Latest Offenders

Description

Man has been jailed for serious sexual offences against a woman in Southport.

Klintis Duarta, 28, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today (Wednesday 16 September) after admitting attempted rape and sexual assault. He was jailed for six years and eight months and will serve a further four years on licence. 

Duarta, who is originally from Mozambique and visiting the country from Portugal, followed a woman into a block of flats on Sunday 21 June 2025 and committed the offences in the communal hallway.

He was arrested at Liverpool John Lennon Airport the following day after attempting to leave the country.

In a Victim Personal Statement, the woman said:

“I have previously suffered with nightmares anyway however since the incident I often have nightmares about the incident whereby I find I wake up feeling panicked with a sense of anxiety that last for hours. Since the incident I now take extra caution and care when entering any building.

"I ensure that I have checked the area first before opening the door and making sure that this has closed behind me and no one else has come through. I am aware that these things happen however you don't usually believe that it would be on your doorstep let alone happen to yourself.”

Detective Superintendent Siobhan Russell said:

“This was a relentless and sustained assault on a woman who was simply going about her day and visiting a friend. To be targeted in this manner by a complete stranger is utterly appalling.

“I want the public to be reassured that these incidents are rare. I also hope this sentencing shows how seriously the courts take these offences and how Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting anyone who has been subjected to such violence and sexual abuse.

“The victim has showed immense courage throughout. She managed to fight off Duarta during the incident and then went on to support the prosecution. As she detailed in her VPS, this has clearly had a huge impact on her life and I sincerely hope she can recover from what happened.

“Following the incident, we were absolutely determined to find the person responsible and carried out a thorough investigation that thankfully led to him being detained at the airport the following day.

“We take these reports extremely seriously and if you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, I urge you to please come forward and report this to police.”

Description

A Gravesend rapist has been jailed after admitting to multiple child sex offences.

An investigation was launched into Wayne Hodges after a young victim reported he had targeted them.

Upon his arrest in May 2025, officers reviewed his mobile phone and recovered indecent images of children.

Court

Appearing at Maidstone Crown Court in March 2026, Hodges, of Wilberforce Way, Gravesend pleaded guilty to numerous offences against the child including rape, sexual assault and making indecent images.

On Friday 11 September, he was jailed for 17 years 3 months. When he becomes eligible for parole, Hodges will be subject to a further 8 years on licence.

The 55 year old was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and has been placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Nick Pebody said:

‘Hodges appalling crimes have rightly resulted in a long sentence that we hope will give some sense of closure to the victim in this case.

‘I would like to commend his victim on their courage in disclosing their ordeal and supporting our investigation. We are pleased that the evidence presented to the court left him no other choice than to plead guilty.

‘The additional restrictions placed on him by the judge will ensure that when he is eventually released, we can monitor his conduct very closely indeed.’

Description

A man and woman from Neath Port Talbot have been jailed after the woman was found guilty of facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child by the man.

40-year-old Victoria Lewis, from Neath, arranged for an indecent photograph to be taken of the child in mid-2023. During the same period, she also arranged the travel of the child with a view to her being exploited, as well as intentionally arranging an act which would involve the commission of an offence under any of sections 9 to 13 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

40-year-old Shaun Lewis, from Sandfields, made numerous sexual requests and demands of the victim, both directly and through Victoria Lewis.

Victoria Lewis pleaded not guilty to charges of arranging the sexual exploitation of a child aged 13-17, arranging the commission of an offence of sexual activity with a child, and arranging the travel of another person with a view to exploitation in December 2024. However, she was found guilty of all three charges following trial in April this year.

Victoria Lewis has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Shaun Lewis pleaded guilty to two counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, one count of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, and one count of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.

He has been sentenced to 12 years in prison, comprising seven years plus a five-year extended licence.

Both have notification requirements for life.

Detective Constable Amanda Jenkins said:

“This has been a particularly depraved case which has involved Victoria Lewis arranging for a child to meet with a man that she knew would sexually exploit her.

“What Victoria Lewis has done is sickening, and to think about what the child has gone through because of Victoria Lewis is horrifying.

“We cannot praise the victim enough for the bravery she has shown to tell police what happened to her and secure justice against a despicable woman – and that is before even mentioning Shaun Lewis’s part in the offending.”

Description

A man who previously served a prison sentence for child sexual offences has been jailed again after failing to comply with his register requirements in Stoke-on-Trent.

Mark Sproston, aged 51, of Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to two-years-and-eight-months in prison at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday (14 September) after he admitted two counts of sex offenders register – failing to comply with notification requirements.

We arrested Sproston in May last year after responding to intelligence that he was staying at an address with children inside, which he was banned from doing as part of his Sex Offenders Register requirements.

Officers acted quickly and brought Sproston in for questioning, leading to the charges and his further jail term this week.

Detective Sergeant Paul Edwards, from our Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders team (MOSOVO) said:

“This case demonstrates the robust action that officers are taking against any registered sex offenders in Staffordshire who are breaching their requirements.

“We are working proactively to ensure that registry requirements are closely followed and the risk of potential harm involving registered sex offenders in Staffordshire is addressed quickly and effectively.”

Description

A 24-year-old man who approached young girls and asked to sniff their feet in Yate has been sentenced.

Alexander Scott-Bowen, of Kingswood, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Friday (11 September) for seven counts of sexual assault.

We launched an investigation in 2022 following reports of a man accosting three young girls in Yate and was sniffing and touching their feet in January, March and May.

A media appeal including an e-fit was released where, despite possible suspects being identified, there was insufficient evidence to charge anyone in connection with the incident and the case had to be filed pending further reports or evidence.

In March 2025, we received two more reports from young girls being stopped in Kingswood in similar circumstances to the 2022 incidents.

A police investigation was launched and a new suspect was identified as Scott-Bowen, who was later linked to the 2022 incidents.

He was arrested on 11 March 2025, interviewed, and bailed while officers continued to carry out their enquiries and gather evidence.

While out on police bail, we received two further reports regarding two girls being approached in Cribbs Causeway on New Year’s Eve in 2025 and a woman being approached in Stoke Gifford on 21 January this year in a similar manner.

He was re-arrested three days after these incidents and the Crown Prosecution Service granted seven charges of sexual assault against seven victims. He was remanded into custody where he has remained.

In all incidents, Scott-Bowen would approach his victims, engage them in an innocuous conversation about their feet or shoes, often paying them compliments, before swiftly grabbing their foot and sniffing it.

Through our investigation, officers were able to link Scott-Bowden to the 2022 Yate incidents as he lived in the area at the time and, upon his arrest in 2025, distinctive clothes matching a description from one victim were located.

However, more evidence was required to link Scott-Bowen to the incident.

Following his initial arrest in 2025, his DNA was obtained and was found on the shoelace of one of the 2022 victim’s trainers.

He was then linked to one of the 2025 incidents when one of the victims positively identified him as their attacker. He was also captured on doorbell footage walking alongside the victim down the street.

When he was arrested for the final time in January 2026, his mobile phone was seized and, during a forensic examination, material indicative of a foot fetish was located on his phone.

He was brought before the court on 6 July this year where he entered guilty pleas to all counts against all seven victims and was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court yesterday.

During the sentencing hearing, Scott-Bowen was sentenced to 38 weeks in prison, however as he has been on remand since January this year, he has been released as the custody-period has been served.

A 10-year-long Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also granted and he has been added to the Sex Offenders Register for the next 10 years.

Det Sgt Mike Coleman said:

“These attacks caused considerable distress to the victims and the wider community and we are pleased Scott-Bowen has been sentenced for these crimes.

“Throughout this investigation, we were clear in our mindset to view these incidents for what they really were – a series of sexual attacks against predominantly young girls.

“Scott-Bowen carried out his offending over a long period of time and was not even deterred by being arrested and released with bail conditions, as he went on to commit further offences.

“In pleading guilty in the face of the substantial evidence presented, he has accepted that his motives for all these attacks was his own sexual gratification.

“We want to thank and recognise the brave victims who came forward, especially those from the 2022 incident who all positively re-engage when we contact them to inform them their cases were being re-opened.” 

Description

A 38-year-old man has been jailed for more than four years after he was convicted of raping a woman.

Leon Walker, of Yeovil, denied the offence, which took place in 2023, but was found guilty by a jury in July.

He was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court on Friday 11 September to four years and three months in prison.

Walker met the victim through a dating app in 2023 and arranged to meet her at her home where he raped her following earlier consensual sex.

The victim reported what had happened to police and, following an investigation by our rape and serious sexual offences team Operation Bluestone, Walker was charged.

He pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, claiming it had been consensual.

However, a jury found him guilty of one count of rape. He was acquitted of the two other counts.

In her victim personal statement, read out at the sentencing hearing, the victim said:

“Before this happened I was an open and trusting person, however this incident also left me not being able to trust people as I used to.

“I had to rebuild my confidence in meeting new people and became far more sceptical and wary of people than I previously had been,

“For a while after I avoided dating and meeting new people altogether. When I was eventually able to meet new people, I found myself to be on higher alert and more cautious than I previously needed to be.”

PC Jake Whatley, the investigating officer, said:

“This conviction reflects the courage and determination shown by the victim in reporting the offence and supporting the investigation throughout.

“It also serves as an important reminder that consent can be withdrawn at any time.

“Being in a consensual relationship, or consenting to one sexual act, does not mean a person has consented to every other sexual act.

“Everyone has the right to say no, and that decision must be respected.”

Description

A paedophile has been jailed for almost a decade after he was found guilty of a string of child sex offences against a teenage girl.

Matthew Watson, 26, was jailed by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday (September 11).

Watson plied the victim-survivor with drugs and alcohol before assaulting her on multiple occasions at various locations in the Newcastle area.

The girl disclosed what had happened to trusted people in her life and a report was later made to Northumbria Police.

Following a complex investigation by the Force’s Safeguarding Department, in April last year, Watson was charged in connection with the abuse.

He stood trial in August at Newcastle Crown Court where he was found guilty of 11 counts of child sex offences including sexual activity with a child and causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.

On Friday, Watson, of Tewkesbury Road, Newcastle, returned to the same court where he was given an eight-year prison sentence.

As part of his sentence, he will also spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register and was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Leading the investigation from Northumbria Police was Detective Constable Claire Ashurst.

Speaking after the sentencing hearing, she said:

“It’s clear that Matthew Watson is a sexual predator who has taken advantage of this vulnerable girl for his own sexual gain.

“This victim-survivor has shown great bravery and dignity through the entire investigation and court process – which has now ended with her abuser being put behind bars.”

Det Con Ashurst continued: “The sexual abuse of children is horrific and, as a Force, we’ll continue to relentlessly bring those who commit these offences to justice. 

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

Description

John Houston appeared on Tuesday, 15 September, 2026, at the High Court in Edinburgh after being convicted at the same court last month.

The 39-year-old committed his crimes over a three-year period between July, 2020 and September, 2023.

Detective Sergeant Jim Crook said:

“Houston subjected several women to horrific sexual and violent attacks, causing lasting trauma that has had a profound impact on their lives.

“I would like to acknowledge the support provided by all victims throughout the investigation and court process, and I hope this sentence brings them some closure.

“Police Scotland remains committed to tackling sexual and violent crimes and bringing those responsible to justice. I’d encourage anyone who has been a victim of such crimes to come forward and report it to us. 

“We’ll thoroughly investigate and have specially trained officers and partner agencies to support you throughout.”

Description

A violent abuser has been jailed for subjecting his victim to years of physical and sexual abuse.

Martin Lloyd was jailed after carrying out what the Judge described as a 'campaign of violence.'

The woman bravely got in touch with us in October 2025 after she managed to escape Lloyd and disclosed years of abuse to officers.

An investigation was launched which found that the 39-year-old had attacked his victim with an array of weapons such as a machete, chains and a baseball bat resulting in a broken nose and leg injuries.

On one occasion, 48 hours after the woman had undergone life-changing surgery, he attacked and raped her. In another violent attack, she was left with a footprint on her face, before being raped.

Detectives arrested Lloyd and he was charged with multiple offences.

In July, Lloyd, of no fixed address, was convicted of three counts of rape, two counts of ABH (actual bodily harm), and using controlling and coercive behaviour.

On Monday (14 Sep) at Birmingham Crown Court, he was handed a total sentence of 25 years - 19 years in custody and six years on extended licence.

DC Stephen Dunford, from our Adult Abuse Investigation Team, said:

"Domestic abuse doesn’t go unnoticed and sometimes the victim is the last person to see that they are a victim. In this case, professional agencies had a history of records that, once the victim felt strong enough to approach police, could be used alongside her evidence to prove Lloyd’s conduct beyond any doubt.

"Lloyd is a dangerous individual, with a long history of domestic abuse convictions against multiple women, and he has never shown any remorse for his actions.

"We have provided the woman with support since she reported the abuse, and we commend her bravery in coming forward to share about her horrifying experiences."

Description

A brave victim who was repeatedly abused by a man over an 11-year period has helped put the perpetrator behind bars.

Adam Edward Eric Curtis, aged 39 and of Poole, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years after he was found guilty at trial of offences of controlling and coercive behaviour, sexual assault by penetration and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Curtis was arrested by police after his victim disclosed to police his series of abusive behaviour over a number of years, with the defendant threatening to damage personal items to upset her, controlling her movements and taking her mobile phone so she could not call the police. He would also lock her inside her address, threaten her with weapons including knives and lighters as well as phoning her repeatedly when she went out without him and threatening to kill her dogs.

He was also physically violent towards her, on one occasion stomping, kicking and punching her repeatedly, while he also sexually assaulted her.

Following the disclosure to police, detectives worked to compile evidence of Curtis’ offending and, with the support of the victim giving evidence at trial, he was found guilty of all three charges.

Curtis was jailed following a sentencing hearing at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday 1 September 2026 and was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Jack Gibson, of BCP CID, said:

“I do not for a moment underestimate the strength it would have taken for this victim to come forward and report the campaign of controlling behaviour, violence and sexual abuse she was subjected to at the hands of this defendant.

“She has shown immense courage to come forward and disclose these offences, as well as to support our subsequent investigation and the court process.

“I hope that her bravery will inspire other victims of abuse to find the strength to come forward and report offending to us, with this case demonstrating that we will do everything we can to support victims and bring offenders to justice, even when the offending behaviour goes back a number of years.”

Description

A woman has been jailed after luring a teenage schoolgirl into her home, locking her in and subjecting her to a serious sexual assault. 

The girl had been walking nearby, on 10 March 2026, when she was approached by 34-year-old Karen Murerwa who was unknown to her.

Murerwa convinced the victim to come back to her house in Seaton Crescent, Nottingham. 

She then took her into the property and locked the door behind them. 

The victim tried to look where the keys went and take in details as she was scared and wanted to go home. 

Murerwa tightened her control over the girl. Her manipulative behaviour included giving her alcohol, taking her phone and making her send a message to her mum saying she was with a friend.

She was then taken upstairs and subjected to a sustained sexual assault by Murerwa before she was eventually let out of the house. 

Inquiries were carried out after the victim disclosed what had happened to her and Murerwa was subsequently arrested and charged. 

Murerwa, who pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault by penetration and a further count of false imprisonment, was jailed for six years and four months when she appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday 10 September. 

She was also made subject of a lifetime sexual harm prevention order and must sign the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely. 

After passing sentence, Judge James Sampson commended the girl for her bravery in reporting the matter, adding that by doing she 'may have saved another child from a similar experience.' 

Detective Sergeant Nicola Roddis-Ferrari, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Murerwa deliberately targeted this vulnerable young girl, coerced her into entering her home and restricted her movements before sexually assaulting her. 

"Murerwa's actions have had a huge impact on this girl's life. She had been kind to Murerwa and wanted to help her, only for her to repay that kindness by sexually assaulting her. 

"I hope this court result brings some closure to the victim and allows her to move on from what must have been a very traumatic ordeal. 

"I’d like to commend her bravery for coming forward, as I know it would have taken great courage to speak to our specially-trained officers about what happened and relive her horrendous experience. 

"I also hope this court result gives encouragement to any other victims that they can come forward in the confidence that we will listen carefully to them, we will investigate, and we will do everything we can to seek justice for them."

Description

A former Greater Manchester Police officer today received a suspended sentence after being found guilty of a string of online child sex offences.

Michael Aspinall, 35, of Salford, Manchester, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court today (Monday 14 September) after being found guilty of three counts of attempting sexual communication with a child following a trial in July.

Aspinall, who was employed by Greater Manchester Police at the time of the offences, was arrested in October 2024 by detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU). He was immediately suspended from duty following his arrest.

Prior to sentencing, Aspinall had already submitted his resignation from Greater Manchester Police.

The investigation began after evidence was obtained that Aspinall had been communicating online with individuals he believed to be children. He was in fact communicating with a police officer. Following an investigation, he was charged with various offences.

In addition to his eight-month sentence, which has been suspended for two years, Aspinall will be on the sex offender’s register for 10 years, subject to a five-year serious crime prevention order, and undertake 20 days of rehabilitation.

An Accelerated Misconduct hearing held by GMP last week found that had he still been serving, he would have been dismissed without notice. He was additionally added to the College of Policing’s barred list.

An application to request forfeiture of Aspinall’s police pension has been made to the Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester.

Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Humphreys, from our Professional Standards Directorate, said: 

“Aspinall’s offending was clearly unacceptable for any right-minded member of society and particularly inappropriate for a serving police officer.

“His actions put the whole police service under scrutiny, but thanks to the hard work and diligence of undercover officers, he was arrested, found guilty, and has now received his punishment.

“A misconduct panel by GMP found that he would have been dismissed had he still been serving – his actions take away from the hard work of the men and women who work so hard for their communities every day, and it is only right that anyone committing these sort of offences are rooted out.”

Description

A registered sex offender has pleaded guilty to breaching a court order put in place to keep the public safe.

Steven Lach, 66, of Bath Road, Swindon, was issued with a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order in 2017 following convictions of more than 30 sexual offences against children.

On Saturday (12/09) Lach was arrested for breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order after being found to be using a dating application and Telegram.

He appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court earlier today (14/09) and has been remanded in custody until October 16 when he will be sentenced at Swindon Crown Court.

PC Katie Owers, from the Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) said:

"Lach is a high risk sex offender who continues to show a blatant disregard for the restrictions imposed on him by the courts.

"These measures are in place to protect the public. His persistent offending demonstrates an ongoing risk to others, and we will continue to take action whenever he fails to comply with these conditions.

" I am pleased that the courts have remanded Lach until his sentencing, reflecting the serious nature of the offending."

Description

A man who brutally mentally and physically abused a woman he knew over several years has been sentenced to 13 years in prison following his appearance at Hull Crown Court on Friday 11 September.

John Twyman, 28-years-old, of no fixed abode in Hull, pleaded guilty to assault and breaching a Restraining Order but pleaded not guilty to rape.

As such, a trial was set at Hull Crown Court which concluded on Thursday, 27 April 2026 leading to him being found guilty of rape by a unanimous jury.

An investigation began after our Force Control Room received a 999 call in June 2025, where a woman reported she had repeatedly been assaulted, called horrendous names, controlled, and raped, naming Twyman as the one responsible.

Officers were immediately deployed, arresting Twyman on the very same day on suspicion of breaching a Restraining Order, assault, and rape.

During interview and when questioned, he denied all allegations put to him. Saying he was the one being manipulated by the woman, and that she was trying to cause arguments with him.

He was subsequently charged the following day and remanded into custody to await trial.

Detective Constable Jan Baldwin from our Protecting Vulnerable People (PVP) Unit led the investigation and said:

“We wouldn’t be here today without the bravery and strength shown by the woman who took that first step to report the brutality she had been experiencing at the hands of Twyman over a prolonged period of time.

“She is a credit to herself, and her courage cannot be underestimated because despite everything she has gone through, she has remained on board and was willing to give evidence throughout what has been a very long and protracted investigation with many complexities to enable us to stack up the evidence against Twyman.

“This result is also testament to the dedication and tenacity shown by all officers within our Protecting Vulnerable People Unit who are merciless in their pursue of vicious men like Twyman.

“Twyman was unrelenting in his behaviour towards the woman and since he was first arrested and throughout the investigation, he has shown no remorse for the long-lasting impact his actions have and continue to have on her. I am reassured that this dangerous man is off our streets and will be for a very long time.”

Description

Harrison Strange jailed for 13 years after raping three teenage girls

Harrison Strange, 21, of Snowdrop Close, Spennymoor, has been jailed for 13 years after raping three vulnerable teenage girls, two of them while he was on bail.

Strange was a teenager when he carried out the offences. Teesside Crown Court heard he targeted the girls when they were heavily intoxicated. He is a father of one.

Prosecutor Annie Richardson said the first victim was attacked in a field in County Durham after drinking heavily with friends. She told a friend what had happened and that recording was played to the jury. Strange was arrested but denied rape, claiming the contact was consensual.

He was interviewed again shortly before committing the next two rapes, weeks apart.

The second victim went to Strange’s home believing there was a party. The court heard he plied her with alcohol and raped her in his bedroom while her friend slept on the floor.

The third attack was at a campsite in North Yorkshire. Strange raped and sexually assaulted a teenage girl who had been drinking while her friend slept in the same tent. He also sent the youngest victim a picture of a penis.

Strange was convicted in separate trials of raping all three girls, and of assault by penetration and engaging in sexual activity with a child against one of them.

Defence barrister Peter Sabiston told the judge Strange was himself a teenager at the time of the offences.

Sentencing him to 13 years for the three rapes, Judge Richard Bennett said:

“The impact on each of these girls has been significant. Your pre-sentence report makes troubling reading.

“The complete denial of offences is not unusual for someone who has been convicted of sexual offences. In your case, you go on to victim blame – suggesting one had made a false complaint and the two others were motivated by financial gain.

“I reject all of that completely, as did the jury.

“I am satisfied there is clear evidence of sexual entitlement and misogyny. Your offending was persistent, not isolated.

“It was exploitative and the presence of others did not act as a deterrent to you.”

Strange must sign the sex offenders’ register for life. He was also given indefinite restraining orders and a 20-year sexual harm prevention order.