Latest Offenders

Description

A sex offender who initially avoided a jail term is in prison after judges said his first sentence was too low. Ionut Voicu, 36, admitted engaging in sexual communications with what he thought was a 13-year-old girl, with the intention of having sex with her. He found he was messaging an undercover police officer when he sought to meet the girl for sex and was then arrested. Voicu, of Massington Park, Taunton, Somerset, has now been jailed for three years and four months. He had initially been made subject of a community order for three years on the condition he attended an offender treatment programme and did 40 hours of unpaid work.

'Appalled'

But his sentence was increased last Thursday after the Solicitor General, Lucy Frazer, intervened and referred it to the Court of Appeal. She said: "I was appalled by Voicu's intentions and it was only thanks to the vigilance of our police that his criminality did not extend further. "I welcome the decision of the Court of Appeal to increase his sentence to properly reflect the severity of his actions." Voicu will also be subject of a sexual harm prevention order for five years, which he was originally given as part of his sentence after admitting eight offences on 14 May at Taunton Crown Court. They included five counts of causing a child to watch or look at an image of sexual activity, two counts of having sexual communication with a child and another of attempting to arrange or facilitate a child sex offence.

Description

A paedophile who had images of a man having sex with a dog also shared a sickening video of a five-year-old girl being raped.

Among his criminal content Alan Bainbridge kept 501 images of children being sexually abused.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the 62-year-old also amassed 52 images of bestiality involving dogs.

He was today jailed after a judge heard how police found chats in which he was "discussing sexual abuse of children".

Robert Wyn-Jones, prosecuting, said on May 12 last year "as a result of intelligence" police searched Bainbridge's Warrington home during which a "number of devices" were seized.

He was arrested on suspicion of possessing, making and distributing indecent images of children.

Bainbridge answered no comment in interview. The devices underwent a forensic examination.

Officers found between January 8 and May 13 last year Bainbridge kept 151 category A images, which involve children being raped.

He also kept 87 category B images and 263 category C images.

Mr Wyn-Jones said the majority of the pictures involved girls around eight-years-old.

Bainbridge also had 52 images of bestiality involving dogs.

Mr Wyn-Jones explained Bainbridge had used "various chat forums" on which he was "discussing sexual abuse of children".

In one chat Bainbridge shared two sickening child rape videos, one of which involved a five-year-old girl and the other which involved a girl of "about three".

In a police interview Bainbridge admitted having a sexual interest in children and that he had sent images to other people.

Bainbridge is of effective previous good character, the court heard.

Kyra Badman, defending, said he was "open" with the author of a pre-sentence report which she said was "perhaps indicative of his willingness to engage with the probation service and his motivation to change".

She said he has sought help from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, Samaritans, and local mental health services and he is "keen to change his ways".

Ms Badman said he has recently retired "really because of the shame of his employer finding out about these offences".

She said his marriage had broken down as a result of his offences and he had become "socially isolated", which has caused him to struggle with his mental health.

Alan Bainbridge, of Doward Street, Widnes, admitted possession of indecent images of a child, three counts of making indecent images, distributing indecent images of a child and possession of extreme pornographic images.

The judge, Recorder Eric Lamb, sentencing, said: "By your age you should know much better than to behave in the way you have done, bringing yourself before the court."

Recorder Lamb said: "The pre-sentence report sets out the many difficulties you have had in your life which result in you now finding yourself isolated and in poor mental health, but expressing yourself you are determined to overcome your previous way of behaving with help from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation."

The judge accepted Bainbridge's genuine remorse but said "appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody".

Bainbridge was jailed for two years, which was reduced to one year and 10 months due to the "onerous" conditions in prisons as a result of the pandemic.

He ordered to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years and must sign the Sex Offenders Register for the same period.

Description

A woman's supposed friend punched and kicked her when she refused to perform a sex act on him.

Mohammad Keneshlou told his victim he was "sad" and tried to hug and kiss her after an evening drinking.

The woman told him to stop, said she was married and even rang her husband to make clear she wasn't interested.

But 28-year-old Keneshlou, of Rocky Lane, Anfield, exposed himself and then pushed the woman's head towards him.

Liverpool Crown Court today heard she only escaped after biting him on the hand and screaming to alert neighbours.

Nicola Daley, prosecuting, said Keneshlou and the woman went for a walk to a park in Liverpool one evening in 2019.

They then went to her accommodation, where they had some drinks, before going to her room.

Ms Daley said the victim accepted that when Keneshlou said he was sad and lay down on her bed, she lay down next to him.

However, when he tried to kiss her and rub his clothed genital region against her she told him to stop and pushed him away.

The court heard she rang her husband to tell him she loved him, because she wanted Keneshlou to realise she was serious.

Ms Daley said Keneshlou pulled her back onto the bed and tried to hug and kiss her, then exposed himself.

She said: "He was pleading with her to give him oral sex. She refused and he initially tried to push her head towards his penis, but then she refused again and so he punched her to the face."

The woman again refused and he punched her again and kicked her, as she tried to fight back and screamed.

Neighbours responded to her cries, she ran out of her room and police were called, before she was taken to hospital with swelling and bruising to her eyes, cheek and lips.

Ms Daley said the victim now suffers with anxiety, struggles to sleep and is "fearful of being in the company of other men".

The prosecutor said: "She has described moving away from Liverpool to try and put the matter behind her, but has indicated that continuing anxiety has made it difficult for her to work and the relationship with her husband has deteriorated.

"She describes being scared of being attacked both when at home and when out in public."

Keneshlou, who was arrested at around 10.25pm, had scratches to his arms and an injury to his thumb consistent with the victim fighting against him.

Ms Daley said he was "clearly under the influence of alcohol" and had vomited next to the woman's bed.

When interviewed, Keneshlou said he had felt "sorry" for the woman and described her as "unattractive".

He said she told him she was "lonely", and she instigated kissing before reaching for his penis, so he pushed her away.

Keneshlou was set to stand trial after denying attempted rape, sexual assault and assault causing actual bodily harm.

Prosecutors dropped the attempted rape charge, which was ordered to lie on the file, after he admitted the other charges shortly before the trial.

Keneshlou, who has no previous convictions, had multiple character references, including a testimonial from Reverend David Gavin of Christ Church in Anfield, who was sitting in the public gallery today.

Ben Jones, defending, said theses references showed a "very decent human being who goes out of his way to assist those who are even less fortunate than him".

He said Keneshlou had sought to demonstrate remorse "albeit with some minimisation", had undergone counselling with Reverend Gavin, and it had been his "sole experience" drinking alcohol.

Mr Jones said Keneshlou feared prison because of a "traumatising" experience in custody abroad and suggested he was a "good man", who if spared jail could continue his "good works" for others.

As Keneshlou cried in the dock, his lawyer said: "He wants me to emphasise that he seeks if not prays every day for forgiveness from the victim of his offending.

"He recognises the damage that he's done to her, he recognises the impact upon her and it, I seek to assure the court, has affected him deeply as well."

Judge Anil Murray told Keneshlou: "This must have been a thoroughly terrifying experience for the complainant.

"She screamed for help and bit you on the hand to get away."

He said the impact included her losing more than 10kg in weight, feeling unable to go out shopping or trust anyone, and leaving the city.

The judge said it was "a very bad example" of sexual assault, with physical and psychological injuries, against a "vulnerable" woman.

Referring to a pre-sentence report, which found he likely "held negative attitudes towards women", the judge said: "You say you're remorseful, however you only accepted limited responsibility and you put the blame on your victim."

He added: "I've read about your background, I note that you come from Iran and that you were tortured and that you came to the UK as an asylum seeker. I note that you have anxiety, depression and PTSD."

However, the judge said a psychiatrist found Keneshlou being "emotionally unstable" and his mental health issues didn't lessen his culpability and that his account to the doctor of what happened was "not consistent with guilt to these offences".

Keneshlou sobbed as Judge Murray jailed him for two years and eight months, imposed a five-year restraining order to protect the woman, and told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

Description

A CHILD rapist who sexually abused three young girls over more than 20 years has been jailed for 22 years. Dennis Johnson, aged 58, of Manchester Road, Westhoughton, appeared from jail via a video link to the Nightingale Court at the University of Bolton Stadium was sentenced to 22 years and six months in prison plus an additional year on licence by Judge Graeme Smith. Following a trial he was found guilty of committing 21 separate offences including rape, sexual assault, causing actual bodily harm and witness intimidation. Johnson, who committed his offences in the Wigan area, was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for life. His vile offences came to light in September 2018 when police were contacted by social services to say that a pre-teenage girl had disclosed that Johnson had been touching her. Then, a short time after the disclosure, it was revealed that Johnson had also abused two other girls between 1991 and 2004. The abuse started when they were as young as aged four and lasted until they were in their mid teens. The girls were repeatedly sexually assaulted by Johnson and he raped one of them multiple times. The court heard that Johnson also sexually abused a young boy in the 1990s, forcing the child to commit a sex act on him. "Their trauma is real, deep, and long-lasting. It is impossible to hear the statements made by those you abused without feeling deeply moved," Judge Smith told Johnson. The judge added that the evidence heard during the trial "paints a comprehensive picture of you as a violent, controlling man with no regard to the effects of your actions on others." During the trial Johnson tried to claim was innocent and his accusers and their families had conspired against him for financial reasons, fabicating evidence and influencing witnesses. "You not only denied all of the allegations against you, but you effectively created your own alternative narrative, in which you were the victim," said Judge Smith. "In fact, the evidence against you was overwhelming, and the allegations made by you against the very people you had abused have, I am sure, only increased the trauma they have suffered." Speaking following the sentencing DC Karen Dewhurst said: "The sexual exploitation of children is abhorrent and Johnson's despicable abuse spanned years. "I want to commend the bravery of all four of Johnson's victims, their courage and support throughout this investigation and has been crucial in helping to secure a significant conviction. "Although today's sentence will never reverse the abuse Johnson inflicted, I hope it does help in providing a sense of closure for his victims knowing that he will be behind bars for over 22 years. "Child sexual exploitation takes place in many forms and GMP is committed to ensuring all those responsible for such grotesque abuse face the appropriate justice." If you have been the victim of such crimes or feel you know someone who is a victim then please get in touch with police. All reports will be treated with the respect and sensitivity they deserve and we will work closely with you to ensure justice prevails." And and NSPCC spokesman aid: This was a sustained and sickening campaign of abuse which spanned decades, and the bravery of Johnsons victims in speaking up cannot be understated. Child sexual abuse can devastate lives with its impact lasting long into adulthood and we would urge anyone who has been sexually abused, no matter when it happened or who the perpetrator was, to seek support and help ensure predators like Johnson can be brought to justice.

Description

A pensioner who subjected a young girl to a campaign of rape which left her traumatised for life has been jailed for 23 years.

John Gillis, 81, arrogantly thought he had got away with the despicable abuse he carried out many years ago.

But justice has finally caught up with him and he is now likely to die in prison as he was told he must serve two-thirds of the 23 years behind bars.

As Gillis, known as Jack, was locked up at Newcastle Crown Court, his victim said he will have to carry the shame of being a paedophile "for the rest of your pathetic life".

The woman, who was just seven at the time, said: "He was like a beast on the prowl and I was his prey.

"I felt worthless and have tried to commit suicide several times as I felt I couldn't live with the shame of what he did."

She added: "Jack, where you are today, because of your arrogance, you believed yourself invincible but you have been proved wrong and justice has been met.

"You have to carry the brand paedophile for the rest of your life.

"May you languish in prison for the rest of your pathetic life

Gillis, of Plessey Road, Blyth, Northumberland, was convicted after a trial in May of six counts of rape, three of them when the victim was under 13, and two of indecent assault.

Judge Tim Gittins told him: "You vilely abused her, raping her repeatedly despite the obvious distress and pain you knew you were causing her."

When the victim tried to tell Gillis' mother what he had done, when she was 15, she was dismissed and denounced as a liar, the court heard.

Judge Gittins said Gillis did everything he could to create the impression she was making it up.

He added: "You arrogantly dismissed her complaint and, frankly, dismissed her as a human being.

"There has been no shame from you, no contrition.

"Even when cornered in cross-examination, you still sought to blame her, telling the court she was coming on to you."

Judge Gittins said the truth is now out as a result of the victim's courage.

He added: "You were a paedophile and a serial rapist of her and she is a survivor but at an almost catastrophic cost to almost every aspect of her life.

"You sought to say she was vindictive when in fact it was the other way around.

"You were clearly a dangerous offender as a young adult."

As well as the prison sentence, Gillis will be on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Phil Gibbs, defending, said: "He may well spend the rest of his life in prison. He is an elderly man.

"It's a difficult age to find himself in prison. Every day will be difficult.

"He has always been active and his first few weeks of enforced idleness has been a punishment for him."

Description

A "monster" paedophile who molested girls as young as five years old is among the criminals jailed by the courts across the South West over the last month.

Despite the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic over the last 18 months, the courts are still striving to dispense justice and has remained committed to putting criminals behind bars.

Despite many courts operating remotely and the justice system only now starting to get back to functioning on an in-person basis, those committing the most serious crimes are still being dealt with and being sentenced to jail terms.

Crimes have continued to be punished across Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire over the last month, with some of the most significant including a paedophile from Bath who was convicted of molesting multiple girls between five and 14 years old.

Among the other most disturbing crimes for which people have been handed prison sentences include a former Army driver who hailed neo-Nazis as 'saints' and released a video of him strumming a guitar to footage of the Christchurch mosque shooting, and a healthcare assistant who was jailed after entering into a sexual relationship with a patient detained under the Mental Health Act.

Here are the criminals put behind bars by the courts across Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire in June.

Stewart Geen, 53, of Bath, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court after admitting seven counts of serious offences involving girls aged between five and 14.

They included multiple counts of rape, sexual assault and sexual activity.

As well as the 21-year jail term and five year licence extension, Geen was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

During sentencing, Judge Julian Lambert said: "There is no question but that you knew what you were doing was wrong and wicked in the extreme.

"You chose your own corrupt sexual pleasure and thought nothing of the ruination of young lives.

"You are truly a monster steeped in corruption."

Dean Morrice, of Pithay Court, Paulton, built a collection of chemicals used in homemade explosives as well as a cache of terrorism manuals and instructions for a 3D-printed gun.

The 34-year-old made a video of himself strumming his guitar to footage of the Christchurch mosque shooting, glorified figures from the Third Reich and hailed neo-Nazi terrorists as saints.

Morrice, who participated in far-right forums and set up two channels of his own, was found guilty on ten counts:

- Three counts of dissemination of terrorist publication

- One count of encouraging terrorism

- Four counts of possession of a document or record for terrorist purposes

- Two counts of having an explosive substance

He was sentenced to 23 years in prison, with the last five to be served on licence.

Description

AN Angus chip shop boss has been placed on the sex offenders register after demanding a schoolboy perform a sex act on him.

David Crabb, who runs Trinity Fish Bar and Restaurant in Brechin, pled guilty to telling a teenager to get on his knees and perform a sex act.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also subjected to a slew of homophobic comments by 64-year-old Crabb the fortnight before.

He said that Crabb would make comments.

Hes been placed on the sex offenders register for six months and Im happy with that.

The teenager explained Crabb had also addressed him as a little p **** .

Crabb, the businesss director and catering manager, was sentenced at Forfar Sheriff Court last week, having pled guilty to a pair of charges against the schoolboy.

Crabb, the businesss director and catering manager, was sentenced at Forfar Sheriff Court last week, having pled guilty to a pair of charges against the schoolboy.

He admitted that on various occasions between July 15 and July 31 2020 he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by repeatedly making homophobic remarks towards the boy.

He also pled guilty to communicating indecently with the teenager and asking him to get on his knees and perform the sex act on August 2 2020.

Crabb, who lives a stones throw from his business on Trinity Road, was placed on the sex offenders register for six months.

He was also made subject to a community payback order which requires him to carry out unpaid work.

Description

A man has been convicted of rape and sentenced to five years in prison after a trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

James Ratcliff, aged 36, of Shawfield Close, Sutton Hill, Telford, was found guilty by the jury on Tuesday 4 May and sentenced on Friday 2 July. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

The offence took place on 24 November 2018 in Oakengates, Telford. The victim was walking away from a nightclub with a friend when Ratcliff approached her. After talking to her briefly he led her away from her friend and into an alleyway where he raped her.

A report was made to the police and Ratcliff was arrested a short while after the offence took place.

Following the conviction, Detective Sergeant Jon Taylor said: “We welcome this conviction and I hope it offers some comfort to the victim who bravely came forward so we could investigate the offence fully.

“Despite these types of incident being rare, I hope this conviction will provide reassurance to all our communities that we will always investigate sexual offences and do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

Description

A convicted rapist - who began a secret affair with the mother of a young child has avoided a prison sentence - despite his fourth breach of a court order.

Wayne Adams, 52, had tried to strangle a 19-year-old stranger, who he attacked as she was walking home in Rainham in 1996.

But a "clerical error" meant he wasn't arrested for eight years. He was eventually given a 12-year jail term after admitting the offences.

The judge at the time said the attack was "inhumane and wicked".

Now Adams, of Boundary Road, Chatham has avoided returning to prison despite admitting two charges of breaching rules designed to allow police to monitor where he lives.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how in November 2020 he had begun a romantic relationship with a mother of a young child living on the Isle of Wight.

The court order restricted how many nights he could spend away from his Kent home without authorities being alerted.

The mother later told officers that Adams had stayed with her "for at least 15 nights".

Prosecutor John Livingston said: "She also revealed she has a very young child, living in the same house... although Adams was never left unsupervised with the child."

He said that when Adams house was searched, officers discovered a ferry ticket to the Isle and a receipt.

"He was in breach of requirements to notify police of any address where he stayed for seven consecutive days in a 12-month period, " he added.

Officers also found a credit card which Adams had but kept kept secret from police.

Adams told police he hadn't alerted them to his trips to the Isle of Wight because he had kept his romance a secret and he had "forgotten" about the credit card.

"You have escaped an immediate jail sentence by the skin of your teeth... it won't happen again..."

The court heard it was his fourth breach of the regulations, following infringements in 2013 and 2018.

Defence barrister Thaiza Khan said he is no longer in a relationship and is working full-time for an event hiring company and earning 22,000 after tax.

"The stress which came with this case ended the relationship, " she added.

The Judge, Recorder Alistair Webster QC, told him he had breached the notification requirements imposed after the "extremely serious rape of a stranger and strangulation" in 2005.

He added: "These court requirements are imposed for good reasons to protect members of the public from someone who, in the past, showed himself to be a danger.

"You took a quite deliberate decision to lie about the relationship on the Isle of Wight.

"You have escaped an immediate jail sentence by the skin of your teeth... it won't happen again."

He received a four-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, was fined 850 and ordered to pay 500 court costs

Adams wasn't arrested for the earlier rape and attack despite giving a DNA sample which matched police evidence.

Speaking after the earlier hearing, Det Insp David Withers said Adams had finally been caught by a review of DNA evidence from unresolved crimes.

He said Adams had been arrested for a public order offence in 1996 and had a forensic sample taken, but the match was not spotted at the time due to a "clerical error".

"They realised that a 1996 sample taken from the victim had been transcribed incorrectly into the national database.

"It appears to be a typing mistake," he added.

Adams remains on the Sex Offender's Register.

Description

A "dangerous" paedophile teacher who tricked young teenage boys into filming themselves performing sex acts has been jailed for 17 years.

Dean Davidson, 38, admitted 18 sexual offences over 10 years, including possession of indecent images of children, online exploitation of young teenagers and indecently touching boys.

The defendant, of Brockwood Court, Ashington, Northumberland, who taught in a number of schools in the North East of England, "posed as a good-looking blonde girl" online, one of his victims said.

In other cases he used a male alter-ego, depending on the sexuality of his young victims, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

The disgraced defendant held his head in his hands during the lengthy sentencing hearing, during which statements from 27 victims were heard.

Andrew Epsley, prosecuting, said Davidson was "a dangerous offender" who tricked some of his victims, now adults, after contacting them on social media.

In some cases, he posed as a sexually adventurous older girl, and cajoled them into performing sexual acts on camera.

Davidson, without their knowledge, made recordings of those videos, the court heard.

One told the court he had remained in contact for years with what he thought was a woman, but which was actually Davidson.

The man only realised the deception when detectives approached him and showed him video of himself as a boy aged around 13 performing sex acts.

Officers had recovered the video from Davidson's electronic devices.

The victim said: "I had been enticed by who I thought was a girl showing me attention at a very early age.

"Over the years it had been casual, friendly, on occasions flirtatious and sexual.

"I feel deceived and misled."

Another victim said he felt anxious in public in case Davidson had shared videos of him as a young teen, adding he felt "violated".

And another said he recalled making friends online with that he thought was a girl who asked him to do "weird things - stuff I would never dream of doing as an adult".

David Comb, defending, said Davidson was "ashamed and upset" by his conduct.

He added: "He genuinely enjoyed his work and he had a commitment to it, but he was also a confused, isolated and closeted young man who had been unable to establish or maintain healthy relationships with adults."

Judge Sarah Mallett sentenced him to serve 17 years in jail, with a six-year extended period.

Referring to his victims, she said: "Several of them have described their lives, as a result, are in ruins."

Description

A child sex offender "in turmoil and wanting to get better shopped himself to police.

Dominic Alexander Davey, 26, told his probation officer that he had a mobile phone capable of accessing the internet.

When she informed police, officers found 65 images in the least serious Category C, two images in Category B, two more pictures of extreme bestiality and 3,337 non-illegal images including youngsters doing gymnastics, but which still showed a sexual interest in children.

The phone also had eraser software for deleting material.

A judge at Caernarfon Crown Court today jailed Davey for a total of 12 months for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and possessing the Category B images.

Prosecutor Philip Clemo said on February 4 this year a member of the probation service, Clare Hughes, got a call from Davey saying he had had a phone for two weeks.

He should have reported he had a device capable of accessing the internet more promptly but he hadn't.

Ms Hughes contacted police and officers arrived at Davey's house and arrested him.

The court heard the defendant said he had found the phone while cleaning his house.

Ember-Jade Wong, defending, said Davey, whose address was given as HMP Berwyn, Wrexham, is remorseful.

She said the "unusual feature" of this case is that he "informed on himself" which was "indicative of the turmoil this defendant faces with his offending."

She added: "He simply wants to get better".

He is still a young man, she added. He had been a gardener and suffers depression and anxiety.

The judge Mr Recorder John Philpotts told Davey: "You reported the possession of this device. You effectively informed on yourself."

He jailed Davey for eight months for breaching a previous Sexual Harm Prevention Order by obtaining the phone, and for a further four months, consecutively, for possessing Category B images.

He also gave Davey concurrent jail terms of four months for possessing prohibited images, one month for possessing Category C images and one month for possessing extreme pornographic images.

He must go on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years and still has eight years of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order sentence to run.

Description

The survivors of a horrific cycle of non-recent child sex abuse bravely confronted their abuser in court today (Wednesday 30 June), where he was branded a 'conniving and exploitative serial paedophile'. Mark Burgess, aged 68 years, of St Chads Avenue in Hilsea, was handed a 40 year sentence at Portsmouth Crown Court today after he was convicted of abusing children over a period of nearly four decades. He will serve a minimum of 21 years in jail before being considered for parole. Following an investigation by Hampshire Constabulary's Operation Marmion team, Burgess was charged with a raft of offences relating to 13 children, all of whom were under the age of 16 during his time as a choirmaster for the All Saints church choir in Portsmouth, and Westbourne Choir in Sussex between 1975 and 2009. On 28 May this year, following a lengthy trial, he was convicted of the following offences:

• 26 counts of indecent assault
• 15 counts of gross indecency with a child
• 4 counts of buggery
• 1 count of attempted indecent assault
• 2 counts of sexual activity with a child

During the trial, which began on 15 March, Portsmouth Crown Court heard that Burgess had previously been a music teacher as well as a choir master, vocations which had brought him into contact with children time and again. Burgess had taught at Portsmouth City Boys' School and also ran choirs in St John's church in Westbourne, Sussex, and All Saints church in Commercial Road in Portsmouth. The court heard that, over the years, his attention became 'fixed' on a series of children. Burgess then took advantage of his positions in the school and choir settings in order to get closer to these children and draw them, and sometimes their families, into his trust. These children were then sexually abused by Burgess, with assaults taking place during piano lessons at Burgess's home address or in the church vestry, in Burgess's car, on choir trips out of county, and in the school music room. After decades of keeping this a secret, the children – all now adults – found the confidence to report this abuse to the police. In emotive statements read out in court, the survivors told of the damage Burgess had inflicted on so many lives, with one describing his abuser as a 'festering, rancid boil'. Others spoke of how Burgess manipulated, groomed, charmed and bribed his way into their lives for his own sexual pleasure, and labelled him abhorrent, deplorable, calculating and despicable. One survivor, now an adult woman, told how the abuse at Burgess's hands had affected her passion for music. In a statement, she said: "This person helped me use my voice to make beautiful music, but I would become too ashamed to ever use it again." Another, who was abused at the age of 13, told the court: "You took a bright, naïve, funny, energetic child and you destroyed all of that in the most cynical and vile way." Speaking of finding his voice after all these years, he continued: "It has been a very difficult process, but I take courage and strength from the survivors here, and the love and support of my family." Passing sentence, His Honour Judge William Ashworth commended the survivors in this case for coming forward, and commented on the 'dignity, restraint and stunning openness' in which they spoke about their experiences. Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Adam Edwards said: "Burgess made a choice to exploit his position and manipulate certain scenarios that would give him the opportunity to carry out these heinous and evil acts. "These were young children, and he deliberately preyed on their naivety for his own sordid agenda. "He is now behind bars, where he belongs, for a very long time. "The survivors in this case have shown an incredible amount of bravery and strength throughout this entire process, which has ensured that the cowardly man who sat in the dock can't hurt another person again. "Their courage is to be commended. I am pleased that justice has now been served and these brave individuals have had their voices heard after years of keeping this abuse secret." An NSPCC spokesperson said: "Burgess brutally abused his position of trust at the cruel expense of his victims' wellbeing. "This case shows that perpetrators of child abuse can be brought to justice, no matter how long ago or who they are, and we hope that this sentencing allows the survivors to move on with their lives." Operation Marmion is Hampshire Constabulary's dedicated team who tackle non-recent child sex abuse perpetrated within an institution or by a person of prominence.

Description

An ex children's entertainer keeps asking girls to send naked and semi-naked pictures of themselves to him.

In his most recent vile messages Michael Monks asked a 13-year-old to lift her skirt and take a photo for him before sending videos of himself performing sex acts.

Despite having been snared by paedophile hunters in the past the 41-year-old was duped again, this time by an undercover police officer.

The former DJ was caught in 2017 after asking another decoy profile, also pretending to be a 13-year-old girl, for oral sex and suggesting they stay the night at a hotel or bed and breakfast.

Today the dad, who used to work as a DJ and entertainer at childrens parties, was back in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court for similar offences.

Ken Grant, prosecuting, explained an undercover police officer was using the Kik Messenger app while pretending to be a 13-year-old called Millie.

Monks, using the names 'AnfieldGuy' and 'MikeLeon' contacted the decoy profile on April 15 this year.

As soon as the conversation began the decoy told Monks they were 13-years-old, to which he replied "I'm a bit older, where are you now, in your bedroom?".

Mr Grant said: "'Millie' told the defendant she was 13, but this didn't deter the defendant from continuing with the online conversation."

Monks sent a photo of himself and when the 'girl' also sent a picture he replied "You look cute" and asked "Are you naughty?".

Mr Grant said he asked "increasingly sexualised questions" including "You ever been naughty with a boy, played with a willy?".

He also asked what he thought was a child "You ever touched yourself below? Bet you have".

Monks sent the 'girl' two videos of him performing a sex act on himself and said "Please can I see you with your skirt lifted up and I'll show you more".

He was arrested at a builder's yard where he worked on April 17 and gave a no comment interview.

Monks has seven previous convictions and in May 2018 was jailed for two-and-a-half years for nine sexual offences including attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and attempting to incite a child in sexual activity.

Paedophile hunters said Monks had cried 'crocodile tears' when he was caught red-handed.

After breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order he was jailed again following his release for four weeks.

Jamie Baxter, defending, said Monks wanted to "do something to address his abhorrent and unjustifiable behaviour" and hoped to move to HMP Wymott near Leyland where there are "specific courses available".

Mr Baxter asked the judge to consider his guilty pleas and totality.

He said this had been the "first significant breach of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Monks, of Richmond Terrace, Anfield, admitted breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child to watch sexual activity.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones, sentencing, said Monks' sexual offences were "now becoming a very worrying trend indeed".

The judge noted Monks remains a "high risk of harm to children" and jailed him for two years and nine months.

He imposed a new Sexual Harm Prevention order for 15 years.

Monks already has to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life from a previous conviction.

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A Downend man convicted of sexually assaulting one woman and stalking another was jailed. A jury found Aaron Gent guilty of two sex offences but he admitted other charges.

In total the 30-year-old, of Maggs Close, was convicted of stalking, causing criminal damage, harassment and two sexual assaults. Judge William Hart jailed him for 20 months.

The judge told him: "The offending indicates wholly inappropriate behaviour by you to both these women. Women should not be expected to tolerate it. Those who offend in this way should expect custodial sentences."

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A "very high risk" sex offender was snared by police after he groomed a 12 year-old girl online who turned out to be an undercover officer.

Paul Weekley, 61, breached a court order by using hidden devices to have secret online sex chats with the girl he believed to be a 12-year-old called Becca, Norwich Crown Court heard.

Claire Matthews, prosecuting, said Weekley was already on the sex offenders register for previous convictions for possessing indecent images of children, and under the order his online use was meant to be able to be checked.

He had also moved to an address in Salisbury Road, Great Yarmouth, without informing authorities of his new address.

She said Weekley engaged in sexual conversations with Becca and also sent her explicit live webcam images of himself and asked if he could visit her.

Ms Matthews said when arrested in March, Weekley was found to have downloaded nine indecent images of children.

Weekley admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a 12-year-old, attempting to engage in sexual activity in front of a child and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

He also admitted possession of indecent images and breaching his sexual harm prevention order.

Jailing him for three years and four months, Judge Andrew Shaw said Weekley was a "troubling individual" as he had been given a range of orders in the past to help him, but nothing had worked.

"It is only a matter of time before you seek out a child in person and cause substantial harm to that child by committing a serious sexual offence."

He said Weekley had ignored his court order, and had used social media to make contact with someone he thought was 12, but in fact was an undercover police officer.

He warned Weekley that his sentences were only going to get longer unless he stopped offending, adding: "You are a very high risk individual."

He also placed Weekley on the sex offenders register for life.

Rob Pollington, for Weekley, said that he was genuinely remorseful: "He needs help and is asking for help."