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A boastful sex offender who masturbated in front of a 12-year-old girl and filmed her as she wore a body stocking has been jailed today.

Carl Hodgson, 28, spent the night with the victim, whom he thought was 19, after they met on a dating app, but the pair did not have sex.

A court heard he shared indecent photos of her on social media and bragged to friends he "nailed" her.

In other sick messages, Hodgson also described the girl as "filth".

The former office worker was today sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison after pleaded guilty to causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, distributing an indecent photograph of a child and making indecent photographs of a child.

Sentencing the sex offender today, Judge David Stockdale QC, the Recorder of Manchester, told him: "(The victim) was by reason of her age highly vulnerable to exploitation and she was no doubt impressed by you.

"This is most serious offending as you now fully appreciate. The effects on a child of such a young age of offending of this sort are really well too known and well too documented. These effects, in many cases, last for the rest of the child's life.

"I take into account that while (the victim) was 12 years of age at the time of these offences you did not believe that to be the case. You thought, and on reasonable grounds, that she was over 16."

Manchester Crown Court heard the victim used a different name on her dating app profile and falsely stated she was 19.

Hodgson made one moving image of the girl and also captured three still images of her on his phone while at his flat in Castlefield, Manchester.

He also messaged a friend, saying "Mine was decent. Nailed that bird, unreal bod" and also described her as "filth".

But the prosecution offered no evidence of rape and Judge Stockdale ordered a formal not guilty verdict be returned.

No evidence was also offered against single counts of grooming and child abduction.

Alexander Leach, defending, said Hodgson's comments were "simply male bravado and bragging" and he had not had sexual intercourse with the girl.

"Effectively Carl Hodgson was not aware he was engaging in any sexual activity with a child. He did not intend to engage in sexual activity with a child and could not have appreciated the particular vulnerability of the child, nor the disparity in age to its criminal extent.

"He must have known she was significantly younger than him but he believed her to be older than 16 years old," he added.

"He is genuinely ashamed and remorseful for the circumstances he finds himself in but does not seek to minimise his behaviour.

"The defendant is regarded by those who know him as honest, trustworthy, industrious, loyal and charitable. Those who know him better say these proceedings have had a profound effect on him. He has lost his employment, his home and has suffered the inevitable stigma brought with offending of this sort."

The victim has been seen by a consultant psychologist and a social worker and was shown to be in a "withdrawn state" and unable or unwilling to communicate.

He added though there were no significant signs she had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, serious anxiety or depression but it was "inevitable she will suffer in the long term as a consequence of the offending".

Hodgson was also banned from contacting the victim and ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register for life.

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A MAN who downloaded a 'paedophile manual' containing detailed instructions on how to sexually abuse children, including babies, has been jailed. Jamie Downing, 27, of Oak Vale, Oakfield, Ryde, admitted downloading the manual as well as thousands of indecent images of children and extreme pornography involving sex with animals and was sentenced at Isle of Wight Crown Court this morning (Tuesday). Sentencing, Judge Roger Hetherington said: "The worst offence of these, which takes this case to levels of depravity that this court seldom sees, is that of the manual, which gives detailed advice on the abuse of very young children, including babies. "It is hard to express in words how the public would feel about that kind of material being possessed by someone like you." After police raided Downing's address and seized computer equipment, examiners found 583 category A images, 1,087 category B and 1,862 category C. They also found 65 extreme pornography images and 1,789 prohibited images of children, which are non-photographic cartoons or computer animated images. The paedophile manual was also found, which was a slideshow presentation with instructions on how to abuse children and how to avoid being caught. Prosecuting, Tom Horder said the officers who examined the manual described the material as "graphic and particularly shocking". Mr Horder said that Downing was highly IT literate and had customised his computer and organised the illegal files across six different hard drives. Downing admitted to police viewing similar material since he was the age of 16 and only now realised that what he was doing was wrong and had not equated the people on his screen as real children. For Downing, Helen Easterbrook said that the moment police knocked on her client's door, he pointed to where the material could be found and did not try to shy away from what he had done. "In a strange way, he is glad this has come to light. He was putting his head in the sand and only saw them as people on his screen," Ms Easterbrook said. "He is disgusted with himself. He has started to understand the impact on the wider community and where these images have come from." Ms Easterbrook asked the judge not to imprison Downing so that he could be treated through rehabilitation activities to minimise the risk of him reoffending. Judge Hetherington said: "I would be failing in my public duty if this case was not met with an immediate custodial sentence." Downing was jailed for a total of 12 months.

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Christopher Halloran, 67, formerly of Eastleigh, was jailed for over 20 years at York Crown Court for the "systematic" sexual abuse of his helpless victims – some as young as three and four – who were sworn to secrecy by the sexual predator.

Halloran plied some of the victims with cigarettes and alcohol as part of the grooming process, said prosecutor Paul Abrahams.

He abused children at properties in Hampshire and Selby, North Yorkshire.

Mr Abrahams said the "three decades of abuse" lasted from September 1986 to 2018, during which Halloran urged some of the victims – both girls and boys – to join him in "games of dare" before exposing himself and assaulting them.

Halloran was in his mid-30s when he began abusing one girl in Hampshire.

On another occasion, Halloran took a victim out in his car and sexually assaulted her in woods. Another attack happened at a bird hide in North Yorkshire.

"He clearly groomed (the victim), buying her cigarettes and alcohol," said Mr Abrahams. "This made (the girl) feel confused and trapped."

The victim said she felt "sick and dirty" afterwards.

One boy was abused on "multiple" occasions. Like many of the victims, he said he felt "trapped" by Halloran's "sick little games".

Father-of-three Halloran, of Sherburn, near Selby, North Yorkshire, was arrested in 2018 and

admitted 26 charges including two counts of rape, indecency with a child, sexual assault of children under 13 and assault by penetration. Eight other charges were left on file.

He appeared for sentence when some of the victims were sitting in the public gallery.

All the victims – none of whom can be named for legal reasons – said they were still suffering the effects of Halloran's abuse. Some of them had lost their jobs or had to take time off work due to the toll on their health. For others it had led to the collapse of their marriages.

Others said they had suffered from severe mental-health issues which had led to depression, eating disorders, self-harm, nervous breakdowns, panic attacks, nightmares and flashbacks.

Defending Abbie Whelan said an expert's report concluded that her client was a danger to children and he accepted that he "will almost inevitably die in prison".

Judge Andrew Stubbs QC told Halloran: "You are dangerous (to children) and you will be sentenced as such."

Halloran was given a 19-year jail term. If and when he is ever released, he will have to serve an extended eight-year period on prison licence. He was ordered to sign on the sex offenders' register for life and made subject to a sexual-harm prevention order, which is also for life.

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Hewad Shivzad - who falsely claimed to be 19 - forced himself on the very young girl, described by a judge as a blameless, innocent child A vile sexual abuser who raped and molested a very young girl has been caged for 15 years. Hewad Shivzad isolated the primary school-age girl and lured her away to subject her to a sexual attack lasting 30 to 40 minutes. He ignored her pleas for him to stop, sexually assaulted her and forced himself on her, Teesside Crown Court heard. A judge said the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was a blameless, charming, innocent and "innately kind" girl. Prosecutor Aisha Wadoodi said: "The child is particularly vulnerable." She read out a moving statement from the girl's mother, who said: "I'm worried that this will have ruined her life." The mum said the rape massively affected her daughter, leading to anger, violent behaviour and harming herself. "We are really struggling as a family," she added. "She talks about what happened all the time. I think that she's depressed. I really need some help for her." 'I feel that this has ruined our lives' She added: "I'm also suffering depression. I feel distraught about what has happened to (my daughter) and our family. "I feel that this has ruined our lives. We need help and justice. "I want to move somewhere else but I can't do this." Shivzad - who claimed to be 19, to the disbelief of his sentencing judge - denied the rape and sexual assault from August last year. 'She was particularly vulnerable' He was convicted by a jury after a trial this week, and appeared for sentence via video link to Durham Prison. Victoria Lamballe, defending, said: "There is really nothing that I can say on this defendant's behalf. "There are no mitigating features that I can draw to your Honour's attention." Judge Howard Crowson told Shivzad, of Suffolk Street, Oxbridge , Stockton : "She was particularly vulnerable to your attack being so very young. "Despite her asking you to stop, you continued your effort to have full sexual intercourse with her. "Mercifully she was not left with lasting physical injuries. Charming, innocent and blameless "She was left scared and confused by an act which she did not understand, and it continues to affect her. "She is a charming, innocent little girl." He said Shivzad showed no concern for the girl: "You cared nothing for the possible effect on her future. "One day she will be old enough to realise the nature of the acts you committed upon her. "We should all hope she will find comfort in the knowledge that her parents and everyone who heard her know she was telling the truth and was blameless." Claim to be 19 rejected by judge He jailed Shivzad for 15 years, plus a year's additional supervision. The Parole Board will decide whether it is safe to release him after he has served half of his sentence. Turning to the issue of Shivzad's age, the judge said: "He claims to be 19. I don't believe him. "If he were 19 he should be in a young offenders' institution. My view is he should be in prison. "He's obviously older than 21. But the Prison Service will have to judge where to keep him." He told Shivzad: "You maintain that you are a 19-year-old man. I've seen no documents to support that claim and to my eyes you appear substantially older. "It's my view that your claim to be so young is a lie told when you entered the UK in March 2017 to claim asylum." 'Preyed on a young girl' Shivzad was given a sexual harm prevention order banning unsupervised contact with under-16s and a restraining order banning contact with the victim or two other named people, or speaking of them on social media - both indefinitely. He will be on the sex offenders' register for life, and could face deportation to Afghanistan. Inspector Mark Haworth from Cleveland Police said: Firstly I would like to thank the victim and her family for their courage in coming forward to police and their bravery throughout these court proceedings. "Shivzad preyed on a young girl and he was tirelessly hunted down so that he could be brought to justice for his despicable actions. This case is another example of great work by Cleveland Police child abuse investigation unit, whereby the team were able to track down Shivzad despite his attempts to avoid police and put him before the courts, where he has been handed a lengthy jail sentence and he will now have to live with the consequences of his actions. "Other vulnerable victims will now be protected from him for a considerable length of time.

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A MAN groomed a vulnerable teenage boy after first making contact through social media.

Lewis Westbrook used his Instagram page 'Littlebooboo15' to make contact with his 15-year-old victim.

The 20-year-old later talked his victim into sending an indecent picture of himself, after promising him a threesome with an older woman.

He was caught after carers inspected the boy's phone and found the messages.

At Southampton Crown Court Westbrook admitted one count of sexual communication with a child and another count of inciting a child into sexual activity. He was given a two-year detention in young offenders institute.

He was also given an extended two-year licence period by a judge, who deemed him a danger to children.

Southampton Crown Court heard how initial contact was made through Westbrook's Instagram page, which had around 1,000 followers.

The pair began messaging about parties, vaping and drugs, before Westbrook turned the conversation to sex.

Prosecutor Dan Sawyer said Westbrook then requested an indecent picture of the victim, before sending one back, as well as a video showing adult pornography.

Westbrook continued to groom his victim during the day-long conversation, which included an offer of a threesome with an older woman.

Mitigating, Mary Aspinall-Miles described the conversation as "fantasy" on behalf of Westbrook.

She said: "This is clearly fantasy.

"For example, he he says to the young man at one point 'be right back, I've got to go to the shop to get some petrol and munch'.

"He hasn't even got a car."

Ms Aspinall-Miles described her client as having a number of learning conditions, which caused him to be "immature".

She said that Westbrook was homeless at the time of the offence, in September last year, and was living a "chaotic existence" by sleeping rough in a multi-storey car park in Southampton.

Judge Robert Pawson sentenced Westbrook, listed by the courts as of Lionheart Way, Bursledon, to two years' detention in a young offenders institute.

He also handed down an extended two year sentence, which he will serve on licence.

Judge Pawson said: "I have to decide if you pose a significant risk of causing serious harm to child.

"It is in my view that an extended sentence is necessary in this case to protect the public and protect children."

Two further counts, one of possession of an indecent image and another of inciting a child to view pornography, will lie on Westbrook's file.

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A joiner was caught by online paedophile hunters trying to incite underage girls to have sex. Cameron Haigh, 24, later told police he was "looking for a f*** buddy" when he went on the social media dating website Jaumo, Hull Crown Court heard. He admitted continuing trying to engage them two "girls" in sexual activity and chat even after they told him they were 13 and 14. They were in fact "decoys" deployed by two paedophile hunting groups, with a 13-year-old called "Paula" set up by One Reason, and "Gabby", 14, posted by Justice4Kids. Richard Thompson, prosecuting, said Haigh was using the social media site Jaumo, and claimed he had set his parameters for girls aged between 17 and 21, but this could not be confirmed by prosecutors. Haigh communicated with "Paula" between October 13 and December 20, 2017, and with "Gabby" between February 20 that year and February 1, 2018. Mr Thompson said: "The defendant sent indecent photographs of himself and requested the same in return, despite it being made clear to him to profile related to a child." 'I'm only 13' "Paula" had told him she was on the site to make friends, but Haigh "made suggestive comments" of a sexual nature. She replied: "I'm only a kid. I've never done that before". But the suggestive comments continued. Mr Thompson said: "The defendant set out in explicit terms the sexual acts he would like to perform. The response he received was 'Why would you want to do that when I'm only 13?' The defendant said it did not matter." "Gabby" also received explicit messages from Haigh, who suggested they could "meet up". He also used WhatsApp to send her explicit pictures of himself. But his phone number on WhatsApp allowed him to be traced to the home he shared with his parents in Beverley, and members of Justice for Children paid him a visit on February 10. He confirmed he was the person responsible and was arrested after police were called. Haigh, of Nursery Gardens, Beverley, admitted four offences of attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity, and two of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He had received a caution for common assault in 2010, and had a conviction for inflicting grievous bodily harm from a juvenile court. Haigh, a twin, provided the court with references from a retired detective inspector, his GP practice, his employer, and an aunt and uncle. Kylie Peach, mitigating, said: "What Mr Haigh is trying to advance is that normally he is a hard-working, polite young man who's acted out of character. He's deeply apologetic for his actions. The offences themselves are totally disgraceful." Haigh's father gave evidence and said the former Beverley Grammar School pupil was borderline dyslexic, which had caused him "frustrations" and led him to leave school at 15. 'You knew this was wrong' Sentencing Haigh to six months in jail, suspended for two years, Judge David Tremberg told him: "You knew what you were doing was wrong but you did it and you did it for sexual gratification, and you were either unable or unwilling to demonstrate the necessary control mechanism to decline from this behaviour." Haigh must also attend the Horizon programme, have up to 15 days rehabilitation, and comply with a 28-day curfew between the hours of 8pm and 6am. He must register as a sex offender for seven years and was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.

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A 'DISTURBING' Gosport man who was found with over 1,500 indecent images of children on his computer – including rape of a toddler and beastiality – was unwittingly caught out, before admitting: 'It was me.'

After police turned up at his Fraser Road address in November 2017, David Wilcock, 32, immediately owned up to his crimes to police, Portsmouth Crown Court heard at his sentencing.

The defendant, who had no previous convictions but later told probation he had viewed indecent images of children since he was a child, was finally exposed for his deplorable obsession while using a peer to peer software sharing site.

Wilcock's collection of vile images were seen by other people who then reported him to the authorities. The hapless offender had no idea others could see his collection of photos.

'Topics of files can be viewed, downloaded and shared by others on the network,' prosecutor Matthew Lawson said.

When police turned up at his address, Wilcock did not try and hide his shameful actions before he was arrested and his computer seized.

Internet searches on his computer showed he had been looking for abuse images of 'pre-teens' as well as incest, the prosecutor said.

The worst files discovered included moving images of a girl aged between two to four years being raped and the rape of a girl who was aged four to six years. There was also a moving image of beastiality involving a girl aged 11-13 years.

Wilcock told officers: 'I accessed material through peer to peer software and was unaware others could access it. I did not knowingly share it to others.'

The defendant admitted three charges of distributing indecent images of children and three charges of making indecent images of children. They included 124 category A images (the most serious level which involved penetration), 1,256 category B images and 171 category C images.

In defence, Daniel Riley, said Wilcock was 'remorseful' for his actions which had had a 'big impact on him'.

Mr Riley explained how the defendant had taken steps to curb his desires by attending therapy paid for by himself. Social services were also said to have closed a case on him after carrying out a risk assessment.

Judge David Melville QC decided not to send Wilcock to prison after he had taken 'significant steps' to prevent his offending – a problem that had 'been going on for a very long time, since you were a child according to your own admission to probation'.

The judge did warn him over his future behaviour, though, and described the impact his offending had on the young child victims he was watching, who were left 'humiliated' and distressed'.

He said: 'You don't know how much harm is being caused to these children – it may come out and affect them when they are adults. It's a very serious situation.

'By viewing these images you are encouraging these images to be taken as you are a customer. If people like you did not look at them there would be no market for them.

'The children suffer throughout their lives because of these images and if ever you are thinking of straying then you should keep that in mind.'

Judge Melville ordered Wilcock to a three-year community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days, as well as to attend a sex offender's group program. A sexual prevention order was also made and Wilcock was put on the sex offenders register.

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A HAMPSHIRE police worker was snared by paedophile-hunters after sending "abhorrent" images to people he thought were 13-year-old girls.

Police resources co-ordinator Andrew Grimsted was cornered outside his Southampton flat by members of Justice for the Innocent after posting footage of himself performing a sexual act.

He appeared at Southampton Crown Court yesterday and was handed a three-year community order.

Last night Justice for the Innocent described the sentence as "diabolical", saying Grimsted was in a position of trust and should have been jailed.

A spokesman said: "The sentence fails to reflect the seriousness of his crimes and what could have happened had there been no intervention by a decoy."

Christopher Wing, prosecuting, told the court: "The offences came to light after Grimsted went on the internet and thought he was communicating with young girls aged 13 or so.

"In fact he was communicating with members of a vigilante paedophile-hunters.

"They attended his address and detained him in the car park outside his home. Police were called and he was arrested on suspicion of grooming a child."

Justice for the Innocent filmed their confrontation with the defendant and posted the footage online.

Grimsted, 50, of Millbrook Road East, Southampton, admitted three offences of attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act and three of attempting to have sexual communication with a child.

Richard Onslow, mitigating, said: "These offences were committed by a man of previous good character with a sensible job who ought to have known better.

"Fortunately there was no actual child, so the harm is lower than it would have been had the full offence been carried out."

Judge Gary Burrell QC described Grimsted's actions as "abhorrent" and told him: "Sending moving images to people you believed to be young girls indicated something seriously wrong with your thinking."

But he added: "You're of previous good character and I'm required by law to take into account."

Grimsted was handed a 36-month community order, which includes a requirement to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The defendant was a civilian employee based at Southampton Central Police Station.

Speaking after the case a Hampshire police spokesman said: "His role involved planning resources and did not involve any interaction with the general public.

"He remains suspended from the role and subject to ongoing gross misconduct procedures."

Detective Superintendent Nigel Lecointe, from Hampshire Constabulary's Professional Standards Department, added: "The investigation into Andrew Grimsted uncovered his attempts to exploit what he believed to be vulnerable children whilst he was off-duty.

"Hampshire Constabulary expects the highest standards from its officers and staff and will take action against those who commit criminal offences or breach the standards of professional behaviour."

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Gordan Newman, from High Barns Close, used the social media website Tumblr to chat to other paedophiles and post indecent images.

But the sentence he was handed in Northampton Crown Court yesterday (January 30) is the third time he has appeared in court for handling indecent images of children since 2010.

He was given a suspended sentence in 2010 and even earned time in jail for it in March 2017.

But when police visited his home for a spot check as part of his sexual harm prevention order in November 2018, they found his phone was logged into Tumblr and had been sharing images with other online paedophiles in private sessions.

He posted under the online handle 'Boundaryless' with the profile description 'not bad but badder'.

The court heard how Newman chatted with other paedophiles online and made such comments as 'cute' on pictures depicting child abuse.

Newman later pleaded guilty to distributing and making indecent images of children.

In sentencing, His Honour Judge Roger Tregilgas-Davey said: "You were talking and chatting to other paedophiles about the pictorial abuse of young children.

"Clearly this matter is so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence can be imposed.

"If you commit this offence again the sentence will only increase and the sentence will get longer and longer."

Newman was handed a prison sentence of two years and three months. A sexual harm prevention order preventing him from working with children or vulnerable adults was put in place for 10 years.

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A disgraced ex-headteacher, who was jailed for sexually assaulting a teenager, has had his sentence slashed by senior judges.

Alistair Perry was locked up for 28 months in July last year after jurors convicted him of two counts of indecent assault.

The 47-year-old, who was once the executive principal at Colston’s Girls’ School in Bristol, had denied twice preying on his victim when she was 16.

However, a jury found him guilty of the attacks, after hearing his victim describe how his "hands were everywhere.”

During Perry's trial, the court heard how the girl had gone to Perry's house in Weston-super-Mare days before her GCSEs for maths tuition.

The victim's parents had trusted their friend to help their daughter and they started revising in his mini office in his home.

However, while his wife and parents-in-law were downstairs, Perry moved the session to his bedroom where he sexually assaulted her.

The second attack happened when she returned to the teacher's home to babysit Perry's son.

On crutches at the time, she was sitting on the sofa watching TV when Perry came downstairs and lifted her onto his lap. Using one hand to hold onto her, he touched her under her bra and knickers, she told officers.

The victim later told her father about the abuse but he did not go to police because he was worried about "invasive questioning", Cardiff Crown Court heard.

The court was also told that leaders of the church both families attended, which cannot be named to protect the anonymity of the victim, had known about the abuse, but decided not to take it further because it was between “him and God”.

Governors of Colston’s Girls' School attended court last year to defend the ex-headteacher, having written character references for him which referred to him as an "honest" and "hardworking" man.

However, a former pupil of Perry's told the court he would often make "sexual jokes" and "looked down girls' tops".

Yesterday (January 29), London's Appeal Court was told that the victim reported her ordeal to the police years after it happened, following encouragement by a psychiatrist.

During the appeal hearing, lawyers for Perry, of Colaton Raleigh, east Devon, pointed to his “glowing references” and “model" behaviour in prison.

Mr Justice Sweeney told the court “his fall from grace has been considerable" but said "he has a capacity for rehabilitation".

He continued: "He has nobody to blame but himself for the fact that he committed these offences and the consequent ruin of his life."

Justice Sweeney described the case as a “tragedy” for all concerned but ruled that the 28-month term was excessive and reduced it to 20 months.

'Perry held a position of great trust and responsibility'

Commenting at the time of Perry's sentencing at Newport Crown Court, an NSPCC South West spokesman said: “Perry held a position of great trust and responsibility over children for many years but carried out an appalling attack on a child for his own sexual gratification.

“It is right that he has now faced justice for his disgraceful actions and this case should reassure victims that they will be listened to and believed if they come forward to report non-recent child sexual abuse.

“We hope the victim is now receiving support to recover from what happened to her.”

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A pervert has been jailed after he raped a vulnerable 11-year-old girl in his car.

Shamol Miah, 33, was locked up for eight years for the crime.

Miah, of Little Carter Lane, Mansfield, pleaded guilty to raping a child under 13 in court.

The prosecution explained how Miah approached his victim in Mansfield town centre in May last year and they exchanged mobile numbers.

They chatted briefly later that evening before he arranged to pick her up from her house at 4am.

He then took her to a secluded location and raped her in his car before dropping her back off in town.

It was reported to the police at the time, but the offender was only known as “Adam”.

However, using CCTV and DNA evidence, police were able to snare the paedophile.

The judge at Nottingham Crown Court also gave Miah a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, as well as placing him on the Sex Offender's register for life.

Detective inspector Jamie Hill for Nottinghamshire Police said: "Miah preyed on a very young and vulnerable girl and we are glad that he has been given a considerable prison sentence.

“I'd like to thank all of the officers who worked on this case, from the response officers who helped the victim tell us what had happened through to the investigation and digital teams.

“But most importantly I'd like to thank the victim and her family, for seeing this case through court and helping us to ensure that Miah is unable to harm anyone else in this way.

“No child should suffer sexual abuse and we encourage anyone with any concerns to come forward and report it to us on 101 so we can continue to protect the children of Nottinghamshire."

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A TEACHER who had an inappropriate relationship with a pupil has been jailed and placed on the sex offenders register.

Dorset teacher Katherine Malyon, 28, engaged in sexual activity with the girl, then aged 15, sent her explicit messages and took her on days out, Bournemouth Crown Court was told.

The relationship began in 2017, when the girl confided in Malyon and sought support.

Initially, their relationship was healthy, but it crossed the boundaries and was noticed by others at the school, including its headteacher, said Rob Welling, prosecuting.

Mr Welling said Malyon had been trained in safeguarding requirements and knew the risks of relationships with pupils.

She was warned on several occasions by the schools headteacher about having too much contact with the girl.

It was a chance meeting at the school at the end of the academic year in 2017 that began the relationship.

Malyon kissed the girl and from there a relationship developed, said Mr Welling. They contacted each other in secrecy; Malyon allowed the girl to visit her at her home and took her on a trip to London.

In June 2018, the girl then 16 told her mum what had happened after a friend saw a photo of her and Malyon kissing on her laptop. The teacher was suspended and police became involved.

Mr Welling said: This was a very clear abuse of trust. [Malyon] was very aware of [the pupils] vulnerability.

David Swinton, defending, said Malyon, a teacher of two years, was respectable, well-qualified and hard-working.

But she had suffered mental health problems, such as depression and OCD, and things came to a head from 2015.

When questioned by police, Malyon said she loved the girl and believed they would marry, the court heard.

Mr Swinton said: [Malyon] has a great deal of remorse. She is understanding and coming to terms with what she has done. She got very emotionally involved. She found it difficult to deal with but did not want to shut that door.

Mr Swinton added: She was a very dedicated teacher shes lost that now.

Judge Brian Forster QC said the pupil was a vulnerable girl who confided about serious matters and understandably, needed support from staff at the school.

He said Malyon was fully aware of the girls vulnerability, and while she initially gave appropriate support, she then crossed a clear boundary and developed a sexual interest in the pupil.

He said concern from the headteacher made it clear Malyon should not meet the girl and clearly stated the measure was to protect both of you.

Despite this, you met the girl and pursued a relationship with her, he said.

Judge Forster said Malyons was an unusual case, saying she was a high-achiever who comes from a family where members have dedicated themselves to teaching. Not, he said, someone you would expect to behave in this manner.

He told her: You have lost your career as a result of your own actions and I have no hesitation in accepting you bitterly regret what has taken place.

Anyone in a position of trust, such as a teacher, is expected to honour that trust. That involves protecting your pupils.

He said by crossing the clearest of boundaries and allowing a relationship to develop, Malyon had betrayed the trust of the pupil, parents and the community.

Malyon was sentenced to two years and four months for engaging in sexual activity with a child and 16 months, to run concurrently, for two counts of sexual activity of a person aged under 18 while in a position of trust. She admitted the offences.

She was also put on the sex offenders register for 10 years, given a restraining order for 10 years and made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

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A group of "well-meaning vigilantes" turned up at an estate agents to confront a man who was trying to incite children to commit sex acts.

Three adult "decoys" allowed pictures of themselves as teenagers to be posted online so married father Garry Mulligan, 56, would think he was talking to underage girls.

Mulligan, of Stanley Street, west Hull, thought he was talking to "Ella", "Stacey", and "Bobbie-Jo", who all told him in online chats they were 14. Instead, they were decoys working for a group calling itself "National Child Protectors".

Adam Walker, prosecuting in Hull Crown Court on Monday, said the decoy's tactics were to give their purported ages quickly "and they then allowed the suspect to develop the conversation, which on each occasion quickly turned onto the question of sex".

Using WhatsApp and "similar platforms", Mulligan asked to see naked parts of their bodies and their underwear. He also asked them to commit sex acts. Mulligan sent "Bobbie-Jo" pornographic links and "asked if that aroused her", Mr Walker said.

He also told "Ella": "This is how sex chats start." Mr Walker said: "He was schooling her on how to have a sexually arousing conversation."

Mulligan asked two of the "girls" to send him indecent pictures of themselves, and had at least two online chats with each decoy.

Mr Walker said: "National Child Protectors used their investigation means to track down Mr Mulligan at his place of work, an estate agent. The police were involved and Mr Mulligan was interviewed and admitted his guilt."

Mulligan pleaded guilty to four offences of attempting to incite a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity, and one of attempting to communicate sexually with a girl he believed was 14. The offences took place in November 2017.

Stephen Robinson, for Mulligan, told Judge Graham Robinson: "The defendant is 56 years old. He has no previous convictions or cautions recorded against him.

"He stands before your honour a man who has in many respects ruined his life through his own foolishness, and what must have been some perverted thoughts, and he'd deeply ashamed of his behaviour.

"He's at a loss, as your honour will have read in the pre-sentence report, to explain why he's behaved in this way."

Mr Robinson said the offending "caused him, of course what I concede was some deserved shame and embarrassment at the place of work. He has lost his job as a result of that. He's brought shame on his family.

"There is a much better side to the defendant. As well as the lack of previous convictions he's always worked and he's obtained further work in stock-taking and stock management.

"He's described as a decent man, hard-working, kind and generous. He provides support to his elderly parents, one of whom is in a home."

Sentencing Mulligan to six months in jail, suspended for two years, the judge told him: "These are serious offences. No matter that these were decoys; you believed you were speaking to 14-year-old girls, and with that belief you attempted to get them to do things that were completely and utterly inappropriate, and indeed illegal."

Mulligan must register as a sex offender for seven years and was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period. He must also attend the Horizon programme, have up to 15 days rehabilitation, and was given 28 days t pay the 670 prosecution costs of the case.

Description

A teenage paedophile has been jailed for sex attacks on two young children.

Sophie Elms, 18, had previously pleaded guilty to 16 child sex offences including distributing indecent images.

Elms, of Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire was arrested after sending images and videos of her assaulting the children to a known sex offender.

Being aged just 17 when she committed the offences Elms was one of the youngest women in the UK to commit such crimes, Swindon Crown Court heard.

Jailing the ex-childcare student for seven years and 10 months, Judge Jason Taylor QC told her she had deliberately inflicted "psychological damage" on her victims.

'Unimaginable, horrific event'

Her victims were aged only about two and three when she attacked them, the court heard.

Elms was arrested on 10 March 2018 after Wiltshire Police received information from West Mercia Police as part of an investigation of a local sex offender, who is currently serving a 15-year jail term.

As she stood in the dock a statement was read out by the father of one of the victims.

He described the impact of her offences on the family as "unimaginable" and said the "horrific event" has "damaged all their lives".

"At the time of committing these atrocious crimes, she was studying child care with a long term aim of working with very young children in the future," Det Insp Simon Childe, of Wiltshire Police, said.

'Immature individual'

Four mobile phones owned by the defendant were seized and found to contain indecent images and video including those classed in category A - the most serious, the court heard.

Elms had also taken and distributed indecent photos of another child.

In mitigation, her defence team described her as a "vulnerable, immature individual" who had been "instigated" into committing the offences by the man she had been communicating with online.

But Judge Taylor said her offences had been carried out in a "deliberate and targeted manner".

He told Elms: "Only time will tell what psychological damage you have inflicted on your victims."