Latest Offenders

Description

A paedophile caught with child rape photos says he's trying to change by learning the guitar and listening to podcasts.

John Hamilton was jailed for two years in 2011 for possessing, downloading and distributing indecent images of children.

The then 27-year-old, from Widnes, was told to sign on the Sex Offenders Register and hit with a 10-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).

That prevented him possessing a photo of any child under 16, unless they were a family member and he had the permission of their parent or guardian.

But when Hamilton rang police to tell them he had a new mobile phone in November 2019, officers discovered 1,205 photos of children on his old device.

And the pervert - now living in Liverpool's historic Gambier Terrance in the Georgian Quarter - confessed to downloading thousands of sickening files.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Hamilton, now 37, contacted officers on November 22, 2019 to say he had a new mobile and provide its IMEI number to the force.

Kenneth Grant, prosecuting, said he was visited by his offender manager and handed over the phone, which was satisfactory, but was then asked to produce his old one.

This Honor 6 device revealed two photos and a video of young girls aged around six, which Hamilton said he had received on WhatsApp, so the phone was seized.

It was found to contain 515 indecent images of children, a further 690 non-indecent images of children under 16, and also had a VPN attached to it.

Mr Grant said a VPN could be used to ensure greater anonymity on the internet and also assists in concealing a user's IP address and location.

The court heard there were 243 Category A files - the most serious category showing child rape - plus 243 Category B and 184 Category C files created between October 2017 and May 2019, which were all said to be photos.

The Category A photos including one of the rape of a girl aged between two and four, and another showing the rape of two boys, aged between two and three.

Judge Thomas Teague, QC, said there was also a "very disturbing" Category B photo of a boy aged between 12 and 18 months.

Mr Grant said Hamilton gave two interviews when he "denied any significant wrongdoing", before he contacted the police and asked to be interviewed again.

In his third interview he said he wanted to "admit everything" before he confessed that "over the years he had viewed thousands" of Category A images.

He admitted downloading thousands of the files between 2016 and 2019 and accepted he knew he was breaching his order, but said he never took the photos himself.

Mr Grant said: "He stated that he looked at images out of boredom. He stated he was attracted to children but he would never hurt a child and he did not want to have sex with a child."

Hamilton admitted breaching his SOPO and one count of possessing and three counts of downloading indecent images of children.

David Woods, defending, said Hamilton didn't seek to minimise his crimes, pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had shown insight into the harm his offending caused.

He said his client had voluntarily taken a course with child sex abuse prevention charity The Lucy Faithfull Foundation and used the last two years "constructively" because "he takes the view quite rightly in my submission that if he's bored, without guidance, self control or he becomes idle, he's tempted to behave in the way that he has".

Mr Woods added: "First of all he has established a routine he has been playing competitive darts, he's been learning the guitar, he's been doing electronic games, reading, going out running, all sorts of normal, wholesome activities which fills in his day."

The lawyer said "unfortunately" Hamilton had been unable to gain a job since his last conviction and therefore had difficulty filling his time, but he was also listening to podcasts about stress and other issues, and talking to his older brother each day, who wasn't very comfortable with the subject matter or position, and wasn't a qualified counsellor, but was trying to help him.

Mr Woods said: "He's acutely aware he's brought embarrassment and distress to his parents and other wider members of his family."

He added that Hamilton's mum had heart problems and said his client "couldn't help but feel guilty" and wonder whether her health had been affected by his conviction.

The lawyer urged the judge to spare him jail, so he could be rehabilitated in the community.

Judge Teague accepted Hamilton had "come clean" over how many images he downloaded and was "candid" with the police.

However, he said the case was aggravated by the "age and vulnerability of some of the children" in the photos and his previous conviction.

He said: "I have to tell you straight away that in my judgement appropriate punishment in your case can only be achieved by immediate custody.

"I have to say that, having regard to the repugnant nature of the images, about which the court has heard, which are exceptionally depraved even by the standards, the appallingly low standards of this kind of case anyway."

Judge Teague said if Hamilton had possessed videos of the nature the court had heard about "you would be facing an even longer sentence" as he jailed him for 18 months.

The judge also made a new 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

Description

A vile paedophile kept 'depraved' rape videos of crying babies.

The videos in Adam Whitfield's sickening collection were described by a judge as something "which would strike any normal person as disgusting."

Another 16 second video showed a three-month-old baby being raped. Other scenes were too graphic to even be described in this article.

The 26-year-old had 30 videos of children being raped on his phone and computer - which were discovered when his mother called the police.

Sarah Griffin, prosecuting, explained that police went to Whitfield's Newton-Le-Willows' address in relation to a "potential separate offence" which wasn't pursued.

Ms Griffin said police were called by Whitfield's mother and while there "she handed over a number of the defendant's devices including a mobile phone and computer".

After examining the phone and computer officers discovered 32 indecent images, 30 of which were videos of children being raped.

The videos were kept by Whitfield between July 25, 2017 and May 3, 2020.

Some of the videos included a three month old, a six month old and a child between five and seven.

Whitfield has no previous convictions.

Louise McCloskey, defending, said: "It is quite clear, your honour, to any right minded member of the community, hearing the description of those moving images will inevitably cause both a sense of outrage and revulsion.

"It's also clear that any member of the community would inevitably believe an immediate lengthy period of custody should be imposed to mark the seriousness of this case."

Ms McCloskey, urging the judge to suspend a custodial sentence, explained Whitfield is 26, has no previous convictions and is "vulnerable".

She said he is "ashamed of his actions" and explained he "clearly struggled" in his younger life, but no further detail was given in open court.

Ms McCloskey said: "While an immediate custodial sentence might mark the offence it will not address the issues or behaviours which this defendant needs to understand in order to ensure there is not further future offending."

Ms McCloskey explained that while the period of the charges spanned from 2017 to 2020, there wasn't consistent downloading of images over the years but a "flurry of activity" and then a "recent surge" in 2019.

Whitfield, of Alder Street, admitted three counts of making indecent images.

Judge Thomas Teague, QC, summarising the images, said: "Even the category C images would strike any normal person as disgusting."

The judge said the images, even for material of this type, are "exceptionally depraved".

Judge Teague noted Whitfield's pre sentence report makes for "troubling reading" describing Whitfield as "vulnerable" and as having had an "unhappy childhood".

The judge said the offences were aggravated by the fact some of the children in the images "display discernible pain and distress".

Whitfield was jailed for eight months and ordered to adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

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

Description

A paedophile network pervert who took illegal photos of a child was caught with thousands of indecent images of youngsters.

Adam Lumley exchanged thousands of photographs and videos with like-minded sex offenders online.

The 29-year-old, convicted of indecent exposure last year, had amassed his vile collection between 2013 and 2020.

Newcastle Crown Court he also distributed some of the material and was part of a network of paedophiles sharing images online.

Now Lumley, of Stanton Street, Arthurs Hill, Newcastle, has been jailed for more than three years.

Judge Julie Clemitson told him: "A large number of victims were caused great harm in the making of those images.

"People like you who trade in indecent images of children perpetuate the misery those children suffer as they are abused to produce those images for other people's sexual gratification."

Lumley pleaded guilty to distributing indecent images and possessing 2,611 of the most serious, category A, images, including 1,628 movies. He also had 1,674 category B and 3,021 category C.

The ages of the children ranged from babies to 15 year olds.

There were many thousands of other images on his devices and cloud platforms that police did not examine to see if they were illegal.

He admitted he planned to upload some pictures he took of a child doing a private act in exchange for more material from other users.

Lumley also admitted voyeurism, possessing extreme pornography involving an adult and a dog and possessing prohibited images of a child.

When he was interviewed by the police, he admitted he had a sexual interest in children.

Andrew Findlay, prosecuting, said: "He had spoken to others (on online cloud platforms) about their interest in children, fantasising about sexual activity with children and images were exchanged.

"There's clearly an active involvement in a network that creates and shares images of children."

Lumley was jailed for three years and two months and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and sex offenders registration for ten years.

The court heard he has lost his marriage as a result of his offending and he he has become very isolated, with most of his family distancing themselves from him as they are appalled.

Brian Hegarty, defending, said he had been candid about what he had done from the outset.

He added that Lumley has been viewing pornography since he was 13, soon after his dad died, his mum having died when he was 11.

Mr Hegarty said: "He was very isolated and spent most of his time in his room involved in what was thought to be gaming activities but was him looking at pornography.

"Initially he looked at adult pornography but the searches he conducted caused him to look at indecent images. It's a habit which has developed over a number of years.

"He accepts he had a significant number of images and videos of the very worse sort."

Description

A "vile" paedophile who subjected two young girls to a campaign of sexual abuse has been jailed.

Edward Brady, 61, from Heaton, indecently assaulted two young girls for more than 10 years where he forced the young girls to carry out sex acts on him and he sexually touched them.

He also placed a camera in a toilet roll holder in a bathroom to obtain footage of his victims for his own sexual gratification.

But the victims bravely came forward and Northumbria Police's Safeguarding unit launched an investigation.

After he was questioned by police, Brady was charged with two counts of indecency with a child, three counts of indecent assault and one count of voyeurism.

Brady of Coast Road, Heaton, pleaded guilty to all six offences and was sentenced to seven years and eight months at Newcastle Crown Court last Friday.

He was also given an indefinite restraining order and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which places strict restrictions on him as well as certain requirements he will have to comply with upon his release from prison.

Detective Constable Karin Mcmorrow led the investigation and hopes the sentencing can help the women move on with their lives.

Det Cons Mcmorrow said: "This has been such an awful case. Brady is a vile man and thankfully behind bars where he belongs. He exploited two innocent girls for his own sickening sexual gratification leaving his victims with a lifetime of emotional suffering.

"They have been so brave to speak out and I hope their strength can help encourage other victims who have suffered abuse - no matter when in their lives - to come forward.

"These victims are living a life sentence for what Brady has done to them but I hope the sentencing today can give them some closure."

Anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse - recent or non-recent - are urged to report it to police via the Northumbria Police website or contact 101.

There is also independent support and advice available through Victims First Northumbria.

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A former taxi driver has been jailed for 10 years for raping a passenger in the back of his cab.

Anthony Marcus Jones, of the Mount Estate in Milford Haven, was found guilty of raping a woman who was too inebriated to consent while entrusted with taking her home from a night out.

Dyfed-Powys Police officers investigating the offence were able to put together a strong file of evidence against the 45-year-old despite a number of days passing between the incident taking place and the victim reporting it, and no forensic evidence being available.

Thanks to a lengthy and detailed investigation, during which specialist support was provided to the victim, a jury unanimously found Jones guilty of rape at Swansea Crown Court.

A detective constable who investigated the case said: “This investigation spanned nearly three years, during which time the victim showed strength and determination in getting justice.

“Despite there being no forensic evidence available to us as the incident was reported four days after it took place, a team of officers worked diligently and tenaciously to compile sufficient evidence to prove the defendant’s guilt.”

The incident was reported to police on April 4, 2018 by a third party who the victim had spoken to. Officers immediately made contact with the victim, who had no recollection of the offence but was able to provide pieces of information which were used to launch an investigation.

Through enquiries with friends and viewing CCTV footage from a number of cameras inside and outside a pub she had attended, officers began to establish the sequence of events.

“We learned that the victim had been on a night out in Milford Haven, and had become intoxicated,” the DC said.

“She was taken outside the pub and a taxi was called to get her home safely. However, she was unable to tell the driver where she lived, so he called a colleague – Jones – to come and pick her up.”

Jones, knowing where the victim lived, met the first taxi in a car park in Haverfordwest and the passenger was transferred between the two cars.

Just minutes later, he proceeded to rape her in the back of the cab before leaving her outside her home in a state of undress.

Several days later, Jones contacted the victim to tell her they’d had consensual sex, which she immediately disputed. It was at this point that she confided in a friend and police were contacted.

“This was a despicable betrayal of trust by a man who was responsible for getting a woman home safely after a night out,” the DC said.

“It was clear from CCTV footage that she was intoxicated, and anyone who would even consider sexual activity with someone in her condition would be grossly taking advantage of a vulnerable person.

“By putting her in a taxi, she and her friends should have been confident that she would get home unharmed – however Jones showed a total disregard for her wellbeing and put his own gratification first.”

Jones was sentenced to 10 years in prison and must register as a sex offender for life.

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A paedophile took baby wipes and Mini Eggs with him for a '12-year-old girl' he planned to meet a McDonald's.

Paul Coulthwaite had called the child "sexy" and said he wanted them to meet in secret, planning to lure her away from her home.

But the 55-year-old didn't get to give the girl the mint Aero chocolate and WKD he bought her because instead of a schoolgirl he was greeted by police who arrested him for his sickening offences.

Christopher Hopkins, prosecuting at Liverpool Crown Court, said that between January 7 and January 19 this year Coulthwaite spoke with an officer who was pretending to be a 13-year-old called Paige.

They used Chat Avenue and texted and "literally within minutes" of the first message Coulthwaite said "I'm a bit horny".

Mr Hopkins said: "He went on to tell her she was nice and they carried on chatting. He suggested they meet."

Coulthwaite said he wanted to meet so they could "cuddle and have a cheeky kiss" before suggesting he could shower with the child.

When the 'girl' told him she was going to bed the sickening pervert told her she should perform a sex act on herself.

Mr Hopkins said Coulthwaite would persistently groom what he thought was a 13-year-old and "manipulated the conversation to sexual content at any opportunity and used flattery".

Between January 8 and February 10 in the same year Coulthwaite also spoke with what he thought was a 12-year-old girl called Rebecca.

Mr Hopkins said: "The conversation followed a similar pattern, he told her she was pretty and sexy."

He suggested they met and said: "We could meet away from your house one day when there's no lockdown."

Mr Hopkins explained Coulthwaite told the girl he wanted them to be "online boyfriend and girlfriend" and "told her repeatedly contact between them needed to be secret".

Coulthwaite said they would "kiss and cuddle and feel each other" before listing sex acts he wanted to perform.

When the police officer, pretending to be the girl, said she had "never cuddled and kissed a grown up" Coulthwaite said "hopefully that will change".

On February 12 he travelled from his Newton-Le-Willows home to a McDonald's on Longsands in Preston where he was hoping to meet the girl.

Having asked her "what she would like him to bring" the girl asked for WKD which Coulthwaite brought with him.

Instead of a schoolgirl Coulthwaite was greeted by police officers who found that as well as the alcopop he had brought baby wipes, a kitchen towel, a mint Aero chocolate, Mini Eggs and a necklace in a gift bag with the girl's name on.

Coulthwaite has no previous convictions.

Charlotte Kenny, defending, said: "This defendant is very much a man who is struggling still to come to terms with what he's done."

Ms Kenny emphasized he has no previous convictions and the court heard he has a history of work.

She explained he has not had the benefit of working with the probation service to address the issues behind his offending behaviour.

Ms Kenny said the "trigger appeared to be the end of a long term relationship".

She said: "He began to engage more in social media and found it easier to engage with younger people."

Ms Kenny said: "He very much wishes to engage with any assistance that can be provided within the prison."

Coulthwaite, of Haydock Street, Newton-Le-Willows, admitted two counts of sexual communication with a child, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and meeting a child following sexual grooming.

Judge Thomas Teague, QC, said Coulthwaite's sexual intent was confirmed when he turned up and "by the articles you brought".

The judge said: "You arranged to meet her at a branch of McDonald's in Preston near where she lived. You turned up for that meeting and were promptly arrested."

Judge Teague noted he had brought a "gift wrapped necklace", "chocolates", "drink" and "baby wipes" for the meeting and was "doing your best to groom" what he thought were children.

The judge said: "I have no doubt you would have done the same to 'Paige' if you had got as far as meeting her as you plainly would have liked to do."

Judge Teague noted in a pre sentence report Coulthwaite didn't accept full responsibility for his actions and is "still struggling to come to terms with your guilt of these offences".

The judge noted Coulthwaite had previously been arrested in relation to different offences which were not proceeded with and at that point "sought help" but was unsuccessful.

Judge Teague reduced the sentence to reflect Coulthwaite's guilty plea and the current impact of the coronavirus pandemic on prisoners.

Coulthwaite was jailed for three years and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

He must also adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life which bans him from being in the presence of any child under 16 unless social services are aware.

Description

Roy Coxhead, of Erleigh Road, Reading, targeted the "vulnerable" boys with money, cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis before having oral sex and attempting to penetrate the first boy on multiple occasions.

The first boy, who became "entangled" with Coxhead when he was "11 or 12" got a sexually transmitted infection from the businessman following the assaults.

Years later, after luring a second boy to his flat, the businessman put his hands down the teen's trousers and encouraged him to do the same to him.

Reading Crown Court heard how Coxhead's grooming of the first boy was so "successful" it only came to light after the sexual abuse of the second boy emerged in 2017.

A statement from the second child's mother read: "We had to move because we felt frightened living where we were.

"I was scared for [my son] and I was frightened someone would get revenge against us.

"I felt embarrassed and ashamed about what had happened. I was devastated somebody could hurt my boy.

"I was so worn down by everything and this hanging over their heads for such a long time.

"I never doubted [my son] was telling the truth about this. He has been so brave."

A statement from the first boy was also read aloud at Reading Crown Court.

It read: "I'm sorry it took me so long to come forward but I felt I might lose everyone in my life but I'm so pleased my wife and children are still here.

"I'm glad it is done and I'm happy it is over."

Coxhead was found guilty of multiple counts of sexual abuse following a two-week trial earlier this year.

Defending, Janick Fielding told the court that Coxhead had been abused as a child.

He said: "This was very much a case of victim-turned-abuser.

"He was someone who wanted to have the company of others. But those who he wanted to spend time with were those he should have avoided.

"The defendant accepts the verdict even though he doesn't accept guilt."

Mr Fielding claimed Coxhead was a "hard-worker" who had built up businesses and was "effectively a man of good character".

He added: "There will be a substantial road he must travel in custody before he is released."

But Judge Emma Nott rubbished these claims, telling the court Coxhead was "dangerous" and that his offences were "repeated, calculated and predatory."

Coxhead became involved with the first child when he was "11 or 12" after he offered to "look after" him when his family was having trouble at home.

Judge Nott said: "You made yourself indispensable to him by driving him around in your Rolls Royce.

"This child thought his association with you made him seem cool.

"While you offered him status you took his innocence and his self-esteem."

Addressing the defence's claim that Coxhead was a "victim-turned-abuser" and that the first boy had lied about the abuse, the judge added: "By suffering abuse, you know how devastating it was.

"You nonetheless showed no remorse to your victims and you continue to paint yourself as the victim.

"You are the manipulator, you are the liar."

Years later, Coxhead gave the second child a "sanctuary" at his flat, offering him free food, cigarettes and cannabis.

On one occasion at Coxhead's home, the 14-year-old, who has special educational needs, shouted "suck my c***" at Coxhead before immediately apologising, the court heard.

Coxhead responded: "Come round to mine and I will."

In May 2017, Coxhead put his hands down the boy's trousers and touched his penis before encouraging him to do the same back to him.

The 66-year-old was eventually arrested in June 2017 but it took several years for the case to come to trial after the lead police officer "failed to pursue the case with sufficient urgency and determination," the jury heard during the trial.

The court heard how the effects on the boy have been "profound" as he has had to leave his placement at school and he has become addicted to cannabis.

Summing up, the judge added: "You chose individuals you thought would be unlikely to complain.

"I hope the victims can put this behind them and move on with their lives."

Coxhead was sentenced to 18 years in prison, with at least twelve of these to be served before he is eligible for parole.

The 66-year-old was sentenced at Reading Crown Court after being found guilty of two counts of indecency with a child; three counts of indecent assault on a male person; attempting to commit a serious sexual offence; perverting the course of justice; four counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

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A TEENAGER sexually assaulted a girl in a Little Lever park and raped a 12-year-old who had befriended him. Ellis Critchley, aged 18, was described in court as "immature and egotistical" and has shown no remorse for the crimes he committed. "You have only admitted as much or as little as you thought you could get away with," Recorder Jeremy Lasker told him. Rachel Faux, prosecuting, told Manchester Crown Court how Critchley, who had been brought up in care, committed his first offences in the spring of 2018. He was among a group of youths in the park behind the Food and Tipple store when he targeted a 15 year-old girl, touching her private parts, grabbing her and putting his hand inside her jeans. "You were told, not only by her, but others in the group, to stop it, but you just laughed it off and you told her 'you know you want it'", Recorder Lasker told him. On another occasion he slapped her backside so hard it made her cry. The offences came to light when police began investigating a rape Critchley committed in June of that year. Critchley, then aged 15, befriended a 12-year-old girl and one night contacted her at 1am saying he was feeling "down" so, unknown to her family, she slipped out to meet him and brought him back to her house. But after sitting on her bed talking and playing computer games, he pinned her down and raped her. Afterwards he got dressed and let himself out of the house, but the girl was so concerned about his state of mind that she went after him. The next day the girl told a friend at school, her family became aware and police were contacted. When confronted by police about his behaviour he denied the allegations before trying to claim the incidents had been consensual. Critchley, of Goldfinch Drive, Bury, only pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault and rape on the day of a trial, but admitted burgling a Lidl store in Standish on January 9 last year. At his sentence hearing both victims read out statements outlining the devastating impact his crimes have had. Mark Shanks said that Critchley now feels "shame" for what he put them through. He added: "Since that time he has matured significantly into a young man who does know right from wrong." Sentencing Critchley to four years in a young offenders' institution Recorder Lasker told him: "I accept you had a difficult background. I know that you have been in care and, as has been described to me, you have been brought up by the system. "But that is no excuse for acting in this way towards these two girls. "You exhibited a belief, at the time, that young girls were only there for your own sexual enjoyment and you showed absolutely no understanding in what a proper relationship between two young people means. "You didn't seem to understand that girls are entitled to say no to a boy and also, when a girl does say no, it actually does mean no. I hope you realise that today."

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A WOMAN has been jailed for almost three years after admitting child sex offences. Sophie Hindmarch (27) of Penrith was sentenced on April 9 at Carlisle Crown Court for nine counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a boy aged 13 to 15. The incidents related to incidents that took place in Penrith in late 2019. Hindmarch pleaded guilty to the charges at an earlier hearing in March. She was jailed for two years and nine months and given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Emma Armstrong of Cumbria Police encouraged any other victims of similar offences to come forward. She said: "Hindmarch initially denied the offences in interview before pleading guilty at court. She was aware that what she was doing was wrong, telling the victim to delete messages between them. I would urge anyone who has been subject to offences of this nature to come forward, you will be believed and any report will be dealt with professionally and sensitively.

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TWO people have been jailed for a catalogue of sexual offences committed against three girls in Southampton over a 12-year period.

Two of the victims were sitting in court as Kim Raquet and Tina Haynes were locked up for 12 years and three years respectively.

The offences were committed between 1981 and 1993, when the girls were aged nine-15.

Following a trial at Southampton Crown Court Raquet, 61, of Goodlands Cale, Hedge End, was convicted of six offences of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child.

Haynes, 57, of Hunts Mead, Sherbourne, Dorset, was convicted of three counts of child cruelty and one of indecency with a child.

The crimes came to light after after police were finally alerted in 2017, the court heard.

In a personal impact statement read to the court one of the victims said: "One of the hardest things I had to do was tell my husband and children what happened to me and ask for their support.

"Having to tell my parents was so difficult. To see them visibly upset made me so angry."

Referring to the ordeal of giving evidence at the trial she added: "I have never been so scared, nervous and humiliated in my life."

Richard Tutt, representing Haynes, said: "She has asked me to make an apology in open court to the two victims of her offending. She is extremely sorry for what they went through."

Mr Tutt said Haynes's co-defendant was "verbally violent" towards her.

He added: "She took the course of least resistance and did not confront Raquet. She accepts she could and should have acted differently.

"Over the past 32 years she has led an unblemished life."

Helen Easterbrook, representing Raquet, said the people he worked with had always regarded him as an outstanding member of the community. She also referred to his voluntary work.

Judge Christopher Parker QC said the victims suffered "severe psychological harm" as a result of being abused "again and again".

He told the defendants: "The harm you caused - particularly you Mr Raquet - could only be assessed as severe. This investigation and the trial process has touched the rawest of nerves.

"The vast majority of the offences were committed not over days, weeks or months but over years."

Judge Parker said Raquet was the main perpetrator but told Haynes: "You had plenty of choices you could exercise which these girls could not."

Speaking after the case Detective Constable Mark Harris said: "I cannot praise the victims enough for the bravery and courage they have shown in reporting what happened. The actions of Raquet and Haynes have had a significant impact on their lives.

"I hope this sentence goes some way in helping them move forward.

"I also hope this sentence will encourage others who have suffered this type of abuse, no matter when it happened, to come forward and speak to us. We take allegations of this nature extremely seriously and work hard to bring offenders to justice."

Description

A man found with more than 4,000 indecent images of children told police he knew it was wrong but that it was 'part of the thrill' and that he had an 'addiction'.

Daniel Cartwright, 24, immediately admitted downloading the images after officers searched his home in June 2019.

He said he watched live streams of children and admitted using an app on his iPad.

Cartwright, from Stretford, Trafford, said he 'knew it was wrong and knew he would be caught', Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

Officers seized five devices - including his phone, iPad, laptop and two computers - all of which contained indecent images of children.

In total, 912 category A images were discovered - the worst kind - as well as 422 category B and 3,472 category C.

Police also found evidence Cartwright had been sharing an eight-minute video recording of a live stream, which he had taken on his iPad, to a number of websites.

Cartwright pleaded guilty to three offences of making indecent images; and one offence of possessing an indecent image with a view to distributing to others.

Description

A serial rapist found guilty of multiple attacks on two young victims has been jailed for 24 years.

Stephen Dowle, from Folkestone, was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court this week for 11 counts of rape against two females over the course of a decade. April 6

Both victims suffered nightmares and panic attacks as the 42-year-old, of Trinity Crescent, continued to lie about his campaign of rape.

Judge Simon James told Dowle he showed no remorse or insight following the attacks on his victims, a woman now in her 20s and a girl who had been aged seven at the time.

Dowles barrister Diana Pignot told the court he continued to deny rape despite being found guilty following a trial last year.

Stephen Dowle told me that the jury made a big mistake, he still denies any sexual offence and that, of course, brings a difficulty in mitigation, she said.

It is clear that Stephen Dowle is not open to any form of rehabilitation treatment. He feels he should not be in custody because he believes he has not done anything wrong.

She has also drawn a wanted poster, and said Its okay, he is in prison and cant get me now'.

But Judge Simon James, after hearing the severe psychological impact he had caused, told Dowle his victims were to be commended for reporting their ordeal.

Prosecuting, Madeleine Wolfe described Dowle as carrying out a campaign of rape and having made (his eldest victims) childhood unthinkable.

The woman told the court in a statement she still suffers nightmares, panic attacks and cannot shop alone, despite Dowle being in custody.

His youngest victims carer said the girl also suffered night-terrors and severe anxiety and struggled to trust adults.

She will not talk about him and during her playing concentrates on the bad people and wants them in jail," they added.

She has also drawn a wanted poster, and said Its okay, he is in prison and cant get me now'.

The judge described Dowle as a sexual deviant and said he would serve two third of his 24-year prison sentence before being considered for parole. A further four will be spent on licence.

Dowle was convicted of seven counts of raping underaged girls, assaulting a girl under 16 and four counts of raping a female over 16.

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A paedophile caught sending sexual photos to two 'girls' blamed his innocent brothers when interviewed by police.

Wayne Collins thought he was chatting to children when he discussed sex and sent naked pictures of himself online.

In reality both "Bella", 13, and 12-year-old "Jess" - who he met on Kik Messenger - were undercover police officers.

Police raided the 29-year-old's home in Belmont Road, Anfield and seized his Sony Xperia phone, containing indecent images of children and his collection of "d*** pics".

Liverpool Crown Court heard how the pervert then tried to worm out of trouble by claiming his brothers used the device.

Katy Appleton, prosecuting, said Collins chatted with Bella, an officer from South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU), between July 16 and August 9, 2019.

Then 28-year-old Collins, using the profile wayno37, claimed he was 24 when Bella said she was 13 and from Exeter.

After one day he turned the conversation to sex and sent a photo of an erect penis, before asking about her breast size.

Collins said "u can practice sucking on my big lollipop" and said: "Don't show anyone the convo or pics lol x"

Ms Appleton said he sent a picture of him "naked to the waist down and wearing only his boxer pants", asked for a photo of Bella in shorts and a bikini top, and instructed her how to perform sex acts and asked "so u wana lose ur virginity to me".

SWROCU was unable to identify Collins, but North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) tracked him down.

On September 2 and 3, 2019 he spoke with a NWROCU officer pretending to be Jess, a 12-year-old from Cheshire.

Collins - now claiming to be 22 - sent her a photo of his erect penis, asked about her breasts and for photos, then sent an image of himself holding his penis.

He asked if he could "f***" her and the next day asked for photos, then suggested they meet so she could suck his "lollipop".

NWROCU discovered Collins' IP address and Merseyside Police went to his home on November 13, 2019.

Collins claimed he hadn't had KIK for about two years before his Xperia phone - found to contain two Category C indecent images of a child - was seized.

When interviewed, Collins claimed his KIK account was blocked and he hadn't used it since moving into his home in June, despite confirming the profile was his.

Ms Appleton said: "He denied sending images of his penis to any child but admitted that his mobile telephone would have images of his penis, which he has sent to adults.

"He stated that as his phone is not PIN protected, his two brothers could have used it without his knowledge."

Collins, who said his brothers used the phone to call his step dad, denied being sexually attracted to children and said while he had been sent indecent images in the past, he blocked them straight away.

He denied putting a picture of his torso on his KIK account or talking with Jess, and when he said he was 28, not 22, told police one of his brothers was 20 or 21.

Police spoke to his two brothers, one of whom said he had been to Collins' home three times that year, but never used his phone or social media.

The other brother said he lived with Collins for two weeks in 2019, but spent all his time at work or at his girlfriend's.

He admitted using Collins' phone once in the past, when he said he and the other brother found indecent images of girls, which girls had sent to Collins, and "d*** pics" Collins had sent back.

He told police he called Collins "dirty" and they had an argument, which he told his mum about.

The court heard a probation officer for this brother confirmed they had met with him at the time Collins was chatting to Jess.

When interviewed again, Collins called the brother who told police about the images on his phone "a pathological liar" and said he thought that brother may have used his internet on September 2.

He then claimed he was with that brother during his probation appointment.

Collins, who has no previous convictions, admitted downloading and possessing indecent images of a child, two counts of attempting to sexually communicate with a child, two counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and two counts of attempting to cause a child to look at an image of a person engaging in sexual activity.

Paul Becker, defending, said Collins, of Croxteth Drive, Sefton Park, had a character reference from his step dad, who was sitting in the public gallery.

Referring to denials he made in a pre-sentence report, Mr Becker said: "I think the best I can say for the defendant, given his vehement denials, is these are very embarrassing matters and he was interviewed in the presence of his parents.

"He's brought shame upon himself and his family and he's facing the prospect of an immediate period of custody."

Mr Becker argued that Collins and the community would be better served if Collins was spared jail and sent on a Horizon sex offenders treatment programme, rather than spending time in prison, when he might not get the help he needs.

He said Collins was "not sophisticated", adding: "He seems to me to be socially isolated, he seems to me to be the sort of person who doesn't have many friends, who is far more comfortable being on a device as opposed to being in a crowd of people. He lacks self-esteem, he lacks confidence."

The judge, Recorder Mark Ainsworth, told Collins: "The offences are very serious and you must appreciate just how serious they are."

He jailed Collins for 20 months and told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

Description

VILE paedophile who was convicted of abusing a child in a public swimming pool 37 years ago is finally behind bars after sexually assaulting another young girl. Bolton Crown Court heard how, in 1984, Patrick Kelly was at a swimming pool when he touched a girls private parts inside her costume. He was fined for the offence. I dont wish to comment unduly on sentencing regimes 30-odd years ago, but they were very different times, said Judge Timothy Stead. If it arose today I am fairly confident it wouldnt be a fine. Kellys sexual interest in children continued and he has now been jailed for three years after he sexually assaulted a nine-year-old girl on three occasions. Daniel Calder, prosecuting, told how Kelly knew the childs family and the offences occurred while she was watching television with him. They were unaware of his previous conviction. The court heard that they were in a living room together one evening, both sat on the couch, when 65-year-old Kelly told her: You can put your legs up on me. The little girl obeyed but then he put his hand inside her clothing and underwear and touched her private parts. Kelly kept his hand there for up to 40 minutes as he watched television. Mr Calder said there were then two further occasions when Kelly repeated the offence in a similar way. Kelly was arrested after the little girl told her mother what had happened. He denied the offence initially, claiming that any contact he may have made would have been accidental and not sexually motivated, said Mr Calder. Kelly, of Tabley Road, Bolton, eventually pleaded guilty to three counts of sexually assaulting a child. In a victim statement the girls mother told the court how the little girl was quiet, shy and very sensitive. I believe Patrick Kelly has taken advantage of her young age and her personality, said the mum, who added that, as a result of the abuse, her daughter has become emotional, clingy and scared to leave the house. Helena Williams, defending Kelly, told the court: He does express regret and remorse for this offending, particularly the impact this has had on the girl. He still cant explain why he did what he did. She added that he had a heart condition and, earlier this year, was seriously ill with Covid-19 and is still suffering from the after-effects. Kelly continues to maintain that he does not have a sexual interest in children which Judge Timothy Stead described as untenable. The defendant, in my view cannot sensible claim he has no sexual attraction to children, he said. Miss Williams told Judge Stead, that, after Kellys swimming pool conviction he was not given any help to deal with his behaviour. They were less enlightened times, said Judge Stead. In addition to the jail sentence, Kelly was placed on the sex offenders register and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for life.

Description

A molester who bullied a teenager into having sex on a regular basis for years has been jailed.

The victim told a jury that Gary William Jelly had effectively "blackmailed" her into suffering the abuse.

Jelly, 52, who formerly used the surname Bollen - and has a previous conviction for manslaughter - befriended the girl more than 15-years-ago and groomed her with cigarettes and money.

When she later refused to cooperate, he put her in fear of violence, including once threatening to put her head though a window.

A jury convicted Jelly of a catalogue of sex offences following a two week trial in February and he appeared at Leicester Crown Court today (April 7), via a live video link from prison for sentencing.

Judge Keith Raynor said the offences included sexual activity in a garden shed, a garage and a caravan.

Jelly took "explicit" photographs of the complainant, some without her knowledge. The images were later used as leverage, in threatening text messages and calls, to enforce her compliance.

When she gave evidence, she said: "It was like I bowed down, pretty much he clicked his fingers.

"He had that much control over me."

Judge Raynor told Jelly: "The text messages show you as a pathetic middle-aged bully.

"You used your money to get what you wanted and threatened to expose her and show sexual pictures of her to others, including her family.

"You maintained your threats to have a hold over her and wanted her at your beck and call.

"She told you on multiple occasions 'I'm sick of this blackmail.'

"She needed money on occasions and you preyed on that financial vulnerability.

"On one occasion you threatened to go round and beat her up and on another said you would put her head through a window.

"When she didn't want to see you, you began stalking her."

"She suffered significant psychological trauma."

"Your conduct was to maximize fear and distress, with a high degree of planning and it was persistent action over a prolonged period."

The judge said he took into account the four year delay in the trial taking place, Jelly's chronic ill health, including a heart condition and the restrictions in prison regarding Covid-19.

Defence counsel, Rachel Darby, said Jelly's family, including his elderly parents would suffer because of his incarceration.

Jelly, formerly of Woodland Road, off Uppingham Road, Leicester, was convicted on majority 11 - 1 verdicts on four counts of sexual activity with a child under 16 and two offences of paying for the sexual services of the same girl, during a 12 month period.

Jelly denied the offences, claiming nothing sexual happened until the complainant was aged 19 and she consented. He gave her cigarettes and money just "to help her out."

He pleaded guilty to one count of putting the same victim in fear of violence, by "making numerous threats" when she was an adult, between 2013 and 2014.

Prosecutor Richard Thatcher said it was only after many years of feeling ashamed and staying silent, she found the courage to tell her family and finally report the matter.

Judge Raynor today jailed Jelly for a total of eight years and four months.

He was also placed on a 12 year sexual harm prevention order, banning any contact with the victim.

The judge publicly commended officer in the case, Detective Constable Alec Lester, for his "excellent" work including investigating an issue that arose during the trial.

The court heard that in 2017, the defendant received a seven year jail sentence, for an unrelated offence of manslaughter which involved the death of a "vulnerable" 34-year-old woman.

He was on early release licence from that sentence when he stood trial for the sex offences.

Judge Raynor said Jelly's conviction for the manslaughter - involving him pushing over the victim who died from rib injuries - was "relevant" because he had behaved in a similarly bullying manner towards the sex abuse victim.

He said Jelly told the manslaughter victim during a confrontation: "Don't mess with me."

MANSLAUGHTER CONVICTION

Jelly, then aged 47, and his daughter, Natalie Bollen, then aged 29, were said to have both assaulted a woman, Kelly Machin, following a neighbours' row over a burst child's football in August 2016.

The father and daughter, who were both jailed for seven years, confronted Ms Machin at her home in Waldwick Close, Leicester Forest East.

Ms Machin died alone on her living room sofa, from internal bleeding caused by fractured ribs, several days later.

The incident occurred after Ms Machin became so "fed up" with footballs coming over the fence into her garden, from Bollen's nearby home, that she burst it with a knife before throwing it back.

Bollen became outraged and went round with her father.

The sentencing judge on that occasion observed that three punches from Bollen and a forceful push onto a coffee table by Jelly had unintentionally led to the woman's death.