Latest Offenders London

Description

A 71-year-old former Islamic teacher in Ipswich, who was convicted of numerous non-recent sexual assaults, has been jailed.

Hafez Ashraf Uddin, of Wivenhoe Road, Barking in London, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 21 November, where he was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. He has also been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and been made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Uddin was found guilty of 13 counts of indecent assault at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday 5 June, following a trial lasting almost four weeks.

The offences relate to six separate victims who were all girls aged between seven and 14-years-old and occurred between 1985 and 1999.

Uddin had stood accused of 22 counts of indecent assault in total, relating to seven girls, being found guilty of 13 offences and not guilty of the other nine.

The offences included Uddin putting his hand inside one of the victims trousers, and multiple offences of either touching or squeezing the girls breasts.

Four of the charges he has been convicted of were multiple offending counts which means in those cases a single charge actually comprised at least five assaults, so the total of separate assaults numbered is at least 29.

Detective Inspector Donna Hopper, of the South Safeguarding Investigation Unit, said:

Hafez Ashraf Uddin abused the respected position of trust that he held in the community and subjected these young girls to shocking assaults some of them on multiple occasions.

These assaults have had long-lasting impacts on the victims, who did not feel able or confident to report them at the time for a number of reasons.

I want to pay tribute to them for their bravery in coming forward and reporting his offences, even though they had occurred many years previously.

I hope this case demonstrates that despite the passage of time, it is never too late to achieve justice. We want victims to know that they will be heard and that will we investigate wherever it is possible for us to do so.

No doubt Uddin thought he had got away with his appalling crimes, but he hadnt counted on the resilience of the victims to speak out and ensure he was made to answer for his actions. He will now spend a significant amount of the remaining years of his life in prison.

Description

A 71-year-old former Islamic teacher in Ipswich, who was convicted of numerous non-recent sexual assaults, has been jailed.

Hafez Ashraf Uddin, of Wivenhoe Road, Barking in London, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 21 November, where he was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment. He has also been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and been made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Uddin was found guilty of 13 counts of indecent assault at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday 5 June, following a trial lasting almost four weeks.

The offences relate to six separate victims – who were all girls aged between seven and 14-years-old – and occurred between 1985 and 1999.

Uddin had stood accused of 22 counts of indecent assault in total, relating to seven girls, being found guilty of 13 offences and not guilty of the other nine.  

The offences included Uddin putting his hand inside one of the victim’s trousers, and multiple offences of either touching or squeezing the girls’ breasts.

Four of the charges he has been convicted of were multiple offending counts – which means in those cases a single charge actually comprised at least five assaults, so the total of separate assaults numbered is at least 29.

Detective Inspector Donna Hopper, of the South Safeguarding Investigation Unit, said:

“Hafez Ashraf Uddin abused the respected position of trust that he held in the community and subjected these young girls to shocking assaults – some of them on multiple occasions.

“These assaults have had long-lasting impacts on the victims, who did not feel able or confident to report them at the time for a number of reasons.

“I want to pay tribute to them for their bravery in coming forward and reporting his offences, even though they had occurred many years previously.

“I hope this case demonstrates that despite the passage of time, it is never too late to achieve justice. We want victims to know that they will be heard and that will we investigate wherever it is possible for us to do so.

“No doubt Uddin thought he had got away with his appalling crimes, but he hadn’t counted on the resilience of the victims to speak out and ensure he was made to answer for his actions. He will now spend a significant amount of the remaining years of his life in prison.”

Description

A 71-year-old former Islamic teacher in Ipswich, who was convicted of numerous non-recent sexual assaults, has been jailed.

Hafez Ashraf Uddin, of Wivenhoe Road, Barking in London, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 21 November, where he was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment. He has also been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and been made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Uddin was found guilty of 13 counts of indecent assault at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday 5 June, following a trial lasting almost four weeks.

The offences relate to six separate victims – who were all girls aged between seven and 14-years-old – and occurred between 1985 and 1999.

Uddin had stood accused of 22 counts of indecent assault in total, relating to seven girls, being found guilty of 13 offences and not guilty of the other nine.  

The offences included Uddin putting his hand inside one of the victim’s trousers, and multiple offences of either touching or squeezing the girls’ breasts.

Four of the charges he has been convicted of were multiple offending counts – which means in those cases a single charge actually comprised at least five assaults, so the total of separate assaults numbered is at least 29.

Detective Inspector Donna Hopper, of the South Safeguarding Investigation Unit, said:

“Hafez Ashraf Uddin abused the respected position of trust that he held in the community and subjected these young girls to shocking assaults – some of them on multiple occasions.

“These assaults have had long-lasting impacts on the victims, who did not feel able or confident to report them at the time for a number of reasons.

“I want to pay tribute to them for their bravery in coming forward and reporting his offences, even though they had occurred many years previously.

“I hope this case demonstrates that despite the passage of time, it is never too late to achieve justice. We want victims to know that they will be heard and that will we investigate wherever it is possible for us to do so.

“No doubt Uddin thought he had got away with his appalling crimes, but he hadn’t counted on the resilience of the victims to speak out and ensure he was made to answer for his actions. He will now spend a significant amount of the remaining years of his life in prison.”

Description

A dangerous predator from Stratford who repeatedly abused two girls has been jailed for 29 years.

We arrested 61-year-old Keith Stanley in March when a teenage girl bravely came forward to disclose that she had been sexually abused by Stanley for five years.
 
On arrest he was charged with eight different counts of rape of a girl and remanded in custody.
 
At that time, a second victim came forward, disclosing that she had been abused as a young teenager more than 20 years ago.
 
Detectives acted quickly to build the case and Stanley was then charged with 14 additional offences against the second victim – who was under 16 at the time of the offences.
 
And on 14 November at Warwick Crown Court, Stanley was sentenced to 29 years in prison, with a further six years to be spent on licence.

Detective Constable Ellena Psomadakis said:

“I would like to highlight the extraordinary bravery of the two victims who came forward and helped us to build up a strong case.
 
“I would also like to recognise the work of officers and of detectives from the child abuse team, who worked hard to make sure Stanley faced justice.
 
“Advocates from the charity Safeline also played a huge role in this – providing specialist support to both victims.
 
“Stanley is a dangerous predator, and we welcome the fact that he may now be in prison for the rest of his life.”

Description

Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been convicted of rape in Slough.

Andrew Collins, aged 35, of Beechwood Avenue, Ealing was found guilty of one count of vaginal rape of a female, following a 6-day trial at Reading Crown Court on Monday (17/11).

He was found not guilty to one count of oral rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration.

Collins has been remanded in custody and is set to appear at the same court on January 16 2026 to be sentenced.

Between 6pm and 7pm on November 12, 2024, CCTV footage captured Collins, aged 34 at the time, following the victim through Slough Town Centre.

Collins shared his contact details with the victim, arranging to meet up with her later in the evening where he supplied her with alcohol and then raped her.

Collins was arrested on Tuesday 19 November 2024 and charged the following day.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Cat Sykes said:

“The victim in this case has shown immense bravery throughout this investigation and we thank her for her continued support, patience and the faith she has placed in the Criminal Justice System.

“Andrew Collins has been convicted of one of the most serious offences in our society.

“He identified a vulnerable individual and exploited those vulnerabilities to enable his offending.

“His conviction today is a testament to the commitment of Thames Valley Police to bring to justice sexual offenders and to make our streets a safe place for everyone.

“It is also the result of the tenacious work of dozens of police officers and staff, along with our colleagues in the Crown Prosecution Service and counsel at trial.

“We will continue to listen and support complaints of such offences and work relentlessly against those who think it is acceptable to perpetuate any form of violence against women and girls.”

Description

A man has been jailed after being convicted of 47 child sex offences – including rape and serious sexual assaults against multiple boys.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, 20 November, Barthimaus Ehiemere, 25 (13.07.2000), of Chart Street, Hackney, N1, was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment with four years on licence. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for life.

The Judge also praised DC Lindsey Luscombe for her work on her case.

On Thursday, 31 July, a jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court found Ehiemere guilty of 15 charges. He had previously pleaded guilty to 32 offences – including multiple counts of rape, as well as sexual assault and making indecent images of children.

The charges relate to seven victims who were aged between 12 and 16 at the time.

Detective Constable Lindsey Luscombe, from the Met's Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation team, said:

“I commend the victim-survivors for their incredible bravery in this case. Three of them testified at trial, and this proved vital in holding Ehiemere to account for his horrendous crimes.

“Ehiemere is one of the most prolific and depraved sexual predators we have seen in recent years. He groomed his victims online, demonstrating a dangerous pattern of offending.

“This case demonstrates the insidious nature of online child sex abuse, and its grave implications in the real world. But it also shows how the authorities – using digital resources – can bring even the most devious offenders to justice. We urge all victims to come forward and will ensuring they are met with the understanding and specialist support that they need.”

Ehiemere first came onto the Met’s radar in September 2020, as part of an investigation into online grooming. Officers raided his Hackney home and seized his devices. In light of this, Ehiemere pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children, and was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

After analysing the devices seized in 2020, investigators established that Ehiemere had been using Snapchat and Spotafriend to groom boys for sex.

He would send them gifts, money and praise in return for indecent images, which he would then use to advertise and encourage other boys to do the same. Ehiemere would actively brag about his endeavours and sell the illegal content to likeminded sexual offenders.

Officers were able to identify six victims across the UK. One of the boys told police that he had been seriously sexual assaulted by Ehiemere when he was 12, while another said Ehiemere had paid him for sex when was 16.

On 28 October 2024, officers arrested Ehiemere at his workplace in north Acton. In conjunction with this, they seized more devices from his home – several of which had not been registered with police, in violation of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Ehiemere was remanded in custody. He refused to give investigators the password to access one of the seized phones. Nevertheless, forensic analysts were able to bypass this – and found evidence on the device that Ehiemere had raped a seventh boy.

This victim, aged 12, was located by police and safeguarded.

The appeal

Following Ehiemere’s sentencing, detectives are appealing for any further victim-survivors to come forward.

There may be other instances where he has used Snapchat and Spotafriend to groom boys for sex and indecent images. Detectives are interested to speak to anyone who believes their child may have had contact with Ehiemere.

Survivors are encouraged to contact the police by reporting online or by calling 101 quoting Op Teigar, where officers will arrange contact.

Description

Mustafa Taskiran, 48, escaped a deportation order after committing 54 offences over a decade.

A Turkish migrant convicted of rape is in line for compensation after claiming an electronic tag caused him "depressed."

Lawyers will discuss whether “appropriate relief” should be granted to Taskiran.

High Court judge Mr Justice Lavender ruled in his favor days before the 48-year-old admitted stalking and threatening to kill a woman with a knife.

The sex offender claimed the tag caused him “intense physical and mental distress” due to its weight and discomfort.

Taskiran's criminal history began four years after he was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK in 1994.

Over ten years, he committed 54 offences but avoided deportation in 2009.

The Turkish national was jailed for just under seven years for rape in 2014.

Deportation failed after his 2018 release when Turkish authorities revoked his citizenship.

Since then, he has worn an electronic tag on immigration bail.

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick slammed the ruling: “I don’t care about this man’s so-called depression. And nor do the British people.”

The Home Office said:

“When foreign nationals commit serious crimes we do everything in our power to deport them.”

This follows Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's statement that the Home Office is "not yet fit for purpose," in response to an internal review criticizing its organization and functions.

She said:

"The Home Office is not yet fit for purpose, and has been set up for failure. As this report shows, the last Conservative government knew this, but failed to do anything about it. Things are now changing. I will work, with the new permanent secretary, to transform the Home Office so that it delivers for this country."

On Monday, Ms Mahmood is set to announce an overhaul to Britain's migration system, aiming to tackle human rights loopholes frustrating deportations.

Sir Keir Starmer said the changes will prevent "endless appeals" and speed up removals of "people with no right to be here."

Description

A 65-year-old pedophile, Cliff Lewthwaite, has been jailed for an additional 10 years after sexually abusing a girl from age eight in Bromley during his late teens and early 20s.

He was already serving an 18-year sentence from 2019 for abusing two other children and was "looking forward" to his anticipated release in September 2027, after serving half his term.

But on October 21 at Woolwich Crown Court, a jury convicted him of 13 sexual assaults and attempted rape of a child.

The court heard Lewthwaite appeared respectable, working as a butcher, milkman, and pub manager.

Judge Philip Shorrock described his actions as a “campaign of serious sexual abuse” on the girl.

Lewthwaite, held in HMP Belmarsh, now lives a "lonely existence," segregated from other prisoners due to his crimes and without visitors for seven years.

The new sentence begins after his current term.

Description

A man who made arrangements to travel abroad and pay to rape children as young as six, and helped others to do the same, has been convicted. 

The Crown Prosecution Service’s dedicated Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit prosecuted Edward Gratwick, 68, following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA). 

Robbie Weber, Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS, said: 

"The abuse Edward Gratwick described inflicting on young children with other like-minded individuals was abhorrent. 

“It was clear from the evidence that he was intent on harming and abusing children and was willing to pay significant sums of money to do it. Not content with satisfying his own sexual desires, he also advised and encouraged others how they could commit equally horrific crimes.

“Our Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit, in collaboration with the NCA, built a comprehensive picture of his crimes, which resulted in his convictions. I would like to thank the jury in this case for their careful consideration of the harrowing evidence presented in court.

“All children have the right to feel safe and protected and I hope this conviction sends a clear message that the CPS, working closely alongside law enforcement partners, will relentlessly pursue justice and prosecute those who seek to sexually exploit children.”

The court heard that Gratwick, of Mitcham, London, was arrested at Stansted Airport on 7 March 2025 before boarding a flight to Bucharest, Romania. 

His home address was searched and a number of electronic devices and the drug GBL was found in his property. 

Analysis of his devices found hundreds of indecent images of children (IIOC) and numerous chats across a number of encrypted applications in which he discussed arranging and facilitating child sexual abuse with others. 

In his online conversations, the defendant sent IIOC to others and made arrangements to abuse specific children in the UK and abroad. These arrangements were often had with relatives of the children targeted. 

Gratwick also facilitated and helped others arrange to abuse children. In one conversation, Gratwick made an offer to supply GBL to another man to use on a child so that they could be sedated before he sexually abused them. 

In another conversation with a person based in Romania, the defendant discussed how much extra it would cost a customer to beat a 10-year-old child he purported to be managing.  

At trial, the prosecution used extensive digital and physical evidence to prove Gratwick’s intent to commit sexual offences against children and to facilitate the abuse of children by other like-minded individuals. 

Today (10 October) the jury found him guilty of 38 offences. He had already pleaded guilty to two other counts. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 28 November.

Danielle Pownall, Senior Investigating Officer at the NCA said: 

“The chat logs recovered from Edward Gratwick’s devices are some of the worst seen by specialist child abuse investigators at the NCA.

“Gratwick has continually denied the offences he faced, despite overwhelming and indisputable evidence, which shows his lack of remorse and disregard for the safety and welfare of children.  

“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the members of jury, who over the last six weeks have considered distressing evidence which no-one should ever have to hear. I echo the words of gratitude from Her Honour Judge Harden-Frost in light of what they have heard, culminating in guilty verdicts against Gratwick.

“Work continues with our international partners to identify those who Gratwick was engaging with and we will do everything in our power to safeguard any children from harm, wherever they are. We are grateful for the immediate response and support from UK and international partners during this investigation.”

Work continues to formally identify the victims and ensure safeguarding measures are put in place. 

To deal with some of the more complex and challenging child sexual abuse cases, the CPS has a dedicated Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit to share specialist understanding, build strong cases and increase the amount of successful prosecutions. 

Description

Curtis Arnold Convicted of Fraud and Sexual Offenses, Subject to 10-Year SHPO

Curtis Arnold, 36, now using the alias Daniel James Edwards aka “DJE MEDIA,” deceived women and teenage girls in London gyms by offering fake “leggings modelling” opportunities. Posing as a sportswear company executive, he tricked them into wearing revealing workout clothing while secretly filming them.

Court Details: Convictions and Sentencing

In 2019 at Harrow Crown Court, Arnold pleaded guilty to:

• 12 counts of fraud
• 1 count of voyeurism
• 1 count of causing sexual activity without consent
• 1 count of making indecent images of a child

The judge described Arnold’s actions as an “elaborate deception” over three years, involving a fake business and partner to pressure victims into exposing poses. Some victims discovered their videos and photos had been shared online. One victim was 17 years old.

Arnold was sentenced to 40 months in prison, later reduced to 34 months. Judge Dean imposed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), effective until February 2029.

SHPO Restrictions

The SHPO prohibits Arnold from:

• Owning or using devices capable of storing digital images unless approved by police
• Installing encryption or data-wiping software beyond standard device requirements

He is also required to register on the Sex Offenders Register.

Denial and Legal Clarity

When confronted, Arnold claimed his convictions were “spent” and denied ongoing restrictions. However, the law states: “A Sexual Harm Prevention Order remains fully enforceable for its full term regardless of spent convictions or completed custodial sentences.”

Facts Summary

• Name: Curtis Arnold (alias: Daniel James Edwards, “DJE MEDIA”)
• Court: Harrow Crown Court
• Convictions: 12 fraud, 1 voyeurism, 1 causing sexual activity without consent, 1 making indecent images of a child
• Sentence: 34 months imprisonment
• SHPO: Active until February 2029
• Sex Offenders Register: Mandatory registration
• The SHPO ensures ongoing monitoring and compliance.

Description

A man who incited and recorded thousands of children engaging in sexual activity online from his Croydon home has been jailed following a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation. 

IT specialist Robert Chown, 49, captured photos and videos of the abuse and shared them with like-minded paedophiles.

He appeared at Croydon Crown Court today (3 October) where he was sentenced to 25 years, with seven to be served on licence, having pleaded guilty to 41 charges at a previous court hearing. 

Chown was also handed a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and will be on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

In April 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launched an investigation into a private online messaging forum dedicated to the sexual exploitation of children.

It was named ‘The Sanctuary’.

Chown was identified as a key contributor to the forum and the individual behind the ‘FredHasFiveToes’ username.

Upon joining the group in 2019, his introductory message read:

“Preferences…girls 8-11”.

He went on to share hundreds of abuse images in the forum that he’d captured over years of sexually exploiting children online.

Chown also posted an indecent photo of a 12-year-old girl that he had taken in person. She was identified and safeguarded by the NCA and child protection services.

From his home in south London he masqueraded as a teenage boy online to target thousands of children across the world.

Girls and boys as young as six-years-old were groomed by Chown to live stream sexual acts at his instruction, which he would capture and share with other paedophiles on ‘The Sanctuary’ and the dark web. 

NCA officers arrested Chown at his home address in September 2023 and seized two mobile phones from him.

Across both devices, investigators found over 2,000 indecent images and videos of children in categories A-C.

They also discovered 204 entries into Google Translate of sexual instructions translated from English into Russian and Polish.

These phrases were used by Chown on live streams to incite children around the world to perform sexual acts on themselves.

In interview he admitted to using the persona of a teenage boy online to watch live streams involving children, directing and instructing them to carry out those acts.

NCA Senior Investigating Officer Phil Eccles said:

“Chown poses a significant danger to children, and our thorough investigation exposed him as a prolific offender who carried out depraved sexual abuse over a number of years.

“While this case is extremely distressing, we hope it reassures the public of our commitment to unmasking paedophiles who think that can operate anonymously online.

“Work with our international partners in the FBI and Europol has been key to this investigation.

“Today’s result is testament to the hard work of our investigative team and it is only right that Chown received a lengthy custodial sentence given the severity of his offending.”

Robbie Weber of the Crown Prosecution Service said:

“The lifelong physical and emotional trauma caused to victims by men like Chown cannot be understated. 

“Chown has himself admitted to having a long term extreme interest in child sexual abuse imagery. He was a prolific presence on the dark web, gaining notoriety amongst likeminded individuals who would access and share such vile and indecent material.  

“He was a key player in coercing children to engage in being filmed or photographed committing non-consensual sexual acts.

“I hope this conviction and sentence sends a clear message that the CPS will continue to relentlessly prosecute and pursue justice for those who sexually exploit children, whenever and wherever that abuse took place.

“I encourage any victims of child sexual abuse and sexual violence to report the crimes committed against them to the police. You are not alone and there is always help available.”

Description

Following Met detectives leading an investigation into a child sexual assault which uncovered further sexual offences, officers are now appealing for potential victims to come forward.

Vruj Patel, 26 (22/03/99), of Selsdon Road E13, was sentenced today, Tuesday, 7 October, to 22 years in jail at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

He was also placed on the sex offenders' register for life.

This result builds on the Mets work to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG) by using innovative techniques to identify predators to bring them to justice and bolstering VAWG teams with 565 specially trained officers and staff to carry out victim led investigations.

Vruj previously pleaded guilty to rape of a child under 13, assault of a child under 13 by penetration and four counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity in relation to one victim, rape of a woman over 16 and sexual assault by penetration relating to a second victim, along with possession of indecent images of children, and voyeurism.

His brother, Kishan Patel, 31 (29/09/94), also of Selsdon Road E13, was also sentenced today to 15 months for possession of indecent images of children at the same court. He will also serve a 10-year-sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Sergeant Rob Blant, who led the Mets investigation, said:

Patel is a cowardly, opportunistic offender who has preyed on vulnerable victims for his own sexual gratification. The threat he poses to women and children has been reflected in his sentence and his future management under the terms of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offender notification requirements for the remainder of his life.

This is a fantastic example of a thorough and detailed investigation by Met detectives working to support victims of the most serious offending and safeguard the wider public from a dangerous offender.

There are teams of dedicated, professional officers working across London who will leave no stone unturned to identify those who seek to commit offences against vulnerable people and bring offenders to justice.

The offending

Patel was arrested on Saturday, 1 February, after Greater Manchester Police alerted the Met to a third-party report of videos of child sexual offending being present on a device which had been sent for repair.

The device belonged to his brother, Kishan Patel, and the initial videos found depicted child sexual offences being committed against a young girl who was known to the brothers.

Officers worked quickly to seize Kishans devices; however, it became apparent that Vruj Patel was the one appearing in the videos. Detectives were able to identify him after his face was briefly visible at the end of one of the videos showing abuse of the child.

Further images and videos were uncovered by detectives which showed Vruj committing a rape against a young woman following a university night out, and voyeurism against a young girl. Vruj had filmed himself committing multiple offences against the victims and was identifiable from clothing comparisons and his distinctive jewellery.

Although each incident of contact offending is thought to have happened in 2018, the voyeurism precedes this and officers are concerned that Vrujs offending has continued until more recently.

The appeal

Following the Patels sentencings today, detectives are appealing for any further victim-survivors to come forward.

There may be other instances where children visiting his home, or the homes of those around him, had been placed under his care. Detectives are interested to speak to anyone who believes this may have been true.

Full list of charges:

Vruj Patel

• Voyeurism
• Sexual assault female over 16
• Assault by Penetration female over 16
• Rape female over 16
• 4x Causing or Inciting a child under 13 to engage in Sexual Activity
• Sexual Assault of a Child under 13
• Assault of a child under 13 by penetration
• Rape of a child under 13
• 4x Making Indecent Images

Kishan Patel

• Count 1: Making Indecent Images Cat. A 765 still and 183 moving
• Count 2: Making Indecent Images Cat. B 401 still and 52 moving
• Count 3: Making Indecent Images Cat. C 944 still and 28 moving
• Count 4: Possession of Indecent Images Cats. A, B, and C.

Description

Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been jailed for sexual and violent offences in Reading.

Jahmel Flemming, aged 28, of Eldon Park, London, was sentenced to thirteen and a half years in prison at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday (30/9).

He was found guilty by the jury of:

• Three counts of actual bodily harm
• Two counts of rape
• One count of sexual assault
• One count of sexual assault by penetration
• One count of assault
• He pleaded guilty to one count of common assault.

He was found not guilty of one count of intentional strangulation.

On 13 December 2024, Flemming subjected the victim, a woman, to a relentless series of serious physical assaults, both in public and in private. This included pulling her hair and punching her repeatedly, leaving her with a fractured cheekbone, and severe swelling and bruising to her face and body.

Then inside a property, Flemming sexually assaulted and raped the victim, whilst using physical violence against her.

Flemming was arrested on the same day as the offences and charged the next day.

Further charges were made by postal requisition on 28 January this year.

Investigating officer, Detective constable Becky Edey said:

“Jahmel Flemming is a violent individual whose actions are inexcusable. His prolonged and vicious assault showed no regard for the victim, leaving her with significant injuries.

“Thanks to the victim’s courage, Flemming has now been held accountable and will no longer pose a threat to others.

“I would like to take this opportunity to commend the incredible bravery shown by the victim in this case. Her strength has not only led to justice being served but has also helped prevent further harm to others, and we are truly grateful. I hope this outcome provides her with some closure and allows her to begin moving forward with her life.”

Description

"You will have to face the consequences for your actions, as I have been doing for all these years."

A man has been jailed for a total of 11 years after being was found guilty by a jury on 22 August 2025 of three counts of rape in York, and a further count of rape and one account of sexual assault in the London area.

Kieran Mullen, 34 from Dace Road in London, appeared at Wood Green Crown Court, London, for sentencing on Friday 3 October.

The court heard that Mullen raped the first victim in York in 2013 and the second in London in 2020.

The North Yorkshire victim bravely read out her victim personal statement in court, she said:

"Before I met you, I always saw the good in people and I trusted others easily.

"That changed the night you raped me.

"You wrought such dehumanising violence on my body. You violated me in a way that's difficult to verbalise.

I won't ever forget the way you made me feel that night, like a worthless object for you to use however you wanted.

"I should have been able to grow into womanhood and discover who I wanted to be, but you decimated my sense of self-worth and self-confidence at a pivotal time in my life. I felt worthless and used for years afterwards.

"Now, standing here after so long and knowing that I am finally believed, that every juror heard me and recognised the truth, and that you will finally face justice, has changed how I feel. I have spent years feeling intimidated by you, scared of you, since the rape. But I have been heard and believed and feel validated, the scales have shifted and now I have some power back too. You will have to face the consequences for your actions, as I have been doing for all these years."

Detective Constable Charis Meredith, the investigating officer for the York offences, said:

"These convictions, and this result, are a testament to the strength of the women involved and their support networks around them who enabled them to proceed with this case. It hasn't just meant securing justice and closure for themselves, but I hope it gives confidence to other victims to come forward, knowing that they will be listened to and the police and wider criminal justice system will do everything they can to get justice for them.

"For any other victims, no matter when it took place, please come forward to the police - it's never too late."

Description

A man who evaded justice for 14 years has been jailed thanks to a major forensic breakthrough and the perseverance of a specialist police department.

Donatas Venclovas was sentenced to more than seven years in prison at Leicester Crown Court today (Friday 3 October) after admitting a series of sexual offences.

In 2011 three women were attacked in Leicester by the same man – all within the space of around an hour.

The final assault left crucial DNA evidence, but the-now 34-year-old of Craven Gardens, Ilford, wasn’t identified until a breakthrough in February this year linked him to the unsolved crimes.

The 2011 investigation

On Saturday 8 January 2011, police received a report of an attempted rape in The Rally park in Tudor Road, involving a-then 57-year-old woman.

Around 8.50am, the victim was pushed to the ground after she witnessed the suspect with his hands down his trousers. 

He attempted to remove her clothing, but she fought back, biting his hand and screaming for help, which alerted a resident in a home close by and forced him to flee.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, detectives launched a large-scale investigation.

DNA recovered from the victim’s face and inside of her mouth provided a vital forensic profile of the offender, but it did not match anyone on the national police database at the time.

As part of investigative enquiries, police issued a witness appeal together with a e-fit of the suspected perpetrator. Following this, a further two women came forward to report being indecently assaulted by a similarly described man on the same morning.

CCTV enquiries confirmed it was the same man and they had both occurred in the city centre, shortly before the attack in the park.

The first happened shortly before 7.40am in Rutland Street. The woman, who was 25 at the time, was grabbed from behind. One hand grabbed her around the neck and the other hand between her legs.

Minutes later, near to St Nicholas Circle, he exposed himself and sexually assaulted another woman – then aged 74 – by putting his hand up her skirt.

He fled after being disturbed by someone nearby and made his way to the park when the third incident took place.

Detectives undertook extensive enquiries at the time of the attacks – including reviewing hours of CCTV, public appeals, and house-to-house.

Statements were also taken from key witnesses but despite a thorough investigation the suspect wasn’t identified.

Hope for the investigation came the following year, in 2012, when the same DNA profile was uncovered on the fence of a property that was burgled in London.

The identity of the suspect remained unknown.

2025: case reopened

The breakthrough came in February 2025 when Donatas Venclovas was arrested in London on suspicion of assault.

A DNA sample taken in custody matched the profile from the 2011 attacks – giving detectives the evidence needed to reopen the case.

Leicestershire Police’s specialist rape and serious sexual assault investigation team immediately launched a renewed investigation.

Detectives meticulously reviewed all the historical evidence in an effort to build a compelling case against the defendant.

Due to the length of time passed, tracking down all three victims initially proved difficult.

The victim who was attacked in The Rally was the first to be found. The victim in the Rutland Street incident was also identified. Unfortunately, the victim who was 74 in 2011, had since passed away but detectives were able to trace her family to inform them of the development in the case.

Despite the difficulties, the officer in the case – Detective Constable Shannon Hughes – remained committed to securing justice for the women.

She said:

“For more than a decade the women in the case have had to live with knowing the man who attacked them had not been identified and could still be out there.

“The actions of one of the victims on that morning in 2011 has ultimately led to this case finally being solved but the case still required a full review of old material, as well as reconnecting with the victims and carrying out new enquiries to ensure the case was fit for trial in 2025.

“Luckily the victims have been spared any added trauma of having to relive what happened to them in court and hopefully today will put an end to what has been many years of living with unresolved pain.”

Venclovas was charged with one count of attempted rape and three counts of sexual assault. Faced with the overwhelming evidence he pleaded guilty to all four offences at the start of the trial in August.

He was sentenced to a total of seven years and two months. 

Detective Inspector Lorna Granville added:

“At the heart of this investigation are the three women who were assaulted that day 14 years ago. They have carried the burden of these crimes for years and it is their courage and determination that has helped bring Venclovas to justice. We recognise the immense impact these crimes have had on their lives, and I want to pay tribute to them for the strength they have shown throughout.

“I also want to commend the officers and staff from our Signal team – Leicestershire’s Police specialist rape investigation unit – specifically the work of DC Shannon Hughes, who with the team, has worked tirelessly over the past nine months to bring this case to court. Their persistence, professionalism, and absolute commitment to securing justice for victims has been outstanding.

“This case clearly highlights that justice can be achieved, no matter how much time has passed. Unsolved cases will always be reinvestigated should new evidence or information come to light.”