Latest Offenders Bedford

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A man abused a young girl before turning his attention to another young victim - giving one gifts to buy her silence. Peter Bingham's behaviour had a devastating effect on the girls with one victim from Flintshire saying she had tried to destroy her body by self-harming.

Yesterday, the 54-year-old was finally brought to justice after a jury found him guilty of five sex offences following a trial in April. A judge at Mold Crown Court jailed him for a total of five years. Prosecutor Elen Owen said his first victim was under the age of 12 when the abuse started and recounted details of the incidents to the court.

Later, when the victim told Bingham to stop, he reacted angrily, the court heard. Her mother trusted the man and "brushed off" his behaviour, but she had been "groomed" by him too, said Ms Owen.

However, when the abused daughter reached her mid-teens Bingham's offending stopped "quite abruptly". Ms Owen said: "He turned his attention to (a) younger girl." This was a girl who remembers being abused by Bingham just before her ninth birthday, the court heard.

Bingham's first victim, who is grown-up, read out a statement in court in which she recalled the abusive events. She said she later self-harmed because she wanted to destroy her body "so no man ever wanted to touch" it again.

She also said she will not allow anyone to tickle her as he did it and still struggles to accept kindness, fearing people might want something in return. She blocked out the memories of the abuse out of self-preservation but coming to the trial had brought it all back and she dreaded the possibility she might see her abuser in court.

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A husband and wife from Bedford are facing almost 30 years in prison for the “horrific abuse” of several children which spanned more than two decades.

Martin Bayes, 52, was handed a 22-year sentence, with an additional five years on licence, after he was convicted of 15 charges of rape, indecent assault and sexual assault, as well as attempting to pervert the course of justice when he threatened one victim if they told anyone.

His wife Dianne Bayes, 53, was jailed for five years after she was found to have been complicit in his offending. She was subsequently convicted of three charges relating to child cruelty, assault and encouraging children to engage in sexual activity.

Both Martin and Dianne Bayes of Luke Place, Bedford, were found guilty following a five-week trial at Luton Crown Court in March this year and were sentenced earlier this week (30 May).

Detective Sergeant Ben Searle from Bedfordshire Police, who led the investigation, said: “This was a particularly complex investigation, which has taken over two years to complete, and our team worked particularly diligently to support the victims and secure justice for them.

“I really hope that now these despicable offenders are behind bars, each of the victims who have all experienced such dreadful abuse can get some closure and move forward with their lives.

“Combatting violence against women and girls is a huge focus in policing at the moment and we want to encourage people to come forward and report anything that has happened to you, no matter how long ago it happened. It is never too late to come forward and tell us.”

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A paedophile from Arlesey has been jailed after being found to have possessed and distributed indecent images of children.

Registered sex offender Terence Thatcher, 56, of Bury Mead, was arrested in February this year after Bedfordshire Police carried out a warrant at his home address.

Officers seized a mobile phone containing more than 1,100 indecent images of children, along with two prohibited and five extremely pornographic images.

There was also evidence of chat streams that showed Thatcher had shared these images with other users.

Part of Thatcher’s sexual harm prevention order when he was released from prison in 2019 was that he needed to notify his offender manager that he had a new phone, which he had not done.

On investigation, the phone was also logged into various social media accounts that he had not sought permission to use, resulting in a further breach of the conditions of his order.

Investigation Officer Emma Shipton from Bedfordshire Police’s Internet Child Abuse Investigation Team said: “Viewing, possessing and distributing indecent images of children is by no means a victimless crime.

“It causes and propagates real harm to the children concerned, as they are abused and exploited in such a vile and appalling way, and people like Thatcher share this disgusting abuse online for other individuals to view.”

Thatcher was sentenced on Friday, May 19 to a total of two years and eight months in prison, with an additional three years on licence, after pleading guilty to making, distributing and possessing indent images of children, possessing prohibited and pornographic images and for breaching his sexual harm prevention order.

He has also been handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

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A middle-aged man who masturbated in front of two women on a London service train has been jailed. Dean Benjamin, 41, targeted his first victim shortly after 5pm on March 3 on a train to Nottingham before approaching a second woman in the first-class carriage.

The first victim noticed Benjamin staring at her while leaning on the luggage rack. Moments later, she looked back up and saw that he had placed his hands down the front of his trousers and was clearly masturbating.

She was able to text British Transport Police using its 61016 service and told a passing ticket inspector who moved her away and sat her in the first-class carriage. A short while later, Benjamin made his way to the first-class carriage and began masturbating while staring at a second woman as she worked on her laptop.

A ticket inspector was informed and an off-duty police officer who was travelling on the service apprehended Benjamin until the train arrived at Kettering station. He was removed and immediately taken into custody.

He later pleaded guilty to outraging public decency and has now been jailed for a total of 26 months. Benjamin, of Stockingstone Road, Luton, had also been in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order when he committed the offences.

DC Mohit Behl, investigating officer in the case, said: “Benjamin is quite simply a disgusting individual who targeted two lone women for his own sexual gratification.

“I hope his prison sentence serves as a stark warning to sexual offenders – we will do everything in our power to put your behind bars, without exception. If you experience or witness repulsive behaviour such as this on the rail network, I urge you to report it to us either by texting 61016 as the victim did in this instance, or by calling 0800 40 50 40.

“Nothing is too small or too trivial to report, and we will always take you seriously.”

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A paedophile who sexually assaulted three people has been jailed for 14 years, more than 20 years after the offences were committed.

Steven Smith, 48, of Grantham, was found guilty of sexual assault offences on two women and a boy in the 1990s in both Arlesey, Bedfordshire and another part of the country. Smith received a 14-year custodial sentence at St Albans Crown Court on Tuesday, December 13 and will be on the sex offender’s register for life.

Bedfordshire Police are encouraging victims of sexual assault to come forward, no matter when the incidents took place.

Detective Constable Hayley Carroll from Bedfordshire Police’s Internet Child Investigation Team said: "We are all incredibly pleased with this outcome. It serves as an empowering reminder to all members of our community – victims and non-victims – that it is never too late to report a crime.

"Our hope is that this result serves as encouragement to everyone, emphasising how powerful the process of reporting can be - for both recent and non-recent offences.

"Sexual assault is an abhorrent crime, and child victims are very often affected into their future, and it can impact their development and growth both mentally and physically.

"All three of the victims are extremely pleased and relieved that they can now move forward with some closure regarding this chapter of their lives."

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A Bedfordshire man who downloaded indecent images of the most vile nature has been jailed for three years. Michael Johnson, 73, of Park Street, Dunstable, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of children, and six counts of breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Johnson was previously registered as a sex offender and had been handed a suspended jail sentence of two years for offences linked to indecent images of children. He was also given a SHPO which prevented him from owning any devices without them being registered, and downloading file sharing software.

Deborah Simpson from Bedfordshire Polices offender management team was carrying out a routine visit in November 2021 when she became suspicious of software downloaded onto Johnsons computer. After noticing this, the computer was seized, and when searching the device, officers discovered indecent images of children, which were almost identical to those previously found in Johnsons possession.

n March 2022, further enforcement was carried out by Bedfordshire Polices cyber teams, where they were joined by a specialist digital media dog for the search. A further 12 unregistered devices were discovered and seized from Johnson, which resulted in a further charge of breaching his SHPO.

He was sentenced on Thursday (August 25) at Luton Crown Court to three years in prison, and his previous suspended sentence was activated. He will also be on the sex offenders register for life.

Investigation Officer Deborah Simpson, who led the Bedfordshire Police investigation, said: "Johnson experienced sexual pleasure accessing images of the most vile nature involving very young children. He has shown no remorse for his actions, as he has continued to repeat his behaviour and ignore the prevention plan put in place.

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Two vile and depraved brothers from Bedford and Kempston who raped and sexually abused children have been jailed for almost 15 years between them.

Connor, 24, and Kiyle Lappin, 22, were both found guilty of raping a child under 13.

Connor was also found guilty of sexual assault of a child under 13, while Kiyle was found to have indecent images of children on his phone.

Connor, of Clover Way, Kempston, was sentenced to nine years for rape and three years and eight months for the sexual assault, to be served concurrently.

Kiyle, of High Street, Bedford, was found guilty of rape and pleaded guilty to seven separate offences linked to indecent images of children.

He was sentenced to three years and four months for the rape and a total of 22 months for the images offences.

This will be served consecutively, taking his total sentence to five years and two months.

DC Samantha Ostley, who led the investigation, said: Connor and Kiyle Lappin clearly pose a risk to children in our community.

Their actions are vile and depraved, plain and simple. I am glad they will now be going to prison for a very long time.

We will always be on the side of victims of sexual abuse, regardless of their age, gender and background, or the circumstances of the offence.

It is never too late to come forward and get justice. We will do everything in our power to support you at every stage of the process.

The pair were also made subject to sexual harm prevention orders for life at Luton Crown Court on Friday (19 August).

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A predatory sexual offender who admitted raping a young girl in Norfolk has been jailed.

Anthony Smith, 41, had been due to stand trial at Norwich Crown Court having previously denied a raft of offences against the girl, aged under 13.

Offences included rape, in the King's Lynn area between February and December 2019.

But Smith has been given an extended 21-year sentence, made up of 16 years in custody and five years on licence, after he admitted rape.

Smith also admitted assault of a child under 13, sexual assault of a child and an offence of causing a child to engage in sexual activity without consent.

The court heard Smith had "pestered" the victim who he met up with and took to a secluded spot by the River Ouse in King's Lynn where he attacked her despite her cries for him to stop.

Sentencing Smith on Thursday (July 28), Judge Katharine Moore described Smith as being a "significant risk of causing serious harm" to other children.

Judge Moore said: "She (the victim) was telling you no but you didn't stop.

"She was crying but you didn't stop.

"She was scared."

The judge said that from "first to last" Smith had been "grossly corrupting".

Smith, of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, was prohibited from contacting the victim indefinitely and was also put on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Robert English, for Smith, said this was not a conviction after trial for his client who entered his guilty pleas before a jury was sworn meaning witnesses were saved from giving evidence.

He said the offences were "out of character" for the defendant who has no previous convictions for matters of this type.

A Norfolk Police spokesman said: "This case involved the predatory sexual behaviour of an adult over a young child.

"The sentence passed by the court reflects the severity of the defendant's actions and the threat that he poses and will ensure that the victim and public will remain safe from this individual in the future."

The spokesman added: "The victim and family wish to express their thanks to all involved and are relieved that they now have the closure they needed to move forward with their lives.

"Most importantly I hope the victim can move forward and have a happy and successful future.

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In the first incident Gallagher continued to rape the victim even after she repeatedly told him to stop, while on the second occasion she woke up to find Gallagher raping her.

Immediately after the second incident the victim called a friend to stay in her home as Gallagher refused to leave.

A victim impact statement read out in court said the victim had suffered significant trauma as a result of the incidents, which continues to this day.

At Luton Crown Court yesterday (Thursday), Gallagher was sentenced to three years in prison for the first offence and six years for the second. The sentences will be served at the same time.

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Three men have been found guilty for the kidnap, false imprisonment and rape of a woman who had been on a night out in Bedford.

Gemti Hyka, 31, of Cambridge Road, Ibrahim Bezati, 36, of Caves Lane, and Vullnet Haka, 33, of Washburn Close – all from Bedford, were found guilty of offences including kidnap, false imprisonment and rape following a three-week trial at Luton Crown Court.

The trial heard how in September 2021, the victim went to Bedford town centre to enjoy a meal and some drinks with a friend and later went to a nightclub where she was approached by Hyka, but she walked away with her friend.

Later that evening on the high street, Hyka approached the victim again, who had split away from her friend. He then kidnapped her and took her to a BP garage in his car in Newnham Avenue. The victim tried to signal for help but was unsuccessful. He then took her to a house in Kempston where Bezati and Haka were waiting.

At the property, the victim was forced to take cocaine before being raped by all three men. She eventually managed to escape and flagged down a member of the public who helped her contact the police and family.

All three denied the offences but were found guilty at Luton Crown Court today, Thursday (14 April):

• Hyka was found guilty of one count of kidnap, one count of false imprisonment and three counts of rape.
• Bezati was found guilty of one count of false imprisonment and two counts of rape.
• Haka was found guilty of one count of false imprisonment and two counts of rape.

Detective Constable Hannah Latton, from Bedfordshire Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) team said:

Detective Constable Hannah Latton, from Bedfordshire Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) team said: “This was an horrific case where the victim was effectively targeted by these men, who took her to a property where she was held against her will and repeatedly raped.

“Thankfully incidents such as these are incredibly rare, but the result should serve as reassurance to anyone who has been through the trauma of rape or serious sexual assault. We will believe you and do everything in our power to bring such predators to justice.

“The victim showed tremendous courage by facing her attackers in court, even though they had the audacity to deny the offences, putting her through a further ordeal of re-living the incident during the trial. Her evidence was crucial to ensuring these men will remain behind bars for a considerable amount of time.

“Nobody should feel they cannot speak up about abuse. We will treat every case professionally with the utmost compassion and have specialist officers trained to support people who have experienced such horrendous offences.”

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The offences were carried out against a boy and a girl A man convicted of sexually abusing children has been jailed for a total of nine years, and added to the sex offenders register for life. Peter Crane, 65, of Billington Road, Leighton Buzzard, was convicted by a jury at Luton Crown Court on 21 January, of the offences against a boy and a girl which took place in the 1970s and 80s. PC Matt McCarthy, from Bedfordshire Polices Protecting Vulnerable People team, said: Crane to this day refutes the overwhelming evidence against him including strong and brave testimony from the victims who were incredibly young when the abuse began, and have had to live with the consequences into adulthood. "As well as the emotional impact of his offending, he has continued to put his victims through a further ordeal of a trial. No matter how much time has passed, we will always fully investigate and seek to prosecute any sexual offenders and would encourage anyone who has experienced abuse to come forward, regardless of when it happened. As well as the nine-year jail term, Crane will remain on licence for a further year following the sentence and will be registered as a sex offender for life. It is never too late to report sexual abuse. To report a crime, or seek advice, call Bedfordshire Police's non-emergency, 24/7 number: 101. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101. If you are concerned about a child, you can also contact the NSPCC to speak to a professional practitioner, speak to the children's social care team at your local council or contact Crimestoppers confidentially and anonymously. If someone is in immediate danger, always call 999. The force has specialist teams dedicated to supporting victims and works with a range of other agencies to provide support. Bedfordshire Victim Care Services offers a comprehensive range of support to victims of crime, even if it has not been reported to the police. To find out more, visit Bedfordshire VCS.

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A man has been jailed for seven years for sexually abusing two young girls in the 90s.

Alex Henney, from County Kenagh, Ireland, subjected two girls to multiple sexual assaults between 1995 and 1997.

Henny, who resided in Luton at the time of the incidents, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on Friday (4 March), after being found guilty of three counts of indecent assault of a child.

Bedfordshire Polices Protecting Vulnerable Persons (PVP) unit carried out an investigation after a disclosure was made to police in 2018.

Following extensive enquires, Henney was extradited from Ireland to the UK for trial.

PC Benjamin Robertson, from the PVP unit, who lead the investigation, said: There is a huge focus in policing to bring to justice anyone involved in violence and abuse against women and girls.

Henneys victims have shown true courage and strength of character throughout the investigation and I commend their bravery in speaking up.

This hasnt been easy for either of the victims and their families to deal with.

Child sexual abuse is a most horrendous experience; it not only ruins their young years, but stays with them through into adulthood. We will never tolerate this type of crime in our county and will do all we can to support victims and put these perpetrators behind bars.

If anything has happened to you, no matter how long ago, it is never too late to come forward and tell us. We will do everything we can to get justice for you, and we have a number of specially trained officers who are here to support you.

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A man from Bedford who sexually assaulted a woman as she slept has been jailed for four years.

James Stark, aged 25, of West Rope Way, was out drinking with friends in Bedford and went back in a taxi to the victims home before committing the attack in August 2017.

Bedfordshire Police said that, after talking for a while, the victim went upstairs to bed, leaving Stark on the sofa.

Shortly after, she was woken by Stark, who was on top of her, and she pleaded with him to stop.

He fled the property, leaving behind his trousers, hat, mobile and passport at the victims house. He was arrested later that morning at his home.

The victim had gone straight to her mum and told her what had happened. In her victim statement, she said Starks actions had turned her life upside down and that her mental health had suffered.

Jurors found Stark guilty of assault by penetration following a trial in December. He was found not guilty of rape.

On Monday, February 22, at Luton Crown Court, Stark was sentenced to spend four years in prison. He will also be added to the sex offenders register for life.

DC Brendan Street, who led the investigation, said: I would like to commend the victim for her bravery in coming forward. She was amazing throughout the trial and continued to support the investigation despite a number of trial delays.

I would also like to praise her family who attended every day of trial and sentencing. Starks actions have not only had a significant impact on the victim, but also had a negative impact on her family.

Stark subjected his victim to a horrible ordeal; no woman should ever be made to feel unsafe. Our message to offenders is clear: no will always mean no.

We have a number of highly trained officers and support services working with the victim and her family.

We understand this can be difficult to talk about, but we have a number of highly experienced and trained officers and support services here to help. If you are ready to talk, we are here to listen, help, and support you.

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A teaching assistant has been found guilty of having sex with a 14-year-old pupil in a supermarket car park. The boy was a pupil at a school in Hoddesdon, in Hertfordshire, where Hannah Harris, now 23, worked. She tricked the boy's parents by claiming to be the mother of the boy's fictional girlfriend. However, she was caught in 2020 when the boy's older brother found out, and has been convicted of sexual activity with a child. Sentencing is next month. St Albans Crown Court heard Harris had contacted the boy's parents, telling them her name was Olivia, and that her teenage daughter Kayla was their son's girlfriend. In one text, Harris wrote: "Seems Kayla and [the boy] are getting on well, so I am happy to ferry them around." "The names Kayla and Olivia were fictions to hide the fact they were meeting up," prosecutor Simon Wilshire said. "The parents were in fact talking to Ms Harris, as that was the number they had been given for 'Olivia'."

'Duped'

When the victim's older brother found out about the relationship in January 2020, the boy admitted both Olivia and Kayla were fictitious. "When the parents became aware, they realised they had unwittingly facilitated the contact," Mr Wilshire said. "They had been duped by the boy into the belief he was seeing someone of his own age. "As a teaching assistant at his school, she [Harris] would have known his age - such activity is a criminal offence regardless of whether he believed himself to be a willing party." In a police interview, Harris said the first contact was initiated when the boy sent her an Instagram message. She said she replied and communication continued until she agreed to meet him outside school hours.

Custody 'inevitable'

Harris, from Harrier Mill, Henlow, in Bedfordshire, denied four charges of sexual activity with a child in December 2019 and January 2020. Three of the charges related to offences alleged to have taken place on Dunstable Downs and at her home, but she was cleared by a jury on those counts. However, she was found guilty of one count of having sex with the boy in a supermarket car park. Following the verdict, defence barrister Julia Flanagan said Harris was now in a stable relationship. She said there had been concerns for her mental health, but she had returned to working in IT, a job she held down before becoming a teaching assistant. Judge Caroline Wigin said: "The sentence is inevitably going to be custody." She bailed Harris and told her she must abide by a curfew between 19:00 and 07:00 GMT, and that she will also have to register as a sex offender. Sentencing is due on 9 March.

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A "repulsive" Bedford couple who sexually and mentally abused children have been jailed for 35 years.

Nicholas Harris, 54 and Clare Buttice, 41, were jailed for 23 years and 12 years respectively for abuse that was described as "degrading" in court.

Bedfordshire Police launched an investigation after the victims came forward to report their ordeal, which also included physical violence and abuse.

The couple will have to serve at least two-thirds of their sentence before they are considered for release, must register as sex offenders indefinitely, and are banned from having any contact with the victims.

Detective Constable Nina Bradbury, from Bedfordshire Police's Protecting Vulnerable People (PVP) team, led the investigation.

She said: "This was a horrific series of crimes, in which children were exploited into performing acts for the offenders' sexual gratification.

"These offences have had a significant impact on the victims, and they will carry this trauma with them for the rest of their lives. I am pleased the courts have issued such a strong custodial sentence and that this repulsive pair will spend a long time behind bars.

"This case was a lengthy and complex investigation, and is just one of many which demonstrates our commitment to tackling offenders and keeping children safe."

DC Bradbury added: "Protecting children from this kind of sickening abuse is absolutely imperative - and work that needs our collective effort to succeed. Our specialist officers and partnership services will continue to work with and support the victims as they try to move on with their lives.

"But if you have concerns that a child is being neglected, exploited or abused, these concerns are too important not to share. We must all play our part in protecting children."