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A 60-year-old man who sexually abused a child over a period of 11 years has been jailed for 15 years. 

Melvyn Peter Brown, previously of Northampton, started to groom the girl when she was five-years-old, with the abuse only stopping when she was 16.

She was around 10-years-old when Brown raped her for the first time.

The abuse was reported to police at the end of last year and following an investigation, Brown was arrested and charged with a number of offences.  

A trial was set for May this year at Northampton Crown Court with Brown admitting to seven offences before and during - two counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl 13-15, two counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14 during the trial, two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, and one count of causing/inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The jury then took about four hours to deliver their verdicts on the remaining charges, finding Brown guilty of three counts of indecent assault , one count of assault by penetration of a girl under 13, one count of sexual activity with a child aged 13-15, two counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13, one count of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, and one count of sexual activity in the presence of a child under 16.

Brown returned to the same court yesterday (January 5) where he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the 16 offences.

Lead investigator - Detective Sergeant Chelsea Noble of the SOLAR Team, said:

“The abuse perpetrated against this girl at the hands of Melvyn Brown was truly terrible and so I am very pleased to see him jailed for 15 years. 

“Although no sentence can ever make up for what she was put through, I hope the fact that her abuser is now behind bars provides her with some comfort. She has been so brave in supporting our investigation and I hope she feels proud of the courage she has shown.

“Child abuse is a horrific crime that has a lasting-effect, and we are really passionate in the SOLAR team about putting offenders in prison and providing the survivors with the care and compassion they deserve.

“It doesn’t matter how long ago the abuse took place, we will always do our best to try and bring the case to court.

“I am glad that Melvyn Brown is now where he belongs, and I want to reassure the local community that we will continue working hard to bring more people like him to justice.”

Description

A man has been jailed at Manchester Crown Court for the sexual abuse of a vulnerable teenage girl between 2016 and 2018.

Hasnain Ahmed (22/08/2000), of Blakey Street, South Manchester, was jailed for two and a half years yesterday (Monday 5 January 2026) after being found guilty in November 2025 of:

• Four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 by touching
• Sexual assault of a child under 13 by penetration
• Two counts of causing/ inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity

Ahmed has also been given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and a restraining order against the victim, both for a period of ten years.

The court heard how Ahmed, who was 17 at the time of the offences, repeatedly coerced the victim into sexual acts without consent. The victim bravely disclosed the abuse in April 2021 and later provided a detailed video interview to police. Her account revealed a pattern of escalating abuse over a two-year period.

She said:

This abuse changed the course of my entire life. What should have been years of innocence, safety and growth were instead filled with fear, shame and confusion.

[To Ahmed]

I want you to understand that your actions did not end when the abuse stoppedthey continue to affect me every single day, shaping my future in ways I never chose. You took my childhood, my trust, and half of my youth, and I will carry the consequences of your crime for the rest of my life.

Detective Constable Sarah Dixon of GMPs Online Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

I would like to commend the courage and bravery of the victim in coming forward. She was just 11 when the abuse started, and her detailed testimony has ensured that Ahmed is held accountable for his actions.

We hope todays sentencing alongside the SHPO offers a measure of justice to the victim and her family. Reports of this nature are treated with the utmost seriousness, and our dedicated investigation team worked tirelessly to ensure that those responsible were held to account.

Offences of this nature have no time limit. Regardless of when it occurred or the age of the victim at the time, we will listen, provide support, and pursue a thorough investigation. We remain committed to taking decisive action against perpetrators and to treating all victims with dignity, respect, and compassion.

Description

Edward Griffith-Davies, 42, photographed a young boy naked to gain entry to a depraved Telegram pedophile group, described by prosecutor Joshua Gorst as "effectively an organised criminal group engaging in the sexual abuse of children." The images showed the child holding a handwritten sign with the forum's name, and Griffith-Davies expressed a "desire to engage in further sexual activity" with the boy.

Over more than a decade since 2011, he joined five disturbing online forums—including four focused on child abuse and one on bestiality—while amassing over 300 category A indecent images of children (the most serious), 300 category B, and more than 500 category C. In a six-month span, he distributed 27 category A images and videos plus 10 category B ones. His collection also included six prohibited images of children and 24 extreme pornographic images involving animals.

Griffith-Davies, formerly of St Helens and now of Brytirion in Bedwas, South Wales, showed "regret and remorse," per his lawyer Isabelle Haddad, amid mental health issues and no prior convictions. He admitted causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, two counts of distributing indecent images, three of making them, possession of prohibited images, and possession of extreme pornographic images.

Appearing via video link to Liverpool Crown Court in a grey prison jumper, he wept during the hearing and was jailed for four years and four months. Judge Gary Woodhall noted: "The group was building a pool of individuals with access to children who were no doubt then to be targeted in some form. It seems that, very quickly, you were made an administrator or moderator."

The judge highlighted the "profound impact" on the victim, Griffith-Davies' "frank admissions of seeking to gain indecent images of children," and his "genuine regret and remorse," while acknowledging his "obvious sexual interest in children" but no "overt sexual assault." The defendant intended "to obtain sexual gratification."

Griffith-Davies received a 15-year restraining order barring contact with the victim or entry to St Helens, an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, and lifelong sex offender registration.

Description

A man who sexually abused two young girls and tried to blame his drug and alcohol use has been jailed, a court heard.

David Prothero repeatedly assaulted the children, including molesting one in her school party dress and orally raped a victim. In total, he subjected four children to sexual abuse or violence.

At Swansea Crown Court, Judge Huw Rees described Prothero's behavior as "inexcusable" and said it would have "devastating" long-term impacts on the victims.

Prosecutor Andrew Kendall said the abuse emerged in August last year when one victim disclosed to her mother that Prothero had assaulted and orally raped her. One incident involved him touching her breasts while she wore a party dress.

Police investigation revealed more victims: a teenage girl he repeatedly abused sexually, and a boy and girl he physically assaulted.

Prothero, 39, of Tumble, Carmarthenshire, pleaded guilty to two counts of oral rape of a 13-year-old female, four counts of sexual activity with a female under 18, four counts of sexual assault on a female, child ill-treatment, and assault by beating. He had one prior conviction for drunk and disorderly from 2009.

Defense counsel James Hartson said Prothero had no history of sexual or violent offending, was "mortified, ashamed, and deeply embarrassed," and was "struggling to come to terms" with his actions. He noted Prothero's past as a carpenter before addiction issues, but added that blaming drink and drugs "is not an explanation which washed with probation and which will not wash with this court - there can be no excuse."

With plea discounts, Prothero was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years' imprisonment, serving two-thirds in custody before license release. He is a lifelong registered sex offender, subject to indefinite sexual harm prevention orders, and lifelong restraining orders barring victim contact.

Dyfed-Powys Police Detective Inspector Rebecca Thomas called it a "disturbing case" with four young, innocent victims. She praised their bravery:

"The bravery shown by the victims in this case must be recognised. Their courage to speak out against this abuser is ultimately what has put David Prothero in prison today. These children are a credit to themselves and to their family.

"If anyone, no matter how old or young, finds themselves suffering silently, I want to encourage you to come forward and speak with us. We have a dedicated team of investigators, specially trained in crimes of this nature, who will support you every step of the way. We are compassionate, and we are capable. We will do everything we can to secure justice, as we have seen today.

"I won’t forget the moment one victim said 'he can’t control me anymore' when Prothero entered his guilty pleas.

"This is as much about freedom as it is about justice. I hope the victims in this case can take heart knowing that Prothero is in prison, as they begin to move forward with their lives."

Description

A 62-year-old man who tried to meet a 14-year-old girl for sexual abuse has been warned he is in a “position of some jeopardy” ahead of sentencing.

Jonathan Quinnell, formerly of Orpington and now living near Reading, sent sexual messages in December 2023 to an account he believed was a child, suggesting a meetup and discussing assault and rape.

The account was a decoy run by paedophile hunters, who confronted him on December 20, 2023.

Quinnell, who describes himself on LinkedIn as a psychic, hypnotherapist, life coach, healer, and published author, appeared at Croydon Crown Court on January 5 without legal representation.

He had previously pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming and attempting sexual communication with a child.

Quinnell told Judge Anthony Dunne OBE he had “put off” hiring a lawyer due to anxiety and stress.

Judge Dunne adjourned sentencing until February, warning Quinnell to prioritize legal representation:

“This is a very serious matter... You’re convicted of two very serious offences where the likely consequence is a custodial sentence.

“There will be the issue of whether I can suspend the sentence so it isn’t served immediately, but there’s a chance that isn’t the case. You are in a position of some jeopardy.”

Quinnell has four weeks to find a lawyer.

Description

A convicted sex offender was caught with child sexual abuse images and extreme pornography depicting bestiality.

Aled Williams, 52, of Felindre, Llandysul, appeared at Swansea Crown Court after admitting a series of online sex offences.

He admitted three offences of making indecent images of children between December 2017 and September 2025, involving 103 Category A (most serious), 48 Category B, and 27 Category C images.

Williams also possessed 60 extreme pornographic images depicting bestiality and eight prohibited images of children on September 10, 2025.

He faced five charges of attempted sexual communication with a child, with the oldest dating to January 2024.

Additionally, he breached a sexual harm prevention order—imposed by Swansea Crown Court on May 18, 2018—by failing to produce an internet-enabled device to police between June 19 and September 11, 2025.

Williams pleaded guilty to all charges on December 19 and was told he faced an “inevitable” prison sentence.

Judge Paul Hobson sentenced him to nine years total: three years in custody and a six-year extension period.

Williams must register as a sex offender for life and is subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Description

A former Barnet councillor who abruptly quit last year has pleaded guilty to multiple child sex offences.

Liron Velleman, elected as a Labour councillor for Whetstone ward in 2022, resigned from the council in April without explanation and also left his role at the Community trade union.

At Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court yesterday, he admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity.

The court heard that Velleman sent the girl naked pictures of himself and asked whether she was “at home alone”. He also told her to “show me your bra” and asked “whether she was a virgin”.

The offences occurred between December 3 and 10, 2024, and were uncovered in a Metropolitan Police sting operation.

Defence barrister Ali Hussain said Velleman had been suffering from depression and described him as “a person of good character.”

He added:

“He is currently unemployed. He is a family man. There is a great deal about his background which will assist the court to see how exactly he came to find himself in this position.”

Velleman will be sentenced on February 10 at the same court.

Upon his resignation, a Labour Party spokesperson told Barnet Post: “Liron Velleman has resigned from Barnet Council and is no longer a member of the Labour Party,” while a Community union spokesperson said: “Liron Velleman no longer works for Community.”

Description

A 34-year-old man, Thomas Treharne, sent a video of his penis to a 16-year-old girl via Snapchat, leaving her "frightened" and leading to self-harm. The victim said she began using cannabis "to forget the images she'd seen" and "to cocoon up and try [her] best to forget what happened."

The pair met, formed a friendship, and connected on Facebook before moving to Snapchat. Initial messages were "innocent," but Treharne soon sent inappropriate requests, asking her to "bend over" and "get her breasts out." He then sent a photo of himself performing a sex act over clothing, followed by the explicit video.

In her victim impact statement, she described suffering "stress and anxiety," feeling "frightened," tensing up at his name, fearing stalking, insomnia, and self-harm. She added: "I think of him and it upsets me... Thoughts of the defendant impact my mental health... I feel like I have changed."

At Cardiff Magistrates' Court, Treharne, of Commercial Road, Maesteg, Bridgend, pleaded guilty to sending a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress, or humiliation. He had no prior convictions.

In mitigation, the court heard of his poor mental health, lack of social skills, weight struggles, "plagued by isolation and loneliness" since teenage bullying, anxiety, depression, his mother's 2023 death from a heart attack, gambling addiction, and ongoing debts.

He received an 18-week suspended sentence for 18 months, a 25-day rehabilitation requirement, £250 compensation, seven-year sex offender notification, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Description

A rapist who told "outlandish" lies to discredit DNA evidence linking him to his crimes has been branded "a pathetic, dangerous man" upon being jailed.

Ricky Dighton, 39, denied abusing his victim, claiming "a number of sons in the world" he might have fathered could be responsible for the scientific evidence. He also accused involved parties of lying for money.

After pleading not guilty to multiple charges including rape and assault by penetration, he was convicted by a jury in August.

At his December 18 sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court, where he maintained innocence, Judge Gareth Branston deemed him a public danger, condemning his "appalling, selfish and wanton" behavior for sexual gratification.

The court heard devastating details of the "overwhelming" consequences. The prosecutor, visibly upset, read the victim's statement detailing severe psychological harm.

Other statements called Dighton's crimes "monstrous," condemned his lack of remorse, and described "the most horrific" acts of abuse, while praising the victim's "extraordinary bravery."

Defense counsel Beverley Cherrill admitted little could be said given his "vehement" denials, urging no extended sentence as risk could be managed via custody, sex offender notification, and a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Judge Branston disagreed, imposing a 26-year extended sentence for significant risk: 22 years' imprisonment (serving at least two-thirds before parole consideration) plus four years' extended license.

He said the jury "saw through your lies" about "unidentifiable and mysterious" individuals, noting "immeasurable, everlasting and crushing" harm inflicted.

"These offences are some of the most serious and damaging. They involved targeting [the victim] and an ongoing denial in the face of overwhelming evidence," Judge Branston added. "There is a total lack of insight, a total lack of empathy. I am satisfied there will remain for the foreseeable future a significant risk to the public of serious harm by way of the commission of further offences."

Mitigation was limited to no relevant or recent convictions.

In conclusion: "Ricky Dighton, you are a pathetic man for not taking responsibility and a dangerous man."

Dighton must serve 14 years and eight months before parole eligibility, then face lifelong sex offender notification and an indefinite SHPO. His only reaction was a phone gesture to supporters as he left the dock.

Description

A sports coach was found with indecent images of child abuse after police seized his mobile phone, which contained search terms like "young gymnast" and "girl cheerleaders."

Ciaran Bright, 30, was visited by officers at his Cardiff home on July 25, 2025, following a South Wales Police investigation triggered by a referral from social media company Kik about an individual uploading such images.

At a sentencing hearing Friday at Cardiff Magistrates' Court, prosecutors said a seized phone revealed two category A images, two category B images, and four category C images, downloaded between April 2 and July 18, 2025. Search terms included "young gymnast," "girl cheerleaders," and "children on leashes."

Bright, of Pennsylvania, Pentwyn, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. The court heard he had previous good character.

On LinkedIn, Bright described himself as a director of SportsXtra, working with clubs including Cardiff City FC and Swansea City FC.

In mitigation, the court heard his life had "spiralled" due to drug use, but he is addressing it. He has lost his career, is unemployed, has supportive family, and showed no evidence of direct child contact.

Bright received a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, plus a 14-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 200 hours of unpaid work. He must comply with sex offender notification requirements and a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

A SportsXtra spokesperson said:

"We are very shocked by this news, and are deeply dismayed that Ciaran has behaved in such a deplorable way.

"Safeguarding is our highest priority and as soon as we learned about the allegations against Ciaran we immediately suspended him, in line with our procedures, and ensured he had no further contact with young people.

"We remain committed to maintaining the trust placed in us and continue to review our safeguarding policies to ensure the strongest possible protections are in place."

Description

A man from St Helens who filmed himself as he raped a baby has been jailed.

Adrian Waring, 35, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 22 January) after pleading guilty to multiple child sex offences, possession of cocaine and bestiality.

His offences were against a baby girl under the age of 12 months in May last year.

Waring was jailed for the following offences:

• Two counts of rape
• Six counts of making indecent photographs of a child
• Sexual assault
• Possession of extreme pornography
• Sexual activity with a living animal
• Possession of a controlled Class A drug (cocaine)

Waring was sentenced to a total of 22 years, eight months imprisonment. He will serve 14 years, eight months in prison and the remaining eight years on licence. He was also given an indefinite restraining order and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, and must sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Saidi said:

“The cruelty and depravity Waring inflicted on his victim is impossible to comprehend.

“He put an innocent and defenceless baby through the most harrowing ordeal purely for his own depraved gratification.

“While no prison sentence will undo the harm and suffering he has caused, it is right that he will now spend many years behind bars for his heinous crimes and I hope he reflects on the damage he has done.

“Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and stopping those who seek to do them harm.

“We have a dedicated Child & Criminal Sexual Exploitation Team whose sole focus is on protecting young people and bringing perpetrators to justice.

“We urge anyone who is a victim of any form of sexual abuse to please report this to police, and specially trained officers will listen to you and treat you with sensitivity and compassion throughout the entire legal process and beyond.”

Description

A 37-year-old man has been jailed after he pleaded guilty to child sex offences.

At the end of April this year, Ashley Brian Evans befriended a girl on Facebook he believed to be 14 years old.

He then proceeded to engage with her in inappropriate conversations - asking for indecent photos of her as well as in her school uniform, while trying to engage her in explicit chat. He also sent her an inappropriate video of himself. 

What Evans didn’t know however, is that the 14-year-old girl was actually an adult.

Northamptonshire Police was contacted, and Evans was arrested and subsequently charged with attempting to cause a child to watch a person engaging in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity, and possession of Class A drugs.

After pleading guilty to the offences at Northampton Crown Court at an earlier hearing, Evans returned to the same court earlier this month (December 12) where he was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.

Lead investigator - Detective Constable Jon Brawn from the Force’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team, said:

“I hope this case demonstrates the consequences of attempting to engage a child in sexual chat online.

“If you are caught - and you will be eventually - you will end up in prison.

“We have had some really good results this year in our team and we plan to be just as determined and relentless in 2026.”

Description

A man has been jailed for six years after he was convicted of raping and sexually assaulting a girl.

Benjamin Patrick Brayson, 23, sexually abused the youngster when he was also a child, Soheil Khan, prosecuting, told York Crown Court.

Sean Smith, for Brayson, said the defendant was “described as immature emotionally and vulnerable”.

Mr Smith said: “It affects his thinking and motivated his offending behaviour. He is still immature.”

Brayson, of Hambleton Avenue, Thirsk, denied three charges of rape and two of sexual assault, all committed when Brayson was aged 16 or younger.

He was convicted by a jury earlier this year after the girl gave evidence against him.

He was jailed for six years and put on the sex offender register for life. He had no previous convictions.

Description

A convicted sex offender who shared explicit messages with what he thought were children on social media has been jailed.

Christopher Bradshaw, 32, contacted an account in May, not knowing it was a decoy run by an online child abuse activist group.

Despite the “child” telling him she was only 13 years old and still at school, he proceeded to strike up conversations of a sexual nature before sharing his number and moving the conversations to WhatsApp.

He also contacted another decoy account around the same time, with the “child” explaining she was only 14. Again, Bradshaw continued his explicit conversations and shared his number so they could exchange messages on WhatsApp.

Despite not using his real name, officers traced the phone number shared with the decoy accounts back to Bradshaw and later arrested him.

Bradshaw, from March, pleaded guilty to inciting a girl aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements. He was sentenced to six years in prison at Peterborough Crown Court on Tuesday (23 December).

Detective Sergeant Rob Hutchings, from the management of sexual or violent offenders unit (MOSOVO), said:

“Bradshaw is clearly a risk to children. Protecting young people from harm is one of our top priorities and we will do all we can to bring offenders to justice.”

Description

A rapist who abused four young girls has been jailed for 12 years and nine months after being confronted by vigilantes at his home.

Brian Stobie, 70, was convicted of offenses against the girls—one under 16 and three under 12—in Edinburgh between 1990 and 2007.

The former bus driver was caught in a 2022 vigilante sting while attempting to contact underage girls online, but he communicated with adults instead.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Alison Stirling sentenced Stobie for the "serious nature of your offending."

Stobie, of Duke Street in Leith, denied eight charges of abuse but was convicted after testimony revealed he made victims sit on his knee, molested them during flat visits, exposed himself, and raped one.

Prosecutor Martin Crawford said: "These were experiences that happened when they were children, in circumstances which were outwith their control."

The court heard one victim struggles with trust, intimate relationships, and avoids the abuser's area.

Defense counsel Andrew Crosbie noted Stobie was targeted in an online "sting" for seeking naked pictures from young girls, leading to a live-streamed confrontation at his home in August 2022.

Stobie admitted four charges of attempting indecent communication with underage girls.

Mr. Crosbie said: "He accepts that he has been convicted of offences of real gravity."

Stobie was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and given a non-harassment order barring contact with his victims.