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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.

Description

A mum-of-two was horrified to discover that her partner was a convicted child sex offender.

The woman made inquiries with police in April this year after Andrew Edgson had vanished from her life and she learnt he was in prison.

She told them she had been in a relationship with him for 18 months and did not know why he was in jail.

Putting 38-year-old Edgson behind bars for 12 months the judge, Recorder David Knifton, QC, said: The police notified her, to her utter shock and distress, that you had been convicted and sentenced for serious sexual offences upon a child.

She disclosed that between the date of your conviction - of which she was unaware - and date of sentence - of which she was unaware - you had been living with her and her children.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that he had formed a relationship with the woman in 2019 and it became serious and he moved into her Bootle home.

In December last year he disappeared but a few days later he rang her from prison claiming he was in a police station "sorting something out."

The judge said: You again misled her about your whereabouts and the circumstances of your detention.

She was horrified to discover that you had been convicted of a serious sexual offence you had not told her about and clearly thought, with some justification, that the only purpose of that failure to disclose such a conviction was to continue your relationship with her and her children.

These failures by you to disclose to her the true circumstances led to her to feel anxious and distressed. She has contemplated moving house because you know where she and her children live.

She feels utterly betrayed by someone she describes as dangerously manipulative.

Recorder Knifton told him: You flagrantly breached the registration scheme from the outset.

Edgson, of no fixed address, but formerly of Huyton, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with registration requirements under Sexual Offences provisions.

Chris Taylor, prosecuting, said that Edgson was jailed for 14 months in December 2020 for the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl in early 2019.

Under the terms of the Sexual Offences Register he had to tell police where he was living but he failed to reveal he was living with the woman and her two children following his release.

Jim Smith, defending, said that Edgsons actions had been selfish and stupid and committed because he did not his relationship with the new partner destroyed.

Description

A sexual deviant who propositioned a 13-year-old boy online was caught out as the child was actually an under-cover officer.

Mathew Cowley already had a conviction for sexually abusing a school boy and was banned from communicating with under 16-year-olds but it did not deter him.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that while a five year Sexual Harm Prevention Order was hanging over him Cowley got in touch via a chat room with someone he thought was a 13-year-old boy on August 5 this year.

He said he was 29 years old and then in conversation said he was 34 and asked if the boy thought he was too old for him and told him what he liked to do sexually.

Cowley told him, I dont mind first timers as long as its a secret, said Chris Hopkins, prosecuting.

The officer again told him that he was 13 and went to school and Cowley replied, So you are a virgin, thats better.

The next day Cowley again initiated an online conversation with him and told him he lived in Kensington and gave him his mobile number and the chat moved to WhatsApp.

He described the boy as fit as f**k and said he fancied him.

The officer asked if he could trust him with his secrets and he replied, No-one will ever know what we do and it is totally secret.

He was arrested three days later and made admissions in interview.

The court heard that the 37-year-old defendant was jailed for three years in September 2016 for penetrative sexual activity with a 14-year-old boy he met via Skype.

After grooming him they met at a train station and then went to a cemetery where sexual activity took place.

The Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) was made but the court was told that it had now expired and the charge he had now admitted did not allow for a new one to be made by the judge.

Mr Hopkins said that the police would have to apply to the magistrates court for a new order to be made.

Jailing Cowley, of Shiel Road, Kensington, for two and a half years Judge David Aubrey, QC, said, In my judgement you are a sexual deviant and in my judgement you are a paedophile and attracted to under-age boys. And regretfully you have not learnt your lesson since the sentence of three years imprisonment imposed in September 2016.

He said that he did not lose sight of issues in his life, adding, It may well be that you are a sad and lonely man.

The judge ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years and said, The police I have no doubt will be instigating an application for a Sexual Harm PreventionOrder in the lower court designed to protect others from you.

In my judgement they need such protection and hopefully it will seek to deter you albeit regretfully the order now expired did not achieve such ideals by deterring you.

Anthony ODonohoe, defending, said that Cowley had pleaded guilty to the offences of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and breaching a SHPO.

He suffers from anxiety and depression and I get the impression he is an isolated individual. He was living in rented accommodation with a rat infestation problem in Shiel Road and has no communication with is family or friends.

He feels he would be benefit from having a settled adult relationship which would perhaps put him more on the straight and narrow.

Mr ODonohoe said that a pre-sentence report says that Cowley presents a high risk of sexual offending but the defendant hopes to engage with any help and courses available to him in prison.

He is not an unintelligent man and understands if there is further offending of this nature or breaches of orders that he will bring upon his own shoulders ever lengthening custodial sentences.

Description

A twisted paedophile lured one of his victims to a fake party at a high-rise flat and then raped her.

Peter Robinson targeted another girl after tricking her into his car and driving her to a secluded spot where he only broke off his attacks so he could have a cigarette.

He helped to cover up his horrific crimes by telling his vulnerable schoolgirl victims that, should they speak out, he would get social services to make their lives a misery.

Robinson appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday to be sentenced for one count of indecent assault, eight counts of rape and three counts of the rape of a child under the age of 13.

The 56-year-old, a dad himself, had been convicted of the offences following a trial that concluded earlier this week.

Today, prosecutor Charlotte Kenny outlined how Robinson exploited vulnerable young girls during a sustained period of offending.

As well as raping his victims he also played on their fears and insecurity, securing their silence with threats, humiliating them and preying on their anxiety with degrading comments.

He told one of the girls that "nobody liked her" in what Ms Kenny suggested was a bid to socially isolate her.

The barrister read out powerful impact statements on behalf of each of his victims, now adults, who described suffering flashbacks and nightmares as a result of his crimes.

On behalf of one of the women, Ms Kenny said: "Sometimes the flashbacks are so horrendous she is physically sick... Peter Robinson will never realise just how much what he did has impacted on my whole life. I feel lost and scared due to what he put me through."

Another explained: "In the end, Peter Robinson left me feeling like a piece of meat. I felt powerless and angry."

His other victim detailed in her statement: "The horrible memories will never leave me."

Anthony O'Donohoe, defending, said his client had no previous convictions and that his family is "devastated" by the convictions.

He added: "He is aware that the inevitable custodial sentence will be a long one."

Judge Denis Watson, QC, described how Robinson deceived his victims on multiple occasions and, of his claims he would involve social services in their lives should they speak out, he said: "This was a calculated, cruel and very effective threat."

Judge Watson added that the offences "leave me in no doubt there is severe psychological harm here... they all experienced long term psychological harm as a result of the offending".

Robinson, of Dunnerdale Road in Norris Green, was sentenced to a total of 23 years in jail. He will have to serve half of that sentence before he can apply for release.

His convictions for the rape of a child under the age of 13 mean that, legally, he is considered an offender of special concern.

As a result, when he is released from jail he will serve an extended period on licence made up of whatever remains of the 23 year sentence plus an extra 12 months.

Robinson was all made the subject of indefinite restraining orders against each of his victims and of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

After delivering his sentence Judge Watson thanked those in the public gallery for the dignity they had displayed during the hearing.

Description

A paedophile who played sick games with a young girl had the smile wiped off his face at court.

Michael Carr repeatedly sexually abused the child when she was aged between six and 11 and he was aged 17 to 23.

He indecently assaulted the girl, who had to take off clothes if she lost at cards and was made to dance for him in her underwear.

The 57-year-old, of Station Road, Maghull, smiled and grinned when he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing via video link.

He was supported in the public gallery by family members, one of whom stormed out when the impact of the abuse on the victim was described, while Carr shook his head.

However, Carr stopped smiling when he was jailed for eight years and told he must serve two thirds of the sentence behind bars.

During a trial in August, a jury heard how one game Carr played with the girl involved her running up to him, when he would pick her up and lift her in the air.

However, one time he made her take her underwear off and indecently assaulted her when he held her aloft.

Sarah Holt, prosecuting, said Carr would make the girl open and close her legs, before touching her genitalia.

She said he also played card games with her such as snap, which involved items of clothing being removed.

He would take the girl for walks to an area known locally as "The Boards" and to "The Ralla", where she liked to make dens.

Ms Holt said once she had made a den and was excited and wanted to show him, but he exposed himself to her.

He then took the girl's hand and placed it on his penis, telling her to stroke it and asking: "Does that feel nice?"

Carr asked the girl to dance to music, then said he wanted to see her dance in her knickers, because "he could see her better like that".

Ms Holt said he also told the child to lie down for a "hug", but "put himself against her and pulled her shorts down".

The court heard he would kiss her on the cheek or turn her face towards him, so he could kiss her on the lips.

Ms Holt said there was also an occasion when the girl was older when he approached her from behind, put his hand on her back and tried to pull her bra strap, but she told him "no, I don't like it" and told him to leave.

The abuse came to light in 2019, when the woman contacted police and told officers Carr had abused her when she was a young child.

When interviewed by police, Carr denied ever touching his victim sexually and said the allegations were "disgusting".

However, he accepted that as an adult she had confronted him several times and accused him of being a paedophile.

Ms Holt told the jury: "He said that he hadnt reported this as he didn't want to cause any hassle."

Carr, who had no previous convictions, was found guilty of seven counts of indecent assault.

In a victim statement, the woman described how she had been forced to live with the impact of the abuse on a daily basis.

The woman said she suffered from "bad anxiety" and "severe panic attacks", when she struggles to breathe, which can be "triggered by the slightest things" and particularly certain smells and playing cards.

She described self-harming, suffering from eating disorders, "vivid nightmares", feelings of vulnerability and fear, and how "I've often thought what's the point of being here anymore".

The woman said: "When I'm close with partners, I see Michael's face looking back at me."

The victim, who has undergone counselling, said: "I'm happy that after 40 years Michael is facing the consequences of his actions and justice is being served. However, this will never change the devastation he has left behind."

Brendan Carville, defending, said: "The defendant of course still denies the offences and I'm not able to comment in any way at all on the findings of the jury."

He said Carr hadn't been in trouble since these offences, which showed he could rehabilitate himself, and that at the age of 59 he would find his first time in prison "devastating".

Judge David Swinnerton told Carr: "You're 59 years of age. You've got no previous convictions, but what that reveals is to some extent you've been living a lie for the last 30 years, because people have treated you as a man of good character."

He said Carr had "sexualised" typical childhood games, such as when he threw her up and indecently assaulted her.

The judge said when playing snap, who lost "had to take a piece of clothing off".

He added: "You played that with that young child."

The victim first told her mum years previously Carr had touched her and it was "wrong", but at the time didn't feel able to disclose the abuse in full.

Judge Swinnerton said the victim also talked to a friend about the abuse over the years, who described her breaking down in tears.

He said: "Though this was a long time ago Mr Carr, and though it's difficult for any man to face the first custodial sentence of his life at the age of 59 as Mr Carville said, you've had a devastating effect on the life of your victim for the last 30-odd years, and that's a continuing and ongoing impact, and serious impact on her."

Judge Swinnerton told Carr to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Description

A man sexually assaulted a woman then begged her not to tell the police in text messages the next day.

James Navickas performed a sex act on his victim, which she previously told him she found the idea of "abhorrent".

A judge said the 28-year-old, of Joules Close, Walton, sexually assaulted her when she was "particularly vulnerable".

Judge Stuart Driver, QC, said: "Because she was so drunk, she was incapable of giving informed consent."

Liverpool Crown Court heard Navickas and the woman had both gone out drinking together before the attack.

Frank Dillon, prosecuting, said witnesses described her as being eight or nine out of 10 on a scale of drunkenness.

He said the woman had made plain to him previously that she found the idea of a type of sex "abhorrent".

Mr Dillon said they went to Navickas' home but she felt "very drunk" and went to bed, only to wake the next day in pain, with a "hazy" memory.

The court heard she remembered Navickas performing sex acts on her and her saying to him: "What the hell are you doing?"

The victim reported what happened to a friend and a family member, before she and Navickas exchanged text messages. He said the woman had made plain to him previously that she found the idea of a type of sex "abhorrent".

Mr Dillon said they went to Navickas' home but she felt "very drunk" and went to bed, only to wake the next day in pain, with a "hazy" memory.

The court heard she remembered Navickas performing sex acts on her and her saying to him: "What the hell are you doing?"

The victim reported what happened to a friend and a family member, before she and Navickas exchanged text messages.

Navickas said "I hope you're feeling better" and she replied "I remember what you did, don't deny it".

He replied: "I'm so sorry, f***ing idiot me."

The woman said "that's absolutely disgusting" and he responded: "I know, I don't even know what came over me, can't even say anything because there was no reason for me to do it."

She replied "it's like rape, just putting it bluntly like", to which he said: "There's no other way to put it, I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry."

The woman continued "I don't know what to say, like what the actual f***", before adding: "It's not like rape, it is rape."

Navickas replied "I know, I don't know what came over me" before the woman told him she was "scared" of him.

The woman later said: "You sexually assaulted me and I will be taking it further. You're dangerous and me keeping it quiet is making it acceptable."

Navickas said: "Please, I'm asking you, as the last thing I will ever say to you, please can you not take it further, I'm looking to get help as soon as possible and speak to a therapist."

Mr Dillon said Navickas was arrested and gave a "no comment" interview when first spoken to by the police, at which stage the text messages were not available.

However, the texts were put to him in a second interview, when he "by and large admitted his wrongdoing", but denied performing the sex act she found abhorrent and denied that his victim was so drunk she didn't know what she was doing.

He later admitted sexual assault and two counts of assault by penetration.

Mr Dillon summarised a victim personal statement, in which the woman explained how she suffered from anxiety, depression and panic attacks, feels "she is not in control of anything anymore", and has "a feeling of shame that won't go away".

He said: "She has thoughts of not being here anymore - in other words, suicidal thoughts."

The woman, who regularly broke down and cried, said she felt like "a nervous wreck", which affected her social life and work.

Mr Dillon said the victim still suffers from anxiety and that she explained: "It's really hard. It never goes away - it's always on my mind."

Anthony O'Donohoe, defending, said Navickas indicated guilty pleas at the earliest opportunity and made "substantial admissions" in the second interview.

He said alcohol had been a "disinhibitor" for Navickas, who on that night had been drinking to excess and had "deficits in his consequential thinking skills".

Mr O'Donohoe said: "Had he stepped back, I daresay he never would have engaged in the activity that he did."

The barrister said Navickas, of previous good character, had a job and was working towards a managerial position.

He urged the judge to impose a sentence of two years or less in prison, which could be suspended, accompanied by "stringent" requirements to address his client's problems.

Mr O'Donohoe said: "This man clearly has the highest prospects of rehabilitation and is unlikely to ever darken the door of a court again."

Judge Driver said mitigating features of Navickas' case included his "previous good character", references which spoke "highly" of him, and his good employment record.

Jailing him for three and a half years, he said: "You showed genuine remorse by immediately confessing in text messages afterwards."

Judge Driver told Navickas to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life and also made a restraining order to protect his victim.

Description

A paedophile nurse who downloaded baby rape images was spared jail after a court heard he had "lost everything".

Married dad-of-four Christopher Ewan, 45, used to work at the A&E department at Aintree hospital in Fazakerley.

During lockdown he downloaded more than 100 child rape files, plus extreme porn images showing bestiality.

Liverpool Crown Court today heard that after his sick crimes came to light, his family's home in Netherton was targeted by vigilantes, forcing his innocent wife and children to flee.

Ewan's lawyer explained how "in every sense the defendant has suffered significantly - but it's all down to him".

Police were informed of "suspicious activity" relating to a Sky broadband account and messaging app Kik Messenger last summer.

Officers raided Ewan's former home in Musker Drive, Netherton on June 26, 2020 and seized his Samsung mobile phone.

When he was interviewed by the police, Ewan denied any knowledge of any indecent material.

But the device was found to contain 137 Category A files - the most serious category involving child rape - consisting of 127 photos and 10 videos.

There were 217 Category B images, 130 Category C files, one prohibited "cartoon" image and 21 extreme porn images, downloaded between March 3 and June 23 last year.

Christopher Hopkins, prosecuting, said: "A lot of them were thumbnail images but they did find evidence of saving these images on the device. There was a secure folder, which had suspicious activity on it."

He said it was to be "noted" that one Category A image showed a female baby aged six to 12 months and one Category A video, around 24 minutes long, featured children aged eight, seven and four.

Mr Hopkins added: "So of their type, they are particularly serious images in the Crown's submission."

Ewan admitted three counts of downloading and one count of possessing indecent images of children, plus possessing a prohibited image of a child and extreme porn.

In a pre-sentence report, Ewan claimed he didn't intentionally download the images or do it for sexual gratification, but he has since confessed that isn't true.

Desmond Lennon, defending, said: "He unreservedly accepts deliberately downloading this material. He also accepts at the time there was a sexual interest in children and the notes indicate, being pressed, accepts it remains."

Mr Lennon said Ewan was married for 19 years with four children, but developed an interest in adult porn, which the dad described as "thrill seeking".

He said his client had been off work due to "stress" and his interest in adult porn progressed to viewing child sex abuse images.

Mr Lennon said if Ewan was spared jail, he could receive "the assistance he perhaps now belatedly recognises that he needs".

The lawyer said: "He understands how it's not only affected him, but people who are very important to him, his wife and children.

"His wife has left him, the marriage is over and his four children have been taken away from him."

Mr Lennon said when Ewan's crimes first became public knowledge, it had a "catastrophic effect" on the family, who then lived in Netherton.

He said: "The home was vandalised, bricks were thrown through the window, paint was thrown at the front door and people congregated outside, behaving in an intimidating way. The effect on his children in particular has been devastating."

Mr Lennon said his children had now moved, Ewan hadn't seen them since July and he only spoke to them "intermittently".

A letter from The Walton Centre said Ewan had muscular degenerative issues and was currently deemed incapable of working by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Mr Lennon said Ewan was an engineer before retraining as a nurse at the age of 30 and had worked in A&E "conscientiously" since 2010.

He said: "His fall in terms of his professional life he described to me this morning as catastrophic. His nursing career is over."

The barrister said Ewan wouldn't be allowed to practise as a nurse again and would "inevitably" be struck off.

He said: "It's all down to him. He has lost everything in real terms."

Mr Lennon suggested his client, who felt "shame, regret and disgust", could be rehabilitated in the community.

Judge Anil Murray told Ewan: "You were of previous good character. More than that, more than just having no previous convictions, you were of positive good character and worked as a professional person.

"By this offending you have thrown all that away."

He added: "Your offending has had a terrible effect on your family."

The judge said sentencing guidelines indicated a starting point of 12 months in prison, but he had to increase this because of the "particularly serious" Category A images, before giving Ewan a discount of one third off his sentence, for his early guilty pleas.

Judge Murray said by law he had to consider guidelines on whether this sentence should be served immediately, and because Ewan had no history of poor compliance with court orders, was thought to have a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, and jailing him would have "some significant impact" on his family, he was "able, but only just, to suspend the sentence in this case".

He handed Ewan 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, with a 40-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

The judge said he wouldn't make a "punitive element" to the order as Ewan wasn't suitable for unpaid work, adding: "There is no point in ordering a curfew when your interest is sitting inside looking at a computer."

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

Description

A paedophile tax officer kept a sickening collection of child sex abuse images for three years.

John Lee had a total of 4,781 indecent images of children, 134 of which were videos of children as young as two being raped.

The 43-year-old, who worked for HMRC for 20 years before being sacked yesterday, also shared 14 child sex abuse images on WhatsApp and Kik Messenger with a fellow paedophile.

He told him he wanted to have sex with an 11-year-old girl he knew, and even sent him a picture of her.

Peter Hussey, prosecuting at Liverpool Crown Court, said: "All charges arose from an investigation by Merseyside Police following the execution of a warrant at his address in May last year, when police had reason to believe he had been downloading indecent photographs of children from the internet."

Mr Hussey said the images were discovered after a laptop and a phone were seized.

Lee kept a total of 4,781 indecent images of children, of which 1,041 were images of child rape.

Among his vile collection were 1,006 Category B images and 2,734 Category C images.

The court heard 172 of the images were videos, which included 134 videos of child rape.

Lee distributed 14 images, of which seven were videos on WhatsApp and Kik Messenger.

Mr Hussey said he had shared images with a user called 'Incestloverboy' and in the discussion Lee sent a picture of an 11-year-old girl he knew, who was fully clothed, and said he wanted to have sex with her.

Lee, of Dalemeadow Road, Knotty Ash, admitted three counts of downloading, one count of possessing and one count of distributing indecent images of children between July 25, 2017 and May 21, 2020.

David Birrell, defending, asked the judge to consider letters from Lee's family and said a report from a psychosexual therapist states it "appears he had certain mental health issues" as a result of "work related stress" and depression.

Mr Birrell said Lee, who has no previous convictions, is "full of remorse and shame" as well as "self loathing".

He said Lee was "hardworking" and had been employed with the civil service for 20 years during which he "rose through the ranks" and had a "distinguished career which came to an end yesterday when he was dismissed from employment".

The court heard his wife of 19 years was "standing by him" and Mr Birrell added Lee has two sons.

Mr Birrell said: "They know about this and he continues to see them through supervised contact."

He said Lee's risk of offending according to a pre sentence report was low and said after the offences came to light he contacted a helpline, completed a 10-week programme with the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and paid for therapy.

Mr Birrell said he had also sought medical help for mental health issues and is now taking anti-depressants.

He asked the judge to consider the impact of the pandemic on prisoners and said there has been a "traumatic effect" on Lee's sons.

The judge, Recorder Ian Unsworth, QC, said: "Whilst the images of children might have been something you fantasised about and collected in the early hours of the morning, each and every one is a real person.

"Each and every one is a victim, many of whom will have little consciousness of the horrors that have befallen them before they have even begun to walk or even begun to talk."

The judge said there was a number of "significant" aggravating features including the vulnerability of the children and the fact the images were distributed.

The judge also noted the "significant" mitigation including his lack of previous convictions and remorse.

Lee was jailed for 32 months and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

He must also adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same period of time.

Description

A terminally ill pensioner who raped a little girl "weekly" was today told he will probably die in jail.

James Knowles, 78, carried out "depraved sexual acts" on an "extremely young child" several decades ago.

She first went to the police in the 1990s, but said she was told "there was nothing they could do, because it happened years ago".

However, the woman found the courage to come forward again in 2018, leading to her abuser today being jailed for 25 years.

Judge David Aubrey, QC, told Knowles "your evil past has now caught up with you", stating: "You are likely to die in prison."

Liverpool Crown Court heard Knowles, of Amber Way, Stockbridge Village, abused the child when she was aged between five and 10.

He denied any wrongdoing, but was found guilty after a trial last week of six counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault.

Knowles was allowed to give evidence from home via video link because of his poor heath, but today sat in a wheelchair in the well of the court, just metres away from his brave victim.

The paedophile, who didn't have any previous convictions, had claimed she was lying and still maintains his innocence.

However, Keith Sutton, prosecuting, told the jury Knowles had made admissions to his family, including that he "messed around" with and had "done some bad things" to the victim, before claiming that he was mentally "sick" at the time.

The victim said she was raped "weekly" by him and each count of rape specified "on no less than 10 occasions".

Judge Aubrey said this meant Knowles would now be sentenced for raping her "on no less than 60 occasions".

He said: "It can properly and indeed only be described in my judgement as a persistent campaign of rape upon a particularly vulnerable child."

The woman today read from a victim statement, in which she outlined the horrific impact of the abuse, how she spent her youth "looking over my shoulder", and how Knowles "did not only rob me of my childhood, but my life".

Judge Aubrey commended her "courage" and referred to when she first approached the police in the 1990s.

He said: "Unfortunately her complaint then fell on deaf ears and she was turned away.

"It was a different era then and now complaints are listened to, investigated and examined and your evil past has now caught up with you."

The judge said: "In her poignant victim personal statement she refers to her smile in an old photograph but behind the smile was a child living in fear, dread and incessant worry.

"She speaks now and still of her immeasurable pain and anguish."

Judge Aubrey said Knowles took away the victim's "innocence" and "destroyed her childhood".

He said: "You have taken away more than that, you have scarred your victim emotionally and psychologically for the rest of her life.

"You caused all of that everlasting hurt and harm for your own perverted sexual gratification."

Brian Treadwell, defending, highlighted his client's age and ill health, including his terminal heart condition and kidney failure.

He said Knowles had a pacemaker fitted with a defibrillator, but had decided to have the defibrillator switched off and had recently been receiving palliative care at home.

Judge Aubrey said Knowles quality of life was "very poor" and because his defibrillator had been switched off "it leaves you vulnerable to serious ventricular arrhythmias, which would be likely to end your life".

He said Knowles had made a personal decision that if he suffered a heart attack, he didn't want the defibrillator turned back on or to be resuscitated.

The judge said he took into account Knowles' age and heath, adding: "I bear in mind a prison sentence would be greater punishment for you than a younger person - I make a downward adjustment for that."

However, he added: "I cannot and do not overlook the gravity of these offences or indeed the extreme harm that you have caused to your victim."

The judge said Knowles was "an offender of particular concern" and handed him an extended one year on licence.

This type of sentence means Knowles must serve at least half of the 25 years - 12 and a half years - in prison.

Judge Aubrey said he would then be 90 when his case would be referred to the Parole Board and he would only be released before the end of the 25 years if he is no longer considered to be a risk.

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He added: "It may well be that the Parole Board would never be in a position to consider your case."

Knowles shook his head and glared at the victim as he was taken out of court.

An NSPCC spokesperson said: "This was an horrific and prolonged period of abuse carried out by Knowles, and we hope his victim is receiving all the support she needs.

"Her courage in speaking out against her abuser cannot be understated and shows that offenders like Knowles can still face justice even decades after their unthinkable crimes.

"No matter when abuse took place, help is available to survivors and we would encourage anyone who has concerns about the wellbeing of a child or who has experienced abuse to speak out and seek support."

Description

A paedophile who has repeatedly threatened to rape women and children is set to be released next month.

Jay Ferguson put together a sinister 'rape kit' and threatened to abduct and rape a child in 2017, when aged just 18.

He was locked up for 22 months, but within days of his release told police he had a child sex abuse video and a knife.

The 22-year-old, of Liverpool Road, Huyton, received a 14-month sentence in 2020, to be served at HMP Styal.

While there he wrote to prison officers saying he intended to carry out a "violent rape" using the dating app Tinder when released.

He was then hit with a further six months behind bars after writing to a female guard to say he would hunt her down and rape her.

Ferguson was moved to a different prison and eventually released on February 26 this year.

But within "two or three days" he breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and was arrested again on March 1.

Michael Stephenson, prosecuting, said Ferguson's phone revealed he had accessed two "female only dating websites" - Zoe and Only Women.

Liverpool Crown Court heard he also breached the order by using Facebook Messenger to contact his adult niece.

Mr Stephenson said: "It was a discussion about money, nothing more sinister than that."

Ferguson admitted two breaches of his SHPO at a hearing in March and has since spent four months on remand in custody.

His criminal record includes assault and possessing a knife in public in 2015, when he was still a youth.

In November 2017 he admitted attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and five counts of malicious communications.

That was after he put together a chilling kit, containing a balaclava and gloves, and told police he would abduct and rape a child.

Ferguson said he got the idea from a "psycho" on the TV show Law & Order, and showed officers a teddy, explaining: "I hurt the teddy so I don't hurt kids."

He had been arrested after making rape threats to teenagers, children and one 15-year-old victim's mum.

Ferguson said he was aware sexual activity with children was wrong but "just wanted to do it", "couldn't help" himself, had every intention of carrying out his "fantasies" at the earliest opportunity, and as soon as he was left to live on his own "would abduct and rape a child".

Police also found a letter in which Ferguson said he was planning to rape someone, with a step by step numbered to-do list.

When released in August 2019, Ferguson moved back to Huyton, but within days rang police to say a man had sent him indecent images of children.

Officers discovered he had encouraged the man to send videos, chatted about abusing children, and they exchanged videos of themselves performing sex acts.

Ferguson, who claimed he was acting as a 'paedophile hunter', had a clip of a girl aged between eight and 10 performing a sex act.

He was released on bail, but later walked into Huyton Police Station and said he had a knife because he had been sexually assaulted.

Ferguson was convicted of possessing an indecent image and having a blade in January 2020, when prosecutors revealed the letters "indicating his intention to carry out a violent rape on his release" by using Tinder.

Last August he was convicted of malicious communications, in respect of a letter sent on February 6, 2020.

Mr Stephenson today said that involved threats to a female officer at Styal "to track them and tie them up and attack them with a rape kit".

Ferguson was given a two-year restraining order, which banned him from Styal and from contacting his victim.

Gerald Baxter, defending, today said the breaches caused "little or no harm or distress" because Ferguson hadn't contacted anyone or arranged a date on the apps and had talked to his niece about money.

He said: "He had a difficult childhood to say the least. There is a history of personality disorder."

Mr Baxter urged the judge to spare him jail and said a place was available at a hostel in Birmingham, where Ferguson is from originally, which had a "strict regime" including a curfew.

He said treatment would be available "which the defendant is anxious to take advantage of" including for drug and alcohol misuse.

The lawyer said Ferguson also intended to refer himself to a nearby hospital for mental health treatment.

Judge David Potter asked how he should "square" that with risks identified in a pre-sentence report and psychiatric report.

Mr Baxter suggested if Ferguson accessed the treatment "perhaps there is a real prospect that the risk might be reduced".

Judge Potter said it was a "deliberate" and "flagrant" breach of the SHPO on two occasions within days of his released from jail.

He highlighted Ferguson's criminal record, past disclosures regarding his intentions and "rape threats towards a female prison officer".

The judge said Ferguson was assessed by the Probation Service as a "very high risk" of reconviction and causing serious harm.

Judge Potter said he was also subject to "multi agency public protection arrangements".

He said: "You are assessed by them as a very high risk of causing serious harm to children, the public and staff that you come into contact with."

The judge said: "I accept you have made some efforts to tackle some of the underlying issues in your psychological make up."

However, he also noted Ferguson's behaviour when previously given a place at Adelaide House in Kensington.

Jailing him for 10 months, Judge Potter said: "The court has sadly no confidence that you, whether in approved premises or not, will not commit further breaches."

However, due to the four months he has spent in custody, this means Ferguson will be released in around a month's time.

Description

A rapist told his victim to "shut up" when she pleaded with him to stop during a series of sex attacks.

Matthew Jones assaulted and raped a woman, who cannot be identified, including an incident when he whipped her with a belt.

The 34-year-old left his victim with severe psychological damage, and she says she "still has many days she wishes she was dead".

Liverpool Crown Court heard Jones, of Dorset Road, Tuebrook, denied any wrongdoing and claimed the woman was lying to a jury.

But jurors, who saw photos of bruises to her back and thighs, found him guilty of four counts of rape and one of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Today it emerged the rapist, who still maintains his innocence, also has a history of violence against another woman - his ex-wife.

Describing the abuse, Judge Gary Woodhall said Jones punched his victim, threw things at her, and in one attack removed his belt and hit her with it, leaving her feeling "humiliated", with bruises the length of her back.

The judge said he raped the woman on one occasion when she was ill, "placing your hand on her throat".

He said: "She was crying and saying stop. You told her to shut up."

Judge Woodhall said the woman recalled two or three other occasions when he raped her in a similar way after overpowering her.

Gareth Roberts, prosecuting, summarised a victim statement from the woman, who he said now "struggles to lead a normal life".

Mr Roberts said she "constantly feels afraid and scared", has lost her faith in others, distrusts men, feels "unreasonable revulsion" to any man who looks like her attacker, suffers from panic attacks and has difficulty with any physical contact.

Mr Roberts said the victim was left suicidal, adding: "She didn't want to live because of the memories of what happened to her."

The prosecutor said the woman has undergone counselling, which has helped, but "still has many days she wishes she was dead".

The court heard Jones has four previous convictions for five offences, including battery convictions for violence against his former wife.

Michael Scholes, defending, said a series of character references conflicted with the views of a probation officer in a pre-sentence report.

He said in his dealings with Jones he was "articulate, intelligent and courteous", and while his client still denied the offences, he accepted the jury's findings and understood that he would have to be punished.

Judge Woodhall said the victim referred to how Jones' abuse "changed her" and "she is unable to forget what you did to her".

He said Jones "complained" to the probation officer how the victim "has taken everything away from you".

But the judge added: "That's what she has described you did to her."

Judge Woodhall said Jones had character references from his mum, sister-in-laws, girlfriend, brothers, an aunt and nan.

He said they described him as "loving and caring" and "honourable and responsible and supportive and hard working".

The judge said these testimonials suggested his offences were "out of character", but noted one brother said Jones had suffered with anger issues from a young age and taken steps to combat it, while his nan outlined Jones' problems with his father and the loss of a brother as a child.

Judge Woodhall said however he behaved towards them, his previous convictions and latest offending showed he had behaved "entirely differently" with his victims.

He said his rape victim was "vulnerable" at the time of the attacks and concluded she suffered "severe psychological harm", while his mitigation was limited, except for his absence of previous sexual offences and his positive work record.

Judge Woodhall jailed Jones for nine and a half years, as a woman in the public gallery shook her head.

He said Jones would serve two thirds of this sentence - six years and four months - behind bars, before he is released on licence.

The judge ordered Jones to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life and made an indefinite restraining order to protect his victim.

Supporters including members of Jones' family sobbed as he was sent down, with one man shouting: "I love you - you didn't do it."

Description

A paedophile barricaded himself in his bedroom at his parents' home then kicked a police officer in the face.

Liam Perkins was caught sharing his disgusting collection of child rape photos with other perverts online.

But the 30-year-old was released under investigation and caused havoc at his family's home in St Helens.

The dad, now of Meredith Street, Garston, later broke his ex-girlfriend's front door in another violent outburst.

And he launched a foul-mouthed rant at a judge when he was finally jailed at Liverpool Crown Court.

Police acting on intelligence raided Perkins' then home in St Helens on March 18, 2020.

Cheryl Mottram, prosecuting, said officers seized his two Samsung mobile phones, which both contained indecent videos and photos.

There were 17 Category A - the most serious category showing child rape - 17 Category B and 89 Category C files, plus two animal porn pictures.

Analysis of the phones showed Perkins had used Kik Messenger to distribute six Category A, six Category B and 19 Category C files.

Ms Mottram said these were sent over a four-day period in March 2020.

In response to one Category A image sent by Perkins, another paedophile replied: "Damn man your stuff is great"

The court heard the age range of the children was from five to 15, with the majority aged nine to 13.

Ms Mottram said Perkins searched for "young baby porn pics", "very young", "young porn", "young feet" and "teen boy boy".

When interviewed, he gave a prepared statement and accepted the devices were his, but denied a sexual interest in children.

He was released under investigation, but at around 3.30am on January 2, police received a call from his mum, who said he was drunk and causing a disturbance at their property.

Ms Mottram said police found him in his bedroom, he was "very aggressive", "couldn't be reasoned with" and when taken to the ground he kicked out at an officer, causing the victim's nose to bleed.

When interviewed, he said he had a drinking problem and couldn't remember the attack.

He was released under investigation again, only to go to his ex-partner's home in St Helens on February 1.

She closed the front door on him and he repeatedly banged on the door, cracking a glass panel, before later telling police he had been drunk again.

Perkins admitted three counts of downloading, three counts of distributing and one count of possessing indecent images of children, plus possessing extreme porn, assaulting an emergency worker, resisting arrest and criminal damage.

He had three previous convictions for four offences, including public disorder and criminal damage in 2012 and theft in 2017.

Desmond Lennon, defending, said his client expressed remorse and "recognises the complete wrongness of his behaviour in terms of the sexual interest in children and also his violent behaviour".

He said his client's underlying problem was his use of alcohol and cocaine, before suggesting he was suitable for a sex offenders treatment programme and rehabilitation in the community.

Mr Lennon said Perkins would "inevitably" lose his job and likely his home if jailed, but was "sorry and ashamed for his behaviour, understands belatedly perhaps that it was entirely wrong, and would welcome the chance to make amends".

Judge Gary Woodhall said the Kik Messenger conversations showed Perkins was "fully aware" what he was sharing online, with the child abuse images showing girls and boys aged five to 15.

The judge noted Perkins' parents had been reluctant about him moving back into their home, before the January 2 incident.

He said Perkins "smashed furniture" at their address, but they hadn't pressed any criminal charges.

Judge Woodhall added: "They believe you're in need of professional help."

He said: "You had barricaded yourself in your bedroom so that the officers had to force their way into your bedroom."

The judge said Perkins was "attempting to push them down the stairs", threatened to kick them, then when taken down, kicked an officer in the face "full force".

He said the officers had to use incapacitant spray to calm him down and arrest him.

Judge Woodhall said the incident at his ex-partner's house saw Perkins injure his own hand.

He said after Perkins realised she had called the police, he sent her messages calling her a "grass" and a "rat".

The judge said Perkins had expressed remorse in a pre-sentence report and was no longer able to see his daughter because of his crimes.

Judge Woodhall said Perkins admitted he was attracted to young teens, under the influence of cocaine and alcohol when viewing the images, and had tried to get help.

However, he said the offences were too serious for anything other than prison and jailed him for two years and one month in total.

He made a five-year restraining order to protect his ex-girlfriend and told Perkins to sign on the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

Perkins yelled from the dock: "Bulls***! You let a guy walk with 32,000 images the other day!"

He paused to shout "love you dad" to his father sitting in the public gallery, before continuing to rant: "As for that five-year-old, I've never seen pictures like that, f***ing k***head!

"They sent it, I didn't, f***ing k***."

Description

He had warned officers he would 'he would commit suicide before he reached prison' A 76-year-old man who had threatened to take his own life before he reached prison slashed his neck with a craft blade in court. Leslie Marrs produced the blade and slashed the right side of his neck moments after Judge Stuart Driver, QC, had warned the dock officer about the defendant. Judge Driver had had just warned the dock officer before that Marrs had told probation that he would commit suicide before he reached prison." The judge added: "He needs to be handled with particular care today." However seconds later Marrs, who was appearing off-bail, produced a craft blade from his suit and twice slashed his neck, before the dock officer wrestled the weapon from him. The officer then pressed paper towels to the wound while urgently calling for assistance for the former soldier and the court was cleared of most of those present which included the shocked mum of Marrs teenage victim. Security staff arrived to administer first aid and paramedics and an ambulance rushed to Liverpool Crown Court to attend to him in the cells. Marrs, of Dunkeld Close, Kensington, Liverpool, had just been sentenced to 32 months imprisonment after admitting sexual assault and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life. Anya Horwood, prosecuting, had told the court that the incident came to light when the victim, who was in her mid-teens, confided in her youth worker that some months earlier she had been sexually assaulted by Marrs who had also previously made inappropriate remarks. When interviewed Marrs claimed that they had been discussing pubic hair and in that context touched her vaginal area. A photograph of his penis was found on his mobile phone and he admitted the girl, who was vulnerable, might have seen it but he had not shown it to her. In an impact statement the victims mum told how the girl had suffered nightmares and self-harmed after the assault and had displayed out of character challenging behaviour. She said she realised now that Marrs had been grooming her daughter. I believe he knew exactly what he was doing. The court heard that he has previous convictions but none for sexual offences. Paul Lewis, defending, said that Marrs has chronic lung issues and heart problems and some mental health problems relating to his Army service. Sentencing Marrs earlier today ( Monday) the judge said that he had caused significant psychological harm to his victim and described her mums statement as moving. After Marr sliced his neck the court was closed for a while to allow for it to be thoroughly cleaned. Marrs was taken to hospital for treatment and no injuries were sustained to officers during the incident.

Description

Sick Marc Stokes-Denson claimed he was acting as a paedophile hunter himself A paedophile said he wanted to repeatedly rape a girl, aged 12, as her mum watched. Marc Stokes-Denson tried to claim he was in fact acting as a paedophile hunter and continued the chat because he was "concerned", but a jury didn't believe his lies. The 45-year-old was actually talking to an undercover police officer who posed as 'Becky'. David Polglase, prosecuting at Liverpool Crown Court, said Stokes-Denson had used the name 'KinkDomM_UK on Chat Avenue and live:d***stokes on Skype. Judge Anil Murray said over two months Stokes-Denson "developed a relationship" with 'Becky'. He told her he was sexually interested in her 12-year-old daughter, Lizzie and in vile chats spoke about the two of them sexually abusing the 'child' together. Mr Polglase said: "On one specific day, Becky allowed Lizzie onto the computer to chat with the defendant, and he engaged in sexual communication with Lizzie'." Stokes-Denson was arrested on Sunday, September 2019, and in a police interview claimed he had reported 'Becky' to an online admin, despite having no evidence he had done so. He claimed he "continued to chat with Becky as he was concerned and wanted to find out more". He denied being sexually attracted to children and said he carried on so he would have "evidence" to show police. Stokes-Denson, of The Close, Walton, was convicted by a jury of arranging to commit an offence of penetrative sexual activity with a child between May 28 and August 6, 2019. He was also convicted of attempting sexual communication with a child between the same dates. Stephen Tettey, defending, said: "The defendant makes clear he is sorry for the position he places himself and his family in. "He is ashamed of his conduct and realises the hardship which members of the jury must have endured in listening to a case of this nature." Mr Tettey said there was a "prospect of rehabilitation" and Stokes-Denson had undergone treatment "by way of counselling" and had a "willingness to cooperate". Mr Tettey said: "A rehabilitated defendant is better than one who is only punished." He said Stokes-Denson is "not the person he was in 2019" and his family "continue to support him". Mr Tettey stressed there was no actual child involved and that he sent a message to say he was "no longer prepared to meet". Judge Murray, sentencing, noted Stokes-Denson had a "good work record" and had suffered "some physical illness in 2017" as well as financial problems which "caused stress". In February 2019 Stokes-Denson had also separated from his wife. A doctor said Stokes-Denson showed signs of an adjustment disorder which meant he was "unlikely to consider the full consequences" of his actions. The judge rejected the suggestion and said: "The way you acted was quite deliberate." Judge Murray added Stokes-Denson was a "danger of causing serious harm to children". The judge said he was not sure if Stokes-Denson's claim he was "ashamed and sorry" was an admission of guilt, but said he did not accept remorse. Judge Murray said: "You have shown not a shred of remorse." Stokes-Denson was jailed for five years and six months and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life. He was also ordered to adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life. Speaking after the case, Detective Chief Inspector Bev Hyland said: "Were pleased to see Stokes-Denson dealt with at court today after his plans to abuse a child. "Unbeknownst to him, Stokes-Denson was speaking to an undercover officer, and he was swiftly arrested. We are absolutely committed to protecting children, from those who seek to cause them harm. Our Merseyside Police Online Child Abuse Investigation Team works tirelessly and will use all available powers to identify offenders who pose a risk towards children and bring them to justice. Anyone that has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us. "We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports and we will do everything we can to continue to bring offenders to justice.