Latest Offenders

Description

Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been jailed for numerous child sexual offences in Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

Roderick Bryce-Hagain, also known as Roderick Bryce-Stafford, aged 52, of Milton Road West, Edinburgh, was sentenced to 22 years in prison, with a five-year extended licence period, at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday (1/7). The judge also deemed Bryce-Hagain a dangerous offender.

Following a three-week trial at Oxford Crown Court, which concluded on 24 April, a jury unanimously found Bryce-Hagain guilty of:

• Eleven counts of sexual assault
• Four counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child
• Three counts of rape
• Three counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child
• Three counts of causing a child to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity
• Two counts of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent
• Two counts of inciting a child to engage in penetrative sexual activity
• Two counts of inciting a child to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity
• One count of attempted rape
• One count of causing a child to engage in penetrative sexual activity

Bryce-Hagain sexually abused four boys in Oxfordshire and Berkshire over several years.

Bryce-Hagain was charged by postal requisition on 18 October 2023.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Nicola Fullerton, of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: 

“I would like to thank the victims for the strength and courage they have shown throughout this long investigation.

“We would encourage sexual offence victims to come forward to police, no matter how long ago offences occurred.

“We will listen and do everything possible to bring offenders like Roderick Bryce-Hagain to justice.”

Description

A rapist who put his hand over an 18-year-old woman's mouth to silence her pleas for him to stop has been jailed for three years.

Thomas English, from Darlington, was 20 when he ignored his victim repeatedly saying "no" part-way through consensual sex, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The offending emerged when English contacted police to say someone was demanding £500 from him or he would be reported for sexual assault.

English, now 24, initially denied rape but changed his plea to guilty on the second day of his trial.

The encounter in 2022 began as consensual but English refused to stop when the woman told him to, prosecutor Rebecca Brown said.

Instead, he placed his hand over her mouth and began getting rougher and more "forceful" before she was finally able to push him away, the court heard.

'Worried sick'

Several weeks later he received a message from a third party demanding he pay £500 or be reported to police, Ms Brown said.

English contacted police to report the message but officers also asked about the alleged sexual assault, which led them to interview the victim.

Messages were also found on English's phone in which he claimed he had "got lost in the moment" and did not hear the woman, to which she replied that was nonsense and she had told him to stop four times.

English also said he had been "worried sick" ever since and, when he looked in the mirror, all he could see was a rapist because that was what he had done to the woman, the court heard.

There was also a message in which English said he "felt awful" and "couldn't have been more apologetic".

'Rape is rape'

In a statement read to the court, the woman said the rape had "tainted" her view of intimacy forever and her later teenage years had been ruined by English.

She said she found peace knowing he could not hurt her or any other woman again.

In mitigation, the court heard it was "consensual sex gone too far" and English, of Bushel Hill Drive, was "bitterly ashamed" for his "vile" actions.

Judge Stephen Ashurst said English "selfishly ignored" the woman's wishes and "rape is rape".

He said English was an "intelligent young man" but was "relatively immature and naïve about certain emotional matters".

The judge also said the remorse English had expressed showed he had appeared to have learned from his "serious error".

English must also sign the sex offender register for life.

Description

A care worker engaged in sexual activity with a vulnerable man she was supposed to be looking after.

Megan Neilson, 28, was appointed to support the 29-year-old who suffers from cerebral palsy as well as epilepsy and also has a learning disability.

The pair quickly struck up a close bond which led to them both declaring that they loved each other.

Neilson repeatedly kissed and cuddled him during trips to a bowling alley and at Strathclyde Park while she later performed a sex act on him as they sat in a car parked at the Falkirk Wheel.

Their improper relationship came to light after the pair turned up hand-in-hand at his dad's house and told him they were together.

Neilson told the sickened father she would resign from her role as a support worker but police were called in.

When officers arrived at her home, Neilson asked: "Is this about the inappropriate relationship?"

Neilson, of Airdrie, Lanarkshire, denied any wrongdoing between June and August 2022 and went on trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

But jurors took an hour to convict her of engaging in sexual activity with the man while being a person who provided care services to him.

Jurors were shown a police interview with the man where he told them how he believed he was in a relationship with Neilson and described sexual acts between them.

He said: "She said if anybody found out about us she would lose her job, her daughter and her college course.

"I felt awkward because this had never happened to me before."

When asked how he felt about telling his parents and the police about Neilson, he replied: "I feel as if I made her a promise and broke it."

His dad told the court he had been 'suspicious' of the pair before they told him they were together.

He said: "They said 'we've something to tell you, we are in a relationship' and it took a while for it to sink in what was being said.

"I questioned Megan that it would be so wrong because she was one of his carers and she said 'I'm going to leave anyway so it will be fine'.

"I was in shock but then realised my suspicion was confirmed that there was something going on and I had this sickly feeling because it was a major breach of trust by the support worker working with him.

"He is still not the same wee laddie."

The court was also shown messages sent from Neilson to the man.

One said: "I love you. If it means losing everything, that's fine."

She then told him: "Delete this mind."

Neilson denied any sexual contact between the pair but said she resigned from her support role after developing an 'emotional relationship' with him.

The mum-of-two added: "I'm not sure why he has said this, it was maybe because he couldn't be with me but I can't get my head round it.

"I feel terrible, it has affected me really really badly and it has given me a lot of anxiety but there was nothing sexual between me and him."

Depute fiscal Lewis Devoy told jurors Neilson had committed a 'gross breach of trust' and said the man had 'no reason' to lie.

Lewis Kennedy, defence advocate, told the jury: "Her position is really straightforward and that is she was only involved in an emotional relationship with the complainer and that it was never sexual."

Sheriff Linda Nicolson deferred sentence on the first offender until next month for reports and continued her bail.

She added: "You have been found guilty by the jury of this charge which is obviously very serious."

Neilson, who is now unemployed, was placed on the sex offenders' register.

Description

A man who groomed and sexually assaulted a teenage girl at a shop in Stockport has been jailed today (4 July 2025).

Daniel Hashmi was found guilty of six offences, including attempted rape, against the same girl after a trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

Hashmi (14/10/1980), of Audley Road, Levenshulme, Manchester, was sentenced to ten years in prison.

He will additionally have to sign the sex offender’s register for life, as well as being given a restraining order and lifelong sexual harm protection order.

He was arrested in December 2024 after the sister of a friend reported her suspicions to the police.

It was established that the offences had taken place in Hashmi’s business premises on Wellington Road South, Stockport, between November and December last year.

Hashimi had bought vodka and vapes for his victim, on one occasion blocking the door in a back room to the shop with a sofa to prevent her leaving before sexually assaulting her.

He denied the offences but was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault on a female, two counts of attempted rape, and assault by penetration after a trial.

Detective Constable Ben Swapp, of Stockport’s Complex Safeguarding Team, said:

“The girl and her family have shown enormous courage, and we will continue to support them.

"Aspire social workers and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) are working with the victim to help in rebuilding her life.

"GMP's Stockport Complex Safeguarding Team is a multi-agency team focused on protecting vulnerable children and young people from exploitation and harm.

"This team, which includes police officers, social workers, and other professionals, works to identify, assess, and respond to safeguarding concerns, particularly those related to child exploitation.

"We are absolutely committed to removing offenders like Hashimi from the streets, as the danger he poses to society, and particularly to children, is significant.

“Hopefully today’s sentence and our investigation will give victims the confidence to report these types of crimes and trust us to investigate them thoroughly to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The victim made the following statement in court: "I thought I could trust him. He is an adult and they are meant to be protectors, but after this I will never trust anyone again.

"This has affected me more than anyone will ever know - I feel betrayed and completely let down.

"He has taken away the most important things that I will never get back - I feel used and that's the worst thing."

Description

A 24-year-old man has been jailed for life following a significant Met Police investigation into an attempted rape and rape of a child.

Navroop Singh, 24, (09/10/00) of Mellow Lane East, UB4 was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years for five charges, including rape, on Friday, 4 July at Isleworth Crown Court.

Singh was convicted of the attempted rape of a woman in Southall Park, Ealing on Sunday, 13 October 2024, and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, on Thursday, 8 May at Isleworth Crown Court following a four-day trial.

Singh had previously pleaded guilty to a further three offences –

• Possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence
• Rape a girl under 13
• Assault a girl under 13 by penetration

These charges relate to the rape of a child at Hayes End Park, Hillingdon on Wednesday, 23 October 2024.

An investigation was launched by police and detectives who tracked down Singh, using forensics, CCTV and witness accounts to build a file of evidence against him.

Acting Chief Superintendent Sean Lynch, who leads policing in West Area, said:

"I would like to commend the strength of the victim-survivors and their families and thank them for their unwavering bravery in reporting these awful incidents to us.

“Today’s conviction is testament to the officers’ thorough investigation, which has identified a violent sexual offender and undoubtedly prevented further harm.

“We are continuing to prioritise tackling violence against women and girls with our increased specialist teams. I hope that the community will find reassurance in our action to put this predator behind bars.”

Officers launched an investigation following reports of an attempted rape of a woman in her 20s on 13 October 2024.

Police were alerted by the victim, who, by chance, was met with two off duty officers near to the gates of the park who accompanied her to the nearest police station.

Singh had been sitting on a bench in the park during the early hours of 13 October 2024, where he waited for a potential victim to walk past. He was carrying an imitation firearm, which he had ordered and assembled, and used to threaten the victim while he attempted to rape her.

On the days following the report, officers trawled through hours of CCTV footage to try and identify an offender.

With the investigation was ongoing, a child was raped at a different park on 23 October 2024. Officers immediately made a link between the offences.

Using the increased resources which were made available, officers secured additional forensic evidence. Officers were able to trace the offender to within a few doors of his home address where they delivered leaflets to appeal for witnesses and carried out increased patrols of the area.

As a result of the officers efforts, they were able to trace the offender to within a few doors of his home address.

Singh was arrested on Sunday, 27 October.

Each of the victims have been supported by specialist officers throughout the investigation and court process.

Description

A sex offender was arrested by police after he attempted to meet and abuse a six-year-old girl.

Michael Clarey, 59, went online specifically to try to find a child to abuse on 6 February and used a false name to cover his tracks.

He admitted to being a paedophile who had previously abused children and began exchanging messages with someone who sent him a photo of a six-year-old girl, taken at random from a blog post.

Clarey believed he was talking to the girl’s parent – although police believe it was an online activist group.

He asked if he could sexually abuse the girl and said he would take her for a meal and shopping first in Cambridge or Norwich.

However, here the conversation ended, and it was not discovered until police officers paid Clarey an unannounced visit on 25 February.

Clarey was living under restrictions placed on him by a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) imposed by a court in 2021, but officers discovered he had flouted this by hiding devices, including one behind a TV. It was this device which contained the incriminating messages.

Clarey, of New Close Road, Little Thetford, near Ely, appeared at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday, 27 June, and was jailed for five years and three months after admitting attempting to arrange / facilitate commission of a child sex offence.

He must serve a further five years extended sentence upon release under the management of the Probation Service. Any breaches could result in him being recalled to prison.

Clarey also admitted five counts of making indecent photographs/pseudo photographs of a child, possessing a prohibited image of a child and 14 breaches of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), for which he received no separate penalty.

DC Andrew McKeane said: “Clarey was never going to meet the girl whose photo was sent to him online but the intent to commit despicable sexual offences was clear.

“The girl in the photos, which were taken some years ago, had no link to anyone involved and is a victim in this case. We have spoken to her parents in Berkshire and they were understandably shocked and upset.

“Clarey has a complete disregard for the law and is a danger to children. He was aware what his SHPO restricted him from doing, but he chose to ignore it.”

Description

A Sidcup sex offender with over 200 previous convictions has been jailed for drunken comments to a woman outside Tesco.

Stephen Lumb, 66, began offending in 1976 and was placed on the sex offenders register for life in 2009 after a serious sexual assault. 

He has since been in and out of prison repeatedly for offences including masturbating at a bus stop in 2021. 

In 2022 he was given a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) banning him from having any unsupervised contact with any woman or female child  other than contact which is not reasonably avoidable in daily life. 

But on Tuesday, July 1, when Lumb was drunk outside Tesco on Station Road, Sidcup, he approached and spoke to a woman. 

At Bexley Magistrates' Court on Thursday, July 3, Lumb pleaded guilty to breaching the SHPO and being drunk and disorderly in public. 

He was sentenced to eight months in prison. 

Description

A man has been jailed for violent and sexual offences committed in the Ross-Shire area.

Owen Lonie, 25, was found guilty of the offences including rape at the High Court in Inverness on Monday, 23 May, 2025. He was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday, 30 June, to seven years in prison, with a further five years on license.

The offences were committed against two women between 2018 and 2022.

Detective Constable Fraser Duncan said: "Lonie is an abusive individual who subjected his victims to horrific offending. He will now face the consequences of his actions.

"We recognise how difficult these enquiries can be for victims and would like to thank them in coming forward and assisting in bringing Lonie to justice.

"We remain committed to investigating all reports of sexual crime and domestic abuse and would encourage anyone affected to report it. Every report is taken seriously and will be fully investigated, with support from our specially trained officers and partner agencies."

Description

A rapist who was convicted of controlling and coercive behaviour against a woman has been jailed.

Albert Dawidziuk's victim walked into one of our front enquiry offices in September last year and told police he had abused her physically and mentally over several years. When officers arranged a further meeting with her in the following days, she disclosed the abuse had also been sexual.

She told detectives from Signal - the force's specialist rape and serious sexual investigation unit - that 36-year-old Dawidziuk had gained access to her email and social media accounts and would regularly question her about her contact with work colleagues.

She said he also isolated her from her friends and demanded she send him pictures to prove where she was and who she was with.

When the report was made Dawidziuk - a Polish national - was overseas. However, he was arrested by colleagues from Kent Police when he arrived at Dover days later.

Dawidziuk, now of HMP Leicester, was found guilty of two counts of rape, one count of assault by penetration, one count of sexual assault and one count of engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour on 20 June following a trial at Leicester Crown Court.

On Wednesday (2 July), at the same court, he was sentenced to a total of 12 years' imprisonment. He is also subject to an indefinite restraining order prohibiting any contact with the victim.

Detective Constable Adam Battley, the investigating officer, said: "The victim in this case must be commended for her bravery in coming forward and telling us what Dawidziuk had done.

"We take reports of rape, sexual assault and controlling coercive behaviour extremely seriously We strive to ensure that the perpetrators of such crimes are brought to justice. The accounts and evidence she was able to provide were key to achieving this outcome.

"I hope the fact Dawidziuk is now serving times behind bars will provide a degree of closure and allow her to move on with her life."

Description

A former aviation company director has been jailed for sexual offences against three children in Winchester.

Matthew Myatt, 57, abused two of the girls at Popham Airfield, where Myatt’s company was based, and engaged in sexual communication online with a third girl.

The abuse took place between 2016 and 2022, during which Myatt also coerced one of the girls into sending indecent images of herself to him in exchange for money.

The offences were reported to police in April 2022.

Following a police investigation, Myatt was charged with a number of offences, and pleaded guilty to the following:

• Sexual activity with a child
• Causing or inciting child prostitution or pornography
• Possession of indecent images of a child
• Sexual communication with a child
• Sexual assault

Appearing at Winchester Crown Court on 27 June, Myatt, of Cripstead Lane in Winchester, was jailed for four years and ordered to sign on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely

He was also handed a restraining order, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order with a number of prohibitions relating to his access to the internet and contact with children.

Description

A convicted sex offender from Chatham who breached a court order and failed to comply with sex offender notification requirements has been promptly jailed.

Denis Swift became the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after being convicted in 2012 of child sex offences.

The conditions included a requirement he should not be in possession of an internet-enabled device without written approval from police.

Investigation

On Tuesday 24 June 2025, officers attended Swift’s home address to check he was complying with the restrictions. It was found that the offender had bought a mobile phone and he was arrested.

Swift, formerly of Seymour Road, was charged later that day with breach of a SHPO and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Jailed

The 71 year old pleaded guilty and, on Wednesday 25 June at Medway Magistrates’ Court, was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

PC Areolito Gashi said:

‘Court orders for convicted sex offenders such as Swift are put in place to safeguard against future crimes being committed - protecting vulnerable people and preventing them from becoming victims. Swift was clearly in breach of his court order and it’s right that he’s back behind bars.‘We carry out regular checks on offenders to ensure that they are complying with the conditions on which they have been released from prison. Those who fail to adhere to them can expect to face the consequences of their actions.’

Description

A sex offender who hid a secret phone under his mum's mattress has been jailed.

When the device was found, at Michael Bradshaw's home, it was discovered the internet history had been deleted.

It was in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) passed as part of a 19-month suspended prison sentence.

The order was imposed on Bradshaw, previously known as Michael Bagnall, in October last year for offences including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Durham Crown Court heard that the order made it clear he must inform his risk manager if the obtained a phone or any new device capable of accessing the internet and, if so, it must retain the internet history.

A phone he previously owned was seized by police in February and Bradshaw subsequently claimed he did not have a new device.

But by May this year it emerged that he had been untruthful and that he did have a new phone about which he had not informed his risk manager.

Police went to his property and found the phone hidden under a mattress in his mother’s bedroom.

It was discovered he had been using it since at least February 16 and that he also had access to a Telegram platform.

When examined it was discovered the internet history had been deleted.

Bradshaw was interviewed and admitted having used the phone when he had been on “sniff” and he confirmed he had hidden it under the mattress in his mother’s bedroom.

The 37-year-old defendant of Osric Place, Newton Aycliffe, admitted four counts of breaching the SHPO, which put him in breach of the suspended order from last October.

Charlie Thompson, prosecuting, said other elements of the sentence passed in October, specifically a 200-hour unpaid work requirement, had not even begun, while the defendant also failed to engage with a substance abuse course.

Michele Turner, in mitigation, said on the face of it the defendant, “appears to be a bit of a contradiction”, but, “faced with overwhelming evidence” he did make admissions when he initially went before magistrates.

“There’s clearly something that needs to be addressed in his background.

“His drug and alcohol issues arise out of untreated mental health issues.

“He’s on waiting lists for treatment which he finds frustrating.”

Miss Turner said it would appear Bradshaw had used drink and drugs to “self-medicate” in the absence of prescribed medication.

“Clearly there has been self-medication going on.”

Judge Nathan Adams told the defendant he had been given a chance with the suspended sentence passed by the court in October last year, but it was an opportunity spurned by the deliberate breaches of the SHPO earlier this year.

“You knew full well that you were not allowed access to an internet-capable device without the police’s knowledge.”

The judge added that but for those breaches of the SHPO by Bradshaw the Probation Service would have brought the case back to court over his failure to perform unpaid work.

He passed a prison sentence totalling 23 months, including 15 months activated of the previous suspended sentence.

Judge Adams reminded Bradshaw that upon his release he will still be subject of the SHPO until October 2034.

He added that any further breaches would only result in longer and longer sentences.

Description

A Liverpool man who was found to have committed child sex offences after hotel staff raised the alarm has been jailed today, Thursday 3 July.

Joel Dever, aged 25, was sentenced to five years, three months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court.

He was also issued with a lifelong restraining order and is required to sign the Sex Offender Register for life. 

Dever, of Good Shepherd Close in Croxteth, pleaded guilty to a number of child sexual offences, including six counts of sexual activity with a child, arranging or facilitating a child sex offence, and five counts of making indecent images of a child which were category A,B or C videos.

Today's sentencing relates to child sex offences Dever committed in 2023 when he was 22.

Dever met a 14-year-old girl on a social media site and engaged in a sexual relationship with her for more than a year, regularly booking hotels for them both in Liverpool and Southport.

Detective Constable Soph Lowe from Sefton Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, said: "We work closely with hotels and bars to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation. Hotel staff in particular have been trained to identify the signs of when a child is being sexual exploited and how to report issues to police.

“In this instance, Dever’s predatory and vile behaviour was found out when hotel staff at one establishment raised concerns about the girl's age and called police.

“The victim and her family have shown immense courage and bravery throughout the investigation to reach this conviction.

“Today’s custodial sentence has removed him from the streets to prevent further harm to anyone else. I hope Dever spends his time in prison reflecting on his wholly unacceptable behaviour."

Det Con Lowe added: “I hope his imprisonment encourages other victims to come forward and report sex offences to us, and demonstrates that they can have confidence in us to take reports seriously. We will ensure offenders are put before the courts so that they can pay for their crimes.

"“Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence, or is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us. 

“We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports, and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

“Time is no barrier to reporting offences and I would urge anyone who has been victim of a sexual offence at any time to come forward and we will do everything we can to help and support them.”

Description

A man who sexually groomed and assaulted two young children has been jailed for eight years six months.

Steven Westlake, from Bolton, admitting three counts of sexual assault and two breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in Preston.

Det Con Chris Mills, of the Lancashire Police child protection team, said: "Despite their young age, Westlake's victims have been incredibly brave throughout this process."

The 43-year-old was given an indefinite SHPO when he was sentenced at Preston Crown Court.

Det Con Mills added: "Westlake assaulted children for his own, abhorrent sexual desires.

"With the support of the victims, Westlake's crimes were brought to our attention, and we have been able to bring him to justice.

"He is a despicable man, and I welcome the custodial sentence handed down on him this week."

Westlake, of Chorley Old Road, also used the surname Clayton, the court heard.

Description

A man crept into women's houses in the dead of night and entered their bedrooms to watch them sleeping, a court has heard. On one occasion Evan Powell pleasured himself while staring at one of his dozing victims.

When arrested the defendant claimed he had been going into houses looking for someone who might have the mobile phone he had lost during a student night out on Swansea's Wind Street. He denied there was any sexual element to what he had done. A jury rejected that version of events and found him guilty of trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Making the defendant the subject of an extended sentence the judge at Swansea Crown Court said on the night in question Powell had been "prowling the streets" looking for "opportunities for non-consensual activity" and he described Powell's behaviour as "extremely sinister".

The court has previously heard that on the night of October 30 last year Swansea University computer science student Powell attended a fancy dress Cocktail Society house party on Brynmill Crescent in the Brynmill area of Swansea before going on to the bars of Wind street in the city centre. He was dressed in a black suit and tie in the style of the lead characters in the film "Men in Black".

In the early hours of the following morning the defendant left the city centre and returned to the Brynmill area where he entered three houses, and tried to enter a fourth.

In one property the student first went into a child's bedroom and rummaged through a chest of drawers - the child woke to see the stranger in his room - before entering the mother's bedroom. The court heard the women woke suddenly to see the 21-year-old standing near her bed watching her. Powell fled down the stairs and left the house.

At a property nearby Powell again entered a woman's bedroom - this time he exposed his penis and masturbated while watching his sleeping victim. The woman woke and challenged the defendant who fled into the kitchen where an altercation took place during which the woman punched him and he pushed her. The defendant then left.

The court heard Powell also entered a third property, though on that occasion the sleeping occupant was woken by the sound of the bedroom door opening. The defendant ran off and went home to his shared student house..

The incidents were reported to police and Powell was identified and subsequently arrested. Enquiries conducted by the police established that the defendant had tried to enter a fourth Brynmill property on the night in question but had been unsuccessful.

Powell subsequently pleaded not guilty and the matter went to trial in April this year. Following his conviction, sentencing was adjourned for the preparation of a report to consider the issue of dangerousness.

At the trial prosecution barrister Dyfed Thomas had put it to Powell that he had been "looking for sexual satisfaction from watching women sleeping in bed" but the defendant rejected that. Powell accepted it was a "very odd, unusual situation" but insisted he had been trying to find the property where the earlier house party had been held in the hopes someone there might know where his lost phone was. He added: "I'm very, very bad with directions".

Evan Powell, now of Rogerstone, Newport, had previously been convicted at trial of three offence of trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offence and one count of attempting to trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence when he returned to the dock for sentencing.

He has no previous convictions but the court heard that in October 2023 the defendant sexually assaulted a young woman in the Brynmill area in the early hours of the morning when he followed her along Bryn Road before grabbing her and putting his hands between her legs. The assault was reported to police but the defendant was not prosecuted and was dealt with by way of a "community resolution" which saw him admit the offence and write a letter of apology.

Judge Paul Thomas KC had previously expressed his concern at the 2023 offending being dealt with by a community resolution, and the prosecution barrister told the court he had made enquiries into the matter and it seemed the officer who investigated the incident had not referred it to an officer of detective inspector rank or above as he should have done before making the decision. The prosecutor said the officer had been spoken to.

Avirup Chaudhuri, for Powell, said the defendant came from loving and caring background. He said his client understands the gravity of the situation he was facing and asked the court to consider that it may be the "shame and embarrassment" Powell feels which prevents him from "confronting his offending in full". The barrister also asked the court to take into account the defendant's age and immaturity, and he said his client but been putting his "privileged education" to good use while on remand in prison by helping fellow inmates to improve their literacy skills.

Judge Paul Thomas KC said on the night in question Powell had been "prowling the streets of the student area looking for opportunities for non-consensual activity". He said the defendant's motivation in entering or trying to enter four properties in the space of around two hours had been sexual, and he described Powell's behaviour as "extremely sinister".

The judge said Powell had no insight into his problem and did not even acknowledge he had a problem, and he said until the defendant did come to terms with the reality of the situation he would continue to pose a high risk of sexual offending in the future.

Powell was given a nine-year extended sentence comprising five years in custody followed by a four-year licence period. He will become eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of the custodial element of the sentence. The defendant will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.

Judge Thomas added that it was a matter of "great regret" that the 2023 sexual offending had not been dealt with "properly" at the time as it should have been.

Speaking after the sentencing Carolina Mayorga-Williams, senior crown prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution service's rape and serious sexual offence team, said: "Waking up to find a stranger in your or your child’s bedroom must be a terrifying experience and violates a person’s right to feel safe in their own home. We take all allegations of sexual offending very seriously. The evidence presented by the Crown Prosecution Service resulted in the jury reaching their guilty verdicts and has brought Powell to justice."