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.
From a platter of finger licking chicken wings to a bowl of Chinese noodle soup, these foodie snaps are enough to make your savoury saliva glands drool .
With luminous colours and alien- like features, these magical mushrooms look like they belong on another planet .
Leaping out of the ocean, a group of gentoo penguins fly through the air before landing safely on an iceberg .
FROM a Kung-Fu professional to a mini incredible hulk, these are the babies you wouldn't want to mess with .
SOME OF the sea’s most terrifying creatures show their softer side as they join a group of diners for lunch .
An adorable orangutan named Pongo celebrates his first birthday at Zoo Atlanta, Georgia, America .
A diver attempts to control rising numbers of lionfish by feeding the venomous species to Caribbean reef sharks .
Here's a APPY solution that should brighten up a wet weekend away camping - a wood powered stove that also recharges your smartphone .
MEET the underwater British seal who is so friendly he loves to grapple divers like a friendly puppy dog .
LUMINOUS green rocks could easily be a beach from Superman's homeland of Krypton .
A dog was SOW close to death after she dangerously swallowed a two-inch NEEDLE-Cute Shih Tzu Daisy could have pierced her intestines after eating the long needle and thread after finding it on the carpet .
The lighthouses of Brittany, from Brest to Le Conquet, stand tall on France’s north-western coast against stunning scenery .