Latest Offenders Cheshire

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The woman was left bruised and crying after Andrew Matthews attacked her

A sex offender told his victim he was a 'black belt' in attacking women.

After making the vile comment, Andrew Matthews grabbed the woman's genitals with such force she was left bruised and crying.

The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was left suffering "anxiety" and "panic attacks" after the horrific incident.

Kate Morley, prosecuting at Liverpool Crown Court, said Matthews had "forcibly grabbed her over clothing" after which she "screamed" and "began to cry".

Judge Louise Brandon said Matthews had "grabbed and squeezed her vagina causing pain and bruising" in the attack earlier this year, which left the victim "feeling depressed" and "unhappy in her own skin".

He had also "grabbed her by the neck with one hand" and spat in her face before punching her. Ms Morley said there was "no physical injury" from the punch.

Matthews has 19 previous convictions for 24 offences including battery against a woman and a non-domestic violence related battery.

William Staunton, defending, said the offences "should cause him to feel shame" and to "reflect upon the way in which he behaves".

He stressed he had "no previous for sexual offending" and added he has completed a 12-step programme to address his drinking while in custody.

Mr Staunton said: "He will have time from today to sit at Her Majesty's Pleasure to sit and contemplate what he has done."

Matthews, of O'Leary Street, Warrington, was convicted of sexual assault and common assault following a trial.

Judge Brandon, sentencing, said a "particularly disgusting aspect of this offence" was his spitting at the woman.

Matthews was jailed for 18 months and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

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A paedophile who had images of a man having sex with a dog also shared a sickening video of a five-year-old girl being raped.

Among his criminal content Alan Bainbridge kept 501 images of children being sexually abused.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the 62-year-old also amassed 52 images of bestiality involving dogs.

He was today jailed after a judge heard how police found chats in which he was "discussing sexual abuse of children".

Robert Wyn-Jones, prosecuting, said on May 12 last year "as a result of intelligence" police searched Bainbridge's Warrington home during which a "number of devices" were seized.

He was arrested on suspicion of possessing, making and distributing indecent images of children.

Bainbridge answered no comment in interview. The devices underwent a forensic examination.

Officers found between January 8 and May 13 last year Bainbridge kept 151 category A images, which involve children being raped.

He also kept 87 category B images and 263 category C images.

Mr Wyn-Jones said the majority of the pictures involved girls around eight-years-old.

Bainbridge also had 52 images of bestiality involving dogs.

Mr Wyn-Jones explained Bainbridge had used "various chat forums" on which he was "discussing sexual abuse of children".

In one chat Bainbridge shared two sickening child rape videos, one of which involved a five-year-old girl and the other which involved a girl of "about three".

In a police interview Bainbridge admitted having a sexual interest in children and that he had sent images to other people.

Bainbridge is of effective previous good character, the court heard.

Kyra Badman, defending, said he was "open" with the author of a pre-sentence report which she said was "perhaps indicative of his willingness to engage with the probation service and his motivation to change".

She said he has sought help from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, Samaritans, and local mental health services and he is "keen to change his ways".

Ms Badman said he has recently retired "really because of the shame of his employer finding out about these offences".

She said his marriage had broken down as a result of his offences and he had become "socially isolated", which has caused him to struggle with his mental health.

Alan Bainbridge, of Doward Street, Widnes, admitted possession of indecent images of a child, three counts of making indecent images, distributing indecent images of a child and possession of extreme pornographic images.

The judge, Recorder Eric Lamb, sentencing, said: "By your age you should know much better than to behave in the way you have done, bringing yourself before the court."

Recorder Lamb said: "The pre-sentence report sets out the many difficulties you have had in your life which result in you now finding yourself isolated and in poor mental health, but expressing yourself you are determined to overcome your previous way of behaving with help from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation."

The judge accepted Bainbridge's genuine remorse but said "appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody".

Bainbridge was jailed for two years, which was reduced to one year and 10 months due to the "onerous" conditions in prisons as a result of the pandemic.

He ordered to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years and must sign the Sex Offenders Register for the same period.

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A private dance teacher who repeatedly took advantage of a girl has been jailed for three-and-a-half years for sexual abuse.

Robert Louw, 27, of Rookery Road, Tilston, Malpas, in Cheshire, must also register as a sex offender indefinitely and is banned from working with children or vulnerable adults on his release from prison.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual activity with a child. Mold crown court heard Louw had been messaging the victim on Snapchat.

Judge Rhys Rowlands said the sordid and repeated abuse had a “profound” effect on the youngster and she considered suicide at one point. “You were taking advantage of a young girl many years younger than yourself,” he said.

“It’s been a bad effect upon her,” Judge Rowlands told Louw, who taught in the Wrexham area.

A sexual harm prevention order will last indefinitely. Andrew Green, defending, said he had taken responsibility for his behaviour.

Prosecuting barrister Simon Rogers said the abuse came to light when the victim’s mother confronted her daughter about a note.

Louw accepted a kiss but denied other sexual activity when quizzed.

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A cyber pervert who was snared in an online sting told some pretending to be a 13-year-old girl she was a young woman now and ready for sex.

Paul Pickerill, 65, of Lockgate West, Windmill Hill, Runcorn, was sent down today at Chester Crown Court after appearing by videolink and having pleaded guilty previously in magistrates court to attempting to incite a child aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity and attempting to engage a child in sexual communication.

Philip Clemo, prosecuting, recounted how a volunteer with the paedophile hunter group Net Justice became involved with a conversation on March 11 with Pickerill via the Twoo social media website, where he was using the name Paul55StokeOnTrent.

They quickly switched to the encrypted chat app WhatsApp and the decoy - which was really an adult - told Pickerill she was 13.

Pickerill claimed he was younger than he really was, and said he was 55 years old.

When he asked if shed had her first period and she replied yeah, he said she was a young woman now and ready for sex, adding they could keep it a secret and use condoms and the morning-after pill.

Over a spell of nearly three weeks until March 30, cyber creep Pickerill made various sexual suggestions to the fake girl, and sent her pictures of his car and of him with his dog, plus indecent pictures of himself and a video clip of him performing a sex act on himself.

Pickerill, who asked for pictures of the girl and asked her to perform a sex act on herself, also referred to waiting for her grandmother to fall asleep, so he could slip into her bed while she was asleep.

When the "girl" told him she was a child, he retorted you wont be when we have sex, adding dont worry, Ill be gentle.

Net Justice held an intervention and Pickerill was arrested.

He made no comment during his interview with Cheshire police.

Pickerill had three non-relevant convictions for four offences from the 1970s and had never spent time behind bars before being remanded into custody to await sentencing.

Jeremy Rawson, appearing for the defence, pleaded mitigation for his clients prompt guilty pleas, which he said showed remorse, and he referred to the latest court of appeal case law for offences involving decoys, which ruled that sentences should be set to the sentencing starting point for the intended harm then adjusted downwards to reflect that an act did not occur and there was no real child.

He said a pre-sentence report suggested Pickerill could be managed via a non-custodial sentence.

Pickerill, who appeared via videolink from prison, also suffered depression and was hard of hearing, and no longer worked due to a road traffic collision in 2011, Mr Rawson said.

Judge Michael Leeming, presiding, cast doubt on Pickerills supposed remorse, noting how he sought to minimise his behaviour during his pre-sentence report probation interview.

Placing the cyber pervert on the sex offenders register for 10 years alongside a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, the judge said the offences were too serious for a suspended sentence, and sentenced Pickerill to one year and eight months in prison to be served immediately.

Sending him down, Judge Leeming said: You didnt seek to hide the fact you were far older than she was.

You lied about your age, you told her you were 55 - you were 65.

He added: Its clear you sought to minimise your behaviour throughout the probation officers report, telling her you had done nothing wrong and were only conversing through boredom and isolation., and had only pleaded guilty on legal advice.

Pickerill will also have to pay a victim surcharge.

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A couple have been jailed for sexually abusing three young girls after a judge at Chester Crown Court said they had ruined their victims lives.

Judge Steven Everett described John Blake, 61, of Pine Grove in Chester, as an sexual monster with deviant sexual desires, who preyed on three young children. On 16 April 2021, he jailed him for 26 years for 17 counts of sexual abuse.

Blake cannot be considered for parole until he has served at least half of his sentence and must also serve a further two years on extended licence after he has been released.

Judge Everett described his partner, Emmalene Jones, 31, of Crabwell Place in Chester, as truly despicable as he jailed her for two years for two counts of causing a child to take part in a sexual act.

Judge Everett said that although she was under the influence of Blake, that she did her best to encourage the children to take part in the sexual acts.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) successfully applied to the court for restraining orders to prevent both Blake and Jones from ever contacting the victims or their families again.

Both of the defendants have also been placed on the Sexual Offenders Register, Blake for life and Jones for 10 years. Both are barred from ever working with children.

The CPS said that the abuse happened in the Chester and Saltney Ferry areas between 2008 and 2015, when their victims were aged between nine and fifteen. The CPS secured guilty verdicts against both Blake and Jones after a ten-day trial at Chester Crown Court in November 2020.

The victims attended court to read out moving Victim Personal Statements about the impact that the abuse had on them. They all spoke of the long-lasting effects on their relationships and ability to cope. One said that, by saying nothing about the abuse, she had felt that she was keeping her own family safe.

One of the victims said: I know now that for the rest of my life I will never be able to trust males the same and I will always judge them. My mind is broken and the scars run deep and this will forever haunt me and unfortunately the damage is done.All I can try and do now is move on and allow myself to try and live a long and happy life.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Amber Quinn, a specialist lawyer with CPS Mersey-Cheshires Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) unit said: This has been a complex and disturbing case.

There was a lot of extra material in this case that the CPS was required to disclose to the defence and this took a significant amount of time to process. The evidence was also disturbing and shocking at times.

The impact of these crimes is long lasting and the courage and determination of the victims has been remarkable, despite the difficulties that coming forward and speaking about the abuse has caused them.

This determination was shown in their request to attend the sentencing hearing in person to read out their Victim Personal Statements themselves, while John Blake and Emmalene Jones looked on.

This is the work of the CPSs RASSO unit and demonstrates the crucial role both we and the police play in bringing the perpetrators of this dreadful type of offending to justice. The passage of time will not hinder our determination to prosecute.

Description

A mum was sent a video of a paedophile having sex with her daughter after he groomed her over Snapchat.

Matthew Lawton preyed on two teenage girls and lured them with offers of cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis.

The then 29-year-old lied that he was 19 to trick the children, aged 14 and 13, into meeting for consensual sex.

Under UK law - while it is illegal to engage in sexual activity with anyone under 16 - consensual sex is not considered rape if the child is 13 or older.

Lawton pestered the victims to send him intimate photos and filmed the 14-year-old - aka Girl A - having sex with him.

The "monster" used the clip to blackmail her into further abuse - including a rape after he held a knife to her throat - when she tried to stop seeing him.

And he later posted it on a Snapchat account called "slags", leading to the video being sent to the girl's mum.

Lawton, of Milton Road, Widnes, who claimed he thought the girls were 16, was found guilty after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court of 19 sexual offences.

Judge Denis Watson, QC, today said Lawton "corrupted" the girls after he "lied" about his age and "engineered" the abuse.

He said: "You're 30 and you had a girlfriend. What you also had, and still have, I find, is a serious sexual interest in young girls.

"You were regularly in contact with young teenagers on social media including Snapchat and you knew very well that these young teenagers enjoyed attention from you, an older male, even though you didn't give your true age.

"You would typically offer alcohol, or cigarettes, or cannabis, or a combination of them, and that proved sufficient for them to be prepared to meet you and engage in sexual activity, which they wished to keep secret from their parents and their friends."

Judge Watson added: "You were after one thing, sex."

The judge said Lawton abused Girl A over a four or five month period, during which time texts showed he threatened to break windows at her parents' home and to post the video on social media.

Judge Watson said one rape happened after Lawton pressured Girl A to meet him at his house and she made clear she didn't want sex.

He said: "Once you got her to the house you held a knife to her throat and then by strength and threat overcame her resistance and you raped her."

Judge Watson said the girl was "terrified" and while Lawton claimed he was "only messing" and put the knife down, he raped her immediately afterwards.

Another rape happened after he threatened to damage her mum's car unless she met him, so she climbed out her bedroom window.

Having been "coerced" by Lawton, she met him on a sports ground in the early hours of the morning, when he again raped her.

Judge Watson said the threats were "successful", but when she stopped seeing him, Lawton posted the video online.

He said: "She was instantly recognised by those who saw it and the video was even sent to her own mother."

The judge said it was "planned and calculated exploitation" of a vulnerable teen, which involved "controlling her for your own sexual gratification".

Sarah Holt, prosecuting, read a victim statement from Girl A, who was left suffering panic attacks, nightmares and self-harming.

Girl A said: "He's a monster, that's what I call him. He's a monster, what else is he? He controlled me and he made me go against my parents."

The victim said she felt angry and ashamed, blamed herself and saw her parents upset, including her dad, who received texts from people blaming her.

Girl A said: "Whose dad wants to know that this has happened to their little girl?"

She described receiving threats from people saying they would "batter" her because they were mentioned in court and also fears Lawton will return.

Girl A said: "I don't feel safe from him. I feel like the monster has won. I feel like he's taken my life and taken my childhood."

Judge Watson said the offences against Girl B didn't involve rape but involved grooming and soliciting of sexual images.

Girl B told the court she felt like "a prisoner in my own home" because her mum was trying to protect her, leading to arguments.

She felt "constantly anxious", worried he would return, cried uncontrollably and felt like everyone was staring and judging her.

Lawton was convicted of four counts of rape, nine counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming, two counts of sexual communication with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and taking indecent photographs of a child.

He was previously jailed for six years for inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent in 2011.

Paul Becker, defending, said his client was bullied at school, then expelled, but went to college and had a good work record.

He said: "There is evidence without a diagnosis of ADHD and certainly evidence of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation."

Mr Becker said prison staff were concerned about Lawton, who was medicated for depression and had a "fatty liver".

The lawyer said: "His parents were present during the trial and Mr Lawton has family support.

"He's had issues with bereavement, having lost special friends and grandparents over the last few years.

"Some of those bereavement issues remain unresolved - the defendant has not had counselling."

Judge Watson told Lawton: "Your parents have not given up on you."

However, referring to Girl A, he noted "the sinister fact of you picking up a knife and holding it to her neck, immediately prior to the rape" and "a willingness to achieve what you want by the use of blackmail".

Judge Watson said he was a "dangerous offender" and jailed him for 15 years, with an extended four years on licence.

Lawton must serve at least two thirds of the sentence - 10 years - behind bars before he can apply for parole.

He will only be released before the end of the sentence if he is no longer considered a risk.

Lawton must sign the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order indefinitely.

Description

A grandad of 24 offered a '14-year-old boy' a trip to McDonald's in exchange for a seedy hotel stay.

Trevor Griffiths wanted to take a child for a McDonald's and to the cinema and planned on sexually abusing him in a hotel in Belfast.

The 61-year-old started speaking to 'Mark' on Chatiw in 2019 but didn't realise it was actually an undercover police officer.

In sickening messages Griffiths said he wanted to 'kiss and cuddle' the 'schoolboy' before performing sex acts on each other, which he described in graphic detail.

When officers went to his address they discovered his vile collection of child sex abuse images, which included an image of a 12-month-old baby being raped.

Martyn Walsh, prosecuting at Liverpool Crown Court, explained the messages took place between January 10 and January 17, 2019 on platform Chatiw.

Griffiths used the name Tom and began speaking to the undercover officer who "presented as a 14-year-old boy, Mark".

Mr Walsh said: "Mr Griffiths talked of him going to Belfast, taking Mark for a McDonalds, going to the movies and staying in a hotel together."

Griffiths detailed in the disgusting messages how he first wanted to shower with the boy before performing sex acts on each other.

The grandad then told the 'boy' to "tell his mum he was staying with friends".

On January 14 'Mark' asked Griffiths if he had booked flights which he confirmed he had.

Mr Walsh explained how Griffiths detailed that he wanted to "get in bed and have a cuddle".

On January 15, Griffiths said the boy "made him feel good inside and he feels happy and wants to know whether Mark loves him".

Two days later Mr Walsh explained the conversation about flights continued with Griffiths stating what flight his time is due to leave.

Mr Walsh said: "He asks Mark what he'll be wearing, Mark says he'll have his school uniform because he'll have nowhere to get changed."

The court heard on the same day Griffiths blocked the undercover police officer, after which a second officer created an account under the name 'Jess', pretending to be a 17-year-old girl.

Mr Walsh explained Griffiths gave the decoy profile his full name and mobile number.

On April 30, 2019, police attended his address and recovered three mobile phones on which they found a total of 63 indecent images of children including 47 images of child rape.

The court heard he had also failed to comply with notification requirements while he was on bail.

Griffiths has no previous convictions.

Carmel Wilde, defending, explained that Griffiths had pleaded guilty and had expressed "confusion" and "shame" for his behaviour.

Ms Wilde said: "Perhaps the biggest step in offences of this nature is that acceptance there is an attraction to children."

She explained Griffiths is keen to engage with the probation service adding it is "certainly a fall from grace for a 61-year-old man with no previous convictions".

The court heard his marriage had broken down following 25 years together.

Ms Wilde added that Griffiths was "confused about his sexuality" to which the judge commented "he's a little bit old for that" adding "he's got 24 grandchildren".

She added: "He is beginning that process of opening up to professionals. He wants to get his life back on track and receive help from people in that forum."

Ms Wilde added that it was a relatively short period of time during which the messages had been exchanged and explained that no meeting with a real child ever took place.

She said: "He finds himself very suicidal at the moment and suffering from depression."

Ms Wilde explained that there was a "realistic prospect of rehabilitation" and asked the judge to consider the current impact of the pandemic on prisoners.

Griffiths, of Ajax Avenue in Orford, Warrington, admitted attempting to engage in sexual activity with a boy between 13 and 15, failing to comply with notification requirements, possessing indecent images of children, possession of extreme pornography and three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child.

The judge, Recorder Ian Harris, said: "The facts of this case are just... They will appal right thinking members of society.

"The titles of some of those photographs, or descriptions I should say, are just horrific. We're talking babies and seven-year-old children."

The judge added that there were "numerous scraps of paper seized from your address" which has names of other website users including "shockeddad" and "pedomeetwithkids".

The judge said there were no previous convictions adding that some of the offences were aggravated as they were committed whilst on bail "despite attempts to make you comply by police".

Recorder Harries noted that in a pre sentence report Griffiths was described as "predatory" and a "immediate risk of harm to children".

Griffiths was jailed for 20 months and ordered to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.

He must also sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

Description

A man who sexually assaulted two teenage girls and then filmed himself putting his hands around a third girl's throat without her knowledge has been jailed.

Oliver King, prosecuting, told Chester Crown Court, Adam Connolly, 30, of Frederick Street, Widnes, groped the first victim below her top, whilst she slept. However she jumped up and when she asked what he was doing Connolly replied he thought she liked it.

The following year, Connolly covered the face of a second girl and ran his hand over her. Connolly asked if she wanted a cuddle and she said no.

When arrested, he denied assaulting them and claimed his first victim was unreliable and that he inadvertently touched the second girls shoulder.

His phone revealed he had been looking at pictures of his second victim on the day of the assault - but he had also saved pictures of his first victim.

Magistrates' court documents said the offences happened in Runcorn.

The court heard Connolly was also in possession of indecent video of a third girl.

Mr King said the footage showed him placing his hands around her neck and appearing to strangle her

Connolly had two previous convictions for mainly carrying weapons.

In a victim impact statement read out to the court, his first victim said the effects of the assault included loss of sleep and appetite, and diminished relationships.

His second victim said she began to push myself away from people after the assault and had stopped going out as much as she used to.

Her life had changed forever, she said, adding she feels disgusted and angry over what happened.

A statement from his third victim was not provided.

Connollys two younger victims both underwent cross-examination as the cases approached trial before he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and to a third count of making a Category A indecent video of a child.

Jo Maxwell, appearing for the defence, cited Connollys guilty pleas and the principle of totality in mitigation.

She added Connolly had backtracked on his attempts to minimise his offending and perhaps now realises how stupid it sounded when he tried to inform the author of the pre-sentence report that any contact was innocent and accidental.

Miss Maxwell said there was no objection to the terms of the indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order proposed and granted by the court.

Judge Patrick Thompson, presiding in Chester on Friday, made restraining orders in respect of the two younger victims and placed Connolly on the sex offenders register for life.

He imposed consecutive sentences on each offence to reflect separate incidents and the time elapsed between them, with 18 months for each sexual assault and five years for the indecent video, totalling eight years.

Sending the defendant down, Judge Thompson said: It seems to me, having read everything I have about you and the circumstances of these offences, and having seen the victims in counts one and two cross-examined, that you have an unhealthy sexual interest in children and I notice in the pre-sentence report you are assessed as a danger to children under the age of 18.

A victim surcharge was also ordered.

None of the victims can be named for legal reasons.

Cheshire police were unable to provide a mugshot of Connolly in time for publication, five days after the hearing.

Description

A paedophile raped a young boy and offered him 'rewards' like ice cream or 50p to stay silent about the horrifying abuse.

Paul Mannion, 63, of Warrington was sent down for eight years yesterday at Liverpool Crown Court for the campaign of vile abuse, which took place in Widnes in the 1970s.

Mannion had pleaded guilty to eight counts including sexual assault, inciting a child under 13, and one of rape.

The pleas were entered on February 12 when his victim was imminently due to give evidence under cross-examination for the scheduled trial, which was then abandoned.

His victim described certain types of abuse happening regularly and on at least 10 occasions each - all while he was well under the age of 10.

Nicholas Williams, prosecuting, recounted harrowing details of how the teenage Mannion preyed on his young victim over several years, warning him not to tell anyone what was happening because they wouldnt believe him and they would go mad.

He also offered rewards such as 50p or ice cream to seal the boys silence.

Mannion, who abused the child while he himself was a teenager and while he was both under and over the age of 18, instigated the abuse by asking the infant if he wanted to play tiddies.

His victim kept quiet about his ordeal for decades and buried his trauma in drink until he spoke out to police two years ago.

A victim personal statement said he had been afraid as a boy that his friends would laugh at him or avoid him if he divulged being abused.

He said Mannion had "robbed my childhood" and had a "grimy smell as though he hadn't showered" that "will never go away" from his memory.

Describing the trauma, Mr Williams said: He felt like he was a fraud, his life was a big lie - he had his secret.

It made him feel like he wasnt a man - I know I was a child but its been with me since.

He had nightmares.

He couldnt get the smell of the defendant out of his head.

The court heard Mannion was imprisoned in the late 1980s for raping a separate young child, having pleaded guilty.

Jo Maxwell, appearing for the defence, said Mannions guilty pleas meant his victim and other witnesses were spared the ordeal of giving evidence, and she cited the Manning principle of reducing sentences to account for the harsher incarceration conditions during the pandemic.

She added he was in ill health having suffered heart failure, type-2 diabetes, as well as spells of suicidal ideation, and had not committed any offences since the period of abuse decades ago.

Miss Maxwell expressed no objections to the terms of the proposed - and subsequently approved - Sexual Harm Prevention Order on Mannion, which was made to last for life.

She said Mannion had a difficult upbringing and had been "emotionally unstable".

Judge Stuart Driver, QC, presiding, sentenced Mannion to eight years in prison and placed him on the sex offenders register for life.

He said the victim was particularly vulnerable because of his extreme youth.

Sending Mannion down, Judge Driver said: One aggravating feature is the severe ongoing, indeed lifelong impact that your offending had upon your victim.

But that count (of rape) is not an isolated offence, it was the culmination of years of abuse.

The judge also ordered a victim surcharge.

Description

An Ellesmere Port man was jailed after a horrific two-year campaign of abuse against a seven-year-old girl.

The court heard how Stephen Thomas, of Straker Avenue, subjected the seven-year-old girl to abuse between 2016 and 2018.

When police were informed, officers arrested the 29-year-old and seized electronic devices.

After they were examined, it was revealed the devices contained indecent images of children.

Thomas was arrested in relation to this but denied the allegations of abuse to officers.

He pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual touching of a child under the age of 13 and two counts of producing indecent photographs of children, but was convicted after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

He was sentenced to eight and a half years and ordered to sign the sex offenders' register and a sexual harm prevention order, both indefinitely.

Detective Constable Joanna Barclay of Cheshire Police said afterwards: "This case has left the victim and her family distraught and I hope that the sentence will help bring some closure to them.

"Thomas preyed upon a young child for his own sexual gratification and refused to take responsibility for the crimes he committed, making the family have to relive the horrific experience again through a trial."

Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane added: "This is a harrowing case and my thoughts are with the victim and her family.

"I would like to commend the work of the team who worked tirelessly to ensure justice for the girl and her family.

"Support is available to victims of sexual abuse and I would urge anyone who has been subjected to this to please report it to police and seek support and advice."

Description

This is the face of a twisted paedophile who sent child rape videos and animal porn to people across Europe.

Dad-of-three Fartam Bassiri was caught with a vile stash of child and animal abuse images at his family's home.

The married man tried to claim he didn't have a sexual interest in children and shared the sickening files out of "disgust".

One of the three videos of child rape sent by the 46-year-old involved two boys engaged in a sexual act with a donkey.

Meanwhile another video, sent by Bassiri to a doctor in Germany, involved two 12-year-old girls performing sex acts.

Cheshire Police refused to release Bassiri's mugshot and the pervert had his face covered when photographed outside court.

But the ECHO can today picture the sex offender, who was jailed after a judge told him that he didn't believe his excuses.

Liverpool Crown Court heard police found 30 indecent images of children on Bassiri's laptop when they raided his home in Warrington in December 2018.

Mike Stephenson, prosecuting, explained police found 11 Category A images, of which eight were videos, 27 Category B images, of which two were videos, and one Category C image.

Category A is the most serious category showing child rape.

There were also two still images of extreme pornography involving animals and six videos.

Mr Stephenson said: "Some of the images were automatically loaded onto another piece of equipment, there was some element of duplication."

He explained one of the three videos of child rape involved an adult woman and a boy aged between five and seven, in the presence of a child aged between two and three. This was sent to an address in Georgia in October, 2018.

Bassiri sent the video involving the two girls to a doctor in Germany and then in December sent the same recipient the file showing the two boys and the donkey.

Mr Stephenson said: "The Crown's position is he does have a sexual interest in children."

Bassiri, of Keyes Close, Birchwood, who has no previous convictions, admitted three counts of downloading, three counts of distributing and one count of possessing indecent images of children.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing extreme pornographic images.

Jonathan Turner, defending, said Bassiri asserted the images were received "without request" on a group chat from other Iranian nationals.

He said: "He has worked consistently since arriving in the UK, most recently as a driver for a pharmaceutical company."

Mr Turner said Bassiri had been married for 15 years and had three sons, who he provides for financially, as his wife doesn't work.

He said: "He was an asylum seeker, that was his first attempt to remain, he was in danger due to political association. His younger brother has been incarcerated there."

Referring to a pre-sentence report, Mr Turner urged the judge to impose a community penalty and said: "He expresses remorse and shame for offending in that report. There is a low likelihood of reoffending and low risk of sexual offending."

Detailing the vile images, Judge David Swinnerton told Bassiri: "You not only downloaded that but you shared it.

"I don't think you have been entirely frank with your reasons for looking at this. You said you shared them to show disgust and comment at how terrible this is.

"You didn't just post it once. You distributed it on three separate occasions - that is in addition to the 30 images you had downloaded."

Commenting on how Bassiri claimed he shared the files out of disgust, the judge said: "That was not what you were doing here. You know.

"You have expressed some remorse and shame. You know this material, looking at it and in particular sharing it, is deeply wrong and that is why the starting point for sharing is three years."

Judge Swinnerton added: "You are someone with a wife and three children for whom you provide, although at the moment you are not living with them because of this offence.

"I note what is said about the further risk you pose being low but I also note you have not yet been ready to face up to why you were looking at and distributing these images."

Judge Swinnerton added: "Those that distribute Class A images of children can expect to go to prison."

He jailed Bassiri for 20 months and ordered him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

After realising that he had been jailed, Bassiri spoke with the assistance of an interpreter and tried to bargain with Judge Swinnerton.

He said: "I really really don't know this is a crime and I wouldn't know that by sending this to somebody else to show someone disgusting matter is going to cause me this problem."

The judge replied: "You have not yet been ready to face up to why you were looking at and distributing these images."

Cheshire Police declined to release a photograph of Bassiri.

A force spokesman said: "The officers involved in cases consider a range of criteria when it comes to mugshot requests.

"On this occasion it has been decided, after taking everything into account, not to issue a mugshot."

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A predatory rapist who targeted children as young as three was dragged back to court after a new victim came forward.

John Phillips, now 50, was previously locked up for 22 years at Liverpool Crown Court in 2018, after raping and sexually assaulting eight young victims.

But another man, who was repeatedly assaulted and raped by Phillips from the ages of three until around 14, did not feel able to come forward until after that case concluded.

Thanks to the man's bravery, Phillips was re-investigated by Cheshire Police and hit with a new 18 count indictment including nine charges of rape, some of which incorporated multiple incidents.

The paedophile was also charged with one count of attempted rape, six counts of indecent assault, and two of indecency with a child.

He pleaded guilty to all offences.

Judge Rachel Smith, sentencing, said under current legislation several of the indecent assault counts would have been classified as rape of a child - starting from when the victim was just four.

Phillips, who was living in Winsford at the time of his original arrest but who has links with Widnes and Runcorn, appeared via video-link from HMP Parkhurst.

The paedophile sat with his head bowed as the court heard he groomed his victims by showering them with gifts and money, but also used violence and threats to keep them quiet.

The abuse began when the child was three and dominated almost his entire childhood, leaving him isolated and withdrawn.

Judge Smith described how the first rape occurred when Phillips coaxed the boy, then aged nine, into his flat by saying he had bought a present.

However when the child arrived Phillips, who was drunk, told him he could only have it after they "had sex".

The abuse continued for several years and included a rape in an office where Phillips worked.

The court heard as the victim got older, Phillips began offering him money after he raped him, as part of a pattern of grooming.

The abuse eventually ended when Phillips moved on to younger children, who formed part of the 2018 case.

Iain Johnstone, defending, said his client had been abused by his own father when he was child and was "sickened" he had done the same thing.

Mr Johnstone, describing the contents of a letter written by his client, told the court: "Mr Phillips did not have a very good upbringing from a family point of view.

"He says he was subjected to abuse as he was growing up. He says he just wanted to be loved and tried to kill himself so many times, as he didn't feel good enough.

"He says 'I always said I would never turn out like my dad. To be here today charged with what I have been charged with sickens me. I am grateful [the victims] were strong enough to speak out.

"I am so very sorry, I wish it didn't happen, I wish I could turn back time'."

Judge Smith said that although the abuse happened at the same time as some of the victims involved in the 2018 case, she would have passed a harsher sentence had these offences been revealed.

Phillips' sentence was increased by seven years to a total of 29 years - of which Phillips must serve at least two thirds before he can be considered for release by a parole board.

Due to the severity of his crimes even if he serves the full 29 years in prison he will be subject to an extra four years on licence upon his release.

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This is the face of a paedophile who said he repeatedly raped a little girl because he "wanted attention".

Married dad-of-five Lance Buruka, 44, molested a young child before raping her at least seven times.

But when confronted over his sickening abuse, he denied any of the rapes and only admitted lesser offences.

This meant the little girl had to endure the ordeal of giving evidence at a trial.

Buruka, formerly of Heathgate, Skelmersdale, but now of Partridge Close, Birchwood, Warrington, was found guilty of seven counts of rape.

He was jailed for 18 years with an extended year on licence and designated an "offender of particular concern" because of the risk he poses.

The ECHO was unable to show readers his face because Cheshire Police refused to release his mugshot, despite official guidelines stating that it should be provided to the media.

However, these photos reveal the monster who used to run a company called Buruka Event Planning Limited, based in Skelmersdale.

Judge Neil Flewitt, QC, told Buruka: "You sexually attacked her and did so for your own sexual gratification. You told the author of your pre-sentence report that you were feeling lonely and wanted attention.

"She doesn't fully appreciate the scale of your offending. Her mother said that you have taken her innocence. She is likely to be profoundly damaged by what you have done to her."

He added: "You had an understanding of the harm caused and you were only concerned about your own satisfaction."

Buruka was found guilty of the rapes and three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 at a trial at Liverpool Crown Court in August.

He had pleaded guilty to two separate sexual assaults, plus sexual offences that were alternative charges to the rapes.

Owen Edwards, prosecuting, agreed with Judge Flewitt that Buruka would be sentenced for at least seven rapes.

He said: "It's very difficult for a child of that age to say how many times it happened."

The girl's mum told the court that when she learned Buruka had raped her daughter "my whole world fell apart".

In a victim statement, the mother said the child didn't yet seem to understand what had happened to her.

However, she said Buruka had "taken away her innocence" and during the trial she had "cried her eyes out".

The Rwandan and Congolese national has previous convictions, which include an assault against a former partner in 2011.

He also received a suspended jail sentence for a driving offence, committed when he was arrested for these sexual offences.

Katie Laverty, defending, said three character references had been provided for her client by various members of his family.

She said: "Mr Buruka is finally starting to realise the enormity of his actions and the dreadful impact this will have not only on his victim going forwards, but also on his wife and their children."

Ms Laverty said in respect of the offences there was "little else" that could be said in mitigation, but her client had few convictions, this was his first experience of custody, and he apologised for his behaviour.

Judge Flewitt said there was no effective mitigation and by deciding to deny many of the allegations, he made his victim face cross-examination.

He told Buruka: "Your character references are of little value in a case of this gravity. They were probably written by people unaware of your offending."

The judge added that the report found he had "a lack of insight" into his actions and until he took full ownership and addressed his issues, "the risk of further sexual offences remains".

Judge Flewitt said Buruka was an "offender of particular concern" and jailed him for 18 years, with an extended year on licence.

This means he will spend at least half of the sentence - nine years - behind bars, before he is eligible to apply for parole.

He will then only be released before the end of the 18 years if he is no longer considered to be a risk.

Judge Flewitt said Buruka must sign on the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

Both a 2005 protocol, created in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Association of Chief Police Officers, the Attorney General's Office and the media, and a 2017 College of Policing policy, agree a guilty defendant's custody photo may be released - the latter stating "unless there is a court order or legitimate policing purpose preventing their identification".

There was no court order and Cheshire Police has not cited any policing purpose for its refusal.

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A "TRULY disgusting" paedophile from Ellesmere Port who incited three children to engage in sexual activity has been jailed for a total of 23 years.

David McMurtry, 49, of William Johnson Gardens, was found guilty after a trial of 10 charges of child sex offences against three young girls, the youngest of whom being just seven or eight years old at the time of the offences.

McMurtry was also found guilty of possessing 26 indecent images of children. He had earlier pleaded guilty to one charge of possessing 161 prohibited images of children.

Sentencing at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, February 27, Recorder of Chester Judge Steven Everett said the evidence against McMurtry had been "overwhelming" and the jury had "rightly" found him guilty of all charges.

Prosecuting, Nicholas Williams said the offences began more than 10 years ago and occurred over a number of years. In each case, McMurtry had incited the young girls to engage in sexual activity.

Judge Everett agreed those three charges would be the most serious and, after taking into account the principle of totality, would impose consecutive sentences for those three counts.

The three victims none of whom can be identified had each come to court to read out their victim impact statements.

Each of them told of the "devastating impact" McMurtry had had on them, and how they would have nightmares and night terrors in the years following the sex attacks.

Between the three of them, they had suffered depression, anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia and felt like their social lives had been compromised. All spoke how their childhood had been taken away from them because of McMurtry's actions.

One said: "I hate him and I am upset for what he did to me."

The same victim also told how, after she had given her statement to police before the trial, there was an occasion when McMurty sat next to her at Ellesmere Port Market, making her feel very uncomfortable.

Another victim told how McMurty had seen her in the street about a year ago and he was laughing at her.

"I can't put into words how much I hate him; he disgusts me," she told the court.

Judge Everett said to the victims: "There is only one person to blame [for what has happened] and that is him. It's not you. There is nothing that any of the three of you did wrong."

The court heard while McMurtry had no previous convictions, he had taken advantage of three girls who were "extremely vulnerable".

Defending, Simon Mills said the length of the expected prison sentence, and the imposition of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, meant the likelihood of McMurtry committing offences of this nature again was "as close to nil as possible".

He added McMurtry would find prison more difficult than if he was a young, fit and healthy man, and upon his eventual release would find himself in isolated, lonely circumstances.

Mr Mills said of McMurtry's health: "He is sufficiently overweight for his life expectancy to be reduced. He has had major surgery in the past."

Judge Everett, sentencing, told McMurtry his behaviour had been "truly disgusting".

He added: "Your victims had to go through the truly awful process of coming forward and giving evidence in court.

"They were courageous enough to give evidence against you. The one thing they should take from this is they were believed and everybody knows what you did to them when they were three young girls.

"You knew, or believed, that nobody could touch you, because of their sheer vulnerability.

"You showed you have no remorse or understanding of the damage you caused, sitting next to one of them at the market, laughing at another. It just showed you thought you were untouchable.

"The jury rightly saw through that and rightly convicted you of these terrible offences.

"I need to send out a message to you and to others that if they are ever tempted to do something like this, they will go to prison for the same length of time as you.

"I sentence to punish you and to protect the public from the likes of you and to send the message out to the public.

"You heard the victim statements and the devastating effect it has had. One can only hope they will be able to get some closure and get something of a decent life in the future."

McMurtry was jailed for a total of 23 years and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Judge Everett told him: "In my judgment that is the least possible sentence. You will serve at least half that sentence, possibly more."

McMurtry was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order prohibiting from making any sort of contact with the victims or unsupervised contact with any female under the age of 16 except with parental/guardian permission from someone aware of McMurtry's convictions.

The order, among other requirements, prevents McMurtry from owning a device capable of storing images, data encryption software or having access to the internet, except in circumstances which allow police to monitor his usage.

The devices he used to obtain the indecent and/or prohibited images were to be forfeited and destroyed.

McMurtry showed no emotion as he was led to the cells.

Afterwards, Judge Everett told the victims and their families: "Any sentence that I pass here today is not long enough as far as you are concerned. I hope it gives you some sense of closure.

"There is only one person to blame here and that is the person who has gone through the door [to prison]."

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A WEAVERHAM man who repeatedly sexually abused a nine-year-old girl in her own home has been jailed for 12 years.

Philip Railton, 38, of Clitheroe Road, committed his crimes of oral rape and sexual touching in Northwich between November 2014 and August 2015.

It was only two years after the offences took place that the victim described in court as vulnerable wrote a letter to a police officer, which was found in her rucksack.

His Honour Judge Simon Berkson said: This led to the investigation into you being the child abuser you have been found to be.

Throughout the trial you tried to cast her in a bad light. The jury saw through that and found that you lied.

The victims letter said she did not feel safe around Railton, after he had touched her, kissed her, and forced her to perform sexual acts on him.

Her mum found the letter while packing her school bag one morning, handing it over to a social worker before a police officer visited the home.

The police contacted Railton that evening, but did not tell him whom the allegation concerned. Later that night, he called the victims mum from a withheld number something he put down to coincidence.

She said he sounded nervous and confused, and that there was no further contact between them following the brief phone conversation.

From there, an investigation was launched and the victim recounted the abuse in an interview with police officers.

Railton denied the charges, but after a five-day trial a jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on all six counts.

Judge Berkson said: This is a very sad case because of the way you were able to connect to the victim.

On six separate occasions you abused your victim.

The abuse took place in her own home where she should have felt safe. She was under the impression that something bad would happen to her if she told anyone.

Railton will serve half of his 12-year custodial sentence before he is considered for release.

He was also handed a years extended licence, and a restraining order against the family. He will be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Cheshire Polices dedicated rape unit oversaw the investigation into Railton.

DC Mo Deakin, from the unit, said: First and foremost I want to acknowledge the remarkable bravery and courage of the young victim in this case.

"To be subjected to such a horrific experience at such a young age is bad enough, but to then have to re-live it in court is truly awful.

This case has been challenging for all those involved, but especially for the victim and her family.

"I have worked alongside them for the past two years and they have been an immense source of support for each other through a very difficult and trying time.

Philip Railton committed horrendous offences against a young child. He maintained his innocence throughout but thankfully the jury has seen through his lies and convicted him of six sexual offences.

I am pleased that there has been a successful conclusion to this case and a dangerous sexual offender is now behind bars, where he will remain for a very long time.

I hope that this gives other victims in a similar situation the courage to come forward and report what has happened to them.

Cheshires Dedicated Rape Unit has a team of specialist officers committed to dealing with this type of crime, and providing advice and support to victims.

To report any sexual offence call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111