Latest Offenders Leicester

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A disgraced Leicestershire teacher who was jailed for grooming and abusing one of his students has been given a lifetime ban. Tony Fraine has been barred from the profession over future fears for students' safety.

Fraine, who taught at Hinckley Academy and John Cleveland Sixth Form Centre in Hinckley, was jailed in 2020 for the predatory behaviour which he committed against a 17-year-old pupil. The vile head of department had manipulated the teenager into the inappropriate relationship and coerced her into sending explicit images and messages.

He was jailed for two years. Now, the 39-year-old has been banned from ever teaching again in the UK after a disciplinary hearing by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) took place.

The hearing was told how Fraine had become a newly-appointed teacher at the school in 2005, later rising to head of the science department in 2010. It was in 2019 when the first allegations of his predatory behaviour were made.

From here, he was suspended from the school and put on trial at Leicester Crown Court. It was here where it was heard how Fraine had begun the abuse by sending his victim flattering messages which then became sexualised. He also gave her a gift of underwear, while she later sent naked images after going along with his repeated requests.

After pleading guilty to two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, he was jailed for two years. Fraine is also currently subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and is on the sex offenders register for the same period.

For the TRA panel, they felt letting Fraine return to the classroom would put children at risk and harm public confidence. There was a strong public interest consideration in respect of the protection of pupils and other children given the very serious findings relating to sexual activity with a pupil and conduct associated with grooming, they said.

The panel considered that Mr Fraines behaviour in committing the offence would be likely to affect public confidence in the teaching profession if Mr Fraine was allowed to continue teaching, given the influence that teachers may have on pupils, parents and others in the community.

Saying the need to issue the ban was in the public interest, the TRA said they had to treat the case with the utmost seriousness, believing that a lifetime ban was both proportionate and appropriate.

The seriousness of the offences including the grooming behaviour which took place over a substantial period of time was a significant factor, they said.

Concluding the report, Sarah Buxcey, from the TRA, believed Fraines actions meant he could not teach again.

The panel finds that the conduct of Mr Fraine fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession, she said. Mr Fraines offending behaviour was serious, concerning sexual activity with a pupil, which ultimately led to a sentence of imprisonment, which I agree with the panel is relevant to his ongoing suitability to teach.

I have concluded that a prohibition order is proportionate and in the public interest in order to achieve the intended aims of a prohibition order.

Fraine has 28 days to appeal the ban at the High Court.

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A 6ft 10in knifeman who attempted to rape a woman in the street late at night in the Midlands has been revealed. Matt Mellor admitted attempted rape during an appearance in court yesterday.

He also admitted having of a bladed weapon and also breaching a sexual harm prevention order he had been given after a previous offence. On February 26, he began stalking a young woman in Northampton.

He grabbed her on Wellingborough Road and dragged her to the ground. He proceeded to attempt to rape her at knifepoint.

The woman managed to attract the attention of local homeowners, who came out to help her as Mellor fled. He was arrested later that day.

Lead Investigator, Detective Constable Adam Kelly, said Matt Mellor is a very large man, about 6ft 10in in height, and his actions on that night would have been an absolutely terrifying experience for this woman who should have been able to walk wherever she liked without fear of such an attack. She showed tremendous bravery in fighting him off whilst shouting for help and I would like to thank her for her support and courage during our investigation.

I would also like to thank the local residents who quickly came to her aid that night and also to the local businesses in the area who have assisted us with our inquiries and the procurement of CCTV which helped us piece together this crime. To be able to take such a dangerous offender off the streets helps to make Northamptonshire a safer place for people to go about their daily business and I now expect it will be a long time before Mellor is released from prison, which is great news.

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Cassius Povey, 29, was a sexual predator who controlled and manipulated schoolgirls to repeatedly sexually abuse them

A serial sexual predator and Leicester musician who preyed on schoolgirl fans after befriending them on Facebook has today been jailed for 17 years. Cassius Povey, who was a well known figure on Leicester's live music scene, has been locked up for a catalogue of 19 crimes against nine young girls - five of whom he raped.

One victim became pregnant at just 14 and had an abortion without telling her parents. Another was tied to a bed and hit with a cane.

Povey also sat and watched one distraught child take and overdose before making her vomit - and then raped her as she lay on a bed semi-conscious and confused. Eight of the victims were aged between 14 and 15. The ninth was 19-years-old when he raped her in a park.

Leicester Crown Court was told he had "no respect" for his troubled and vulnerable victims. He was motivated purely by self-gratification as he "controlled and manipulated" them to satisfy his desires.

Povey won his victims trust with outpourings of affection and repeatedly telling them how "beautiful and amazing" they were. He told two of his victims after he committed violent assaults that he suffered from schizophrenia and that he could not control the actions of his "evil twin."

The offences were committed when he was between 17 and 22. The court heard that he was finally "outed" by a former victim, who exposed his wrongdoing on Facebook.

He attempted a public apology, but the police were notified of the social media comments and investigated. Povey formerly lived in a bedsit in the Aylestone Road area of Leicester - before fleeing to live Elsenham Road, Grimsby, where he was arrested in July 2020.

He was convicted at a recent trial of eight offences of rape, which he had denied. He had already pleaded guilty to nine counts of sexual activity with a child, one of travelling to meet a child after grooming and one offence of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, between 2010 and 2016.

'You were arrogant and showed no remorse'

Sentencing, Judge Robert Brown said: "The victims were vulnerable females and eight of them were under 16 at the time of these offences, all with mental health problems and difficult relationships at home with parents. You were a prominent and popular local musician and they liked you.

"You gained their trust and they unloaded their problems on to you and you displayed sympathy, before abusing them. Alcohol and drugs were used in some cases.

"I find you arrogant, you showed no remorse during your trial and maintained all your sexual encounters were with the victims' consent. You might express remorse now, but you didn't then. You've been in denial. I find you to be manipulative and cunning.

"These girls were mostly naive with no sexual experience, many being virgins. You plied them with alcohol and introduced a number of them to drugs with the aim of controlling them.

"You targeted them by befriending them through Facebook and social media and it wasn't difficult because they were fans of your music - you had a significant following. Mr Povey, you're a predator who used emotional manipulation against them all.

"You pretended to two of them you had schizophrenia to exert control over them to satisfy yourself sexually. It was a life-style for you. You had no respect for any of your victims - it was all for self-gratification. You were exposed on social media by one of the victims, who displayed courage and others shared their stories too."

Serena Gates, mitigating, said the defendant had no previous convictions and he had not offended for the last six years.

She said he was a "young adult" at the time and his upbringing lacked proper guidance. Povey was said to have suffered from depression and anxiety since 2013. He had mild autism and an unspecified borderline personality disorder - but did not have a severe mental illness, the court was told.

He wrote a letter of remorse to the judge, who said he presented as a "dangerous" offender who posed a risk of future harm. He added a three year licence period extension to the 17 year prison sentence.

Survivors 'showed incredible strength'

Afterwards, officer in case, DC Kev Sharkey from the police's Signal team, said: "While this sentence will not change the experiences these young girls went through, I hope the fact that Povey will be behind bars for such a significant amount of time, offers some comfort.

"The sentencing today has been at the end of a long court process and all the survivors have shown incredible strength, patience and dignity throughout. Their evidence has strengthened the case against Povey, making sure he serves the time behind bars that he deserves." The officer said he believed there may still be other victims of Povey who have not yet come forward.

The CPS issued a statement saying Povey was known to socialise at the citys Clock Tower, a popular place for young people who followed indie music meet up. He was said to have used his status as an older person and a guitarist in a band to impress them and appear like someone they should admire.

Once he got to know them, he groomed them and exploited their vulnerability. In some cases, he went on to have consenting relationships with his victims after he had raped them. In others, he raped them while in a relationship.

Matthew Thomas from the CPS said: Cassius Povey preyed relentlessly on young, vulnerable girls, taking advantage of their vulnerability. He knew his lifestyle as a musician, with a wide circle of friends, would be appealing and he exploited this.

"Despite appearing friendly and even empathetic, he had no thought for the well-being of his victims, taking what he wanted from them regardless of the impact on their young lives. His age and status put him in a position of trust to these young people, which he abused, ruthlessly grooming them and taking steps to convince them that he was not abusing them.

We set out to demonstrate that in all these instances there was no consent, regardless of what happened between them beforehand or afterwards. These survivors have had to revisit some of the darkest times in their lives.

"Poveys actions had a profound impact on them and I am grateful that they have come forward, explained the awful reality of what happened to them and that we have been able to show Cassius Povey for what he is a serious sexual predator. Today's sentence reflects the level of manipulation and abuse these survivors suffered at Cassius Povey's hands.

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A house guest crept into a sleeping student's room at night and raped her in her own bed.

The victim had earlier been out partying in Leicester city centre with her housemates, who invited Mauro Eric Catamo De Oliveira and his friend back to their nearby home for more drinks.

The victim left the group socialising in the communal living area and went to her bedroom alone, where she fell into a drunken slumber - only to be awoken in horrendous circumstances.

Richard Thatcher, prosecuting, said she was shocked and terrified to be awoken by the defendant sexually touching her in bed, which culminated in rape, in the early hours of Wednesday September 28, 2016.

Catamo De Oliveira, 30, of no fixed address, fled the country to his homeland Portugal after being charged and was only recently extradited to the UK to face trial at Leicester Crown Court.

A jury convicted him of sexual assault and rape, which he denied, claiming the victim consented - but he admitted breaching his bail by going on the run.

Passing sentence, Judge Philip Head said: "The complainant and her housemates, all students in this city, went for a night out and in the early hours they met you and your friend in a bar and invited you both back to their flat.

"Whatever might have been intended by the other women or your friend, the complainant had no sexual interest in you.

"She then went to her room and fell deeply asleep and would have been affected by a substantial amount of drink she'd earlier consumed.

"The general understanding was you'd sleep on the sofa in the communal living room.

"You made your way uninvited into her bedroom."

The judge said the victim awoke to find an apparent stranger laying behind her in bed.

The judge described her as being "bewildered and terrified" as the defendant proceeded to have unprotected sex with her, despite her resistance.

The university student managed to escape from the bed and locked herself in the bathroom, where she messaged a friend for help.

The defendant made off.

Judge Head said: "She was absolutely distraught and crying hysterically and was unable to speak for some time."

In her confusion, she was convinced it was someone else that had got into the flat and later said the defendant hadn't seemed 'the type' to behave in that way.

The judge said: "When arrested, you said she was an active and consenting participant until she suddenly changed her mind.

"When you gave evidence, you said she answered your knock on her door and claimed she was completely naked."

The judge said that Catamo De Oliveira was "arrogant" and "convinced of his own sexual charms".

He added: "The jury concluded you decided to get sexual relief at her expense.

"She was certainly asleep when you went into her bedroom.

"She hadn't given you the slightest indication or any encouragement."

The judge added: "You remained in this country for several months, until you were charged and then fled, returning to Portugal.

"A European arrested warrant was issued and you made it clear you weren't prepared to return to the UK voluntarily.

"The pandemic may have contributed to the delay, but if you'd agreed to return your trial would have happened well before the Covid-19 outbreak.

"Your attempt to evade justice meant your victim has had this dreadful experience unresolved for many years and it's been reawakened when she was just beginning to get on with her life."

James Varley, mitigating before sentence, said: "He's a man with no previous convictions.

"There's little I can say about the facts.

"He was 25 at the time.

"He went out at night and maybe drank too much and ended up in a flat with a bunch of other people - and we know what happened.

"He spent 120 days [in custody] awaiting extradition that should count towards his sentence."

Catamo De Oliveira was jailed for a total of seven years and two months.

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A disgraced Metropolitan Police officer who sexually assaulted a seven-year-old girl after sneaking into her bedroom at night has been jailed for four years.

Andrew Kirkland, 42, crept into his victims room and pulled down her bed sheets before performing a sex act, Reading Crown Court heard.

Jurors were told that traces of his semen were found on the child's pyjamas and sheets after her mother suspected Kirkland and handed them over to police.

The jury returned a unanimous verdict Thursday following a four-day trial, finding Kirkland guilty of sexual assault on a girl under the age of 13 years.

Judge Kirsty Real sentenced him to four years' imprisonment and he will remain on the sex offenders' register for life.

Kirkland, a former neighbourhood officer based in Ickenham, London, was kicked out of the Met for theft and fraud in 2014, the court heard.

At trial, prosecutor Paul Fairley explained how Kirkland encountered a seven-year-old child in Berkshire in March 2021.

He told the jury that Kirkland had gone into the child's room at night and had pleasured himself over her, believing the little girl was asleep.

The prosecutor added: 'The next thing that the mother remembers is her daughter at the door saying 'my bed's wet' and saying someone had made it wet but it was not her.

'She said she thought a man had been taking photos of her on his phone.

'As you could imagine, her mind was going at 1,000 miles an hour and racing all over the place.'

Mr Fairley told the jury that the girl's mother immediately took the bedsheets and Kirkland's phone to the children's school, where police were called.

Officers seized the bedding, the girl's nightie and Kirkland's phone and arrested him for questioning.

DNA evidence taken from the samples given to police revealed that there were semen traces on three items, including the victim's bedsheets and pyjamas, all matching with that of Kirkland's.

Sarah Kalageros, a DNA expert, told the court: 'In my opinion, the scientific findings provide extremely strong support for the view that Andrew Kirkland had entered the victim's bedroom and ejaculated onto the bed rather than he did not.'

Kirkland maintained in his defence in court that the semen was on the bedclothes because he had performed a sex act alone earlier and may have had semen on his hands.

Less than three hours after the jury was sent out to consider its verdict, the panel filed back into crown court and convicted him on the charge of sexual assault on a child.

As the verdict was announced, loud sighs of relief could be heard from the public gallery.

Kirkland's head fell into his hands after hearing the word 'guilty.'

The prosecutor then read a statement from the child's mother, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

She said the child kept thinking she was seeing Kirkland and hearing him throughout the day, and that while walking down the road certain noises would make her jump.

Kirkland was dismissed from the Metropolitan Police in 2014, after having convictions for theft by an employee, taking money from the workplace and two counts of fraud by abuse of position.

One of the latter charges related to an incident were he was convicted for using his work phone to contact sex chat lines, the court heard.

Defending the former policeman, Colin McCarraher said: 'He is an ex-Metropolitan Police officer. When he goes off to serve his sentence, that will not be an easy sentence to serve. He is an ex-copper.'

Sentencing Kirkland, Judge Kirsty Real said: 'The victim was particularly vulnerable, ostensibly asleep and at a young age.'

She had earlier been told that detectives found internet searches on Kirkland's phone for porn websites which included how to get into bed with a sleeping person.

The judge added that, although the pornographic videos found on his phone 'showed contemplation, there was no significant planning.'

Kirkland, of Leicester, was sentenced to four year's imprisonment.

He was also ordered to sign onto the Sex Offender's Register for the rest of his life and a Sexual Prevention Harm Order application is to be adjusted at a later date.

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A man who raped a woman while she slept has been jailed for 12 years.

Bahman Razvani, 31, met her in Leicester city centre in the early hours of 25 July. Despite her being heavily intoxicated at the time, he took her to an address in Glebe Street where he had sex with her while she was unconscious.

She awoke the following morning to find him touching her inappropriately. She immediately got her clothes and left the address to make a report to police. She told officers she believed she had been raped.

Subsequent CCTV enquiries identified Razvani formerly of Glebe Street taking her to his address. He was arrested by police and claimed that she had consented to having sex with him.

But, at Leicester Crown Court on 9 December, he pleaded guilty to one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.

At the same court yesterday (Monday 24 January) he was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.

Razvani was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and is subject to a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Detective Constable Kristina Page-Brown was the investigating officer. She said: Despite claiming in interview that he had consensual sex with her, he pleaded guilty to two serious sexual offences at court he knew what hed done. His behaviour was predatory and he took advantage of her after she had been on a night out.

This was a traumatic incident for his victim and I am pleased she didnt have to relive the ordeal in front of a jury. I hope yesterdays result can provide a degree of closure and allow her to move on with her life.

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Paedophile Simon David Tovey, who was again caught with illegal images of children on his mobile phone.

The 45-year-old was arrested in July after his offender manager carried out a spot check on his Samsung handset.

Tovey admitted two counts of downloading indecent images of children at Leicester Crown Court.

He also pleaded guilty to five counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) by deleting text messages and images as well as hiding his internet history by installing an application which enabled private viewing, in July this year.

Tovey, formerly of the Dawn Centre, Conduit Street, Highfields, Leicester, was given a community order in 2014, for 10 offences of possessing indecent images of children and was placed on a five year SHPO, so his computer and phone use could be monitored by the authorities.

He was back in court in 2019 and jailed for two-and-a-half years, for three counts of possessing indecent images of children, one offence of possessing extreme pornography and three counts of breaching the SHPO - which was extended to run indefinitely.

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An abuser who groomed and sexually assaulted a 15-year-old schoolgirl is now behind bars.

Kevin Johnson was seen molesting the teenager on a bench in a Leicester park by a concerned member of the public - who filmed the incident as evidence, confronted him and detained him until the police arrived.

The 47-year-old was said to have groomed the girl, by paying her compliments and giving her money and sweets, before instigating sexual activity.

Johnson, of Kate Street, Black Friars, Leicester was then arrested and the girl revealed that as well as the incident in the park she had also had sex with the defendant.

The teenager, who has since moved elsewhere, said in a victim impact statement she suffered nightmares as a result of Johnson's abuse and now has difficulty trusting people.

She stated: "I now have to remind myself what he did was wrong - how will I know how to love and what is right for me?

"I'm strong and capable and so much more than my past."

Johnson pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child last year and one of failing to attend court for sentencing on September 24 this year - which led to him being arrested on a warrant and being remanded into custody.

Philip Gibbs, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court: "This involved grooming and there was a large disparity in age."

He said of the witness who saw the defendant intimately touching the girl in a park: "He was so concerned he began to record what he could see.

"He then confronted the defendant and asked how old he was and how old the girl was."

The victim wrongly claimed she was 17 and became upset when the police arrived, claiming to love the defendant.

Paul Prior, mitigating, said the defendant had no record of similar offending and pleaded guilty, which spared the victim from giving evidence.

He said that by avoiding a trial it had allowed the girl to "move on" with her life without having to re-live her ordeal in the witness box.

Johnson was jailed for three years and five months. He was also put on a sex offender register for life, given a sexual harm prevention order and was made the subject of an indefinite restraining order, banning any future contact with the victim.

After the case Detective Sergeant Rob Buckley, who oversaw the investigation, said: “Johnson quite clearly exploited this young girl’s age and vulnerabilities to encourage her to engage in sexual activity with him.

“I would like to the thank the member of the public for their keen eye and public spirit which led to officers quickly attending, arresting the suspect and safeguarding the child. Without their support, this predatory offender could have still been exploiting this victim and possibly other young girls.

“Their actions that day ultimately led to Johnson facing justice for his crimes and a considerable amount of time behind bars.”

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A doctor who was caught by so-called paedophile hunters posing as a 14-year-old boy has been erased from the medical register.

Joshua Peake discussed sexual matters with the fictitious boy after meeting him online, and sent photos and videos.

The group then tracked down the doctor, who worked for a hospital in Derby.

When police searched his house they found indecent images of children on his laptops, along with images of people performing sex acts on animals.

A Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) panel has now determined that his fitness to practise is impaired because of his convictions.

"The tribunal is mindful that doctors occupy a position of privilege and trust," the determination of impairment said.

"The tribunal considered that a finding of impairment is required in this case on grounds of public protection, to promote and maintain confidence in the medical profession and to promote and to maintain proper professional standards and conduct for members of the profession."

Peake, who is 32, qualified as a doctor in 2014 at the University of Nottingham and worked at the Royal Derby Hospital.

The General Medical Council (GMC) said he was on their specialist register for trauma and orthopaedics.

He was caught by an activist group called TFN UK, which located him, detained him on 15 September 2019 and then called police.

Peake was arrested and later admitted possessing indecent images of children, possessing extreme pornographic images, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and attempting to cause a child to look at an image of sexual activity.

He was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on 9 September 2020, where he was given a three-year community order including 80 hours of unpaid work. A five-year sexual harm prevention order was also made.

An MPTS hearing was then held on 11 August, in which the GMC submitted that his fitness to practise was impaired.

Peake was absent from the hearing.

David Birrell, on behalf of the GMC, submitted that his behaviour could not be regarded as an "isolated" incident because there were 13 indecent images of children and another 26 extreme pornographic images depicting sexual activity with animals.

He also reminded the tribunal that Peake's conversations with "Luke", the fictitious 14-year-old boy, went on for about a month.

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A man who sexually abused three children two decades ago has been jailed for 11 years.

Stuart Newbold was sentenced for nine crimes against his victims between 1997 and 2000.

All three, who are now adults, were said to have "suffered immensely" by his actions, Leicester Crown Court heard.

They contacted the police in 2018 to report the abuse that took place in North West Leicestershire.

Newbold, of Mary Close, Ibstock, near Coalville, was told he will have to serve two-thirds of his 11 year jail term.

He was also placed on a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years and his details will be held on a sex offender register for life.

Sentencing, Judge Ebrahim Mooncey said: "Three victims were all abused by you when they were very young.

"Correspondingly, you were younger too: teens, possibly just into your 20's.

"You're 39 now. The sentencing has to reflect those factors.

"The victims have been severely affected adversely by what they experienced from you."

Judge Mooncey said the female victim was aged between nine and 10. The two boys were both under 14 when they were abused.

He said he accepted the defendant suffered from mild autism as well as "certain mental issues" and experienced a difficult upbringing.

He added: "Although you had developmental difficulties, I've no doubt you knew at the time that what you'd done to these three children was wrong.

"You had the assistance of an intermediary throughout the trial. We heard from a psychologist that you may not now recall these matters.

"There is no suggestion of any new offending and I can treat you as being effectively of good character."

Newbold denied the charges against him, but was convicted at a recent trial at Leicester Crown Court of the following offences:

Four counts of inciting a boy under 14 to commit an act of gross indecency

Three counts of indecent assault on a boy under 14 years

Two counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 years

Andreas O'Shea, mitigating, said: "We're dealing with offences that happened 20-plus years ago and there's no indication of anything inappropriate since this and there's no evidence of anything else coming to light.

"He went on to live an exemplary life."

Mr O'Shea said a psychologist assessed the defendant as having "the emotional age of a 16-year-old."

He said the defendant's wife, also diagnosed with autism, was "an innocent party" who would suffer if he was incarcerated.

The barrister said he accepted the "unsavory nature" of the offences should be marked but 20 years of "unblemished conduct since" should also be taken into account.

The defendant's mother-in-law told the judge Newbold was "an absolute gentleman" who was protective, supportive and caring towards her daughter, despite the couple both having combined learning difficulties.

Afterwards, officer in the case, Detective Constable Andy Day, said: I hope the fact that Newbold is now serving a custodial sentence will provide a degree of closure to the three victims and allow them to move on their lives.

I hope todays sentencing will also encourage anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse to come forward and report matters to police.

"It is never too late to speak out.

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Cloud Chunga, 47, met the child after grooming her in a series of online messages including sending indecent images of himself.

A girl skipped school to have unprotected sex with a middle-aged man unaware that he was HIV positive, a court heard.

Cloud Chunga kept his medical status a secret and the 15-year-old only found out afterwards.

She was then put through the trauma and anxiety of undergoing tests to see if she had contracted the virus.

Chunga, a 47-year-old asylum seeker, of no fixed address in Leicester, pleaded guilty to sexual communication with a child under 16, sexual activity with a child, meeting her following grooming and taking indecent photographs of the girl, at the end of last year.

Richard Thatcher, prosecuting, said the girl met the defendant in passing, but some time later he contacted her online to embark on sexualised private conversations via a social media site.

The prosecutor said: "The defendant told her he could not wait to have sex with her and until she was 18 so he could marry her."

They arranged to meet and the girl skipped school to see him in Leicester, still wearing her uniform.

He then took her to a flat in the Beaumont Leys area where they had unprotected sexual intercourse.

Afterwards, Chunga gave her Belgian chocolate biscuits and some perfume.

He also took photographs of her topless and of her in bed with him, which the police later found on his mobile phone.

Officers went to the victim's home after being alerted about her unexplained absence from school and discovered what had happened.

Chunga was arrested in January and "disclosed that he was HIV positive," said Mr Thatcher.

The victim was traumatized and unfairly "blamed herself."

In an impact statement read out, the girl was described feeling angry, ashamed and embarrassed, with low self-confidence.

She endured several weeks of anxious waiting, before learning she had tested negative for HIV, but stated: "I can't believe someone would be so selfish, that someone would risk giving that to someone else."

Clare Dowse, mitigating, said: "He's been in the UK since 2001, initially to study, and later applied as a refugee to remain in the country and his status is still unresolved.

"He was without a permanent residence at the time of the offences.

"He'd been staying with people he knew, relying on the church and friends for support.

"The offences were an aberration."

Judge Robert Brown said: "The pre-sentence report says he struggles to understand how she is a victim, despite knowing she was a vulnerable child."

He added: "He had unprotected sex with a 15-year-old girl knowing he was HIV positive, without divulging that to her and he presents a high risk of harm to young girls."

"It matters not at all that she appears to have consented to sexual activity, the point is that she was underage, vulnerable and you took advantage of her."

Chunga was jailed for six years, with an additional four year licence period.

He will have to serve a minimum of two thirds of the custodial term, before being considered for release.

Chunga was placed on an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and will be on a sex offender register for life.

Afterwards, investigating officer, Detective Constable Darren Etteridge, said: “Despite knowing the victim was 15-years-old, Chunga continued to groom and engage in sexual activity with her, exploiting her vulnerability.

“The wealth of evidence against him left him with little choice but to plead guilty and while this has relieved the victim of having to give evidence at court, her experience with Chunga still remains with her.

"Her engagement with us has been critical in bringing the case to a successful conclusion and she continues to be a very brave young girl who I hope can put what happened behind her.”

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A molester who bullied a teenager into having sex on a regular basis for years has been jailed.

The victim told a jury that Gary William Jelly had effectively "blackmailed" her into suffering the abuse.

Jelly, 52, who formerly used the surname Bollen - and has a previous conviction for manslaughter - befriended the girl more than 15-years-ago and groomed her with cigarettes and money.

When she later refused to cooperate, he put her in fear of violence, including once threatening to put her head though a window.

A jury convicted Jelly of a catalogue of sex offences following a two week trial in February and he appeared at Leicester Crown Court today (April 7), via a live video link from prison for sentencing.

Judge Keith Raynor said the offences included sexual activity in a garden shed, a garage and a caravan.

Jelly took "explicit" photographs of the complainant, some without her knowledge. The images were later used as leverage, in threatening text messages and calls, to enforce her compliance.

When she gave evidence, she said: "It was like I bowed down, pretty much he clicked his fingers.

"He had that much control over me."

Judge Raynor told Jelly: "The text messages show you as a pathetic middle-aged bully.

"You used your money to get what you wanted and threatened to expose her and show sexual pictures of her to others, including her family.

"You maintained your threats to have a hold over her and wanted her at your beck and call.

"She told you on multiple occasions 'I'm sick of this blackmail.'

"She needed money on occasions and you preyed on that financial vulnerability.

"On one occasion you threatened to go round and beat her up and on another said you would put her head through a window.

"When she didn't want to see you, you began stalking her."

"She suffered significant psychological trauma."

"Your conduct was to maximize fear and distress, with a high degree of planning and it was persistent action over a prolonged period."

The judge said he took into account the four year delay in the trial taking place, Jelly's chronic ill health, including a heart condition and the restrictions in prison regarding Covid-19.

Defence counsel, Rachel Darby, said Jelly's family, including his elderly parents would suffer because of his incarceration.

Jelly, formerly of Woodland Road, off Uppingham Road, Leicester, was convicted on majority 11 - 1 verdicts on four counts of sexual activity with a child under 16 and two offences of paying for the sexual services of the same girl, during a 12 month period.

Jelly denied the offences, claiming nothing sexual happened until the complainant was aged 19 and she consented. He gave her cigarettes and money just "to help her out."

He pleaded guilty to one count of putting the same victim in fear of violence, by "making numerous threats" when she was an adult, between 2013 and 2014.

Prosecutor Richard Thatcher said it was only after many years of feeling ashamed and staying silent, she found the courage to tell her family and finally report the matter.

Judge Raynor today jailed Jelly for a total of eight years and four months.

He was also placed on a 12 year sexual harm prevention order, banning any contact with the victim.

The judge publicly commended officer in the case, Detective Constable Alec Lester, for his "excellent" work including investigating an issue that arose during the trial.

The court heard that in 2017, the defendant received a seven year jail sentence, for an unrelated offence of manslaughter which involved the death of a "vulnerable" 34-year-old woman.

He was on early release licence from that sentence when he stood trial for the sex offences.

Judge Raynor said Jelly's conviction for the manslaughter - involving him pushing over the victim who died from rib injuries - was "relevant" because he had behaved in a similarly bullying manner towards the sex abuse victim.

He said Jelly told the manslaughter victim during a confrontation: "Don't mess with me."

MANSLAUGHTER CONVICTION

Jelly, then aged 47, and his daughter, Natalie Bollen, then aged 29, were said to have both assaulted a woman, Kelly Machin, following a neighbours' row over a burst child's football in August 2016.

The father and daughter, who were both jailed for seven years, confronted Ms Machin at her home in Waldwick Close, Leicester Forest East.

Ms Machin died alone on her living room sofa, from internal bleeding caused by fractured ribs, several days later.

The incident occurred after Ms Machin became so "fed up" with footballs coming over the fence into her garden, from Bollen's nearby home, that she burst it with a knife before throwing it back.

Bollen became outraged and went round with her father.

The sentencing judge on that occasion observed that three punches from Bollen and a forceful push onto a coffee table by Jelly had unintentionally led to the woman's death.

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Isaac Cluley, 23, filmed himself committing the depraved act with the Shetland pony, which was discovered on his mobile phone.

A young man who had sex with a horse was tearfully accused by the owner of having "raped" her family's pet pony.

The woman emotionally made her accusation before Isaac Cluley was sentenced for his "unusual" offending.

The 23-year-old pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to one count of sexual penetration of a living animal last August.

He also admitted possessing extreme pornography, relating to mobile phone footage of the pony and two obscene and perverted images downloaded from the internet.

Leicester Crown Court was told Cluley was prosecuted in 2016 for an earlier offence of having sex with a different horse - when he was given a community order.

Andrew Fitch-Holland, prosecuting, said a friend of the defendant's chanced upon the video when borrowing his phone last summer.

Cluley was drunk at the time and the concerned friend wanted to phone his mother - and was shocked to see the footage with the pony.

The police then became involved.

Cluley, described as having learning difficulties, was in "considerable distress" following his arrest and officers were concerned for his wellbeing.

The defendant told them: "I want help with my mental health, it's why I've been drinking more lately."

The horse's owner attended court to read a personal impact statement.

She said she purchased the Shetland ten years ago for her five year-old-son, and the two had grown up together.

Before being informed of the incident by the police, she said she suspected her horses had been "frightened in some way" in their field because of a noticeable change in their behaviour - particularly the small 10 hands high Shetland mare.

The pony was unusually fearful and nervous and suddenly began acting threateningly towards her teenage son, as if to kick him.

Sobbing with emotion, she spoke of the distress caused to her family and the expense of having to install a £286 CCTV field camera to watch her animals grazing, in the Leicester area.

A veterinary forensic examination of the pony cost her £60.

The Shetland is now kept locked in a stable overnight, when it was used to being outdoors, as the offence is thought to have happened in the early hours.

She told the judge: "The fact someone was walking around and prepared to rape an animal on more than one occasion (because of the previous conviction) concerns me greatly."

The 44-year-old owner added: "I feel anxious because I don't know how many times it's happened."

After the hearing she said: "The pony was such a sweetie, so trusting, but is now wary and defensive.

"When she becomes scared and fearful - even by something normal like having a rug put on - it reminds me of what happened.

"If it was down to me he would be in custody now.

"I can only hope whatever his rehabilitation involves, that it works.

"I can't forgive what he did to a harmless animal, I've not heard anything to explain why he's done it and he's shown no remorse."

WHAT WAS THE SENTENCE?

Cluley, unemployed, of Milligan Road, Aylestone, Leicester, was given a six month jail sentence, suspended for two years, with a 30 day rehabilitation activity requirement.

He will have to attend up to 40 days of a sex offender programme and pay the pony's owner £350 in compensation.

Cluley was also placed on a two month electronically monitored home curfew, between 8pm and 8am.

He will be on a sex offender register for five years and was placed on a sexual harm prevention order, for the same duration - stipulating various conditions, including not entering a field, paddock or any animal enclosure where there is livestock, when he is on his own.

He is barred from working with animals in any capacity and cannot own or care for any animal without the permission of his offender manager.

WHAT THE JUDGE SAID

Recorder William Edis QC said: "For the second time in your life you're before the court for having sexual intercourse with a horse and that - if I say no more - is an alarming picture.

"One thing I have to do as the judge is to try and work out why you've committed this unusual offence twice.

"Is it because you have overpowering sexual interest in horses?

"Is it a cry or help or attention seeking?

"One thing that has to happen is you have to decide to stop doing this - or be made to stop.

"Even though you amply deserve a prison sentence, I'm not sure that's going to address the problem, I have to find the best way to protect society and animals from you.

"You have been extensively examined by various professionals.

"No-one has told me why you did this."

Recorder Edis said he hoped Cluley had "heard the pain" expressed by the pony owner.

He said: "Her son grew up with that animal and his relationship with that animal may never be the same again.

"She's anxious about more abuse happening to another animal.

"These are not victimless crimes, these are real victims with real pain and you caused it for reasons I can only guess at.

"You have learning difficulties and a mix of anxiety and depression and an inability to cope.

"There's a package that's been put together to stop you doing this and if I send you to prison that opportunity would be lost."

MITIGATION

Gary Short, mitigating, said that rehabilitation courses were not available in prison, due to the pandemic, and the defendant was due to move into sheltered accommodation in a few weeks - which would provide him with additional support.

He said Cluley, who attended court with his mother, suffered from significant intellectual impairment, had a lack of impulse control and failed to understand the consequences of his actions - and needed specialist help and supervision.

Mr Short said Cluley's previous community order sentence did not "get anywhere near" addressing the root cause of his offending, but a suitable rehabilitation package was now available, if he was spared immediate custody.

The barrister added that Cluley was mixing with of a group of people who "used him like a puppet," getting him drunk and encouraging him to do certain things.

Mr Short added: "It's clear he was also suffering from the impact of the loss of his father."

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The 51-year-old, formerly of Netherhall, Leicester, was this week found guilty by a jury of three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Leicestershire Police has today released a photograph of the paedophile.

The abuse came to light when the child was having a conversation with her mother, who reported it to the police.

McLeavey denied the offences, but the jury convicted him unanimously.

He was jailed for eight years at Leicester Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday June 8).

The judge placed McLeavey on the sex offenders register for life, and made him the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.

A 10-year restraining order also prohibits him from having any contact with the prosecution witnesses who gave evidence, including the victim.

After the case, Detective Sergeant Lisa Wood said: “McLeavey thought he could get away with this horrendous offending on a vulnerable young girl.

"But thanks to the bravery of the victim and the report being made to police, we were able to carry out a full investigation leading to McLeavey being brought to court, convicted and receiving a significant sentence.

“For the victim and her family this will never go away, but I hope that this conviction does help in some small way as they continue to move forward in their lives."

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A teenager who sexually groomed two young girls has been locked up after appearing in court to admit his crimes.

Brandon Vernon sent "highly sexualised" messages to his young victims even though he knew they were both under the age of consent, police said.

He was placed under investigation late last year when the mother of one of the girls contacted police to raise her concerns about him.

Both girls were spoken to by police, and the nature and extent of Vernon's offending emerged.

Vernon, 18, pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court in February to the following offences against his first victim: two counts of sexual activity with a child, one of sexual communication with a child and one of distributing an indecent image of a child.

In relation to the second child, he pleaded guilty to one count of sexual communication with a child and two of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Vernon appeared at the same court today and was sentenced to three years' detention in a young offenders institution.

At the conclusion of proceedings, Leicestershire Police said its detectives believed there might be more victims who are yet to be traced.

Releasing a detailed account of the case, the force said it opened an investigation into Vernon, of Fountains Avenue, Eyres Monsell, Leicester, in late-December last year when a parent rang the force because she believed Vernon was sexually grooming her daughter.

In a statement, the force said the teenage girl was interviewed, telling officers that she and Vernon had been messaging each other and the messages would often have a sexual reference.

"The girl was also concerned that she had been sent by Vernon an indecent image of another child," it added.

At that stage, Vernon was arrested on suspicion of committing those offences and was later released on bail while officers conducted further inquiries, including an examination of his electronic devices.

In January this year, police received a call from another parent concerned that her daughter had engaged in sexual activity with Vernon in early December 2019.

The second child was also interviewed by detectives, the force said.

The statement continued: "The teenage girl detailed that she met Vernon through a friend in November, the previous month, and they began messaging each other, which often would have a sexual reference.

"Vernon initially told the victim that he was the same age as her. She later found out that he was 18 years old.

"As part of the victim’s disclosure and subsequent inquiries, Vernon was arrested for these offences."

Detective Sergeant Jim Muzzell, from the force’s child sexual exploitation team, oversaw the investigation.

Det Con Muzzell said: “Despite the victims telling him their ages, Vernon still pursued a relationship with the children and sent highly sexualised messages to them, with one of the relationships leading to sexual activity.

As a consequence of his actions, he has left two young girls trying to cope with their experience.

“There is a possibility that there may be other girls who have been in contact with Vernon and could be further victims.

"If there is anyone who may have been in contact with him and believe they may also have been a victim of a similar crime we would ask them to contact police, quoting Operation Cabbie.

“We have a number of specialist officers available to speak to you and guide you through that process.”

Vernon was also issued with an indefinite restraining order which prohibits him from contacting both victims, and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, which will impose conditions on his behaviour and movements once he is released from custody.

He was placed on the sex offender register for life.