Latest Offenders

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A 22-year-old man has been jailed for five years after being found guilty of a sexual offence following a seven day trial at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Rene Blankson of Ernest Road in Fratton was arrested and subsequently charged after a 16-year-old girl was attacked in Fratton early on Saturday 20 July last year.

The teenager was walking along Fratton Road at around 01:15am when a man she did not know started talking to her. He then assaulted her in St Mary’s churchyard. The girl managed to run away and asked a member of the public for help.

On Thursday 1 May 2025 Blankson was found guilty of assaulting a female aged thirteen or over by penetration with a part of the body by a jury at Portsmouth Crown Court. He was sentenced at the same court on Thursday 14 August to five years in prison, an additional three year extended license period, and is subject to a restraining order for life.

Following the trial Blankson was found not guilty of other offences including sexual assault, and non-fatal strangulation.

Officer in the case Detective Constable Amy Thatcher said:

“This attack has continued to have a significant impact on the victim both physically and mentally. Her bravery in speaking to us and reliving the most traumatic moments of her childhood is to be commended and I truly hope this court result assists her recovery.

“We take all allegations of rape and sexual assault extremely seriously and have specially trained teams that can investigate these kinds of offences and provide support to victims. If you have experienced these kinds of offences, it is our promise to you that you will be heard and listened to. We are determined to put victims first and relentlessly pursue offenders, especially when investigating these kinds of cases”

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A man has been locked up for sexual abuse dating back to the 90s after the victim bravely came forward.

Carl Chapman, aged 61, was sentenced last week after officers launched an investigation into reports he had sexually abused a girl for nearly 10 years.

The offences took place from 1996 when the victim, who was known to him, was just 9-years-old until 2004 when she was 16.

Chapman would bribe her and even threatened to kill her family.

The girl, now a woman, bravely came forward to report the non-recent offences and following an investigation by officers he was arrested and hauled before the courts for his crimes.

Chapman, of Birmingham, appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 8 August following a trial in April this year where he was found guilty of 19 counts including indecent assault on a girl under 16, incite a girl under 16 to commit an act of gross indecency, incite a girl under 14 to commit an act of gross indecency and incite a girl aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity.

He was jailed for 17 years and will also be on the sex-offenders register for the rest of his life.

Detective Sergeant Chloe Collins, who investigated the case, said:

“I want to commend the courage and bravery of the victim in coming forward and reporting Chapman’s deplorable crimes to us.

“She showed so much bravery not only in reporting but showed her strength throughout the investigation, trial, and the sentencing.

“We would not have been able to put Chapman behind bars without her courage and I thank her for that.

“I hope the jail term handed out gives her some closure and serves as a reminder to other victims of crime to come forward and make a report – it’s never too late.”

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A man from Telford has today (Friday 15 August) been sentenced for sexually assaulting two women.

Christy McCleary, of Wrekin View, Madeley in Telford, appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court via live link from prison, having pled not guilty and was sentenced to six years for the sexual assaults and four months for assaulting an emergency worker.

The 32-year-old sexually assaulted a woman in July 2017 and another woman in September 2019.

Both the victims were asleep when McCleary abused them.

Detective Sergeant Richard Cowley said:

“I must start by commending the bravery and fortitude of the victims who have remained strong through what has been a long process due to the pandemic.

“We welcome the sentence given to McCleary and I hope this court result will encourage other victims of rape or sexual assault or those who know of such crimes to come forward and report such crimes.

“We will always listen to you and act where appropriate to bring predators like McCleary before the courts with the aim of securing justice and custodial sentences as in this case.”

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A rapist is behind bars after jurors found him guilty of carrying out a series of sexual assaults on three young girls in Fife.

James John Dorans, 56, preyed on the children at locations in Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy, between August 1995 and September 2018.

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A man identified as one of London’s most dangerous offenders has been jailed for rape and sexual assault following an investigation led by Met Police detectives.

The Met’s innovative ‘V100’ programme is transforming the way officers can identify and target the most dangerous perpetrators of violence against women and girls. The V100 programme uses data to identify and target the men who pose the highest risk to women. This allows us to focus the efforts of local and specialist Met officers across London on reducing the threat posed by the most dangerous perpetrators and protecting potential victims from the devastating damage they cause.

Clinton Easy, 32 (10.09.92), of Lutwyche Road, SE6, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum sentence of 12 years on Thursday, 14 August at Woolwich Crown court.

A restraining order will also be imposed by the judge.

The sentencing followed two trials. During the first trial beginning in July 2024, Easy pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and two charges of actual bodily harm and was found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour.

The second trial began in May 2025 where Easy was found guilty of two charges of rape.

Detective Inspector Jemma Gregory said:

“Easy’s offending is shocking and sets him as a dangerous individual who, thanks to the reports from the victim and strong storyboard of evidence collated by the team, is now safely behind bars.

“I would like to commend the victim on her strength throughout the investigation and thank her for her support throughout the court processes. It is clear that her early reporting has strengthened this case to secure a strong sentence.

“The Met is dedicated to tackling violence against women and girls by hunting down predatory men, with innovative methods being used in practice to secure convictions and strong sentences against those who pose the highest risk.”

Officers were alerted to Easy’s offending following a report made by the victim on 11 January 2024.

Earlier in the evening, Easy had subjected the victim to multiple rapes within her own home, after persuading her to allow him to enter her property.

Threatening her with extreme violence, Easy had bound the victim’s hands while he assaulted her.

A report was made by the victim within hours of the offending taking place, and so officers worked resourcefully to obtain photos of injuries and collect evidence from the scene of the offending, including a cup of Easy’s urine which had been thrown.

Through speaking to the victim, detectives uncovered a pattern of offending which had begun with controlling behaviours against the victim, where Easy would take her phone and post on her social media accounts.

It became apparent that Easy’s offending had been ongoing for nearly a year with medical records acquired by detectives showing that his attacks had led to the victim to require hospital treatment on multiple occasions in 2023.

Officers established a timeline with a storyboard of evidence gathered post the events

Easy was arrested following a manhunt on 1 February 2024.

The Met is using a number of tactics including our V100 to improve the response to violence against women and girls (VAWG). We have also rolled out training to 20,000 frontline officers and added 565 specially trained officers and staff into teams tackling VAWG which has doubled charges for rape since 2022 and secured 389 Stalking Protection Orders.

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A sex offender who committed multiple rape offences against two young girls in Kirklees has been sentenced to 20 years.

Neil North, aged 39, from Wakefield was sentenced to 16 years in prison with four years extended licence at Leeds Crown Court today ( Friday 15 August) after being found guilty of 17 sexual offences, including 11 of rape, against two young girls.  

The 39-year-old was convicted at a trial in April at which the jury found the just found him guilty of eight sexual offences, including rape and sexual assault, against one victim  

He was found guilty of committing nine offences of rape against the other.  

The sexual offending took place between 2018 and 2021 and was reported to police in May 2021 after victims came forward to disclose the sustained abuse they had suffered.  

North was arrested following the reports which initiated a complex and painstaking investigation by specialist detectives from the Kirklees District Child Safeguarding Unit.  

He was then summonsed to court by postal requisition in October 2023 after charges were authorised by the CPS.  

Following his release from prison, North will also be required to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.  

He was also made subject of a Serious Harm Prevention Order.

DC Georgina Lumb of West Yorkshire Police, who led the investigation, said:

“North’s offending against his child victims was absolutely appalling, as evidenced by the very large number of serious sexual offences, including multiple rapes, he was convicted of.

“He compounded this horrific offending by forcing his victims and their relatives to go through the ordeal of a trial.  North is without doubt a danger to children, and it is thanks to the bravery of his victims in coming forwards that he is now in a place where we cannot pose a threat to other young people.”  

She added: “We fully recognise how difficult it can be for any victim of sexual offences to contact the police, but can promise that all reports are fully and sensitively investigated.  

“They victim’s needs are absolutely at the heart of everything we do and we can also help victims access the support they will most likely need.”

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A paedophile who sent sexual pictures and videos of himself to someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl has been put on the sex offenders register for five years.

John Meynell was actually speaking to an adult pretending to be a child, Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard.

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A shamed architect who attempted to rape a woman in Fife during a catalogue of abuse has been jailed.

David Dow, 53, is now subject to the sex offenders register for life, having been convicted of the offences last month.

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A Devon man has been jailed for six years and six months for the sexual abuse of three children.

Michael John West, 54, formerly of the Wonford area of Exeter, was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on Monday 11 August after pleading guilty to seven offences against three victims including multiple indecent assaults and indecency with a child at the beginning of his trial in July.

West targeted his victims in Exeter in the late 1980s and early 1990s, carrying out the abuse across a number of occasions.

As a result of his convictions, West must sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Officers in the case, Detective Constable Kathryn Jago said:

“I wish to commend the victims for their courage and resilience throughout the investigation and thank them for their continued support of Devon and Cornwall Police.

“Although West eventually entered guilty pleas, he did not do so until the first day of trial, which was more than two years after he was charged for his offending.

“The strength and bravery shown by the victims during the extended period has undoubtably resulted in the guilty plea, conviction and subsequent sentencing.

“Tackling sexual offending against all victims - and in particular violence against women and girls - is a priority for Devon and Cornwall Police.

“If you have been the victim of sexual offending, please contact us on 101 or via our website, or by 999 if in immediate danger.

“Your report will be treated with importance, care and professionalism.”

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A man who raped a woman and strangled her has been jailed for seven years and nine months.

Michael Young, formerly of Skegness Road in Burgh Le Marsh, pleaded guilty to rape and non-fatal strangulation on the first day of a trial back in February at Lincoln Crown Court.

The 35-year-old had been remanded in custody since last year after repeatedly breaking his bail conditions.

Both charges relate to incidents that took place in July 2022 in Skegness, which kickstarted a lengthy investigation by Lincolnshire Police to bring Young to justice.

Today, Thursday, 14 August, he was jailed for more than seven years, given a restraining order and placed on the sex offenders register for life. He was also given five years extended licence.

Speaking at the conclusion of the hearing, DC Claire Chamberlain said she hopes this verdict brings Young’s victim a sense of closure.

She said:

“Young’s actions were barbaric and completely unacceptable – there is no place in our society for such behaviour.

“While I know the road ahead for the victim is a long one, I’d like to praise their courage in this case and hope this sentence gives her some sense of closure.

“Sexual offences have an enormous impact on a person, their family and the wider community. It’s something people have to live with long after the incident takes place.

“We will do everything in our power to bring culprits to justice and ensure the voice of the victim is heard.”

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A “dangerous sexual predator” who raped a woman in Clevedon has been jailed for 10 years.

The victim, who was aged in her 20s at the time of the incident in 2021, was attacked by 49-year-old Sean Reuben at a house in the town.

Having denied the offence, a jury unanimously found Reuben, of Lawrence Weston, guilty of rape in May. He was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday 13 August.

Police were called immediately after Reuben raped the victim in November 2021 and officers arrested him the same night. Reuben was later charged.

During yesterday’s sentencing hearing, a powerful statement written by the victim was read out.

“This crime has deeply affected me physically and mentally. I faced suicidal thoughts, self-harm and unhealthy relationships, becoming someone I didn’t recognise,” she said. “Even three-and-a-half years later, I still suffer from nightmares, flashbacks and fear.”

She added:

“Since the verdict came in as guilty, I have been told that I can now be happy and move on with my life. This is not the case and will never be the case. I still have to learn to navigate my life with the disabling impact of PTSD.

“I have to learn to trust in those around me but not be as trusting as I once was. I have to build up my life again…I have to re-build my career I was once thriving in. I have to pick up the pieces of a broken girl.

“I went through these past years believing that I wasn’t strong enough to go through with this trial, but I carried on anyway. I didn’t carry on because I wanted justice for the pain and harm that was caused to me, I carried on because I didn’t want anyone else going through the pain of being betrayed and having their lives change forever.”

At Bristol Crown Court, Judge Burgess sentenced Reuben to 10 years in prison and added to the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.

DC Damon Carney, the investigating officer, said:

“Reuben is clearly a dangerous offender; someone who seized the opportunity to act out his sordid sexual desires and who has not once expressed any remorse for what he did or even acknowledged what he did was wrong.

“I want to thank the victim for her courage, firstly coming forward to police and then remaining steadfast in a long process through the criminal justice system.

“She has ensured that women are protected from Reuben who has demonstrated the behaviours of a dangerous sexual predator.

“It’s also important to acknowledge the support of the various witnesses who acted dutifully on the day of the incident and are a great example of community and looking out for one another.”

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Paedophile jailed for crimes against 14-year-old girl in Preston.

On 21st September 2024, we were contacted by a concerned member of the public who had seen Patel in Ribbleton Park, Preston, with the 14-year-old victim and another child.

This putting him in breach of a child abduction warning he had been given the previous April and he was therefore arrested, charged and remanded into custody.

Whilst he was in prison awaiting his court date, the brave victim wrote a letter which detailed the sexual offences Patel had committed against her.

This included an incident in Moor Park in Preston where he incited the child to engage in sexual activity, and a separate occasion where he had woken her up and attempted to engage her in sexual activity.

On occasions he said he loved her and described her as having a sexy body. The victim suffered multiple sexual assaults from Sabbir Patel which occurred over a period of 12 months. Appearing in the dock at Preston Crown Court earlier this year, Patel, of Ripon Terrace, Preston, pleaded guilty to six sexual assaults and engaging in sexual activity with a child.

He returned to the same court last week and was jailed for six years, made subject of an indefinite Sexual harm Prevention order and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

In an impact statement to the court, the victim’s mum wrote:

“My daughter’s confidence has depleted massively. This has caused her to struggle keeping and forming relationships with friends and with family. My daughter struggles to trust people and she puts barriers up when she is around her family and friends.
“My daughter does not like any physical touch, she will push away when myself or her family come near her. I feel this is a result of the abuse she suffered from Patel."

DC Ella Burrow, of the Preston Child Exploitation Team, said:

“Patel is a dangerous individual with a sordid sexual interest in female children.
“His offending has had a significant and ongoing impact on his victim, as demonstrated in the victim impact statement from written by her mum. I would like to praise the victim for the bravery in firstly putting down in writing what Patel had done to her, and then supporting the judicial process.
“I wound encourage anyone reading this who finds themselves or suspects someone else to be in a similar situation to contact the police. We will listen to you, and we will do everything in our power to put the abuser before the courts.”

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A convicted rapist continues to maintain he is the victim of a conspiracy against him, a court has heard.

Andrew Dow, 32, was convicted of several charges related to rape and attempted rape following a trial at the High Court in Aberdeen.

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Stepfather Jailed for Secretly Filming Stepdaughter in Shower as Victim Speaks Out to Encourage Others

A 63-year-old man has been sentenced to prison for covertly recording his stepdaughter in the shower, prompting the victim to waive her anonymity and share her story to support others affected by sexual offenses.

Megan Ervin, 32, spoke exclusively about the ordeal after Craig West, whom she had viewed as a father figure, was jailed for voyeurism at Maidstone Crown Court.

The court heard that West hid a spy-pen camera in a toothbrush holder at the family home in Sheerness, actively encouraging Megan to take a shower during her visit on March 13, 2020.

Megan, who had arrived at the home following a relationship breakdown, initially declined but later agreed after waking from a nap. While showering, she noticed a flashing light and discovered the device, which contained a memory card.

Quickly taking photos of the pen as evidence, Megan alerted her family. When confronted, West initially denied knowledge but later admitted to the act, even alluding to plans to sell the footage.

Police investigations revealed an additional recording on West's laptop, showing another woman using the toilet in his caravan, filmed approximately two years earlier.

West, a former lorry driver now working as a vending machine delivery driver and residing in St Georges Avenue, Eastchurch, pleaded guilty to two counts of voyeurism and two counts of observing a private act for sexual gratification.

During pre-sentencing reports, West claimed the acts were motivated by "hate and spite" rather than sexual intent and denied planning to record the second woman, saying the camera was set up to catch his wife's alleged lover.

He urged family members not to involve the police, insisting he did not deserve prison. His defense argued for a suspended sentence, citing his guilty plea, lack of prior relevant convictions, potential for rehabilitation, and a five-year delay in the case.

However, Recorder Vivian Walters rejected this, imposing a six-month immediate custodial sentence on August 7, stating that only imprisonment was appropriate given the impact on the victims and lack of concrete evidence of rehabilitation.

Both victims attended the hearing and were emotional as the sentence was delivered. Megan's mother supported West, leading to a breakdown in her relationship with her daughter.

Prosecutor Stacey-Lee Holland detailed how West entered the bathroom under the pretense of brushing his teeth to hide the device before encouraging Megan to shower.

After the shower, West removed the pen, but Megan had already documented it. When challenged, he pretended to destroy the device but later retrieved it.

In victim impact statements, Megan described feeling "dirty" and violated, exacerbating her existing body confidence issues. She referred to West as a "sexual predator" and noted the "devastating impact" on her life, including a mental breakdown that led to her being sectioned.

The trauma caused suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and forced her to relocate her young family from Sheppey to avoid encounters with West.

The second victim expressed feeling "deceitful" treatment by West, leading to distress, antidepressant use, paranoia about hidden cameras, insomnia, and the installation of security cameras in her home.

The judge highlighted the planning involved, abuse of trust, and ongoing devastation to the victims' lives, noting West's letter to the court made no mention of remorse toward them.

West received an indefinite restraining order prohibiting contact with the victims and must register as a sex offender for seven years.

In a joint statement following the case, Megan and the second victim encouraged other survivors to come forward, emphasizing that help is available regardless of relationships involved.

They stated: We want them to know it doesnt matter who the perpetrators are to you or who stands by them. There is help and there are people who will listen and believe the truth. You absolutely can get some kind of justice even if thats just in a form of belief, sometimes being believed is what means the most.

They added: We hope that by speaking out, it shows these predators that it is not OK, it wont be tolerated and you will be caught. I have lost a relationship with my mother over this, and thats been hard but with that loss we have gained so much support and love within others. I no longer have to make my mother happy or keep a relationship with her. Despite the great impact this has had on our mental health, we are now finally free from this man and can rebuild our lives.

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A child rapist from Worcester has been handed an 18-year sentence at court for a series of serious sexual offences against children.

Paul Davies, 45, was convicted at Worcester Crown Court on Friday 8 August of two counts of rape of a girl, two counts of assault a girl by penetration.

Davies was sentenced to 18 years for one count of rape and 18 for the other, to run concurrently.

He was handed a further term of 15 years for each of the sexual assault convictions, also to run concurrently.

Davies was further ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely, handed a restraining order against contacting his victim and pay a victim surcharge of £120.

Three further charges of making an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child were ordered to lie on file.

DC Harriet Adams-Evans, of the Protecting Vulnerable People team, said:

“We are pleased to get this long sentence for Davies whose disgusting actions have had an awful impact upon his victim.

“This has brought some justice for the victim, and I would like to thank her trusting the judicial process.

“We hope this court result will encourage other victims of rape or sexual assault or those who know of such crimes to come forward and speak to us so we can attempt to bring their attackers to justice too.

“We will always listen to you and act where appropriate to bring predators like Davies before the courts with the aim of securing justice and long custodial sentences as in this case.”