From possessing obscene photographs of children, sex attacks and rape, these men committed some of the most heinous crimes for which they were sentenced to time behind bars.
Not only were they sentenced to time behind bars, many will be listed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
South Yorkshire Police has urged victims who have suffered sexual abuse to come forward and report it, no matter how long ago it took place.
5. Norman Copeland
Norman Copeland, 53, from Sheffield, who indecently assaulted a young girl over a number of years, was jailed for nine years. Copeland, of no fixed abode, subjected his victim to a series of sickening attacks over a period of six years – starting when she was just four years old. On February 22, he was sentenced to nine years in prison at Sheffield Crown Court. He had been found guilty of two counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14, and two counts of gross indecency with a girl under 14. Photo: SYP
6. Joshua Abbott
Joshua Abbott, 25, raped a woman after a night in Sheffield and now is spending time in prison following his actions. The man from Cornwall appeared before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing after he was found guilty of rape following a three day trial. The court heard how Abbott raped a woman on 20 November 2017 following a night out. Abbott’s victim had consensual sex with Abbott after returning to a friend’s home following their time in the city. The next morning Abbott tried to entice her into having sex with him, and after saying no multiple times, he bit her back and forced himself on her, raping her, before going back to sleep. During his interview Abbott denied raping the woman but claimed he remembered having consensual sex after meeting her through mutual friends. Photo: National World
7. Neil Copnell
Neil Copnell, 51, of Rosebery Street, Rotherham appeared before Sheffield Crown Court on May 24 for sentencing after pleading guilty to seven offences of making and possessing indecent images of various categories including prohibited images of a child and extreme pornography. The searches revealed images and videos dating back from 2004 until 2021. Over 16,000 indecent images were found and 353 videos involving children as young as four years old. Copnell was sentenced to a two year community order, 43 days sex offender rehabilitation programme, 100 hours unpaid work and subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years. Photo: SYP