Latest Offenders

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A man has today been sentenced following a joint investigation by Cleveland Police and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU).

Hassan Hussain, 20, came to the attention of authorities in April 2024, when he used online digital platforms to talk to a child who he believed was 12 years old.

He sent the child intimate photos and videos of himself and asked whether they can meet, saying he could “meet any time” and “get the train” to her.

On 8th May 2024, Hussain was arrested and his mobile phone was seized which had a number of images of himself which matched with those sent in the chat.

A number of web searches were also found on his device including the terms “teen girls” and “chat rooms for 11-year-olds.”

He was charged with attempted sexual communication with a child and causing a child to watch/look at an image of sexual activity. He was bailed by the courts until his next court appearance.

Despite having to abide by a number of conditions, just a week after he was charged, Hussain continued his predatory offending by sending intimate photos of himself and talking sexually to a young child.

Hussain was once again arrested and further charged with engaging in sexual communication with a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and failing to comply with notification requirements.

He pleaded guilty to all offences and appeared at Teesside Crown Court on 30th January where he was jailed for six years with three years on extended licence.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Barnes from the Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) said: 

“Hussain poses a significant risk to children and I’m pleased that he is now behind bars where he can’t cause any further harm.

“Despite being charged with child sex offences, he blatantly ignored conditions imposed on him and continued his predatory offending by targeting vulnerable children online.

“I hope this sends a strong message to anyone who commits these kind of crimes online that they are not invisible and we will ensure we do everything possible to bring them to justice.

“I’d encourage any child or young person who is concerned about someone they’re speaking to online, to tell someone about it or report it directly to the police.”

Temporary Detective Inspector Jo Sweeney from the NWROCU said: “This case shows just how determined our teams are when it comes to protecting children from online predators. These offenders think they can hide behind screens, but they’re not invisible - and we’ll keep doing everything we can to find them and stop them.”

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The man pictured is Jacob Atkinson and he is a sex offender.

During the 1980s he raped and indecently assaulted a child.

The catalogue of offences happened in Rossendale and started when she was just nine-year-old. The offences stopped when Atkinson left the area to go to university.

The offences only came to light four decades later when the victim first told her husband, then the Truth Project and then the police.

Atkinson, 55, of Birkdale Road, Anstey, Leicester, was questioned and later charged with a number of sexual offences against the victim.

Following a trial at Preston Crown Court in April, Atkinson was found guilty of rape, indecent assault and indecency with a child.

He returned to the same court today (30th January) where he was jailed for seven years, with the Judge taking into account Atkinson’s age and their sentencing powers at the time the offences were committed. Atkinson was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Dave Hindle, from our Major Crime Review Team, said:

“Atkinson targeted his vulnerable victim for his own sordid sexual interests.

“Once he got to his 50s he probably though he had gotten away with his detestable crimes. However, it’s thanks to the victim’s bravery in reporting these offences to us and then giving evidence in court that a light has been shone on who Atkinson truly is.

“While it’s not for me to comment on the sentence handed down to Atkinson, I am pleased that the victim finally has justice all these years on.”

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A Castleford man has been jailed for rape and controlling and coercive behaviour.

Alexander Julien was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court last week after being found guilty of the offences by a jury following a trial in December.

The 34-year-old of Graham Drive, Castleford, was jailed for five years for the rape of a female aged over 16, reported to have taken place in Wakefield District in 2022, a charge he denied.

He was also jailed for two years for two offences of coercive and controlling behaviour (to run concurrently with each other but consecutive to the rape sentence) which he also denied.

Appearing before the court for sentencing on Thursday (22/1) Julien was sentenced to nine years and six months.  

This included a further two years and six months sentence for separate drug offences which was ordered to run consecutively.

The convictions followed an investigation by the Wakefield District Safeguarding Unit.

Detective Constable Adele Bossons of the Wakefield District Safeguarding Unit said: 

“I'm pleased that Julien has been handed a lengthy sentence that reflects the severity of his offending.  

“Victims of this type of offending show tremendous bravery in coming forward and I hope that it brings some comfort to see justice being done after experiencing such an horrendous ordeal.  

“We have dedicated safeguarding teams across West Yorkshire Police who are trained to support victims of sexual abuse and violence. I would encourage anyone who has been victim of offences of this nature to please get in touch.” 

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A man has been jailed for a "relentless" campaign of sexual abuse against a young girl he met on a children's video game.

Nico Williams, 28, of Vicarage Hill, Wrexham, was sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on Thursday.

He had admitted multiple child sex offenses, including:

• Meeting a child following sexual grooming
• Causing the sexual exploitation of a child
• Sexual activity with a child (x3)
• Making indecent images of a child (x3)

Prosecutor Mark Connor said the offenses occurred over several months in 2025. They were uncovered when English police notified North Wales Police of potential child sexual abuse after finding indecent materials on Williams' device. The images depicted a female child who was identified and traced.

Officers arrested Williams at home. After caution, he said: "She lied about her age," and later: "I stopped taking pictures of her when I found out her age."

The investigation showed Williams knew his actions were wrong early on. He traveled to the victim's area in England multiple times, engaged in penetrative sexual activity with her, and created images and videos of it. He also requested degrading videos from her.

A relative's victim impact statement noted effects on her education: "We were not aware of much of what has happened. Police have told us they know this man was communicating with her constantly. We can't imagine what [she] went through to deal with this. We are glad this man was captured by the police and [she] can now be protected."

Connor noted Williams had no prior convictions.

Defense lawyer Dafydd Roberts said: "He wishes me to express he does accept full responsibility for the offending - he doesn't wish to blame [the victim]. I ask the court to have regard to his guilty plea. Whilst chronologically he is 28 years of age, I do invite the court to consider his level of maturity. The pre-sentence report author writes that [Williams] finds it easier to speak to children. They [Williams and the victim] met over a video game predominantly played by children; that's an indicator of the level at which he is operating."

Roberts highlighted Williams' vulnerabilities, including autism, adverse childhood experiences like his father's sudden death, and prison bullying.

Judge Nicola Jones told Williams: "When the police attended your address, you clearly panicked and said she'd lied about her age. We know now that was a lie on your behalf. By now, you accept full responsibility. I am satisfied you pose a significant risk of committing further offences because your pursuit of this child was relentless. This wasn't a fleeting matter for you; it went on for months."

She described it as a "campaign of sexual abuse" and "predatory behaviour."

Williams was sentenced to nine years in prison, with indefinite restraining and sexual harm prevention orders, plus sex offender notification. He must serve two-thirds in custody, the rest on license.

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A rapist who carried a 15-year-old girl into a bedroom against her will and subjected her to a violent sexual assault has been on the run for nearly two years, with police unaware of his location.

Nottingham Crown Court held the hearing without Aland Ahmed, 22, after he fled the country and skipped bail. His victim read an emotional impact statement detailing the attack's lasting effects, as reported by Nottingham Live.

In 2022, Ahmed, then 19, made unwanted advances toward the teenager at a flat in Nottingham. She resisted, but he carried her into the bedroom and raped her for five to ten minutes without a condom. He stopped only when disturbed by someone entering the room, who saw the girl crying hysterically.

The victim developed complex PTSD, turned to drugs and alcohol to cope, and saw her family relationships break down, leading to supported accommodation. In her statement, she described being unable to sleep.

Ahmed, of Highbury Road, was convicted in absentia of one count of rape and sentenced to nine years. He has been missing for 21 months and was placed on the sex offender register for life. Upon arrest, he will serve two-thirds of the sentence.

Judge Steven Coupland said:

“He was 19 at the time and is still only 23 now and the delay in this case is entirely down to him because of his initial denials of the offence and then him absenting himself. He chose not to attend the court, breached his bail and hasn’t been seen for some 21 months. She had only turned 15 and it is plain she did not want to have sex with him as she physically resisted him.

“As a result of this he physically carried her into a bedroom where, despite her protestations he raped her for some five to ten minutes without using a condom. He only stopped when someone else in the flat disturbed them and she was noticed to be crying hysterically.

“She then had to relive what happened in a video interview and then at the trial when his denials had to be put to her, despite him not attending or being here for that trial.

“I have read her victim impact statement in which she says as a result of what happened she turned to drugs and drink which ruined her relationship with her family and led to her now living in supported accommodation. She now suffers from complex PTSD, has trouble trusting people and is unable to sleep. It is clear there is severe psychological harm in this case.”

Prosecutor Nick Corsellis KC said the teenager and Ahmed, of Highbury Vale, were in the flat where he “made advances on her” which she tried to fight off. He added:

“She resisted him but he carried her into a bedroom where she was forcefully raped and his DNA was found in her underwear.

“After being charged and appearing at the magistrates' court he then absented himself and is believed to be out of the country. As a result he did not attend his trial, there is no pre-sentence report and very little is known about him. In her victim impact statement she talks of abusing drugs and drink as a result of what happened and being ostracised by her family although she is improving over time.”

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The bravery of a woman sharing her story alongside extensive detective work, has resulted in a Doncaster man being jailed for 20 years for multiple offences including rape.

Lewis Clarke subjected his victim to horrific physical and mental abuse.

She called the police after he physically assaulted her and bravely told the officers when they arrived the extent of what Clarke had done to her.

Clarke, 31, of Edlington, Doncaster, was quickly arrested and later charged, appearing before Sheffield Crown Court on 29 July where he pleaded guilty to multiple offences including four counts of rape. Yesterday (Tuesday 27 January) he appeared at the same court and was handed a 20-year sentence, and an unlimited restraining order.

Courageously, his victim spoke in court when Clarke was sentenced.

She said:

"There are no words to fully describe the horror of what happened to me at the hands of Lewis.

"The things he did to me were calculated and cruel. Nobody will ever know the full extent of that abuse, but he does, and I live with it every day.

"I begged for my life.  The abuse destroyed my sense of self. I blamed myself. I hated myself.

"I will never be the same again. The physical injuries may fade, but the psychological damage remains and will stay with me forever.

"Lewis you took my voice and body. I am taking my life back. I will continue to move forward, but I will carry the impact of his actions with me forever.

"I have taken my life back and I am not afraid of you anymore."

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Simon Allen, one of three men convicted of murdering grandmother Jackie Rutter—who was shot on her doorstep in Moreton, Wirral, in October 2022—has been revealed as a convicted child sex offender, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Allen, James Byrne, and David Harrison were unanimously found guilty of murder at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, January 28. Barrie Glynn was convicted of manslaughter by a 10-2 majority. All four were also unanimously convicted of possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, plus arson. The jury deliberated for 15 hours and 15 minutes; sentencing is set for Thursday.

Prosecutors alleged the shooting stemmed from a "robbery" or "taxing" after Rutter's sons, Peter and Steven, stole a mobile phone used by Byrne and Preston Connolly for their "JJ Line" drug-dealing operation. In opening statements, Nigel Power KC described it as a "targeted revenge attack in the heat of a dispute over drugs," not mistaken identity.

Allen, 55, of no fixed address, has prior firearm convictions from 2003 and 2020. He told the court he "just found guns extremely nice to look at."

In November 2023, Allen was jailed for 3.5 years for downloading 250 indecent images and videos of children, some of which he sent to four others, as reported by the Wirral Globe. This followed a 2015 conviction that placed him on the sex offenders' register for 10 years—a condition he breached by traveling to the Netherlands with Byrne and Connolly without notifying police. He also has Dutch convictions for extreme pornographic images and drug offenses.

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A woman who was given a sexual harm prevention order after pleading guilty to making hundreds of child sex abuse images has been jailed after she breached the order.

Samantha Franklin, 35, of Cove House Gardens, Ashton Keynes, was given a suspended prison sentence on December 8 as well as a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

However, on January 13, she was arrested once again after she was found to have breached the order on five separate occasions, just days after it was issued.

She appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court on January 14 and pleaded guilty to five counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

She was sentenced to 50 weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay a £187 surcharge.  

Detective Constable Jason Walsh, from the Child Internet Exploitation Team, said:

“I am really pleased that Franklin has been given a prison sentence – she has continued to offend since she was sentenced in December by breaching the terms of her sexual harm prevention order.
"She has shown a total disregard for the court system and seems to have totally underestimated the seriousness of her own offending and the SHPO she was issued with.

"I hope she spends her prison sentence reflecting on the crimes she has committed – there is no place in society for people who behave in this way.”

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A rapist who attacked two women has been jailed for 15 years.

Shaun Rogers, 29, from Blackfell in Washington, was under investigation for raping his first victim when he targeted his second, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Rogers admitted multiple offences, including several counts of rape.

In a statement read to the court, his first victim said:

"He took everything from me, my life, my joy, my happiness.

"He broke me in every way possible and left me an empty shell of a person."

Judge Graham Robinson commended her bravery in reporting Rogers and attending court to see him jailed.

The judge said Rogers "did not care" about raping the first woman, then tried to "gaslight" the second by denying the attack.

Rogers must sign the sex offenders register for life.

Description

A 31-year-old Aylesbury man, Philip Hackett, has been jailed for 15 years after being convicted of multiple sexual offences against three victims.

He was sentenced in December for six offences: two counts of sexual assault, three counts of assault by penetration, and one count of rape.

Detective Constable Mark Banham, from Aylesbury CID, said:

“This was a serious and complex investigation with three victims reporting that Hackett had committed sexual offences against them while they were vulnerable.

“The type of predatory behaviour displayed by Hackett was abhorrent, and I am pleased that the court recognised the seriousness of his offending with a substantial prison sentence.

“Thames Valley Police is absolutely committed to tackling all forms of violence and women and girls, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the victims and witnesses in this case for their full support.

“Without this, it would have been difficult to achieve this outcome, and I hope that now Hackett has been given a lengthy prison sentence, his victims can look to put this behind them as best as they can and move on with their lives.”

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CCTV operators in Newcastle spotted a man masturbating in the city centre's Manors Car Park, leading to his arrest for outraging public decency.

Dean Chalmers was lying on the ground behind a council vehicle when seen just after 7pm last June. Security staff arrived to find him still exposed.

Prosecutor Neil Pallister said: "They saw the defendant lying in Manors car park masturbating, which was clearly seen on the CCTV.

"While masturbating, the CCTV shows a number of members of the public entering and leaving the car park, who could easily have seen him. After he stopped masturbating, he continued lying on the ground with his penis exposed until security officers arrived in a van and spoke to him."

Chalmers, with 74 prior convictions—including a 102-month jail term in 2015 for sex offences and a suspended sentence last year for failing sex offender registration—pleaded guilty.

Judge Stephen Earl extended the suspended sentence's operational period by six months and imposed an 18-month community order, noting time served on remand.

The judge told him: "Masturbating in a public car park is probably not a good idea. You probably appreciate that now."

Defence lawyer Caroline McGurk said: "The members of the public in the car park before the security officers were called could not easily have seen the defendant because he had taken refuge behind some sort of council vehicle. He believed himself to be completely concealed.

"He went there to feel safe and engaged in an act he believed would not be viewed by anyone. He was genuinely horrified when he realised he had been seen on CCTV and the security officers were called and saw him in the offence was made out.

"The defendant has demonstrated steps to address his offending behaviour. He has been alcohol free since September, which is a result of his incarceration. He has done a lot of thinking while in jail and wants to better himself."

Description

A man who raped and sexually abused two children over several years has been jailed today for 18 years and has also been handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, concluding a complex four-year investigation led by detectives in our Protecting Vulnerable People Unit.

Paul Tyler, 66-years old of Trinity Road in Bridlington, pleaded guilty to 11 offences including rape of a child under 13, at earlier court hearings, and appeared today (Wednesday, 28 January) at Hull Crown court where he was sentenced.

An investigation was launched into Tyler in August 2022, after a man presented at Bridlington police station reporting that when he was a child he was subjected to multiple rapes over two years, naming Tyler as the one responsible. 

Detectives carried out extensive enquiries into what were quickly established to be complex, non-recent sexual offences, including liaising with colleagues from neighbouring forces, gathering witness and victim impact statements, and collating third-party material to stack up the evidence against him to present to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), leading to Tyler being charged in August 2024. 

In December 2024, he pleaded guilty at a Hull Crown Court hearing to five counts of rape of a boy under 13, and sexual assault of a boy under 13, however sentencing was postponed due to a third-party report we received the month before, claiming that a woman had disclosed non-recent sexual abuse when she was a child, again naming Tyler as the offender. 

Tyler was already in prison serving a 16-sentence that began in 2012 for sexual offences against children in the West Yorkshire area. He remained in prison following his guilty plea and whilst a second investigation was launched. 

Tyler was later charged as part of the second investigation in September 2025, appearing back at Hull Crown Court in November where he entered guilty pleas to two counts of causing a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, rape of a girl under 13, sexual assault of a girl under 13, and assault by penetration of a girl under 13. 

Following this result, the three years left of his existing 16-year sentence will run concurrently, and the 18-year sentence received today will run consecutively. 

Following his appearance at Hull Crown Court today, investigating officer Detective Constable Clare Gascoigne said:

“I want to first commend the extraordinary bravery shown by the man and woman who came forward and reported Tyler’s offending against them when they were just children. 

“These offences took place many years ago, and coming forward to report abuse suffered as a child requires immense courage. 

“Their strength in speaking out has been vital in bringing this offender to justice, and by doing this, they have not only sought accountability for what was done to them but also helped protect other children. 

“I’d also like to recognise the invaluable support provided by colleagues from one of our neighbouring forces, West Yorkshire Police, and the unwavering dedication from all officers involved in both investigations, along with the support from the CPS throughout the entirety of this protracted investigation into Tyler’s grotesque offending.

“Acknowledging The Blue Door service too, whose advocacy and specialist support gave both the man and woman confidence to engage in the criminal justice process. The role of independent support services such as The Blue Door is crucial in helping victims feel believed, supported and empowered. 

“Non-recent child sexual abuse often goes unreported for decades because of feelings of fear, shame, or worries about not being believed. This case demonstrates that we will always take such allegations seriously, regardless of how much time has passed, and we will investigate them thoroughly and sensitively. 

“Whilst today’s outcome does not take away the pain and suffering the man and woman have endured, I hope it provides them with some reassurance that Tyler will remain in prison for the rest of his life, unable to cause any more harm to children in our communities. 

“We would encourage anyone who has experienced abuse, whether it was six days or six years ago, to come forward and tell someone when you are ready. You will be listened to, supported and taken seriously.” 

Description

A serial sex offender with a "chronic and deep-seated sexual interest in children" has been jailed again after failing to learn from three prior prison sentences.

Robert Johnson, 38, of Louis Street, off Spring Bank, Hull, but recently in custody, was found with indecent images of children as young as five and breached court orders aimed at curbing his "engrained" behavior, Hull Crown Court heard.

Johnson admitted three breaches of sex offender requirements, one breach of a sexual harm prevention order, three counts of making indecent images of children, and possessing prohibited images of children.

Prosecutor Maya Hanson said a sexual harm prevention order was imposed on January 19, 2018, with a probation officer managing Johnson. On August 27, his phone check revealed two unregistered email addresses and deleted browsing history, including 937 searches. "The defendant had deleted some of his internet search history," said Miss Hanson.

An indecent image of a 13-year-old girl was found, leading to police involvement. Seized devices contained images of girls aged five, seven, and nine: 16 in Category A, 11 in Category B, 36 in Category C, and 39 prohibited "cartoons." He also failed to register his address within three days of release.

Johnson had prior sexual offense convictions in 2014, 2017, and 2021, with sentences of three years and 18 months. On February 16, 2024, he was jailed for 20 months for breaching registration on June 5, 2023, plus possessing and making indecent child images and extreme animal images on October 22, 2022.

Mitigating, Hannah Turner said Johnson pleaded guilty with no attempts to contact real children. "There is very little that can be said by way of mitigation," said Miss Turner. "He fully accepts the offences and he has throughout the court procedures. He has – and, I imagine, he will continue to – held his hands up to this offending." He was an "avid gamer" hoping to retain his Xbox and consoles.

Judge Mark Bury told Johnson: "It's clear to me that you have a chronic and deep-seated sexual interest in children, albeit that you have not committed contact offences and there is no evidence that you are likely to in the future." This was his fifth sentencing for child image offenses.

"It's clear that you had browsed sites that you should not have been browsing," said Judge Bury. Viewing such images for a "sexual thrill" furthers child abuse. "You have a deeply engrained sexual interest in children. The time has come where a longer sentence of imprisonment is appropriate."

Johnson was jailed for three years and eight months, with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and indefinite sex offender registration.

In the February 2024 hearing, police found indecent child images on his phone at a bail hostel. He reported homelessness but missed a registration meeting, became argumentative on a call, ignored a text, and was arrested. A second phone had 512 images, some Category A involving children as young as three, including videos.

Description

A man from Crawley has been jailed for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy and possessing child abuse material.

Michael Simmonds, 37, of no fixed abode, came to the attention of police after a 13-year-old boy reported that he had been sexually assaulted in woodland in June 2025. The victim reported the incident immediately, allowing officers to quickly locate and arrest Simmonds.

Following his arrest, Simmonds’ mobile phone was seized and examined. Investigators found he was in possession of child abuse material, including Category A and B images.

Simmonds was charged with sexual assault on 30 June 2025. He was initially released on bail, during which time specialist officers obtained a Sexual Risk Order (SRO). The order imposed strict conditions on his use of technology and required him to be managed by an offender manager.

Shortly after the Sexual Risk Order was imposed, Simmonds breached the order by downloading and using apps and websites without permission. On 27 October 2025 he was charged for breaching the SRO and taking indecent photographs of children. He then went on to breach his court bail, resulting in him being remanded into custody.

Simmonds appeared at Crawley Magistrates court and pleaded guilty to all offences on 18 November 2025.

On 19 January 2026, Simmonds appeared at Lewes Crown Court where he was sentenced to a total of three years and two months in prison. He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed for ten years.

Detective Sergeant Melanie Pyle, who led part of the investigation, said:

“This was a deeply distressing offence, and I want to commend the exceptional bravery shown by the victim in coming forward so quickly to report what had happened. His courage enabled officers to act quickly and played a crucial role in bringing Simmonds to justice.

“We hope this outcome provides reassurance to victims that they will be listened to and supported.”

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.”