had not learnt his lesson and, following the report made to us, we took immediate action against him.

"Jones knew his actions were exploitative and downright illegal so, when faced with our officers, he was left with no choice but to admit to them that he had a large quantity of these abhorrent images on an unregistered personal device.

"Our officers from the Sex Offender's Management Unit regularly conduct visits to offenders who, like Jones, pose a serious risk to the community and are subject to preventative orders to ensure they are complying with the conditions within them. When any breaches of these orders are found, swift and decisive action is taken in order to protect the most vulnerable in our society."

Description

A violent rapist who strangled his victim until she fell unconscious before attacking her has been jailed for 15 years.

Jacob Negus, 24, began speaking to the woman on a dating app and met her the following day in August 2022.

After about a month of dating, Negus became controlling, telling her to remove men from her social media accounts or he would stop seeing her.

The woman chose to end contact, but Negus later sent flowers and apologised, and the pair went on to date on-and-off for a couple of months.

In 2023, at his then home in Maxey, near Peterborough, Negus became violent.

On one occasion, he strangled the woman until she lost consciousness, leaving her with a burst blood vessel in her eye.

When she came round, she realised he was raping her.

When Negus saw she was awake, he pulled her hair, forced her to stand and strangled her again.

During the relationship, Negus also left bruises on her thighs after grabbing them, subjected her to verbal abuse and made threats to harm her.

The woman later confided in a family member and reported the abuse to police.

On Thursday, 25 June, at Cambridge Crown Court, Negus, of Leofric Close, Crowland, Lincolnshire, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after he was found guilty of rape, intentional strangulation and engage in coercive and controlling behaviour in an intimate relationship.

DC Frankie Enticknap said:

“This was a sustained and deeply traumatic campaign of abuse, where Negus used control, violence and intimidation against his victim.

“It takes a great deal of courage to come forward and report offences of this nature, and I would like to commend the victim for the strength she has shown throughout this investigation.

“We are committed to supporting victims of sexual offences and domestic abuse, and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.”

Description

A man has been sentenced after he secretly recorded four children in a changing cubicle at a leisure centre in Widnes.

Ian Tabron appeared at Warrington Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 23 June, where he was sentenced to four months in prison suspended for one year. He is also required to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for seven years.

The 40-year-old of Top Road, Frodsham, had earlier pleaded guilty to voyeurism.

The court heard how police were called to Halton Leisure Centre on Tuesday 19 May, following reports from staff that a man had tried to secretly recorded four children in a changing cubicle.

Officers attended and spoke to the children involved. They stated that after using the swimming pool, they went into a changing cubicle. While inside, they noticed a hand reaching under the door holding a phone, which appeared to be recording them.

The children notified their friends and the man started to walk away. He was confronted by staff but quickly made off from the scene.

Following CCTV enquiries, officers identified the man to be Tabron.

He was swiftly arrested and subsequently charged with voyeurism.

Detective Sergeant Chris Murphy said:

"I'd like to commend the children involved in this incident for recognising this incredibly concerning behaviour and raising these concerns with a member of staff.

"Their quick-thinking allowed our officers to swiftly arrest and apprehend a man who clearly poses a significant risk to children.

"Tabron knew what he was doing was unacceptable and predatory, but this didn't stop him from violating the privacy and safety of four innocent children.

"I can only hope he learns from this incident, knowing that our officers will stop at nothing to ensure those that pose a danger to children are arrested, charged, and put before the courts."