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Specialist detectives have praised the bravery of the victim of a dangerous sex offender after her attacker was jailed for ten years.

Ryan Jacobs, 25, was deemed a dangerous offender by the courts after repeatedly abusing a child across a six-month period in 2017.

After the victim reported the abuse in 2021, we launched an investigation and put immediate support in place.

We interviewed Jacobs, of Spinning Wheel Mead, Harlow, in June and December 2021, but he refused to answer any questions.

But under the weight of extensive evidence compiled across a thorough investigation, Jacobs had no choice but to admit to his offending.

In March 2023, he admitted charges of raping a child and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Jacobs appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday 24 April for sentence.

He was sentenced to ten years imprisonment with a five-year extended licence period.

He will remain subject to indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention and restraining orders, and must sign the sex offender’s register for life.

An impact statement was read to the court on behalf of the victim, with her making reference to the anxiety she has suffered as a result of Jacobs’ actions.

"Dangerous sex offender"

Senior investigating officer Detective Constable Charles O’Mahony, of Harlow’s Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

“Jacobs is now safely behind bars for a significant period, removing a dangerous sex offender from our streets.

“He was interviewed twice and chose to make ‘no comment’ to all questions put to him, putting the brave victim through a protracted period of uncertainty whilst we worked tirelessly for months to gather the evidence needed to secure the charges against him.

“Working with partners was absolutely key in this case.

“Throughout the investigation and to this day, the victim is supported by a team of Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs), dedicated support workers from local charities to assist her through the criminal justice process and be there when she needed them.

“At court, Jacobs pled guilty to all counts, but only after hearing the weight of evidence against him.

“He was correctly identified as a dangerous offender and the pre-sentence report made mention of him being manipulative and making excuses for his behaviour, I firmly believe there is no excuse possible for the depraved acts he has admitted responsibility for.

“I hope the victim in this case can take solace in the fact that one of the final things Jacobs heard in the court room was her victim impact statement being read out to him, in which she took her opportunity to tell him exactly what she thought of him and the impact his behaviour has had.”

Specially trained officers

Our Child Abuse Investigation Team is made up of dedicated officers who specifically investigate child sexual offences and support the victims.

The team are provided with specialist training enabling them to deal with the complexities of these investigations, equipping them with the skills required to manage reports of this nature.

As with all our sexual abuse investigation teams, their compassion, sensitivity, policing experience and knowledge ensure that this team are made up of the best people to ensure victims are safe and offenders are brought to justice.

DC O’Mahony added:

“I joined Essex Police in March 2020 on a specific programme to become a detective.

“I am glad that I am now fully qualified and on a department that deals with the most vulnerable victims in society, children.

“I hope that this sentence acts as a deterrent and a reminder that Harlow Child Abuse Investigation Team will investigate any allegations to the fullest extent and that time elapsed since offending does not necessarily mean offenders have gotten away with anything. “

Record details

A pervert pinned an underage girl to the ground as he attempted to rape her in a horrific sexual assault on a Teesside beach.

Oliver Goddard was 19-years-old when he sexually assaulted and tried to rape a teenager while hidden amongst the tall grass on Redcar beach. His "helpless" victim was only able to get away after Goddard was spooked by a phone call from her father during the terrifying attack.

In a heartbreaking victim impact statement, the girl spoke of how she was terrified to leave the house and couldn't go anywhere alone. She turned to self-harm and still has panic attacks almost three years on from the assault.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Goddard, who is now 21, had met the teen for a walk where they spoke about how the vulnerable girl was struggling with a stressful time. They arranged to meet the following day and they walked along the beach until they lay down in a section surrounded by tall grass.

As they spoke, Goddard kept moving her legs across his body and when she moved them he'd get angry with her and put them back. Summarising the case, Judge Paul Reid said: "You began kissing her neck and she kept trying to move away from you."

He put his hand behind her neck so she couldn't pull away. The sexual assault continued and he pushed her down, hands around her neck so she had her head on the ground.

"She was scared. There was nothing she could do," said Judge Reid. "You were much older than her and much bigger than she was.

"You were disturbed by her phone ringing - it was her father. You jumped up and this time she was able to get away and left."

Goddard, of Durham Road, Redcar, was found guilty by a jury of attempted rape, sexual assault and engaging in sexual communication with a child.

Flashbacks

In a victim impact statement, read out by prosecutor Robin Turton, the teenager said: "I couldn't sleep as well as I could before what happened - it was going over and over in my head. It went on for some time, I went to the doctors and was prescribed anti-depressants.

"I had a phobia of leaving the house and I needed to be with someone all the time." The court heard the teenager's education was affected as she struggled to return to school and when she did found it difficult to stay in lessons.

She began to self-harm and said: "It's been almost three years and I still have panic attacks." She also can't go to the beach as it causes flashbacks.

Goddard had claimed the sexual activity was consensual and said in evidence that he believed she was 16 - claiming he only told police he thought she was younger because he was "forced".

Robert Mochrie, mitigating, said: "This is his first experience before the courts. He himself suffers psychological ailments and has been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder. It is something he has to live with and work with to move forward."

The court heard there was a "significant difference in age" and the author of a pre-sentence report commented that he was in denial and had "little victim empathy". After the attack, he text the teenager and apologised blaming an injection which gives him too much testosterone.

He also told her that if she told anybody he would kill himself but the girl bravely spoke up and disclosed what had happened. Goddard had also sent nude pictures of himself to the girl.

Judge Reid said he believed Goddard did pose a significant risk and handed the defendant an extended sentence "to protect the public in the future". Goddard was jailed for seven years and will serve an additional three years on licence. An indefinite restraining order and notification requirement - sex offenders' register - was made.

Goddard heard he must serve two thirds of his sentence before he will be considered for release. Investigating officer Catherine McKenzie said: Firstly Id like to praise the victim in this case for her courage in coming forward and throughout the judicial proceedings.

"Goddard preyed on a teenage girl who was sexually assaulted before he tried to rape her. He took advantage of the young girl and pleaded not guilty throughout the trial.

"He will now he will spend a significant time behind bars due to his actions. Any victims of sexual assault or sexual offences can contact the police with the confidence that they will be believed and supported and that a thorough investigation will be carried out.

Record details

A disgraced rapist police officer claimed to have been looking at indecent images of children – to help him with post-traumatic stress.

Former traffic cop Richard Hale, 41, was handed a seven year jail sentence in 2016 for raping a woman after overpowering her in his bedroom in Carterton in 2001 – two years before he joined Thames Valley Police.

He continues to maintain his innocence to the charge.

On Thursday (April 27), Oxford Crown Court heard that Hale was released from prison on licence in April 2020, within weeks of the first national lockdown being imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mitigating, Lyall Thompson told Judge Ian Pringle KC: “All found that [lockdown] very difficult to come to terms with.

"It must have been even harder for someone who had been in custody for approximately three-and-a-half years.”

His client had described it as like ‘going from one type of prison to another’, Mr Thompson said.

A former roads policing officer who had seen crashes on a ‘regular basis’, he suffered from ‘significant post-traumatic stress disorder’, the court was told.

He experienced nightmares, headaches and ‘intrusive thoughts’.

It was suggested that this was one of the reasons why he was looking at indecent images of children.

A small number of child sex abuse images in categories A to C were found on his digital devices together with prohibited images of children and extreme pornography.

Sentencing, Judge Pringle told Hale: “You say that you started to access images because it would deal with the pain you felt from some of the trauma you underwent when you were serving as a police officer.

“I frankly find that explanation difficult but I’ve read a report about you; a trauma therapy report. You went and got trauma therapy off your own back; at least that says something about you.”

He said: “Make no bones about it, by accessing these images you create a market and that market then takes young children and has them grotesquely abused for your pleasure.

“I hope that you remember that if you are ever tempted to look at such images again.”

Hale, of Peel Place, Carterton, pleaded guilty at the magistrates’ court to possession of indecent and prohibited images of children and possession of extreme pornography.

The judge imposed 16 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years. Hale must do 120 hours of unpaid work and sex offender rehabilitation programmes.

When Hale was sentenced in 2016, then deputy chief constable - now chief constable - Jason Hogg said: "There is no place in the force for those who commit offences of this nature."

The force said it was unable to provide a photograph of Hale as it claimed it did not have one. 

Record details

A PREDATOR locked up last year for historical sex abuse against children while working at a Greenock Christian mission has been struck off the care register.

Andrew Ward's crimes were branded 'heinous' by a sheriff last July after he was convicted of preying on young boys over a period of eight years.

The 53-year-old sex offender was sentenced to 36 months behind bars for indecent assault and using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour towards his victims when they were aged between nine and 15.

He used his position and influence over the young boys to sexually abuse them whilst he was an adult volunteer at the Barnard's Court Mission in the east end of Greenock.

The Telegraph previously reported that Ward repeatedly molested and performed disgusting acts on the youngsters between 1986 and 1994.

His traumatised and emotional victims gave harrowing evidence during a four-day trial of how Ward targeted them in places including a common close and onboard a minibus.

A sentencing hearing at Greenock Sheriff Court was told how Ward's wife, who has a child with him, separated from him after he was charged by police.

A defence advocate asked Sheriff Michael Higgins to place 'some weight' on Ward's own age of between 17 and 25 when he committed the offences, adding: "He went on to live a productive life and contributed greatly to the local community."

This week, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) published a report confirming Ward - who also worked in a local care home - has been removed from the care register.

The SSSC found his fitness to practise is impaired because his actions 'represent conduct which is fundamentally incompatible with the principles of the social services profession and professional registration'.

The report on the decision on Ward states: "Your conduct is extremely serious and constitutes a gross breach of trust.

"There are ongoing public protection concerns as the behaviour is of an extreme nature.

"There is no evidence of any remediation from you.

"Conduct of this nature raises serious and fundamental questions about your values and there is a risk that this behaviour may be repeated in the future."

Greenock Sheriff Court was told last year that Ward had shown 'no insight' into his offending behaviour and that his attitude about what he had done was 'poor', having branded his victims 'evil liars'.

A jury took just 35 minutes to convict him and he was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

The SSSC report adds: "Your actions exposed the children concerned to serious risk of physical, emotional and psychological harm.

"You were older than each of the children concerned and in more than one instance, were a legal adult.

"There was therefore a presumption of trust and your conduct represents a gross abuse of this.

"Your behaviour amounts to a pattern of conduct over a significant period of time."

The SSSC panel considered that no other sanctions were appropriate and imposed a removal order on Ward's registration, which came into effect on Thursday.

Record details

A Yorkshire teen rapist who filmed himself carrying out his sick attack has been jailed for five years.

Cameron Kyle Edwards, 19, raped a 14-year-old girl at a house in a North Yorkshire village in December 2020. He was arrested the same day after the victim was able to identify Edwards to officers.

Following the arrest, police discovered 6,200 indecent images on his phone, many of which were category A, which is considered the most serious. Edwards had also filmed himself sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl during a separate incident.

Edwards, of Selby Road, Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, pleaded guilty to eleven sex offences when he appeared at York Crown Court on November 7 in 2022. The offences include one count of rape, three counts of assault by penetration, three counts of sexual assault, three counts of making indecent photographs of children and one count of possessing extreme phonography.

On April 28, he was sentenced to 65 months detention in a Young Offenders Institute. He has also been issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order until and ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.

North Yorkshire Police investigating officer Detective Constable Martin Willoughby, said: "First of all I would like to comment on the bravery of the two victims which helped secure the conviction of Edwards today. The pattern of behaviour shown by Edwards is extremely worrying and demonstrated how it quickly escalated into the serious offences which he will now spend time in prison for.

I know the sentence will never undo the anguish Edwards put his victims through but I hope it will go some way to reassure them, knowing he now off the streets of North Yorkshire for some time.

Record details

A sexual predator raped a woman at student accommodation while she was unconscious and later messaged her in order to "get closure". The victim chastised him for messaging her out of the blue and told him: "You are a rapist."

Nathan Thorburn, 25, raped the woman in Cardiff in 2019. She woke up during the attack in immense pain and discovered he was forcing himself upon her. He apologised the next day but did not refer to what had happened.

Years later he contacted the victim on Facebook and asked to discuss what had happened in order to "get closure". She responded with a lengthy reply in which she accused him of "massaging his ego" by turning to the woman he raped in order to absolve his guilt. She told him: "You and I both know what you did to me. You are a rapist."

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday heard the victim and Thorburn had both been drinking alcohol and the victim had had a cannabis spliff during a night out. By the end of the night the victim was extremely intoxicated and returned to the accommodation block.

Thorburn offered to put her to bed but at this point the victim was passing in and out of consciousness and at times thought the defendant was her boyfriend. Prosecutor James Wilson said the victim fell asleep but was unaware Thorburn was on top of her.

The barrister said: "Her clearest memory was she was on her front with her face pushed into the pillow and she felt the defendant's penis in her anus. It took her brain a few seconds to realise what was happening and she woke up to feel the defendant's penis going in and out and it hurt. In a mirror she saw herself and the defendant. She was in pain and wanted to scream but could only manage a whimper and told him to stop. She remained confused about what was happening to her and thought she was dreaming."

The victim later told police she was unaware of the full extent of what Thorburn had done to her and did not know if he was wearing a condom. She described herself feeling "defiled, dirty, vile, and disgusting" about what the defendant had done and "felt like a corpse" while it was happening.

The next day Thorburn made a vague apology but did not say what he was sorry for. The victim told her sister about what had happened but had resolved to "take it to her grave".

Thorburn was sent to prison in 2019 for an unrelated matter and was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO). Following his release from prison he contacted the victim in 2022 on Facebook Messenger. He wrote: "Hey. Can we talk? I wanted to talk about the situation about me and you before I went to prison. I think I knew what I did was wrong and I want some sort of closure I guess. I think it's good to talk about these things with that person to be sure about this. Things have been going on in my mind for a long time that I want to put to rest."

Upon receiving the message the victim was angry that Thorburn had contacted her and asked her to absolve him of guilt for raping her. Her response read: "I don't even know where to begin. I can give you closure in one simple sentence. You are a rapist.

"First, you even messaging me is incredibly selfish and self-serving. I reread the message you sent and can count how many times you say 'I'. You want closure because it's playing on your mind? You want to get closure for assaulting me when I was drunk, passed out, and vulnerable and put me to bed. I will never get closure. For me it will last a lifetime."

Thorburn responded to the message making admissions to raping the victim but she had blocked him. He compiled the messages in a document which he circulated to a sexual assault referral service as well as other agencies. The document was picked up by the defendant's offender manager who visited him on June 13 last year. The victim was later identified and formally interviewed.

The defendant, of Kingsway, Cardiff, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to rape and breach of a SHPO after he was found to have deleted his internet history. The court heard he had previous convictions for accessing indecent images of children having first been convicted in 2019 for accessing 14 Category A images, 19 Category B images, and 149 Category C images. He was later convicted on another count of accessing indecent photos of a child in January 2020 as well as a breach of a SHPO having viewed images of children being raped and admitting he "got a thrill" from doing so.

In a statement she read out to the court the victim said the rape had affected her "emotionally and socially". She said: "I feel Nathan has taken control of the situation for three years. I feel now I want to be in control. What has happened to me has a lifelong effect. If Nathan is sent to prison for this he won't suffer for a lifetime like I have to.

"Nathan choosing to rape me is a lifelong scab I will pick at forever and forever. I was a trusting and caring person; I was soft and gentle in my approach to people and life. Because of what he's done to me I have turned to someone who is hardened. I can't feel emotions towards people. It breaks my heart because this isn't me. I can't trust anyone anymore. It's exhausting and draining to feel like this – constantly having my guard up. I am a broken shell of the woman I once was and woman I was going to be." The victim said Thorburn messaging her had "felt like a punch to the gut" and he had only thought of himself by asking her to "absolve him of the harm he caused".

Hilary Roberts, for Thorburn, said while mitigation for his client was "scant" he had recognised that his behaviour was "wrong", which had troubled him and caused him anxiety. This anxiety had led him to contact his victim "seeking to put things right," which the barrister admitted was done "in a clumsy way" and had caused "obvious stress and aggravation".

Sentencing Thorburn Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke told him that his victim had been "extremely confused about what was going on" during the attack but his actions had had "a devastating impact on her and her life". Describing him as a "dangerous offender" she also said in her sentencing remarks that he "must have known [he] would cause significant distress" by contacting her years later.

She added: "You did a terrible thing to [your victim]. She will have to live with the consequences for the rest of her life. Nothing was her fault. The fault, responsibility, and blame is all yours."

Thorburn was handed a 13-year extended sentence comprising a custodial term of nine years with an extended licence period of four years. He will serve two-thirds of the custodial element of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole. If he is released he will serve the remaining period of the custodial sentence on licence before serving the extended licence period. He was also made subject to a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting or approaching the victim or entering any premises where she lives, works, or studies. He will now be on the sex offenders' register for life.

Record details

A FORMER teacher has been given a 12-year prison sentence for 11 sexual offences against four pupils at a boarding school.

Martin Haigh was a teacher at Ashdown House School, Forest Row in the 1970s and as well as being convicted of sexual offences he was also convicted for the possession of indecent images of children.

Haigh, 67, unemployed, of Lavender Street, Brighton, was sentenced at Brighton Crown Court today after a four day trial on charges of offences against two of the boys.

He was convicted of four offences, one of indecent assault and three of gross indecency, against two boys who were then pupils aged between seven and 12, at the school in the 1970s.

At a previous hearing before the trial, Haigh had also admitted seven other offences, three of gross indecency and four of indecent assault, against two other boys at the school during the same period.

He also admitted an offence of possessing indecent images of children, found on a computer at his address when officers searched it in 2015.

The images were taken from the Internet and there is no evidence that they were children known to him.

Haigh was sentenced to a total of 11 years for the sexual offences and an additional one year for the possession of indecent images.

He will be a registered sex offender for life and has been served with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) severely restricting his access to children and computers.

The prosecution, authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service, followed an investigation by East Sussex child safeguarding detectives after allegations were referred to them for the first time in January 2014.

Police emphasise that there are no current or recent safeguarding issues at the school in relation to this case.

Detective constable Paul Deadman said: "This was a complex and protracted investigation, during which it became clear that Haigh had systematically taken advantage of the trust of young and vulnerable boys to abuse them for his own sexual gratification.

Record details

A man has been jailed for 12 years after being found guilty of the rape of a teenage girl.

Warren Waldrom, now 30, attacked the girl at an address in Coalville, Leicestershire, in July 2017, when she was under 16.

He also denied a charge of sexual assault but was convicted of both at Leicester Crown Court in February.

Police praised the victim and her family for their bravery and patience in bringing the case to court.

Police said Waldrom, of Radiant Road, Leicester, took the girl to his former home address in Coalville and later sexually assaulted her.

'Extremely difficult time'

She told him to stop, which he did, but shortly after he returned and, despite her pleas, raped her.

The victim told friends and then family, which led to Waldrom being arrested.

He claimed he thought the girl was older and the sex was consensual but officers said "further extensive enquiries" led to him being charged in November 2019.

Det Con Katie Leadbetter, of Leicestershire Police, said: "This has been an extremely difficult time for the victim and her family as they have waited firstly for our extensive enquiries to be completed to enable charges to be made and then for the trial to be heard.

"Without the victim's bravery, patience and co-operation during this time, we would not have been able to see this conviction happen."

Record details

A former police officer has been branded a sexual deviant as he was given a 29-year sentence for his latest offences on children.

Philip Magson targeted two young children when he befriended their mother and abused them both at their home and on a trip to Kirkleatham Gardens.

The sick pervert also prowled the streets of Thornaby where he made a disgusting sexual remark to a child when she fell over while roller skating before returning to the same area eight months later and sexually assaulting another young girl.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Magson had been convicted in the early 80s for sexually assaulting young girls while he was an off-duty Cleveland Police officer.

The 61-year-old carried out his latest offending several years ago leaving some of his victims suffering high levels of anxiety, said Jonathan Walker, prosecuting.

In powerful victim impact statements, the parents of the victims outlined the pain and suffering that the defendant had inflicted on the children.

Magson, formerly from the Teesside area but now of no fixed abode, was found guilty of six sexual offences when he was on trial earlier this year.

Chris Baker, mitigating, said there was limited mitigation he could offer due to the guilty convictions from the jury.

He said: “He appreciates that he has had his trial and lost.”

Judge Howard Crowson sentenced Magson to 21 years in prison with an extended eight years on licence when he is released.

“You are a man with a deviant sexual interest in children,” he said. “You are a dangerous offender, persistent and cunning.”

Magson was also made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and ordered to sign on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Speaking after the sentencing hearing, Detective Constable Carl Middleton, from Cleveland Police’s Public Protection Unit, said: “The actions of Magson are unforgivable and the sentence handed to him today highlights the severity of the crimes he has committed.

“Magson targeted children and the damage he has caused to the victims and their families is inexcusable.

“I would like to take this opportunity to praise the victims and their families for their courage throughout the ordeal they have suffered and the court process. No child should have to provide evidence at court after becoming victim to such a cruel crime.

“Magson deserves to spend a significant time in prison as a result of what he has done.”

Record details

A stalker who subjected a teenage girl to a "determined campaign of psychological abuse" has been jailed. Marcus Horn became obsessed with the youngster, a court heard, messaging her to ask for sex and sending her links to porn sites.

Though he was reported to police Horn was released on police bail, only to plague his victim again. The 49-year-old, of Ivywell Road in Bristol, pleaded guilty to stalking, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two charges of having sexual communication with a child.

Judge Julian Lambert handed him an 11-year extended sentence, comprising seven years' custody and four years of extended licence. Horn, who the judge classified as a dangerous offender, was told to register as a sex offender indefinitely and was banned from all contact with the victim and other named parties indefinitely.

The judge told Horn: "This was a determined campaign of psychological abuse. Your conduct is chillingly careless of her age and feelings. Suffering caused is of a high magnitude."

Anjali Gohil, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court Horn messaged the child with a lewd request and sent her sexual images with the words "that's you soon". Police called in found Horn had indecent images on his phone, upon which he had put the girl's name.

Horn was released under investigation. But he contacted the girl again and left her messages in which he appeared to be performing a sex act on himself.

The victim made an impact statement in which she said the messages scared her and she couldn't understand Horn's conduct, which made her very angry. She said that, as a result of the abuse, she was unable to relax and felt anxious all the time.

She stated: "I always feel I am being watched when I close my eyes. I was always worried more messages would come through."

Ehsanul Oarith, defending, said: "There is no possible justification for what he's done. He does not suggest that he's innocent.

"He is not seeking to minimise what he has done or shift blame. There are underlying issues for distorted thinking."

Mr Oarith said his client had experienced trauma in his life including physical injury. He said Horn was a non-dependant cocaine user with a difficult mental health history.

Mr Oarith told the court: "He can address substance misuse and mental health issues, as well, to make sure when he comes out he a better man than when he went in. He will be on a very tight leash when he comes out."

Record details

A paedophile who hopes his sick behaviour might one day be legal has been given a 10-year extended sentence as a "dangerous offender".

Bradford man Nathan Roe groomed two teenage boys over social media and tried to meet up with them for sexual activity - despite already being prosecuted and sentenced at Leeds Crown Court for similar offending relating to a “decoy” undercover police officer posing as a child online.

In May last year, the 21-year-old, of Tyersal Close, was given a two-year community order with conditions that included attendance on a sex offender programme.

But less than a fortnight after the sentence was passed, a monitoring service alerted the police after software installed on his computer equipment picked up his sexualised messages to one of his latest victims.

Today Recorder Paul Reid KC jailed Roe for six years, but he also imposed an extended licence period of four years after he said the defendant posed a significant risk of serious harm. Roe, who had been an engineering student, will have to serve at least two-thirds of the six-year jail term after he pleaded guilty to a series of offences involving the two boys, who must be identified for legal reasons.

Recorder Reid said Roe had groomed both youngsters and had tried to meet both of them for sexual activity. Roe admitted various charges relating to arranging to meet a child for sexual activity, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual communication with a child.

He will now have to register as a sex offender with the police and comply with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. Recorder Reid said Roe had preyed on his two vulnerable victims in a deeply manipulative way.

Referring to a “disturbing” pre-sentence report on Roe, the judge said he had shown no remorse for what he had done and had expressed the hope that such behaviour may become legal in the future.

The court heard how Roe, who admitted having an active sexual interest in underage boys, had met up with one of the boys and touched the youngster’s bottom and hugged him on that occasion.

Record details

A PENSIONER has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a child in Southampton. 

David Seagrave was found guilty by a jury of six charges.

These included two allegations of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and sexual assault of a child.

He was also convicted of a single count of exposure at Southampton Crown Court on Thursday. 

The case has now been adjourned until May 31 for sentencing. 

Seagrave, 83, of Witts Hill, Southampton was found not guilty of an allegation of sexual assault. He was also cleared of an allegation that he exposed himself in a pub.

Giving his closing speech earlier in the trial, Simon Walters raised doubts about the prosecution's witnesses saying that the alleged exposure in the pub "just doesn't make sense".

The pensioner denied all the offences.

Record details

A "prolific sexual predator" who raped a child and abused multiple other children in his home has been jailed.

Gerald Glancy from Rochdale admitted a catalogue of offences, including rape, sexual activity with a child and causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the 85-year-old had exploited his victims' "vulnerability without any thought to the impact his abuse may have on them".

He was sentenced to 15 years in prison at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the court heard about Glancy's "horrific sexual abuse" of 24 young victims.

A CPS representative said between October 2018 and June 2022, Glancy was regularly engaging in sexualised conversations with children "over web chats", which he then recorded.

During those conversations, he incited them to engage in sexual activity, whilst he himself engaged in a sexual act.

They said Glancy had also been abusing children in his home and several devices were recovered by GMP from his address which contained still and moving photographs of Glancy engaging in sexual activity with children.

'Sickening'

GMP said Glancy admitted possessing indecent images of children after being arrested in February 2021 and "was therefore breaching a previous sexual prevention order".

The force said it seized four mobile telephones, five hard drives, five flash drives and two cameras.

The CPS said the devices were sent for forensic analysis, but Glancy "continued to engage with children over web chat and committed further offences".

GMP said officers returned to Glancy's home in June 2022, "based on intelligence received by the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children", and found a further five unauthorised devices.

They said Glancy admitted making more than 47,000 images of children, taking at least 200 "category C" images and distributing two "category A" images.

Speaking after sentencing, Alex Mann said Glancy was such "a prolific sexual predator" that it had not been possible to identify all of his victims.

"The abuse he subjected children to was sickening," he said.

"He exploited their vulnerability without any thought to the impact his abuse may have on them."

Det Ch Insp Suzanne Keenaghan added that those who had provided "valuable support" in the case should be commended for their bravery.

"We know it’s been an extremely harrowing time for them," she said.

"Glancy is the worst kind of offender and we are pleased that this predator is no longer on the streets and will not be able to hurt children ever again."

Record details

A "predator" who sexually assaulted a hospital patient previously flashed a group of children before choking one girl until she passed out. Russell Jones was jailed yesterday after he drunkenly "loitered" in the grounds of Whiston Hospital "attempting to befriend female patients" before attacking a "vulnerable" wheelchair user.

The ECHO has revealed the 45-year-old's criminal record includes a horrifying attack in 2015, which began when he exposed himself to several teenagers in Warrington. He then approached one of the youngsters and "placed his lips on her neck", grabbed her breasts and "tickled her stomach and ribs".

When she responded by punching him in the face, Jones shockingly placed both of his hands around her neck, lifted her off the ground and strangled her until she was unconscious.

The assault only stopped when her friends intervened, punching him until he released her from his grip. He was jailed for two years as a result, while he also has another conviction for sexual assault from 2014.

Liverpool Crown Court heard on Thursday afternoon that the latest incident occurred in October last year amid a "breakdown in his relationship". Robert Wyn Jones, prosecuting, described how he "began loitering in the grounds of Whiston Hospital attempting to befriend female patients".

His victim, who was an inpatient at the time and using a wheelchair, was with her boyfriend and a friend by the entrance when Jones - formerly of Ratcliffe Place in Rainhill - approached them clutching a bottle of vodka. She was then taken back to her room, but subsequently "encountered the defendant on a number of occasions" throughout the day.

When her partner left in a taxi, the convicted sex offender "watched and waited" for him to leave before approaching her and attempting to push her back to her ward before a hospital volunteer intervened - at which point he "claimed to know her". She was later having a cigarette with the same friend when Jones began hassling them again and made an "inappropriate remark" to the latter, saying he "wouldn't mind having half an hour with her".

The "sexual predator" interrupted the prosecutor at this point to say "all of this is wrong". But Mr Wyn Jones continued and outlined how he then crouched down by the complainant, began stroking and touching her leg and "moving his hand upwards".

Jones was arrested at around midnight while still on the hospital site. He has a total of 40 previous convictions for 69 offences.

The victim bravely read out a statement to the court in which she outlined the impact of the incident upon her, including suffering a panic attack as she "believed he was following her" and experiencing nightmares. She added: "It happened in hospital, a place where I thought I was safe.

"I'm paranoid about people when they walk past me and what they might do to me as well. I don't want to be anywhere alone. I constantly think about this. What he did to me was terribly wrong.

"I want him to know I'm not scared of him and he can't treat me this way. I no longer have confidence when I go out and don't feel like myself anymore - I no longer trust anyone due to this incident."

Jones meanwhile responded callously by saying "I've got no interest in hearing her". Frank Dillon, defending, told the court that his client's mum has lung cancer and is "on borrowed time".

He added: "The defendant denied it and he continues to do so. He is, of course anxious, to be released as soon as possible and earn an honest living as he was doing for much of the time before his remand."

Jones added of his mum: "The woman brought me up single-handedly. My mother is my world and I'm not with her at this time."

Jones was found guilty of one count of sexual assault by a jury following a trial. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, he was imprisoned for three-and-a-half years and handed a restraining order banning him from contacting his victim indefinitely.

Sentencing, Judge Garrett Byrne said: "Clearly, this sexual assault had a real adverse impact on her life. I find you to be highly dangerous.

"You present a significant risk to members of the public, particularly women. I have no doubt you see yourself as some kind of rough diamond, but you are in fact a sexual predator who demonstrates a complete inability to understand how your behaviour affects other people."

Record details

A Sheffield man has been jailed after sexually abusing a child during their sleep.

Edem Sutton assaulted a boy while he fell asleep watching a film, Sheffield Crown Court heard. The 33-year-old South Yorkshire man groomed his victim for months by buying him gifts, taking him on bike rides, and speaking to him on social media.

He manipulated the victim into staying at his home in October 2019 before the sickening assault. The victim, who has anonymity for life, told officers that after the assault, Sutton sent messages warning him not to tell anyone what had happened.

Sutton, of Lupton Road, Sheffield, was found guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court. He appeared before the court again on Tuesday April 25 and was sentenced to six years and six months in prison. He was also placed on the sex offender’s register for 15 years.

Investigating Officer Detective Lindsey Fishwick said: "I would like to thank the victim for the bravery he has shown throughout this investigation. Sutton maintained his innocence throughout the trial and I am pleased that the jury saw through his lies.

"I hope the sentence handed out to Sutton today will help the victim as he moves forward with his life."