Cassius Povey

Cassius Povey, a 29-year-old man formerly from Leicester and now residing in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, has been convicted of multiple serious sexual offences following an extensive investigation by Leicestershire Police. The case came to light after members of the public reported concerning content on social media posts to officers, prompting a thorough inquiry that uncovered the full extent of Povey's predatory behaviour.

Povey was found guilty on Friday of four counts of raping a girl and four counts of raping a woman, bringing his total convictions to 23 sexual offences. Prior to the trial, he had admitted to several charges, including causing and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, 13 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl, and meeting a girl following sexual grooming. He was acquitted of one count of raping a girl. The offences spanned from January 2010 to December 2016 and involved the sexual abuse of eight victims, whom police described as vulnerable children that Povey deliberately targeted.

Detective Constable Kevin Sharkey, who led the investigation, highlighted the challenges and successes of the case. 'It's been a long investigation with the gathering of a substantial amount of evidence,' he stated. 'I want to pay tribute to the strength and resilience these women have shown throughout the cases. The courage they displayed when giving evidence in court has been admirable. These convictions clearly show that just because something happened a number of years ago, doesn't mean nothing can be done.' The investigation revealed further crimes beyond the initial reports, demonstrating Povey's pattern of exploitation over several years.

Povey will be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on 24 February 2022. Leicestershire Police emphasised the importance of public vigilance in reporting suspicious online activity, which was crucial in initiating this case. The convictions underscore the ongoing commitment to pursuing historical sexual offences against children.