Latest Offenders

Description

A PAEDOPHILE who sent a naked picture of himself to “underage schoolgirls” has been locked up.

Gerald Thomas, 42, of Sir Ivor Place, Dinas Powys thought he was in contact with two 14-year-old girls but was in fact messaging a decoy.

He was jailed for two years and 10 months by Judge Lucy Crowther after pleading guilty to three child sex offences.

The defendant admitted two counts of attempting to cause/incite a girl 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity one count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Thomas’ offences were committed between January 12, 2024 and January 22, 2024.

He will have to register as a sex offender indefinitely and pay a £228 surcharge following his release from prison.

Description

The sentencing of an Isle of Wight paedophile caught with a huge collection of child sex abuse images has been delayed for a third time.

Logan Robinson, of Nelson Road in Newport, was due to be sentenced at the IW Crown Court on June 10, July 1, and once again on August 1 – rescheduled on each occasion due to delays in the case.

The 25-year-old previously admitted:

• Three counts of possessing indecent images of children
• Two counts of distributing indecent images of children
• Possession of prohibited images of children 
• Possession of extreme pornography portraying a sexual assault
• During a visit to Robinson’s home on November 15, 2021, police discovered two

mobile phones, which contained 273 Category A images — the most extreme kind — 367 Category B images, and 561 Category C images.

Robinson, who had received a "huge file of images" from a sexual offender living abroad, was caught distributing at least six images of children via social media.

When interviewed by police, Robinson said: "I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't help myself".

The third delay in this case was so Robinson could seek legal representation, the court heard.

Robinson was bailed until his new sentencing date on September 4.

Description

UK police located and re-arrested violent sex offender Ashley McPhee, 27, from Cork, yesterday after a public appeal.

Blackpool police had sought information on the registered sex offender, originally from East Cork but now living in the UK, who failed to comply with notification requirements and was wanted for prison recall.

McPhee was re-arrested as a "direct result" of public tips. The force confirmed in a Facebook post: "as a direct result of information you have given us following that appeal he has been located and arrested. Many thanks to everyone who came forward with information - your help really is greatly appreciated and can make a real difference to the work we do to keep our communities safe."

Originally from Midleton with links to Blackpool and Blackburn, McPhee was jailed for 10 months in March 2024 after pleading guilty to engaging in sexual activity with a child. He sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl in Lancaster in 2023 by biting her chest three times; he possessed a knife at arrest and wrote a letter to the victim while on remand.

He must sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years and will be monitored post-release. McPhee has prior convictions in Ireland, including a violent assault on a young woman in Midleton over five years ago.

Description

A ‘vile’ man who attempted to engage in sexual communication with who he believed to be a teenage girl online has been sentenced following an appearance at Hull Crown Court on Monday 29 September 2025.

David Glover, 65, of Preston Road in Hull, pleaded guilty to attempting sexual communication with a child, breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, possession of extreme pornographic images in relation to an animal, and three counts of making indecent images of a child. He was sentenced to two years and six months in prison and handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

An investigation was launched in September 2024, when Glover used messaging apps to initiate contact with a social media profile, he believed belonged to a 13-year-old girl.

On Tuesday, 10 September 2024 Glover sent a series of sexually explicit messages and attempted to encourage the recipient to engage in sexual communications.

Unbeknownst to him, the profile was a decoy account operated by an undercover officer, set up to identify and intercept individuals attempting to exploit children online.

With the support of specialist teams, further enquiries were carried out, including analysis of digital data. Information gathered directly linked to Glover’s home address.

Officers subsequently attended Glover’s home address, where he was arrested on suspicion of sexual communication with a child and taken into custody for interview. A search of the property led to the seizure of several mobile phones, including one device found hidden under a carpet. This discovery resulted in a further arrest on suspicion of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. One of the conditions of the order required Glover to register all internet-enabled devices with police, and the concealed devices had not been disclosed. Subsequent digital analysis uncovered files relating to indecent photographs and extreme pornographic material.

On Thursday 5 December 2024 Clover was charged with attempt sexual communication with a child and breach of sexual harm prevention order and remanded into custody until his sentencing.

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Gilligan, said:

“Glover is a vile individual who sought to exploit who he believed to be a vulnerable child, he engaged in calculated online conversations with what he believed to be a vulnerable child.

‘’During his arrest, Glover claimed he believed the people he had spoken to online weren’t real, and that it was a fantasy. When questioned in interview, he did not provide any account of his intentions.

‘’Although the chat communication with the decoy account was not recovered during the digital examination, the investigation was still able to establish Glover’s involvement. During interview, he acknowledged this was due to having deleted data from his devices.”

“Thankfully no child was harmed as Glover was talking to a decoy social media account, and I am pleased he is now behind bars and facing the consequences of his disturbing behaviour.

“I’d like to commend the dedication and professionalism of our undercover officers, whose efforts play a vital role in protecting children and bringing offenders to justice.

“We take reports of sexual offences extremely seriously and we will continue to do everything we can to bring offenders before the courts.’’

Description

In a shocking case of abuse in West Yorkshire, brothers Patrick Leonard, 23, and Lannee Ksigwa raped a vulnerable young girl, resulting in her pregnancy.

Leonard, of Bradford, admitted raping the girl while knowing he was HIV positive; she fortunately did not contract the disease. DNA tests confirmed the child she later gave birth to was his.

Ksigwa, 17 at the time and now 19, also raped the teenager.

Appearing via video links from custody at Bradford Crown Court, the brothers heard a recording of the victim's impact statement, in which she described feeling broken and “traumatised.” She said they had taken away her innocence and should be ashamed of themselves.

Leonard admitted two rape offenses before trial but was convicted by jury of further charges. He was sentenced to 24 years' imprisonment with a one-year extended license as “an offender of particular concern.”

Judge Andrew Hatton noted Leonard's grooming behavior and “remarkably reckless” actions given his HIV status. "You also acknowledge that you were forceful, controlling and sometimes violent towards her when raping her," the judge said.

Ksigwa was convicted by jury of two rape offenses and sentenced to 12 years' detention in a young offenders institution.

The judge held both brothers equally responsible for the victim's severe psychological and physical harm.

They must serve at least two-thirds of their sentences, with Leonard eligible for release after 16 years only if approved by the Parole Board. Both will register as sex offenders for life and are subject to an indefinite restraining order barring contact with the victim and others involved.

Description

A man has been jailed after exposing himself at Bognor beach.

Olegas Podolianko, 53, was seen by witnesses near a children’s play area.

He exposed himself and was challenged by parents before later being arrested by police.

The 53-year-old admitted exposure and appeared for sentencing at Portsmouth Crown Court on September 26.

He was jailed for six months, and will be a registered sex offender for seven years.

The court was told how the incident happened on 27 April this year.

Witnesses described seeing Podolianko, formerly of Elmer Road, Middleton-on-Sea, exposing himself.

He was near a children’s play area at Bognor beach, and was confronted.

Speaking after the case, Arun District Commander William Keating-Jones said:

“This was a distressing incident seen by parents with their children.

“We take reports of exposure extremely seriously, and Podolianko was arrested soon after the matter was reported to us.

“We are pleased that this offender is now serving a custodial sentence.”

Description

A man has been jailed after pleading guilty to numerous sexual offences against a teenage girl.

Cody Tierney, 21, of Dulverton Avenue, Swindon admitted three counts of sexual touching of a child, when the victim was aged between 13 and 15, and sexual activity with a 14-year-old child in July 2024.

In a hearing at Swindon Crown Court today (01/10), he was sentenced to two years and three months imprisonment.

He will also be on the Sex Offender’s Register for 10 years, and be subject to a 10 year sexual harm prevention order and an indefinite restraining order. 

From April 2023, Tierney – who was known to the victim – gradually escalated his grooming behaviour of the victim, who had just turned 13.

He began by sexually messaging the victim, after which he would tell her to delete the messages, before escalating to sexually touching the victim.

In one incident in May 2023, Tierney sexually assaulted the victim on a train, and in July 2024, Tierney coerced the victim to engage in sexual activity with him. He then ordered her not to tell anyone and they needed to keep their distance.

In September 2024, the offences were reported to police by the victim’s mother on behalf of her daughter.

Tierney was arrested and subsequently charged. He refused to provide a comment during interview and initially pleaded not guilty, before changing his plea in July this year.

Investigating officer DC Melanie Reeves of the Child Abuse Investigation Team said:

“This was a traumatic experience for the victim where she was sexually assaulted by someone she trusted.

“Tierney abused that trust in a horrible way with gradually escalating behaviour despite being in close proximity to her family.

“I would like to pay tribute to the victim for her bravery in getting to this point and I hope that today’s sentencing can start to bring some closure for her.”

Description

A registered sex offender from Medway has been jailed again after police seized a secret phone containing more than 600 animated images depicting children being abused.

Stuart Wenham had only been released from prison in March 2025, when he ignored strict measures passed by the courts to prevent him from reoffending and accessed material which included the abuse of an infant under a year old.

Wenham had previously been convicted in 2023, for making indecent images of children.

When he was granted parole he was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and had to comply with notification requirements linked to his use of devices and software.

Multiple breaches 

Shortly after his release, officers suspected he was using two phones but had only notified police about one of them.

He was arrested on 6 June and this led to the seizure of the unregistered phone.

When reviewed, it was found to contain a catalogue of ‘pseudo-cartoon’ images linked to the sexual abuse of children.

Wenham had also been illegally using a VPN and during previous checks by specialist officers who manage sex offenders had repeatedly failed to declare the phone.

Further evidence was revealed after a laptop was examined which Wenham had also kept secret. This showed prohibited use of cloud storage and the deletion of his internet history.

When questioned during police interviews, he told officers that in his mind the images showing abuse were not of real children and that they appeared to be happy.

Wenham, 47, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to multiple breaches of a sexual harm prevention order and failing to comply with notification requirements. He also admitted possessing a prohibited image of a child.

On 12 September 2025, he was described by the judge as ‘a dangerous man’ with a long record of appalling similar offences.

He was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment. 

Cartoons never an excuse

Leading the investigation was PC Leona Valsler, who said:

‘Wenham has been given every opportunity to change his ways but has chosen again to pursue and obtain abhorrent and disturbing material.

'Having cartoons, rather than real videos showing children being abused, can be no excuse and Wenham has repeatedly shown a flagrant disregard for the important measures and restrictions imposed to prevent him from reoffending.

‘This case demonstrates the vital work our officers and staff do to closely monitor and manage convicted sex offenders in our communities.

'Despite the challenges, we remain committed to using every available legal and investigative tool to prevent further harm, protect vulnerable children, and bring offenders to justice. Wenham’s actions are another reminder of why this work is so critical.’

Description

A man who raped a vulnerable woman in Cambridge has been jailed for nine years.

Jason Smith, 34, forced himself on the victim at a house in Kings Hedges, while his partner and children slept upstairs, on 11 June 2023.

The victim repeatedly told Smith to stop, but he refused to listen. He was arrested the same day and claimed in interview nothing sexual had happened.

However, DNA evidence helped prove his actions to a jury and he was unanimously found guilty of three counts of rape following a trial in July.

Smith, of Main Street, Hardwick, near Cambridge, was sentenced yesterday (29 September) at Peterborough Crown Court.

He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and handed a ten-year restraining order.

Det Sgt Jodie Bolton, who investigated, said:

“I would like to praise the courage of the victim for not only coming forward but for the strength and bravery she has shown during the investigation and trial.  Without her bravery to keep supporting this investigation, we wouldn't have been able to receive this result.

“This sentencing is a reminder that consent matters, no means no, and being intoxicated is no defence. We will always strive to bring offenders before the courts.

“We have a dedicated team of detectives and specially trained officers ready to investigate allegations promptly, fully and professionally, and a network of partnership agencies and support services to offer assistance and support."

Description

Police have released a photo of Zeeshan Sheikh, 32, of Cornwallis Road, Oxford, who was jailed for raping an unconscious woman.

Sheikh was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Monday, September 29, after pleading guilty to one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. His earlier attempt to change his plea was refused.

The court heard that Sheikh raped the woman on Sunday, January 5, at an unnamed women's refuge in Oxford, where he had been invited by a friend of the victim to celebrate the new year. All rooms at the refuge are covered by CCTV, which captured the incident.

A victim personal statement read in court said: "When I was told I was sexually assaulted, I didn't know what to feel. I felt really upset, I was extremely shocked and scared.

"I had no knowledge of it occurring. I became really depressed. My lack of sleep is affecting me and adding to my state of depression.

"I'm apprehensive about meeting new people."

The statement added: "I feel emotionally broken. Simple things I once enjoyed no longer bring me happiness. My confidence has been shattered.

"I have frequent panic attacks and I'm always on edge. The brutal attack has left me in constant fear."

Sheikh was jailed for 83 months, must comply with notification requirements for life, and received a restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim until further order.

Description

A "sadistic" Sutton rapist armed with a knife brutally assaulted and repeatedly raped a woman after trapping her in her bedroom, doing "everything he could to humiliate and degrade her," Nottingham Crown Court heard.

Ionel -Alexandru Paicu, high on drink and drugs, attacked the woman on January 1 this year, prosecutor Catherine Picardo said. He repeatedly slapped and backhanded her face, causing "lots of bruises," threatened her with a kitchen knife, forced her to strip naked, and "effectively" trapped her in the bedroom before raping her.

The victim's statement described her ongoing anxiety when leaving home and fear of encountering the defendant again.

Mitigating, Mark Knowles said Paicu, 24, had previous good character. "Everything went wrong," he added. "He had never drunk as much as that before. He knows he has got to live with the situation and knows he is responsible. All I can ask is My Lady to reflect on the positive aspects of this defendant." He noted it was "a continuous event" in one evening and expected Paicu "will be deported at some point."

Judge Nirmal Shant KC told Paicu: "You did everything you could that evening to humiliate and degrade her. You have left her afraid of the future. What you did that evening and night has left a profound effect on her. The starting point is 12 years. There were different kinds of rape, albeit in one incident. It is, in my judgment, a case where sadistic conduct was involved."

Paicu, listening via a Romanian interpreter, admitted on the day of trial to making threats with a bladed article, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, false imprisonment, three counts of rape, and one of penetrative sexual assault.

He was jailed for 15 years, placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, and given a restraining order banning all contact with the victim.

Description

Daniel Davis, 33, from Trowbridge has been jailed for 68 weeks for breaching of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order after appearing before Salisbury magistrates today (30/09).

Earlier this year, Daniel Davis was handed a suspended prison sentence for filming and watching people using the toilet in a McDonald’s restaurant in Bath.

The court heard how he was in possession of a mobile phone with a camera, in contravention of the conditions of his order.

His breach came to light in relation to other matters which remain under investigation.

Sgt Gemma Rutter said:

"I'm aware of the community concern relating to this person and I hope that the fact that he has been jailed following a breach of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order will reassure the public that we will act swiftly and robustly to bring such offenders to justice."

Description

A ‘controlling and manipulative sex offender’ who groomed and repeatedly raped a young girl has been jailed.

Christopher Swift, aged 35, was exposed when incriminating messages he’d sent to his victim were discovered and passed to detectives at Nottinghamshire Police in February of this year.

His victim was interviewed by officers and revealed a significant history of abuse at Swift’s hands.

The girl also revealed the high level of control Swift exerted over her life – from telling her what to wear to controlling her use of social media.

Swift initially gave no comment answers to officers’ questions, but later pleaded guilty to four counts of raping a girl under 13, four sexual assaults and another offence of engaging in sexual activity.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday 26 September, Swift, of no fixed address, was given an extended 17 year sentence.

He was also added to the sex offenders' register, and made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order which will tightly restrict his access to children once he is released.

Detective Constable Keeley Bringhurst, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Swift is a controlling and manipulative sex offender who very deliberately targeted his victim over an extended period of time.

“He knew perfectly well that what he was doing was illegal and that his victim couldn’t possibly consent to what happened to her.

“His behaviour was utterly inexcusable and has understandably had a profound impact on his victim and her family.

“As he begins a very lengthy jail sentence I would like to pay tribute to the girl at the centre of this case for the bravery and resilience she has shown during the legal process.

“I would also like to send a very clear warning to other adults thinking of committing similar offences against children – you will be caught and we will ensure that you go to prison for a very long time”

Description

A woman from Huddersfield has been commended for her courage after helping jail the man who seriously sexually abused her as a child.

Henry Carson, aged 75, of Clayton Rise, Keighley was jailed for 5 years at Leeds Crown Court today (Tuesday September 30) after being found guilty of two serious sexual offences in the 1980s.

Detectives from the Kirklees Child Safeguarding Unit said the woman’s bravery in coming forwards and supporting a lengthy investigation had been instrumental in putting Carson before a court.

The 75-year-old was found guilty by a jury of offences of committing acts of gross indecency and indecent assault with a girl under the age of 14.  

His offending took place in Kirklees in the early 1980’s, and was reported by the victim as an adult in 2022.

Her report initiated a long running investigation by specialist child protection detectives.  

It resulted in Carson eventually being charged in January 2024.

Detective Constable Paul Campbell of the Kirklees Child Safeguarding Unit, who investigated the case said: 

“We want to absolutely commend the bravery of the victim who endured awful offences at the hands of Carson, but whose courage has seen him being made to answer for this crimes.

“She was a defenceless young girl when he committed some dreadful sexual acts upon her and we welcome his sentencing for those offences at court today.

“I hope the victim in this case can take some comfort in seeing him jailed and should also be extremely proud of the courage she displayed in coming forwards in 2022 and taking that difficult first step in making her report.

“We are fully aware of just how difficult it can be to come forwards, especially many years after the offending took place, but this case and others like it demonstrate that the passage of time is no barrier on justice.

“We do continue to urge all victims of sexual offending who have not contacted us, for whatever reason to do so.

“Whether you are reporting a crime to us in Kirklees, or to colleagues in other parts of West Yorkshire, we can assure you specialist officers will listen and do all they can to investigate and seek justice for you.”

Description

A 22-year-old man from Tottenham has been given a 16-months prison sentence after sexually assaulting a women and masturbating on board a London Underground train.

Following a British Transport Police investigation, Rohan Uddin, of Bedford Road, Tottenham pled guilty on Wednesday 9 July 2025 to outraging public decency, sexual assault and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

He was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday 16 September and handed a 16 month prison sentence which, includes 12 months for outraging public decency, three months for sexual assault and two months for the two counts of assault emergency worker. He was ordered to pay £187 surcharge.

Uddin has also received a 10 year sexual harm prevention order which prohibits him from talking to or engaging with any women or girls not known to him when travelling on public transport, entering a station or travelling on transport while under the influence of any intoxicating liquor or substance, placing his hands inside clothing in order to touch his genitals while on board or at stations and from travelling without a valid ticket or payment for travelling.

The court heard how Uddin sexually assaulted a woman on an east bound Central Line train at Marble Arch station just after 9pm on Tuesday 29 April 2025.

Uddin chose to sit next to a lone passenger in a relatively empty tube carriage and began to masturbate as he sexually assaulted her.

The woman in her twenties moved away from Uddin, scared for her own safety. She was able to get an image of him which enabled police to identify Uddin and place a wanted marker on his name.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service stopped him for unrelated reasons in June and arrested him upon discovering he was wanted. He then assaulted the two officers, leading to him being further arrested.

Detective Constable Sexton-Thomas said:

"It is thanks to the brave woman reporting this horrific incident to staff and to officers that we have been able to get this vulgar and sickening individual off of the railway network.

"The sentence handed down and the long-lasting Sexual Harm Prevention Order should act as a warning to others that we take all reports of sexual offences and unwanted sexual behaviour seriously and we will always support and believe victims throughout the investigation."