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.
TUGGING on the wing of his sibling, this needy owl is after some attention .
A toddler has shrugged off death an incredible 10 times thanks to his parents who revive him with the kiss of life every two weeks .
MASKED intruders look sinister but really they are a gang of urban exploring pranksters .
A GLOWING range of greens and blues sweep across the sky in a spectacular display of light .
A group of otters put on a show of aqua aerobics, as they raise their flippers perfectly in sync .
A kingfisher’s bright blue and orange feathers glisten in the sunlight as the bird dives into a lake .
A terrified moose, trapped in a frozen lake, bobs her head above the icey water and awaits her rescue .
DINING under the stars, this restaurant takes you back in time - inside an ancient cave .
FROM THE world famous Girl with a Pearl Earring painting to a jaguar in the grass, these incredible drawings are created from coloured ballpoint pens .
AN ITALIAN mechanic has created the world’s most ferocious mini-car .
FROM a Kung-Fu professional to a mini incredible hulk, these are the babies you wouldn't want to mess with .
WITH A LITTLE cap of fresh snow resting on his head, this squirrel tries his best to pull off his new look .