Source: Suffolk Police published on this website Thursday 20 November 2025 by jill Powell

A man from Bury St Edmunds has been jailed after committing a series of sexual offences against children.

Martin Hogg, aged 73 and of Worcester Close in Bury St Edmunds was sentenced on Monday 17 November at Cambridge Crown Court to nine years imprisonment.

It follows his guilty plea at an earlier hearing at Ipswich Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to three offences relating to child sex offences that took place between 31 August 2024 and 15 February 2025. These were sexual communications with a child, cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity and cause or incite a child to watch a sexual activity. These all took place against a single victim.

On Thursday 22 May at Cambridge Crown court, Hogg pleaded guilty to a further 18 offences that took place between the same dates and included multiple offences of meeting a child following sexual grooming, cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual activity with a child and sexual communication with a child against seven further victims who were all children. Following on from this, another child victim was identified and a further three sexual offences were taken into consideration after an acceptance of guilt from the defendant.

Hogg (pictured below) was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

DC Nick Parkinson-Hill, the investigating officer on the case, said: “The crimes committed by Hogg against the nine young victims in relation to grooming offences and sexual activity children were truly awful. The impact this has had on the victims and their families has been hard to accept and the Impact the offences continue to have on them is truly upsetting. I hope the sentencing of Hogg has started the journey to recovery for all involved.”

“I hope the outcome of this case reassures members of the public that we take such allegations of predatory behaviour extremely seriously and we work to safeguard victims as quickly as possible. We are committed to fully investigating any allegation of sexual assault, recent or historic and will provide the highest level of support and care to any victim whilst a thorough investigation is carried out, so if you believe you have been the victim as well, we would ask that you come forward and tell us.

“We want to encourage victims of any sexual assault to continue to speak to us and feel confident in accessing the specialist support they need. Any allegation will be fully investigated and we have dedicated specially trained officers who work with the victims of rape and sexual assault. The diligent response to this case by the safeguarding unit, indecent images team and proactive teams has stopped any chance of this dangerous male re-offending

“I want to commend all of the victims in this case for their bravery in coming forward and working with us throughout the investigative process. I hope that their bravery in coming forward gives others the confidence to do th same and Hogg’s guilty pleas has saved the victims from having to give evidence in court which is a blessing.

“However, whilst this sentence will provide the victim with some closure, understandably, what Hogg did to them will have impacted them significantly. If you have been directly affected by this case please quote Op Steadham25 in any reports to us.”

To report being a victim or for support and advice please use this link:

Report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences | Suffolk Constabulary

Anyone who would like to speak to someone in confidence about sexual abuse or violence can contact Suffolk police on 101, or staff at the Suffolk SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre), The Ferns, on 0330 223 0099 or via email contact@theferns-suffolk.org.uk

Survivors In Transition | Support for survivors of childhood sexual abuse - Specialist support in Suffolk for female and male survivors of childhood sexual abuse, violence and exploitation

Here To Help | Brave Futures - provides a therapeutic service for children and young people up to 21 years who have reported being sexually abused and to offer support for their families.

Source: The Charity Commission published on this website Tuesday 18 November 2025 by Jill Powell

The Matt 6.3 Charitable Trust was registered with the Commission in 1998 and has purposes of advancing and promoting the Christian faith.  

In October 2024, the regulator became aware of serious concerns about governance failings and unauthorised payments at the charity. 

The charity’s advisors told the trustees they must cease all unauthorised payments to connected parties and appoint an independent board of trustees. However, some payments continued to be made and the charity has so far not recruited any independent trustees.  

The charity’s latest accounts were submitted 123 days late and qualified, as the auditor had concerns over the charity’s governance.  

The regulator has now escalated its engagement with the charity to a statutory inquiry. This will examine the extent to which the trustees are complying with their legal duties in respect to the administration, governance and management of the charity, and in particular: 

• management of conflicts of interest and private benefit 
• whether the charity has appropriate policies and procedures in place 
• the extent to which the trustees have complied with previously issued professional advice. 

The Commission may extend the scope of the inquiry if additional regulatory issues emerge.   

It is the Commission’s policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing the issues examined, any action taken, and the inquiry’s outcomes.  

Source: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) published on this website Wednesday 19 November 2025 by Jill Powell

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is supporting Ann Craft Trust during National Safeguarding Adults Week to help organisations prevent abuse and create safer cultures through this year’s theme: ‘Prevention: Act Before Abuse’. 

DBS supports employers to make safer recruitment decisions by processing and issuing criminal record checks and by maintaining the Adults’ and Children’s Barred Lists. Barred Lists are records of people not permitted to work in a regulated activity with children and/or vulnerable adults. 

The Ann Craft Trust – which is hosting Safeguarding Adults Week from 17 to 21 November – is a leading UK authority supporting organisations to safeguard adults and young people at risk. 

DBS’ focus during Safeguarding Adults Week is to help organisations understand when DBS checks are required, what ‘regulated activity’ is, how to access free checks for eligible volunteers, and the application process. Throughout the week, DBS will be sharing guidance and resources on: 

• different levels of DBS checks (Basic, Standard, Enhanced, and Enhanced with Barred List(s) checks) 
• which roles require DBS checks and what regulated activity with adults at risk means 
• how volunteers can access free DBS checks and what counts as voluntary work 
• how to use the DBS Update Service to keep certificates current 

Activities provided by Ann Craft Trust include free online seminars and an in-person Safeguarding Adults Conference on Wednesday 19 November. Throughout the week, the Ann Craft Trust will explore a different safeguarding theme each day:   

Monday – Change the Conversation: focusing on proactive intervention and creating safer environments that actively work to prevent abuse 

Tuesday – Prevention in Practice: examining the role of leadership, good governance, values-based recruitment and meaningful training 

Wednesday – Creating Empowering Environments: exploring trauma-informed approaches through empathy, co-production and positive risk-taking 

Thursday – Trust Your Instincts: building courage and resilience to speak out, with tools to develop supportive safeguarding cultures 

Friday – Celebrate the Safer Cultures: showcasing examples of good practice and success stories 

DBS is also hosting a series of free online workshops across England during Safeguarding Adults Week. DBS Outreach Advisers will explain the role of DBS, including understanding DBS checks and role eligibility, what regulated activity means, the legal duty to refer, and the process for making a barring referral. Find out more. 

Susie Blamire, Associate Director Strategic Lead for Safeguarding for the Disclosure and Barring Service, said: 

"DBS performs a critical role in helping protect the most vulnerable. We support employers to make safer recruitment decisions informed by our different levels of DBS checks and by barring individuals who pose a risk to vulnerable groups from working in certain roles.  

Prevention must be at the heart of safeguarding, and safer recruitment is a key part of that. We are pleased to support the Ann Craft Trust’s Safeguarding Adults Week and encourage organisations to understand DBS check eligibility. Knowing when and which checks are required, and how volunteers can access free checks are all essential steps in preventing harm.” 

Stuart Sale, CEO of the Ann Craft Trust, said: 

The DBS is a crucial organisation when it comes to safeguarding, and particularly when we think about prevention. The Ann Craft Trust is proud of the longstanding relationship we have had with the DBS, over a number of years, and are delighted that they have once again prioritised Safeguarding Adults Week in their calendar with a number of fantastic events. We look forward to continuing working with DBS to ensure that safeguarding remains a priority for any organisation that comes into contact with adults.” 

DBS Regional Outreach Advisers provide year-round free support to organisations across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The team can help organisations understand DBS check eligibility and the legal duty to refer. They also provide tailored training and workshops. For more information, visit the DBS Regional Outreach service or contact dbsregionaloutreach@dbs.gov.uk.

Source: Home Office published on this website Monday 17 November 2025 by Jill Powell

Lord Macdonald of River Glaven KC has been appointed to lead an independent review of laws on public order and hate crime. 

Following the terrorist attack in Manchester on 2 October, the Home Secretary announced an independent review of existing public order and hate crime legislation. 

This resulted from concerns around community tensions and the impact of disruptive and intimidating protests and hate crime on the cohesion and safety of society. 

The government will always protect the right to lawful protest and free speech, but we will not tolerate individuals or groups who intimidate others, incite hatred, or create disorder. 

The review will therefore look at the powers police have to manage protests and the current hate crime laws, including offences for aggravated behaviour and “stirring up” hatred.  

It will examine whether existing legislation is effective and proportionate, and whether it protects communities from hate and intimidation.  

It will also consider if the law protects free speech and peaceful protest, while also preventing disorder and keeping people safe.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:  

“The terrorist attack in Manchester on 2 October shocked the nation and showed how hatred and division can fuel violence. It happened at a time of growing concern about protests and hate crime in this country.  

“Our laws must protect the public, while upholding the right to protest and free speech. That is why we have asked Lord Macdonald to lead this review. His experience will ensure it is thorough and independent.  

2Lawful protest and free speech are fundamental rights, but we cannot allow them to be abused to spread hate or cause disorder. The law must be fit for purpose and consistently applied.”

This review follows recent changes to the Crime and Policing Bill, which will require police to consider the overall impact of protests in one place before setting conditions on future demonstrations. 

Lord Macdonald is the former Director of Public Prosecutions and brings extensive legal expertise and independence to this work.  

He will be supported by Owen Weatherill, a senior policing expert who brings operational experience from his role as the National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Civil Contingencies and National Mobilisation. 

The terms of reference for the review will be confirmed in the coming weeks with the review expected to commence imminently and conclude by February 2026.