Rapist jailed over child sex attacks
Child sex abuser jailed for almost 19 years
A man who sexually abused three children has been jailed for 18 years and 11 months.
The 59-year-old committed further offences against two children between 2021 and 2022.
He was jailed at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday having previously pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including two counts of rape of a female under 16.
He also admitted three counts of indecent assault, taking an indecent photograph of a child, two counts of sexual assault and failure to surrender to police. Further charges of sexual abuse and rape were ordered to lie on file.
'Twisted'
Det Con Mike Tilley of South Yorkshire Police said Utley caused his first victim "psychological turmoil which has haunted her for decades".
"He was even twisted enough to record himself sexually abusing his victim, using a camcorder that he kept in a locked case," he added.
"He then destroyed all evidence of this, but the power of her testimony ensured that he would face justice for crimes committed more than two decades before."
Tilley said police were there to listen and support victims, adding: "You will be believed."
Det Con Joe Wood of Lincolnshire Police, which investigated the more recent offending, said: "Today's sentence reflects the gravity of these offences and sends a clear message that abuse of children will not be tolerated.
"I would like to thank the victims for their bravery in coming forward and their support throughout the judicial process.
"It is because of their strength that this offender has been held to account."
Sexual predator who targeted five victims told he will die behind bars
Thomas O’Rourke was found guilty of 31 historical sex offences that started when many of his victims were children
A sexual predator who targeted five victims in a series of historical offences including rape will likely die behind bars. Thomas O’Rourke was found guilty of 31 offences against his victims between the 1970s and 1990s which started when some of them were children.
Greater Manchester Police said the offences occurred at various points across different decades in areas including Middleton and Blackley. His victims have now spoken out about the abuse they faced at the hands of the now 74-year-old.
Thomas O’Rourke, of Newton Heath was jailed for 26 years at Bolton Crown Court on Monday (July 6) after he was found guilty of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault. Leading detectives on the case said he will spend the rest of his days in prison.
The first survivor came forward in 2019 to police, reporting offences that occurred when they were a child. Further survivors were then uncovered who supported the investigation and brought O'Rourke to justice.
During her victim impact statement read to court, one survivor said: "I stand here today to finish giving that child you tried to destroy, her voice, and end all the hurt you caused. You made me feel so dirty and embarrassed for so many years.
“I can go on and on about how much damage you have caused, not only me but the other survivors involved in this case, because just like myself they are not victims, they are survivors. But I have chosen not to give you any more of my precious time.”
A second survivor, giving evidence, described the 'damage' caused by O'Rourke, and said: “I initially didn’t want to write this statement as I do not like to portray myself as a victim or feel like one.
"I prefer to appear like a strong woman, and I especially wanted to in this case. After some consideration, I have decided to in hope that he understands and feels even a little remorse for the damage he has done.
And, a third survivor added: “My childhood was taken from me, and my teen years were disrupted. I did not have the opportunity to build relationships, go to college or seek a career. It took me a long time to report the abuse, but it will take me longer to recover.
“I think about the abuse he has caused me and others known to me and that will always make me feel a sadness. I feared him, but I am in the control seat now, as he will never be able to hide the abuse he enjoyed all those years ago.”
Officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Constable Jordan Wilcock, of GMP, said: “I would like to start by commending the courage of the survivors.
"It takes immense strength to go through any investigation however the fact it has taken seven years, and they have continued with it shows bravery beyond words and their commitment to ensure Thomas O’Rourke spends the rest of his life behind bars.
“He is a predator. He preyed on innocent children who should have been enjoying their childhood – learning how to ride bikes, play with their toys and grow up in an innocent world.
"He portrayed himself as a caring individual offering to look after them however this was all done to get close to them away from a place of safety. He took their childhood away from them and has shown absolutely no remorse for his actions.
“This sentence shows that no matter when it happened, we will investigate and do all that we can for survivors. If you have experienced any form of abuse, no matter when it was – please speak to someone and report it. We will listen to you and do all that we can to support you during the investigation.
“I’d like to thank the officers and staff that have assisted on this investigation, and I am incredibly proud of the result that has been achieved. Hundreds of hours of work have gone into the investigation, and it is one that will stay with me for a long time throughout my career.
“Thomas O’Rourke will now spend the rest of his life in prison – away from the people he’s hurt and hopefully they will now start to be able to move on from the hold he has had on them for so many years.”
Monster dies in prison after confessing horrific child abuse in call from phone box
Kenneth Kesans plied a young girl with alcohol and made her perform sexual acts on him
Conor Gogarty Investigations editor
A paedophile died in prison while serving a 13-year sentence for historic sexual abuse of a young girl.
Kenneth Kesans, from Swansea, was brought to justice after ringing police from a public phone box and confessing the crimes from almost two decades before.
A prisons ombudsman report has confirmed the 47-year-old died on December 21, 2024, while a prisoner at Monmouthshire's HMP Usk.
He died of pneumonia after failings in his healthcare, the report found.
During Kesans' sentencing in 2022 prosecutor Carina Hughes said he had carried out a series of indecent assaults on the girl over a lengthy period in the early 2000s. The abuse culminated in an attempted rape of the crying child.
On occasions he plied the girl with alcohol and made her perform sexual acts on him.
He would then threaten her into silence.
The abuse went unreported for almost two decades until 2021 when Kesans, also known as Kenneth Rowles, called police from a phone box in the Maritime Quarter.
During the call he told police he couldn't stop thinking about what he had done, adding: "I need to get it off my chest. I need to come clean."
Police tracked down the victim and she told them she had always been terrified that if she did report the abuse nobody would believe her as it would be her word against his.
The woman said the abuse had a devastating impact on her life, causing her to become socially isolated and withdrawn.
She started self-harming and suffering nightmares in which she had snakes in her bed.
She said she had felt embarrassed and ashamed about her experiences.
When she went to university she sought counselling but even then did not disclose the abuse to her counsellor.
Kesans, then of Heol Frank in Penlan, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted rape and seven of indecent assault. His barrister David Singh said his confession showed he had a degree of "responsibility, remorse, and regret" for what he had put the victim through.
The judge, Recorder Mark Powell QC, considered Kesans an offender of particular concern and handed him a 13-year extended sentence comprising 12 years in custody with a one-year licence period.
Prisons ombudsman Adrian Usher said the prisoner's pneumonia was caused by a flu infection and a condition called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in which scarring of the lungs make it hard to breathe.
Mr Usher said the prison's healthcare staff should have asked a GP to speak with Kesans about a chest X-ray after he had declined one in November 2023.
The GP could have explained the importance of the X-ray for monitoring his condition and the risks of not having it, the report added.
The ombudsman also criticised healthcare staff for failing to offer Kesans a flu vaccination in 2024.
Outlining his recommendations to the prison Mr Usher wrote: "The head of healthcare should ensure that any declined follow-up medical appointments are reviewed and appropriately escalated to the GP.
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