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The man pictured is Lewis Westwood, he is 31 years old and he is a paedophile.

In April 2023 he isolated his victim inside a house in Leyland and engaged her in sexual activity against her will. Later the same day he further sexually abused her in a different part of the property.

The brave victim reported what Westwood had done to her in June 2023 and he was arrested.

He defendant admitted to attending the property, but denied any wrongdoing. He tried to explain away the presence of his DNA in the room where the raped happened, by claiming he only went in there to charge his phone.

Following a trial at Preston Crown Court, Westwood, of Brisco Road in Egremont, Cumbria, was found guilty of six counts of sexual activity with a child.

Westwood appeared at the same court today (9th February) where he was jailed for 12 years. Westwood was also made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and told to sign the Sex offenders Register for life.

In a statement to the court, the victim wrote: “Since this has happened my emotional physical and mental health has deteriorated, and my life has been put on hold for the last three years. Having to talk to police officers about it and asked questions about it both in suites and at court kept it haunting me. It hasn’t just affected me, it affected my work, my social life and I can’t see a future where I will just ‘move on’ from this.

“I find myself forever doubting people’s intentions, and this has meant that no matter who I come across I push people away. The whole experience has left me feeling very lonely.”

DC Cora Cook, from our Preston Child Protection Team, said:

“Lewis Westwood is a dangerous and persistent sexual predator who targeted a vulnerable girl for his own sordid sexual intentions.

“I welcome the sentence which reflects the seriousness of the offending and the danger Westwood poses to female children.

“Finally, and most importantly, I would like to praise the victim for her bravery and patience throughout this process.”

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A "vulnerable" woman was left shocked, suffering nightmares, and feeling "disgusting" after a "callous" and drug-fueled rape.

She begged the man to stop, but he ignored her and later claimed the attack "didn't happen and couldn't have happened."

The victim cried afterward and felt upset that there was "no hiding from memories," Hull Crown Court heard.

Michael Wilkinson, 30, of Willerby Road, west Hull, but recently in custody, denied rape but was convicted by a jury. He was cleared of another rape charge.

Prosecutor Dale Brook said Wilkinson pushed the woman down and raped her despite her refusal. "She told him to stop but he wouldn't," Mr. Brook said. "Afterwards, she was crying."

In police interviews, Wilkinson claimed consensual sex and denied the rape.

The victim said: "I was in so much pain and he didn't care. I was embarrassed and ashamed and he didn't care. He made me feel like I was nothing, just something for him to use.

"He made me feel disgusting. What he took from me can never be given back. I don't know if I will ever be able to trust anyone again. There is no hiding from memories."

She added: "When I do sleep, I have nightmares about him. The anxiety is overwhelming. Despite everything, I am glad I spoke up. Everyone knows what he is."

Defense lawyer Charlotte Baines said the victim was vulnerable and the act "very unpleasant, to say the least." "I don't diminish that," she added.

Wilkinson had been in custody since proceedings began but previously worked as a groundworker. He was arrested at a probation office while complying well with a prior court order. In prison, he worked and benefited from abstaining from drink and drugs.

Deputy circuit judge Timothy Clayson told Wilkinson: "This was a callous, self-centred act of rape carried out for your sexual gratification. This offence has caused her significant psychological harm.

"Your downfall was drink and, particularly, drugs."

Wilkinson was jailed for eight years, must register as a sex offender, and received an indefinite restraining order.

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A Bradford man, Andrew Fletcher, 29, of Bierley House Avenue, has begun a five-year prison sentence for rape after being convicted by a jury at Bradford Crown Court.

Prosecutor Michael Greenhalgh said Fletcher’s attack had a “horrendous effect” on his victim, who withdrew from friends, suffered anxiety and sleepless nights, felt suicidal for a time, and genuinely “feared the future.”

The victim said she was left “sickened” by Fletcher’s denials.

Fletcher appeared for sentencing via video link from HMP Leeds.

In mitigation, barrister Derek Duffy noted Fletcher’s “intellectual deficits,” adding: “His perception of reality is not the same as the average person’s.

“He believes a lot of what he was doing at the time may have been reasonable.

“It was not.”

Sentencing him, Mr Recorder Anthony Hawks said: “The consequences of your actions may remain with [the victim] for the rest of her life.

“When you were arrested, you denied the offences. You are now sorry about what you did.”

Fletcher must register as a sex offender for life.

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A brave woman who stood up to her abuser has seen him jailed for 17 years.

Robert Tempest repeatedly raped and sexually abused the woman when she was a young girl.

Tempest told the girl to keep the abuse “a secret” and if she told her family about it, they would hate her.

His offending came to light years later when the girl, now a young woman, bravely told a family member who called the police.

An investigation was launched, and the 52-year-old was arrested.

Tempest, of Blackhall Colliery, was later charged with four counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault.

He admitted one charge of rape, but denied the other offences.

He went on trial at Durham Crown Court earlier this year where a jury found him unanimously guilty on all counts.

Tempest was remanded in custody to appear back at Teesside Crown Court on Friday (February 6) where he was jailed for 17 years.

He was also issued with an indefinite restraining order to protect the woman, an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and must sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

In a victim impact statement, the woman described how Tempest’s abuse had affected her.

“I don’t have any happy memories from my childhood – I don’t remember much before I was 7. All my memories are filled with the sexual abuse I suffered by Robert Tempest,” she said.

“I was at school when I realised what he had done to me was wrong. I remember learning about sex education and I seemed to know more than my peers.

“He always told me it was a secret and if my family knew, they would hate me. I believed him.

“During the investigation it brought a lot of memories back. After I first told my friend I felt a massive relief, like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

“My family were so supportive and still are. They don’t hate me – Rob was wrong. They love me and have been there for me even on the darkest days where I questioned if I had the strength to give evidence and bring it all back up again; it was like having to relive my worst nightmare over and over.

“Now, I finally fell like I can start to move forward with my life. I still think about what Rob did to me every single day, it haunts me. I feel like I’m constantly living in a nightmare that I can’t wake up from.

“At least now my family know and I don’t have to lock my feelings inside anymore – I know they will always be there to support me.”

Detective Constable Emma North, who led the investigation, said:

“Tempest is a dangerous predator who used a young girl for his own sexual gratification.

“I am pleased he is now behind bars and has been brought to justice for his despicable crimes.

“The young woman in this case has shown incredible bravery in coming forward to police and helping us to bring her abuser to justice.

“By standing up to Tempest and having her voice heard, she has helped to take a dangerous man off the streets.

“I only hope this sentence provides her with some closure and allows her to move on with her life and put the abuse behind her.”

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Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man from Milton Keynes has been jailed for child sex offences. 

Phillip Grace, aged 43, of Cleavers Avenue, Conniburrow, was sentenced to nine years and four months in prison and given a sexual harm prevention order at Aylesbury Crown Court on Wednesday (4/2). 

Grace pleaded guilty to one count each of attempt to cause/incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity – penetration and adult attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child at the same court on 10 November last year. 

On 1 October last year, Grace sent several sexualised messages to what he thought was a 12-year-old girl, but was actually a decoy from an online child activist group on Facebook.  

Grace was arrested and charged on 7 October last year. 

Investigating officer Detective Constable Paul Cushing-Cena, of Milton Keynes CID, said:

“Phillip Grace’s actions were predatory and profoundly disturbing.  

“The sentenced imposed reflects the serious risk Grace posed to children and the gravity of the offences he committed.  

“We remain committed to safeguarding children and relentlessly pursuing offenders like Grace to bring them to justice.” 

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In the dock for sentencing at Reading Crown Court on Thursday, February 5, was Stephen Rye.

The 58-year-old, who was living at Rudland Close in Thatcham, had denied raping his wife – who has waived her lifelong right to anonymity with newburytoday.co.uk

But he was convicted following a trial last November.

Jurors were told that Rye had been working as a member of bar staff at Thatcham pub The White Hart around the time of the offence.

Edward Lucas, prosecuting, said Rye had been drinking but was not drunk when he violated her by committing a penetrative sex act, despite her repeated objection.

Mr Lucas said Rye would not take no for an answer and, when the woman put her hand over her bottom, he grabbed it and shoved it out of the way.

He then raped her.

In subsequent messages between Rye and his wife, which were read to the court, he appeared to admit his actions but denied it could be classed as rape.

In a victim impact statement read at Thursday’s sentencing hearing, the woman said her life changed forever that night.

Rye’s betrayal of marital trust by sexual force had led to a medical diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder (PSTD), anxiety and depression, the court heard.

She added:

“I still suffer flashbacks… [but] I finally got my justice.”

William Eaglestone, defending, said:

“His primary mitigation is [the victim’s] words – that this was out of character.

“That’s how she described it at the time.”

Mr Eaglestone handed in a number of character references from friends and former colleagues which, he said, “speak highly of his qualities as a friend”.

Judge Jane Rowley pointed to Rye’s previous conviction for sexually assaulting a child and told him:

“It is a relevant previous conviction and an aggravating factor.

“It is of concern to this court, when you have committed a [new] sexual offence.”

She said his wife had made it clear that she did not consent to the sex act, both verbally and physically, by putting her hand in the way.

Judge Rowley added:

“But you did it anyway.”

Whether or not Rye had believed he was entitled to violate his wife in that way, it constituted “an act of sexual selfishness”, said the judge.

She sentenced Rye to five-and-a-half years imprisonment.

Two thirds of that will be spent in custody and the remainder on licence in the community.

In addition, Rye was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

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A man who worked in childcare has been convicted of 21 sexual offences against children in Bristol. 

Following a trial at Bristol Crown Court, Nathan Bennett, 30, of Corston, was found guilty by a jury on Monday 9 February of:

• Two counts of sexual assault by penetration 
• Two counts of rape of a child under 13 
• Four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 and 

He had previously admitted thirteen offences: 

Eight counts of sexual assault of a child aged under 13 
Four counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and  
One count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. 
Bennet has been remanded and will be sentenced at the same court on Monday 16 March.

Bennett committed the offences against five children he met at his workplace. His crimes came to light when his manager reviewed CCTV, after concerns were raised by parents and other staff. On seeing suspicious behaviour on the footage, Nathan was sent home and a report made to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). 

The LADO contacted police on Wednesday 26 February 2025. Bennett was arrested and questioned the same day and later released on bail, with conditions including not to be unsupervised with any person under 18. 

Following a six-month investigation by specialist officers, Bennett was initially charged with eight offences in August 2025, when he was remanded into custody by the court. He was later charged with a further fourteen offences. 

During the trial, Virginia Cornwall, prosecuting, said:

“It’s every parent’ s worst nightmare, that a person entrusted to be responsible for your child, care for your child and nurture your child at times when you are unable to provide that parental care, abuses their position and sexually abuses that child.

“The defendant is a paedophile. He has admitted his sexual interest in pre-school age toddlers … by his partial guilty pleas to some charges in this case – the less serious charges.”

The investigating officer, DC Bethany Cook, said:

“Nathan Bennett was trusted to care for very young children, but instead committed sexual offences against them at his place of work.

“This investigation involving such young children was deeply challenging and distressing for all concerned, and I would like to commend the support and strength shown by those families.

“This case has caused significant anxiety for other families whose children attended the nursery during the time these offences were committed and, when appropriate, we’ve tried to keep them informed.”

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A Devon rapist has been jailed for 19 years with a further six years on extended licence after being found guilty of terrifying sexual violence against a woman. 

Christopher Hotine, 39, from Paignton, appeared at Exeter Crown Court for sentence on Friday 6 February after being found guilty at a trial at the end of last year of two rapes, sexual assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm – all offences committed against the same victim on two separate dates.

During the trial, the court heard how on the first occasion, Hotine poured a bottle of wine over the victim’s head, locked her in a room, repeatedly pulled her hair, restricted her breathing and raped her.

The second rape, occurred when Hotine entered the victim’s home and bedroom early in the morning and attacked her while she was in her bed. 

The court heard how the offences have had a huge psychological impact on the victim.

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Garry Harding said:

“We welcome the sentence given to Christopher Hotine today which means a dangerous rapist has been taken off the streets for some time.

“Hotine subjected his victim to terrifying sexual violence and has never had the courage to admit the offences, resulting in the victim having to give evidence at trial.

“Hotine’s actions were designed to make his victim live in fear, and we are hopeful this sentence will provide her with some closure and allow her to move on with her life.

“I am delighted to see that the Criminal Justice System has secured justice for this incredibly brave victim of the most horrendous of sexual assaults.”

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A convicted child sex offender who refused to give us the PIN to his mobile phone after we received information that he had sexual images of children on it has been jailed for two years.

Stanley Heames, aged 41, was arrested when we carried out a warrant at his home in September, acting on information that he was accessing child sexual abuse material.

A phone was hidden underneath a windowsill at his property, but he repeatedly refused to hand over the passcode.

We obtained an order from a judge, known as a Section 49 notice, which meant that he had to reveal his PIN to us within seven days.

He still refused, and so was charged with failing to comply with the order.

Heames, of St Columbas Close, Coventry, admitted the offence in December and was sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on Tuesday (3 Feb)

He was also given a sexual harm prevention order for 20 years, banning him from contacting, associating with or befriending girls under 16, and ordering him to hand over phones and PIN codes to any of his electronic devices when asked by police.

Heames was jailed for six years in 2017 for a series of sexual assaults on a girl under 13.

PC India Meredith, from our Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team (OCSET), said:

"We had information that Heames was accessing indecent images of children and so it was really important that we accessed his phone, especially given his previous convictions for sexually assaulting a young girl.

"This case goes to show that to bring predators and criminals to justice is the main responsibility of policing and the use of all legal and lawful means to do so will be explored to the full extent of the law to ensure that the public are protected.

"Heames is now behind bars, and has strict conditions on him for the next two decades which will protect the public and support police in monitoring his behaviour and actions.

"We have advanced digital forensic techniques which are always evolving. This case shows we will pursue all available means to ensure criminals face justice."

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A paedophile has been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison – as his victims are praised for their bravery in reporting the harrowing sexual abuse they suffered at his hands.

In 2020, one victim disclosed that Ross Jackson had been sexually abusing her in the Newcastle area.

This then led to the discovery of similar offending against another victim in the Durham area.

Northumbria Police immediately began an investigation into Jackson and after collating evidence he was interviewed.

Jackson was then charged with a string of offences which he denied. He stood trial at Newcastle Crown Court in December 2025 and was found guilty of 24 separate offences including several rapes, seven counts of sexual assault by touching and possession of extreme pornography. Following the trial Jackson was remanded in custody.

Jackson, now 39, of Lowther Avenue in Chester-le-Street, was put before the Moot Hall in Newcastle on Tuesday, February 3, where he was sentenced to a 23-year jail term. He will also spend five years on extended licence once he is released from prison.

Jackson will also spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register and was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and handed a restraining order which prevents him from contacting his victims.

Detective Constable Rachel Fletcher, of Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding department, led the complex investigation against Jackson.

Following his sentencing, she said: “Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to the victims in this case. They have shown huge courage by initially reporting the horrific abuse they were subjected to by Jackson to us.

“Thanks to their bravery, a dangerous offender has been rightly put behind bars for a significant period of time. I sincerely hope that Jackson’s sentencing will allow them and their families to begin to rebuild their lives after what must have been a traumatising period of time for them both.”

Det Con Fletcher added:

“Jackson is a predatory paedophile who has caused untold damage to the lives of his victims.

“When we were first made aware of allegations of sexual offences by him, we swiftly began a thorough investigation in order to build a comprehensive file of evidence which allowed us to obtain a raft of charges.

“Despite pleading not guilty and going to trial, I am glad that the jury saw through his lies to convict him of these incredibly serious crimes.

“I also hope this case acts as a reminder to anyone who is a victim of sexual abuse that if you choose to come forward we will listen to you and you will be heard.”

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A convicted sex offender from Chatham who failed to comply with notification requirements has been jailed.

Terence Standage, 67, was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order in 2021 after he was convicted of making indecent images of children and outraging public decency. He was jailed for 28 months.

After he was released and while on licence, the restrictions imposed on him stipulated that he should not use any device capable of storing digital images unless he notifies police and provides access.

Phone seized

On 2 February 2026 officers were alerted via monitoring software that he had created a social media account and his phone was seized. They also found Standage had disabled access to his photo gallery.

Standage, from Randall Road, Chatham was charged with breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and the next day was jailed for 12 months at Medway Magistrates’ Court.

Investigating officer, Police Constable Leona Valsler said:

‘Standage has a lengthy history of offending connected to both contact and non-contact offences against children.

‘Court orders such as these are there so convicted sex offenders can be closely monitored and help us safeguard potential future victims.

‘And as this case hopefully shows we will do everything within our powers to ensure offenders like him face the consequences.’

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A man from Faversham has been sentenced to six years and six months in prison following his conviction for rape and sexual assault offences.

David Jones, 26, of Feaver Drive, was found guilty of both offences following an eight day trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

Jones’s victim had disclosed to a family member that she had been raped at a property in Sittingbourne on 23 May 2022. She also detailed a further sexual assault which had taken place the following day.

Investigation launched

Kent Police launched an investigation after the woman reported the incidents on 5 June 2022.

David Jones was subsequently arrested on 9 June 2022 on suspicion of rape and assault of a female by penetration and was found guilty of both offences.

Jones was sentenced on 30 January 2026 and will also be subject to a restraining order and is required to sign on to the sex offender register for life.

Detective Constable Stephanie Wilson said:

‘Jones took advantage of his victim for his own sexual gratification and subjected her to a horrific sexual assault.

‘I am grateful to the victim for her support in securing a conviction and hope that the custodial sentence imposed brings her some closure.’

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A Luton man will be spending a substantial amount of time in prison after admitting to sexually abusing several children.

Damian Schisnach, 38, was convicted of number of offences relating to four different victims; both male and female, over a three-year period.

After pleading guilty on the first day of his trial in October last year, to eight charges, which included rape, sexual assault, taking and making indecent images of children and causing and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Schisnach, of Ferrars Close, Luton, was sentenced yesterday (Wednesday) at Luton Crown Court to 21 years.

He was also given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Constable Lesley Waring from Bedfordshire Police said:

“Schisnach is a sexual predator. His offending spanned several years and was identified due to the brave victims coming forward. 

“This is the worst case of child abuse I have dealt with, and I commend the victims and their families for having the strength to come forward. I have seen first-hand the devastation and trauma that this type of crime causes to families and so thanks to the evidence, he had no choice but to plead guilty on the first day of the trial.

“We work hard to tackle all forms of abuse against children and would urge anyone who has concerns that a child is being sexually abused, or has been a victim themselves, no matter how long ago, to come forward.

“Our specialist teams carry out many investigations like this one and have successfully brought many perpetrators to justice, whilst ensuring the victim has the support they need.

“Please remember it’s never too late to speak out. When you are ready, our officers are there to listen and your voice will be heard.”

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A man who sexually assaulted a girl has been jailed.

Martin Bordoli, 64, of Amington, Tamworth, was sentenced to six-years-and-four-months behind bars at Stafford Crown Court on Friday 30 January after he admitted sexual assault of a girl at an earlier hearing.

It happened in 2024. Bordoli was arrested on the same day it was reported and was brought in for questioning, where he answered no comment.

We worked hard to support the survivor and to build the evidence needed to take him to court, where he eventually admitted the offence.

Now, he’s in prison and has been served with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and put on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Detective Constable Tara Field, from our child protection team, said: “Despite Bordoli originally refusing to confront the reality of what happened, we were able to build the evidence needed to ensure he wasn’t able to escape his crimes in court.

“We’re working hard every single day in Staffordshire to take robust action against those responsible for these heinous crimes.”

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Teenagers whose courage helped jail a dangerous Kirklees child sex offender for nearly 20 years have described how his appalling abuse has left them violated and broken. 

Kirklees Safeguarding detectives commended the bravery of two now teenage victims following the sentencing of Daniel Garside, aged 40, at Leeds Crown Court today for 20 separate sexual offences including multiple counts of rape. 

He was sentenced to 19 years in prison with a year’s extended licence and must register on the sex offenders register for life.

Garside, of Waltons Heights Liversedge admitted 15 serious sexual offences against one of his victims including rape, attempted rape and causing a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.  

The offending against her took place between 2020 and 2025 starting when she was a young girl aged under 13.

In a victim impact statement read to Leeds Crown Court, she said his abuse had caused her to suffer depression, confidence issues and left her struggling to form relationships.

She said: “I wish none of this had happened and I could just live my life normally but instead I must live with what happened and the effect it has had on me.  I feel like I’m broken.”

Meanwhile, Garside was also convicted of two sexual assault offences and three of making indecent images of a second victim between the years 2020 and 2023. She was also just a young child when the sexual abuse began.

A victim statement was read to the court in which she said Garside’s actions had left her feeling “violated” and that now even “something as innocent as a friend giving me a hug” made her feel uncomfortable.

Garside’s crimes were brought to police attention in June 2025 when his first victim came forward to disclose the abuse she had suffered.

An investigation was launched by the Kirklees Child Safeguarding Unit, resulting in him being swiftly arrested

Officers were able to identify the second victim as a result of the investigation.  She later came forward to support the investigation and his prosecution.

DC Angus Whitehead of the Kirklees Child Safeguarding Unit, said:

“We welcome the sentence handed down to Daniel Garside today by Leeds Crown Court. Garside is a dangerous and manipulative offender who has engaged in a campaign of sexual abuse against some of the most vulnerable in our society. This lengthy prison sentence reflects how egregious Garside was in his offending. 

“I commend the victims for their courage and fortitude throughout the investigation in the face of Garside’s continued dishonesty. I can only hope this result brings them some solace and closure. “

Detective Inspector Paul Greatorex of the Kirklees Child Safeguarding Unit, added:

“The victims in this appalling case showed tremendous bravery throughout the investigation and court proceedings.  

“Their fortitude in supporting the police and colleagues at the CPS with the investigation and prosecution has resulted in Garside being made to pay for crimes which have had a dreadful and long lasting impact on them both.

“West Yorkshire Police remains dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable among us and holding perpetrators to account, as the detailed and complex investigation mounted by detectives in this case demonstrates. 

“I want to encourage any victims of unreported sexual offences, whether recent or non-recent, to please come forward and report them to us. 

“Our specialist officers will support you through the criminal justice process, and we will thoroughly investigate and bring those responsible to justice.”