Latest Offenders

Description

William Palmer, 23, “manipulated” the child over several months by exchanging explicit photographs on messaging app Snapchat before committing the sexual touching offence.

Palmer, of Wisteria Drive, Verwood, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Bournemouth Crown Court after he admitted charges of engaging in sexual communication with a child and engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a child under the age of 16.

Judge Jonathan Fuller QC told the defendant that he “exploited” the teenager and “pressured” her into sending intimate pictures after he first sent an image of male genitalia.

The judge described Palmer’s actions, which developed over a “significant period of time”, as “typical manipulation” of a child.

He said there was a “significant disparity” in age between the defendant and the victim.

“You were fully aware of her age and you were fully aware that you were at risk of going to prison,” said Judge Fuller.

“Nevertheless, you continued and continued for some time.”

Prosecuting, Emma Smith said Palmer was arrested after the child disclosed what had happened to police.

In interview, he initially denied receiving or sending any pictures, stating someone must have hijacked his account.

Under further questioning, Palmer broke down in tears and admitted there had been an exchange of messages but claimed the girl had asked him to send images.

When asked about sexual activity, he again denied it before making admissions and suggesting it was consensual and instigated by the teenager.

In court, Palmer accepted this was not the case and he in fact instigated the messaging and sexual activity.

As Ms Smith outlined the facts of the case, the defendant spent long periods with his head down in the dock.

Mitigating, Robert Grey said Palmer had no previous convictions and was remorseful for what he had done.

The barrister said the defendant had suffered from depression and anxiety for the past five years, adding that he lacks confidence.

Mr Grey asked the judge to consider a suspended sentence, but after jailing Palmer, Judge Fuller QC said: “Even if the sentence level was such that could be suspended, that would not be appropriate in this case.

“It would not mark the seriousness of the offence.”

Alongside the prison term, Palmer was placed on the sex offenders register.

Description

A voyeur who secretly photographed a woman in a shower and getting changed has been spared jail.

Harry Jeffrey Alfred Holland, 20, of Gwynedd, had pleaded guilty to two charges of voyeurism when he twice recorded a person doing a private act to obtain sexual gratification.

Caernarfon Magistrates today gave him a 24 week jail term, suspended for two years.

He must go on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years and pay 707 in costs and compensation.

However, bench chairman Julie Eddows said no amount of compensation would make up for the victims distress.

Prosecutor Diane Williams said the two offences took place last year.

There was an investigation and images of the woman having a shower and changing were found on a device.

In a statement, the victim said she wasn't sure whether to seek a prosecution but after "reflecting and absorbing'" what had happened she went ahead.

She said she wants Holland to face the "embarrassment and anxiety" that she has faced.

She said her life had been "turned upside down."

She feels "violated" and is now unable to shower without covering herself with a blanket.

She also said that she can't use public conveniences without checking for cameras.

The victim also says she doesn't feel that Holland believes he has "done much wrong."

Liz Jones, defending Holland, said her client insists he has not distributed any images.

The factory worker is of previous good character and feels "disgusted" with his behaviour. He has lost friends and become isolated. The court proceedings have given him a "steep learning curve."

Bench chairman Julie Eddows said the offences have had an "ongoing impact" on the victim, who cannot be named to protect her identity.

Handing down the suspended jail term, she also ordered Holland do rehabilitation activity for 80 days and go on a 45-session sexual offences treatment programme.

He must pay costs and 500 compensation to the victim.

Description

A former Princeton University student and professional rugby player has been jailed for 23 years after violently raping two women in London.

Paulo Kretteis, 22 of Northolt, west London was found guilty of two counts of rape and making a threat to kill following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court in January.

The dual Brazilian national, who previously played rugby professionally for the Ealing Trailfinders, was described as a 'real danger to women, who took 'real pleasure' in the 'fear, pain and humiliation' of his victims.

The former Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering student at the Ivy League University in New Jersey was thrown out of the prestigious school in May 2019 following a proven allegation of 'non-consensual sexual intercourse' following an internal investigation.

He appealed the decision, but was expelled. He never faced criminal charges following the investigation.

During the trial earlier this year, the court heard that Kretteis has been in London when he befriended his first victim outside The Chatsworth Bar in Acton in the early hours of October 13, 2019.

The court heard that he had walked the 25-year-old back to her home in Hammersmith and as they approached a secluded footbridge, he grabbed hold of her throat and threatened to kill her.

He then attacked her, hitting her in the face, before forcing her to perform a sex act.

In what was described as a 'particularly chilling' part of the attack, he told her to smile when she asked if she still had all her teeth left after he hit her.

The victim was able to escape and flag down a taxi driver for help before calling the police, but Kretteis ran from the scene.

He claimed he was not the man seen in CCTV footage because the hairstyle on the man in the clip was different to his own, but Instagram posts matched images of him at the scene wearing a Princeton University sports jersey.

The court heard that the victim now suffers numbness to the left side of her face and has difficulties with one of her eyes.

She also experiences repeated flashbacks, and has constant feelings of anger and uncontrollable crying.

In the early hours of December 15, 2019, Kretteis attacked his second victim at an apartment in Ealing.

The court heard that when the victim, 20, refused to let Kretteis film them having sex, he attacked her, grabbing her neck in what the judge described as 'the most dangerous and traumatic way for any woman.'

He attacked her a second time in a locked room where she was sleeping by forcing a pillow over her face.

She was left with bruising on her face and throat, as well as bite marks. Clumps of her hair were also found at the address.

The victim said she thought he was trying to kill her, and that she had been left 'physically, psychologically and emotionally' harmed by the attack, and took to sleeping with a kitchen knife by her bed.

She also said that she was unable to swallow solid food for days and could only sleep during the day with her mother in the room.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, she said: 'He made me feel like I deserved it and was being dramatic for reporting it to the police.'

Kretteis had tried to manipulate her and, on one occasion, tried to persuade her to retract her statement.

'He said he only did it to me because of how much he loved me which is something that has haunted me ever since,' she said.

'I have lost my ability to trust many people, especially men, and find it difficult to create new connections with new people.'

Kretteis was identified in February last year from the DNA found on the jacket his first victim had left behind in the struggle, which was found dumped in a nearby bin.

The court heard he alleged that his victims attacked him first.

One of his victims sat in court as Kretteis' barrister, Nicola Shannon, said his academic achievements and 'determination' showed 'promise' that he could be rehabilitated.

She told the court has was an A* student who supported his single mother and siblings.

She added that his 'dreams of playing for Brazil were thwarted by an injury, and have now been eclipsed by this offending.'

'He is some who appears before the court as someone with the ability to lead an upstanding life, to show determination, character, and assistance to others,' she said.

'He was exposed to violence in the home, whether that was from his father or step-father, consistently throughout early years years and into his teenage years. He had picked up those attitudes to deal with conflict and had become a habit that, when challenged, violence would be resorted to him.

'It does prove some reassurance that there is a known cause and a degree of understanding and insight on Mr Kretteis' part and that might lead to him begin to mature out of those attitudes going forward.'

Judge Giles Curtis-Raleigh sentenced Kretteis to 10 years in prison for the first rape, and handed a consecutive eight year term for the second, with a five year period on extended licence.

He also handed down concurrent sentences of three years and 11 months for the ABH offences and four years for making threats to kill.

He told Kretteis, 'In both their cases they were in no position whatsoever to resist the violence, both sexual and physical, you inflicted on them by reason of your considerable size and strength.'

'You had been expelled from Princeton University in May of that year after an internal [investigation] had concluded you had non-consensual sex with a woman there.

'It was the clearest possible warning for your behaviour society could give you apart from a criminal conviction.

'You continue, quite absurdly, to blame your victims saying that each had attacked you first. Their injuries were caused exactly how they described in the course of two ferocious attacks on them.

'When eventually arrested, because the police were called after the second incident, you were interviewed and you denied matters. You claimed she self-harmed. You represent a high risk of harm to women.

'It is a measure of your arrogance and lack of respect for women that, instead of being deterred by what happened in America, you went on to commit the serious offences for which I have to sentence you today.'

He will serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before he is considered for release.

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.

Description

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.

Description

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."

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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.

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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.