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.
BASKING in smug satisfaction, a confident squirrel gives a wink to the camera .
A SPECTRUM of colours fills the sky during this spectacular and natural display of light .
HOTSPOT MEDIA - MILEY MASH-UP: MILEY CYRUS’ naked wrecking ball vid has been lampooned in this side-spitting photo-mashup .
A lively lemon shark grins into the camera and showcases his impressive teeth .
A photographer has travelled the length of the UK capturing lighthouses and their picturesque surroundings .
COVERING themselves in ash and face paint, these are the holy men who live their lives away from everyday society .
The view from this rooftop pool is sure to make most holidaymakers envious .
THIS unique holiday accommodation allows you to enjoy a full Flintstones experience .
DIVING boffins fired harpoons into 30-foot-long whale sharks in a bid to put the sea-beasts on Google Maps .
THIS alien-like bug would look more at home in outer-space but it can actually be found wriggling around here on Earth .