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.
A TEN-THOUSAND square foot wide Avatar-style grove is such a beauty it will leave you feeling VINE .
THE CRAZE for mimicking the video game Streetfighter has spread to the streets of London .
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PERCHING on top of a gate, this young barn swallow waits patiently for his mum to return with dinner .
A pair of chicks bravely decided to befriend a python, despite being the snake's favourite choice of food .
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FINALLY catching a meal, a pair of great white egrets fight over their dinner .
BLOWING bubbles underwater, this adorable polar bear slides into his tank for a playful dip .
BALANCING 30 metres above ground, these slackliners take the expression of living dangerously one step further, by tightrope walking NAKED .
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WITH A wide smile plastered across his face, this little gecko is ready for his close up .