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Jacob Adair, 21, of Kenyon's Lane South, Haydock, handed 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, after he admitted inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, downloading indecent images of children and extreme porn.

Jacob Adair from Haydock was caught after he asked a 15 year old girl to send him naked pictures.

A man who asked a schoolgirl to send him naked pictures was caught with extreme porn involving a corpse.

Jacob Adair twice urged a 15-year-old child to take photographs of her breasts to add to his sickening stash of images.

When police raided his Haydock home they discovered a depraved collection of child sex abuse and vile pornography.

But the 21-year-old walked free from court today after receiving a suspended sentence so he could still go to university.

Liverpool Crown Court heard police raided the home he shared with his parents in Kenyon’s Lane South on December 3, 2015.

They seized computer equipment containing the offensive images, which he admitted responsibility for downloading.

There were eight Category A – the most serious category – 11 Category B and 137 Category C indecent images of children.

This included three Category A videos and there were a further 20 prohibited and two extreme porn pictures.

Ian Criddle, prosecuting, said: “One involved sexual interference with a corpse and one involved serious injury to genitals.”

He said Adair had been talking to the schoolgirl when he was aged 19 and that she “felt uneasy about the requests”.

When interviewed by police, Adair accepted he knew she was only 15 and that he asked her to take the photos.

He admitted two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and three counts of downloading indecent images of children.

Adair, who has no previous convictions, also admitted possessing indecent images of children, prohibited images and extreme porn.

Paul Treble, defending, conceded the offences were serious but urged Judge David Aubrey, QC, to spare his client prison.

He said Adair had not lied to the girl - who he had developed feelings for - about his age.

Mr Treble said Adair was frank with police and now realised what he did when still a teenager was “very wrong”.

He said: “He at the time found himself in a very difficult position due to the death of his grandmother, which precipitated depression.

“It led to him becoming isolated, he started looking at the material, and one of the excitements, if I can put it that way, is that it was taboo.

“He is embarrassed and shocked now. He appreciates it was very, very wrong.”

Mr Treble said if Adair was spared jail, he would begin a university course in September, and the court would not see him again.

Judge Aubrey said Adair had been “obsessed” with his computer and looking at indecent images.

He said: “Each and every image represented the abuse of a child.

“You were perpetuating the abuse of that child because if there were not like minded people, there would not be such a market for like images.”

However, he said the offences were committed two years ago and Adair, who recognised his problems, had “considerable potential”.

He said: “This court has come to the conclusion that it’s possible to permit you to begin your university career.”

Judge Aubrey handed him 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, plus a sexual offenders treatment programme.He told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

The judge said: “You now have to ensure the issues you undoubtedly had in 2015 either have been addressed or you will continue to address them.”

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A disc jockey who subjected a man and woman with Down's syndrome to sex attacks in Moray has been jailed for five years.

Scott Sinclair, 41, who lived in Elgin at the time, was convicted by a jury.

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A man found guilty of a string of rapes, attempted rape and serious sexual assaults on three young girls has been jailed by for 13 years today by a judge who branded him 'thoroughly evil'.

Mark Raymond Hoddinott, 51, of Portland Place, Frome was found guilty of raping and attempting to rape a girl under the age of 13 and sexually assaulted a girl under 13, involving penetration, at Frome.

He was also found guilty of five counts of intentionally touching a girl under 13, and that touching was sexual, also at Frome.

The jury also found him guilty of being a person aged 18 or over and for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, he intentionally caused a child under 13 to look at an image of a person engaging in sexual activity.

All the of the offences had taken place on various dates at Frome between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2011 and his youngest victim was under the age of six.

Sentencing him to a total of 13 years behind bars, Recorder Paul Garlick QC, sitting at Taunton Crown Court, told him the jury had found him guilty of the 'most serious sexual offences against highly vulnerable victims'.

He slammed Hoddinott for forcing his victims to come to court and give evidence against him, forcing them to relive their ordeals at his hands.

"I absolutely satisfied that your sexual abuse has had a serious and permanent effect on their lives from which they may never recover," he said.

"You have shown no remorse. You planned a long-running campaign of abuse against three victims."

Hoddinott was sentenced to 11 years for rape, four years for each charge of sexual assault, 18 months for gross indecency, 13 years for attempted rape, seven years for assault by penetration, five years for two counts of sexual assault against a child and two years for causing a child to look at sexual activity.

Recorder Garlick said the total of the sentences added up to 'decades' in jail and that each offence was 'individually heinous'.

"This was thoroughly evil conduct," he told him.

But he added that given Hoddinott's age and the fact that he would not be released on licence half-way through his sentence, the sentences would all run concurrently.

He was sentenced to 13 years in prison, and will be on the sex offender's register for life.

He was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order, and his victims were given a restraining order preventing him from contacting them.

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Convicted sex offender Manfredi was sentenced to two years in prison after he admitted he was intending to download child abuse images of young girls.

Manfredi, 30, who was staying at a hostel in Chelmsford, was sentenced on August 30 at Chelmsford Crown Court following three breaches of a sexual harm prevention order.

He had been previously convicted for downloading 665 indecent images of children in October, 2016 after police discovered Manfredi searched for websites containing pre-teen pornography.

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Glenn Michael Roberts, of Kinmel Avenue Abergele admitted three breaches of an order but avoided jail term A convicted paedophile who changed his name on a swingers dating website before forming a relationship with a single mum was handed a three-year community order. Glenn Michael Roberts, 31, was jailed for 12 months last year for downloading indecent images of children some of the most extreme category. He was released from prison last October. Roberts, of Kinmel Avenue, Abergele was today sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court after admitting three breaches of the sex offenders act. Michael Whitty, prosecuting, said Roberts breached the act by using an alternative name without telling the police, by not stating that a child under 18 was in his company and not notifying the police of a change of address. Mr Whitty said after his release from prison, Roberts had formed a relationship with a woman on a dating site and they agreed to meet. They then spent time together at her house when her young child was there with Roberts being left alone with the child for 20 minutes while she had a shower. They also went for days out together. Mr Whitty said: On one occasion he spoke to his dad using a different name and she challenged him and contacted the police. Judge Huw Rees said: When you introduced yourself to your father as Glenn, you said it was a nickname. She didnt believe it. Sentencing Roberts, who is on the sex offenders register and also has a Sexual Harm Prevention Order until 2026, Judge Huw Rees said: Further work needs to be done to prevent you from having any contact with children. You are not supposed to have any contact at all. This sentence is designed to protect the public. You need to curb your tendencies. This is a three-year community order and a programme requirement. You are to attend also a sexual offenders programme with a rehabilitation requirement of 56 days. This is your last chance to get yourself sorted out. Days after his previous conviction, Roberts devastated partner told how shed lived a lie for 13 years after only discovering Roberts crimes two weeks before his court case.

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OFFICERS are appealing for help to find a convicted rapist. Robert Stevens, 62, has been recalled to prison breaching the agreements of his parole. Stevens, who also uses the surname Melias is known across Hampshire, Dorset, Avon, Somerset and Devon. He was convicted of rape in Shirehampton in 1998 and in 2011 was also convicted of a series of knifepoint commercial robberies at shops and bookmakers. He is described as a white man, about 5ft 6ins tall, with grey/brown hair. He also has tattoos a panther on his left arm and the names City on his left hand and Bob on his right hand. Officers said that Stevens is known for visiting betting shops, homeless charities and church-based support groups for the homeless, as well as travelling around via buses but often travels about on foot.

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A “DISGUSTING” Southampton courier who poses a risk to children has been jailed.

Graham Williams admitted 14 charges including possessing indecent images of children and distributing them.

The 30-year-old was described as being “in denial” of his sexual interest in children, despite having more than 100 images on all of his electronic devices.

He was jailed for four years and one month at Southampton Crown Court.

Prosecuting, Siobhan Linsley said Williams’ manager found the indecent images on his phone after the driver had been due to deliver a parcel to a 17-year-old female customer.

However after struggling to get the package to his customer, Williams, pictured, ended up sending numerous text and Whats App messages to her.

The girl contacted father-of-one Williams’ boss who was informed and arranged a meeting with him and asked to see his phone.

Miss Linsley said: “The manager asked to see Williams’ personal phone that the message had allegedly been on. But when he went on the phone he saw photographs of females, which were of an indecent nature.”

Williams was arrested but while on bail continued to offend.

The court heard that Williams had also contacted children under an alias.

Ms Linsley said: “His profile picture was of a teenage girl and he used an alias when using the sites. When asked who he is, he said a 14-year-old.

“He would ask the girls how old they were and regardless of whether they were under-16, he would ask if they were virgins.”

The court heard that Williams’ personal devices, all which were seized by police, contained 163 images - 73 category A.

Mitigating, Timothy Akers said the offences were “frankly disgusting” but the “number of images wasn’t especially high”.

Mr Akers added that since his offending, which began in 2015, his partner had left him and taken his two-month-old child with her.

In sentencing, Judge Gary Burrell QC said the defendant’s pleas that he was not attracted to children were “preposterous”. He said: “Clearly he has an interest in children sexually and in the probation report it states he struggles to accept what he has done. He is in denial.

“It’s hardly surprising no one is here for him. He’s committed these offences. He has to take what comes from it and often it’s isolation.

“In my judgement you are interested in children. What else can it mean but having one. You’re a risk to any community especially one if there are children around.”

Williams, of Millbrook Road West, was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for life.

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A 20-year-old man who admitted carrying out a sexual assault on an underage girl has been placed under supervision for two years.

Asa Tulloch, of St Olaf Street, Lerwick admitted the offence during an earlier court appearance. His sentence was deferred at the time for background reports to be compiled.

The offence is said to have taken place at a play park and a multi-court between 1st June 2012 and 31st August 2013. Tulloch would have been aged either 15 or 16 and the complainer either nine or ten.

The charge against Tulloch states that he touched the girls genitals through her clothing, kissed her on the cheek and placed her hand down his trousers.

At Lerwick Sheriff Court this morning defence agent Tommy Allan referred to the background reports, which noted that Tulloch suffers from Fragile X Syndrome a condition which causes learning disabilities and cognitive impairment.

Mr Allan said that Tulloch had a level of need which led him to argue for his client to be dealt with by way of a community payback order.

Sheriff Philip Mann told Tulloch that the charge against him was a very serious offence.

They are charges for which the court could impose a custodial sentence, he said, before adding: But, in my view, its more important for society and for yourself that you have some guidance and support.

Tulloch was put under the supervision of social workers for two years and was placed on the sex offenders register for the same length of time.

He was also warned that the option of custody remained open should he fail to co-operate with social workers.

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Parents of Andy Robson's child victims broke down in tears as a court heard how he used his iPhone to record pupils getting changed after sports activities A children's safeguarding leader and deputy headteacher is behind bars after sneakily recording videos of pupils getting undressed in changing rooms. Andy Robson, 42, from Dorking, was jailed for two years after he was convicted of taking photographs and videos of 70 naked schoolchildren at two separate Surrey schools. Parents of his child victims broke down in tears as Guildford Crown Court heard how Robson used his iPhone to record the young pupils getting changed after sports activities. He carried out his disturbing crimes over a period of several years when he was safeguarding leader and trainer at Surrey Hills CofE Primary School in Mole Valley and Ewell Castle School in Ewell. Recorder Michael Bromley-Martin described his acts as "a gross breach of trust" during the court hearing on Friday morning (July 21). The court heard how Robson had an addiction to downloading photos and videos of naked children through specialist software, and would then delete everything through guilt before downloading the software and images again. Police arrested the 42-year-old in February at his home in Leslie Road, Dorking, which was then searched by specialist officers. A number of items were seized including a laptop, USB sticks and two hard drives which contained indecent images of children. Robson was subsequently charged with two counts of making indecent images of children and two counts of taking indecent images of children. He pleaded guilty to all four charges at Staines Magistrates' Court on June 19. He was committed to Guildford Crown Court to be sentenced and Robson had his head bowed as he sat in the dock throughout the hearing. A number of the victims' parents were also in court for the sentencing. Many could be seen crying as prosecutor Lee Harris read out details of Robson's crimes. He said: "Mr Robson worked at two different schools at two different times, he started working at Ewell three days before the first image was taken. These images were all filmed on an iPhone. "Mr Robson was deputy and acting head teacher for two terms [at one of these schools] and went on a number of child protection courses and knew what to look for and when to raise concerns [about child safety]." Mr Harris told the court that after the police became aware of Robson's crimes, the two schools were informed and so were the parents of the children who were identified in his videos and images. Child 'asked what a paedophile was' A victim impact statement was read out by Mr Harris on behalf of one of the families affected. He said: "Our two children thought going to school was a safe environment, they liked Mr Robson and trusted him. He was a good teacher. "We were called to an organised briefing, held by the police. When I heard what had happened, my world fell apart." Mr Harris then read out another statement where a parent said her child "asked what a paedophile was". He added: "A word like that shouldn't be in their vocabulary. He only stopped when he was caught. He did not hand himself in." In mitigation, Robson's defence barrister Orla Daly described him as someone who had "fragile mental health" and insisted his arrest came as a "relief". She added: "He hasn't started to minimise his actions at all, he needs to be punished and needs help. "The images are produced in a particularly unsophisticated fashion. There is no whiff of [sexual] contact offences at a time when it could have been possible. "He is 42 years of age, back home living with his parents. He will never work as a teacher again, he will never work with children again. "He acknowledges the need for treatment and has shown an openness to those close to him who all know what has happened. Everyone is on the lookout for him." Mrs Daly asked Recorder Bromley-Martin to consider a suspended sentence to help with Robson's rehabilitation. Judge Bromley-Martin retired for about 20 minutes to consider what sentence to impose. 'This was a gross breach of trust' He said: "The moving images themselves are unsophisticated in their execution, there are brief glimpses of backsides and genitalia of those involved. "Children, their parents and the public are entitled to expect of you the protection of these young children, not for your exploitation. "It was done covertly and right up until the day before you were arrested. Because of this I am satisfied the custody threshold has been passed and it is not possible to suspend a prison sentence. "The offences were committed over two separate periods of time at two separate schools. These are not still images they are moving images of prepubescent children. "There are a large number of children, a large number of families who have been affected by what you have done. This was a gross breach of trust. "There are mitigating factors in that you have expressed remorse, full remorse for what you have done and have recognised what you have done and the damage you have caused." Robson was given nine months and 15 months respectively for the two counts of producing the indecent images at Surrey Hills and Ewell Castle which will run consecutively. He was given a six month and a three month prison sentence respectively for the two charges relating to making indecent images of children. This sentence would run concurrently with the other two counts giving a total of two years. Before Robson was led down to the cells he was handed a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) which will last for ten years and he was placed on the sex offenders register. He was also told to pay a 100 victim surcharge.

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Now of Lerwick Shetland, ZE1 A sex offender found with tens of thousands of indecent images of children is beginning a prison sentence of over four years. Stephen Bell, 58, of Sandside Road, Mossbank, previously admitted having pornographic photos of youngsters. He intended the images to be distributed or shown to others. Bell also confessed to taking, or permitting to be taken, indecent images of children. The offences happened between February 2011 and February last year. Lerwick Sheriff Court heard that Bell had been completely dedicated to pornography, and that he was incapable of recognising that every one of the children in the images in his possession was a victim. Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie told the court: I dont think I can sit down without commenting on the fairly worrying response made by him in the social enquiry report. Its been well understood now that every single image such has been viewed here of a child contains an image of a victim. He seems incapable of appreciating that very basic truth, and that has to be a significant concern. The fiscal described how he had felt compelled for the first time in Lerwick to seek a time bar extension to allow evidence to be examined after the offence had come to light. He said police had executed a search warrant at Bells address. But it became clear the set-up was extremely complex, and almost unique in its complexity. He said the task of carrying out a forensic examination was extremely challenging. Mr MacKenzie described how the search focused on six hard drives identified as containing most of the suspect material. A further 29 hard drives were also discovered. The fiscal said tens of thousands of indecent images of children were found more than 5,000 of which were classed as being the most serious, or category A, type. Over 7,400 images belonged in category B, while more than 100,000 were category C. He added children of all ages had been victimised by the crime. The images were predominantly of children aged between 10 and 16. A search at Bells home uncovered a place in complete disarray, with only two main areas seeming to be habitable. Mr MacKenzie described towers of hard drives, pornographic magazines and DVDs. This seems to be a man who is completely dedicated to pornography, and to child pornography in particular, Mr MacKenzie added. He works full time but it appears that when work was finished for the day his life, almost to the exclusion of everything else, was dedicated to these horrific images. Defence agent Tommy Allan agreed the nature of the images were abhorrent. He highlighted the social enquiry report which showed Bell as a something of a loner. He worked, but the rest of his life was taken over by this obsession with this kind of pornography, Mr Allan said. It would be fair to say he allowed that obsession to get out of control. The agent said there was a difference between the view Bell had about his offending and that which society would normally expect. He accepts that at some point this would come to an end and he would be discovered, and he would have to face the consequences. Mr Allan added that Bell had had the first opportunity to discuss his problems with social workers in the preparation of reports. But Bell knew he would be going to prison. He knows he comes to court facing the inevitability of a custodial sentence, he said. Sheriff Philip Mann sent Bell to prison for 52 months a total of four years and four months. But he will also have to serve a four month non-custodial extended sentence. The sheriff also handed Bell a sexual offences prevention order, which will limit or monitor his use of the internet, for an indefinite period. Bell was placed on the sex offenders register, also indefinitely. This is offending of the most serious kind, the sheriff told him. Following the sentencing the senior police officer on the case highlighted the difficult and specialist nature of the investigations. Detective Inspector Richard Baird said: This was an extremely complex investigation and Bells system has been described as one of the most intricate ever seen by the specialist computer forensic examiners who worked on the case. Possessing indecent images is not a victimless crime and every day children are subjected to dreadful abuse in order to create these materials which are distributed around the world.

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A naval cadet instructor who featured in this week's episode of 24 Hours In Police Custody has been jailed for four and a half years for child sex abuse. Alex Johnston, 30, of Ennerdale Close, Bletchley was sentenced at Luton Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday) after pleading guilty to five counts of engaging with sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15. Johnston started grooming two of his cadets in 2013. He sent them messages and built up a relationship with them before engaging in sexual activity with them. He paid one of his victims 50 a month to stop her from telling people about the abuse, however, the victim contacted police in 2015 after doing a child safeguarding course and realised that Johnston had been taking advantage of her and abusing his position of trust. Detective Inspector Richard Tilling, from the Bedfordshire Police Child and Vulnerable Adult Abuse unit, said: Johnston abused his position of trust to take advantage of two young girls, grooming them and engaging in sexual activity with them despite knowing they were under the age of consent. We will not tolerate child sexual abuse of any kind. I hope that this sentence gives Johnston chance to reflect on his actions while serving as a warning to people who think they can get away with this type of behaviour. Id like to praise the bravery of both the victims in speaking out and hope that this allows them to begin to move on with their lives. The case involving Johnston featured in the 24 Hours In Police Custody episode Their Time Will Come on Monday (12 June).

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A predatory taxi driver who raped a passenger he picked up outside a Birmingham city centre nightclub has been jailed for nine years.

Jhamil Hussan dragged the victim into a park and attacked her after dropping her near her home.

The depraved 39-year-old had earlier collected her from outside the Nightingale Club, based in Kent Street, at 2.30am on April 17.

The Crown Prosecution Service said the pair made small talk during the journey but he groped her at one point.

He then parked his car a short distance from the victims home and she got out and began to walk away.

But Hussan walked up behind her, grabbed her, took her to a nearby park and raped her.

The victim told her parents of her ordeal when she returned home and the police were called.

Hussan was later spotted parked back outside the club.

He was later arrested but claimed he was innocent and alleged the victim had forced herself on him.

But he was convicted of two counts of rape at Birmingham Crown Court after his cover story was exposed as a pack of lies.

He was jailed on Friday, July 7.

The sentence was welcomed by James Gormley, senior crown prosecutor with the West Midlands CPSs rape and serious sexual offences unit.

He said: Jhamil Hussan is a dangerous sexual predator who targeted and raped a vulnerable woman.

When he was arrested, he claimed the victim had forced herself onto him and he had tried to stop her.

This was a blatant lie.

I would like to thank the victim for her courage and support in helping us to bring this man to justice.

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A pervert who was arrested after he was caught out in a sting by an anti-paedophile group has been jailed for four years.

The encounter outside Maidstone East station was live-streamed on Facebook on January 14 this year.

Members of vigilante group The Hunted One confronted 43-year-old Mark Stopher, from Sittingbourne, in Station Road.

He had been in contact with a person he believed to be a young girl and arranged to meet for sex.

The hour-long incident ended when police officers arrived. Stopher, now of Victoria Road, Chatham, was then arrested.

He admitted arranging and facilitating the commission of a child sex offence and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday by Judge Adele Williams.

His name will appear on the sex offenders’ register and a sexual harm prevention order was made, both indefinitely.

He will be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.

Previously police have warned people not to take the law into their own hands to try in such sting traps.

DI Robert Chitham, of the paedophile online investigation team at Kent Police, said: “I would discourage people from taking the law into their own hands to avoid them being put in any possible danger.

“Revealing the identity of suspected paedophiles, often on the basis of little information, could lead to suspects being threatened.

“This can divert significant police resources into protecting suspects, which would be better invested in investigating and, where there is evidence, prosecuting them.”

DI Chitham added: “I would like to reassure the public that we proactively target this type of offence and work hard to gather evidence in a lawful manner and that will stand up in court.

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A mosque teacher who sexually assaulted young girls as they read to him in Koran studies at a mosque in Cardiff has been jailed.

Mohammed Sadiq, who taught at the Madina Mosque for more than 30 years, denied 15 counts of indecent and sexual assault, but was found guilty of all but one count by a jury after trial.

Judge Stephen Hopkins QC said: You have not and you are still not showing any remorse at all for what you did.

You appear to have no understanding of the harm and humiliation you inflicted on four young children, as they were.

He was jailed for 13 years at Cardiff Crown Court and the judge imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Opening the case, prosecutor Suzanne Thomas said: It was while he was teaching at the mosque, the prosecution say, that the defendant took advantage of his position.

The court heard that 81-year-old Sadiq created a culture where physical punishment was normal.

Prosecutors said he was a member of the mosque, then on Woodville Road in Cathays, until it was destroyed by fire in 2006.

Ms Thomas said: In addition to attending for worship, he was involved in other aspects of running the mosque at one time as treasurer.

Then he was involved in teaching Koran studies to primary school age children, which took place at the mosque after school.

The court heard the boys and girls in the class would call Sadiq uncle as a sign of respect.

The allegations involved four alleged victims and related to the period between 1996 and 2006.

Sadiq, from Lake East Road in Cyncoed, was found guilty of six counts of indecent assault and eight counts of sexual assault.

Mike Jenkin, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: These women have shown remarkable courage in coming forward to speak about the abuse they suffered at the hands of Mohammed Haj Sadiq when they were young girls.

Sadiq was a respected figure in the community with considerable influence and power which makes the bravery of his victims all the more admirable.

The evidence given by these women meant the prosecution was able to present a compelling case to the jury, resulting in the guilty verdicts.

Detective Chief Inspector Rob Cronick of South Wales Police said: "Mohammed Sadiq abused his position of trust within the community he served.

Last months verdict shows the magnitude of Sadiqs offending and the devastating effect this has had on his victims.

These four young women have shown immense courage in coming forward and telling us about the abuse they suffered and enduring the further anguish of a crown court trial.

As a result of the verdict and todays sentence I believe there may be members of the community who may now feel confident enough to speak to the police or our support agencies.

Anyone with any information concerning this matter or who may have any other concerns should call a dedicated NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 where specially trained staff will talk to you and offer support.

Alternatively you can call South Wales Police on 101 quoting the reference: 1600442164.

Investigating sexual violence is a priority for South Wales Police and may I provide reassurance that all allegations of non-recent sexual abuse will be investigated.

There are also a number of support agencies available to anyone who wishes them to be their point of contact if they have any concerns. South Wales Police can sign post victims directly to them.

Our priority is to keep victims, and potential victims safe. We are committed to helping the vulnerable and have dedicated teams to help and support anyone who may have been affected by this investigation or any other circumstance.

An NSPCC spokesman said: This was an appalling breach of trust and Sadiq has rightly received a significant prison sentence for these heinous offences. He abused his authority and the faith placed in him to carry out a succession of sexual assaults against vulnerable children.

Clearly Sadiqs actions have had a huge impact on his victims, both at the time and since, but it is thanks to their bravery that he has been brought to justice.

It is absolutely right that people who suffered child sexual abuse know where to turn for support and feel confident that their voices will be heard, no matter how much time has passed since their ordeal.

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A paedophile has been jailed for four-and-a-half years for sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl in what the judge described as an ‘unforgivable’ crime.

Matthew Johnson’s actions left his young victim an ’emotional wreck’, Exeter Crown Court was told.
 
To cries of ‘scum’ from public gallery, Johnson, 30, of Market Street, Torquay, was led away from the dock to the cells.

Johnson had changed his plea after the prosecution served new forensic and medical evidence.

The court heard heart-breaking testimony about the impact of his crime from the victim’s mother.

In a statement she said: “Prior to my daughter being sexually assaulted she was a very happy, outgoing girl.

Now she is an emotional wreck. She now receives counselling and has turned into a girl who does not like going outside.

She is always frustrated and angry and lashes out both physically and verbally. “She had told me she does not want to be here anymore and has thoughts about killing herself.

I am devastated about seeing my little girl turned into an emotional wreck.”
Prosecutor, Rachel Drake, told the court that Johnson encouraged the girl to play a game with him before assaulting her.

When she told him to stop he refused.

The victim had to endure two police interviews and a medical examination, Ms Drake said. But Johnson’s guilty plea meant she did not have to give evidence at a trial.
When he was interviewed by police Johnson initially denied the offence.

When police searched his computer they found he had looked up subjects such as ‘what police would need to prove to prove he was a paedophile’, said the prosecutor.
 
“There was also evidence of internet searches by the defendant for underage boys and girls,” added Ms Drake.

The victim’s mother said in the statement: “I’ve never felt so low and emotionally drained. I feel I am constantly living on the edge. This has had a life-long effect on my daughter.”
 
Recorder Martin Meeke QC said he would give the defendant 25 per cent credit for his plea.

He said: “You are a man aged 30 and of previous good character. You took advantage of a time you were alone with the victim. It was an appalling thing to do to any child. It is unforgivable.

“Your conduct has had a significant effect on your victim in terms of the psychological damage, as illustrated in the victim personal statement.” Johnson pleaded guilty to assaulting a female under 13 by penetration.

The defendant will serve half of his sentence in custody and the rest on licence. Recorder Meeke added a further one year to the licence period on his release.

He was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order banning his contact with children and will sign the Sex Offenders’ Register.