Search results for Isle of Wight

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Isle of Wight Sex Offender Alan Wilson Faces Sentencing for Register Breach

An Isle of Wight sex offender who failed to notify police of his change of address for 18 months will be sentenced this summer.

Alan Wilson, 38, of Shanklin High Street, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Friday 29 May for sentencing. He previously admitted breaching the notification requirements of the Sex Offenders Register.

The court heard Wilson had been living at a different property for around 18 months without informing police. The breach was discovered on 30 November 2024.

Prosecutor Liz Miller said registered sex offenders must notify police of any new address within three days of moving.

Wilson pleaded guilty to the offence on 20 March. The notification requirements stem from his 2019 conviction for distributing indecent images of children.

Magistrates were also told Wilson faces separate proceedings at the Isle of Wight Crown Court after admitting three new counts of making indecent images of children dating back to 2023. He is due to appear at the Crown Court on 12 June following an adjournment for a mental health assessment.

Defending, Jim Osborne said the now-completed assessment indicated Wilson would benefit from a mental health treatment requirement, which he would not receive if sentenced to custody. He added that Wilson “takes full responsibility” for his actions and is “ashamed.”

The magistrates adjourned the case until after the Crown Court proceedings conclude. Wilson will return to the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on 4 August for sentencing. He was granted unconditional bail.

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An Iranian rapist, Kasra Esmaelie, 28, serving a lengthy sentence at HMP Isle of Wight and slated for deportation upon release, was caught with hidden mobile phones in his cell twice within two days.

Esmaelie, formerly of Westminster, pleaded guilty at IW Magistrates’ Court on January 23 to two counts of possessing a mobile phone in prison.

The court heard he had been served deportation papers and was due for removal from the UK this year, but only after completing his sentences—not until at least 2031.

Prosecutor Serena Edwards said Esmaelie was sentenced to 13 years at Reading Crown Court in June 2023 for his role in the 2021 kidnap and rape of a woman in Slough. The victim endured a “horrendous” attack after Esmaelie and another man injected her with heroin before raping and sexually assaulting her in a public car park.

Ms. Edwards added he also received a concurrent five-year sentence in 2021 for indecent child image offenses.

After his transfer to Parkhurst prison, officers searched his cell on July 2 last year and found a mobile phone and charger in a drawer's false bottom. Two days later, on July 3, another phone was discovered in a night light.

Defender Henry Martin noted Esmaelie complied with searches, made no obstruction attempts, and admitted possession both times.

Magistrates imposed two concurrent eight-week sentences, to run alongside his existing terms, plus a £157 victim surcharge upon release—though enforcement was uncertain due to his expected deportation to Iran.

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A man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a teenage girl as she waited for a train at Cosham railway station, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Barnaby Money, 46, of East Hill Road, Ryde, was sentenced to one year in jail at Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday 15 January, having pleaded guilty to Sexual Assault at a previous hearing.

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years and is banned from working with children.

The court heard how at around 6.20pm on 25 February 2025, the 17-year-old was sat on a bench on platform two at the station waiting for her train when Money approached her.

He sat on the same bench and proceeded to ask her questions about the trains, though the teenage girl attempted to ignore him. He then moved closer to her and asked if she wanted to go on a walk with him and perform a sexual act on him.

Moments later he attempted to kiss her hand before sexually assaulting her. He stayed on the bench next to the victim and then threatened to rape her.

A member of the public at the station witnessed the attack and called the police. Officers from Hampshire Police were first to arrive at the station, and the witness pointed out Money who was still sat next to the girl. He was immediately arrested and taken to custody for questioning.  

Following an extensive investigation led by BTP detectives, Money was left with no choice but to plead guilty to the attack.

BTP Detective Constable Phil James said:

"Money is a dangerous sexual predator who preyed on a lone teenage girl and attacked her as she waited for a train. His behaviour was totally unacceptable and has caused a young woman severe trauma.

"I commend her bravery in supporting our investigation, as well as the bystander who quickly called the police so Money could be arrested at the scene. Thanks to them, Money is now behind bars and no longer a danger to women.

“If you experience or witness a sexual offence on-board a train or at a station, I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016. We take all reports seriously, and just like in this incident, officers will immediately attend to arrest sexual offenders and bring them to justice."

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The sentencing of an Isle of Wight paedophile caught with a huge collection of child sex abuse images has been delayed for a third time.

Logan Robinson, of Nelson Road in Newport, was due to be sentenced at the IW Crown Court on June 10, July 1, and once again on August 1 – rescheduled on each occasion due to delays in the case.

The 25-year-old previously admitted:

• Three counts of possessing indecent images of children
• Two counts of distributing indecent images of children
• Possession of prohibited images of children 
• Possession of extreme pornography portraying a sexual assault
• During a visit to Robinson’s home on November 15, 2021, police discovered two

mobile phones, which contained 273 Category A images — the most extreme kind — 367 Category B images, and 561 Category C images.

Robinson, who had received a "huge file of images" from a sexual offender living abroad, was caught distributing at least six images of children via social media.

When interviewed by police, Robinson said: "I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't help myself".

The third delay in this case was so Robinson could seek legal representation, the court heard.

Robinson was bailed until his new sentencing date on September 4.

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Update 2025-09-09

An Isle of Wight man has been jailed for 18 years after being found guilty of multiple offences of non-recent child sexual abuse.

Michael Norman Smith, aged 61, formerly of Willow Way in Sandown was found guilty following a trial at Isle of Wight Crown Court on Friday 1 August of:

• Three counts of rape of a child under 13.
• Sexual assault of a child under 13 by digital penetration.
• Two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child under 13
• Three counts of causing/inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child aged 13-15

The offences were perpetrated against a boy between 1 May 2004 and 31 March 2010 on the Isle of Wight.

DC Amy Hicks, who investigated the case, said:

The sentence imposed by the Judge recognises the seriousness of Smiths offending and I hope that it provides some closure for the victim. This significant sentence ensures that Smith will be in prison for a very long time and will not be able to target other children in the community.

Our commitment to bringing offenders to justice is underlined when long-running and complex investigations like this result in such a significant sentence and I hope this sends a clear message that crimes of this nature will not be tolerated. I hope this outcome prompts victims of similar offences to contact us when they are ready to, so that we are able to secure justice for them as well.

2022-04-11

A man who lured children into his Sandown home by allowing them to play computer games has been jailed for sexually abusing a child in the 1990s and early 2000s.

58-year-old Michael Norman Smith sexually assaulted the boy between 1997 and 2003, beginning when the child was under the age of 10.

During a trial at Isle of Wight Crown Court, jurors heard how Smith, who lived at Willow Way in Sandown at the time of the offences, would often have children over to his address and would allow them to play computer games. Smith would also take them to do activities such as swimming or going to the cinema.

In 2019, Police were contacted by a man who stated that Smith had sexually abused him at the Willow Way address during this period when he was a child. After the abuse, the boy would then be given money, sweets or other food and drink items by Smith.

Following an investigation, Smith was charged with 2 counts of indecent assault and 3 counts of indecency with a child. He initially denied the offences and the case went to trial on 7th February this year.

On 9th February, part way through the trial, Smith changed his plea and admitted all of the abuse. Smith was subsequently remanded in custody to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 8th April where he was jailed for 6-and-a-half years.

Detective Sergeant Katy Lee of Hampshire Constabulary, who led the investigation, said:

Smith is a danger to children, and he groomed and manipulated the child in this case for his own perverse gratification.

The boy has had to deal with the impact of this abuse for the remainder of his childhood and into adult life. I want to commend him for now finding the courage to come forward and face his abuser.

His courage has ensured that a predator is now behind bars where he belongs, and Smith will pay the price for these awful crimes.

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A man has been jailed for two years for possessing and distributing indecent images, including images of children.

George Goodier, 24, a former nursey worker from Grace Woodford Drive in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, was found to be in possession of over 1,800 indecent images, as well as having distributed over 250 images.

Officers launched an investigation and Goodier was arrested in December 2024, during which items including his mobile phone were seized from his address.

His phone was examined and 1,861 indecent images and videos were found, as well evidence that he had distributed 268 indecent images.  

Following further thorough investigations by the Specialist Investigation team and digital forensic examination, it was confirmed that none of the images found on his devices related to any children to whom he had access and were all internet-accessible illegal images.

Goodier was charged with three counts of possessing an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child, three counts of distributing an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child and one count of possessing extreme pornographic image/s portraying a sexual act with an animal.

Goodier pleaded guilty to all offences and was jailed for a total of two years at Isle Of Wight Crown Court on Friday 4 July.

He is also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order  for ten years and lifelong registration requirements.

PC Trudi May from the Internet Child Abuse Team said:

“Goodier very clearly poses a serious risk to children and I am very glad to see him put behind bars, as well as being subject to strict conditions when he is released.

“Goodier worked in a trusted position around children and I am relieved that we have been able to bring his crimes to light and ensure that he never works with children again.

“Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is committed to keeping the children in our communities safe and I hope that this investigation evidences how seriously we treat offences of this nature.”

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A man has been jailed for a number of non-recent child sex offences on the Isle of Wight.

Ryan Phillips, aged 24, was charged with the following offences, which were perpetrated against six children:

• Rape a girl under 13 between 19 August 2012 – 19 August 2015 in Shanklin
• Assault a girl under 13 by penetration between 19 August 2012 – 19 August 2015 in Shanklin
• Inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity between 6 July 2011 and 12 August 2014 in Shanklin
• Rape a girl under 13 between 6 July 2011 and 12 August 2014 in Shanklin
• Rape a girl under 13 between 6 July 2011 and 12 August 2014 in Shanklin
• Rape a girl under 13 between 6 July 2011 and 12 August 2014 in Shanklin
• Rape a girl under 13 between 1 April 2016 and 6 July 2017 in Shanklin
• Assault a boy under 13 by touching between 1 January 2011 and 12 August 2014 in Shanklin
• Inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity between 1 January 2011 and 12 August 2014 in Shanklin
• Inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity between 1 January 2011 and 12 August 2014 in Shanklin
• Rape of a boy under 13 between 30 May 2014 and 30 May 2015 in Shanklin
• Inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity between 1 January 2011 and 12 August 2014 in Shanklin
• Inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity between 30 May 2014 and 30 May 2015 in Shanklin
• Inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity on 6 February 2014 and 6 February 2015 in Shanklin
• Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13 between 15 March 2014 and 15 March 2015 in Shanklin

The abuse was first reported to police in July 2022, before a lengthy investigation was commenced by the Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT) on the Isle of Wight.

Phillips, of Melville Street in Sandown, was himself under the age of 18 when all of these offences occurred.

During the abuse, he tried to stop the victims telling anyone, by claiming they would get into trouble if they did, and that the abuse should remain ‘our little secret’.

He denied all of the charges, and the case went to trial at Portsmouth Crown Court on 17 February this year.

On 13 March, he was found guilty of all 15 counts by the jury.

Appearing at the same court for sentencing on Thursday 22 May, he was jailed for 12 years and handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Passing sentence, His Honour Judge Melville commented on the ‘disastrous effect’ the offences had on the victims, and that they may never recover.

Detective Sergeant Iain Robertson, from the Isle of Wight CAIT team, said: “Reporting abuse of this nature takes an incredible amount of courage, and all of the victims in this case have shown that throughout this investigation and the subsequent court process.

“The abuse they suffered at the hands of Phillips was horrific, and through their collective bravery they have ensured he has been brought to justice.

“Rape and other sexual offences, particularly those involving children, have a devastating and long lasting impact on victims, and it can often take years for those affected to find the confidence to speak up about it.

“Offences of this nature can also be some of the most harrowing and complex for police to investigate, but this case demonstrates that justice can still be secured even years after a crime has been committed.

“I hope the outcome of this investigation can give confidence to those who have been abused and are suffering in silence that they are not alone, we will take action and we will do everything in our power to target those responsible.”

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A “high-risk” Isle of Wight paedophile caught with over 700,000 child sex abuse images back in 2017 has flouted Sex Offenders' Register rules for a fourth time.

Peter Trayner, of Queens Road, Freshwater, appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates on Friday, May 16.

The 75-year-old admitted failing to comply with the notification requirements of the Sex Offenders’ Register, in Newport, on April 26.

Prosecutor, Lauren McConnell, said Trayner was a registered sex offender and deemed as a high-risk offender, convicted of possessing indecent images of children back in February 2017.

As previously reported, he was imprisoned for 29 months after 738,000 indecent images of children were found on his computer.

Ms MsConnell said he was due to register with police on April 26, failed to do so in time, and it was his fourth breach since conviction.

Ms McConnell said his last breach was back in June last year when he failed to register a bank card with police in time, and Trayner was currently subject of two crown court community orders.

Oscar Vincent, defending, said Traynor was required to register on an annual basis.

He said he was elderly and suffers from memory lapses, and he attended the police station on April 29, thinking he was a day early.

Mr Vincent said Traynor was shocked to learn he was in fact two days late.

Traynor, who assured magistrates ‘none of it was deliberate’, saw his case adjourned to June 13 at the Isle of Wight Crown Court.

He was granted unconditional bail until that date.

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A 71-year-old man from Wootton Bridge has been jailed for 18 years after being found guilty of eight counts of non-recent sexual offences against three children in Ryde and East Cowes between 1994 and 2012.

On 14 July 2022 we received a third party report relating to a 26-year-old woman who had been physically, sexually, and mentally abused when she was under the age of 16 by Keith Matthews of Mary Rose Avenue. Subsequent enquiries identified a 28-year-old woman who was also a victim of similar offences by Matthews when she was under the age of 18. Following Matthews initial arrest on 28 July 2022 a 42-year-old woman came forward and reported that she had also been sexually assaulted by Matthews when she was under the age of 16. The offences all took place between 1994 and 2012 in Ryde and East Cowes.

Following a thorough investigation Matthews was charged on Monday 22 April 2024.

At Newport Crown Court on Friday 4 April 2025 Matthews was found guilty of the following after a thirteen day trial:

• Indecent assault – victim age 12-13 / multiple incidents.
• Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child – victim age 8-9.
• Rape of a female – victim age 14-15.
• Assault by penetration – victim age 13-14 / multiple incidents.
• Two counts of sexual assault – victim age 13-14 / multiple incidents.
• Two counts of assault by penetration – victim age 13-14.

He was sentenced to a combined total of 18 years in prison at  Court on Wednesday 23 April 2025.

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An Isle of Wight paedophile has been jailed after flouting his court order again by deleting Snapchat messages and explicit photos of an American schoolgirl from his phone and computer.

Paul Norman, of The Rogers in Shanklin, attended the IW Crown Court for sentencing after previously admitting breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The court heard how the 65-year-old is a registered sex offender who was convicted of sex offences in 2006 and 2022 – the most recent after he was caught with extreme obscene images of young children and bestiality.

Upon being handed a two-year suspended sentence, part of Norman’s order dictated that he could not delete the history on his electronic devices.

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An Ipswich teacher accused of having conversations about sex with girls he thought were as young as nine has been sentenced to seven years in prison.

Richard Cook was previously found guilty of eight child sex offences and was before Ipswich Crown Court on Friday for sentencing.

Cook, now of Lambert Lane, East Cowes, previously denied one offence of attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act, three offences of attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity and an offence of arranging or facilitating a sex act he intended to do, namely engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl under 16.

The court heard he had hoped to meet one of the decoy 13-year-old girls in Christchurch Park for penetrative sex.

All the offences relate to conversations he allegedly had with adult decoys posing as three girls aged between nine and 14, over the messaging app Kik.

The offences are alleged to have been committed in July 2019 and the decoys were a mixture of police accounts and civilians from a paedophile hunter group.

The defendant was eventually caught when he was confronted by the paedophile group outside of his house. 

Cook also denied three offences of making indecent images of children on or before July 29 2019.

The charges allege that he made one indecent image and five videos in the most serious level A category, three images and 10 videos in category B and 19 images and five videos in the least serious level C category.

The 48-year-old father of two claimed his partner had wanted him out of her life and he believed she had installed the Kik messenger account to get him into trouble but she denied this when she gave evidence.

The defendant also said the pictures of his penis which were found on his phone and were sent to decoys were actually images he was going to send to his partner to rekindle sexual activity in his relationship.  

Defence barrister Juliet Donovan said the conviction has had a devastating effect on Cook’s family and mentioned he struggles with his health.

Judge Nicola Talbot-Hadley told the defendant: “You had every intention of meeting with the person at the end of your messaging and committing the offences”.

She added that both his partner and children “have been indirectly impacted as they will need to deal with the shame of what’s happened to you”.

Judge Talbot-Hadley then sentenced Cook to seven years in custody and imposed a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years.

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An Isle of Wight paedophile who left one of his child victims unable to sleep has walked free from court after being diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Southampton Crown Court heard how Serbas Mohammed, 31, abused two young girls in 2022 when they were aged just 15 and ten.

During a single incident, Mohammed kissed one girl on the cheek and neck, moving closer to her every time she edged away from him.

Then he began massaging the thigh of his other victim, asking her to give him a massage.

He was brought to court when one of the two girls reported the incident to a friend and later the school that she attends.

In a statement read out in court, one of the victims said: “This incident has had a big impact on me. I felt a lot of anger.

“I have also been unable to go to school properly. I have been struggling with my mental health. Struggling to sleep.”

Mohammed continues to deny the offence until this day but in June, he was convicted by a jury of two counts of sexual activity with a child.

Following concerns being raised during the proceedings, a psychiatric report was carried out on him, leading him to be sectioned and diagnosed with schizophrenia.

He now requires injections to control his condition.

His barrister, Thomas Evans told the sentencing judge that this would not be monitored properly in prison.

Mohammed, of Market Place, Newport, Isle of Wight, was sentenced to 15 months suspended for two years on Friday.

He must complete up to 40 rehabilitation days and is subject to a mental health treatment requirement for 12 months.

The court also ordered that he register as a sex offender and made him subject to a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order for the next ten years.

Judge Brian Forster KC said: “What took place has had a considerable impact. I have no doubt that the case crosses the custody threshold.

“The reality of the case is that you suffer from Schizophrenia. That is a challenging mental health condition.

“You have served earlier this year a period in hospital. You have been compliant with the treatment programme.

“If you are sent to prison today that will be a major step back in your rehabilitation which will affect not only you but also the public.”

Prosecutor Ellie Fargin added that Mohammed has two previous convictions for a public order offence and making threats to kill.

But Mr Evans said: “This is one of those rare examples where an offender comes before the court and radically improves his situation as a result of the criminal proceedings that he has faced.

“When he first came to court his presentation was concerning. His presentation before and after that is like night and say in my submission.

“He has radically improved his situation. He is someone who came to this country as a youth with preexisting trauma which is going to have an impact on his mental health.”

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A "creep" child sex abuse offender from the Isle of Wight used video games on his phone to "lure" a young girl before abusing her, a court has heard.

Paedophile Adrian Colvin, of Pennycress Drive, Newport, was jailed at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Friday, May 31.

Court heard of the "profound and lasting" effect his offending has had on the girl.

On April 24, Colvin was convicted by jury trial of three counts of sexual activity with a child under 13, and two further charges of assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration.

The offences, which he denied, happened on the Isle of Wight, between June 13, 2018, and December 1, 2021, when the girl was aged between nine and 12.

Court heard how Colvin's crimes were brought to the attention of police in 2022.

The girl explained how video games on Colvin's phone were used to lure her and then she was invited round, prosecutor, Tim Devlin, said.

During those visits, Colvin would touch her inappropriately and sexually assault her, court heard.

Mr Devlin said the victim thought he was a "creep" and tried to stop him by kicking.

A victim impact statement read to the court heard how, since the abuse, the girl suffers with mental health issues.

She has missed a lot of school as she struggles going anywhere on her own.

"I'm no longer myself. It is always there in my mind", the statement said.

For Colvin, Thomas Acworth said the 27-year-old is an "isolated" figure who was neurologically under developed, in comparison to others his age.

With no previous convictions, Colvin is a young man who had never been in trouble before, Mr Acworth said.

He feels the convictions have brought his life to an end but Mr Acworth said hope is not lost for him and he can become an effective member of society again.

Recorder Elisabeth Bussey-Jones said Colvin's offending showed elements of grooming and has had a "profound and lasting effect on a vulnerable person."

"These offences are so serious", she said. "Whether you will offend again, only time will tell."

Colvin was sentenced to five and a half years in prison.

He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years and ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

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A sexual predator has been jailed for 15 years for coercive controlling behaviour and raping a woman in Gosport.

Connor Richard Barnes, of no fixed address on the Isle of Wight, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday, January 18, where a jury found him guilty of two charges of rape and coercive controlling behaviour.

The offences took place between January 2020 and March 2022.

Following the verdict, the 28-year-old was remanded in custody until appearing again at the court on Tuesday, March 12, where he was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

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A former Isle of Wight youth football coach has been handed a suspended prison sentence and forced to register as a sex offender after being convicted of possessing indecent images of children.

Reece Simon Anderson, 23, of Vectis Road in East Cowes, appeared before Southampton Crown Court for sentencing on Friday after pleading guilty to 3 counts of possession of an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child, namely 25 Category A, 117 Category B and 16 Category C images, as well as 13 Category A videos.

In October 2021, Police moved in and arrested the then Solent University student – thought to be at his accommodation in the city of Southampton. An examination of his devices revealed a stash of more than 170 indecent images or videos of varying severity.

According to Anderson’s social accounts, the paedophile had been involved in football as a youth coach since September 2018, qualifying as an FA Level 1 coach in January 2020.

At university, the 23-year-old had been studying Football Studies (BA) with an interest in youth development and an aspiration to become an academy manager for a professional football team.

Anderson has now been barred from working with children following his sentencing.

Recorder Gordon Bebb KC handed Reece Anderson a 6-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and placed him on the sex offenders register for a period of 7 years. Anderson has also been made subject to a 7-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to complete a Horizon programme with 25 rehabilitation days.

His devices are to be destroyed