Latest Offenders

Description

Two men from St Leonards have been jailed after pleading guilty to making and distributing indecent images of children.

Joe Wibberley, 30, of Battle Road, St Leonards, and Karl James, 30, also of Battle Road, St Leonards, were both sentenced at Lewes Crown Court.

At Hastings Magistrates Court in February, Wibberley indicated a plea of guilty to distributing two Category A and two Category B indecent images of children. The offences took place between December 15, 2017, and October 22, 2018.

He also indicated guilty pleas to charges of making no fewer than 334 Category A indecent images of children, 208 Category B indecent images of children and 673 Category C indecent images of children, on, or before, October 30, 2018.

James indicated a plea of guilty to distributing five Category A indecent images of children and one Category A indecent movie of children. He indicated guilty pleas to distributing two Category B video images of children and one Category C image of children. The offences took place between December 15, 2017, and October 22, 2018.

He also indicated guilty pleas to charges of making no fewer than 237 Category A indecent images of children, 261 Category B indecent images of children and 287 Category C indecent images of children, on, or before, October 30, 2018.

Both men were released on conditional bail before they were sentenced on March 3. At Lewes Crown Court on that day, both men were sentenced to a total of 24 months imprisonment, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed.

A sexual harm prevention order was also put in place for both Wibberley and James for a period of ten years.

Sussex Police said none of the images were believed to be of local children.

A spokesman for the force said: This prosecution resulted from an intelligence-led investigation by officers from the Paedophile On Line Investigation Team of Sussex Police.

The images were found to have been obtained from the Internet and none are believed to be of local children. We will always follow up such reports.

Description

A paedophile who filmed a girl undressing at a beach and downloaded vile photos will be set free in two weeks' time.

David Cadman was arrested after recording the nine-year-old when she was with her parents at New Brighton beach last August.

The 65-year-old was jailed for 16 months for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in relation to the video in November.

But he was back in court today to be sentenced for keeping a twisted collection of pictures, including 20 images of children being raped.

Cadman, of Espin Street, Walton, admitted three counts of downloading and one count of possessing indecent images of children at a hearing last month.

However, while he hadn't been charged over those images by the time of his sentencing last year, Judge Anil Murray today said he had previously taken them into account.

The judge said: "The offences that are before the court today were known about at the time of my sentence and were part of the factual matrix of that sentence, because I had to assess culpability for the breach of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and part of that breach was having those indecent images."

Zillah Williams, prosecuting, said: "Indeed it was and your honour expressly commented that you had taken into account the existence of those images."

Police found Cadman's sickening stash, along with the video he took of the girl undressing, when they raided his home last August.

Liverpool Crown Court heard he had 20 Category A - the most serious category showing child rape - 14 Category B and 121 Category C files.

Judge Murray said: "The defendant has just told Ms McCloskey [Louise McCloskey, defending] that he is due to be released on April 14, which is about two weeks' time.

"Ms Williams, it seems to me that having already taken these into account, I ought not pass a sentence that would lengthen the defendant's stay in prison and I ought not pass a suspended sentence that would place him in further jeopardy."

The judge said in those "unusual circumstances" it also wouldn't be appropriate to give Cadman a conditional discharge and that he would instead impose a "very short" prison sentence, which didn't extend his time in prison.

Judge Murray said intended to jail Cadman for 28 days, meaning he would serve half of that term and be released in around two weeks' time.

He said: "Clearly that doesn't reflect the guidelines, but this is an unusual case because I've already taken it into account."

Judge Murray jailed Cadman for 28 days and ordered him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for another seven years.

Cadman's indefinite SHPO was first imposed when he was jailed for 14 months for possessing indecent images of children in November 2015.

He has previously been convicted of indecent assault in 1977 and of exposure in 1990.

Last year, when officers raided Cadman's home and seized a black Sony mobile phone, they discovered he had wiped his internet history five or six weeks previously, which he claimed was due to an update.

The court heard it was obvious from the video of the girl on the beach that her parents were unaware she was being filmed and were trying to cover her up with a towel as she was getting changed.

When asked about the video, Cadman said: "I didn't know her, she was just on the beach with her family. I know it's wrong, I don't know why I did it."

Another mobile phone was seized along with a digital camera, a Samsung Galaxy tablet and four USB sticks, from which the indecent images were recovered.

Officers also found a small amount of cannabis.

When asked last year what explanation her client gave for taking the video of the girl, Ms McCloskey said: "The main explanation which has been advanced is that he felt isolated and lonely.

"He didn't go out to commit any offences, took the photographs and realised what he did was wrong.

"When the police officers came there isn't an explicit denial of sexual motivation, but there isn't a full admission."

Description

A pervert from Llandovery has appeared for sentence at Swansea Crown Court after admitting to making and distributing indecent images of children.
Rhys Long, of Cynghordy, Llandovery, had previously indicated a guilty plea.

The 19-year-old admitted making almost 200 images with 40 of them falling into Category A the most extreme category showing the rape or torture of young children
25 extreme pornographic images depicting bestiality were also found.

Long also admitted distributing the above images to other like minded perverts online.

Allegations of child grooming were also made by several young victims. However, no charges were made.

Long was not jailed but instead received a suspended sentence.

A sexual harm prevention order was put in place and he was told to register as a sex offender immediately.

2022 Update

Rhys Long, 22, of Cynghordy, Llandovery, is due to by sentenced by Swansea Crown Court next month for breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

Long was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order on May 21, 2021, and appeared at Llanelli Magistrates Court on August 25 where he pleaded guilty to breaching the order.

The breach occurred on May 11 this year when he failed to inform police officers that he had created a username on Discord and had an unregistered email address.

He will be sentenced by Swansea Crown Court who made the initial order on 8 September 2022.

Description

A former teaching assistant downloaded and saved thousands of images of child sex abuse, a court has heard.

Police found more than 5,000 indecent pictures and films on Iestyn Thomas' laptops and mobile phone, and in an online storage account he had.

Officers also found he had visited a Russian website which hosted such material some 38,000 times.

Swansea Crown Court heard the 51-year-old had used a laptop which was shared by other members of his family for some of his activities - potentially dragging wholly innocent people into the police investigaiton.

Ieuan Rees, prosecuting, said the offending came to light when police executed a search warrant at Thomas' house in Bonymaen, Swansea, early on the morning of March 4 last year.

He said officers seized the defendant's Huawei mobile phone, and Acer and HP laptops.

An examination of the devices and of a linked DropBox online account revealed a total of 5,300 pictures and films showing the sexual abuse of children. Some 774 of these were so-called Category A images, the most explicit kind. The examination also found 24 prohibited images of children, and 34 pictures and movies featuring animals classed as extreme pornography.

Mr Rees said the creation dates on the files reached back to at least 2015.

The court heard investigators also found Thomas had used internet search terms linked to child pornography, and had visited a Russian website which hosted images of child sex abuse around 38,000 times.

The prosecutor said it appeared from profiles on one of the laptops involved that it was a shared machine used by at least two other people in the family.

Thomas, of Cardigan Crescent, Bonymaen, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of making - downloading - indecent images of Category A, B, and C, and to possessing prohibited images and extreme pornographic images when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.

He has no previous convictions.

Andrew Evans, for Thomas, said while not an excuse for the offending, the defendant had been suffering from anxiety and stress for some time and had become, in effect, "addicted" to pornography and to indecent images.

He said letters from family members and friends submitted to the court spoke highly of his client, and said there had never been any cause for concern about his behaviour during the course of his work with vulnerable people.

The advocate said Thomas had sought help from the Lucy Faithful Foundation - an organisation which seeks to tackle sex offending - and referred himself to counselling.

Description

Marc Daniel Ward, 29, has been jailed for a decade after previously admitting to abusing a child.

Ward, formerly of Brewers Lane in Gosport, previously pleaded guilty to nine counts sexual activity with a child, one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and a single count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday, he was given a ten year prison sentence, and an extended licence period of four years.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Claire Ratcliffe said: "It takes an incredibly amount of bravery to report abuse to anyone, and we commend the child involved in this case for their courage throughout this police investigation.

"No child should ever have to suffer, and we are committed to bringing to justice those who target children in this way.

"I am pleased that Ward is now behind bars and unable to harm another child.

"We encourage anyone who is being abused, or knows of anyone being abused, to find the confidence to come and talk to police, or a specialist charity such as the NSPCC."

Description

A BRAZEN paedophile subjected an 11-year-old girl to what a judge labelled a campaign of rape. Jailing Luke Simpson for 18 years at Swindon Crown Court on Wednesday, Judge Jason Taylor QC said the 33-year-old had been cunning, determined, predatory and manipulative. Simpson stood unblinking in the dock as he heard he would serve at least two-thirds of his jail time behind bars. He must serve an extended five years on licence. The Melksham man showed little emotion throughout the hour-long hearing, only briefly placing his hands over his ears and staring towards the ceiling as prosecutor David Scutt read an impact statement from the victims mother telling of the devastation his sexual abuse had had on the whole family. Assaults Between January 2019 and October last year, Simpson subjected his victim then aged 11 and 12 to a campaign of abuse. His sexual abuse had occurred too many times to count, the girl told police and included rape and other forms of assault. Knowing the girls mother checked her phone, Simpson invented coded phrases for sexual activity like cuddles tonight? that he would send her via WhatsApp. Mr Scutt said: He asked her if she would like what he was doing to her and if she said no, he would become in her words angry or moody with her for days. The girl disclosed the abuse first to her younger sister then, last October, to her mother. No remorse Simpson was swiftly arrested but denied wrongdoing. However, he admitted to his own mum he had been in a sexual involvement with the girl and that it had been consensual. Horrified by her sons lack of remorse, his mother gave a statement to the police. She said: I decided if Luke was not going to admit what had happened I was going to have to call it in myself. The mans father, who also gave a statement to the police, said giving the account seems like the most terrible thing ever but I know I have to. Interviewed a second time, Simpson claimed the sexual activity had been initiated by his victim. He admitted being wrecked on drugs and alcohol, said he hadnt been living in actual reality and had been away with the fairies. Mr Scutt made clear that Simpson had not entered a basis of plea and his sick claims to detectives were not accepted by the prosecution. In an impact statement read to the court, his young victim said: I struggle to trust men and feel like Im not normal. As a 12-year-old girl I feel ashamed to have been treated like that. She added: He made me feel anxious, I sometimes thought he would kill me if I told anyone. I would feel safer knowing he is in prison. In her own statement, the victims mother praised her daughter and described Simpson as sick and demonic. Simpson, formerly of Atworth, near Melksham, pleaded guilty to rape of a child, assault of a child by penetration and sexual assault. 'Cunning' Judge Taylor said the mans offending amounted to a campaign of rape. Imposing an extended sentence comprised of 18 years imprisonment and a further five years on licence, the judge said: Your brazen offending coupled with the risks that you were prepared to take to gratify your sexual desires is deeply concerning. It was cunning, it was planned, it was determined, it was predatory, it was manipulative. When seen in conjunction with your distorted and twisted view of her initiating or consenting to behaviour it reveals a troubling lack of empathy and insight which undoubtedly in my view heightens the risk to other young girls. In my view, you will require extremely close management and monitoring on your release and an extended sentence not only manages that risk but also facilitates lengthier and more in-depth work to continue and indeed for your attitudes to be tested. Mitigation In mitigation, it was said that Simpson had experienced traumatic abuse himself as a child. Tabitha Macfarlane, defending, said her client took full responsibility for what hed done and pleaded guilty at an early stage. He tells me the actions were inexcusable and again I know this is cold comfort but he apologises for his behaviour and indeed he apologises through me today. Simpson left the dock to taunts of bye from the public gallery. He will remain a sex offender for life and must abide by the terms of a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely.

Description

A MAN Who sexually abused a 13-year-old girl over a four month period has been jailed for two years and eight months today. Henry Scott, 24, of Bagpath, Tetbury, pleaded guilty at Gloucester Crown Court to three charges of having penetrative sex with the girl, engaging in sexual communications with a child and possessing indecent images of the girl in all three categories of seriousness. The court heard a statement from the girl, now 17, describing how Scott's abuse has left her suffering panic attacks, poor sleep and problems with concentrating on GCSE studies at school. She said she felt like a 'bomb had gone off' in her life. The court was told that when arrested Scott denied any sexual activity with the girl. The offences occurred between February 2018 and May 2018. In a statement, the girl said: This is something that has caused a ripple effect throughout my entire family. This past year has been so difficult that I have not been able to focus on anything because I knew this case was pending. I used to be happy, confident but I became so withdrawn that I doubted my own ability that I would be unable to succeed at anything in life. I am standing up for myself so this cannot happen to another child. This kind of crime ruins lives and I feel that my teenage years have been tainted by what he has done. I am lucky to have a supportive family and I hope we all get through this together in time. Katherine Blackwell, defending, said: Scott should have known better. He had been warned about socialising with people under the age of 16. Scott has been diagnosed with having autism spectrum disorder which causes problems with social interaction and communication. He has also been diagnosed with pathological demand disorder which means he is unable to understand boundaries. He is unaware what is, and what isnt acceptable." Judge Ian Lawrie QC told Scott: You were aged 21/22 when these offences were committed. These nine offences were regular and consistent while the victim was aged between 13 and 14. "One of my concerns is that you were cautioned seven months prior to these offences for meeting up with a 13-year-old girl on a number of occasions and being warned not to do so in April 2016. I accept that you have been diagnosed with a number of medical problems which means you have borderline cognitive function which leads you to being child-like and immature. The judge sentenced Scott to two years and eight months imprisonment and subjected him to a sexual harm prevention order for seven years as well as a order to sign the sex offenders register for the same period.

Description

A paedophile groomed a vulnerable young boy and subjected him to rapes and repeated sexual assaults.

Jason Evans would ply the child with gifts including sweets, toys, and rugby boots, Swansea Crown Court heard.

Evans subjected the boy, who was under 12 at the time, to repeated sexual assaults and rapes with the offences taking place in the 2000s.

The child did not feel able to report the abuse at the time and it is only in recent years now he himself is a father that he went to the police.

Prosecutor John Hipkin QC read a statement from the victim in which he described the impact the abuse has had on him.

He said the sexual assaults made him an aggressive boy who got into trouble at school and he eventually left education with no qualifications. He said he went on to abuse drink and drugs, was not able to control his emotions, and ended up in trouble with the police.

The man said he still suffers flashbacks to the abuse, has regular suicidal thoughts, and has found it hard to hold down jobs but he said his family have helped him through the "dark times".

He added: "I hope Jason Evans being found guilty will be the start of my recovery but my life will never the same, it will always live with me... I hope it will be the first step in me getting on with my life."

Evans, aged 45, of Morfydd Street, Morriston, Swansea, was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault and two of rape following a trial.

Stephen Rees, for Evans, said the defendant maintained his innocence but the court would no doubt be trying to fathom why he had offended in the way he had during the period in question offending he had not carried out before or since.

He said his client had led an industrious life and since the offending had gone on to form a stable relationship and become a father.

Recorder Mark Powell QC told Evans he had taken advantage of his vulnerable victim to satisfy his "perverted desires" to have sex with a young boy.

He said the defendant had "destroyed" the boy's formative years and "took away his youth" and the impact the abuse had had was clear not just from the statement read to court but from the victim himself as he stood in the dock in a distressed state giving evidence during the trial.

The recorder said it was right Evans should be considered an offender of particular concern and be given an extended sentence as a result.

Evans was given a 13-year extended sentence comprising 12 years in custody and an extended one-year licence period. The defendant can apply for release at the two-thirds point of the custodial element but it will be for the Parole Board to decide if he is safe to be released. The defendant was made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order to control his access to children and will be on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

Speaking after the sentencing South Wales Police detective inspector Carl Price said: "Reporting rape or a serious sexual offence is big decision to make but victims welfare is our priority. Don't forget both men and women can be offenders and victims of sexual assault.

"South Wales Police is committed to investigating such offences in order to help victims move their lives forward and bring offenders to justice.

"If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted we encourage you to report it to us so you can get the support you need."

Description

A grandad of 24 offered a '14-year-old boy' a trip to McDonald's in exchange for a seedy hotel stay.

Trevor Griffiths wanted to take a child for a McDonald's and to the cinema and planned on sexually abusing him in a hotel in Belfast.

The 61-year-old started speaking to 'Mark' on Chatiw in 2019 but didn't realise it was actually an undercover police officer.

In sickening messages Griffiths said he wanted to 'kiss and cuddle' the 'schoolboy' before performing sex acts on each other, which he described in graphic detail.

When officers went to his address they discovered his vile collection of child sex abuse images, which included an image of a 12-month-old baby being raped.

Martyn Walsh, prosecuting at Liverpool Crown Court, explained the messages took place between January 10 and January 17, 2019 on platform Chatiw.

Griffiths used the name Tom and began speaking to the undercover officer who "presented as a 14-year-old boy, Mark".

Mr Walsh said: "Mr Griffiths talked of him going to Belfast, taking Mark for a McDonalds, going to the movies and staying in a hotel together."

Griffiths detailed in the disgusting messages how he first wanted to shower with the boy before performing sex acts on each other.

The grandad then told the 'boy' to "tell his mum he was staying with friends".

On January 14 'Mark' asked Griffiths if he had booked flights which he confirmed he had.

Mr Walsh explained how Griffiths detailed that he wanted to "get in bed and have a cuddle".

On January 15, Griffiths said the boy "made him feel good inside and he feels happy and wants to know whether Mark loves him".

Two days later Mr Walsh explained the conversation about flights continued with Griffiths stating what flight his time is due to leave.

Mr Walsh said: "He asks Mark what he'll be wearing, Mark says he'll have his school uniform because he'll have nowhere to get changed."

The court heard on the same day Griffiths blocked the undercover police officer, after which a second officer created an account under the name 'Jess', pretending to be a 17-year-old girl.

Mr Walsh explained Griffiths gave the decoy profile his full name and mobile number.

On April 30, 2019, police attended his address and recovered three mobile phones on which they found a total of 63 indecent images of children including 47 images of child rape.

The court heard he had also failed to comply with notification requirements while he was on bail.

Griffiths has no previous convictions.

Carmel Wilde, defending, explained that Griffiths had pleaded guilty and had expressed "confusion" and "shame" for his behaviour.

Ms Wilde said: "Perhaps the biggest step in offences of this nature is that acceptance there is an attraction to children."

She explained Griffiths is keen to engage with the probation service adding it is "certainly a fall from grace for a 61-year-old man with no previous convictions".

The court heard his marriage had broken down following 25 years together.

Ms Wilde added that Griffiths was "confused about his sexuality" to which the judge commented "he's a little bit old for that" adding "he's got 24 grandchildren".

She added: "He is beginning that process of opening up to professionals. He wants to get his life back on track and receive help from people in that forum."

Ms Wilde added that it was a relatively short period of time during which the messages had been exchanged and explained that no meeting with a real child ever took place.

She said: "He finds himself very suicidal at the moment and suffering from depression."

Ms Wilde explained that there was a "realistic prospect of rehabilitation" and asked the judge to consider the current impact of the pandemic on prisoners.

Griffiths, of Ajax Avenue in Orford, Warrington, admitted attempting to engage in sexual activity with a boy between 13 and 15, failing to comply with notification requirements, possessing indecent images of children, possession of extreme pornography and three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child.

The judge, Recorder Ian Harris, said: "The facts of this case are just... They will appal right thinking members of society.

"The titles of some of those photographs, or descriptions I should say, are just horrific. We're talking babies and seven-year-old children."

The judge added that there were "numerous scraps of paper seized from your address" which has names of other website users including "shockeddad" and "pedomeetwithkids".

The judge said there were no previous convictions adding that some of the offences were aggravated as they were committed whilst on bail "despite attempts to make you comply by police".

Recorder Harries noted that in a pre sentence report Griffiths was described as "predatory" and a "immediate risk of harm to children".

Griffiths was jailed for 20 months and ordered to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.

He must also sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

Description

He once tried to rape a boy and a girl A paedophile who once tried to rape a boy and girl was caught worming his way into a child's home. Jordan Duckworth was locked up for 30 months for two attempted rapes when he was aged just 17 in January 2011. He has been on the Sex Offenders Register and subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) ever since. The order prevented Duckworth from contacting any child under 16 without the written approval of social services. But the pervert kept flouting the ban and after being caught with a 13-year-old boy this year he tried to blame the child's mum. Liverpool Crown Court heard Duckworth, 27, of Needham Road, Kensington, first breached the order on February 4, 2017. Michael Stephenson, prosecuting, said: "His partner and her child had visited him and they had all three shared a double bed." Duckworth admitted the breach on February 6, 2017 when he was sentenced to eight weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months. However, just two days later he met with another woman and headed to her home, where her then nine-year-old son lived. Mr Stephenson said it was revealed Duckworth "dropped in" on the woman "most days" and he was jailed for 12 weeks for the breach. Social services attended the same woman's home in Wavertree on February 15 this year for a "risk assessment" and "welfare check". She was there with her now 13-year-old son, but so was Duckworth, who "lied initially about who he was". Police were informed and arrested Duckworth at his home, when he became "upset" and said: "I've breached my SOPO." He was so distressed officers had to abandon an interview, but he admitted the breach before magistrates on February 19. Desmond Lennon, defending, told the court it had been four years since his client's last breach. He said Duckworth accepted going to the woman's home "on a number of occasions, but on each occasion this youngster wasn't there". Mr Lennon said Duckworth didn't expect the boy to be there on February 15 and there was no suggestion the child was in fear or at risk of harm. The lawyer said: "He gave a false name, panicked and ran off, but he clearly wasn't going to go very far. "He was traced and detained by police. The first thing he said was 'I've breached the order and I'm going to go to prison." Mr Lennon said Duckworth accepted it was inevitable he would now be jailed, as his client cried on a video link from HMP Altcourse. He said: "The defendant is sorry and ashamed for what has happened - he hadn't given any real thought to the seriousness of the position he was putting himself in. "He now sadly recognises the seriousness of it having been in custody for the past four weeks. "He's found prison very, very difficult. It's been a completely overwhelming experience for him." Mr Lennon said Duckworth was "very distressed" and showed "troubling behaviour" when interviewed, when it dawned on him he would be jailed again. He said his client had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, had struggled with self-harm and attempted suicide in 2011. Mr Lennon said Duckworth had also undergone the "trauma" of seeing his mum and grandad die in 2014 and in 2019, when working on a railway, he saw a colleague killed, which was "a dreadful experience for him". Duckworth sobbed as the judge, Recorder Ciaran Rankin, passed sentence. He told Duckworth: "You were in that house in the company of a young boy, a boy you had shown some interest in in the past. "You actually lied about your identity and attempted to flee the scene, no doubt because you knew just how much trouble you had placed yourself in." Recorder Rankin said Duckworth pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, but initially took "limited responsibility" for his behaviour. He said: "In fact you continue to blame and divert the blame onto the mother of the child, of this 13-year-old boy. "You said you were invited to that address and it was only when you got there you discovered the young boy was there, expecting him to be at school. "If that is correct Mr Duckworth, you should have immediately turned on your heels and left the address, putting some distance between yourself and the boy. You did not do that."

Description

A 38-year-old 'dangerous predator' from Bedford attempted to meet someone he believed was a 12-year-old girl for sex.

After striking up a conversation on an instant messaging app Andrew Jeffery sent sexually explicit messages and images to the 'girl' and tried to persuade her to come to his house in Chillingham Green, Bedford.

Investigators became increasingly concerned after Jeffrey described how he could get her "high" on drinks and drugs and, two days later, police executed a warrant at his home address in Bedford, Bedfordshire.

While there on January 30, 2019, they seized a number of electronic devices and arrested him.

Jeffrey pleaded guilty to three counts of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence and one count of attempting sexual communication with a child.

Following his guilty plea he was jailed for two and a half years.

Emma Shipton, investigation officer from Bedfordshire Police's Internet Child Abuse Investigation team, said: "Jeffrey is a dangerous predator and I'm pleased that he will now spend the next two-and-a-half years in prison.

"This case shows the importance of the work that our officers do in gathering vital evidence to arrest and charge these offenders in what can be a very difficult online space to enter.

"This time Jeffrey was speaking to our officers, but people who commit these types of offences online can often go on to abuse children in the offline world, which is why it is vital we investigate them thoroughly and put safeguarding measures in place."

She added: "It is important that we educate children on how they can protect themselves online. This includes not talking to anyone who they don't know in real life, not sharing any personal information, and keeping privacy settings as high as possible.

"We'd advise parents to have a conversation with their children about online safety, and make sure that they feel comfortable in speaking about anything they see online which makes them feel uncomfortable."

Description

A rapist who targeted a teenage girl from Derbyshire has been jailed for 14 years.

Derby Crown Court heard how Anthony Langham befriended the victim before grooming and sexually attacking her.

The 56-year-old kissed, sexually assaulted and then finally raped the terrified girl, who finally plucked up the courage to disclose what happened to her years later.

The girl, now in her 20s, had to give evidence in court as her made her re-live her ordeal by pleading not guilty.

In a victim impact statement, read to the court by prosecutor Robert Underwood, the woman said: "Every day I ask myself 'why me?' and 'will he do it again?'

"That is why I came forward so he will not be able to do to anyone what he did to me.

"It has affected every aspect of my life.

"I cannot get a job because I cannot trust men, I feel very angry at everything and everyone."

The trial heard how the grooming began in the Ilkeston area.

Langham, a father and grandfather of Pasture Road, Stapleford, Nottingham, got to know the girl, gaining her trust and then cruelly abusing it to sexually assault her.

Jailing him, Judge Jonathan Bennett said: "She was under the age of 16 when you carried this out and she had to come to court and give evidence which she found very traumatic.

"She started smoking and you saw that as a opportunity to supply her with cigarettes and groom her.

"During that time you made her life an absolutely misery, she had no-one to turn to and no-one to tell.

"That's because you said to her 'you can't tell anyone or we will both get into trouble'.

"It was only later in life that she built up the courage to tell anyone what took place."

Langham was found guilty of 10 offences by a jury.

They were rape, attempted rape, a number of counts of sexual assault and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Michael Stradling, mitigating, said his client has three grown-up children and eight grandchildren.

He said: "His ex-wife is in court and thinks enough of him to come and support him.

"The defendant has COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and has been on oxygen for the past two years and is also on anti-depressants having suffered from depression for a number of years.

"He has a supportive family and he would like there to be some light at the end of the tunnel for him when he is finally released from what will be a lengthy custodial sentence."

Langham will serve a minimum of two-thirds of his sentence behind bars before being eligible to apply for parole and released on licence.

He will be on the Sex Offender Register for life.

Description

A CONVICTED sex offender was jailed for breaching a court order imposed to protect women from his offending.

Peter Barney, of Verwood Road, Three Legged Cross, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Wednesday, March 17 and was sentenced to 21 months in prison for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The 59-year-old was previously sentenced in March 2013 to three years in prison for an offence of assault by penetration and was made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for an indefinite period.

The offence had been committed while he was carrying out work as a gardener and the order imposed by the court stated he could not be alone in the course of his employment with any female not related to him in any property or garden.

On Wednesday, March 11, last year a woman was alone at her Wimborne home when Barney knocked on the front door and asked if she wanted any gardening work done.

As they spoke in the porch and the front garden, initially the woman did not recognise him but she came to realise that she did know him and had been made aware previously of the order he was subject to.

She said during their interaction Barney made her feel very uncomfortable and made comments about her "beautiful eyes".

As the woman went to call her husband, Barney left her garden and she heard a vehicle drive away. She reported the matter to police and Barney was arrested the following day.

At court he admitted breaching the order, but denied making a comment about her eyes and claimed much of the interaction took place on the pavement outside her property rather than in her garden. After hearing evidence, a judge dismissed Barney's version of events.

At sentencing, Barney was also made subject to a new Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order was put in place to protect the victim. Both orders will run until further notice.

Investigator Bill Nixon, of Dorset Police's Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) team, said: "The court imposed the order when Barney was sentenced in 2013 to protect women from Barney's sexual offending.

"This breach showed a complete disregard for that order and I would like to thank the victim for reporting this to us and supporting us during the investigation, as well as giving evidence in court."

Detective Inspector Sarah Gillion, of MOSOVO, added: "Thanks to the victim's support, Barney is now facing the consequences of ignoring the court order, with a further prison sentence, and he will continue to be closely managed by the MOSOVO team on his release.

"Our team is committed to working with our partners to ensure offenders who pose a risk to women and other members of our communities abide by any restrictions that are in place. If they fail to do so, we will ensure appropriate action is taken."

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An Edinburgh pensioner who sexually abused a string of schoolgirls over a 15-year period has been jailed. Frank Boyd, 73, repeatedly molested the youngsters by touching their breasts and genitals when the girls visited his home in Edinburgh. Boyd also climbed into bed with the girls and rubbed his body against them after being left alone with them on occasions between 2004 and last year. The elderly predator even groped one girl while his wife slept in the next room and was eventually caught when a victim told a teacher what had been happening to her during the visits to his home. During the police investigation two more victims then came forward to reveal they had also been sexually assaulted by the OAP while in his home. Boyd - who served in the British Army for 25 years - pleaded guilty to six sexual offences against the three girls when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month. He returned to the dock for sentencing on Friday where Sheriff Kenneth McGowan jailed Boyd for 27 months and placed on the sex offenders register for ten years. Prosecutor Aidan Higgins read a written narration to the court stating Boyd targeted the first victim in 2004 when she was just 11-years-old. The girls police statement described how Boyd sexually assaulted her on various occasions over a three-year period while his wife was either in the kitchen or having a nap. She said he would encourage her to lie on top of him and abused her by putting his hands under her clothing and touching her genitals. The girl added she didnt ever tell anyone about the attacks as she was stressed about upsetting anyone. The second victim also visited the perverts home and said the abuse began around 2008 when she was 11-years-old. She described to police one occasion when Boyd, of Broomhouse, Edinburgh, climbed into bed with her and she was forced to push him off her after he had touched her genitals. The girl also said Boyd had a fixation on my boobs as from 11 to 12 I began to develop and that he would regularly brush my boobs with his elbow in the passing. She added: I began asking people to chum me to the kitchen so I wouldn't have to be alone with him. I never told anyone about this at the time because of how well respected he was. He previously had a career in the army and he was a very social man. I was sure I wouldn't have been believed as it was my word against [his]. This behaviour went on for years. The third victim was just seven when Boyd began sexually abusing her in a campaign that lasted three years. The court heard Boyd routinely sought out opportunities to be alone with the youngster in his kitchen or his bedroom. The fiscal said Boyd would pull her towards him, place his hands over and under her clothing, and grope her private parts. The fiscal added: On some occasions the accused would get into bed with the complainer and rub his body against her back.

Description

A teacher has been banned from teaching indefinitely after sending sexual messages to a girl he thought to be 13 and possessing indecent images of children.

Daniel Butterfield, 36, of Portland Road, Kingston , sent sexually explicit messages on an online messenger app between June and August 2018.

What he didn't realise though was that he was really talking to a police officer.

Butterfield sent explicit images of himself, and requested indecent images in return. He also made arrangements to meet with the girl.

Butterfield was first charged last October 2019 at Kingston Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to 13 sexual offences. He was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also subjected to a 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offender Register.

The Teaching Regulations Agency met to discuss the crime and announced earlier this month (May 6) that it concluded Butterfield is banned from teaching indefinitely in schools, sixth form colleges, relevant youth accommodation and childrens home in England.

There will be no opportunity for a review of this decision.

Butterfield was employed as assistant head teacher at Tidemill Academy from September 1, 2013 until he resigned on July 28, 2019. Within his role Mr Butterfield also taught Year 6 classes English and Maths.

A spokesperson for REAch2, the parent organisation of Tidemill Academy, said: We can confirm that the individual in question last taught at Tidemill in July 2018. As the Metropolitan Police made clear, the offences did not involve any children from the academy.

"At REAch2 we take safeguarding extremely seriously in all of our academies, and we can confirm that all safeguarding processes were followed in full when this individual was appointed. The checks revealed no recorded history of any safeguarding concerns.

The panel was satisfied that the conduct of Butterfield fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession. They noted that while Butterfield showed remorse, the seriousness of the offence and the public interest overrides this consideration.

The decision maker, Alan Meyrick, on behalf of the Secretary of State said: The panel was not provided with sufficient information to determine whether or not the allegations took place outside the education setting, although it acknowledged that this was likely to be the case.

In any event, the panels view was that the findings of misconduct were of a serious nature, and the conduct displayed would be likely to have a negative impact on the individuals status as a teacher, potentially damaging the public perception.