Latest Offenders Lancashire

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A SCHOOL sports coach who was jailed for having sex with a 14-year-old in a classroom has avoided being sent back to prison despite breaching a court order.

Glyn Harrison, previously known as Glyn Thompson, had been working in a primary school in Burnley when the original offences took place back in 2011-2013.

In September 2013 he was sentenced to eight years in prison for the offences and was also made the subject of a sexual offence prevention order and notification requirements.

At the time Preston Crown Court heard how the then 30-year-old had groomed and had a sexual relationship with his victim over an 18-month period.

His teenage victim even took a pregnancy test to ensure she wasnt carrying the Burnley teachers baby.

It was heard how Thompson - who has since changed his surname to Harrison in an attempt to hide his past - had "groomed" the youngster over a series of weeks, initially swapping e-mails and then exchanging naked pictures of each other.

But this eventually progressed to kissing, oral sex and then full intercourse with the girl.

On Monday, Burnley Crown Court heard how Harrison had breached the SOPO by having unsupervised contact with a female child under 16 years of age, without the approval of social services and the childs parent was unaware of his convictions.

He had also breached his sex offender notification requirements by not informing the relevant authorities where he was residing and staying for a period of seven days or more where a child under 18 resides.

Harrison, 40, of Meadow Bank Mews, Nelson, pleaded guilty to the charges at an earlier hearing.

He was jailed for two years, suspended for 24 months, with a seven-month curfew and 20 Rehabilitation Action Requirement Days.

Katie Lord, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said: Thompson changed his name to Harrison in an attempt to leave his past behind him.

"He didnt disclose his past offending to the women he dated so they could make informed decisions and he failed to adhere to the SOPO and notification requirements put in place to protect children from him reoffending.

"I hope this conviction and sentence will remind him and others of the consequences of breaching sexual offences prevention orders and notification requirements.

Description

George Preston, 21, of Windsor Place, Fleetwood, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape of a child under 13 and one count of rape of an 18-year-old woman at Preston Crown Court on Monday.

One of Preston's victims, who cannot be named, was just 12-years-old when she was raped by him in an 'abandoned gas shelter which was dirty with no windows'. She said: "George didnt just rape me, take my innocence away and my relations, but he also killed that person I ought to have been and that person I once was. No sentence long enough could ever begin for me to bring the real me back because one day he will be walking down the road just like nothing had happened."

She told the court: "I am terrified of men, groups of people, loud noise, and people touching me. I get consistent flashbacks and every day I will have a panic attack or a breakdown... It is a constant reminder of everything George did.

countless time, to which most people are unaware of except my closest friends. I am permanently scarred by what George did to me and there is no escape of that. I will forever have to carry this along with me. I will have to grow up knowing that each day I will still have been that victim, that child who got raped.

"Theres a question I have always wanted to know the answer of and that is why.

"George has ruined my life, my views, and my mental and physical state and I do not see myself getting past this. When I look into the future all I see is a black hole. George took my life away from the first time he abused me, and I will never get my life back. I lay there at night thinking of if I had killed myself how people would move on and carry on being happy. George has taken my life away he killed the person inside that I once was, and I do not see a sentence long enough to let the lives of his victims ever build back up to how they were."

Preston was sentenced to nine years in prison, and received a 10 year restraining order preventing him from contacting either of his victims. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register.

His victim, who is now 17, said: "I was once a happy child excited to see what their future held and what they would experience. Yet instead, Im a lost teenager with no future in their eyes and no hope or aspiration for the future. I see a dark hole that I cannot reach out of. I am trapped and I will never be set free. George will always have that hold over me.

"I would have loved to see what my life held for me if I had not met George; I would have loved to know what I would have achieved and what I could have built for myself rather than it being taken away from me.

"I know there are a lot of things I could say, but to this day I am still terrified of what he may do. I might be stronger minded and stronger physically now than I was when I was 11, but I could still not face him and say what I think. That man will forever terrify me, the things that resemble him and the places where he made me go will forever be a constant reminder of what he did... I will never forgive him of what he has done."

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Case brought by the Counter Terrorism Policing North West unit

A 19-year-old man who posted extreme right-wing and racist material online and who made indecent photographs or 'pseudo-photographs' of a child has been jailed for two years. Thomas Leech, of Derby Drive, Preston, pleaded guilty to seven charges, including three counts of publishing a statement intending members of the public to be directly or indirectly encouraged or otherwise induced to commit, prepare, or instigate acts of terrorism contrary to the Terrorism Act 2006.

He also pleaded guilty to four other offences not covered by terrorism legislation. These were: Publishing or distributing written material which was threatening, abusive or insulting intending thereby to stir up racial hatred, or having regard to all the circumstances racial hatred was likely to be stirred up; publishing or distributing written material which was threatening, intending thereby to stir up religious hatred; making 211 indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child and making four indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child.

He was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court today, where he was also given a 12 month extended licence period to be applied on completion of his prison sentence, plus 10 years on the sex offenders register, a 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a 10-year notification requirement under Part Four of the Terrorism Act 2008. On February 28, 2020, a report was made to police identifying an online user posting hateful and racist comments and demonstrating support of an extreme right-wing ideology.

An investigation was conducted by Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW) and, aided by Counter Terrorism Command, identified the online user to be Leech. Further research identified many more online postings by Leech, including comments of an anti-Semitic and racist nature.

Leech was arrested at his home address in November 2020 but, after being released on bail, posted more material online.

During the examination of Leech's digital devices, a number of offences were discovered including indecent images of children and in February, 2021 he was further arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children. In December, 2021, he pleaded guilty to seven offences.

Detective Superintendent Will Chatterton, head of CTPNW investigations, said: "Leech's comments and behaviour online was despicable and a thorough investigation was able to identify these posts and evidence them before the courts.

"CTPNW will always take complaints of this nature very seriously and exercise full powers to bring offenders to justice."

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A Lancashire man has been jailed for repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting two young children.

Nigel Turner, 72, from Morecambe, was arrested by National Crime Agency officers in November 2021, after he distributed multiple indecent images of the children (IIOC) via an online messaging app.

Some of the images, which he shared using an account created with a false name, showed him sexually abusing one of the children.

When arresting him, officers seized his phone for analysis. On it, they found a collection of images and videos which showed he had raped and sexually assaulted two children, as well as engaging in sexual activity in front of them on multiple occasions.

Although Turners face cannot be seen in the images, NCA investigators were able to identify him as the suspect from clothing, jewellery and voice recognition.

He was charged with 21 offences: seven counts of raping a child under 13, three counts of sexually assaulting a child under 13, two of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and 12 counts of distributing, taking and making IIOC at categories A-C (A being the most severe).

Turner pleaded guilty to all 21 charges in December last year. Yesterday [14 March 2022] he was sentenced to 20 years in prison at Preston Crown Court.

Turner was also given a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and was put on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Hazel Stewart, from the National Crime Agency, said: Turner carried out the most serious sexual abuse on these children.

His crimes are truly incomprehensible.

After capturing the abuse on his phone, Turner shared it with others online using a fake profile, in an attempt to mask his identity.

Clearly he thought this would save him, but the NCA has the capabilities to disrupt offenders who use anonymisation techniques, and we are focusing those capabilities on catching the most dangerous of criminals.

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A paedophile asked the probation service whether he could look at pictures of 18 and 19-year-old boys instead of younger teens.

Darren Ernest Clarence Roberts, 51, downloaded specialist deleting software to clear devices of any evidence of him searching for gay teen porn just two days before his devices were checked by officers.

Burnley Crown Court was told that Roberts was placed on the sex offenders register in 1999, subjecting him to regular checks of his technology by police.

On January 21, 2020, police visited Roberts where they found 72 indecent images of children, some as young as four.

Many of the images were downloaded through cache files from Roberts visiting websites while two of the photos were downloaded and saved to the phone.

Roberts, from Blackburn, told police that he had not downloaded the images and that they were on the phone when he bought it from Cash Generator in Accrington, however, Recorder Nicholas Clarke QC said that he did not believe that a person would sell their phone without factory resetting it first.

Prosecuting, Neil Fryman said that Roberts, of Jays B and B, Bolton Road, failed to inform police that he had bought the new phone, breaking the requirements of his sexual harm prevention order with Roberts saying he did not think it was relevant.

Mr Fryman said: Roberts said he spoke with his probation worker to ask whether he could download adult porn including teenage boys who said it would be okay.

The probation service said that they recall Roberts asking but did not say it would be okay, trying to deter him from the searches.

Defending, Alison Whalley said that Roberts had two psychiatric reports in October and November and did not think that he was yet a danger to the community as he had not been contacting young boys and only downloading images.

She said: He has completed a Kaizen course. Something that he is particularly proud of and he said; If I could turn the clock back knowing what I know now I would not have committed the offences and I am remorseful.

Roberts' request for a suspended sentence was swiftly denied, with Mr Recorder Clarke saying that only a custodial sentence would be appropriate in this situation.

Roberts pleaded guilty to three charges of possession of an indecent photograph of a child and one charge of possession of an extreme pornographic image.

He was sentenced to two years in prison and will require post-release supervision.

Roberts was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years - however, he is already listed on the register for life.

He said: You have an extensive criminal record specifically relating to offences involving children.

Attempts have been made to rehabilitate you in the community to stop you offending in this way.

Its clear that you have continued to search for gay teen porn against the advice you have been given.

It is clear that you have viewed some of the images online but also downloaded some of the images online in a purposeful act.

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David Wrennall took advantage of the young girl when she had passed out

A pervert has been jailed for feeling up a paralytic 16-year-old and pleasuring himself over her.

David Wrennall, 44, targeted the girl after she had passed out at a gathering.

Wrennall, previously of Goonhavern but who has since moved to Lancashire, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence having pleaded guilty to three sexual assaults.

Prosecuting the case, Heather Hope said that Wrennall had supplied young people with alcohol at the gathering.

Miss Hope described how the victim in the case had never really drank and that following a can of cider and potentially some rum, she remembers very little.

She became unwell and vomited and was put in the back of a car by Wrennall.

People at the gathering were alarmed by how Wrennall put her into the car.

Wrennall left her for a time before returning and touching her on the breast. He again left her before coming back and touching her pubic area over her underwear.

Wrennall moved away and returned a final time and began pleasuring himself to the point when he ejaculated over the victims face and hair.

Miss Hope said: She was aware to some extent and tried to push him away but was in no fit state to put up any sort of resistance.

She had a further panic attack and the defendant put his hand over her mouth which increased her panic and fear and led to her passing out.

Miss Hope added that the victim was eventually taken home and police were called.

Wrennall made full admissions in interview and the effect on the victim is said to be life-changing and utterly devastating.

Representing Wrennall, Rupert Taylor said that he made full admissions from the off and wishes to make an abject apology. The court also heard how his wife left him as a result of the incident and he now lives alone in the north of England.

Sentencing, Judge Simon Carr said Wrennall would have been aware of just how ill the victim was but chose to make the inexcusable decision to put her in the car as he didnt want his wife to find out hed been supplying alcohol to young people.

He said: The victim has limited memory and was whats probably best described as in and out of consciousness. This would have been obvious.

Judge Carr went onto state the breaks between each offence were for Wrennall to check he wasnt being watched and that after each period of time to reflect, he continued to behave in such a way to fulfil his own sexual gratification.

Judge Carr said Wrennall took advantage of someone who was extremely vulnerable.

Wrennall was jailed for two years and must sign the sex offenders register.

Certain aspects of the case have been left out of this report to protect the victim's anonymity.

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A woman said she feels like 'her life is crumbling' after she endured four years of sexual abuse at the hands of a sexual predator.

Michael Harvey, 47, attempted to rape the little girl in her sleep when she was just eight years old, Preston Crown Court heard.

In the years that followed he subjected her to numerous sexual assaults which left her feeling 'sick to the stomach', she said.

Harvey, of Lulworth Road, Fulwood, Preston, has been jailed for 10 years with a year's extended licence after pleading guilty to the abuse.

Judge Richard Gioserano, sentencing, said the woman waited 'years' before she found the courage to report what had happened to her as a child.

"You thought you could get away with it because children often don't tell and feel unable to tell for many years - often overcome with fear and shame and confusion", he said.

When the woman did speak out against her abuser, Harvey lied and only pleaded guilty as he was due to stand trial at Preston Crown Court.

He admitted attempted rape of a child under 13 and six counts of sexual assault. which represented a pattern of abuse.

Judge Gioserano said: "This is no isolated case of sexual abuse. You subjected her to sexual abuse on many occasions over a long period of time between the ages of eight and 12 years old.

"You corrupted and distorted her childhood and she is now still paying the price for the sexual gratification you obtained from it."

In a victim impact statement, the woman said: "I find it hard to cope with anything around me and I just feel like I am on my own all the time, with no-one to talk to. It's like I am completely alone.

"My life feels like it is crumbling. I don't even feel like I am living - more that I exist. It is so hard to forget something that haunts me and makes me feel sick to my stomach.

"This man has left me feeling worthless. I shouldn't have to feel like this - I shouldn't have to feel like no-one wants me around, but I do and nothing ever changes, so I stay in my room and don't leave the house."

Harvey wrote a letter to the judge admitting what he had done and expressing remorse, but the judge said in an earlier interview with a probation officer the defendant had tried to minimise his offending.

He said: "She still struggles. One can only hope in time and with love it might become easier to bear. "

He sentenced Harvey to 10 years for the attempted rape and added a year extended licence upon his release.

He also made a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and made Harvey the subject of notification requirements indefinitely.

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A man who sexually assaulted two women and then forged a letter purporting to be from one victim claiming he was innocent has been jailed.

Anthony Kirkbright sent the letter to a police station while on remand for the sex attacks in Accrington and Blackburn, Lancashire Police said.

But the letter had a postage stamp from HMP Altcourse, where he was being held.

The 54-year-old was jailed for four years at Preston Crown Court after admitting the assaults.

Kirkbright, of no fixed address, harassed and sexually assaulted a vulnerable woman at Accrington bus station in June 2020, police said.

While on bail he then attacked a second victim after being invited back to her home in Blackburn in June 2021.

'Grotesque behaviour'

After Kirkbright was arrested, charged and held on remand he sent a letter to Greenbank police station in Blackburn purporting to be from his second victim - before being caught out by the postage stamp.

Kirkbright pleaded guilty to two sexual assaults, attempting to pervert the course of justice and breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

He had previously been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Det Con Tom Dawson said: "I am pleased with the sentence and that the courts have imposed orders which will restrict Kirkbright's association with women when he is released.

"Like the judge in this case, I believe Kirkbright is a danger to women and I am pleased the public have some respite from his grotesque behaviour."

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A wanted high risk sex offender who was on the run has now been caught after being arrested in Burnley.

A spokesperson for the police said: "Further to our earlier appeals, wanted high risk sex offender Paul Rivas has been arrested in Burnley and is in custody.

"Thanks to everyone who shared our appeals to find him."

Earlier today police appealed for the public's help in locating Paul Rivas, 51, who was wanted on recall to prison after breaching the terms of his release licence.

Rivas had been convicted in October 2015 following a sexual assault on a woman.

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A woman was left horrified after learning her new partner was a convicted paedophile only when the police came to her house to look for him.

The mum from Blackpool said she felt like her dreams had come true when she met Lee Martin and started a relationship with him.

But unknown to her, Martin, 32, was a convicted child sex offender who had served a five year prison sentence for a serious sexual assault on a child 10 years ago.

Following his release from prison he was subject to strict conditions he must not have any unsupervised contact with children under 16 unless it was approved by social services and the parents were aware of his convictions.

In November last year, officers from Lancashire Police went to Martins home in Claremont Court, Blackpool, to check on him. Martin was not at the address and a neighbour informed them he was living with a woman at another location in Blackpool.

When the police attended that address, they found Martin in a parked car outside the premises, claiming he was sleeping rough.

He later confessed he had been living with the woman and her children for a few weeks.

The woman told police she had been in a relationship with Martin and he sometimes stayed at her home. When his flat was badly damaged in a fire she allowed him to move in - but she had no idea of his sordid past, she said.

The day I met him I had no idea he was a sex offender. He came across as very loving and caring. He asked me personal questions about my children and their fathers," she told the court.

He asked me if I had family in Blackpool and had a problem with male friends including my childs dad. I pushed people away because of him.

The woman said the relationship moved quickly, with Martin asking her to marry him and have a baby. He also asked to take on a parental role to her children and would take them to school or to the shops to allow her time for herself.

I felt like my dreams had come true as they needed a father figure in their life," she said.

Rachel Woods, prosecuting, said there was no suggestion any physical harm had come to the children while they were in Martins care.

However he breached the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by spending time with the young family.

The woman said: I feel Lee saw me as an easy target. I was a single mum with no family around. I feel like he took advantage of me. I feel like I was brainwashed and always think what he could have done to them if I had allowed him more access.

Martin pleaded guilty to breach of the SHPO and two breaches of the notification requirements which oblige him to inform the police of any change of address.

He appeared via videolink at Preston Crown Court to be sentenced.

Recorder Jones, sentencing, said: You duped this woman in every way. You gave her the impression of being a caring and decent individual who would look after her and her children.

I stress that no harm of a physical nature came to them. Had that been the case you would be here for more serious matters but the degree of the breach of trust is best summarised by the fact you wished to become their stepfather.

Their trust has been completely destroyed by your lies and manipulation. Your intentions may have been genuine but you did not give them the truth they deserved.

Holly Nelson, defending, said Martin had cut contact with the woman and was back in a relationship with his ex, who does not have children.

Recorder Jones jailed Martin for 30 months for breaching the SHPO and 20 months to run concurrently for failing to notify the police of a change of address.

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A man and woman who brought 'unimaginable pain' to two children have been jailed.

David Aspden, 50, kicked a girl while wearing a steel toe-capped boot and poisoned her dog with antifreeze.

He also pointed a gun at a stray cat and told the youngster it would be her fault if he pulled the trigger, Preston Crown Court heard.

Judge Graham Knowles QC, sentencing, said Mr Aspden treated the girl and a boy with "cruelty that was almost casual".

When the girl, who can not be named for legal reasons, told Aspden's wife Sharon about his violence towards her, Mrs Aspden supported her husband. Mr Aspden went on to sexually abuse her, the court heard.

David Aspden, of Darwen, has now been jailed for 13 years for the sexual abuse and cruelty he directed towards the girl and boy. His wife, also of Darwen, has been jailed for two and a half years for cruelty.

Shirlie Duckworth, prosecuting, said while the abuse was happening, Sharon Aspden, a hairdresser, was frequently drunk to the point she would wet herself. David Aspden smoked cannabis on a daily basis.

On one occasion Mrs Aspden gave the girl a black eye when she attacked her in a drunken rage, Ms Duckworth said.

The couple were often violent towards each other, with Mr Aspden pushing his wife down the stairs.

During a trial at Preston Crown Court, it was heard that David Aspden showed the boy and girl pornographic. He also molested the girl, the court heard.

He abused her in front of the boy and on one occasion gave her a cannabis joint before ordering her to take her top off.

"I had no idea what planet I was on", the girl said.

But when the girl formed a friendship with a younger boy, David Aspden called her a paedophile.

"You are, amongst many other things, a hypocrite", Judge Knowles told him.

Following his conviction for cruelty and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, David Aspden told a probation officer the girl was "an attention seeker who thrived off the drama" and said the boy had been put up to giving evidence against him in court. Sharon Aspden claimed the two youngsters were lying.

Judge Knowles QC said there was "no realistic prospect of rehabilitation" for the couple and said they must be punished immediately and severely for what they had done.

In a victim impact statement, the girl said she had suffered mental health problems and self harmed as a result of the abuse, but felt proud to have brought the Aspdens to justice.

Looking directly at the pair in the dock, she said: "I would like to say I am not scared of either of you now and I have seen straight through both of you for what you are. I know full well you wouldn't have dared to do something like this to someone your own size.

"It has been a long journey but right now I am not doing too bad. I know now you will suffer as a result of your actions and I think I can find peace with that."

The boy said he was scared and upset by the way Mr and Mrs Aspden treated him.

Sending both defendants to prison, Judge Knowles QC said: "You two, between you, brought about unimaginable harm and pain to these two children."

Description

A dangerous sex offender who groomed an 11-year-old-girl over a period of three years in incidents dating back to the 1990s has been jailed.

John Best appeared before Judge Graham Knowles at Preston's Sessions House on Thursday, after admitting nine counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 13.

The court heard how Best, now 55, had groomed his victim from the age of 11 by plying her with sweets and cigarettes.

At an earlier hearing, prosecutor, Peter Barr said the offending 'progressed' over 12 months, starting with Best attempting to kiss his victim, before inappropriately touching her, over the top of and then underneath her clothes.

Mr Barr told the court the offending only came to light in May 2020, following an incident whereby Best had gone missing from his home.

When he was found, he was arrested and admitted his guilt.

Best, of Church Street, Accrington, has 20 convictions from 67 offences, including a long period where he was driving while disqualified and went to prison time and time again, but no previous sexual offence convictions.

It was heard that the courts had also tried something other than immediate imprisonment but to no success.

In a personal statement, Best's victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she had been affected by the incidents her entire adult life.

Her statement read: "I feel like I lost my childhood. As I grew into an adult I developed anger issues, and find it difficult trust anyone.

"It's affected my relationships with my family and friends and has caused me severe mental health issues.

"It's affected me my whole life and I am still suffering now, all these years later.

"I found the police investigation difficult but he needs to be held responsible.

"He took my childhood from me and he needs to be punished."

Best was given an extended sentence and jailed for 11 years and given 10 years on licence and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order until further notice.

Detective Constable Vicky Heys, of Blackburn CID, said: Best abused his young victim over a number of years to satisfy his own twisted sexual desires and has robbed her of her innocence.

This conviction and sentence is justice for her and I commend her for her courage in coming forward and facing her abuser through the court process.

"It must have taken extraordinary bravery to do this, especially after so many years and she has behaved with dignity throughout this investigation.

Lancashire Constabulary remains committed to investigating allegations of this nature, no matter how historic, and no matter what the role, position and status of the alleged offender, and we would encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward safe in the knowledge that they will be treated sensitively and professionally.

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A pervert who sexually abused a young girl over the course of a decade has been jailed for 21 years.

Graham Gill, now 68 years old, carried out the horrific abuse on his young victim during the 70s and 80s in the Leyland area.

He is now behind bars thanks to the bravery of the victim in coming forward to report the abuse and the tenacity of the Detective Constable who investigated the case.

Gill had denied the offences but was found guilty by a jury following a week-long trial at Preston Crown Court.

The jury unanimously found him guilty of 16 counts ten of indecent assault, four of rape and two other sexual offences. The victim was aged between six and 16 at the time.

Gill, of Sandringham Avenue, Leyland, was sentenced on January 14th to 21 years and will serve two thirds of that sentence before he is eligible to apply for parole.

Det Con Michelle Thompson, of Lancashire Constabularys Child Protection Unit, said: Gill is an abhorrent offender who subjected his young victim to systematic and violent sexual abuse over a lengthy period.

I would like to commend her for her courage in both coming forward to report this horrific abuse and in facing her abuser through the court process.

I hope that this conviction and sentence gives others who may have suffered similar abuse to come forward.

Lancashire Constabulary remains committed to investigating allegations of this nature, no matter how historic, and no matter what the role, position and status of the alleged offender, and we would encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward safe in the knowledge that they will be treated sensitively and professionally.

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Gareth Holliday, 37, was caught in a sting carried out by a paedophile hunter group, a court heard

A grieving dad has been jailed after he was caught trying to meet a 13-year-old girl for sex.

Gareth Holliday, 37, travelled an hour from his home in Blackburn to a location in Rochdale intending to have sex with an underage girl in his car, Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

Unbeknown to him, he had been trapped in a sting carried out by a paedophile hunter group.

The girl he believed he was meeting was in fact a much older woman acting as a decoy, the court heard.

Holliday was confronted at the scene and police were called.

He was arrested and in interview did not deny that he had been exchanging sexual messages with a person he believed to be 13-years-old.

However, he claimed he had gone to meet the girl to 'make sure she got home safe', the court heard.

Mark Friend, defending, said Holliday suffers from learning difficulties and has an extremely low IQ.

"He has been met with tragedy," Mr Friend added.

"He and his partner - who has similar learning difficulties - have been in a relationship for some time and that tragedy... was devastating, the loss of his second child.

"It's unlikely to engender much sympathy but it's right that the court hears it.

"Subsequent to his arrest he was subjected to some rather unpleasant treatment in the community and he's now moved address.

"He would not be a difficult man to bully."

Anna Bond, prosecuting, told the court Holliday had initiated the contact with the decoy on a social media site and asked if she would like to be his 'sex friend'.

The decoy immediately informed him she was 13-years-old but it did not deter Holliday from continuing to send sexually explicit messages via WhatsApp.

He sent pictures of himself performing a sex act and encouraged the decoy to do likewise, the court heard.

Holliday also deleted some of the messages and told the decoy to do the same.

Sentencing, Judge Elliot Knopf said: "You were astute enough to groom this person you believed to be a girl.

"You were astute enough to delete messages from your phone and to suggest to her likewise.

"A level of awareness that is a relevant factor it seems to me."

Holliday, who had no previous convictions, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison after admitting seven child sex offences.

He will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

"I accept that this will be difficult for you," Judge Knopf added.

"You are someone who may prove to be vulnerable.

"But you knew full well what you were doing... these are serious offences that are far too common in our society nowadays.

"Members of the public expect that people who involve themselves in this sort of activity will face an appropriate sentence to act as a deterrent and punishment, and to ensure that this behaviour, that is potentially so serious, will not be tolerated at all."

Description

A paedophile who filmed himself sexually assaulting a child and shared the recording with other sex offenders online has been jailed for eight years.

Jay Hamilton, 38, also secretly filmed children getting undressed and shared them online.

An investigation was launched on November 5, this year, after Lancashire Police were contacted by the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. They raised concerns about indecent images being shared via a social media application.

The IP address of the account being used to share those indecent images 21 in total was traced to a property in Accrington and Hamilton was arrested on the evening of November 5.

During police interview Hamilton admitted being attracted to young girls and said he got a thrill out of sharing indecent material online.

Hamilton, of no fixed address, was charged with sexual assault on a child, voyeurism and making indecent images of children.

He pleaded guilty to all charges put to him when he appeared before Blackburn magistrates last month.

On Friday (December 10) at Prestons Sessions House, Hamilton was sentenced to eight years in custody and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life. He was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), limiting his interactions with children.

DC Lee Forshaw, of East CID, said: Jay Hamilton is a despicable individual who clearly presents a danger to children. To satisfy his own sordid sexual interests, he took it upon it himself to make abhorrent child abuse material which he then shared with other sex offenders.

Even though he stated in his police interview that he was fully aware his appalling behaviour was wrong, he continued to do it anyway. Without the quick actions of the police and our colleagues from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, I am convinced Hamilton would still be continuing to engage in his sordid criminal acts.

I welcome the sentence handed down by the court. Once Hamilton is released he will be subjected to monitoring and the public will be afforded the further protections of the SHPO and notification requirement.