Latest Offenders

Description

A "monster" rapist who bribed a young girl with video games has been jailed for historic sex offences committed as a teenager.

Lewis Nugent, now 27, was convicted of all nine charges—three counts of rape, three of sexual assault, and three of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity—following a trial at Durham Crown Court in early November.

At his sentencing on Thursday, December 18, the court heard he remains in denial, leading Judge Nathan Adams to deem him a potential danger to young girls.

Prosecutor Sam Ponniah described grooming elements, including Nugent calling the girl "special" and his "favourite," and incentivizing sexual acts by allowing her to play video games. He warned her to stay silent, covered her mouth during one rape, and she vomited after another, for which she was punished.

In her impact statement, read in court, the victim said she has been "tortured by the memories," with Nugent's name making her feel sick. She relives the events daily, which disrupted her education, desensitized her, and left her unable to trust males, even medical professionals. She called him a "monster" and is relieved he can no longer harm her.

Defence barrister Victoria Lamballe presented character testimonials from friends and family, plus a psychologist's report. Noting his pre-sentence report and continued denials, she said: "Unsurprisingly, he continues to protest his innocence and, therefore, there’s relatively little I can say on his behalf. Anything I do say is not intended to minimise what he inflicted upon her." She added this is his first criminal conviction and experience of custody.

Judge Adams described Nugent's actions as "pervasive and persistent" and sentenced him as a youth offender, imposing a six-year custodial term plus four years' extended licence. He must serve at least two-thirds (four years) before parole eligibility, potentially the full six. As an adult offender, it would have been 12 years.

Nugent, of Saturn Close, Easington Colliery, must register as a sex offender for life, faces a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and a 15-year restraining order barring contact with the victim.

Description

A man has been found guilty of raping a woman in Dorset Gardens, Brighton, following a trial at Brighton Crown Court.

Alieu George, 45, of no fixed address, was also found guilty of sexual assault by penetration. He had denied the charges but was convicted by a jury on Wednesday 17 December.

The court heard that members of the public had spotted a man and a woman together in the park area at 9.05am on Sunday 22 June this year. The woman looked distressed and then shortly later, they were on the ground with the man lying on top of her.

Three witnesses recognised the victim’s distress and called police and when officers responded to the scene, they found her distraught and George lying next to her. He told them the woman was his girlfriend.

 The 34-year-old told police that she had gone out for drinks after work and George had approached her and made excuses to remove her from  group of people she was with to get her alone. He then made repeated attempts to sexually assault her while leading her to Dorset Gardens where he raped her.

George was arrested on suspicion of committing rape and taken to custody. He was later charged with the offence that day.

Following the guilty verdicts, George was remanded in custody to appear for sentencing on 10 March 2026.

Detective Constable Daisy Alden, the officer in the case, said:

“I would like to pay tribute to the victim in this investigation for her courage and determination. I would also like to thank the three members of public for their civic duty for calling 999 that resulted in us arriving and arresting the suspect within minutes. They gave evidence at court and their testimonies were highly impactful. 

“Alieu George preyed on the victim and he presents a clear danger to women. The streets of Brighton and Sussex are safer now he will remain behind bars.”

Description

A prison sentence has been handed to a man who sexually assaulted a woman shortly after meeting her by chance in Margate.

Amer Mohammed carried out the attack in the early hours of Saturday 10 August 2024, on the Promenade along Margate Seafront.

Investigations by Kent Police found the 24 year old had approached the victim, who was walking alone, and invited her to a party. However, after walking a short distance together, he sexually assaulted her.

She managed to escape him and flagged down a passing vehicle, which was being driven by an off-duty Kent Police officer. She was immediately taken to Margate Police Station and formally reported the incident.

Through conducting a number of lines of enquiry, detectives were able to identify the suspect as Mohammed, and he was located and arrested.

The Eritrean national, of no fixed address, was subsequently charged and on Thursday 9 October 2025 a jury at Canterbury Crown Court found him guilty of sexual assault following a 10 day trial.

On Thursday 18 December 2025, he was sentenced to 9 years in prison at Canterbury Crown Court.

Detective Constable Chris Harvey, said:

‘This was a traumatic experience for the victim, and we commend the bravery she has shown throughout the trial. Thanks to her courage and the swift actions of our officers, we were able to secure a conviction and ensure justice was served for this violent, sexually motivated crime.

‘Tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority for Kent Police and we will use all of the powers available to us to prevent harm, support victims, and bring offenders like Amer to justice.’

Description

An undertaker who sexually assaulted an 18-year-old colleague while she weighed a corpse in a mortuary has been jailed for two years.

James Jarvie, 63, laughed after groping the teenager's bottom at a branch of Fosters Funeral Directors in Greater Glasgow, a trial heard.

He also tormented a 25-year-old female coworker, forcing her to perform sex acts on him.

Jurors at Glasgow Sheriff Court learned Jarvie sneaked up on the teen in November 2023.

Fiscal Danielle McGuinness said: “The woman was standing at the mortuary register.

“Jarvie approached her from behind and made a beating motion on her bum with both hands.

“She was shocked and asked what he was doing.

“He giggled and turned back around.

“She’d have been 18.”

The young woman testified that former bank manager Jarvie watched her, touched her knees, stroked her face in a private ambulance, and made sexual comments.

Jarvie, from Rutherglen near Glasgow, targeted his second victim in April 2023 while on-call.

He tickled her leg, brushed against her, touched her waist, and slapped her bottom.

The victim recalled: “I think James knew I did not like it.

“But because I didn’t say anything, he knew he could get away with it.”

Jarvie later grabbed her wrist and forced her to touch him intimately, with Ms McGuinness adding: “She tried to pull back but he had too strong of a grip.”

He commented on her body, expressed desire to kiss her, and in another incident, cornered her, exposed and molested her, causing her to “just freeze,” before forcing a sex act.

In a further assault, he groped her and performed a solo act.

Ms McGuinness said the victim was “petrified” to speak out, fearing disbelief as a new employee: “He was older.

“He had been a respected bank manager.

“She did not want people to say she was making it up.

“She did not think people would believe her.”

Jarvie's behavior ended when he tried to kiss her and she told him to stop.

He was convicted of two sexual assault charges and two counts of directing sexual verbal communication between April and November 2023.

Sheriff Tony Kelly imposed indefinite non-harassment orders barring contact with the victims and placed Jarvie on the sex offenders register for ten years.

Description

The man pictured below is Akaash Ibra, he is 30 years old, and he is a dangerous rapist.

In June 2023 he lured his victim to a carpark on an isolated road in Cliviger where he drugged and raped her.

Ibra, formerly of Paddock Lane in Halifax, but now of no fixed address, was arrested and later charged with rape.

He denied the offence but following a trial at Preston Crown Court earlier this year, he was found unanimously guilty of a single count of rape.

He returned to the same court on Tuesday (16th December) where he was given a sentence totalling 15 years. That comprises of 10 years immediate custody – of which he will have to serve two thirds before being eligible of going before the Parole Board – and a further five years on extended licence. This was after a Judge deemed him to be a dangerous offender.

In a statement to the court, the victim wrote:

“This statement will be the first that I have articulated the extent of the trauma I was subjected to, though the impact that I endured can only be put into so many words.

“I have learnt that such an act of violation committed by an individual known to you - is a sense of betrayal that cuts deep. But really, you were a stranger to me all along - you desperately tried to be anyone other than yourself. To this exact day I still have fragmented memory of what you did to me that night. And while this concept may seem to be less traumatic, the unknowing manifested as self-destruction, tormenting myself with the possibility that I could have prevented it or protected myself from you.

“I am constantly questioning what I should have done differently that night, or second guessing why I didn’t pick up on anything strange or sinister. I couldn't protect myself that night, and it became something that significantly affected me. I remained silent in the depths of this darkness, suffering at my lowest all alone. Nevertheless, alone I walked into that courtroom confronting all this trauma, to speak my truth in pursuit of having you brought to justice - and I did exactly that.

“Therefore, I owe myself an apology - for blaming myself and internalising the guilt of the trauma I endured. I’m sorry to the girl whose pain I silenced because I felt so disgusted and ashamed to talk about how much the trauma consumed me.

“I could not imagine confiding in any one of the countless nights I would lay awake contemplating my life. Or the reoccurring nightmare where I find myself in the car with you. I am aware of what is going to happen, but I cannot seem to escape or defend myself from you. There are so many questions that remain unanswered, and I can’t help but wonder how long we were parked in the middle of nowhere while you took advantage of me as I laid unconscious. What exact twisted sense of satisfaction you felt - or if any sense of regret crept over you while I remained unresponsive during your self-serving sexual fantasy? What thoughts crossed your mind when you got home - did you toss and turn for a long while, unsettled by the sexual violation you inflicted upon me or fall sound asleep? All of this trauma has had its time with me - I give you my pain, and the burden of this now lies solely with you. In a strange way, I almost pity you – to be haunted by your own darkness – a darkness I know all too well, as it slowly begins to turn your conscious septic and contaminate your soul.”

DC Sam Holland, from our East Rape and Serious Sexual Offence Team, said:

“Ibra presents a clear risk to women due to his abhorrent views and behaviours towards them. In this case, he isolated his victim, drugged her and then raped her. The following day he messaged her on Snapchat, as if everything was normal.

“The victim in this case has shown incredible strength in firstly coming forward to tell the police what Ibra had done to her, and then by giving evidence at court.

“I hope this conviction and sentence encourages other women to come forward if they have been the victim of a sexual crime, knowing they will be listened to, believed and that we will do everything in our power to put their abuser before the courts.”

Description

A 28-year-old man has been jailed for nine years for raping a teenager at a music festival in Edinburgh.

James Leckie inflicted 48 separate injuries on the 16-year-old girl at the Fly event in Princes Street Gardens on 16 September 2023.

The court heard that Leckie, then 25, met the girl for the first time at the festival, led her into a wooded area, threatened violence, and raped her.

He was convicted at trial last month, where police testified he made derogatory remarks about women while detained.

Faye Cook, procurator fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said: "The prosecution presented compelling evidence that proved this man's guilt and exposed the deeply misogynistic views he holds.

"James Leckie has been held accountable for subjecting this young woman to an opportunistic and predatory attack at a busy music festival.

"She had every right to be safe while enjoying a night out with friends but instead endured a harrowing ordeal at the hands of this rapist."

Leckie, of Musselburgh, denied guilt and claimed consent, but jurors rejected this defense.

The teenager, who had traveled from Dundee with friends and been drinking, initially kissed Leckie, but he turned violent, seizing her by the hair and throat before raping her.

She escaped but was chased and caught by Leckie, who continued the attack until event security intervened and led her to safety.

Judge Thomas Welsh KC said: "You were convicted on the basis that you acted in a predatory manner and took advantage of a vulnerable teenager.

"The harm you have done is incalculable."

First-time offender Leckie, who also admitted drinking, claimed the girl approached him and consented, but forensic evidence supported her account.

Leckie was also convicted of threatening and abusive behavior toward two officers, including racist and homophobic comments.

Defense lawyer David Taylor said Leckie was "devastated" by the verdict.

His name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely, and a non-harassment order bans him from contacting the victim.

Description

A 63-year-old man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a vulnerable teenage girl in her home, leaving her with "severe" psychological harm and prompting her to attempt suicide.

Mark De La Mare, of Cae Dafydd, Meifod, was sentenced to 27 months in prison at Mold Crown Court on December 17 after a jury convicted him in November.

Judge Rhys Rowlands told De La Mare he had "succumbed to your base instincts," shown "no remorse whatsoever," denied any sexual attraction to children, and had "no insight whatsoever" to the harm caused to the victim and her family.

In a statement read in court, the victim—who has lifelong anonymity—described self-harming, becoming depressed and withdrawn, suffering severe panic attacks and flashbacks, and losing "the will to live." She added: "What happened will always be with me, but I refuse to let it control or haunt me."

The victim's mother delivered a heartfelt statement, calling her daughter "a shell of her former self" struggling "in a dark place." She recalled holding her hand in the hospital after the suicide attempt: "Seeing her smile reminds me how close I was to losing her." After counseling brought "some normality," she said she was "so incredibly proud" of her daughter, who had spent years "trying to survive." The assault "has completely changed the direction of her life," she added. "It's had a lasting effect on my daughter, and it's changed my view of the world, how I parent and those I love."

Judge Rowlands criticized character letters supporting De La Mare, including from a headteacher "fully aware of the assault," saying those involved had "unwisely got involved with this."

Defense barrister Mr. Connor described the offense as "entirely out of character" and said De La Mare "maintains his innocence" but has a "realistic prospect of rehabilitation" and is "willing to seek the intervention that is required." He noted incarceration would impact De La Mare's family.

The judge highlighted De La Mare's "complete lack of insight, complete lack of contrition or remorse," and "plain and rank hypocrisy" for accusing the victim and her mother of "getting their heads together to lie about you." He added: "They didn't lie, you did and you continue to lie to those closest to you."

While acknowledging De La Mare's prior good character, supportive family, and letters from vicars, ministers, colleagues, and community members showing "a very different side to you," the judge said: "I don't ignore the effect on your wife, but I am of the view that it is not possible to suspend the sentence in your case."

De La Mare must register as a sex offender for 10 years, adhere to a 10-year restraining order, and is indefinitely barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.

Description

A ‘social media predator’ who groomed and sent thousands of emails, voice calls and video calls to a young girl before eventually travelling to Grimsby to engage in sexual intercourse with her has been sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison after being found guilty of 13 sexual offences against a child.

Following a 12-day trial which concluded at Grimsby Crown Court on Friday, 10 October 2025, Christian Sollitt, 46-years-old, of Rawling Street in Keighley was found guilty of six counts of sexual activity with a child, three counts of making indecent photographs of children, sexual communications with a child, meeting a child following sexual grooming, possession of extreme pornographic images and possession of a prohibited image of a child.

He was remanded into custody pending his sentencing which took place last week (Friday, 12 December 2025). 

Sollitt was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison with an additional 18 months on extended licence, given a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a 15-year Restraining Order, and must remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Detective Sergeant Sacha Harvey, leading the investigation, said:

“Sollitt was brought to officer’s attention following a third-party report in July 2018 of a young girl being approached by him, communicating and meeting for sexual intercourse frequently with him.

“An investigation was opened, and a child abduction notice was issued to Sollitt in July 2018, however he continued to communicate with the child all for his own perverted sexual gain.

“Officers subsequently conducted a search of Sollitt’s address where they seized his tablet and other digital equipment was for examination by our Digital Forensics Unit.

“On full analysis of his devices, the extent of Sollitt’s grooming for his own sexual gratification was highlighted.

“Thousands of emails, voice calls and video calls with a child were discovered, along with extreme pornographic images and videos of multiple children as young as under three years old being found on his devices.

“The young girl in this case was manipulated by Sollitt into sending explicit images and he arranged to pick her up from school and take her to secluded locations in Grimsby to engage in sexual activity.

“Sollitt denied knowing the age of the victim and after accepting he finally knew her age, continued to try and contact her to declare his love and feelings to her.

"The child, who is now an adult, has waited patiently for this to be heard at court in order to protect others from him.

"I would like to commend her bravery throughout the lengthy and complex full judicial process, and she reflected on the sentencing saying it has helped her 'break free' from the hold that this case has had on her everyday life.

“I hope this verdict sends a clear message to anyone committing these types of offences, it is never acceptable to prey on anyone, let alone the most vulnerable young children within our communities, and we will always do everything we can to bring offenders to justice for their crimes.

“We would encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of, or has witnessed sexual crimes, in any form, to please contact us as soon as possible via our non-emergency number 101. Always call 999 in an emergency or if you are in immediate danger.

“Hear from Jamie, a survivor of non-recent sexual abuse, who bravely waived her right to legal anonymity to encourage others who may have experienced something similar to come forward. Her message to you is, when you are ready, Tell Someone.” 

Description

A man whose ‘unrelenting derogatory’ behaviour and sexual abuse against a woman left her feeling ‘worthless’ has been sentenced to seven years behind bars and handed a lifetime restraining order following his appearance at Hull Crown Court last week (Wednesday, 10 December 2025).

Clive Lennon, 44-years-old of Brereton Avenue in Cleethorpes was found guilty of sexual assault by penetration, and coercive and controlling behaviour following a five-day trial at Hull Crown Court in October 2025.

We first received a report in April 2025 when officers received a call from a woman disclosing she had been verbally abused, assaulted, controlled and coerced by a man known to her, naming Clive Lennon as the one responsible.

The Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding Investigation Team (DASIT) launched an investigation, and Lennon was arrested on suspicion of coercive and controlling behaviour and subsequently bailed pending further investigation a few days later.

Whilst engaging with the victim during initial enquiries, the woman further disclosed that Lennon had sexually assaulted her on another occasion. Officers were immediately deployed to Lennon’s address who was swiftly further arrested on suspicion of sexual assault by penetration and transported to custody.

Whilst in custody and during interview, Lennon denied all offences that had been put to him and claimed everything the woman said was a lie.

He was subsequently remanded into custody until his next hearing and DASIT continued stacking up the evidence against him including gathering witness and victim impact statements.

Leading the investigation was Police Constable Imran Akbar from our Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, who said:

“This woman has been subjected to unrelenting derogatory and degrading abuse, sexually assaulted and made to feel worthless and hopeless.

“Lennon repeatedly and continuously engaged in unspeakable behaviour towards the woman. He was controlling and coercive, degrading, assaulted her on numerous occasions, threatened her and her pets; ultimately significantly impacting her day-to-day life.

“It has been an extremely lengthy and difficult process for the woman, especially after Lennon refused to admit what he had done and forced her to relive the ordeal all over again in an intense five-day trial.

“I commend the woman’s bravery in coming forward and reporting Lennon’s disgraceful behaviour and actions towards her. It takes a great deal of courage to do this, and we would always urge anyone who has been subjected to crimes of this nature, or believes these crimes are taking place, to please come forward and tell someone.

“It is because of this woman’s bravery in taking that first step and standing up to Lennon, that he is now behind bars, and whilst this will not take away the pain she has been put through and will continue to have to live with, we hope this provides her with some reassurance.

“We take any report of domestic or sexual abuse and violence very seriously, and we will do whatever we can to hold people like Lennon accountable for their actions and the pain they cause to others.

“Violence against women and girls is wholly unacceptable, and I encourage anyone who is a victim of, knows someone who is, or has witnessed domestic abuse and violence in any form, to please contact us as soon as possible via our non-emergency number 101.

“If you are in immediate danger, or there is any risk to life, always call 999.

“If you are in danger and cannot talk on the phone, call 999 and listen to the questions from the operator. If you can, cough or tap on the handset to reply. You can also press 55 on your handset to make yourself heard and this will transfer your call directly to the police.”

Description

A 31-year-old man has been jailed after admitting to raping a 12-year-old girl at a Southampton hotel following contact on TikTok.

Mark Greenway claimed he believed she was 19 when they met for sex in his hotel room, but the judge ruled it should have been obvious he "had been misled."

Southampton Crown Court heard Greenway met the child at the Novotel in August last year.

Prosecutor Robert Bryan said Greenway received a friend request from her at 4:02am on TikTok, leading to an agreement to meet at his room, where he was staying for road resurfacing work.

Greenway arranged a taxi for her, telling the driver she was his cousin. During messaging, he asked multiple times if she was really 19; she affirmed but mentioned being small and running away from home.

In the taxi, he messaged: "WTF, you are not 19."

She arrived at 7:08am; he met her outside, gave her a key card, and instructed her to sneak up alone. She was in his room over two hours, leaving at 9:21am.

Shortly before 9:30am, she reported the incident at the police station across the road. Police arrested Greenway at the hotel at 10am.

Mr. Bryan said Greenway should have seen she was "plainly a child."

Greenway admitted two charges of raping a girl under 13 and taking category A and B indecent photographs and videos by recording the encounter.

Judge William Mousley KC said: "You maintained your honest belief was that she was 19. That may have been your belief at the time. I am quite satisfied that it was an unreasonable belief. By the time you met her face to face, seen her appearance, and heard her language, it should have been dawning on you only too keenly that you had been misled."

Mitigating, Francesca De Costa said Greenway repeatedly asked her age, birth year, and for ID: "There is evidence to suggest it was encouraged by the complainant in this case. She made first contact. She repeatedly told him she was 19 years old. Even asked if she had any ID."

Greenway, of previously good character, made full admissions, believing she was 18-20.

Judge Mousley sentenced Greenway, of Spon Lane, Atherstone, Warwickshire, to four years in prison with one year on licence. His phone will be forfeited and destroyed, and he must sign the sex offenders' register for life.

Description

A dangerous rapist who attacked two women has been jailed for 24 years. James Barrass, 37, of Priory Grange, Blyth, Northumberland, was convicted by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court of offenses including rape, attempted sexual assault, and assault by penetration.

The judge described him as "extremely dangerous" and a public risk. Barrass must serve two-thirds of his sentence behind bars, sign the sex offenders register for life, and abide by indefinite restraining orders.

In her victim impact statement, one woman called him a "narcissist and a pathological liar" and detailed the devastation: "It's difficult for me to sum up how much of a negative impact he has had on my life.

"I was unable to sleep properly and I get night terrors and wake up soaked in sweat and I have flashbacks. My mental health has been just awful, including daily panic attacks."

She added: "He is not sorry at all. He is only sorry he was caught.

"The day the jury found him guilty and he was remanded is the first time in a long time I've slept properly. It was so nice to feel at peace.

"Now he is in prison he can't harm anyone. I feel like I've done everything I can to prevent him harming someone else. The worst thing is he has no remorse for what he has done."

Description

A serial paedophile from St Helens has been jailed today, on Thursday 18 December, after pleading guilty to child sex offences.

Melvin Miller, of no fixed address but formerly from Somerset, was sentenced to 11 years and four months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty to the offences. He will also be on the sex offender register for life.

In August detectives charged 50-year-old Miller with five counts of historical Rape against a girl under 13 to which he subsequently pleaded guilty.

Detective Sergeant Emma O’Toole said:

“Miller was already serving a 16-year prison sentence in 2020 after pleading guilty to 30 offences against two girls.

“He subsequently admitted further offences in 2022 and was handed a further 15-year sentence to be served concurrently. Following a lengthy investigation Miller was charged with further offences to which he pleaded guilty and today he was given a further 11 years in prison to be served concurrently.

“I would like to praise the courage and dignity shown by his victim throughout the investigation.

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

“I would like to take this opportunity to stress that 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.”

08/05/2022

A CONVICTED paedophile has pleaded guilty to further sexual offences against a young girl.

Melvin Miller, 46 and originally from St Helens, was jailed in April 2020 for 17 years after pleading guilty to 35 sexual offences against two girls.

While he was in prison, one of the girls he abused told an adult about other rapes that she was subjected to by the defendant on a regular basis.

Police made further investigations and found a video on the hard drive of Millers computer that showed him raping her.

The evidence was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service and authorisation was given for Miller to be charged with further offences

Today (March 8, 2022) at Liverpool Crown Court, Miller pleaded guilty to offences of rape, attempted rape and taking indecent images of a child.

He will be sentenced at a later date.

In a statement Senior Crown Prosecutor Mairead Neeson, a specialist lawyer with CPS Mersey Cheshires Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) unit, said: The video evidence of the abuse of this very young girl found on the hard drive of Melvins Millers computer was harrowing and revealed the level of depravity he had inflicted upon her.

This young girl could not possibly have understood what she was being forced into she was just a means to an end for Miller.

"The feelings and emotions of this young child meant nothing to him. She now has to find a way forward in her life, having suffered such trauma.

She was unable to disclose the full extent of the abuse she had suffered when Miller was prosecuted in 2020, given her tender years and the inherent difficulty that exists for very young children to voice matters of such an intimate nature.

"This often happens. It is not unusual for children to deny the abuse they have suffered or be silent as to what has happened.

"It often takes years for victims of sexual abuse to vocalise what has happened to them. She has been exceptionally brave in coming forward despite still being a very young child.

The Crown Prosecution Service works hard to support the victims of child sexual abuse and their families and help them through the criminal justice system. Time is no barrier to a prosecution.

"We will listen to victims, no matter how long ago the offending took place.

Description

A 23-year-old sex offender from Lancaster, James Dobson of no fixed address, has been jailed for five months just weeks after his release from prison on December 1.

He was convicted at Lancashire Magistrates Court on December 15 of two shop thefts in the city, using threatening behavior—including threats to assault a shopkeeper—and breaching his sex offender register notification requirements by failing to contact police.

In a Facebook post, Lancaster Area Police said:

"PC 8794 Smith from the Neighbourhood Policing Team says that we have a zero tolerance to shoplifting and abuse towards retail workers.

"We are working tirelessly through Operation Vulture to target these individuals and there unacceptable behaviour.

"PC Smith asked the courts to issue Dobson with a Criminal Behaviour Order along side his imprisonment due to Dobson’s continued risk to the community.

"The courts agreed and have issued the order valid for three years, prohibiting Dobson from entering any shop within the centre of Lancaster and not to enter any Spar, Aldi or B&M in the whole of Lancashire. This will go some way to minimise Dobson's offending behaviour once he is released from prison."

Description

A man has been jailed for 15 years for a string of sexual offences following investigations carried out by two police forces.

Stephen Plant was found guilty of three counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault on a woman earlier this year following an investigation by Northumbria Police.

The 24-year-old raped and sexual assaulted her several times, including at his house. She disclosed what had happened and reported it to the police.

A separate investigation by Durham Constabulary found that when Plant was 16, he met up with a girl in public places several times, gave her with alcohol before having her carry out sexual acts on him.

This resulted in him also admitting four counts of sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15.

At Newcastle Crown Court last week he was sentenced to a total of 15 years for all the offences.

Detective Constable Amy Burridge, from the Rape Investigation Team (RIT) at Northumbria Police said:

“Stephen Plant is an extremely dangerous man who has committed some of the most horrendous crimes time against multiple victims’ time and time again.

“I’d like to thank them for their bravery and conviction throughout this entire process, and I hope following sentencing, they may be able to seek some closure and look forward with their lives.

“There is so much support available to anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse – and the police are here to guide you through the process every step of the way.”

Detective Constable Hanna Liddle, of Durham Constabulary, added:

“I would also like to commend the bravery in coming forward and standing up to Plant.

“This outcome should hopefully show that survivors of sexual offences can be confident that they will be treated seriously and sensitively by our officers if they come forward to report what happened to them.”

Description

A former soldier from Hull has been jailed for seven years after being found guilty of raping a woman in Nuneaton.

In March 2023, Daniel Black spent the evening with the victim and went to her home where he raped and sexually assaulted her. The victim reported what had happened to us and Black, of Arkwright Park, Hull, was immediately arrested.

The 37-year-old, who was medically discharged from the Armed Forces during the investigation, denied the offences, but after further police investigation, was charged with rape and assaulting a female over 13 by penetration.

The case went to trial in September, and a jury found Black guilty of both counts.

On Friday (12 December), he appeared at Birmingham Crown Court where he was sentenced to seven years in prison for the rape and four years for the assault. The sentences will be served concurrently.

He will remain on the sex offender register indefinitely and was given an indefinite restraining order to prevent him contacting the victim.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Heather Keogh said:

“I’m pleased that the court recognised the seriousness of these offences. Although no sentence can compare to the impact this has had on the victim, I’d like to commend them for the bravery they’ve shown throughout the investigation.

“As a force, we take all reports like this extremely seriously and will always carry out thorough investigations to try and bring offenders to justice. I hope that Black’s sentence sends a clear message to others who harm, or seek to harm, women, girls, or vulnerable people that they will be dealt with robustly.”