Latest Offenders

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A paedophile groomed and raped a girl who was so vulnerable she was forced to eat ants to survive.

William Bresnahan targeted and exploited the neglected 11-year-old daughter of two heroin addicts. She had to go out to find work to pay for her parents' drug habits, before her dad committed suicide.

Bresnahan, now 75, befriended the abandoned girl and gave her food, money, clothing, trips and treats. The carpenter, whose wife had died, then raped her at least five times at his home in Waddicar Lane, Melling. 

Liverpool Crown Court heard she saw him giving cash to her mum, who knew she was staying at his home. However, despite the horrific abuse, she described how she had seen the pervert as her "rock and saviour". The now adult woman told police: "It was a small price to pay to be fed and clothed."

The brave victim today stared down her unrepentant attacker, as he learned he will likely die in prison. John Wyn Williams, prosecuting, said Bresnahan specifically targeted an "extremely vulnerable" child. He said: "Your honour will recall the evidence of how she had to eat ants to feed herself and find menial work just to survive." 
 
During a trial, a jury heard she would sell flowers at a cemetery and find shopping trolleys to get the pound from them. The woman described how she was "starving and desperate" when she met Bresnahan, who offered her jobs and money. He gave the deprived girl food and clothes, let her stay at his home and took her out to a farm and the seaside.

But she recalled he instructed her to tell anyone that asked he was her uncle, before the vile abuse began. Eventually genuine relatives told him to stop seeing her, but she did not feel able to report what happened until 2017.

Bresnahan claimed his victim was a liar, who held a grudge against him because he broke off contact with her. The ex-labourer accepted handing cash to her mum, but offered no explanation for why he gave money to her. He was unanimously convicted by jurors of three counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault last month.

She told the court: "I'm messed in the head. This has messed up my life." The victim, who felt ashamed and embarrassed, suffered panic attacks, headaches and nightmares. She turned to alcohol, suffered from depression and experienced problems forming relationships. 
 
The woman said: "The worst thing has been everything, every day. It has destroyed me." However, she added: "I am so glad I got justice and couldn't thank the courts enough."

Louise McCloskey, defending, said Bresnahan, who has no previous convictions, still maintained his innocence. She said: "While he understands the verdict of the jury, he would not wish me to address the court in respect of the facts, because they are not accepted."

Ms McCloskey said: "This sentence will be tantamount to a life sentence for Mr Bresnahan, who is in the twilight of his years." She added: "This will inevitably be a long and difficult sentence for him, from which he may not ever be released back into the community."

William Bresnahan, 75, of Waddicar Lane, Melling, was found guilty of three counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault.  Judge Rachel Smith said the victim, who sobbed throughout the hearing, suffered severe psychological harm.

The judge said she was unsure whether the victim's mum accepted the cash knowing Bresnahan was sexually assaulting her, "turned a blind eye to the situation" when someone who was not a heroin addict would have realised what was going on, or because she was on drugs, was not aware at all. However, she said: "Your motivation in giving her money was to maintain access to her daughter in order to abuse her."

Judge Smith said Bresnahan was "an offender of particular concern" and told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a restraining order for life. She jailed him for 16 years, with an extended year on licence, prompting his tearful victim to clap and cheer, while Bresnahan showed no emotion in the dock. The type of sentence means he will serve at least half of the term – eight years – behind bars, before he is eligible for parole at 83. He will then only be released before the end of the 16-year sentence - at 91 - if he is no longer considered to be a risk to the public.

As he was sent down, his victim shouted "yes, rot!" and "suffer!", while a male friend yelled: "Rat, rat, rat!"

Description

A sexual predator who plied two children with alcohol and drugs before attacking them has been caged for 24 years.

"Dangerous offender" Stephen Allen raped a young girl and also attacked her on other occasions - using the youngster as a "sexual plaything".

Some years later, the 51-year-old also encouraged a teenage boy to engage in sexual acts, before raping him, Teesside Crown Court heard.

As Allen was taken down by guards after being sentenced by judge Deborah Sherwin, the room burst into life as he furiously shouted: "F***ing bulls*** from start to finish, scruffy *****".

Commotion could also be heard from the public gallery as one woman shouted "f***ing joke" before the doors were aggressively slammed and banged - with further noise heard outside court five.

Prosecutor Aisha Wadoodi said "the defendant managed to facilitate the offences using alcohol and drugs", adding: "The Crown certainly think that this is a dangerous offender".

An emotional statement from one of the victims read out at the sentencing hearing said: "I cannot think of an aspect of my life that it has not affected."

It added: "I have had mental health issues as a result of this abuse."

The boy victim said: "I was a child and Stephen Allen abused the trust that I put in him."

Paul Abrahams, mitigating, said that his client "still denies the matters".

Allen, of Bamburgh Court, Middlesbrough, appeared to be sentenced for 14 counts including: two counts of rape, sexual assault and sexual activity with a child.

He pleaded not guilty to the offences and made his victims go through the ordeal of a trial where a jury convicted him in May this year.

Judge Deborah Sherwin agreed with the prosecution's assessment, branding Allen a "dangerous offender".

She sentenced him to 24 years in jail, with an extended period of eight years - a total of 32 years.

He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

Description

A serial sex pest is facing jail after being caught perving in the women's toilets in a supermarket.

Brian Melucci startled a woman as she went to flush by leering at her from underneath the cubicle in Tesco Extra on Norham Road in North Shields.

The shocked victim tried to confront the pervert, but the 24-year-old repeatedly ignored her and quickly scuttled to the store's exit.

Melucci denied charges of observing a person doing a private act and breaching a sexual harm prevention order following the unsavoury episode on April 11.

However, he was found guilty on both counts following a trial at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Thursday and has been warned he will likely be sentenced to at least a year behind bars.

The court heard evidence from the victim who confirmed she entered the supermarket toilets at about 7.15am, and noticed the middle cubicle was occupied.

She said: "I knew there was someone in there because the door shut and I could hear shuffling.

"My phone pinged so I got that out and turned to the left to flush the string. As I turned I saw there was a head on the cubicle floor.

“His head was right under, it looked like he was on the floor. He had something in his hand but I could not see what it was.

"I thought it could be a child because you don’t expect to see a man in there."

The woman instinctively kicked her foot out and demand answers from Melucci. She quickly pulled her trousers up and opened her cubicle door to see him making for the exit.

She added: "As he walked past I thought good God, it’s a man."

CCTV footage was played to the court of the woman following Melucci through the supermarket, repeatedly trying to grab his attention.

She finished: "I followed him out and said excuse me, he totally blanked me. He was smug and sauntered out."

The woman insisted she was "100%" sure the face she saw beneath the cubicle was Melucci.

Giving evidence, the 24-year-old admitted he entered the women's toilets but insisted it was by mistake.

Melucci, of Norfolk Gardens, Wallsend, who has previous convictions for exposure, assault and criminal damage, claimed he had not been home that night following a party and was "extremely drunk".

He said: “I had not been home, I was extremely drunk. I didn't realise I had been in [the women's toilets] until I was arrested.

"I know I didn't do it, I was not absolutely mortal."

Jonathan Stirland, defending, insisted his client had been falsely identified as the man spotted peeping underneath the cubicle.

He said: "It's not the defence's case that somebody didn't look, it's the defence's case it was not the defendant.

On the charge of observing a private act for sexual gratification, Mr Stirland added: "You are making a quantum leap to conclude there could be no other reason why a person could find themselves in that situation."

But David Ward, prosecuting, insisted there was no-one else present in the women's toilets and there was only one possible purpose for Melucci to be spotted in the compromising position.

He said: “We have clear CCTV showing he is the person she's following, he accepts that.

"That's the person that had his head underneath the cubicle, that's absolutely clear unless the defence are suggesting there's a mystical person who can disappeared from the cubicle.

"It had to be for sexual gratification, there's no other reason for it.

"To suggest this lady is making it all up and lying, and there's someone else in there, is a flight of fantasy."

Chair of the bench David Dawson found Melucci guilty on both counts, and sent the case to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing on July 11.

Delivering the verdict, he said: “We're satisfied with all the evidence that only the complainant and the defendant in the toilets.

"We're satisfied it was the defendant peering under the cubicle, and we're also satisfied it was for his personal sexual gratification.

"There's no other reasonable explanation for these actions."

Description

A GIRL of 15 whose mum had thought was at a barbecue had been taken advantage of sexually by a man of 23 after getting drunk at a party in a quarry, a court heard.

Daniel Birch, now 24, of Overton Way, Acton, Wrexham, was jailed for 38 months after he admitted sexual activity with the child.

Judge Huw Rees at Caernarfon crown court said the girl had drunk vodka and wine and was unable to walk or speak properly. Birch took advantage of the strangers vulnerability and had unprotected sex with her.

A sexual harm prevention order was made and he must register as a sex offender.

Prosecuting barrister Mark Connor said the victim had joined a Snapchat group who arranged a party in the Holywell area last summer. Her mother gave her 15, thinking she was going to a barbecue.

But the teenager went to the party and Birch turned up with drink and drugs. Mr Connor said the girl was very drunk and the defendant knew she was only 15.

A school friend who had already left the party was in bed when the victim made a missed call to her and sent several texts suggesting something had happened. The victims mother was then alerted and the police.

Following his arrest, the prosecutor said Birch told police: I am very confident there will be no forensic evidence of me having any sexual contact with her.

But he was wrong.

Robin Boag, defending, said there had been some demonstration of remorse by his client.

He had pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child on a consensual basis.

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A St John Ambulance volunteer from Weston will serve 11 months in prison for grooming underage girls for sex.

David Cardwell, aged 52, of Sunnyside Road, pleaded guilty to three counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child at Bristol Crown Court in May.

Cardwell, an NHS agency worker, was caught out by paedophile hunters who were posing as girls aged 12-14.

More than 1,214 explicit cartoon images 'of the very worst kind' involving children and babies were also found on his computer.

Judge Mark Horton, sentencing Cardwell at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, said: "There was grooming and sexualised conversations, including a discussion about meeting in Bristol for a sleepover and about how you would show her how to have sex."

Cardwell made contact with the 'girls' over a dating app before encouraging them to use WhatsApp and Kik so their conversations could be deleted.

Robin Shellard, prosecuting, said the 'decoys' never made first contact and all stated their age in the first communication.

Cardwell told the paedophile hunters he preferred young girls and asked them to send him pictures of themselves.

Police, after his arrest, found images of other unidentified girls of a similar age in his possession.

The court was told Cardwell has lost his family, house and job, and has been suffering from suicidal thoughts since his arrest.

The medic, who has worked in the operating department at Weston and Bristol hospitals, volunteered with St John Ambulance and the Air Training Corps and also ran basic first aid courses for children.

Judge Horton said: "Since these events the internet has taken its revenge on you and your family in a way which society would say is deserved, but is as personally crushing for you as it would be for families if these young girls had really been approached by you in the way you intended.

"There's no substantial remorse one would expect for the gravity of offence and no comprehension of the seriousness of the impact of this offending."

Cardwell was sentenced to 11 months in prison, followed by a 12-month supervision order.

He was ordered to sign the sexual offenders register for 10 years and given a sexual harm prevention order.

Description

William Bushby, 83, of Mongers Lane, Lewes, East Sussex, was convicted of eight counts of indecent assault on a child, said Surrey Police.

He was sentenced to 18 months in prison when he appeared at Guildford Crown Court on June 4.

The crimes took place in Woking and Pirbright, Surrey, said police.

A police spokesman said: Surrey Police launched an investigation after the victim came forward in 2017 and made an allegation of historic sexual abuse dating back to the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Speaking after the sentencing, the victim said: I am delighted with the outcome of this case.

Although I am slightly disappointed with the relative leniency of the sentence, it is still a significant result and testimony to the hard work of the Surrey Police Sexual Offences Investigation Team.

I hope my experience has shown that no matter how long ago a crime was committed it is still worth coming forward to report it.

Truth and justice will find its way out. You will be believed.

Temporary Detective Sergeant Guy Hookway, who investigated the offences, said: William Bushby groomed the victim and completely abused the position of trust he was in, in order to commit sustained sexual abuse on a child over a number of years.

I have nothing but praise and respect for the victim who had the courage to give evidence against Bushby in court. I hope that the guilty verdict will allow the victim to put this behind them and finally move on with their life.

Description

A convicted Mytchett paedophile was jailed again for viewing indecent images of children while on licence for similar offences.

Christopher Manley, of Coleford Bridge Road, used a monitored laptop and a tablet he had hidden from police to look at the images and message girls online.

The 50-year-old googled terms such as "chubby teens" but told police when they visited his home on June 1, 2018: "I was looking at porn but not children, I wasn't searching for that.

"I was looking for teen stuff but nothing younger than that."

He was jailed for three years at Guildford Crown Court in June after admitting to possessing extreme pornographic images, six counts of making indecent images of a child and breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

The offences were racked up on two separate occasions, with the second offences being committed while Manley was under investigation for the first set.

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Shawn Bennett, 29, of Gilbert Road, Smethwick, was found unanimously guilty by the jury at Worcester Crown Court of two counts of rape including rape of a girl under 16-years-old, eight counts of sexual offences, two counts of assault, theft and a threat to kill today, Thursday, June 6.

The court on the afternoon of Monday, October 22, 2018, Bennett held a woman at knifepoint, in her home in Redditch, and assaulted and raped her.

Later that afternoon he followed a 14-year-old girl who was leaving from a bus in Redditch, pulling her into the bushes where he assaulted, raped and threatened to kill her.

In the evening, Bennett then travelled to Rubery. After making inappropriate suggestions to two women he has then tried to drag them both into some undergrowth.

He was then apprehended by officers at the scene of this final attack.

Bennett was sentenced to 30 years in prison and must serve a minimum of 16 years and sign the sex offenders register.

Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Bailey from West Mercia Police said: “Bennett is an extremely dangerous sex offender who spent the day of Monday, October 22 carrying out these horrific crimes.

 

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Paedophile Darren Smith has been warned he faces a 'substantial prison sentence' after being convicted of raping the same girl five times.

The 36-year-old - who lives in Irene Avenue, Mill Hill - was also convicted of five counts of indecent assault following a trial.

He will be sentenced on July 18 alongside three other men - aged between 45 and 60 - who were also convicted of carrying out multiple historic rapes and indecent assaults on the same victim.

Following the verdicts, Judge Tim Gittens told the court: You have been convicted of heinous and wicked crimes against the victim.

"You will be produced at court on July 18 where you will receive substantial prison sentences. In the meantime, you will be remanded in custody.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the catalogue of abuse spanned six years. The victim was offered to the four men for sexual purposes in return for money, fags and alcohol.

Following the verdicts, Detective Constable Jaclyn Younger, from Northumbria Polices safeguarding department, said: "This victim has stood up to the men who abused her as a child.

"She has suffered much of her childhood by being brutally raped and assaulted and this has undoubtedly had a huge impact on her as an adult as well.

"She can hold her head high and know that by speaking out she has made a difference and can now hopefully move on with her life."

Description

A dangerous sexual predator who stalked a woman from the Seven Sisters Road McDonalds and then attacked her was jailed at Blackfriars Crown Court yesterday.

Dean Burke, of Edmonton, was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment and will be on the sex offenders register for 10 years, after he sexually assaulted a woman in December.

The survivor was on her way home after a night out when she stopped at McDonald's. She was listening to music on her headphones as she walked home.

As she got to her address, she removed her keys. She felt someone touch her right hip. It was at that point she became aware of Burke standing close to her.

He grabbed her with both hands, touching her upper body as she tried to push him away.

Burke then touched her through her clothes - the survivor pushed and kicked him trying to break free. She screamed for help. Burke ran away.

CPS prosecutor Nim Hennessy said: "This was a terrifying attack by a stranger who followed the victim home and assaulted her on the doorstep.

"This is clearly a dangerous sexual predator who will now spend time in prison for his crime.

"We hope that this conviction, which benefitted from a strong police investigation, provides some comfort for this victim."

CCTV showed Burke making a purchase at McDonald's shortly before the attack. Police got his receipt from McDonald's and through financial checks were able to identify his details and arrest him.

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A prolific criminal from South Devon has been jailed for 10 years for sexually assaulting a woman in her home.

Royston White broke down the woman's door then armed himself with knives before the terrifying assault, Exeter Crown Court was told.

He demanded she tell him her PIN number so he could take out cash to buy drugs.

She wrote it down for him and he sexually assaulted her.

When police arrested White, also known as Southhall, he threatened to slit the woman's throat.

The defendant, 40, of Church Street, Paignton, was found guilty at a trial in April of assault by penetration, blackmail and possessing ketamine. He also admitted possessing two knives in a public place.

He refused to attend most of the trial and stayed in his cell for the sentencing on Monday. The court was told he was studying Buddhism in jail.

Recorder Martin Meeke QC said White had rarely worked and had notched up 61 previous court appearances, mostly for dishonesty offences but some violence.

He considered whether to impose an extended sentence but had decided, after reading the pre-sentence report, that the defendant did not pose a danger to the wider public.

"The defendant has been a drug addict for many years," said Recorder Meeke.

"He said during the trial it would be easier to say which drugs he had not taken rather than those which he had.

"At its worst he had a drug habit of £300 a day."

The trial was told White would regularly steal to feed his habit. He admitted he would 'make a complete a***hole of myself' if he did not get what he wanted.

Mr William Parkhill, for White, said he was an intelligent man whose senses were confused by drugs. He could not remember the sexual assault.

South Devon police commander Ch Supt Keith Perkin tweeted after the hearing: "Due to an excellent investigation from the South Devon Sexual Offences & Domestic Abuse Team, Royston Southall has been sentenced to 10yrs imprisonment. This was not an easy investigation and outcome, a credit to the investigators."

Description

A sex offender groped a naked woman at a house in Derby just three months after being released from prison for carrying out the exact same offence.

Derby Crown Court heard how Edward Felix “took advantage of the situation” when he sexually assaulted his latest victim at a property in Darley Abbey.

The 39-year-old, who was previously jailed for touching a different victim and taking photographs of her private parts, then “pretended to fall asleep”.

His latest victim, who suffers anxiety, left the property immediately and Felix then sent a text message the following morning apologising for what he did.

She now locks the door to her own home when she is left alone there and has increased her medication, the hearing was told.

'Back to your old ways'

Jailing Felix for 18 months, Judge Shaun Smith QC said: “In March 2018 you were released from a custodial sentence which was imposed for offences of voyeurism, sexual assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm and, within three months, you were back to your old ways again.

“This woman was at that house and felt ill.

“She was in a room under the covers and naked and you took advantage of the situation.

“You started by stroking her hair, moved your hand up to her rib cage and then she was aware of you groping her left breast.

“She moved away but you stroked her stomach and then moved your hand towards her genital area.

“She had the presence of mind to ask you what you were doing and, instead of apologising, you pretended to fall asleep.

“She wanted to leave and went to a friend's house. The following morning, you admitted you stroked her in places you should not have stroked her.

“You sent a text message saying you were sorry.”

Sarah Slater, prosecuting, said the offence took place in June of last year at a property in Darley Abbey.

She said Felix, of Cropper Lane, Oslaston, Ashbourne, had been out drinking and a number of people then found their way back to the address.

While there, the victim began feeling ill and so went to one of the rooms, undressed and got into bed.

Miss Slater said Felix entered the room, got under the covers and started stroking the woman’s hair.

Cupped her breast

She said: “He put his hand under the duvet and she felt him direct his hand to her rib cage and then cup her left breast.

“She did not know what to do and so moved away but then felt his hand on her stomach and then moved down towards her pubic area.

“She said to him ‘what are you doing?’ and he pretended to fall asleep.”

Miss Slater said the woman left the property and, the following morning, Felix sent a text message which read “I really am so sorry”.

In a victim personal statement, the woman told how she feels “jumpy and dirty” if someone touches her and locks all of the doors at her own property when her boyfriend is not in.

Felix was arrested and at first denied anything had happened at the house in Darley Abbey.

But he later pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault.

Miss Slater said he was jailed for 22 months in March 2017 after taking intimate photographs of a woman’s private parts and showing them to his friends.

Julia King, mitigating, said her client was back living with his parents and has admitted himself to Aquarius, which is based in London Road, Derby, and helps people with alcohol and drugs issues.

She said: “Without minimising the seriousness of the offence, there is no significant planning and no violence was involved.

“He has reached the realisation he has a real problem which he needs to address.”

Judge Smith said although the probation service recommended Felix would benefit from a three-year community order, which was also urged on him by Miss King, he would be “failing in his public duty” if he did not send him into immediate custody.

He also placed him on the sex offender’s register for 10 years and handed him a 10-year restraining order not to contact the victim directly or indirectly.

Description

A PAEDOPHILE pensioner who sexually abused a six-year-old girl has been told he is likely to die in prison.

Thomas Cattermole also attempted to sexually assault another vulnerable child while in his 80s.

The 84-year-old was jailed for seven years by Judge Christopher Parker QC, who described his behaviour as monstrous.

In sentencing, Judge Parker said Cattermole, who has a number of illnesses and conditions, was likely to spend the remainder of his life behind bars.

Southampton Crown Court was told how Cattermole had targeted two girls, one in the 1960s and another in 2017.

The court heard how Cattermoles first campaign of abuse began in the early 1960s, when his victim was six.

Prosecutor Rose Burns said Cattermole had forced the girl into performing various sex acts on him.

He also sexually touched her, when she was 15.

His victim said the abuse had left her with urges to take her own life.

She said: I wanted to escape the abuse that haunted me.

Childhood should hold the happiest memories, but that isnt the case for me.

The victim said she did disclose the abuse as she was scared of Cattermole.

His crimes finally came to light in 2017, when he attempted to abuse another child, aged six.

The court was told he invited the girl, described as especially vulnerable, to sexually touch him on a number of occasions.

Cattermole was caught when the girl disclosed the abuse. His other victim then came forward.

The former delivery driver denied the allegations.

A jury found him guilty of three counts of indecency with a child, one count of indecent assault and another of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Mitigating, Sarah Jones said Cattermole suffered from a number of illnesses and conditions, including hypertension and diabetes, and was likely to die in prison.

She said: For him, it is a bitter end to a life which other than this has been lived working and getting on with things in a relatively unobtrusive and unremarkable way.

His offending has caused desperate pain, not only to his victims, but to his wife.

Judge Parker said Cattermole legally had to be sentenced for his historic offences in line with legislation at the time when they carried significantly lower sentences.

He later described Cattermoles behaviour as outrageous.

Judge Parker said: Your victim grew up bearing the scars of your abuse and kept it from others for years. She was wrongly, but understandably, feeling ashamed.

She had nothing to be ashamed about, you had much to be ashamed about.

(Your second victim) you must have understood she was especially vulnerable.

Judge Parker said Cattermole, of Victoria Road, Netley Abbey, would serve three and a half years of his seven year sentence behind bars.

Cattermole was also made subject of an added one year extended licence period.

Description

A 26-YEAR-OLD father who sexually abused a 14-year-old girl has been jailed for five years. Daniel Reed of Oak Close, Farley, appeared at Salisbury Crown Court today after previously pleading guilty to six counts of sexual activity with a child. The court heard that the abuse took place between February and May last year after a "wholesome friendship" between Reed who is a father to two young children and his victim turned physical, starting with kissing before moving to sex. Judge Andrew Barnett told the defendant: "You ruthlessly exploited her [the victim] by pleasuring yourself in the way that has been described here today. "You have effectively robbed her of her childhood. "She is left with the difficulty of never really every being able to have a proper relationship, because of what you have done." Tears were shed by relatives of the victim, who were present at the hearing, with a cry of "yes" when the jail term was delivered. Speaking after the decision, Wiltshire Police Det Con Kim Weston praised the girl for her bravery in cooperating with the investigation. She said: Over many months, Reed groomed his 14-year-old victim to the point that she trusted him and believed that she loved him. During some of her most vulnerable times, he used that trust to enter into a sexual relationship with her. The victim has shown unbelievable strength through this process and I hope that the sentence today allows her time to heal and move forward with her life. She added: We know that child sexual abuse can have a long-lasting impact on victims, right into adulthood and that they need appropriate specialist support.

Description

A pervert who sneaked a secret camera into a bathroom and filmed a woman draped just in a towel has been jailed for a total of 18 weeks after admitting four counts of voyeurism.

Daniel Chalmers obtained footage of the female in a state of undress at an address in Glastonbury and when the camera was discovered by another person the matter was reported to the police several years later.

When Chalmers appeared before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil to be sentenced he said he had taken many steps to address what happened but had now lost a lot of his social standing and respect from friends and people he cared about.

He said he was a creative person and said his upbringing had been confusing, especially around sex.

He said he did not know what was acceptable and what was not and had been exploring the boundaries of his inner adolescent sexuality.

Chalmers, 42, of Ebbor Lane, Wookey Hole, pleaded guilty to three counts that on or before March 16, 2016, at Glastonbury he recorded another person doing a private act with the intention that he, for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, looked at an image of that person doing the act, knowing that they did not consent to that recording.

He also admitted installing equipment with the intention of enabling himself, for the purpose of his own sexual gratification, to observe another person doing a private act, knowing that they had not consented.

Prosecutor Suzie Butler said that the police were contacted after the hidden camera was found in a bathroom.

It was discovered to be a recording device that looked like a USB stick and it loaded up a number of files, she said.

When it was viewed it showed images of a female who was just wearing a towel.

Chalmers asked the person who had found it if they had taken anything from the bathroom and appeared to be quite upset and said he really needed it.

When he was interviewed by police he said he felt an enormous sense of remorse having lost the trust of his family.

He said his upbringing was confusing, especially around sex, and he had been made to feel ashamed by his mother after accessing porn at an early age even though she was having sexual relationships, she said.

He said he did not know what was acceptable and what was not and felt ashamed and appalled at his actions.

He said his intention was to see how it felt to use a remote recording device and was exploring the boundaries of his inner adolescent sexuality.

He said he did not know why he had filmed it and never actually saw the footage.

But he said it was not so much for sexual gratification but finding the boundaries between right and wrong and trying to understand that.

The court heard that the defendant worked at festivals during the summer and was also a craftsman making jewellery and taught bush craft skills.

Chalmers addressed the court himself and said that in the two years since the offence he had taken many steps to address what happened and had now lost much of his social standing, respect and trust, along with the woman he loved.

He said: I am so remorseful and upset at my behaviour and have lost my family and the respect of people and myself and it has led to a profound change in me.

He added that he was willing to financially support any of the people who had been affected by his actions if they needed counselling or professional support.

Chair of the magistrates, Mary Ellis, told the defendant there had been a serious abuse of trust and his offending had crossed the custody threshold.

You bought a camera and chose to place it in the bathroom and it was not a chance occurrence but a deliberate plan, however you view it, she said.

They sentenced Chalmers to a total of 18 weeks in prison and ordered him to be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for the next seven years. A 115 victim surcharge was also imposed, payable on his release.