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.
WITH THEIR adorable big round eyes and fluffy white fur, these baby seals are cute enough to melt any heart .
WELCOME to the pretty 122-inch-tall red dwelling that lays claim to the title of the UK's smallest house .
A photographer has travelled the length of the UK capturing lighthouses and their picturesque surroundings .
Beautiful turquoise waves rise and fall in a series of stunning images taken along the coastline of south-eastern Australia .
JUDGE BLASTED FOR LETTING PAEDO WALK FREE A PERVERT who sexually assaulted two young girls on an allotment, telling them he was brushing spiders off them, has walked free from court – because jailing him was ‘unfair’ on his family .
LIKE SUPERMAN carrying a slimy Lois Lane through the air this frog is treating its mate to a flying lesson .
EAGERLY BITING his nails, this little squirrel is clearly nervous of looming predators as he searches for his meal .
A young otter wades through a lake with his eyes set on an older rival’s fish .
STOOD side by side next to a busy road, these buildings were once bustling with life .
A pair of adorable polar bear cubs play-fight with each other in the Alaskan snow .
Throwing their arms up in the air, these energetic squirrels play a game of ball with a walnut .
From squids to Star Wars, these flipping marvellous creations are pancake portraits .