Latest Offenders Cornwall

Description

A young woman has told of the devastating effect on her life of being sexually abused by a predator as a vulnerable 14-year-old.

James Betts, 23, targeted the victim and had sex with her when he was 18 and she was just 14. He also filmed part of the ordeal and showed it boastfully to his friends.

Betts, formerly of Bude but whose address was recently given as Pool, had been on trial this week and was eventually convicted by a majority jury of two counts of penetrative sex with a girl under 16, taking an indecent photo of a child and showing an indecent photo of a child.

Betts returned to Truro Crown Court on Friday (October 22) when a victim impact statement was read to the court.

The victim in the case described how she suffers extreme anxiety and has in the past self-harmed and tried to take her own life.

She said: The trauma never ends. Hes lived his life as I plod through each day as a young girl who cant live my best life.

Representing Betts, Piers Norsworthy said: He is a different man to the one who committed these offences. He hit rock bottom, was homeless and taking illegal drugs. Since then he has built himself back up and combatted his addiction and gained employment.

Mr Norsworthy added that the sex act video was never found and was not widely distributed.

Sentencing Betts, Judge Simon Carr said: The victim was just 14 when you met her and the offences occurred. She was obviously vulnerable and in the care system. She had to find new friends and was introduced to you and others.

She was keen to be accepted and you knew she was 14 because she told you. Yet you pursued her knowing you were four years older and sex was illegal.

You bought her gifts and tobacco and took her to the cinema. Texts show you flirting with her.

Knowing her age and vulnerability you pursued her for sexual purposes and had full intercourse with her. You also had her perform oral sex and filmed the act on your phone.

You did it to relive the moment and boast and showed the footage to people known to her.

Judge Carr also noted how indecent images of children were found on Betts phone.

He was jailed for four and a half years and must sign the sex offenders register for life.

Description

A paedophile groomed and sexually abused a teenage girl after giving her a burner phone to keep the relationship secret from her family.

Andrew Opie, now 31, was 28 when he had sex with the then 14-year-old girl.

Opie, of Pool but previously of Falmouth, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence having pleaded guilty to two sexual activity with a child charges. Proceedings in the case had been significantly delayed after Opie repeatedly told the court he might have Covid, causing adjournments.

Prosecuting the case, Heather Hope described how in late 2018 the victim met Opie through a mutual friend. She believed they were in a relationship together and to ensure the relationship was not discovered Opie gave her a phone specifically for communication between them.

She had never had sex before but following a short period of grooming Opie had sex with her and did so again on another occasion.

Due to concerns over Opies involvement with young girls, police served a number of abduction notices, one of which was handed to the victims family after Opie and the victim were spotted in a park together.

They had also noticed her underwear hadnt been in for a wash and that she had received a Valentines Day card from Opie and it was then they spoke with her and she revealed what had happened.

Opie at first denied the relationship with the girl and then tried to blame someone else.

Representing Opie, Deni Matthews said: Although delayed he did enter a guilty plea and now accepts responsibility. The penny has finally dropped. He has a job in prison and wants to take the Horizons course to address his offending.

Sentencing Opie, Judge Simon Carr said: At aged 28 you formed a relationship with a 14-year-old girl. You met through friends and it is clear you groomed her saying she was special and you wanted a relationship.

You knew from the beginning what you were doing was wrong and provided her with a burner phone. The relationship became sexual relatively quickly.

Her family became concerned and what allowed her to break free was that her parents were told youd been served with an eighth abduction order, such was the concern about you and young girls.

Judge Carr said Opie presents a likely lifelong threat to children.

He was given an extended sentence of 10 years - six years custodial and four years extended licence. He was put on the sex offenders register for life and made subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

Description

Such were the concerns over Brian Rowe that he was made subject of a sexual risk order before he was even prosecuted for any crime

A steam engine enthusiast groomed two sisters at a rally before going on to abuse them.

Brian Rowe, 54, kissed the girls and touched private parts.

Rowe, of Ruthernbridge near Bodmin, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence having pleaded guilty to breach of a sexual risk order, sexual assault of a girl under 13 and sexual activity with a child.

Prosecuting the case, Emily Pitts described how in December 2015 Rowe was made subject of a sexual risk order given concerns over his behaviour despite there not being enough evidence to criminally prosecute him.

One of the prohibitions was that he wasnt to have contact with a child under 16 unless the childs parents knew of the order.

Ms Pitts went on to state how steam engine enthusiast Rowe attended a rally in August 2019 where he spent time with the family who had no idea about the order.

Over the course of the rally Rowe kissed one of the girls on the lips and a few days later got her on her own when he proceeded to put his tongue in her mouth and touch her privates. He was only stopped when the sister came to the van.

Regarding the other victim, Rowe touched the girls breast and around her vagina.

The offences came to light when the sisters between them wrote out a note.

Representing Rowe, Emily Cook said: He has worked hard all his life in farming and factory work. He is deeply shamed and doesnt know why he behaved the way he did. He wants help and to change his behaviour.

Ms Cook continued that Rowe would be better rehabilitated in the community.

Sentencing Rowe, Judge Robert Linford said the offences were extremely serious, but a short prison sentence would give the prison service a short time to address the behaviour. He added that the community would be best served with him receiving treatment to address his offending.

Rowe was given a three year community order and made subject of a sexual harm prevention order. He must also complete the relevant rehabilitation treatment programme.

Judge Linford warned Rowe any breached would result in a 27 month prison sentence.

Description

A paedophile who sent a fake account naked pictures of himself has been jailed.

Darryl Jenkins aged 39 from Mevagissey appeared at Truro Crown Court today (July 20).

Jenkins pleaded guilty to attempting sexual communication with a child and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

Prosecuting, Daniel Pawson-Pounds, said the defendant believed he was communicating with a real child.

However, he was actually speaking to a fake account named set up by an online child protection group called the Guardian Angels.

He explained Jenkins first met the 'girl' on the dating website Mingle2.

She informed the defendant that she was 14-years-old and he told her he was 37.

Jenkins then asked to continue their conversation on WhatsApp and asked for her telephone number.

Mr Pawson-Pounds said: "For the first few days of a 13-day period, there was what can be described as classic grooming activity, building up the confidence of the person he believed to be the child, asking about her daily events and the like."

However, he said: "At a certain stage in three or four days from the start of those chats, the communications became increasingly sexualised and he told her he would like to date her and repeatedly asked for a selfie photograph and said he liked cute little teens."

Mr Pawson-Pounds said he then sent photographs of himself naked, although his penis was covered with bedding.

He then asked the 'girl' to send him photographs of herself in her pyjamas and sent a photograph of his erect penis to her.

He made repeated requests for her to engage with him on video chat, which she rebuffed.

Mr Pawson-Pounds said Jenkins then told her he was aroused and wanted her to give him a 'helping hand'.

When she asked what he meant, he gave graphic details about what he wanted her to do to him.

He sent her videos of woman performing oral sex on men, Mr Pawson-Pounds said Jenkins did this 'in a way of teaching her'.

Jenkins also tried to incite the 'girl' to masturbate and tell him about what she was doing.

The court heard how he repeatedly asked her to keep their conversations secret and on one occasion instructed her to delete the messages and images he sent her.

He also invited her to come to his house and sleep with him and said she could tell her mum she was staying at a friend's house.

Mr Pawson-Pounds said Jenkins grew suspicious that she may be a decoy, but despite her refusal to engage in video chats or send any videos, it didn't "dampen his enthusiasm".

Instead he invited her to have a shower with him and said he wanted her to be his girlfriend.

The court heard how the defendant was arrested at his home in Mevagissey after the paedophile hunters appeared at his door.

Defending, Jon Holmes, said the case had been waiting 20 months to come to court.

He said: "His (Jenkin's) life has not been, and some may say it shouldn't be, but it hasn't been easy in that time because of what's happened as a result of the paedophile hunters and what's happened in his community."

Mr Holmes said Jenkins has been 'locked down' during lockdown and dare not go outside.

He said: "It's been punishment for him already, in no way does he want me to put anything forward that mitigates his behaviour."

He added: "He's a man who has a family, you'll note he has two small children.

"His ex partner is aware of the situation, he only sees them on a supervised basis."

He said that will continue despite what's happened.

Mr Holmes said: "He appreciates he's very fortunate and others may not have done that."

Judge Simon Carr, said to Jenkins: "You've pleaded guilty I accept at the first possible opportunity to attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to incite a child to commit sexual acts.

"You made contact with her online, from the very beginning she indicated and did so on repeated occasions that she was 14-years-old.

"You not only accepted that but referred to it in the exchanges I've seen.

"You have your true age at the time of 37, an age gap of 23 years.

"Initially there was some classic grooming where you showed interest in her life, what she was doing and the problems she faced.

"But over a very short period of time that became sexualised.

"Although the period of time in which you were in communication with the person you thought was 14-years-old was relatively short, the level of communication was high.

"You were asking her to send naked pictures and sexualised pictures of herself to you.

"You're sending naked pictures of yourself to her , you sent her adult pornography being a particularly aggravating feature, you said to teach her how to perform sexual acts when you met.

"You were telling her not to tell anyone what was happening and to delete the images that had been sent.

"You repeatedly incited her to masturbate herself.

"It only stopped because those responsible for setting up the false site attended your address and the police were called.

"There was no indication it would have stopped but for that intervention."

Judge Carr said Jenkins was previously a man of "good character" and he admitted the offences from the beginning which he will receive credit for.

He also said that a mental health treatment report indicated that Jenkins suffers from severe depression, anxiety and psychological distress.

However, he noted that the report was based on a "self-reporting exercise" and despite him believing it to be true, it does not mitigate the offences.

Judge Carr sentenced Jenkins to two and a half years in prison, and said the offences were so serious a suspended sentence would not be appropriate.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) was made to restrict Jenkins access to children and the internet.

Description

Michael Roberts - previously known as Brooke-Feather - was back in court for offences committed when he was a teenager

A paedophile who has admitted that hell have a lifelong attraction to children has been sentenced for touching a young girl when he was a teenager.

Michael Roberts, formerly known as Michael Brooke-Feather, 38, was jailed in 2017 for a sickening collection of child abuse images that included babies being raped, hung upside down and burnt with a blow torch.

Roberts, of Mevagissey, has since been released from prison but was back in the dock at Truro Crown Court to be sentenced after being found guilty after a trial of the indecent assault of a girl under 14.

After hearing all the evidence the jury ruled that when he was aged between 15 and 17 in the 1990s Roberts touched the girl on numerous occasions by running his hand up and down her leg.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Simon Carr commented how Roberts admits having a sexual interest in children since he was a teenager, to which his barrister Emily Cook replied: Its not going to go away, its how it's best managed.

Ms Cook told the court that the best way to manage Roberts is by punishing him in the community and making him take rehabilitation courses that he hadnt previously been eligible for.

The offence was said to have blighted the victims life for many years with her only finding the courage to report it many years later.

Roberts, Ms Cook added, now has an address, work and the support of his parents.

Sentencing Roberts, Judge Carr said: The abuse happened on at least three occasions. You put your hand on her leg and moved it up and down. She was terrified and it took her a long time to process the abuse that happened to her.

No doubt this had a devastating psychological impact and that will be lifelong.

You were 15 to 17 but this isnt teen curiosity getting out of hand, it was the first step in your offending against children. You are now 38 and the reality is you will never change and will pose a threat to children until your death. Its how it is managed.

In 2012 you were convicted of sexual assault against a child. An aggravating feature was that you filmed yourself doing it so you could replay it again and again for sexual gratification.

You were sent to prison and given a sexual harm prevention order. You twice breached it and received sentences.

In 2017 you were found with indecent images of children including images of the most serious level and sent back to prison.

After some serious consideration of the guidelines and how Roberts would have been sentenced at the time of the offences, Judge Carr gave Roberts a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years. He must complete the horizons programme to address his perversions and a rehabilitation activity requirement.

Roberts was also made subject of a 12-month GPS tracking system allowing the authorities to know where he is, every minute of every day.

Description

A sex pest has been jailed for the terrifying stalking of his neighbour which culminated in him masturbating in front of her whilst wearing a pair of goggles.

Clifford Morgan, 33, frequently stared at his petrified neighbour, sometimes doing so wearing Star Wars or Halloween masks.

Morgan, of Penzance, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence having pleaded guilty to stalking.

Prosecuting the case, Tom Bradnock, described how Morgan and the victim in the case had been living next door, on and off, for 10 years.

By 2019 the victim was living with her partner and four children and at that stage hadnt had any problems with Morgan, just finding him a little odd.

The two properties were separated by a chain link fence between their gardens but by May 2019 there began a concerning sequence of events.

Mr Bradnock said: Mr Morgan began to stare at her either openly, through an open back door or on occasions from behind towels hanging on the washing line.

This culminated in an incident when the victim was in her garden at 9:15pm and saw the defendant staring at her. She went inside to get away but returned to the garden to fetch her dog.

Mr Morgan was holding his door open and then stepped forward staring at her and mouthed the words either f*ck me, lick me or rape me. She cant be 100% sure which but was scared and insulted so went inside and read the police.

The victim then went inside and called the police. The matter was investigated but not taken further due to a lack of evidence.

The victim and her partner then erected a six foot fence between the properties so they couldnt see Morgan and things quietened down for several months.

However, in January 2020 the victim on various occasions saw Morgan in his garden either staring or walking around holding tools such as knives, pliers or hammers.

Mr Bradnock added: On January 30 the victim was walking to the shop with her youngest son. This took her past Mr Morgans front window and as she approached his net curtains moved back. He put his face to the window and seemed to be screaming and frothing at the mouth, deranged.

On the following day she and her partner left their house and the defendant was stood on his front doorstep staring.

She dropped her partner to work and returned and got out the car with her two-year-old son.

She noticed Mr Morgan in his doorway, wearing goggles. When he saw she noticed him he exposed his erect penis and masturbated whilst staring straight at her.

That evening the victim again noticed Morgan staring at her through a gap in the fence, this time wearing a Star Wars or Halloween mask.

When police attended Morgans property they found a baseball bat, a hammer, knives, a number of masks, goggles and a balaclava.

A victim impact statement summarised to the court described how the victim felt violated, anxious and that Morgans behaviour made her skin crawl. She has since had to move house.

In mitigation, the court was told that Morgan, who has previous for sexual offending, is a paranoid schizophrenic who poses no threat when medicated. His offending was attributed to his decline in mental health.

Sentencing, Judge Robert Linford said: The victim in this case was terrified in her own home and scared to leave in case she encountered you.

Your behaviour caused her extreme anxiety. She was terrified to the extent that she had to leave.

This was an extremely serious pattern of offending over a period of time.

You suffer from paranoid schizophrenia and when you take medication are able to operate in a reasonable way in the community. The most appropriate way to deal with you is by a hospital order.

Morgan will now be transferred from prison to hospital to be treated.

A 25-year restraining order protecting the victim and her partner was also put in place.

Description

The 68-year-old from Pendarves Street in Tuckingmill, Camborne, was sentenced to nine years in prison at Truro Crown Court on Friday, November 6.

It was after he was guilty of multiple counts of indecent assault and gross indecency with a child, in a number of historic offences.

Description

An ingrained paedophile paid a Filipino woman 40 to film her young daughter in the shower and also directed two teens having sex over the internet.

Daniel Benton, 34, also sexually touched a young girl, including once at a funeral and had a sick catalogue of indecent images.

Benton, from Coronation Place in Helston, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence for two sexual assaults of a child, two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act, three counts of causing a child to engage in a sexual act, three charges of making indecent images of a child and possession of extreme pornography.

In total Benton was found to have accessed 65 Category A indecent images, 71 Category B indecent images and 515 Category C images.

Perhaps even more chillingly Benton admitted to paying a Filipino mum 40 to film her child aged around 10 in the shower and send it to him over the internet.

Warped Benton also was found to have directed two teenagers having sex.

Regarding the offences against the girl aged younger than 10, Benton touched her on the bottom and breast and showed her pornography. He also got her to put his hand in his pocket where there was a hole, her hand touching his erect penis.

Disgusting Benton sent pictures of the underage girl to another paedophile over the internet, something Judge Robert Linford would later touch on in his sentencing remarks commenting that learning this must have been an indigestible bombshell for her family.

Representing Benton, Rupert Taylor told the court how Bentons wife still stands by him in the belief he is capable of change.

Mr Taylor referenced the other side of Bentons character, a hardworking man but someone who was in a state of turmoil.

Benton was said to be candid in interview and continued to work hard right up until his trial. He also paid for treatment to address his perversions out of his own pocket.

Sentencing Benton, Judge Linford referred to the victim of the contact offending, saying: You effectively took away her childhood and her innocence.

Regarding the other matters, Judge Linford described how the indecent image collection showed girls as young as two or three being penetrated.

He added: You paid a Filipino woman to allow you to view her daughter in the shower washing her naked body. You paid 40 for this truly shocking behaviour.

Judge Linford called Benton an ingrained paedophile and jailed him for seven years and eight months.

Description

A Royal Navy lieutenant who over a number of years assembled a sickening child abuse collection of children as young as two being abused has been told by a judge that hes part of the monster.

James Smith, 35, was caught with thousands of horrific pictures on his device, his crimes coming to light after Devon and Cornwall Police received a tip off from their colleagues in Western Australia.

Smartly dressed Smith, from Perranwell Station near Truro , appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence after previously admitting three charges of making indecent images of children, offences that spanned categories A, B and C.

Prosecuting the case, Sally Daulton said: The offences were detected by police working on an international investigation in Western Australia. The defendant engaged in chat on a channel hosted by two individuals arrested on suspicion of child sex offences.

It became apparent the defendant was engaged in conversations under the name Little Kiddy Slut and Devon and Cornwall Police officers attended his home on July 17 2018. When they arrived the defendant told them yes I know what youre here for and Im quite relieved actually.

Smith's iPhone was seized and he told officers theyd find indecent images on a laptop in his officers mess.

In total police found 36 Category A images and four videos, 48 Category B images and 3,125 Category C images, a collection formed over the best part of a decade.

His laptop showed history of access to websites containing indecent images of children and internet searches indicative of such an interest.

Smith answered no comment in his first police interview but in a second grilling his solicitor read a prepared statement in which he admitted to having the material and an interest in predominantly Class C images.

Smith added that he was relieved when police attended so hed receive the help he needed and that he posed no threat of contact offending.

Representing Smith, Nicholas Wragg described how his client had been candid from the beginning and that a lot of the images were downloaded in a compressed file and that he would then go through and delete anything showing actual sexual contact.

He suggested that Smith had no interest in physical contact with children, a suggestion Judge Simon Carr described as absurd.

Mr Wragg said: Hes been through a difficult time and his family (Smith has two children) have also suffered.

He is a lieutenant in the Royal Navy and his career is now in serious jeopardy. He is a high performer, extremely diligent and has addressed his behaviour with one to one sessions he has funded privately.

He has an incredibly supportive family and is an honourable and disciplined man. There is no doubt he would abide by any order.

Sentencing Smith, Judge Carr said: Its clear you have an entrenched sexual interest in children and I doubt it will disappear in your life.

I accept you have sought treatment and showed remorse but you need to be under no illusions that as we sit here tens of hundreds of children are being raped for the entertainment of people like you.

Children as young as two are being raped and will probably be raped throughout their childhood. This wouldnt happen if it wasnt for the interest of people like you. A significant number of children are raped for internet material and you are part of this monster.

On the other hand you have had a successful career in the Royal Navy and the fact you have tried to address your problem allows me to suspend what would otherwise by an immediate custodial sentence.

Smith was given an eight month suspended sentence and must complete a 30 day rehabilitation activity requirement. He was also made subject of a five year sexual harm prevention order.

Description

Released and is now living in a bail hostel in Camborne.

A man who sexually molested an eight-year-old girl while her younger brother lay asleep next to them has been jailed for five years.

Paul Curnow, 47, of Penzance appeared at Truro Crown Court for trial on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 facing two charges sexually touching and sexual activity with a child who was under the age of 13.

After deliberating for just 37 minutes, a jury of 12 found him guilty of both offences.

Opening the trial, prosecutor Nigel Wraith told the jury how the incident happened on a single night in September 2018 in the Penzance area.

The court was told that when the boy had fallen asleep, Curnow gave the girl a hug. He kissed [the girl] on the forehead before going across and down to her lips.

He then pulled her pants down and touched her vagina, and then licked his fingers and did it again. He took his shorts off and had nothing on underneath. He took her hand and placed it on his penis.

Nothing was said between Curnow and the young victim. He then told her not to do it again, which she found confusing as nothing had been instigated by her.

He then repeated the actions

The events stayed with her and she started telling people in November 2018

The girl told someone she trusted about the incident, who in turn told the girls mother.

The girl was interviewed by police in early December 2018, and two weeks later the defendant was interviewed.

Curnow had denied the abuse, but the jury saw through his lies and found him guilty on both charges

Judge Simon Carr jailed Curnow for five years.

He must also sign the sex offenders register for life, and has been made subject to a ten-year sexual harm prevention order.

Description

Marcus McPherson, still only 21, targeted young girls online and violently sexually assaulted two of his victims after eventually persuading them to meet.

McPherson, of Dunveth Road in Wadebridge , appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence after admitting sexual assault, assault by penetration, distributing an indecent image of a child, three counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming, engaging in sexual communication with a child and two breaches of a sexual risk order.

Moving onto the offences against the first victim, Mr Lee described how she met the defendant in 2015 when she was 14 and he was 17.

Mr Lee described “persistent and demanding messages” in which he requested sexual chat and photos and also sent pictures of his penis to the girl.

In November 2015 she went to meet a friend at a bus stop in Lanivet and agreed the defendant could come along. When they were alone McPherson pushed the girl back and tried to unbutton her trousers and zip.

He then held her head with one hand and continued trying to undress her with the other, saying it was ‘what happened to people who said no’.

The second victim, of a similar age to the first, was again bombarded with sexual messages by McPherson and eventually agreed to meet him in Par in 2017.

He took a train there and they went to the skate park and then into the woods to take shelter from rain.

When there he put her arms around her so she couldn’t move and his hand inside her top, touching her breasts.

He then put his hand inside her underwear and abused her in such a way she was left in pain. When she told McPherson to back off he still persisted saying ‘let me do it, it’ll feel really nice’.

Chillingly, Mr Lee said after the ordeal McPherson continued to message her and blackmailed her into sending him a naked photograph, warning if she didn’t he’d tell everyone what happened. The girl sent him the picture but he then distributed it to others leading to her receiving comments and abuse.

While the investigation was progressing McPherson was made subject of a sexual risk order which he repeatedly breached by being found with social media apps on his phone. One breach was reported by a girl he knew from school who he contacted and in turn told police as she was aware of his situation.

The girls McPherson physically abused were said to have suffered physically and emotionally as a result of his offending, going on to have problems with their education and with self-harm.

Judge Carr sentenced McPherson to an extended sentence of 14 years, nine years custodial and five on licence. He will only be eligible for parole after two thirds of the custodial element.

Description

A paedophile from Penzance confessed to police that he had been "at it again" after they seized his laptop and phone.

Jason Barnes, 29, of Nicholas Parc, was imprisoned for breaching a suspended sentence imposed in October 2016 for making indecent images of children. He committed similar offences less than a year later.

Prosecutor Philip Lee spoke at Truro Crown Court about how police attended Barnes' home in August 2017 and seized a laptop and phone. When the devices were seized, Barnes told police: "I've been silly, I've been at it again." The devices were found to have more than 500 indecent photographs of children on them: 27 photographs of the most serious category A, 19 of category B and 500 of category C. Another phone was seized in August 2018, and he was also found to have made 20 indecent images of children and to have distributed three.

His internet search history contained phrases such as: "teen 12-18" and "hot boy 14".

He was sentenced to eight months imprisonment suspended for two years in October 2016 for previous offences involving making indecent images of children. At the time, he was ordered to undertake a rehabilitation programme for internet sexual offenders.

It took the probation service until November 2017 to make his first appointment, by which time he had already reoffended.

His defence solicitor Brian Fitzherbert argued that this delay was reason enough for Barnes' sentence to be reduced.

He said: "The reason for imposing the internet sex offenders programme is this: For Mr Barnes it had become something of an addiction. He was a man badly in need of the very effective assistance that programme can provide.

"At that stage he had not had a single appointment. It's something that hadn't happened. The first letter for the programme went out in 2017."

He went on to say: "Mr Barnes is now doing much better. He tells me that the programme was extremely useful, that it's helped him to understand the reason why this insidious material became such a large part of his life."

Mr Fitzherbert also mentioned that Barnes had been accessing help from sex offender charity Circles, and asked for credit for his client's early guilty plea.

Sentencing him at Truro Crown Court today, judge Robert Linford said: "On the 21st of October 2016 you were made the subject of a suspended sentence in respect of the making of a number of indecent images of children.

"That order had coupled with it the requirement to attend a sexual internet offenders programme. It is not acceptable that you were not made an appointment for over a year.

"The judge expects his order to be swiftly complied with, not left for over a year. I expect a written explanation from the probation service.

"While you had the deterrent of a suspended sentence, you did not have access to that programme to help with what your defence has called an addiction.

"A few months after the sentence was made you were downloading images, distributing them. You did not need a court to tell you that what you were doing was wrong, seriously wrong.

"I have seen the descriptions of the videos that you distributed. They are all illegal for you to possess, for you to watch, for you to make, certainly for you to distribute."

Judge Linford went on to say: "You are now taking steps to address what your defence has called an addiction. You have pleaded guilty as early as you could. I propose to activate on some part the suspended sentence."

For three charges relating to the possession, distribution and making of indecent images of children, Barnes pleaded guilty, and judge Linford sentenced him to a total of eighteen months imprisonment, of which he must serve at least half.

Description

He was found guilty of 37 charges and handed a long prison sentence at Truro Crown Court

An opportunist sex offender who subjected a young girl to a campaign of rape and sexual abuse has been told he may never be released.

Scott Glover, 43, from the Camborne area, has been jailed for more than 20 years after being found guilty of a total of 37 charges relating to a single victim, a girl under 16.

The indictment levelled against Glover originally consisted of 10 sexual assaults, 12 counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, six rapes and nine instances of sexual activity with a child.

Glover, who worked in a garage in Helston, denied all the charges, saying they were utterly false.

Glovers trial underway at Truro Crown Court last week, and a jury returned its verdicts on Tuesday (December 13) after six and a half hours of deliberation.

The jury convicted him of 37 of the 38 counts. He was found not guilty of one of the rape charges.

Opening the case last week, Sean Brunton, QC, said the victim on occasions considered killing herself because of the secret she was keeping.

The girl eventually confided in her friend and then went to her schools student liaison officer before the allegations were passed to the police.

Mr Brunton added: She was confused, dazed and described what had happened to her as surreal.

During sentencing, the court heard how the abuse against the victim was long-term and systematic.

Glover made the child wear "sexy underwear" and use a vibrator for his own sexual gratification, as well as showing her adult pornography.

This escalated to sexual assault and rape. During the rapes Glover would sometimes, but not always, wear a condom and the victim first took the contraceptive pill aged 13.

In mitigation, Glover's barrister Heather Hope said his actions will also have severe consequences on his own family.

There is very little I can say," she told the judge. "Mr Glover has been a man who has worked hard and in all other respects has been a family man and provided for his family.

There are many victims in this case. He was the only person in his family earning money, his wife does not work, and there is not going to be money to pay for the mortgage or a car. The financial cushion the family had is gone. His family are to be financially vulnerable.

That is not to take away the effect on her (the victim) and Mr Glover is aware of the contents of the victim impact statements. There are good qualities Mr Glover has, though that doesnt minimise what has happened.

Prior to sentencing Mrs Hope pleaded with Judge Simon Carr to sentence Glover in the new year so he could spend "one last Christmas" with his family. But the request was denied.

"He has shown not a shred of remorse," Judge Carr said.

Sentencing Glover to 22 years in prison, plus an additional year on licence, Judge Carr said: You have been found guilty by a jury of long term and systematic abuse. She (the victim) described you as an opportunist paedophile and that is precisely what you are.

As she got older she felt more able to speak out. Her interview was striking not just because of the detail but the length of it, in fact she spoke for almost two hours, to unburden herself of what you had done.

Her life has been devastated, she will carry the effects of what you did for the rest of her life. You have shown not one iota of remorse for what you did, which was purely for your own gratification.

Glover showed no emotion throughout sentencing.

He must sign the sex offenders register for life and will not be eligible for parole until he has served at least two thirds of his sentence.

But I find it difficult to ever envisage a time when it will be safe for you to be released," Judge Carr added.

An NSPCC spokeswoman for the South West of England said: Glover brazenly pursued and groomed a young girl over many years to fulfil his own perverted sexual desires.

As a survivor of sexual abuse this girl has courageously spoken out about what was happening, which has prevented her abuser from inflicting harm on other children.

She has shown extreme bravery in doing so, and its important she is provided with the necessary support going forward.

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A 32-year-old man will face trial after denying a string of offences including imprisoning, beating and sexually assaulting a woman.

Nicholas Phillip Scott Harford, of Polmear Hill, Par, appeared at Truro Crown Court on Tuesday (November 27) for a plea hearing.

He denied five charges against him.

The offences relate to an alleged incident in St Austell on November 7.

The first charge alleges that Harford assaulted and unlawfully and injuriously imprisoned the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and detained her against her will.

Two further charges relate to assault by beating and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The fourth charge alleges that Harford sexually assaulted the same woman.

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A courageous woman who was subjected to a torrent of sickening sexual abuse between the ages of 7 and 15 at the hands of a former Army corporal has spoken of the torment of having to carry a secret that ate away at her for decades.

Spontaneous applause broke out around courtroom one at Truro Crown Court on Wednesday (March 14) after Judge Robert Linford jailed Kosovan war veteran Martin Rowe for 11 years.

The sentence will begin to run once the peadophile completes an existing eight-year sentenced handed to him at Swindon Crown Court for abusing a seven-year-old girl and taking pictures of the acts on his mobile phone.

The Truro courtroom was packed with the victims friends and family and she has since welcomed the sentence, saying it allowed her to finally open a new chapter in her life.

Rowe, formerly of Bodmin, previous admitting charges of rape, three indecent assaults and indecent activity with a child in the 1980s and 1990s.

The victim, who is guaranteed anonymity by law, said: I feel relieved I no longer have to carry this secret. This is 100% a new chapter for me and I can move forward and never have to face him again. For the last 20 years I would never know when he would come home (from overseas) and pretend to be my friend to everyone else.

I carried my secret and buried it to the core. It affects your whole life. It is hard and I convinced myself that I never would get justice.

Today was a massive day for me. I can now more forward and know its not eating away at my anymore. I feel a totally different person.

She said she learned to adopt a "hard exterior" and caught Rowe looking at her out of the corner of his eye during the hearing before he quickly looked away.

She added: I had to find the inner strength or else I wouldnt be here today. He abused me for nine years and in my adult life I started drinking heavily. Then I vowed that he took my childhood away so I had to deal with it so he wouldnt take any more of my life away.

Im hoping others will now come forward, not just with him but anyone who has been in that situation. These sick men need locking up.

During the sentencing hearing prosecutor Heather Hope told the court the chilling details of Rowes crimes.

She described how the abuse started when Rowe, now 45, was 14 or 15 and continued over an extended period of time.

Miss Hope explained how on one occasion Rowe put his hand in her underwear and touched her vagina.

Miss Hope said: It amounted to grooming behavior and he manipulated her making her think that she was special, saying that if she was to say anything she wouldnt be believed. She became introverted and shy as a result of the abuse.

The victim is said to have frozen when the defendant approached her and tried to have sex with her.

When he was 16 Rowe joined the Army, giving the defendant temporary respite, but he returned following training, telling her that he loved her and wanted to have sex with her.

The most serious count admitted by Rowe was a rape when he was in his twenties and the defendant was a underage, Miss Hope saying he coerced her into sex as she lay there rigid hating every minute.

Rowe told the girl the sexual activity must remain a secret. Further sexual activity included when he made her masturbate him and perform oral sex on him.

It wasnt until many years later, when the victim found out he was being prosecuted for other sex crimes against children, that she went to the police.

Defending Rowe, Deni Matthews, said he entered his guilty plea at the earliest opportunity, preventing the victim from having to give evidence, and that he was a teenager when the abuse started.

Mr Matthews said: For 24 years her served with distinction and was a corporal when he left the Army. These crimes have cost him his relationship with his natural children and his wife.

Heavy drinking is a backdrop in his life and he has been struck low and taken to the bottom by his offending. He understands what he did.

Sentencing Rowe, Judge Linford said: You groomed, manipulated and told the victim that she was special and that if she ever said anything she wouldnt be believed.

When you joined the Army she got some respite but when you returned you raped her and coerced her into sex even though it wasnt what she wanted. You told her you loved her and that you wanted to marry her.

You have a highly relevant conviction which proves this was not an isolated set of offending and you have demonstrated that you had and still have deviant peadophile tendencies.

You have now lost everything and cut a sad and isolated figure. None of your family want anything to do with you.

The victim personal statement describes how the victim went from being a happy, confident girl to someone who suffers flashbacks and has had problems forming happy relationships and trusting men. She says you stole her innocence.

The victims family and friends applauded Judge Linfords lengthy sentence before embracing tearfully outside the courtroom.