Latest Offenders Stoke-on-Trent

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Detectives have praised the 'bravery' of a woman whose evidence helped to jail a rapist for 17 years.

Mihai Savescu is this month starting a 17-year jail term after being convicted of multiple counts of rape.

The 34-year-old, of Chaplin Road, Longton, was convicted following a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Now Staffordshire Police have welcomed the sentence handed down to the rapist.

Detective Constable Diane Sproston, from the forces rape and serious sexual offences unit, said: Savescu was predatory and manipulative.

Id like to commend the victim who bravely came forward and reported these appalling crimes. She has shown incredible bravery and cooperation throughout the court process.

I hope the sentence provides some form of closure and comfort knowing Savescu will be behind bars for a long time.

Romanian Savescu will be deported once he has served his prison sentence. He will remain on the Sex Offenders' Register for the rest of his life and is barred from a range of activities involving children and vulnerable adults.

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Pervert Paul Lovatt exposed himself to a female cyclist as she rode home from work.

Lovatt was driving a car when he pulled alongside the victim, with the passenger side window down, and performed a sex act while asking her for directions.

Horrified, she shouted at him. And as he drove away, she repeated his registration number to herself as she called police, to make sure she remembered it.

Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard Lovatt then returned to the scene and tried to apologise to the woman.

The 40-year-old has now been handed a community order and made subject to the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register for the next five years, after he admitted the 'disturbing offence'.

Prosecutor Emma Thompson said: "At around 5.20pm, the victim was cycling home from work. While in Hanley, she became aware of a vehicle behind her.

"She said she noticed it because it was driving on the other side of the road as if trying to overtake her, but was going really slowly.

"She got off her bike to get out of his way. As she did so, he pulled alongside her. The front passenger side window was down.

"He said, 'Excuse me, love, can you tell me where' - then he hesitated - 'King Street is?'

"She noticed his penis was exposed."

The court heard Lovatt was performing a sex act. The victim shouted at him, 'Oh my God, you are a disgusting pervert'. He drove away.

Ms Thompson said: "The victim had her phone out to call the police. She was chanting his registration number so she didn't forget.

"She then saw his vehicle come back and saw the defendant again. He said, 'I'm sorry love, sorry about that'. He kept saying it then drove away.

"The defendant has not been in trouble for 20 years. Nevertheless, this is a disturbing offence."

Lovatt was later arrested and interviewed. He said he had found the victim attractive and he had done 'a stupid thing'.

The victim of the offence said in a statement: "This incident has made me feel angry. I feel violated. I was just trying to go home. I then have a disgusting person showing me their genitals.

"I'm concerned he would do it to someone else, someone who was not as vocal as me."

Lovatt, of Richard Dawson Drive, Bucknall, pleaded guilty to a charge of indecent exposure. The incident took place on August 26.

Peter Howland, mitigating, said: "There were some difficulties in his then-relationship. He had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. He is receiving medication and counselling for that.

"He apologised straight away to his victim. He accepts he returned to speak to her, but his sole reason was to apologise.

"He has given up his part-time employment because of this offence."

Magistrates told Lovatt they had considered sending him to prison, but had decided to impose a community sentence. Chairperson of the bench, Helen Paterson, said: "This was clearly a serious matter. You were remorseful, at the time and afterwards, although your remorse at the time may have caused more distress.

"I'm not sure there can be compensation in monetary terms for the distress of your victim, but we are going to order you to pay it."

Lovatt was handed a 24-month community order, with a 56-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 200 hours' unpaid work. He must pay 400 compensation to the victim, plus 280 in court costs and charges.

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Convicted rapist William Rathbone has been jailed for six years and five months after he sexually assaulted a woman.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the 22-year-old committed the offence eight months after being released from a prison sentence for rape.

The victim reported the incident to the police the following day. She was disgusted by Rathbone's actions and felt the assault turned her life upside down.

It happened in 2019, eight months after Rathbone was released from a 40-month sentence he received in 2017 for rape of a girl under 16 and assault by penetration.

Prosecutor Tim Harrington said: "This offence is seriously aggravated by his previous convictions and the fact he was on licence for sexual activity at the time and had not long been released from custody."

Rathbone, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to assault by penetration.

Saleema Mahmood, mitigating, said Rathbone's mental health has now stabilised and he has completed a sex offender programme in custody.

She said the offence was very different from his previous conviction.

Miss Mahmood said: "He now does not rely solely on his explanation that he was very heavily intoxicated and acknowledges what he did was very, very wrong."

She said the defendant has been in custody since his arrest.

Miss Mahmood added: "Without the use of a significant amount of alcohol Mr Rathbone would not even have conceived behaving in that way.

"He is keen to do anything he can to start a new life and make himself a better person."

Judge David Fletcher said: "You have indicated some remorse. Your age is of relevance, you were at the time of the offence 19. I do not find you pass the test for dangerousness and will not be making an extended sentence. Prison will detain you for a significant period of time before you are eligible for release."

Rathbone will be released on licence after serving half the term. He is on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

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One of Stoke-on-Trent's worst repeat sexual predators has been locked up after sending sick pictures to '13-year-old Ruby'.

Autistic Michael Horn has spent the last nine years of his life appearing in courts for breaking orders aimed at keeping children safe from his perverted ways.

And the 29-year-old's latest crime saw him having sexual chats with 'children' online.

Now Horn - who has over 20 previous convictions for various sexual offences - has been handed a nine-year extended sentence which is made up of four years in custody with five years on licence.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Horn was released from prison on licence in October last year, and was granted permission to have an internet-enabled mobile phone on June 8 this year.

Just days later he breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by chatting to underage girls as far away as America on apps.

He would frequently lie about his age, often saying he was only 14 or 18.

But he was caught out after striking up a conversation with a '13-year-old Ruby' who turned out to be an undercover law enforcement officer.

Another incident saw Horn contact a '16-year-old American girl' on teen dating app MyLOL.

He asked her if she would 'like to see his penis' and requested naked pictures, as well as asking if she would like to meet up for sex.

Prosecutor Tariq Bin Shakoor said: The SHPO was put in place in September 2012 for 10 years and made following his convictions for a variety of sexual offences.

The defendant was released in October 2020. He was given permission to use a mobile phone.

On June 21 this year officers visited him to check he was complying with the SHPO.

He was asked if he needed to tell them anything. He was nervous.

The defendant, in a private room, then told the police he had breached the order."

Horn, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and two charges of breaching his SHPO.

Hamish Noble, mitigating, said: He understands that its wrong. He is autistic and says it has held him back in life.

He understands that he needs to be punished and be rehabilitated for the future. He doesnt deny that he presents a risk.

The bottom line is he knows he needs help and he does not seek to lay the blame at anyones door.

He sees other peoples lives and can see how he would like to be.

Sentencing Horn, Judge David Fletcher told him: There is a continuation of a pattern of behaviour which is being exhibited by you.

Since the first conviction when you were 20 you have been made the subject of a SHPO.

Over the years that have followed you have found yourself in breach of it on several occasions. You are no stranger to the court system.

You find yourself now a young man who is completely divorced and separated from family members and has no friends.

I am satisfied that you do present a risk. It is necessary to propose an extended sentence to protect the public.

Horn was also made the subject of a new SHPO which will remain in place until the court says otherwise.

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Sex offender Nathan Totton has been hit with a six-month jail sentence - after staying overnight with his mum-of-three girlfriend.

The 26-year-old is banned from having unsupervised contact with under-16s due to him being on the Sex Offenders' Register and subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

It comes after he was jailed for three years in 2017 after being convicted of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual activity with a child.

But Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard he breached his court orders after meeting the woman on a dating website last summer.

Totton breached the Sex Offenders' Register by:

- Failing to notify the police that he was staying for more than 12 hours where children were residing;

- Staying overnight at his partner's home and coming into contact with her children;

- Failing to complete his annual registration on time.

Prosecutor Peter McCartney said: "He stayed overnight at least seven times within a month after they met. In a determined attempt to conceal his actions he breached the sex offenders' notification requirements."

The defendant told police he did not comply with the notification requirements because he did not want to go through a risk assessment or have his relationship messed up.

Mr McCartney added: "He said, 'I have done my sentence. Why should I be punished for the rest of my life'?"

Totton, of William Street, Biddulph, pleaded guilty to three offences of failing to comply with the notification requirements of the Sex Offenders' Register.

Robert Holt, mitigating, said: "There is no suggestion that the children were placed in any great risk whatsoever. He wants to move on. He has spent time in custody and has not enjoyed it. He intends to avoid dating sites."

Totton has also been hit with a five-year restraining order to stay away from the woman.

Judge David Fletcher said: "You felt your life was being controlled by the requirements placed upon you. Any further breach of the notification requirements can result in a more onerous sentence being imposed on you."

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Groping Justin Miller sexually assaulted two schoolgirls in an alleyway.

The 20-year-old touched the bottom of one of his victims before trying to kiss her and repeatedly putting his arm around her.

He then touched the leg of the other girl and ran his hand up her thigh.

Now Miller has been sentenced to 21 months detention at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

The court heard one of the girls had just moments earlier attempted to break up a lunchtime fight between Miller and another man during the coronavirus lockdown.

Prosecutor Caroline Harris said: "One girl felt a hand pass across her bottom. She turned and saw the defendant. He asked her how old she was and whether she had a boyfriend and placed his head next to hers which caused her to run to her friend. She told her friend the defendant was scaring her."

Miss Harris added: "She pushed him away. She said she had a boyfriend in the hope he would leave her alone.

"She walked away. He followed her and put his arm around her at least three times and touched towards her genital area. She started to cry.

"She told her friends they should go home. He said they should go to his home. He touched the leg of the other girl, running his hand up her thigh towards her genital area."

Police were called and arrested Miller after the girls fled to a house. They searched his home and found a sex toy in a suitcase. He told police that he found the girl attractive.

The first victim has revealed she did not go out of her house for five days following the ordeal.

She said: "I thought he was going to grab me and rape me. The incident made me feel scared to leave the house."

Miller, of Everest Road, Kidsgrove, pleaded guilty to three offences of sexual assault.

Paul Cliff, mitigating, said the defendant was drunk at the time. He added: "The contact was over clothing, it was relatively brief, and there was no actual contact with the genitals or breasts, under or over clothing."

Miller has been placed on the Sex Offenders' Register and is now subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Judge Sally Hancox said: "The first victim was particularly terrified.

"The probation service assesses you as a high risk of causing serious harm to children, especially females up to the age of 16, and any female, adult or child, you may be fixated on."

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Convicted sex offender, David Jones, caught a train as he planned to have sex with 12-year-old girl after sending her "filthy" messages A paedophile convicted for a string of sexual offences jumped on a train to meet a young girl for sex after sending her "filthy" sexual messages. David Jones, 55, thought he had lured a 12-year-old girl to meet him at Derby railway station where he would then take advantage of her, Derby Telegraph reports. The paedophile had started communicating with what he thought was a 12-year-old on a website that was unnamed in court, but specifically had the word "teen" in it. Their conversations then continued over Skype with the criminal believing he was speaking to "the 12-year-old of his dreams." It was only when David Jones arrived at Derby railway station and was accosted by police that it transpired that the girl was in fact an undercover police officer who had been posing as the girl all along. Jones appeared at Derby Crown Court via video link from HMP Nottingham. Tustian Lody, prosecuting, said: The officer was contacted by the defendant on that website and further communication between the two took place between November 13 and 18 last year. This was mainly over Skype. It was made plain to him that the person purported to be 12 years old and a female child. He asked her if she wanted to date him, and if she would have fun with older men. The conversations soon became sexual. I am not going to go into all of the filthy things that he said, but he discussed all sorts of sexually explicit things with her. He then made arrangements to meet with her in Derby but at Derby Midland Railway Station he met a number of police officers instead of the 12-year-old girl of his dreams. Jones pleaded guilty to arranging to meet with a child for sexual activity and also breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO). Jones had previously tried to sexually abuse a 15-year-old and was given a 12-month prison sentence and an SHPO. David Morton, defending, said: Mr Jones is 55 years of age. He describes himself as being particularly lonely or having that sense within him. He has at the back end of last year in October qualified as a forklift truck driver. He has expressed his deep and serious regret for his behaviour in November last year.

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A convicted sex offender in the Midlands was caught babysitting two children while their mother was at a court hearing.

Wayne Sandford was made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order in 2012 which prohibited him engaging with a child.

But Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the 35-year-old started a relationship with a mum-of-two last December.

And on May 17 the defendant attended Stoke-on-Trent Family Court where the woman was involved in a hearing, reports StokeonTrentLive .

CCTV caught the defendant with the womans children.

Prosecutor Robert Price said: Essentially he was babysitting the children.

Sandford, of Marsh Street North, Hanley, admitted breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Jason Holt, mitigating, said: He indicates he was not aware the children were coming to court.

He is trying his best to deal with life under the order and is trying to stay out of trouble.

Sandford was handed a 12-month conditional discharge after he admitted communicating with a child.

Judge Paul Glenn said: You were aware of the terms of the order but you continued to breach the requirements.

"The order is to protect children and the prosecution are quite right to bring this matter to court.

"But it seems to me this is very much at the lower end.

The offence occurred in this building. You formed a relationship with a woman who had two children.

"You attended the family court and you interacted with her two children.

Your role seems to have been babysitter.

It is not suggested you were alone with the children or you behaved in a way that was inappropriate.

"There is no suggestion of any harm or distress being caused.

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Paedophile Darren Smith has been warned he faces a 'substantial prison sentence' after being convicted of raping the same girl five times.

The 36-year-old - who lives in Irene Avenue, Mill Hill - was also convicted of five counts of indecent assault following a trial.

He will be sentenced on July 18 alongside three other men - aged between 45 and 60 - who were also convicted of carrying out multiple historic rapes and indecent assaults on the same victim.

Following the verdicts, Judge Tim Gittens told the court: You have been convicted of heinous and wicked crimes against the victim.

"You will be produced at court on July 18 where you will receive substantial prison sentences. In the meantime, you will be remanded in custody.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the catalogue of abuse spanned six years. The victim was offered to the four men for sexual purposes in return for money, fags and alcohol.

Following the verdicts, Detective Constable Jaclyn Younger, from Northumbria Polices safeguarding department, said: "This victim has stood up to the men who abused her as a child.

"She has suffered much of her childhood by being brutally raped and assaulted and this has undoubtedly had a huge impact on her as an adult as well.

"She can hold her head high and know that by speaking out she has made a difference and can now hopefully move on with her life."

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Crimes include the rape of a teenage girl A Staffordshire driving instructor has been convicted for raping a child and "abusing his position to sexually assault female pupils". Martyn James Rees, 37 has today, Friday, March 22, been convicted at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. He was found guilty of numerous sexual offences, including rape, two counts of sexual activity with a child, sexual assault, two counts of attempted sexual assault, six counts of making indecent photographs of a child and possession of an extreme pornographic image. Rees pleaded guilty to assault by penetration, two counts of sexual assault, four counts of making indecent photographs of a child and two counts of cannabis possession at an earlier hearing. His eight victims were aged between 14 and 25 at the time of the offences, which took place between 2015 and 2018. Rees, of West Avenue in Stoke, was arrested on Friday, March 8, following reports that a 14-year-old had been raped. An examination of his mobile phone found indecent images of children and led to the identification of further victims, leading to him being rearrested. He has not been able to operate as a driving instructor since March 2018. Speaking about the case, Detective Inspector Simon Caton from Staffordshire Police's Child Protection and Exploitation Team said: "Rees has spent years abusing his position as a trusted driving instructor to commit sexual offences against his pupils. "He also sexually assaulted a vulnerable 14-year-old girl, following a chance encounter with her. "I would urge anyone who has been a victim of such crimes to come forward and report this to us, we will listen and you and your families will be supported by specially-trained detectives and social workers. "If you are or have been a victim or you are worried about something, and you don't feel ready to talk to the police, please speak to someone you trust." Rees has been remanded and will be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court at a later date, which is yet to be decided.

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Rapist Aziz Khan carried out the sex attack at his parents' Stoke-on-Trent home before bragging to his friends Rapist Aziz Khan graphically filmed his brutal sex attack on a 'drunk and incapable' student - before putting the footage online. The 22-year-old 'callous coward' is today starting an 11-year jail sentence after he raped the woman at his parents' Heron Cross home following a night out. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Khan - described as having sex on his mind and being a bit weird around women - took advantage of the victim after she became separated from her friends in Newcastle. Despite the fact she was unconscious, Staffordshire University student Khan forced himself on her as he used his mobile phone to video the assault before bragging about the sexual 'conquest'. The woman then left the home at 4am and begged the next door neighbour's for help. The court heard her life had been shattered by the rape. Prosecutor Robert Price said the victim and her friends went into Newcastle town centre for a night out. They went to Revolution and then moved on to The Kiln. The victims friend described her as really drunk and she handed her mate her bag which contained her phone. Mr Price said: In the haze of drink the victim and her friends became separated. The victim found herself in the company of the defendant. He was out with his close friend who told police as a general rule Khan had one topic on his mind and that was sex. He described him as a sleaze and a pest and he formed the view Khan was a bit weird with women. Khan was the ultimate opportunist and he took advantage of the victim who was vulnerable and incapable through drink. She was completely intoxicated. She had no idea where she was, who she was with or what she was doing. She was not capable of making decisions or consenting to any form of sexual activity. The defendant raped her and as he did he filmed the act on his mobile phone. It shows a young lady unconscious and immobile through intoxication being raped by a male making grunting noises. The court heard she left the defendants house at 4am and knocked on the neighbouring property. The victim slid down a brick wall on to her bottom and made no sense but the neighbour helped her to her feet and into a taxi. She returned to her friends house. The next day the defendant showed his friend the video of the rape and bragged about having sex with her. And he also made boasts to another lad in Hanley. The court heard the victim had no recollection but later became aware of the video which had been uploaded to Snapchat. The victim told her parents and the police were informed. In a statement the victim said she remains affected by what happened and struggles to get through the day. She was devastated by the violent abuse and feels physically sick on a daily basis. She has experienced profound fatigue, sleep deprivation, and flashbacks. She once overdosed on tablets and says she feels dirty, ashamed and angry. The ordeal also led to her leaving her university course and it has had a detrimental impact on her family. Khan, of Heron Street, Heron Cross, pleaded guilty to rape and disclosing private sexual photos or films with intent to cause distress. Barry White, mitigating, said the defendants offending has had an immense effect on his family. Mr White said: He has found it difficult to admit what he has done. Since this happened he has not drunk alcohol or gone out. He said the defendants pleas prevented the victim from having to give evidence in a trial. Mr White added that the defendant has completed his accountancy course at university and will have a qualification to fall back on when released. Judge David Fletcher made the defendant the subject of an indefinite restraining order which prevents him contacting his victim or her parents. Jailing Khan for 11 years and two months, Judge Fletcher told him: It is quite clear when you got in the taxi you were fully aware of the extreme state of her intoxication. You had only one thing on your mind - sex. You had sexual intercourse with her without her consent, and on the basis of the very disturbing video footage, without her knowledge. She had not got a clue what was happening to her. She was not in a conscious state at all. You filmed it in the most graphic detail. You pushed her out. You did not go in the street with her to make sure the taxi was going to take her safely home. All you could do was shout down from the roof above - the behaviour of a callous coward. You showed your friend the video. Within 24 hours you showed it to another person. The videos existence became general knowledge. This is a serious case. Khan, who will serve half his sentence with the rest on licence, was placed on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

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Pervert Matthew Worthington was arrested in a park after he went there to meet a 13-year-old boy he had met online.

The serial sex offender was snared after police set up a fake Facebook profile claiming to be a teenage boy, who Worthington then befriended.

Their online chats quickly became sexual and 25-year-old Worthington arranged to meet the boy in Stafford but detectives were waiting for him.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Worthington was already known to authorities following his conviction for previous sex offences, and had disclosed disturbing sexual fantasies involving children to his probation officers.

Prosecutor Steven Bailey said: An undercover officer logged into Facebook and set up a profile purporting to be a 13-year-old boy Josh. The police initiated contact with the defendant.

Conversation ensued. It became sexual in nature at the instigation of the defendant. He said he was 15, when in fact he was 25.

He said he liked Joshs profile picture and said he was pleasuring himself while they chatted. He talked about meeting for sexual activity. He reassured Josh it would be OK despite him only being 13.

An arrangement was made for Worthington to meet Josh in Victoria Park, Stafford. Mr Bailey said: The defendant went to Stafford. Before he went to the park he went to a charity shop and bought himself a change of clothes. He was in different clothing when he went to the park. The Prosecution say the inference is that was to throw anyone who was following him off the scent.

As he was stopped and arrested he tried to throw his phone away.

The court heard Worthington was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order as a result of his previous convictions. He attempted to circumvent its conditions by installing masking software on his phone that would hide his internet searches and had also used Twitter, which he was banned from doing.

Worthington, of Marsh Street, Hanley, pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child following grooming, and three charges of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He also admitted a further charge of making an indecent image of a child.

Jason Holt, mitigating, said: Its quite clear Matthew Worthington is a troubled young man. He has had 20 years in the system the care system has morphed into the prison system.

These matters come before the courts because of disclosures he has made to probation officers. He must have known there would be an investigation.

He doesnt like what he has become and he hopes to make sure there is no repeat of this behaviour.

Judge David Fletcher sentenced Worthington to 22 months in prison. He said: You have undoubtedly lived an extremely troubled life.

You are a young man who, unless you change, is going to spend more and more time in prison. If nothing else can bring home to you the sheer illegality of what you have been doing, I hope that will persuade you that you have to change. You will only do that if you are willing to take on board the assistance offered to you.

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A stalker who hacked into a 14-year-old girl's social media accounts and shared explicit pictures of her has been jailed for five-and-a half years.

Craig Fletcher, 40, an IT expert from Meir, Staffordshire, became obsessed with the young girl's every move and even threatened extreme violence against any male friends of hers.

He was sentenced today after admitting two counts of stalking, four counts of sending private photographs without consent and for possessing extreme pornography.

On one occasion the 40-year-old went into a McDonald's restaurant and threatened to break a boy's legs if he went anywhere near the young girl.

On another occasion he pursued a boy in his car.

After the teenage girl entered a relationship, Fletcher would harass the young couple with sexually explicit messages, a court heard.

He would also hack into their accounts to send private photos of them to their friends.

The 40-year-old was arrested in 2017 and police found a large number of extreme pornographic images - featuring animals, sadism and mutilation - on his computer.

Judge Christopher Batty told the defendant: 'You have never provided an explanation as to why you did this.

'But I take the view that it was born out of obsession and nothing else - your campaign caused significant stress to two young people.

'You were able to stop this at any time but you did not. You are now ashamed of what you did but you only have yourself to blame.

'This was not a one-off matter, it was a long course of action over many months.'

The court heard that the 14-year-old girl and her boyfriend were both left feeling suicidal following their ordeal.

Matthew Harding, defending, read out a letter to the court from Fletcher in which he apologised.

He told how he was 'disgusted' with himself and revealed had 'lost everything'.

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Pervert Jason McCouaig has been jailed after he sent obscene messages to a paedophile.

The 40-year-old also sent pictures of two girls to sex offender Michael Bickerton after communicating with him online for a week last summer.

The pair engaged in 'highly sexualised conversations' and met in a North Staffordshire pub where the defendant gave him girls knickers and they indulged in their sexual fantasies.

Now McCouaig has been jailed for 10 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Prosecutor Paul Spratt told the court: The defendant told Bickerton he was sexually attracted to two schoolgirls. They spoke of what sexual activity they were planning to get up to.

He sent a pair of knickers to Bickerton who sent an image to the defendant of him wearing them. The defendant took pairs of knickers to a local pub where the pair engaged in conversation. They also committed a sexual act on each other, with the knickers as an aid.

The defendant asked Bickerton not to send any more images after the sex offender sent a picture of a naked child sat on his lap.

Mr Spratt added: By August 21 last year the defendant decided the conversation should cease because he knew Bickerton was planning to commit a sexual offence in Cambridgeshire. He told Bickerton to delete the conversation with him and he deleted it on his own phone.

But 49-year-old Bickerton did not delete the conversation and the defendant was arrested at work on October 11.

The court heard Bickerton, of Minshall Street, Fenton, was jailed for eight years in May after being convicted of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.

McCouaig, who has since left North Staffordshire and now lives in Oxfordshire, pleaded guilty to publishing an obscene article between August 14 and 22 last year.

Andrew Turnock, mitigating, said the defendant has lost his good character and is embarrassed and ashamed.

He said: His most private and dark fantasies have been exposed for all to see. He has unwisely engaged in conversation with a far more sophisticated and dangerous offender. He got in deep very quickly.

He told Bickerton to desist from sending illegal, illicit images to him. He told him to delete the whole history. The images he sent of the schoolgirls were not illegal and were not indecent. This behaviour does not fall within the remit of any of Sexual Offences Act. He accepts by his plea that this conversation was obscene.

Mr Turnock added that McCouaig has attended counselling sessions and shown high levels of shame and remorse.

Judge Paul Glenn said the offending was so serious it had to be marked with an immediate jail sentence.

He said: You engaged in highly sexualised conversation and took knickers for use in sexual activity.

You knew full well the sort of individual you were in contact with. You met Bickerton and provided him with the underwear so you could indulge in your fantasies. The messages between you were disgusting.

You are an intelligent man, with good qualifications and a good job and your own home. Frankly, your actions beggar belief.

McCouaig was ordered to pay 1,250 costs.

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Sex offender Ashleigh Weller has been jailed for ignoring a court order - after asking children if he wanted to take a dog for a walk.

The 25-year-old, of Marsh Street, Hanley, was made the subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order after he was convicted of sexual activity with a child.

He pleaded guilty at North Staffordshire Justice Centre to breaching the order on June 9.

Prosecutor Maggie Meakin said Weller was at a friend's house when he started up conversation with a neighbour's children as they played in a garden.

She said: Ashleigh instigated conversation with the boys. He invited them into the garden and asked if they wanted to come to take the dog for a walk.

Its deliberate failure to comply with the requirements of the order.

The offence put Weller in breach of a suspended sentence order. Zoe Leese, mitigating, said Weller had difficulty with grasping the prohibitions of his sexual harm prevention order.

She said: "He is exceptionally vulnerable and therefore I would suggest it would be unjust to activate his suspended sentence."

However magistrates disagreed, and activated three weeks of Weller's suspended sentence. They also sentenced him to three weeks in prison - to run concurrently - for the new offence, making a total sentence of three weeks.