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Description

A man has been jailed for four years and eight months after previously admitting to child sexual offences.

Calin Rus, 47, of Hatfield, appeared at St Albans Crown Court for sentencing on Friday 23 January 2026.

He had pled guilty to the following charges at court on Tuesday 16 September last year:  

• Attempting to arrange/facilitate sexual activity with a child under 13
• Being in possession and distributing an indecent image of a child
• Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child

HHJ Johnson handed Rus custodial sentences totalling four years and eight months for all three counts, to run concurrently, and he will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order upon release.

He came to the attention of Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Child Online Safeguarding Team following intelligence disseminated by the National Crime Agency where the user of a Snapchat account had uploaded child sexual abuse material.

He arranged to watch the live-streamed sexual abuse of whom he believed to be a 10-year-old girl, when in reality he was engaging with another adult user.

Rus was arrested in connection with the offences at a commercial premises on Market Place, Hatfield, on Thursday 14 August 2025, and remanded into custody the following day.

Investigator Julia Stone, who investigated Rus’ offending, said:

“Rus discussed in very graphic terms the sexual abuse of a 10-year-old child and attempted to minimise his behaviour by describing it as fantasy.

“In a well-coordinated joint approach with other law enforcement agencies, the Child Online Safeguarding Team were able to quickly locate Rus and arrest him just as he was preparing to watch the abuse live.

“All online sexual offences against children cause lasting harm to victims and families, and they place heavy demands on safeguarding and justice systems. They also undermine trust in online spaces and can fuel wider criminal activity across the world.”

Description

A man has been jailed for 18 years after he was found guilty of non-recent child sex offences in Farnborough.

Dominic Mulligan, 52, of Elles Close, Farnborough, assaulted two victims in the Farnborough area between 2003 and 2012. The offences were reported to police in 2023.

Following a trial at Winchester Crown Court, he was found guilty of:

• Rape a girl under 13
• Rape a girl under 16
• Rape a woman 16 years of age or over
• Assault a girl under 13 by penetration
• Assault a girl under 13 by touching
• Cause / incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity

Mulligan was jailed for 18 years, with an extended licence period of one year, at the same court on Monday 26 January.

He was also made subject of a restraining order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which prevents him from contacting children. He will also be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

T/Detective Sergeant Bethan Hastelow, from Hart and Rushmoor CID, said:

“Firstly I would like to thank both victims for their bravery throughout the investigation and trial.

“I hope both women can try and move forward knowing that Dominic Mulligan will spend a large portion of his life behind bars for what he did to them.

“I sincerely hope this sentence gives other victims of sexual offences the confidence to bring their case to us.

“No matter how long ago the incident occurred we will do everything we can to investigate and bring offenders to justice.”

Description

Following the courage of a young girl and a jury who saw through a Derbyshire man’s deception, Paul Dowsing has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for repeatedly raping a child.

Dowsing, 61, of Creswell Road, Clowne, Derbyshire was found guilty by jury at Sheffield Crown Court earlier this month (16 January) following a five-day trail where the court heard how Dowsing had continuously raped a child over a three-year period.

Dowsing’s victim has showed incredible bravery throughout the investigation and officers have commended her bravery in ensuring that Dowsing serves times in prison for his actions.

Investigating Officer Simone Stacey from the Rotherham Protecting Vulnerable People Team said:

“The courage this victim has shown is extraordinary. Coming forward to report such a traumatic crime takes immense strength, and throughout the entire investigation she has displayed resilience that commands deep respect.

“Her determination to speak the truth after such a prolonged period of abuse has been vital in securing justice.

“I personally want to commend her bravery and other victims of sexual abuse who may be suffering in silence — that we will always listen, we will always support you, and we will do everything in our power to hold offenders accountable. We are here for you when you’re ready to talk.”

Dowsing appeared at Sheffield Crown Court today (30 January) and was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

He was also given a restraining order and a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

IO Stacey added:

“While I understand that today’s sentencing does not erase the abuse the victim has suffered, I hope it brings some closure to this chapter of her life and enables her to move on.”

Victims of rape are automatically granted lifelong anonymity under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act. Please remember that it is a criminal offence to identify them in any way.

Description

A Swindon man has avoided prison after downloading child abuse material.

Liam Culley, 38, of Kingswood Avenue, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of distributing an indecent image. He appeared at Swindon Crown Court on 9 January.

The court heard he had stored at least 1,319 images on his iPhone 15 and shared one online. He also admitted possessing an extreme pornographic image involving intercourse with a live dog.

The offences occurred between May 2017 and July 2024.

Culley received a two-year suspended prison sentence. He must complete 225 hours of unpaid work within 12 months, a 26-day sex offender programme, and 15 rehabilitation activity days with probation.

He must register as a sex offender for 10 years and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for the same period, including prohibitions on internet-enabled devices and a ban on deleting activity history.

Description

A convicted sex offender who stole more than £1,500 from the bar where he worked—including £600 raised for charity—has been jailed.

Brian Donnelly, 38, failed to disclose his prior conviction for downloading child sex abuse images when hired as bar manager at The 9 Anchors pub in Seaton Carew, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Albany Kidd said Donnelly began taking cash home after shifts but spent it, adding: “He was the sole person to have a key to the safe and that was a high degree of trust.”

Donnelly had received an eight-month suspended prison sentence in June last year. He pleaded guilty to stealing £1,575 on September 1.

Mitigating, Nick Ayres said his client struggled with alcohol, was addressing it via probation, and pleaded guilty early. “This started out because the defendant was taking cash home because there was no safe and I think he regretted that,” he added. “He wasn’t paid by his employers, he would say, so he stupidly spent this cash as he had rent arrears mounting up.”

Judge Advocate Tom Mitchell activated the suspended sentence, stating: “I do understand that alcoholism is a terrible disease but it doesn’t often reduce people to the position that you are in – there is an element of choice that goes with it.

“You committed an imprisonable offence shortly into an order which was suspended. It would have been explained to you the consequences of breaching a suspended sentence order – it always is.

“I can’t make a liar out of judges who tell you that – if someone breaches a suspended sentence then I have to imprison them because the law says I must do so.”

Donnelly, of Borrowdale Street, Hartlepool, was jailed for 14 months.

Description

A man has today been sentenced following a joint investigation by Cleveland Police and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU).

Hassan Hussain, 20, came to the attention of authorities in April 2024, when he used online digital platforms to talk to a child who he believed was 12 years old.

He sent the child intimate photos and videos of himself and asked whether they can meet, saying he could “meet any time” and “get the train” to her.

On 8th May 2024, Hussain was arrested and his mobile phone was seized which had a number of images of himself which matched with those sent in the chat.

A number of web searches were also found on his device including the terms “teen girls” and “chat rooms for 11-year-olds.”

He was charged with attempted sexual communication with a child and causing a child to watch/look at an image of sexual activity. He was bailed by the courts until his next court appearance.

Despite having to abide by a number of conditions, just a week after he was charged, Hussain continued his predatory offending by sending intimate photos of himself and talking sexually to a young child.

Hussain was once again arrested and further charged with engaging in sexual communication with a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and failing to comply with notification requirements.

He pleaded guilty to all offences and appeared at Teesside Crown Court on 30th January where he was jailed for six years with three years on extended licence.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Barnes from the Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) said: 

“Hussain poses a significant risk to children and I’m pleased that he is now behind bars where he can’t cause any further harm.

“Despite being charged with child sex offences, he blatantly ignored conditions imposed on him and continued his predatory offending by targeting vulnerable children online.

“I hope this sends a strong message to anyone who commits these kind of crimes online that they are not invisible and we will ensure we do everything possible to bring them to justice.

“I’d encourage any child or young person who is concerned about someone they’re speaking to online, to tell someone about it or report it directly to the police.”

Temporary Detective Inspector Jo Sweeney from the NWROCU said: “This case shows just how determined our teams are when it comes to protecting children from online predators. These offenders think they can hide behind screens, but they’re not invisible - and we’ll keep doing everything we can to find them and stop them.”

Description

The man pictured is Jacob Atkinson and he is a sex offender.

During the 1980s he raped and indecently assaulted a child.

The catalogue of offences happened in Rossendale and started when she was just nine-year-old. The offences stopped when Atkinson left the area to go to university.

The offences only came to light four decades later when the victim first told her husband, then the Truth Project and then the police.

Atkinson, 55, of Birkdale Road, Anstey, Leicester, was questioned and later charged with a number of sexual offences against the victim.

Following a trial at Preston Crown Court in April, Atkinson was found guilty of rape, indecent assault and indecency with a child.

He returned to the same court today (30th January) where he was jailed for seven years, with the Judge taking into account Atkinson’s age and their sentencing powers at the time the offences were committed. Atkinson was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Dave Hindle, from our Major Crime Review Team, said:

“Atkinson targeted his vulnerable victim for his own sordid sexual interests.

“Once he got to his 50s he probably though he had gotten away with his detestable crimes. However, it’s thanks to the victim’s bravery in reporting these offences to us and then giving evidence in court that a light has been shone on who Atkinson truly is.

“While it’s not for me to comment on the sentence handed down to Atkinson, I am pleased that the victim finally has justice all these years on.”

Description

A Castleford man has been jailed for rape and controlling and coercive behaviour.

Alexander Julien was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court last week after being found guilty of the offences by a jury following a trial in December.

The 34-year-old of Graham Drive, Castleford, was jailed for five years for the rape of a female aged over 16, reported to have taken place in Wakefield District in 2022, a charge he denied.

He was also jailed for two years for two offences of coercive and controlling behaviour (to run concurrently with each other but consecutive to the rape sentence) which he also denied.

Appearing before the court for sentencing on Thursday (22/1) Julien was sentenced to nine years and six months.  

This included a further two years and six months sentence for separate drug offences which was ordered to run consecutively.

The convictions followed an investigation by the Wakefield District Safeguarding Unit.

Detective Constable Adele Bossons of the Wakefield District Safeguarding Unit said: 

“I'm pleased that Julien has been handed a lengthy sentence that reflects the severity of his offending.  

“Victims of this type of offending show tremendous bravery in coming forward and I hope that it brings some comfort to see justice being done after experiencing such an horrendous ordeal.  

“We have dedicated safeguarding teams across West Yorkshire Police who are trained to support victims of sexual abuse and violence. I would encourage anyone who has been victim of offences of this nature to please get in touch.” 

Description

A man has been jailed for a "relentless" campaign of sexual abuse against a young girl he met on a children's video game.

Nico Williams, 28, of Vicarage Hill, Wrexham, was sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on Thursday.

He had admitted multiple child sex offenses, including:

• Meeting a child following sexual grooming
• Causing the sexual exploitation of a child
• Sexual activity with a child (x3)
• Making indecent images of a child (x3)

Prosecutor Mark Connor said the offenses occurred over several months in 2025. They were uncovered when English police notified North Wales Police of potential child sexual abuse after finding indecent materials on Williams' device. The images depicted a female child who was identified and traced.

Officers arrested Williams at home. After caution, he said: "She lied about her age," and later: "I stopped taking pictures of her when I found out her age."

The investigation showed Williams knew his actions were wrong early on. He traveled to the victim's area in England multiple times, engaged in penetrative sexual activity with her, and created images and videos of it. He also requested degrading videos from her.

A relative's victim impact statement noted effects on her education: "We were not aware of much of what has happened. Police have told us they know this man was communicating with her constantly. We can't imagine what [she] went through to deal with this. We are glad this man was captured by the police and [she] can now be protected."

Connor noted Williams had no prior convictions.

Defense lawyer Dafydd Roberts said: "He wishes me to express he does accept full responsibility for the offending - he doesn't wish to blame [the victim]. I ask the court to have regard to his guilty plea. Whilst chronologically he is 28 years of age, I do invite the court to consider his level of maturity. The pre-sentence report author writes that [Williams] finds it easier to speak to children. They [Williams and the victim] met over a video game predominantly played by children; that's an indicator of the level at which he is operating."

Roberts highlighted Williams' vulnerabilities, including autism, adverse childhood experiences like his father's sudden death, and prison bullying.

Judge Nicola Jones told Williams: "When the police attended your address, you clearly panicked and said she'd lied about her age. We know now that was a lie on your behalf. By now, you accept full responsibility. I am satisfied you pose a significant risk of committing further offences because your pursuit of this child was relentless. This wasn't a fleeting matter for you; it went on for months."

She described it as a "campaign of sexual abuse" and "predatory behaviour."

Williams was sentenced to nine years in prison, with indefinite restraining and sexual harm prevention orders, plus sex offender notification. He must serve two-thirds in custody, the rest on license.

Description

A rapist who carried a 15-year-old girl into a bedroom against her will and subjected her to a violent sexual assault has been on the run for nearly two years, with police unaware of his location.

Nottingham Crown Court held the hearing without Aland Ahmed, 22, after he fled the country and skipped bail. His victim read an emotional impact statement detailing the attack's lasting effects, as reported by Nottingham Live.

In 2022, Ahmed, then 19, made unwanted advances toward the teenager at a flat in Nottingham. She resisted, but he carried her into the bedroom and raped her for five to ten minutes without a condom. He stopped only when disturbed by someone entering the room, who saw the girl crying hysterically.

The victim developed complex PTSD, turned to drugs and alcohol to cope, and saw her family relationships break down, leading to supported accommodation. In her statement, she described being unable to sleep.

Ahmed, of Highbury Road, was convicted in absentia of one count of rape and sentenced to nine years. He has been missing for 21 months and was placed on the sex offender register for life. Upon arrest, he will serve two-thirds of the sentence.

Judge Steven Coupland said:

“He was 19 at the time and is still only 23 now and the delay in this case is entirely down to him because of his initial denials of the offence and then him absenting himself. He chose not to attend the court, breached his bail and hasn’t been seen for some 21 months. She had only turned 15 and it is plain she did not want to have sex with him as she physically resisted him.

“As a result of this he physically carried her into a bedroom where, despite her protestations he raped her for some five to ten minutes without using a condom. He only stopped when someone else in the flat disturbed them and she was noticed to be crying hysterically.

“She then had to relive what happened in a video interview and then at the trial when his denials had to be put to her, despite him not attending or being here for that trial.

“I have read her victim impact statement in which she says as a result of what happened she turned to drugs and drink which ruined her relationship with her family and led to her now living in supported accommodation. She now suffers from complex PTSD, has trouble trusting people and is unable to sleep. It is clear there is severe psychological harm in this case.”

Prosecutor Nick Corsellis KC said the teenager and Ahmed, of Highbury Vale, were in the flat where he “made advances on her” which she tried to fight off. He added:

“She resisted him but he carried her into a bedroom where she was forcefully raped and his DNA was found in her underwear.

“After being charged and appearing at the magistrates' court he then absented himself and is believed to be out of the country. As a result he did not attend his trial, there is no pre-sentence report and very little is known about him. In her victim impact statement she talks of abusing drugs and drink as a result of what happened and being ostracised by her family although she is improving over time.”

Description

The bravery of a woman sharing her story alongside extensive detective work, has resulted in a Doncaster man being jailed for 20 years for multiple offences including rape.

Lewis Clarke subjected his victim to horrific physical and mental abuse.

She called the police after he physically assaulted her and bravely told the officers when they arrived the extent of what Clarke had done to her.

Clarke, 31, of Edlington, Doncaster, was quickly arrested and later charged, appearing before Sheffield Crown Court on 29 July where he pleaded guilty to multiple offences including four counts of rape. Yesterday (Tuesday 27 January) he appeared at the same court and was handed a 20-year sentence, and an unlimited restraining order.

Courageously, his victim spoke in court when Clarke was sentenced.

She said:

"There are no words to fully describe the horror of what happened to me at the hands of Lewis.

"The things he did to me were calculated and cruel. Nobody will ever know the full extent of that abuse, but he does, and I live with it every day.

"I begged for my life.  The abuse destroyed my sense of self. I blamed myself. I hated myself.

"I will never be the same again. The physical injuries may fade, but the psychological damage remains and will stay with me forever.

"Lewis you took my voice and body. I am taking my life back. I will continue to move forward, but I will carry the impact of his actions with me forever.

"I have taken my life back and I am not afraid of you anymore."

Description

Simon Allen, one of three men convicted of murdering grandmother Jackie Rutter—who was shot on her doorstep in Moreton, Wirral, in October 2022—has been revealed as a convicted child sex offender, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Allen, James Byrne, and David Harrison were unanimously found guilty of murder at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, January 28. Barrie Glynn was convicted of manslaughter by a 10-2 majority. All four were also unanimously convicted of possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, plus arson. The jury deliberated for 15 hours and 15 minutes; sentencing is set for Thursday.

Prosecutors alleged the shooting stemmed from a "robbery" or "taxing" after Rutter's sons, Peter and Steven, stole a mobile phone used by Byrne and Preston Connolly for their "JJ Line" drug-dealing operation. In opening statements, Nigel Power KC described it as a "targeted revenge attack in the heat of a dispute over drugs," not mistaken identity.

Allen, 55, of no fixed address, has prior firearm convictions from 2003 and 2020. He told the court he "just found guns extremely nice to look at."

In November 2023, Allen was jailed for 3.5 years for downloading 250 indecent images and videos of children, some of which he sent to four others, as reported by the Wirral Globe. This followed a 2015 conviction that placed him on the sex offenders' register for 10 years—a condition he breached by traveling to the Netherlands with Byrne and Connolly without notifying police. He also has Dutch convictions for extreme pornographic images and drug offenses.

Description

A woman who was given a sexual harm prevention order after pleading guilty to making hundreds of child sex abuse images has been jailed after she breached the order.

Samantha Franklin, 35, of Cove House Gardens, Ashton Keynes, was given a suspended prison sentence on December 8 as well as a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

However, on January 13, she was arrested once again after she was found to have breached the order on five separate occasions, just days after it was issued.

She appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court on January 14 and pleaded guilty to five counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

She was sentenced to 50 weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay a £187 surcharge.  

Detective Constable Jason Walsh, from the Child Internet Exploitation Team, said:

“I am really pleased that Franklin has been given a prison sentence – she has continued to offend since she was sentenced in December by breaching the terms of her sexual harm prevention order.
"She has shown a total disregard for the court system and seems to have totally underestimated the seriousness of her own offending and the SHPO she was issued with.

"I hope she spends her prison sentence reflecting on the crimes she has committed – there is no place in society for people who behave in this way.”

Description

A rapist who attacked two women has been jailed for 15 years.

Shaun Rogers, 29, from Blackfell in Washington, was under investigation for raping his first victim when he targeted his second, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Rogers admitted multiple offences, including several counts of rape.

In a statement read to the court, his first victim said:

"He took everything from me, my life, my joy, my happiness.

"He broke me in every way possible and left me an empty shell of a person."

Judge Graham Robinson commended her bravery in reporting Rogers and attending court to see him jailed.

The judge said Rogers "did not care" about raping the first woman, then tried to "gaslight" the second by denying the attack.

Rogers must sign the sex offenders register for life.

Description

A 31-year-old Aylesbury man, Philip Hackett, has been jailed for 15 years after being convicted of multiple sexual offences against three victims.

He was sentenced in December for six offences: two counts of sexual assault, three counts of assault by penetration, and one count of rape.

Detective Constable Mark Banham, from Aylesbury CID, said:

“This was a serious and complex investigation with three victims reporting that Hackett had committed sexual offences against them while they were vulnerable.

“The type of predatory behaviour displayed by Hackett was abhorrent, and I am pleased that the court recognised the seriousness of his offending with a substantial prison sentence.

“Thames Valley Police is absolutely committed to tackling all forms of violence and women and girls, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the victims and witnesses in this case for their full support.

“Without this, it would have been difficult to achieve this outcome, and I hope that now Hackett has been given a lengthy prison sentence, his victims can look to put this behind them as best as they can and move on with their lives.”