Source: Metropolitan Police published on this website Wednesday 17 December 2025 by Jill Powell

A south London children's mentor has been convicted of 14 sexual offences against former students following a Met Police investigation into historic child sexual abuse dating back more than two decades.

On Monday, 15 December, a jury at Isleworth Crown Court found Emem Udaw, 50 (28.01.75), of Knollmead, Tolworth, guilty after a three-week trial. Udaw was convicted of 14 counts of indecent assault on a girl under 16.

The offences relate to five victims, all in their early teens at the time, and took place at Holland Park Secondary School between 2001 and 2004 where Udaw worked as a children's mentor. He will be sentenced at the same court on Thursday, 29 January.

Detective Constable Sandy Whysall, who led the investigation, said: 

“Udaw is a predatory offender who abused his position of trust to target vulnerable young girls during school hours. His conviction today sends a clear message: no matter how much time has passed, we will relentlessly pursue those who commit sexual offences against children.

“The victims were always at the heart of this investigation and we commend their bravery for coming forward. Their courage not only secured justice but will help protect others and has ensured that a dangerous individual is held accountable.”

The case first came to light in 2019, when a victim posted in a closed social media group about inappropriate behaviour by a former school employee. Several women recognised the description and privately shared similar experiences, which ultimately led to three victims reporting the abuse to the police in January 2020. Two further victims came forward in August and November 2020, prompting additional interviews with Udaw. Despite denying all allegations and claiming he acted as a role model. Udaw was charged with 21 offences on 1 July 2024.

Investigators revealed that Udaw exploited his mentoring role to isolate victims during one-on-one sessions. He encouraged them to skip lessons, took them to empty classrooms, and sometimes locked doors. He made sexualised comments, asked personal questions, and then touched victims under the guise of comfort—in intimate areas and kissed them. He also forced victims to sit on his lap. These acts were carried out repeatedly, often during school hours, and under the pretext of providing emotional support.

Anyone with information or wishing to report offences relating to Udaw can call 101 quoting Op RoseQuartz, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. For confidential help, the 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line offers free phone and online chat for anyone aged 16+ in England and Wales: 0808 500 2222 or visit 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk.

Source: Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) published on this website Friday 12 December 2025 by Jill Powell

Experts have joined prosecutors to advise on how to spot hidden signs of ‘honour’-based abuse as part of a drive to improve how these complex and often-hidden crimes are prosecuted.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) invited specialist organisations to scrutinise the handling of these cases - which can include female genital mutilation and forced marriage - as part of its first ever national ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) scrutiny panel.

The first session, held yesterday, brought together women’s and victim support organisations, police and prosecutors to examine real cases and identify what more could have been done to spot signs of abuse.

Jaswant Narwal, CPS national lead for HBA, female genital mutilation and forced marriage, said: “Victims of ‘honour’-based abuse often suffer in silence, trapped by fear and loyalty, and terrified of speaking out against those closest to them.

“These crimes are not only hidden - they are also evolving - and that is why we need to bring stakeholders and partners into the room to work out what we’re getting right, and what we need to address better.

“We are determined to shine a light on this abuse and play our part to secure justice for those who feel they have no voice.”

The panel gave those gathered the opportunity to ask representatives of the CPS questions about a handful of cases. Specialist organisations were able to provide expert insight, including into the impact of offending on victims’ behaviour and responses and how they could have been better supported.

It also explored the potential impact of a new statutory legal definition of HBA, announced by the government, which aims to ensure consistency in how these crimes are identified and recorded.

HBA offences are frequently underreported because victims can face pressure and the fear of repercussions from their abusers who are often members of their own families or communities. These crimes can be deeply hidden, creating additional layers of consideration for prosecutors.

The scrutiny panel forms a key commitment under the CPS Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy, which recognises the interconnected nature of offending in HBA cases - such as coercive control - and the need for a whole-system approach to address them.

Lessons learned will inform future prosecution guidance and training, ensuring prosecutors remain alert to the evolving nature of HBA, including emerging forms such as bridal abandonment, dowry abuse and immigration-related exploitation.

Insights from the panel will also help update the joint CPS and National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) protocols for ‘honour’-based abuse/forced marriage and female genital mutilation, reinforcing the importance of collective working to better recognise these crimes and deliver justice for victims.

Assistant Chief Constable Emma James, national policing lead for HBA, said: “When victims and survivors come forward to share their experience, we must listen and act on what they tell us, their voices are fundamental in improving our response to ‘honour’-based abuse.

“We know that speaking out about ‘honour’-based abuse can take immense courage, and many victims do so while facing profound fear and risk. It’s why our response must be compassionate, thorough and unwavering – always prioritising their safety and holding offenders to account for their actions.

“A strong partnership between police and prosecutors is essential to building the best possible cases and ensuring victims receive the protection, care and justice they deserve.”

Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP attended the opening session of the panel to set out the Government’s ambition in tackling HBA and lead a discussion on the challenges victims face in disclosing female genital mutilation (FGM) and engaging with the criminal justice system.

She said: “Honour-based abuse is abhorrent and hiding behind traditions to carry out these acts, such as female genital mutilation, is unacceptable.

“Nobody should have to experience these awful crimes, and we must be relentless in bringing perpetrators to justice.

“This landmark panel brings together crucial partners across the criminal justice system to understand what we can do better to tackle these sensitive and complex crimes, and as Solicitor General, I am committed to ensuring victims get the justice they deserve.”

Source: Office of Products, Safety and Standards published on this website Monday 15 December 2025 by Jill Powell

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a Safety Alert for baby sleep pillows following child fatalities in the UK and overseas.

The alert identifies the products as pillows or cushions for babies to sleep – or be placed – on unsupervised. Risks to the baby include suffocation and overheating which can lead to injury or, in some cases, death.

The term ‘Baby Sleep Pillows’ covers a range of products marketed under names that include baby comfort cushions, sleeping pillows or exhaust pillows. The Safety Alert gives a fuller list of common names on the market.

Parents and carers are urged not to use these products for babies under 12 months old or to place them in a cot or crib. If the product was marketed for baby sleep or to be used unattended, parents and carers should contact the business directly to discuss redress.

Read the Safety Alert.

Source: Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) published on this website Thursday 11 December 2025 by Jill Powell

Two men who committed unspeakable acts of violence against vulnerable children have been jailed as the CPS continues to crack down on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

Charlie Johnson, 24, and Prince Singh, 23, encouraged their victims to self-harm before illegally sharing indecent images and videos of them in online chat rooms.

The case involved two girls as young as 16, who made complaints to separate police forces across the UK. It demonstrates the growing complexity of technology-facilitated child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Today, at Woolwich Crown Court, Johnson was sentenced to four years in prison, while Singh was sentenced to two years and nine months.

The new CPS VAWG Strategy recognises the increasing prevalence and evolving nature of technology-enabled offending, and commits to building and sharing knowledge to ensure robust prosecutions and the right support for victims.

Jessica Lunan, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Charlie Johnson and Prince Singh committed devastating acts of violence and coercion against their young vulnerable victims. 

“Through online chat rooms, they exploited and preyed upon young girls from different parts of the UK by illegally sharing indecent images of them and encouraging them to commit acts of self-harm. 

“Our prosecutors work tirelessly to protect victims and bring offenders to justice. Sharing indecent images of children is a criminal offence, and those who do so will face the full force of the law.”

Johnson and Singh encouraged their victims to self-harm for their own sexual gratification – and displayed several examples of controlling or coercive behaviour that made the victims feel they had no choice but to comply with their requests. 

Johnson illegally obtained indecent images of his victims which were later shared in a group chat with many other people. In addition to the charges relating to indecent images of children and encouraging self-harm, Johnson was also convicted of three counts of assault by beating and three counts of common assault. 

The offenders were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court today after prosecutors successfully proved the horrific nature of their offending. This case marks the first time defendants have been convicted of assisting or encouraging serious self-harm (an offence which was introduced under the Online Safety Act 2023) following a jury trial. The defendants were also convicted of making and distributing indecent images of children.

Police also uncovered evidence of messages between the defendants, where they discussed the prospect of having sexual relations with girls as young as 13.

Building the case: tackling child sexual abuse and indecent images of children

Prosecutors need to start by asking: how do we show the court the full extent of harm when abuse crosses from physical violence into the digital world?

To do that, they had to work with police to link patterns of behaviour. The defendants encouraged victims to self-harm for sexual gratification, demonstrating coercive control, and prosecutors needed to show this was not isolated but part of a sustained campaign of abuse. 

Prosecutors also had to consider whether deprivation orders were necessary to prevent further harm. In this case, confiscating devices was vital to stop re-victimisation and protect other potential victims.

As the CPS VAWG Strategy sets out, the CPS is taking steps to ensure prosecutors have the right guidance and support to respond to technology-facilitated offending, and our recently updated Communications Offences guidance prompts prosecutors to make better use of deprivation orders.

By combining charges that reflected both physical harm and abuse committed through digital means, prosecutors ensured the sentences reflected the seriousness and complexity of the offending against vulnerable victims.

Dr Bob Nowill, Chair of The Cyber Trust, a charity which helps to protect children and vulnerable people from online abuse, said: “This case underlines the need for comprehensive Cyber Security advice and education in particular for vulnerable young people and their parents so that they all may access online information safely and appropriately.  In this case, we can see the dangers of online chat rooms through exploitation by people that try and get in contact with users of such spaces for criminal purposes.”