Latest Offenders

Description

A 30-year-old man who worked at a Wrexham school has been jailed for grooming and sexually abusing a pupil.

Toby Haslam, 30, of Old Newcastle Road, Willaston, appeared for sentencing at Mold Crown Court today, 15 April.

He previously admitted nine offences including seven counts of sexual activity with a child – two of which were penetrative, a count of engaging in sexual communication with a child and possessing an indecent photograph of a child.

He was jailed for six years and handed a ten-year restraining order to protect the victim.

He also received a ten-year sexual harm prevention order and must register with police indefinitely.

In September 2024, North Wales Police received a report a Haslam had been grooming a 15-year-old child at the school he worked and had taken the girl to his home where he had sexually assaulted her.

An investigation discovered Haslam had been speaking to the child on social media. The conversations had become sexual, and he had bought her multiple gifts.

He was also found to have indecent images on his phone.

When the victim returned to school after a summer break, she reported her relationship with Haslam to a schoolteacher.

Investigating officer Detective Constable James Grimwood of the Vulnerable Persons Unit said:

“The victim in this case has been courageous throughout the police investigation.

“She was a vulnerable schoolgirl who had sought support from a member of teaching staff. By virtue of Haslam’s job title, he held a position of trust over her and abused his position of trust for his own sexual gratification.

“He has shown no signs of remorse throughout the investigation.

“The court outcome today reflects the seriousness of this incident, and I hope that this offers a level of closure for the victim.

“If any other person has been a victim of a sexual offence, I urge them to report this to North Wales Police.”

Description

The first person in Gwent to be convicted of a cyberflashing offence has been jailed for 13 months.

Ryan Thomas was convicted under the Online Safety Act after cyberflashing became an offence in England and Wales on 31 January 2024.

The 33-year-old from Abercarn was on bail after being charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl when he sent a video of his genitals to a woman.

He was found guilty of both offences at Newport Crown Court on Wednesday 1 April.

Detective Superintendent, Michelle Chaplin said:

“Ryan Thomas is a dangerous, sexual predator who gains sexual gratification by causing alarm and distress to others.

“Cyberflashing is a serious crime which leaves a lasting impact on victims. It is not and should not be dismissed as ‘banter’ or a thoughtless joke.

“The recent Angiolini inquiry suggests that there is a strong link between these types of offences and a potential escalation toward serious sexual/violent offences and so we would encourage anyone who has been a victim of this crime to come forward.

“I hope today’s sentencing sends a clear message that cyberflashing is a serious offence and that perpetrators cannot hide behind a screen.”

Ryan Thomas was convicted of sexual assault against a female child (aged 14) and cyberflashing on Wednesday 1 April. He was sentenced to x at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday 15 April.

Description

A man who raped a young woman while she slept, has been jailed.

Joshua Downing raped the woman, who was in her late teens, while she was asleep.

The following morning the woman noticed she was in pain and experienced flashbacks of Downing, who was known to her, raping her as she drifted in and out of sleep.

Downing, of Barton Court, Mansfield, initially denied the attack that took place at an address in Derby in June 2024 before going on to admit it to the victim and her family.

The 21-year-old was arrested shortly after the rape and subsequently charged to appear at court.

He admitted charges of rape, sexual assault (x2), and assault by penetration during a hearing at Derby Crown Court on 29 January this year.

On 15 March, at the same court, a judge sentenced Downing to eight years and two months’ imprisonment.

He was also ordered to register with police and issued a restraining order in respect of his victim.

Both orders will last indefinitely.

Detective Constable Ellen Sanders, officer in the case, said:

“The victim in the case has been deeply traumatised by Downing’s actions and has struggled to function normally since the rape happened almost two years ago.

“It has been a long road for her, and I want to thank her for her courage, during our investigation and the court process.

“While it can’t take away the emotional anguish, I hope that seeing Downing sentenced and held accountable for his offences will allow her the strength to move forward.”

Description

A sex offender has been jailed after six breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

58-year-old Alan Falconer, of The Green, Billingham (pictured below), was jailed on Friday 10th April for three-and-a-half years after it was found that he had been having contact with children.

Falconer had deceived the children’s families and didn’t disclose his previous convictions against children, including rape, attempted rape and indecent assault.

After contacting the police with concerns, an investigation was carried out and it was found that Falconer had been using grooming tactics with the families involved in order to gain access to the children.

He was arrested on 10th March and charged with six breaches of an SHPO.

Detective Constable Niamh Birdsall, from Cleveland Police’s Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders Department, said: 

“I would like to thank the families of the children involved in these matters for coming forward and supporting this police investigation, which has now concluded with Falconer behind bars.

“Our communities have been protected from any further offending, and a dangerous offender has been jailed. I hope this can now bring some comfort to everyone involved.”

Description

A man has admitted rape, strangulation, stalking and other offences against two women in north Staffordshire.

Jacob Leslie Simcock, 35, of Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 14 April) and admitted two counts of rape of a woman, two counts of intentional strangulation, two counts of threatening to share a photograph or film of a person in an intimate state, one count of engaging in controlling / coercive behaviour and one count of stalking involving fear of violence.

Simcock raped and strangled one of the women inside a house last year. He raped the same woman in a separate incident before offences were disclosed to us.

After speaking to the survivor, we found out Simcock had also threatened to share explicit videos of the woman and had tried to stop her from contacting anyone. He told her he would ‘batter’ her and he’d run her over.

Simcock also recorded both of the rapes. We later found them as part of our investigation and informed the survivor, who was unaware they existed at the time.

Simcock also strangled, stalked and threatened to share indecent images of another survivor last year. He asked the survivor to tell us that she had been lying and he would try to call her from withheld numbers when she was at a police station. He also told her that he ‘isn’t scared’ about petrol bombing her house.

Officers from our rape and serious sexual offences unit (RASSO) worked tirelessly to support both of the survivors and to build all of the evidence needed to secure the charges against Simcock.

Faced with the evidence in court, he pleaded guilty, despite originally denying the offences on interview.

Simcock has now been remanded and is due to be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 9 July this year.

Detective Constable Adele Thompson and Investigative Officer Janine Shropshire, from RASSO, said:

“Simcock has inflicted a great deal of pain and suffering on the two brave women in this investigation, who have shown tremendous courage in coming forward.

“We are pleased we’ve been able to build all of the evidence needed to secure this conviction as early as possible, and I hope it now provides them some form of comfort knowing he is behind bars and awaiting sentencing.”

Description

A man, aged 41, has been jailed for 13 years after being found guilty of two counts of rape and coercive and controlling behaviour.

Aftab Zulfiqar (09/03/1985), of no fixed address, was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on 15th April 2026.

Through exceptional courage, the survivor came forward to report Zulfiqar, beginning a process that required her to confront and relive deeply traumatic experiences in pursuit of justice.

The survivor was in a relationship with Zulfiqar for three years, during which she was subjected to sustained and escalating abuse that had a profound impact on her life.

Zulfiqar controlled every aspect of her daily routine, including what she wore, when she slept, what she ate and drank, who she was allowed to speak to and how she lived, isolating her from friends and support networks.

His constant demands for contact while she was at work placed significant pressure on her which resulted in her losing a job she loved, increasing her reliance on him.

During the relationship, Zulfiqar raped her on multiple occasions, exploiting the trust of their relationship and manipulating her into believing the abuse was not rape.

Over three years, the survivor endured mental, emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Despite the trauma she suffered, she showed exceptional courage in reporting Zulfiqar in October 2023 through our LiveChat function, concluding in him being arrested.  

LiveChat is a great way to report crimes discreetly.

She fully supported the investigation and stood up in court to give evidence against the man who abused her.

The survivor, in her victim impact statement, said:

“My relationship with Aftab has had a huge impact on my life, more than can be put into words really. I had little confidence any way but since being with Aftab, I have none at all.

“He drilled it into me that much that I’m ugly and worthless that I believed it and now struggle with confidence, and I don’t want to meet anyone.

“I don’t think I could ever trust someone again, I gave Aftab everything and he was never nice to me.

“I was so scared of doing anything wrong. At the smallest thing, he would attack me then throw me out of his flat.

“I was always to blame for everything – he once stood on the plug of my hair dryer and then smashed my hairdryer up and physically attacked me because it was somehow my fault.

“It makes me worried for future relationships and how I’ll be because I am so deeply hurt.

“I really feel that my relationship with Aftab and everything he has put me through will stay with me forever, but I’m determined that he hasn’t won, and I can now start to live a peaceful life after being put through 5 and a half years of hell.”

Following his arrest, Zulfiqar continued to cause distress by posting about the investigation and those involved on social media, leading to his remand in custody, where he has remained since September 2024.

Detective Constable Lucy Hamilton said:

“I want to commend the survivor for the remarkable courage she has shown in coming forward and supporting this investigation.

“Reporting offences of this nature is incredibly difficult, and it is through her bravery that a very dangerous man is now behind bars.

“We want to be absolutely clear: we take all reports of rape and sexual offences extremely seriously, and we will relentlessly pursue perpetrators.

“It is also vital that people understand coercive and controlling behaviour is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated.

“I hope this outcome provides the survivor with some measure of justice as she continues to rebuild her life. Her courage has protected other women from harm, and we will continue to stand with her, and every survivor, in the fight to bring offenders like Zulfiqar to justice."

Description

A prolific offender has been jailed for propositioning a child to perform a sexual act at Hull Paragon station, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation. 

Ben Puckering, aged 39 and of no fixed abode, was jailed for 18 months at Hull Crown Court on 2 April after pleading guilty to Inciting a Child to Engage in Sexual Activity.

The court heard how on 7 December last year, Puckering, who uses a wheelchair, approached the 14-year-old boy as he passed through the station with friends and propositioned him to perform a sex act in exchange for cash.

The boy, who was visibly terrified and shaken, reported the incident to station security staff who immediately contacted BTP.

Puckering was arrested and refused to answer any questions in interview, only commenting that ‘there would be no witnesses’.

BTP PC Natasha Hawley said:

“I would like to commend the victim for the courage and resilience he has shown in reporting Puckering’s crime and supporting our investigation.

“Cases of this nature can have a lasting impact, and I hope the sentence handed to Puckering provides reassurance that he has been held accountable for his actions and will remain off the streets for some time.

“Puckering has a long history of offending in and around the station and this is by no means his first conviction. He now has a long stint behind bars to rethink his disgusting behaviour.

“This case highlights the importance of speaking out – we take every report of sexual offending seriously and will stop at nothing to bring offenders like Puckering to justice.“

Description

A man who was spotted by a fellow passenger viewing indecent images of children on his phone has been jailed following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

David Johnson, 35 and of Francis Chichester Way, Wandsworth, was sentenced to two years and three months imprisonment at Inner London Crown Court on Wednesday 1 April.

He had previously pleaded guilty to six counts of Making Indecent Images of Children, two counts of Attempting to Engage in Sexual Communication with a Child and Arranging or Facilitating the Commission of a Child Sex Offence.

Johnson was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 10 years and must also sign the sex offender register for 10 years.

The court heard that at around midday on 23 September 2025, Johnson was travelling on a train from Stafford to London.

A member of the public was sat behind him, and he could see Johnson's mobile phone screen.

The man could see Johnson exchanging messages with someone before he opened a video showing a young child being abused. He then switched to another chat where a person asked him 'what kinds of videos do you like? I have all kinds'. Johnson replied, 'just kids videos'.

Stunned, the man messaged his own partner to say what was happening. When he looked back up, Johnson was watching another video showing an even younger child being abused.

The man was so shaken by what he had seen he got up to move to another part of the carriage before reporting Johnson using BTP's 61016 text service.

BTP officers rushed to meet the train at London Euston railway station, where Johnson was arrested on suspicion of possession of indecent images of children.

He was searched and officers seized his mobile phone – its screen wallpaper was an indecent image of a child.

When he was taken into custody, Johnson asked officers if he could have his property back as he “needed to delete some stuff”. He offered no comment to all questions put to him in interview.

Officers began searching two addresses linked to Johnson and seized a number of devices for examination. The phone seized at his arrest was found to contain nearly 200 indecent images of children, including 105 in category A – the most severe images.

As part of their enquiries detectives also recovered two chat transcripts, one of which showed he had been speaking to a girl he believed was 13 years old and had arranged to meet her for sex.

The other chat transcript was with an older woman and appeared to reference the same 13-year-old girl, but the woman had told Johnson that he could not see her as she was unwell. Johnson stated that he was on the train back to London – the journey in which the passenger saw his phone that ultimately led to his arrest.

Officers later established that the 13-year-old girl did not exist.

Johnson was released on bail while detectives collated evidence against him, and charges were authorised in December 2025.

BTP Detective Constable Victoria Lowth said:

"The quick thinking and courage of the man who saw Johnson's phone meant that we were able to quickly arrest him and uncover the scale of his offending. I’d like to offer our sincerest thanks to that man, whose actions have directly led to Johnson's imprisonment.

“Behind every image and video Johnson owned is a vulnerable child that has been exploited and abused. He is clearly a danger to children and has rightly been handed substantial jail sentence, and stringent conditions have been put in place to prevent him from offending further.

“We will always do everything we can to make the railway a hostile place for criminals, and especially those whose offending targets children.”

Description

A 52-year-old man has been sent to prison after he was found guilty of eight child sex offences.

Between 2008 and 2019, Derek McAvoy sexually abused a girl on multiple occasions, touching her inappropriately and taking photos of her in various states of undress.

The girl bravely reported the offences to Northamptonshire Police in 2019, and McAvoy was arrested and subsequently charged with one count of sexually assaulting a girl under 13, four counts of sexually assaulting a girl under 16, two counts of causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of voyeurism.

McAvoy, formerly of Northbrook, Corby, took the case to a trial at Northampton Crown Court which lasted four days and ended at the beginning of the month (April 2) with guilty verdicts from the jury on all eight counts. 

He was sentenced on the same day to 11 years in prison.

Detective Constable Kirstie Brooks from Northamptonshire Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said:

“I am really pleased to see this case end with guilty verdicts, and I hope the survivor in this case feels both a sense of justice and that she has been truly listened to and heard.

“McAvoy’s abuse was extensive and prolonged, and he is now thankfully behind bars, where people who commit these types of offences belong.

“I would like to thank retired officer, DC Sharon Jephcott, for the work she did on this case, and I also want to reassure the public that we will continue working hard in the Child Abuse Investigation Unit to ensure more people like McAvoy end up in a prison cell.”

Description

A man has been sentenced for having and making indecent images of children in Runcorn.

Rory James appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday 2 April where he was sentenced to 22 months in prison.

The 43-year-old of no fixed abode was previously found guilty by a jury of three counts of making indecent images of children, possessing indecent images of children, and possessing prohibited images of children.

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register and subjected to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order as well as a rehabilitation activity requirement.

James was found in possession of a total of nine indecent images of children ranging from category C and B to category A, which is the most serious. He was also found in possession of extreme pornography.

Detectives from Cheshire Constabulary’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team acting on information they received, discovered the images after executing a warrant at his address.

DC Anna Hull said:

“Our team is dedicated to protecting children and are actively making enquiries into information we receive about those who may be involved in making, sharing or taking indecent images.

“You may think you’re safe looking at these abominable and illegal images in your own home, but that is not the case, and we may come knocking on your door one day.”

Description

A 52-year-old man has been sent to prison after he was found guilty of eight child sex offences.

Between 2008 and 2019, Derek McAvoy sexually abused a girl on multiple occasions, touching her inappropriately and taking photos of her in various states of undress.

The girl bravely reported the offences to Northamptonshire Police in 2019, and McAvoy was arrested and subsequently charged with one count of sexually assaulting a girl under 13, four counts of sexually assaulting a girl under 16, two counts of causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of voyeurism.

McAvoy, formerly of Northbrook, Corby, took the case to a trial at Northampton Crown Court which lasted four days and ended at the beginning of the month (April 2) with guilty verdicts from the jury on all eight counts. 

He was sentenced on the same day to 11 years in prison.

Detective Constable Kirstie Brooks from Northamptonshire Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said:

“I am really pleased to see this case end with guilty verdicts, and I hope the survivor in this case feels both a sense of justice and that she has been truly listened to and heard.

“McAvoy’s abuse was extensive and prolonged, and he is now thankfully behind bars, where people who commit these types of offences belong.

“I would like to thank retired officer, DC Sharon Jephcott, for the work she did on this case, and I also want to reassure the public that we will continue working hard in the Child Abuse Investigation Unit to ensure more people like McAvoy end up in a prison cell.”

Description

A man has been jailed for six years for sexually assaulting a woman as she slept.

Mark McIlwaine, 49, of Elizabeth Court, Higher Bugle, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence on Friday 10 April having previously been found guilty of sexual assault by penetration and causing a female to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity.

The court heard how McIlwaine assaulted his victim in her sleep, and initially when challenged pretended nothing had happened.

McIlwaine denied any such offending in interview.

Officer in the case Detective Constable Emily Rickard said:

“We welcome the sentence given to Mark McIlwaine who showed no consideration for the victim in this case as he sought about fulfilling his own sexual desires.

“McIlwaine has showed no remorse for what he has put the victim through.

“I would like to thank the victim for having the bravery to report what had happened to her, and for remaining engaged throughout court proceedings.

"The reporting of these incidents to police will further protect women and girls in the future."

Description

A man from Swansea has been jailed after he was found guilty of rape and assault, both against the same victim.

30-year-old Adam Ezalden, from Waun Wen, punched and kicked his victim on a number of occasions after the victim had made clear that he did not have her consent. The victim was only able to escape the assault, which took place in April 2024, after elbowing Ezalden to the face and taking the opportunity to run away.

Ezalden was found guilty of rape and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in March 2026. He has this week been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

Detective Constable Carys Davies said:

“This was a harrowing attack in which Adam Ezalden used his clear power over the victim to achieve sexual gratification, even using violence as he did so.

“He is clearly a danger to women and is therefore not welcome on the streets of Swansea.

“We hope that the victim is able to overcome her trauma suffered at the hands of Adam Ezalden, and commend her for her bravery in coming forward.”

Description

A serial sex offender prowled Liverpool city centre in his Mercedes, targeting vulnerable teenagers on nights out before raping and assaulting three victims.

Amponsah Thompson posed as a taxi driver to lure one woman into his car and attacked her in the back seat.

The sexual predator then preyed on a second lone teenager he found slumped on the ground, drove her to his home and raped her as she drifted in and out of consciousness. He repeatedly raped a third victim and threatened her with a knife.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the first victim, an 18-year-old woman, had been on a night out in August 2024, visiting bars including Heebie Jeebies and Lost in Seel Street. Very drunk and alone shortly after 2am, she approached Thompson’s white Mercedes near what was then Alma de Cuba and asked if he was a taxi driver. 

Prosecutor David Polglase said the 29-year-old “lied and pretended that he was”. She got in expecting a lift home, but he drove her to his address on Rocky Lane in Tuebrook, joined her in the back seat and touched her between the thighs. She escaped by pretending her family were calling and had her location. She insisted on paying him; police later traced him through bank transfers.

Thompson denied pretending to be a taxi driver or entering the back seat, claiming he stopped only to collect identification and had no physical contact with her.

Released on bail, he struck again in December 2024. He targeted another “extremely drunk and vulnerable” 18-year-old who had become separated from friends after visiting pubs including a JD Wetherspoon, McCooley’s and Soho. He was seen escorting her to his car at around 3.30am after she had been slumped by a wall. She recalled “zoning in and out of sleep” as he raped her, waking at his flat before he drove her home.

Thompson, described as

“essentially prowling on both occasions”, later claimed the sex was consensual. Throughout 2025 he raped a third woman an estimated six or seven times, subjecting her to violent assaults and threatening her with a knife.

Mr Polglase told the court: “We say that this defendant is manipulative. He is a sexual predator. He has little or no regard for the boundaries of and consent for sex.”

Thompson had no previous convictions, though he had been investigated over an alleged sexual assault on a lap dancer in January 2024 that did not lead to charges.

Defence barrister Anthony O’Donohoe said:

“Prior to these matters, the defendant was a man of good character with no previous convictions. His immigration status is currently that he has leave to remain, but that is subject to review.

“I simply ask that the sentence is as short as is consistent with your honour’s public duty, leading to a sentence that is no doubt condign. It may well be, your honour, with the nature of sentences that you have under consideration, that an extended sentence would be condign and allow further supervision and licence in the community upon eventually release, by extension to what will doubtless be a significant custodial sentence.”

Thompson admitted sexual assault on the first victim and three counts of rape against the third. He was convicted by a jury of raping the second. Appearing via video link from HMP Liverpool, he was jailed for 23 years with an extended eight-year licence.

Sentencing, Judge Brian Cummings KC said:

“My own assessment, having regard to all of the circumstances of the offences, is that you are a dangerous offender, and there would remain a significant risk to members of the public of serious harm at the point that you would have otherwise served a fixed term sentence. It may be that you will be considered by the appropriate authority for deportation. I make no order in that regard. It is a matter for that appropriate authority to consider.”

Thompson must serve at least two-thirds of the 23-year term before parole eligibility and will sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

Description

Three men sentenced following an in-depth investigation into the rape of a young girl.

The sentence follows a swift investigation led by Met Police detectives; with all three men arrested and charged within ten days of the victim reporting the offence.

The three men were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, 10 April to a combined 29 years in prison after being convicted in January of rape, sexual assault, trafficking and creating indecent images of a young girl at the same court.

• Daryl German, 43 (30.08.92) of Melfield Gardens, Lewisham was sentenced to 15 years, with three on an extended licence. He was convicted of arranging travel for exploitation, three counts of rape, assault by penetration and two counts of making indecent images of a child.
• Jordan Donely Wint, 31 (18.11.94) of Winterstoke road, Lewisham was sentenced to six years imprisonment. He was convicted of one count of rape and one count of assault by penetration.
• Deon Smith, 45 (22.12.80) of New Cross Road, Lewisham was sentenced to seven years imprisonment. He was convicted of once count of rape.
  All three were also placed on the sex offenders register for life.

On 27, June 2025 police were made aware of a report of rape that took place at residential address in New Cross area.

Officers immediately launched an investigation and safeguarded the victim, who was 14 at the time of the offence.

Due to the diligence of detectives and a combination of strong forensic and digital evidence, the three men were each arrested within the first week of July 2025 and charged on the same day of their respective arrests.

Detective Constable Jack Best, who led the Met’s investigation, said:

“I extend my thanks to the victim, whose exceptional resilience and determination has proved crucial to the successful prosecution of three dangerous individuals.

“The dedicated investigation team uncovered evidence which proved the harmful actions all three individuals played throughout the attack, securing their removal from London’s streets.

“We’ve transformed the way we investigate rape and sexual offences, more than doubling the number of rape cases charged since 2021.

“We are working to ensure all victim-survivors have the confidence to report these awful crimes by listening to their feedback and working with charities and partners across the criminal justice system.

After reviewing CCTV and digital evidence, officers discovered German was the principal offender in this case.

After identifying a 14 year old girl who was walking alone in Catford, he quickly exploited her vulnerability. German coerced the victim into going to his flat, where he raped her.

Following this assault, German invited his associate Wint to the address. When Wint arrived, the two men became aware that the victim was a missing child. Their failure to contact her family or the police demonstrated their clear and sinister intent.

German later sent explicit messages to a third associate, Smith, referencing sexual contact with the victim. The victim was subsequently taken to Smith’s address, where she was raped again.

From the first report, the victim has been supported by specially trained officers. This support proved vital.