Latest Offenders

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A Coventry man has been jailed for raping a woman while she slept.

Leslie Mangwa was sentenced today after he attacked the woman, who was sleeping after a night out in January last year.

On the night of the attack, the woman was asleep when she awoke to find Mangwa sexually assaulting her.

She screamed and made him leave the room.

Shortly after the rape, the woman reported her story to the police.

Thanks to her bravery in coming forward, officers identified and arrested Mangwa, 33 and charged him with rape.

In interview, Mangwa denied rape, claiming what happened had been consensual.

Despite this, he was found guilty at trial on 4 August and sentenced on 29 August.

Mangwa, of William Hillman Court, was jailed for eight years, along with being given a restraining order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

We would encourage anyone who has suffered sexual abuse to come forward and tell their story.

We know that reporting rape, sexual assault or another sexual crime like indecent exposure or upskirting can be daunting.

We're here to support you whether you're ready to report it to us or if you'd prefer to talk to someone else.

If you want to talk it through before deciding whether to report to us, you can talk to a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service (ISVA) or another support service.

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In February 2023, John Halliburton, then aged 15, committed sexual offences against two young girls in a wooded area in Dundee on the same day.

He sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl and raped a 13-year-old girl, during which he pulled down the victims' clothing.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Michael O’Grady KC sentenced Halliburton to five years in custody, describing the attacks as “cowardly, humiliating and cruel” and branding them “wicked acts.” The judge also ordered that Halliburton be supervised by authorities for three years following his release and placed him on the sex offenders register for life, stating, “The victims here are the girls — no one should lose sight of that.”

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Prolific Sex Offender Admits to Drugging and Raping Woman Multiple Times, Plus Offenses Against Others

A man described as "a prolific, calculated sex offender" has confessed to drugging and raping a woman on four occasions, along with committing sexual crimes against five additional women.

Chao Xu, aged 33, faced initial charges for raping a woman following a social event at his residence in Greenwich, south-east London. Subsequent accusations emerged involving further offenses against other victims.

At Woolwich Crown Court, Xu entered guilty pleas to 24 sexual offenses, encompassing sexual assault, voyeurism, and upskirting. He remains in custody pending his sentencing date of November 14.

Investigators suspect the Chinese national's criminal activities extend far beyond the current charges and are encouraging additional victims to report.

Concealed Camera in Air Freshener

In June, during a networking gathering at his home, Xu offered a female attendee the chance to stay and recuperate after she felt ill. He proceeded to drug and rape her repeatedly, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Authorities discovered hidden cameras placed by Xu in various spots, such as within an air freshener and in restrooms.

His mobile device contained hundreds of unauthorized intimate photos and videos of unidentified women.

Police now estimate that Xu's offenses span several years and include many more incidents.

Leading the probe, Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Sanderson stated: "Xu is a calculated prolific sex offender, who has preyed on unsuspecting women using cowardly methods - administering drugs to rape, sexually assault and take intimate images without consent.

"Our investigation is ongoing and we continue to examine a large amount of evidence, which will help identify any further potential victims."

Xu, a UK resident since 2013, admitted guilt to four rape charges, eight counts of assault by penetration, four sexual assaults, four voyeurism offenses, two instances of administering substances with intent, and two upskirting violations—formally known as operating equipment under another's clothing without consent—occurring from February 2022 to June 2025.

The court was informed that the upskirting incidents involved cameras at a workplace and London Bridge Underground Station.

He denied one sexual assault charge and one assault by penetration count, but prosecutors indicated they would not proceed to trial, opting instead to leave them on file.

'Serious Danger to Women'

Recorder Simon Stirling, the presiding judge, addressed Xu: "You have pleaded guilty to a large number of offences for which the inevitable outcome is a lengthy custodial sentence."

Crown Prosecution Service's Suzanne Crane remarked that Xu had "deliberately drugged women to render them unconscious and vulnerable, enabling him to rape and sexually assault them without their knowledge."

She further noted: "Xu is a serious danger to women, and without the bravery of victims who came forward, his offending may well have continued undetected."

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A paedophile has been jailed after he sexually assaulted a teenager more than 20 years ago.

David Marriott, 63, approached a 14-year-old girl from behind as she played on a slot machine in the garage of a Peterborough home back in 2003.

Marriott unclasped the victim’s bra and touched her inappropriately underneath her clothes.

The offence came to light after the victim confided in family members about what had happened, and wanted Marriott to be held accountable.

Marriott, of Rushton Avenue, Peterborough, denied the offence, claiming the allegation was “untrue” and stated that he “chooses not to speculate on why the allegation has been made”.

However, he was found guilty of committing an indecent assault on a girl under 16 following a trial at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court in June.

Marriott was sentenced to two years and four months in prison at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday (22 August).

DC Helen Keighley, from the force’s Child Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit (CAISU), said:

“Marriott thought he had got away with sexually assaulting a young, vulnerable girl all those years ago.

“I hope this sentence brings closure for the victim, and that it allows her to move forward with her life.

“I also hope it shows that we will always take allegations of this nature seriously, and will work to bring offenders to justice, despite how long has passed since the crime took place.”

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Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been convicted of rape and other sexual offences.

Darren Brassington was found guilty of two counts of rape of a female and one count of assault by penetration following a trial at Oxford Crown Court which concluded on Thursday (28/8).

The 47-year-old of Queens Road, Carterton, has since been remanded in custody and is set to appear at Oxford Crown Court on Wednesday 29 October where he will be sentenced.

During the trial, the court heard how Brassington violently raped and sexually abused the victim who he had groomed and coerced through fear of violence.

He was arrested on Sunday 16 February this year and charged on Tuesday 18 February.

Despite pleading not guilty, the jury found Brassington guilty on all counts following a 7-day trial.

Following the verdict, Detective Sergeant Matt Richardson from the Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit said: “Brassington was found guilty today by unanimous verdict for two counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault be penetration at Oxford Crown Court.

“On Friday 14 February 2025, he violently raped and sexually abused the victim, a young woman who he had groomed and coerced through fear of violence into having contact with him only a month prior.

“Brassington will be held on remand until sentencing at Oxford Crown Court on Wednesday 29 October 2025.

“The victim in this case has been incredibly brave, without her support I have no doubt that Brassington would have continued to pose a risk to any female who had the misfortune of coming into contact with him. I am very grateful for her unwavering support throughout this case.”

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A sex offender already in prison for historical offences against a child has been sentenced to a further six years behind bars after being found guilty of additional offending.

In 2019 Tyler Munday, formerly of Porthleven, was jailed for 12 years for a "campaign of sexual violence”.

At that time he pleaded guilty to 12 offences, committed over two separate periods of time from 2011 to 2013 and then again between 2017 and 2018.

The first period of offences occurred when he was 14 or 15, but another seven offences took place when he was aged 19 and 20.

This year he faced a further three charges against a different victim, dating back to 2011 to 2014, but pleaded not guilty.

However, a jury convicted him of two counts of oral rape against a child under 13 and a further charge of inciting a child to carry out a sexual act on him.

Prosecutor Nikki Coombe told Truro Crown Court on Friday (August 29, 2025) that the victim was of young primary school age at the time, while the defendant was aged 14 to 17 during the period of offending.

Ms Coombe said that following the abuse the victim began self-harming and also attempted suicide on more than occasion.

The court heard that the impact on the victim was ongoing. On one occasion they drank so much they passed out, and upon coming back to consciousness all they could see was Munday’s face.

Munday has been sentenced to a further six years in prison (Image: Devon and Cornwall Police) Ryan Murray, representing Munday, said that during the defendant’s time in prison he had completed a number of courses and was “broadly doing well in custody.”

Before this latest conviction, papers had started to be prepared for the parole board for an application for his release on licence, when he would have become eligible in 2027.

However, Mr Murray acknowledged that pleading not guilty to these offences had “tarnished” that progress.

Mr Murray said a “return to Cornwall is not anticipated” once Munday, now aged 28, is eventually released from prison.

Judge Simon Carr told Munday: “The effect on [the victim] has been devastating. During times she has committed acts of significant self-harm and suicide attempts.

“You have shown little remorse for that, as your lack of guilty pleas indicates.”

He continued: “You have done well in prison. However, your not guilty pleas puts this into context, as they [the prison reports] are [now] not as glowing as they might be, and there’s clearly still work to be done.”

Judge Carr said he had to sentence Munday as a child at time of the offences.

As such he sentenced Munday to a total of six years in prison, to be added on to the time already sentenced.

He must serve two thirds of these six years before being eligible for a referral to the parole board.

Munday has also been placed onto the sex offenders register again, where he was already placed in 2019.

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A child rapist from Tonbridge has been jailed for life.

Michael Link was convicted of a catalogue of offences relating to the abuse of three victims over a period spanning more than four decades.

Kent Police was alerted to reports of repeated sexual abuse involving one of his victims in August 2019 and Link was arrested.

A lengthy and extensive investigation led by the West Division Child Protection Team revealed he had also targeted and exploited another young child for more than 10 years, between the 1980s and 1990s.

When a third victim came forward, detectives established Link was still offending in the days leading up to his arrest.

Lies

During police interviews Link denied any wrongdoing and claimed his victims had made ‘false allegations’.

He maintained his innocence during a trial at Maidstone Crown Court but was found guilty by a jury of 19 offences, including multiple rapes, indecent assaults, voyeurism, and sexual activity with a child.

Link, 72, of Audley Avenue, Tonbridge was sentenced on Thursday 28 August 2025.

He was jailed for life and will have to serve at least 15 years before he can be considered for parole.

The judge assessed him as ‘dangerous’ and, if he is ever released, Link will be subject to an indefinite licence and remain on the sex offenders register for life.

Depraved

Detective Constable Tania Muller said:

‘Link repeatedly subjected his young and helpless victims to depraved and sickening abuse. One of the children was as young as five years old.'

He is a predatory and dangerous child sex offender whose crimes will have had a devastating and lasting impact on the lives of all those he targeted.‘

I would like to thank and commend the bravery of the victims who have endured so much, yet have thankfully summoned the tremendous courage to support this investigation.

'The incredible strength they have shown means Link will almost certainly spend the rest of his life in prison.’

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A pervert used hidden cameras to film a young boy, Southampton Crown Court heard.

Scott Sharman secretly filmed a pre-teen child undressing and bathing, but later denied knowledge of the technology, telling police he could not remember doing it.

His offending emerged after indecent images were found on his mobile phone.

Prosecutor Keely Harvey said the images, reported to police, included children as young as a few weeks old... on the defendants phone.

The 39-year-old was arrested at home, his phone seized.

Ms Harvey said: The defendant told police he liked younger men and had, as he described it, a little problem. But the pictures showed children in their first few weeks of infancy.

It was at this point the officers were still looking on his phone when they saw still and moving images of the... boy.

It came to light the defendant had set up a hidden camera which filmed the boy getting dressed and undressed.

On one occasion, Sharman touched the boy over his groin and private area and filmed it, Ms Harvey said.

When the boy caught Sharman filming him urinating behind a bush, he told him to go away and said what he was doing was paedophilic.

In his second interview, Sharman denied filming the boy, claiming videos and images were taken accidentally, and said: He said he was not sexually interested in young boys.

Defence lawyer Stephen Tricker said Sharman struggled after his marriage breakdown and is an isolated man.

He added: He is in denial and is shameful and has an inability to acknowledge it because of fear and retribution. The difficulty is his lack of acceptance of what he has done.

Sharman, of Obelisk Road, admitted four charges of voyeurism, assaulting a boy under 13, three charges of making indecent images, possession of a prohibited child image, and taking indecent photos of a child.

Judge Nicholas Rowland said he could sense no remorse from him at all, and denial is an understatement.

Sharman was jailed for three years, given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, and must register with police for life.

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A paedophile who called police checks on his phone "intrusive" was warned by a judge today that his online activities are "transparent".

Simon Jones had been found with indecent images of children and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order last year.

But a court heard today he breached that order three times. Mold Crown Court heard a police officer made a routine check on Jones on January 30 this year. Prosecutor Laura Knightly said said they found he had breached his SHPO after creating a Snapchat account and activating "Disappearing Messages" on WhatsApp.

Amy Edwards, defending, said Jones, of Howell Avenue, Rhuddlan, said he had not been trying to hide his actions. It was not an excuse but Jones had been "extremely embarrassed" by his previous conviction.

He had been subject to the terms of the SHPO and sex offender notification requirements. Ms Edwards said the breaches had had "nothing to do" with images of children, apps or chatrooms which related to his initial offences (for which he was made subject to the SHPO).

His mental health has been "dire" with severe anxiety and depression. He has a young family and lost his mother three months ago.

The judge Her Honour Nicola Jones said the defendant had been found with illegal images of children of category A, B and C between November 17, 2023 and June 11 last year.

He was given a suspended jail sentence and made subject to the SHPO. But between October 28 last year and January 1 this year he breached the order three times after installing WhatsApp's "auto delete" messages on his phone.

The judge said Jones said police "intruded" on his life. But she said after his original conviction "your online life becomes transparent".

She sentenced Jones to 12 months imprisonment for each breach, with two running concurrently.

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A paedophile who plotted to sexually abuse children is now in jail after being captured by undercover police officers.

Salvatore Zizzari was behind a series of sick online messages concerning plans to sexually abuse young children.

The 33-year-old started talking to another adult who he thought both shared his depraved fantasies and could make them happen. 

Unbeknownst to Zizzari, however, the person in the chatroom wasn’t who he thought but was actually an undercover police operative.

After Zizzari agreed to meet up at a pub in West Bridgford on 30 October last year, a police sting was set up to catch him red-handed.

An undercover officer secretly recorded Zizzari confirming his intentions to travel with the officer to a location and abuse her children.

Zizzari was detained and arrested shortly afterwards.

He was charged with three counts of arranging the commission of a child sex offence and four counts of making indecent photographs of children.

After denying the charges against him, a trial was arranged for Zizzari in April, which ended with a unanimous verdict from the jury, who found him guilty on all counts.

Zizzari, of Langley, Peterborough, returned to Nottingham Crown Court to be sentenced today (28 August).

He was jailed for 10 years. 

Detective Constable Rich Cashmore, of the Internet Child Exploitation team based in Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Zizzari’s plans to sexually abuse young children were both disturbing and disgusting in equal measure.

“He shared his depraved fantasies online with someone he believed could make them a reality and was a likeminded individual.

“Thankfully, this wasn’t the case and the person he was chatting to was actually an undercover police operative.

“When Zizzari then travelled to Nottingham to discuss his perverse plans further, an undercover officer met with him and secretly recorded what he said.

“That police operation gathered all the evidence needed to capture Zizzari and convince a jury of his guilt, when he inexplicably decided to deny doing anything wrong.

“Zizzari is a dangerous individual who is now rightly serving a custodial sentence, and countless children have been safeguarded as a result."

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A woman has been jailed after committing abhorrent sex attacks against a teenage boy.

"Obsessive and rude" Anne Lunt subjected her victim to acts of violence during her disturbing and predatory crimes.

The teen was left "scared to tell anybody" about his harrowing experiences for years.

While the depraved community café volunteer still "maintains her vehement denial of the offences", her victim told the court: "I think this abuse will live with me for the rest of my life."

Lunt wept as she was jailed for four-and-a-half years, Liverpool Echo reports.

A judge said she had "distorted views about what is acceptable" and labelled her "someone who wishes to be in charge and do as she wishes".

He described her courtroom tears as "a brief and temporary episode of her thinking about somebody else".

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Lunt performed sex acts on the complainant on two occasions.

She called her victim a "dirty b******" and hit him following the first incident.

Lunt continued to touch him "despite his protestations" during the second ordeal.

The 59-year-old was also said to have "told him that she could do what she wanted" as she subjected him to the assaults.

Lunt, of Sefton Moss Villas in Litherland, wiped away tears as prosecutor David Watson read the boy's statement: "I get a lot of flashbacks of what she did to me."

He added: "The flashbacks are painful and upsetting. They range from me being angry and snappy with people, but more often than not make me feel suicidal.

"For years, I struggled to tell anybody [about the abuse]. As I got older, I knew what she did was wrong.

"However, I was so scared to tell anybody. I hated having a secret. I hope I can move on, but I think this abuse will live with me for the rest of my life."

Lunt has one previous conviction for assault in 2021 after biting her husband on the finger.

Defending, Rachel Oakdene said: "Your honour is aware of the background of these proceedings, particularly in relation to mental health issues and, perhaps, the vulnerability of the defendant.

"On a more positive note, there are references in support of Mrs Lunt. It is clear that people close to Mrs Lunt have taken time and effort to support her and do, perhaps, show a positive side to her character.

"In relation to her conviction, Mrs Lunt maintains her vehement denial of the offences but understands that she, today, falls to be sentenced in accordance with the jury's verdict.

"Before she was remanded into custody, she was residing alone. She was not in employment, but was in receipt of state benefits."

Ms Oakdene outlined how Lunt had previously worked in a chemical laboratory for 22 years.

She said: "She has no similar convictions. This is Mrs Lunt's first time in custody.

"To her credit, there have been no adjudications or negative behaviours recorded against her by the prison authorities. She is using her time constructively.

"Dealing with mental health issues, there is no clear evidence of severe illness but, over the years, there has been a decline in her mental wellbeing.

"There was an anxiety episode in 2021 which contributed to significant difficulties and her marital breakdown.

"Mrs Lunt is aware that, for the first time, she faces a custodial sentence. I simply ask the court to impose a sentence which does not have a crushing effect on Mrs Lunt, which will allow her some hope for the future and which will allow her to move on.

"Intervention will allow her to put this very sorry episode behind her as soon as possible."

Lunt was unanimously found guilty of two sexual offences following a trial.

Sentencing, Judge Denis Watson KC said: "Suffice to say that this all comes about because you are someone with a very domineering character, with very fixed but distorted views about what is acceptable.

"Basically, you are someone who wishes to be in control, in charge and do as you wish.

"You refuse to consider the effect on [others], which has had a substantial and very harmful impact on [the victim].

"There was perhaps just a glimmer when his statement was read out, as I observed you. Perhaps, just for a moment, you were concerned with him rather than yourself.

"If that is right, that is but a brief and temporary episode of you thinking about somebody else."

Speaking about a psychological report, the judge said: "The report refers to a decline in your mental health and your refusal to engage with support, your distrust of professionals and evidence of paranoia.

"You are somebody who is demanding and rude. There is evidence of obsessiveness and a need to control. There are common themes that occur, not just in reports but with features of the case.

"You have what is described as a controlling temperament. Everything I saw at the trial would lead me to endorse and confirm these assessments of your character.

"There is but one conviction on your record for a physical assault of your husband, a conviction borne of exactly the same determination by you to be in control.

"There is much evidence that you are, in fact, a dangerous offender, but your age and limited antecedents have persuaded me that it is not necessary to pass an extended sentence.

"I have not overlooked the references from those who know you. Those short documents show a different side of you.

"Your contribution to a community café and others outside of the café are, I am afraid, of limited weight against the controlling, obsessive elements of your character and temperament that are exhibited in your behaviour towards [the victim]."

Lunt was also handed a restraining order preventing her from contacting her victim for 10 years.

She will be required to sign the sex offenders' register for life.

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A man who sexually assaulted a woman in Chelmsford has been jailed thanks to work by your Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Fifty-five year-old Adam Johnson was identified by an officer from Chelmsford’s NPT after the assault in Cornhill on 13 March year was caught on CCTV.

When Johnson was spotted in a shop on Broomfield Road two days later our officers attended and arrested him.

He was also arrested on suspicion of a sexual assault which took place on a bus between Chelmsford and Maldon on 7 October the previous year.

Johnson, of Baxters, Danbury, was later charged with two counts of sexual assault and admitted the charges at Chelmsford Crown Court on 11 July.

At the same court on Tuesday (26 August) he was jailed for two years and given a five year sexual harm prevention order.

He has also been put on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.

Sergeant Graham Thomas, from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

“I want to pay tribute to the tenacity and dedication of the officer in the case, PC Chris Cleverley, who’s tireless work has seen Johnson put behind bars.

“I want to praise the victims in this case who demonstrated great bravery in reporting to us what happened.

“We value our neighbourhoods and work hard every day to keep you safe. We are laser focussed in our task of protecting you and taking people who pose a risk to you off our streets.”

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A ‘VILE’ man from East Yorkshire has been jailed after he attempted to groom someone who he believed to be a teenage girl online.

Phillip Buckingham, 61, of Dunhill Road, Goole, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and was sentenced to nine months in prison.

He was also given a sexual harm prevention order and will be placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

An investigation was launched into Buckingham in November 2022 after he used messaging apps under the username ‘funtimefred’ to contact a social media profile which he believed belonged to a 13-year-old girl.

Over the course of several days, between Sunday, November 6 and Wednesday, 9 November 2022, he sent a series of sexually explicit messages, including an indecent image of himself, and encouraged the recipient to send a photo in return.

But the profile was a decoy operated by an undercover police officer, set up to identify and stop individuals attempting to talk to children online.

Following further enquiries, officers observed Buckingham using his phone outside his place of work. He was then arrested on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with a child and taken into custody to be interviewed.

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Paul Twidale said:

“Buckingham is a vile individual who sought to exploit who he believed to be a vulnerable child.

“When questioned, Buckingham denied his intentions, stating that if those he had spoken to online had turned out to be under 18, he would have ended the chat.

“Thankfully no child was harmed as Buckingham 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.”

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A serving volunteer Met Special Constable has been found guilty of committing several serious offences, including rape of a child under thirteen.

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a Metropolitan Police Service Special Constable has been convicted of sex offences committed in Buckinghamshire and London.

Gwyn Samuels, formerly known as James Bubb, aged 27, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of a number of offences by a jury at Aylesbury Crown Court sitting at Amersham Law Courts today (28/8), following a 12 day trial.

The defendant was found guilty of the following counts relating to victim one:

• One count of assault of a child under 13 by penetration
• One count of rape of a child under 13
• One count of sexual activity with a child
• One count of of assault by penetration

The defendant was found guilty of the following count relating to victim two:

• One count of rape

The jury found the defendant not guilty of one count of rape and one count of sexual activity with a child. Both of these counts were in relation to victim one.

At the time of the offences, the defendant identified as a male called James Bubb, but during our investigation, which was supported by The Metropolitan Police Service, changed their name to Gwyn Samuels and now self-identifies as a transgender woman.

When the victims reported the offences to the police, they stated they had been committed by a man that they knew as James Bubb.

The defendant raped and abused the first victim over a period of years at locations in London and Chesham, the latter where the defendant was living at the time. The victim was 12-years-old when the offences started.

The defendant raped the second victim on an occasion between 2018 and 2023. The victim was 18-years-old in 2018.

The defendant met both victims online, through the website Omegle and the app Kik.

The defendant is a Metropolitan Police Service Special Constable, but is currently suspended from the role.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Kirsty Pendle said:

“Gwyn Samuels, previously known at the time of the offences as James Bubb, is a dangerous, predatory sex offender.

“The abuse inflicted on the victims by the defendant was appalling, therefore I am pleased the jury has convicted the defendant of a number of offences on the indictment.

“I would like to commend the courage and bravery shown by the victims in coming forward and reporting these crimes and their strength throughout this investigation and court proceedings.

“This case demonstrates that Thames Valley Police takes reports of sexual offences extremely seriously.

“We have specifically trained officers who will listen and support you at every stage.

“We keep an open mind as to any other offending committed by this defendant.

“The defendant, who at the time of the offences identified as a male called James Bubb, used the website Omegle and the app Kik to meet the victims."

Description

A married lawyer who once helped run Britain's best post office paid an underage boy in Roblox game vouchers in return for explicit videos.

Sean Hudson, 62, of Romsey Drive, Boldon, groomed the child, who was living in the Glasgow area, over the Telegram online messaging app using an alias. He asked the boy to record sexual videos and engage in acts of sexual touching, then sent him codes to make purchases on the gaming platform.

Hudson, who has now been jailed, suggested visiting him in person although no meetings were ever actually arranged.

The vulnerable teen, who had health problems and spent a lot of time at home in his bedroom, said he went along with Hudson's sickening requests because he was getting gifts, effectively bribing him.

Prosecutor Daniel Ingham told Newcastle Crown Court the offences happened between March 31 and May 28 last year. The victim sent a number of sexualised images, and now feels "shame, frustration and guilt that he engaged with a predator" and no longer feels safe. Mr Ingham described graphic requests by Hudson, who said he was going to "coach" the boy.

Hudson, a solicitor, helped run West Boldon Post Office in South Tyneside when it was named Independent Post Office Retailer of the year at the Retail Industry Awards in 2019.

He admitted causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual communication and having sexual communication with a child.

Recorder James Wood KC sentenced Hudson to 21 months behind bars and said he must register as a sex offender for ten years.

The recorder told him:

"Initially you asked questions about his day to day life and having secured his confidence you then began to ask him to send you sexual pictures, videos, and engage in acts of sexual touching himself. In return you offered him money in the form of online vouchers for the sexual images or videos, vouchers which would enable him to make purchases on his Roblox account."

Recorder Wood KC added:

"By reason of your profession as a solicitor and lawyer you should have well known the gravity of the acts you were perpetrating upon your victim and of the consequences their discovery would have for you and him. You must have been fully aware of the gravity of what you were doing and a qualified officer of the court conducting themselves in this way will inevitably be regarded as offending with real gravity."

Mark Harrison, defending, said Hudson was involved in a professional company for a quarter of a century but resigned from that partnership when charged. He has been married for 35 years, has adult children, has since sought counselling, and provided references from colleagues and friends about the other part of his character.

Mr Harrison said Hudson was going through a "time of particular stress" when he committed the offences, had been working too hard while carrying out voluntary roles in the community, made no steps to have an actual meeting with the victim, and has made suicide attempts during the proceedings.

Mr Harrison told the court:

"He has regret and remorse towards the victim and the victim's family. He is deeply sorry for the harm he has caused to all of them. He has lost his good name, career, standing in the community, friendships and trust of his family."