Latest Offenders

Description

A voyeur who took a photograph of an unconscious and naked visitor to his home for "bragging rights" has been jailed.

The victim became stranded in South Shields without money and wearing shorts. Someone he suggested he go to Jonpaul Elessar's home to wait for a taxi, which he did. The court heard that when he got there, he asked Elessar to turn off cameras he had installed in his home because he didn't want to be recorded. Elessar gave the man a drink and said he took some drugs and ended up unconscious.

Sentencing Elessar at Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Sarah Mallet said: "He has no recollection of anything else until he was woken by his partner. While unconscious and naked, you took an image of him.

"You were amused by what you had done and said he was drunk and had taken G[GHB] and you had performed a sex act on him."

The court heard the victim felt violated when he was in a vulnerable position. Judge Mallet said: "He was concerned you had taken other images while he was vulnerable.

"He said it was humiliating, shocking and disgusting. You have caused him significant emotional harm.

"You took and sent an image out of malice or spite - bragging rights, as you call it in the pre-sentence report."

Prosecutor Christopher Rose it is unclear if the victim ended up "completely naked" before of after he fell unconscious. The victim said he didn't know how he ended up in a state of undress.

Mr Rose said: "While prone on the defendant's sofa, naked and unconscious, the defendant took an image of him which he sent to another man."

When Elessar's phone was examined in relation to that offence, two indecent images of children aged between 12 and 16 were discovered.

The 38-year-old, of Norfolk Drive, Washington, who has a previous conviction from 2013 for possessing and distributing indecent images of children, pleaded guilty to voyeurism and possessing indecent images of children. He was jailed for 20 months and must sign the sex offenders register and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years. He was also given an indefinite restraining order.

Robin Turton, defending, said: "He shows good victim empathy and a good deal of remorse." He added: "His behaviour was unseemly and pretty grubby.

"It was a sly photograph taking, effectively, for bragging rights. It doesn't reflect well on him."

"There are good aspects to his character." Mr Turton said the two indecent images of children were in Elessar's trash bin on WhatsApp.

Description

A sex offender is behind bars after he was found with nearly 300 indecent images of children. Richard Dickens, 40, who was under the management of specialist officers, was arrested in March last year and his phone seized.

Officers discovered 299 indecent images on his phone, 127 of which were category A, the most serious.

They also discovered message threads sharing illegal images and discussions relating to attraction to children.

On Wednesday (June 4), at Huntingdon Law Courts, Dickens, of Prospero Way, Hartford, Huntingdon, was jailed, having pleaded guilty to three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child, two counts of distributing an indecent photograph of a child, sharing a photograph or film of a person in an intimate state for the purpose of sexual gratification, and failing to comply with notification requirements.

Detective Sergeant Scott Lloyd, from the Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders unit (MOSOVO), said: “Dickens’ crimes and failure to stick to his notification requirements prove he poses a serious threat to children.

“I’m glad justice has been done today. This case shows how seriously this type of offending is taken by us and the criminal justice system.”

Description

A CONVICTED sex offender has returned to prison for raping an extremely drunk and “incredibly vulnerable” girl in Caernarfon 10 years ago.

Kyle Parry, who was previously jailed for sexually assaulting a boy, was told by his victim that he will “never know the pain this has caused me”.

Parry, 29, of Wellington Street, Huddersfield, was sentenced to eight years and nine months’ imprisonment at Caernarfon Crown Court today (June 10), having previously admitted rape and assault by penetration.

Prosecutor David Mainstone said that in December 2021, Parry was interviewed by a probation officer to assess his ongoing risk of committing sexual offences.

During that interview, he disclosed that he had sex with the girl, but was worried she might report him in future, and maintained the sex was consensual.

In early 2015, the girl was at Parry’s home in Caernarfon, where she was described as being in a “paralytic” state and vomiting, such was her intoxication.

It was later that evening that Parry raped and penetrated her.

Parry, who had also previously been convicted for making indecent photographs, maintained his “fabricated” account that the sexual activity was entirely consensual.

Addressing him in court today, the victim said: “What you did to me had a profound effect, and totally changed the way I feel about relationships.

“After you raped me, my life went into freefall. I blame you for this. The impact of what you did to me has been huge; it has affected all parts of my life.

“You left me so unstable. It’s taken me years to understand what a heathy relationship is. After you raped me, I dropped out of life.

“I am stronger than you thought. I have rebuilt my life, and I’m going to have an amazing future, while you are behind bars for your crimes.

“I have stuck with this investigation because I want to protect other young people from predators like you.

“I have learnt to keep you in a box, and make sure that you can no longer control me.

“You will never know the pain this has caused me.”

Representing Parry, Dafydd Roberts said these matters pre-date the other sexual offences for which he has already sentenced.

This incident happened when Parry was a “much younger man”, Mr Roberts said, stressing that he self-reported it.

Parry “wishes to be rehabilitated,” Mr Roberts added.

Sentencing, Judge Nicola Jones commended the bravery of Parry’s victim, and the “excellent” work by North Wales Police in bringing him to justice.

She added to the victim: “Don’t let what that man has done to you define your life.”

“It has been an absolute honour to have sat on a case where you have given such courageous evidence.”

Judge Jones told Parry: “She was incredibly vulnerable, and has suffered significant trauma as a result of your actions.”

Parry will be subject to indefinite sex offenders register notification requirements, while a lifelong restraining order was made for the victim’s protection.

Description

A 25-year-old registered sex offender has been handed a 64-week prison term after he breached Sex Offenders’ Register requirements.

In December 2023, Davood Alekozai was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register (SOR) for five years after he was convicted of a sexual assault which took place in 2022.

As part of his SOR requirements, Alekozai had to complete an annual notification requirement as well as inform police of any aliases used online.

However, after Alekozai’s devices were reviewed following a routine visit, he was found to be using aliases online that he had not told police about. He also failed to complete his annual notification requirement.

Alekozai, previously of Northampton, was arrested and subsequently charged with two counts of failing to comply with SOR requirements.

After pleading guilty to the offences at Northampton Crown Court, Alekozai returned to the same last month (May 15) where he was sentenced to 64 weeks in prison.

Lead investigator, Police Constable Andy Glover from the Force’s MOSOVO Team, which closely manages sexual and violent offenders, said: “These breaches may seem very minor but it’s so important for us to manage those on the Sex Offenders’ Register very carefully.

“Any breaches are dealt with robustly and we take an absolute zero-tolerance approach.

“I hope this reassures our local residents and I want to be clear that we will continue working hard to keep people in our county safe.”

Description

A high-risk sex offender who repeatedly preyed on an underage girl was jailed for eight years today after his victim branded him “a monster”.

Paul Cowie, 54, targeted the child from the age of 11 and subjected her to sexual assaults and rapes in Aberdeenshire at a time when he was drinking heavily.

Description

A former soldier who attempted to penetrate a woman with a syringe containing his semen while she slept has been jailed and placed on the sex offenders register.

Brad Albutt, 40, sexually assaulted the victim on three separate occasions - twice with the sharp implement - over a 12 month period at a property in Edinburgh. The ex-serviceman, who was a corporal with the 1st Battalion, The Rifles, was forced to confess about his depraved acts when the woman woke up to find him holding the syringe and a tub containing his semen.

Albutt pleaded guilty to the three sex attacks at a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in December last year and sentencing has been delayed on several occasions to obtain a psychiatric report. He also admitted to charges of assaulting the woman by punching her to the body and breaching bail conditions, all between October 2022 and October 2023.

Albutt returned to the dock for sentencing on Monday where Sheriff Kevin McCarron said there was no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence.

Sheriff McCarron said: “These offences spanned a period of one year and involved a significant violation of your victim. More worrying, these offences were planned by you.

“I am taking into account your background and it is also obvious you have served your country for a significant period of time and placed yourself at risk. To balance that, there must have been awful consequences for your victim of your actions.”

Albutt was jailed for 20 months and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. He was also handed a non-harassment order banning him from contacting the victim for the next 10 years.

Lawyer Paul Smith, defending, told the court Albutt, c/o the Scottish Veterans, Canongate, Edinburgh, was a South African national and had moved to the UK in 2000. Mr Smith said his client had joined the British Army in 2008 and had served two tours in Afghanistan before leaving in July last year.

The court heard Albutt had been working recently with Lothian Buses and the criminal justice social work reports had been deemed him a low risk of re-offending. The court was previously told the first syringe attack took place as the woman slept at Albutt’s former home in the capital in October 2022.

Fiscal depute Ruaridh Allison said the woman had woken up to find she was being penetrated by an object.

Mr Allison said: “The accused was sitting on the sofa and she reached down and removed an object from her vagina and realised it was a syringe. She described it as being a very thin syringe unlike one she had seen before.

“She chose not to confront him at that time and gave the syringe back to him. Following this she lay down and pretended to go to sleep.”

Mr Allison said the woman was subsequently attacked by the squaddie with the syringe for a second time the following week.

He said: “She fell asleep on the couch while she understood the accused to be in the spare room. Around 11.30pm she woke up to find the accused beside her feet at the couch and noticed he was holding something in his hand.

“When she asked what he was holding he attempted to hide the object. She tried to grab the object and found it again to be a syringe and there was also a small tub sitting on the couch. When she asked, the accused then disclosed to her that both the syringe and the tub contained samples of his semen.”

The court was told the woman reported the shocking attacks to the police and a forensic examination conducted later that night had found her DNA on the syringe.

Mr Allison said Albutt had also sexually assaulted the woman as she slept by penetrating her with his fingers in October 2022.

Description

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a man has been jailed for sexual offences against a girl in Bicester.

Stephen Berry, aged 65, of no fixed abode, was jailed for nineteen and a half years at Oxford Crown Court.

He pleaded guilty to eight counts of rape, one count of indecency with a child and one count of indecent assault against one victim, a girl.

The court heard that other offences against two other children would lie on file.

Description

A convicted sex offender is back in court after being accused of breaching his sexual harm prevention order 11 times.

Appearing at Swindon Crown Court on June 6, 2025, Alistair Eccleston of Welcombe Avenue, Walcot, explained how he had previously only been made aware of nine charges made against him for breaches of the order.

But since his last hearing in Swindon Magistrates' Court on May 28, 11 charges are now recorded on Eccleston's record.

Each of those relates to the 25-year-old being in the company of or seeking out the company of a young person under the age of 16.

This is forbidden for Eccleston, who is a convicted sex offender and had a sexual harm prevention order imposed on him by Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court in February 2021.

All of the breaches are recorded as having taken place between December 2021 and January 2025.

Eccleston's case has now been adjourned until June 11 so that his defence lawyer has adequate time to discuss the new charges that the defendant wasn't previously aware of with him.

The sex offender will continue to be held in custody until this next hearing at Swindon Crown Court.

Description

A pervert is facing jail after sending naked photos of himself to a 'young girl' and asking for them in return.

Logan Thew thought he was messaging a 13-year-old child but she was actually a decoy, which had been created by online vigilante group DANK Dragon.

Despite knowing her age, Thew sent her naked pictures of himself, asked for some of her and told her he wanted to have sex with her, a court heard. However, his details were passed to the police and Thew, of Phoenix Court, in Morpeth, found himself being arrested for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

He pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court this week. Prosecutor, Rehana Haque, said the case should be sent to the crown court for sentence.

She added: "The defendant messaged a decoy from DANK Dragon, who pretended to be a 13-year-old girl. Knowing the age of the decoy, the defendant asked for nude pictures of her, sent nude pictures of himself and said he would like to have sex with her."

Glenn Reardon, defending, said full mitigation would be heard at a later date. He added: "I would invite you to commit this for sentence as, I agree, it would be outside of your sentencing powers."

Magistrates committed the case to Newcastle Crown Court for sentence and released Thew on bail to next appear there on July 4.

Description

A notorious paedophile has been allowed to live just metres from a childrens playground in Heywood without the knowledge of the probation service, the Manchester Evening News can reveal.

Digital maps used by the probation service initially failed to identify the presence of the park directly opposite the home where Todros Grynhaus is living, correspondence shared with the Manchester Evening News shows.

The Probation Service said the decisions around where a sex offender lives are based on 'particular risks an individual poses' and are 'actively monitored on an ongoing basis'.

Elsie Blundell, Heywood's MP, has written to the Probation Service about her 'grave concerns' and said: "Sexual offenders released from custody have no place near settings or local amenities frequented by children or young people."

The Manchester Evening News understands there is another individual residing at the property and has therefore taken the decision not to publish the exact location.

The community where Grynhaus lives is aware of his convictions, and some residents told the Manchester Evening News they no longer allow their children to play in the park, adding they felt 'angry' he had been allowed to live on what they described as a 'family estate'.

Greater Manchester Police says it continually reviews risk assessments, which take place alongside 'statutory partners, including the Probation Service'.

Grynhaus, a successful businessman and father-of-ten who enjoyed high standing in Salfords tight-knit ultra-Orthodox community, was jailed for over 13 years in 2015 after a jury found him guilty of seven sex offences against two young girls between 1996 and 2004.

The court heard he subjected one teenage girl to a campaign of abuse over three years, repeatedly groping her and even taking her to a hotel and molesting her in the jacuzzi.

A second victim, also a teenage girl, was groped by Grynhaus over a three-month period. In his sentencing remarks, Mr Justice Holroyde said Grynhaus took cynical advantage of his victims vulnerability, adding he believed there was a significant risk he would commit further sexual offences against a girl or girls.

Grynhaus was made to sign the sex offenders register for life, and made subject to an extended licence period of four years following his prison term of 13 years and two months.

He was released in 2022 but was reportedly recalled to prison following a breach of his licence.

He was later authorised to move into his current address following a Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) assessment - a mandatory requirement for all registered sex offenders.

However, the digital maps used during the MAPPA assessment did not pick up the presence of the childrens playground opposite Grynhaus new address.

The Manchester Evening News counted just 24 paces between the gate of Grynhaus' home and the park. Authorities were only made aware of it following a complaint.

In a letter to the complainant seen by this newspaper, Andy Roberts, Assistant Chief Officer at Greater Manchester Probation Service (GMPS), said the decision regarding where Grynhaus could live was made based on digital maps.

In relation to granting permission of a registered sex offender to reside opposite a childrens park. As I explaineddecisions like this are made on a multi-agency (MAPPA) basis and not solely by probation, he wrote.

The case at the time was also managed by a different PDU (probation delivery unit) and the decision was based on electronic information (map) made available. This did not identify the presence of the park. The learning from this has been shared.

Later in the letter, Mr Roberts said the complaint regarding Grynhaus housing had not been upheld, adding: but I would state there is learning to be gained.

Neighbours spoke of their shock when they discovered Todros grim past and said they felt scared and angry about him living opposite the playground.

When they first moved in everyone was really welcoming, we welcome any culture, one neighbour told the Manchester Evening News.

But then word started going round about who he was and it was like, wow.

His house is literally in front of a park. It really worries me that he has been allowed to live there. At the end of the day he is a dangerous man.

She added there are parents in the area who now refuse to take their children to the park.

I know one mum who was just starting to let her little girl go by herself and now she wont, she said.

She has had to take that away from her.

Were paying money to maintain it (the park) and now people cant use it, she said.

People have bought their family homes here. I think at first a lot of people were really scared, but now they are angry.

She said she felt disheartened by the Probation Services failure to identify the park in their assessment.

Theyre supposed to protect us - they didnt do that and now theyre telling us they cant make him move, she continued. We want him gone. Its not fair.

Elsie Blundell, the MP for Heywood and Middleton North, said she was extremely disappointed the Probation Service has not carried out checks sufficiently, adding that sexual offenders released from custody have no place near settings or local amenities frequented by children or young people.

The safety and security of my constituents especially of children is my highest priority as the Member of Parliament for Heywood and Middleton North, Elsie Blundell MP told the M.E.N.

I am clear that sexual offenders released from custody have no place near settings or local amenities frequented by children or young people and I wrote to the Probation Service to raise my grave concerns as soon as I was made aware of this particular case.

The onus is on the Probation Services to carry out thorough and rigorous checks to ensure that the location of these offenders, upon release, is predicated on the nature of crimes they have committed.

I am extremely disappointed that the Probation Service, in this instance, has not carried out these checks sufficiently and that a presence of a childrens park was not identified in the location of this particular offender.

In representing my constituents concerns in this area, I wrote to Lord Timpson, the Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, who has agreed, in turn, to conduct a review of the Address Checks (Post Custody) Policy Framework. I have been assured that the Ministry of Justice will publish this updated guidance in July this year.

I understand that the proposed updates within the review include changes to clarify and strengthen the particular arrangements for checking addresses proposed by sex offenders. This will ensure that probation officials can make a fully informed decision when determining whether to approve a proposed address something which has not happened in this instance.

All families should have the confidence that their local parks, green spaces and play areas are safe and secure for their children to enjoy.

I will be actively monitoring developments in relation to the Probation Service and will also be following the action taken by the Ministry of Justice in the coming weeks.

A Probation Service spokesperson said: "Special consideration is given to where registered sex offenders are allowed to live by a range of agencies including the Probation Service, police and local authority as part of dedicated procedures to protect the public.

These decisions are informed by the particular risks an individual poses and are actively monitored on an ongoing basis.

All offenders released on licence are supervised by probation staff and can be recalled to prison if they breach the strict conditions they are subject to."

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson added: "GMP work with our statutory partners, including the Probation Service, to appropriately manage the individuals and their conditions, taking into account all the necessary circumstances and arrangements to ensure the safety of the community.

"All risk assessments are continually assessed and reviewed."

Description

A man who forced his way into a woman's home and raped her on two occasions has been jailed for 14 years.

Peter Stone, of Thirlmere Gardens, Doncaster, denied two charges of rape and one of controlling or coercive behaviour.

But following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court in May, during which his victim testified against him, a jury found the 52-year-old guilty on all counts and he was jailed at the same court on Wednesday.

Following the sentencing, Det Con Cameron Vernon, from South Yorkshire Police, said:

"Stone is a dangerous individual who caused this woman immeasurable pain."

Stone had carried out a "campaign" of controlling behaviour towards his victim, during which he raped her twice at her own property in 2024, according to police.

His victim reported the rape offences on 9 November, and officers arrested him on 14 November.

Det Con Vernon said he wanted to recognise Stone's victim's "incredible bravery" in facing him in court, and providing evidence "crucial in convicting him of these despicable crimes".

"I am very happy to see Stone jailed for 14 years, and I hope this sentence encourages other victims of sexual violence to report these crimes to police," he said.

"We will investigate every report and take action to see justice done."

Description

A sex offender from Sittingbourne who raped his victim in a hotel room after a night out has been jailed.

Daniel Holdaway was found guilty following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

Investigation

Kent Police launched an investigation after a woman was assaulted in the Gravesend area on 29 August 2021. Holdaway, 24, spent time with his victim during the evening before taking her to pre-booked accommodation.

The two entered a hotel room together. Despite the woman repeatedly stating her wishes to Holdaway, he ignored them and raped her.

While the offender slept, the victim was able to leave the premises and reported what happened soon afterwards.

Officers attended and initial enquiries were completed. Holdaway was arrested on 31 August 2021 and was later charged with rape.

Jailed

Holdaway, from Burnham Close, Milton Regis, pleaded not guilty. On Friday 30 May 2025, after being convicted by jury, Holdaway was sentenced to five years in prison. He will have to comply with strict sex offender notification requirements indefinitely.

Description

A young victim has been praised for her bravery in providing information that has led to a child sex offender being jailed.

The abuse committed by Karl Rose was brought to the attention of police on 3 January this year.

When speaking to officers, the victim – who is a child – told them Rose had also committed other offences against her in the East Leicester area in October and November 2024.

When the report was made to police, Rose’s whereabouts were unknown but he was arrested by police on 8 January. Detectives found that despite initially denying his crimes, 27-year-old Rose had sent messages to the victim’s family apologising for what he had done.

Yesterday (Thursday 5 June) he was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual assault on a girl under 13, one count one count of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault.

Rose, of no fixed abode, was also made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and an indefinite restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim.

Description

A Bedworth man who breached a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by hiding a device from us has been jailed for more than three years.

Shane Jaques, 34, was previously convicted for possessing indecent images of children.
 
As part of his sentencing, he was handed an SHPO which forced him to tell us about any and all digital devices he had so we could monitor his use.

Last year we caught Jaques with a phone that he hadn’t declared - so we arrested him and sent it for forensic analysis.
 
When that analysis came back it showed that he had indecent images of children on the phone.
 
We re-arrested him and he was charged with possessing indecent images of children and breaching his SHPO.
 
He was held in custody and at Warwick Crown Court on Wednesday, 4 June, he was sentenced to three years and three months in prison.

Description

A man who subjected a child to years of horrific sexual abuse has been jailed for more than two decades.

Caetano Mauricio Vas, 54, formerly of Lady Margaret Road in Southhall, was sentenced to 25 years in prison at Swindon Crown Court today (05/06).

A jury found Vas guilty of four counts of rape of a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, one count of inciting a girl under the age of 13 into sexual activity and one count of sexual assault. 

Vas sexually abused his victim from when she was just eight years old which massively impacted all aspects of her life and left her feeling suicidal.

He instilled fear in her by claiming he'd release inappropriate photographs of her if she told anyone about his vile abuse.

The offences took place in Swindon between 2014 and 2016 but the victim bravely broke her silence in 2021.

Vas denied the offences and the case went to trial in March. During this, the victim recalled her traumatic abuse to a jury who found the defendant guilty on March 17.

In a statement read to the court, the victim said: "It is hard to understand how one person could have such an impact.

"His actions have affected me in so many ways, which I have to cope with daily and I will probably have to cope with for the rest of my life.

"I always knew Mauricio wasn’t going to admit what he did. I was always prepared to give evidence. I was nervous but I hope that I am becoming stronger, even though at times I feel so weak.

"Mauricio ruined my childhood. Even though I am an adult now, I still feel like I want that childhood that I missed out on.

"No matter what happens to Mauricio now, I will never get all those years back that I lost because of what happened."

Detective Constable Chloe Smith, from Wiltshire Police's Child Abuse Investigation Team, supported the victim from when she first reported the abuse up to the day Vas was sentenced.

DC Smith said: "I would like to commend the victim for her immense courage and patience throughout the process of bringing Vas to justice.

"Child predators like Vas have no place in our society and we will do our utmost to deal with them robustly while supporting the victims who are left with life-long trauma as a result of their heinous actions."