Latest Offenders Newcastle

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A FORMER karate coach caught with more than 100 indecent images was caught red-handed when he tried to talk to a minor online. Jordan McCarthy-Simmonette was arrested in October 2019 by officers from one of Northumbria Polices most specialist units the Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT). Detectives acted after receiving information the 24-year-old had been talking to someone he believed was a 14-year-old male online but was actually engaging with a registered sex offender, who was the subject of a separate ongoing police investigation. When he was arrested his Newcastle home was also searched and a tablet and mobile phone were seized and taken for examination. Digital Investigators soon uncovered 109 Category C images stored on the devices, and McCarthy-Simmonnette was charged with attempted sexual communication with a child and possession of indecent images of children. Following his arrest, extensive partnership work was carried out between officers and partners from the local authorities to ensure McCarthy-Simmonette was removed from his role as coach and appropriate measures put in place. McCarthy-Simmonette, of Teviotdale Gardens, in Heaton appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday (April 20) where he was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment suspended for two years, after previously pleading guilty. He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for seven years and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years. Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Rob Smoult from POLIT said: As a force we are committed to keeping children and young people safe from harmful and dangerous online predators. In this case, McCarthy-Simmonette believed he was engaging with a 14-year-old boy and unfazed by this. That behaviour is completely unacceptable. Thanks to a thorough investigation, a solid case was presented before the courts and McCarthy-Simmonette was left with little opportunity to deny his actions and I am pleased he has admitted his guilt. We know that cases like this can cause concern in our communities, but I want to reassure people that we are constantly working with our partners in the local authority and across a wide range of services to ensure the right measures and appropriate safeguards are in place to keep children and young people safe from harm. We will continue to work with schools, youth groups and parents to highlight the dangers which can be present across different platforms and would encourage adults to keep talking to their children about who they engaging with, and to keep promoting the use of privacy settings.

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A Southend man has been jailed after he admitted to the possession of indecent images of children.

Lionel Bryan, 43, of Hastings Road, will spend four and half years behind bars and three and a half out on licence.

He admitted to possessing indecent images of children and attempting to breach a Sexual Harm Prevention Order on two occasions at Basildon Crown Court earlier this month.

Already a registered sex offender, officers discovered more than 800 images on Bryan's mobile during a routine visit last year.

Acting Detective Sergeant Emma Chambers from Essex Police, said: Any person who possesses indecent images should be prepared to be brought to justice for this terrible crime.

It is not a victimless crime, there is always someone who has suffered at the hands of a perpetrator.

Bryan was a registered sex offender when he committed these offences but the court has seen fit to punish him accordingly.

Bryan remains on the Register of Sex Offenders and is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

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A South Shields paedophile who thought he was sending sexual chats to a young girl was in fact messaging an uncover police officer.

Christopher Bullock believed he was speaking to a 13-year-old girl on the Kik messenger app and sent over pictures of his penis and initiated a perverted game. But the 39-year-old was actually speaking to an undercover police officer who had created a fake profile in order to snare perverts.

When Bullock was arrested, his home was searched and officers found indecent images of children in his possession. Bullock appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday to be sentenced for three counts of making indecent images and a charge of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He pleaded guilty to the charges at a previous hearing.

Rachel Glover, prosecuting, said an undercover officer joined the Kik app and created a profile purporting to be that of a 13-year-old girl from London. Ms Glover said: "The profile received three messages from the defendant between June and July, 2019 where he said 'Hi gorgeous', and there was no reply. Four attempts were made on September 2, 2019, where a conversation followed. The defendant told her that he was 36, from Newcastle and worked as a delivery driver."

Ms Glover said that Bullock's messages quickly turned sexual and asked to play a game of "question and answer". She said some of questions were general, but many were sexual. "During the conversation the defendant said he would like to see her breasts and asked if she would like to meet", Ms Glover said. Bullock also sent a picture of himself, as well as of his penis.

The court heard that Bullock, of Whitehall Street, South Shields, was later arrested at his home and his electronic devices were also seized. A hard drive was examined and indecent images were found, including one in category A. The images had been downloaded between 2017 and 2019.

Gavin Doig, defending, said Bullock indicated guilty pleas early and had no previous convictions. He said: "Fortunately, it's a single conversation. It's something the defendant should never have done and is very ashamed of."

Recorder Ian Mullarkey handed Bullock a 10 month prison sentence, suspended for two years and ordered him to complete 55 rehabilitation activity days and a sex offender programme. He was made subject of a seven year sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offender's register for 10 years.

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A CANNABIS farmer caught with 77,000 worth of the illegal drug and as well as indecent images of children has been jailed. Nezir Slemaj appeared at Newcastle Crown Court earlier this month where he was sentenced to 16 months behind bars. The 20-year-old first came to the attention of police when his home on Northcote Street, Newcastle was searched by officers back in August last year. A total of 68 mature plants and 134 others at various stages of growth were seized alongside equipment valued at around 10,000. When Slemaj was arrested, two mobile phones were also recovered and examined with detectives later uncovering a range of horrific indecent images and videos. Slemaj was later charged and appeared at Newcastle Crown court on December 16 where he was convicted of three counts of making indecent photographs of children, one count of possessing extreme pornography and producing a Class B drug and was remanded in custody. On March 16, he was sentenced at the same court to a total of 16 months behind bars, given a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years. Detective Constable Dan Hall, from Northumbria Police, said: As a force we are committed to protecting our communities from any form of criminality and the ripple effects that can happen as a result. In this case, a simple house search led to the seizure and destruction of a large quantity of cannabis which could have made its way onto our streets and saw the profits reinvested into further crime. As part of our thorough investigation, a number of indecent images were also found on Slemajs phone and added to the solid file of evidence we were able to put before the courts. Slemaj had no previous convictions and what initially began as a drugs investigation has resulted in the conviction of a potentially dangerous sex offender who is now registered with law enforcement.

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A pervert found with sick images of kids claimed he'd been cured of his sexual interest in children.

Police found the vile photos on Jack Newton's mobile phone when they seized a number of electronic goods from his Throckley home.

A court heard that the 22-year-old had been sent the seven pictures, some involving children a young as five, in 2019 by an associate on Snap Chat.

When he was questioned about the sordid material, he told officers he "previously had a sexual interest in kids but no longer did".

Now, Newton, of Isabella Walk, in Throckley, is facing a possible jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to two counts of making an indecent image of a child.

Lillian Yanes Hellevik, prosecuting at Newcastle Magistrates' Court, said officers searched Newton's home on July 13 2020 and seized a number of devices.

She added: "The images found were on his mobile phone. There were seven category B and two category C.

"Samples of those images contained children between five and 11-years-old. The defendant accepted in interview to receiving the images.

"He accepted he may previously have had a sexual interest in children but stated he no longer does."

The court heard that Newton had no previous convictions and pleaded guilty on the basis he was sent the images without asking specifically for them.

Sophie Allinson, defending, said: "I submit these matters are suitable to be finalised here but I appreciate an all-options report will be needed.

"I will save my mitigation for the future sentencing hearing."

Newton was released on unconditional bail to next appear at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on April 11.

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A rapist has been jailed after his victim reported the attack to her local Boots pharmacy.

Northumbria Police praised the quick-thinking and incredible bravery of the woman after she was attacked in 2019.

Michael Henderson visited the victim at her home on June 14, raping her in a bedroom.

Too frightened to report Henderson to police, she visited a Boots pharmacy the following day in West Denton in Newcastle.

The woman felt safe to report the attack, knowing Boots are part of the Safe Spaces scheme, where businesses offer safe spaces for people experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Specially trained staff were able to make the victim feel safe and with her consent, they called Northumbria Police and reported the attack.Henderson, 39, was questioned by officers where he denied rape. He was convicted of the offence in December 2021, at Newcastle Crown Court.He was sentenced at the same court to six years in prison on Friday, March 11.

Detective Constable Victoria Threadgold, who led the investigation, praised the smart thinking and bravery of the victim reporting it at a Safe Space and hopes it will encourage other victims to do the same.Det Con Threadgold said: "This victim has suffered the most awful sexual violence and I can't commend her enough for coming forward to report to a Safe Space. It is with thanks to her quick-thinking and incredible bravery that Henderson is now behind bars and hopefully, she can begin rebuilding her life. "I also really want to praise the staff at the Boots pharmacy where the victim initially reported the rape. It is testament to their specialist training, empathy and support that she has had the strength to speak out."The charity UK Says No More is working with Boots UK, Morrisons, Superdrug and Well pharmacies, TSB banks and independent pharmacies across the UK to provide Safe Spaces in their consultation rooms for people experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence. Det Con Threadgold added: "We understand often victims of these awful crimes can be reluctant to report to police, but safeguarding is everyone's business and by having these excellent third-party reporting schemes in place can really help bring more victims forward. Safe Spaces really can help save lives. They are so vitally important to have in our communities."

Henderson of Bamburgh Walk, Gosforth will also have to sign the sex offenders register for life and has been handed an indefinite restraining order.

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Persistent pervert Colin Lowrie was back in court for breaching a sexual harm prevention order A judge has put a serial sex offender from South Shields "to the test" by delaying his sentence for six months after he was back in court. Persistent pervert Colin Lowrie was back in the dock at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday after he breached a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO). Prosecutor Annelise Haugstad told the court that the 28-year-old was issued with a SHPO on May 9, 2019, as a result of his criminal past. On January 30, police attended his home address to carry out a home risk review that helped him to manage as a "high-risk sex offender". He was asked if he had any devices for review and he presented three devices that did not have the capacity to ring or text. After some discussions, Lowrie then presented a fourth device, a mobile phone, that was concealed in his pocket as he "tried to hide it from police officers". He told officers he had deleted social media apps including Instagram and Snapchat from his phone when he saw officers outside his address. The court heard how Lowrie's previous convictions include breaching a SHPO and incitement offences. His most recent conviction for breaching a SHPO involved him talking to a 15-year-old girl online through a chatroom having been told her age on three separate occasions and asking questions like would she date him. Ms Haugstad said it was a "deliberate breach" of the order and said there were a number of previous breaches. Vic Laffey, mitigating, said there was "no evidence" to suggest there was a "significant risk" in this particular incident. Judge Sarah Mallet deferred his sentence for six months until September 15 and told him: "Although your offence qualifies for a custodial sentence, you are in the middle of doing good work that might bring about a long-term good outcome for you stopping committing these sorts of offences you have already committed and so I want to put you to the test to keep out of trouble." Lowrie, of Belgrave Terrace, South Shields, must comply with a community order, and a SHPO. The judge also warned him not to commit any other offences otherwise she would have "no alternative" but to send him to prison.

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James Roberts, of South Shields, thought he was talking to a schoolgirl but it was actually an undercover police officer A perverted pensioner who wanted a 14-year-old girl to go his home and offered to "train" her how to have sex has been jailed. James Roberts, 70, began chatting to what he believed was a schoolgirl online and told her he didn't mind her age if she didn't mind his, which he said was 65. The profile was actually an undercover police officer but Roberts thought he was talking to a child. Newcastle Crown Court heard Roberts initially communicated with the profile on a chat app and then it moved to WhatsApp. He told her he was at home all day drinking beer and she was welcome to join him and told her he lived near South Shields Metro station and could meet her there. The conversation progressed to him asking about her sexual experience and he said they could have sex if she wanted to. An arrangement was made to meet the following week and Roberts told her: "You won't tell anyone," adding a winking emoji. He went on to ask if he would need to wear a condom and said he would get some just in case. Andrew Finlay, prosecuting, said: "He said she was the youngest he had been with. "They discussed what she was going to wear. He said he wanted her to wear a skirt. "He asked if she was a virgin and she said she tried but it didn't really work and he said 'I will take it for you'. "He then asked if she wanted him to train her." Roberts also told what he thought to be a child that he watched pornography and how big his penis was, saying he would be gentle with her when they had sex. After being sent a picture purporting to be her, he said she was beautiful and that he was thinking of her naked. The conversation developed and he asked how big her breasts were and described things he wanted to do. When she expressed uncertainty about meeting, he encouraged her. On November 12 2020, he turned up to meet her at South Shields Metro and was arrested by police. Roberts, of Green Place, South Shields, pleaded guilty to attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming. Judge Robert Spragg jailed him for 30 months and told him he must sign the sex offenders register indefinitely and he will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years. The court heard he has been married three times and has children he doesn't see and was "lonely and isolated" and was drinking at the time of the offences. Robin Turton, defending, said: "This was a regular chat site and she made the first move. "He was flattered and surprised she wanted to have a conversation with him given the age disparity." The court heard he has a number of health problems including arthritis and COPD. Roberts has 58 previous convictions but nothing for sex offences and his last conviction was in 1995 for drugs offending, for which he was jailed for 30 months.

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A MAN with a relatively low IQ failed to appreciate the seriousness of kissing an underage girl and sending her suggestive messages, a court was told. Questioned by police, after the girls mother raised concerns at his actions, having seen her daughters phone, Robert Joseph Lee claimed the kissing, even on the lips, was, not sexual. Durham Crown Court heard he admitted the follow-up messages, among which he told her he was looking forward to kisses and cuddles and he wished she could fill the empty space in his bed, may have seemed inappropriate, but again stated that there was no sexual intent. Lee told police it was, a silly little thing between him and the girl but claimed he would not have taken it any further, knowing her age. The 42-year-old defendant denied two counts of sexual assault and one of engaging in sexual communication with a child, but on the day his trial began changed pleas to guilty, at the court last October. Richard Herrmann, prosecuting, said by then the girl had given a pre-recorded interview, and her mother was at court expecting to have to give evidence In an impact statement read to the court, the girls mother stated she felt, disappointment, anger and sickness, at his exploitative activity, which she said had left her daughter, anxious and scared. She also stated that she was angry it went all the way to trial before Lee made his admissions, causing a great deal of distress. Following Lees late admissions, at trial, sentence was adjourned by Judge James Adkin for preparation of psychiatric and Probation Service reports on the defendant. Chris Knox, in mitigation, told the sentencing hearing what was clear from the reports was that the defendant, was functioning at a very low level. There was an apparent lack of appreciation how serious this was, and an apparent lack of him taking it seriously. We werent getting an entirely sensible response. Mr Knox said, the penny only really dropped with his client when the case came to trial. He added that the defendant, who has no previous convictions, had a good work record and, presents as affable. Mr Knox urged Judge Adkin to pass a suspended sentence, adding: Hes classically someone the Probation Service ought to work with. But Judge Adkin said: Its a dreadful case. Mr Knox agreed, but said: Its not clear what the defendants intention was. Judge Adkin replied: Thats only because the mother found the text messages. Imposing a 19-month prison sentence, he told Lee, of Thorntree Court, Forest Hall, Newcastle, the The clear inference was that you groomed her with a view to a sexual relationship. He added: I consider this to be sinister and very worrying offending. Lee was also made subject of a Sexual Harm prevention Order, registration as a sex offender and a restraining order, relating to the girl, all for ten years.

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A paedophile carried out sickening sex attacks on schoolgirls after opening up his home as a place where they could truant and be given drink and drugs. Colin Wright, who was already a convicted sex offender, gave teenagers alcohol and amphetamine as he groomed them so he could pounce. Newcastle Crown Court heard he even offered money for illegal sexual services he wanted from youths who would visit his home in Sunderland and knew him by the nickname "Cosh". Wright, now 61, denied 11 offences of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual activity with a child, sexual assault, attempted rape, supplying a class B drug and attempting to pay for sexual services of a child. The offences were in relation to three schoolgirls. He was convicted by a jury after a trial and has now been jailed for 16 years with an extended licence period of four years. He must register as sex offender and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for life. The court heard in 2020 Wright was jailed for offences dating back to the 1970s. Judge Amanda Rippon today said Wright has an "enduring sexual attraction to children and a willingness to offend against them if circumstances allow" andposes a "significant risk". The judge said in the more recent offences Wright's home was a "place to truant from school, smoke, be given amphetamine and alcohol". Judge Rippon said the impact on the victims "was and remains quite profound". The court heard Wright offered one teen 50 to strip before he sexually assaulted her. She was later given 20 in an envelope. He offered another teen 100 to have full sexual intercourse with him but his offer was refused. One of the victims said in an impact statement: "I have night terrors and see his face in my dreams." Another said she became an "angry young girl" after what Wright did to her and "began to disconnect with the world". Lorraine Mustard, defending Wright, now of Shields Road, Byker, Newcastle, said: "He concedes he has committed some of the offences. "He does not have a clear recollection of what exactly took place but he does take responsibility for his behaviour. "He is thoroughly ashamed of himself and apologetic for it."

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Adam Webb, of Newcastle, who has a history of sex attacks on young girls, made disturbing searches on a phone he wasn't meant to have A predatory paedophile had made a series of disturbing searches on a secret phone - including looking for "children's homes in Newcastle". Adam Webb was already subject to restrictions after committing serious sex offences, including against two girls aged six and eight in 2014. Having breached a sexual harm prevention order previously, he has now been back in court for doing it again. He had acquired one mobile phone without telling police, as he was required to do, then failed to provide the pass code for another phone. A search of the first phone uncovered a number of disturbing searches had been made. These included "teen porn", "schoolgirls", "British schoolgirl rape porn", "under skirt little girl" "children's homes in Newcastle", "famous paedophiles" and "how to clean your phone". Now Webb, 26, of Ozanam House Newcastle, who is classed as a danger to children, has been sent back to prison for three years at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting two breaches of the sexual harm prevention order. Recorder Geraldine Kelly told him: "How you behaved in relation to those phones, keeping possession of one from the officers and refusing to hand over the pass code, making those searches followed by a search of how to clean your phone, is entirely in keeping with how the probation officer finds you to be during your recent supervision by them. "They have noted how deceitful you are in order to avoid the consequences of that order. "The purpose is to keep children safe from your sexual offending and you seem to be determined in trying to avoid that order. "You are a high risk to children." The court heard he has 12 previous convictions, all for sex offences or breaches of orders aimed at stopping his offending and was on licence at the time of the latest offences. In the 2014 offences, he was convicted of sexual assault, causing a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual activity in the presence of a child. He approached the little girls, who were unknown to him, committed a sex act in front of them and asked them to touch him intimately, which they did not. He then sexually assaulted one of them. Mark Harrison, defending, said: "He says he was not the owner of the phone throughout the period and it was given to him by a friend to sell on."

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A convicted sex offender who set up fake profiles on chat sites was snared by paedophile hunters posing as underage girls.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that Phillip Browne even pretended to be his own sister to try to persuade one 14-year-old to become his boyfriend.

He sent her a photo of his penis and provided an address in Fenton.

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire headlines

But 41-year-old Browne was rumbled when the vigilantes turned up at his bail hostel in Newcastle.

Nick Tatlow, prosecuting, said they were trying to stage a confrontation. Police were called and his accommodation was searched.

Now the defendant, of Albert Street, Newcastle, has been jailed for 36 months.

He admitted three counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), four counts of attempting to breach the order, and two counts of failing to comply with notification requirements.

The court was told Browne had been sentenced to two years in prison in March last year for similar breaches. He was released on licence on October 29.

A risk assessor visited him to talk through the requirements of the SHPO, which had been imposed for an indefinite period. He provided details of his mobile phone, SIM card and an Xbox console, said Mr Tatlow.

The assessor made several further visits. One of them was prompted by Browne saying he want to chat to females. The SHPO was explained to him again.

But by January, he had secretly bought a smartphone and was using it to set up the fake profiles online. The profile names he used included Phil Bro and Sarah.

The first person he contacted on the chat site was Scarlet, a decoy profile set up by vigilantes. She purported to be aged 14.

Mr Tatlow said: The conversations with Scarlet were not overtly sexual. He said he liked her and wanted her to be his girlfriend.

The conversation moved to WhatsApp. Browne claimed to have a 14-year-old sister who passed as a 20-year-old. He then posed as Sarah, who was supposedly his sister, to contact the girl.

Other females targeted included Amber and Lexi-Mae, who both claimed to be aged 13. He asked one of the girls: What do you think of me as a BF (boyfriend) type of thing?

He then switched between two fake profiles - Phil Bro and Sarah to strike up a conversation with a girl who claimed to be 14. It was this person who received a photograph of Brownes private parts.

During the police search of Brownes address, a smartphone was recovered.

The WhatsApp chat log on that Huawei phone showed a deleted conversation with Scarlet, added Mr Tatlow.

In interview, Browne said he committed the offences so he could go back to prison.

Brian Williams, mitigating, described him as disarmingly honest and said the defendant was desperate to get onto a course to address his behaviour.

He wants some help, his barrister added.

Sentencing him, Record Anthony Warner said the offences were part of a pattern of behaviour.

He told Browne: "Youve been identified as someone of high risk of serious harm against exactly the sort of people identified in this case, namely young girls to whom you are attracted.

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Ian Chapel, of South Shields, who was angry at not being able to see his children after the end of his relationship, posted private sexual footage of the woman on Snapchat A mum was horrified to be told by her son that his dad had posted a private sexual video of her online. Ian Chapel was devastated at being unable to see his children after the breakdown of his long term relationship when he sought to humiliate his former partner. A court heard he posted the footage, which the woman had sent him years earlier while they were together and told him to delete it afterwards, on Snapchat. A friend of one of their son's saw it and told his pal, who told his mother. Newcastle Crown Court heard the couple had been together for around 18 years until they split up and they have four children. Initially, Chapel had contact with the youngsters but this was stopped after arguments. In July last year, the woman got a text from a friend saying Chapel had posted things about her on Instagram. On a page open to the public, he had called her a s**g and a s**t and accused her of having affairs, said she was not letting him see the children and said he wanted to kill himself. He also posted a court letter with the woman's name and her mother's name on it. Then on July 10 she was told by her teenage son about the intimate video being posted by Chapel on Snapchat. The woman had blocked Chapel but asked her friend to check and she confirmed the video was there. There was also a video of him saying he hoped she got attacked with acid at work and he threatened to print leaflets if he didn't get to see his children. In a victim impact statement, the woman said: "I feel degraded, harassed, alarmed, distressed and violated because that video was private to me. "I didn't think he would still have it, it's from years ago. "This has left me feeling like a broken woman, I feel deflated. "I've been made to feel dirty, knowing my two eldest sons are aware of this. "I'm quite anxious about what's going to happen. He threatened me on Snapchat and said he will not stop. I'm constantly watching my back. I've had cameras put up because I fear for my safety." Chapel, 39, of Winskell Road, South Shields, who has 34 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to disclosing a private sexual picture and harassment. He was sentenced to 12 months suspended for 18 months with 150 hours unpaid work, 200 compensation and a five year restraining order. Recorder Geraldine Kelly told him: "You were so angry about not seeing your children you chose to intimidate, manipulate and humiliate her. "Your son was told by his friend about an intimate sexual video you posted. Your teenage son. What an awful experience for him to have to go through." Referring to the comment about acid, the judge said: "The venom in your delivery is palpable." She added: "It's clear the end of this relationship has broken you but it's not an excuse. "Your distress is evident but it's something you are going to have to get over." Fiona Lamb, defending, said Chapel has been left "heartbroken" at not being able to see his children after his contact with them broke down. She told the court: "The complainant may have her own reasons for that and I don't seek to blame her but the effect on the defendant has been he has been extremely depressed for the past few years and he has tried to commit suicide on a number of occasions. "He is angry, no doubt, but very, very upset. "I'm not saying that excuses, in any way, shape or form what he did but I hope your honour will take it into account. "It appears he was utterly desperate and didn't know what else to do."

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Jacob Smith, of Whickham, engaged in sexual communication with a '14-year-old' who bizarrely turned out to be a decoy profile being run by a woman who cuts his wife's hair. A pervert who thought he was having a sex chat with a child was actually talking to his wife's hairdresser working as an undercover paedophile hunter. Jacob Smith made contact with a 14-year-old girl's profile on the Grindr app in September 2019 and discussed sex in "explicit" detail. The married dad, 39, who used the moniker "4trans" said he wanted to take the child's virginity and encouraged her to truant from school. A court heard the fake teen profile had been set up by vigilantes Guardians of the North. He was told he was talking to a confused teen who was a girl but wanted to be a boy. Newcastle Crown Court heard the adult behind the account had set it up and waited for contact, which Smith started with the massage "hi beautiful". By a bizarre coincidence, the decoy who was behind the fake teen profile was Smith's wife's hairdresser, who knew the family and recognised him instantly when he sent his photograph. Smith, of Front Street, Whickham, Gateshead, denied attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, claimed he knew who was behind the fake profile and had sent the messages for "amusement" at a time when he was not thinking straight. But after a trial by jury, he was found guilty of the charge and has now been jailed for eight months. Smith has to sign the sex offenders register and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for ten years. Recorder Alex Menary said he accepted Smith was suffering from depression as a result of stress, brought on by a promotion at work and personal problems, but said only a custodial sentence could provide sufficient punishment. The judge said: "By a twist of fate the decoy was your wife's hairdresser. "When you sent pictures of yourself she recognised you. "On learning you were in London on business she contacted the police. "You made no comment when arrested." The court heard Smith later claimed he knew it was the hairdresser all along as he was "aware of her work" so went along as entertainment and distraction. He also claimed he wasn't thinking straight, knew word of what he had done would get back to his wife and continued with it as a "cry for help". The court heard Smith was "ill" at the time of the offences and has since received treatment. He and his family had to sell their home once word of his offending got out and he now lives away from them. Philip Gibbs, defending, said: "He was ill, to quite a considerable degree. It wasn't a short lived or trivial illness, it was a gathering storm. "He accepts the process and the verdict of the jury because that is justice."

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Nathan Ali, who believed she was older, took the child to the student house where his ex lived and she found them in bed A rapist said he had sex with a 12-year-old girl he met in McDonald's to make his girlfriend jealous. Nathan Ali took his victim from a Newcastle branch of the fast food outlet to a student house, where his ex girlfriend lived. He then had sex with her while the occupants were out. A court heard his former partner and her flatmate returned home, saw them in bed and contacted the police after realising she was a child. Stephen Littlewood, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court : "They discovered the defendant, naked in bed, along with the victim, who was wearing a top but no underwear. "They formed the opinion she was a child aged around 14 or 15. "He had no right to be in the property." The court heard Ali and the schoolgirl had got into a conversation about Snapchat in McDonald's, which led to them going to what she thought was his home. Mr Littlewood said Ali had gone into the student house, in Newcastle, about three to four times, without permission, after the breakdown of his relationship with one of the residents. Ali, 22, of Bridant Road, London, admitted rape of a child under 13 on the basis the victim had told him she was 17 when they started chatting. Judge Robert Adams sentenced him to four-and-a-half years behind bars with a one year extended licence period. The judge said although Ali may have been told the girl was 17, the two women at the student house believed her to be 14 or 15 and said although exact age is difficult to determine from sight alone, she looked "young". Judge Adams told Ali: "You say your intention was to make your ex partner jealous. "She was one of the people who found you in her flat." The judge added: "The two females appear to have immediately formed the view she was a child." Ali must sign the sex offenders register for life, abide by a sexual harm prevention order for ten years and was given a restraining order to keep him away from his ex for five years. The court heard Ali, who was 21 at the time, has never been in trouble before and is an "intelligent man". Paul Cross, defending, said: "This was a young man thinking he was having sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old, who was willing to have sexual intercourse with him." Mr Cross said the victim did not look as young as her true age.