Latest Offenders Gloucester

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A 29-YEAR-OLD man who was exposed by a paedophile hunter group was later caught in a police sting attempting to chat to an underage girl, a court heard.

Matthew Appleton, of Hildyard Close, Hardwicke, was confronted by members of activist group the Guardian Angels when he lived in Leeds.

They caught him sending sexual videos to a decoy posing as a 12-year-old girl in October 2018.

Appleton was given a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years at Leeds Crown Court and ordered to complete a sex offender programme.

But within weeks of the suspended sentence order expiring Appleton was caught in a police sting which involved an officer posing online as a 13-year-old girl called Millie, Gloucester Crown Court was told on Thursday, December 14.

Prosecutor Alun Williams said Appleton was still on the sex offender register when, on February 1 this year, he contacted 'Millie' on social media and used 'highly sexualised' language.

Police visited Appleton's home on February 9 and found 91 indecent images and videos of children in all three categories on his phone, said Mr Williams.

An examination of the device confirmed he had contacted the decoy officer and used a cloud-based storage site used by sex offenders, the court heard.

In police interview Appleton claimed he did not know how the images got onto his phone.

Steven Young, defending, said: "He completed the sex offender programme that was aimed at preventing him from re-offending in the future. Obviously this was unsuccessful as he reoffended.

“He states that he doesn’t know why he was doing it and has difficulty accepting the position he is in."

Appleton pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child on February 1, 2023 for the purpose of sexual gratification. He also admitted possessing nine indecent images of children in category A, four images and four videos in category B and 72 images and two videos in category C on February 9, 2023.

He must complete 40 programme days, 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £340 costs and a mandatory surcharge and attend a monthly judicial review.

A sexual harm prevention order was imposed until March 18, 2030.

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AN ‘odious’ paedophile has been jailed for 19 years after sexually abusing a female child.

Paul Burton ‘put insidious pressure’ on a young girl to engage in sexual activity with him for five years before subjecting her to manipulative behaviour for a further five years.

The 45-year-old was found guilty on Monday (December 11), after a five-week trial at Oxford Crown Court, of eight counts of sexual activity with a child, three counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, two counts of sexual assault and one count of controlling and coercive behaviour.

Occurring in an Oxfordshire village, Burton subjected his victim to years of abuse by filming the sexual assault, forcing her to take contraception, sending her 490 messages a day, showing up at her place of work, and more.

She suffered from several pregnancy scares across the nine years of abuse.

During the trial, Burton claimed it was the victim who had ‘seduced’ and ‘blackmailed’ him but the jury dismissed his account.

Sentencing him, Judge Maria Lamb dubbed Burton’s behaviour as ‘odious’.

She said: “She became your trophy. You began to abuse her, committing the most serious of sexual crimes.

“Whether you consider the abuse grooming or controlling her, perhaps it does not matter, as the two, in my view, are two sides of the same coin. 

“She felt suffocated and referred to herself as your robot. Your behaviour was self-centred and egotistical.”

In a victim impact statement read out in court by prosecutor Fern Russell, the woman said she now suffers from anxiety, depression, and possibly PTSD.

She said: “I think about this from the moment I wake up until it’s my last thought before I fall asleep.

“I find it hard to trust others or let anyone in. I’ve find it incredibly difficult emotionally. I struggle to talk about my emotions and it takes a while to open up.”

The woman added that she has struggled to return to work and has suffered a financial impact, as well as psychological, as a result of the offences.

Defending Burton, of Rookery Road, Innsworth, Gloucester, barrister Nadia Chbat pointed out that the defendant has no previous convictions of a similar nature and had behaved ‘excellently’ throughout court proceedings.

However, Judge Lamb noted he was ‘gesticulating’ in the dock during sentencing and as he was taken down to the cells, he shouted: “You’ve got it wrong, I never touched her.”

He will serve an estimated 13 years in prison before being released on licence.

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A 50-year-old man has been jailed for three years after attempting to meet a 14-year-old girl he had been grooming online.

Christopher Hill, of The Tythings, Newent, pleaded guilty to three child sex offences at Gloucester Crown Court.

He was exposed by an online paedophile hunter group who used a decoy persona to trap him.

The judge said his messages to the girl were "highly sexual and graphic" in nature.

The court heard on Wednesday how Hill had used social media to arrange to meet up with a 14-year-old girl called Sophie, who was in fact a decoy created by a member of the Leeds-based Predator Exposure group.

"Very quickly the conversation moved to WhatsApp, which is encrypted, and Hill requested that the girl send him a picture of herself," said prosecutor Lucie Stoker.

"He also asked for snaps of her not wearing any clothes and some sexy photographs.

"He revealed he was falling in love with her. He repeatedly requested that she reciprocates that love, but she doesn't," continued Ms Stoker.

Arrangements were made for 'Sophie' to travel alone from Leeds to Gloucester by train.

Hill told her he would take her to a nearby hotel and sent her a copy of the receipt.

"The girl was told that she could look forward to a lot of sex in all of its forms," said Ms Stoker.

"He was predatory in his behaviour throughout," she added.

'Bitterly regrets'

The judge, James Watson KC, told Hill: "Not only had you encouraged and groomed and planned this meeting for penetrative sex, you had offered her incentives by how you would treat her and the presents and money you would give her after you had met her.

"I've no doubt that had this been a real 14-year-old, you would have carried out what you proposed."

Catherine Spedding, defending, said Hill had suffered from loneliness after his marriage dissolved and "bitterly regrets" his actions.

"Hill met 'Sophie' on a normal social media site, he was not surfing the internet for this type of material and opportunities," argued Ms Spedding.

Hill pleaded guilty to attempting to have sexual communication with a child for the purpose of sexual gratification.

He also pleaded guilty to attempting to facilitate a child sex offence by engaging in sexual activity with 14-year-old girl that involved penetration; and attempt to meet a child following sexual grooming.

The judge sentenced Hill to three years and 11 months in prison and subjected him to the term of a 20-year sexual harm prevention order, which limits his use of the internet.

He was also put on the sex offenders register for life.

The judge also barred Hill from working with children and vulnerable adults in the future.

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A former teacher at Whitgift School was yesterday given a four-year prison sentence for abusing boys at the private school in the 1980s. The school could now face a class action legal case brought on behalf of three victims because of the abuse Dodd inflicted on them.

At a trial at Gloucester Crown Court in July, Paul Dodd, now 64, pleaded guilty to one offence of child cruelty and two of indecent assault during the time he was a history teacher and rugby coach at the school in South Croydon.

The boys abused were aged between 10 and 12.

Dodd moved to New Zealand in around 1988. His abuse at Whitgift came to light through a TV New Zealand documentary that was broadcast in 1995.

Two months ago, the Gloucester judge gave Dodd a suspended prison sentence of two years in addition to a rehabilitation programme, unpaid work and being placed on a sexual harm prevention order for seven years. The judge took into account that Dodd is sole carer for his wife, who has a chronic medical condition, and it was “for that reason alone” that his sentence was suspended.

But yesterday the Court of Appeal deemed that the sentence was too lenient, following an appeal through the Attorney General’s Office.

Lawyers acting for the victims of Dodds’ abuse had submitted that, “Survivors of abuse often face a life sentence in respect of the impact of their abuse, and it is only right that those that inflict these heinous acts should be punished appropriately, and this must include a prison term.”

Whitgift School is part of the Whitgift Foundation, together with Trinity School and Old Palace girls’ school, which in unrelated developments  it was revealed yesterday is facing closure in 2025.

Whitgift School is known for having peacocks strutting in its expansive grounds, very good sports teams and outstanding academic results. It all comes at a price, though. Fees for day boys at Whitgift are currently more than £22,000 per year. Full boarders are charged £43,629 per year.

Dino Nocivelli, for solicitors Leigh Day, acting on behalf of the victims, has confirmed that he will “continue with the civil cases against the school for the abuse inflicted by Dodd”.

Nocivelli has revealed, “It has come to our knowledge through a New Zealand documentary that Dodd was placed on a list prohibiting him from teaching after leaving Whitgift School, while apparently the Whitgift headmaster gave him a ‘glowing reference’ to take up a teaching role in New Zealand.”

Dodd joined the staff of Kings College, a prestigious boarding school in Auckland, in 1988. While there, Dodd admitted that he had been dismissed from Whitgift for hitting a child – for the second time – after having lost his temper.

The programme included an interview with a young man who alleged that he had been sexually propositioned by Dodd when he was a 16-year-old at the school, and it also found that because of his assault on the 10-year-old at Whitgift, Dodd was placed on “List 99” by the Department for Education in the UK, making him unsuitable for teaching children.

Yesterday, Appeal Court judges Lord Justice William Davis, Mr Justice Jacobs and Mr Justice Griffiths concluded Dodds’ sentencing judge in July should have imposed a total sentence of four years.

Victims had described their anxiety, nightmares and depression after the offending in personal statements, the AGO said.

Despite the restrictions placed on Dodd after his sentencing in July, he is at liberty, and following the Court of Appeal sentence, he was given until 4pm today to surrender himself to a police station.

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A paedophile whose actions left one of his victims unable to trust men, even her own dad and grandad, has been jailed. Anthony Hemmings sexually abused two teenage girls between 2003 and 2008 on a number of occasions.

Hemmings, 69 and from Yate, denied abusing either of the girls. However, he was found guilty by a jury of: indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14, gross indecency with a girl under the age of 16, engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15, and two counts of assaulting a girl under the age of 13 by touching.

During a sentencing hearing, Hemmings was jailed for 33 months, with a judge taking into account his current ill-health. Upon his release, he will be subject to indefinite notification requirements as a registered sex offender.

Avon and Somerset Police said both victims, now in their 20s, approached officers separately to report the abuse they received at the hands of Hemmings. During a court hearing, one of his victims read out a statement saying Hemmings' abuse had left her unable to trust other men, even those related to her.

She said: "My relationship with my own father and grandfather changed. After these things had started happening I distanced myself from them both.

"This is a huge thing for me as I wish I could go back and rebuild that relationship with my grandfather as he has now died and I can’t get it back. I just found it hard to trust male figures in my life after [the defendant] did what he did."

She also explained how her mental health deteriorated to the point where she dropped out of education. She said: "The inability to pursue further education has left me with unfulfilled potential and longing for the opportunities that should have been within reach."

'Profound and lasting impact of trauma'

The victim went onto say the trauma from the abuse has left her feeling distressed when she sees an adult hugging a child. "There is a profound and lasting impact this childhood trauma has had on my life," she said.

"The emotional and psychological wounds inflicted during those critical years echo throughout my existence, impairing relationships, eroding confidence and severing ties. I am grateful that I have been listened to, that I have been believed, and aim to heal the wounds that this traumatic experience has left behind."

Hemmings' other victim spoke of how the abuse she suffered stopped her from socialising and ended with her seeking medical help for anxiety and depression. She said: "I kept that secret with me and over the years I was finding it harder and harder to deal with.

"I spoke to numerous people on the Childline website. They told me I needed to report this crime, but I found it hard to come out and tell people what happened to me. I used to have night terrors and there were numerous times that I woke up in the middle of the night, and even throughout the day, thinking of what happened to me and knowing it wasn’t right."

While sentencing Hemmings, Judge Peter Blair KC said the personal statements clearly showed the long lasting impact the actions of adults like the defendant have when they commit offences against children. Speaking after sentencing, officer in the case Detective Sergeant Tom Williams: "I sincerely admire the strength the women have shown in coming forward. They have each spoken movingly about the impact Hemmings’ actions have had on their lives.

"Hemmings kept his real character hidden from his family. He acted for his own gratification without regard for anyone else, and did so repeatedly.

"I hope that the sentence handed down today will reassure the women that other children will be kept safe from Anthony Hemmings. I also hope that the case will give confidence to anyone else who has suffered sexual abuse to know they will be listened to and offences will be thoroughly investigated.

"If you have experienced sexual abuse, no matter when, do please seek help. Get in touch with The Bridge sexual assault referral centre. They offer counselling, medical care and practical help all day, every day, and it will still be your choice whether or not to contact the police."

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Officers have paid tribute to the bravery of a victim in a rape case that went to trial but resulted in a guilty verdict last week.

On Friday (15 September) a jury at Gloucester Crown Court found Matthew Dickens, 25 and of Greet Road, Winchcombe, guilty of two counts of rape against the same woman in an incident in 2020.

Dickens met the woman following contact with her via a messaging app. After meeting the victim and one of her friends, they went to a bar. Later, Dickens went to the woman’s home with her. She could not recall how she became undressed but recounted how Dickens then went on to rape her twice and hold her throat.

Detective Constable Rob Brown, officer-in-charge of the case, said: “Dickens subjected the victim to a terrifying ordeal that will deeply impact her for the rest of her life.

“He then compounded his crimes by pleading not guilty and claiming this was a consensual act, meaning the victim had to go through the trial process.

“I want to commend her bravery and determination to carry on supporting the case when it would have been understandable if she had decided not to put herself through it.

“Thankfully it took the jury less than two hours to decide on his guilt and I hope that provides some level of validation for her courage.

“In the process a dangerous individual has now been convicted at court and, potentially, prevented from wrecking other people’s lives.

“My message to anyone else who is a rape victim who is worried about coming forward is that you will be believed and that the criminal justice system is beginning to change, so please do report what has happened to you. We are transforming the way that the CPS and police handle rape and sexual assault cases, and are working together to ensure that victims are supported throughout the prosecution process.”

Dickens will be sentenced at a later date.

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A 28-year-old man who a court heard worked for Stroud District Council abducted and raped a young girl after grooming her on Xbox.

Shaun Davies pleaded guilty to abducting and raping a 14-year-old girl on July 27, 2021 and was jailed for seven-and-a-half years at Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday (September 5). 

Davies, of Greenway, Brockworth, travelled to Derby to commit the offences.

He initially denied the offences but changed his pleas to guilty after the victim gave evidence on the first day of his trial. 

Jason Coulter, for the defence, said in court that Davies worked for Stroud District Council and that he had resigned last week.

However, speaking after the hearing, SDC said he was employed via an agency and did not work directly for the authority. 

Prosecutor Ian Fenny said the grooming began over the Xbox when the conversation evolved and Davies, who was aged 26 at the time, turned to the girl, who he knew was aged 14, and told her it was about time she lost her virginity. 

Mr Fenny said: “The victim felt she was getting closer to Davies and she felt he wanted to be with her. 

“The girl’s family suspected that something was happening but when challenged she denied to her parents that anything untoward was occurring.

“On July 27, 2021, Davies arrived at the girl’s home and told her that they were going away for a time. He whisked her away without the parent’s permission. 

"She believed she was travelling to Leeds to look at a plot of land. 

“While they were travelling, the girl’s father was sending messages to his daughter, who was prevented by Davies from replying. 

“Davies then took the phone off the girl and drove to two isolated spots in Derby to have sex with the girl.”

The court was told that after they had got back into the car, Davies was stopped by police in the Greater Manchester area after the alarm had been raised by the girl’s family.

The girl was returned to her family, whereupon she was subjected to a number of tests. Internal DNA evidence confirmed that Davies had raped the girl.

'The worst thing that ever happened to me' says victim

The teenage victim said in her statement: “I shall never forget the day Davies took me. 

“He had his hand on my lap all the time we were travelling, he spoke to me in a particular way. 

“When we had sex I don’t know why he didn’t stop when I said no.

“What he physically did to me hurt me greatly. That was the worst thing that ever happened to me. 

“I was upset and angry as I hated the idea that I could have been made pregnant by Davies. I have not felt the same ever since. 

“I’ve had difficulty sleeping.

"I’ve tried really hard not to think about what’s happened. I have suffered from nightmares ever since. This whole episode has made me feel lonely and sad.”

Jason Coulter, defending, said: “Davies wasn’t at the start of the trial process, as he was told he would lose his job if he didn’t attend that day. 

“He was persuaded that pleading guilty, in light of the girl’s evidence, was the way forward.

“Davies left school with little in the way of qualifications and last week he resigned from his job at Stroud District Council.

“The pre-sentence report suggests that he has shown little remorse for his actions, but through me he wishes to apologise and express his remorse to his victim and her wider family." 

'Carefully calculated process of grooming' says judge 

In sentencing Davies to a prison term of seven-and-a-half years, Judge Ian Lawrie KC told him: “You embarked on a carefully contrived and calculated process of grooming. 

“You took advantage of her youth and ignorance.

“It’s hard to understand why you did what you did, but there can be no excuses for your actions, which were based on lust and desire.

"You were reluctant to show any remorse, until your victim had given evidence at your trial, when you pleaded guilty.

“Your sexual activity and the abduction of this girl has come at a heavy price as you will not be eligible for parole until you’ve served at least two thirds of your sentence.”

The judge subjected Davies to a life-long sexual harm prevention order and sex offender registration and ordered him to pay a mandatory surcharge of £190.

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A football coach who was found guilty of raping a 15-year-old in 2006 has been jailed for seven years.

Paul Edwards, 62, of Marling Crescent, Farmhill, Stroud, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court for sentencing on Friday 4 August.

Passing sentence, the judge, Recorder Neil Millard told Edwards: "That girl's life has been changed forever because you raped her."

Edwards was placed on the sex-offender register for life.

He has also been barred from working with children.

Prosecutor Giles Nelson said that during the summer of 2006 the 15-year-old girl had an argument with her father and sought refuge at the home of some people she knew in Minchinhampton, near Stroud.

"She was distressed when she arrived and was comforted by the occupants. Arrangements were made for her to stay overnight."

He said that Edwards was in the house and invited the girl to share the bed he was sleeping in. "She woke up a few hours later, to find that Edwards having sex with her."

The teenager told her sister the following day that she had been raped.

Mr Nelson said: "She was a child who couldn't have consented to sex. She was also sleeping when Edwards raped her."

'Lived a lie'

The victim reported the offence in 2020 with Edwards first being tried in January last year. However, the jury was discharged after failing to agree on a verdict.

Edwards was convicted after a retrial at Cirencester Court in June this year.

In an impact statement, the victim said the night was "one of absolute terror".

"Whatever happens to Edwards now, it will never be enough for what he did to me that night. He has lived a lie for the past 17 years," she said.

"I have been unable to go through with counselling as some sessions have been too much for me."

She said that, now Edwards has been sentenced, she hopes to resume counselling.

'You are a rapist'

The Judge Millard told Edwards: "You had been a football coach in the local community for much of your life.

"Your victim was vulnerable. She was distressed. You took advantage of her. You were drunk.

"Her life changed that day because of you. We now know you are a rapist, a child rapist."

Defending Edwards, Virginia Cornwall told the court that "at the heart of all this" was Edwards' drinking on that day.

"His life was football coaching in the community... [and] he has to face the consequences of his actions."

She added that she hoped the jury's verdict will give the victim some closure.

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A police team dedicated to protecting children have helped put a paedophile behind bars after he groomed a 12-year-old girl online.

Stewart Barnett was 42 when he posed as a 19-year-old and sent messages to the child on different social media sites and over text.

He has now been jailed for six years and six months following an investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary's Child Sexual Exploitation Team.

Barnett had been messaging the victim for a number of months last year and asked her to carry out sexual acts on herself.

He asked her to video these and send them to him, and he also sent the child images and videos of himself masturbating.

Police were informed and Barnett, now aged 43 and from Longlevens, Gloucester was arrested and charged.

He admitted two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity – penetration, and one count of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity - no penetration.

At a hearing on 25 May Barnett also admitted making indecent images of a child (the victim), namely 20 images and four videos in category A, 28 images and 29 videos in category B and 190 images and 9 videos in category C.

He was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on Monday 26 June to six years and six months in custody. Barnett was also given a restraining order for 10 years, a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years and he was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Investigating officer TDC Caroline George said: "Barnett preyed upon this child and sent her vile messages, which included trying to make her feel guilty when she didn’t want to send him certain videos.

"He displayed clear grooming behaviour by telling the victim that he loved her and wanted to meet her, while knowing he was speaking to, and exploiting, a child.

"I'd like to commend the girl’s courage for speaking about what was happening and working with us throughout the investigation."

Detective Inspector Simon Goodenough added: "We have a dedicated team which investigate these type of abhorrent offences and we’ll do everything we can in order to prosecute those who cause harm to children.

"The victim in this case has been extremely brave for speaking about Barnett’s horrid actions and I would too like to thank her and her family for working with us."

Following the hearing, the victim's mother said: "We feel relieved that justice has been served and that now we hope we can rebuild our lives moving forward.

"We would like to extend our grateful thanks for the amazing support we received from TDC Caroline George throughout every stage of this investigation.

"We would also like to thank our child exploitation social worker and Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre for their hard work and the support which they have given our daughter."

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A man from Cheltenham has been sentenced to 16 year in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing two young boys.

Craig Sykes, a 46-year-old resident of Cromwell Road, Oakley, was accused of several serious crimes against children, including sexual assault of a child under 13, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, oral rape of a child, indecent assault of a 13-year-old child, and child cruelty by willfully assaulting a boy between 1995 and 2005.

Despite denying the allegations, he was convicted by a jury on six counts last month. Following a trial that lasted five days, two other charges were dropped.

Detective Constable James Coll said: “This has been an emotional case and this sentence shows that we will not stand for the despicable crimes against children that Sykes committed.

"I would like to commend the victims for the courage and strength they have shown throughout this case. Their bravery in coming forward and seeing this through has helped put Sykes behind bars for a long time.

"We would encourage anyone that has been subject to sexual violence and rape to come forward, no matter how long ago it had happened, as Gloucestershire Constabulary will continually work tirelessly to ensure that victims of sexual offences are heard.

"Under UK law, victims of rape and sexual assault are granted full anonymity. We ask that no comments are made which would identify the victims in this case."

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A ‘PERSISTENT and prolific offender’ has been jailed for 28 months for his latest crime spree – which included sexually assaulting a woman neighbour, indecent exposure, shoplifting, and screaming racist abuse at a black police officer.

Lewis Trenchard, formerly of Buckshaft Road, Cinderford, but now of Worcester Street, Gloucester, already had 70 offences on his record before committing his most recent spate of crimes in Sedbury and Cheltenham, Gloucester Crown Court was told.

The 23-year-old pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault, assault by beating, criminal damage, exposure, theft and using threatening and offensive behaviour with intent to harass or alarm.

Prosecutor Rhianna Fricker said on April 10 2021, Trenchard answered the door to police at an address in Buttington Road, Sedbury.

Ms Fricker said: “He appeared to be very drunk and disorderly. He was taken into custody.”

He started shouting racial slurs at the officers.

The offences began on January 18 2021 when Trenchard was living in Cheltenham.

A woman resident of another flat in the building was at home when Trenchard, who was drunk, started going in and out of her home at a time when Covid restrictions banned people mixing indoors.

During the incident he held her against the sofa and thrust his hips into her. His groin made contact with her hips.

After he was removed from the flat, police received a calls from about Trenchard running into traffic.

Trenchard got onto the bonnet of a car but another man tackled and removed him.

Ms Fricker said the indecent exposure offence followed shortly afterwards and again involved the woman Trenchard had earlier assaulted

“She was sitting near her home with friends and saw the road altercation. Trenchard then joined her and exposed his penis a number of times, making her feel very uncomfortable. He then kicked out at the window of her flat and smashed it. He laughed at the damage he had done and then approached the same woman and touched her breasts with his hand.

Later that day he was found in a nearby shop he was found to have goods concealed in his clothing.

Ms Fricker said Trenchard’s past convictions, beginning in 2015, included 39 thefts, four offences of criminal damage, two of battery, an assault causing actual bodily harm, burglary, two of robbery and one of being drunk and disorderly.

Thomas Griffiths, defending, conceded “This is a particularly unpleasant set of offences and an unhappy record of previous convictions.”

Mr Griffiths said Trenchard had been abusing alcohol and drugs from an early age as a result of events in his troubled childhood.

Trenchard had been in custody on remand awaiting sentence since May last year so had already served the equivalent of a 20 month jail term, said Mr Griffiths.

He asked the judge to consider passing a sentence which would allow Trenchard to leave prison immediately and take up an offer of a fresh start at Bridgend.

Trenchard was anxious to be at liberty as soon as possible to support his mother, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, he added. Trenchard would never forgive himself if he could not be there for his mother in her final days, he said.

“He does not wish to drink alcohol again - he knows now that he cannot have just one drink because it spirals to ten and then to new offending.”

Judge Lowe sentenced Trenchard to a total of 28 months, telling him that although it would not mean his immediate release he would be out of prison in the near future.

Trenchard’s personal problems and background did not excuse his trail of offending but did put it in context, said the judge.

“I am very sorry your mother is ill and I very much hope you will be released in time to go and see her.”

As well as the jail term the judge made a two year restraining order barring Trenchard from contacing the sex assault victim in any way

He also ordered Trenchard to pay £264.64 compensation for the damage to the flat.

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David Fletcher, of Conygar Road, Tetbury, admitted five charges of sexual communication with a child and three of making indecent images when he appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates Court yesterday, Thursday.

Prosecutor Sue Gethin said Gloucestershire policereceived information that Fletcher had been chatting with a 12-year-old girl in a sexual manner on social media.

It is clear that the girl explained to Fletcher numerous times that she was aged 12," said the prosecutor.

"Fletcher correctly revealed that he was aged 61 at the time.

"The conversation continued between them in a sexual manner over a two month period, during which he sent her pictures of his genitalia and videos of him masturbating. He also sent her normal pictures of himself in the area in which he lives.

Fletcher admitted that between January 7, 2021 and March 13, 2021 in Tetbury, he intentionally attempted to communicate with a 12-year-old girl in a sexual manner which included sending videos of himself masturbating and encouraged her to engage in sexual activity.

He also admitted that on November 12, 2020, he sent a picture of male genitalia to a 13-year-old girl and on April 17, 2021 he chatted to a 13-year-old girl about sexual acts and sent a picture of male genitalia.

On April 21, 2021, he communicated with 10-year-old and the conversation included his desire to experience sexual activity with a 10-year-old and an 11-year-old child at the same time.

Additionally, on the same date, he communicated with a 15-year-old in a sexual manner and sent a picture of a male genitalia.

Fletcher also admitted making indecent images of a child between December 31, 2019 and April 17, 2021, namely 310 images at category A, 177 at category B and 46 at category C.

The case was sent to Gloucester Crown Court where committed Fletcher will be sentenced on January 27.

Fletcher was placed on the sex offenders register and released on unconditional bail.

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A man who sexually abused a four-year-old girl while working as a childminding assistant has been jailed for 10 years.

The girl used dolls to illustrate to the jury how Stephen Walker, from Walton Cardiff, near Tewkesbury, abused her when taking her to the toilet.

The 56-year-old was found unanimously guilty of assaulting a child aged under thirteen.

The nursery has ceased trading as a result of the allegations.

Judge Ian Lawrie KC praised the young victim for the way she gave her "compelling evidence" via video link to Gloucester Crown Court on Friday.

He said she had been "clear and precise" and had spoken without hesitation as she told the jury what Walker had done to her on "lots of days" last year.

In his police interview Walker denied the allegations and said he did not take girls to the toilet "to prevent allegations such as this", but said the victim would often seek cuddles from him.

Prosecutor Tabby Macfarlane said the child had "complained to her mother that her 'middle hurt' - middle being the four-year-old's term for her genitals".

She told both her mother and her grandmother that Walker had hurt her while taking her to the toilet.

Charlotte Surley, defending, suggested that Walker did not touch the girl in the way that was alleged. She said he believed that what she had told people was a "misunderstanding".

'Compelling evidence'

The young victim was interviewed by officers at a special child-friendly location with support workers in attendance.

Mr Lawrie told Walker he had been convicted on the "compelling evidence of a four-year-old girl".

Walker is also barred from having any contact with children under the age of 18 for an indefinite period and will have to sign the sex offender's register for life.

Det Con David Escolme from Gloucestershire Police praised the victim and their family for showing "amazing strength and courage" during the trial.

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A "manipulative" paedophile has been jailed for eight years after having sex with a teenage girl and then trying to abduct her.

Richard Gilbert, of Quenney's Close, Gloucester, was found guilty of six counts of sexual activity with a child from September 2021 to Spring 2022.

The 30-year-old had previously admitted abducting the girl.

Sentencing judge Neil Millard said Gilbert was a "dangerous predator" and and "abusive child sex offender".

Prosecutor James Haskell told the court the teenager's mother became suspicious of her daughter's friendship with Gilbert when she came home with gifts from him in August 2021.

The mother reported her fears to police and Gilbert was arrested.

At the time, he denied any sexual contact with the girl and was released under investigation with strict conditions not to contact her or her family.

"However Gilbert ignored those conditions, he continued his relationship with the girl," Mr Haskell said.

He said the mother contacted the police again.

"The girl was then interviewed by police and she admitted having sex with Gilbert on three separate occasions."

He said Gilbert was arrested for a second time and was again released with strict conditions not to contact the girl or her family.

The court was told Gilbert went on to abduct the girl after making plans to "run away together" and kept her in a room at lodgings in Cheltenham.

When police found her, she told them she was his girlfriend.

Giving evidence the girl said the relationship started when he kissed her at a social event.

"Gilbert would get jealous if he saw me with male friends from school," she said.

"On one occasion I was in the park with my friends when Gilbert texted me to say he could see me. This scared me as I couldn't see him.

"If I didn't tell him things he'd threaten me. He would log into my social media accounts and block my friends.

"This made me feel uncomfortable."

Jason Coulter, defending, said the plan to run away with the girl was "utter lunacy", and that Gilbert had "genuine, but wholly inappropriate, feelings of affection" towards her.

Sentencing judge, Recorder Neil Millard, told Gilbert he was a "dangerous predator" and would not be considered for parole until he had served at least two thirds of his sentence.

He was also given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and told to sign the sex offender's register indefinitely, and banned from ever working with children.

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A CONVICTED rapist who failed to return to prison after day release was found in Kendal. Colin Hogben was serving his sentence at HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire, near Bristol. The 73-year-old was allowed out on day release on June 23 but did not return. It prompted Avon and Somerset police to launch a manhunt for the prisoner, telling the public not to approach him and to call 999 with any information. According to court records, Hogben was found in Kendal - more than 200 miles from the open prison. He was detained by police on June 25. Police said he had a bus pass and access to money. Warning people at the time of his disappearance, a police spokesperson said: "He was convicted of rape in 1994. "If you know where he is now, call 999 immediately and give the reference 5222149339. "Dont approach him. If you have any other information which could help to find him, ring 101 with the same reference." Picked up by police, Hogben was hauled before Barrow's magistrates' court. He admitted remaining unlawfully at large past the period of his temporary release. Hogben is due to be sentenced for the offence at Carlisle Crown Court on July 29.