Latest Offenders

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A VIOLENT thug has been jailed for eight years after raping and threatening to kill a woman.

Preston Crown Court heard how Vincent Grieve raped the woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, at a house in Blackburn.

Prosecuting Charles Brown said that following the sexual assault she managed to escape from the house, wearing just a pair of socks.

The woman had earlier tried to leave the house but 30-year-old Grieve, who had been drinking rum, hit her from behind as she tried to get to the front door.

The victim was made to lie down on the floor before she was strangled. Grieve then bombarded her with verbal abuse, punched her in the face and stamped on her torso.

The court was told Grieve, of Heaning Avenue, Blackburn, also threatened to kill her with a knife, cut off her head with an electric saw and hit her over the head with a bottle of Captain Morgan.

The woman was then whipped twice with Grieve’s belt and told she would spend a life in his servitude.

Grieve then raped her saying: “I have never touched a girl with head injuries before.”

The semi-naked victim ran out of the house and jumped into a neighbour’s garden before heading onto the street.

She had sustained serious injuries to her face and was missing a clump of hair.

Reading her victim personal statement in court, she said: “I find myself wondering what is the point of it all, carrying this pain almost every second of every day.

“The fact I still have my life where others do not should make me feel better but I’m using it as an excuse not to go to pieces.

“I dream it every night and it’s so vivid. I relive every punch, kick and blow. Living with this every day is suffocating.”

Grieve pleaded guilty to rape and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Bob Sastry, defending, described the incident as a grave and serious matter.

He said: “The defendant acknowledges that and wishes to express his remorse and apologise to the victim.”

Judge Simon Medland QC described the actions of Grieve as coercive and degrading.

He said: “You inflicted substantial damage and numerous injuries through beatings and slaps.“You treated her with utter contempt as if nothing more than a punch bag or possession of yours.”

Grieve was sentenced to eight years imprisonment and an indefinite restraining order was made.

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The victim of an Ackworth paedophile who has been jailed for child sex offences says she is uncertain if she will ever recover from her horrific ordeal.

Mark William Allen, 31, was given a 12-year sentence at Leeds Crown Court for sustained abuse of the girl dating back to the early 2000s.

Allen, who was living in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, at the time of his arrest, was found guilty after a trial in which his victim, who is now 25-year-old, was forced to give evidence.

Granted lifelong anonymity, she told the Express: “My life has been so badly affected that I’m not sure I can ever move on from this but at least I can rest better at night knowing he isn’t able to harm any other children.
“I struggle day to day with severe anxiety disorder, depression and PTSD-like symptoms.

“I have been heavily medicated for some years due to the significant trauma I’ve sustained.”

She said Allen was a family friend whom she met when she was just six and he began acting in a ‘overly friendly’ manner which escalated over time, showering her with gifts and complements.

By the time she was 11, she said he was coercing her into sexual abuse which lasted for the next three years. However, he would swear her to silence, telling her he was in love with her and that he would be in trouble if anyone found out.

His victim added: “As a child I found it difficult to keep secrets from my family, knowing it was wrong but also wanting to protect the man that had by then become my ‘boyfriend’.

“It sounds crazy now as an adult but it was such a difficult situation for a young girl to comprehend that I didn’t really realise the ramifications of his actions until I was much older.”

It was only when she was told in 2013 that Allen was jailed for other sexual offences that she was able to build up the courage to tell the police of her own experiences.

Speaking after Allen’s conviction, Det Insp Vanessa Rolfe of the Wakefield District Child Safeguarding Team, said: “Allen committed some horrendous abuse against a very young and vulnerable victim and we are pleased this has been reflected in the substantial sentence he has received at court.

“He clearly poses a real danger to children and I hope his victim will take some comfort that he has been brought to justice and is answering for his crimes against her.”

 

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A rapist who is transitioning to female has been locked up for life after sexually assaulting inmates in a women's prison .

Karen White, who was born a man but identifies as a woman, raped two women and stabbed her neighbour before sexually assaulting two inmates in HMP New Hall in Flockton, near Wakefield .

The 'predatory' and 'manipulative' 52-year-old was branded a 'significant risk of serious harm to children, women and the general public' at Leeds Crown Court today.

White, who was previously called Stephen Wood and David Thompson, had cross dressed in the past but only began gender reassignment when she was remanded into custody.

While on remand in the B wing of the female prison and wearing a wig, makeup and women's clothing, she sexually assaulted two inmates between September and October last year.

Christopher Dunn, prosecuting, described the defendant as 'allegedly' transgender.

He said: "The prosecution say allegedly because there's smatterings of evidence in this case that the defendant's approach to transitioning has been less than committed.

"The prosecution suggest the reason for the lack of commitment towards transitioning is so the defendant can use a transgender persona to put herself in contact with vulnerable persons she can then abuse."

White, of Elphin Court in Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, was first arrested after attacking a 66-year-old neighbour with a steak knife last year.

White threatened: "I'm going to kill you"

The victim was accused of trying to kiss White and 'slobbering all over' her before being stabbed with a knife.

White threatened: "I'm going to kill you. If I don't do it now, you won't know when or where but I am going to kill you."

Two women then came forward with rape allegations. One was raped while pregnant and another was raped repeatedly, causing internal injuries and her to fear she could not have children in the future. Both women had tried to take their own lives as a result of the rapes.

While on remand, White approached an inmate in the queue for prisoners to get medication.

Mr Dunn said: "The complainant, while waiting, felt something hard press against the small of her back. She turned around to see the defendant stood there. She could see the defendant's penis erect and sticking out of the top of her pants, covered by her tights."

Another inmate told how she was in the prison workshop with White when the defendant was making 'inappropriate comments about blow jobs'. White then grabbed her hand and put it on the defendant's left breast with the words: "Oh look, they're not real ones."

White later told a probation officer she 'could abuse a child and think nothing of it' and said she needed 'to be put in hospital or she would abduct a child and kill it'.

'You represent a significant risk of serious harm to children, to women and to the general public'

White was found guilty of one count of wounding following a trial at Bradford Crown Court and later pleaded guilty to three counts of rape against two women and two counts of sexual assault against inmates.

She had previous convictions for indecent exposure, indecent assault and gross indecency committed against a 12-year-old and a nine-year-old boy.

Now in men's prison HMP Leeds in Armley with shoulder-length blonde hair, she was locked up for life with a minimum of eight years and 116 days, of which she will serve half before being eligible for release on licence.

Judge Christopher Batty said: "You are a predator and highly manipulative and in my view you are a danger.

"You represent a significant risk of serious harm to children, to women and to the general public."

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A paedophile ordered to sign the sex offender register after touching a girl's bottom in a shopping centre breached an order designed to protect children.

Colin Leach was made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order after approaching a child in a library, but breached it by going up to a family in Bute Park.

He asked the family if they would like to go into the dinosaur exhibition that was in the partk.

Sentencing him at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Neil Bidder QC said: "You have got to keep away from children."

Leach was given a nine-month jail term, suspended for two years, in April 2011 for sexually assaulting a child.

Peter Donnison, prosecuting, said the nine-year-old victim was browsing at Animal in Queens Arcade in Cardiff city centre when Leach approached her from behind.

The court heard he asked her how old she was, then put one hand on her shoulder and the other on her bottom.

Prosecutors said he was ordered to sign the sex offender register, but breached his notification requirements just two months later.

Mr Donnison said he went on to approach a girl in a public library in February 2016.

The court heard he was using the computer next to her and asked: "What time do you usually come to the library?"

Prosecutors said the girl was playing a horror game and the defendant said: "If you get scared, I'll give you a cuddle."

A librarian putting books away overheard and reported the matter to the police.

The court heard Leach was not charged, but the Chief Constable applied for a Sexual Harm Prevention Order as a precautionary measure.

Prosecutors said the breach happened around 1pm on August 14 behind Cardiff Castle in Bute Park.

A woman was in the park with her sister and their children, having just finished their picnic lunch near the dinosaur exhibition.

Mr Donnison said: "The defendant approached them and asked if they would like to see the dinosaurs."

The court heard the woman allowed her children to go in, but became "uneasy" as she realised he may not be part of the exhibition team.

She spoke to security and they advised her to call the police, who attended and spoke to the defendant.

Leach, 35, from Aberporth Road in Cardiff, admitted breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

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An assistant school principal who filmed himself raping a blindfolded girl has been jailed for 11 years. Chemistry teacher Jonathan Rowe, 49, abused the girl when she was aged eight to 10. The former Eggbuckland Community College teacher admitted a series of sexual offences including three rapes. Sentencing him at Exeter Crown Court on Friday, Judge David Evans said Rowe had lived a "double life" and described his actions as "depraved". The court heard Rowe raped the girl while she was asleep and transferred footage of his attacks on to his school laptop. He was caught after the girl told her mother Rowe had blindfolded her while asking her to pose for pictures. Investigations revealed the mother of a six-year-old girl had previously warned Rowe about his behaviour after finding him playing with her half-naked daughter in a beach rock pool. Officers also found a video of a 13-year-old girl on a trampoline in which he had focused on her breasts. 'Appalling actions' Rowe, of Higher Dean, Buckfastleigh, also admitted two counts of sexual activity with a child, five of taking indecent images of his victims, and three of making indecent images by downloading them from the internet. Judge Evans said: "You clearly have a sexual interest in children. Sadly, you translated that sexual interest into the actual abuse of this girl." Rowe was given a one-year extended licence, ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and banned from going within 50m of any school or taking photographs or videos of children. Will Willden, defending, said Rowe regretted what he had done and appreciated the damage caused to others. A spokeswoman for the NSPCC said Rowe had "preyed knowingly on a vulnerable young girl to fulfil his depraved sexual fantasies". She added: "His appalling actions have betrayed the trust placed in him and it's vital his victim receives the right support to recover from what has happened."

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A DANGEROUS sex offender is back behind bars after she abused a youngster for the third time. Jacinta Brooks sent dozens of sexually explicit messages to a 12-year-old girl, telling her to send indecent, nude images of herself for the 41-year-olds sexual gratification. Brooks, who was formerly called Duncan Smart but now lives as a woman, was described by the victims mother as a pathetic excuse who left her daughter haunted by her disturbing behaviour. It was the third time Brooks had attacked a child under the age of 16, after having unlawful sex with a girl and indecently assaulting another. Jailing Brooks for a minimum of 11-years, Judge Nicholas Rowland said Brooks was a danger to children. Southampton Crown Court heard Brooks was bought to justice after officers investigating a different sexual allegation seized devices from her home. Berenice Mulvanny, prosecuting, told the court Brooks had deleted messages, but captured screenshots of parts of the conversation. This led to Hampshire Constabulary unearthing further communications, as well as sexually explicit images of the victim. Miss Mulvanny said: Brooks knew the girl was underage but sent her sexual messages. The defendant originally pretended to be a 14-year-old boy but soon admitted [her] real age. When Brooks was interviewed by officers she gave answered no comment except saying she couldnt argue about being attracted to children. Further searches on her devices also found her to be in possession of hundreds of indecent images of children, ranging between the most and least serious categories. In a victim impact statement, the victims mother who cannot be identified for legal reasons said: The fact that I cannot protect my daughter from this pathetic excuse of a [person] will haunt me forever. She added that her daughter had been forced to leave her school and had suffered terrible trauma as a result of the incident. Brooks was released in 2016 after serving more than 10 years in prison and in an institution after she attacked a child in 2003. Mitigating, Robert Harding said that because technology had changed so much in the past 15-years, Brooks had struggled to understand social media and online networking. As part of her sentence, a sexual harm prevention order was made, with the requirement that should Brooks ever make an online social media account or email address all details and passwords must be handed to the police before they are created. PC Leon Simon, said: Brooks is a dangerous individual and we are pleased this case has now come to a conclusion. Brooks, of HMP Winchester, pleaded guilty to three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and three counts of possessing indecent images. She was jailed for six years, extended by five years.

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A "DISTURBED" former dance teacher and independent-school trainee is behind bars after being convicted of a series of "predatory" child sexual offences against two young girls in Bordon and Frensham, the youngest aged just 11. Thomas Cox, 25, from Bordon, was jailed for seven years at Guildford Crown Court on September 17 after a jury found him guilty of preying on two girls aged between 11 and 16 between 2009 and 2015. Cox denied his guilt throughout the police investigation into his crimes, forcing his victims to give evidence in court and be questioned about what had happened to them in front of a jury. The offences occurred while Cox was working for a dance company run by his mother at an independent school near Farnham, neither of which can be named for legal reasons. Cox was initially charged with 15 sexual offences against three girls. Three of these charges were later dropped, however, and he was found guilty of 12 counts. These include nine counts of sexual activity with a child and three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. One of the victims was a student at his mother's dance school while the other was a pupil at the independent school where Cox was employed as a graduate teacher trainee. The father of one of Cox's victims, who also can't be named for legal reasons, told the Herald that Cox "abused his position" to take advantage of his child, accusing the school in question of being "very weak at safeguarding children". Speaking to the Herald, Cox's mother said the case had "killed" her and her family's lives, adding that she was forced to close down her successful dance school after more than 25 years in business. She told the Herald she has lost friends as a result of her son's crimes, some of whom she has known since she was five years old; has sold her house and intends to move away from the area, fearing the backlash against her family both in person and online. Investigating officer Detective Constable David Jones said: "Thomas Cox is clearly a disturbed individual who used affection to gain the girls' trust and then turned to emotional blackmail to try and ensure they didn't tell anyone what was going on. He also displayed predatory behaviour by becoming upset and withdrawn when he did not get what he wanted. "As soon as the victims in this case came forward, we took swift action to ensure that Cox didn't present any further ongoing risks, including seizing his phone. Our priority was to safeguard the victims and to identify anyone else who may have been targeted." Det Con Jones continued: "Mr Cox denied his guilt throughout the investigation which meant that the victims were made to stand in court and be questioned about what had happened to them in front of a jury and members of the public. "Young girls in the community are now safer as a direct result of the strength and determination they showed in bringing Cox to justice." In addition to his seven-year sentence, Cox was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for an indefinite period and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120. Det Con Jones saidd: "I want to pay tribute to all the young women whose bravery in coming forward and giving evidence has ensured that Cox is now in prison where he belongs. "We want to put more offenders like him behind bars - but we need people to come forward. We will always listen and take your allegations seriously.

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A man has been convicted of indecently assaulting children as young as five years old.

Martin Coulson, 70, was found guilty of six counts of indecent assault at Portsmouth Crown Court last week (September 26) for a series of offences which spanned three decades.

Coulson, of Highbury Road, Weston-super-Mare, was found not guilty of one other count.

The offences took place at Gosport, Hampshire, on a number of occasions during the 1970s, 80s and 90s.

The ages of the victims ranged from five to 13 years old.

Coulson had denied all the charges.

He will now serve three years in prison and an extended licence period of one year.

Coulson strong links to the Bath area, previously acting as chairman of the Combe Down Heritage Society and taking part in several public campaigns.

He has since vacated the chairmanship, a spokesman for the society confirmed.

The spokesman said: "We're looking for another chairman.

"Martin resigned on October 2, with no reason given.

"He was an extremely active and creative chairman.

"We'll struggle to replace him with someone with the same sort of drive."

Coulson participated in numerous activities as chairman including local lectures, historical projects and consultation schemes.

Coulson was also an OBE, having received the recognition in 1995 while serving as a lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army.

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A 23-year-old man who had a ‘step-by-step guide’ for paedophiles has been jailed for seven years.

Adam Rack, formerly of Heathfield Way, Mansfield, had a guide which gave information on how to engage in sexual relationships with children.

He pleaded guilty to 12 child sex offences when he first appeared at Nottingham Crown Court in May this year.

Rack was arrested after officers intercepted an attempted upload of indecent images and tracked the IP address to his house.

Rack’s laptops and phones were seized and an investigation was launched. Hundreds of indecent images and videos were recovered throughout the investigation and a 12-year-old boy was identified as a victim. Rack had abused him over two years when he was between the ages of eight and ten.

Detectives also recovered a 170-page ‘paedophile manual’ that described itself as a ‘step-by-step guide’ on how to engage in sexual relationships with children.

Rack will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life as well as being the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He was also given a life-long restraining order meaning he will never be allowed to contact the victim or the victim’s family. Police have praised Rack's victim for his bravery.

The 12-year-old victim has showed immense bravery in disclosing this to us, meaning that we were able to offer an overwhelming amount of evidence, leading to a guilty plea with no trial necessary. He is a credit to himself and his family and I hope the sentencing today can act as a positive step in his recovery.

- Detective Constable Andrew Taylor 

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A couple said to be like 'Fred and Rose West' have been found guilty of raping and indecently assaulting three young children.

Peter Griffiths was accused of using his "suggestible" wife Avril, who has a very low IQ, as bait to groom the children with alcohol and cigarettes.

During their trial, Cardiff Crown Court was told the pair "repeatedly sexually abused three young girls" between the 1970s and 1990s.

Jurors heard Peter and Avril Griffiths both raped the three girls.

One of the victims described them as being like "Fred and Rose West", the notorious English serial killers.

She told the court: "I think if you ask most families in Barry, they'd hate them."

A jury at Cardiff Crown Court took less than four hours to return unanimous verdicts finding them guilty of rape, indecent assault and taking indecent photos of a child.

Judge Jeremy Jenkins QC said: "You can both expect a considerable sentence for the offences of which you have been found guilty.

"If I am satisfied either of you is a dangerous offender, an extended sentence or even a life sentence would be appropriate."

Prosecutor Caroline Rees QC told the court the couple took one of the girls "dogging" and would "have sex with her in the back of a van while others looked on".

The court also heard one of the girls was taken on a boat in the Bristol channel where she was raped by Peter Griffiths and that Avril Griffiths also allegedly sexually assaulted the girl on the boat.

The girl later told police she had been "ripped apart physically" after suffering injuries.

The pair denied all the charges.

When he gave evidence in his own defence during the trial Peter Griffiths denied rape and sexual assault but admitted sleeping with one of the girls.

He told the court there was a foursome involving himself, his wife, the complainant and another man.

Asked why the foursome took place, he replied: Tomfoolery. Messing about. One thing led to another.

He thought she was 17 or 18 and when asked if she could have been closer to 10 he responded: "No way."

David Etherington QC asked his client if he ever took the complainant "dogging" in a van and he said that "never" happened.

One complainant alleged she was sexually abused several times on a boat but Peter Griffiths told the court he had a good memory of everything that happened on the boat because that was how he earned his living.

He said his first boat was called Unity and he used to take customers on fishing trips, charging 8 per person.

The court heard he sometimes took police officers on fishing trips, which were arranged through the South Wales Police social club.

He said he provided tea and coffee, not alcohol, and could provide equipment like fishing rods if required.

Addressing the allegation there were "sex parties" on the boat, his barrister Mr Etherington said: Im going to ask you a blunt question. Did you ever provide anything other than fishing rods and drinks, such as girls?

The defendant replied: Never".

Avril Griffiths, 61, did not give evidence in her defence. But a psychological report was presented to Cardiff Crown Court by a consultant clinical and forensic psychologist.

It stated her IQ was "extremely low". In 1972, she was assessed when she was 15 years old and was found to be someone who failed to understand "what was really being said to her" and was "terribly suggestible".

The 1972 assessment "still stands", the court was told.

Peter Griffiths, 65, from Barry Road in Barry, denied eight counts of rape, three counts of indecent assault, and three counts of taking indecent photographs of a child.

He was found guilty on all counts except one charge of taking indecent photographs, which was dropped.

Avril Griffiths, 61, from the same address, denied five counts of rape, two counts of indecent assault, and three counts of taking indecent photographs of a child.

She was also found guilty on all counts except one charge of taking indecent photographs, which was dropped.

The jury took less than four hours to return unanimous verdicts.

They will be sentenced on October 18 and were remanded in custody.

Judge Jeremy Jenkins QC told the couple: You can both expect a considerable sentence for the offences of which you have been found guilty.

If I am satisfied either of you is a dangerous offender, an extended sentence or even a life sentence would be appropriate.

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Police say a convicted sex offender who went missing from Southampton has been found in Poole.

Police launched a hunt for 49-year-old Leonard Ayres, who has schizophrenia.

Officers urged the public not to approach him as they say he has no medication with him, which could "cause him to act in an unreasonable manner".

Police say Leonard has been convicted of sexual offences in the past.

He was last seen at his supervised living accommodation at 9.45pm on Sunday night.

He lives in Lordshill, Hampshire but also has links to Poole.

Leonard is managed under the multi-agency public protection arrangements.

He was convicted of sex offences in 2001, and in 2006 was convicted of sexual activity with a child, and has served sentences for the offences.

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Police say that three of the victims were pupils at Windlesham House School in Washington when Michael James Green, 74, from Adrington Close, Hove, taught there as a cricket coach.

Green was convicted at Lewes Crown Court last week of 17 indecent assaults against boys then aged between 12 and 16. He had pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Police say nine offences were committed against four of the boys, three of whom were separately assaulted at Greens then address in Hove during the early 1980s. He was convicted of four offences against each of two of those boys, three offences against another one, and one offence against the fourth boy.

Police say the other three boys were separately assaulted while pupils at Windlesham House School. Green was convicted of four offences against one of them, three of which were committed during school trips to the cinema in Brighton and one at the school, and two offences against each of the other two boys, one of which was committed at Greens then address, the other three being committed at the school.

The court also heard that Green had been sentenced to nine years imprisonment at Hove Crown Court in February 2014 for four counts of sexual offences against four young boys.

Those 2014 convictions had resulted from an investigation by Brighton detectives into information received in 2011 that a young boy had been sexually assaulted by Green in the early 1980s.

Three further victims came forward during that first investigation.

Detective Constable Dawn Robertson, who was involved with both investigations, said: Greens 2014 sentence received considerable publicity and as a result these seven further victims came forward to us over the ensuing months.

We have great admiration for their readiness to help see justice done, and for giving evidence at Greens trial where he denied the allegations throughout and continues to do so even after conviction, as he did in 2014.

She added: Reports of this type will always be taken seriously and investigated wherever possible. Anyone who wishes to report such offences can contact the police at any time online or by calling 101, and can arrange to talk in confidence to experienced investigators.

Police emphasise that offences relate to a period starting nearly a quarter of a century ago, and that there are no current safeguarding issues in relation the sports activities involved, or to the school who co-operated fully throughout the investigation.

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A CHILD abuser who carried out multiple attacks on his seven-year-old victim has been jailed after judges at the Court of Appeal overturned his sentence. Antonio Lawrie, who worked as a sports coach in the city, had initially been handed a suspended sentence for his crimes against the youngster. Following his trial at Southampton Crown Court, a top judge said the 22-year-old should not be sent to prison as he would be taken advantage of inside. However, the Crown Prosecution Service launched an appeal, describing the original sentence of two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, as unduly lenient. He was also ordered to complete a rehabilitation activity, and put on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years. Now Lawrie faces three years behind bars following the hearing yesterday in London. Lawrie, an ex-apprentice at Hedge End-based firm My Coaching, denied all seven counts of assault by sexual touching, none of which happened in his coaching role. When My Coaching, which delivers further education programmes for teenagers, learned of the allegations, Lawrie was sacked. My Coaching were later praised for Hampshire Police for their actions. During his trial the young victim was forced to give evidence. Lawrie was reported to the police when a witness saw him with his hand under the victims dress. The court heard former Cantell School pupil Lawrie attacked the child at least 16 times during six-months of abuse. After a jury returned a guilty verdict in April, Judge Gary Burrell QC told the court that due to his complex learning difficulties Lawrie would struggle in prison. He added that it would be unjust to send Lawrie directly to custody because he would be taken advantage of physically and mentally. At the sentencing hearing in June, Jon Swain, mitigating, said: Certain sections of society will say he must be punished and locked up with the key thrown away. But they are not aware or have the knowledge of what his needs are. They know nothing about his life but make up opinions of what he has done. The solicitor general, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred his sentence to the court of appeal. He said: Lawrie carried out a campaign of sexual assault against a young girl, and I hope that she will take some comfort from the increased sentence today. Lawrie continues to pose a threat to other children, and it is therefore important that he serves an immediate custodial sentence.

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Terry Roberts, 58, sent a naked photo to what he believed was a 14-year-old boy, before attempting to meet him at Southampton Sports Centre.

But Roberts was actually talking, through an online dating app, to members of the 'paedophile hunter' group TRAP.

And when he went to the meeting, he was confronted by TRAP 'hunter' Stephen Dure.

At Southampton Crown Court on Monday, Roberts was given a 21-month prison term after evidence was provided by Mr Dure.

The court heard how Roberts, on the dating app, began messaging Dure's false account, and "within six messages", Dure had informed Roberts, of Plaitford Walk, that he was under-age.

Within 36 hours, Roberts had sent Dure's account a naked photo of himself, and asked to meet, adding "we can take it at your pace, maybe we will have a kiss", prosecuting barrister Giles Bedloe told the court.

He added: "On February 17 at 10am, Mr Roberts sent a message asking if he was still happy to meet at 3pm that day. When Mr Dure arrived, he went into a nearby pub, and identified the defendant. He then sent a message to Mr Roberts informing him he was down by the tennis courts and was confronted by Mr Dure."

Defending, Timothy Akers told the court that the probation service "hadn't given up" on Mr Roberts, who has similar convictions from 25 years ago.

He said: "The offences themselves are, of course, attempts. He took an overdose this time of his blood pressure medicine after committing these offences. I would have concerns over his mental health."

Sentencing Roberts for attempting to meet a child for sexual activity, judge Nicholas Rowland said: "You didn't know that (it was not a 14-year-old boy) and you turned up at the meeting with the intention of sexual activity."

Roberts was given a 21-month prison term.