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A man has been found guilty of raping a woman in Catford, as detectives appeal for further potential victim-survivors to come forward.

Melbourne Thompson, 41 (10.02.1985), of Hengist Road, Eltham, was convicted of rape, and robbery at the Old Bailey on Friday, 9 October. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at the same court on Friday, 4 December.

It follows an extensive Met investigation, which was launched after police were called at 06:55hrs on Sunday, 12 April by a bus driver. He reported that a woman had boarded his bus on Brownhill Road, Catford, and initially disclosed that she had been the victim of a robbery.

The woman told officers that she had been on her way to work when she was followed by an unknown man. He had shouted at her to stop then continued following her, despite her telling him that she did not want to speak to him.

He punched her to the head and threatened he had a gun. When she tried to shout for help he covered her mouth and dragged her into a side alleyway off Minard Road, where he orally raped her. Following the ordeal, he stole her phone from her jacket pocket.

The victim-survivor was taken to a specialist Haven sexual assault referral centre. She continues to be supported by specialist officers.

Her stolen mobile phone was tracked to an area around 30 minutes’ walk from where the incident took place – and four minutes from Thompson’s home.

Thompson was a registered sex offender, convicted in 2005 of indecent assault on a woman two years earlier, and the attack in Catford matched his previous offending pattern.

A police officer, tasked with monitoring registered sex offenders and who had previously monitored Thompson after his conviction in 2005, was able to identify him from CCTV showing him with the victim.

Thompson was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April and charged to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 29 April, when he was remanded in custody.

Following this, officers have been working to identify whether Thompson could be responsible for other sexual assaults.

While no offences have been identified so far, officers believe there may be more victim-survivors who are yet to come forward.

Detective Constable Charlie Lockett, who led the Metropolitan Police investigation, said:

“I want to pay tribute to the victim-survivor for reporting this unimaginably distressing incident.

“My team and I are working tirelessly to tackle violence against women and girls through victim-led approaches that ensure survivors are supported by specialist officers throughout investigations.

“Thompson is a dangerous offender who targeted a lone woman as she walked to work early on a Sunday morning. I am pleased that the jury saw through his claim that he was not responsible for this appalling attack.

“The Met remains committed to investigating all reports of rape and serious sexual offences.

“Any victim-survivors who come forward will be treated with dignity, compassion and sensitivity at every step of the way.”

Description

A Derby man has been jailed for five years for human trafficking and prostitution offences.

Our Criminal Exploitation Team launched Operation Snark after receiving information that Leighton Murray was exploiting women for sex work.

We established that he approached women already involved in sex work and preyed on their vulnerabilities by offering to help them with their difficulties in life.

He gaslighted them into feeling loved by him and supplied his victims with drugs, all to help keep them on side.

He set up an advert on an adult site under an alias pretending to be a woman sex worker who was running the account on behalf of other women.

Murray used the account to sell explicit content and the sexual services of the women he was exploiting.

The victims had no say in what they were offering, or who with, and were just told the location of the appointment and what was expected of them.

He arranged for the women to be transported to the location of the appointment via taxi or a lift.

Murray also advertised the sale of explicit videos to men or women who contacted the number listed on the advert.

He would offer a bundle of videos for a set price – usually between £10 and £40.

Murray was arrested in April and interviewed but answered no comment to the majority of questions put to him.

He was charged with human trafficking and control prostitution for gain between December 1 2025 and May 1 2026.

Murray was also charged with sharing footage of a person in an intimate state for sexual gratification and acquiring, using or possession of criminal property between April 4 and April 11 this year. 

The 41-year-old Derby man, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to all charges.

He was jailed for five years, made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and a Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Order (STPO), the later of which is in force for 15 years.

Detective Inspector Chris Ford, who leads the force’s Criminal Exploitation Team, said:

“Murray exploited the vulnerabilities of others for his own criminal gain.

“Human trafficking is a truly abhorrent crime and a blight on our society. We are pleased to see that Murray has been given a lengthy sentence befitting of his appalling crimes.

“I would like to pay tribute to the victims for their brave actions throughout our investigation and hope this case highlights how we will take action against anyone involved in the exploitation of others in the strongest possible way.

“If you are being exploited or believe someone else may be a victim of such crimes, please get in touch with us.

“You will be listened to and can expect a full and thorough investigation into your case, all whilst being supported by specialist officers.”

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Former Police Radio Dispatcher Harry Blumire Jailed for Seven Years

Harry Blumire, 24, of Slade Crescent, Kettering, a former radio dispatcher in the Bedfordshire Police control room, has been jailed for seven years after being convicted of rape and other offences against a woman in her 20s.

Blumire was arrested while off duty in Northamptonshire in June 2024. He was immediately suspended and dismissed by Bedfordshire Police in September 2024.

He was convicted at Leicester Crown Court on 7 October of rape, sexual assault, actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation, having denied the charges. The offences took place between August 2023 and May 2024. He received a seven-year sentence for the rape, with concurrent sentences of 24 months, nine months and 18 months for the other offences.

Bedfordshire Police Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy said: “He had tried to use his role as a member of police staff to dissuade the victim from coming forward by telling her she would not be believed. That could not be further from the truth.”

Detective Constable Gina Rosignoli of Northamptonshire Police praised the victim’s “remarkable strength and determination” during an investigation that took more than two years to reach trial. She said: “I hope this outcome reassures other victims of sexual offences that they will be listened to, supported and taken seriously when they come forward to report what has happened to them.”

Description

Mehmet Bulut, 31, jailed for six years after attempted rape of woman in Hereford – faces deportation

A 31-year-old Turkish-Kurd man who arrived in the UK by small boat has been sentenced to six years in prison for the attempted rape of a woman in Hereford.

Mehmet Bulut, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court to one count of attempted rape. Judge Simon Drew KC sentenced him to six years’ imprisonment plus three years’ extended licence and classed him as a dangerous offender. The judge said the CCTV of the attack on the mature woman was shocking and his actions were terrifying. The court was told it was the judge’s understanding that Bulut, an absconder whose asylum claim had been withdrawn, would be deported.

Bulut arrived in the UK on a small boat on Boxing Day 2022. Immigration authorities later withdrew his asylum application for non-compliance.

In the early hours of 2 August, at around 4am, Bulut followed a woman near a subway in Hereford. He carried out a violent and sustained attack in which he removed some of her clothing while attempting to rape her. After initially walking away he returned and attacked her again. The victim told him to “f*** off”; he replied “just sex, just sex”. The incident was captured on CCTV.

Bulut was arrested later the same day after police received information he was working at a restaurant called Grillology. He told officers he had been “incredibly drunk”, having drunk from a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, and was shocked by what the CCTV showed. When asked if he had been trying to rape the victim he said: “I don’t know, I don’t know, I swear to God I don’t know. If you bring her here, I will kiss her hands and feet and ask for forgiveness.”

Defence barrister Dean Easthope said the hand-and-foot comment was a cultural expression of remorse rather than sexual, and that Bulut was disgusted, embarrassed and felt terrible. He had no previous convictions and a difficult upbringing. The defence noted that Bulut had suggested drunkenness might be some form of justification, but argued it in fact made matters worse.

The case has been added to our sex offenders database. Bulut is a convicted sex offender serving a determinate sentence with extended licence and is expected to be deported on release.

Description

A Liverpool man has today, Thursday 8 October, been jailed for 11 years after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault.

Ryan Theaker, 30, a former Merseyside Police constable, was found guilty of one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault.

The victim was known to the former officer.

Today at Liverpool Crown Court Theaker was sentenced to 11 years in prison with a further five years on extended licence.

As a result of the investigation into the rape and sexual offences, which commenced in August 2024, Theaker’s phone was seized.

It was found that on 4 February 2021 and again on 9 March 2021, whilst serving as a Merseyside Police officer, he had circulated two videos in a WhatsApp group that were ableist in nature and unrelated to the rape and sexual assault investigation.

Theaker resigned from Merseyside Police the day before an accelerated misconduct hearing held in August 2025 when he was found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour for Discreditable Conduct, Authority, Respect and Courtesy and Equality and Diversity in relation to the ableist WhatsApp messages.

The matter was found proven at the level of Gross Misconduct and it was determined he would have been dismissed if he had still been serving.

Theaker was also added to the College of Policing Barred List.

Following on from this criminal conviction for sexual offences Theaker would also have been dismissed for Gross Misconduct had he still been a serving police officer.

Detective Sergeant Matthew McGuinness said:

"I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the strength and resilience shown by Theaker's victim in coming forward, and the dignity and composure she has shown throughout the lengthy investigation and court case.

"Her victim personal statement shows the ongoing impact Theaker’s offending has had but I hope that today’s sentencing will go some way to helping her to move on with her life.

"I hope that it will also encourage other victims of sexual offences to come forward knowing that they will be listened to and supported by specially trained officers.

"We know the public will rightly be shocked that these crimes have been committed by a now former police officer, but I want them to be reassured that Merseyside Police remains committed to protecting anyone who has been subjected to violence, sexual abuse or inappropriate behaviour and bringing their abusers to justice."

Assistant Chief Constable Karen Jaundrill said: "The behaviour for which Theaker has been convicted and sentenced has no place in society, and certainly not within policing.

"I want to be clear that his contemptible behaviour is in no way representative of the attitude or behaviour of officers and staff at Merseyside Police.

"Theaker’s former colleagues, and the force, have all been left shocked and disgusted by his actions and the long-term impact they have had on his victim.

"Having the support of the public is essential for us to police Merseyside effectively and we know the impact that cases such as this can have on public confidence.

"I want our communities to know that we are resolute in our commitment to removing officers and staff who do not adhere to the highest professional standards and behaviour.

"Theaker resigned from the force in 2025 after we were able to bring misconduct proceedings against him following an extensive internal investigation by our Professional Standards Department into offensive videos on his phone. If he had not resigned, he would have been immediately dismissed.

"Clearly we now know this man was not fit to be a police officer, and it is right that he is no longer part of the force.

"As part of our ongoing work we have Call It Out and the Crimestoppers Internal Integrity Line, an internal campaign to encourage colleagues to call out behaviour that does not align with our principles.

"It empowers officers and staff to challenge behaviour in the workplace, as well as providing an avenue to confidentially report behaviour into our Professional Standards Department."

Description

David Novac, 34, of Neath Road, Hafod, Swansea, has been jailed after secretly filming a woman performing oral sex on him.

He told police he intended to show the clip to his partner in Romania to “make her jealous” and “let her know I am not lacking on anything.” He said he never showed her the footage.

Swansea Crown Court heard that on 3 May Novac began chatting to the woman on Facebook Dating. They met that afternoon and had sex. She later complained to police that she had been raped. Officers seized his phone and found the video. When told of its existence, she became upset and said she had no idea it had been recorded. Novac maintained the sex was consensual.

Novac, who also uses the name Teodor, had pleaded guilty to voyeurism. He has previous convictions for drink-driving in 2020 and possession of a bladed article in 2025, for which he received a four-month suspended sentence.

Defence counsel Matt Murphy said Novac wished to apologise to his family, the complainant and the court, and wanted to return to his family in Romania as soon as possible.

Judge Catherine Richards imposed five months’ imprisonment, reduced by one-sixth for the guilty plea, and activated two months of the earlier suspended sentence to run concurrently. Novac must register as a sex offender for seven years.

Description

A man from Crewe has been jailed for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Thomas Beswick appeared at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 6 October, where he was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment.

The sentencing comes after Beswick pleaded guilty to breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

The court heard that in 2022, Beswick was handed a ten-year SHPO as part of sentencing for a previous offence.

Under the terms of the order, Beswick was prohibited from remaining in any address where a child under 16 was present without the expressed approval of Social Services.

On Sunday 4 October, officers received a call from a woman stating that she wanted to report Beswick for breaching the order imposed upon him.

She went on to tell officers that she had befriended the 25-year-old in 2025, prior to the birth of her baby.

The pair had become friends and Beswick had attended her baby shower, other family events and had even helped with childcare

The woman further disclosed that Beswick had not informed her that he was under the restrictions of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, having found out second-hand, and then immediately called police.

He was arrested by officers shortly after and taken into custody, where he answered no comment to all questions put to him.

PC Clark, of Crewe's Sex Offender Management Unit said:

“Sexual Harm Prevention Orders are put in place to protect the public from dangerous offenders. Beswick’s lack of honesty to inform the woman he had befriended of his order, and his decision to visit her at her home whilst knowing her young child would also be present, put both the mother and child at risk.

“Officers from the Crewe Sex Offender Management Unit took swift action in locating and arresting Beswick before remanding him in custody and putting him before the courts where he received an immediate custodial sentence.”

Description

A 42-year-old man from Mannings Heath has been jailed for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and making indecent images of children.

Mark Grindon, of Swallowfield Close, Mannings Heath, Horsham, has been jailed for five years and four months for multiple breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and making indecent images of children.

The order had been imposed on Grindon in October 2016, when he was sentenced for six counts of making indecent images of children. It was later amended and the order was put in place indefinitely in December 2019, after he was convicted of further offences.

Grindon was arrested in December 2023 during a vehicle stop following information of suspected further breaches, and he was found to be in possession of a smartphone prohibited by the Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

He was swiftly charged the next day with two counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and after appearing at Crawley Magistrates’ Court,  he was remanded into custody. He pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court and on 7 March 2024 he was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment.

Officers proceeded to conduct a complex investigation into the digital devices seized and uncovered more than 1,400 indecent images of children and 11 social media accounts, created under the alias ‘Bob’ and ‘Ricard’. He was arrested in August 2025.

During a search of an address in Mannings Heath an additional smartphone, laptop, multiple SD cards and a TV streaming device were found and seized.

He was charged with three counts of making an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child, 16 counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and two counts of failing to comply with sex offender register notification requirements, on the same day.

Grindon appeared the next day at Crawley Magistrates’ Court and he was remanded in custody.

He appeared at Hove Crown Court on 14 September 2026, charged with six breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, three counts of making indecent images of children and failing to notify.  He pleaded guilty to five breaches and elected to go on trial for one breach of SHPO, three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of failing to notify.

He was found guilty of the five offences on 18 September and the judge sentenced him to five years imprisonment for all 10 offences.

At a further hearing at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 28 September, Grindon was given a further four months prison sentence for failing to comply with a court order which required him to provide all pins, passwords and patterns to his devices.

Detective Sergeant Melanie Pyle said:

"The magnitude of Grindon’s offending and disregard for the harm he has caused cannot be underestimated.

"Each one of the many images in his possession depicts sexual abuse against a real child.

"I am pleased to see Grindon held accountable for his deplorable offences."

Description

A man from Bradford has been given an extended sentence of 25 years for multiple rapes.

Aaron Purewal aged 32 of no fixed abode was convicted by a jury of multiple offences including rape and sexual assault by penetration.

On Monday 5 October at Bradford Crown Court he was given an extended 25-year sentence which means 20 years in prison and five years on licence.

In a victim personal statement, the victim said:

“I feel disgusted by what happened to me. I often feel dirty, despite knowing that none of this was my fault.

“I no longer fully recognise myself. I lost confidence, lost faith in my own judgement and questioned who I was. I am still trying to understand who I am after what happened.

“I felt powerless. I remember screaming and shouting and trying to fight him off and make him stop. The impact of those experiences has never fully left me.”

Detective Constable Emma Moist of Bradford District Safeguarding Team said:

“Purewal is a dangerous and violent man, and this sentence reflects the gravity of his actions.

“This has had a devastating impact on his victim as you can see in her own words.

“I would like to praise her courage and bravery in reporting these abhorrent crimes to us and preserving with the justice process.

“I hope the outcome shows our commitment to victims of sexual offending and that we will do everything to investigate and bring perpetrators to justice.”

Description

Kern Lenehan, 23, of Watch Street, Woodhouse, Sheffield, has been jailed for four years and one month after raping a 12-year-old girl on three occasions.

Sheffield Crown Court heard that Lenehan, then 19, met the girl on an adults’ dating site. She claimed to be 19 throughout. Under cross-examination he admitted he did not believe she was 19 and realistically thought she was around 15, but did not challenge her.

Judge Peter Hampton told him: “The reality is there were red warning lights flashing across the board, which you simply ignored. Your suggestion that you genuinely, and reasonably, believed her to be 19 was clearly a nonsense… I’ve seen pictures of her at the time.”

He continued: “You conceded you were in denial about her true age… you conceded in cross-examination that the victim looked 15, not 16… you willingly closed your eyes to the victim’s true age. I’m sure your motivation to do so was for there to be a sexual relationship whatever her age.”

The rapes took place in a tent near the girl’s Doncaster home. Children under 13 cannot legally consent to sexual activity. The offences came to light after her brother checked her Snapchat and messaged Lenehan asking why he was contacting a 12-year-old. Lenehan then ended contact. The girl has lifelong anonymity.

Lenehan admitted two counts of rape of a child under 13 and one count of making indecent images of a child, relating to a video of one of the incidents. He was also given a one-year extended licence, making the total sentence five years and one month, and must remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.

In a statement, the girl’s mother said her daughter “struggles significantly” and added: “I feel she has been robbed of her childhood.”

Defending, Ishaq Usama said Lenehan was, and remains, “emotionally immature.”

Judge Hampton told him: “You knew she was incapable of consenting. You did not care.”

Sentencing took place on 1 and 2 October 2026.

Description

A 26-year-old man from London has been jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to two counts of engaging in sexual communications with a child and three counts of breaching a Sexual Risk Order.

Samuel Jamieson, of Brook Drive, London was sentenced when he appeared at Southampton Crown Court on Tuesday (29 September), having admitted all five offences at a previous hearing.

His offending took place in the Southampton and Bursledon areas.

Jamieson engaged in sexual communications with two children, aged under 16 years, between Monday 1 December 2025 and Tuesday 20 January 2026.

The breaches of his Sexual Risk Order (SRO) took place between Monday 1 September 2025 and Monday 2 February 2026.

One of the breaches occurred when Jamieson was found to be in possession of an item capable of accessing the internet without having first registered that item with the police, something he was prohibited from doing as part of his SRO.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Constable David Trathan, of the Eastleigh Criminal Investigation Department, said:

“We continue to work tirelessly to target those who attempt to exploit and sexually abuse children, whether in the real world or virtually.

“I would like to place on record my thanks to the victims and their families in this case for coming forward and reporting Jamieson’s crimes and supporting us throughout our investigation.

“It’s not an easy thing to do, but their courage has ensured that a dangerous and predatory man will now face the consequences of his actions in prison.

“We always take allegations of this nature extremely seriously and work extremely hard to bring offenders to justice.
“Anyone who has any concerns at all about child abuse can contact us at any time.

“We recognise that not everyone has the confidence to speak to police, but there are support services available that can help you if you are a victim of abuse.”

Description

A man from Swansea has been jailed after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault.

27-year-old Caeran Evans, from Penlan, carried out the attack against a female victim in October 2024.

Evans had offered the victim a lift home after a night out. Later that night, a video was recorded and shared on messaging groups depicting Evans consuming drugs placed on the victim's body whilst she appeared to be asleep. Sexually degrading words had also been written on her body.

Evans pleaded guilty to sexual assault at Swansea Crown Court in December 2025, but, following trial, he was also later found guilty of rape by a jury on September 16.

He has now been sentenced to a total of seven years in prison. He has also been made subject of a restraining order against the victim for a period of 15 years.

Detective Inspector Meirian Evans said:

“Caeran Evans took advantage of his intoxicated victim in a heinous and calculated way.

“That he knew he was being filmed and still carried on for some kind of perverse self-gratification only makes the situation unimaginably more abhorrent.

“Thankfully, the court saw through his protestations and the guilty verdict and seven-year sentence shows that justice has been achieved for the victim.

“We commend her on her bravery in coming forward to report what Caeran Evans did to her, and hope that she can now begin to move on with her life.”

Description

A 30-year-old man has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman at an address in Moreton-in-Marsh.

Kane Landell was in a white delivery van when he saw a woman pull up in her car outside an address.

The court was told how he approached her and said he had a parcel for delivery at her address, and then asked her if she lived alone.

Landell then followed her into the house uninvited, asked to use the bathroom and left the parcel on the table.

When the woman looked at the parcel, she could see it had no name or address on it. 

Landell, of Chadwick Avenue, Birmingham then exited the bathroom and was seen to have an erection, and the woman told him he needed to leave the address.

He then approached her and pressed his erect penis against her hip, and she again told him to get out of the address.

The woman began to film Landell, who got back into his van and he then hurriedly attempted to reverse up a narrow lane and collided with bushes and a wall.

The victim was able to get the registration of the van when the incident happened on 17 June 2024.

She contacted police and Landell was subsequently identified and arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

Following an investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary's Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised a charge of sexual assault.

Landell denied the offence and on 23 September a jury at Gloucester Crown Court found him guilty.

He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on 12 November.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Dan Sackett said:

"I would like to thank the victim for her resilience and for persevering with the criminal justice process which has resulted in Landell being found guilty of the offence.

"Due to her help and quick-thinking to film him, he was identified and rightly put before the court."

Description

A vile rapist who subjected his victim to a decade of horrific sexual abuse has been given a custodial sentence of 23 years.

Michael Pugh, 45, of Sutton St. Nicholas, Hereford, appeared before Worcester Crown Court on Friday (2 October) where he was sentence for 16 offences as follows:

• Six counts of rape
• Four counts of sexual assault
• Four counts of adult sexual activity with a person aged 13 to 17
• One count of wound / inflict grievous bodily harm without intent
• One count of engage in controlling / coercive behaviour

Pugh (pictured) was given a total custodial period of 23 years. This was comprised of an extended sentence of 15 years plus eight years on licence.

He was further given a restraining order of no direct or indirect contact with his victim for life, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) of 25 years, and to register as a sex offender for life.

Pugh’s offending related to 16 offences over 10-year period of rape and sexual abuse including forcing his victim to work on webcams and many other degrading and humiliating acts.

Detective Chief Inspector James Bamber of the Protecting People Unit (PPU) said:

“Our thoughts remain with the survivor of Pugh’s horrific sexual offences, and we hope the verdict allows them to move on with their life in some way.

“This long custodial sentence is down to the survivor’s courage and a good investigation by the team. The case is clearly an horrific one we hope we have got some sense of justice for them.”

Description

A child sexual abuser from Herefordshire was sentenced to 14 years in prison when he appeared in court today (Wednesday 7 October).

David McKimmie, 62, of Hope under Dinmore, was found guilty of the below 13 offences following a trial in November 2025 where he was found guilty for 11 offences relating to one victim and the remaining two following another trial in September relating to a separate victim.

• Seven counts of assault female child under 13 by touching
• Four counts of assault a girl under 13 by penetration
• One count of cause / incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• One count of sexual activity with a female child

McKimmie (pictured) was sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison, made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 15 years, and ordered to pay court costs of £6,000.

PC Chris Yarwood, officer in case, said:

“We are pleased to get this custodial sentence for McKimmie and would like to pay tribute to the survivors of his perverted actions for their courage in coming forward and giving us the evidence that has led to this successful conviction.

“They have patiently waited while this has gone through the courts over a few years, but we hope today’s sentencing will help them to move on with their lives and that it encourages other survivors of sexual abuse to come forward.

“Our message to anyone who has suffered similar abuses is we will always listen to you and act where appropriate no matter when the offences took place.”