Latest Offenders Stafford

Description

 A convicted sex offender caught with an indecent image of a child he had downloaded on his laptop has been jailed after he breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Craig Neal Jenkins, aged 52, and from Burton, has been sentenced to two years and two months imprisonment after appearing at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday, October 19.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child and two counts of breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order at the same court. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years and made the subject of a further Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

He was caught on August 2, when he was visited by officers from Staffordshire Police’s Sexual Offender Management Unit, who checked his devices as part of the Sexual Offences Prevention Order he was subject to. The order had been imposed in 2014 and was to last 10 years. A check of his mobile phone identified deleted WhatsApp messages, one of which was an indecent image of a child, said a Staffordshire police spokesman.

Jenkins denied having any other devices. However, a search of his home was conducted following his arrest. A camcorder and several camcorder tapes were recovered and seized by officers. He was found to be in possession of indecent images of children and to have breached his order by deleting his WhatsApp history, failing to hand over devices and using an incognito browser.

Jane Mulliner, from the Sexual Offender Management Unit, said after the court case: "We take the management of sex offenders extremely seriously. Jenkins rightly, has very strict notification requirements he is expected to abide by and he has shown a complete disregard and lack of respect for them."

Description

A paedophile from Stafford who was caught with 50,000 vile child sex abuse pictures has been locked up. Oliver Cadden had 'almost an industrial scale' of disgusting indecent images.

Many of the images downloaded by the sex offender, 43, were of children under the age of 10, Stafford Crown Court heard. Police found images and videos of abused youngsters on a storage tower and external hard drive in Stafford.

Cadden has now been jailed for 16 months for his offending. It comes after a judge said he had a 'deep-seated' sexual interest in children.

 The material was downloaded between August 24, 2019, and April 7, 2020, StaffordshireLive reports. Cadden admitted three counts of making indecent photographs/pseudo-photographs of children and another charge of possessing an extreme pornographic image.

He also admitted a charge of possessing extreme images. Prosecutor Andrew Wallace said the images involved girls and boys.

Cadden used search words such as "pre-teen" and "hardcore". The defendant was caught with 12,163 of the most serious category A images, which included 831 being videos.

There was also 8,458 category B, with 410 videos and 31,800 that were category C with more than 400 videos. During a police interview on September 27, 2021, Cadden accepted responsibility for downloading the images on the devices and replied no comment to questions about sharing the files.

Jason Holt, defending, said Cadden had sought help for his offending and was remorseful for what he had done. He had written to the judge along with his father, brother and ex-wife, who he still has a good relationship with.

Mr Holt said: "He doesn't shy away from what's behind his offending and sorting these problems out. He's starting to come to terms with that behaviour."

Judge John Edwards said he would give full credit for the guilty plea and how honest he was in the letter and told Cadden he could 'see you are genuinely remorseful', adding this was his first kind of any criminal activity he had been involved in.

However, he said those that go into this "cesspit from the dark web" only encourage the abuse of children to continue.

The judge said that the volume alone suggested a 'deep-seated, engraved sexual interest in children'. Cadden, of Elworthy Close, in Beaconside, Stafford, was jailed for 16 months and made the subject of a five-year sexual harm prevention order and will spend 10 years on the sexual offences register.

It was ordered that the computer and all of the materials were destroyed.

Description

A 'depraved' paedophile who sexually assaulted a child and was found with more than 20,000 indecent images on computer devices has been jailed. Ian Worthington, 51, from Staffordshire, was brought down after an interventional investigation was launched by authorities to uncover "cross-border activity", Stafford Crown Court heard.

Worthington uploaded child sexual abuse material onto the dark web, where he also spoke with other paedophiles. Crown prosecutor, Maria Brannan, said an IP address was discovered before British police attended the defendant's address.

His house was searched and officers seized a number of devices, including a phone and laptop, which were forensically examined, said the National Crime Agency (NCA). An iMac computer was found containing thousands of indecent images of children, said Ms Brannan.

Of the images found on the iMac, there were 425 of the most severe type, Category A, followed by 691 Category B images and 4,895 Category C images. Worthington admitted to using a piece of software called TOR, also known as The Onion Router, which allows people to communicate online anonymously.

Police later found two hard drives owned by Worthington which contained thousands of more indecent images of children, the court was told. Investigators traced some images, made by Worthington, to a device belonging to an Australian sex offender, who was jailed for 22 years in 2015, said the NCA.

The NCA said Worthington used a number of dark web hidden service forums in an effort to ensure his activity remained anonymous. Meanwhile, investigators recovered 20,500 indecent images, from Category A to C, from his devices.

The National Crime Agency said among these, were 135 Category B and 140 Category C images showing a child being sexually assaulted by Worthington. There was also evidence which suggested they had been distributed to other paedophiles online.

Sentencing Worthington, Her Honour Judge K Montgomery QC said: "These offences came to light through an international investigation, determined to uncover cross-border paedophilic activity." She said some images found in Worthington's possession were of the most "depraved and disturbing", involving the sexual assault of children.

The judge said chat logs showed Worthington had an "active involvement in a network of paedophiles." Defending Worthington, Mark Nicholls said his client described his behaviour "as an addiction".

In total, Worthington was caged for six years and eight months - extended by two years on license. He was also ordered to be put on the sex offender register indefinitely and given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

NCA operations manager Hazel Stewart added: "Online abuse material cannot exist without the real-world exploitation of children. As this case shows, there is a clear link between offenders seeking out such material and committing sexual abuse themselves.

"We have wide-ranging capabilities to identify the most dangerous offenders who use the dark web in an attempt to remain anonymous. We will stop at nothing to ensure they face justice, and to protect children from exploitation."

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A convicted rapist ended up living in a tent in Hanley Park after finding himself homeless. David Bailey was back in court this week for breaching an order after failing to tell police where he was living.

The 27-year-old neglected to notify officers that he was stopping at an address in Crown Bank, Hanley, for three months. And he was three days late notifying them that he was of no fixed abode while he was sleeping rough in Hanley Park.

Now Bailey has been sentenced to a three-year community order at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Prosecutor Maria Brannan said the defendant was convicted of rape in 2014 and was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely. He attended Longton Police Station on February 7 to register his address as no fixed abode and was told he would have to return every seven days.

But he failed to register on February 14 and attended the station on February 17 after being contacted by police. He said he had been living in a tent on Hanley Park and had to live outside Birmingham Police Station after a row with his mum.

Miss Brannan said: "That was reported in the local press together with a photograph of the defendant which led to the second set of offences."

She said on November 17 the defendant had registered as no fixed address. But following the newspaper report police received a call from a man who had been told someone living in his property was a sex offender.

Miss Brannan said: "He looked at the photo and recognised the person. He had a 12 bedroom property and the defendant had lived there with his mum since November. Police attended and removed him from the address on April 3."

Bailey, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register.

Paul Cliff, mitigating, said the most serious matter was the defendant failing to tell police he was living at the address in Crown Bank. He said the defendant has had issues with accommodation. Mr Cliff added: "The court could impose an immediate sentence but it would not be a long time until he is released."

As part of the community order, Bailey must complete a thinking skills programme and a rehabilitation activity requirement for 40 days.

Judge David Fletcher said: "I know you have spent a considerable period of the last few years living on the streets. That doesn't mean that you are incapable of being proactive in doing things. You know where the various people that can help you are.

"Just failing by a day to notify the police of a change of address or where your address is will almost certainly result in you being charged. The more of these charges you get the more likely it is you will go straight to prison for longer and longer periods."

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Pervert Robert Alexander wants to put his criminal past behind him as he learns to cope with the stigma of being a convicted sex offender.

Lawyers representing the 24-year-old told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court that he is keen to become a more responsible member of society.

It comes after Alexander once again appeared in the dock for breaching two court orders. The defendant had been made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and was placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years after he forced schoolboys to take part in sexually explicit videos.

But he breached the SHPO by using Snapchat, as it deletes internet history, and he also failed to tell police about a change of address. Now Alexander has been handed a three-year community order at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Prosecutor Nick Tatlow said under the terms of the SHPO the defendant is prohibited from deleting any internet use. But police went to his address on January 7 and requested he make available any device capable of accessing the internet or storing images.

Mr Tatlow said: "The risk assessor identified a Snapchat image. One of the features of Snapchat is that pictures are only available for a short period of time so the defendant is unable to use it as it doesn't have capacity to keep the history of internet use."

In his police interview the defendant admitted breaching the SHPO by using Snapchat.

Police made an unannounced visit to Alexander's address in West Street, Leek, on April 21. Mr Tatlow said: "There was no response to their knocking. They discovered the defendant had last paid rent in February and was not living at the flat for some months. Further enquiries led police to another address.

"The defendant called police and said he had left his previous address and was staying at Westminster Road. He agreed to meet them the next day. Police went there the next day and he was arrested for breach of the notification requirements."

In his police interview the defendant said he had started to move his belongings from the flat three months earlier and moved in fully with his brother-in-law six weeks previously.

Alexander, of West Street, Leek, pleaded guilty to breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and failing to comply with notification requirements of the sex offenders' register.

Anis Ali, mitigating, said the defendant fell into rent arrears. He said: "Knowing he was going to appear before a court and realising what could happen he took it upon himself to vacate the premises."

He said the defendant requires assistance and support but has curtailed his excessive consumption of alcohol.

Mr Ali added: "He realises he has to put his criminality behind him to address the stigma and become a more responsible member of the community."

As part of the community order Alexander must complete a mental health treatment requirement for 12 months and a rehabilitation activity requirement for 40 days.

Judge David Fletcher said: "You know that prison is a distinct possibility today. On this occasion what I think is better for you is you have ongoing contact with those who are in a position to assist you." Alexander was ordered to pay 475 costs.

Description

A Cannock man who raped a girl aged under 13 and took an indecent photograph of a child has been jailed for 17 years. Daniel Cater, aged 30, also attempted to cause or incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity and also distributed an indecent photograph of a child.

He was found guilty of the offences after a trial. An investigation into his activity began in March 2021 when he was arrested by Staffordshire Police officers on suspicion of making, possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

His digital devices were then also seized and analysed. It resulted in Cater being further arrested for the rape of a girl aged under 13.

He was was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Monday, March 14. Alongside his jail term, Cater was ordered him to register as a sex offender for life and comply with a sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Sergeant Sophie Boden, of the forces child protection and exploitation team, said: "I would like to thank the victim and their family for showing great strength and courage in providing evidence in this case. Cater is truly a dangerous man who has now been brought to justice, and as a result others are now protected from him.

"I am immensely proud of DC Sophie Crooks and DC Jennifer Rawsthorne, who led the investigation. Alongside their colleagues, they have worked tirelessly on this case which has been particularly distressing."

Description

A 50-year old paedophile who falsely imprisoned a young girl has been jailed for 15 years. David Tomlinson, of Calgary Crescent, Winshill, detained the girl against her will at a property in Burton, a court heard.

Tomlinson pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, sexual activity with a child and taking an indecent photograph of a child. He was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday, March 16.

He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The offences took place, and were reported, in April 2021.

Following an investigation by officers from the child protection and exploitation team, Tomlinson was arrested the next morning. Detective Inspector Kathryn Tomkins, of the Staffordshire Police's child protection and exploitation team, said: "I would like to thank the victim and their family for showing great strength and courage in providing evidence in the case.

"Tomlinson is a truly dangerous man who has now been brought to justice, and others are protected as a result. I am also immensely proud of Detective Constable Cave, who led the investigation, and all of the officers that worked tirelessly on this case in extremely challenging circumstances."

Description

A rapist destroyed the childhoods of his victims by subjecting them to years of emotional abuse and sexual attacks.

Jason Clarke repeatedly targeted the vulnerable youngsters, grooming, exploiting and abusing them. In one horrific case he raped a child who was on a bike ride through woodland.

On Monday, Liverpool Crown Court heard Clarke had spent years manipulating three victims. He made them perform sex acts, subjected them to abuse and, in some cases, raped them.

The sex attacks, which took place across different properties in Merseyside, were only stopped when one of his victims gathered the courage to speak out. Years later his crimes were reported to police and he was arrested and charged with two dozen offences, ultimately leading to his conviction.

Clarke was today branded a monster as powerful statements written by his victims were read out in court by Arthur Gibson, prosecuting.They spoke of the anger and humiliation his treatment - physically and psychologically - had caused them, leaving them feeling alone, broken and depressed.

In one harrowing statement, one of his victims said: There is no amount of time in prison that monster Jason Clarke can do that will ever feel like justice has been served because I will have to live with these demons for the rest of my life.

Each spoke of the pain they had suffered by Clarke denying wrongdoing and forcing them to endure a trial, though they said his convictions offered them some closure.

Following that trial, jurors found the 48-year-old guilty of 24 counts of sexual abuse, including multiple rapes.

Sarah Holt, defending, said she could offer no mitigation for her clients crimes. Referring to his personal circumstances, Ms Holt said: He was brought up in care from a young age. The reality is there was, perhaps, very little care that was given to him.

His education was interrupted, limited and did not address the learning difficulties he has. As a teenager he was sexually abused himself by others in what could be described as the most depraved way.

Passing sentence this morning, Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, said Clarkes dreadful crimes left a trail of devastation.

He added: These are offences for which you have shown - and continue to show - not a jot of remorse.

Judge Goldstone accepted Clarke may have had a deprived childhood but, referring to the claims he was a victim of abuse, concluded: In those circumstances no-one knew better than you the sort of impact that your offending could have.

He sentenced Clarke to 24 years in jail, of which he must serve at least 16 before being considered for release, and made him the subject of a sexual harm prevention order. Clarke, most recently of Hollins Drive in Stafford, will also have to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Description

A 42-year-old pervert told police he was a paedophile hunter after he was caught with dozens of indecent images of children, a court heard. Ian Manderfield told police he was sending out indecent images of children in order to "snare" paedophile hunters - but they were all his own images. Manderfield even tried to escape from police after he was detained at his home. He appeared at Stafford Crown Court, where he admitted eight charges relating to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children. The court was told police went to his home, but he escaped and ran about 300m before being detained. His mobile was seized, but it later transpired it was not his personal phone, which had been hidden at home. One message sent by Manderfield told someone he was getting sexual pleasure from looking at children. He told police he was a paedophile hunter and was using the images to track paedophiles and was sending material to four other people via WhatsApp. The court was told Manderfield "had not buried his head in the sand" and was taking steps to address his behaviour, for which he has apologised. He is getting help through the Lucy Faithful Foundation, which works to prevent child sexual abuse, and his new partner is standing by him. Jailing him for 46 months, Judge Jonathan Gosling told Manderfield: "You were sending messages to multiple users. You pretended this was to catch an online paedophiles which is a ridiculous lie which you have now abandoned. "There were 37 images and videos Category A of children as young as two - and images and videos of torture and mutilation. I have dealt with many of these cases, but even I was surprised at the exceptional depravity. "You know the danger you have caused. You did that by indulging your own perverted mind." Manderfield will also sign the sex offenders register for life and was made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Manderfield's charges in full Manderfield, of North Street, Cannock, admitted distributing 22 Category C images of children and making 34 photographs and videos of children, which were also Category C. He also admitted making 37 photographs and videos of children and distributing two images of children, which were all Category B. A third charge he pleaded guilty to was making 37 photographs and videos of children and distributing 24 images of children, which were all Category A - the most serious category. Manderfield admitted possession of six extreme pornographic images, which were grossly offensive, disgusting or otherwise of an obscene character and portrayed in an explicit and realistic way a people performing acts of intercourse or oral sex with animals. He pleaded guilty to another charge of possession of three extreme pornographic images which were grossly offensive, disgusting or otherwise of an obscene character and portrayed in an explicit and realistic way acts which threatened people's lives. His final charge was publishing a series of messages of an obscene sexual nature about, and including, photographs of children.

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A judge said it was one of the most serious cases he has dealt with A lonely 24-year-old pervert downloaded thousands of indecent images and videos of girls as young as six - many of which featured children being raped. Police raided the home of Joseph Tinkler on three separate occasions, each time finding dozens and then thousands of vile images and videos of children being sexually assaulted or raped by adults. In court, prosecutor Jamie Scott had to go into grave detail about examples of images Tinkler had been downloading which led the judge in the case to say: "I sadly deal with these cases every week but I don't often come by a really serious case as this. "This is some of the most grotesque abuse of children, some of who have been violently raped." Tinkler appeared at Stafford Crown Court from HMP Dovegate in Marchington on Thursday, February 24, and pleaded guilty to 11 charges of downloading indecent images of children - totalling thousands, and possession of images of the sexual abuse of an animal. Tinkler, of Wolverhampton Road, Wedges Mills, Cannock, had ignored police warnings on the first and second occasions he was caught. Each time he was bailed by the courts, the hearing was told. Police searched his home on September 15, 2020, and seized an iPhone, a computer tower and an iPad. On the phone and iPad, Mr Scott said police found 234 Category A images which are the most serious kind; 307 Category B and 556 Category C. He said: "The child victims were between six and 14 years old, and girls aged between 7 and 10 being raped. He said in the computer tower, police found 507 videos and 364 images which were Category A; 228 videos and 327 images of Category B; and 157 videos and 2,135 images of Category C. They also found 67 videos of the sexual abuse of animals and nine images. Mr Scott continued: "After his first arrest he issued no comment during interview and was bailed. "Following further intelligence, a police warrant was executed on April 28, 2021. On a mobile 25 computer generated images of children were found, aged between 10 and 12 years being raped." The court heard that the final warrant was executed on November 4, 2021 and yet more images and videos were found. Police also found phone messages between Tinkler and a paedophile about the violent rape of children. His defence solicitor Stephen Rudge told the court: "He is well aware of the seriousness of the case after, since his arrest, pushing the boundaries further and further. "He is a young man who is still immature and despite his education and employment, he found sexual solace in these images on the internet and foolishly not taking the police warning and continuing to satisfy his sexual desire. "I hope he will take on board the help offered to him in prison. He is willing to apply himself because he recognises it is an an addiction and a sickness. "He has been frank with the author of the pre-sentence report. He is a lonely young man without a girlfriend. "Sadly he moved on from adult porn. He is someone who can change, who is willing to change and given the right guidance in prison will change." Tinkler was jailed for four-and-a-half years and will be made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely which prevents him from accessing internet enabled devices, and will register as a sex offender.

Description

A depraved paedophile from Cannock has been jailed after pleading guilty to child sex offences. Daniel Norton was sentenced to spend 13 years and six months in prison at Stafford Crown Court today, Monday, February 28.

The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to three counts of inciting a child under 13 years old to engage in sexual activity and one count of engaging a child aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity. Staffordshire Police has said he also admitted one count of blackmail.

The court heard how Norton exploited underage Snapchat users by creating bogus accounts purporting to give away free clothes. He would ask users to confirm their measurements by sending images before threatening to share them online.

Norton would then blackmail victims into sharing explicit images and videos directly.

Sergeant Natalie Waldrun, of Staffordshire Polices Operation Safenet, said: "Norton tricked and deceived unsuspecting girls into sharing explicit images online and has caused significant emotional stress to those involved.

"Staffordshire Police would like to commend the victims for their bravery in coming forward and assisting officers with the investigation.

Im happy that justice has been served and I hope this sentence serves as a reminder that specialist operations are proactively investigating sexual offenders who use social media to exploit victims.

Description

A pervert banned from the internet was found to be accessing the web using an XBox and CB radio.

Sick Robert Clay, 29, is under a sex offender order after having disturbing pictures of children.

But police who visited his home found and were shown his Xbox for analysis then found a handheld CB radio under a blanket which was internet enabled, as well as a laptop and a tablet.

Clay, of Alexandra Road, Winshill, has now been jailed for having more child abuse pictures.

He had previously been banned from having an unmonitored internet-enabled device and deleting any internet history, Staffordshire Live reports.

After being previous jailed for having pictures of children, he was recalled to prison three months after his initial release in 2018 for breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

Now he has been sentenced to a further 32 months in jail after admitting seven charges of breaching his 10-year order again; and three charges of making 15 indecent images of children.

The court heard that two of the terms of his sexual harm prevention order were that he was not allowed access to the internet without installed computer monitoring software - and was not allowed to delete his internet history.

Prosecutor Simon Rippon told the court Clay initially had contacted his police risk assessor on February 2020 to inform her he had bought a new phone and given his old one to an uncle and had completed a factory reset - deleting all its memory.

During her checks, it was revealed that he had several social media accounts, and had recently purchased an Xbox console which connected to the internet and contained a deleted message.

On a house visit, Clay showed the risk assessor his Xbox for analysis. She then found a handheld CB radio under a blanket which was internet enabled, as well as a laptop and a tablet.

Mr Rippon said: "These were found by officers rather than the defendant telling them they were there."

The laptop had a hard drive cleaner installed and showed a private browser had been used.

In August 2020, he called his risk assessor again to say he had a new phone. She checked it and found "disturbing" terms used such as "nudist beach family".

Mr Rippon said: "He was arrested and in his police interview made full admissions to the breaches and making the images.

"He made plain his continued sexual interest in children and circumventing his court orders to satisfy his sexual interest in children.

"The fact he was driving coach and horses through his sexual harm prevention order means he poses a very grave risk to children."

Steve Hennessy, defending Clay, told the court his client pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and provided "very candid" admissions.

Mr Hennessy admitted: "He has demonstrated that he is capable of taking steps to avoid breaching his sexual harm prevention order, but since his conduct he has been extremely frank and has provided information, without which there would be no history.

"He has proven himself to some extent in the last two years and there has been no information [from risk assessors] of any difficulty.

"When the game is up he is candid, honest and straightforward."

Judge Graeme Smith told Clay: "You have been open about the fact you have an ongoing sexual interest in boys but you have shown risk by breaching your order.

"This started very soon after you were released from prison. You showed a persistent pattern of breaching court orders.

"There is no evidence of you committing further offences but we will never know the full truth because you deleted the internet history."

Clay was jailed for 32 months and his sexual harm prevention order was made to be indefinite.

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Sheffield Crown Court heard on November 4 how Dean Holloway, aged 60, formerly of Balmoral Road, Woodhouse, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault and to two counts of attempted rape against a child aged under 16.

The complainant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was a young teenager at the time of the offences in the 1990s, according to prosecuting barrister Nicola Quinney.

Ian Goldsack, defending, said: These incidents of wrong-doing were very short-lived and secondly they occurred in a very short window of time.

The attempted rapes were attempts, according to Mr Goldsack, because Holloway was not physically aroused and he told the police that had been the case because he knew what he was doing was wrong.

Mr Goldsack added: This is not a man who is in any way proud of what he did many, many years ago as a much younger man.

"He has lived with it in all the intervening time and he has always known this one day would come.

Holloway was described by Mr Goldsack as a hard-working man who has never troubled police or the courts before and he has been the subject of a number of supportive testimonials including from family.

Judge Peter Kelson QC acknowledged Holloway has expressed remorse and his references show he is regarded as an honest and beloved family member.

He also recognised Holloways early guilty pleas ensured the complainant was spared from enduring a trial.

Judge Kelson sentenced Holloway, now of Kingsley Road, Stafford, to four years of custody.

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A former maths teacher at a Swadlincote high school has been jailed for more than two years after admitting sexually touching underage girls.

Steven Bould had been employed at The Pingle Academy for five months in 2018 and 2019, when he was suspended following concerns over his conduct.

Before this, he spent six years at Nether Stowe School, in Lichfield.

Now the 36-year old has been convicted of nine charges of intentionally sexually touching underage girls.

He was due to be sentenced for his crimes before for October, last year, but this was delayed due to the covid pandemic . Now he was finally jailed for 33 months following a hearing at Stafford Crown Court.

Viv Sharples, principal at The Pingle Academy, said after the case: "Following sentencing we wish to thank the professional bodies involved in this case for supporting the students and the academy."

A spokesperson for Nether Stowe School, also speaking after the court hearing, said: This is a very serious matter and the school worked closely with the authorities throughout their investigation to ensure that all appropriate action was taken.

The school takes its safeguarding responsibilities seriously and the safety, wellbeing and protection of students is of paramount importance to us.

Steve Bould was a maths teacher from 2010 to 2016.

Seven of the offences took place while he worked at Pingle Academy, two offences while he worked at Nether Stowe School, where Bould had worked before joining Pingle school.

Bould, of Heath Hayes, Cannock, had been convicted of intentionally touching a girl under the age of 13 when the touching was sexual.

In a second charge, he was convicted of on no less than three occasions he intentionally touched a girl under the age of 13 when the touching was sexual.

And a third charge saw him convicted of intentionally touched a girl aged under 16 when the touching was sexual when she did not consent and he did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

In the fourth charge he was guilty of on no less than three occasions intentionally touching a girl under 16 and that touching was sexual when she did not consent and he did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

The fifth and sixth charges saw him plead guilty to intentionally touching a girl under 16 when the touching was sexual when she did not consent and he did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

In the seventh and eighth charges, both of which he pleaded guilty to, it was said that on no less than five occasions he intentionally touched a girl under 16 by touching her leg and that the touching was sexual when she did not consent and he did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

In the ninth charge he admitted that on no less than three occasions he intentionally touched a girl under the age of 13 and the touching was sexual.

The offences of touching amounted to at least 20 times in total in relation to the nine charges.

Bould was ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

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A former scout leader has been locked up for sex assault on two six-year-old girls at camps he helped to run.

Paedophile Oliver Cooper attacked the youngsters while working as a Beaver Scout leader more than two years ago.

Cooper, a former soldier in the Household Cavalry for four years, was arrested after a child told police he had touched her inapropriately.

Images and videos of children getting undressed in private were later found on his phone and laptop.

Now the 27-year-old, formerly of Hopton, Stafford, has been jailed after being guilty of two counts of sexual assault on a girl aged six, sexual assault on another girl also aged six, one count of taking indecent photographs of a child and 13 counts of voyeurism.

He was sentenced to six years in prison at Lewes Crown Court.

Jailing Cooper and imposing a lifetime ban on working with children and vulnerable people, Judge Stephen Mooney described the former student's crimes as a 'colossal breach of trust'.

Judge Mooney also noted Cooper's lack of remorse.

Detectives from the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigation Unit probed Cooper after a child two years ago bravely came forward to say she had been sexually touched by the scout leader.

He was arrested and indecent images and videos of children getting undressed in private were found on his phone and laptop.

During the course of the investigation, a further child came forward to say she had also been sexually assaulted.

Detective Constable Rees Hopcraft, from Sussex Police, said: "The young girls involved showed tremendous bravery throughout the investigation and were supported by specially trained officers.

"Despite the overwhelming evidence, Cooper continued to protest his innocence and thus forced the victims to give evidence, which was done via a video link to the court.

"In sentencing, Judge Stephen Mooney commented on Cooper's lack of remorse and the 'colossal breach of trust' involved.

"Prior to his scouting role he was a law student at Sussex University, and a soldier in the Household Cavalry where he served for four years in the UK."

Police said the Scouts Association had given full-co-operation, and that parents of all children who were in the scouting group have been kept informed. There is no current safeguarding risk to any child.

Cooper will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to last until further court notice severely restricting his access to children, and was disqualified from working with children and vulnerable people for life.

Commenting on the case, an NSPCC spokesman said: "By committing these horrific crimes, Cooper betrayed the trust placed in him by the children he was supposed to protect, as well as their parents and guardians.

"It will have taken great bravery for one of the girls to tell police what Cooper had done, but her actions have helped bring this appalling abuser to justice.

"It is vital that his victims are now receiving all the help and support they need to move on from his awful offences."