Search results for Grimsby

Description

A sex offender who committed “repugnant” crimes against a child has been sentenced to nine years in prison and has received an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order after being found guilty of non-recent child sexual offences.

Michael Matthews, 65-years-old, of Southland Court in Grimsby, appeared at Grimsby Crown Court for sentencing yesterday (Thursday, 14 May 2026) having pleaded not guilty to nine counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and sexual assault of a child under 13.

Following a four-day trial at Hull Crown Court which concluded on Friday, 8 May 2026, Matthews was found guilty by a jury of all ten offences after an investigation was launched by our Protecting Vulnerable People Unit relating to sexual offences against a young girl between 2009 and 2015.

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Amy Tindell remarked on the case:

“I would like to start by commending the sheer bravery of the person subjected to this abuse for her strength throughout the entirety of the investigation and the complexities of court proceedings.

“Matthews abused his position of trust and preyed on an innocent child for his own repugnant sexual gratification. I am reassured that he is now facing considerable time behind bars.

“Investigations of this nature are extremely complex and can be prolonged, but Matthews added to by refusing to admit his guilt and making them endure the gruelling ordeal of a trial.

“Whilst the result at court will not take away the pain and suffering endured by the person he abused, I hope it will bring a sense of justice to them and their family that Matthews will finally face the consequences of his abhorrent actions.

“I would like to reassure anyone who has suffered sexual abuse, whether recent or historical, that you will be listened to and supported.

“We take all reports of this nature incredibly seriously and whenever victims are ready to come forward, we will be there to listen and will act relentlessly to ensure sex offenders like Matthews are held accountable for these detestable crimes.

“If you are not ready to talk to us, there are lots of organisations you can speak to privately and confidentially.”

Description

A ‘malicious and manipulative’ man who launched a two-year campaign of abuse and harassment against a teenage boy has been sentenced to five years and three months behind bars and will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Cameron Preston, 27-years-old, of Cherry Tree Crescent in Grimsby, appeared at Grimsby Crown Court on Friday, 13 February 2026 to be sentenced after he pleaded guilty to three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, three counts of making indecent photographs of a child, and stalking involving fear of violence. In addition to his custodial sentence, he also received an indefinite restraining order, and a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Preston’s offending began in January 2020, when he met a 15-year-old boy through a social media messaging app falsely claiming he was aged 16, when he was in fact 22.

Through deliberately misrepresenting his age, he continued to gain the teenage boy’s trust over several months and went on to engage in sexual activity with him. Believing they were of a similar age, the victim entered into a relationship with Preston, and only later discovered the extent of his deception.

Between November 2020 to April 2022, the teenage boy was subjected to an orchestrated and intermittent campaign of harassment. This started when an unknown account, who went under the name ‘Connor’, would send him threatening messages and emails telling him he was being watched, and others counting down to when a stranger would arrive at his home. Fearing for his safety, he turned to Preston for help, unaware that he was the person responsible for sending these messages.

During this time, the teenagers home address was repeatedly bombarded with malicious deliveries where random parcels were ordered to his address, along with taxis and takeaway deliveries set to cash payments on arrival, sometimes up to 30 times in a single week.

A fake dating profile was also created in the victim’s name, leading to strangers contacting him, with threats to expose indecent images of him to his family and friends. Whilst all of this was occurring, Preston would repeatedly encourage him not to contact police.

In April 2022, the teenage boy attended a police station to report the harassment after he felt he could no longer endure the torment on his daily life. A detailed investigation was launched by our Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, supported by specialist digital forensic officers, uncovering evidence leading all the offences back to Preston.

Upon arrest, Preston admitted to being responsible for this sustained abuse and was subsequently charged.

Officer in the case, Detective Sergeant Lucy Proctor-Eckley said:

“Preston is a malicious and manipulative individual who deliberately targeted a vulnerable teenage boy and exploited his trust for his own disturbing gratification.

“Over a prolonged period of time, he subjected a teenage boy to a calculated campaign of harassment and intimidation leaving him in constant fear, all while presenting himself as a source of support.

“The extensive evidence uncovered in this investigation showed Preston was responsible for creating false identities, arranging malicious deliveries and attempting to isolate the victim from seeking help, all in an effort to maintain control.

"I would like to commend the victim for the immense courage he has shown in coming forward and supporting this investigation. I hope Preston’s sentencing provides some level of reassurance that he can no longer cause harm and sends a clear message to anyone committing these types of offences, it is never acceptable to prey on anyone, and we will always do everything we can to bring offenders to justice for their crimes.”

Description

A ‘sexual predator' who groomed two young girls into engaging in sexual activity and sending explicit images before pressuring them to retract their account has been sentenced to nine years and nine months behind bars, he will be placed on the sex offenders register for life and handed an fifteen year Sexual Harm Prevention order following an appearance at Leeds Crown Court today (Monday, 26 January 2026).

In December 2025, Suleman Baig, 40-years-old, of Grimsby pleaded guilty on day two of his trial at Leeds Crown Court to the following offences:

• Three counts of sexual activity with a child
• Two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• Two counts of paying for sexual services of a child
• Two counts of sexual communications with a child
• Two counts of doing an act intending to pervert the course of justice
• Attempting to pay for the sexual services of a child
• Sexual assault
• Making indecent photographs of children
• Possession of prohibited images of children

Baig was first brought to the attention of officers in November 2021 through a third-party report of a concern for the welfare of a young girl. An investigation was launched, and detectives attended the school to speak to the girl where she disclosed a man had been requesting indecent images in return for money and taking part in sexual activity with her. Throughout this discussion the girl had shown officers she had been actively receiving multiple messages at that time from Baig via social media which further highlighted the extent of his fixation. 

Officers attended the home address of Baig the next day and, whilst at first he attempted to hide in his house, officers eventually gained entry, and he was arrested on suspicion of causing a female to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity. 

Whilst detectives were investigating these reports, concerns were raised of a second girl who has reportedly been subjected to sexual abuse from Baig. This resulted in the investigation developing with officers exploring new lines of enquiries which resulted in the second girl being interviewed and providing officers a statement of her account in relation to Baig’s offending.

Baig was originally released on conditional bail whilst evidence was being gathered and within this time, he breached his conditions on two different occasions (22 November 2021 and 26 November 2021) when he visited the home address of one of the girls whilst on bail, eventually sneaking into their home to ask her to pressure her friend to retract her statement. 

Electronics, including a mobile phone, were seized when Baig was first arrested and subsequently examined by our Digital Forensics Unit. The analysis uncovered thousands of text messages, along with explicit images and videos involving the young girls.

Baig was questioned regarding these findings and allegations and further arrested on suspicion of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity during the interview. 

Following Baig’s guilty plea he was released on conditional bail, with one of his conditions being to hand in all travel documents. He attended Grimsby Victoria Police Station on Wednesday, 10 December where he handed in a passport. This was later found to be expired, and it was established that he still had possession of his current travel documents. Baig was rearrested on suspicion of breach of bail conditions, and he was remanded to appear the next day (Thursday, 12 December). Following his appearance, he was remanded into custody until sentencing.

Leading the investigation Philip Shrimpton from our Protecting Vulnerable People unit said:

“I would like to start by commending the bravery of both young girls for reporting the abuse Baig had subjected them to.

“I would also like to thank the many witnesses and friends of the victims who came forward and were willing to stand in court to give statements. 

“Baig was a practising criminal solicitor and yet still committed such abhorrent crimes against these girls.

“It has been a lengthy, and complex investigation, but it is thanks to their courage that he is being held accountable for his despicable sexual deviancy.

“Baig is a manipulative sexual predator who groomed two girls for his own sexual gratification and attempted to pressure them to deny this to the police. 

“Whilst he continued to deny all these allegations up until day two of the trial, making the girls and their families go through all the court proceedings, I am glad he is now behind bars and prevented from causing further harm to others.

“We always treat cases of this nature with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity and would encourage anyone who has been a victim of recent or non-recent sexual abuse, or anyone who believes someone they know is suffering at the hands of a man like Baig, to please tell someone.“

Description

Following his appearance at Grimsby Crown Court on Friday, 5 December, a man has been sentenced to 12 years behind bars, and handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Restraining Order for attempting to rape, grooming, and sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl over a prolonged period of time.

After a seven-day trial in October 2025, Patrik Seidenglanz, 50-years-old, from Grimsby, was found guilty of five counts of sexual assault, attempted rape, assault by penetration, and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

Seidenglanz first came to officers’ attention in May 2025 when a 14-year-old girl and a family member came into Victoria Street Police Station in Grimsby to disclose that Seidenglanz had attempted to rape her and touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions.

An investigation was immediately launched by our Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, and after the victim named Seidenglanz as the offender, he was swiftly arrested at his home address on suspicion of sexual assault by penetration.

His phone was seized as part of initial enquiries, and following an analysis by our Digital Forensics Unit, correspondence between the teenager and Seidenglanz uncovered he had been grooming the 14-year-old girl over a number of months.

Whilst in custody and during interview, Seidenglanz denied any knowledge of the allegations put to him, saying that the girl was a liar, and claimed he was the one who had been sexually assaulted by the teenager instead.

In all other interviews thereafter, Seidenglanz answered no comment to any questions asked.

Leading the investigation from our Protecting Vulnerable People Unit was Detective Constable Enea Luciano, who said: “The 14-year-old girl has been subjected to unimaginable crimes at the hands of a perverted individual.

“I admire her and her family for taking that brave first step and coming forward to report Seidenglanz’s detestable behaviour, it is because of their courage he is now behind bars for a very long time.

“Seidenglanz even continued to maintain an element of control by forcing the teenager and her family to endure a trial, making what was already an extremely complex and lengthy investigation, even longer and retraumatizing.

“He is a cruel and depraved individual, and whilst the result here does not take away the pain and suffering the girl and her family must now live with, I hope it provides some reassurance that he is in prison and unable to harm anyone else.

“It is never the victim’s fault, and we would urge anyone who has been subjected to crimes of this nature, or anyone who believes these crimes may be taking place, to please come forward and tell someone.

“We take any report of sexual offences extremely seriously, and we will do everything we can to hold offenders like Seidenglanz accountable for their despicable actions.”

Description

A man who was found guilty of a series of non-recent sexual offences against three children has today (Wednesday, 10 December 2025) been sentenced to 22 years in prison following his appearance at Grimsby Crown Court.

Edward Sherriff, 77-years-old, of Wainfleet Road, Grimsby was found guilty of rape of a child under 13, four counts of sexual assault of a child under the age of 13, two counts of sexual assault of a child under the age of 16, eight counts of indecent assault, three counts of gross indecency assault, and exposure.

An investigation was launched in 2022 when Sherriff came to the attention of officers after we received a report that three individuals had come forward and disclosed that they had been subjected to sexual abuse over a prolonged period of time.

Arrested in June 2022, Sheriff was interviewed by detectives and swiftly denied having any sexual interests in children.

Following a seven-day trial at Grimsby Crown Court, a jury returned a verdict finding Sherriff guilty of 19 sexual offences.

Detective Sergeant Chris Clarke from our Domestic Abuse Investigation Team, who led the case, said:

“While no sentence can truly reflect the trauma and lasting impact of this man’s actions, I hope today’s outcome may provide some closure from an extremely painful journey for the victims and their family.

“Sherrif’s actions are utterly deplorable, a calculated and prolonged abuse of trust against innocent and vulnerable children, spanning more than four decades from 1980 to 2022.

“He deliberately manipulated, threatened, and emotionally abused his victims to silence them, committing sustained abuse that has caused unimaginable harm.

“I’d like to commend the victims for their extraordinary bravery and strength in coming forward and throughout the entirety of the investigation and complex court proceedings.

“Sherriff subjected the victims and their families to a trial, forcing them to relive the horrendous ordeal all over again. Whilst the verdict will not detract from the pain and suffering endured, I do hope it offers some reassurance knowing such a sickening man can no longer cause harm to them or any other child.

“It is never the victim’s fault, and I would strongly appeal for any child who is being manipulated into doing something they don’t want to do, or anyone who suspects crimes of this nature are taking place, to please speak to a trusted adult or friend and report it to us, when you are ready.

“I also want to take a moment to commend Blue Door for their vital work in supporting victims, their ongoing efforts are crucial in helping victims find a voice and access the care they deserve. For anyone seeking further support or information, I encourage you to visit the Blue Door website: www.thebluedoor.org.

“It doesn’t matter if the offences happened five hours or 50 years ago, we take all reports of this nature extremely seriously and will do everything we can to bring predatory offenders like Sherriff to justice.”

Description

Webster, 42, who is originally from the Grimsby area of Humberside, was jailed for 10 years and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life in 2015 following two sexual offences.

He is now wanted in connection with a report that he has failed to comply with the notification requirements for the Sex Offenders' Register.

Webster has links to the whole of the South Yorkshire area, Humberside and Lincolnshire. He is aware he is wanted and is believed to be actively evading officers.

Extensive efforts have been made to trace him, and officers now want to hear from anyone who has seen or spoken to Webster recently or knows where he may be staying.

He is described as a white man of medium/stocky build, 6ft tall with very short brown hair and brown eyes. He is known to often wear sunglasses.

If you see Webster, please do not approach him and instead call 999. If you have any information on where he might be, you can provide information via 101 or online quoting investigation number 14/126361/25.

Description

A judge has jailed a Grimsby man for four offences of rape of a child.

Danny McNaughton, 38, of Wellington Street, Grimsby, was found guilty by a unanimous jury for the offences of four counts of rape of a child and six counts of sexual activity with a child. The jury at Grimsby Crown Court also found him guilty of three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13.

Other offences included four counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child and causing a child to engage in sexual activity. The case was brought by the prosecution led by Richard Butters. Judge Gurdial Singh sentenced McNaughton to 14 years in prison. He was also put on the Sex Offender Register for life.

Description

A 60-year-old man has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of nine child sexual abuse offences.

Anthony Dugard, of Park Drive in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday (22 November), following an investigation carried out by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).

Dugard was arrested on 4 July 2024 in Swindon where he’d travelled to meet who he thought was a child with the intention of abusing them. Instead, he was met by SWROCU officers.

Dugard was arrested as part of a proactive police operation led by the Online Investigations Team at the SWROCU. This team works alongside a national network of officers tackling offences online, including child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Dugard pleaded guilty to four child sex offences and was remanded in custody.

Following his remand and upon examination of his mobile telephone, officers became aware of further offences committed against a real child.

The child, who was only 15 years old when she was abused by Dugard, was able to provide evidence that he had coerced and exploited her over a period of several months. Dugard was charged and subsequently pleaded guilty to a further five child sexual abuse offences.

Whilst handing him his sentence, Judge JN Townsend told the court: “I pay tribute to the victim in this case to her engagement to the Criminal Justice Process in bringing Mr Dugard to justice.” Dugard will also be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.

Description

A man described by police as a "perverted criminal" has been jailed for two years after admitting he sexually assaulted a child.

Phillip Budrey, 64, from Adlard Grove in Humberston was sentenced at Grimsby Crown Court on Monday.

He pleaded guilty at an earlier court hearing to sexual assault by touching a child under 13.

Humberside Police praised the victim and her family for coming forward.

Det Con Nichola Oakley said: "Budrey is a perverted criminal who targeted a vulnerable young child and sexually assaulted her.

"He is now facing time behind bars and I hope he takes the opportunity to reflect on his depraved actions and the impact that they have had on the young child and their family."

Budrey was also entered onto the sex offenders register for 10 years and issued with a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

The force said it hoped the sentence would act as a warning to anyone else considering committing these types of offences.

Det Con Oakley said the force would "do everything in its power" to put offenders before the courts.

She added: "If you are the victim of a sexual assault, please be reassured that we are here for you. We will listen and we will support you."

Description

The mum of a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of a Grimsby man has told of the devastating impact it had on her daughter.

The woman told how after being abused by Jamie Smith, her daughter was so traumatised she self-harmed and changed her appearance in fear of attracting men. She said her teenage years had been robbed as a result.

Smith, 35, formerly of Grimsby but who now lives in Whitehead in Northern Ireland, has been given a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years after admitting sexual assault of a child aged under 13.

Smith was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years after he pleaded guilty to the charge at Grimsby Crown Court, several years after the original crimes. With the case finally dealt with, the victim's mum told GrimsbyLive she feels as though a weight has been lifted from their shoulders.

She said: "When I found out what had happened I wanted to hurt him for what she told me he'd done. I was so frustrated and if it wasn't for her telling me to not do anything I don't know what I would've done.

"I saw a number of screenshots and messages that suggested something wasn't right and although I believed she was telling the truth from the start, this confirmed it to me. It was at that point that I flipped, but I knew I had to be there for her so I put my own thoughts and feelings to one side whilst I made sure she was okay."

She added: "All her friends and family have supported her through this, but it's not been easy." After the assault, the victim started self-harming and trying to look different.

When her mum asked her why she had changed her appearance and started "dressing differently", the victim told her it was so people would stop "trying it on with me" and to "stop it from happening again".

She added: "It was so difficult to hear her say those things, but you have to put your feelings aside and help them in any way you can." As much as she has been there for her daughter, the incident has meant her life hasn't been what it should have. This whole ordeal stole her teenage years from her and she's only just coming out the other side."

With Smith admitting his crime, the mum feels like it's made things a little bit easier. "It's a relief to know that he admitted what he did. I just hope nobody else gets tricked by him in the future.

"It has come as closure for myself and my daughter, we're trying to put this behind us and just get on with our lives now. Thankfully, she's got her life back, but you never think something like this would ever happen to your family.

"I've felt down myself throughout all of this, but what she's had to go through is just awful. She told me after everything, "he's not broken me, he's the broken one."

Description

A "sugar daddy" who attempted to meet a 13-year-old girl was lured into a trap by paedophile hunters.

Paul Cammidge, a married grandfather from Yorkshire, was angling for a sexual encounter with the girl after sending her explicit pictures of himself. But she was actually a decoy, Hull Crown Court heard.

The 64-year-old businessman wanted the girl to watch pornography and suggested meeting up for sex, our sister site the Grimsby Telegraph reports. He admitted attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child between November 29 and December 16, 2020.

When talking online, Cammidge boasted to the decoy girl that he was a "sugar daddy". Michele Stuart-Lofthouse, prosecuting, said Cammidge went online saying on an adult site that he was a "silver fox" and a "wealthy older man" and a "sugar daddy".

He called the girl "delicious and beautiful" and sent her indecent pictures of himself. At the time he lived in the York area and offered to travel to the decoy's home, supposedly in Yorkshire. He assured that that he would be discreet.

Cammidge has since moved to Grimsby. "He asked her for a naked photo and video of herself, which she declined," said Mr Welch. "He told her not to tell her Mum about their conversation. During the chat, he also started to delete sexually explicit parts of his conversation between them."

Paedophile hunters went to his home and contacted the police. Cammidge was arrested on December 17, 2020. He told police: "Oh, right. I have done it. I shouldn't have done it. I am sorry for doing it. Can you just let me go? I should not have got sucked into this silly thing. What I have done is wrong."

Cathy Kioko-Gilligan, mitigating, said: "He fully accepts what he did. He is thoroughly ashamed of himself. He acknowledges his offending. This offending is two years ago and there has been nothing since. This defendant was not, at the outset, seeking out children."

She added: "He retired and struggled to come to terms with his lifestyle and turned to excessive alcohol abuse. He has addressed his alcohol misuse and his addictions."

Cammidge had two adult children and grandchildren. "He has a long-suffering wife of 38 years and she continues to support him," said Miss Kioko-Gilligan. "This defendant's behaviour was outrageous. He knows that he has made their life a living hell."

Judge Mark Bury told Cammidge: "You were in trouble in the 70s when you were a bit of a tearaway but you have lived that down and developed a successful business and earned good money. You retired when you were in your 50s in comfortable surroundings.

"You were in the habit of contacting sex sites to chat with, and possibly meet, like-minded adults for sexual encounters. On one such site, you came across somebody masquerading first of all as a 19-year-old girl.

"You encountered her again but it was clear that she was only 13. In fact, this was a decoy. You were messaging her on WhatsApp. Some of the things that you were saying were totally repugnant. You sent her a naked picture and asked her if she wanted sexual intercourse.

"More seriously, you invited her to watch pornography, aware, as you were, that she was sexually inexperienced. All the time, you were fully aware that she was 13 and you told her not to tell her Mum. You made it clear that you could get into trouble and could go to prison if you were caught.

"It came to an end not because you voluntarily ended it but because paedophile hunters turned up mob-handed at your door and the police were called.

"There's simply too much of this going on. In a civilised society, you simply can't get away with being 64 and contacting a 13-year-old girl for sex. What you have done, I am afraid, is too serious to overlook. I have to look at the harm that you intended "

Cammidge was jailed for one year and must register as a sex offender for 10 years.

Description

A vile paedophile who abused children in Derby suburbs, in Derbyshire and Lincolnshire over two decades has been jailed for 30 years with a further eight years on licence.

Andrew Ditchfield committed dozens of horrific sex offences including rapes and sexual assaults against multiple victims in the 1990s and 2000s.

This abuse took place in Chaddesden, Littleover, Sinfin and Alvaston in the 1990s and early 2000s where he committed his crimes in houses, camp sites and leisure facilities.

The 54-year-old, who was described as a "manipulative and predatory paedophile", targeted extremely vulnerable children in Derbyshire, before moving to Lincolnshire where he continued to offend.

The defendant had denied the offences, meaning all 14 of his known victims had to give evidence and relive the traumatic events in Derby Crown Court during his trial in August, this year, something that led one of his victims to attempt suicide.

The court heard that his victims had been left destroyed by the abuse, with many suffering from flashbacks, difficulty forming intimate relationships, problems trusting men, developing post traumatic stress disorder and having suicidal thoughts.

A jury later unanimously found him guilty of 43 offences including multiple counts of rape, attempted rape, indecent assault, attempted buggery, indecency with a child, sexual activity with a child and sexual assault.

At the same court on Friday, October 15, Ditchfield, now of Fourways, Tetney, Grimsby, was jailed for 30 years.

James Varley, prosecuting, told the court that the defendant was a man "whose entire life seemingly revolved around the sexual abuse and grooming of young boys".

Mr Varley said: "The defendant is a predatory paedophile who preys on the young and the vulnerable, most often vulnerable teenage boys."

He said Ditchfield often used alcohol, drugs and the availability of pornography to gain the trust of his victims, while also using a "souped up" car to gain their attention.

He would also befriend parents who took an interest in their children, and portrayed himself as a social worker and someone who wanted to help vulnerable children.

The court heard that Ditchfield began the offending by having children sleep round at his house, before things would progress to having his victims sleep in his bed and eventually sexually abusing them.

This included performing sex acts on them. In some cases he would rape or attempt to rape his victims.

On one occasion he even privately adopted one of his victims, submitting fake paperwork to a court saying he was a foster carer.

After moving to Lincolnshire, he continued to abuse children, before he was eventually arrested in 2017.

Mr Varley said Ditchfield had devastated the lives of his victims, all of whom submitted emotional impact statements.

He said one victim "didn't get a chance at a childhood", while multiple victims had attempted to take their own lives.

Many had been diagnosed with mental health issues as a result of the abuse, with some suffering from depression, post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.

Charlotte Rimmer, mitigating on behalf of Ditchfield, told the court his family remain supportive of him.

She said: "He was adopted as a baby. His adoptive parents who he has remained in contact with remain supportive of him. It's a close knit family that he comes from. The whole family are utterly shocked by these proceedings."

She added that there was very little in the way of personal mitigation given Ditchfield denied the offences.

"He accepts that a lengthy custodial sentence is inevitable," she said.

Judge Robert Egbuna imprisoned Ditchfield for 30 years and gave him an extended licence of eight years, giving him a total sentence of 38 years.

An extended sentence is designed for offenders who are extremely dangerous but for whom a sentence of life imprisonment is not justified.

He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, preventing him from having contact with children until further notice.

Judge Egbuna said: "This was a campaign of offending stretching over a number of years. These [offences] were clearly planned. You targeted vulnerable children.

"You groomed your victims, you distanced them from their families and were in a position of trust.

"The consequences of your abuse have been significant and many view the word significant as an understatement."

Judge Egbuna added that while Ditchfield had also abused two young girls, he was of the belief he had only done this to provide himself with sexual experience for when he attempted to fool people into thinking he was in relationships with women.

"[It is said] you are dangerous, a fact I agree with having presided over this case," he said.

"It's clear you would use any form of deception to satisfy your needs.

"You are a manipulative and cunning man. That I have seen clearly for myself from observing you while giving evidence."

Ditchfield was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order preventing him from having contact with children until further notice.

Chris Knowles from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "The sheer scale of Ditchfield's offending is staggering.

"Prosecuting this case has revealed a picture of relentless offending, preying on the most vulnerable children the defendant could find and doing unspeakable harm to these people's lives.

"Ditchfield portrayed himself as the person people thought they wanted in their lives, providing attention and excitement. He manipulated families and carers to believe in him. The betrayal of this trust left survivors feeling alone and isolated.

"Understandably, people have come forward as they have heard about the investigation and the case. It is so important that all of Andrew Ditchfield's victims have had a voice.

"This has meant that we have built a case that has shown Andrew Ditchfield for who he is – a dangerous and manipulative predator.

"Even throughout his trial he has lied about his actions and refused to take responsibility. Instead he blamed his victims, accusing them of colluding to invent their allegations.

"The guilty verdicts from the jury and today's sentence have shown that he, and only he is to blame. I hope that having their voices heard in court will be of some help to the survivors of this appalling abuse.

"In preparing for today's sentencing, the CPS has made it clear to the court just how much of a risk Ditchfield poses to society. The seriousness of his offending and refusal to accept responsibility for his actions have been reflected in today's jail term."