Latest Offenders Newcastle

Description

A paedophile who was found in possession of vile child abuse images was also sending sexual messages to what he believed was a 10-year-old girl.

Razvan Valeriu Nastase began messaging what he believed was a child on social media and said he "wasn't bothered" when he was told by the girl she was very young. But what the 34-year-old pervert didn't know, was that he was actually speaking to an "undercover operative" who was pretending to be a child.

When police went to Nastase's home to arrest him, his electronic devices were seized and examined and over 880 images and videos of child sexual abuse were discovered. This week, he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and three counts of making indecent images. He had pleaded guilty to the charges, which dated back to October and July 2020.

The court heard that an "undercover operative" called Ken, created a fake account on social media pretending to be a 10-year-old girl and that Nastase, using the name of 'Andre', soon sent the decoy a message. Rachael Glover, prosecuting, said: "The defendant's message read: 'Nice to meet you, you're very cute, I like you.' When the [decoy] said they were 10-years-old, the defendant said he was not bothered. The defendant continued the conversation and sent sexual messages to what he believed was a 10-year-old child."

During the chats, Nastase, of Simonside Terrace, Heaton, claimed to be 16-years-old, and sent three images of himself, two of which he was topless in. In another message he told the decoy they were "so beautiful, I can't get enough of you". He also said it would be "our little secret" as he continued to ask for pictures in return. The court was told that Nastase asked to see the decoy in a onesie and told her not to be shy.

Ms Glover said that when police identified Nastase, they went to his home and arrested him. His room was then searched and devices were seized and examined by experts. The court heard that 159 category A images, 130 of which were videos and depicted children as young as four, were found, alongside 162 category B images and 568 category C images. In interview Nastase, who had no previous convictions, gave no comment.

Sophie Allinson, defending, said: "He is a man who has no previous convictions but has lost his good character in the most shameful and appalling way. He was feeling down and lonely. The offences were committed in 2020 and no further offences of any nature have been committed since. He has and can live a law abiding lifestyle."

Sentencing Nastase, Judge Amanda Rippon said: "You engaged in chat with what you thought was a 10-year-old girl. If it had been a little girl and not a person masquerading as one, the potential offending is difficult to contemplate given your interest in sexual activity with children as young as four. It is depraved and disgusting."

Nastase was given a two year prison sentence, suspended for two years and must undertake 35 rehabilitation days and 150 hours unpaid work. A 10 year sexual harm prevention order was imposed and he will be on the sex offender's register for 10 years.

Description

A pervert had his baby with him when he set off hoping to meet a child he had been sending sex chats to online.

Shaun Watson had been communicating with a profile he thought was a 14-year-old called Paige but was in fact being run by paedophile hunters.

He first contacted her on the Skout app but was not deterred when a member of the Child Online Safety Team told him Paige was underage.

He made lewd comments about what he wanted to do, including asking if she wanted to watch him masturbate.

The Paige profile disappeared but when another, similar one appeared, Watson contacted it and sent pictures of his penis, despite being told she was 14. He also asked for photographs of her genitals.

The group also set up a profile on MeetMe using the same name and picture and Watson made contact with that too around six weeks later.

He was again told she was a child but his conversation quickly turned sexual and he sent pictures of his genitals and encouraged her to carry out a sex act on herself.

The court heard he then arranged to meet her.

Prosecutor Michael Bunch told the court: "It appears the defendant did initially travel to that meeting.

"He said he was with his one-year-old daughter but before the meeting happened he said he needed to return home because his daughter would not settle."

Members of the Child Online Safety Team confronted Watson at his place of work and home and police were contacted.

While waiting for the police, he said he was an "idiot"

Conviction mentioned here: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/north-east-paedophile-sex-crime-22204589

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Lee Wilson, of Slatyford, admitted a series of sex offences after police found damning evidence on a mobile phone hidden in a safe inside a wall cavity

A child sex predator who groomed young girls at a Tyneside swimming pool and went on to carry out sickening sex attacks was branded a "mean man" in a letter by one of his victims.

Lee Wilson, who would often sit on the edge of the pool watching but not swimming, wheedled his way into the lives of the victims and their families in order to carry out his twisted sexual desires towards children. After winning the trust of their families, he abused it in horrific fashion, leaving a trail of trauma.

The perverted beast had branded the victims liars until police found a secret phone which he had hidden in a safe in a wall cavity, which contained damning evidence, including images of him abusing one of the victims. Now Wilson, 40, of Pooley Road, Slatyford, Newcastle, has been jailed for 11 years at Newcastle Crown Court for seven child sex offences, including sexual assault, assault by penetration and making indecent images of children. 

One of the girls bravely wrote what she labelled "a sad letter" to Wilson, which was read out as he was sentenced. She wrote: "You made me feel angry and sad. I don't want to say your name but I know what you did was wrong. I liked you. I changed and I have to live with things.

"I never want to see you again. I want to ask you why did you do this? Why in the world did you do it? Why did you think it was a good idea? Mean man." She signed it off with a sad face.

The court heard it was in September last year the first victim and her family contacted police after she revealed what he had been doing to her. Dr Chris Wood, prosecuting, said: "Each time he would offer sweets as inducement, which the Crown say was grooming."

Wilson also told the girl to keep his sexual abuse "our little secret".

The second victim was also groomed at a swimming pool, with Wilson befriending her and her family. The dad of one of the girls had noticed how he was overfamiliar and would not swim, instead sitting on the edge of the pool and watching.

When he was arrested, he denied the offences and the children were forced to go through a pre-trial process of being cross-examined by his barrister. Dr Wood said: "They were told they were lying during cross-examination. He subjected them needlessly to the court process because he would not admit he was a sexual predator of children and sexually abused these girls."

He had given police a phone but they were suspicious as it had very little on it and formed the view it was a decoy. In September last year officers searched his home and found another phone concealed in a safe in a wall cavity.

On it were indecent images of children taken by him, some with a hidden "surveillance"-type camera. There were images of the first girl and another family

The mum of one of the girls read a victim impact statement in court, saying: "The impact will be felt for years to come." She said her daughter now "freaks out" when she sees a bald man in case it's him and is now very clingy, adding: "Clothes and toys had to be thrown away because they reminded her of Lee.

She told the court: "I'm not a hateful person but I do hate this man with every part of my being. It makes me feel physically sick. He has stolen her innocence. Strangers say to me 'smile it might never happen' but it already has."

The girls dad added: "I feel hatred towards him for what he is and what he has done."

The other girl's dad said: "It's had a devastating effect on our family and I've seen a significant change in (the girl). She was a happy, care-free child without a care in the world. Since this she has a sadness about her and has become more withdrawn.

"She has drawn pictures titled before and after. The before pictures are bright and in colour and the after pictures are dark, mainly black. She can't understand how someone she thought was a friend would do something so horrible to her.

"She was terrified she had to attend court. She was having nightmares and would shout out during the night.

"He has taken everything I held close to my heart away from me for his own perverted satisfaction. I will never forgive this man."

Wilson, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to three counts of assault by penetration, two counts of sexual assault, sexual activity with a child and making indecent images of a child. He was jailed for eleven years and must sign the sex offenders register indefinitely and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and restraining order.

Recorder Toby Hedworth QC said Wilson "remains in apparent denial of your true motivation and dismissed matters as a series of bad decisions". He added: "You are an offender of particular concern."

John Crawford, defending, said he has a heart condition which lowers his life expectancy and added: "He has expressed his sincere apologies and regret, recognising that might be entirely meaningless."

Jonathan Hanratty of CPS North East said: “Lee Wilson acted in a predatory manner, often engineering the circumstances in which he was able to perpetrate the abuse of his two young victims.

“To hide what he had done, he tried to bribe both victims with sweets and told them that his actions against them were a secret that should not be disclosed.

“Despite this, his victims found the courage to tell their parents and Wilson was subsequently arrested. His phone was also seized by police, which was later found to contain an indecent image of a child.

“It is clear that Wilson had little concern for the harm that his offending would cause to either girl, seemingly caring only for his own sexual gratification.

“The impact of Wilson’s offending on his victims and their families has been significant, and we sincerely hope that today’s sentence provides some measure of comfort to them.”

Description

A pervert who groomed a schoolgirl online was caught when her dad found seedy messages and pictures while fixing her phone.

When Jamie Cobden first contacted the girl on Snapchat she was 14 and he lied that he was 18. By the second day of their communication he turned it sexual, describing what he wanted to do and asking about her school uniform.

After around four months he revealed his true age of 26 and convinced her "age was just a number" and said he wanted to be her boyfriend, which she said she didn't feel comfortable with. Cobden asked her for sexual pictures and when she refused he put pressure on her until she did. She sent video and audio of a sexual nature, later saying she felt scared to say no to him. He sent a picture of his penis to her.

Newcastle Crown Court heard he put pressure on her to meet, saying he would take her for dinner and to a hotel. She used the excuse that her parents wouldn't let her and never actually met him.

Cobden's illegal contact with the girl came to light after she dropped her phone in the bath and asked her dad to fix it. He then found the messages and images that had been exchanged when he looked at her phone out of parental curiosity.

Police were informed and she blocked Cobden although she later accepted a Facebook request from him. He said he missed her and she said she still had feelings for him but couldn't talk anymore.

When he was arrested police found 2,037 messages, some of them graphic, had passed between them. They also discovered two category C indecent images he had downloaded online showing girls aged 12-15 in a shower wearing T shirts.

In a victim impact statement, the teenager said: "I was only 14. To this day I'm very confused about how this affected me. I thought I was in love with him.

"I feel so guilty about everything and would tell myself how horrible a person I was. I was extremely lonely and he made me feel loved. Maybe he did love me or maybe he was just taking advantage of a young girl.

"A 14 or 15-year-old kid should not have those problems. I hate that I did those things at such a young age.

"My world shattered and I had to completely reinvent myself, which is not easy. I don't want another girl to go through what I did.

"I just hope Jamie has realised what he did was wrong. What happened will always be a part of me but I can move on now and help others."

Cobden, 30, of Bentinck Road, Newcastle, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two charges of inciting the girl to engage in sexual activity, sexual communication with a child and possessing two indecent images. He was jailed for 16 months and told he must sign the sex offenders register and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.

The court heard there was a "significant amount of grooming". Recorder Mark McKone KC said: "This was persistent offending over a six month period and went into graphic detail."

Jane Foley, defending, said: "The defendant was a very lonely individual. He had moved from Brighton to the North East, following the mother of his child.

"He continues to berate himself for his outrageous behaviour. His relationship with his daughter has been severely impacted and he barely sees her as a consequence.

"He suffers from low mood and deeply regrets his actions and his offending. He feels guilty about his behaviour. This is something that will continue to effect him and weigh heavily on him for many years."

Following the sentencing, the officer in charge of the case, Detective Sergeant Richie Jobson, of Northumbria Police, said: While no sentence could ever erase the trauma victims of these type of offences go through, hopefully it goes to show that we will do everything we can in our power to protect children from predators like Cobden.

I would like to thank all the officers who took part in this investigation, including the digital forensic examiners who were able to uncover what Cobden had hidden on his devices.

Everyones efforts has ensured a comprehensive prosecution case was put before the courts, meaning a dangerous offender had little option but to admit his guilt. I hope this serves as a lesson to anyone who thinks they can get away with this type of criminality.

I want to praise the victim for coming forward with the information and commend the courage she has shown throughout the process. We are here to support any victims and are committed to making sure any offenders find themselves in a neighbouring cell to Cobden.

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Oliver Fox, who has to inform officers of a change of address within 72 hours as part of being on the Sex Offenders' Register, is now facing a possible prison sentence.

A sex offender is facing jail after he failed to inform police of his whereabouts for three days after leaving hospital.

Oliver Fox, who appeared on Chroniclelive earlier this month for urinating in front of disgusted patients in the A and E waiting room at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, was back in the dock less that four weeks later after he breached the requirements of being on the Sex Offenders' Register.

A court heard that the 45-year-old voluntarily admitted himself to hospital on October 12 but then disappeared without telling anyone where he was going. Under the rules of the Sex Offenders' Register, he must inform police within three days of a change of address or if he becomes homeless.

When staff at the hospital did finally get an answer on Fox's mobile, it was a stranger who'd just bought the device from him in the street, prosecutors said. Fox, formerly of Salters Road, in Gosforth, but now of no fixed abode, appeared in the dock in custody at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court to plead guilty to failing to comply with notification requirements of the Sex Offenders' Register.

James Long, prosecuting, said Fox admitted himself into hospital on October 12 but disappeared on October 22. Mr Long continued: "What's happened is, he's gone out on unescorted leave on a particular day and never returned. Staff try and phone him.

"There's some suggestion he's fallen off the wagon. They repeatedly try and phone him. Someone else eventually answers the phone and says they have just bought it off a homeless man, who they thought was on drugs. The defendant failed to notify the police of his new address. Having left the hospital on October 22, he had until October 25 to do so and he did not."

The court heard that Fox, who has one previous breach of the register on his record from July this year, was on a conditional discharge at the time, which was given earlier this month for the urinating in the hospital.

Steve Chambers, defending, said, until recently, Fox hadn't offended since 2003. He added: "His mental health is poor. When he's homeless, which he usually is, he has to tell the police every seven days that he's homeless. He was then accommodated at the hospital but left and became homeless again. He's surrendered straight away when he's realised his mistake."

District Judge Kate Meek adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. She added: "You are now on bail, which means you have a duty to come back here on November 17 for sentence."

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Connor Swindle, formerly of Wallsend, had only been released from prison two days earlier when he left the 18-year-old distressed.

A convicted rapist left a teenage hospital patient in tears by brazenly exposing himself to her in the waiting area of A&E.

Connor Swindle had been released from prison just two days before ending up at the RVI in a drunken state. Newcastle Crown Court heard that at one point the 18-year-old victim asked Swindle if she could borrow his phone to call her mother.

Despite the presence of others in the room, Swindle twice exposed himself to the distressed teenager. Now the pervert, who is assessed as posing a high risk of harm, has been jailed.

Glenn Gatland, prosecuting, said the offence happened when the pair ended up at the city centre hospital at the same time, around 6am one morning in July this year. He said: "After some time the defendant took his penis out from his trousers and began to move it around in a circular motion, swinging it and saying 'you know you like it''

"When challenged by the victim she asked him to put it away, which he did. Five minutes later he again exposed it, swung it around and (made a lewd comment).

"She began to cry and got up and went to the reception desk, where she reported what happened." Police were called and when they arrested him they found him to be in possession of a tube containing cocaine.

In a victim impact statement, the teenager said: "I attended the RVI hospital to seek treatment and became a victim of crime. I can't believe somebody would act or behave like this and it's so much worse because this is a hospital.

"I don't know if I will feel fully safe in a hospital after this. I will feel on edge in future."

The court heard Swindle was convicted of rape and sexual assault in relation to three girls when he was just 15. He also has convictions for breaching his sex offender registration, arson and attempted arson - for which he was released from a prison sentence just two days before the hospital offending.

Swindle, 22, of no fixed address, previously of Wallsend, pleaded guilty to exposure and possessing cocaine and was jailed for eight months, with an extended licence period of one year and four months. He must also sign the sex offenders register and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.

Kate Barnes, defending, said Swindle had been released from prison with no accommodation. He wasn't taking his anti-psychotic medication and started taking drink and drugs.

Miss Barnes said: "It was a woeful situation on his release from custody. He had no support at all." She added that he is sorry, says the offence was not sexually motivated and is addressing his mental health issues and feels safe in custody. The court heard Swindle "endured a great deal of trauma as a child".

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A loner paedophile who was found with horrific child abuse images as well as a video which lasted over an hour has been caged.

Marko Istvanic was found in possession of lengthy videos depicting the sexual abuse of children and had distributed six category A videos online. The material he had collected was so bad, a judge at Durham Crown Court described them as some of the worst he'd ever heard of.

Istvanic, of Eglesfield Road, South Shields, appeared at the court on Tuesday to be sentenced for the possession and distribution of indecent images. The 35-year-old had pleaded guilty to the offences at a previous hearing. 

Lewis Kerr, prosecuting, said police went to Istvanic's home on March 31, last year, and seized his computer and computer tower before carrying out examinations on them. He said: "The examinations recovered a number of images which had been downloaded over peer-to-peer software." A total of 15 category A images were found and three images in category B. Istvanic had also shared six category A videos, 16 times online.

The court was told the material Istvanic was found with involved male and female adults abusing children and images involving animals were also found. Mr Kerr said: "In interview the defendant gave an explanation saying he was not sexually interested in children but was addicted at looking at the images." Mr Kerr added that one category A video was an hour and three minutes long, with other videos lasting "some length". Istvanic had also deleted and re-downloaded images a number of times.

Neil Bennett, defending, said Istvanic is originally from Croatia and has no previous convictions. He said: "He is a man whose formative years were affected by social exclusion and an inability to form social relationships. He was bullied at school as he was born with a number of fingers missing from his left hand. That took a toll in his formative years and he has a lack of self-confidence. He formed an addiction to adult porn and that led to an unhealthy interest in him seeking out this material." Mr Bennett added Istvanic "expresses disgust and shame in himself" and that the offences were committed while he was working remotely during the covid pandemic, which "increased his social isolation".

Sentencing Istvanic, Judge James Adkin, called the images and videos he was found with "utterly repellent" and that they were "some of the worst descriptions I have ever seen". Istvanic was jailed for two years and was made subject of a 10 year sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offender's register for 10 years.

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Christopher Cook, of Throckley, broadcast the footage, which could have been viewed around the world.

A chef who live-streamed himself carrying out a sex act in the presence of a crying child has been jailed.

Christopher Cook videod himself doing the act and included the hashtags "young, no limits, not alone". Newcastle Crown Court heard the footage could have been viewed by other users of the website around the world.

Now shamed Cook, who has no previous convictions, has been jailed after admitting engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

The court heard it was broadcasted on a peer to peer website called Flingster, where other users are randomly selected to view what other people are streaming. The American-based website flagged Cook's illegal behaviour, banned him and alerted the authorities and the National Crime Agency became involved

Judge Edward Bindloss jailed Cook, 38, of Throckley, Newcastle, for two years and ordered him to register as a sex offender and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.

The judge said: "There was a substantial risk others around the world were viewing you masturbating in the presence of (the child). Others could have formed an image that could circulate among those who look to share images of sexual abuse. There's no evidence it happened but there was a risk it did.

"You deliberately put this on the internet, created the hashtags and made the live stream for others to watch.

"You are regarded by those who know you best as a good man, somebody who feels bitterly the shame and regret at what you have done. People who know you regard this as completely out of character."

Jane Foley, defending, said: "He has lost his good character and good name. He has spent four months in custody, a place he would not have expected to spend time.

"The shame he feels is deep. It's an event from which he might not fully recover but he wants to try to put things right.

"It's very difficult for him to articulate what was really going through his mind. He puts it down to a moment of absolute idiocy. He deeply regrets what he did.

"He is capable of doing some good in the community and he can get back to work and support his family. His former job remains open to him. He has suffered immensely and is ashamed and feels the pain suffered by his family."

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Andrew Maund, of Hebburn, thought he was talking to two 14-year-olds but they were decoy profiles set up by paedophile hunters.

A pervert who engaged in sex chats with what he thought were two 14-year-old girls online has been spared prison.

Andrew Maund believed he was talking to genuine schoolgirls but he had been duped by vigilantes Guardians of the North. Newcastle Crown Court heard Maund, posing as "Steven", contacted both decoy profiles within three days in June 2020.

The first one, who was on the Meetme app purporting to be an 18-year-old called Lou, went on to say she was 14 but that didn't put him off. He said he would like to kiss her and asked what she was wearing, telling her she was sexy and asking for photographs in her bra, which she refused.

The second decoy profile, on dating app Badoo, also told Maund she was 14 and he said he wanted to kiss and cuddle her. When told she was home alone as her mum was at work, he said he would like to visit her.

He then outlined sexual acts he wanted to partake in with her, asked for pictures and sent a photograph of his genitals and made suggestive remarks about it.

Maund, 37, of St Rollox Street, Hebburn, South Tyneside, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child, one of attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity and possessing a small number of indecent images. He was sentenced to 21 months suspended for two years with rehabilitation and must do a sex offenders treatment programme. He will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and sex offender registration for ten years.

Robin Turton, defending, said: "He is remorseful and feels shame. He says he had difficulties at home and a sense of loneliness. He has now lost his job at Amazon."

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Some of the disgusting material, which Andrew Tonner had downloaded, showed youngsters in 'extreme distress'

A twisted pervert had a vile collection of child sex abuse images and videos showing kids as young as two.

Andrew Tonner had downloaded the disturbing material online and some of it showed youngsters in "extreme distress", a court heard. The 46-year-old had only been accessing the photos and movies for three days when police intelligence showed it was being uploaded to his social media account and his Heaton home was searched.

In total, 15 sickening pictures and 19 videos were found on his electronic devices, despite him deleting some of the files. Ten photos and 18 movies were category A, the most serious kind that involve sexual penetration.

Tonner, who has since moved from Heaton to Landfall Drive, in Hebburn, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court this week to plead guilty to three counts of making an indecent image of a child. The offences were said to have taken place between November 11 and November 14 last year.

Prosecutor, April Hall, said the case should be sent to the crown court for sentence. She added: "Police had cause to attend the defendant's address on November 16 2021 following intelligence detailing the uploading of indecent images of children and it had been uploaded to a social media account linked to the defendant.

"The case is further aggravated by the age range of the children, approximately two to 14. There's also extreme distress caused to a child in one of the videos."

Mattew Purves, defending, agreed that the case should be sent to Newcastle Crown Court for sentence. Tonner was released on unconditional bail to next appear there on October 20, however, in the meantime, he must sign the Sex Offenders' Register. 

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Christopher Gilby, of Washington, admitted three counts of making indecent images of children

A pervert caught with sickening indecent images of children has been spared prison.

Christopher Gilby had more than 1,000 illegal pictures and videos, some showing youngsters being raped. He claimed he was only looking for lawful teenage pornography when he happened upon them.

Newcastle Crown Court heard it was in June 2019 that police seized computer equipment from his home. He was found to be in possession of 15 of the most serious, category A images, four category B and 1,119 category C.

The court heard some of the images were of children aged under 10. The 40-year-old, of Lumley Close, Oxclose, Washington, pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images and has now been given a suspended prison sentence.

Recorder Mark McKone KC told him: "All these offences are serious. The class A images are especially serious because they show children being raped.

"When you look at those images you encourage other people to photograph these dreadful crimes taking place. You deny deliberately downloading child images but you accept you are addicted to pornography.

"The public regard this offence as very serious and expect a prison sentence to be imposed. On the other hand, I've got to consider what order will make it less likely you will commit offences of this nature in future.

"I've been persuaded a suspended sentence order will make it less likely you will offend in future because the probation service can provide you with specialist help, which you would not get on licence after you had served what would be four months in prison. The public will also be protected by a sexual harm prevention order and by your registration as a sex offender."

Both of those restrictions will last 10 years and he was sentenced to eight months suspended for two years with rehabilitation.

Annalisa Moscardini, defending, said Gilby is in poor health and lost his job as a result of his conviction. She added: "He searched for teens and things came up. His intention was for adult pornography.

The court heard he was living a "lonely existence", suffered depression and had attempted suicide.

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The former headteacher at Newcastle's prestigious Royal Grammar School has been banned from teaching over sexual misconduct claims.

John Fern, who held the top job at the Jesmond private school from 2017 to 2019, came before a professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) after pupils from a school he previously taught at made allegations against him. The 47-year-old was accused of kissing two students at the boarding school, and discussing his own sexual activity with others.

He also put his hand inside a pupil's clothing, it was claimed. The allegations, which were all denied by Mr Fern, came to light after one pupil made a report of historical sexual activity with the teacher to police in 2019.

Officers also spoke to another pupil, but neither wanted to support a prosecution against Mr Fern and no further action was taken in the criminal investigation. Mr Fern was on sick leave from his role at RGS and did not return to the school.

A spokeswoman said: "These allegations relate to an entirely different school and took place 20 years ago. They were brought to our attention after being reported to police in early summer 2019.

"Mr Fern was on sick leave and, under guidance from the Local Authority Safeguarding Officer, did not return to RGS. The matter was investigated by police and no charges were brought but Mr Fern resigned in November 2019.

"He was subsequently referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency, whose formal decision has just been published. We were prevented from making any reference to the matter until the police concluded their investigation and the TRA completed its disciplinary processes.

"We were shocked and saddened to learn of the allegations and the impact they have had on the individuals concerned. Although this matter does not relate to RGS and there was no cause for concern during Mr Fern’s time here, all schools need to hear about such incidents and examine what, if anything, they can learn from them.

"While there can never be room for complacency, RGS has a range of robust and effective mechanisms in place that allow students, parents or staff to raise any issue they may be concerned about. We are proud of the open culture of our school, in which reporting safeguarding concerns is welcomed and issues acted upon promptly and decisively."

The TRA report explains how the pupil, referred to as Pupil A, made the report to police saying the sexual activity "had not negatively affected him in the long term". But he said he felt compelled to report Mr Fern to the police when he heard he had become a headteacher.

The report says: "He was concerned that Mr Fern was in a senior trusted role and had the potential to misuse that position. Pupil A did not want to support a prosecution as he did not feel that the sexual activity between Mr Fern and himself warranted any criminal sanction. His purpose in reporting this matter was to ensure the future protection of pupils."

After being contacted by police Mr Fern informed the chair of governors at RGS and resigned after being told there would be a formal disciplinary hearing. The panel found Mr Fern guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.

The report says: "Mr Fern's actions included serious sexual misconduct with more than one pupil, including some non-consensual acts. Mr Fern's behaviour was further aggravated by the significant breach of trust between that of a teacher and pupil.

"The panel is satisfied that the conduct of Mr Fern amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession."

The panel made a recommendation to the Secretary of State that Mr Fern be issued with a "prohibition order" which would ban him from teaching with immediate effect. Sarah Buxcey, on behalf of the Secretary of State, agreed that Mr Fern should be banned from teaching indefinitely and he now cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

She said: "Mr Fern breached the trust of pupils in his care, the misconduct happened over a period of time, with more than one pupil. Mr Fern’s actions mean that he presents a risk to the safety and wellbeing of pupils in the future."

Parents of children at RGS were informed of what had happened by a letter sent out this week. RGS claims to be the North East's leading Independent School.

Parents pay fees of just over £12,000 a year for junior school pupils and more than £15,000 for senior students. In 2018, five students were expelled from the school amid concerns about bullying.

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A sex offender has landed himself back in court after he set-up a Facebook account in a fake name.

Joseph Tudor, also known as Albert, was put on the Sex Offenders' Register in 2017, which means he must abide by a number of rules. One of those rules is that the 42-year-old must tell police of he uses a different name, including online.

However, in March this year, while officers performed a routine review on Tudor, they found he'd set-up a Facebook account under the name Joe Virgo, a court was told. Nothing untoward was found on the account but it did land Tudor, of Bewicke Road, in Wallsend, back in the dock for failing to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

Paul Anderson, prosecuting, said officers conducted the review on March 25 this year. Mr Anderson continued: "He's set-up a Facebook account using a false name. He's subject to notification requirements and an annual review by police as a result of his past offending.

"As a result of one of those reviews, officers discovered the defendant hadn't told them that he had set-up a Facebook account in the name of Joe Virgo, which, of course, he ought to have done."

When interviewed, Tudor said he had been "absent-minded" when setting up the account and had forgotten to tell police. The court heard that Tudor created the account as he was getting death threats on an old one in his real name and had chosen to use his zodiac sign as his surname.

District Judge Kate Meek decided she needed a pre-sentence report before she finalised the case and adjourned it until September 6. Tudor was released on bail to appear back before the same court on that date.

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A predator wore a Christmas jumper to make himself look "endearing" before carrying out a terrifying public toilet sex attack on a schoolboy.

Patrick Livingstone, who is subject to a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order, sported the festive garment to make him appear "harmless" as he lurked around the lavatories in Newcastle in November 2020. When a teenager went in and used a urinal, he was targeted by the 54-year-old serial sex offender, ordered into a cubicle and subjected to a terrifying ordeal.

Prosecutor Andrew Espley told Newcastle Crown Court the youth "froze" and felt "powerless" during the attack. The victim said in a statement: "When it happened I was in total shock and panic. I was terrified the male was going to go further."

The boy said he felt "paranoid, scared and sick" afterwards. Mr Espley said charity shop worker Livingstone deliberately wore the Christmas jumper "in an attempt to make himself look endearing and no threat and harmless when in reality he's anything but."

Livingstone has convictions for sex offences in the 1990s and was jailed for attempted grooming and trying to incite sexual activity with two different underage boys in 2017. At the time of the toilet attack he was on bail for a child sex attack carried out on a boy over 30 years ago.

After staying silent for more than three decades about what Livingstone did to him, the brave victim spoke out when he saw a newspaper article about the 2017 offences. Mr Espley said: "He never told anyone until he reported it because he saw an article about Mr Livingstone being convicted for sexual offences."

The victim branded Livingstone a "monster" and said the attack on him had a "huge impact" on his life. He said: "Nothing will take away how I feel about this and it doesn't get any easier to deal with.

"I waited almost 30 years to tell the police what had he did to me, living in fear and shame. The newspaper article made me get in touch with the police about what he did. It was an article about how he had been sent to prison.

"That shows to me he will never change, he's a danger to children. Him being left to be free puts children at risk. I will never be free of what he did to me."

Livingstone, of St. John's Green, Percy Main, North Shields, admitted indecent assault in relation to the historic offence as well as sexual assault and engaging in sexual activity without consent in relation to the toilet attack. He also admitted three charges of breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order in relation to conversations with and messages sent to children.

Judge Robert Adams sentenced Livingstone to four years and eight months behind bars with a five year extended licence. The court heard probation officials assessed Livingstone as a "significant risk of causing serious harm to members of the public, particularly teenagers or adolescents, especially boys."

Judge Adams agreed with the conclusion and said: "He is dangerous." The judge told Livingstone: "You are a significant risk of serious harm to members of the public, particularly children and adolescent boys."

The court heard Livingstone has learning difficulties and is "lonely and isolated" but now has a partner. Helen Towers, defending, said Livingstone is "capable of rehabilitation".

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A young sex offender who 'loves little boys' and 'thinks rape videos are awesome' is back behind bars for his latest offences. James Cartwright, 21, has several offences on his record including making child abuse images, sexual touching and distributing indecent images.

In messages to other paedophiles, Cartwright previously described sex attack videos as 'awesome' and also said he loved little boys so much. He has been assessed as being a high risk of serious harm to male and female children.

Now Cartwright has been brought back before Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court and jailed for 27 months after pleading guilty to three offences of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and breaching the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register. The latest prison sentence comes after he was jailed for 21 months in September last year for two offences of breaching the SHPO.

The court heard his latest breaches involved him having a virtual private network; using Snapchat to delete information; and contacting a child he knew to be under the age of 16. And he breached the notification requirements by failing to inform the police of social media names and aliases.

Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, said the defendant, of Albert Street, Newcastle, and formerly of Burslem, admitted in his police interview to having items on his phone which he should not have had. Mr Muldoon said: "He is still only 21. He recognises he has issues in relation to the way he conducts himself.

"At the moment he has not undertaken any programmes or approved courses to address these issues. At only 21 there is enough time for him to address issues and carry out approved courses and put himself in a position to comply with the orders of the court."

Judge Graeme Smith said: "This is a worrying case because at a relatively young age you have already amassed a number of convictions for very similar offences. You are now back in front of the court for having a virtual private network; setting up Snapchat to delete information; contacting a child you knew or believed to be under 16 - all breaches of the SHPO; and failing to notify the offender manager of social media names and aliases - a breach of the notification requirements.

"You know the police can and will attend without notice to check whether you are complying and you have been in custody on previous occasions because of breaches. These are very serious matters.

"You are still young. You have not had the opportunity to undertake any registered sex offender courses. It is to be hoped at some stage you will have that opportunity and you will take it."

Cartwright will serve half the sentence in custody with the rest on licence.