Latest Offenders Hertfordshire

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A man faces 16 months behind bars after he was caught masturbating in front of a woman on the London Underground, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Terence Emberson, 55, and of Church Road, Hertford, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on 18 July, where he pleaded guilty to one count of indecent exposure and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which he was given for another exposure offence in 2020.

On Monday 15 August Emberson was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment at Inner London Crown Court. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

At around 7pm on Wednesday 1 June, Emberson boarded a Victoria Line train at Tottenham Hale station and the victim noticed him staring in the direction of two other women on the carriage.

He then turned towards her and exposed his genitals, staring at her while he masturbated in front of her.

Officers quickly matched the victims account and description of the offender to Emberson, evidencing a breach of his SHPO which prohibited him from lowering or unzipping his trousers in any public place. He was later arrested at his home.

BTP Detective Constable Emma Martin, said: Im pleased to see Emberson behind bars for his sickening actions which left the victim horrified.

Sexual Harm Prevention Orders are given to protect the public, and Embersons blatant disregard of this proves his predatory mindset.

No one should be subjected to this behaviour as they travel, and we are absolutely committed to stamping it out.

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"He attempted to arrange for the most horrific abuse of vulnerable children thousands of miles away from him for his own gratification" A Northern Ireland born comedian who paid criminals to sexually abuse children has been jailed. Eamon Goodfellow, originally from Lurgan, Co Armagh, was sentenced to four years and nine months after he was convicted of paying for and directing the sexual abuse of children in the Philippines and Romania. The 50-year-old, who had been living in St Albans in Hertfordshire, was arrested by National Crime Agency officers on June 14, 2018 and all of his electronic devices seized for analysis. The NCA says a number of chat logs were recovered which showed Goodfellow discussing the abuse of children with facilitators, one of whom was based in the Philippines and the other in Romania. In a statement issued on Thursday, they added: In the chats, Goodfellow was shown to be actively seeking children under 13-years-old. When a child at the right age was identified, he would direct the facilitators to perform certain sexual acts on the children with a view to live-streaming the offending. Evidence showed that he sent payment to the facilitators to carry out the abuse. He was found guilty of two counts of attempting to cause the sexual exploitation of a child under 13 at St Albans Crown Court on 12 April following a six day trial. He was sentenced today to four years and nine months in prison. Goodfellow is also subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain on the sex offenders register for life. The Daily Mirror reported previously how video clips of the the sex offenders comedy showed him joking about another young comedian being too ugly for child-molesting Moors murderers Myra Hindley and Ian Brady. The reported added that he was a runner-up in the 2019 New Act of the Year Final and had performed at the Edinburgh fringe. Speaking today, Martin Ludlow from the National Crime Agency said: Goodfellow made it very clear that he has sexual interest in young children in these chat logs. He attempted to arrange for the most horrific abuse of vulnerable children thousands of miles away from him for his own gratification. He was helped by facilitators whose motive is to make money. This kind of financially-driven offending is a key threat to the UK. The NCA works with international law enforcement partners to safeguard children, as well as to identify and disrupt those willing to fund and carry out this abuse. The NCA has an excellent relationship with agencies in the Philippines and actively supports the work of the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Centre (PICACC).

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A sex offender from Hertfordshire assaulted his victim while she slept on a sofa.

The incident occurred in October 2017, when Richard Newman sexually assaulted his female victim after she had fallen asleep.

The victim later called 999 and Newman was arrested, but denied the allegations made against him.

The 51-year-old from High Street, Reed - near Royston - appeared at Luton Crown Court on Friday (June 24).

There he was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, after being found guilty of sexual assault and sexual assault by penetration.

Detective Sergeant Amy Farmer, from Hertfordshire Police's Sexual Offences Investigation Team (SOIT), said: "Newman despicably took advantage of the victim as she slept.

"She was so traumatised by what had happened, that she was initially unable to speak during her 999 call to police as she could not stop crying.

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Macaulay Brown has been sentenced to 11 years and 6 months behind bars after being found guilty of a number of sexual offences.

The 26-year-old, from Therfield near Royston, was arrested on October 18 2018, following an incident at an address in Hitchin.

The victim told officers she was awoken by Brown touching her and then raping her while he believed she was still asleep.

Another victim then came forward alleging that Brown had sexually assaulted her under similar circumstances at a house in Cambridge in December 2017.

The victim had spent the evening at her home address in Bassingbourn with a number of friends, one of them being Brown.

The victim went to bed and woke up to find Brown sexually assaulting her.

Brown denied both offences but was found guilty of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday, March 16.

He appeared for sentencing at Cambridge Crown Court this morning (April 25), where he was sentenced to 11 years and 6 months in prison.

Both Hertfordshire Constabulary and Cambridgeshire Constabulary have specially trained officers who, in the event of a sexual offence, will provide practical and emotional support throughout the investigation and court process.

Survivors of sexual violence can have confidence that the police and other partner agencies will support them throughout the investigation and criminal justice process.

DC Caroline Niwaz said: I hope Brown uses his time in prison to reflect on his actions, which have understandably had a lasting impact on his victims.

I would like to commend them for their bravery in coming forward and supporting a conviction.

I hope this prison sentence gives them some sense of closure and justice.

I would like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who believes they may have been a victim of any form of sexual abuse to report it to police.

Please be assured that we will always treat you with the utmost sensitivity and respect.

Anyone in Hertfordshire who has experienced sexual abuse or sexual violence can contact the Herts Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for practical and emotional support.

The centre can arrange face-to-face support, sexual health referrals, and provide forensic medical examinations for those who want them.

This service is open to everyone men, women and young people, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.

To contact Herts SARC, call the 24/7 helpline on 0808 178 4448, email, or visit Herts SARC.

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A MET Police detective has been found guilty of trying to meet a 13-year-old girl for sex when he was "on duty working from home". DC Francois Olwage, 52, travelled 75 miles to meet "Caitlin", who was actually an undercover officer after grooming the person online. Police found two condoms, a bottle of lubricant and a packet of Tadalafil erectile dysfunction tablets in his bag when they arrested him in a McDonalds in Basingstoke, Hampshire. A box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates was also found, thought to be a present for the "girl", and he was about to buy a McFlurry for her. Paedo Olwage had been on-duty and working from home when he made the journey from his home in Stevenage, Herts, in October. The Met Police counter-terrorism officer went to meet the "girl" after revealing sex acts he wanted to perform on her during two weeks of explicit messaging. The undercover officer called the girl Smile Bear on online chat forum Lycos, before they moved onto Whatsapp and called her Caitlin. Olwage, a serving police officer of 19 years, had booked a hotel room for the meeting. Winchester crown court found him guilty of three child sex offences. Met Detective Chief Superintendent Donna Smith said last year his arrest followed a comprehensive investigation by Hertfordshire Police. Olwage told the jury he never believed Smile Bear was a 13-year-old girl and that he thought it was an adult playing out a fantasy. The sex offender also denied any sexual interest in children. He was today found guilty of attempted sexual communication with a child, attempting to cause/incite a girl aged 13 to engage in sexual activity, and attempting to meet a girl under the age of 16 following grooming. He admitted improperly exercising his police powers and privileges to receive the "benefit of sexual gratification" when the trial started. Judge Jane Miller QC ordered the jury to find him not guilty of arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence. He will be remanded in custody and sentenced this month. The Sun approached the Met Police for comment.

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Jordan Hubbock was released on licence while serving a sentence for raping three people, but cut off his electronic tag and went to ground in Essex for a month A convicted rapist from Bushey, near Watford, considered "high risk" was at large in Essex for a month after he cut off his electronic tag following his release from prison. Jordan Hubbock was put in jail after his conviction in 2014 for raping three people, one of whom was a child under the age of 16. Hubbock, 26, committed the crimes between 2011 and 2013 and was released from prison on licence in 2021 and fitted with an electronic tag to track his movements, EssexLive reports. He was also listed on the Sex Offenders' Register, requiring him to inform police of his address, telephone numbers, credit cards and social media accounts. However, shortly after his release to the Basildon area in Essex, and later Barking, Hubbock cut off his tag. Essex Police was informed that he was a "high risk" sexual offender and a manhunt was launched, which included appeals on social media. Hubbock went to ground in February last year, and it was not until March 18 that he was found by police searching an address, where he had been hiding behind a sunbed. Hubbock was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday (March 9) for breaching notification requirements. Prosecuting, Mitchell Cohen said: "He had failed to notify police that he was using an application called Kik, and he had been using that in a different name by which he was generally known. "The fourth breach relates to a credit card. "It was a determined and long-lasting attempt to evade. It caused a great deal of harm when he was declared a high-risk offender." Mr Cohen said police had located the broken electronic tag that had been dumped in a bin by Hubbock. Mitigating, Chris Harper said Hubbock had taken full responsibility for his actions and admitted his guilt, but the use of a different name was not a "deliberate attempt" to evade and was actually his mother's maiden name. He added: "He hasn't understood the requirements that he should have. That's no excuse, the obligation is on him but it does put this into context. He accepts his behaviour was wrong." Mr Harper added Hubbock was undertaking a business economics degree from the Open University whilst in prison. Judge Samantha Leigh told Hubbock: "It was a determined effort to evade detection. You were off the record for a month. You were eventually tracked by telephone data through your family." Hubbock was jailed for 30 months, however, this will run alongside his recall to prison to serve the remainder of his original sentence, which is expected to last until at least January 2027.

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A 32-year-old man has been jailed for two-and-a-half years for rape whilst at a Bucks pub. Matthew Clayden, aged 32, of Norfolk Road, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to rape and sexual assault at Amersham Crown Court on Monday (February 21). Last year, on August 27, the victim went to a pub in Aylesbury for drinks with some friends. When Clayden was alone with the victim, he kissed her, touched her breasts, and forced her to perform oral sex. He has now been put on the sex offenders register for life. Investigating officer, Detective Constable Laura Wright, based at Aylesbury police station, said: This is a suitable conviction for a serious crime committed against a vulnerable young woman, who was having some drinks with friends. The victim, in this case, has been extremely strong throughout this investigation and hopefully she and her family are happy that justice has been served against the offender.

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Prosecutors are seeking jail terms totalling 220 years for Ben David, 32, who is accused of targeting more than 30 children in a complex "web of deceit" A paedophile teacher who changed his name to cheat background checks has been accused of targeting more than 30 children. Ben David also allegedly changed the numbers on one of his two passports to worm his way into the lives of more than 30 seven and eight-year-old girls he is accused of abusing at one school alone. Prosecutors are seeking jail terms totalling 220 years for the 32-year-old pervert over the complex web of deceit said to have led to photos of youngsters ending up on dark web child sex sites. Convicted in the UK as Ben Lewis, he was given a suspended jail term in 2016, after admitting downloading indecent images of children. He then changed his name by deed poll online a 15-minute process and moved to Zaragoza and then Madrid, Spain. It is claimed he continued to reoffend after tricking the parents of three children into hiring him as their au pair. Prosecutors also allege he filmed an act which targeted one of the unsuspecting youngsters in his care. They say he acted with contempt for child dignity and the most elemental norms of respect for infancy. The Hertfordshire-born deviant is also accused of taking indecent pictures of 31 schoolgirls. He has been charged with making child abuse images, privacy offences, forgery and a crime of degrading treatment between 2016 and 2019. His trial date has not yet been confirmed.

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A former Stevenage-based police officer has been jailed after pleading guilty to corruption and making of indecent images of children.

Ben Pitelen, 45, was suspended from Hertfordshire Constabulary in July 2020 when the offences came to light, and dismissed from the force at a special hearing last September.

Pitelen - who was based with the Roads Policing Unit at Stevenage - appeared at Aylesbury Crown Court last Friday and was sentenced to 25 months in prison.

The police corruption matter relates to inappropriate sexual communication with a third party.

He joined the constabulary in 2000 and worked solely in uniform roles. He was a response constable from 2000 to 2004 when he moved to roads policing and remained until these matters came to light.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Matt Nicholls said: These are very serious offences involving an officer who has betrayed the trust placed in him in an appalling way.

"I hope the public is reassured by our continued efforts to tackle corruption in the service and bring offenders to justice.

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A FORMER Wakefield teacher has been jailed after being convicted of sexual activity with a child. Jonathan Adamson, 33, of Lockley Crescent, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, was sentenced on Monday, December 6, to seven years imprisonment. He was also put on the sex offenders register indefinitely and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He was convicted following a trial at Leeds Crown Court of four counts of sexual activity with a child and pleaded guilty at the start of the trial to one further count of sexual activity with a child. The offences occurred a number of years ago and were against one teenage girl. Adamson worked as a teacher at the time of the offences. DI Suzanne Gall, of Wakefield Child Safeguarding Unit, said: Adamson has groomed his victim and sexually assaulted her on a number of occasions. His actions were predatory and took advantage of a vulnerable victim. "I welcome the custodial sentence he has been given and hope it provides the victim with some closure after she was forced to relive the offences he committed against her at trial when he refused to accept his guilt. These offences were reported a couple of years after they occurred and I hope it demonstrates that the police and CPS can, and will, still investigate and prosecute such offences where possible.

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A paedophile from Welwyn has been jailed for six years after pleading guilty to historic child sex offences.

David Suter, 74, of Glebe Road, appeared before St Albans Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child.

The court heard the abuse took place in the Welwyn area between 2004 and 2008, with Suter offering money to the victim in exchange for her carrying out sexual acts.

“The victim – who is now aged in her 30s – was vulnerable due to her difficult upbringing, and the abuse she suffered at Suter’s hands caused her mental wellbeing to suffer,” said Det Con Liz McGrath, from Hertfordshire Historic Child Abuse Investigation Unit.

“It wasn’t until 2019 that she felt able to disclose to police the details of what had happened to her. Suter was subsequently arrested and in January 2021, he was charged.

“The victim has shown incredible bravery and determination throughout the investigation and judicial process, which has been distressing for her. I hope she can find some peace and begin to move forward with her life now she has seen Suter have to answer to what he did.”

Suter must now abide by the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 20 years, and he will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

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The chairman of a gardening community group in Bedfordshire has been jailed for the sexual assault of a young girl.

John Trinder, now 74, was chairman of the group when he sexually assaulted the young girl.

Trinder, of Chandler's Cross in Rickmansworth, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on Thursday (22 July), after being found guilty by a majority verdict of one count of sexual assault.

The victim disclosed the assault years later to a member of her family who then informed the police.

Trinder was found guilty of one count of sexual assault by touching, and was sentenced to 44 months imprisonment. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.

PC Benjamin Robertson from Bedfordshire Police's Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit, who investigated: "I would like to commend the victim's courage and determination to disclose this abhorrent crime to us.

"It's hasn't been an easy process for her to go through and I am glad Trinder has been sent to prison for what he did to her. He sexually abused her at young age for his own sexual gratification and will now have time to reflect on his actions.

"Hopefully this prison sentence will bring some closure and allow this brave young person to move forward in life.

"We would also like to encourage anyone who has experienced abuse to speak out, no matter how long ago the abuse took place. You will be believed and we will investigate.

"Our force is committed to protect the victims and bring the offenders to justice."

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A CONVICTED child snatcher who took advantage of a sleeping woman at a party has been jailed.

Rodney Hart, 33, who was convicted by Oxford jurors of sexual assault last month, was said on Friday to still not accept his guilt – although, paradoxically, did accept the finding of the jury.

His defence barrister, Richard Paton-Philip, asked the judge to consider imposing a suspended sentence.

Hart, who was jailed for a year in 2018 for child abduction, had abstained from drugs and alcohol, had been receiving treatment for mental health issues and had expressed limited remorse, Oxford Crown Court heard.

Mr Paton-Philip said: “He’s sorry he’s had this impact and understandable impact on her wellbeing.”

Jailing him for nine months, Judge Maria Lamb described the assault, which took place at a home in a west Oxfordshire village almost four years ago, as despicable and disgusting.

“On July 2, 2017, your victim – for victim she was – had gone to the gathering at the home of a friend and you had gone along to that gathering,” she said.

“You met and spoke to her briefly during the course of the evening and to be fair to you, you accept nothing in the encounter you had with her, brief as it was, could have given you any sign she was remotely interested in you.

“You ended up in the sitting room where she fell asleep on the sofa and I am clear in my own mind this was simply because of the lateness of the hour and not because of any other reason.

“And you took advantage of the situation to touch her.”

Hart had been caught touching the woman by a friend of the victim. He later claimed the man had lied about what he saw because the pair had argued earlier in the evening. Those claims were not substantiated.

Judge Lamb said: “You don’t accept what you have done amounts to the offence of which you were convicted. In so far as you say you are prepared to work with the probation service I wonder if that is not a matter of pragmatism and convenience.”

Hart, of Church Crescent, St Albans, was found guilty of sexual assault at Oxford Crown Court in May.

In 2018, he was given 12 months for taking a 14-year-old child without lawful authority in Swindon. He denied performing a sex act in the presence of a child and the charges were not pursued by prosecutors.

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A man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after he was found guilty of a number of sexual offences, including rape.

Mark Marvell, 39, of Meadow Way in Stevenage, was sentenced to 12 years behind bars at St Albans Crown Court on Monday, December 21.

Marvell had already been found guilty of five counts of rape, and multiple counts of the possession of indecent images of children earlier this year.

He will spend the next 12 years behind bars, with a further four and a half years on licence.

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A serving "predatory" police officer has been jailed after being found guilty of child sex offences. Sgt Michael Grigg, 34, of Hertfordshire Police, was sentenced to six and a half years at Harrow Crown Court. A jury found him guilty on two counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child. Police said he committed the offences while working as a cadet leader and his actions "amounted to a gross abuse of his position". He has been placed on the sex offenders register for life and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order. Grigg, formerly of Hatfield, was arrested as part of an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) managed investigation conducted by Hertfordshire Constabulary's Safeguarding Command, police said. Det Supt Michael Trotman said: "Grigg's predatory actions amounted to a gross abuse of his position of trust in the most calculated and appalling way. "We pay tribute to the courage of the victim, who bravely came forward and had to go through the ordeal of giving evidence at court. "Grigg's lack of remorse throughout the course of the investigation and subsequent trial has been startling." He said the force had reviewed its process in line with IOPC recommendations around the management of police cadet records and are fully compliant with the updated national guidelines. Grigg has been suspended from his role and will face a misconduct hearing.