Latest Offenders Stoke-on-Trent

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A convicted sex offender has been branded devious - after failing to tell police he was engaged to a woman with two boys.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that Richard Anthony Hudson had stayed overnight at her family home on 15 to 20 occasions.

He also contacted an ex-girlfriend, who unwittingly sent him a picture of her six-year-old daughter. She was left shell-shocked when she discovered his vile past.

Now 47-year-old Hudson has been given a 16-month prison sentence after admitting three counts of breaching notification requirements.

He is subject to the lifetime requirements following convictions for sex offences. It meant he had to inform the police if he took part in certain activities, such as being in a household where children resided.

Hudson, of Lewis Street, Stoke, was released from an extended prison term in 2019.

Hunter Gray, prosecuting, said: From at least August 25, 2020, the defendant was using an Instagram account under the name AntHunt37.

He had used the account to contact a former girlfriend, who had three daughters.

During a conversation, the woman sent him a picture of her youngest child, unaware Hudson was a sexual predator.

The court was told that the picture was unsolicited and the defendant did not request any other images.

She wasnt the only person to be conned by him. He had been in a relationship with another female since 2012 and they later became engaged.

Hudson stayed at her house on numerous occasions between September and December last year.

It meant he had breached the notification requirements as he was there for more than a 12-hour period. It emerged he had been regularly staying overnight.

Hudson went to some effort to conceal the relationship from police.

Mr Gray said he was classed as very high risk. His record includes 13 convictions for 19 offences, including sexual crimes.

The defendants extended licence period wasnt due to run out until July 2024. Following the latest offence, he was recalled to prison.

Rachel Pennington, mitigating, said: He wants to express his apology and remorse to the court. He knows he should have notified police.

She added that Hudson had not intended to cause either woman any harm.

He was burying his head in the sand, trying to hide his past, said Ms Pennington.

Sentencing him, Judge Paul Glenn told Hudson: You, Im afraid, have shown yourself to be a devious person.

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A child rapist who sexually abused three girls over the course of more than a decade has had his sentence increased on appeal.

Christopher Appleby was convicted at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court of despicable crimes involving three victims.

The 56-year-old was found guilty of the offences some of which date back to the 1990s following a six day trial, and jailed for 15 years at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Now he will be locked up for longer after his sentence was referred by the Solicitor General, Alex Chalk QC MP.

The Court of Appeal found his original sentence to be 'unduly lenient' and increased it to 21 years imprisonment followed by five years on licence.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Chalk said: "It is never too late for justice to be served and Applebys actions were despicable.

"I am glad the Court of Appeal saw fit to increase his sentence today and I hope it brings some comfort to the brave victims."

Appleby of Leveson Road, Hanford, had been found guilty of four charges of rape, two charges of sexual assault, two charges of indecent assault, two charges of indecency with a child and attempting to cause a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

During the original sentencing hearing, a statement from that victim was read out.

She said: I hope he remains behind bars forever. I long to forget about this part of my life forever and live safely with my partner and children without the thought of this man being on the loose anymore.

In a statement from another of Applebys victims, she said the thought of being in the same room as him makes her skin crawl.

She said: All I can really say is this has finally brought some closure.

You took away the last of my childhood and severed a friendship.

It upsets me that it didnt end with me, of course you thought you could do it again.

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Police have released a mugshot of a sex beast who was jailed for 10 years after being convicted of raping a woman.

Ryan Cartner carried out the horrific attack in the woman's own home after he asked her to give him alcohol and prescription drugs.

The 37-year-old victim - who is over 20 years his senior - begged him to stop as he raped her - only to be ignored.

And when he had finished he threatened to attack her family and kill her pets if she told anyone.

Cartner, of Derwent Place, Cross Heath, was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court after a jury rejected his claim that the sex had been consensual during the 2019 ordeal.

Her was handed a 10-year prison sentence for the rape, and eight years concurrent for a separate charge of another serious sexual offence during the same incident. He was also convicted of stealing alcohol and prescription medicine from his victim.

Welcoming the sentence, DC Sarah Clancy, of Staffordshire Police, said: This was undoubtedly a traumatic ordeal for the woman concerned and I cannot praise her enough for the courage and bravery she has shown in coming forward and reporting what happened to her.

I hope this conviction reassures our local community that sexual offences are taken seriously and that officers will work tirelessly to seek justice.

Cartner was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and was also given a restraining order for life.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Paul Glenn told Cartner: "You went to her house and asked if you could have some alcohol. You then repaid her for her generosity by pushing her onto the sofa and raping her. She told you to stop but you ignored her."

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Child rapist Paul Clutton has been sentenced to 21 years in prison.

The 60-year-old committed a 'campaign of serious sexual offending' against a female victim.

He had denied the offences, which took place during the 1990s, but was found guilty following a trial.

During the sentencing hearing, a statement from Clutton's victim - who was a child at the time of the offences - was read out. She said that, as a result of the trauma she suffered, she had self-harmed for most of her life and 'attempted suicide more times than I want to admit'.

She said: "I have struggled deeply to maintain any type of relationship with a man. I have lived with unbearable pain. I've almost felt like I was on the run."

Clutton, of London Road, Trent Vale, was found guilty of three charges of rape and three charges of indecent assault.

The court heard he had ten previous convictions but none for sexual offences.

Kelly Cyples, mitigating, said: "This is the first custodial sentence for the defendant and the first offence of this nature."

Clutton showed no emotion as he was sentenced to 21 years in custody.

Judge Sally Hancox told him: "You committed these offences in a campaign of serious sexual offending against the victim.

"She thought for many years she was a 'bad egg'. She attempted suicide several times. Her victim personal statement contains commendably brave honesty.

"There has been no apology or remorse in this case. The only sentence that can be passed is a lengthy period in custody. It must be a sentence which reflects your terrible wrongdoing."

Clutton will be subject to the notification requirement of the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

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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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A drunken pervert sexually assaulted two women and robbed his friend on the same night.

Married dad-of-two Joshua Smith, aged 26, exposed himself in front of a woman before grabbing her head and pulling it towards his groin.

He then threatened the same victim with sexual violence.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard he then went out to a snooker hall with his friend who had won 383 at a bookmakers earlier that day.

When his friend decided he wanted to call it a night, Smith punched and kicked him and stole his wallet, containing around 500.

Later that same night on September 8, he went on to assault another woman, grabbing her breasts over her clothes and threatening her with a sexual attack.

Now Smith has been sentenced to five years and six months in prison.

Prosecutor Tariq Shakoor said: "At 7.30pm the defendant spoke with the first victim and then pushed his face towards her.

"She believed that the defendant was going to kiss her, she pushed him away. The defendant was drunk.

"But he exposed his penis and grabbed her hair and pulled her face towards his groin. She managed to keep turning her head away. She managed to push the defendant away and she described the defendant as behaving like an animal.

"She was totally disgusted by his behaviour saying it was horrible. She was terrified during the course of this incident.

"She managed to get away as the defendant simulated oral sex saying 'come here'."

After the incident, Smith and his friend went to the snooker hall near the Grange Estate in Burslem.

When the friend said he wanted to leave, Smith punched him in the face and body. He was then kicked in his ribs and face, and when his wallet fell out, Smith picked it up and fled with it.

Smith then met a second woman at 9.30pm where he began behaving in a sexually inappropriate way.

Mr Shakoor said: "He tried to bend her over a bench and rubbed his groin against her.

"She was able to push him away. The defendant grabbed her breasts over her clothing and squeezed them.

"He did leave but left behind a rucksack that contained cannabis and scales. There was 500 grams of cannabis with a street value of between 2,000 and 3,000.

"He later realised he had left the drugs and went back."

Smith was arrested later that evening and replied 'no comment' when questioned by police.

In a victim impact statement, the first victim said she had not been able to sleep since the incident and was now taking sleeping pills.

Smith, of Wayne Street, Burslem, pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual assault, robbery, criminal damage and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Brian Williams, mitigating, said Smith was a married dad-of-two and his wife is expecting a third child.

Mr Williams said:

"Saying he was drunk is a double edged sword.

"I put it forward as an explanation particularly in respect of the two sexual assault charges. It can perhaps be described as loutish, drunken behaviour.

"He's a married man, he has two small children and his wife is due to give birth to their third child any day now.

"His wife has told him that this has got to stop. He has served several relatively short custodial sentences. This is going to be the longest he has received.

"He knows it's not going to be easy. He's very concerned about the effect on his family."

Recorder Anthony Warner placed Smith on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

Recorder Warner said:

"The reality is if you had not been drunk the sexual offences would probably not have happened.

"I hope on reflection you are thoroughly ashamed of the way you behaved that day."

Speaking after the case, DC David Stubbs, of Staffordshire Police CID, said:

We are very happy that Smith eventually pleaded guilty to these offences and the victims of the sexual assaults were saved from having to relive their ordeals in court.

We hope this sends a message out, both to offenders that they will be dealt with appropriately by the criminal justice system, and that victims will be protected and have their complaints listened to compassionately by police should they wish to come forward to us.We always do our utmost to protect victims, particularly vulnerable victims, of these types of offences and make the communities we serve a safer place to live.

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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.