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A man who sent explicit messages to three people he wrongly believed to be underage girls has been jailed.

Phillip Smith, aged 52, asked for explicit pictures after messaging three ‘girls’ on Facebook.

Unbeknown to Smith, however, the ‘girls’ – who told him they were aged 13, 14 and 14 – were actually members of an online child safety group, which later shared its evidence with the police.

Smith, of Dennis Avenue, Beeston, was confronted by the group in Beeston (pictured above left) and asked why he was sending sexualised messages to young girls.

Nottingham Crown Court heard he was already subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order having committed similar sexual offences in the past.

At his sentencing on Wednesday (7 January), Smith was jailed for two-and-a-half years after admitting attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Sergeant Elizabeth Gray, of Nottinghamshire Police’s public protection team said:

“Smith committed serious sexual offences with people he believed to be only 13 or 14 years old. Thankfully this was not the case and no children were harmed by his actions.

“But he knew perfectly well that what he was doing was wrong and he has rightly been punished.

“Although online activist groups work at their own discretion, Nottinghamshire Police will continue to respond to information provided by members of the public and that will not change.”

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A rapist will be deported after serving part of his sentence in the UK. Jose Sibi, 46, appeared via video link from Holme House prison at Teesside Crown Court, where he was sentenced after admitting one charge of rape and two of attempted rape.

The offences occurred on Teesside years ago, the court heard. Prosecutor Paul Newcombe said Sibi, of no fixed abode, had previous good character.

In her victim impact statement, the woman said: "I used to enjoy reading, but I can't concentrate because bad thoughts of you enter my head. I can't sleep at night. Every day I live in fear. I am determined to come out of this as a strong person and put this behind me."

Judge Anthony Hawks noted Sibi's mitigation included a drinking problem and a guilty plea, though late. He added: "Pleas of guilty at any stage are to be encouraged."

The judge also considered that Sibi, who moved from India to the UK, would be deported.

Sibi received a total six-year sentence, lifetime placement on the sex offenders register, and a restraining order barring contact with the victim.

Judge Hawks said: "At the two thirds stage, if not before, you will be automatically deported."

Record details

A man has been handed a 12-year prison sentence after admitting raping a woman in a Taunton park.

The attack happened between 11pm on Friday 10 and 5am on Saturday 11 October 2025, in Victoria Park.
Police issued an appeal for information on Sunday 12 October, and made an arrest the same day.

Manoj Chinthathira, 29, of Wilfred Road, Taunton, entered guilty pleas to two counts of rape at a hearing on 28 November 2025, and was remanded into custody.

Today, Thursday 8 January, he was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court, sitting at Worle, to a 12-year jail term for each offence, to run concurrently, after allowing a reduction for his guilty plea.

His Honour Judge Stephen Climie said Chinthathira would be deported after serving 50 per cent of his sentence.

Chinthathira expressed his remorse and shame, and hung his head.

Manoj Chinthathira had approached the woman – a stranger to him – in the street after noticing that she seemed upset.

Police enquiries established that he bought beer from a nearby shop and plied the woman, aged in her thirties, with alcohol, at first chatting with her in a friendly way.

Nearby security cameras captured the chilling moment he told the woman he was going to rape her, and the terrified woman repeatedly begging “please don’t”.

Officer in the case DC Amanda Johnson said:

“This is a disturbing case in which a man has targeted a vulnerable woman. Manoj Chinthathira saw a woman who was in distress. He bought alcohol and took her to a secluded bench in the park. While he at first seemed to be friendly, it seems clear his behaviour was planned and predatory. During the sustained assault she was in fear for her life.

“When confronted with his crime, he initially denied it, but the evidence was so compelling he was forced to enter a guilty plea in court. I would like to recognise the woman for resolutely supporting an investigation which has taken someone who poses a clear risk to women and girls off our streets. I must also thank the members of the public who helped the victim, and those who came forward with information after our initial appeal.”

Christine Hart, Senior Crown Advocate from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: 

“The OIC and her team conducted a thorough and sensitive investigation which included obtaining audio from nearby CCTV cameras that captured the harrowing soundtrack of this incident. I echo the comments made in relation to the courage and resilience shown by the victim. The CPS are committed to working with the police to both support victims and to bring offenders committing acts of violence towards women and girls to justice.”

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A violent offender who raped and stabbed a stranger in Benfleet has been given a 19-year extended sentence after a dynamic investigation put him behind bars.

Judge Samantha Cohen, sentencing 24-year-old Kyle Pauley at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday 8 January, said the evidence gathered against him by our Serious Crime Directorate was "utterly overwhelming".

Officers responded quickly following a call to us at around 11pm on Monday 22 September last year.

We were told a woman had been approached by a man, soon identified as Pauley, in the area of Villa Road Recreation Ground.

The victim reported the man followed her, threatened her with a knife and told her to do as he said.

She was taken to a nearby field, where the rape took place.

After this horrific ordeal, she made an attempt to push Pauley away, at which point she was stabbed once to her stomach area.

Thankfully the stab wound, while serious and lasting in its impact, did not prove life-threatening.

Pauley fled the scene and the woman made it home, where the first call to the ambulance service and our officers was made.

Catching a dangerous offender

Our investigation immediately began in earnest.

Officers acted on the description given by the victim, and following an extensive search of the area arrested Pauley within an hour of the call.

Although he had discarded the knife, this was recovered by crime scene investigators following further searches.

The victim’s glasses, knocked off during the assault, were also found in the area.

It was established Pauley had recently been released from prison after serving a sentence for drug dealing.

He was wearing a GPS monitoring tag as part of the terms of his licence, which further helped to place him at the scene of the assault.

Careful analysis of CCTV footage further showed Pauley following the victim prior to the attack.

DNA evidence also tied Pauley to the offences.

Strength of case

Pauley, of Brook Road, Benfleet, was charged with two counts of rape, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife in a public place.

The strong evidence resulted in guilty pleas to each charge when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Friday 24 October and he faced sentenced at the same court on Thursday 8 January.

In a statement, the victim courageously shared the impact of the offending on her:

“I am lot more anxious and struggle at work with my concentration and feeling overwhelmed.

“If I am at home, I spend a lot of time in my bedroom not having to speak to my family, as I just feel upset all the time.

“It is all about that night – I can’t move forward and don’t feel normal. I don’t know if I will again.

“I will always be scared of him.”

The victim’s father said:

“I know what happened to her was horrific and it was awful and heartbreaking to see her that night and then in the hospital.

“But what is most upsetting now is seeing the continued impact and what she is doing to herself because of this.

“I want to see her move forward and not let this define her future, as she is such a lovely girl with so much to offer.

“The feeling of being unable to protect my daughter from such a vicious attack has left me emotionally and mentally exhausted which has led to physical exhaustion.

“Still, I carry on as my children need me.

“To the person sitting in the dock: I am thankful that you have spared my daughter the mental torture of a trial and I hope that whatever sentence is passed today, you think about your actions.

“I hope that you use this time to make amends with your future actions and come out of this a better human being than the one you are currently.”

Extended sentence

Pauley was deemed to be a dangerous offender and given an extended sentence, comprising 12 years imprisonment and seven years on licence upon his eventual release.

Judge Cohen praised the "highly expert and thorough CCTV analysis undertaken by the policing team".

Detective Inspector Lydia George, senior investigating officer, said:

“I would firstly like to recognise the strength, courage and bravery shown by the victim. She has remained steadfast in her account and support for the investigation, helping us build our case and take a dangerous and predatory criminal off our streets.

“She is a credit to herself and her family.

“To be faced with an incident of this level of sexual and physical violence, in circumstances where the victim is not known to the attacker – this is very rare within Essex.

“Our response required speed, sensitivity and careful preservation of forensic evidence linking Pauley to the crime. We ensured we built an irrebuttable case against the person responsible.

“Call handlers were able to get those vital first pieces of information from the victim.

“Our officers were then on the scene within minutes, ensuring Pauley was promptly arrested.

“Further searches uncovered the knife used in the attack, despite his deliberate attempt to discard it.

“Due to the strength of the evidence presented, Pauley was left with no choice but to admit to the horrific crimes he had committed.

“This was a sexually motivated assault on a lone woman, committed by a violent offender who has today, deservedly, been given a lengthy custodial sentence.

“We take all incidents involving violence against women and girls in Essex extremely seriously and it’s vital victims feel confident in coming forward to us.”

Record details

A Wrexham man who indecently assaulted two teenage girls has been jailed.

David Peers, 71, of Llay New Road, Llay, admitted nine offences of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency with a child.

The historic sex offences happened in the 1980s.

The victims, who cannot be named as a result of lifelong anonymity were teenagers when they met Peers.

He would engage in sexual activities with the girls in their school uniforms and take intimate images of them.

At Mold Crown Court today, Thursday, 8 January, Peers was jailed for a total of eight years and four months.

He was also made to register as a sex offender for life, and an indefinite restraining order was put in place to protect both victims.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Lisa Reid said:

“I commend both victim in this case for their courage in reporting Peers to police and in providing detailed accounts of the abuse they suffered, which has been vital in securing this conviction.

“Both victims continue to suffer the impact of his offending in their adult lives.

“I hope this case will encourage others who have been subject to sexual abuse to come forward, and be reassured their evidence will be heard, whilst serving as a reminder to any offenders of these despicable crimes that they will face the consequences of their actions - no matter how and when sexual abuse occurred.

"Tackling violence against women and girls remains a foremost priority for North Wales Police.”

Record details

Philip Duffield, a 25-year-old from Grosvenor Road, Solihull, has been jailed for 12 years as a 'sexual predator' for raping two young women in a Holiday Inn hotel and assaulting a third after spiking her drink.

He was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday, January 7, and must serve two-thirds (eight years) before release consideration, plus a three-year extended licence as a 'dangerous offender,' per Judge Heidi Kubik KC.

She told him: "You remain unrepentant with a total lack of insight into the impact of your actions on the women concerned and a total lack of insight into your own wrong-doing."

Duffield claimed consensual contact with his three 2024 victims, but a jury convicted him of two rapes and one assault by penetration.

In April, he met an 18-year-old and 20-year-old at a Wetherspoon's in Shrewsbury, then raped them at the hotel while they were semi-conscious and 'extremely intoxicated.' One reported him, leading to arrest and bail.

In December, he attacked another woman in Birmingham after Glamorous nightclub, spiking her drink at his home.

Duffield had no prior crimes, was a university graduate in a 'good job earning a significant amount of money,' and his barrister called him 'sexually immature.'

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A Just Eat delivery driver was caught performing a sex act while customers awaited their McDonald's order in Bellshill, Lanarkshire. Muhammad Sajawal, 31, of Motherwell, was spotted by three women in October 2024, leading them to report the incident to police.

The women saw Sajawal holding a mobile phone and masturbating. A 16-year-old witness testified: "I could see the driver and my bag of food right next to him and could see him on FaceTime to someone and could see his hand on his privates. It made me feel quite sick to my stomach."

Sajawal, who moved from Pakistan to Scotland to study and had worked for Just Eat for six months, claimed he was on a video call with family and fiddling with a vape. He said: "I was unaware that the girls were watching me. During the time I was there to deliver the food I was on a call with my father. The vape was in my hand and it is a habit that I play with my vape so I keep moving it in my hand. They must have misunderstood this movement."

Depute fiscal Daniel Toner noted: "All three Crown witnesses gave their evidence in a straightforward, credible and reliable manner and did not seek to embellish the incident although they were clearly distressed by it."

Defense lawyer Laura Kiernan said: "His position is that he was playing with his vape and this has been a misunderstanding."

At Hamilton Sheriff Court, Sheriff Shirley McKenna convicted Sajawal of public indecency, telling him: "The evidence from one of the girls was clear that your hand was between your legs and you were touching yourself. She explained that it made her feel sick to her stomach."

Sentencing was deferred until later this month, with bail continued and Sajawal placed on the sex offenders' register.

A Just Eat spokesperson said: "This driver has been removed from our network."

Record details

A father-of-three gave a teenage girl drugs before sexually assaulting her in his car, a court heard. Gareth Edwards stopped the girl from answering her phone during the ordeal and told her to lie about what happened and not to tell the police.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Edwards gave his young victim cocaine and twice sexually assaulted her in his car in Aberystwyth in May last year. The 36-year-old denied the allegations but was convicted at trial after the incident was reported to police, who located and arrested him following a public appeal.

In a victim statement read by prosecutor Helen Randall, the teenager said the assault had changed who she is, shifting her from a "bubbly person with lots of friends" who enjoyed socializing to being "withdrawn" and more isolated. She said Edwards had given her cocaine to take advantage of her and "he knows what he did that night." She added that testifying at trial was stressful and she nearly backed out, but did it "to keep other girls safe."

Edwards, of Bridge Street, Aberystwyth, was convicted of sexual assault and assault by penetration. He has 24 previous convictions for 27 offences, the last for malicious communications in December 2023, for which he received a community order he breached five times.

Defense barrister Darren Almeida said Edwards maintains his innocence, noting the complainant had consumed multiple substances that night with no evidence he pressured her into taking cocaine, and asked the court not to find it facilitated the offending. He added that the father-of-three had been a Welsh language mentor with a trusted job in prison and just wants to "keep his head down" in custody.

Judge Huw Rees told Edwards the complainant was intoxicated, vulnerable, and two decades his junior when she entered his car. "You took advantage of the situation. You took advantage of her for what she was or what you perceived her to be," the judge said.

Edwards was sentenced to five years in prison, to serve half in custody before release on licence. He will be a registered sex offender for life.

Record details

A sex offender who previously avoided jail for targeting young women has struck again, harassing a 16-year-old at a bus stop.

Steven Boyd, 42, left the teenager in tears and shaking with fear last month, despite being on the sex offenders register for five years. In October, he was admonished after admitting a string of similar offenses in Dunfermline.

Boyd, of Dunfermline, admitted that on December 6 at the town's bus station, he caused fear or alarm to the girl by sitting close to her, turning his body toward her, and making inappropriate remarks. The crime had a significant sexual element.

Depute fiscal Catherine Stevenson said the victim had traveled by bus from Edinburgh to Dunfermline. At 9:30pm, while waiting for her next bus, Boyd—a stranger—sat next to her, introduced himself, and extended his hand, which she ignored.

He asked her name and age; she said she was 16, and he replied he was 42. Boyd then said, “You’re quite big for 16,” commented on her clothing, asked if she was single, and if she'd go out with him.

“Probably not,” she replied. When he asked why, she cited her age. Boyd turned his legs toward her, making her so uncomfortable she walked away.

A bus station worker, monitoring CCTV, approached her; she was upset and began crying. On her bus home, she was “shaking and feeling physically sick,” the depute added.

Police arrested Boyd, who told officers he knew she was 16 and said, “I was trying to get myself a girlfriend.”

Sheriff Krista Johnston deferred sentencing to February 11 for reports.

In October, Boyd was admonished for three 2024 incidents: On June 30 at River Island in Kingsgate shopping centre, he approached a female worker, blew kisses, asked if she was in a relationship, made inappropriate comments, and stared at her.

On August 24 at another store, he sexually assaulted a young woman by grabbing and kissing her hand.

On October 22 during a bus journey from Halbeath Road to Dunfermline bus station, he approached a female, sat next to her despite empty seats, asked personal questions including if she had a boyfriend, and later appeared at her workplace, Primark, causing fear and alarm.

The court heard Boyd has learning difficulties and receives 56 hours of weekly care from Fife Council. Sheriff Mark O’Hanlon noted no further offending at the time and admonished him, placing him on the register.

Record details

A convicted paedophile from Winsford has been jailed again after he was found in possession of thousands of indecent images of children.

Gary McVeigh, of Delamere Street, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 6 January where he was sentenced to 14 months in prison.

The 48-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to possession of an indecent of a child, possession of a prohibited image of a child, possession of an extreme pornographic images and three counts of making indecent images of children.

The court heard how on 21 May 2025, officers attended McVeigh’s address as part of the routine checks made to monitor registered sex offenders.

During the visit, officers discovered a mobile phone, a laptop, a USB stick and an SSD memory card. After checking the content of the devices, officers discovered a number of indecent images.

During further checks officers recovered more than 12,950 indecent images of children. There was also evidence showing that McVeigh had distributed more than 120,000 images to other paedophiles.

Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Helen Wrigley said:

“As a registered sex offender, McVeigh was subjected to a number of vigorous checks on a regular basis to prevent reoffending and ensure he was keeping to his conditions.

“He was well aware of these checks, but despite this he continued to offend, downloading and sharing thousands of indecent images which showed vulnerable children being tortured, raped and abused.

“Thankfully, through our effective monitoring, McVeigh was quickly arrested and is now facing the consequences of his actions.

“I hope it reassures people that we do carefully monitor registered sex offenders in the community and take action when a breach is discovered.”

In addition to his prison sentence, McVeigh was also ordered to pay £187 costs and sign the sex offenders register for ten years.

Record details

A 60-year-old man who sexually abused a child over a period of 11 years has been jailed for 15 years. 

Melvyn Peter Brown, previously of Northampton, started to groom the girl when she was five-years-old, with the abuse only stopping when she was 16.

She was around 10-years-old when Brown raped her for the first time.

The abuse was reported to police at the end of last year and following an investigation, Brown was arrested and charged with a number of offences.  

A trial was set for May this year at Northampton Crown Court with Brown admitting to seven offences before and during - two counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl 13-15, two counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14 during the trial, two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, and one count of causing/inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The jury then took about four hours to deliver their verdicts on the remaining charges, finding Brown guilty of three counts of indecent assault , one count of assault by penetration of a girl under 13, one count of sexual activity with a child aged 13-15, two counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13, one count of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, and one count of sexual activity in the presence of a child under 16.

Brown returned to the same court yesterday (January 5) where he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the 16 offences.

Lead investigator - Detective Sergeant Chelsea Noble of the SOLAR Team, said:

“The abuse perpetrated against this girl at the hands of Melvyn Brown was truly terrible and so I am very pleased to see him jailed for 15 years. 

“Although no sentence can ever make up for what she was put through, I hope the fact that her abuser is now behind bars provides her with some comfort. She has been so brave in supporting our investigation and I hope she feels proud of the courage she has shown.

“Child abuse is a horrific crime that has a lasting-effect, and we are really passionate in the SOLAR team about putting offenders in prison and providing the survivors with the care and compassion they deserve.

“It doesn’t matter how long ago the abuse took place, we will always do our best to try and bring the case to court.

“I am glad that Melvyn Brown is now where he belongs, and I want to reassure the local community that we will continue working hard to bring more people like him to justice.”

Record details

A man has been jailed at Manchester Crown Court for the sexual abuse of a vulnerable teenage girl between 2016 and 2018.

Hasnain Ahmed (22/08/2000), of Blakey Street, South Manchester, was jailed for two and a half years yesterday (Monday 5 January 2026) after being found guilty in November 2025 of:

• Four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 by touching
• Sexual assault of a child under 13 by penetration
• Two counts of causing/ inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity

Ahmed has also been given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and a restraining order against the victim, both for a period of ten years.

The court heard how Ahmed, who was 17 at the time of the offences, repeatedly coerced the victim into sexual acts without consent. The victim bravely disclosed the abuse in April 2021 and later provided a detailed video interview to police. Her account revealed a pattern of escalating abuse over a two-year period.

She said:

This abuse changed the course of my entire life. What should have been years of innocence, safety and growth were instead filled with fear, shame and confusion.

[To Ahmed]

I want you to understand that your actions did not end when the abuse stoppedthey continue to affect me every single day, shaping my future in ways I never chose. You took my childhood, my trust, and half of my youth, and I will carry the consequences of your crime for the rest of my life.

Detective Constable Sarah Dixon of GMPs Online Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

I would like to commend the courage and bravery of the victim in coming forward. She was just 11 when the abuse started, and her detailed testimony has ensured that Ahmed is held accountable for his actions.

We hope todays sentencing alongside the SHPO offers a measure of justice to the victim and her family. Reports of this nature are treated with the utmost seriousness, and our dedicated investigation team worked tirelessly to ensure that those responsible were held to account.

Offences of this nature have no time limit. Regardless of when it occurred or the age of the victim at the time, we will listen, provide support, and pursue a thorough investigation. We remain committed to taking decisive action against perpetrators and to treating all victims with dignity, respect, and compassion.

Record details

Edward Griffith-Davies, 42, photographed a young boy naked to gain entry to a depraved Telegram pedophile group, described by prosecutor Joshua Gorst as "effectively an organised criminal group engaging in the sexual abuse of children." The images showed the child holding a handwritten sign with the forum's name, and Griffith-Davies expressed a "desire to engage in further sexual activity" with the boy.

Over more than a decade since 2011, he joined five disturbing online forums—including four focused on child abuse and one on bestiality—while amassing over 300 category A indecent images of children (the most serious), 300 category B, and more than 500 category C. In a six-month span, he distributed 27 category A images and videos plus 10 category B ones. His collection also included six prohibited images of children and 24 extreme pornographic images involving animals.

Griffith-Davies, formerly of St Helens and now of Brytirion in Bedwas, South Wales, showed "regret and remorse," per his lawyer Isabelle Haddad, amid mental health issues and no prior convictions. He admitted causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, two counts of distributing indecent images, three of making them, possession of prohibited images, and possession of extreme pornographic images.

Appearing via video link to Liverpool Crown Court in a grey prison jumper, he wept during the hearing and was jailed for four years and four months. Judge Gary Woodhall noted: "The group was building a pool of individuals with access to children who were no doubt then to be targeted in some form. It seems that, very quickly, you were made an administrator or moderator."

The judge highlighted the "profound impact" on the victim, Griffith-Davies' "frank admissions of seeking to gain indecent images of children," and his "genuine regret and remorse," while acknowledging his "obvious sexual interest in children" but no "overt sexual assault." The defendant intended "to obtain sexual gratification."

Griffith-Davies received a 15-year restraining order barring contact with the victim or entry to St Helens, an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, and lifelong sex offender registration.

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A man who sexually abused two young girls and tried to blame his drug and alcohol use has been jailed, a court heard.

David Prothero repeatedly assaulted the children, including molesting one in her school party dress and orally raped a victim. In total, he subjected four children to sexual abuse or violence.

At Swansea Crown Court, Judge Huw Rees described Prothero's behavior as "inexcusable" and said it would have "devastating" long-term impacts on the victims.

Prosecutor Andrew Kendall said the abuse emerged in August last year when one victim disclosed to her mother that Prothero had assaulted and orally raped her. One incident involved him touching her breasts while she wore a party dress.

Police investigation revealed more victims: a teenage girl he repeatedly abused sexually, and a boy and girl he physically assaulted.

Prothero, 39, of Tumble, Carmarthenshire, pleaded guilty to two counts of oral rape of a 13-year-old female, four counts of sexual activity with a female under 18, four counts of sexual assault on a female, child ill-treatment, and assault by beating. He had one prior conviction for drunk and disorderly from 2009.

Defense counsel James Hartson said Prothero had no history of sexual or violent offending, was "mortified, ashamed, and deeply embarrassed," and was "struggling to come to terms" with his actions. He noted Prothero's past as a carpenter before addiction issues, but added that blaming drink and drugs "is not an explanation which washed with probation and which will not wash with this court - there can be no excuse."

With plea discounts, Prothero was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years' imprisonment, serving two-thirds in custody before license release. He is a lifelong registered sex offender, subject to indefinite sexual harm prevention orders, and lifelong restraining orders barring victim contact.

Dyfed-Powys Police Detective Inspector Rebecca Thomas called it a "disturbing case" with four young, innocent victims. She praised their bravery:

"The bravery shown by the victims in this case must be recognised. Their courage to speak out against this abuser is ultimately what has put David Prothero in prison today. These children are a credit to themselves and to their family.

"If anyone, no matter how old or young, finds themselves suffering silently, I want to encourage you to come forward and speak with us. We have a dedicated team of investigators, specially trained in crimes of this nature, who will support you every step of the way. We are compassionate, and we are capable. We will do everything we can to secure justice, as we have seen today.

"I won’t forget the moment one victim said 'he can’t control me anymore' when Prothero entered his guilty pleas.

"This is as much about freedom as it is about justice. I hope the victims in this case can take heart knowing that Prothero is in prison, as they begin to move forward with their lives."

Record details

A 62-year-old man who tried to meet a 14-year-old girl for sexual abuse has been warned he is in a “position of some jeopardy” ahead of sentencing.

Jonathan Quinnell, formerly of Orpington and now living near Reading, sent sexual messages in December 2023 to an account he believed was a child, suggesting a meetup and discussing assault and rape.

The account was a decoy run by paedophile hunters, who confronted him on December 20, 2023.

Quinnell, who describes himself on LinkedIn as a psychic, hypnotherapist, life coach, healer, and published author, appeared at Croydon Crown Court on January 5 without legal representation.

He had previously pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming and attempting sexual communication with a child.

Quinnell told Judge Anthony Dunne OBE he had “put off” hiring a lawyer due to anxiety and stress.

Judge Dunne adjourned sentencing until February, warning Quinnell to prioritize legal representation:

“This is a very serious matter... You’re convicted of two very serious offences where the likely consequence is a custodial sentence.

“There will be the issue of whether I can suspend the sentence so it isn’t served immediately, but there’s a chance that isn’t the case. You are in a position of some jeopardy.”

Quinnell has four weeks to find a lawyer.