Latest Offenders Durham

Description

A man who was fixated on harrowing baby and toddler sexual abuse has today been jailed.

Ryan Lee Rowland Smith, 23, from Stockton has been convicted of nine offences, including three counts of distributing indecent images of children, three counts of making indecent images of children, possessing a paedophile manual and possessing extreme pornography- including bestiality, possessing prohibited images of a child.

Today, Monday 18th August, Smith was sentenced to four years in prison plus four years on extended licence. He has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and has been made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years, meaning he will be managed by Cleveland's specially trained Management of Sexual or Violent Offenders Officers.

Over 4,000 child abuse images and videos were discovered on his mobile phones which included 13.5 hours of video time, eight hours of which were category A, the worst grade of footage.

Leading investigator, Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) Constable Barnes, said:

“I have managed sex offenders and investigated sexual offences for over 10 years and Ryan Smith is, by far, the worst offender I have dealt with in relation to this type of crime. Every minute of footage on his phone showed a baby or child suffering extreme abuse.

“The horrific content he was accessing, and sharing, was very specific and mainly involved babies and toddlers. The content was so harrowing, our team went as far as to warn defence to be cautious as this is some of the most horrific content we have been exposed to.

“Smith was accessing this content, in the main depicting pain and suffering, for his own satisfaction and nothing more. Smith's offending is abhorrent; in my eyes, he has committed the most horrendous crimes imaginable.

“When our team arrested Smith in October 2024 it was 6:30am and he had already been on his device accessing vile content. Since then, officers from the team have gone above and beyond to gather evidence against Smith. At times it was extremely difficult for the team, as they had to view everything which Smith accessed; the tenacity and expertise of the team as a whole secured the convictions against Smith.

“Smith has shown no shame or remorse for the crimes he has committed, even answering ‘no comment’ when interviewed, for this, he deserves to spend a long time behind bars where he cannot cause further harm.”

Description

A child sexual predator has been jailed – despite his efforts to evade being caught.

Barry Williams, 60, is now behind bars after engaging in inappropriate communications with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl.

The sentencing follows a complex police operation by officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU).

In February 2024, Williams was speaking to the ‘child’ online and persisted to send her explicit messages and requests for indecent images and videos.

However, Williams was actually speaking to a police officer who was quickly closing in through their investigation.

Officers witnessed Williams attempt to evade being caught by changing platforms and creating new profiles to try and hide his true identity.

Police seized and searched Williams electronic devices where they found truly horrific Category A, B and C indecent images and videos – with hundreds of child victims featured.

As a final step to manage the impending outcome, Williams legally tried to change his name to Colin Brown before charges were filed however, police acted quickly, and he was subsequently charged with Attempt to Engage in Sexual Communication with a Child, Attempt to Cause/Incite a Child to Engage in Sexual Activity, three counts of Possess Indecent Images of Children, Possess Prohibited Images of a Child and Possess Extreme Pornographic Images. 

Williams, of Ferryhill, appeared at Durham Crown Court on July 7, where he pleaded guilty to all charges.

Today (August 8), he appeared before the same court and was sentenced to 18 months in prison and a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Adam Abram, said:

“Williams made his vile desires very clear and despite the fact he tried to evade capture and tried to dodge the full consequences by changing his name, the overwhelming evidence collated by officers secured this sentence and ensured a dangerous predator is off the streets.

“Under Operation Sentinel, our regional approach to tacking serious and organised crime, we will continue to investigate these online offences to safeguard children and protect the public.

“We would urge anyone who has been a victim of this type of offending, or has concerns about someone’s behaviour, to come forward and talk to police.”

Description

A high-risk child sex offender was back in court after breaching the terms of a court order designed to address their deviant behaviour.

Zoe Spooks Hardy, who was arrested and charged under the name Luke Hardy, used a number of aliases for online accounts including dating and gaming apps.

The 24-year-old was made subject of a sexual harm prevention order in October 2022 for a five-year period after being sentenced for three counts of making indecent images of children, including eight of the most serious kind.

Saba Shan, prosecuting, said the defendant was arrested after police were tipped-off about their online activity and officers seized a mobile phone.

She said: “The officers identified that the defendant had been using three different alias names on a dating site, including the alias name ZHSpooks2k.

“Secondly, there was an email account registered under a female name. Finally, on the Clash of Clans online game, the defendant was using the alias name of ZoeH1337.”

Ms Shan said the defendant admitted using all three aliases when interviewed by police.

The court heard how the defendant has three previous offences for making indecent images of children and additional breaches of the SHPO.

Hardy breached that order in 2023 by deleting the internet history on their phone, including erasing dating apps from the handset.

Later in the same year, they were given a suspended sentence for a further breach of the SHPO after they downloaded Grindr, Kik, Growlr and Tinder.

Hardy, of Yarm Lane, Stockton, pleaded guilty to three breaches of their SHPO following their arrest last month in Bishop Auckland.

Judge Richard Clews jailed Hardy for eight months for breaching the SHPOs and an extra month when he activated part of previous suspended sentences.

He told the defendant: “It is appropriate to describe the breaches of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order as persistent and deliberate.”

Description

A sex offender who filmed women using a public toilet is facing a lengthy prison sentence over his repeated "bizarre and troubling" voyeuristic activities.

Kurtis Mawson, now 24, was given a 25-month prison sentence at Durham Crown Court on March 1, last year, for offences committed in 2022 and 2023.

These included performing a sex act on himself in public while standing behind a female tourist taking a photo of Durham Cathedral and covertly filming women using a public toilet next to The Odeon Cinema in the city.

He was back before the court yesterday (Tuesday July 22) after admitting a further charge of voyeurism, in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which was put in place at the previous sentencing hearing, designed to help to curb his activities.

The new offences followed his arrest for again using a mobile phone to film people in female public toilets in Durham, on Saturday June 21, this year, during the licence period of the last sentence.

At the outset of what was to have been Mawson's latest sentencing hearing at the court, Robert Mochrie, representing the defendant, requested an update to a previous psychiatric report.

Mr Mochrie said the outcome may have an impact on the sentence passed on the defendant.

"His offending is so bizarre and troubling and a view has been taken that somebody needs to take a look at this."

Recorder Bryan Cox KC agreed to the request and said: "On the face of it, he's looking at a substantial custodial sentence."

Addressing Mawson, formerly of Willington, but appearing by video link to court from Holme House Prison, near Stockton, Recorder Cox told him: "I'm going to adjourn your case until September so that you can see a psychiatrist who will update a previous report on you.

"Co-operate with that psychiatrist in the preparation of that report.

"We'll see you back at this court for sentence on September 5 and, in the meantime, you will remain in custody."

Description

A County Durham sex offender who threatened his victim and other witnesses with violence has been jailed for 13 years.

Ian Maughan deliberately drew out proceedings in the case, even remaining silent when the charges were initially put to him, at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court in March last year.

But following a series of hearings since, including an aborted trial in late July last year, he finally admitted all seven counts he was facing, the final five after the start of his rearranged trial at the court last month.

The 65-year-old defendant, formerly of Consett, appeared back before the court on Friday (July 18) by video link from Durham Prison, for his sentencing hearing.

He was facing sentence for sexual assaults, threatening a person with an offensive weapon, possessing an offensive weapon, a baseball bat, stalking involving serious alarm and making threats to kill.

The court was read statements by two of his victims who outlined the deep psychological effect his offending has had on them, one of whom has been undergoing counselling for the last 18 months and still suffers nightmares.

She said the defendant told her no-one would believe her and she felt like he was transferring the blame to her.

Jennifer Coxon, for Maughan, said there had been no previous pattern of sexually obsessive behaviour by the defendant.

She said while he does have past convictions, the last was in 2001 and he has never previously been in custody.

Miss Coxon said the offences took place after the death of the defendant's wife and following another family bereavement.

"He's realistic and understands he will receive a lengthy custodial sentence.

"But it's identified that his behaviour was extremely out of character for him."

Miss Coxon said at the time he committed the offences he was suffering with a fluctuating adjustment disorder and depressive symptoms accounting for some of his erratic behaviour.

"He doesn't put that forward as an excuse.

"He's well aware of his behaviour and how awful it would have been at the time," added Miss Coxon.

Judge Jo Kidd said he was responsible for "horrible offences" against his victims.

"You are a deeply manipulative and controlling individual," she told him.

She said he made repeated threats to try to exert control over his victims, who have been left seriously affected psychologically by his offending.

The judge imposed sentences totalling 13 years of which the defendant must serve at least two-thirds, eight years and eight months, behind bars.

When he is released he will also be subject of licence supervision for the remainder of the 13 years.

He will also be subject to notification as a sex offender for life.

Restraining orders, also for life, prohibit him from ever approaching or trying to contact his victims.

Description

An officer has praised the courage of three victims who bravely came forward to report non-recent abuse as two men have today been jailed.

In November 2022, police received a report from a man about how he had been sexually assaulted more than 30 years ago when he was a child.

Two more victims came forward to report non-recent abuse and an investigation was subsequently launched by Stockton CID.

Colin Smith, now 75, was soon arrested and charged with buggery and three counts of indecent assault in relation to all three victims. Kevin Danks, now 61, was also arrested and charged with indecent assault against one of the victims.

They appeared in court and pleaded guilty to the offences during the start of their trial.

On Friday 18th July, Smith and Danks appeared at Teesside Crown Court for sentencing. Smith was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison whilst Danks was sentenced to 5 years and six months in prison.

Investigating officer, DC Rusby said:

“Despite the passage of time, justice has caught up with Smith and Danks who both face long prison sentences thanks to the courage and bravery of the victims.

“Whilst no prison sentence can ever undo the pain and trauma inflicted on the victims, I hope it will go some way to help them gain closure and move forward with their lives.

“For those who believe they can prey on vulnerable children, I want to make it clear that we will relentlessly pursue you and you will be brought before the courts.

“I hope this sentencing reassures anyone who has suffered abuse, no matter how long ago it may have happened, that we will do all we can to bring offenders to justice.”

Description

Pair who raped and sexually abused children jailed for almost 30 years.

“Speak to police – you will be believed, and it will be investigated. It doesn’t matter if it was four years or 40 years ago, just say something and get the justice you deserve.”

These are the words of a rape survivor who this week saw her abusers jailed for almost 30 years.

The woman was in primary school in the 1980s when she was raped and sexually assaulted by Neil Willis and Anthony Douglas.

The pair also sexually abused a boy, while Willis also assaulted two other young children.

The two rapists were living in Peterlee, County Durham, at the time of the abuse, with Willis, formerly known as Neil Blenkinsop, aged between 14 and 17, and Douglas aged 19 to 20.

Their offending came to light when one of the boys – who is now an adult – told police what happened to him in 2019.

An investigation was launched by Durham Constabulary, which led to three further survivors coming forward and disclosing that they too had been abused, and the pair were charged with a multitude of sexual offences.

Willis, aged 57, admitted some charges and was found guilty of others, including rape, indecent assault, buggery, and gross indecency with a child following a two-and-a-half-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court earlier this year.

Douglas denied all offences, but the 58-year-old was found guilty of several counts of rape, indecent assault, and gross indecency with a child.

The pair appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday (July 14) for sentencing; Willis, of Ealing, in London, was jailed for 13 years, while Douglas, of Hartlepool, was jailed for 16 years with a one-year extended licence.

They were also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

In a powerful victim impact statement that was read out in court, one of the survivors said the pair had destroyed her life.

Description

A County Durham paedophile "haunted” the lives of two girls after carrying out sickening abuse.

Despite his continued denials, Ian Tate was convicted of five offences against the girls, one under 16 and the other under 13, following a trial at Durham Crown Court earlier this year.

The 48-year-old defendant of Hopper Terrace, Trimdon Grange, denied the offences, of either engaging in sexual activity with a child or causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Despite his claims that the victims were both lying, the trial jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts to all five counts.

At a sentencing hearing on Friday (July 4) the court heard impact statements read by both victims.

One said she suffered flashbacks and recalled the defendant telling her no-one would believe her if she reported his actions.

She said it made her feel physically sick just to hear his name, even if it was said in reference to someone else.

The abuse has caused her to suffer depression and anxiety and has led her to self-harm.

Tate’s other victim said he left her, “a scared little girl” feeling that she could tell no-one what had taken place.

She said it led her into substance misuse to, “take away the pain” inflicted on her by the defendant.

Dan Cordey, representing Tate, said he was limited in what he could say on the defendant’s behalf due to his continued denials.

Mr Cordey said other than two ageing motoring offences Tate had a previous clean record and, since his conviction, has experienced his first taste of custody.

He said the defendant has suffered mental health issues in recent years, exacerbated by his excess alcohol intake.

Judge Nathan Adams said despite his continued claims of innocence and lack of remorse, the offences, “clearly took place”.

He said both victims have been “haunted” by his actions.

Judge Adams imposed consecutive sentences of nine and six years, totalling 15 years, on Tate, who he classed as, “an offender of concern”.

He said Tate must serve at least half of the nine-year term behind bars and two-thirds of the six-year sentence, giving a minimum of eight-and-a-half years.

Depending on the view of the Parole Board, however, he may remain locked up for ten years and six months.

On conclusion of the sentence, the defendant will be subject of a one-year licence extension.

Judge Adams made Tate subject to lifetime registration as a sex offender.

He will also be subject of restraining orders relating to each of the victims and to the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), both for 20 years.

Tate was told he will almost certainly be prohibited from ever working with children and young people, but that would be a matter for the barring service.

Description

A rapist who put his hand over an 18-year-old woman's mouth to silence her pleas for him to stop has been jailed for three years.

Thomas English, from Darlington, was 20 when he ignored his victim repeatedly saying "no" part-way through consensual sex, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The offending emerged when English contacted police to say someone was demanding £500 from him or he would be reported for sexual assault.

English, now 24, initially denied rape but changed his plea to guilty on the second day of his trial.

The encounter in 2022 began as consensual but English refused to stop when the woman told him to, prosecutor Rebecca Brown said.

Instead, he placed his hand over her mouth and began getting rougher and more "forceful" before she was finally able to push him away, the court heard.

'Worried sick'

Several weeks later he received a message from a third party demanding he pay £500 or be reported to police, Ms Brown said.

English contacted police to report the message but officers also asked about the alleged sexual assault, which led them to interview the victim.

Messages were also found on English's phone in which he claimed he had "got lost in the moment" and did not hear the woman, to which she replied that was nonsense and she had told him to stop four times.

English also said he had been "worried sick" ever since and, when he looked in the mirror, all he could see was a rapist because that was what he had done to the woman, the court heard.

There was also a message in which English said he "felt awful" and "couldn't have been more apologetic".

'Rape is rape'

In a statement read to the court, the woman said the rape had "tainted" her view of intimacy forever and her later teenage years had been ruined by English.

She said she found peace knowing he could not hurt her or any other woman again.

In mitigation, the court heard it was "consensual sex gone too far" and English, of Bushel Hill Drive, was "bitterly ashamed" for his "vile" actions.

Judge Stephen Ashurst said English "selfishly ignored" the woman's wishes and "rape is rape".

He said English was an "intelligent young man" but was "relatively immature and naïve about certain emotional matters".

The judge also said the remorse English had expressed showed he had appeared to have learned from his "serious error".

English must also sign the sex offender register for life.

Description

A sex offender who hid a secret phone under his mum's mattress has been jailed.

When the device was found, at Michael Bradshaw's home, it was discovered the internet history had been deleted.

It was in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) passed as part of a 19-month suspended prison sentence.

The order was imposed on Bradshaw, previously known as Michael Bagnall, in October last year for offences including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Durham Crown Court heard that the order made it clear he must inform his risk manager if the obtained a phone or any new device capable of accessing the internet and, if so, it must retain the internet history.

A phone he previously owned was seized by police in February and Bradshaw subsequently claimed he did not have a new device.

But by May this year it emerged that he had been untruthful and that he did have a new phone about which he had not informed his risk manager.

Police went to his property and found the phone hidden under a mattress in his mother’s bedroom.

It was discovered he had been using it since at least February 16 and that he also had access to a Telegram platform.

When examined it was discovered the internet history had been deleted.

Bradshaw was interviewed and admitted having used the phone when he had been on “sniff” and he confirmed he had hidden it under the mattress in his mother’s bedroom.

The 37-year-old defendant of Osric Place, Newton Aycliffe, admitted four counts of breaching the SHPO, which put him in breach of the suspended order from last October.

Charlie Thompson, prosecuting, said other elements of the sentence passed in October, specifically a 200-hour unpaid work requirement, had not even begun, while the defendant also failed to engage with a substance abuse course.

Michele Turner, in mitigation, said on the face of it the defendant, “appears to be a bit of a contradiction”, but, “faced with overwhelming evidence” he did make admissions when he initially went before magistrates.

“There’s clearly something that needs to be addressed in his background.

“His drug and alcohol issues arise out of untreated mental health issues.

“He’s on waiting lists for treatment which he finds frustrating.”

Miss Turner said it would appear Bradshaw had used drink and drugs to “self-medicate” in the absence of prescribed medication.

“Clearly there has been self-medication going on.”

Judge Nathan Adams told the defendant he had been given a chance with the suspended sentence passed by the court in October last year, but it was an opportunity spurned by the deliberate breaches of the SHPO earlier this year.

“You knew full well that you were not allowed access to an internet-capable device without the police’s knowledge.”

The judge added that but for those breaches of the SHPO by Bradshaw the Probation Service would have brought the case back to court over his failure to perform unpaid work.

He passed a prison sentence totalling 23 months, including 15 months activated of the previous suspended sentence.

Judge Adams reminded Bradshaw that upon his release he will still be subject of the SHPO until October 2034.

He added that any further breaches would only result in longer and longer sentences.

Description

A man was jailed for repeatedly breaching a restraining order by messaging his ex-partner and turning up at her house, usually uninvited.

William Jenkinson also failed to inform police of a change of address, in breach of the terms of his notification requirements as a sex offender, when he briefly formed a relationship with another woman earlier this year.

The 40-year-old defendant of Troutbeck Way, Peterlee, appeared before Durham Crown Court for sentence after previously admitting ten counts of breaching a restraining order and one of failing to comply with notification requirements.

Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, said the restraining order was put in place at Darlington Magistrates’ Court in March 2023, after Jenkinson was convicted of common assault of his partner at the breakdown of their relationship.

Mr Cleasby said the five-year order was put in place to protect the woman from harassment and from being put in fear of violence at the defendant’s hands.

The victim described her six-year relationship with Jenkinson as “up and down”, saying that on occasions he was verbally abusive to her, but at other times he would tell her it would not happen again.

Mr Cleasby said in spite of the terms of the order, Jenkinson would turn up at her home address and contact her by phone, during which he would sometimes lose his temper.

She was fearful of what he might do and resorted to calling the police.

He was arrested in January this year as he had been going around to her home on and off for about a week at that stage.

She admitted that due to the persistence of his messaging she had invited him around on occasions just to try to appease him.

Despite being subject to bail conditions not to contact his ex-partner, his pattern of behaviour continued, leaving her feeling “vulnerable” and suffering panic attacks.

She said he had destroyed her friendships and family connections and made her feel unworthy, while at times she felt like she was “walking on eggshells” trying not to upset him.

But she said since he has been in custody in recent weeks she has felt some element of relief and a new-found sense of freedom.

Mr Cleasby said the notification offence arose as the defendant briefly moved in with another woman in February and early March this year.

It ended after the police informed her of the defendant’s history and of the court order breaches.

Mr Cleasby said the defendant should have informed his offender manager of the change of address.

The registration requirement was put in place when Jenkinson was jailed for sex offences at Edinburgh High Court, in August 2016.

Calum McNicholas, for Jenkinson conceded it had been “persistent” offending on his client’s behalf.

Mr McNicholas said there was some “back and forth” with the messaging and so the defendant considered there was, “some degree of desired contact.”

He added that the defendant had a traumatic childhood and has his own mental health issues, for which he is only just receiving the correct medication since being in custody.

Recorder Mark Ainsworth said when court orders are put in place it is for the protection of, “others in society” and defendants are expected to abide by their terms.

The Recorder told Jenkinson the responsibility was on him not to breach such orders.

He said not only were the breaches persistent, but they were aggravated by the fact the defendant was on bail after his January arrest and yet continued to flout not only the orders but also, then, his bail conditions.

Imposing a total 22-month prison sentence Recorder Ainsworth reminded Jenkinson that the terms of the orders will remain in place and further breaches would only result

Description

A vile County Durham man with a fantasy for sex attacks on women tried to rape a teenage girl walking alone in woodland.

Christopher Bates is the living embodiment of every woman and girls nightmare, a judge said as she jailed him for life on Thursday (June 26).

The 37-year-old, locked up in 2006 for attempted rape, pushed the girl into bushes and tried to rape her while she desperately fought him off and screamed for help.

It happened earlier this year when the high risk sex offender, who was living in a secure unit near Spennymoor after his release from prison, managed to escape while being taken to a dentist appointment.

Teesside Crown Court heard the teenage victim was walking alone when he approached her pretending to be lost. It was the first time he had been unsupervised in years.

Prosecutor Mr Paul Cleasby said: He asked her whether she was alone and whether she had a mobile phone.

The child gave directions but his mannerisms made her feel awkward and she decided to leave the woods.

But Bates chased her, catching up and saying he was going to do her before performing a sex act on himself.

Desperate, his teen victim lied saying she was only 10-years-old in a bid to deter his interest but he told her he didnt care, the court heard, and pushed her into thorny bushes before trying to rape her.

She managed to stop him for long enough until a passing dog walker came to her aid and he fled. The court heard her dad had previously taught her how to defend herself in case of such an attack.

Police arrested him a short time later. In bodycam footage he could be heard telling officers: To be honest I dont know what I was doing. I just lost my head.

He made no comment in two police interviews meaning the girl had to identify him from a line-up.

In an impact statement, read by the prosecutor, the girls mum said: She used to go for walks for hours. I am lucky if I get her out of the house for ten minutes.

When were out shopping if a man comes past her she starts to get scared, hiding behind her dad.

We cant go into the woods anymore. The woods where the offence occurred used to be her safe place.

The attempted rape bore a stark resemblance to the crime he had been jailed for 15 years for in 2006 when he pushed another girl into bushes before trying to rape her. His licence period ended just 17 days before he struck again.

Judge Jo Kidd jailed Bates for life, telling him: You are the living embodiment of every woman and girls nightmare.

You are the reason why from a young age we tell our girls how to defend themselves.

I have no doubt that the advice given by [the victims] dad to his daughter saved her from the most appalling and unthinkable, sadistic crime.

"You immediately set about to put a plan in place where you would relive your fantasy to drag a female into bushes."

He admitted attempted rape at an earlier hearing but was back before the court for sentence on Thursday.

He must serve six years and eight months before a parole board can consider him for release, and if he ever leaves prison he will remain on license for life.

Bates was also handed a restraining order against the victim and placed under a sexual harm prevention order which a judge said will prevent him contacting anyone under 18 if he is ever released, and even ban him wearing certain clothing.

He previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of exposure which was left to lie on file.

Detective Constable Dave Taylor, from South Durham CID, who led the investigation said:

This was an appalling and horrific crime that will have a significant and profound impact on the young girl for many years to come.

Christopher Bates targeted a young, vulnerable girl in a secluded, isolated area in a very predatory way which showed clear evidence of pre-planning.

He poses a significant risk to lone women and girls which is reflected in the sentence passed today.

I would like to take this opportunity to praise the bravery of the young girl who has shown remarkable courage throughout this investigation, which will have had a profound impact on her both mentally and physically.

I only hope that she, her family, and the community as a whole can take some comfort from the significant sentence imposed and that she is able to move forward with her life again.

Description

A child rapist who bragged he was scarring his young victim for life while he abused them has been jailed for 15 years.

Stephen Fish, 28, had previously been warned about having sex with an underage girl before he groomed, abused and raped another child, Durham Crown Court heard.

Judge Nathan Adams said the abuse was "horrific" and made "particularly disturbing" by Fish's comments, which showed he knew "full well" the impact he was having on the victim.

Fish, from Grange Villa near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, had denied wrongdoing but was found guilty of seven sex offences against a child under the age of 13, including rape.

As he abused his victim, Fish, of West Street, told them he was scarring them for life, Judge Adams said.

In a statement read to the court, the victim said they had may have been "scarred for life" but they would "never be broken" by Fish.

They said they had daily flashbacks of the "nightmare" abuse and their life had been "irreparably changed", adding: "I will likely never be able to have a truly normal life."

But, they said, they got "solace" from Fish being convicted and jailed, adding he would be "unable to hurt any innocent children" again.

'Offender of particular concern'

Judge Adams told Fish: "It's horrific to read out and recite the abuse that took place because you still deny any of this took place."

He said the abuse would have a "lifelong" effect on the victim and Fish's comments were "particularly disturbing" as they showed he knew "full well" what he was doing would have an impact on the victim.

The judge said Fish had been "warned" before about abusing children, having got a caution for having sex with an underage teenage girl when he was 17.

Fish was deemed an "offender of particular concern" and must serve a further year on extended licence upon his release from prison.

He must also sign the sex offenders register for life.

Description

Two childcare workers who abused their position and targeted a vulnerable child, supplying her with drugs and alcohol before sexually abusing her have been jailed.

On October 3, last year Liam Ramsey and Stephen Hurst took a 15-year-old girl, who was in their care into Durham City Centre.

CCTV captured the actions of the pair as they arrived in Durham and then began visiting local pubs.

To avoid detection, they used their personal bank cards to purchase alcohol, plying the victim with wine and cocktails throughout the day. On the way back to the care home, they made a detour to purchase 120 worth of Class A drugs.

Ramsey and Hurst then took the child back to the care home where they continued to supply her with alcohol and gave her cocaine.

The victim told police that because of all the cocaine they had given her, she had a nosebleed and went upstairs.

As the victim went upstairs, Ramsey came into the room naked followed by Hurst who was also naked.

The victim was then subjected to physical and sexual abuse throughout the night and into the early hours of the morning.

Both Ramsey and Hurst were on duty at the time of the offences, being her carers for the day.

Liam Ramsey and Stephen Hurst were arrested after the victim left the care home following the ordeal.

Officers later charged Ramsey and Hurst with 18 offences and they were remanded into court.

The pair made some initial admissions but also denied many of the offences and so were taken to trial.

In April, the jury found Ramsey and Hurst guilty of numerous offences including sexual activity with a child, intentional strangulation and supply of a class A drug.

Ramsey, 40, of Sunderland was jailed for 11 years whilst Hurst, 46, of Richmond was jailed for 9 years.

Both men were placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Description

A County Durham sex offender has been caged for chatting to a child on WhatsApp and Snapchat. Tony Swift was also found to have online "aliases" on an unregistered Xbox when police arrested him.

In 2019, the 39-year-old was put on the sex offenders' register and made subject of a sexual harm prevention order for offences of blackmail and inciting a child into sexual activity. As part of his order, Swift was banned from using any internet enabled device unless he notifies police within three days.

He is also prohibited from interacting with children, unless with prior consent from a parent or if it is unavoidable. But in February this year, Swift breached his orders when he began chatting to a teenager online. He'd also been using an Xbox which he had not registered with police.

On Friday, Swift, of Poplar Street, Stanley, appeared at Durham Crown Court via link from HMP Holme House, to be sentenced for two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order and one count of failing to comply. He had pleaded guilty.

The court heard that police spoke to a child after concerns were raised they had been messaging a man online. Kathryn Wetherley, prosecuting, said: "Police spoke to them and they confirmed they had been talking to the defendant on Snapchat and WhatsApp." Swift knew the child was under the age of 16 throughout.

Ms Wetherley said that the child Swift had been messaging did not believe any of the chats between them were inappropriate. However, Swift had asked them to delete some messages, which they did.

Swift was arrested and was also found to be in possession of an Xbox which had not been registered with police. The court heard "a number of alias names" were being used.

When arrested, Swift admitted that he knew the child was underage but denied having any sexual chats with them. The court was told he had seven previous convictions for 15 offences.

Nicci Horton, defending, said the child in the case did not feel that any of the messages were inappropriate and that the Xbox had been purchased from a friend. She said some of the alias names were of the original owner and there was "no suggestion" the games console was being used for anything other than gaming.

Ms Horton said Swift has epilepsy and a tissue disorder. She told the court: "His time in custody has been challenging for his physical health as well as his mental health. He thought this communication [with the child] was helping.

"He thought he was doing a good thing. In interview he said, 'I am slow and sometimes take a while to click on why something might not be appropriate or correct'. He understands he is completely in the wrong."

Recorder Mark McKone KC jailed Swift for 26 months. A 10 year restraining order was also imposed.