Latest Offenders

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The man was found with 12,529 indecent images of children, including over 2,000 of the most serious category.

A man has been jailed after he secretly recorded naked women and children by hiding cameras in coat hangers and water bottles. Dean Gordon, 41, admitted sexually assaulting a young girl and taking indecent photographs of children, possession of extreme pornographic images and possession of a prohibited image of a child.

Police from the online child sex abuse and exploitation team (OCSAE), based in North East Borough Command Unit, carried out a search of Gordon's home in Leytonstone, east London, in August 2021 where they uncovered numerous videos of children being secretly recorded as well as camera devices hidden inside objects including a water bottle and coat hooks.

Officers seized over 200 exhibits over the three day search.

After analysing the devices police found a number of child and adult female victims, who were all known to Gordon, had been covertly recorded.

In total, Gordon had 12,529 indecent images of children, including over 2,000 of the most serious Category A images. This included 436 images of the numerous child victims he covertly recorded for his own sexual gratification.

The court heard that the 41-year-old befriended families with young female children and recorded them naked or semi-naked.

In one case, he sexually abused a young girl whilst she lay asleep and recorded himself abusing her.

Several videos of naked women were also found.

Gordon, of Rosewood Court, Leytonstone at his first appearence in court in August 2022.

On Wednesday he appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court where he was sentenced to six years and eight months’ imprisonment.

Following the hearing Detective Constable James Cronin of the OCSAE team credited the victims for their "incredibe bravery in the "complex investigation".

Detective Constable James Cronin of the OCSAE team in North East BCU said: "This has been a complex investigation involving specialist officers undertaking countless hours of work to uncover his wrongdoing and locate and assist victims of his abuse.

"The victims, especially the children, have shown incredible bravery by coming forward and sharing their story.

"Anyone who believes they have been a victim of child abuse should contact police on 101 and, as this case demonstrates, we will carry out a thorough investigation and bring perpetrators to justice."

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Andrew Telford, of Stanwyck, Sutton Hill, Telford was today (Wednesday 18 January) sentenced to 15 years and one month at Shrewsbury Crown Court. He will also be on licence for a year following completion of his sentence.

The 61-year-old previously pleaded guilty on 30 November 2022 to multiple charges of serious sexual offences against a child which included sexual assault by penetration, sexual assault, sexual assault by touching and making indecent images of a child.

The court heard how Telford abused his victim over the course of 9 years.

Officer in charge of the case Detective Constable Lisa Roberts said: We welcome the lengthy sentence that has been handed to Telford today, hopefully it will allow the victim to gain some closure from a very traumatic part of their life.

Following a lengthy investigation, Telford pleaded guilty to all charges meaning the victim did not have to face the trauma of giving evidence at a trial, and a very dangerous individual has been swiftly sentenced. However, the real tribute remains with the victim, who showed immense courage and bravery in coming forward to report this abuse.

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Ahmed Khalio, a married man with an 11-month-old son, had no previous convictions.

A shop worker has been jailed after he sexually assaulted a girl wearing her school uniform on her 16th birthday.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Ahmed Khalio groped the teenager inside the convenience store where he worked and pinned her against the counter, but later claimed he had only been "messing around".

The city's top judge today told the dad that his sickening attack had been "outrageous".

The girl stopped in the Go Local store on Scargreen Avenue in Norris Green on her way from school on the day of the attack early last year, the court heard yesterday (Tuesday, January 17).

Andrew McInnes, prosecuting, said the youngster was alone and still wearing her school uniform on what was her 16th birthday.

Khalio, who was employed as a part-time shop assistant, was stacking shelves when she entered. He then followed her as she approached the till and touched her on her bottom.

The 22-year-old walked away to the front door before returning to her, pressing his body against hers from behind and sandwiching her against the counter.

Khalio - of Webster Road in Wavertree - asked her "if she loved him" as well as how old she was, telling her "not to tell anyone what happened".

The pervert then lifted up her skirt and began touching her legs and thighs before continuing his assault by touching her over her underwear.

The incident lasted a "couple of minutes" and only stopped when another customer entered, causing him to "jump away quickly" and allowing her to escape.

She was left "scared and in shock" and reported the attack to police that evening after telling a friend about what had happened to her.

The teen recalled "telling him to get off her" but Khalio continued regardless, while she also stated she had been "so scared she felt she couldn't scream or shout".

Under interview, the sex offender "accepted flirting" with the girl - whom he thought was aged 17.

He also "denied putting his hand up her skirt or touching her private area" and said he had "just been messing around".

Khalio, a married man with an 11-month-old son, has no previous convictions.

Sam Parham, defending, told the court: "He is extremely sorry for his actions and any negative impact on this young lady."

The defendant was assisted by an interpreter in the dock after being found guilty of four counts of sexual assault following a trial before magistrates.

Khalio was jailed for six months, as well as being handed a seven-year notification requirement and a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim for the next two years.

Sentencing, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said: "You simply took advantage of the fact she was alone and no one else was about. You touched her despite the fact she plainly did not want this attention from you.

"This lasted for a couple of minutes, although for her it must have felt like an eternity. Although you express some remorse for this incident, you continue to maintain that you did not simply assault her - certainly not in the was she describes.

"Your behaviour on this particular day was outrageous."

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A Corby paedophile who asked what he thought was a teenage girl to post her knickers to him has appeared before a court again.

Anthony Farrow was jailed for 16 months in 2021 after being caught out in an online sting by paedophile hunters.

As part of his sentence he was also put on the register for sex offenders for 10 years, meaning he must tell police his address, bank account details, whether he lives with a child and passport details, and inform them of any changes of travel plans. Such measures are taken to monitor convicted sex offenders and keep tabs on their whereabouts.

But on November 30 the 34-year-old failed to notify police within seven days of having no fixed address, and weekly thereafter, and he was charged with failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements. Punishments for the offence range between a fine and a maximum of five years in prison.

Last week at Wellingborough Magistrates’ Court he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a fine of £100, as well as being ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge to fund victim services of £40.

At a previous hearing Northampton Crown Court had heard that Farrow sent sick messages to a Facebook user, who he thought was aged 13, and encouraged them to perform sex acts.

He also tried to video call them and sent a lewd image of himself. But after giving them his address to send their underwear to a paedophile hunter group turned up at his door – because he had been unknowingly talking to them all along.

The pervert had also messaged another paedophile hunter decoy profile of a 13-year-old girl and asked her questions about her underwear. When he was confronted by the paedophile hunter group he admitted contacting 10 children in total.

The court also previously heard that, despite admitting three child sex offences, he was reluctant to accept his offending was sexually motivated.

Farrow is also currently subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years, with restrictions on his contact with children and internet use.

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A north-east man has been jailed after police caught him with almost 17 days’ worth of child sex abuse videos.

Jordan Gall, 27, was found in possession of nearly 7,000 indecent images of children and more than two weeks’ worth of video footage – most of which were in the worst category.

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A man has been jailed for abusing a young girl.

Paul Latham was found guilty of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15 in Brighton at Hove Crown Court.

The court heard how Latham, then aged 47, knew the girl was underage, but engaged in sexual activity with her at addresses in Hove and Woodingdean.

In November last year, the jury found him guilty of two counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with the victim.

Latham, now 65, was found not guilty of rape.

He was sentenced to nine years in prison by Judge Jeremy Gold KC.

Unemployed Latham, of Wicklands Avenue, Saltdean, will serve a minimum of six years before he can be considered for parole, and will remain on the sex offenders' register for life.

The judge also imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order which restricts Latham’s access to children.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, described how she had felt degraded because of the abuse, and continues to have anxiety.

She felt that Latham had taken advantage of her as a child, but is now rebuilding her life and is happy that justice has been served.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Andy Lawrence said the victim received support from specially-trained officers after she made her report in 2018.

With support from Detective Constable Lisa Hampson from the sexual offences investigation team, they were able to bring the charges against Latham to secure the conviction.

DS Lawrence said: “Predatory sex offender Paul Latham has now faced justice for preying on a young teenage girl.

“The victim in this case showed extraordinary bravery and tenacity. She has remained determined through a very difficult period.

“We have worked tirelessly to secure this conviction. Victims of sexual offences will always be supported and we take their report seriously.

“We  hope that the outcome of this case will give victims of sexual offences the confidence to come forward and report information to us.

“No matter how long ago the offence was we will try to seek justice.”

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A man raped a girl four times over a protracted period starting with an attack when she was five years old. Gareth Reilly, of Newport, has shown no remorse for the crimes which began in the early 2000s.

The 46-year-old appeared at Newport Crown Court where he was sentenced for four offences of raping a child and one of indecent assault, all against the same victim. He denied the offences but was found guilty following a trial. Judge Richard Williams said Reilly had carried out an "entrenched pattern of serious sex offending against a particularly vulnerable child".

The judge told him: "You are 46 and have not otherwise been in trouble. You maintain your innocence and there is no remorse to be taken into consideration. The probation service has found you pose a low risk of further offending in general but a high risk of a further sexual offence against a child."

There is no suggestion that Reilly, of Fairoak Avenue in Maindee, has targeted any other children, his barrister Byron Broadstock told the court. "He's a man of, until these convictions, good character. He was in employment and had been for many years. The effect [of the case] on his children and his parents has been profound... He knows he is facing a very significant sentence but beyond what I have said – given that he has been found guilty by a jury – there is little I can say."

Judge Williams said Reilly poses a "significant" risk of causing serious harm to girls and has shown "little prospect" of rehabilitation. Classing Reilly as a dangerous offender the judge handed him an extended sentence of 20 years in prison followed by four years on licence. He must serve two-thirds of the prison term in custody before he can be considered for parole.

Reilly will be on the sex offenders' register indefinitely. A hearing to decide a restraining order and sexual harm prevention order will take place on February 24.

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A man has been jailed after raping a woman on multiple occasions in a house.

Gheorghe Tirzuman, 39, raped a three times woman at a house in St Helens. Police said his victim was subjected to "great physical and emotional abuse" during the month in which she was raped multiple times by Tirzuman.

Tirzuman, of Quebec Quey was jailed for 14 years yesterday after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court for the three counts of rape, which happened in August 2021. He has also been given a indefinite restraining order and made to sign the sex offenders register.

Merseyside Police have praised the bravery of his victim for coming forward and bringing the rapist to justice.

Detective inspector Laura Lamping said: "Thanks to the bravery of Tirzuman’s victim he will now spend a considerable amount of time behind bars for his actions. Tirzuman subjected his victim to great physical and emotional abuse and I would like to take this opportunity to praise her in coming forward and the fear they have overcome to bring him to justice.

"While no sentence will repair the damage that Tirzuman has caused, I hope that by seeing him sent to prison for such a considerable period of time will give his victim some sort of closure and allow them to move on with their lives knowing he can no longer harm her or anyone else.

"We are committed to protecting victims of sexual offences, and anyone who reports an incident to us will be safeguarded and supported throughout the investigation.

"Anyone that has been a victim of a sexual offence or is concerned for the safety of someone they know should come forward and speak to us. We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

"As shown in this case time is no barrier to reporting offences and I would urge anyone who has been victim of a sexual offence at any time to come forward and we will do everything we can to help and support them."

"Anyone with information or wants to report sexual offence allegation is asked to call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If you’ve been affected by sexual violence of any kind don’t be afraid to tell someone, find the courage to come forward and get the help you deserve."

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A DANGEROUS sex offender who abused two young girls in the 1980s and 90s has been jailed.

Raymond Higgins, of Old Forest Way in Shard End, was found guilty of eight offences of indecently assaulting the girls for over eight years.

The 71-year-old was jailed for 14 years at Coventry Crown Court and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

He was arrested and questioned in 2019 after the women he abused came forward and reported him to the police.

West Midlands Police say in interview, he denied being responsible for any of the assaults, accusing the two victims of colluding to cause him problems.

The force added Higgins was deemed a dangerous offender by the court.

DC Sunita Sharma, from the Public Protection Unit at Coventry, said: “These were a series of appalling assaults on two young girls.

“Higgins denied any responsibility when questioned by officers and we welcome his conviction.

“These kind of offences are taken extremely seriously, no matter how long ago they took place.”

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A groper who sexually assaulted 11 different women on public transport and at a park has avoided jail.

Shaid Akhtar, 42, admitted the string of sexual assaults, which took place between June and July last year.

During most of the incidents he put his hand on the women’s thighs - but grabbed several of the victims’ breasts.

A judge, who said he repeatedly targeted “lone women” travelling late at night on public transport, handed him a suspended sentence after hearing Akhtar has spent the last six months in prison.

Akhtar, who has been diagnosed with autism, was remanded into custody after committing the July assaults just days after he appeared in court charged with the June offences.

Judge Vanessa Baraitser said: “I have every reason to believe your actions have a very sinister undertone - evidenced by you repeatedly targeting women over a short period of time on 11 separate occasions and locations at times when you were most likely to find women alone.

“There is clear evidence of planning because you have placed yourself repeatedly in these locations and there is evidence of significant planning.”

She added: “You appear to be a candidate for rehabilitation. There has already been a clanging of prison gates as you have spent six months behind bars awaiting sentence.”

On Monday, January 16, Inner London Crown Court heard Akhtar sexually assaulted three women on the London Underground on June 27 last year between 8.30pm and 10.50pm.

The court heard he sat next to the women and put his hand on one of their thighs and grabbed them.

One of the women was followed by Akhtar as she tried to move away, the court heard.

On July 8, Akhtar approached a woman sunbathing in Mountsfield Park near Hither Green and put his hand on her thigh, the court heard.

On July 11, Akhtar was arrested and appeared before magistrates on the sexual assault charges before being bailed.But just two days later he was out sexually assaulting women again, the court heard.

Between July 13 and July 15, Akhtar targeted six women on National Rail trains and one in a cafe in Mountsfield Park.

Two of the women were assaulted on July 13 between 7.30pm and 8.30pm and three were targeted between 4.30pm and 11pm the next day.

One of the women assaulted on July 14 told the court in a victim impact statement: “This incident has made me feel like I need to be much more aware when out in public.

“I was assaulted at 4.30pm in broad daylight while out to collect my daughter at the train station. I was very shocked and could not process what took place.”

Just after midnight on July 15, Akhtar sexually assaulted another woman, who has never been identified.But the sexual assault on her was reported by a witness, who said Akhtar put his hand on her body and grabbed her breasts.

Later that morning at around 11am, Akhtar approached a woman at a park cafe in Hither Green, touched her breasts and said: “You are beautiful, would you like to come home with me?”

When Akhtar was arrested on July 20 he was found to have a small amount of cannabis on him, the court heard.

Akhtar, of Lewisham, south east London, admitted 10 sexual assaults and one count of possession of cannabis and was found guilty of one count of sexual assault.

He was given a 13-month suspended sentence for two years.

He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

British Transport Police PC Matthew Smart, said: “Arktar is a predatory individual who clearly targeted lone women for his own sexual gratification.

“He failed to understand the severity of his actions, and thanks to the victims’ reports we were able to catch him and remove him from the network.

“There is absolutely no place for this behaviour on the railway and we are dedicated to ensuring women and girls can travel without fear of harassment or intimidation.

“If you experience or witness a sexual offence on the network, I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016 or via the Railway Guardian app. In an emergency always dial 999. Nothing is too small or too trivial to report and we will always take you seriously.”

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Guilty of raping a 14-year-old who he stalked and assaulted as she waited for a lift home.

Billy Rutter was caught with an improvised weapon after arguing with strangers outside Revolution bar.

A rapist who decapitated and cooked his son's rabbit has been jailed again after he armed himself with a broken glass bottle during a fight on a night out. Billy Rutter was previously jailed for a violent sexual assault on a schoolgirl and more recently locked up after killing the pet, throwing its severed head at his ex-girlfriend and cooking it in the oven.

He is now behind bars after police saw him arming himself during a fight outside a Revolution bar in Liverpool city centre, according to Liverpool Echo. 

Liverpool Crown Court heard on Monday afternoon, the police on patrol on Victoria Street at around 1.15am on December 11 last year heard glass smashing then saw the drunken defendant holding a shattered bottle.

Matthew Conway, prosecuting, described how Rutter hid the item behind his back then walked towards Temple Court, approaching a group of strangers outside Revolution.

An argument ensued, with the improvised weapon still concealed behind the 35-year-old's back.

The court was told that he was involved in another argument with them moments beforehand.

The officers then ran up behind Rutter and tackled him. He "immediately" dropped the improvised weapon to the ground.

The sex offender has a total of 18 previous convictions for 36 offences including for possession of an offensive weapon in a public place in 1999, assault with intent to rob in 2012 and being jailed for six months for possession of a bladed article in a public place in August 2020.

In 2005, Rutter was found guilty of raping a 14-year-old who he stalked and assaulted as she waited for a lift home from her mum.

Then aged 17, Rutter targeted the girl as she waited at a bus stop on Eastern Avenue in Speke - grabbing the youngster and dragging her to nearby waste ground. She screamed in terror, but he placed his hand over her mouth and raped her.

When convicted, Rutter pointed to the jury and said "I know all your faces" - which reduced one female juror to tears. His brother shouted from the public gallery and was thrown out of court before the teen was handed nine years behind bars.

In February 2021, he was then imprisoned for 15 months after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, assault and breaching a restraining order.

It came after his former partner was forced to flee her home with their children after she discovered Rutter cooking their rabbit in her oven, having decapitated the pet and thrown its head at her while she lay in bed - landing on her pillow.

The mum called police from a payphone as her son repeated "I miss my bunny". The abuser had nailed the rabbit above the kitchen door in a scene one police officer described as "one of the most distressing sights he had ever seen".

Rutter told PCs "rabbits and chicks get slaughtered everyday" then added: "Bubble and squeak, have you ever tried rabbit? It's lovely."

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A WOMAN woke up to a man raping her in his home.

The victim was left "hugely impacted" after Philip Lush assaulted her while she slept.

The court was told that the woman had been out with the 28-year-old that evening before returning to his to watch a film.

She fell asleep and was was woken up by Lush raping her.

Lush, of Whiteley Lane, Titchfield, denied the offence but following a seven-day trial, he was found guilty by a jury on November 22 last year.

Appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court yesterday, Lush was jailed for five years and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Police staff investigator Lynn Levett said: “The woman was asleep when Lush raped her for his own self-gratification.

"His actions showed a total disregard for the woman and this incident has understandably had a huge impact on her.

“I would like to commend the woman for her bravery in telling us what happened and for the strength she showed throughout the investigation and the trial to bring Lush to justice.

“We take all reports of sexual assault seriously and do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice.

“We know it’s difficult to report incidents of this nature but we encourage anyone who has or thinks they have been a victim of sexual abuse to contact us on 101. "We have specially trained officers who you can speak to in complete confidence and they will support you throughout the criminal justice process.

“Alternatively, we know not everyone feels comfortable talking to the police so we want you to know that there are a number of independent support agencies out there who will provide you with the help you need.”

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A teenage rapist has been jailed for seven and a half years for forcing himself on a girl in York.

Police have praised the girl for her “incredible courage” in coming forward and giving evidence against Brandon Hewlett.

York Crown Court heard the crimes happened some years ago when Hewlett was a teenager.

Hewlett, now aged 21, of Edinburgh Street, Goole, East Yorkshire, denied four charges of rape and an online sex offence. The jury convicted him of three of the rapes and the online offence.

They were unable to agree on the fourth rape charge and he was formally acquitted of it after the CPS decided not to retry him on it.

Recorder Tahir Khan read a personal statement from the girl in which she described the effect of Hewlett’s crimes on her.

He told Hewlett: “I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that there was psychological harm done to her as a result of what you did.”

He jailed Hewlett for seven and a half years.

Hewlett will be on the sex offenders’ register for the rest of his life.

Had Hewlett been older at the time of the rapes, he would have been jailed for 10 years, said the judge.

DS Mike Hewitt, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “The victim in this case showed incredible courage to stand up to Hewlett, and with the support of her family and friends she was able to provide evidence against him.

“Her strength and bravery saw him convicted of the horrendous crimes he committed against her – and will also prevent others becoming victims of Hewlett’s depraved behaviour.”

Hewlett had no convictions before he was convicted at the end of his trial in November. He was then remanded in custody.

Julian Goode, for Hewlett, said he had found life behind bars hard and had been assaulted on two separate occasions.

“He is the author of his own demise,” said the defence barrister.

He handed in a document as part of his mitigation, the contents of which he did not make public and which was read by the judge.

The defence barrister said that since Hewlett had been remanded, the defendant’s partner had had problems.

She had health difficulties and Hewlett had been her help and looked after her.

Since November, she had found life looking after herself increasingly hard.

North Yorkshire Police said anyone who believed they had been raped or sexually assaulted could contact them online, by phone or in person.

If the person felt unable to talk to police, the force’s website has details of organisations to whom they could speak in confidence and get support, advice and medical help.

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Jordan Hill "groomed" a young girl on Facebook and sent her highly sexualised messages and videos later claimed his account had been hacked, a court has heard.

Jordan Hill was caught after a family member of the victim found concerning messages on a phone she had been using, and alerted the child's mother. The defendant's barrister said his client was ashamed of what he had done.

Helen Randall, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court that Hill communicated with his victim - who was aged 13 at the time of the offending - via Facebook. The defendant complimented the girl and told her she was beautiful, and asked her if she wanted to tease him by "talking dirty".

The court heard that during a series of conversations Hill talked about anal and oral sex with the child, asked if she had a friend who could join a threesome, sent explicit videos of himself, and requested she masturbate. There was also evidence the girl had sent Hill videos or pictures of herself but these have not been recovered and their content is not known.

The prosecutor said the offending came to light when the girl stayed with a family member and asked to borrow a phone so she could check social media as she had left her mobile at home. At the end of the stay the family member noticed the guest had not logged out of her accounts on the phone, and when the device was checked some of the messages and videos the defendant had been sending were discovered. The quick-thinking family member took screenshots of the offending material before alerting the girl's mother.

Hill was identified and arrested, and during his interview he denied sending the messages and said his Facebook page must have been hacked. An expert report was subsequently commissioned to see if there was any evidence that Hill's account had been accessed by third parties or whether any viruses or malware could have been responsible for sending the messages - the report found no evidence to support his claims.

Jordan Hill, aged 22, of Tyle Teg, Clydach, Swansea Valley, had previously pleaded guilty to sexual communication with a child and to inciting a child to engage in sexual acts when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has no previous convictions.

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A WORKINGTON man who badgered a person he believed was a 12-year-old girl for naked photos has been put on the Sex Offender Register.

Thirty-four-year-old Marc Moore was communicating with the “girl” online and completely unaware that he was actually sending messages to an under-cover police officer, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

He admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Prosecutor Brendan Burke said the offending happened  over three weeks in April last year after the under cover officer, posing as a child online, received a friend request from Moore, and this led to a series of messages between the two.

“The main theme was that he was trying to harass her into sending him naked pictures of herself,” said Mr Burke. “He tried to encourage her by sending what he pretended was a picture of himself, fully clothed on the street.

“It was certainly not [a picture] of the defendant. It was a much younger looking man.”

Mr Burke said Moore “persistently” asked the girl for naked pictures and he also asked her for Snapchat contacts for her friends so that he could communicate with them also. He repeatedly “solicited” the girl for images.

Judith McCullough, for Moore, said he had been a hard-working family man, living in his one home and enjoying a varied and active life.

“But he has through his own actions brought that world crashing down; these proceedings have been a salutary lesson. But these offences are out of character, and he has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.”

Miss McCullough said the offending happened over a “relatively short period.” She said Moore had not actively sought out a child’s profile and there was no indication in his internet browsing history that caused concern.

Moore, of Cavendish Court, Workington, lost his job as a result of his arrest but his old employer had indicated that his employment would be open to him once the case was concluded.

The prosecution had also placed his marriage under considerable strain.  Miss McCullough added: “He is deeply ashamed of his actions and very sorry for the hurt and upset that he has caused.”

Judge Nicholas Barker said he had read the messages and the under cover officer, in the messages sent to Moore, had made it plain she was a 12-year-old girl. “You knew that to be the case,” said the judge. “You said you were 32; she said she was 12. You said: “Really?” She said: “Yes. Why?

“The communication continued and it’s right when the prosecution say that you were persistent in the way in which you engaged with her, asking for ‘cheeky picture;’ asking her to send pictures to you with no clothes on.”

The judge accepted that Moore had shown remorse but said he suspected it was for having found himself in this position before the court. But Judge Barker said he was satisfied there is a prospect of rehabilitation.

He imposed a three year community order, which will include a sex offender treatment programme  and 15 rehabilitation activity days and 150 hours of unpaid work. Moore will be on the Sex Offender Register for five years and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.

The prosecution offered no evidence on two further allegation that Moore downloaded six Category C indecent child images and a charge that he possessed four extreme pornographic images. He was declared not guilty of those two offences.