Latest Offenders Lincoln

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A former Lincolnshire scout leader was today (Friday) jailed for 14 years after he was found guilty of sex offences against a boy more than three decades ago.

John Pycock, 83, had denied sexually abusing the boy in the late 1980s and early 1990s while he was a scout leader in Billinghay and then Fiskerton.

But a jury at Lincoln Crown Court convicted him of indecency with a child, two counts of indecent assault and two other serious sexual offences.

Sentence was adjourned on Tuesday for an impact statement to be taken from the victim who is now an adult and can not be named to protect his anonymity.

Pycock was today jailed for 14 years by Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight who heard evidence from the victim during the seven day trial. His licence period was also extended by a year.

It will be the third prison term served by Pycock. He was previously jailed for six years in November 2020 after admitting three charges involving sex offences against a young girl.

Pycock, formerly of Winn Street, Lincoln, was also previously jailed for 51 months in June 2014 when he admitted five sex offences against young boys.

At the time, the court heard that he invited the boys to his house and abused them while his wife was working night shifts as a nurse.

However, he had been released from that sentence by the time the 2020 offences came to light.

Pycock, who hung his head but showed little reaction when the jury returned their guilty verdicts on Tuesday, will also have to register as a Sex Offender for the rest of his life.

Defence barrister Jon Dee argued Pycock's previous jail term in 2014 should be taken into consideration in deciding the length of his current sentence as it occurred on boys in the same period as his most recent conviction.

Mr Dee accepted the same circumstances did not apply to Pycock's 2020 conviction.

The court heard Pycock was in poor health and now faced the prospect of never leaving prison.

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A man who began sexually abusing a boy nearly 30 years ago has been jailed – after the victim’s family made an audio recording of him admitting his crimes.

Anthony Moore committed the abuse between 1994 and 1998, while living in the Charnwood area. His crimes came to light in 2022 when his victim – now an adult – told police about what had happened.

When interviewed by detectives from the Child Abuse Investigation Unit’s non-recent team, he initially denied the claims. However, he then answered ‘no comment’ to all further questions when an audio recording made by people known to the victim was played to him, in which he could be heard admitting what he was alleged to have done.

He was subsequently charged with seven counts of indecent assault on boy under the age of 16 years and five counts of gross indecency with a boy under 16 years of age. He pleaded guilty to both offences when he appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on 14 July last year.

Yesterday (Thursday 14 March) at Leicester Crown Court, the 58-year-old was sentenced to 10 years and eight months’ imprisonment.

Moore, of Lonsdale Road in Stamford, Lincolnshire, was made subject to a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and a lifetime restraining order forbidding contact with the victim.

Detective Constable Aisling McPhillips, the officer in the case, said: “Moore was an adult when the abuse began – and the victim was a child. The abuse started nearly 30 years ago and I’m certain he thought his crimes would never come to light.

“However, his victim has shown great courage in reporting what happened to police, meaning that Moore is now serving time in prison for what he did and I hope he can continue to move on with his life.

“I also hope this case serves as an example to any other victims of non-recent sexual abuse that it’s never too late to report things to police and that we will endeavour to bring those responsible to justice.”

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A man has been jailed for more than 13 years for a string of sexual offences against children.

Timothy Hayes of Sutton-on-Sea, Mablethorpe was convicted of 10 offences, including six counts of rape of a child and various forms of assault against a child, when he appeared at Lincoln Crown Court in November.

The 50-year-old had pleaded guilty to his crimes when he appeared before court officials last year.

And on Friday, 19 January, Hayes was sentenced to 13 years and four months behind bars at the same court.

He was placed on the Sex Offender Register indefinitely and was also given a Sexual Harm Protection Order indefinitely.

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A PAEDOPHILE who abducted two young girls from a seafront arcade and then sexually assaulted them is set to be jailed.

Predatory paedophile Jason Hoodlass, 27, has pleaded guilty to multiple sexual offences after the heinous Lincolnshire attack.

Grimsby Crown Court heard he befriended the two girls at a Cleethorpes arcade and gave them money to use the machines on 16 July 2023.

He then took the pair to Ross Castle, a mock fortification ruin, on the promenade and sexually assaulted them.

After, they went to a clothing store in Grimsby town centre, where the Immingham man took indecent photos of the girls in a fitting room.

Hours later, the children left and told an adult what had happened.

Hoodlass admitted to a multitude of offences on 9 January in the Grimsby Crown Court.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault by touching a child, three counts of taking indecent images, two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order, two counts of voyeurism and two counts of abduction.

Hoodlass has previous convictions for sex offences and was the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed at Hull Crown Court, Grimsby Live reported.

He has a previous conviction for sexual assault of a child under the age of nine years and previous convictions for possession of indecent images of children between 2013 and 2019.

Hoodlass had also already admitted breaching the Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

He admitted two breaches of the order after a member of the sex offender management team went to his property and seized electronic equipment which was later analysed and found to contain indecent images.

He admitted 10 charges in relation to those offences committed in May last year.

Judge Woolfall ordered a pre-sentence report and a further report to assess the dangerousness of the defendant.

He adjourned sentencing until a date in March. Hoodlass was remanded in custody.

PC Eleanor Burgess, from the force’s Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, said: “This was a shocking case, in which a perverted criminal targeted two vulnerable young children and sexually assaulted them for his own depraved gratification.

“I want to commend the children and their family for the courage and bravery that they have shown throughout the investigative and court process.

“By reporting this incident to us they have helped put a dangerous offender before the courts, ultimately resulting in him being remanded in custody and unable to target any other children.

“We take all reports of sexual offences incredibly seriously and will continue to seek prosecution for anyone who commits this type of crime.”

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A man has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of multiple rapes and sexual assaults spanning more than 20 years.

Jonathan Hutton, 39, of Campus Way, Lincoln, has been ordered to serve a minimum of 14 years in prison for sexual offences that took place between 2001 and 2023 across Norfolk, Cheshire, and Lincolnshire.

He appeared at King's Lynn Crown Court today after being convicted by a jury in October following a 12-day trial.

His convictions included six counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault by penetration and one count of sexual touching, against four victims over the 22 years. 
 
All of the victims said the sexual activity was not consensual as well as physically and emotionally abusive.

One victim described how Hutton pushed her down the stairs and held her head underwater in the bath.

The Judge in the case described him as sociopathic, misogynistic, calculating and a dangerous and manipulative figure who showed no remorse.

Another victim said he was 'unpredictable and scary'.

Norfolk Police conducted the investigation and arrested Hutton in April while he was a student at the University of Lincoln.

He will serve a minimum of 14 years in prison before he is eligible for parole and he will also be on the On Sex Offenders Register for life.

Detective Constable Jack Moore said: Hutton had a long history of offending which has only come to light due to the bravery of his victims, some of whom have suffered in silence for many years.

He is a clear danger to women, and I hope this sentence gives his victims some sense of justice and peace.

Their actions have doubtless saved other future victims from harm.

"The victims have been supported through the whole process through a number of support services including ISVAs (Independent Sexual Violence Advisors).

We also hope this sentence reassures victims of sexual crimes that they will be listened to if they come forward so that violent and controlling men like Hutton who have no respect for women can be given substantial jail terms for their crimes.

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Kyle Coupland-Short, of The Link, was sentenced to nine years in prison and was also placed on the sex offender’s register for life.

He earlier pleaded guilty in September to five counts of controlling and coercive behaviour towards four women over of six years between 2016 and 2022.

Coupland-Short also pleaded guilty to causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent at a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court in September.

Lead investigating officer, DC Katie Moore, has commended the bravery of the victims who came forward to report Coupland-Short’s behaviour and helped bring Coupland-Short to justice, saying it “takes immense courage and strength to stand up against someone”:

She said: “Being a victim of coercive and controlling behaviour has a huge impact on the victim, physically, mentally, and emotionally. We take all reports of this nature seriously.

“The sentence given to him highlights the seriousness of coercive and controlling behaviour, and this type of behaviour will not be tolerated in Lincolnshire.

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Nicky Ward, who was also deemed a danger to the public in 2005 after committing a violent robbery, had been staying at the probation-run accommodation, Holbeck House on Springwell View in Holbeck, but was kicked out because of his behaviour in January last year.

The 42-year-old must sign the sex offender register for life and inform police of a change of address within three days. But he failed to do so and was at large after the police’s attempts to contact him proved fruitless.

Leeds Crown Court heard that Ward had contacted another resident at Holbeck House in April of last year to ask about borrowing money. The number was passed to police but he would not respond or answer his phone.

He was eventually arrested on August 30 this year, and said he was living in Sheffield. He admitted breaching the terms of the sex offender register.

Mitigating, Lily Wildman said that during his prison terms and thereafter he had done a “lot of good work” with probation and that his “engagement has been excellent”.

Judge Simon Phillips KC gave Ward a six-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 20 rehabilitation days.

Ward had been jailed for six years for rape in 2001, and in October 2005 – having been released after serving half of his sentence – he was jailed indeterminately after he tried to hold up an off-licence in Skegness at knifepoint. He was then jailed for 16 weeks in 2017 for absconding from an open prison in Lincolnshire.

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James Moorcroft, 35, of Wigtoft, near Boston, was convicted of two counts of rape when he appeared at Lincoln Crown Court in August.

Lincolnshire Police said Moorcroft did not enter a plea and was found guilty by a jury.

A force spokesperson said Moorcroft’s victim “was a person he met online”.

"Due to the tenacity and will of those involved with the investigation, Moorcroft was identified and arrested within hours of the offence,” they explained.

“He has now been brought to justice and was sentenced last week, Friday, September 22, after a two-year investigation.”

The officer in charge added: “This was a lengthy investigation that has resulted in a positive outcome for the victim.

“Although this crime will stay with the victim forever, hopefully this will provide an element of closure for her.

“Credit must go to the victim for her courage and bravery shown during the investigation.

“I would also like to thank the supporting agencies involved - SARC at Spring Lodge were incredible in supporting the victim.”

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A man has been jailed for six years for historical child sexual offences dating back to 1998.

Richard John Tilley, 52, of no fixed address, was convicted of three counts of indecent assault following a trial at Lincoln Crown Court.

All offences involved the same victim, Lincolnshire Police said.

Tilley was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

Investigating officer Det Con Caroline Pendell said: "I would like to thank the victim for having the courage to come forward and having the confidence in the police and criminal justice system to bring the offender to justice.

"The victim in this case has remarkable strength and courage."

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An "evil" 65-year-old man has been jailed after he was found guilty of a string of historic sexual offences including rape, indecent assault, and indecency with a child.

Alex Daly, of High Street, Scotter, was sentenced to 22 years' imprisonment on Monday (September 18) at Grimsby Crown Court following a six-day trial, where he was found guilty of four counts of rape, seven counts of indecent assault and two counts of indecency with a child.

The offences happened over a period of around eight years during the 1990s and early 2000s, and were reported to Humberside Police in 2020.

Following the trial, investigating officer Paul Wells said: “Daly committed a string of heinous offences over a series of years, and I am reassured that he is now off our streets.

“I want to praise the victim for their bravery in coming forward and helping to put this evil man behind bars.

“I hope that today’s sentencing sends a clear message to anyone thinking about committing offences of this nature; if you do, we will do everything we can to find you and we will bring you to justice.

“We take all reports of this nature incredibly seriously, and I want to encourage anyone that is a victim of a sexual offence, no matter how long ago, to please talk to us.

“We will listen and you will be supported throughout the investigation and any consequent judicial proceedings.”

Daly was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sexual Offender Register for life as well as serving an additional year on licence.

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Craig Gary Woolley, 40 and Bede Crescent, in Boston appeared before Derby Crown Court on Friday, September 1 where he was sentenced to 28 months in jail.

The offences took play at a number of locations – including in Chesterfield – between February 2020 and May 2021.

He was jailed for four offences including breach of a sexual harm prevention order and failure to comply with the sex offenders register’s notification requirements.

It was found that, on October 19th 2020, Woolley had unsupervised contact with young girls that he was prohibited from doing so under the terms of a sexual harm prevention order made in 2014. He breached this order again on April 25th of 2021 when he had unsupervised contact with a girl under the age of 18 at Crystal Peaks retail park in Sheffield.

He then breached his notification requirements when, on May 2, 2021, he resided with a child at Waterside Leisure Park in Skegness and failed to notify police within three days.

The fourth charge relates to an incident on February 17, 2020 when he stayed, for more than 12 hours, at an address in Chesterfield at which children were also residing – he again failed to notify police.

For the four offences he received a sentence totalling five years and eight months but, as these are to be served concurrently, the imprisonment period is one of two years and two months.

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A 76-year-old man has been jailed for 15 years after being convicted of historical child sexual offences dating back to 1986.

Bryan Lockwood, of Albert Street, Grantham, was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court after being found guilty in July of 19 serious sexual offences.

Lockwood was also ordered to sign up to the sex offenders register for life.

Following the hearing, Lincolnshire Police praised the courage of Lockwood's victims for speaking out.

Det Con Dave Ziller said: "This is a very positive conclusion to a long investigation and one that hopefully allows the victims and families the chance to have some closure after many years."

However, he added that this case was "also a reminder there is no stereotypical offender or victim".

"Every person, agency and organisation must continue to do all they can to keep children and young people safe from harm," Det Con Ziller said.

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A "predatory" 51-year-old man who would "take advantage of young girls" in an abuse of his position has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Craig Spencer, of Owston Ferry, was recently sentenced for six counts of historic sexual activity with a girl, which dates back to 2005 and 2006 when he owned a tattoo parlour on Robert Street, Scunthorpe.

He will serve a minimum of four years in prison and has been ordered to sign on the sexual offenders register for the rest of his life.

Detective Constable Lindsey Blake of Humberside Police said: “This was an appalling abuse of his position and responsibilities. Spencer is clearly a predatory offender who would take advantage of young girls.

“His victim has been extremely brave in coming forward to provide the details which has secured this prosecution and has put a dangerous sexual offender behind bars.

“I would like to praise her for her bravery and fortitude in coming forward and I would always encourage any victim of an historical sexual crime to come forward, we will listen, and we will do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice."

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A pervert with an unhealthy interest in sexual images of children as young as four has been jailed after failing to learn his lesson from a previous conviction and continuing with his "addiction" to viewing the shocking pictures.

Andrew Joinson had been given a chance to turn his back on that type of offending through rehabilitation but he was caught with stashes of 441 indecent images, some of them in the worst category, Grimsby Crown Court heard.

Joinson, 48, of Merton Road, Bottesford, Scunthorpe, admitted three offences of possessing indecent images of children on September 28, 2021.

Jeremy Evans, prosecuting, said that the National Crime Agency contacted Humberside Police with information about illegal images of children that were linked to Joinson's address.

He was arrested and his electronic devices were seized. It was found that he had been searching for and uploading images to a Dropbox. Police found 103 images of children in the most serious Category A as well as 46 images in Category B and 292 in Category C.

They included children aged as young as four years old in all three categories. The vast majority of the children were aged between five and seven.

Joinson had a previous similar conviction in 2016 involving distributing and making indecent images of children and he had been given a 26-week suspended prison sentence and put on the sex offenders' register.

Bianca Brasoveanu, mitigating, said that Joinson was open with the police and made frank admissions. "The highest number of images were in the lowest category and there are no distribution charges for him," said Miss Brasoveanu.

Joinson, who is married with a son, had been assessed by the probation service as being at a low risk of reoffending. "This type of offending is a form of addiction, with all the associated risks, the first of which is relapsing," said Miss Brasoveanu. "This is exactly what happened to him."

Joinson was jailed for 10 months.

Judge Mark Bury told him: "You have been to court before for offences like this. You were not sent to custody on that occasion. You were given an opportunity of rehabilitation including a sexual offenders' programme requirement.

"Well, that didn't do any good. You are still offending. You are looking at images of children.

"It's wholly unrealistic to expect that you should be dealt with in any other way than an immediate custodial sentence when you have done exactly the same thing and carried on your addiction to indecent images of children.

"You plainly have a sexual interest in children, otherwise you would not be looking at these things."

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A man who was caught by a paedophile hunting group after he attempted to meet a 14-year-old girl in Grantham was today (Wednesday) jailed for 16 months.

Steven Slater, 59, was apprehended after he attended Grantham railway station on July 24 last year and in fact met a 46-year-old woman who was acting as a decoy to target sex offenders.

The paedophile hunting group made a citizen’s arrest of Slater, who was living in Grantham at that time, and contacted Lincolnshire Police.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Slater had been in contact with the decoy on social media for two months.

The decoy had made it clear during their very first contact that Slater was talking to someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl, the court was told.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said Slater caused the decoy to watch a sexual video on the very first day of their contact and later asked her to take a photograph of her breasts.

Mr Howes told the court: "There was evidence the defendant had tried to cover his tracks by removing many of his messages.

"He did not realise those live conversations had been recorded."

In total 23 video recordings were made over 14 different days, the court was told.

Mr Howes said there was also talk on July 8 of the girl travelling to Grantham railway station and meeting the defendant, who would take her fishing.

This progressed to the decoy telling Slater that she had bought a £45 open ticket.

"The defendant tells her he was looking forward to meeting her," Mr Howes added.

"The arranged meet on 24 July took an unexpected turn after the group contacted the police to say they had carried out a citizen’s arrest in Queen Street, Grantham."

During his first interview, Slater said he thought the girl was 17.

The court heard that since his arrest, Slater had moved to an address in Gains Close, Canvey Island, Essex, and his marriage had ended.

He admitted five offences between May 20 and July 24, 2022.

They included causing a 14-year-old girl to watch sexual acts, attempting sexual communication, attempting to cause or incite a girl to engage in sexual activity of a non-penetrative nature and attempting to meet a girl aged under-16 following grooming.

Neil Sands, mitigating, told the court Slater entered his guilty pleas at the very first opportunity when he appeared before Lincoln magistrates and argued a suspended sentence would allow him to work with the Probation Service.

"All of these offences arise during the same 61-day period," Mr Sands added.

"I have seen his shame [over] what he has done and Your Honour can no doubt see that over my shoulder.

"He is not a man who lied about his age. It was on his Facebook profile. He wants nothing more to do with the internet."

Passing sentence Recorder Graham Huston accepted no real child was involved but said the communications ran to hundreds of pages.

Recorder Huston told Slater: "In this case you attended Grantham railway station to meet a 14-year-old girl who you had been communicating with. In fact it was an adult."

"It is clear you deliberately set out grooming this girl," the Recorder added.

"You viewed her as a sexual object from the beginning."

Slater was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years and must register as a sex offender for the same period.