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.
PEACE and love filled the 1980’s Glastonbury fields as relaxed festival goers kicked back and soaked up the atmosphere .
A doting seal smiles at her sweet little pup as she tickles its tummy on the beach .
The beds are consumed by moss instead of customers at this abandoned hotel .
THIS astonishing film shows the moment a hit-and-run driver ploughed into a woman and a toddler on a Coventry street .
A SPECTRUM of colours fills the sky during this spectacular and natural display of light .
A Romanian photographer has captured the unique patterns of hundreds of human eyes in a series of striking macro shots .
AN OLD ENGLISH cottage packed full of history and valuables has been left to rot .
These are the faces of orphans suffering from the horrifying effects of chemical warfare .
A grand 56-bedroom hotel, once heaving with injured soldiers during the First World War, now lies completely abandoned .
If you had to scrape the snow off your car this morning or slip-slide your way into work over icy pavements spare a thought for these little critters .
Balanced on one leg, a frog assumes the crane kick martial arts stance made famous in the movie The Karate Kid .
SNUGGLING up against their teddy bears, these baby sloths could easily be mistaken for one of the cuddly toys .