Latest Offenders Hereford

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An electrician who distributed videos of himself raping a young girl on the internet has been jailed for almost 16 years.

Thomas Gwilliam-Carter, 39, from Leominster, was identified by National Crime Agency investigators after child abuse images he’d posted were found on devices belonging to a U.S. suspect arrested by the FBI.

Chat logs showed that Gwilliam-Carter, using the online pseudonym ‘keepedging247’, told other paedophiles on the Wickr platform that he planned to drug a child to make raping her easier. He then went on to share videos of the abuse and later admitted that he had drugged the child with Phenergan, a mild sedative.

Gwilliam-Carter was arrested by NCA officers at his home address on 1 October this year, and his mobile phone was seized.

This was forensically examined and found to contain 3,651 indecent images of children (IIOC) in categories A-C (A being the most severe), some of which showed babies being raped. The child he’d raped has been safeguarded.

Gwilliam-Carter pleaded guilty to one count of rape of a child under 13, three counts of making IIOC and five counts of distributing IIOC at Worcester Crown Court on 7 November.

He was sentenced at the same court today (8 December).

NCA operations manager Phil Eccles said: “Gwilliam-Carter inflicted the most terrible abuse on a young girl and distributed videos he’d made of it online, all for his and other paedophiles’ pleasure.

“Child sexual abuse is a global threat and this case highlights why the NCA’s close cooperation with international partners is so vital in tackling it.

“We also work tirelessly to protect those affected by child sexual abuse and disrupt offenders who pose a sexual threat to children, ensuring they face justice.”

Description

An evil paedophile who committed multiple rapes and sexual offences against children and young women has been put behind bars. Ben Prothero admitted committing 17 sex offences, some against kids under 13 over a sustained period from 2008 to 2020.

Prothero of Metcalfe Close, in Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire, had pleaded guilty earlier in the year and was jailed for 24 years at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday (November 29). He was told he would serve 18 years in prison and a further six years to remain on licence as a dangerous offender. 

He was also now listed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. He was convicted after a ‘long and thorough’ investigation by Hereford CID’s Vulnerability Team who praised the bravery of the victims for coming forward to outline the abuse they suffered.

Prothero's offences included:

• Two counts of rape of a child under 13
• Five counts of rape of a female under 18
• Attempted rape
• Causing a female under 15 to engage in penetrative sexual activity
• Penetration of a female under 16
• Engage in controlling/coercive behaviour
• Two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13
• Two counts of sexual activity with a child under 18
• Two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16

The 26-year-old was described by police as a ‘predator and bully’. Detective Constable Emma O’Hare, from West Mercia Police, who led the investigation, said: “Prothero committed these horrendous crimes against children and women over many years who weren’t able to defend or protect themselves.

“He was a bully, a predator and controlled them by hurting them and changing their lives forever. As pleased as I am with the lengthy sentence, the true tribute is paid to the victims, who not only survived despite his best efforts to break them, but who then showed immense courage and bravery in coming forward about his abuse and rapes.”

DC O’Hare continued: “My hope is that this significant prison sentence will bring some measure of comfort to those whose lives have been forever damaged by his cowardly and predatory actions. This sentence needs to serve as a reminder to those who think that abusing women and girls will go unchallenged.

“Survivors are strong and with our support, patience and understanding an investigation will uncover the truth about their abusers’ actions, who will face consequences. West Mercia Police remains committed to seeking justice for rape victims and survivors, and we, the police and wider support services are here for them.”

West Mercia Police offered support to anyone who may have been the victim of any sexual offence and said they can report it to them online, on 101 or via West Mercia's Victim Advice Line on 0800 952 3000 or its website.

It said: “This is a free, independent and confidential support service. In an emergency always dial 999. If you do not feel comfortable speaking to police officers, you can contact a referral centre which specialises in helping victims of rape and sexual assault - including providing medical care and counselling.”Anyone wanting information and details on how to contact or refer can visit the Get Help page of the Rape Crisis website. 

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Andrew Herbert pleaded guilty to ten counts of indecent assault on young girls in the early 1970s.

A man who sexually abused two young girls in Bristol 50 years ago when he was a teenager has been ordered to pay them £25,000 compensation each.

But Andrew Herbert, now 67 and living in Herefordshire, was not sent to prison after pleading guilty to ten counts of indecent assault - after the judge in the case said the law required him to sentence him according to what the law and sentencing rules were at the time. One of the women he abused when she was a girl has bravely waived her right to anonymity and spoken out about her ordeal.

Sentencing at Bristol Crown Court today (Friday, November 4) His Honour Judge Julian Lambert said that, if Herbert had committed the offences now, he would be facing a lengthy prison sentence, but because the sentencing powers back in the early 1970s were not as strong, he could only be sent to prison for a matter of weeks.

Instead, the judge ordered Herbert be the subject of a community order lasting for two years, with a requirement to undertake rehabilitation activity for 50 days with sex offender treatment work. He was also ordered to observe a curfew to remain at home between 9pm and 6am every day for the next 18 months - enforced by an electronic tag.

Herbert was also ordered to do unpaid work in a community service order of 225 hours, and ordered to pay £25,000 to each of the victims in the case, to be paid within 12 months.

The judge told Herbert that the victims in the case had suffered 'lifelong oppression', which was at the forefront of his mind when sentencing him. "The repressed voices of children have now resonated through half a century of suffering and turmoil," Judge Lambert told him.

"The cruel, criminal abuse of the young is now revealed through the mists of time. It is to be remembered that you were a child yourself at the time of the offending. I recognise your own harrowing background, but you are the perpetrator in this, not the victim. You need to banish any element of self-pity and any possible victim blaming. You were considerably older than your victims and perfectly well able to distinguish right from wrong," he added.

The judge explained to the court that, back in 1970, no court could impose a prison sentence on a person under 17, but only order them to be 'detained' in a detention centre - and the maximum detention for a 15-year-old was just three months.

"With an artificially limited sentence and a requirement to give credit for (guilty) plea there would have been a release in custody within weeks," Judge Lambert said. "Whatever sentence I pass will seem hollow to the victims of the offences.

"I do not believe I can now send you to custody...These were however very serious offences with the most severe effects. I impose the least sentence commensurate with the seriousness of the offences," he added.

The court had heard Herbert was also charged with two counts of rape, which he denied. He was cleared by a jury trial of one count and the jury failed to reach a verdict in the other, and the CPS said it would not pursue this charge. He had pleaded guilty to ten other counts of indecent assault, which were prosecuted under different laws in force at the time, back between 1970 and 1972.

The case came to light in 2020 when one of the victims, Liz Roberts, reported to police what he did to her as an eight-year-old girl. After the trial and sentencing, she waived her right to anonymity to speak out about the case. She urged others to come forward to report abuse they are suffering, or have suffered.

"I waited 50 years to tell my story as I didn’t think anyone would care about what happened. That clearly isn't true and I only wish I’d reported it sooner," she said. "There have of course been times when it has brought the trauma of what he did back, and I still have a long way to go in my recovery journey, but I have no regrets.

“People like Andrew get away with it by passing their guilt and shame on to those they are meant to be protecting and literally hiding in plain sight. There is support out there and people will help whether you want offences investigated or not.

“Justice comes in many forms. Feeling the care and support of everyone around me means that I can now hold my head high – that is the best kind of justice," she added.

She praised the people who have supported her since the first day she reported what happened to her all those years ago. "From the moment I reported Andrew, I have been fully supported through the investigation and right through to the court process. This support hasn’t just been from the police but also from Safe Link, who allocated an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) to me and charities such as SARSAS (Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Assault Support) which provided free essential counselling support. They have held my hand every step of the way both physically and metaphorically and have done everything they can to ease the process for me."

The court heard emotional impact statements from both the victims in the case, who described lifelong psychological impacts of the abuse they suffered at such a young age. Both victims told the court they struggled to build relationships and suffered serious mental health effects that have lasted decades. 

The investigating officer in the case was PC Becky Norton, from Avon and Somerset police. “Andrew Herbert’s actions have had a lifelong impact on both his victims. He claimed to have experienced a tsunami of shame but that is absolutely nothing compared to what they have gone through, for they have spent the past five decades living with the trauma he inflicted on them.

“They both deserve immense credit for standing up to him in court and telling the judge exactly how deeply his abuse has affected them," she added.

Det Supt Lisa Simpson, the force's lead for Rape and Serious Sexual Assault, said: “What Liz Roberts is doing now, in waiving her anonymity, is nothing short of remarkable. Together, with our partners in the Crown Prosecution Service, we’re working hard to hold offenders to account for the vile offences they have committed and, with the help of third sector partners such as SafeLink, The Bridge and SARSAS to making sure they are ok and helping them recover from the trauma they’ve endured.”

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A man from Hereford has been jailed for life for rape.

34-year-old Andrew Cooke-Edwards, of Aylestone Hill, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court today (Monday 3 October).

He will serve a minimum of nine years and nine months in prison.

Around 1pm on 19 November 2020, he attacked a 23-year-old woman on the river bank in Hereford.

He threatened to kill the woman unless she handed over her mobile phone. She did so but Cooke-Edwards orally and vaginally raped her. She was later found by members of the public.

Later that day, Cooke-Edwards was arrested and later charged with two counts of rape, making threats to kill and robbery.

He subsequently pleaded guilty.

Detective Constable Lawrence Smith said: This was a shocking attack on an innocent young girl.

We greatly admire her courage for helping to bring her attacker to justice and hope that this sentence might allow her to move on with her life.

We strive to prosecute anyone responsible for a sexual crime and urge anyone with any concerns about an incident, whether recently or in the past, to please get in touch.

You will be offered our full support and we will do everything we can to help you.

Anyone with any concerns about a sexual crime can report it by visiting https://www.westmercia.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/ or calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

You can also get help from the West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre.

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A 68-year-old from Hereford has been jailed for historical sexual offences that brought "pain and suffering" to his victims. The "dangerous offender" was recently sentenced for sex offences in the 1980s and 1990s.

Charles Taylor, of Ross Road, Hereford, was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Hereford Crown Court on August 9 for the non-recent sexual offences. He was was found guilty of assaults against a male child and an adult female between 1984 and 1998.

Investigating officer, detective constable Leah Lowe, spent 12 months gathering evidence which proved critical to convicting Taylor. West Mercia Police has described the investigation as "comprehensive and often distressing" and one that "could not have been resolved without the strength and conviction of the victims and witnesses".

DC Lowe said: "While the sentence given can never make up for the pain and suffering Taylor has caused, I am hopeful it can provide some measure of solace to the victims and help them begin the road to recovery. Taylor is a dangerous offender.

"The community is a safer place now he is beginning his sentence in prison. I hope this reassures the community that West Mercia Police will investigate all offences of this nature, regardless of when they occurred, in the pursuit of justice and the protection of our communities."

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Leonard Wheatcroft, 80, of Belmont Road, Hereford was sentenced on Wednesday, 15 June 2022 at Worcester Crown Court to ten years imprisonment having been found guilty at trial for non-recent sex offences.

Detective Constable Leah Lowe commented: This was a challenging and complex investigation which took several years of intensive investigation. I welcome this sentence which is reflective of the trauma and suffering Wheatcrofts actions brought his victims. I admire the bravery and strength the victims have shown throughout the investigation. This result demonstrates West Mercia Polices dedication to supporting victims of sexual violence and reassure our communities that we will pursue justice regardless of when the offence took place or the age of the offender.

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A shocked dad appeared ashen-faced when jailed for making the 'most appalling' indecent images of children being raped. Repeat offender Matthew Griffiths had been convicted of similar offences in 2005 and Worcester judge Nicolas Cartwright, speaking at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday, said the defendant had plainly not been rehabilitated, asking him how he would feel if his own children were treated in a similar way. The defendant, who appeared to have no bag of belongings in preparation for any potential prison sentence, turned pale in the dock when he learned he would be going straight to prison. The 42-year-old, who was said to still enjoy the support of his wife, admitted making indecent images of children at category A (the most serious level), category B and C and having extreme pornographic images involving animals. In total there were 5 images at category A, 10 at category B and 4 at category C and eight extreme pornographic images. The judge in his sentencing remarks said the ages of the victims in the category A images were seven to nine years old, 10 and between 14 and 16. Ravi Sidhu, prosecuting, said the indecent material was found on the defendant's Samsung mobile phone when he was arrested on May 25 last year. When interviewed by police Griffiths answered 'no comment'. He has a conviction for eight 'similar offences' from 2005, the offending itself taking place in 2002. That resulted in a three year community order, revoked in 2007 'for what appears to be good behaviour' said Mr Sidhu. Referring to the recent offences, Mr Sidhu said: "This is an escalation of his offending." The prosecutor argued that the earlier conviction for similar offences was an aggravating feature. Julia Needham, defending, said it was simple possession of the images with no evidence of distribution and that the majority of the images were at category B, rather than A. Mrs Needham said: "There were hundreds of images and videos on the device - hundreds of legal images." However, she stressed she was 'not trying to undermine the seriousness of the offences' but that some non-illegal material had also been downloaded at the same time. She described how, at the time, her client had been in an 'unfortunate position' with repeated postponements of his bowel cancer screening during the pandemic. Urging the judge to suspend the inevitable prison sentence, Mrs Needham also said that his last conviction for similar offences was in 2005 but that the offending happened in 2002 - 20 years ago. She argued that he could take part in the Horizon programme designed to rehabilitate sex offenders. Describing Griffiths as a father-of-three in full time employment, she provided a reference from his wife 'who remains supportive of him'. Judge Nicolas Cartwright told the defendant: "As a father-of-three children I invite you to think about the offending portrayed in the images that were seen on your equipment. The children shown in the images that you have an interest in were plainly subjected to the most appalling sexual abuse - and photographed while it went on. You would plainly be horrified if someone did such things to your children." He added: "As well as the emotional and psychological harm that simply must have been caused to these poor victims they will also no doubt - those of them that are still alive - have the additional burden of knowing there is photographic evidence of those dreadful crimes being committed upon them and that these photographs and, where it is moving images, films are out there on the internet for people with a sexual interest like yours to look at if they choose to do so." Because it was 'repeat offending', Judge Cartwright told Griffiths of Abbotsmead Road, Hereford: "It does have to be immediate custody." Griffiths was jailed for 12 months. Judge Cartwright also made a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years which restricts the defendant's use of the internet and gives police extra powers to monitor his devices which must retain and display the history of internet use and be made available for inspection on request by police. The forfeiture and destruction of the phone was also ordered. As a sex offender, notification and registration provisions also apply for the next 10 years.

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A teaching assistant who had sex with a 15-year-old girl has been jailed.

Richard Perrin, 50, of Canon Frome in Ledbury, Herefordshire also sent naked photographs of himself to the victim before his arrest in June, Worcester Crown Court heard.

He previously admitted six counts of sexual activity with a child committed over a five-month period during the national coronavirus lockdown.

On Friday, he was told he would serve 32 months in prison.

Prosecutor Tom Walkling told the court Perrin was arrested after a male relative saw incriminating messages on his phone.

The court also heard police had found notes written by the victim, hidden underneath the driver's seat in Perrin's car.

Julia Needham, for Perrin, said, prior to the offence, he had been "a constructive, useful and beneficial member of society".

The court was told Perrin's wife was divorcing him and he had "lost everything", including his career.

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Passing sentence, Recorder Sandeep Kainth said: "What you have done is deprive a young girl of her childhood.

"I sincerely hope you have learnt a salutary lesson from what can only be described as absolute and complete stupidity by you."

Perrin was also required to register as a sex offender for life and was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

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Released on 7 June 2022 A PAEDOPHILE who targeted children online has been jailed for six years. Daniel Dean, 23, of Symonds Yat, pleaded guilty to a string of child sexual offences committed online and was sentenced at Hereford Crown Court last week. He was first arrested in April 2016 by Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police officers who are part of Operation Safenet, which targets suspected paedophiles operating online. Dean was then re-arrested in July 2016 after officers discovered evidence on his computer and devices, which showed he had been engaging with children on a number of internet platforms, and inciting them to commit sexual offences. A large collection of indecent images of children was also found. Detective Inspector Gavin Kinrade said: "This has been a complex investigation involving multiple victims and a significant volume of digital media, which officers have painstakingly had to view in order to identify and safeguard victims. "I would like to thank the many victims who have bravely come forward and helped throughout the process. Their assistance has been an essential part of bringing this case before the courts." Dean pleaded guilty to the following charges: 13 counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity; two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity; two counts of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity; six counts of making indecent photographs of a child; one count of distributing an indecent photograph of a child; and one count of voyeurism. DI Kinrade added: "Daniel Dean used false personas on the internet to engage with children and incite them to commit offences for his own gratification. On numerous occasions he threatened to expose images and videos of the children if they refused to carry out his demands. "Many of the victims will have been at home when offences were committed, and their parents no doubt believed they were safe. "I'd like to take this opportunity to urge parents and guardians to make sure they have a full, frank discussion with their children about how to protect themselves online. There are some great resources out there to help - from the NSPCC, and from Childline, for example." Dean was sentenced to six years in prison, and will be on licence for four years when eventually released. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life, and has been given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order. To report a crime like this, phone the police non-emergency number 101. Always call 999 in an emergency. If you'd like to give information without leaving your name or identifying details, phone the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or go to crimestoppers-uk.org.

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A HEREFORD man has been jailed for 20 years after being found guilty of sexual offences against children.

Keith Williams, 55, of Bath Street, was found guilty after trial at Hereford Crown Court of 10 counts of sexual offences against children which included rape and sexual assault.