Latest Offenders Liverpool

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A paedophile who failed to tell police where he was staying claimed he was sleeping under a hedge and had no idea what day it was.

Paul Kemp was given a suspended jail sentence after offering to pay two teenage boys to take part in sexual activity in a McDonald's branch.

He has now been locked up for not complying with the terms of that sentence.

Kemp was handed a nine month suspended sentence in November over his illicit approach to two 14-year-old boys.

Louise Santamera, prosecuting, said Kemp had admitted two counts of attempting to cause a boy to engage in sexual activity.

While he avoided an immediate jail term, his freedom was subject to him abiding by a series of conditions.

He was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years and, as a result, Kemp had to regularly update police of his whereabouts.

Liverpool Crown Court heard he did so twice and said he was homeless and had no mobile phone - but suggested the Adelphi Hotel could be a point of contact.

However, later checks with the hotel revealed he had not stayed there for several weeks and he failed to attend St Anne Street police station on November 29 and failed to attend for probation supervision.

He was located on December 3 at the Mercure Hotel in Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port and was arrested.

When interviewed he said he had returned to that area where he had grown up and had been sleeping under a hedge.

The 64-year-old claimed a religious couple found him and paid for him to stay the night at the hotel.

Miss Santamera said: "He admitted he failed to comply with the requirements and said it was due to his mental health problems and did not know what day it was… The prosecution say it was a deliberate failure to comply.

"He undoubtedly knew he was expected to go to St Anne Street or any police station."

The court heard Kemp had five previous sexual convictions include two indecency offences when he was in the Army in 1977 for which he received 84 days detention and was discharged from the forces.

He was also convicted in 2012 for sexually assaulting a boy.

Bernice Campbell, defending, said Kemp had been on remand for the sex offences last year and after being freed he ended up in a hospital for two days, had no contact details for probation and unsuccessfully asked the police for help to contact them.

Kemp said he had thousands of pounds in his bank account but he had difficulty obtaining hotel accommodation as he had no photographic identification. He claimed he left a hostel by the police station as screaming in the night exacerbated his mental health problems.

Ms Campbell pointed out that Kemp had twice reported to St Anne Street police station despite being homeless and having a chaotic lifestyle.

However, Recorder Ian Harris, QC, told Kemp: "Bluntly you have shunned opportunities given to you by the court and deliberately flouted notification requirements."

The judge said: "You hoped to melt back into the community and you no doubt continue to be a threat to young children.

"It was a deliberate failure to comply with the requirements….Your convictions show you are a predatory paedophile and a risk to children."

The judge added: "The author of the pre-sentence report says you cannot be managed in the community and you had deliberately evaded your responsibility. Your mental health did not impair your ability to make rational choices."

Recorder Harris activated seven months of the suspended sentence handed to Kemp in November and imposed a further five months for the breach, making a total of 12 months imprisonment.

Kemp, of no fixed address, had pleaded guilty to breaching requirements of the Sex Offenders Register and admitted being in breach of the nine month suspended prison sentence.

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Darren Friday bought a phone from Cash Converters to speak to who he believed was a 13-year-old girl A convicted paedophile was jailed once again after being caught chatting up and arranging to meet with a 13-year-old girl. Darren Friday, 53, received 14 months in prison in August 2018 and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) imposed on him for ten years. But despite this the a dad-of-two began chatting with who he believed was a child, but was in fact an undercover police officer. A judge in Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, December 13, jailed Friday for three years and told him the case was aggravated by his previous conviction. The judge said he had breached the SHPO by having two mobile phones, and another aggravating fact was that he had used one of them to commit sexual offences. The judge ordered Friday to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life. Steven Ball, prosecuting, told the court that Friday, using the handle Darren68, began communicating with the girl via the online Kik Messenger chatroom on September 17 last year. He established straight away that she was 13 and he claimed to be 35. He started asking her to send him photographs of her in her underwear and naked and went on to ask for videos of her naked. Mr Ball said he wanted to have sexual intercourse with her and in other conversations directed how he wanted her to pose for photographs. He also asked if she was a virgin and said he wanted to be her first. Friday progressed to referring to them meeting up and asked the girl, who purported to live in Somerset, for the name of some local hotels and he again asked for more photographs of her. In their last online chat his tone changed and he began asking why she had not been available to chat to him and on November 28 he sent her a 10 telephone credit and "told her he loved her". Mr Ball told the court: "He telephoned her and that was the first time they had directly spoken. The defendant told her she had a sexy voice and there was a discussion about the possibility of meeting up sooner rather than later." His sex offender manager went to visit him on November 25 and asked if he had any electronic devices which he denied but when police went to his home to arrest him they found he had two mobile phones. One of them, a Samsung, was unregistered and he had bought it from Cash Converters the previous month. When interviewed he made no comment. Friday, of Webb Street, Wavertree, pleaded guilty to six offences including attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity; attempted sexual communication with a child; attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Kate Morley, defending, said: "He is a man of few words, he offers no excuses. "There is clearly a fundamental issue, a disturbing interest in young females." He only has the convictions for which he was jailed in 2018 and during that period in prison he did not participate in a rehabilitation course because "he was embarrassed and it was a very short course". Miss Morley said that he lived alone and was somewhat isolated. He suffers from arthritis and curvature of the spine and walks with a cane as he has mobility issues. She added: "He knows he has done wrong and is going to be punished. He has difficulty explaining his behaviour but for what it is worth he is sorry." The offences for which he was jailed previously involved him chatting online with two girls aged 13 and 14, who actually did not exist and were fake profiles set up by a paedophile hunting group. During those chats he made similar comments and requests as in the new offences.

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This is the hate filled face of a twisted teenager who raped a 13-year-old girl. "Highly dangerous" Shaun Bennett raped his vulnerable victim in woodland, just weeks after meeting her online. The 15-year-old later subjected her to a second sex attack, then threatened her on Instagram when she went to the police. Now aged 18, a judge branded him "utterly shameful and wicked" when locking him up for seven and a half years. Merseyside Police said they didn't have a mugshot of Bennett, because he voluntarily attended an interview. But we can now reveal the face of the sexual predator and his furious rant in a foul-mouthed Snapchat video. The ECHO understands Bennett filmed the clip in response to being accused of being a rapist by another teen. The expletive-laden clip shows him screaming and using a homophobic slur, which we have censored. He then yells: "Get Liverpool right now, I'm telling you lad, get f*****g Liverpool right now!" Bennett, formerly of Liscard, Wallasey, but now of Bishopgate Street, Wavertree, added to his victim's suffering by denying any wrongdoing for more than two years. Just a week before a trial - and four days before his 18th birthday in September - he finally pleaded guilty to rape, sexual assault and assault by penetration. However, a judge said the vile teen hadn't shown any remorse, had a "misogynistic approach to young women" and "finds it funny causing someone to be upset". Bennett already had a conviction for sexually abusing a young girl when he was aged just 14, for which he received a 12-month referral order in 2018. In 2019 he was caught with a knife. For possessing a bladed article, common assault and battery he was handed a Youth Rehabilitation Order. That summer, he befriended his 13-year-old victim online. Ben Jones, prosecuting, said the girl went out with friends one night, when she met up with Bennett and headed to parkland in Wirral. He took her into secluded woods, pushed her against a wall and tried to pull her pants down, despite her rejecting his sexual advances. Recorder Ian Unsworth, QC, said it was a "carefully planned" and "horrific" attack. The judge said the young victim "said no and meant no", but Bennett was "consumed by desire" and treated the victim with "utter contempt". Bennett called her a "d**** little c***" and despite her trying to push him off, he raped her. The court heard the victim was subjected to a further "vile and wholly self-centred" sexual assault just days later. Recorder Unsworth said: "She was, relatively speaking, significantly younger than you. "I have no doubt that at the time, she looked up to you. "You were grooming and targeting her and making her believe you had a significant romantic interest." The judge said Bennett had downed "large quantities of neat vodka" before carrying out his sick attack. He said the traumatised girl was "too scared to tell anyone" but later confided in a school counsellor and a report was made to police. Recorder Unsworth told the rapist: "Her bravery contrasts with your cowardice." The judge said Bennett knew what he did was "very wrong and very serious" and hoped by threatening the girl she wouldn't report him, but he "couldn't have been more wrong". In a victim statement, the girl said she is now scared of boys and she was made to feel "disgusting and vile", having changed her appearance as a result. Recorder Unsworth said: "She wrongly blamed herself for what happened and feels she has let her family down. She couldn't be more wrong." Andrew McInnes, defending, previously told the court Bennett had been physically and psychologically abused as a child. He said his client had limited contact with his dad, some contact with one set of grandparents, and no contact with his mum - none of whom were in court. Mr McInnes said Bennett - sitting in the dock with his long hair covering his face - had difficulty communicating and "complex vulnerabilities". He quoted a report from a member of Wirral Youth Offending Service, which said: "Shaun is a young man who has experienced significant childhood trauma. "He's grown up in a dysfunctional household with a lack of positive attachment, which has led to him existing in survival mode for much of his childhood. "He is a deeply troubled young man who requires significant professional intervention to move away from an egocentric, defensive position and progress into an insightful and responsible approach, allowing for meaningful change and recognition of the harm he's caused." Recorder Unsworth accepted Bennett had a "difficult upbringing" and "suffered significant childhood trauma". But he said aggravating features of the disturbing case heavily outweighed any mitigation at his disposal. He said: "You have shown no remorse for what you did. "It is only hoped as the years go by, you reflect on these utterly shameful and wicked things you did to her." The judge was required by law to sentence Bennett based on his age at the time of the attacks, which limited his sentencing powers. However, he said: "I'm abundantly satisfied there is significant risk you will commit further offences, and in doing so cause serious physical and psychological harm to someone or multiple people. "You are a highly dangerous young man." Recorder Unsworth locked Bennett up for seven and a half years, with an extended five years on licence. This type of sentence means Bennett must serve at least two thirds of the custodial term - five years - behind bars. He will only be released before the end of the sentence if the Parole Board no longer considers him to be a risk. Recorder Unsworth told Bennett to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

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A drug dealing rapist dragged a woman into bushes and raped her in a park before abducting another women in a similar attack months later.

Janath Gul Jardarkhail attacked two women almost six months apart in sexual assaults in Chavasse Park and Wood Street.

Today, a judge told the 21-year-old he believed he used his position as a low level drug dealer to search for vulnerable women to attack at night.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Jardarkhail stalked the streets of the city centre.

He attacked his first victim in Chavasse Park in July 2019, ambushing her and carrying her into bushes before raping her.

The second attack, in January of last year, saw him attack a woman on Wood Street on her way back from a night out.

Jardarkhail was caught after DNA swabs from his victims matched his own when he was arrested on suspicion of supplying cannabis.

In a statement provided to the court, the woman he attacked on Wood Street said she still struggled to comprehend what had happened to her almost two years ago.

Ben Jones, prosecuting, said her statement provided to the court outlined how her mental health had been affected by the trauma of the attack, with the woman saying she had at some points self-harmed because of it.

However, she said her own family had given her the strength to carry on despite the horrific sexual assault.

Her statement said: "He took away every bit of dignity that I have so I refuse to let him take me away from my kids."

Martine Snowdon, defending, said there was little she could say in his defence about the attacks themselves but did point to Jardarkhail's difficult upbringing as some mitigation.

While not going into the details of his childhood, she said he had been deprived of much of the guidance and support needed as a child and said a serious head injury sustained when he was younger had left him with problems with his cognitive function.

Ms Snowdon said: "He is an immature young man. He has had very little education, not just academically, but guidance in moral and social spheres.

"There was a lack of the guidance and support we should all wish a child to have."

In addition, a psychiatric report supplied to the court said Jardarkhail had been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and depression.

Judge Stuart Driver, QC, said the 21-year-old had preyed on women who were unable to defend themselves.

Judge Driver said: "I am satisfied that you used your occupation of selling cannabis to walk the streets of Liverpool city centre at night, apparently and actually selling cannabis, but keeping your eyes wide open for vulnerable women for you to attack.

"There is an element of planning.

"You were a sexual predator."

He labelled Jardarkhail, of County Road, Walton, a dangerous offender and jailed him for 12 years, with a further five years to be served on licence.

That sentence covered the two rape charges as well as possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

He will also be placed on the sex offenders register for life and must pay a statutory surcharge.

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A man raped a boy when he himself was still a child by making him take part in "rude games".

Elliot Troy, 24, sobbed when he appeared in court today to be sentenced over vile sexual offences in his past.

He had denied any wrongdoing, but was found guilty after a trial of three counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Judge David Aubrey, QC, said: "You have developed into a much more mature person, you have a good record and now have a girlfriend.

"But you have caused psychological scars to your victim that will remain with him for the rest of his life."

Liverpool Crown Court heard the victim "had the courage" in 2017 to tell his dad that he had been sexually abused by Troy as a child.

Troy, of Carr Lane East, Croxteth, but formerly of Crosby, was aged between 11 and 15 during the offences, while his victim was aged between nine and 12.

Judge Aubrey said: "However, the abuse had started many years before, when the victim estimated his age to be only three or four.

"You were then only six or seven, and thus of course below the age of criminal responsibility [10 in the UK]."

He emphasised Troy was not to be sentenced for "those activities", but said it was "against that background and the perception of normality instilled in your victim" that he sexually abused him and asked him to take part in "rude games".

The judge said while there may have been some "sexual experimentation" between the pair, there was "a significant age gap".

He said: "It escalated, that is the seriousness of the offences escalated, and there is no doubt your victim wanted none of it."

Judge Aubrey said at the age of 11, Troy rubbed his penis against the boy's bottom.

He said Troy later orally raped the boy, then afterwards "told him he had done really well".

The court heard Troy did this on at least three more occasions and there was evidence of grooming, including offering him "rewards" on an Xbox and showing him porn to encourage him.

Troy then raped the boy, when he was 15 and the victim was 12.

Phil Astbury, prosecuting, told the court the victim now "suffers chronic nightmares every night".

He said: "They feature both the abuse he suffered and images of his parents not believing him when he told them."

Mr Astbury added: "He has suicidal thoughts. He's attempted suicide on one occasion and self-harms."

The court heard the victim's education suffered, he was now on antidepressants and described feeling guilty and ashamed, even though he knew he shouldn't.

Mr Astbury said: "He feels frozen, stuck in the past, and unable to move on with his life."

He said the victim felt "closed off" emotionally and couldn't maintain a relationship as he felt unable to kiss and sexual contact was "out of the question".

Quoting the victim, he added: "He can't remember the last time he felt happy."

Judge Aubrey said the victim's account was "powerful" and "poignant".

He said it was "in many respects an unusual case, bearing in mind the extreme youth of both defendant and victim".

Arthur Gibson, defending, said his client, who is of previous good character, hadn't committed any offences since the age of 15.

Judge Aubrey said it was "as long ago" as September 2017 the victim was interviewed by police and Troy a month later.

But he said it wasn't until July 2020 that Troy first appeared before magistrates, which was "an unacceptable delay".

He said: "Lives have been put on hold and that must be reflected in the sentence that this court imposes."

Judge Aubrey said he had read a pre-sentence report, character references and a letter from Troy, who supported and cared for his mum, who was unwell.

He said: "You have been described as having remorse for past events, but that is not supported by your denials during the course of the trial, although I accept you did accept some activity had taken place."

Judge Aubrey accepted Troy was "saddened for the hurt" he caused and it had impacted on his mental health.

He said: "You yourself speak of the mistakes you made when you were younger and in your letter you state you're very apologetic and sorry for what you have done and the damage you have caused.

"It's unfortunate in my judgement that you did not have the courage to admit all that you had done prior to your trial. You had much time to reflect upon it."

The judge said he had to sentence Troy based on the age he was at the time and the first offences were when he was "just over the age of criminal responsibility".

However, he said: "I am satisfied there came a time when you must certainly have known what you were doing was wrong and that he did not want to do that which you wished."

The judge said had Troy carried out the attacks as an adult, he would have locked him up for "at least" 12 years.

Taking into account his age at the time, the delay in the case and prison conditions during the pandemic, he jailed him for four years and nine months.

Troy must comply with a restraining order and sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

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A convicted rapist blocked a girl into a set of seats on a Merseyrail train and performed a sex act next to her before following her and doing it again.

Stephen Lequesne sat next to a 16 year old girl travelling on a service from Liverpool to Ormskirk last year before rubbing his genitals while sitting next to her.

The girl, blocked in by Lequesne's legs resting on the opposite seat, was so scared she missed her own stop and waited until she could get off the train at its final destination in Ormskirk.

But when she tried to get on another train heading back in the right direction Lequesne, formerly of Tuebrook, followed her, sat next to her and did exactly the same thing again.

The 23-year-old is currently serving a sentence for rape after admitting last month to an attack on a woman in Southport.

That brutal attack on Lord Street, which saw him pull a woman into bushes late at night, was only thwarted after a brave passerby heard his victim screaming, tackled Lequesne and put him in a chokehold.

A judge sentenced him to ten and a half years in prison for that crime and he will only be eligible for release after a minimum of seven years.

While being sentenced for that crime, the court heard how he had previously performed sex acts on buses on two separate occasions in September 2020.

But today Lequesne was sentenced for a further case just a month earlier on a train between Liverpool and Ormskirk.

He spotted a 16 year old girl travelling alone on the quiet service from the city centre, sat next to her and put his feet across the seats opposite.

The girl, who described feeling trapped by how he was sitting, was then subjected to him masturbating over his clothing.

Prosecuting, Martine Snowdon said: "He made eye contact with her and was touching his genital area.

"He then moved to sit beside her. She felt trapped and could see his erect penis through his clothing.

"She was so scared she stayed on until the train stopped in Ormskirk."

Miss Snowdon said that after managing to get on a train heading back in the right direction she discovered Lequesne had followed her and he sat next to her, rubbing his genitals again.

The girl was able to alert family, who came to meet her at the station, and Lequesne was later identified in CCTV.

Lequesne was found guilty of outraging public decency in his absence last month after refusing to leave his cell for the trial, which occurred just before his sentencing in the Southport rape case.

Speaking briefly before the court, the teenager said the incident had made her nervous and anxious about using public transport and that she now carried alarms with her in case she was subjected to a similar attack in the future.

She said the fact that Lequesne had followed her had a particularly strong effect on her and left her wondering what would have happened if no one had been able to meet her at the station when she got off the train.

Lequesne had no legal representation today and spoke only briefly during today's hearing.

Sentencing, Judge David Potter said the fact that Lequesne had followed the girl back on to another train at Ormskirk had amplified the effect of the incident on her.

Judge Potter said: "You, clearly wanting to continue to engage in your behaviour, looked for her, found her and then masturbated over your clothing again.

"It is clear that this event caused her considerable alarm and distress."

Judge Potter sentenced Lequesne to 12 months in prison for one count of outraging public decency.

This will start immediately and will therefore have no effect on the date he first becomes eligible for release under the sentence he is serving for rape.

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A paedophile said he'd travel 40 miles to have sex with a 13-year-old girl in her mother's bed.

Barry Wiley bombarded a person he thought was a child called "Maddison" with sick texts and naked photos.

The 53-year-old offered to pay for the girl's train fare to Liverpool, then said he'd travel to her home in Rochdale while her mum was out, despite the fact Maddison told him she was "scared".

But the pervert was actually talking to a retired teacher acting as a decoy for paedophile hunter group Elusive Child Protection Unit.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Wiley, of Dacy Road, Everton, was caught out last year.

The woman placed the fictional profile on social network Hi5 and its sister app Tagged, with a photo of herself, manipulated to appear childlike.

Frank Dillon, prosecuting, said Wiley - using the profile name "TheQuietMan69" - started talking to her on June 30, 2020, when she said she was 13 and didn't have a lot of friends.

She asked Wiley if he was a teacher on July 1, when he replied: "Couldnt be a teacher wouldn't be able to focus."

The next day he talked about drink making him "horny", discussed sex, disclosed his name and offered to cook, take her shopping and buy her food and clothes.

On July 5, after asking her to download Kik Messenger, he asked Maddison to download Hangouts and give him her email address.

The next day he said "I really like you though sexually" and told her he'd like to have sex with her.

Mr Dillon said he sent her "highly sexual" messages and on July 8 told her he wanted to "make love to her for hours".

The court heard Wiley sent her a photo of a man in underwear and an explicit image which he said was of himself.

He told her he was going for a bath before she received a photo of a man in a bath holding his private parts.

Wiley said he wanted sex with her, despite her saying she would be "scared", then sent a photo of two adults having sex and a picture of female genitalia.

Mr Dillon said Wiley tried to arrange meeting Maddison in Liverpool on July 26 last year and offered to pay her train fare, before he again sent a photo of a man holding his private parts and said it was him.

Mr Dillon said: "The previously arranged meeting was re-arranged, whereby the defendant would travel to Rochdale and meet with Maddison so he could go to her house and have sexual intercourse with her in her mother's bed."

The Elusive Child Protection Unit found Wiley at a snooker club in Liverpool on July 25, when police were called and he was arrested.

Wiley gave a no comment interview, but in May this year admitted attempted sexual communication with a child, attempting to cause a child to look at sexual activity and attempting to arrange a child sex offence, namely sexual activity with a child.

That would have entitled him to a 25% reduction in his sentence, but he then tried to withdraw his guilty plea, which was refused following a hearing, meaning he only received 15%.

Kevin Jones, defending, said Wiley had been suffering from mental health problems and physical issues relating to diabetes at the time.

He said despite his denial of any sexual motivation and the offences, his client expressed a willingness to undertake any courses suggested for him, which he argued meant there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

The lawyer said the incident came off the back of a difficult mental health period for Wiley, after the breakdown of his relationship with older children and also children from another relationship, which he described as "destructive".

Mr Jones suggested "he was making a decision to do this as a cry for help".

Judge Louise Brandon said in a pre-sentence report Wiley denied the photos were of his penis, but in the chats he told Maddison they were.

She said he told Maddison he wanted sex with her, adding: "She told you she was scared to do that, but that didn't put you off."

The judge said he tried to facilitate a meeting in Liverpool, then rearranged it for her home, when told her mum would be out.

She said he didn't "finalise" those arrangements, but that was because he was arrested the day beforehand.

Judge Brandon said: "You were, by virtue of your guilty plea, attempting to arrange the meeting by which you would have had sex with a 13-year-old child."

She said he continued to deny the offences and an explanation he put forward in a pre-sentence report was "properly described" by the author as "outlandish and implausible".

Judge Brandon said: "You're a man who is clearly in denial of what and who you really are."

The judge said he "bombarded" Maddison with sexual messages for his sexual gratification, had "no insight" into the harm he would have caused her if she was real, and his remorse was only for the position he was now in.

Judge Brandon found there wasn't a reasonable prospect of rehabilitation because of his "continuing denials".

Jailing him for three years and nine months, and ordering him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order indefinitely, she said: "I conclude you pose a danger to children."

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A paedophile molested a "lost" and vulnerable boy who was in care because he had already been sexually abused.

Serial sex offender Alan Healey has multiple convictions involving exposing himself in front of children in public.

The 53-year-old, of Upper Pitt Street in Liverpool city centre, was last jailed after following a boy onto a bus.

But it has now emerged he targeted his first victim - aged just nine - when he was 17 and 18 in the late 1980s.

Judge David Swinnerton said: "You made things worse for him at a time when you had fooled him into thinking you would help him and make things better."

The pervert denied five counts of indecent assault, but was found guilty after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Judge Swinnerton said he attacked the "particularly vulnerable" boy at a children's home in south Liverpool, where Healey was himself living at the time.

The judge said: "You kissed him when you were 17. That kissing happened on a number of occasions. It was kissing when you put your tongue into his mouth, when you encouraged him to do the same to you.

"That took place in your bedroom in the children's home where you were living and he was visiting... He lived in a children's home, a different one down the road...

"You took advantage of him being there to befriend him, to groom him, to give him gifts, to form that relationship with him, and then to sexually assault him."

The judge said the abuse progressed to Healey putting his hand down the boy's trousers and touching his penis over his boxer shorts.

The victim told police he had already been sexually abused by two men before he went into care and was attacked by Healey, and that he was also molested by another man afterwards in a foster home.

Peter Killen, defending, said: "It's right to say his extremely traumatic childhood was not entirely down to Mr Healey, but Mr Healey simply did of course exacerbate the situation."

Judge Swinnerton told Healey: "It is impossible to extract the damage you caused him, physically, mentally, from the damage he has had from other sources, because he had a very difficult and disturbed childhood. As did you, that is why you were both in the care system.

"But at a time when he was a lost nine-year-old boy, looking for comfort and assistance, that enabled you to groom him because under the pretence of offering him friendship, comfort, being an adult person experienced in the care system, who could help him because he was having issues with being bullied and so on, you used that position as a chance to abuse him."

Mr Killen said Healey was himself physically and sexually abused in his childhood.

Judge Swinnerton accepted "no doubt" Healey had also been "damaged" by this.

However, he told Healey: "You perpetuated that, you repeated it against someone else, and you damaged him."

The judge said the abuse had a "devastating" impact, which was outlined in a victim impact statement, read by Lee Bonner, prosecuting.

The now adult man said he was "completely taken in" by Healey because the predator showed him the attention he was lacking in his life at the time.

The victim said he believed the abuse was a "major contributor" to him later turning to illegal drugs, adding: "I was so angry with Mr Healey and the world around me."

The man said he was previously prescribed antidepressants and was again after a "relapse" ahead of the trial, though the verdicts were "a massive weight lifted off my shoulders" because "at last people have believed me".

Healey was convicted of indecent exposure to boys on five occasions in 1996; of gross indecency with a child in 1997; of indecent exposure again in 1999; and then of inciting two boys to engage in sexual activity in 2010.

The court heard at that time he was working as a car park attendant at a sports centre.

He persuaded the two boys to give him their phone numbers, then sent texts inciting them to take part in sexual activity with him, in breach of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

In May 2017 he was jailed for 21 months after following a 14-year-old schoolboy onto a bus and pleasuring himself while asking the child's name.

Mr Killen told the court his client had made "progress" since then, hadn't committed any new offences, and under the care of a psychologist was motivated to change.

He said: "They had been progressing to a particular type of therapy, which it was hoped would help Mr Healey address his own childhood trauma, that being seen as the pathway to reducing risk in this case."

Urging the judge to spare him jail, he said that progress would be halted if he was jailed and added: "The defendant's risk is reducing."

However, Judge Swinnerton said he was concerned by Healey's "remarkable lack of insight", despite work done with him over three decades.

He said when Healey was interviewed about the victim he abused in the 1980s, he told police: "I'm not like that, I wouldn't do that."

Judge Swinnerton said: "The jury heard about some of your previous convictions and I'm afraid you are like that, Mr Healey, in the sense you are a sexual offender against boys.

"It troubles me that you lack insight because you told the jury 'I'm not sexually interested in boys, I do not know why I behave in that way'.

"But you clearly are and were sexually interested in boys."

Judge Swinnerton jailed Healey for four years.

He told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

Description

A girl nearly killed herself after being targeted by a rapist described as "every mother's living nightmare".

Christopher McIntyre started chatting to his victim on Instagram then gave her a "secret" mobile phone.

After sending the schoolgirl explicit images, he met up with the child and raped her on three occasions.

Liverpool Crown Court today heard how the girl has since tried to kill herself and once "almost succeeded".

The child's mum described how seeing her daughter lying in a hospital bed made her "break inside".

Recorder Ian Unsworth, QC, told the predatory rapist: "You were every mother's living nightmare."

McIntyre, 35, of Risbury Road, Norris Green, claimed the allegations against him were "sick" and denied any wrongdoing.

He was found guilty of three counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault at a trial in July, after his victim was forced to go through the ordeal of giving evidence.

Sarah Holt, prosecuting, said the girl first chatted to McIntyre on Instagram in 2019, after which he provided her with a "secret phone".

Recorder Unsworth told him that instead of "having nothing to do with it, as you should have done, you sought to fulfil your own selfish and as it transpired predatory needs, by providing her with a secret mobile phone".

The judge said messages McIntyre sent her were "highly inappropriate", as he complimented her on her appearance and sent her explicit photos, and evidence showed he "implored" her to delete them.

Recorder Unsworth - who said the girl was a "highly vulnerable young child" and McIntyre knew this - added: "You were grooming her."

Ms Holt told the court how McIntyre later met the girl and took her to an address where he put on a film then raped her, during which the victim recalled how "she froze, she didn't know what to do and she didn't want this to happen".

The trial heard he raped her on two further occasions, before warning her not to tell anyone, leaving her feeling scared and very upset, before she began self-harming as a way of coping.

Ms Holt said McIntyre then rang the victim, which caused her to break down in front of friends, before she disclosed to them and later her parents and the police what had happened.

The court heard the abuse led to the girl making "a number of attempts on her own life", including "one particularly serious attempt", which her mum gave evidence about.

Recorder Unsworth told McIntyre: "You were every mother's living nightmare."

He said McIntyre behaved in "the most predatory and depraved way" and raped the girl three times "for your own selfish and gratuitous sexual needs".

The judge said McIntyre then "called her a liar and accused her of lying to the authorities and this court".

He said: "You not only turned her world upside down, you almost ended her world."

McIntyre showed no emotion in the dock as Recorder Unsworth continued: "I note from the contents of the pre-sentence report that you remain defiant and whilst your letter to the court expresses the view there are no winners in this, it is in my judgement an entirely self-serving and self-pitying letter."

The judge said the effect on the girl had been "devastating if not catastrophic" as outlined in victim personal statements read in court.

He said: "She has tried to take her own life on several occasions. On one occasion, she almost succeeded.

"There is only one person to blame for this and that is you."

Recorder Unsworth said not only did the victim suffer "severe psychological harm", he was satisfied it was of "an extreme nature".

He said when giving evidence, the child "impressed as an extremely brave young woman".

The judge said: "She was brave to say to the authorities what you had done, she was brave to tell her family what you had done, and anyone reading these statements can only wish her well as she moves on with her life, a life that was almost ended too short because of your actions".

Steven Swift, defending, accepted there had been a "profound and severe impact" upon the victim and her family.

Mr Swift argued an extended sentence wasn't required to protect the public, given the length of time McIntyre would serve if he received a determinate sentence, and that his client - who didn't have any previous convictions for sexual offences - was using his time in jail "productively" and had become an enhanced prisoner.

However, the judge concluded McIntyre was a "dangerous" offender, as defined in law, and that an extended sentence was required to protect the public, in particular girls.

He said in making that decision he had reminded himself of McIntyre's predatory, grooming and "manipulative" behaviour.

Recorder Unsworth jailed McIntyre for 18 years, with an extended four years on licence.

This type of sentence means McIntyre must serve at least two thirds of the custodial term - 12 years - behind bars.

He will then only be released before the end of the sentence if the Parole Board no longer considers him to be a risk and will have to serve an extended licence period.

Recorder Unsworth told McIntyre to sign on the Sex Offenders Register and to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life, which includes a ban on him contacting his victim or her parents.

Description

A qualified masseur sexually assaulted three women after he had been arrested and questioned by police in relation to similar attacks on other women.

Christopher Barnes, 46, was jailed for four years during a hearing on Friday (October 29) at Liverpool Crown Court after a jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting his clients.

One of the victims told Barnes that she hoped that he "rotted in hell" for the damage he had caused her.

Michael Scholes, prosecuting, told the court how Barnes touched the breasts and groins of six women who booked treatment at his Rose Lane clinic.

Barnes of Wellington Street, Garston, had previously groped two women in the space of two months in 2018 at his south Liverpool clinic, leaving them feeling disgusted, vulnerable and frightened.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault weeks before a trial and was handed 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, in June 2019.

But more women then contacted the police to say they too had been sexually abused by Barnes after reading about him in the ECHO.

In total Barnes molested eight women during massages when he abused a position of trust to take advantage of customers suffering from pain and stress.

On Friday Judge Neil Flewitt, QC described how Barnes committed three sexual assaults after being arrested and interviewed by police in April 2018 following claims by two other women.

Judge Flewitt said: "It is also an aggravating feature of this case that you sexually assaulted three women after you had been arrested and interviewed in relation to the allegations made by two other women.

"In addition, the fact that you committed offences against eight different women indicates that these offences were not the product of a momentary lapse of judgement but instead suggests a degree of planning in that you were, in my view, looking out for suitable victims."

Judge Flewitt also pointed out that Barnes used the veneer of his status as a qualified masseur to carry out a string of sexual assaults.

Judge Flewitt said: "I recognise that, when you committed these offences, you were a properly qualified masseur, not a charlatan pretending to have skills which were beyond you.

"However, that fact is of limited value because it means that you were well aware that what you were doing was inappropriate and of no therapeutic value."

Judge Flewitt also addressed the impact Barnes had on his victims when sentencing him.

One victim told the jury: "It felt like parts of it were more for his gratification that what Id agreed to which was a relaxation treatment.

Another victim said: I felt like I was being abused and taken advantage of Im a very proud woman and to be touched in those areas was mortifying for me.

A woman said: It just didnt feel like a massage, it didnt feel like Reiki, it felt like caressing

Sentencing Barnes on Friday Judge Neil Flewitt, QC, said: "You committed offences against eight different women.

"You continue to deny the offences and show little or no remorse.

"Your continued denials increase the risk of harm to lone females."

Judge Flewitt jailed Barnes for four years and told him he would be subject to a sexual offences prevention order when he was released on licence.

Description

A predatory pensioner took vile sexual photographs of a vulnerable schoolgirl.

Roy Rogers' behaviour came to light after one of his victims, a girl who has learning difficulties, told a teacher he had taken naked pictures of her.

Jonathan Rogers, prosecuting, said: "She was concerned and upset and she also disclosed text messages between her and Rogers.

Mr Rogers told Liverpool Crown Court the girl begged Roy Rogers to return the indecent images he had taken of her in a text exchange.

Rogers, 71, of Croyde Road, Speke, refused saying they are special to me and said she had the best t**s in all of Liverpool".

He told his victim that he was "her boyfriend" and went on to say he loved her.

When interviewed the victim said Rogers took a photograph of her when she was naked and while she was wearing a bikini.

Rogers was arrested and various images were found on his mobile phone including a picture of the girls breasts with his hand pulling up the front of her top to expose them.

The sick predator also used Samsung Galaxy Wearable software to turn some of the images into watch faces to be used on a Samsung smart watch.

When interviewed he claimed he had banter with the girl, who he knew had learning difficulties.

In a later interview he said he became infatuated with her and he accepted it was a sexual infatuation".

The girls mum told in an impact statement how her daughter had become very quiet following the offences and the family have trust issues.

Jailing Rogers for three years the judge, Recorder Ian Harris, described him as a predator.

The defendant had pleaded guilty to 12 offences involving engaging in sexual communication, making indecent images, sexual activity, taking indecent images and possessing such images.

Paul Becker, defending, said Rogers has no previous convictions and has health problems. He said it was a serious case but pointed out the physical contact was "minimal".

He said Rogers had pleaded guilty and urged the judge not to jail him so he could take advantage of probation courses which would help protect the public in future.

Recorder Harris ordered the pensioner to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order, both indefinite.

Description

A woman who was raped and strangled in a Liverpool park feared she would never see her kids again.

Tadas Trakselis strangled the sex worker unconscious then raped her and stole the money he paid her.

The victim feared she was going to die and never see her children again before she passed out.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the 25-year-old had punched and beat her after he couldn't get an erection.

Then when she came to and saw him walking off, he mockingly said: "There's dangerous people out there."

The victim was working on Sheil Road, near Newsham Park in Anfield, late on August 22 last year.

Martine Snowdon, prosecuting, said: "She was approached by the defendant, who asked her how much it would be for oral sex. They agreed a price, he gave her 30 and they made their way to some bushes in Newsham Park."

Ms Snowdon said the woman, in her 40s, provided a condom for Trakselis but "he was unable to get an erection".

The victim described drunken Trakselis as being "a bit off", which made her feel uncomfortable, which she told him.

Ms Snowdon said: "It was at that point he grabbed hold of her by the throat and he pushed her to the ground.

"She described how she fought back, though she knew that she shouldn't fight back.

"She then described passing out and waking up, coming to, with the defendant throttling her."

The court heard he told her to "hush" and kept strangling her.

Ms Snowdon said: "At that point she thought she was going to die and she passed out again."

When the victim came around, she found her lower clothing had been pulled down and the money taken from her pocket.

She then saw Trakselis walking off, who said: "There's dangerous people out there."

Ms Snowdon said the victim called a male friend and told him she "had the s*** kicked out of her".

He came to the scene, called the emergency services and took photos of her injuries, which included multiple grazes and bruising to her neck, chest, mouth, jaw, back, shoulders, hips, pelvis and genital area.

A doctor said the injuries to her neck were consistent with strangulation and DNA evidence on her identified Trakselis, whose phone was found nearby by the woman's friend.

Trakselis, of Townsend Lane, Tuebrook, gave a no comment interview but later admitted rape, assault causing actual bodily harm and theft.

He has one conviction in the UK for theft from a car in 2018 and was previously jailed for six years for assault in Lithuania.

The woman said she had suffered violence from men in the past but what happened that night was "something else".

Ms Snowdon said: "In her words she thought she was going to die, she was thinking about her children in that moment and thinking she wouldn't see them again and thinking who could tell them the reason and how they would take it."

The woman who felt "numb and violated", is now reluctant to go out at night and has suffered nightmares.

Ms Snowdon said: "She indicates she will survive as she always has done, but doesn't wish for any other woman to go through what she went through."

Jeremy Hawthorne, defending, said Trakselis' guilty pleas, giving him 25% credit off his sentence, were "pretty much his sole mitigation".

He said: "He's been in the UK for about five years. He's a Lithuanian as the court knows by origin. While he's been here he's been involved in factory and building work, done a little bit of charity work.

"He's someone who had made what, up until now, was a constructive use of the right to come and work in Britain."

Mr Hawthorne said friends of Trakselis sitting in the public gallery had provided a letter in which they said the attack was inconsistent with the man they knew.

However, he said: "It does not disguise the fact this was a terrible offence."

Judge David Aubrey, QC, told Trakselis: "You became agitated and subsequently extremely violent firstly in consequence of the fact that you were unable to obtain an erection.

"What you then subsequently did was grab her by the throat and push her violently to the ground.

"It's quite apparent you began to throttle her and continued to strangle her after you had told her to be quiet.

"When she was endeavouring to fight back, she lost consciousness."

He said a doctor found the woman's injuries were consistent with her being "beaten, punched and strangled".

Judge Aubrey said: "It was during the period of unconsciousness that she was raped."

He referred to the victim being "particularly vulnerable", the "extreme nature" of the attack and the "attitude to sex workers" displayed by Trakselis in a pre-sentence report as he concluded the rapist was "dangerous", as defined in law.

The judge told him that after the rape, "you further humiliated her by stealing some money from her".

He said: "It's to the victim's credit that she had the courage to come forward in order to make the complaint that she has."

Judge Aubrey jailed Trakselis for nine years, with an extended three years on licence.

This type of sentence means Trakselis must serve at least two thirds of the custodial term - six years - behind bars.

He will only be released before the end of the nine years if the Parole Board no longer considers him to be a risk.

Judge Aubrey told Trakselis to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Speaking after the case, Detective Inspector Lisa Milligan from Merseyside Police's Unity team, the specialist rape and serious assault unit, said: "This was an utterly despicable attack and we welcome that Trakselis is now behind bars.

"While no sentence can repair the pain and suffering Trakselis has caused to his victim, I hope that he will reflect on his disgraceful actions while serving this significant jail time.

"I would like to commend the victim for the incredible bravery and courage she has shown in coming forward to report the crime, and for her strength throughout the investigation.

"I hope that this sentence today will reassure anyone who has suffered a sexual offence that, if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us, we will deal with you sensitively and make sure that your report is properly and thoroughly investigated.

"Specialist police officers from our Unity team work side-by-side with a number of partners including Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) and the Red Umbrella Project. These organisations work with victims from the moment the police make the referral through to the court case and beyond."

Description

A pensioner who intended to rape a 12-year-old girl took a Viagra tablet and bottle of Blue WKD with him.

William Meehan, then 75, travelled from Kirkby to a swimming pool in Preston to meet up with a girl called "Jess".

In online chats he told Jess she was his "girlfriend" and he wanted to "make love" to her while her mum was away.

But the girl was actually an undercover police officer and when he arrived at the leisure centre, he was arrested.

Meehan appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court today using two crutches, a hearing aid loop and oxygen mask.

The now 76-year-old, of Cawthorne Avenue, Southdene, Kirkby, went by the username "Scouser2020" on chat room Chat Avenue, "BillyKirkby" on messaging app Kik Messenger, and "Billy Meehan" on Skype.

Kenneth Grant, prosecuting, said police found his activity on those platforms revealed a sexual interest in young girls.

On January 15 last year, he started talking with "Jess" on Chat Avenue, when Meehan told her he was 35 and claimed he'd been speaking with other girls "all over England", aged between 11 and 19.

Meehan told Jess he could get "locked up" for speaking to a 13-year-old and she said she was actually 12, before their conversation moved to Kik.

He said he could get locked up for "grooming" and had chatted to a 12-year-old girl from Wigan, who wanted sex for money, but hadn't taken that further.

Mr Grant said: "He stated that he had not had sex 'for ages' as he was a widower."

Meehan said he could easily travel to Preston to pick her up and take her back to his house.

Mr Grant said: "He told her that she did not need to worry about getting pregnant as he had had a vasectomy."

The OAP, who said he worked as a mechanic and drove a Ford Focus, gave Jess his phone number to chat over WhatsApp, before they talked on Skype.

On January 16, he called her "my lovely girlfriend", said he'd bring a bottle of Blue WKD to help her "relax", and that he wanted to "make love" to her, as opposed to just "having sex".

Meehan said: "You tell me the day, time and place and I'll be there."

They arranged to meet at Fulwood Leisure Centre and Meehan told Jess he'd planned the 36-mile journey on his satnav.

On January 21 he assured her he was "absolutely serious", had already bought the WKD and would meet after her mum dropped her off.

After arranging to meet by the vending machines, he drove to the centre on January 23, only to be arrested in the car park.

Mr Grant said police seized his iPhone, the Blue WKD, a bottle opener and glass, and a "Viagra tablet that was recovered from the storage compartment under the steering wheel."

Officer searched his home and found a laptop, which contained 22 extreme porn bestiality files.

When interviewed by police, Meehan said he was going to bring Jess home to "fondle" her, but while he'd said they could "f***", claimed "he was impotent so that could not happen" and the Viagra was for use with a woman he'd been seeing.

When the chat logs were put to him, he moaned: "She dropped the hook and reeled me in."

He also said he didn't want her mum knowing "in case she notified the police".

Meehan admitted two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child and possessing extreme porn.

But he denied attempting to facilitate the commission of a child sex offence until pleading guilty two weeks before a trial.

This was on a basis of plea, rejected by the prosecution, in which he claimed he hadn't intended to have "penetrative sexual intercourse".

That led to a Newton Hearing - a form of mini trial where a judge establishes disputed facts - in which his claim was rejected.

Meehan has past convictions for dishonesty and driving offences, but none since 1973.

Sarah Holt, defending, said her remorseful client was "terrified" of jail and had "absolutely no intention of committing any sort of offence like this ever again".

Ms Holt said: "He has a number of different medical conditions, some of which are significant. That for which he is under the care of Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital could be said to be really quite serious indeed."

Ms Holt said the court process had been a time of "great anxiety and stress", which worsened Meehan's health conditions and led to him being hospitalised.

She said: "It could be said that is entirely his own fault, that would be absolutely accurate, but it's only right your honour knows he stands before the court, a man of 76 years of age, he's thoroughly ashamed and disgusted in himself."

Judge David Swinnerton told Meehan: "You were dishonest in your young days but you were law-abiding from 1973 it seems up until 2020. But in 2020 you committed extremely serious sexual offences and disgraced yourself in your old age."

He added: "You commented I think in your interview and indeed during your evidence to me 'she was nearly 13'. Well, that's absolutely no excuse whatsoever."

The judge said Meehan planned and "thought through" what he would do, telling Jess how to keep it secret from her mum, that he wanted it to be "a long term relationship not just a one off meeting", and bringing the WKD and Viagra.

He said: "I am absolutely sure you intended to take a 12-year-old back home for sexual intercourse.

"You used your impotence as part of why you said 'oh, that was never going to happen'...

"You had a Viagra tablet in the car. That was part of your kit to carry this out."

Meehan shook his head as he was jailed for three years and seven months.

He must sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

Description

A cowardly paedophile who did not have the courage to face a sentencing today was put behind bars for nine years.

HIs victims, who have all been left psychologically scarred by Robert Burns sexual abuse, bravely attended court for the hearing but the Judge Stuart Driver, QC told them: He has not had the courage to come into court to face the truth and face his victims so he will be sentenced in his absence.

Burns, 61, had been brought to Liverpool Crown Court from prison but refused to come into the courtroom from the cells.

The court heard that he has previous convictions including indecent assault in 1990, sexual assault in March 2017 and failing to comply with Sexual Register notification requirements.

Judge Driver ruled him to be a dangerous offender and he imposed an extended five year licence.

He said: He has now been convicted of 15 sexual offences and six offences of breaching the notification requirements.

The judge pointed out that a pre-sentence report spoke of his grooming and predatory behaviour and concludes he poses a high risk of serious harm to children and the public."

Judge Driver said: I agree. He has shown no remorse, he has shown no insight into his behaviour.

Burns, of Fishguard Close, Everton, had been convicted after a trial of 12 offences of indecent assault on five boys ranging in age from six to 15 years.

After imposing the sentences the judge turned to the victims in the public gallery and told them: All that remains is for me to praise the five men who are victims in this case for their courage in coming forward and for the dignity they have shown throughout the case.

During his trial Martine Snowdon, prosecuting, told how Burns gave some of his victims alcohol before abusing them, showered them with money and gifts and showed one of them pornography.

He was found guilty of repeatedly abusing four of the boys and one offence on the other child when he was aged between 13 and 15.

Miss Snowdon said the offences had a significant effect on all five victims, who are now adults, and two of them in particular.

Charlotte Atherton, defending, said Burns still denies the offences against the five boys and the previous sexual offending.

She conceded that one of the victims had been affected particularly badly and feels his personality has been heavily altered by what happened to him.

Miss Atherton said Burns has developed a relationship with a woman he has been caring for and his intention was that they should marry.

She said he had been abused as a child and had behavioural difficulties. He now has health issues and she pointed out that there had been a lengthy delay between his arrest in September 2018 and appearing at the crown court.

Burns was ordered to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life and the judge also imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Description

A paedophile who refused to admit to his crimes, and therefore put his victims through a trial, was today shocked when a judge told him his sentence.

Paul Shields, 45, of Beechwood Drive, Formby was found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court of 22 sexual offences involving two female victims.

The offences took place between 2006 and 2011.

Twenty of the offences which included attempted rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault and causing a child to engage in sexual activity involved one of the girls and spanned several years.

The other two offences of sexual assault and causing a child to engage in sexual activity involved the second child.

He had threatened them not to tell anyone but eventually in 2018 they disclosed details of their ordeal and the police were eventually informed.

Shields was jailed for 21 years and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Gerard Doran, defending, said, No doubt he will have a very long time to contemplate these matters. No doubt there will come a time when he can take advantage of services available to him in custody.

I hope that will pay dividends and he will be permitted to return to society.

A judge described Shields as a danger to children as far as serious sexual harm is concerned.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones told him: You still maintain your innocence still. You completely refuse to admit what you have done.

He pointed out that his denials meant his victims were forced to go through the ordeal of giving evidence before a jury at Liverpool Crown Court.

He added: Both victims refer to the devastating impact on their livesthey talk of the daily impact on them and the affect on their mental health. They have difficulty in trusting people and forming relationships.

Quite clearly it amounts to severe psychological harm. Their feeling is you have destroyed their lives and suffer enduring trauma.

The judge ordered Shields, who looked shocked at the length of sentence, to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Detective Inspector Michelle Wilson said: This is a significant custodial sentence that reflects the gravity of the offences committed by Paul Shields. I am pleased that he will now spend a considerable period of time behind bars for his actions.

I would like to take this opportunity to praise both of his victims for their courage and dignity throughout the whole of this investigation. As Shields pleaded not guilty they were forced to endure giving evidence in court.

I hope that the severity of the sentence handed out today gives them an opportunity to finally move on with their lives knowing that Shields is behind bars where he cannot cause hurt to anyone else.

Merseyside Police is committed to protecting victims of sexual offences.

We know how difficult it can be for people to come forward and report incidents but I want to reassure anyone who reports an incident to us will be safeguarded and supported throughout the investigation.

We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.