Latest Offenders SA

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A FORMER children's doctor in jail for sexually abusing patients has been given a further four years in prison for assaulting 10 girls as young as eight.

Michael Salmon, 81 and from Salisbury, attacked his victims during the 1970s and 1980s, when he worked as a consultant paediatrician in various hospitals in Buckinghamshire, including the world-renowned Stoke Mandeville in Aylesbury.

Earlier this month, a jury at Reading Crown Court found him guilty of 14 counts of indecent assault, but cleared him of rape and a further 11 counts of indecent assault.

Salmon, appearing in court walking on a stick and wearing a hearing loop, is already serving an 18-year term after being found guilty in February 2015 of two counts of rape and nine counts of indecent assault.

Salmon, formerly of Britford, in Salisbury, Wiltshire, indecently assaulted patients - aged between eight and 16 - while examining them, often behind a screen while their parents were in the room.

He demanded that one victim, who reported a problem with her ears, remove her clothes while he touched her inappropriately and did not examine her ears, while others were "routinely" made to disrobe.

He sexually abused one girl as she lay ill in her bedroom after going to visit her at home, while another girl was shown diagrams in books "like The Joy Of Sex".

Sentencing him at the same court, judge Johannah Cutts QC said: "Parents, often very worried about their children's condition, were thrilled their child was in your care. You were held in high esteem.

"It seems to me you considered yourself bomb-proof.

"You have never shown the slightest contrition or remorse for your actions.

"Your offending spanned 14 years - the girls were ill at the time and sexually assaulted by the doctor who was responsible for their care.

"They were treated as objects for your sexual gratification."

mfl The court heard that Salmon, a recognised expert in childhood migraines, told one of his victims that one of the five things that caused headaches was "worrying about sex".

During the "intrusive" examinations, he touched his patients inappropriately, asked some whether they were sexually active and spoke about his own sex life.

More victims came forward after the publicity surrounding the trial last year, Judge Cutts said.

As some victims looked on, the judge said she was restricted to sentencing Salmon on the prison terms allowed under laws at the time of the offences.

She dismissed an argument by his defence that the further convictions should not increase the time he will spend in prison.

"The offences are plainly so serious only a custodial sentence can be justified," she said.

"I am bound by the maximum sentences at the time of the offences.

"I have come to the conclusion the addition of indecent assaults on 10 further children, some as young as eight, would have meant a longer sentence."

The judge said that, had Salmon been convicted of the offences at the same time as the others in 2015, the total prison sentence would have been one of 22 years.

He was given four years for two of the most serious counts, which have been reclassified as assault by penetration, and two years for each of the other counts, to run concurrently.

The four-year sentence will run consecutively to the term he is already serving, the judge said.

Salmon was struck off the medical register in 1991 after pleading guilty to three counts of indecent assault against young female patients in December 1990.

An NSPCC spokesperson said:It beggars belief that a man responsible for looking after children committed so many vile assaults against those in his care.

His abhorrent crimes have now caught up with him thanks to the courage of the victims who have come forward.

These further convictions show that no one is immune from prosecution no matter how highly regarded they are or how long ago they committed their crimes.

Victims of abuse will be listened to and given support. They can call our helpline on 0808 800 5000. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111.

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A paedophile who systematically sexually abused three vulnerable young girls has been jailed for 20 years.

David Weightman preyed on the youngsters, starting when one was just six years old, by groping them when he was looking after them.

And the pervert told two of the terrified youngsters that he would have sex with them 'one day' leaving them terrified of the next time they would see him.

Weightman also took the opportunity to sexually abused a fourth young girl when he briefly met her when she too was in a vulnerable state.

The 56-year-old, of Linkway, Salisbury, carried out the sex attacks on the youngsters between 1998 and 2004.

Although he pleaded not guilty to the allegations a jury found him guilty of 19 counts, including rape, attempted rape and sexual assault, following a trial.

Philip Warren, for the Crown, told Swindon Crown Court that he had shown 'grooming behaviour' on the vulnerable youngsters Charles Row, defending, said that his client, formerly of Trowbridge, had a number of health issues including sepsis and 'shattered nerves'.

Jailing him Judge Tim Mousley QC said "Over a period of about nine years between 1998 and 2007 you systematically abused three young girls. In addition you opportunistically abused another girl.

"I have seen them give evidence and I have heard each of one speak of the impact your abuse has had upon them.

"In my judgement they have shown remarkable resilience. But their lives have been ruined. Their formative years were times on enormous sadness and fear.

"You chose to contest this: that is your right. If you had admitted it how much easier it would be for the girls to move on with their lives.

"They had to wait for the jury to say guilty: you hadn't got the courage to say it yourself.

"The girls kept the truth to themselves for the best of reasons. The psychological impact on them has been immense.

"Your abuse of them took may forms, it included you trying to have sex with them against their will.

"You told two of them that one day you would have sex with them. You might like to pause for minute: what a young girl might think of that when she had already been abused."

He also told him he would have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, would be barred from working with children and must abide by a sexual harm prevention order which would restrict his liberty.

Speaking after his conviction Temporary Detective Sergeant Helen Clarke, of Chippenham CID, said "Weightman has shown no remorse for his despicable actions and his not guilty plea meant that his victims had to relive their horrific ordeals once again.

"I would like to praise the four victims in this case who have shown an incredible amount of bravery and courage in not only coming forward and reporting this abuse to police, but also in standing in court to give evidence.

"I cannot imagine how difficult this would have been after so many years of trying to rebuild their own lives. Without their cooperation, we would never have reached this stage."

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A PAEDOPHILE has been jailed for 14 years after admitting to historic sexual offences against four child victims who live in Hampshire.

John Keevil, of New Road, Landford, pleaded guilty to 22 counts of historic sexual offences against four children in the Salisbury area between 1997 and 2010 when he appeared in Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday (April 25).

The 52-year-old's victims are now all adult men living in Hampshire but were aged between nine and 17 when the crimes took place.

Detective Inspector John McGonigle said: This was a Hampshire Constabulary-led investigation with assistance from Wiltshire Police.

I would like to commend the victims in this investigation for the bravery and courage they have shown in coming forward after living with the horror of these attacks for many years.

The trust they have invested in Hampshire Constabulary has meant we have been able to ensure that Keevil was finally held to account for these despicable crimes. I hope the result here today goes some way to giving them closure.

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A MAN from Bishopstone who has his eyes closed to his offending has been jailed for three years for child sex offences.

Alan Roy Morris, 62, was found guilty of three counts of exposure, one of sexual assault and one of causing or inciting a child under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity.

Salisbury Crown Court heard on Wednesday that the incidents took place between January and June last year.

Marcus Tregilgas-Davey, defending, said: While he has a relevant previous conviction, it happened more than 20 years ago and between then and these offences he has led a law abiding life and, in terms of his employment, a productive one.

I accept he has brought it entirely on himself but he has lost his home and a relationship of 16 years and he has been ostracised by the few members of his family and friends he had.

Mr Tregilgas-Davey told the court Morris, of Whitlock Rise, was not a man in particularly good health and urged Recorder Peter Towler to consider a community order.

He has his eyes closed to his offending, said Mr Tregilgas-Davey. A community order is the one thing that may help this man address what has led him to these offences.

But Recorder Towler said: It seems to me that such a course of treatment would be unlikely to work because of his constant denial of his behaviour that there has been anything wrong.

Sentencing Morris to three years in prison, Recorder Towler said: You dont appear to accept guilt or that there was anything wrong in the way you were behaving.

Morris was also given a lifetime sexual offences prevention order, restricting his access to children, and will remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

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A PAEDOPHILE who abused and intimidated young girls over several years will spend at least eight years in prison.

Mark Bradley, 44, formerly of Antrobus Road, Amesbury, was sentenced today at Winchester Crown Court after being found guilty of four counts of rape, two of rape of a child aged 13 to 15 and three charges of cruelty to a child.

He was also found guilty of causing actual bodily harm, four counts of indecent assault and one of sexual assault.

Bradley denied the abuse, which began when the victims were just seven years old, but was found guilty by a jury sitting at Winchester Crown Court following a four-week trial which started on May 16. Judge John Dixon said the case was “as chilling as it is shocking” and that Bradley's actions had caused “unquestionable and incalculable damage” to his victims.

 
Today Bradley was sentenced to 16 years in prison and told he will serve a minimum of eight years with another two years on licence.

“The catalogue of offences of which the jury convicted you almost beggars belief. You abandoned any humanity you had. You behaved like an animal - a callous and brutal one at that,” said Judge Dixon.

“You do not accept your guilt and you show not a shred of remorse,” he added.

In an outburst as he was sentenced, Bradley shouted: “I have done nothing to be ashamed of.”

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely and a sexual offences prevention order has been put in place.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “Mark Bradley is a manipulative and depraved man who intimidated and sexually abused these girls over a period of many years.

“The victims were extremely brave to come forward and report the abuse. Reliving the abuse they suffered must have been very traumatic for them and we hope that the verdict goes some way to help them.

“We encourage anyone who is or has been a victim of sexual abuse to contact us.”

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A PAEDOPHILE who has been on the run for six years has been arrested by officers in Salisbury.

James Andrew, 66, who is from Downton and was previously known as Keith Vincent, had been wanted by police for failing to comply with his requirements on the Sex Offenders Register.

He was arrested by officers at Salisbury Police Station on Tuesday morning.

Later the same day he was charged with five counts of making indecent photographs, one count of possessing indecent images and three counts of failing to comply with notification requirements while on the Sex Offenders Register.

He appeared at Salisbury Magistrates Court yesterday and was remanded in custody to appear back at Salisbury Magistrates Court on September 2.

James Andrew was placed on the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre’s Most Wanted website in March.

DS Kevin Rowles from the Wiltshire Police public protection department said: “Appropriate management on sex offenders is vital for the on-going protection of society.

“In Wiltshire 97 per cent of all registered sex offenders comply with their conditions and do not abscond but on rare occasions, such as this, a sex offender does abscond and Wiltshire Police, working closely with CEOP and other partner agencies, does everything possible in order to apprehend them even when they are believed to have travelled abroad.”

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A PAEDOPHILE who groomed young girls online before persuading them to perform sex acts in front of a webcam was jailed for five years by a judge sitting at Salisbury Crown Court yesterday.

Gary Palmer, 28, of Hazel Close, Salisbury, who met his victims through Internet chat rooms, was also found in possession of 513 pornographic photographs of children and 355 movies between levels one to four, with level 5 being the most serious type of image.

He was jailed for five years and will be on licence for a further three years.

Palmer will also remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life, was made subject to a 10-year sexual offences prevention order and was barred from having contact with anyone under 18 on his own.

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Gary Richards introduces Uiscedwr at the City Hall as part of the Salisbury Folk Festival. Richards co-hosted the event earlier this year only weeks after appearing in court on sex charges. DB1029PO9.

FORMER Salisbury College student support and welfare officer Gary Richards has been jailed for two years by a judge at Salisbury Crown Court for sexually abusing two 14-year-old girls.

Richards, 48, a high-ranking official with the Wiltshire Football Association and involved in running soccer tournaments for boys and girls, had admitted seven counts of sexual activity with the two teenage girls, including intercourse with one on one occasion.

Richards, of Bingham Road, Salisbury, also admitted possessing indecent images of children.

The court heard how Richards' daughter had discovered an image of one of the 14-year-old girls, who she knew, on her father's mobile phone, and had alerted her mother.

When confronted, Richards admitted what he had done and made "frank and full confessions" to the police when he was arrested in May of this year.

Prosecutor, James Newton-Price, said neither of the two girls attended Salisbury College, where Richards had been working teaching employment skills and as a student support and welfare officer. He added Richards knew one of the girls' mother, who also worked at the college and, on one occasion, he had e-mailed the woman on a work-related issue and the e-mail had been picked up by her daughter.

From this initial contact, Richards and the teenage girl began e-mailing each other, moving on to chat room messages and then Richards asking the girl for photographs of herself, including naked images.

Mr Newton-Price said: "She sent him ten images on her mobile phone and after telling her she was beautiful and sexy, he started sending her messages asking for them to meet up." The court heard after meeting and engaging in some sexual activity, Richards asked her about her friends and was later introduced to the second 14-year-old girl.

There were several meetings between the three of them at various locations and, on one occasion, Richards had sex with one of the girls while the other watched.

Mr Newton-Price said when Richards was arrested, police found indecent images of young girls - level one images - on Richards' computer. Peter Henry, defending, told the court Richards had made a full confession to police even before they had interviewed both girls.

Mr Henry added: "He has shown remorse and talks of his relief at confessing to these matters. He says he wants professional help.

"There was consent in these cases despite the ages of the two girls, neither of whom were sexually nave. The chat room talk was two-way traffic."

But Deputy Circuit Judge Pryor QC told Richards he had a duty to impose a custodial sentence.

The judge added: "These were young girls and, whatever is said about the part they played, they are of an age when they require protection, not the opposite.

"You were not in a position of trust towards them but the sexual activities involved, and length of the period they took place, requires a custodial sentence."

The judge sentenced Richards to two years in prison concurrent on all seven charges of sexual abuse, but no further penalty on the charge of possessing indecent images. He also disqualified Richards for an indefinite period from working with children, and placed him on the sex offenders register for ten years.

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ONE hundred and sixteen indecent images of children were found by police on computer equipment owned by a Roman Catholic parish priest.

Father Barnaby Dowling (46) was said at a Salisbury magistrates' court last week to have viewed various forms of pornography on the internet and to have used chat rooms and viewed indecent images of young girls.

Magistrates told the priest that what made his case more serious was that he had distributed some of the images to other users and, adjourning sentence for reports to be compiled, warned him that all sentencing options remained open including a prison sentence.

Father Dowling, from St Osmund's Church in Exeter Street, pleaded guilty to three charges of distributing indecent photographs of children, four charges of making indecent photographs of children and admitted one charge of possessing 14 indecent photographs of children.

Prosecutor Becky Abbott told the court that in October 2004, Devon and Cornwall police were carrying out an investigation and various individuals were identified on computer equipment they had seized.

Father Dowling's name was among them and Salisbury police executed a warrant at his address in Exeter Street.

Police took away a computer, a laptop and other computer equipment.

She said 73 pictures were found on the laptop, and in all 116 images were found, although only 40 of them were still accessible as Father Dowling had deleted the others.

The images were mainly of young girls, although one was of a boy.

Father Dowling admitted he used a screen name to receive images and had forwarded some on to other users, but only by prior arrangement.

Paul Jones, defending, said Father Dowling was extremely remorseful and embarrassed at being before the court.

Mr Jones said the offences were "low level" for that type of offence and involved a small number of images compared to many other cases.

He said the priest had deleted many images and had not received any financial gain from what he had done.

Mr Jones said: "He has been a parish priest for 22 years, the last three in Salisbury.

"He has now been told by the Church that he will be restricted to what he may do within the ministry and will not have anything to do with children.

"This will have an impact on the community which has been his life.

"Father Dowling has received considerable support from that community and from his parish. These offences took place during a difficult time for him.

"He had been diagnosed with cancer and there followed a period of depression. He, himself, needed support and fortunately he now is receiving that support."

Mr Jones handed to the magistrates a number of references and said: "This had had a devastating effect on him.

"Because of the media interest he will be in the public eye. He is going to be restricted in his duties and all this is greater punishment for him than anything the court can do."

Adjourning sentence until July 10, presiding magistrate Dr Pauline Tremlett told him he had been in a position of trust.

She said it involved a small number of images but the fact that he had distributed some of them made it a more serious matter.

She said: "We are aware of your genuine remorse and that it happened during a period of ill health, but we wish to protect the public and we wish to rehabilitate and reform you."

Father Dowling was granted bail until his next appearance on July 10.