From domestic violence to child sexual offences and drug dealing, March 2026 has seen a string of men locked up for shocking crimes. Here are the grim details and the faces behind the headlines.
Domestic Abuser’s Sentence Upgraded After Appeal
Reice Bennett, 28, also known as Reice Taylor, was jailed after a brutal campaign of abuse against his then-wife in Eltham.
He choked Eloise Bennett until she nearly lost consciousness, battered her with a leather belt, punched her, kicked her, and threw a beer at her. Eloise, 30, revealed to this paper:
“Anything could start it. One time I made chicken fajitas, and that wasn’t what he wanted so he strangled me until my eyes went fuzzy and I started blacking out. I thought I was going to die.”
Originally handed a suspended two-year sentence after pleading guilty to coercive control, assault, threats to kill, and strangulation, the Court of Appeal stepped in. Judges slammed the sentence as too lenient and imposed an immediate three-year prison term.
Shop Worker Jailed for Luring Schoolgirl and Sexual Assault
Mohammed Daqiq, 26, exploited his position at Bargain World in Sydenham to prey on a 16-year-old girl.
In June 2024, he tricked the teen inside, locked the stockroom door, and sexually assaulted her despite her protests. The victim was traumatised by the attack.
Daqiq was sentenced to three years behind bars and will be deported after serving his time.
A Bargain World spokesperson stressed the company had no involvement, condemning the actions of the lone employee.
Coach Driver Jailed for Raping Underage Girls
Liam Ross, 30, from Dartford, was handed a 12-year prison sentence for multiple sex offences.
He paid a 12-year-old girl for sex, claiming he didn’t know her real age. Despite his claims, UK law makes such a crime a strict liability offence — ignorance is no defence. Ross was also convicted for the rape and assault of a 16-year-old.
Judge Ruth Downing called the case “difficult and disturbing,” condemning Ross’s “lawful but inappropriate” relationships with other schoolgirls and noting he ignored police warnings about his behaviour.
Repeat Sex Offender Locked Up for Breaching Court Order
Goherali Damani, 60, from Morden, was jailed for flouting a sexual harm prevention order.
Previously convicted for sexually assaulting girls as young as 12 and indecent exposure on London buses, Damani was banned from public transport unless he used a registered Oyster card, and from sitting next to unknown females.
On November 18, he broke the rules by sitting next to a woman on a Lambeth bus without valid card use. Magistrates sentenced him to an immediate one year behind bars for flagrant disregard of court orders.
Drug Dealer Dumps Goods During Police Chase
Akindele Balogun, 43, from Orpington, was caught red-handed tossing Class A drugs out of his car during a high-speed police chase on the M20 in Ashford.
Police boxed in his vehicle after spotting packages flying from the window. Further drugs were found along the chase route. Already breaching probation by leaving London during curfew and giving a false address, Balogun was jailed for four years for possession with intent to supply.
