Latest Offenders Cornwall

Description

A sex offender who abused a young boy in Sheffield in the 1980s/1990s has been jailed for over 16 years.

Michael Copeland, aged 74,  groomed the victim over a number of years when he was aged between eight and 12 years old.

The victim, who is now an adult, bravely reported what had happened to him in November 2022. Copeland, who lived in Sheffield at the time of his offending but later moved to Cornwall, was arrested at his home in Truro. Following a thorough investigation, he pleaded guilty to 15 charges of non-recent sexual abuse.  

At Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday (26 September), Copeland was sentenced to 16 years and six months in prison. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Investigating officer Wendy Howe, who led the investigation, said: “The victim in this case showed tremendous courage in coming forward to tell us what happened to him when he was a child. I am pleased Copeland has been handed a significant prison sentence for his vile actions and hope it may help the victim to begin to find closure and move on with the rest of his life.

“As this case demonstrates, it is never too late to report sexual abuse to us, even if it happened many years ago. If you have suffered sexual abuse in the past, please tell us. We will investigate and we will pursue justice on your behalf.”

Description

Nigel Dickens, 69, had images of children as young as four being raped and abused.

Dickens, of New Road in Camborne, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence having pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornography. Prosecuting barrister Ramsay Quaife told the court how in August 2021, acting on information, police executed a search warrant at Dickens' home. They took away with them a laptop and memory stick which were both examined and indecent images found.

The collection assembled between 2017 and 2021 included, on the laptop, 20 Category A images - the most serious kind -, 12 Category B images and nearly 1,400 Category C. Also found were 52 extreme pornography images and on the memory stick a further 175 Category C images. There was also evidence of searches indicative of those seeking child abuse images.

Mr Quaife told the court the images including some featuring "very young children being raped". The youngest victim in the images was four years old. Dickens answered no comment in interview.

Representing Dickens, Robin Smith said that his client pleaded guilty from the beginning and that his arrest was more than two years ago and there was no suggestion of any further offending.

Sitting as judge, Recorder Andrew Oldland, KC, ruled that Dickens' perversions would be best treated in the community rather than in prison where he would receive no intervention during a short sentence. He said: "You are very fortunate not to have gone to prison." Dickens was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years. He must also complete a rehabilitation activity requirement and be subject of a 15 year sexual harm prevention order. Dickens must also pay £500 court costs.

Description

A paedophile has gone to jail for deleting his Snapchat history and sending a picture of his erect penis to someone he thought was an underage girl. Jason Denholm, 51, twice breached a sexual harm prevention order and asked inappropriate questions to the 'child' like whether she was a virgin.

Denholm, of Church Street, Helston, appeared at Truro Crown Court on Thursday (September 7) on one count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

It was heard that on August 3, 2023, he breached the court-imposed order by not retaining the history of internet use by deleting apps RandoChat and Snapchat - which was something he was required to do following September 22, 2020, when the SHPO was made.

On the same day he used a cloud or storage device to store digital images and did not notify police within three days of their creation, another thing he was required to do by the order. Finally he, for the purposes of sexual gratification, intentionally attempted to communicate with profile NEVE on July 12, 2023.

It was heard he did not reasonably believe the 'underage girl' to be over 16 years of age. The communication was also sexual in nature with him asking questions about what the girl (actually a decoy account) was wearing and if she was a virgin.

He then asked if she wanted to see a photo of his penis and sent a photo of an erect penis to her. He pleaded guilty to all counts and was sentenced by Judge Robert Linford to three years imprisonment. A Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) was also made for a period of ten years.

Description

An online groomer has been jailed after being tricked by a paedophile hunter who was posing as a 13-year-old girl.

Gary Lewis was depressed and lonely when he contacted a woman on an adult dating site without realising it was a fake profile which had been set up as a trap. The decoy then told him she was actually only 13 but he carried on the conversation.

Lewis broke off the sex chats for a while but resumed them on his birthday just before Christmas last year because he had received no seasonal greetings and was feeling anxious, depressed and isolated.

He went on to suggest that the decoy, who was using the false identity of a girl called Charlotte, should perform a sex act on herself.

It led to him being confronted in the street by a group of paedophile hunters who spent 40 minutes humiliating him while screening the footage live to their supporters. His ordeal only ended when the police arrived.

Lewis, aged 48, of Manor Road, Camborne, denied attempting to inciting a child to sexual activity and attempted sexual communications with a child but was found guilty by a jury at Truro Crown Court last month.

He was jailed for three years by Judge Simon Carr, sitting at Exeter Crown Court, and ordered to sign on the sex offenders register for life. He was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which will allow the police to monitor his online activity after his release.

The judge told him: “At the time, you were living on your own and I accept you have mental health issues and a diagnosis of an unstable personality disorder, significant depression and a history of self-harm.

“That is the background but it is no excuse for what you did. A significant feature of this case is that the initial contact was through a site which requires users to be adults. You accept that many users use fake biogs and it is difficult to tell which is real.

“You moved the chat to WhatsApp at which point the illusion was gone and although it was an older person masquerading as a child, they made it clear repeatedly that you were communicating with a 13-year-old girl.

“The jury concluded that you could not reasonably have believed they were over 16. You continued over many weeks with numerous communications. I have no doubt you believed she was 13. You are 48 and a man of impeccable character.”

Mr Jason Beal, prosecuting, told the original trial that Lewis had sent messages over a considerable period of time leading up to one in which he invited the decoy Charlotte to touch herself sexually.

Lewis claimed at his trial what he knew he was talking to an adult decoy and went along with the chats in a game of cat and mouse.

Mr Piers Norsworthy, defending, said Lewis was suffering from serious mental health issues at the time and resumed the chats because he was lonely and isolated when he received no birthday of Christmas messages.

He said he had to undergo a gruelling experience at the hands of the paedophile hunting group when they confronted him and effectively detained him and that his ordeal only ended when the police arrived.

Description

A paedophile with a fetish for young girls in school uniform used a website for train enthusiasts to groom a victim before arranging to meet her. David Flavell, 39, travelled from his home in St Austell to Snow Hill train station in Birmingham only to spot the 13-year-old with her mum and police officers.

Flavell, from St Austell, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence via video-link from prison having pleaded guilty to a breach of a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard how Flavell was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order in 2017 after he was jailed for seven years for indecently assaulting two children. Flavell took indecent photographs of the two girls and distributed them on the internet. There were photos of girls in school uniforms in a shower and in a bath and taking part in sexual acts.

Regarding the most recent offence in April and May of last year, prosecuting barrister Victoria Bastock told the court that a moderator for the website Rail Cam UK noticed Flavell, who had been released from prison early on licence, striking up a conversation with a 13-year-old girl in the comments section.

Flavell offered her support when she said she was the victim of bullying, said he'd always be there for her, complimented her looks and personality and said he loved her, referring to her as his little sister. The girl told Flavell her age but he continued to promise to spend money on her. After the moderator shared his concerns and contacted the police Flavell moved the conversation onto another website.

It was at the other website that an arrangement to meet was made and after a first meeting was rescheduled, Flavell travelled from Cornwall to Birmingham only to see the girl with her mum and police.

He tried to escape but Flavell was subsequently arrested and in interview he said that he wasn't prepared to let the girl be bullied and he wanted to meet her to make her realise life could be so much more. Flavell, who was recalled to prison for the previous offence when he was arrested, said he knew what he was doing was wrong but his intentions were good.

Representing Flavell, Philippa Harper said: "He made full and frank admissions and admitted he was in breach of the order. His intentions were good. The majority of the conversations were about trains and no sexual photos were exchanged. He joined the site because of a genuine interest in trains and was not actively seeking out a child to speak to.

"A lot of the conversation was her confiding in him about being bullied. He wants to change and wants to offer his sincere apologies. He has a job lined up with an industrial cleaning company when he is released."

Sentencing, Recorder Mathew Turner noted that Flavell travelled a considerable distance to meet the girl, adding "there is clearly an element of grooming of a vulnerable child."

Recorder Turner said the offence was "a deliberate breach" of the sexual harm prevention order and that Flavell had been released on licence for less than a year at the time. Flavell was jailed for 14 months, but this latest sentence won't affect his recall release date for the original sentence of August next year. 

Description

A sexual predator with a “Jekyll and Hyde personality” used his position as a respected cricket coach to make advances on women, a court has heard.

David Taylor, of Upland Crescent, Truro was before Truro Crown Court this morning (Friday) for sentencing after a jury found him guilty of sexual assaults on three women.

However, this was not the first time that Taylor had been before a court for such offences.

In 2021 he was also convicted of touching a woman and a teenager without consent, but was given a suspended sentence at that time.

Today, however, Judge Simon Carr said that prison was the only option for Taylor, telling the 61-year-old that it was doubtful what good the rehabilitation activities did as: “You show no remorse or understanding of the harm you have inflicted.”

He sentenced Taylor to a total of 21 months in prison, of which he must serve half before being released on licence, as well as sign the sexual offenders’ register.

Judge Carr said that what made the case unusual was that Taylor was a highly respected cricket coach in Cornwall, saying: “One of the striking features of this case was those that were abused, despite that abuse, still spoke highly of you as a coach; of the difference you had made to theirs and others’ careers and the promotion of women’s cricket in Cornwall.

“You clearly have a genuine Jekyll and Hyde personality. On the one side you are a brilliant coach, going out of your way on a voluntary basis to assist people both near and far with their careers.

“On the other hand you are sexual predator, who uses your position within that cricket fraternity to abuse women.”

The judge said he suspected many of Taylor’s family and friends still could not accept what he did, as they had only seen one side of his character, before adding: “But anybody who saw that trial before me and those three young women giving evidence so powerfully and obviously truthfully will have seen another side.

“Each of them, independently, when asked why they didn’t speak at the time, spoke of not just a fear of being believed because of your status but the fact they would lose the one thing they valued most – being able to play cricket without people talking behind their back.

“You used that power to abuse them for your own sexual gratification and amusement.”

The trial had heard evidence of unwanted kissing and sexual touching from Taylor on the women, including while other people were nearby, and Judge Carr said he wanted to remove any idea that the offences could “in some way be described as minor”, adding: “The psychological effect has been significant.”

Earlier the court had heard two victim impact statements read out, one of which said Taylor has still not acknowledged his behaviour or offered any apology.

The other said she felt a range of emotions, from relief and anxiousness to sadness and guilty.

She said that she had felt fortunate to have someone giving quality coaching in a sport she loved, but added: “Though that cannot be taken away, it’s been tarnished at the realisation that it came as a victim of sexual assault.”

The woman said she had felt anxiety each time she went into Truro city centre, in case she saw Taylor, and would not allow herself to be in situations where she was alone with men.

She said it was important to her that sexual assault was given “a larger dialogue” and that she wanted to see measures put in place for people to be able to enjoy sport regardless of their age, gender or ethnicity.

Jason Beal, representing Taylor, said his client “remained in denial about what has happened.”

He pointed to character references during the trial, which included positive things said about him even by witnesses for the prosecution, adding: “He’s a hardworking man, even though there has been a drop in his status in recent years, he’s continued to work hard.”

Description

A paedophile rapist who raped a girl in the back of his delivery van has been given a huge sentence. Steven Bielby, 68, also met the young victim from school to rape and abuse her.

Bielby, of Woodfield Road in Bude, appeared at Truro Crown Court to be sentenced after pleading guilty to four rape charges and indecency with a child, but only after going on the run before entering guilty pleas. Bielby fled Cornwall before he was due to stand trial, but was pinged by an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera near Swindon and brought back to Cornwall when he eventually held his hands up to what he did.

Prosecuting the case, Jason Beal told the court how the offences took place more than 30 years ago. Bielby groomed the young girl by buying her presents and began sexually abusing her from aged 13. Mr Beal explained that Bielby was employed as a fruit and veg driver and would take her on journeys before raping her in the back and dropping her off. She attempted to deter him by saying she was worried somebody would see them but he carried on regardless.

This abuse took place on numerous occasions and Bielby also met the young victim from school to rape and abuse her at other locations. Mr Beal said: "She didn't fight it because it was so routine." He added that he encouraged his victim to shave her public hair and also steal condoms from shops.

In a victim impact statement the victim said she was denied a proper education as a result of the abuse and had few friends. She suffered a breakdown and was put on anti-psychotic medication. Representing Bielby, Rupert Taylor said that his client has health issues, is unwell and doesn't seek to minimise his actions.

Sentencing, Judge Simon Carr said: "This was systematic and long-term rape. You chose to groom and prepare her for the sex acts that followed. She could never protect herself of find anyone to go to protect her. You treated her as something that was disposable."

Addressing Bielby absconding, Judge Carr said it was "simple cowardice" and Bielby couldn't face up to what he had done. Bielby was jailed for 20 years.

Description

A teacher working at a secondary school in Cornwall has been barred from the classroom for life after sexting with young pupils and admitting unacceptable professional conduct. Terry Parsloe, a supply teacher at Poltair School in St Austell, admitted to sharing the sexual texts with kids he knew were aged under 16.

He will never be allowed to teach again in England after he engaged in sexually motivated communications online with at least one pupil under the age of 16 and "showing neither insight or remorse about his action". The 47-year-old was barred from teaching by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) following a hearing on July 10, which heard he admitted to "unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute".

The panel heard that, while employed by supply agency Teaching Personnel between November 27, 2020, and January 18, 2021, he engaged in inappropriate communication online with pupils who informed him that they were under the age of 16 and his conduct was sexually motivated.

The panel's report revealed that on January 19, 2021, the police searched at Mr Parsloe’s home and he attended a voluntary police interview. A second voluntary police interview took place on October 4, 2021. However on July 15 last year, Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that no further action would be taken against Mr Parsloe. That means no criminal charges were brought against him.

The panel found that after Mr Parsloe's phone and other electronic devices were searched by police it became clear that he had known full well that the people he had contacted were under the age of 16 but he continued to have a sexual conversation with them. In one of the message he referred to "looking down a female's top".

David Oatley, from the TRA, who compiled the report into Mr Parsloe's actions and barred him from the teaching profession for life, said: "The panel examined the nature of Mr Parsloe’s communications and the very nature of them was sexual. The panel has seen the report to the Crown Prosecutor which summarises comments made by Mr Parsloe when the police attended his house. Given Mr Parsloe’s admission and the explicit content of the messages, the panel considered that it was more likely than not that Mr Parsloe’s conduct was in pursuit of sexual gratification."

Mr Oatley said the panel was satisfied that the conduct of Mr Parsloe involved breaches of the Teachers’ Standards and that his conduct "fell significantly short of the standard of behaviour expected of a teacher" and amounted to "serious misconduct".

The report adds: "The panel took into account the way the teaching profession is viewed by others, the responsibilities and duties of teachers in relation to the safeguarding and welfare of pupils and considered the influence that teachers may have on pupils, parents and others in the community. The panel also took account of the uniquely influential role that teachers can hold in pupils’ lives and the fact that pupils must be able to view teachers as role models in the way that they behave."

It added: "Members of the teaching profession must maintain an exemplary level of integrity and ethical standards at all times. The panel considered that Mr Parsloe’s online behaviour seriously contravened his safeguarding obligations."

Compounding its findings, the panel found that Mr Parsloe's action were "calculated and motivated". It added: "Mr Parsloe has not provided any statements attesting to his character or ability as a teacher. Mr Parsloe has referred to the situation having caused him stress and anxiety but has expressed no remorse, nor any insight as to the consequences for a child who received messages of the nature Mr Parsloe sent."

As a result of his action, the TRA found that all of the allegations were proven and found that those proven facts amount to "unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute".

The TRA made a recommendation to the secretary of state for education that Mr Parsloe should be the subject of a prohibition order, with no provision for a review period. It means he is now barred from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England. In addition, he will never be allowed to apply to see his eligibility to teach restored.

Mr Parsloe has a right of appeal to the King’s Bench Division of the High Court within 28 days from the date he is given notice of the order.

Description

A paedophile with "an entrenched sexual interest in children that will never go away" is back behind bars for engaging in sex chats with a Filipino child. Franklyn John Williams, 75, also went money to the victim's mum in the Philippines.

Williams, from Penrose Court in Penzance, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child.

Prosecuting the case, Judith Constable told the court how Williams is a known sex offender and was jailed at Truro Crown Court for similar offences back in 2019.

He was released from prison and in January of last year two PCs attended his home to complete a risk assessment. They examined his phone and found a suspicious Facebook Messenger conversation. The girl he was communicating with was nine or ten-years-old and lived in the Philippines.

In the disgusting chats Williams complimented the girl and made lewd comments. Pictures were exchanged and he sent her a topless photo of himself in bed saying that he'd like to kiss her and wished she was there with him. Ms Constable added that Williams is considered a high-risk sex offender.

The court heard how Williams has sent money to the Philippines also also helped pay for a school out there. He sent money to the victim's mum which helped her pay for a washing machine.

Representing Williams, Martin Pearce said: "He has reached a low ebb and is asking for help. He doesn't understand why he commits these offences but he knows they're wrong and he is seeking help for his actions."

Sentencing Williams, Judge Simon Carr outlined the sexualised nature of the conversation and said the reasons were obvious why Williams sent money to Asia. He added: "You have an entrenched sexual interest in children that will never go away."

Judge Carr jailed Williams for 15 months, near to the maximum sentence he could legally pass for such an offence.

Description

A serial sex offender has been sentenced to 34 years in jail after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences.

Danny Owen, 47, of Maddover Crescent, Liskeard. was sentenced to 34 years by Judge Robert Linford for offences against women and girls over a 20-year period.

The sentence comes following a 17-day trial in February 2023 where the jury found Owen guilty of 24 offences against four victims. He was found not guilty of five offences against a further two victims.

Owen was sentenced to a custodial sentence of 28 years with an additional six years on licence.

The court heard accounts of how Owen would inappropriately touch some of the young victims and tell them it was normal. Owen’s behaviour escalated to rape in some of the cases after forcing himself on the victims, he told them not to tell anyone what had happened. The victims were aged between five and early teens when the offending occurred.

The controlling and abusive behaviour was sustained over months and even years in some cases.

Owen continually denied the allegations in interviews and told officers he didn’t know why the victims would make such claims against him.

Praising the victims for coming forward and telling their stories, Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Amy Wooldridge, and Former Detective Sgt Tim Wright, said: “We are delighted with the sentence passed by the court today following a four-year investigation into offences committed between 1990 and 2011.

“We hope this outcome will bring comfort and closure to the brave women who not only reported what happened to them but supported a long-running and complex investigation. I admire the strength of these women who stood up in court and faced him, in order to tell their stories.

“We would like to thank everyone who supported this investigation and allowed us to achieve the outcome that all those who suffered from his sexual attacks deserve.”

The officers continued: “I hope the outcome secured from this case serves as a reassurance to others who may have been sexually abused that we will investigate thoroughly and do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

Description

A well-respected teacher and pillar of his local community has been unmasked as a predatory paedophile whose abuse devastated the lives of two boys.

David Williams, now 83, used his position and standing to groom and sexually abuse the victims hundreds of times over the course of a decade.

Williams, of Widemouth Road in Bude, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence having pleaded guilty to a catalogue of charges of indecent assault and gross indecency with a child which took place in the 1980s. Prosecuting the case, Lee Bremridge told the court how such was Williams’ trust and respect in the community, both of the victims would stay over at his house with their parents’ blessing, as Williams had befriended them.

Williams groomed the victims by creating a fun environment where they were able to talk openly, play games, play the piano and stay up later than they would be able to at home. Williams would cook them pancakes and they would go to the beach to collect pebbles.

However, when they went to bed Williams would sexually abuse the two young boys, before waking up in the morning and often going to church while they waited in his bed just a short walk away until they were picked up. One of the victims, or as Judge Simon Carr referred to them as survivors, was just six when Williams first sexually abused him.

The first complainant said that he was at first too young to realise what was happening and that the abuse was, to him, so regular it was "completely normal". The court then heard two incredibly moving victim impact statements. The first complainant spoke of how his life has been a cycle of vulnerability, anger and suicidal thoughts.

He said: “Nowhere is safe and there are triggers everywhere. I’m not even safe when I close my eyes and try to sleep and memories keep coming back and taunting me. The abuse had a huge effect on my relationships with friends and family and my ability to cope with work.”

The man said that he blames the establishment for Williams being a teacher in a position of trust. The abuse left him no longer wanting to go to school and the complainant described how he’d make himself sick or cover his face with talcum powder so he looked ill so he didn’t have to go and face Williams.

He went on to state how he lived a lonely life, with two failed marriages, as he pushed away anyone who tried to get close. He spoke of being physically sick when seeing Williams in a pub. He added: “There is nothing historic about historic sexual abuse.”

The second survivor addressed Williams directly in the dock. Speaking to Williams, he said: “David Williams, or as I used to call you Uncle David by the sea. At first I was too young to know what you were doing or why. I was too young to know you were grooming me. You were already a widely respected teacher at Budehaven School.

“I don’t know how many times you abused me. There were simply too many. It started while I was at primary school and ended 10 years later. The effects have been destructive and long-lasting. Years after the physical abuse finished the emotional abuse continues and lives with me to this day.

“When I stayed with you we’d play the piano and you’d tell me about your travels around the world. As a child it was fun, exciting, different. You knew that and created that environment deliberately. I trusted you completely and you were my friend, or at least that is what I thought. You knew exactly what you were doing.”

The man told the court how Williams told him that he had exposed himself to Williams, a lie to make the victim think he started what was the sexual behaviour.

He added: “After you’d finished you pat my bottom and say well done or thank you. You then went to St Michael’s Church and everyone else would see the other side of you. They didn’t know a child had just been sexually abused in your bed just a minute away. At church you were a friend and at home you were a paedophile.

“Outside this courtroom you are well-known, popular and with friends all over the world. You had the trust and friendship of everyone I knew. My parents didn’t know it but you were manipulating them too.”

The man went on to reveal how Williams continued to send his parents postcards and Christmas cards right up to the start of pandemic. One such postcard outlined how busy Williams was with various trips, saying that his life was never dull.

He said: “Your behaviour was predatory and prolific and you kept it hidden for decades. You convinced and fooled everyone but not anymore. Your past has finally caught up with you.”

Representing Williams, Ramsay Quaife said his best mitigation was his early pleas and his poor health. He went on to note Williams’ previous good character before being interrupted by Judge Carr who said Williams’ life was a fraud from the beginning.

Sentencing Williams, Judge Carr said: “You were a teacher at what was then Bude Grammar School. I have read a significant number of references that paint a picture of one side of your life. That side was that you were a well-respected and loved teacher who attended church and sang in the choir. You were the epitome of a pillar of the community.

“But at the same time you were singing in the choir you were abusing children as young as six. The abuse was possible because of your position in society. You encouraged children to come to your house. They described it as a fun place to go. Games were played, rules were relaxed and children were allowed to stay overnight. You did this entirely to groom them.

“We’ve heard two extremely moving victim impact statements. Both knew your standing and who would be believed if they spoke out. That’s why you were able to get away with the abuse for so long. The abuse was systematic and sustained and went on for over a decade with abuse taking place on at least hundreds of occasions.

“These were both young men – I will call them survivors – who have struggled with what you have done. You are a predatory paedophile who groomed young children over a prolonged period of time for your own sexual gratification.

“You still believe in some way the children were responsible. A graphic example is how you reacted to one of the most moving victim impact statements. You found room to laugh and shake your head and when he spoke of a period of time when he wrongly blamed himself you nodded your head vigorously indicating you felt the child was responsible for the abuse you carried out.

“This had a devastating effect on both victims and I suspect you are wholly indifferent.”

Judge Carr noted Williams’ age and his bad health but said his previous good character means nothing. Williams was jailed for 16 years of which he must serve two thirds. He gestured goodbye to his supporters as he left the dock.

Description

A young man has narrowly avoided a prison sentence after offering a girl a place to stay after a night out in Falmouth before going on to grope her while she was asleep. Finian McCormick, 27, then sent the girl messages the next day saying that nothing had happened.

McCormick, of Bar Road in Falmouth, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence having pleaded guilty to sexual assault by touching.

Prosecuting the case, Jason Beal described how McCormick and the victim had been on a night out in December of last year. They visited Beer Wolf and then left the last pub between midnight and 1am.

The victim was feeling very sick and when they got to McCormicks flat he gave her a pair of shorts and a blanket so she could take off her jeans and get into bed. She kept the top half of her clothing on and wrapped herself up in the blanket. Mr Beal told the court that the victim then drifted off and woke to find McCormicks hand down her shorts and pants.

He was stroking her vagina and she could feel his erect penis behind her. Mr Beal said: At first she lay in a frozen state. She then got out of bed and put on her jeans. The defendant asked if she was okay and she began screaming at him. She picked up her belongings and ran off.

She then received a number of messages on Facebook Messenger telling her nothing happened and checking she was okay. There were further messages saying he thought she said yes (to sexual contact). McCormick went on to tell police that he believed she consented.

Defending, Rupert Taylor described McCormick as industrious and as someone who has started his own company. He said: There are a raft of references on his behalf. This was poor behaviour on just one occasion which is regrettable. It has led to shame not just for him but for his family. Every other aspect of his life was on track and he understands hes at fault.

Sentencing McCormick, Judge Simon Carr said the circumstances of the offence were truly appalling. He reiterated that the victim was so drunk she was physically sick and agreed to stay at McCormicks flat as she trusted him.

Judge Carr said: This is something shell have to carry for the rest of her life. On the other side of the equation you are 27 and of previous good character. Ive read references from your friends and previous partners.

In the vast majority of these cases defendants plead not guilty but you have showed courage by pleaded guilty and that allows me to pass a sentence quite different and take a truly exceptional course.

McCormick was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He must also complete 250 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement. McCormick must now sign the sex offenders register and a restraining order was put in place.

Description

A Cornwall man offered a teenage girl a place to stay after a night out before going on to sexually assault her as she slept. David Waters’ terrified victim was so scared she was going to be raped she pretended to be asleep.

Waters, 28, of Illogan near Redruth, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence having pleaded guilty to sexual assault. Prosecuting the case, Rachel Drake described how on the night in question Waters and the victim had been out socialising together.

The victim had no way of getting home so Waters offered her a lift with his uncle who agreed to take her as far as Waters’ house. Ms Drake said: “An arrangement was made she’d sleep in his bed and he’d sleep somewhere else but he got into bed with her. She drifted off to sleep but was awoken at 5am to the sensation of him touching her.”

Ms Drake described how Waters touched the victim’s stomach, breast and privates and forcibly tried to remove her shorts and underwear. She could feel his privates against her and Waters went on to pleasure himself while touching her.

Ms Drake added: “She feigned being asleep because she was frightened she may have been raped. Once he [finished] she remembers him picking up his iPad and scrolling on it.”

The next day there were messages between the two. Waters asked the victim out, she declined and challenged him about what happened to which he replied he had no recollection. Following an examination Waters’ semen was found on her clothes.

In a moving victim impact statement, the victim spoke of how the ordeal has left her struggling with self-harm, depression and suicidal thoughts. She takes medication but still suffers panic attacks.

Representing Waters, Robin Smith said: “Here we have an absolutely terrified first time defendant. From his first interview he was utterly aghast about his behaviour and his regret and sympathy is genuine. He has vastly reduced his alcohol intake and social activity and given up work as a labourer.”

Sentencing Waters, Recorder Andrew Oldland, QC, said: “Your victim was aged just 19 and on that night you were out for a drink together. You offered her a place to stay and went to your home address. She got into bed fully clothed. You were supposed to sleep in a separate bed but at 5am she woke to find you sexually assaulting her.

“She was scared and feigned sleep throughout whereas you would have remembered full well what was going on.” Recorder Oldland described the devastating effect on the victim, but noted Waters’ lack of previous convictions, his work ethic and his remorse, as well as the time since the offence. Waters was given a 10-month sentence, suspended for two years.

He must complete a sex offenders’ programme and sign the register. He also has to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £750 in court costs.

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A man has been found guilty of raping a woman, beating her and forcing her into prostitution for his own gain. Nathan Husband denied all five charges for which he stood trial this week at Truro Crown Court.

Today (Friday, July 1) a jury threw out his claim that he was not, in his words, "a sadistic rapist who prostitutes someone for a drug habit I don't have", and found him guilty of all counts. He will be sentenced in August and has been told to prepare for jail time.

Earlier in the trial this week, prosecution counsel Rachel Drake told the jury how Husband, 32, had coerced the female victim into selling herself into prostitution for his own gain, raped her and repeatedly attacked and controlled her. The jury were told that he used the proceedings from the prostitution to feed his drug habits.

Ms Drake said: Nathan Husband controlled her in a number of ways. Mr Husband told her where to sit and if she moved without permission hed assault her. The defendant made her sit in a cupboard for over an hour and a half while he was doing a drugs transaction and then smoking drugs.

As well as this, an account from the victim mentioned several incidents where Husband had physically assaulted her to the point where she thought she might die. Husband conceded there had been an incident where some "pushing" and "shoving" occurred, but categorically denied forced prostitution, rape, and the assaults themselves - claiming the victim had struck him first.

While evidence was summarised by judge Anna Richardson, Husband could be seen in the dock, smirking, tutting and shaking his head at the specifics of the case. The jury deliberated for just short of two hours. They unanimously found Husband guilty on all counts.

The defendant remains on remand until August 30, when he will be sentenced by judge Richardson. If Husband is handed an immediate prison sentence, as is expected, it will not be the first time the serial menace and woman beater has spent behind bars.

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A magician faces many years behind bars after being convicted of raping and sexually abusing a young girl when he was a teenager. Jacob Blow, 31, is in poor health and currently undergoing dialysis treatment but was convicted by a jury of a total of four charges after a trial that lasted weeks.

Blow, from Threemilestone near Truro, has been on trial at Truro Crown Court charged with four counts of rape, attempted rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault. Cornwall Live reported last week how following a lengthy period of jury deliberation he was found guilty of two rapes and sexual assault. Blow was found not guilty of two further rapes.

Due to legal strikes and Blows dialysis treatment, the jury had to wait a week to reconvene and continue deliberations on the two outstanding counts, before this afternoon (Thursday June 30), convicting the defendant of the remaining charges of assault by penetration and attempted rape.

Blow, who was in some discomfort at the verdicts were read out, had his sentencing set for a date in August. Debating whether or not to bail Blow until then or immediately remand him into custody, Judge Anna Richardson said that although Blow has known since the first guilty verdicts a week ago that he faces jail, he still turned up as instructed today. She added that there are no grounds to believe he wont turn up for sentencing or that he will offend again given how long it is since his offending and that it relates to a single victim.

The first rape involved Blow kissing the complainant, pulling down her under garments, touching her sexually and then raping her.

Prosecutor Bathsheba Cassel said: She went on to tell the police the rapes were frequent and she would be raped once or twice a week.

The jury was told that the complainant first contacted police more than a decade ago, but the victim found herself unable to pursue the allegation and broke down on the way to the police station.

Blow was said to have initially tried to deny any wrongdoing before breaking down and admitting to his dad and police what he had done. However, he then denied the allegations saying he lied when initially speaking to the police because he thought if he agreed with what was being claimed that would be it and he could carry on doing magic.

Ms Cassel said: The impact on the complainant has been great. In 2019, she felt able to find strength and re-engage with the police and complete a video interview.

Ms Cassel said the attempted rape related to the defendant unsuccessfully trying to have anal sex with the girl.