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A man described by police as a “serial perpetrator” of violence has been jailed.

Owen Rowe came under investigation in early 2024 after a woman reported being raped and assaulted by Rowe.

The now 23-year-old had used emotional blackmail against his accuser, saying he would take his own life if she reported his behaviour.

The woman also reported Rowe was controlling, possessive and jealous.

During initial police interviews he admitted a “minor” assault on the woman but he continued to deny raping her and he even accused her of controlling behaviour.

Following a lengthy and extremely complex investigation in which a number of our officers dealt with separate allegations from different victims, Rowe was convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour (CCB) and rape of the original complainant, as well as with sexual assault and common assault on another woman, and with an attempted serious assault on a man.

And on Monday (19th October) Rowe was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with an additional three years on licence.

At the hearing Rowe was referred to as a “dangerous offender”.

The officer who investigated the report of rape and CCB, DC Kirby from the force’s Protecting Vulnerable People unit (PVP), said:

“This was an extremely complex investigation which seemed to grow and grow as additional information, allegations and counter allegations came into us.

“Throughout the investigation and trial, Rowe continued to deny what he’d done, minimising his actions and behaviour. Throughout enquiries, though, we remained steadfast and determined to establish the truth while keeping our victims updated and appropriately safeguarded throughout.

“I believe our perseverance has paid off and I’m relieved to hear Rowe has received a considerable sentence.

“I hope this outcome brings comfort to both women and the male victim who suffered at Rowe’s hands; I’d like to thank them all for supporting our enquiries over such a long time and I wish them well for the future.

“Finally, all our communities should be warned that Cleveland Police will not tolerate violence of any kind – sexual, physical or emotional - and we will always do everything we can to protect victims and bring perpetrators before the courts."

Record details

A West Yorkshire Police officer has been found guilty of the rape of a woman. 

PC Jo Lavender, aged 45, who was working in Leeds District at the point of his suspension, was found guilty following a trial at York Crown Court of one count of rape. He is due to be sentenced on 3 November. 

The victim came forward in December 2024 to report the offence which occurred in 2002, prior to PC Lavender joining West Yorkshire Police in 2005. 

Detective Chief Superintendent Tanya Wilkins, Head of West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate, said:

“The victim has lived with the trauma of what PC Lavender did to her for two decades before coming forward to report this offence in 2024. 

“I would like to express my admiration for the bravery she has shown. I do not underestimate the courage it takes to report something like this, and even more so knowing that by that time the man responsible was a police officer. 

“If anyone has been a victim of rape or any other sexual offence, I would urge them to please report it. Please know that we will listen and we will act, it doesn’t matter who the perpetrator is or where they may work. 

“Following this court case, we will now continue with misconduct proceedings to ensure PC Lavender is barred from working in any role in policing in the future.”

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A man has been sentenced after officers discovered images on his mobile phone following a routine address check.

Shaun McCandless, 62-years-old of The Close in Stallingborough has been sentenced to 12 months behind bars following an appearance at Grimsby Crown Court on Friday, 16 October 2026.

On the evening of Monday, 21 September 2026, officers from our Police Sex Offender Monitoring Team attended the home address of McCandless who was on a sexual offence prevention order. As part of the routine risk assessment check which the team regularly carry out, the mobile phone of McCandless was inspected.

The inspection revealed to officers that his search history and images had been deleted off his device. He was swiftly arrested for the breach of his sexual offence prevention order and remanded into prison.

When interviewed, McCandless admitted to having non-indecent images of young girls on his phone to which he later deleted.

Officer Jim Carlisle from our Mosovo team said:

“Once offenders who have committed sexual offences are released from prison, our work does not stop there.

“I hope this proves that our team will carry out regular checks and those that continue to offend will be held accountable and sent back to prison.

“Thankfully no one came to harm, his phone has been destroyed, and McCandless is back behind bars”

Record details

A woman who recorded videos of her sexually assaulting a young child has been locked up.

Lorna Hargreaves repeatedly filmed herself abusing the girl before sharing the footage with another person.

The predator also took other indecent images of the same child, as well as a further indecent photo of another girl.

These images and videos were all then shared with a man with a similar sexual interest in children.

Hargreaves' paedophilic offending all took place throughout 2025.

This would all be evidenced when police raided her home on 3 December and seized devices containing the videos and images.

Further indecent images of children were also found, along with extreme pornographic images of animals.  

Evidence was also discovered that pointed to Hargreaves being responsible for various voyeurism offences too.

These all took place between 2022 and 2025, with multiple people filmed in various intimate situations without their knowledge.

The 33-year-old again shared these videos with another person online, having recorded them for her own sexual gratification.

Hargreaves was charged with four counts of sexually assaulting a child and three counts of distributing indecent images of a child.

She was also charged with taking and making indecent images of children, voyeurism and possessing extreme pornographic images.

Faced with the mounting evidence against her, Hargreaves, formerly of Sutton-in-Ashfield, admitted to each charge.

She then returned to Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (15 October), where she was jailed for four years and eight months.

Hargreaves was made the subject of a 12 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will have to sign the sex offenders' register for life.

A restraining order preventing Hargreaves from contacting any of her victims was also imposed. This will remain for life.

Detective Constable Kayley Freeman, of Nottinghamshire Police's Internet Child Exploitation Team, said:

"Lorna Hargreaves is a highly manipulative sexual predator who deserves this prison sentence.

"Her decision to repeatedly sexually assault a young child while filming the abuse was revolting and unforgivable.

"If that wasn't bad enough, she then shared this footage online with another like minded person with a sexual interest in children.

"Further indecent images of children were also linked to Hargreaves, along with a series of other voyeuristic videos she'd recorded.

"Her list of offending was absolutely disgusting, so I hope the victims can recover whilst she carries out her prison sentence."

Record details

A 23-year-old drug dealer has been jailed after he was found guilty of raping a 17-year-old girl.

On the evening of February 23, Jack Lemaistre arranged to meet the girl after they had first connected on Snapchat a few days earlier.

He drove her to his caravan in Goldfinch Street where he encouraged the girl to smoke cannabis. This made her violently sick and despite asking Lemaistre repeatedly to drive her home, he refused.

He then told her to watch a film with him, and she fell asleep. But when she woke up, Lemaistre was sexually assaulting her.

The assault continued for 20 minutes in which Lemaistre raped the girl despite her continuing to tell him to stop.

She eventually managed to return home and bravely reported the incident to Northamptonshire Police.

Lemaistre was arrested and when police searched his property, they found a large quantity of cocaine and ketamine.

He was subsequently charged with rape, assault by penetration and two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Lemaistre pleaded guilty to the drugs offences but took the sexual assault and rape charges to trial at Northampton Crown Court. However, following just two hours of deliberation, the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts on both counts with the trial ending on August 20.   

Lemaistre, of Goldfinch Street, Thrapston, was sentenced last week (October 9) to 16 years in prison. 

At the sentencing hearing, Her Honour Judge Lucking said:

“There is no time scale for recovery for the harm you have done. From sitting through your evidence, it is clear you have no respect for the autonomy of the complainant’s body.”

Detective Constable Orla Foster from Northamptonshire Police’s SOLAR Team said:

“This was a horrific and predatory attack on a young woman who repeatedly made it clear she did not consent to any sexual activity. Instead of helping her when she was vulnerable and unwell, Lemaistre chose to exploit her for his own gratification.

“I would like to commend the bravery and courage shown by the victim throughout this investigation and court process. Her determination to come forward and give evidence has ensured a dangerous offender has been held accountable for his actions.

“I hope this sentence demonstrates that we will relentlessly pursue those who commit sexual offences and do everything we can to secure justice for victims.”

Record details

Carmarthen man jailed for child abuse images and breaching sex offender order

Mattie Tomassen, 34, of Furnace Bank, Carmarthen, has been sentenced to 26 months in prison for possessing indecent images of children and breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

He was previously jailed for eight months in June 2025 for possession of indecent images and made subject to an SHPO requiring him to register internet-enabled devices with police and allow access on request. Acting on intelligence, officers arrested him on 19 March at his Carmarthen accommodation on suspicion of further image offences. His Motorola phone was seized; he gave the PIN but refused the separate code for a secure folder, claiming it may have been pre-installed. Argos confirmed the phone was new and not reconditioned. Police could not access the folder but found messages in which Tomassen told a contact: “This looks like one in my secure folder.” He was released under investigation.

On 9 July he was rearrested after e-Safe monitoring software on another phone he owned alerted police that he had accessed X (formerly Twitter) multiple times and viewed child abuse material. He answered “no comment” in interview but gave the phone PIN. Forensic examination found 12 images of young boys being sexually abused, including two Category A images showing rape. The images were deleted or in the cache but had previously been accessible.

Tomassen pleaded guilty to breaching the SHPO and to possession of Category A, B and C indecent images. He has two previous convictions for six offences, including the June 2025 indecent images matter that led to the original SHPO, and a December conviction for threatening to destroy property after telling a community psychiatric nurse he planned to smash cars at police headquarters and preferred prison to the streets.

Defence counsel cited a pre-sentence report on Tomassen’s drug and alcohol misuse and social isolation at the time of the offences, and asked for a community sentence to allow probation work. Judge Huw Rees noted Tomassen’s wilful refusal to reveal the secure folder code. He told him the children in the images were real youngsters being sexually abused to satisfy the “unhealthy, degenerate, and lustful demands” of people like him, which fuel demand for such material. The number of images was not large, but the judge stressed the reality of the abuse.

With a one-third discount for the guilty pleas, Tomassen received 14 months for the images and 12 months consecutive for the SHPO breach. He will serve up to half in custody before release on licence. A new 10-year SHPO was imposed, and he will remain on the sex offenders register for the same period.

Record details

The support of a brave victim who was brutally attacked and sexually assaulted has led to the defendant being put behind bars.

Jake Wilkinson, aged 31 and of Poole, was found guilty of attempted rape, intentional strangulation, trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of sexual assault by penetration following a trial at Winchester Crown Court.

The incident occurred during the early hours of Sunday 1 December 2024 at an address in Bournemouth.

Wilkinson was at the victim’s home address – who is known to him – when they had an argument, causing him to leave the property.

The defendant asked to come back in, but was refused. He repeatedly kicked and punched the door to such an extent that he created a hole for him to crawl back into the address.

Wilkinson attempted to rape the woman and sexually assaulted her. He also strangled her until she was no longer able to breathe.

The victim sustained scratches to her neck and arms, a swollen lip, cuts to her legs and an injury to her back.

The defendant was arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

Wilkinson – a British national who self-defines as white British – was sentenced at the same court on Friday 16 October 2026 to 12 years in prison with an extended licence period of a further three years.

Detective Constable Holly Puckett, of Dorset Police, said:

“This was a horrific attack that must have been terrifying for the victim. The offender acted in an appalling manner, which his sentence can never reflect.

“I’d like to thank the victim in this case who has shown incredible strength and resilience in supporting the investigation and disclosing what happened to her to allow her attacker to be held accountable for his actions.

“We are committed to supporting victims of sexual offences and will do all we can to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.”

Record details

A former solider has been handed an 18-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of 15 sexually offences involving children.

Gareth Evans-Balmforth, of Skegness, was given the sentence at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 15 October).

In August 2026 the 52-year-old was found guilty of four counts of gross indecency with a child under 14, four counts of inciting a child under 14 to commit an act of gross indecency, attempted sexual assault, sexual assault of a child, sexual assault, causing a child to watch a sexual act, and three counts of indecent exposure.

The court heard that Evans-Balmforth started his offending while he was a serving army officer and based in Shropshire and Yorkshire. He was then posted abroad, where he continued offended while living on army barracks.

Evans-Balmforth’s offending was reported to West Mercia Police in 2022, and an investigation discovered there were several victims from over more than two decades.

Detective Constable Rhian Jackson, the investigating officer, said:

“I welcome yesterday’s sentence of 18 years’ imprisonment for Evans-Balmforth for these appalling offences.

“I would like to pay tribute to the victims, whose courage and resilience throughout this investigation and court process has been remarkable. By coming forward, they have helped ensure he has been held accountable for his actions.

“Evans-Balmforth abused positions of trust and exploited environments where children should have felt safe and protected. The impact of his offending on the victims cannot be underestimated.

“I hope this sentence provides them with a sense of justice and helps them as they continue to move forward with their lives.”

Evans-Balmforth was also given a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order by the judge during the sentencing hearing. 

Record details

A sex offender who committed a string of offences against children has been jailed.

Michael Farney, aged 51, of Michael Crescent, Malvern pleaded guilty to 24 charges at Worcester Crown Court yesterday (15 October).

Farney’s offences included:

• Nine counts of inciting a girl under 13, or aged between 13 and 15, to engage in sexual activity.
• Eleven counts of causing a child under 13, or aged between 13 and 15, to watch/ look at an image of sexual activity.
• Four counts of taking indecent photographs / pseudo-photograph of a child.

The offences were committed between December 2025 and March 2026 and involved children as young as six.

Farney used Snapchat to engage with young girls, sharing indecent images and videos of himself, and inciting them to engage in sexual acts themselves.

He was arrested by West Mercia Police’s Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team (OCSET) in March 2026 after credible information linked his online account to engaging with a 14-year-old online. He was rearrested the following month, as an examination of his phone revealed he had been engaging in online conversations and video calls with hundreds of young girls.

His phone also contained 40 indecent images of children, including 6 Category A images which are the most extreme. Farney screen recorded his encounters with young children on Snapchat using his mobile phone, which he retained to rewatch at a later date.

Farney will serve nine years and 4 months in jail, a sentence reduced from 14 years in light of his guilty plea.

He has also been given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which prevents him from working with children and will be placed on the sex offenders register for life. His devices have been seized and he will also have to pay a surcharge.

Detective Constable William Thomas said:

“Farney’s predatory behaviour caused harm to a large number of child victims, but we were able to act swiftly and build an investigation which has put him in jail, where he can cause no further harm.

“Every day we are working relentlessly to pursue those who harm children. Often this work goes on unseen but please be assured we are stopping offenders in their tracks, and most importantly protecting the most vulnerable.”

“It’s vital we all play our part in keeping children safe. Make sure you understand the platforms your children are using, and create an environment where children feel comfortable talking and raising concerns. Early intervention and open communication remain some of the most effective tools in preventing online exploitation." 

Record details

A registered sex offender from Rochester has been jailed for failing to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

In 2021, Daemon Hunt was convicted of multiple child sex offences and became subject to strict conditions governing his conduct.

A 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed, which included the installation of monitoring software on his mobile phone.

On 12 August 2026, two weeks after his release from prison, investigators carried out a pre-planned visit to Hunt's home address and noticed he appeared flustered when he opened the door.

He did not immediately hand over his phone and, when officers examined it, they noticed messages had been deleted.

Deleting browsing history

Hunt then admitted to deleting parts of a WhatsApp conversation which constitutes deleting his internet browsing history.

He was arrested for breaching a SHPO.

Hunt, 37, of Victoria Street, Rochester, was charged with the offence on the same day and remanded in custody.

He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and, on Wednesday 14 October 2026, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment.

He will also continue to be subject to a further 10 year SHPO.

Investigating officer Police Constable Leona Valsler said:

"As a force, we do everything within our power to ensure offenders like Hunt are held accountable for their actions.

"I am pleased the court has imposed a custodial sentence that reflects the seriousness of his behaviour."

Record details

A 64-year-old man has been jailed for non-recent sex offences against a child.

Angel Walker, of no fixed abode, appeared for sentencing at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday 16 October.

He previously admitted to four counts of sexual assault on a child.

An investigation was launched after the victim, who is now an adult, came forward in 2021.

Walker was arrested for the offences but left the country whilst under investigation in 2022.

He was later arrested in Portugal and returned to the UK in 2026.

He was jailed for 12 years and six months.

He was also made subject of a lifetime sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), lifetime restraining order and must register as a sex offender indefinitely.

Civilian Investigator Amy Jones said:

“I commend the victim for her patience, persistence and bravery during a long wait for justice.

“The defendant's despicable actions have changed her life forever, but it is hoped that the sentencing allows for some closure and supports the victim in moving forward with her life.

“We will robustly investigate such crimes and encourage victims of sexual abuse to come forward in the confidence that they will be listened to and supported, no matter when the abuse happened.”

Record details

An investigation from our Child Protection Investigation Unit has ensured a 61-year-old man remains behind bars for sexual offences against two underage girls.

Mark Edmonds ((11/08/1965) from Bolton was sentenced to 12 years in prison, and he was issued with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and an indefinite restraining order, after pleading guilty to 15 charges:

• Sexual assault x8
• Possession of first gen Category B indecent images of children x3
• Possession of first gen Category C indecent images of children
• Possession of Category A indecent images of children
• Possession of Category B indecent images of children
• Possession of Category C images of indecent children

Edmonds was arrested earlier this year in February, after a survivor bravely disclosed he had been touching and taking inappropriate images of her. A further victim was later identified when she disclosed to a friend that Edmonds had been forcing her to engage in sexual activity.

After his arrest, officers seized his devices and uncovered over 3000 indecent images, some of which related to the two victims.

The mother of one of the survivors shared a powerful statement following the sentencing:

"When I heard the charges, I realised you were the predator the police uncovered and the girls reported.

"You destroyed my life. You destroyed my girls."

Another survivor said:

"Did abusing me make you feel better about yourself? I will continue to blame myself because if I spoke up maybe I could’ve stopped it from happening to the other victims.

"I hope you understand how your actions have impacted me. I was vulnerable. I was too young to understand."

Detective Constable Hannah Young from our CPIU said:

"Edmonds displayed a horrific misuse of trust, and subjected these girls to disgusting levels of abuse for years.

"The crimes he committed have had a lasting impact on two young girls, who should have been able to trust him. Instead, he exploited them for his own sick gain.

"I'd like to commend both girls and their families for their continued support and immense courage from their initial disclosures all the way through to sentencing. Their strength and determination has held Edmonds accountable for his actions.

"I understand that recognising and reporting sexual offences is incredibly difficult, but I hope this sentencing sends a clear message that we take reports of this nature very seriously, and will always support victims through the entire investigation to bring them justice.

"If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, no matter how long ago it happened, please know that you are not alone and support is always available."

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Two Birmingham men jailed after abducting and sexually assaulting 11-year-old who thought they would help her

Hamza Sharif, 36, and Sadak Ali, 28, have been sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court after abducting an 11-year-old girl who had run away from home. She went with them believing they would help her.

On the night of the offence, Sharif approached the girl in Birmingham. He had never met her before. He invited her to his address, where Ali was present. The men offered her drugs, which she refused; they told her they had taken cocaine. Ali then asked her highly invasive and sexualised questions and sexually assaulted her over her clothing.

The following day the men told the girl they were taking her to the house of a woman who could help her. She was given an old hoodie to wear. A member of the public intervened and removed her from the pair.

In her victim impact statement the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: “I thought the men would help me, but they did not. I still have nightmares and flashbacks. After this happened, I hated myself. What they did has changed my life forever and that will never change.” She added: “I’m worried they will find me even though they are in prison.”

Judge Roderick Henderson described the offence as extremely serious and opportunistic. He said the men had isolated a vulnerable child for a significant amount of time, that Ali had tried to sexually assault “a desperately vulnerable youth,” and that neither man had contacted police or other authorities.

Sharif, of Birmingham, was jailed for five years for child abduction after the judge described him as the driving force in the abduction. Ali, also of Birmingham, was sentenced to seven years (concurrent) after being found guilty of detaining a child under unlawful control and assault by touching a child under the age of 13. Ali will be placed on the sex offenders register for life. Both men are subject to restraining orders.

(Defence counsel noted Ali had experienced trauma in Somalia that affected his mental health, and that Sharif had suffered personal tragedies including the deaths of his wife and uncle.)

Record details

A man from Hampshire has been sentenced for attempted false imprisonment, trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, and actual bodily harm in Sussex and for child sex abuse in Hampshire.

Christopher Buxey, 43, broke into the home of a family known to him in Rogate in the early hours of Thursday 4 June.

Inside the home, a 13-year-old girl awoke to find a man in her bedroom, standing over her bed wearing all black clothing, balaclava to cover his face, and black latex gloves.

He was also holding pre-looped cable ties and had a further ten prepared ties attached to a carabiner on his belt.

Her parents were alerted to Buxey’s intrusion by the girl’s screams.

After rushing to her bedroom to find their daughter lying in bed kicking at the unidentified intruder, they immediately called the police.

Buxey attempted to escape the address assaulting the girl’s parents in the process, however they detained him until officers arrived shortly after, during this time he identified himself to the family.

Officers swiftly arrested Buxey and held him in police custody.

During a search of the address, it was identified that Buxey had forced open a downstairs door to enter the home.

Officers seized roll of duct tape, a torch which Buxey had left on the floor by the girl’s bed, and a multitool with a hammer left on her pillow.

A rucksack belonging to Buxey was also found in the room containing similar items.

Buxey was later charged with attempted kidnap (common law), knowingly or recklessly trespassing on a premises with intent to commit a relevant sexual offence, and actual bodily harm.

On 6 July, Buxey appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court and pleaded guilty to trespassing on a premises with intent to commit a relevant sexual offence, and actual bodily harm. He pleaded not guilty to attempted kidnap but instead admitted a charge of attempted false imprisonment, which was accepted by the court.

During the hearing, Buxey also pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 by penetration, two counts of taking indecent photographs of a child, and three counts of making indecent photographs of a child in connection with a separate investigation in Hampshire.

He was remanded into custody an appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday 15 October.

Christopher Buxey, 43, of Privett Place, Gosport was jailed for 18 years with a further five years on licence for a total sentence of 23 years.

Detective Superintendent Colin Garman said:

“Buxey perpetrated immensely distressing ordeals on the victims and their families.

“I’d like to thank all of the officers across both Sussex Police and Hampshire Police who have worked diligently and ceaselessly supporting the victims and their families, and carrying out complex investigations which ultimately held Buxey accountable for his crimes.

“I am pleased to see today’s sentencing reflect the severity of the offences committed, however the likely lasting impact on these children and their families due to the trauma inflicted by Buxey cannot be understated.”

Record details

Sex offender jailed after falsely claiming hotel address and hiding in attic of home with child

A 28-year-old registered sex offender has been jailed for 20 months after giving police a false address and later being found hiding in the attic of a house where a young child lived.

Adam Powell, of Victoria Dock, Caernarfon, admitted three counts of failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements at Caernarfon Crown Court. He had been subject to indefinite notification requirements since 2014 and had previously been registered in Edinburgh.

On 23 March this year, Powell attended Caernarfon Police Station and told officers he was living at the Travelodge in Caernarfon. Police made several unsuccessful attempts to contact him there in May and June. On 23 July, officers showed a photograph of Powell to the hotel manager, who said he did not recognise him and that Powell had never stayed at the hotel.

Further inquiries led police to a woman’s home on 21 September. The woman had a young child. Officers found Powell “hiding under insulation in the attic space” and arrested him.

Prosecuting, Elen Owen outlined the breaches. Defending, Sarah Yates said her client feels “rather ashamed” of his past and “hid away.” She added: “If he carries on doing this the sentences will ultimately get longer. He wants to try to start afresh.” Yates said Powell is due to start two courses in prison next week.

His Honour Timothy Petts, sentencing, noted that Powell had been hiding in the attic of a house where a child lived and said: “Clearly the risk here was very significant.”

The judge imposed 20 months’ imprisonment, with two identical concurrent terms for the other offences, and reminded Powell that he remains subject to the sex offender notification requirements.