Kaitlin pictured aged nine - Heart pounding, Kaitlin Womack stared in shock at a Facebook post on her phone. In that moment, a horrifying memory from her childhood came flooding back. It was 2016, and her former neighbour, Kert Birtwistle, 29, had been convicted of child sexual offences. Seeing his face on her screen knocked Kaitlin, 25, for six. Because what nobody knew was that she’d been harbouring an awful secret since the age of nine. Birtwistle had subjected Kaitlin to three sickening sexual assaults while she played at his house as a child, including touching her privates under her swimming costume. Three years later, in 2019, Kaitlin, from Preston, reported Birtwistle to the police. When she did, six other victims also bravely came forward. In October 2024, Birtwistle, from Blackpool, was convicted of 14 charges, including rape and sexual assault. He was jailed for 12 years at Preston Crown Court. His brother, Jordan Wright, 28, also pleaded guilty to 18 sexual offences and was jailed for over 16 years. Now, Kaitlin is courageously waiving her right to anonymity to help encourage other survivors to report their abusers to the police.
SNOWBOARDING in your £2,000 wedding dress sounds like a nightmare for most brides .
Blonde teen Jess Stubbs has certainly got girl power - as Britain’s youngest TRUCKER .
This hungry white tiger has just one thing on her mind - to taste fresh meat .
WITHOUT A care in the world, this little snow monkey puts his feet up and settles in for a snooze .
A terrified moose, trapped in a frozen lake, bobs her head above the icey water and awaits her rescue .
These are the men with one of the most unpleasant jobs in the world .
PERCHING on the edge of a flower, these loved-up caterpillars can't resist each other as they enjoy a romantic moment together .
Swirling water and sand create amazing aerial images of river deltas across Iceland .
A BUMPER season of births has left zoo with three of the cutest exotic kittens you're likely to see .
WHETHER FLOATING through space or diving underwater, a lucky baby boy enjoys once in a life time experiences - in his DREAMS .
THIS ONE of a kind experience brings a whole new meaning to the phrase 'a coffee to go' .
THE THOUGHT OF BECOMING shipwrecked on a remote destination would fill most holidaymakers with dread .