Latest Offenders

Description

A paedophile who amassed a 'mega file' of thousands of child abuse images was prone to hoarding due to his autism, a court heard.

Stephen Huxtable, 59, of Moorfield Road, Exmouth, downloaded and shared a vast collection of videos and images depicting children being raped and abused, totaling over 100,000 deviant files.

Upon arrest, he said: "I've never had a girlfriend, it's all fantasy."

He admitted nine charges under the Protection of Children Act and was sentenced to two years and four months at Exeter Crown Court.

Police intervened after an indecent image was uploaded to his Instagram in 2021. Released under investigation, he continued offending, including sending images and a Mega cloud file to an undercover officer.

The judge said Huxtable was effectively sharing access to a vault of indecent images and paedophile chat.

Phone searches revealed an enthusiastic interest in child sex abuse. Between September 2009 and January 2024, he downloaded over 17,000 indecent images and movies in category A, nearly 20,000 in category B, and 67,841 in category C.

Huxtable, a factory supervisor, also pleaded guilty to possessing 142 prohibited images of children and extreme images involving bestiality with a dog.

Defence barrister Tomas McGarvey said Huxtable had a recent autism diagnosis and anxiety, had lost his 25-year job, and that hoarding was an autistic trait, making him less culpable and entitled to a sentence reduction.

He warned that prison's sex offender wing would expose him to 'negative peer influences' and predators, adding: "It would run the risk of increasing his risk in future rather than reducing it."

Judge James Patrick said Huxtable had effectively 'shared the keys to a library of sexual abuse images' with the officer.

He acknowledged the mitigation and assessed Huxtable as posing a comparatively low future risk, but noted his continued offending under investigation and the crimes' severity required immediate imprisonment.

Description

A pervert engaged in sexually explicit chat and sent lewd images of himself to what he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

Almost a decade after being spared prison and offered rehabilitation for similar crimes, 41-year-old Graham Bain has been handed a lengthy immediate jail term.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how Bain was originally punished in 2016 for online sexual offences. He had struck up sexually charged conversation on a dating website with what he thought was a girl aged 14. But Bain—whose messages included a lewd video—was actually chatting with an undercover police officer.

He was handed a suspended prison sentence, given community requirements, and a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) imposing restrictions on his liberty and online use.

But Bain was brought back to court after new offences came to light earlier this year.

Prosecutor Tariq Khawam said: “Police officers visited the home address of Mr Bain following the receipt of information from an undercover officer who had presented herself as a 14-year-old girl.”

Bain was “evasive” with police, claiming not to have certain mobile phones. He then led officers to three iPhones and a Samsung device but refused to provide the PIN codes.

In doing so, and by not having police-approved surveillance software on the four phones, Bain breached the SHPO.

It emerged Bain had also engaged in illegal, sexually explicit chat with the officer between 31st March and 24th April this year, via Snapchat, WhatsApp, and other platforms.

“You make it plain you are 42. She makes it plain she is only 14,” noted Judge Nicholas Barker, as he summed up the facts. “That does not prevent you from now approaching her in a predatory manner, communicating with her in a sexual way, ultimately suggesting you would get on a train, meet at a hotel and engage in sexual intercourse with her.”

Bain had further sent two lewd images and a video of himself engaged in a sex act.

He admitted attempting to cause or incite a child aged 14 to look at an image showing a person engaging in sexual activity; attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child; and multiple SHPO breaches.

Marion Weir, mitigating, said the primary plank of Bain’s mitigation was the entry of guilty pleas.

Bain, latterly of The Crescent, Cleator Moor, accepted two vices in his life—the commission of this type of offending and alcohol consumption.

Although now sober for nine years, Bain had previously used alcohol after losing his sight for 12 months following a rugby accident at age 14, and a cancer diagnosis he beat.

“He thought in those circumstances that alcohol could do him very little harm—but harm it did,” said Ms Weir of crimes for which he was punished in 2016.

Recent offending followed the loss of his father, with whom he had a fractured relationship. “He is determined to make good with those who he has let down,” added the lawyer of Bain’s positive pledge for the future.

Judge Barker imposed a 32-month prison sentence. “You are well aware of the serious [nature] of what you are doing,” said the judge of Bain’s illegal activity.

Bain remains subject to a SHPO—and also sex offender notification requirements—for an indefinite period.

Description

Brian Thomson was convicted of three charges on 20 August 2025 following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh. 

The Crown led evidence which showed Thomson, 67, began sexually offending when he was 12-years-old in 1970.  

Over the next seven years, he repeatedly assaulted and raped a young girl to her injury at locations in the East Lothian area.  

Thomson was also found guilty of sexually abusing a woman in the 1980s and 1990s, including raping her at a hospital in Edinburgh. 

On 16 September 2025, at the same court, Thomson was sentenced to 11 years in custody. 

His name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely and indefinite non-harassment orders were also granted.  

Fiona Kirkby, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said:  

“Brian Thomson has now been held accountable and will face the consequences of his despicable behaviour, which took place several decades ago.  

“Despite this, we were able to build a strong case which demonstrated his guilt and the lasting emotional trauma he caused his victims. 

“I would like to thank them for reporting these devastating crimes. This prosecution would not have been possible without them.  

“This conviction should send a clear message to those who seek to sexually abuse others. COPFS will continue to pursue justice and prosecute sexual offenders – regardless of when the offending took place. 

“To anyone affected by similar crime: you are not alone. Please consider reporting your experience to the police when you feel ready and able. 

“You will be listened to and supported by our trauma-informed staff as we seek to use all the tools available to us prosecute those responsible.”  

Description

A man has been convicted of abducting a child and sexually assaulting her at a house in Birmingham.

Mohammed Abdulraziq, aged 32, was found guilty of false imprisonment with intent to commit a sexual offence, sexual assault of a female under 13 and an assault on a woman following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

Abdulraziq was discovered in a house with a five-year-old on the afternoon of March 30.

The girl had been playing in the street when Abdulraziq took her into a house.

The girl’s mother and her friend searched for her daughter and heard crying coming from inside a house. Her friend looked through the window and saw a man inside a room with the girl.

The man then punched her through the window as she tried to climb in. Entry was then forced into the house by members of the public who detained him until we were called and our officers arrived and arrested him. He will be sentenced at a later date.

Detective Sergeant Nicky Simms, from our Central Complex Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

“Abdulraziq was a predatory individual who took a young girl off the street and into his house. Fortunately, incidents of this nature are rare.

“I must praise the courage of the girl and her mother in what has been a very sensitive investigation.”

Description

A man from Swansea has been jailed after being found guilty of multiple counts of sexual assault.

71-year-old Stewart Read, from Gorseinon, intentionally touched two separate victims on multiple occasions.

He was ultimately found guilty of nine counts of sexual assault on a female victim.

Read has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison.

Detective Constable Sarah Cook said:

“Stewart Read is clearly an incredibly dangerous man who repeatedly lays his hands on women in a sexual manner without their consent.

“He obviously derived a sick pleasure from what he was doing, and his not guilty pleas show that there is absolutely no remorse in him.

“It is absolutely right that he spends multiple years in prison.

“The victims have shown great courage and resilience throughout this process, and I want to thank them for coming forward and helping South Wales Police to put a dangerous individual in prison.”

Description

A rapist who subjected a woman to a catalogue of sexual assaults, violent abuse and controlling behaviour has been put behind bars.

Callum Anderton, aged 34, raped the victim on two occasions in August 2023.

The victim also reported multiple assaults, threats and attempts to control her behaviour by Anderton.

Police were made aware of Anderton’s offending when he was reported for breaching an order which had prevented him contacting the woman.

Following investigations, Anderton was arrested and interviewed while the victim was supported by specialist officers.

When detectives seized and analysed his mobile phone they discovered a number of indecent images of children and extreme pornography on the device.

Anderton, of no fixed address, was handed an extended prison sentence of 21 years at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday (15 September).

He pleaded guilty to rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, assault, breach of a non-molestation order, two counts of making indecent images of a child and one of possessing extreme pornographic images.

Detective Constable Holly James, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Anderton is a violent and controlling bully and I’m pleased he has been locked up after this sequence of appalling offending.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the victim for her bravery in speaking to officers and throughout the court proceedings.

“We know cases of this nature can take a huge emotional toll on victims and their families.

“The victim has shown great courage and resilience, and I wish her the very best in the next stage of the process of rebuilding her life.

“I hope this case serves as a warning to other violent men who think they can subject women to this sort of abuse. We treat such reports with the utmost seriousness and will do whatever it takes to bring offenders to justice.

“My message to other victims who are suffering is that although the steps to come forward and report can appear difficult, you will be listened to, helped and kept safe.”

Description

A ‘perverse’ man who abused his position of trust to groom and sexually abuse an impressionable and vulnerable child in the late 70s and early 80s has been sentenced to a total of nine years and handed a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order following his appearance at Hull Crown Court last week (Friday, 12 September 2025).

Robert Carter, 70-years-old, of Widop Street in Goole pleaded guilty to nine counts of non-recent sexual offences including rape, four counts of indecent assault, three counts of making indecent photographs of a child, and possessing a prohibited image of a child on the first day that was set for his trial in June 2025.

He was subsequently sentenced at Hull Crown Court on Friday, 12 September.

In December 2016, we received a call from a man disclosing that he had been subjected to years of non-recent abuse in Hessle, Hull. At the time, there were no charges brought against the suspected perpetrator due to not being able to formally identify or trace the individual from retained records.

However, in 2020, the investigation was reviewed and progressed after new information came to light from a neighbouring police force whom the victim had spoken with, allowing our Child Sexual Exploitation Team to carry out extensive enquiries into the initial report leading to Carter being identified.

Carter was subsequently arrested in June 2020 on suspicion of Gross Indecency, and following a thorough search of his property, a laptop was seized and examined by officers from our Digital Forensics Team uncovering indecent images of children.

Whilst in custody, Carter replied no comment to all questions asked and denied any involvement in the allegations made against him.

Detective Constable Rick Brackenbury from our Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, leading the investigation said:

“This has been an extremely lengthy and complex investigation involving cross-border enquiries with colleagues from neighbouring police forces, and it is thanks to the courage, determination and perseverance shown from the victim that we were able to stack up a significant amount of evidence against Carter, ultimately leading him to plead guilty on the first day of trial.

“Carter is a perverse individual who befriended a vulnerable, impressionable child, abusing his position of trust to groom and commit abhorrent sexual offences over a prolonged period of time, all for his own paraphilic tendencies.

“It is never the victim’s fault, and we would strongly appeal for any child who is or has been manipulated into doing something they don’t want to do, or anyone who suspects crimes of this nature are taking place, to please speak to a trusted adult or friend, and report it to us, when you are ready.

“It doesn’t matter if the offences happened five hours or 50 years ago, we take all reports of this nature extremely seriously and will do everything we can to bring individuals like Carter to justice.”

Description

A senior hospital consultant convicted of abusing his position to sexually assault female members of staff has today been jailed.

During the course of his trial earlier this year the jury heard Dr Amal Bose was the root cause of a toxic and sexualised culture at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

His behaviours including touching women inappropriately and making sexualised comments.

Despite claiming his actions were ‘only flirting’ and ‘banter’ Bose was found guilty by a jury after a trial in June.

He was convicted of 12 counts of sexual assault relating to five female members of staff at the hospital between 2017 and 2022.

He was cleared of two other counts.

Bose (03/02/1970) of Main Road, Thurnham, Lancaster appeared at Preston Crown Court today (Monsay, September 15th) and was sentenced to six years in prison.

In personal statements read to the judge the victims said Bose’s behaviour had left them feeling unsafe at work and less trusting of male colleagues.

Some changed work patterns to avoid him, called in sick or were even forced to leave the profession.

They said they suffered anxiety, panic attacks and loss of confidence.

One said Bose had not only violated her body but had violated the trust and respect that should exist in any professional workplace.

Temp Det Chief Insp Kirsty Wyatt said:

“Everyone should feel able to go to work and feel safe, confident and secure but Mr Bose has undermined that by abusing his position of power to sexually assault these female members of staff and by doing so has caused enormous damage.

“I would like to thank the victims for having the courage to come forward and speak about what happened to them – that cannot have been easy.

“While he may have considered his behaviour as merely flirting Mr Bose’s actions have clearly had a deep and lasting impact on his victims and in some cases has caused them to abandon the profession they loved.

“I would like to thank the jury for their careful consideration of the facts of this case and the Crown Prosecution Service for their presentation of the evidence.

“Finally, I hope that the guilty verdicts in this case give others who may have suffered similar ordeals the confidence to report it to us safe in the knowledge we will investigate professionally and sensitively.”

Description

A convicted Doncaster paedophile hid his sordid past to befriend a family and sexually assault their young boy.

Michael Fisher, 37, was already on a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) banning contact with girls after a 2021 conviction.

He never disclosed this while visiting the family's home earlier this year, where he played with the children and insisted on taking them swimming.

The unsuspecting mother noticed the boy becoming withdrawn, refusing school, swearing, and misbehaving.

In June, the child revealed Fisher had "touched his bits," referring to his genitals, while touching himself. Prosecutor Jazmine Lee told Leeds Crown Court that Fisher would sit next to the boy and touch him.

Arrested on June 28, Fisher's devices revealed three Category A videos of "very young" children being abused, involving rape.

In his police interview, Fisher claimed he was gay and preferred younger men but denied attraction to children—despite his 2021 conviction for drunkenly assaulting a sleeping young girl, for which he was jailed 20 months and given the SHPO.

Appearing via video link from HMP Leeds, Fisher admitted sexual assault of a child under 13, making Category A images, and breaching his SHPO.

Mitigating, Peter Byrne said Fisher pleaded guilty early to spare the child a trial and had used prison time constructively on educational courses.

Judge Christopher Batty said Fisher had "wormed" his way into families in 2021 and this year, adding: "You have a sexual interest in children. You took an opportunity to assault this boy. There was no thought to the long-term consequences of what you were doing, you could not have cared less. Your sexual gratification was all that counted."

He jailed Fisher, now of Burnsall Grange, Armley, for three years and nine months, placed him on the sex offender register for life, and imposed a new lifelong SHPO.

Description

We can confirm a man has been jailed for 18 years for rape and child sex offences in St Helens between 2008 and 2016.

Thomas Suffler, 50, of Fry Street, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday (Monday 15 September) after being found guilty of three counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and two counts of causing/inciting sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15.

It follows reports that a girl had been subjected to these offences on multiple occasions between 2008 and 2016.

As well as a prison sentence, Suffler has also been placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for life.

Detective Constable Matthew Rimmer said:

“I hope the sentencing of Suffler shows that time is no barrier in reporting offences to Merseyside Police and we will take every report extremely seriously, regardless of when it occurred.

“I would like to commend the victim for coming forward and reporting the heinous crimes committed by Suffler. This result was only possible thanks to her determination and bravery.

“She was also forced to go through a trial after he denied the offences, but thankfully a jury saw through his lies and he was rightly convicted.”

Constable Clare Odgear added:

“Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and those who seek to do them harm.

“As you can imagine for victims of such an appalling crime, the impact on them is significant and long-lasting.

“If you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, or know of a child being abused, please come forward and report this to police.

“We take all such reports extremely seriously and if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.”

Description

An 18-year-old who sickeningly and opportunistically sexually assaulted four women over three days on the transport network has been jailed, following a British Transport Police investigation.

Hadi Al Koumi, 18, of Bideford Avenue, Ealing, was sentenced on Friday (12 September) at Isleworth Crown Court to 4 years and 8 months after he pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault and was found guilty of a further sexual assault carried out over a two-day period.

He was also handed a 6-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a life-long signature on the Sex Offenders Register.

The court heard how, on 6 August 2024, at around 5.15pm, the first victim – a woman in her 30s – was at St John’s Wood underground station when her train arrived. As she went to board, Al Koumi crouched down behind her and sexually assaulted her, before running away.

Two days later, on 8 August, the second victim – a woman in her 30s – was at Green Park underground station at around 2.40pm when her train arrived. Al Koumi then walked up behind her and sexually assaulted her. As the victim turned to look at him, he walked away, before looking back to her and winking at her.

Less than two hours later at 4.20pm, the third victim - a woman in her 40s - was at East Acton underground station was distracted by her phone. Again, Al Koumi approached the victim from behind and sexually assaulted her.

Then, later that day at around 11.15pm, a fourth victim, a woman in her 30s, was on board a train between Greenford and Perivale station when she was approached by Al Koumi, who attempted to engage her in conversation. The victim politely asked him to leave her alone, to which he persisted. After telling him again, he stood up, as did she, and he sexually assaulted her. The victim managed to throw a glass at him as the doors opened and she left the train, before calling 999.

Al Koumi was captured on CCTV during all four offences and the incidents were linked together and his images were circulated. On 27 August 2024, officers from the British Transport Police (BTP) North Tasking Unit (East) were on patrol at Perivale station when Al Koumi was spotted and arrested.

Detective Sergeant Matthew Nolan said:

“Al Koumi took deliberate advantage of the rail network in order to assault multiple women for his own sexual gratification.

“He's clearly a dangerous predator who has exhibited a disturbing and abhorrent pattern of offending towards women, so I’m grateful to see the sentencing handed down today, and I hope it can bring some sense of closure and comfort to the women he targeted.

"There is zero-tolerance for sexual offences on the rail network, and we have uniformed patrols and specially-trained plain clothes officers on patrol at stations and on trains around the clock to keep the travelling public safe. We will continue to do everything in our power to bring offenders like Al Koumi to justice.”

Description

A convicted sex offender was caught with indecent images of children on two mobile phones hidden under his pillow, a court heard.

Liam Latore, 25, who has prior convictions for child sex offences, had been uploading the illicit material from online platforms.

Police visited his address in Maple Way, Gorleston, where he initially denied possessing such content. But a search uncovered a Samsung phone and an iPhone under his pillow, prosecutor John Morgans said.

Analysis revealed 29 category A images—the most serious—including 24 stills and five videos, plus 25 category B and 32 category C images.

Latore appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Monday for sentencing after admitting three counts of making indecent images of children on February 27 this year.

Recorder Simon Taylor said Latore's actions "supports the really serious abuse of children."

"You're part of the network that causes abuse to young children," he added. "That's the gravity of these offences."

The judge deemed the crimes so serious that immediate custody was required, jailing Latore for 15 months.

Mitigating, Matthew McNiff said Latore was vulnerable with mental health issues.

Latore received a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and was placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

Description

A married couple and their friend who sexually abused a child in the 1990s have now been jailed. David Farrow, 60, his wife Susan Farrow, 52, and their friend Joseph Willis, 74, were brought to justice thanks to the bravery of the victim reporting what had happened to them more than 20 years later.

The extent of the offending came to light after the victim reported the abuse by the trio in Sunderland area. In October 2022, all three were charged in connection with the abuse.

Following two trials at Newcastle Crown Court in April 2024 and April 2025, David Farrow was found guilty of 11 offences, including seven counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault - being that the offences occurred before the Sexual Offences Act was introduced in 2003. Susan Farrow was found guilty of one count of indecent assault and Wills was found guilty of one count of rape.

Following the convictions, David Farrow was remanded into custody. On Thursday, September 11, all three returned to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing.

David Farrow, of Gregory Terrace, Fencehouses, was jailed for 20 years. He will also spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders' Register and was handed a lifelong restraining order to protect the victim.

Susan Farrow, of Gregory Terrace, Fencehouses, was jailed for 15 months. She will also spend 10 years on the Sex Offenders' Register and was handed a lifelong restraining order to protect the victim.

Description

Osama Alkhair, a Sudanese asylum seeker with settled status in the UK, has been sentenced to seven years and four months in prison for attempting to rape an unconscious woman in Croydon.

The incident occurred on December 29 last year, when Alkhair targeted the woman, who was passed out from drink and drugs. She was naked from the waist down, and he was removing his trousers when a passerby intervened.

Alkhair, who claims a birthdate of January 1, 1988 (making him 37), entered the UK around 2015 fleeing persecution, leaving his wife and two children behind. He had been granted permanent leave to remain, lived in a Croydon hostel, and worked as a labourer before his arrest.

He denied the charge but was convicted by a jury on September 12. At Croydon Crown Court on September 15, Judge Tony Hyams-Parish imposed the sentence, noting Alkhair must serve two-thirds in prison before facing automatic deportation.

Prosecutor Ravi Dogra said: “The defendant claims his date of birth is January 1, 1988, which would make him 37. He entered the UK as an asylum seeker from Sudan and we think that was in 2015. I’m afraid the Crown aren’t able to confirm if that date of birth is accurate.”

Defence counsel David Smith added that Alkhair had been in custody since his arrest.

Judge Hyams-Parish told Alkhair:

“You took advantage of a woman who was clearly incapable of consenting to have sexual intercourse or indeed engage in any kind of sexual activity because she was so intoxicated and unconscious, it would seem from a combination of drinks and drugs.

“I cannot imagine what it must be like to know someone has violated you as you did to the complainant in this case and not remember anything about it.”

He added: “Had you not been disturbed, or even if you had been disturbed minutes later, you would have gone on to rape her.”

Alkhair will be liable for automatic deportation unless he wins an appeal.

Description

A convicted rapist issued threats to a court before being handed a fourth life sentence for attempting to stab a prison officer's neck.

David O’Brien, 47, already serving three life sentences for attempting to murder inmates, appeared via videolink at Manchester Crown Court for the October 2022 attack at HMP Manchester.

He previously admitted attempting to murder inmate Danny Fitzsimons by attacking him with a metal bar in the gym at Ashworth Hospital.

He also admitted attacking inmate Peter Harris by approaching from behind and "slicing his neck" with an improvised knife made from a toothbrush and razor blade.

In another incident, after meeting inmate Dean Rawlinson the previous day, O’Brien asked for a cigarette, led him to a shower block, charged at him with a weapon from his waistband, and inflicted a 12cm laceration to his left cheek requiring surgery.

Prosecutor Virginia Hayton described preexisting tensions with the officer. On October 3, 2022, O’Brien went out of camera sight in the kitchen, armed himself with a sharp improvised weapon from cutlery, then struck the officer's neck as they left. He admitted aiming for the neck, but the injury was minor.

Interrupting, O’Brien said: “Are they [the victim] not waiting for me to get f***ing slammed by the judge?” He added: “I never used a weapon on a screw ever. When you’ve got screws been in the business two years, juiced out on steroids, bringing in mobile phones for me. Trying to get me kicked off the wing, assaulting me. There were five or six waiting for me.”

In a victim impact statement, the officer said the attack had a “profound effect,” causing fear, anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, night terrors, irritability, withdrawal, and strained relationships. “I used to be outgoing, now I only leave the house to attend work or if I’m prompted by my partner to engage in daily things.”

Ms. Hayton noted O’Brien’s “extensive and serious” record: nine years for two rapes, 49 months in 2015 for robbery, and life sentences for attempted murder in April 2017, December 2017, and January 2023.

Interrupting, O’Brien said: “Read them all out - I want to hear them all. If you’re going to read all my convictions, read them all." Later: “Get f***ing on with it, I am getting bored of it and I need a s**t. What’s the f***ing point in another life sentence when I’m already doing three. I should be on the streets, when there’s terrorists out there blowing our kids up. Sentence me, I’m getting bored. Next time you sentence me it’s going to be for something else. Hurry up. Taking three years to bring this to court and then three hours to sentence me.”

Defence barrister Matthew O’Neill said O’Brien, diagnosed with personality disorder, offered no personal mitigation. “The injury caused was not significant. He is currently serving three separate life sentences and the facts relating to this offence may not warrant life imprisonment.”

O’Brien interrupted: “I really don’t care - you know if you want to life me off, I don’t care. Before you do sentence me, I will be back, and it will get worse. On my mother’s life. Do what you are doing, making it f***ing worth it. Hope every one of them dies of f***ing cancer. I hope one of my people catches up with you, the CPS, judges. For the f***ing lies, giving me 25 years. Can’t do convictions properly, reading just the worst ones out. Your court is f***ing me over and f***ing me over. Vengeance will be sweeter. Give me a life sentence judge, I’m not getting out any time. It’s destroyed my life. Splashed all over the M.E.N. You’ve got people doing worse for murder and whatever else.”

Judge Nicholas Dean KC muted O’Brien’s microphone. He said O’Brien was convicted of attempting grievous bodily harm, claiming it was revenge over a betrayed prison deal. “During the course of the trial he displayed highly volatile behaviour as he has today in the course of this sentencing hearing. Mr O’Brien has expressed threats during this hearing, and so I am satisfied that he is classed as a dangerous offender. I am satisfied there is a significant risk of him committing further offences and a significant risk of causing serious harm. I am sure there is a risk it will likely carry on in the future.”

O’Brien received a life sentence with a minimum four-and-a-half-year term before Parole Board consideration. The judge requested the hearing record, including threats, be sent to the prison for future release evaluations.