Latest Offenders Blackpool

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A PERVERTED health professional who systematically subjected young men to sexual assaults as he examined them during occupational health checks for their employer has been jailed. But the sickening assaults carried out by 36-year-old Marc Manning on his nine unsuspecting victims were only part of the story, Carlisle Crown Court heard. A former police community support worker, Manning carried out the abuse while he was employed as an occupational health technician, working in Carlisle, Kendal and west Cumbria. But he also spent more than two years making perverted and intimate recordings of men using the gym where he was a member. Those victims also oblivious to what was happening - were secretly filmed as they urinated or changed clothes. Manning made at least 300 such secret recordings. The Cumbrian detective who investigated the case said she had never before seen a phone containing so much of voyeuristic material. She expressed concern not just at the quantity of images but also the efforts Manning had gone to ensure he could collect such material over more than two years. In court, Manning admitted nine sexual assaults and two voyeurism allegations, one relating to multiple offences committed between January, 2018, and last year. Harriet Lavin, prosecuting, said that the defendant was employed by a private health firm to carry out occupational health checks on workers, most of them employed by a regional employer. He joined the health firm in 2018. The health checks would ordinarily include height, weight, blood pressure and eyesight and they would include discussing any actual medical issues they may have and provide urine samples, said Ms Lavin. Concerns were raised in February of that year after it emerged that Manning was conducting so-called hernia checks on workers. Such checks were not part of any health technician's work. A health and safety advisor at the firm raised this with another occupational health technician. [He] told her that he and the other health technicians were not qualified to do such examinations and that hernia checks would absolutely not be part of a standard screening, said Ms Lavin. Due to the fact the victims werent entirely sure what their health checks should entail, they describe trusting the defendant and presumed what he was asking them to do was legitimate and required. Some of the men reported seeing Manning's mobile phone, propped up against a mug on his desk, prompting suspicion that he had filmed his sexual assaults, though no evidence of this was found. On one occasion, Manning told a worker his body below the waist could be contaminated by workplace chemicals a pretext for an intimate examination. Another man was asked to remove his top because the consulting room was warm. Yet other victims reported how Manning asked them about possible sexual health problems yet another strategy to justify an intimate examination, the court heard. Manning offered to give a second opinion on such issues. The defendant was arrested on February 28, 2021 and his devices including phones and laptops were seized by the police. Ms Lavin said police discovered scores of videos taken in a gym showing men urinating, or getting changed in changing rooms. Ultimately, the phones contain at least 300 videos and have been recorded in different locations. The men on the videos are oblivious to these recordings and it appears the defendant has used a background video recorder application which allows the defendant to record the videos covertly, preventing others to become aware they are being filmed. Some of the workers seen by Manning reported feeling uncomfortable during the checks and one described Manning as very weird. The court then heard impact statements from the victims. He has completely abused his power and position, said one man, pointing out that his confidence in health professionals had been shattered. Another said his trust in health professionals was at rock bottom as a result of what happened. At the beginning in this investigation," commented one worker, "I wasnt sure Id been assaulted. But knowing he has pleaded guilty I feel stupid and nave that I let myself by violated by someone I thought was a trustworthy and professional man." Yet another worker said: When I was told that Manning had pleaded guilty to sexual assault it made me think it was planned from the start; how rehearsed and scripted it was. It made me think: how many times has he done this before? Anthony Parkinson, defending, said Manning felt "genuine remorse" for his offences and had already taken steps to address his behaviour. This included signing up for therapy, said the barrister. But Judge Richard Archer said Manning had abused his position of trust in a way that undermined the willingness of men generally to seek medical help from professionals. Manning also felt shame and embarrassment, said Mr Parkinson. He also suffers from depression and due to difficulties in his younger years with his sexuality he has struggled with a lack of confidence. Judge Richard Archer told the defendant: "The extent to which your offending represents a gross breach of trust can not be overstated." The judge said Manning abused his trusted position in such a way that it undermined the willingness of men generally to seek medical help from professionals. There is no doubt that your behaviour was intentional and committed for your sexual gratification," said the judge. "I am told that you have struggled for some time with your own sexuality; you had a difficult time in childhood with family members who were unable or unwilling to accept your sexuality. You have never been in a loving relationship with another man. I dont doubt any of that but none of it remotely excuses or explains or justifies your offending. These were not the actions of a man experimenting with or exploring his sexuality. This was highly risky behaviour. The judge added that he had concluded Manning certainly had a desire to film the assaults he carried out, given the evidence about his phone and how it has been suspiciously deployed. Normally, the previous good character of a defendant is regarded as a mitigating factor. But in Mannings case, said the judge, it was an aggravating factor because this had allowed him to take a job which was a position of trust. The defendant, of Glenmore Crescent, Thornton-Cleveleys, near Blackpool, was jailed for four and a half years and put on the Sex Offender Register for life. When released, he will be subjected to a sexual harm prevention order. This will mean he is barred from owning any camera and any digital device he owns will have to be subjected to strict monitoring and control. During his emplolyment in 2018, Manning carried out health checks on 205 people. Detective Constable Charlotte Jones, who worked on the case, thanked the victims for their courage in supporting the investigation. Manning completely abused his position of trust subjecting his victims to sexual assaults for his own fulfilment," she said. * If you have been affected by rape or sexual assault, contact The Bridgeway Sexual Assault Support Services 24/7 free helpline on 0808 118 6432.

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A man who raped a teenage girl has been jailed for 13 years for the "wicked and appalling attack". Osas Amayo, 35, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Friday following the attack which happened in February 2021. Police were called around 2.10am on February 2, 2021, after a 14-year-old girl was found by a member of the public close to Revolution Bar on the Promenade in Blackpool. The girl reported she had suffered a serious sexual assault nearby. Officers were called to the scene and following a search of the area, a man matching Amayos description was arrested on Talbot Road. Following further investigation Amayo was charged with rape. He pleaded not guilty to the offence but was found guilty following a "long and difficult trial" and was sentenced to 13 years in prison, as well as being handed a 20 year sexual harm prevention order and being made to sign the sex offenders register for 20 years. Detective Constable Matt Duffy, of Blackpool Police, said: Amayo is a dangerous offender who targeted his victim, a vulnerable teenage girl, before carrying out a wicked and appalling attack. His behaviour showed the actions of an opportunist sexual predator. He knew the victim was underage but went ahead and committed a horrific sex assault, all to satisfy his own depraved desires. I cant overstate the impact his actions had on the victim, and she must be commended for showing immense bravery in reporting the offence to police and throughout the long and difficult trial. I hope the result of this case brings her and her family some comfort, and that they are able to start moving forward with their lives. I also hope it sends a message that at Lancashire Police we take all reports of sexual offences seriously. If anyone has been the victim of a sexual offence recently or in the past we would urge them to come forward and report it to us in the knowledge that we take all reports seriously and that victims are treated sensitively and professionally at all times.

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A sex offender who breached his sexual harm prevention order has been jailed. Stephen Pennington, 34, of Gorton Street, Blackpool, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday, March 16). Pennington was jailed in 2009 after raping a child. As part of his sentence, he was handed a sexual harm prevention order, preventing him from contacting anyone under the age of 18. Between September and December last year, Pennington was in a relationship with a woman. During this relationship he was in contact with her children, breaching the order. He also gave his name as Stephen Johnson, a name not registered with police, again breaching his order. Pennington went missing and was wanted by police. He was later arrested in the resort in December. He was charged and following a hearing at court, sentenced to three years and six months in prison. Det Sgt Sam Johnson, of Blackpool Police, said: While there is no suggestion Pennington harmed or abused the children he was in contact with, he knew his actions were in breach of his order. He even gave a false name to cover his tracks. He duped the woman involved, staying with her family, in clear breach of his sexual harm prevention order. We continue to manage registered sexual offenders and I hope this serves as a reminder to those individuals we will always monitor your behaviour. If you breach your order you could face a custodial sentence.

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A man who was abused by a rapist in Rochdale when aged just six-years-old has helped us jail his abuser after bravely giving significant evidence over three decades on from the incident.

Ian Nixon now aged 57 was sentenced to over 13 years in prison yesterday after pleading guilty to three offences including a rape from 1988.

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard that Nixon abused the boy at a house in Rochdale when he was expected to look after him on three occasions between January 1988 and December 1989.

The victim contacted police to report the abuse in the summer of 2019 and was able to give us graphic detail of a number of incidents that he was subjected to by Nixon during the period of offending.

Detectives from our Rochdale districts Child Protection Investigation Unit soon interviewed Nixon who was now living in Blackpool where he claimed he didnt remember the victim and he couldnt recall the incidents that had been described by the victim; but didnt deny that they had occurred.

Nixon, currently of no fixed address, was later charged with buggery, indecent assault and gross indecency before pleading guilty in December last year

He has now been ordered to serve 13 years and four months in jail and has been made to sign the sex offenders register.

The victim now in his 30s has been offered continuous support from specialist officers and partner agencies throughout the case.

Detective Constable Dave Neil, of GMP Rochdales Child Protection Investigation Unit, said: Firstly, I have to pay tribute to the patience and stoicism of the survivor of this depraved abuse, as it is his bravery when coming forward and the subsequent detail of his evidence that has ensured Nixon will now rightly spend many years behind bars.

The campaign of sexual abuse that Nixon subjected his young and vulnerable victim to when he was supposed to be in his care was utterly appalling and something the boy has had to grow up dealing with mentally and emotionally all the way up to adulthood.

Its clear that no abuser can escape the consequences of their actions, no matter how long ago their offending was, and we will do our utmost to bring anyone responsible for such deplorable abuse to justice; while doing all we can with our partners to listen and support any victim of recent or non-recent sexual harm.

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A paedophile who repeatedly tried to rape a girl was arrested after she wrote "I want to die" on a school computer.

Gregory Witham molested his young victim on multiple occasions leaving her with "severe psychological harm".

Liverpool Crown Court today heard she started self-harming as a result of the abuse, which was spotted by teachers.

But the predator denied any wrongdoing and forced the child to endure a trial, when he blamed her for what happened.

The ex-Navy serviceman, 39, formerly of Walton, shook his head when he was today jailed for 16 years.

Judge David Swinnerton said Witham's attempts to blame his vulnerable victim showed "a complete lack of remorse".

He said: "Of course she is not to blame in the slightest. It's appalling that you seek to suggest that she was."

Witham was found guilty of two counts of attempted rape, which the court heard reflected "repeated attempts" to rape his victim.

He was convicted of eight counts sexual activity with a child, which included four counts involving repeatedly touching the girl's genitalia under her clothing, and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, which was an attempt to get her to perform a sex act on him.

Gareth Roberts, prosecuting, said the abuse came to light after an incident at the girl's school.

He said: "It was suggested she had written 'I want to die' on a school computer."

Mr Roberts told the jury teachers were concerned and spoke to the victim, who initially denied writing the words, but said she was unhappy and harming herself, and the reason was because she was being sexually abused by Witham.

The prosecutor today said: "The defendant asserted during the trial and has repeated in his pre-sentence report that she was sexualised and had essentially attempted to come on to him if I can use that phrase, which the Crown would say is a deliberate attempt to impugn her character."

Mr Roberts said there was also "a degree of degradation", because Witham would become angry with his victim and tell her she was "useless".

Six members of the girl's devastated family attended the sentencing hearing this morning.

The court heard a victim statement written by the girl's mum, who said her daughter had tried to write it herself, but became "very distressed and broke down in tears".

The mum said: "She said to me she thinks about what happened every single day."

She told the court she believed her daughter would benefit from counselling, but the girl didn't want it because she doesn't like to talk about the abuse, which brings it all back to her.

The mum said: "She is putting on a brave face, but I know as her mother deep down she is hurting."

Witham, now of Manor Road, Blackpool, who has no previous convictions, was supported by three people sitting in the public gallery.

Jimmy Vakil, defending, said: "I cannot mitigate on the facts and I would not seek to minimise the seriousness your honour of these offences."

He added: "It's always sad when someone of good character, indeed someone who has represented their country, falls in this way.

"On his behalf I ask for an element of mercy in the sentencing process. There is a genuine wish on his behalf to become a better person."

Mr Vakil said his client wanted to undertake any courses available in prison "to make himself that better person".

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A former youth club director who repeatedly raped a teenage girl during a "campaign of sexual abuse" has been jailed for 20 years.

Christopher Rixon, from Blackpool, was convicted of eight counts of rape and six counts of sexual assault.

Rixon, 42, denied the offences, claiming he began a relationship with the victim when she was 16 and it was consensual.

Lancashire Police said it was "lies" and he was a "dangerous predator".

'No remorse'

The offences took place at Monty's Youth Club in the town in 2010.

Rixon, of Holmfield Road, was also found guilty of two counts of inciting a girl aged between 13-15 to engage in sexual activity after a trial at Preston Crown Court.

Simon Morris, of Lancashire Police, said: "I am glad the jury saw through Christopher Rixon's lies, and saw him for the dangerous sexual predator he is.

"I can't overstate the impact that his actions had on the victim, and she must be commended for showing immense bravery in reporting Rixon to us.

"He has shown no remorse by denying the offences, forcing her to go through the ordeal of a trial."

He added: "I am pleased he is now behind bars where he belongs."

Rixon was cleared of two counts of rape of a girl over 16 and two counts of sexual touching of a child relating to a separate girl.

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A teenager from Blackpool, who sexually abused a number of young girls, has been jailed for over 12 years.

Ryan Garside, 18, of Orme Street, groomed his young victims on social media, before meeting up with them to carry out the horrific assaults.

He was sentenced at Preston Crown Court for 20 offences relating to four child victims between 2016 and 2017.

His abuse included the rape of a 13 year old girl in which he covered her face and used a school tie as a ligature.

He was between 16 and 17 when he committed the offences.

At an earlier hearing Garside pleaded guilty to one count of rape, ten counts of sexual activity with a child, one count of possession of indecent images, three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and five breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order – issued in May 2017.

Garside was given two sentences - nine years and seven months and an additional 32 months for breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order on numerous occasions.

He has also been placed on the Dangerous Offenders Register.

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Two men who raped and sexually assaulted a woman in a "truly horrific attack" have been jailed.

William Kelly, 46, met the victim in a bar in Blackpool in April 2016 where he raped her.

Kelly then took the woman back to a hotel with Steven Williams, 49, who also raped and sexually assaulted her.

Williams, who denied all the charges, was jailed for 13 and a half years. Kelly, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 12 years.

Police said the victim had been at the bar when Kelly, of Beechfield Avenue, Blackpool, attacked her on 29 April 2016.

'Appalling ordeal'

CCTV footage showed Williams, of The Combs in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, had been present during the offences.

The pair took the woman to a hotel in South Shore where Williams then inflicted a second attack on her.

Kelly pleaded guilty to four offences of rape and one of sexual assault.

Williams pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault but he was convicted by jury after a trial at Preston Crown Court.

He was also sentenced to an additional six weeks for breaching a suspended sentence for driving offences.

Det Sgt Steve Harry, of Lancashire Constabulary, said: "This was a truly horrific sex attack where a young woman was targeted by Williams and Kelly before being subjected to an appalling ordeal."

He said the attack will "clearly have a long-lasting effect on her" and praised the victim's strength which has "ensured these predatory individuals have been jailed".

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A 19-year-old man who had sex with a 14-year-old girl has been given 12 months custody.

Grant Pearson, of Aintree Road, South Shore, had pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual activity with a child.

Preston Crown Court heard Pearson had sex with the girl twice after they had met by accident at a bus stop and continued to contact each other by text and on Facebook.

Hanifa Patel, prosecuting, said Pearson had been fully aware of the her age.

The girls mother went on to find out what had happened and the police were called.

Janet Ironfield, defending, said: He entirely accepts that he is to blame. He hasnt sought to transfer any of the blame to the girl.

There was genuine affection between the two. There had been Facebook chatter which in the main of entirely flirtatious.

The court heard Pearsons mother had died when he was 13 and his father had later left him imprisoned in Singapore.

Passing sentence on Monday, Judge Andrew Woolman also told Pearson he recognised there was very profound mitigation in his case.

He said: You had very troubled years.

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He had served 18 years in Australian prisons and after being released from his last sentence he was deported to the UK.

A sadistic paedophile who went on the run after being kicked out of Australia was yesterday jailed for three years.

British born Kenneth Trotter, 78, served a series of jail sentences Down Under before being sent back to the UK last year.

Now the serial sex offender has been locked up after a judge described him as an exceptionally dangerous man

Trotter had been ordered to tell police if he changed his address.

But a court was told he blatantly and flagrantly breached the order by pre-meditated and wilful acts of defiance.

At one stage officers had no idea where he was and had to launch a public appeal for help.

The pervert was branded sadistic and callous by a judge who jailed him for child sex attacks in New South Wales.

He had served 18 years in Australian prisons and after being released from his last sentence he was deported to the UK.

But last year a court heard how within a month of landing Trotter had tricked his way into a church group to meet girls.

He had pretended to have been sent from a Jobcentre to hire 14-year-olds to work as canvassers. He even tried to lure girls to live with him.

Trotter, who had set up home in Blackpool, Lancashire, had denied two breaches of the order.

Jailing him for three years at Preston Crown Court, Judge Graham Knowles QC said he had been determined to give police the slip.

He said Trotter had a long and foul history of sexual depravity in Australia, where a list of 36 offences included indecent assault and gross indecency.

And he added: You, Trotter, in my view, are an exceptionally dangerous man with nothing to lose.

A pre-sentence report by the probation service speaks of prolific sexual offending against vulnerable male children, the predatory manipulative nature of offending, your portrayal of yourself as a victim, your refusal to accept any responsibility for your behaviour, your lack of remorse, your continued denial of any sexual interest in children and a lack of victim empathy.

The court had heard how on four separate occasions he visited a mother of four in Blackpool, pretending to be canvassing for work for sewing machine repairs.

It was the same ruse which had been a feature of his offending in Australia where he had lived for more than fifty years.

He had dual nationality but his Australian citizenship was revoked when he was booted out last year.