Search results for Newcastle

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Alan Rothwell, of Heaton, kidnapped, robbed and tried to rape a woman in her 60s out enjoying a walk in a North Tyneside country park, but was jailed for less than nine years It was an attack that sent waves of shock and fear across Tyneside. When a woman walking alone in a the tranquil Rising Sun Country park was attacked by a sex predator in broad daylight an urgent manhunt was launched. Thanks to the 63-year-old victim's bravery police were able to identify and arrest evil Alan Rothwell within days. Rothwell, of Mowbray Street, Heaton, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to attempted rape, kidnap, robbery and two counts of sexual assault at Newcastle Crown Court. But today as he was sentenced for the March attack serial criminal Rothwell was locked up for just eight years and nine months, with an extended licence period of a further six years. The sentence has sparked anger among sex attack victims who believe Rothwell should be kept off the streets for longer. Wendy Forrester who was raped by evil double rapist Eric McKenna as she walked home, almost 40 years ago, said the victim will be living with the trauma of the attack long after Rothwell is freed. The 60-year-old, who has waived her legal right to anonymity, said: "It is a short sentence, but it's also average. It hard enough to report and go to court without them getting a short sentence. Things need to change, there should be a minimum of 15 years. "It's not something that you get over. She's going to have that fresh in her mind for the next 10 years and he will be walking the streets." The victim had been enjoying a pleasant walk in the Rising Sun County Park, in Wallsend when she was attacked from behind by evil Rothwell. The sex predator grabbed her so tightly she couldn't breathe before forcing her to the ground, pushing her hood over her head and forcefully trying to rape her. The woman, 63, bravely tried to fight off career criminal Rothwell, who has 152 previous convictions and was wearing blue clinical gloves to carry out the attack. She helped to snare him by scratching him, meaning she had his DNA under her fingertips. Judge Robert Spragg described the attack as "appalling" as he jailed Rothwell. However, rape victim Gemma Redhead, from Newcastle, said the sentence sends out the wrong message to both victims and perpetrators of sex offences. The 41-year-old said: "It's not a particularly positive message for other and future victims and also other perpetrators. That may seem like a reasonable sentence, but in reality you are looking at them serving half that. Then you are looking at four years for such a horrific crime. "It feels like a slap on the wrist to the offender and a slap in the face for the victim." Gemma, who has also waived her right to anonymity, suffered years of abuse at the hands of her violent partner, who went on to rape her at knifepoint in their home, in Cowgate, Newcastle. In 2011 Philip Kirby was jailed for eight years with a five-year extended licence, for his attack on Gemma. He was released after serving only four years, but was back in Newcastle Crown Court in 2015, having rung Gemma in breach of a restraining order. Kirby was then returned to prison and told he will not be released from prison until the end of his licence in 2023. Gemma fears short sentences like the one handed to Rothwell could put victims off reporting sex attacks, but she is urging women to continue coming forward "The the whole situation, the ongoing court case, then finding out the sentence is all very traumatic," she said. "Some victims might think; 'was it worth putting myself through that?' "But I would still like to push the message that it is worth it. You are taking back a little bit of strength and control from what's happened to you and you are also protecting other potential victims from these awful people. "

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A child rapist who thought he was untouchable has been branded an "arrogant predator" as he was jailed for 18 years.

James McEwen ruined the lives of two young girls by abusing them in separate attacks. Years later, they each plucked up the courage to report what he had done to them.

McEwen, 60, of Henley Gardens, Wallsend, continues to protest his innocence but a jury found him guilty of one count of rape, four counts of indecent assault and indecency with a child and he has now been locked up. He was also given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and must sign the sex offenders register and he also got a restraining order.

One of the victims, now an adult, said in a victim impact statement: "I've been robbed of my innocence and the pleasure of my first kiss and first romance. Just because he has been found guilty this doesn't provide any closure, the trauma continues to be with me.

"I have trust issues and for the most part I don't trust anyone I meet and I have a fear of being left alone with other people, especially men."

The other victim said what should have been the happiest moments of her life were "covered in a black cloud" because of McEwen's "selfish actions". She said: "I felt alone and misunderstood and trapped by silence." The woman added that she "will never forgive" McEwen for taking her innocence.

Judge Robert Spragg, at Newcastle Crown Court, told him: "You acted as an entitled, arrogant sexual predator, preying on these two girls. "Your arrogance was such you clearly felt untouchable. It's had an awful effect on them."

Sue Hirst, defending, said: "He continues to deny the offences. These offences go back 20 years now. He has worked his entire life. Probation say he is a low risk of general offending and a low risk of further sexual offending."

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A pervert claimed he accidentally ended up with child abuse images on his computer while downloading a Marvel film.

Police found dozens of indecent pictures and videos on Christopher Dyne's devices when they searched his home. But he claimed they got there by mistake while downloading the movie Thor. A jury rejected his account and found him guilty of making indecent images.

The software worker, who lost his job the day after being found guilty, has suffered in his local community after being named and shamed, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Police went to his home on Sedgemoor, Garth 16, Killingworth, North Tyneside, on the morning of August 3 2018 with a search warrant and seized various devices. Three hard drives contained indecent images of children and there was evidence he had searched for terms associated with those looking for child abuse material.

In total there were 85 of the most serious, category A images, 16 category B and seven category C. Elizabeth Muir, prosecuting, said: "He claimed any images must have appeared accidentally during the download of a film, Thor. He said he had accessed them and said he deleted them. He said he considered contacting police but didn't.

"The defendant's computer material had a number of films downloaded on them but in distinct files which would not be the case if he accidentally downloaded them with a film. There was no evidence of the film Thor having been downloaded at any time.

"He maintained that explanation at trial but it was rejected by the jury." Dyne also said he had cloned hard drives, which is why the images were on more than one but he couldn't explain why one of them had additional material on it.

The 40-year-old, who has no previous convictions, was found guilty of eight offences of making indecent images of children. He was sentenced to 18 months suspended for 18 months with 140 hours unpaid work. He must also sign the sex offenders register and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.

Tony Cornberg, defending, said: "A dozen or more people have submitted testimonials about what he is really like. He has always been a man of good character and in employment.

"The pre sentence report says he is still considered suitable for rehabilitative intervention despite him maintaining his innocence and there are no concerns from social services.

"Since his conviction he lost his job the next day and he has become, in his words, a financial burden on his mother and someone who feels worthless. The police displayed his conviction on their Facebook page shortly afterwards and it's caused him a great deal of shame. Being named and shamed is a form of punishment in society.

"He is utterly terrified and has genuinely suffered during the period since his conviction."

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A brave rape victim brought her terrifying ordeal to an end when she managed to punch her attacker in the face.

The woman, whose identity is protected, had fallen asleep on a sofa in a flat after a night out, and woke up to find Dean Graham raping her.

Her blow to his face stopped the attack, but Graham then pretended nothing had happened and asked her why she had hit him.

Graham, 42, of Kirkley Drive in Ponteland, denied rape and sexual assault but was convicted by a jury after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

Prosecutor David Comb told the court: "Mr Graham took advantage of the situation in which he found himself, for his own sexual gratification.

"When she went to sleep on the living room sofa, he approached."

The victim had been celebrating her birthday in December 2018 and had gone to a friends house in Newcastle to spend the night.

Mr Comb said she woke up when she realised what was happening to her and added: "At that stage she punched him in the face, which did succeed in causing him to stop.

"She was shocked and distressed and commenced a search for her mobile phone.

"As she did that, he followed her around, pretending nothing had happened and asking why she had punched him in the face."

Mr Recorder Tony Hawks sentenced Graham to six years and ten months behind bars and said he must register as a sex offender for life.

The court heard Graham had previous convictions for violence and disorder, but none for sexual offences.

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A sexual predator who plied his underage victim with alcohol before abusing her has been jailed after police uncovered how he groomed her over a long period of time.

Arron Gray, of Sycamore Place, Killingworth, meticulously-groomed his young victim into believing she was in a relationship with him.

He would invite her to his home and plie her with alcohol before sexually abusing her – fully aware she was under the legal age of consent.

In 2018, a concerned adult discovered sexualised messages Gray had sent to his underage victim and reported him to the police.

An investigation was launched by Northumbria Police's Safeguarding Department with specialist officers providing wrap-around care to support the victim and Gray was arrested.

The 21-year-old denied the allegations put to him but was later charged with six offences of sexual activity with a child and the case was sent to Newcastle Crown Court for trial.

In court, he was found guilty of all six offences.

He was sentenced to two and a half years behind bars.

Gray was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will have to sign the sex offenders' register for life.

Detective Sergeant Amanda Harland led the investigation and has today praised the bravery of the victim and hopes it can help encourage others to speak out by saying: "know the law - there is no grey area when it comes to sexual activity with a child."

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Paedophile Keith Hollinshead has been locked up for 10 years after sexually abusing a young boy. The 65-year-old carried out the offences more than three decades ago.

But his seedy offending only came to light when the victim went to Staffordshire Police in 2018 after confiding in his wife. The OAP was convicted of six serious child-sex offences following a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

The court heard that the abuse lasted for five years.

Read: Dad-of-three hurled fearsome knife on roof in bid to avoid arrest

Sentencing Hollinshead, of Water Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Recorder Anthony Warner said: "What started with stroking his hair, his arms and his legs moved to touching his genitals under his clothing. He described your hand 'like a crab' moving down."

The victim realised the horrors of the offending when later attending sex education lessons at school. It has left him feeling suicidal.

Recorder Warner told Hollinshead: "I cannot say that there's no risk, or future risk, of you committing another serious offence. He said nothing to anyone for many years. He finally spoke to his wife in 2018. The police were called.

"While he was giving his evidence in court the pain he had suffered, and still suffers, was palpable. Even now there's rarely a day when he doesn't think of what you did. He said he felt worthless and it became a downward spiral. He has attempted to end his life.

"It left him feeling dirty making him want to scrub his skin clean. His wife has started to enable him to feel that he should be loved."

Police have welcomed the conviction and sentence.

Detective Constable Diane Sproston said: “I want to pay tribute to the victim and the tremendous courage and bravery he has showed in bringing this case to the courts. We will continue to do whatever is necessary to bring those responsible for these heinous crimes to justice, whilst ensuring the victims are given the support they need.”

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A pervert with previous for having indecent images of children made suspicious searches on secret devices he failed to tell police about.

David Carey was subject to strict restrictions on his internet activity after being caught with child abuse images in 2017. As a result of that conviction, he was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order, which included a condition he had to notify police about any internet enabled device he was using.

But he breached that order seven times in December last year by using computers at Whitley Bay Library without telling police. He came to the attention of staff when he asked about some children's audio books and told them he was using their computers as the police were involved with him and had removed his devices.

A further breach was revealed on December 14 when police responded to a 999 call by him. He was found by a PC sitting on a bench and as the officer approached him she noticed him putting a pink iPod in his pocket.

A search of his home revealed another iPod and neither of them had been registered with police. Jemima Stephenson, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court: "There was a search history on both devices indicating he may have been trying to access child pornography. The searches included 'extreme incest', 'eight-year-old young' and 'extreme young'."

The court heard Carey, 39, of Langdale Close, Longbenton, North Tyneside has 14 previous convictions. In April 2017 he was convicted of 13 offences relating to indecent or prohibited images of children and in December last year - days before the latest offences - he was convicted of breaching the sexual harm prevention order after refusing to provide a passcode for a phone.

For the latest offences, he pleaded guilty to two breaches of the sexual harm prevention order and was sentenced to 18 months suspended for two years and must do a sex offenders treatment programme. Judge Penny Moreland told him: "I'm not sure if you have grasped, when you search for indecent images, you are looking for pictures of real children who are the victims of sexual abuse in order for you to gain pleasure from it."

Joe Culley, defending, said Carey had completed a sex offenders treatment programme as part of his sentence in 2017. He added that his mother died last year, which had a "profound effect" on him.

Mr Culley said: "He lives an extremely isolated existence and a persecuted existence. Those who live near him know of his offending history and his home has been targeted and he has sought to move away. He has family in other areas who have disowned him. He has a referral for an autism assessment."

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A sex predator has been jailed for 11 years after two women woke up next to the stranger with no memory of what he had done to them.

Salahuddin Mohammad targeted two victims within a short space of time in Newcastle city centre. Both were heavily intoxicated and were taken advantage of by the brute, who was infected with Hepatitis B and didn't wear a condom.

When police discovered medication at Mohammad's flat it was not clear initially if he was being treated for HIV or Hepatitis B. While he did not pass on the infection, the victims faced an anxious wait to find out if they had contracted any diseases.

Mohammad, 29, of Westgate Road, Newcastle, was found guilty of raping the two women after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court. Jailing him for 11 years, of which he must serve two-thirds, and ordering him to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely, Judge Stephen Earl said: "Each of them mentions the Hepatitis B test and it put them through additional stress.

"Each of them have described in significant detail the trauma this offending has caused them. It's had a significant effect on the lives of each of these two women.

"Each of these is a horrific act of sexual predatory behaviour. I can only hope and pray they can put this matter behind them, that they can begin to rebuild their lives with the help of loved ones, now these matters are finished."

The first victim, a student, had been on a night out in Newcastle city centre in 2018 and woke up the next morning in a strange flat next to stranger Mohammad. She could tell she'd had sex but had no memory of meeting him or going to his flat.

Later that month, while the investigation into that was ongoing, another young woman reported to police that something similar had happened to her. She had also been out in the city centre and woke up the next day in unfamiliar surroundings next to a man she didn't know. She had a vague memory of having sex but no memory of meeting him or going to his home.

Anthony Dunne, prosecuting, said at an earlier hearing: "The prosecution case at trial was that both victims were highly intoxicated at the time they must have met the defendant and while there was no evidence as to how they became so intoxicated, the defendant took advantage of their situation by taking them back to his flat and having sex with them when they were in no position to consent.

"In neither case did he use a condom. The defendant was receiving treatment for a serious infection at the time and there was therefore the risk of that infection being transmitted to both victims. Both were tested for that infection, causing significant distress and anxiety. Fortunately in both cases the infection was not transmitted."

Mr Dunne added: "The prosecution concede it can't be said on the evidence the defendant was responsible for their intoxication."

The first victim said in a statement read to the court: "This horrible crime has had an immense impact on my life. I had to have an intimate examination and had to discuss the possibility of sexually transmitted diseases and I was vaccinated for Hepatitis B.

"I was later told by police medication was found in the offender's property for Hepatitis B or HIV. I went to a sexual health clinic with police to see if there was an option to treat it if I did have HIV but I was told it would be too late.

"I waited three long months to find he only had Hepatitis B, which I had thankfully been vaccinated against. The waiting caused me considerable stress and I hardly had a good night's sleep, thinking I might have contracted a potentially life-changing disease. I have had suicidal thoughts. For a long period afterwards I have had nightmares."

The victim, who said her university studies were impacted, added: "My dad sat through the trial and heard things no parent should ever have to hear. The trial was an extremely stressful experience. I don't usually get emotional yet I found myself crying in a room full of strangers while giving my evidence in the trial. It left me feeling incredibly vulnerable and I felt like I was the one on trial."

The second victim said: "For a long time after this crime I was in a state of shock and it was a humiliating process for the first few days afterwards, from the medical examination to the statement giving. To be told the male who did this to me had Hepatitis B, I was horrified and I was worried until I got the all clear. This only added to the anxiety I was experiencing daily.

"I lost weight and didn't want to see anyone. My life changed drastically following this incident. I used to be confident, sociable and enjoyed going out with my friends. I now have major trust issues."

Prosecutors are applying for a sexual harm prevention order banning Mohammad from being alone with any female under the influence of alcohol. Mohammad's sentencing hearing was adjourned until later this month for Judge Stephen Earl to consider how long he should be jailed for.

Annelie Haugstad, defending, said he left school in Sudan at 14 and was forced to leave after protesting against the government.

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David Dibell, of Washington, was given another prison sentence and Daniel Walmsley was also locked up A child rapist jailed for 24 years has had his sentence extended for warehousing large amounts of cocaine and heroin. David Dibell was given the lengthy sentence in February this year for sex offences against a young girl. Now he and Daniel Walmsley have both been jailed for drugs offences. Newcastle Crown Court heard police executed a search warrant at Walmsley's home at St Andrew's Drive, Washington, on May 2 2019, where David Dibell's Vauxhall van was parked on the drive. Neither of them were present but a police search recovered a number of incriminating items. In a bedroom, there were class C tablets, a phone and cash while in the kitchen there was money and a tin containing 18g of MDMA mixed with cocaine, worth up to 1,800. There were also scales and a cup with traces of powder and a total of 15,485 in cash. In Dibell's van, here was 852g of 77% pure cocaine, worth up to 42,000 and 1,816g of heroin, worth up to 43,000 or much more if cut into smaller deals. The phone found in Walmsley's bedroom showed messages from 2018 indicating he was involved in supplying cocaine and he made reference to the drugs being "lethal". Walmsley, 31, of Weardale House, Washington, who has 64 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply cocaine and possessing MDMA while Dibell, 28, of no fixed address but formerly of Washington, who has 12 previous convictions, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin. Dibell pleaded guilty on the basis he was warehousing the drugs for someone else in order to raise money for family court proceedings. Walmsley was jailed for three years and nine months while Dibell got two years and eight months, consecutive to the 24 year sentence he is currently serving for child sex offences. David Lamb QC, for Walmsley, said he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, has not offended in the four years since the drug dealing and he is set to miss the birth of his child, Gavin Doig, for Dibell, said had previously worked hard as a joiner and added: "He was foolish enough to get himself involved in warehousing drugs."

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A former Gogglebox star has been jailed for a sex attack on a teenage boy. Andrew Bennett took selfies with his victim, then cornered him on a sofa, gave him a love bite and tried to lure him to a bedroom for sex, Newcastle Crown Court was told. He has now admitted one charge of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two charges of sexual activity with a child. The 47-year-old, of Gleneagles Road, Sunderland, was jailed for 29 months. Judge Tim Gittins also ordered him to sign the sex offenders register and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years. Prosecutor Glenn Gatland said Bennett, who had been drinking, told the teenager he was gay and asked if his victim was, and he replied he was not. Mr Gatland said: "The defendant started to put his hands down his pants again then told him to turn away from him and started kissing him on the back of his neck and gave him a love bite." 'Slimming drugs' The teenager then reminded him he was a child and Bennett told him: "Stop, you are making me feel bad." He continued to pursue him, before the teenager left the house "in tears". The victim said in a statement that he had suffered "flashbacks". He said: "I looked up to Andrew. I was interested in what he did. I am aware he was on Gogglebox a while ago. "What happened in that few hours will be with me for a very long time. I felt frightened and very uncomfortable. I didn't know what to do." Bennett initially denied all the charges, blaming his behaviour on "slimming drugs", but pleaded guilty after DNA linked him to the teenager. 'Unwanted attentions' Gavin Doig, mitigating, said Bennett "could not be more remorseful" for what he had done and handed in "multiple" references from people who spoke highly of him. He added that his client posed a low risk of re-offending and had "lost his good name forever", as well as his employment. Judge Gittins told Bennet the love bite was a "clear injury and unwanted, painful reminder of your unwanted attentions that night". He said: "I acknowledge this was an aberration in your behaviour, it was unplanned and only occurred because you were intoxicated."

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Brandon Foskett, 24, was secretly working as a night porter at the hotel after being described by Northumbria Police as a potentially dangerous person. A dangerous sex offender was secretly working as a night porter in a busy tourist hotel and wedding venue after fleeing nearly 200 miles from his home. Brandon Foskett was being monitored under a Risk of Sexual Harm Order when he disappeared to take up a job at the Dunkeld House Hotel. Foskett, who has a record for dishonesty, violence and sexual offending, was also on the Sex Offenders Register when he was hired by the hotel. Fiscal depute Elizabeth Hodgson told Perth Sheriff Court : "He is being managed in the community by Northumbria Police as a potentially dangerous person." She said he failed to carry out his regular registration for three months before eventually turning up at the police station in Perth on 24 November to confess about his move to Scotland. "He disclosed he was subject to the ROSHO. A systems check was carried out. The accused last notified police about his address in Newcastle on 9 August. "The hotel manager confirmed he started employment as a night porter on 26 October and was residing in the staff accommodation." Foskett told police: "I'll be honest with you - I was staying there for about a month. I didn't know who to contact." Foskett, 24, a prisoner at Perth, admitted failing to notify the police about a change of address between 26 October and 24 November 2021. Solicitor John McLaughlin, defending, told the court that Foskett had been kept in custody since his arrest and had served the equivalent of an 11-month period on remand. "He had gone three years without work. His friend found work with the hotel and phoned to tell him work was available. He was working night shift and was never in the company of guests." Sheriff William Wood told Foskett: "It seems you have managed to accumulate quite a large and varied record for someone relatively young. "It seems that this is your second breach of the order and a custodial sentence is most appropriate. It is concerning you were able to obtain employment in a local hotel as a night porter and would have access to various parts of the hotel." He jailed Foskett for ten months, but backdated the sentence so it would be covered by the period on remand and he would be released immediately.

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A North Shields paedophile was found in possession of sickening indecent images that depicted children in "pain and distress".

Russell Liddell had already received a community order in 2011 after being found in possession of child sexual abuse images. But the 53-year-old was hauled back to Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday after being found with more indecent material after police went to his home on April 8, 2020, seized electronic items and found category A, B, and C images.

The court heard that children as young as three-years-old were found on his devices. Liddell appeared at the court to be sentenced for three counts of making indecent images of children. He had pleaded guilty to the charges at a previous hearing.

Neil Pallister, prosecuting, said an SD card, flash-drives and a hard-drive were seized when officers raided his home. A total of 17 category A, 10 category B, and 1,227 category C images were discovered, which depicted children between the ages of three and 16-years-old. Mr Pallister said some of the material included videos and showed children in "pain and distress".

The court heard that in 2011, Liddell, of Glendower Avenue, North Shields, was given a three year community order after being found in possession of indecent images. Mr Pallister said: "The defendant had left a mobile phone on a bus, which was found and examined. Indecent images were found and the phone was traced back to the defendant. His home was searched and 4,236 indecent images were recovered."

Adam Birkby, defending, said the "vast majority" of images that Liddell was found in possession of in 2020 were category C. He said: "This is a rather unusual case. He explained that some images had been downloaded as part of the last offending, not all of the images were new images." Mr Birkby said that the images had "triggered an addiction" and said he had a "complex mental health history". He added: "He leads a very isolated life and recognises he needs professional help."

The court was told that Liddell works from home for a call-centre and is a carer for his elderly father. Mr Birkby said that an immediate prison sentence would have an impact on him.

Sentencing Liddell, Recorder Ian Mullarkey said he had an "entrenched sexual interest in children" and handed him a 16 month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He ordered him to complete 55 rehabilitation activity days and made him subject of a four month electronic curfew. He must complete a sex offender programme and was made subject of a 15 year sexual harm prevention order. He will also be on the sex offender's register for 10 years.

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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.