Latest Offenders

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Redcar teaching assistant jailed after 12,000 child abuse images found

Sam Anderson, a 30-year-old teaching assistant from Dale Street, New Marske, Redcar, has been jailed after more than 12,000 indecent images of children were found in his possession.

Teesside Crown Court heard he began collecting the material at the age of 13. Officers later recovered 3,492 category A images — the most serious classification — along with 2,539 category B images and more than 6,400 category C images. Some of the material involved babies. He was also sentenced for possession of extreme pornography and 26 prohibited images of children.

Cleveland Police acted after a National Crime Agency referral linked an online account in Anderson’s name to the uploading of category A images. He was arrested at home on 6 August 2025 and two devices were seized. Thousands of images were found.

Prosecutor Emily Sanderson told the court that an officer on the case said: “Not only was it the largest quantity [he’d seen] possessed by an individual, but the worst he has ever seen.” She said the material involved babies and children in “pain and distress.”

Anderson had no previous convictions. Imogen Eastham-Brown, defending, said: “He didn’t have a regular childhood, he experienced social isolation and was bullied at school. He became withdrawn and attempted to take his own life numerous times. He is incredibly scared of the social repercussions and he knows life is never going to be the same again.”

Sentencing him on Tuesday, Recorder Andrew Haslam KC said many of the children shown were “drugged, intoxicated or both.” He added: “You were heavily invested in obtaining and viewing such material.”

Anderson, who had already pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images and the related possession offences, was jailed for 24 months. He was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order until further order.

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A man has been jailed for more than five years after attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child online and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Anthony Michael Hancock (pictured below), aged 36, of Shelley Road in Middlesbrough, is a Registered Sex Offender who was arrested in June 2026, when it was alleged that he had contacted a child online and attempted to cause/incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

It was also found that he had failed to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Hancock had been remanded in prison since his arrest in June.

He appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday 1st September, where he was given a five-year and four-month sentence, and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable David Philipson, from Cleveland Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), said:

“Hancock is a repeat offender whose first offence occurred more than a decade ago. I welcome the sentence imposed by the courts, which demonstrates the level of harm that Hancock poses, and I am pleased that he is now behind bars where he cannot be a further risk. 

“Cleveland POLIT are committed to robust and swift action against individuals like Hancock who offend against children online. We will continue to pursue individuals who carry out harm to children online and are determined to make Cleveland a safer place.”

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A man has been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for indecently assaulting a child more than 20 years ago.

Javier Franco, aged 52, formerly of Redbourn, appeared for sentencing at St Albans Crown Court on Wednesday 26 August.

The offence occurred in 2004 when Franco was an army cadet leader. He had told the victim – one of his army cadets – to meet him in Greenwood Park, Chiswell Green as he had a certificate for her. He then took her to his bedsit where he indecently assaulted her.

The victim, who was aged 13 at the time of the offence, bravely reported Franco to police two years ago after she spotted him in public. He was arrested on 12 June 2023 and later pleaded guilty to the offence.

Detective Constable Sophie Beach, from the constabuary’s Public Protection Unit, said:

“Firstly, I want to commend the brave victim for coming forward. She described how seeing him in public all those years later, made her feel sick and she felt she had to report it. We are so glad she did. Nobody should have to suffer in silence while their perpetrator gets away with such a heinous crime.

“Franco will now rightly be serving prison time for the indecent assault. In addition to that, he is now on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely. A Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order, preventing him from contacting the victim, have also put in place.

“I hope this case reassures anybody else out there who is a victim of sexual assault or rape and is unsure to tell us. We will take your report seriously and fight for justice, no matter how long ago the offence occurred. We want to help you and we will do everything we can to make the process as easy as possible for you.”

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A convicted sex offender has been jailed after breaching a strict court order by setting up various accounts and email addresses.

Justin Noble, 42, defied the terms of his sex offender notification requirements by opening various accounts, including on eBay, and failing to inform police.

The order was imposed in 2024 after he was given a six-month jail sentence for breaching a previous order dating back to 2016.

Specialist officers from the force’s management of serious and violent offenders unit (MOSOVO) paid a routine visit to Noble’s home in Peterborough in January 2025 and requested to look at his phone. 

They discovered a number of accounts and email addresses had been set up, which breached the conditions of his order.

Noble was arrested and initially denied the allegations, but later pleaded guilty to failing to comply with his sex offender notification requirements.

He was sentenced to one year and two months in prison at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday (28 August).

Investigating officer Detective Constable Claire Cummings said:

“Sexual harm prevention orders and notification requirements are there to manage risk and safeguard the public. Breaching them is a serious offence, and we will take robust action against anyone who fails to comply.

“I would encourage anyone with concerns about someone’s behaviour, particularly where children may be at risk, to report it to us.”

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A man who sexually assaulted two women in Northampton town centre has been jailed for 30 months.

Raj Devjee, aged 21, of no fixed address, appeared at Northampton Crown Court on August 21, 2026, where he was sentenced after pleading guilty to two sexual assaults.

The offences took place within 11 days of each other near Victoria Promenade.

The first assault happened at about 2.55am on October 4, 2025, as a woman was walking back to her accommodation with a friend after a night out in Northampton town centre.

As the pair walked along St John’s Street, Devjee approached from behind, and sexually assaulted her.

The second assault took place at about 10.30pm on October 15, 2025, when another woman was walking with friends near the junction of St John’s Street and Victoria Promenade.

Devjee approached the woman from behind and sexually assaulted her before fleeing into St John’s car park. The victim was left bruised as a result of the attack.

CCTV enquiries proved crucial to the investigation. While footage from the first assault captured the incident from a distance, CCTV from the second assault provided clear images of Devjee as he fled the scene and removed his coat.

When officers arrested him, he was wearing clothing matching that seen during the first offence.

Although Devjee denied both offences during interview, forensic examinations of clothing seized from both victims identified his DNA, providing further evidence of his involvement.

In addition to the 30-month prison sentence, Devjee was placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and made subject to a three-year restraining order.

PC Macsen Allery of Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team said:

“These were two distressing stranger sexual assaults committed against young women who were simply walking home.

“Thanks to thorough investigative work, including CCTV enquiries, witness evidence and forensic opportunities, we were able to build a strong case which resulted in Devjee pleading guilty.

“I hope this outcome provides some reassurance and a sense of justice for both victims. We will always take reports of sexual offences seriously and will work tirelessly to identify offenders and bring them to justice.”

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A man who breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and failed to comply with the Sex Offenders Register has been jailed.

Michael Stuart Mason from Southbank, Chester appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday 17 August to be sentenced after pleading guilty to nine counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and one of failing to comply with the Sex Offenders Register.

The 77-year-old was sentenced to 22 months in prison, and his SHPO was extended for a further five years to 2036.

Mason had to sign the Sex Offenders Register and was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order after being given a suspended sentence at Mold Crown Court for distributing indecent images, possessing prohibited images and possession of extreme pornography in 2021.

The court heard that between 1 January and 20 April this year Mason failed to notify police that he had obtained a HP Laptop which he was required to do so under the Sexual harm Prevention Order.

He also failed to notify them of his new address which meant he’d failed to comply with the notification requirements for the Sex Offenders Register.

PC Gina Davies from the Sex Offender Management Unit said:

“We are dedicated in our efforts to make sure these offenders are adhering to their orders which are in place to manage them in the community.

“Mason showed absolute disregard for these orders – but the message is clear, if you fail to comply, you will be put before the courts and face time in jail.”

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Detectives have praised the courage of a victim-survivor of child sexual offences as she describes the ‘everyday trauma’ she lives with.

Frankie Nielsen, 38, initially sent sexually explicit messages to the secondary school-aged girl.

However, the abuse escalated and he then went on to sexually assault the victim-survivor twice.

Now, the girl describes how she has gone from feeling ‘safe in her everyday life’ to ‘disgusted and too scared to tell her family’.

The long-term impact of Nielsen’s offending was heard in the victim-survivor’s personal statement, which was read before he was sentenced yesterday (Tuesday).

She said:

“I no longer feel safe. I still cannot walk past the place where this happened on my own and I have never returned there alone.

“My trust in people, especially males, has never been the same. My self-confidence has dropped very low.

“The biggest change in my life has been living with this trauma every day and trying to put it behind me. What the defendant did was wrong. He has given me trauma that I will carry for the rest of my life.

“I want the court to know that the harm did not end when the crime finished. It continues to affect me, my family and the way I live my life.”

After being arrested by officers, in interview, Nielsen admitted ‘I hold me hands up to sending some stupid messages’ – however he denied the assaults.

Following a complex investigation by Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department, in January last year, Nielsen, of Bentinck Villas, Newcastle, was charged in connection with the abuse.

And in July this year, he was convicted at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court of three offences: two counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual communication with a child.

Yesterday morning (Tuesday), he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court, where he was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years.

As part of his sentence, Nielsen will spend 10 years on the Sex Offenders’ Register, was handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and was handed a lifelong restraining order.

Detective Constable Kerry Kane, of Northumbria Police, said:

“It’s clear that Frankie Nielsen is a sexual predator who has an interest in girls.

“As always, my thoughts and appreciation go towards the victim-survivors here who has shown immense courage from making that first report all the way through to sentencing today.”

She continued: “As a Force, we’ll relentlessly pursue justice against anyone who looks to take advantage of children – who are some of the most vulnerable in our society.

“No-one should ever have to experience this type of offending, but please know if you have, we’re here and we’re ready to listen.”

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Sunderland man jailed after undercover sting and discovery of serious child abuse images

Martin Thompson, 42, from Sunderland, has been jailed for three and a half years after being caught trying to meet a child for sex and possessing a large collection of indecent images of children.

Thompson was ensnared by an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old boy on Snapchat. He first made contact in April 2025 and, over the following weeks, sent increasingly sexually graphic messages. Police arrested him in June 2025.

Officers found 220 indecent images of children on his phone and tablet, 134 of them in the most serious category. Some images were of the “most foul and unspeakably depraved” nature, Judge Thomas Moran told Newcastle Crown Court, involving children as young as five months old and a video of a baby being raped.

Thompson had also been communicating with other offenders online. He sent five of the most serious images to others and received material in return. He told one contact he was “into 13 and under.”

Thompson was previously jailed in 2005 for indecently assaulting a girl and was subject to a sexual offences prevention order that banned unsupervised contact with anyone under 16. His attempt to meet someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy amounted to a “very serious breach” of that order, the court heard, as it appeared he intended to have sex with a child.

He admitted seven offences, including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He was assessed as posing a “high risk of serious harm to children.” Thompson must sign the sex offender register and comply with a new sexual harm prevention order.

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Kenneth Barnes jailed after further child image offences

A County Durham man given a suspended sentence last November for possessing indecent images of children has been jailed after committing further similar offences while being managed in the community.

Kenneth Barnes, 50, of Charles Street, Easington Colliery, was sentenced at Durham Crown Court to 15 months in prison. That total includes six months activated from a 10-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, imposed in November after he admitted possessing indecent images of children in all three categories of severity. He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and sex offender registration, both for 10 years.

Prosecutor Ralf Xhepa said Barnes was being managed by police and the Probation Service as “a high-risk offender.” On 17 February his risk manager and a digital officer attended his home and seized his mobile phone. Examination found he had downloaded further indecent images of children.

He was arrested on 17 April. In interview he only accepted that the phone was his. Mr Xhepa said that between the November conviction and the February seizure Barnes downloaded a further 80 indecent images, including 13 in the most serious category.

After initial denials, Barnes admitted three further counts of making indecent images of children in late July.

Chris Morrison, defending, said Barnes had completed an overnight home curfew and 10 rehabilitation activity sessions under the November sentence. The phone seized in the earlier investigation had later been returned to him. “He continued to use it, something he’s very remorseful about and, when it was explained to me, the return of the device was, perhaps, ill-advised.”

Mr Morrison said Barnes had struggled with his circumstances and lived “a very solitary and isolated life in Easington.” He added that Barnes had found it difficult on remand since April.

Recorder Mark McKone imposed the 15-month sentence and warned that any further similar offending could lead to an extended prison term. Barnes remains subject to the SHPO and notification requirements imposed in November.

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An Ilkeston man has been jailed for more than two decades for sexually abusing three children.

Ralph Fletcher, 35, of Barclay Court, Ilkeston was found guilty of 14 sexual offences against the children during a trial in May this year.

The offences included rape, assault by penetration, and sexual touching.

Ronald Fletcher, 37, of Welwyndale Road, Sutton Coldfield was also found guilty of two counts of sexual touching against one of the children, during the same trial.

A third defendant, Zoe Upchurch, 30, of Walpole Street, Derby was found guilty of four counts of child cruelty.

All three were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on 20 August.

Ralph Fletcher was jailed for 24 years, and Ronald Fletcher was jailed for five years.

The pair were also handed lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

Upchurch was handed a three-year community order, with rehabilitation requirements.

All three were also given lifetime restraining orders in respect of the three children.

Detective Constable, Natalie Fletcher, officer in the case said:

“I want to thank the three victims in this case who have been unbelievably brave in telling us what happened to them.

“This courage, alongside the support of other witnesses, has meant that we have been able to seek justice and ensure that those responsible were held publicly accountable for their despicable crimes.

“The sentence handed to Ralph Fletcher who was the ringleader of this abuse, is telling of what a dangerous individual he is.

“Nothing can take away the trauma that Ralph and Ronald Fletcher, and Zoe Upchurch inflicted upon the victims, but I hope that they can go on to rebuild their lives in peace.”

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A sex offender who targeted a young woman as she waited for a train home from work has been jailed, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.  

Neil Shorter, aged 56, and from Bicester, appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday 18 August where he was jailed for two years and three months for the sexual assault and a separate offence of stalking following a Thames Valley Police (TVP) investigation.

He was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.

The court heard how, on Tuesday 13 August 2024, Shorter approached a young woman as she waited for a train at Newbury station.

After engaging her in a short conversation where he asked for directions, Shorter walked away before returning and sexually assaulting her while her back was turned.

Shaken and upset, she sought help from a member of station staff and pointed out Shorter as the man who assaulted her.

Detectives identified Shorter who at the time was remanded in prison awaiting ahead of a court hearing for the stalking offence.

He was arrested in prison on 7 November 2024 before being charged with sexual assault in connection to the incident at Newbury station in August.

BTP Detective Constable Kirsty Birley said:

“This was a shocking attack in broad daylight at a busy station.

“Before the attack Shorter can be seen pacing up and down the platform clearly seeking out the victim in what was a pre-planned assault.

“I commend the bravery of the woman for immediately reporting what happened and supporting our subsequent investigation which has resulted in an additional sentence for a sexual predator.

“Tackling sexual offending on the railway is a top priority for BTP and we encourage anyone who is victim of, or witness to, this crime type to report it to us by texting 61016.”

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A 62-year-old Grantham man was found guilty of a string of sexual-related offences, including making indecent photographs of a child, when he appeared at Lincoln Crown Court.

Following a three-day trial, which began on Tuesday 25 August, Steven Robins of Fourth Avenue was found guilty of the following offences:

• Two counts of making indecent photographs of a child
• Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under the age of 16
• Two counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a child under the age of 16
• Causing the sexual exploitation of a child under the age of 18

Robins was remanded into custody until his next appearance at Lincoln Crown Court in October.

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We are appealing for help to find James Hands who is reported to have absconded from HMP North Sea Camp in Boston.

The 38-year-old from Nottingham was reported missing from the open prison during the early hours of today (1 September).

Hands is a convicted sex offender and is currently serving a sentence in relation to stalking and harassment.

Hands has a neck tattoo of JD, an MM tattoo on his right hand, “Shae” tattoo on his left hand and a dog tattoo on the back of his leg.

DCI Jesee Karanga quote:

“We are urgently seeking the help of the public to find 38-year-old James Hands, who absconded from North Sea Camp at some point last night (31 August). This man is a convicted sex offender who poses a risk of causing harm to the community.

“While he has absconded from Boston, he could be anywhere in the county, and we would encourage people to remain vigilant. We are deploying the necessary resources to locate and apprehend Hands. If you see him, please do not approach him, but instead report is to us by calling 999.”

Incident 11 of today

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A paedophile has been jailed after exchanging sexual images with a 13-year-old girl.

Ardian Mason, aged 28, came to the attention of Nottinghamshire Police after uploading indecent images over an online messaging app.

After his arrest on 3 December 2024, Mason told officers he'd seen 'child porn' content on the app but said his account was no longer active.

He later admitted to possessing links containing indecent images of children and to transferring them to a secure folder.

Officers accessed the content after forensically examining Mason's mobile phone and discovered more than 1,000 Category A child sexual abuse images, each depicting the most serious sexual abuse that can be committed against children and babies.

They also uncovered more than 1,000 Category B and C images, along with more than 100 extreme pornographic images of adults, some depicting acts with animals.

Officers also discovered a series of images and chats involving the same teenage girl, who they were later able to identify and safeguard.

Damningly, Mason had sent some of the images to a woman he had met online using an assumed name.

Mason, of London Road, Retford, later pleaded guilty to:

• six counts of causing/inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity
• two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child
• five counts of distributing an indecent photograph of a child
• possessing an indecent photograph of a child
• and possessing an extreme pornographic image

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday 26 August, he was given an extended 12-year sentence - nine in custody and three years on extended licence.

He was also handed a restraining order banning him from any further contact with his victim, and was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order that will tightly restrict his internet use and his access to children.

Detective Constable Sarah Stonley, of the Internet Child Sexual Exploitation Team, said:

"Mason is a predatory and calculating offender who poses a clear risk to children.

"During his arrest, he referred to having seen what he referred to as 'CP' or 'child pornography'.

"In reality there is no such thing, because what we are talking about here is the sexual assault and rape of babies and children by adults.

"Mason had already committed a series of very serious offences in amassing such a large collection of this child sexual abuse material.

"However, in enticing a girl to engage in sexual activity in the way he did, he committed even more serious offences for which he will spend a very significant period of time in prison.

"I hope this sentence serves as a warning to others about the consequences of this depraved behaviour."

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A man has been given a nine-year sentence for a number of domestic abuse related offences against four women, including the rape of one of his victims.

Joshua Turner, of Hadley in Telford, was handed the sentence at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Friday (28 August) after previously pleading guilty to rape, grievous bodily harm, perverting the course of justice and two counts of coercive control.

The court heard how the 31-year-old subjected his victims to years of abuse while in relationships with them. 

The judge was told how Turner kicked one of the women in her stomach when she was pregnant. He also broke her arm during a separate argument and refused to call an ambulance, threatening her not to tell anyone how she had received the injury.

Another victim said how she was not allowed to see her family and friends, and at the start at their relationship Turner would bombard her with phone calls while she was out with friends. 

A third victim bravely reported to police that Turner had raped her, which in a victim impact statement read out to the judge said it causes her to have flashbacks.

A fourth woman told the judge how she reported Turner's abuse to police and while she was in the police station he called her 50 times. In a statement also read out in court she told the judge Turner continued to contact her via letters and phone calls while on remand in prison threatening her to drop the charges. 

In June 2025 Turner pleaded guilty to coercive control, and perverting the cause of justice. Then in October 2025 on the first day of his trial for the other two offences he pleaded guilty to rape, coercive control and grievous bodily harm.

Turner was then remanded in custody to await sentencing, which took place on Friday (28 August) where he was handed a nine-year sentence, with a further two years to be served on an extended licence.

The judge also ordered Turner to be placed on a sexual harm prevention order, which now means he must inform police of any new relationships. He was also given a restraining order against each victim, meaning he cannot contact them.

Detective Sergeant Becky Jasper said:

"Turner subjected four women to sustained and controlling abuse over a number of years, causing significant physical and emotional harm. His actions were cruel, manipulative and have had a lasting impact on each of his victims.

"I would like to commend the bravery of the women who came forward and reported Turner's offending. We know how difficult it can be for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence to speak to police, particularly when they have been subjected to threats, coercion and controlling behaviour.

"Thanks to their courage, Turner has been held accountable for his crimes and is now facing a significant prison sentence. I hope this outcome provides reassurance that reports of domestic abuse and sexual offences will be taken seriously, and that we will do everything we can to support victims and bring offenders to justice."