Latest Offenders

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A ‘perverted criminal’ who admitted sexually abusing a young girl for his own sexual gratification has been sentenced to ten years and six months behind bars, placed on the sex offenders register for life and handed a 20 year sexual harm prevention order following an appearance at Grimsby Crown Court today (Friday, 20 February 2026)

Peter Coope, 39-years-old of Station Road in Healing pleaded guilty to inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration, rape of a girl under 13 and assault a girl under 13 by touching, at an appearance at Grimsby Crown Court on Monday, 17 November 2025.

Coope’s crimes first came to officers’ attention through a third-party report at Grimsby Police Station after a young girl had disclosed the abuse that he had subjected her to.

Officers attended Coope’s home address, and he was arrested the same day (Monday, 21 April 2025).

An investigation was launched, and Coope initially denied all the allegations, telling the detectives that the girl was lying and that she must be making this up as she is ‘troubled’. He has since pleaded guilty at court to all four offences at court.

Detective Constable Liam Greenwood who led the investigation said:

“Coope is a perverted criminal who sexually abused a young girl, before telling her not to tell anyone about his atrocious actions.

“Thankfully she told a trusted adult, and I’d like to commend her for the bravery that she has shown both in that moment and throughout the investigation and the court process. Thanks to her this dangerous man is now behind bars and off our streets.

“I hope that today’s conviction reassures anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence that we will listen to you and we will support you.”

Description

A former teacher at a Southampton school has been jailed for sexual offences against a teenage girl.

Edward George Waller, 66, of Winter Road, Southsea, had denied offences that related to his time as a teacher at St Anne’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College in Southampton.

But on Wednesday 3 December, a jury found him guilty of one count of sexual activity with a child by a person in position of trust, and two counts of being a person in a position of trust causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Today (Friday 20 February), at Portsmouth Crown Court, Waller was jailed for six years.

He will be placed on the sex offender register indefinitely.

The court heard that the offences took place when Waller was a history teacher at the school and the girl was aged between 16 and 17 years old.

He gave a vulnerable female pupil his mobile number and after a short period, his messages became inappropriate and sexual, including sending naked images of himself.

The court heard that Waller later invited the girl to his home and had sex with her.

Today in court, the victim read out a statement detailing how Waller’s offending continues to impact her life, including her ability to form relationships, as well as the difficulty in having to relive her experience during the trial.

She continued:

“I want to be clear: I didn’t give evidence to hurt him. I did it for myself. These events have haunted me and I needed the closure I never got then. I’m not there yet — I’m deeply scarred by what happened then and by having to relive it now — but I believe I finally have a chance to heal in a way I couldn’t have without telling the truth.

“I write this on behalf of a vulnerable teenager who was simply looking for safety and love, who did not deserve what happened to her and who has carried shame that does not belong to her for far too long.”

In 2023, an investigation was carried out by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Operation Marmion team, who investigate allegations of non-recent sexual abuse perpetrated within institutions or by people of prominence.

Speaking after the hearing, officer in the case Detective Constable Laura Hardie said:

“The survivor of this abuse was a vulnerable teenage girl at the time. She was abused by someone she should have been able to trust – a teacher at her own school.

“She has shown incredible bravery in having to talk about what happened in court. I would also like to thank the witnesses who came forward in this case. Their support, along with the support of the victim, ensured Waller has now been brought to justice.

“We want anyone who has experienced sexual abuse to come forward, no matter when the offence took place. You will be listened to by specially trained officers and the matters will be investigated.

“If you are not ready to report a crime, there are a number of different types of support available and you can decide what to do next.”

Description

A registered Kirklees sex offender is behind bars just weeks after his arrest after being caught out by specialist child protection officers.

Ryan Walsh, aged 39 of Meltham Road,  Huddersfield, was sentenced to three years in prison at Leeds Crown Court yesterday (19 February) after admitting offences including sexual communication with a child and breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The 39-year-old had been visited by officers from the Kirklees Public Protection Unit on 20 January as part of routine monitoring of him as a sex offender.

A search of his electronic devices revealed evidence of offending and he was arrested there and then, charged, and in court the next day.

Appearing at court yesterday, Walsh was jailed after admitting offences of sexual communication with a 13-year-old child, and two offences of making indecent photographs of a child.

He also admitted breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and breach of the sex offenders register requirements.  

PC Richard Thorp of the Kirklees Police Public Protection Unit, said

“We welcome the conviction of Ryan Walsh at Leeds Crown Court yesterday, and hope it demonstrates that committing offences online and breaching orders, put in place to protect the public can only have one outcome.  

“Our unit works tirelessly, and does its upmost, to protect children and vulnerable people from the damage and distress that offenders like Walsh can inflict.”

DI Angela Francome of the Kirklees Public Protection Unit, added:

“Walsh’s swift sentencing within just over a month of his initial arrest demonstrates how well inter agency public protection can work to monitor registered sex offenders, and then swiftly act if offending occurs.

“Walsh was caught as a result of the monitoring our team and other public protection colleagues carry out on a daily basis across West Yorkshire.

“We continue to urge anyone who has any information about sexual offending in Kirklees or anywhere else in the force area to contact West Yorkshire Police.”

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Update, 20 February 2026

Joshua Springer was today (Friday, 20 February) handed a 21-year sentence, having previously pleaded guilty to nine charges of rape.

Springer, who is now 36 years old, was jailed following a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court.

He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the rest of his life.

His offences related to three victims who were suffering from dementia, at a residential care home for elderly people in the Stamford area; and a fourth victim in the North Yorkshire area.

We have not named the care home, or the location in North Yorkshire, to protect the anonymity of Springer’s victims.

Springer was also sentenced for making indecent images of children, for which he had also previously pleaded guilty.

Detective Chief Inspector Jennifer Lovatt, of East Midlands Special Operations Unit, is again appealing for anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Springer – who is also known as Joshua Kearney and Joshua Kearney Springer – to contact us.

"While Springer has today been sentenced for his horrific crimes, that does not mean that our investigations have stopped,” said DCI Lovatt.

"Our team has worked tirelessly for some time in bringing Springer to justice, and there may be other potential victims who perhaps have not yet come forward.

"I’d encourage them to contact us - you can call 101 (ask for Lincolnshire Police) and quote Incident 272 of 28 November. If you want to remain anonymous, then you can call Crimsteoppers on 0800 555 111.

"Today’s result shows that offenders will be brought to justice, so if you think you have been affected, please get in touch.”

Springer, formerly of Cornstall Buildings in Stamford, pleaded guilty to nine charges of rape when appearing at Lincoln Crown Court on 2 December 2025.

2025-12-03

A man accused of raping four women has pleaded guilty to his crimes.

Joshua Springer of Cornstall Buildings in Stamford appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on Tuesday, 2 December where he pleaded guilty to nine charges of rape.

Six charges are evenly split between three women while the remaining three charges are connected to a fourth woman.

Three of his victims were based at a Lincolnshire care home, while a fourth victim was located at an address in the North Yorkshire area.

The 35-year-old also pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children – including those in the most extreme category.

Springer had been arrested and subsequently charged in relation to several offences on 26 July.

It came a month after Lincolnshire Police were called to investigate reports vulnerable people had been sexually assaulted at an elderly residential care home in the Stamford area.

We have not named this care home, or the location in North Yorkshire, to protect the anonymity of Springer’s victims.

Springer appeared at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on 28 July shortly after his arrest and was remanded into custody before he appeared yesterday to enter his plea.

He will now appear at Lincoln Crown Court to be sentenced on Friday, 6 February.

Detective Chief Inspector Jennifer Lovatt thanked the family of the victims in this case for their courage and patience.

She said:

“Springer’s actions show a clear lack of human decency and respect for the victims he targeted.

“He abused a position of trust and used the access he had to attack some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

“It is appalling, and my heart goes out to the victims and their families.

“The impact of Springer’s actions cannot be overestimated and will have long-lasting consequences. It was imperative that we got him behind bars and out of our community.

“I’d like to pay tribute to the women at the centre of this case and their families.

“Their courage and dignity cannot be put into words, and I hope that by bringing Springers to justice, they feel some form of comfort even if the road ahead is a long one.

“Cases like this have an enormous impact on family, friends, work colleagues and so on.

“Our investigations continue into Joshua Springer who has also used the surname Kearney and Kearney Springer if you believe you may have been a victim of him and/or have any information then we would encourage anyone to contact us to do so either by calling 101 (ask for Lincolnshire Police) quoting inc 272 of 28 November, anonymously through crime stoppers.

“If you’ve been the victim of rape or sexual assault or any other sexual offence not connected to Springer, then please report it to us or your local police service as soon as possible. I want to assure victims, we will listen – there are various ways you can get in touch, but please do not be afraid to. We are here to support you.

“Even if you’re not 100 per cent sure, we want to hear from you so that we can make sure you’re safe.

“If you’re not ready to talk to the police just yet, that’s OK.”

Description

A dangerous sexual predator who groomed a 12-year-old girl with a torrent of over 1,000 messages has been jailed for nearly five years, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Michael Lawrence, 38, of Tudor Road, Hinkley, was found guilty and sentenced for two counts of Inciting a Girl Under 13 To Engage In Sexual Activity on 13 February, following an earlier trial at Leicester Crown Court.

Despite maintaining his innocence and pleading not guilty, Lawrence was sentenced to four years and 11 months in prison, plus two years on extension.

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely and also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with a child under 16 unless with consent where they know of his convictions.

The order also prevents him from using social media or apps to contact children as well as deleting search history, wiping or encrypting any devices.

The court heard how Lawrence befriended the school child at Kettering station in summer, 2022. Over a period of two years, he sent the victim a barrage of more than 1,200 messages and voice notes on social media.

Once he had groomed her into a friendship, he then began sending increasingly brazen sexual messages where he told her had a “crush” on her and repeatedly tried to instigate sexual contact. In one message he said “sorry if I’m being flirty with you I’m naughty.” Before the next day then suggesting they could “be together secretly.”

In one 30-day period alone, he sent 223 messages, including one conversation where he warned her to be careful with what she tells her dad about him.

The barrage of messages only came to light following a separate police investigation. When officers went to the remorseless predator’s address to arrest him, he said “do you think I’m f****** dangerous?”.

BTP Detective Constable Alex Price said:

“This sentence is testament to the courage of the young girl who supported our investigation to get this extremely dangerous sexual predator behind bars.

“The disgusting motive for Lawrence’s behaviour is obvious from the sheer number of messages he sent to her and his deliberate, escalating behaviour over two years, yet he’s never shown any remorse for his actions nor the lifelong impact they will have had on the young girl.

“If you experience or witness any sort of behaviour which makes you feel uncomfortable on the railway, text us discreetly on 61016, or call 999 in an emergency. We will always take you seriously, and we’ll stop at nothing to bring sexual offenders like Lawrence to justice.”

Description

A man from Porth has been jailed after pleading guilty to one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

26-year-old Himanshu Himanshu, from Porth, committed the offence when the victim was 14 years-old. The offence took place in August 2025.

Himanshu changed his plea from not to guilty to guilty to the offence of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and was sentenced to one year in prison when sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday February 18.

Detective Constable Sarah Jenkins said:

“Himanshu’s offences were completely unacceptable. We commend the bravery of the victim in coming forward to report the offences, which cannot have been easy for her.

“If you have been the victim of any kind of sexual offence, do not suffer in silence. Report it to us via 101 and specially trained officers will be able to support you.”

Description

A man has been convicted after his DNA was linked to a 2021 unsolved rape investigation following his arrest for an attempt rape in Leeds.  

Rashid Boachie, aged 44, was found guilty today 19th February 2026 of rape, and sexual assault and will be sentenced on 25th March 2026.  

In the early hours of 10th August 2025, Boachie targeted a woman who had become separated from her friends while on a night out in Leeds.  

CCTV showed Boachie talking with the victim before taking her to an alleyway behind the Travelodge hotel on Blayds Yard. Boachie sexually assaulted her  when a staff member from the hotel heard the woman’s cries for help and intervened, causing Boachie to walk away.  

Boachie was identified after a media appeal was made which included CCTV images of him in the vicinity of the offence.  

He was arrested on 14 August and, as part of his arrest, DNA samples were taken. His DNA was found to match DNA found on the jeans of the victim in a rape investigation from 2021.  

The earlier offence had been reported to the police and investigated at the time, but no suspect could be identified.  

It occurred on 29 August 2021 in the Beeston area of Leeds.  

The victim in that case had been drinking with friends, and a number of taxis had been called to take them into the city centre.  

The victim had stepped away from her friends for a short period and mistakenly got into Boachie’s car thinking it was a taxi.  

Instead of taking her home as requested, Boachie first took her to one car park which was too busy before taking her to another empty car park where he raped her. While in the car, the victim was able to send a short video message in which she can be heard saying “help me.”  

Boachie has been remanded in custody since his arrest and charge in August last year.

Detective Inspector Jodie Hayes, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said:

“In both cases, Boachie has deliberately preyed on heavily intoxicated, vulnerable women who have become separated from their friends. He is a dangerous sexual predator who will hopefully now be behind bars for a long time.  

“The victims have both shown immense courage throughout, and I am sorry that despite the evidence against him, Boachie refused to admit what he had done, resulting in them having to go through the trial process.  

“Members of the public played a valuable role in helping us identify Boachie in the CCTV images from the 2025 offence. By arresting him for that offence, we were able to then link him back to the earlier offence.  

“Cases like this are never fully closed, we will always act on any new evidence to get justice for victims.  

“There were four years between these offences and there is potential that Boachie has committed other crimes during that time. If anyone has been a victim of an offence, we would urge them to report it. You will be supported throughout by specially trained officers, as these two victims have been.”  

Description

A North Ayrshire rapist who treated his victims as "mere objects for your own sexual gratification" has been jailed for more than a decade.

Mark McMillan, 47, "robustly" maintains his innocence despite being convicted of five charges involving the rape and sexual assault of three women over about 18 months.

He received a 14-year extended sentence at the High Court in Kilmarnock on Thursday, February 19, comprising 11 years in custody and three years on license.

Lord Harrower said:

"All three women spoke of your belittling and humiliating them with vile and derogatory language. They spoke of your rapid and frightening changes in mood, particularly when you were without access to cocaine.

"A common theme emerged of your treating the women as mere objects for your own sexual gratification... sometimes even when they were asleep."

McMillan was convicted of raping one woman "on various occasions," causing injury, in Stevenston from January to December 2022.

He raped a second woman multiple times in Kilwinning between June and September 2022, including while she was asleep. He also choked two victims, restricting their breathing and causing one to lose consciousness.

A third woman was raped and sexually assaulted in Kilbirnie from February to July 2023; McMillan performed sex acts on her while asleep and photographed her undressed.

Defense advocate Laura Radcliffe noted McMillan's denial, reflected in reports, adding:

"There is little, if anything, I can offer your lordship in mitigation.

“When passing sentence, take into account his lack of record, lack of analogous offending, his previous good work ethic and background of childhood trauma.”

McMillan has prior convictions for road traffic offenses and disorderly behavior but no sexual offenses.

Lord Harrower deemed a lengthy jail term appropriate, stating:

“I am grateful for all three women detailing the physical and psychological trauma they have experienced as a result of your actions.

“I have taken into account everything said on your behalf today but as I am sure you are aware, there is no option other than to impose a significant prison sentence.”

McMillan was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and given an indefinite non-harassment order protecting all three victims, one of whom he "planned to confront."

Description

A paedophile has been jailed for child sex offences committed in Wirral.

Daniel Connelly, 34 years, was sentenced to eight years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Wednesday 18 February, and was issued with a restraining order not to contact the victim and his mum, and required to sign the Sex Offender Register for life.

This sentencing relates to child sex offences Connelly, of East Parade in Rhyl but formerly from Birkenhead, committed the sex offences while he was a football manager where he groomed his victim over a two-year period from 2021. He then eventually progressed to engaging in sexual activity with the 13-year-old boy.

Following a trial Connelly was found guilty of Engage in sexual activity in presence of a child 13 to 15 - offender 18 or over, two counts of Cause / incite a boy 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity - offender 18 or over - penetration and two counts of Offender 18 or over engage in non-penetrative sexual activity with boy 13 to 15.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Atkinson said:

“Connelly abused his position of trust and preyed on a vulnerable child and spent time grooming them over a long period before sexually abusing them when they were alone.

“The victim and his family have showed immense courage and bravery throughout the investigation to reach this conviction, and he is now behind bars to prevent further harm to anyone else.

“I would like to reassure everyone that we have carried out a thorough investigation into his contact with other children when he coached football and while working as a teacher at a primary school, and no other victims have come to light.”

Detective Chief Inspector Atkinson added:

“I hope this sentencing encourages other victims to come forward and report sex offences to us, and they have confidence in us, as a police force, to take reports seriously where we will ensure offenders are put before the courts so that they can pay for their crimes.

“Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us.

“We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports, and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

“We urge anyone who is a victim of any form sexual abuse to please report this to police, as we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.

“We take all such reports extremely seriously, and in addition, work with partner organisations such as who are there to support victims of this crime.”

Description

A man who lured a woman to a hotel on the pretence of finding her employment has been found guilty of rape.

This follows an investigation demonstrating the Met’s commitment to tackling violence against woman and girls across London.

Gurwinder Singh, 37 (17.12.88) of Kingshill Avenue, Northolt, was convicted at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, 18 February.

He was found guilty of rape, attempted rape, assault by penetration, two counts of sexual assault and one count of common assault. He will be sentenced at the same court on Wednesday, 15 April.

Detectives believe the scale of Singh’s offending may be much wider and are making a direct appeal for any other victim-survivors to come forward.

The investigation

On 22 June 2025, a woman contacted police and reported she had been raped at a hotel in Paddington.

She told detectives she had been given the contact details of someone who could help her find a job, and began communicating with them via WhatsApp to find out more.

The victim-survivor spoke to someone she thought to be a woman, who said they could secure her shifts as a care worker, as long as she was able to provide her national insurance number and passport details.

She was given an address in Paddington and was told to meet there on the evening of 21 June, where she would be helping look after a sportsman with serious injuries.

On arrival at the station, she was met by a man who said he was a care assistant and would be working alongside her. They travelled together to a hotel, where the man left her in a room and said the patient would arrive soon.

Shortly afterwards, the same man returned to the room claiming he was the ‘sportsman’ and undressed, telling her he needed a massage. She refused to do so and he then became physically violent before assaulting and raping her.

The victim managed to run out of the hotel where two members of the public saw her in distress and helped her into a taxi.

Later that same evening, she received a call from the same person who had arranged the job, telling her the whole incident had been recorded and would ‘go viral’ if she reported it to anyone.

Despite these warnings, she bravely reported the incident to police the following day.

Detectives immediately began an investigation and tracked Singh down to the same hotel on 11 August, where he was arrested.

Police carried out a search of his home and seized nine devices which were forensically examined.

On downloading the data, it quickly became evident that the woman arranging the employment was in fact Singh, and that he had pretended to be a woman to gain the victim’s trust.

The appeal

After months trawling through messages, officers now believe Singh has been in contact with many other women who may have been victim to similar offences.

Investigative work has shown that Singh booked rooms at the same hotel on more than 100 occasions between December 2024 and August 2025, and that he had conversations with many other women pretending he could help find them work.

Officers are working to speak to those who have had contact with Singh on WhatsApp, but are also appealing for others to come forward following Singh’s conviction.

They are particularly keen to hear from women in the Indian community who live in the Hayes or Southall area, as they believe he may have targeted a specific community. However, detectives are keeping an open mind and are appealing to anyone who may have met or spoken to Singh online, or anyone who has any information about his offending.

Detective Constable Lydia Webb, who led the investigation, said:

“The victim in this case has shown incredible courage in coming forward and disclosing what happened to her – it is thanks to her bravery that Singh has been convicted and is unable to cause further harm.

“We believe that there may be other women who have been subject to Singh’s crimes and we want to provide reassurance that any reports will be fully investigated and dealt with sensitively and with compassion.

“We recognise that coming forward can be a daunting experience, but would encourage victim-survivors to speak with us so they can get the support and help they very much deserve. All victims of sexual assault are given anonymity for life."

Description

A convicted sex offender from Nelson has been jailed for breaching his registration requirements by traveling to Ukraine to fight against Russia without notifying police.

Aaron McGinty, 39, of Marsden Hall Road, failed to inform authorities when he obtained a passport and traveled abroad, and neglected to register upon returning to the UK.

He pleaded guilty to three charges of failing to comply with requirements and breaching a restraining order at Blackburn Magistrates' Court in December, then appeared at Burnley Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday (February 17).

The magistrates' hearing revealed the restraining order protected McGinty's ex-partner, who received messages and friend requests from him while he was in Ukraine.

In one message, he said: "It's made my blood thirsty being over here in Ukraine.

"I will come for you and all the members of your family."

Defending McGinty at the lower court, John Rusius said the defendant "didn't want to live" upon his 2024 prison release and "decided to take himself out to Ukraine and fight in the war."

Mr. Rusius added that McGinty spent his last five days in Ukraine sitting in a trench with his friend's body, awaiting escape.

Recorder Alex Leach sentenced McGinty to 18 months in prison at the Crown Court.

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An Oxford judge has urged a man jailed for breaching court orders to "get on with his life."

Benjaman Johnson, 31, of Abingdon Road, Oxford, was sentenced on February 17 at Oxford Crown Court after pleading guilty to failing to comply with sex offenders' register requirements and breaching his sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard Johnson was released from prison on January 14 this year. Five days later, on January 19, his offender manager discovered a Samsung phone used in incognito mode—a breach of the order—and an unreported bank card, leading to his arrest.

Johnson admitted the breaches in a police interview. He has two prior convictions for five offenses, including sexual communication with a child and attempting to meet a girl under 16, plus a previous breach of his sexual harm prevention order.

Prosecutor Alexandra Bushell said: "This was a very serious breach, it was deliberate."

Defense counsel Gareth James noted: "He was using incognito mode. That does pose a serious risk as police didn't know what he was doing with the phone." He added concerns about Johnson's mental health, accepting "there is little alternative open to the court" and that "he does not seem to be suitable for provisions in the community."

Judge Michael Gledhill KC said: "You've had difficulties in your childhood and early adult life. When you appeared at Swindon Crown Court, you pleaded guilty to two very serious offences. They were trying to communicate with a child for sexual purposes and attempting to meet a child. That judge gave you a chance, but it wasn't long before you breached that chance."

The judge continued: "You were released from prison on January 14 this year and you were well aware of the sexual harm prevention order. Five days later your offender manager arrived and discovered you were using incognito mode. In these circumstances, you were arrested. This was a serious breach and it was deliberate. We don't know what you were accessing in incognito mode."

Johnson was jailed for 12 months, with his phone ordered deprived.

Judge Gledhill added: "You're now 31, you can't go on like this. You need to get on with your life and not come back before the courts."

Description

A judge has warned dangerous sex offender Siah Riley that "a life sentence is not out of the question" after he admitted to an extraordinary series of crimes against 121 young victims.

Derby Crown Court heard how the 35-year-old from Normanton created a fake online persona as a teenage boy, coercing victims—many underage, some as young as 12—into sending indecent photos or videos of themselves performing sexual acts while naked or partially clothed. Riley captured screenshots from Snapchat and organized them into folders named after the victims.

When victims stopped complying, he blackmailed them by threatening to share the explicit material. All victims were real individuals, not decoys from vigilante groups or undercover police.

Appearing from custody, Riley, of Walbrook Road, pleaded guilty to 144 of 145 charges during a 45-minute hearing dedicated to reading them out. An additional count of arranging or facilitating a child sex offence will lie on file, per Derbyshire Live.

Remanding Riley in custody ahead of sentencing later this spring, Judge Shaun Smith KC said:

"Before I sentence you I will need as much information about you in order to do what I am going to do. Obviously it is going to be a prison sentence and obviously it is going to be very long.

"Quite frankly this is a very, very, unusual case even for a judge and ex-barrister as experienced as me. There are 121 victims and these offences are not like, for example, burglaries where there are TICs (other offences to be taken into consideration).

"You have got a serious previous conviction and a life sentence is not out of the question. But if it is not going to be a life sentence it is going to be one of many years."

The offences, spanning 2021 to 2023, targeted mostly UK-based victims, with some possibly abroad. Riley admitted to:

• 12 counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in penetrative sexual activity.
• 9 counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity.
• 45 counts of causing or inciting a child under 16 to engage in penetrative sexual activity.
• 49 counts of causing or inciting a child under 16 to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity.
• 5 counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child.
• 2 counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in prostitution or pornography.
• 22 counts of blackmail.

Judge Smith asked prosecutor Leanne Summers:

"This is an unusual presentation of the evidence, how many of the 121 victims are real and how many are decoys?"

She replied:

"They are all real people but not all have provided (victim impact) statements."

Sentencing is set for May 7, expected to last a full day.

Description

A racist sex offender sent a threatening message to BBC Radio Nottingham presenter Arun Verma, vowing to "stab you 22 times in revenge for the Manchester Arena bombing" while using highly offensive racist language.

The message, seen by station staff and Verma, breached a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) from prior sex offense convictions when Michael James deleted it.

At Nottingham Crown Court, the 57-year-old's barrister, Clarkson Baptiste, said his client "can’t explain" his motivation, has no "particular views towards Mr Verma or the BBC," and wished to apologize. James has been in custody since his November arrest, with health issues including a tracheotomy, spinal tube, and an 18-month prognosis.

Prosecutor Dawn Pritchard detailed the November 20 incident: James, a persistent caller identifying as "Michael from Daybrook," messaged, "Notts get off the radio you dirty wannabee P*** terrorist b*****d. Allah, Allah, it will be when I stab you 22 times in revenge for the Manchester Arena bombing." The station alerted police; Verma read it but made no statement. It was "clearly racially motivated," and James violated his SHPO by deleting it without permission.

James, of Frobisher Gardens, Daybrook, pleaded guilty to breaching the order and sending a communication threatening serious harm. He has an "extensive criminal record."

Jailing him for 40 weeks, Judge Rupert Mayo said:

"Mr James, I accept your apology and I don’t think anybody but you can explain why you did what you did. You sent a highly offensive and racist comment during a broadcast by the BBC which would have come up in the studio and would have been seen by the presenter and those working that evening. We have freedom of speech but that does not mean we can say what we like when we like. At the time you were the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for past offences against people younger than you and one of its requirements was not to delete any messages, which is exactly what you then did."

Description

A rapist has been jailed for 20 years after using terrifying violence to carry out his attacks.

Peter Gilbert, 54, of Manor Street, Plymouth, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence on Wednesday 18 February after being found guilty at trial of three counts of rape.

Gilbert was also convicted by a jury of one non-sexual offence, as well as pleading guilty to breach of a court order and disclosing an intimate video with intent to cause distress.

Gilbert must sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and a restraining order was put in place to protect the victim.

The offences took place in Newquay, Plymouth and Truro.

The court heard how in June 2022, Gilbert attended Charles Cross Police Station in relation to an unrelated matter.

While in the station he became flustered and started pacing the room before saying to officers that he had carried out a sexual offence.

The victim was spoken to while Gilbert was in custody and stated that Gilbert had raped her on several occasions – including after a night out in Newquay.

The victim described freezing during the attacks and Gilbert making a variety of threats against her.

A further attack took place at the victim’s home, in which Gilbert said he was twice the size of the victim and she had no choice but to do what he wanted.

Gilbert made additional threats of violence, including with weapons and showed footage of an oral rape to others. He carefully filmed the attack to make sure the victim was visible and not him.

Gilbert made no comment in interview.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Simon Carr commented how Gilbert preyed upon his victim and such was the violence he demonstrated towards her, he even stubbed out cigarettes on her arms causing scarring.

Judge Carr added that Gilbert filmed the rapes and used the footage as a weapon.

Detective Sergeant Megan Cornish, said:

“Peter Gilbert is an extremely dangerous rapist and sexual predator who used violence and threats in order to rape his victim.

“Gilbert showed no regard for her wellbeing in his evil pursuit for sexual gratification. 

“I would like to praise the immense courage of the victim, who has remained engaged from when she was first spoken to, right through to the court process.

“It is her bravery that has enabled Gilbert to be brought to justice for his crimes.

“While I do not underestimate the psychological damage caused by Gilbert’s actions, I hope she is now able to feel some form of closure.”