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Yesterday, Monday 13 May 2024, Stephen Newmarch (12/08/1966) of Broomfield Close in Bolton was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment after being found guilty of 15 sexual offences against two victims following re-trial at Manchester Crown Court in March 2024. The victims, now in their 30’s, gave evidence at his trial.

He will be on the Sex Offender's Register for life as well as being subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

This case arose after victims came forward to police in 2020, stating that Newmarch had been responsible for sexually abusing them in early 2000's, whilst he was an Educational Welfare Officer and a foster carer in Bury.

The court heard how one of the men made a statement to the police regarding a holiday he had been on with Newmarch and others when he was 14 years old. Newmarch had inappropriately touched him and when reported to other adults on the trip, he passed it off as “play fighting”.

Both of the victims reported being foster children in the care of Newmarch when sexual abuse occurred.

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A paedophile who gave a boy Pot Noodles laced with drugs before sexually abusing him as part of a sickening campaign of assault and rape has been jailed for almost three decades.

Raymond Hawthorne subjected the boy and another male youngster to horrifying abuse over the course of a decade in the 1980s and 1990s, lavishing one of the children with trainers and a bike as he exploited him for his twisted desires.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the now 60-year-old 'preyed upon, groomed and sexual assaulted' his victims in the Birkenhead area; one recalled being aged as young as five when the abuse started before descending into rape.

His other victim described being given Pot Noodles during visits to Hawthorne's house, then 'remembering nothing' before waking up naked and realising he had been assaulted.

Robert Dudley, prosecuting, described how the pervert would put his hands down one victim's trousers and perform sex acts upon him. The behaviour continued for years and ultimately 'escalated' to him raping the boy on two occasions.

In a statement which was read out to the court on his behalf, the first victim said: 'It is only in the last four to five years that I have found a little peace and tried to put the past behind me.'

Hawthorne was said to have taken the second child on trips away to Blackpool and theme parks and 'bought him extravagant gifts' such as clothing, training shoes and even a bicycle, as well as plying him with alcohol and drugs. 

The now three-time convicted sex offender then 'smacked his bottom' and forced his hands into the child's underwear, sexually assaulting him.

Hawthorne, who was later said to have attempted to 'bribe' him with cash, denied his crimes when finally confronted decades later and claimed the allegations had been 'fabricated for compensation'.

The second complainant said that Hawthorne's actions had resulted in an 'indescribable impact' upon him. 

He added in his statement: 'I'm still finding it all difficult to process, the fact that justice has finally been done. I desperately want to start living. I want my life back, I want me back.

'He cannot harm any more children. This gives me hope for the future. I realise the past cannot be change. But my future can.'

Hawthorne, formerly of Crescent Road in Bolton, has a total of 23 previous convictions for 77 offences ranging from assault to prostitution offences involving boys as young as 12 as well as indecent assault.

The defendant represented himself in court on Monday, having last week sacked the counsel that represented him at trial. 

From the witness box, he stated that there had been 'no evidence whatsoever of any drug' being found in the Pot Noodles and reported that the complainant merely said the snack had 'tasted funny'.

Hawthorne also told the court that it's 'rubbish' that he had committed any sexual offences. 

He said: 'Being convicted of historical offences requires no evidence, just someone saying "he did that to me" and they are going to be believed. 

'I say I've not committed any sexual crime apart from selling sex. I just ask your honour to give me hope of a crime free lifestyle.'

Hawthorne was found guilty of two counts of rape, 10 charges of indecent assault and two offences of gross indecency with a child by a jury. 

He was jailed for 27 years, a term of which he must serve at least two thirds before becoming eligible for release, and handed an additional eight years on licence.

Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, Hawthorne showed no reaction as he was locked up and instead sat making notes with a pen and paper. He was also told to sign the sex offenders' register for life.

Sentencing, Judge Gary Woodhall said: 'Your abuse of these two young children was the beginning of a lifelong obsession involving the abuse and exploitation of young boys. 

'I am perfectly satisfied that you are sexually interested in young boys and will use them sexually.

'You have continued to maintain your innocence. You maintain a complete lack of sexual motivation for any of your offending.

'All of this shows that you continue to have a complete lack of any insight into your own offending and deviant motivations. There is a complete lack of remorse... you continue to minimise your behaviour.

'You present as utterly unable to understand the harm you have caused to children by your actions. You have sought to blame everyone other than yourself.'

Following sentencing, Detective Constable Lauren Blackmore from Merseyside Police's rape and serious sexual offences team said: 'This result was only possible thanks to the sheer determination and bravery of his victims.

'Despite Hawthorne denying the offences, a jury saw through his lies and he will now spend a considerable amount of time in prison.'

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Peter Casey, a 55-year-old resident from Cleveland Gardens, Deane, Bolton, faced Bolton Magistrates Court after failing to comply with his annual sex offender registration for two consecutive years, citing memory issues as his defense. Despite a criminal history that includes a conviction for multiple counts of indecent assault in 2003 and possession of a bladed article, Casey was given a 12-month conditional discharge by the court, highlighting the necessity of adherence to registration obligations.

History of Non-Compliance and Legal Proceedings

In September 2022, Casey was due to renew his registration on the sex offenders register but failed to do so until October 4, thus breaching the mandatory requirement. The prosecution, led by James Gore, detailed how efforts to remind Casey of his obligations went unanswered, with Casey later admitting to forgetting the critical deadline. His defense, presented by Adam Whittaker, emphasized Casey's significant memory problems, even recounting an instance where Casey needed to be reminded of his court date multiple times within a short period.

Conditional Discharge and Court's Warning
Karen Martin, Chair of the bench, decided on a conditional discharge for Casey, stressing the importance of his future compliance with the sex offender registration process. This leniency comes despite Casey's previous conviction for possession of a bladed article, for which he received a suspended sentence in the prior year. The court's decision underscores the balancing act between addressing Casey's claimed health issues and the need to ensure public safety and adherence to legal requirements.

Implications for Future Compliance

The case raises questions about the challenges faced by individuals with health issues in complying with legal obligations and the measures that might be necessary to ensure compliance without compromising public safety. Martin's warning to Casey serves as a reminder of the consequences of future failures to comply with the registration requirements, indicating that leniency shown in this instance may not be extended in the future. This case thus not only addresses Casey's individual circumstances but also highlights broader issues related to the enforcement of sex offender registration requirements and the intersection of health issues with legal compliance.

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A pervert who subjected four children to "abhorrent" abuse has been jailed for more than two decades after they bravely spoke out to put him behind bars. John Fairhurst, 30, was found guilty of a string of sex offences after a trial at Bolton Crown Court.

Fairhurst was handed a 24 year custodial sentence, after which he will serve six years on licence. He was also made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and indefinite restraining order.

The court was told Fairhurst 'became aggressive' and took advantage of his four victims over a number of years, including sending intimate photos and requesting that they take part in degrading acts. The court heard that thanks to their bravery in speaking out, he was eventually arrested in October 2022.

In total, Fairhurst, of Dudley Avenue, Tonge Moor, Bolton, was convicted of 17 counts of sexual offences.

Detective Constable Phillipa Fairclough, of GMP's Bolton district said: “Firstly, I want to thank the victims in this case for their incredible bravery in coming forward and helping us with the investigation into Fairhurst’s crimes. Fairhurst’s acts over several years were abhorrent and I am glad that he is now behind bars. I hope that the sentence is able to bring some comfort to his victims.

"This was a highly emotive and complex investigation to work on and we are committed to putting sexual offenders behind bars. I want the public to know that we thoroughly investigate every report that comes into us.

"Detective Sergeant Kayleigh Wiggins from Greater Manchester Police, who was the senior investigating officer of this case, would like to thank all the victims for speaking out and the team within the child protection team at Bolton for their hard work and dedication.

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A convicted sex offender proved himself 'unmanageable' by not reporting that he had been disposing of mobile phones.

Raymond Jarrett, 48, was first hit with a sexual harm prevention order in 2019 after having made hundreds of indecent images of children.

But he was brought back to court after he was discovered to have been disposing of mobile phones, including an iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy, without telling his responsible officer.

Megan Horner, prosecuting, said: “He said that the iPhone 7 from January 2021 had been dropped down the toilet and disposed of.”

She added: “He also told officers that the original iPhone had been sent to a recycling company rather than simply disposed of.”

But Ms Horner said that he had not been able to produce emails proving this.

She said that he had also claimed that one of the phones had been stolen but police had apparently not been able to verify this.

Jarrett, of Gloucester Court, Horwich, was first convicted of three counts of making indecent photos of children in November 2019 and was given a two year community order as well as being subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

But he was then further convicted of another three counts of downloading indecent images of children in July 2022 and given a fresh sexual harm prevention order and a two year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

His order forbade him from getting rid of devices with access to the internet, like mobile phones, without making sure his responsible officer was aware.

Jarrett also failed to them when he registered a fourth mobile phone, after the previous three had been disposed of.

Ms Horner told the court that Jarrett, who has three previous convictions for 12 offences, had also breached his suspended sentence by missing two appointments with probation.

She said this showed a “clear history of disobedience with order courts, particularly this court order.”

Constance Halliwell, defending, accepted that this could be seen as a “persistent breach” but said that Jarrett was deeply sorry for his actions and had earned credit by pleading guilty.

She said that Jarrett now accepted he “should have read the order more carefully.”

Ms Halliwell said that the 48-year-old had been through and “extremely difficult few years” but now intended to stay sober having struggled with alcohol.

But the Honorary Recorder for Bolton Judge Martin Walsh pointed to a report by probation which claimed the risk Jarrett posed was “unmanageable.”

He said: “There’s been a history here not only failure to comply with the suspended sentence and work with probation officers but also in terms of offending again.”

Judge Walsh sentenced Jarrett to a total of two years in prison.

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A remorseless rapist attacked a pensioner and sexually assaulted a child while ‘trawling the streets at night time looking for vulnerable individuals', a court heard. Issa Brayzi-Pour, 22, has been jailed for public protection after committing the attacks on two complete strangers in Farnworth.

The child said she feels that 'she’s had her freedom taken away' while the woman said she no longer feels safe since being raped, and has undergone counselling. Prosecutors claimed Brayzi-Pour had been 'out trawling the streets at night time looking for vulnerable individuals'.

He had been in the country for about 10 months after arriving in the UK as an asylum seeker from Iran. The 70-year-old woman had been to the pub with members of her family where a boxing match was being shown, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

At one point she left the pub and Brayzi-Pour 'stalked' and 'followed' her, prosecutor Henry Blackshaw claimed. They engaged in conversation, and she feared that Brayzi-Pour was going to rob her.

Ms Blackshaw said that Brayzi-Pour had taken hold of her, and was 'effectively steering her around corners'. But as they reached a side road Brayzi-Pour raped her, during the summer last year.

An extensive police investigation was launched, and Brayzi-Pour, who at the time was wearing 'distinctive' clothing including a 'dark hooded coat and slider sandals', was picked out on CCTV. He was arrested three days later. A DNA swab taken from Brayzi-Pour then proved to be a match to intimate swabs taken from the victim.

The court heard how the woman has suffered 'significant and severe' psychological issues, and 'life changing problems'. It was then discovered that Brayzi-Pour had sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl 12 days earlier, also in Farnworth.

She recognised Brayzi-Pour as someone who had given her and her friends cigarettes a few days beforehand.

When she asked him for another cigarette, Brayzi-Pour asked her to perform oral sex on him and tried to kiss her, after she followed him onto some 'waste ground'. "There was clearly discussion about tobacco and she was lured to an isolated spot nearby, with the promise of it there," Mr Blackshaw said.

Defending, Bunty Batra said Brayzi-Pour has no criminal record in the UK or his home country. He said people who know him reacted with 'shock' to his crimes, and that he was described as being 'respectful and polite'.

Mr Batra denied there was any element of 'grooming' towards the child, claiming their interaction was 'extremely brief'. He also denied that Brayzi-Pour had 'targeted' the pensioner or that he'd been 'trawling the streets'.

Brayzi-Pour, of Longcauseway, Farnworth, Bolton, was unanimously found guilty of two counts of rape and of offences of sexual assault and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The judge, Recorder Andrew McLoughlin, said Brayzi-Pour still maintains his victims consented to his behaviour.

But he said Brayzi-Pour’s version of events 'bears no relationship whatsoever' to the evidence. "There is no remorse shown by you, because you believe somehow that all these matters took place with the victims' consent, they clearly did not do so," the judge said.

Brayzi-Pour was sentenced to 13 years in prison. He will have to serve two-thirds of his sentence before the Parole Board decides whether it is safe to release him.

After being declared a ‘dangerous’ offender, he was ordered to serve an additional five years on licence.

Following sentencing, DC Peter Hardy of Bolton CID said: “Firstly, I want to thank the bravery of both of the victims and the strength they have shown to take this prosecution to sentencing. We are happy with today’s result and are pleased that the trauma that Brayzi-Pour put his victims through has been recognised.

"Although no amount of time behind bars can make up for what the victims have been through, I hope that it will allow them to start to rebuild their lives and move on from what must have been a living nightmare. A dangerous individual is now off the streets and cannot pose a risk to any other females.

"As a force, GMP are committed to identifying and locating sex offenders to ensure that they face the full force of the law. If you, or anyone you know has been subjected to a sexual assault, we would urge you to come forward and speak to GMP.

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A man dubbed 'Britain's worst flasher', who has clocked up 170 offences during his vile 51-year campaign of exposing himself, has been jailed - again. 

Prolific offender Paul Smith, 65, has been in and out of court since 1972 when he just a 14-year-old schoolboy for repeatedly flashing his genitals at passers-by.

The pervert's sickening acts have seen him exposing himself to lone women at bus stops and young children in their gardens, as he tried to hide his identity by wearing disguises. 

Smith has been repeatedly jailed, with judges having imposed court orders and making him complete sex therapy programmes in attempts to curb his warped behaviour. One judge even branded the menace a 'one-man public nuisance' who will 'end up dying in prison'.

In one incident vigilantes left Smith with multiple fractures following a revenge beating after he travelled 50 miles from his home in Horwich, Bolton, Greater Manchester, to flash at children including a seven-year old girl.

During various court appearances he could offer no explanation for his behaviour other than 'compulsive attention-seeking' or a 'reaction to stress scenarios.' He also warned he will never be able to stop and told police he 'wanted to be noticed'.

Smith was arrested again last April after he targeted the stationary bus full of revellers in Manchester city centre only two days after he was given a suspended sentence in Bradford, West Yorkshire for flashing at lone women and children at bus stops in nearby Halifax.

In the latest matter he was foiled by a bus driver, who spotted him gesturing for his passengers to look in his direction while waving his penis around for two minutes on a busy street. When arrested Smith told police: 'I was just running for the bus.'

At Manchester Crown Court, Smith was jailed for 25 months after he admitted outraging public decency. He will remain subject of a lifetime sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and must sign the Sex Offender Register.

Smith was just 14 when he was first convicted of exposing himself and after clocking up similar offences first went to jail in 1998 for 45 months for exposing himself to two children in Bolton.

He started taking his bicycle on trains to target victims outside his hometown but in 2010 he was jailed for six years and was issued with his first SHPO at Liverpool and was banned from making similar journeys.

In 2014 Smith was jailed for four years after getting the train to Bradford to flash at more victims only to be chased and assaulted by a vigilante gang who left him with fractured ribs and a broken collar bone, pelvis and wrist.

In 2016 he was held again by police after breaching a new ban on wearing disguises to sport a snood, a hat, and sunglasses, before acting indecently at a bus stop in the Northern Quarter in Manchester. 

Then in 2020 he was sent back to jail after undercover police officers saw him dropping his trousers in front of female commuters whilst loitering at Piccadilly Bus Station during the morning rush hour.

Last April 21 Smith was sentenced to two years jail suspended for two years after eight more flashing offences at bus stops in Halifax including one incident in front of two screaming 10-year-old children near a school. 

At the time a judge called him a 'one-man public nuisance' and told him: 'You've been sent to prison over and over again. You've had sex therapy, but you keep on doing it. I've now read a psychiatric report that suggests you need some serious anti-depressant medication. 

'In my view you'll end up dying in prison - well if that's what you want, no one can stop you.'

Speaking of Smith's latest offence, prosecutor Alex Beevers told the defendant had been standing on the side of Lever Street, Manchester at 6.10pm on Sunday, April 23. 

It was here the 65-year-old spotted by the driver of the 135 bus, which had been taking passengers from Bury to Manchester city centre, facing the vehicle. 

'He was wearing a hooded top and a blue surgical mask and was waving his penis with his hand,' Mr Beevers told the court.  

'He was gesturing towards the bus passengers to look in his direction. 

'The incident lasted just over two minutes before the driver called the police. 

'The defendant fled on foot towards the city centre but was caught a short time later. When arrested he told them "I was just running for a bus".

'He was interviewed the next day and gave no comment. 

'He has a staggering amount of offences on his record, many of which are for similar offences of exposure in very busy, public places.'

In mitigation, defence lawyer Jane Greenhalgh said: 'Mr Smith simply cannot stop himself offending in this fashion. 

'It is a frustrating case because it is clear that the defendant cannot effect any sense of self control over his actions. He tells me this is his reaction to stressful scenarios. He has had a lifelong struggle with this behaviour.

'He has fully accepted the impact of his offending and did not seek to minimise it at any point. 

'He is unemployed and has been caring for his father for a number of years.'

In sentencing, Judge Eliot Knopf told Smith: 'My options of dealing with you are extremely limited. 

'You are an intelligent man who realises the impact of your actions but are unable to stop yourself.

'It is clear from a report there s no mental health issue present in your case. 

'One just hopes that when you are released from custody that you are able to manage yourself in a situation that doesn't end up with you appearing in these courts.'

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Andrew Barlow, previously known as Andrew Longmire, committed his crimes in the 1980s

A man who was jailed for 13 rapes has been recalled to prison just weeks after being released.

Andrew Barlow, 66, was jailed for life in 1988 for the attacks but was recommended for release by the Parole Board in December.

Despite opposition from the then justice secretary Dominic Raab, Barlow was released earlier this year.

The government have now confirmed he has been recalled to prison following a breach of his licence conditions.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "Protecting the public is our number one priority. That's why offenders are subject to tough licence conditions and when they breach them, we do not hesitate to return them to custody."

Previously called Andrew Longmire, he attacked young women mainly in Manchester in the 1980s.

One attack included the rape of a 26-year-old woman in her Sheffield home, while her three-year-old daughter hid terrified behind a settee.

He broke into his victims' homes, using weapons to threaten them - and in one case to cause injury - before assaulting them, often while children were in the same house.

The Parole Board defended its decision to release Barlow earlier this year, saying the panel had considered "all the evidence".

The board said Barlow's "risk management plan with its extensive list of conditions" would be "sufficiently robust" to manage his return to public life.

"The whole panel would be aware of the correct test and the panel was chaired by a very experienced retired judge who also has considerable experience of parole hearings and applying the statutory test," the board said.

Asked for comment after his recall to prison, a Parole Board spokeswoman added: "The offender has not been referred back to us for a parole review and so we don't have access to any information about him being recalled and therefore we don't have comment at this stage."

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A convicted sex offender breached a court order through his ‘obsessive, persistent’ stalking of a teenage girl.

Kevan Shane Howard, 52, was put on the sex offenders register ten years ago for sexual activity with a child - despite this, he went on to allow youngsters under the age of 18 to stay at his home.

He also subjected a girl to a seven-week campaign of stalking and frightening messages, beginning with a text sent in December 2021, Bolton Crown Court heard.

Michael Goldwater, prosecuting, said: “Not surprisingly, she found him strange and knew what was happening was wrong.”

He added: “It was persistent and it caused a significant amount of distress.”

Mr Goldwater told the court how Howard, who has 16 previous convictions for 38 offences, had repeatedly texted his victim asking if she wanted to come out with him and if she wanted to go for drinks.

Howard, of Wardle Street, asked for photos of her and at one point asked her to meet him in a graveyard with his dogs.

She blocked his number, and told her parents - Howard was eventually convicted of stalking after a trial before the magistrates' court.

He also admitted to two breaches of his sexual harm prevention order.

Howard had been hit with the order in 2013 after pleading guilty to sexual activity with a child.

Mr Goldwater said the victim had been left ‘frightened and worried he was going to do something'.

Though the second victim had not complained of any inappropriate behaviour, Howard has still breached his order by allowing her to stay over at his home.

Mr Goldwater said: “This was not just a case of allowing someone to stay over the odd time, this was persistent over a long period of time.”

Kevin Lister, defending, pointed out to the court that though Howard’s actions had been deeply distressing there was ‘no suggestion of violence’ involved.

He said: “In the spectrum of these types of offences it is not at the bottom, but neither is it at the higher end of the spectrum where people can be stalked or harassed over a period of months or even years.”

Mr Lister argued that Howard had shown a strong work ethic, was in stable accommodation and could be managed safely in the community rather than being sent to prison immediately.

But Judge Eliot Knopf reminded the court of the profound impact Howard’s behaviour had had on his victim.

He said: “The effect of your offending on that young girl has been graphically described.

“No one can be in any doubt, least of all you, as to the consequences of your persistent pestering and obsession.”

Judge Knopf sentenced Howard to a total of 14 months in prison.

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A sick predator who 'manipulated and groomed a 'young and innocent child' he repeatedly sexually abused was caught after the brave victim managed to covertly film one of his attacks.

Shaun Broomhead has been jailed for more than six years after sexually abusing the child under 14 on multiple occasions over a two-year period. The 41-year-old, of Lostock, pleaded guilty to eight separate offences in relation to the same victim.

A court heard how the girl said that the abuse had 'messed her up' and that it has made her 'angry all the time'. She recalled one instance where she was getting changed for a school PE lesson and felt like she could 'feel' Broomhead's touch even though he was not there, adding: "It was just the worst thing ever”.

The girl also said that she has ‘fallen back’ at school after the incidents as she ‘can’t get her head down’. She continued that she is no longer at ease with boys and finds it difficult to trust them, the M.E.N reports.

Prosecuting, Andrew Mackintosh told Bolton Crown Court that Broomhead denied the offences when questioned by police. Once shown the video that the girl had recorded, the court heard that he responded: “I don’t know what to say”.

In November 2022, Broomhead pleaded guilty to four counts of assault by penetration, two counts of sexual assault, and two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. Defence barrister Martin Pizzey told the court that Broomhead used to be a respected member of the local community and was known for having a “strong work ethic”.

He added: “He is ashamed and upset, and regrets what took place… he knows this is his entire responsibility and is going to be punished.”

Jailing Broomhead for six years and three months, Recorder Nicholas Clarke KC said: “You manipulated and groomed [your victim]... she was of course a young and innocent child.”

Broomhead will serve two thirds of his sentence in prison before he is eligible for parole and he will serve an extra 12 months on extended licence upon the completion of his sentence. He was made subject to a life-long sexual harm prevention order and will have to sign the sex offender register for life.

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Man sentenced to 17 years for non-recent sexual abuse in Bolton

Donald Glen (1/8/1946) from Bolton was yesterday (Wednesday 21 December) sentenced to 17 years after being found guilty at trial to two counts of rape of a child under 13 and ten counts of sexual assault on a child under 13. 

Detective Constable Stacey Gardner, of Boltons CID, said Sexual abuse can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on victims. This investigation demonstrates our ongoing and determined commitment to ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.

We would like to commend and thank the victim for the courage, strength and dignity they have demonstrated in coming forward to the police and supporting this investigation. We hope the sentencing offers some closure knowing that he is finally facing the consequences of his actions.

We would like to take this opportunity to offer our assurances to anyone who has experienced sexual abuse and has not yet come forward, that GMP will do all we can to support you throughout the process.

If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. We offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by telephoning 0161 276 6515.

Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call us on 0161 273 4500 or email us at [email protected]

Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to boys and men in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.

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The general manager of a tipi hire company has admitted committing fraud and sex offences ahead of a trial for further voyeurism charges.

Gareth Fearnley Edwards, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on June 29.

Edwards was the general manager of Big Chief Tipis, based in Bolton, where he falsified freelancers' invoices before paying the fees to himself, heard the court.

The manager, of Willand Close in Breightmet, also pleaded guilty to one count of recording a person doing a private act and one count of making an indecent picture of a child at a plea and trial preparation hearing in Bolton Crown Court today (July 5).

He pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempts to possess indecent pictures of a child, another count of recording a person doing a private act and another count of making an indecent picture of a child.

Edwards will go on trial for the offences he denies.

The case has been adjourned until the trial is scheduled to begin on June 6, 2022.

Edwards has been released on bail.