Latest Offenders

Description

An Edinburgh student has been caught with a shocking haul of almost 250,000 child abuse images and videos.

Cheng Xia, 24, was found to be in possession of the massive collection of sick material over a six year period when police raided his home in the capital last year. Xia, who was due to begin studying for a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Edinburgh, appeared in the dock at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to the offence.

Defence solicitor George Henry told the court his client’s university plans are now on hold due to his arrest in November last year. Prosecutor Ross Price told the court police officers arrived at Xia’s flat in the Newington area of the city with a search warrant on November 25 last year.

Devices were seized and it was subsequently discovered the chemistry student had downloaded a total of 234,039 indecent images of children and 1531 videos. The court heard 202 images and seven films were rated at Category A - the most depraved end of the scale - along with 1015 pictures and 21 videos at Category B. The Category C files showed he had 232, 872 images and 1503 videos depicting child abuse.

Sheriff Robert Fife placed Xia on the Sex Offenders Register and deferred sentence to November 29. Xia pleaded guilty to possessing a total of 234,375 images and videos of indecent images of children at his home address between January 1, 2017 and November 25 last year.

Description

Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man from Oxford has been jailed for non-recent child sex offences.

Robert Ind, aged 76, of Hockmore Tower, was sentenced to 17 years in prison at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday (26/10).

He will also be on the sex offenders register for life.

A jury unanimously found Ind guilty of two counts each of raping a male under 16 and indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14, and one count of committing buggery with a boy under 16 years of age, after an eight-day trial.

The jury found him not guilty of two other counts of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14.

Ind raped a boy multiple times and committed buggery in the 1990s and early 2000s.

He also committed indecent assault on another boy on numerous occasions in the 1980s.

Ind was charged on 21 October 2021.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Janet Burchell said: “I would like to commend the bravery of the two victims to come forward, support our investigation and the court process, which has ultimately resulted in their abuser being brought to justice.

“I hope this sentencing shows that no matter when offences of this nature take place, victims will be taken seriously and listened to if they report offences.

“We will always investigate these offences and look to put child sex offenders like Robert Ind before the courts.”

Description

A persistent stalker who opened a bathroom window and put his hands through while a woman was in the shower and also entered her home while she was on holiday has been locked up.

Nottingham Crown Court heard how the victim screamed in terror, closed the window, and called the police after seeing Stanislaw Filipiak’s hands coming through her window.

It was subsequently discovered the 39-year-old had previously been inside her home, at least twice, while she was away, had rifled through her underwear drawer and taken images of her expired passport, Facebook account log-in details, and other sensitive password information which was held on an iPad.

Filipiak, who was working as a fast food delivery driver, committed these offences in The Park area of Nottingham between 3 January and 5 February this year.

The court heard he Googled the victim’s name more than 45 times having developed a fixation with her.

Following a thorough investigation, detectives arrested Filipiak and seized two mobile phones from him.

When officers analysed his electronic devices, it was discovered that he had secretly filmed videos of young women, and photographed them in intimate situations, while they were in their bathrooms and bedrooms.

Pictures and recordings were taken through windows and gaps in their blinds, including while victims were in various stages of undress. Seven victims of voyeurism were identified.

Filipiak, formerly of Victoria Road, Netherfield, was first arrested on 24 February 2023 after he was identified on doorbell camera footage loitering outside addresses, looking through windows and trying front door handles.

He was also found to have a thick rubber cosh in his backpack and was further arrested on suspicion of being in possession of an offensive weapon.

Further police inquiries revealed Filipiak carried out concerning and disturbing internet searches, including about 24-hour key cutting in Nottingham, the reach of city centre CCTV cameras, and other searches which showed his interest in offences of a sexual nature as well as pornographic-related material.

Filipiak was further arrested in relation to the evidence found on his electronic devices and subsequently charged.

Other material and items were found when officers searched his home, including rope and a blindfold, which the judge said were ‘a very real concern’ in context with the case.

He pleaded guilty to one count of trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, seven counts of voyeurism, two counts of stalking, and possession of an offensive weapon.

Filipiak was given an extended nine-year sentence when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday (27 October 2023). This includes a six-year prison sentence and a three-year extended licence period.

He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely and made subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and restraining order.

Sentencing Filipiak, Judge Michael Auty KC said he had ‘grave concerns’ as to why he had been carrying the cosh, against the background of his persistent offending over several months, and that the internet searches he had carried out were ‘deeply disturbing.’

Judge Auty said: “Imagine the terror of the young woman in the shower, seeing your hands coming through her window.

“Your behaviour represents a deep intrusion into these women’s personal lives. The fear you have engendered in them is almost impossible to state.”

The judge also publicly thanked the Nottinghamshire Police detectives for their ‘very effective, diligent, and remarkably skilled’ investigation, adding they ‘should be very proud of their work in the case.’

Detective Inspector Chris Berryman said: “The investigation team showed great perseverance and determination to identify all of the victims in this case.

"This was not an easy task and involved good investigation work from looking at distinctive windows, car parks, rubbish bins found on Filipiak’s mobile phone recordings and linking them back to the victim’s addresses. 

“This enabled us to get justice for all of the victims and demonstrate how dangerous this sexual predator was and the risk he presented in the future. The sentence reflects his conduct and the good investigative work prevented an escalation in offending.”

Filipiak was brought to justice as a result of a successful partnership approach between the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecutor and police investigating the case.

Sarah Sanderson, from the CPS, said: "Filipiak’s offending was extremely concerning and it is fortunate that he has been stopped.

"He had preyed on young women in their private moments when they had every right to feel safe in their homes, using the cover of his job delivering fast food to avoid suspicion.

“As well as the clear evidence of voyeurism, there was evidence of a more serious, sinister intent behind his actions. This evidence suggested his offending could have become increasingly more harmful, so it is fortunate that he has been caught and dealt with before that could happen.”

Detective Constable Ben Grayson, of Nottinghamshire Police, added: “These were appalling, invasive offences and I am pleased the judge saw fit to hand Filipiak a substantial sentence.

“No-one should have their privacy invaded in the way Filipiak did and I would like to personally thank the victims for their help in building the case against him.

“I hope this outcome serves not only as a comfort to them and wider public, but also as a stark warning to others who might be tempted to engage in voyeurism.

“Stalking is an offence we treat extremely seriously, and which can have a lasting impact on victims. It takes many forms, but it is always a very serious offence, and we urge victims to seek help from the police at the earliest opportunity. We understand that people can be reluctant to contact us – but we are always here to help.”

Description

Man sentenced to 14 years for series of Child Sex Offences

Alexander Slimings, 21 from Billingham, was sentenced to 14 years in prison and handed a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order at Teesside Crown Court today (Friday 27 October) after pleading guilty to a total of 34 Child Sex Offences.

The offences included multiple counts of Sexual Assault, Making and Taking Indecent Images of Children and Voyeurism. The offences occurred between October 2019 and March 2023, and took place in the Teesside and County Durham areas.

Slimings was arrested and charged in March 2023. He was remanded in custody, where he has remained since. The subsequent investigation into the offences he was initially arrested for, led to the identification of a number of other victims. Slimings was then charged for a series of further offences.

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Jez Collins, the Senior Investigating Officer in the case, said:

Slimings offences and the details of the investigation were deeply distressing for the victims and their families, and I thank them for their support and remarkable resilience during what has been a very sensitive enquiry.

I would also like to thank the investigators and staff from our Child Abuse and Vulnerable Adults Team (CAVA), our Paedophile On-Line Investigation Team (POLIT) and others, as well as representatives from Durham Police and partner agencies for their professionalism and support. Working collaboratively helped ensure the victims and their families were kept informed and supported at all stages of the investigation.

I am satisfied that Slimings is now behind bars, where he can no longer prey on those most vulnerable in our society. Cleveland Police take all allegations of this nature seriously and we encourage victims of sexual abuse to come forward and report it. We have specialist officers who are trained to help you and investigate this type of crime.

Description

A convicted sex offender posted selfies taken at court on social media shortly after being spared jail for molesting a teenager.

On being handed a suspended sentence, Charlie Steine was told by the judge he should “reflect on and be grateful for” the forgiveness shown to him by his victim and his mother.

But within hours he had updated his Facebook profile picture to show him posing outside Canterbury Crown Court, captioning the image with a laughing emoji and saying: "Crown court for the 7th time this year.”

The 23-year-old also shared selfies he had taken inside the building – itself a criminal offence of contempt, so KentOnline cannot publish the images.

Steine was at the court to be sentenced having earlier pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a boy in Ramsgate.

Appearing there last Friday, Judge Mark Weekes remarked the victim and his parent had shown "considerable understanding and insight" into the defendant's behaviour on June 25 last year.

Prosecutor Suzanne Fewins said the youth was in Ramsgate when Steine, who the teen had previously seen begging, asked for 20p before questioning the boy about his sexuality and asking him to rate his appearance.

"The victim felt uncomfortable but, not wanting to be rude, responded "Six out of 10"," she told the court. "The defendant then asked for a hug. He then hugged the victim, stroked his back and started kissing his neck.

"The victim said he was frozen and didn't know what to do so stood still. The defendant let go and asked him to kiss him back. The victim said "No" and started to walk away."

However, Steine followed and tried to give him his Snapchat details.

"The victim said he felt really worried, wanted to get home, and kept shouting "no" in the defendant's direction," added Ms Fewins

The incident was reported to police and Steine, having been identified from CCTV footage, was arrested 11 days later at his grandmother's home.

When interviewed, he said he could not remember where he had been that day and "would not have kissed the boy and was not gay", said Ms Fewins.

However, Steine, who has seven previous convictions for 42 offences but none of a sexual nature, later pleaded guilty on the first day of trial in July.

The victim and his mother both attended that hearing and in a subsequent statement read to the court she described how she was "heartbroken" to hear the defendant had been dealt "a hard hand in life" but pleased he had been drug-free for a year.

"I left feeling pity for him and hoped that his future sentencing would be minimal," she continued. "My son said he felt extremely sorry for him and doesn't deserve what's coming to him.

"He knows [Steine] wasn't in his right mind when he did what he did and holds no hate towards him. He hopes he gets all the help he needs for a better life. He wishes Charlie all the best, as I do."

Kerry Waitt, defending, acknowledged the "very magnanimous" victim impact statement, adding the incident would have been "undoubtedly deeply distressing".

But he told the court Steine, who is from Ramsgate, was "effectively homeless, living on the streets" and should be given the "support and encouragement needed to move on in his life".

Passing sentence, Judge Weekes said the defendant, while intoxicated, had initially engaged his victim in "what might crudely be termed some form of banter" before accosting him in a "quite distressing and frightening" manner.

But he said he was "heartened" to read the "exceptionally humane" statement from the boy's mother and told Steine: "She and your victim are extremely forgiving people and you should be extremely grateful for that.

"They understand and have considerable insight into the state you were in at the time of this offence and you would do well to reflect on that when you leave court. Your victim has demonstrated a considerable milk of human kindness."

The judge added it was "most unfortunate" Steine had not pleaded guilty at an earlier stage, and highlighted the fact he had continued to maintain his innocence

But he told him that was now "water under the bridge" due to the "very good progress" he had made, and that while his behaviour was "troubling", he did not pose a significant risk to the public.

Steine was handed an 18-month jail term suspended for two years, with 20 rehabilitation activity sessions and a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement. He must also sign on the sex offender register for 10 years.

He thanked the judge as he left court, before later sharing the selfies taken inside and outside the building.

In a post that morning he had told his Facebook friends he was due at crown court, and when one asked why he replied: “For having to say guilty for something I was innocent of, how crumbled the system is.”

After the sentencing hearing he wrote that he had once been a “very bad naughty druggy boy”, but was now “such a different person”.

Days before he had posted a video he had sent to someone in an effort to engage them in a fight, shouting in the footage: “Come here now and scrap me d***head.”

Description

A MAN told a woman she had to be quiet as he launched a nightmare sex attack on her.

Jaimie Reeves refused to let the woman leave and kept trying to rape her despite her obvious resistance.

The attack left the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, with crippling" mental health problems and changed her life forever.

Reeves, 27, had been with the woman at a house in Dorset when the incident occurred.

The pair were both sat in the lounge in the evening, when Reeves moved to the sofa she was sat on and began to grope her.

They then went into the garden for a cigarette, at which point the defendant told the woman he wanted to have sex with her.

Once back inside, he tried to pull her shorts and underwear down and told her: Youre going to let me have it.

The woman refused his advances, telling him no and making multiple attempts to leave.

Reeves then launched a despicable sex attack on the woman, becoming rough and telling her she had to be quiet.

Prosecuting Andrew Houston said the assault took place over some considerable time, lasting for perhaps more than an hour.

The woman was only able to escape during the early hours of the morning when the defendant went into the bathroom to be sick.

She went home and told her mum, before reporting it to police.

In a victim statement, she said: Each morning when I wake up, I have to remind myself that he wont be able to hurt me anymore like he did that day.

I do believe this is something that will change my life forever.

Reeves, of Oxford Road in Sandhurst, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday, October 24, in relation to the incident which occurred in July 2020.

He was found guilty by a jury on counts of attempted vaginal rape, attempted oral rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault.

Defending, Nick Robinson noted his client was of previous good character and had no previous convictions.

Mr Robinson added: In my submission it wasnt planned, it was spontaneous.

These offences were not sustained or prolonged.

He added that the defendant's family were suffering emotionally, and pleaded for the court to approach the case with some mercy and compassion.

Addressing Reeves, Recorder Richard Onslow said: What went on inside was nothing short of a nightmare for [the victim].

"She kept telling you no and that she wasnt interested. You kept trying to rape her, when there was obvious resistance.

She felt extremely vulnerable.

The effects upon her have clearly been severe crippling anxiety, terrified of walking in the street, panic attacks, and struggling with mental health.

Reeves was handed a nine-year prison sentence.

He was also handed a restraining order for an indefinite period, and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Description

A man who spoke to children online and sent them explicit pictures has been jailed.

David Fulleylove asked for and received an illicit photo of a 14-year-old girl and exposed himself on camera to other children, including a girl of 12.

Warwickshire Police said the 56-year-old from Nuneaton had known his victims were underage.

He was sentenced to 40 months in prison at Warwick Crown Court after admitting seven charges.

He was arrested following a series of conversations he had online under the pseudonym "Dangermouse69" with another girl he believed to be 12 years old.

The conversations took place on a popular online chat forum where he was informed of the age of the girl more than once.

He also exposed himself on camera and sent a series of explicit messages requesting that the girl performed sex acts on herself and send him pictures.

On Fulleylove's arrest at his home, a number of digital devices were seized, including mobile phones and a computer.

Fulleylove, of Weddington Road pleaded guilty to all seven counts including four of an adult attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

He also pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to cause and incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity and one count of attempting to cause and incite a girl 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

Another charge was making an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child.

"For the next 15 years, he's not going to be able to touch an electronic device without us breathing down his neck, and for the rest of his life he's going to be registered as a sex offender.

"Both of these things will put serious restrictions on the harm he can cause," Det Sgt David Moorman said.

Description

A Cornish sex pest who cannot help but flash his penis in public has now brought his perverted ways to London. Stephen Jory, 42, of no fixed abode, appeared at Wood Green Crown Court where he admitted grabbing a woman's boob and telling her 'I want to f*** you' in on May 12, 2022.

He also admitted making lewd comments to a woman on March 28 this year, breaching his notification requirements as a sex offender, a breach of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) which was imposed at Portsmouth Crown Court in Hampshire in August 2013, and causing £77 worth of damage to a Devon and Cornwall Police prisoner cell in Newquay on March 21 2023.

Jory, who is currently jailed in Exeter prison, had his case transferred to London from Truro Crown Court in Cornwall after committing offences against a woman on his release from HMP Pentonville in Islington. Addressing Judge Noel Lucas KC, Jory said the offences 'happen when I'm drunk' as he asked for access to more help from the probation service.

Pest flashed female doctor at surgery

Jory first wound up in court for a sexual offence in 2013 when he was ordered not to expose himself in public again. But, he broke the terms of the SHPO by flashing his penis at a female doctor in a Cornish surgery less than a year later, landing him in prison for 18 months. The menace asked for a penis examination then walked around with his trousers down, the court heard.

Then in 2017 he appeared at Plymouth Crown Court for exposing himself and making indecent comments to a woman in the Devonshire city. At the time Judge Ian Lawrie said Jory had a 'compulsion' to expose his penis, but gave him a chance to rehabilitate by sparing him jail, according to CornwallLive.

In 2020, Jory was back in the dock again for making disgusting comments to a group of teenage girls. He boasted about his 'big penis' and told one of the terrified girls he was ‘going to sh*g her’ and he did not care how old she was, Cornwall Live reports.

Jory will appear at Wood Green Crown Court for sentence on November 9.

Description

A sailor has been jailed for six years for raping and sexually assaulting a woman on a Royal Navy ship in international waters.

James Carnegie, 33, who was a Royal Fleet Auxiliary Motorman,  was found guilty by a jury at Truro Crown Court today after he first sexually assaulted and then raped a woman.

The incident took place in 2021 while he had been working on a Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel in international waters, while it was returning to Cornwall from overseas.

The victim reported that he had first sexually assaulted her and then later raped her, physically forcing himself on her when she had explicitly not consented. 

He denied the offences, and later in interview told police their interactions had been consensual - which she explicitly denied.

Along with serving six years, he will also be signed onto the sex offenders register for life.

Following his sentencing, Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Nick Williams said: 'First and foremost I would like to thank the victim for coming forward and reporting this horrendous crime, so that we could investigate and bring the offender to justice.

'I hope that the sentence given by the judge will help to bring some level of closure and also serve as reassurance to other victims of sexual offences that we fully and thoroughly investigate reports and take action.

'Carnegie brazenly denied the offences, but the jury returned a guilty verdict after their deliberation.'

District Crown Prosecutor Suzanna Butler praised the courage of Carnegie's victim.

She said: 'The victim in this case has shown immense courage in speaking out against the perpetrator of these awful crimes and supporting the prosecution.

'I am very pleased that we were able to deliver justice for the victim.

'We want every victim of sexual assault to have the confidence to come forward to report abuse, in the knowledge that support is available and that the police and CPS are committed to securing justice.'

Description

A sex offender who arranged to meet an underage child has been jailed.

Michael Taylor used social media apps such as Kik and Whatsapp to communicate with the child and even looked to book transport for the girl to travel from the West Midlands to his flat in Seaham.

Taylor was unaware that the child he was sexually communicating with was an Undercover Online Operative (UCOL) called ‘Dani’.

Officers swiftly arrested the 62-year-old and later charged him with attempt to engage in sexual communication with a child, breach of his sexual harm prevention order, breach of sexual offenders register requirements and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

A number of devices were also seized from Taylor’s address, including his mobile phone, which formed a huge part of the investigation.

Taylor, of Albert Street appeared at Durham Crown Court today (October 27) where he was sentenced to 45 months in prison.

Detective Sergeant Richard Blamires, from the Public Protection unit said: “Taylor’s offending was extremely concerning and although there was no victims in this case, it clearly shows his willingness to act on his heinous sexual desires.

“I hope today’s outcome provides the public with some comfort knowing Taylor is behind bars and demonstrates our commitment to dealing with sex offenders in our county.”

Description

A Wirral man has been jailed today, Friday 27 October, for breaching an order by possessing sexual images of children.

Andrew Davies, 52 years, of Mill Lane in Wallasey was sentenced to three years and 11 months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court this afternoon.

The court heard that in November last year, officers conducted a routine visit to Davies’ home under the Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed on him. When officers were checking his electronic devices, he admitted using social media which is a breach of his terms.

His electronic devices were seized, and detectives found 133 prohibited and distressing images of children of a sexual nature found on them.

Davies was found guilty of all 133 prohibited images found on the device and nine breaches of Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The Sex Offender Unit ensure that sex offenders living in the community are closely monitored.

Detective Inspector Steven O’Neill, from the Sex Offender Unit, said: “Davies went so far as to try and evade guilt by accusing his family members saying that they were responsible for downloading the images on to his device.

Description

A former university lecturer who came to London with a children’s book intending to sexually abuse a 6-year-old girl has been jailed. 

At the time of his trip to Stratford, 73-year-old Dr Keith Firman was on licence having served a six-year prison sentence for abusing another young girl. 

Using a chat platform under the username ‘Grandad’, Firman contacted a woman who claimed to have a six-year-old daughter. 

Firman arranged to meet with the mum in east London and discussed how he would abuse her daughter, prosecutor Deepak Kapur said. 

On May 26 this year Firman arrived in Stratford from Southampton armed with a children’s book to read to the child. 

However, the woman he had been speaking to was an undercover officer and Firman was arrested as he walked towards the house he believed the girl lived in. 

When officers checked his phone they found he had also been in conversation with another undercover officer who was posing as a 13-year-old girl in Derby. 

During this discussion he referred to himself as ‘naughty teacher’. 

When interviewed by officers Firman said he knew this was going to happen and that he shouldn’t have come. He added that he “just couldn’t help himself”. 

Defending Firman at a sentencing hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday (October 26), Lynton Orrett said his client didn’t plan to sexually abuse the six-year-old girl when he travelled to Stratford. 

“He said all he would have done is read to the child, had the child on his knee and really used that occasion as, I wouldn’t say to break the ice, but as an introduction to that child on that day. Whether anything would have come later down the line the defendant doesn’t know,” Mr Orrett said. 

Throughout his life Firman had worked as a molecular biologist, researching nanotechnology and DNA. He also lectured at the University of Portsmouth. 

Firman, of Suttones Place in Southampton, was first outed as a sex offender in 2014 when he admitted 21 counts of possessing, making and distributing sexual photos of children. He was jailed for 15 months. 

Two years later, in 2016, he was jailed for six years for three counts of indecent assault against a girl in the late 1980s and 1990s. The girl was aged between eight and 10. 

Judge Timothy Greene said: “You are an intelligent man and you knew there was a risk that this was a trap but you were so desperate to abuse that 6-year-old girl that you took that risk anyway. 

He added that Firman seemed to think this abuse was “perfectly natural”. 

Judge Greene said: “You’re not really remorseful. You think you were tricked into committing these offences.” 

He sentenced Firman to four years and four months with an extended licence period of four months. 

Judge Greene also ordered Firman to sign the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

Description

The parents of a young girl who suffered ongoing nightmares after she was sexually abused have been left "heartbroken" and "disgusted" at what happened to her – but they are relieved that she has finally got justice.

They hope that the jailing of the girl's abuser will mark "part of the road to recovery" for her after the "deeply unpleasant" incident, Hull Crown Court heard.

Craig Smith, 27, of Priory Grove, west Hull, denied sexually assaulting the girl on April 28 last year but he was convicted by a jury after a trial.

The court heard that Smith intimately touched the girl after pulling down her underwear. The incident had caused serious problems for her, including nightmares and dreams that started soon afterwards.

Her family hoped that these would become less as she got older but they feared that they would not.

Smith had previous convictions, including being locked up for 15 months in 2014 for wounding and others of criminal damage, burglary and arson. He had no previous convictions for sexual offences.

Defence barrister Nigel Clive said: "There's little that can be said by way of mitigation." There were "deeply unpleasant elements" to the offending but there was no significant planning and no use of alcohol or drugs. Smith was relatively lightly convicted.

"Thankfully, for all, this is not the worst offence of its type," said Mr Clive. "There are other offences which, regrettably, are far worse than this." With the passing of time, it was hoped that that the memory of the incident would "fall away" in the girl's mind.

Judge Kate Rayfield told Smith: "You thought you could get away with touching her. She still has nightmares and flashbacks to what happened."

This was an example of "just how far-reaching sexual abuse can be" and it would have to be seen what the lasting effects on the girl would be.

"You have been sentenced to custody before, although many years ago," said Judge Rayfield.

Smith was jailed for four years and he was given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. He will have to register as a sex offender for life.

After the hearing, the girl's mother said: "We would have liked longer but are happy that she has found some justice. We are so glad that that she could come to us and that we finally got something back for her." She said of Smith: "We are just disgusted."

The girl's father said: "We are heartbroken. It's hard to put it into words. We got justice for her. She can rest easy. It's part of the road to recovery for her.

"We hope that it's all done and dusted and that we can keep her happy and smiling."

Description

A paedophile who preyed on an eight-year-old girl promised her chocolate in exchange for her silence.

Terence Griffiths, from Moreton, abused the little girl over a period of one-and-a-half years, grooming and repeatedly sexually assaulting her. He told her to keep his actions a secret, and promised her chocolate in exchange for her silence - with a jar of Nutella being found in the bedroom of his home.

His vile secret was discovered when the girl told her mum the 58-year-old had been "kissing her weird", describing the act as "a full snog". She told her he had touched her breasts and private parts, and had shown her graphic videos of "ladies doing stuff to men".

After showing the girl a video of a woman performing a sex act. he told her: "I wish that was you."

He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentence today, October 25, after being found guilty of nine counts of sexual assault of a child, one count of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and one count of causing a child under 13 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity, last month. The court heard he continued to deny the offences, and had suggested the little girl "had been acting in an inappropriate sexual way."

Reading from a statement from the girl's mum, prosecutor Steven Swift said: "Before (daughter) confided in us what was happening we were a normal family going about our everyday lives. The disclosure was a complete shock and has affected every aspect of our lives, especially (daughter).

"(Daughter) frequently became upset at school and often the school would notify us at the end of the day. This would cause many sleepless nights, waiting to go back to school the following day.

"We worry about (our daughter's) future especially as a teenager when she begins to understand the full extent of what has happened to her. We worry future relationships and trust will be tainted."

David Polglase, defending, said: "(Griffiths) has various difficulties with mental health, various diagnoses that he has had and that he is awaiting. There's a neurological disorder, he has the shakes, he has COPD, he takes medication for anxiety and depression and there's a concern about a degree of risk of self harm."

Judge David Potter said: "It's quite clear to this court that (the girl) suffered significantly as a result of her disclosures. She became upset frequently, including at school, and to this day remains somewhat hesitant towards male figures.

"Your total offending was on no fewer than 30 occasions and some occasions will have included more than one type of sexual activity by you on (the girl). No doubt you are a dangerous offender."

He sentenced Griffiths, now of of David Street, Malltraeth, Bodorgan, to a total of 11 years in prison. He was also given a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, and will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

Description

A man who asked what he thought was a 12-year-old girl for indecent naked pictures had no idea he was in fact talking to an undercover police officer.

Chris Waine, 26, told the online decoy he "wanted to f*** someone other than his fiancée" after communicating with her on social media under the username "IWannaCheat". He went on to ask the supposed 12-year-old to send him indecent naked pictures, and when she refused he said he would find someone who would.

He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today, October 25, where he pleaded guilty to one count of attempted sexual communications with a child.

Prosecutor Ian Criddle said the brief conversation with the decoy, known as Izzy, happened in November 2021. Waine was arrested in May 2022, when he admitted sending the messages on the 18+ chat website, but denied being sexually interested in children.

Mr Criddle said: "The offence took place on social media. The girl had purported to be 18, and called Izzy. That's when the defendant messaged her 'are you horny?', thinking she was 18 at that time. However the undercover police officer replied saying she was only 12. The defendant then asked if the communication could continue on another social media platform, Snapchat.

"When on Snapchat he said he wanted to 'f*** someone other than his fiancée'. He asked for a photo of Izzy and was sent one of her in a nightie. He said he wanted naked photographs. She declined to provide these photographs and the defendant said he would find someone who would, and the chat ended."

Waine, who appeared in court supported by his fiancée, was described by his family as "hard working, caring and sensitive".

Jim Smith, defending, said: "What's different in this case is we have an attempted victim, who is not a real victim, who appeared to be 18 years of age. This seems to be a genuine out of character incident from this defendant at a moment when he was suffering from his own personal problems."

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones said: "Rapidly you were informed by the decoy that she was aged 12. That didn't deter you. You wanted her to touch herself, you were asking her to provide a photograph, and asking her to perform a sex act for you."

He added: "It's right to say this is an isolated incident. There's no other indication you had any indecent images of children or any other attempted to behave in this way, so I will regard it as an aberration as far as you are concerned. You accept full responsibility. You expressed remorse. From what I have seen today I regard that as genuine. I hope I'm right about that."

He sentenced Waine, of Downing Road in Bootle, to 16 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to carry out 30 days of rehabilitation, and will remain on the sex offenders register for 10 years.