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.
SOARING at 112 miles per hour through the air, this petite blonde certainly lives up to her title as the fastest flying woman in the world .
A COUNCIL has come under fire for slapping fines on people’s GRAVESTONES for breaching petty regulations on pot plants .
Throwing their arms up in the air, these energetic squirrels play a game of ball with a walnut .
A SERENE turquoise glow glimmers from underneath these powerful icebergs .
A lazy otter finds the ideal spot to soak up the sun and sleep off his lunch .
Megan Brailsford, 32, from Cambridgeshire, met Daniel Dugdale, 29, in September 2020 .
A soap bubble lands on the frosty ground and creates a shimmering snow globe as crystals form around it .
IT'S the iconic TV show that influenced a whole generation in the 1990s .
Surveying its surroundings, a tiny harvest mouse climbs the stem of a dandelion .
STARING intently into the camera, a polar bear appears to be lost in thought while relaxing in the snow .
WEARING tiny Christmas accessories, these adorable babies get into the spirit of the season .