Latest Offenders Merseyside

Description

A serial child rapist forced girls to pose for semi naked pictures during his catalogue of abuse against them.

Sick Stephen Rafferty committed abhorrent acts against three children who were all under 14.

When one girl bit the vile paedophile he punched her and called her "Satan's child", swearing her to silence.

The now 27-year-old was convicted by a jury of 13 sexual offences against the children, including nine counts of rape.

He had previously admitted six counts of sexual assault against the victims.

Judge David Swinnerton, sentencing Rafferty today at Liverpool Crown Court, said with his first victim he began "massaging her" before he touched her inappropriately and began to rape her repeatedly.

He said: "She first felt scared and threatened and didn't say anything."

The judge explained Rafferty had been tried and found not guilty of sexual offences when he was a child.

Judge Swinnerton said: "I mention it because as a result you knew it was very wrong to commit sexual offences."

In a statement his first victim said that she struggled with "feeling ashamed of myself for allowing it to happen and not fighting back".

She said: "I live with it every day. It continued to stay with me long after the abuse stopped.

"He has taken away my sense of self, my sense of security. I feel so violated."

The victim said she had since self harmed and suffered with an eating disorder .

Judge Swinnerton said: "A substantial part of the effect on her and the difficulties she has had was due to you.

"The impact on her life has been devastating."

The judge ruled that Rafferty's monstrous actions had caused "serious psychological harm" to all of his victims.

With his other two victims the court heard he used "grooming behaviour" and "would play games" which then became sexual abuse and rape.

Judge Swinnerton, referring to his second victim, said: "You started touching her and told her she couldn't tell anyone."

Sick Rafferty told the girl it was "all your fault" and would regularly abuse her.

She said: "Sometimes I asked him to stop at first but he wouldn't and there was no use."

As well as raping the child he would force her to perform sex acts on him sometimes three or four times a week and would take his phone out and "take pictures of her body" while she wore a top and no bottoms.

Judge Swinnerton said when his third victim was interviewed by police she was "unable to speak" but wrote down "Stephen forced me to have sex with him".

As Rafferty raped the third girl she bit his penis and he "punched her, telling her she was Satan's child" and told her to "never tell anybody else", claiming it was "natural".

The vile paedophile told the girl "the world would be better without me" and said she was to blame for his sick crimes.

As a child the girl was diagnosed with anxiety and depression and said: "I struggled to copy and used to self harm."

Rafferty's third victim, in a personal statement, also said she had tried to take her own life on two separate occasions and has been diagnosed with PTSD.

She said: "It felt like my world was crashing around me."

The victim said: "It is so scary to know people have the audacity to try and ruin people's lives for their own joy."

The judge said he accepted Rafferty, of Russell Road, Mossley Hill, has mental health difficulties including Autism Spectrum Disorder, OCD and "possibly Asperger's" and had a "very tough time as a child".

Judge Swinnerton said: "You have accepted limited responsibility."

The judge explained that when asked in a probation interview if he was a risk to children Rafferty replied: "In an ideal world I would want to say no but I can't say that."

The court heard his grandparents described him as having "qualities of generosity" and having "shown a work ethic".

As he sentenced Rafferty, Judge Swinnerton said: "You have committed extremely serious offences which have had a devastating effect on three young women."

Martine Snowdon prosecuted the case on the behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service.

Jenny Tallentire, defending, said there was "hope" Rafferty "could be rehabilitated" having "made some extremely frank admissions to the probation officer".

She explained he had experienced a "difficult upbringing", adding "it is not an excuse, there are many others who have had a difficult upbringing".

Rafferty admitted six counts sexual assault against a child and was convicted following a trial on January 11 of two counts of assault by penetration of a child, nine counts of rape of a child and two counts of taking indecent photographs of a child.

Judge Swinnerton said Rafferty was a "dangerous" offender and jailed him for 20 years, with an extended five years on licence.

This type of sentence means he will spend at least two thirds of the custodial term behind bars.

Rafferty will then only be released before the end of his sentence if a parole board considers he is no longer a risk.

He was also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life and must sign the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

Description

A top maths teacher groomed and sexually exploited a vulnerable schoolgirl during a sickening campaign of manipulation.

Richard Chipchase once locked his victim in a storeroom when she refused to hug him and tried to win her over with cigarettes, McDonald's meals and car rides.

It was during one of those lifts that he sexually assaulted her.

Chipchase abused his position to target the girl while he was head of maths at Woodchurch High.

Liverpool Crown Court heard he initially singled the pupil out for preferential treatment, allowing her to get away with not doing homework and offering her access to his treat-filled storeroom.

Cheryl Mottram, prosecuting, said: He let her listen to music in the classroom, caught her smoking but didnt report her and started to buy her cigarettes.

"He would compliment her on her looks, telling her that she was pretty and would hug her at any given opportunity."

After concerns were raised about his behaviour towards the girl he passed her his mobile number while she sat a mock exam - sparking text conversations that would take place every day.

From this point he started to buy alcohol and cigarettes for her and giving her lifts.

He left her terrified when he once refused to let her leave his store room without hugging him, with Miss Mottram telling the court: He was saying to her that he wouldnt let her out until she gave him a hug.

"The space was only small and she recalls feeling really scared. When he eventually did unlock the door another maths teacher was stood outside. The defendant told her that the girl was just calming down.

After this incident she reports that her view of her relationship with Mr Chipchase changed. She began to feel that it was wrong.

On another occasion he placed his hand up her skirt and assaulted her while giving her a lift. He simply laughed at her when she pushed it away.

Miss Mottram added: From then on that he became more tactile with her, hugging her more, stroking her arm and back, kissing the top of her head.

"These acts were always out of the view of the other students and teachers in his classroom or in the store cupboard... Throughout the time at the school the defendant would write her letters, give her books and DVDs.

"He once gave her a book which he had written inside the cover 'I hope you enjoy this, love R' with a kiss. He bought her bits of jewellery and other small trinkets.

In an impact statement the victim told how his behaviour had an impact on her mental health and affected her relationship with her parents.

It also affected her maths grades although she has since been able to catch up.

The court heard she felt no one understood her and that the grooming had an ongoing effect on her.

Chipchase's campaign came to end when concerns were raised about inappropriate behaviour by him towards another schoolgirl.

This sparked an investigation by the Independent Safeguarding Authority and Chipchase was dismissed from the school and his teaching licence revoked.

The police were told but the victim did not tell them about the abuse in his car and they left matters to the school to deal with, Miss Mottram said.

Last year the victim contacted Wirral Council and Chipchase, now 55 and of Welford Avenue in Prenton, was interviewed by police during which he denied behaving inappropriately.

He was today jailed for 27 months after he pleaded guilty to four charges of sexual activity with a child.

Steven Swift, defending, said after his client's behaviour came to light he proffered his resignation but it was not accepted and he was instead dismissed and his teaching licence revoked.

Mr Swift said Chipchase has since rebuilt his life with a new career and has a partner and son and no other convictions.

The initial investigation into his actions led to the loss of his home and bankruptcy, he said, adding: It took him 18 months to really start his life afresh. He is held in high regard and has built his life anew. He has expressed remorse and regret, he said.

Judge Gary Woodhall told Chipchase: You abused and manipulated your position of trust in order to groom and then exploit this vulnerable young girl over a number of years for your own sexual gratification... You targeted her because you identified her as vulnerable.

He ordered Chipchase to sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years and imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for seven years.

Description

A vile paedophile kept 'depraved' rape videos of crying babies.

The videos in Adam Whitfield's sickening collection were described by a judge as something "which would strike any normal person as disgusting."

Another 16 second video showed a three-month-old baby being raped. Other scenes were too graphic to even be described in this article.

The 26-year-old had 30 videos of children being raped on his phone and computer - which were discovered when his mother called the police.

Sarah Griffin, prosecuting, explained that police went to Whitfield's Newton-Le-Willows' address in relation to a "potential separate offence" which wasn't pursued.

Ms Griffin said police were called by Whitfield's mother and while there "she handed over a number of the defendant's devices including a mobile phone and computer".

After examining the phone and computer officers discovered 32 indecent images, 30 of which were videos of children being raped.

The videos were kept by Whitfield between July 25, 2017 and May 3, 2020.

Some of the videos included a three month old, a six month old and a child between five and seven.

Whitfield has no previous convictions.

Louise McCloskey, defending, said: "It is quite clear, your honour, to any right minded member of the community, hearing the description of those moving images will inevitably cause both a sense of outrage and revulsion.

"It's also clear that any member of the community would inevitably believe an immediate lengthy period of custody should be imposed to mark the seriousness of this case."

Ms McCloskey, urging the judge to suspend a custodial sentence, explained Whitfield is 26, has no previous convictions and is "vulnerable".

She said he is "ashamed of his actions" and explained he "clearly struggled" in his younger life, but no further detail was given in open court.

Ms McCloskey said: "While an immediate custodial sentence might mark the offence it will not address the issues or behaviours which this defendant needs to understand in order to ensure there is not further future offending."

Ms McCloskey explained that while the period of the charges spanned from 2017 to 2020, there wasn't consistent downloading of images over the years but a "flurry of activity" and then a "recent surge" in 2019.

Whitfield, of Alder Street, admitted three counts of making indecent images.

Judge Thomas Teague, QC, summarising the images, said: "Even the category C images would strike any normal person as disgusting."

The judge said the images, even for material of this type, are "exceptionally depraved".

Judge Teague noted Whitfield's pre sentence report makes for "troubling reading" describing Whitfield as "vulnerable" and as having had an "unhappy childhood".

The judge said the offences were aggravated by the fact some of the children in the images "display discernible pain and distress".

Whitfield was jailed for eight months and ordered to adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

He must also sign the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years.

Description

A paedophile took baby wipes and Mini Eggs with him for a '12-year-old girl' he planned to meet a McDonald's.

Paul Coulthwaite had called the child "sexy" and said he wanted them to meet in secret, planning to lure her away from her home.

But the 55-year-old didn't get to give the girl the mint Aero chocolate and WKD he bought her because instead of a schoolgirl he was greeted by police who arrested him for his sickening offences.

Christopher Hopkins, prosecuting at Liverpool Crown Court, said that between January 7 and January 19 this year Coulthwaite spoke with an officer who was pretending to be a 13-year-old called Paige.

They used Chat Avenue and texted and "literally within minutes" of the first message Coulthwaite said "I'm a bit horny".

Mr Hopkins said: "He went on to tell her she was nice and they carried on chatting. He suggested they meet."

Coulthwaite said he wanted to meet so they could "cuddle and have a cheeky kiss" before suggesting he could shower with the child.

When the 'girl' told him she was going to bed the sickening pervert told her she should perform a sex act on herself.

Mr Hopkins said Coulthwaite would persistently groom what he thought was a 13-year-old and "manipulated the conversation to sexual content at any opportunity and used flattery".

Between January 8 and February 10 in the same year Coulthwaite also spoke with what he thought was a 12-year-old girl called Rebecca.

Mr Hopkins said: "The conversation followed a similar pattern, he told her she was pretty and sexy."

He suggested they met and said: "We could meet away from your house one day when there's no lockdown."

Mr Hopkins explained Coulthwaite told the girl he wanted them to be "online boyfriend and girlfriend" and "told her repeatedly contact between them needed to be secret".

Coulthwaite said they would "kiss and cuddle and feel each other" before listing sex acts he wanted to perform.

When the police officer, pretending to be the girl, said she had "never cuddled and kissed a grown up" Coulthwaite said "hopefully that will change".

On February 12 he travelled from his Newton-Le-Willows home to a McDonald's on Longsands in Preston where he was hoping to meet the girl.

Having asked her "what she would like him to bring" the girl asked for WKD which Coulthwaite brought with him.

Instead of a schoolgirl Coulthwaite was greeted by police officers who found that as well as the alcopop he had brought baby wipes, a kitchen towel, a mint Aero chocolate, Mini Eggs and a necklace in a gift bag with the girl's name on.

Coulthwaite has no previous convictions.

Charlotte Kenny, defending, said: "This defendant is very much a man who is struggling still to come to terms with what he's done."

Ms Kenny emphasized he has no previous convictions and the court heard he has a history of work.

She explained he has not had the benefit of working with the probation service to address the issues behind his offending behaviour.

Ms Kenny said the "trigger appeared to be the end of a long term relationship".

She said: "He began to engage more in social media and found it easier to engage with younger people."

Ms Kenny said: "He very much wishes to engage with any assistance that can be provided within the prison."

Coulthwaite, of Haydock Street, Newton-Le-Willows, admitted two counts of sexual communication with a child, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and meeting a child following sexual grooming.

Judge Thomas Teague, QC, said Coulthwaite's sexual intent was confirmed when he turned up and "by the articles you brought".

The judge said: "You arranged to meet her at a branch of McDonald's in Preston near where she lived. You turned up for that meeting and were promptly arrested."

Judge Teague noted he had brought a "gift wrapped necklace", "chocolates", "drink" and "baby wipes" for the meeting and was "doing your best to groom" what he thought were children.

The judge said: "I have no doubt you would have done the same to 'Paige' if you had got as far as meeting her as you plainly would have liked to do."

Judge Teague noted in a pre sentence report Coulthwaite didn't accept full responsibility for his actions and is "still struggling to come to terms with your guilt of these offences".

The judge noted Coulthwaite had previously been arrested in relation to different offences which were not proceeded with and at that point "sought help" but was unsuccessful.

Judge Teague reduced the sentence to reflect Coulthwaite's guilty plea and the current impact of the coronavirus pandemic on prisoners.

Coulthwaite was jailed for three years and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

He must also adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life which bans him from being in the presence of any child under 16 unless social services are aware.

Description

He previously filmed a toddler and said he wanted to have sex with him

A paedophile used the popular children's video game Fortnite to try and groom boys.

Adam Syers previously filmed a toddler and made vile sexual comments before posting the video on Facebook.

The 23-year-old - who recorded the sick clip from the window of his home - walked free from court last September.

But within hours of being spared jail he was back online, trying to snare children playing Fortnite and Roblox on Xbox.

Using the username JuicyGamer, he let a 12-year-old boy spend 200 on his credit card and got the child to send him a photo of himself in shorts.

He then targeted a seven-year-old boy, asking him whether he wanted to go on a date with him and be his boyfriend.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Syers, aka Adam Shipley, was handed 10 weeks in jail, suspended for two years, on September 2.

He admitted sending an indecent communication after filming a mum and little boy walking down the street outside his then address in Orford, Warrington last May and saying he wanted "sex" with the child.

Magistrates gave Syers a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) - banning him from contacting boys online -and told him to comply with the notification requirements of the Sex Offenders Register for the same period.

Later that day the pervert began communicating with a 12-year-old boy via Xbox Live, before their chats progressed onto Instagram.

The boy's mum noticed a credit card on her son's Xbox gaming account registered to AG Shipley and Tully Avenue - Syers' new address in Newton-le-Willows - over a month later.

Louise McCloskey, prosecuting, said her son explained the card belonged to "Adam", whom he had become friends with online.

The mum asked to chat to then 22-year-old Syers on the Xbox, who explained he let her son buy a game for 7.99.

He had actually allowed 200 of purchases, but claimed he wasn't good with numbers, was autistic and considered her son to be a friend.

The boy revealed Syers asked him not to tell his parents and to send a picture of himself wearing shorts, which he did.

He said during chats Syers asked him to turn his camera on and sent messages saying he missed him and loved him.

Texts downloaded from the Xbox showed Syers asked him to play Fortnite and Roblox and join Xbox party chats.

Syers had also begun talking to a seven-year-old boy via Xbox Live and TikTok on September 6.

That child's mum discovered a string of "inappropriate messages" between the two on October 5.

Syers gave the little boy his mobile number and asked "can I meet you?" before asking him to call and sending the message: "I love you."

The boy said they played Fortnite together and when he told the man he was seven, he asked if he wanted to go to his house to play football or Fortnite, and to change his Xbox name because he would get in trouble if anyone found out.

Ms McCloskey said: "The man also asked whether he wanted to go on a date with him and be his boyfriend. He had also commented that he was fit."

The mum investigated Syers' account and found a picture of a man in his 20s and noted his TikTok was "full of videos of young boys, none more than 10-years-old".

Syers had also failed to provide police with his personal details within the necessary period.

Officers were informed he was adding girls under 16 to his Instagram account and visited his home on September 15.

They found he had been accessing Pornhub, Grindr, Chaturbate, Snapchat and Instagram on his phone.

On Instagram he sent messages to a third unidentified boy - thought to be under 11 - who Syers denied knowing.

Screenshots revealed he had a photo of the boy, asked his age, whether his mum was there, said he loved him, told him "this is our secret", and had live chats with him.

When arrested and interviewed, Syers answered "no comment" to questions about the first two boys, but claimed he thought the third was an adult.

He admitted three counts of breaching his SHPO, failing to comply with notification requirements and breaching his suspended sentence.

A report said he hadn't attended any rehabilitation appointments since November, showed "no insight", denied a sexual attraction to children and there were "significant risk concerns".

Syers has a conviction for sexual assault on a child and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity from November 2012. He received a warning for this offence, when he was aged just 14.

Natalia Cornwall, defending, said Syers only had "himself to blame" for not taking the chance given to him last year.

She said he now accepted he had a "problem" and "a sexual interest in children".

Ms Cornwall said Syers was immature and diagnosed with ADHD, autism, learning and speech difficulties, and struggled to put on weight because of stomach ulcers.

She said: "He himself has had a difficult upbringing. He was taken into care from a relatively young age, he himself has suffered abuse whilst in foster care and he also had to deal with the death of his mother.

"He now has no contact at all with any of his family members and is effectively isolated within the community."

Judge Rachel Smith accepted Syers was himself a "vulnerable individual" and there was "some prospect of rehabilitation".

However, she said: "Only immediate custody will follow for the range of offences that you have committed in this case."

The judge said it was a "persistent breach risking serious harm" and jailed him for two years and eight months.

She made a new seven-year SHPO, told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely, and ordered the destruction of his iPhone and Xbox.

Description

A paedophile who molested a little girl was extradited from New Zealand to face justice but refused to say a single word.

Cecil John Thorn, 48, has exercised a "vigil of silence" ever since he stepped off a plane in February last year.

That included not saying anything in his defence at a trial when the brave victim described how he repeatedly abused her.

Thorn, from Wirral, was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault and three counts of causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity at a trial last month.

Liverpool Crown Court today heard this is the second time he has been convicted of molesting a child, after previously being jailed for eight years in 2013 for similar offences, also in Wirral.

But after serving just three years in prison for those crimes - and when police were already aware of his second victim's allegations - he was deported back to his native New Zealand, under an early release scheme.

That meant the authorities then had to go through a long extradition process to drag him back to the UK and lock him up all over again.

Thorn, who has been held in custody since his extradition on February 24, 2020, appeared in court via video link from prison.

The clerk asked him to identify himself and Judge Brian Cummings, QC, said: "He doesn't respond, he never has during these proceedings."

Thorn, with a bald head, long black beard and wearing a face mask, then sat in silence, with his eyes closed.

Judge Cummings gave him the opportunity to address the court on any of the matters being discussed or to offer any mitigation on his behalf, but Thorn, who didn't have legal representation, refused to speak.

The court heard he had even refused to talk with the Probation Service for the purpose of a pre-sentence report.

Judge Cummings told Thorn: "You have maintained what has been termed a vigil of silence."

He said at a previous hearing, a determination was made that Thorn's silence "was not the result of any medical or mental health incapacity, but rather was voluntary".

The judge said this was confirmed when shortly before the trial last month, Thorn spoke to staff in the cells to ask whether the trial was going ahead.

Charlotte Kenny, prosecuting, said Thorn was jailed for eight years in July 2013 after he admitted four sexual assaults against a teenage girl.

The predator had confessed in full, after that vulnerable child's parents discovered that she had been abused by him.

He was deported back to his New Zealand and set free in Wellington in December 2016.

However, his second victim had already come forward to the police in February 2016, around 10 months beforehand.

She told a teacher at school and her mum that she was sexually abused by Thorn, leading to officers being informed.

The second girl revealed Thorn performed a sex act on her and made her perform a sex act on him on multiple occasions.

Police went to speak to Thorn in jail about those allegations, but he made no reply and later that year was flown to the South Pacific.

When arrested by officers in New Zealand in February 2020 and interviewed, Thorn, formerly of Wirral but now of Favona Road, Auckland, again remained silent.

However, Judge Cummings said his "parting words" to a detective "were to the effect that you were now embarking on a vigil of silence".

The second girl today said Thorn's abuse had a "devastating effect" on her and it was difficult to put this into words.

Ms Kenny said in a victim statement the child outlined how she lost her self-confidence, had "self-worth issues" and "started to hate her own body".

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Woman kidnapped on Liverpool city centre street by sex attackerliverpoolecho

The girl self-harmed, couldn't stop thinking about her ordeal and found it very difficult having to relive it when she gave evidence during the trial.

Ms Kenny said the girl felt "incredibly embarrassed" about what happened to her, even though it wasn't her fault, adding: "It made her feel worthless."

The prosecutor said: "She couldn't understand why it was that it was done to her."

The girl's mum, who was present in court with her daughter today, also made a statement, in which she said her child had become "withdrawn".

Ms Kenny said she described her daughter trying to take an overdose and how concerned she was about leaving the girl on her own as a result.

The prosecutor said the trial was a constant worry for the family, but now the mum "expresses the hope that they can move on".

Judge Cummings said: "As do I."

The judge said Thorn could have disclosed his abuse of the second girl when in prison for the abuse of the first girl.

He told him any "additional strain" that may have resulted from what happened since was "entirely of your own making".

Judge Cummings said: "You have blighted the lives of two young girls. The consequences for you must inevitably be severe."

The judge said he was an "offender of particular concern" and jailed him for 10 years, with an extended one year on licence.

This means Thorn will spend at least five years in prison, before he can apply for parole.

Judge Cummings said: "You will serve somewhere between five and 10 years actually in prison."

Thorn showed no emotion and did not speak or move on the video link.

He must sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Description

A couple who raped a little boy offered his mum cash afterwards.

David Bradbury, 55, would film the horrific abuse performed by William Gamble, 65, before offering to pay the little boy's mum 30.

Their sickening acts were only discovered after they uploaded an image of child abuse, not involving the same boy, to Facebook.

When police raided their St Helens home they discovered the horrific pictures and videos, in which Bradbury would encourage Gamble as he abused the child.

They also found toys, sweets and games they would use to groom the boy.

Judge Rachel Smith, sentencing today at Liverpool Crown Court, said: "You embarked on a course of grooming and sexually abusive behaviour."

The court heard the couple "exploited" the boy and groomed him before Gamble would commit "physical acts" of abuse while Bradbury would film them, sometimes engaging in physical abuse.

The judge said: "You acted as a team".

In one of the indecent images discovered the boy is naked lying on his back on a rug.

In one video the boy is seen performing a sex act on Gamble and in another Gamble is seen raping the child.

Judge Smith said Bradbury "commented on the quality of the recording you were making at the time", which the judge said is "clear evidence of Bradbury encouraging Gamble to continue with the rape".

Even when Gamble and Bradbury were told they shouldn't contact the boy they continued to try.

Judge Smith said: "You persisted with it in the face of involvement of the police."

Both Gamble and Bradbury were arrested on October 26 last year after the true extent of their crimes had been discovered when an indecent image, not of this child, was uploaded to Facebook.

In total officers found 14 category A images, which are the most serious and include child rape, four category B images and three category C images, on devices found at the men's home on Pigot Street, many of which were images of the boy.

John Wyn-Williams, prosecuting, said police "seized a notebook which contained a list of about 500 names" which are believed to be Facebook contacts, and the court heard "many are foreign names".

The judge added that the notebook showed "extensive contact with an all male group on the internet", adding that there was no evidence of distribution of images of this child.

In an interview the boy, when asked about the abuse, said he "wanted to keep secrets from himself" and "not remember it".

The court heard in a victim impact statement the child's father said: "Every single day I worry about the time [his son] will be old enough to fully realise what happened to him. I dread this and know it will be a terrible day."

Jim Smith, defending Gamble, asked the judge to take into consideration his guilty plea and said Gamble had an "evolving" understanding of the impact of his behaviour on the victim.

Mr Smith explained that it was Gamble's first period of custody and asked the judge to consider the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on inmates.

The judge, citing a medical report, noted that Gamble "falls in the learning disability range" and is "more vulnerable to manipulation and coercion than others".

The court heard that speaking in a pre-sentence report, Bradbury had said: "No I don't want to talk about it, I don't see how it will help".

Judge Smith explained that the author of the report said Bradbury had a "failure to take full responsibility for his actions".

Paul Becker, defending Bradbury, asked the judge to consider his history of anxiety and depression and his guilty pleas.

Gamble and Bradbury both admitted four counts of rape, two sexual assaults and two assaults by penetration, plus the taking of indecent videos associated to each act.

The court heard Gamble had no relevant previous convictions while Bradbury has a conviction for exposure in 1995.

Judge Smith said both Bradbury and Gamble were "dangerous" offenders and jailed each of them for 16 years, with an extended one year on licence.

This type of sentence means they will spend at least two thirds of the custodial term behind bars.

They will then only be released before the end of the sentence if a parole board considers they are no longer a risk.

Detective Constable Craig Doyle of Merseyside Police said: Both of these men are very dangerous individuals.

They acted as a team to exploit and carry out this horrendous abuse over a period of time and both men deserve to spend the rest of their lives behind bars.

Merseyside Police is committed to protecting victims of sexual offences, and anyone who reports an incident to us will be safeguarded and supported throughout the investigation.

Description

A little girl's dad caught a paedophile abusing his daughter only for the pervert to claim it was her fault.

Robert Gardener twice targeted the child but covered up the first incident by suggesting he was "just playing".

The 64-year-old predator's lies came crashing down when the victim's father saw the sick abuse for himself.

However, Gardener, of Rocastle Close, Kensington, then had the gall to claim that the child instigated it.

Liverpool Crown Court heard another girl first spotted Gardener with his trousers and underpants down in the presence of the little girl.

Fiona McNeill, prosecuting, said the child reported this to the victim's mum, who in turn spoke to her partner, who talked to Gardener.

Gardener assured the little girl's dad that he was "just playing" with the victim and that the child witness hadn't seen anything untoward.

However, on a second occasion the girl's dad saw his daughter with her hand moving down the front of Gardener's trousers near his groin.

Ms McNeill said the girl looked up and moved her hand away and Gardener stared at the victim's father.

The court heard the dad, who has his own vulnerabilities, removed his daughter from the situation.

As a result, the girl's mum again spoke to the child who witnessed the first incident and asked for more details.

The child told her she had seen Gardener standing over the little girl with his genitals close to her face.

Ms McNeill said the witness described how the little girl had "tears in her eyes".

The mum spoke to her daughter, who said she had put her hand down Gardener's trousers because he asked her to.

The dad then chatted to his daughter, when she pointed out to him on a drawing where she had touched Gardener.

The girl also confirmed to police that Gardener had pulled his pants down in front of her.

Gardener was arrested and made no comment when the allegations were put to him.

However, screenshots of a conversation between him and the girl's dad showed Gardener said he had been "messing around" with the girl.

Gardener, who had no previous convictions, admitted two counts of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

In a victim statement, the girl's mum described a "deterioration" in her daughter's behaviour since the abuse.

Description

A paedophile repeatedly raped a girl after grooming her over WhatsApp.

Benjamin Goodrum, 22, used his vulnerable victim to satisfy his twisted desires then threatened her to stay quiet.

But the "horrendous" abuse of the child came to light when her parents found sick messages from him on her phone.

Ian Harris, prosecuting, said these messages included a request from Goodrum to see a picture of the child's bra.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the victim's mum later confronted Goodrum, who claimed he had twice touched her daughter inappropriately.

Police were contacted and arrested Goodrum, who also told an NHS worker that he had touched the girl "once or twice".

However, when police interviewed the victim, Mr Harris said she revealed Goodrum had groomed her by text for what was "a campaign of sexual abuse".

Goodrum, of Seacombe, text the girl asking her to exchange pictures, but when she said no, replied saying that if she didn't, he would "do stuff" to her.

The girl told police "it was as if he was blackmailing her" and she thought he wanted sex, having once previously touched her inappropriately.

Goodrum asked for naked pictures before sending the child a photo of his penis and a video of him performing a sex act on himself, which made her feel "sick".

She agreed to send him a photo of herself in her bra, but then tried to ignore his messages, only for Goodrum to continue to pester her, until he molested and raped her on multiple occasions.

At one stage Goodrum took the girl's phone and deleted his texts, but police still recovered many of the messages.

Mr Harris said he would arrange to meet her alone and his messages were "demanding in nature and persistent".

He said Goodrum "used her as a sexual toy" and warned that if she told anyone there would be consequences.

Mr Harris said the girl regularly told him to stop, but he continued even when told his abuse hurt, and called her a "slag".

Goodrum remained silent when interviewed by police, but later indicated on a court form that the abuse "didn't happen".

The pervert, who has no previous convictions, admitted three counts of rape, three counts of attempted rape, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, three counts of sexual assault of a child, four counts of assault by penetration and one count of sexual activity with a child.

Mr Harris said a psychiatric report didn't find any evidence of him having an psychiatric illness or medical disorder, but some evidence of ADHD and a social disorder.

The girl's mum said her daughter had since changed and now suffered from flashbacks and nightmares.

Bernice Campbell, defending, said: "General mitigation is difficult because there's very little mitigation one can say in regard to these horrendous offences."

Ms Campbell said: "His parents split up when he was very young. He didn't have anything to do with his father for some time and there was domestic violence from his father towards his mother.

"His father was only intermittently present during his formative years."

Ms Campbell said Goodrum later moved in with his dad, who described him as "immature", which was also raised in the psychiatric report.

She said: "The defendant accepts what happened was very wrong and he is in my respectful submission remorseful."

The lawyer said Goodrum was described as "having no friends" and "an unhappy childhood", his longest relationship was online with a female in America, and he claimed he was only interested in girls of his own age.

Ms Campbell said: "He wishes he never did it and he's disgusted about it."

She said Goodrum felt depressed and suicidal but never told anyone, self-harmed and suffered with stress and anxiety, and between 14 and 16 had an "imaginary friend", which showed his "childlike" immaturity.

The report said Goodrum mentioned possible autism, but this hadn't been diagnosed.

Ms Campbell said he was referred to mental health services in 2005 and his mum said Goodrum soiled himself several times and was bullied at school and college.

She said when released from jail he wanted to move back to his mum's home in Margate, Kent, having now been "disowned" by his dad.

Judge Andrew Menary, QC, said Goodrum's request for indecent images and the photo and video he sent the girl "was very upsetting" for her.

He said Goodrum messaged her "time and time again", trying to persuade her to take part in his sexual abuse.

The judge said: "You used her to satisfy your need for sexual gratification."

Judge Menary said her mum's statement set out the "understandable impact that this outrageous behaviour has had on her".

He said: "It's likely that your corruption of this young girl will profoundly affect her for years to come, if not for the rest of her life."

The judge said the harm was "severe", there was significant planning and grooming, and Goodrum threatened her not to report him.

Description

A monstrous abuser took advantage of two teenage boys while he worked at a children's home in the 1970s.

Robert Murray 'breached the trust' of his victims while he was employed at the home, abusing the boys on a number of occasions.

The 76-year-old was found guilty of 12 counts of of indecent assault at Liverpool Crown Court after putting his victims through the ordeal of a trial.

Murray, of Harrismith Road in Fazakerley, was jailed for a total of 11 years for the sex offences against the boys.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Merseyside Police described Murray as "disgraceful and cowardly".

The force said: "Merseyside Police has today, Friday, 12 February, welcomed the sentencing of a Liverpool man to 11 years in prison for sexual offences against two teenage boys.

"76-year-old Robert Murray of Harrismith Road, Fazakerley, was jailed after being found guilty of 12 counts of of indecent assault following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

"The offences relate to two male victims, both teenagers at the time, and date back to the 1970s, when Murray worked at a Liverpool residential home for boys."

Speaking after the sentencing, a Merseyside Police spokesperson said: Murray is a disgraceful and cowardly individual who seriously breached the trust of the two victims, and its pleasing to see him jailed for a significant amount of time today.

He continued to deny his crimes right throughout the investigation, putting the victims through the stress of a trial, but was found guilty by unanimous verdict on all charges against him.

I want to commend the victims for the courage they have shown, not only in coming forward to report Murray, but throughout the investigation and court process too.

"Murrays actions have no doubt significantly affected their lives, but I hope today brings a sense of closure on the traumatic experiences they have both been through, and allows them to continue moving forward knowing Murray wont be released for a significant amount of time.

I would also like to take this opportunity to reach out to victims of sexual abuse, and to let them know that time should never be a barrier to obtaining justice.

"We have specially trained officers ready to listen to you and treat you with respect and compassion. If you are suffering in silence, there is help and support available, both from Merseyside Police, and from reliable and trusted support groups who will stand with you.

Description

A paedophile groomed a schoolgirl on Snapchat before meeting in woods near her home to sexually abuse her.

Matthew Gomez, then 20, pretended to be 16 when he targeted two 13-year-old victims on the social media platform.

The pervert sent the girls disgusting images of himself and asked them to provide him with sexual photos in return.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the now 23-year-old, of Crabtree Close, Netherley, secretly recorded photos of the children.

He took his abuse a step further when he met one girl in Widnes, filmed her on his phone performing a sex act on him, then repeatedly asked for sex.

But when she told him to stop because he was hurting her, Gomez called her a "d***head" and as he walked away revealed that he had recorded her.

One of the main features of Snapchat is that pictures and messages are usually only available for a short time, before they are automatically deleted.

However, Gomez used an iPad to film and permanently retain indecent photos and videos sent to him on his mobile phone by five separate girls from Merseyside and Cheshire.

Steven Swift, prosecuting, said these girls included one child as young as eight, shown dancing around in a bedroom with her sister, aged 12.

Gomez admitted three counts of possessing indecent images, including Category A files - the most serious category - on the basis he didn't accept the girls were under 16.

He still maintained this stance today, but Judge Denis Watson, QC, said a trial over the issue wasn't required, because it wouldn't impact his overall sentence.

The court heard this was because Gomez was convicted of even more serious offences at a trial in December.

He was found guilty of five sexual offences in respect of one 13-year-old girl, and two sexual offences in respect of a second girl, also aged 13, in 2017.

The two girls said they told Gomez they were 13 and that he claimed to be 16.

However, he denied lying about his age, or knowing that either of them were underage.

Gomez was convicted of causing a child to watch a sexual act, after sending the first girl a photo of himself masturbating, and causing a child to engage in sexual activity, relating to asking her for a nude picture and the girl sending a photo of her breasts.

He was convicted of meeting a child following sexual grooming, after travelling to Widnes to meet her, then going to the woods.

Two convictions for sexual activity with a child related to the girl performing the sex act on him and him repeatedly asking for sex, then touching her with his penis.

Gomez was found guilty of another count of causing a child to watch a sexual act, for sending the second girl a photo of himself masturbating, and of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, when she sent him an image of her performing a sex act.

David Birrell, defending, said his client, of previous good character, still maintained his innocence in relation to the convictions following the trial.

He said: "Your honour will have seen from the pre-sentence report that he continues to deny the offences, but he does respect the jury's verdicts and he put that in his letter to your honour."

Mr Birrell said the offences took place over several months in 2017, when Gomez had been "young for his age", as shown in a medical report.

He said: "It appears that his significant health issues, the brain tumour, stunted both his physical and emotional development.

"Certainly the author of the pre-sentence report points to his immaturity as one of the reasons, certainly not the only reason, but one of the reasons for the offending."

Mr Birrell noted the report found he was "willing to engage in work around his offending".

He said: "He has some qualifications, he has worked in the past, he's from a good family, a good home, his parents sit in court, they stand by him, and others speak highly of him."

Judge Denis Watson, QC, said Gomez had "a sexual interest in younger girls" and knew due to using Snapchat that it was popular with younger teenage girls, some of whom were willing to "flirt sexually" and meet with him.

He said Gomez was "adept" at using a second device to film and store photos of the girls on Snapchat.

The judge said there were "elements of planning, grooming, targeting and persistence".

Referring to the first victim who he took to the woods, Judge Watson said: "These are events that she will never forget."

Judge Watson told Gomez that a medical report set out "the condition that you had led to not just a lack of physical development and growth, but a lack of self confidence, which seems to me to be a factor why you were interested in contacting younger girls".

He said: "You appear to have accepted the jury's verdict. Quite how that sits with you contesting and continuing to contest the correctness of the verdicts in the pre-sentence report is a difficult one, but it does suggest to me that you're willing to address your behaviours."

Judge Watson jailed Gomez for six and a half years, and imposed an indefinite restraining order to protect his victims.

The judge ordered Gomez to sign on the Sex Offenders Register and to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order indefinitely.

Description

A schoolgirl believed she would die when she was dragged into woodlands and sexually assaulted in an "unimaginable" ordeal.

Dean Lockley, 30, targeted the teenager as she walked home from school along the Loop Line in Aintree, near Orrell Park, at around 4pm.

The dad-of-one tied and gagged his victim - using her school uniform - stripped her naked and molested her, then had the audacity to claim he was "sorry".

The cowardly beast today said he was too ashamed to attend his sentencing, because he didn't want to listen to his horrific crimes laid bare.

He was meant to face justice yesterday but refused to leave his cell, after he was ordered to be produced at Liverpool Crown Court.

That meant his victim - in court with her mum - had to wait until today, when Lockley insisted on being sentenced in his absence.

Nicola Daley, defending, said: "He was too ashamed to listen to what he had done again."

Addressing him in his absence, Judge David Aubrey, QC, said: "You subjected a girl to the most unimaginable and terrifying ordeal.

"You gagged her with her own socks, you put her own shorts around her mouth, you tied both her hands with her bobble behind her back. She thought she might die: this girl, alone, frightened, scared...

"What was she thinking at the time? I quote her own words. 'I was thinking I'm going to die. I was just accepting the fact I was going to die'."

Gareth Roberts, prosecuting, said Lockley was from the Aintree area, where his victim was walking home along the abandoned railway track, close to Helsby Road, on September 21 last year.

She was with friends, but they separated and she continued on her own, before putting AirPods in her ears, to talk to pals and listen to music, because she was "scared".

The court heard this was because she wondered whether the previous week she had been followed, which she had discussed with friends at the time, although she couldn't be sure whether that was by Lockley.

Mr Roberts said as the child approached a bridge, during "a particularly lonely" stretch of the track, she became aware of a man behind her.

Lockley grabbed her, put a hand over her mouth and another around her neck, then pulled her by the hair into bushes near swampland and a disused brickworks.

Her belongings fell out of her school bag, she cut herself on branches and her shoes came off, before he pinned her down on a pillow in the clearing and shoved one of her socks in her mouth.

Mr Roberts said: "He told her that if she screamed he would kill her. He then threw her school bag into some bushes."

The court heard he sexually assaulted the girl, then told her to perform a sex act on him, and when she didn't understand what he meant, forced her to do it.

Mr Roberts said: "He then stopped, told her to get dressed and said he was sorry and that he wasn't usually like that. She, being a terrified teenage girl, told him that it was 'okay'.

"He told her if she screamed or told anyone he would kill her."

Lockley told her to wait for 20 minutes, then ran off.

The girl got dressed and ran home, but her mum and dad were at work, so she went to a neighbour's house and disclosed what happened.

Police were called and the girl was examined by doctors, who found numerous abrasions and other injuries, along with Lockley's DNA on her neck and underwear. His DNA was also recovered from the scene.

When arrested and interviewed, he denied responsibility, but accepted being in the area and claimed he previously had sex in that spot with women.

However, the girl picked him out in an identity parade and Lockley, of no fixed address, admitted false imprisonment, sexual assault and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

The girl is now scared to go out on her own or walk home from school and suffers from anxiety and panic attacks.

She said: "I sometimes wake up panicking, wondering if I'm going to be grabbed, then realise I'm safe at home."

The girl added: "He saw the school uniform. I'm scared he might come to school looking for me."

Lockley has no previous convictions for sexual offences, but a record including robberies and assault.

Ms Daley said he suffered from schizophrenia, but had not been taking antipsychotic medication.

She said this was "because he was not dealing with the adoption of his daughter and the breakdown of a previous relationship well".

Ms Daley said: "He considered at that stage to potentially take his own life."

She said her client, who been living in a nearby hostel but also sleeping in the park, claimed not to remember the attack.

Ms Daley added that he had an unstable upbringing, in an "abusive family", when he was abused.

Judge Aubrey said Lockley was "lurking in the area" before he "pounced" on his victim and dragged her to the secluded spot, where he told her to lie on a pillow.

He said: "I'm satisfied that you had planned this grave act."

The judge said after the attack, Lockley asked whether the girl was okay and told her he was sorry.

He said: "Those in my judgement were hollow words."

Judge Aubrey said the victim statement showed the girl's "fortitude" and "courage".

He said: "It can be described as an understatement because I have no doubt that your victim is trying to be brave and trying to repress that which occurred. I have no doubt that it will live with her for the rest of her life."

The judge said despite Lockley's mental health issues, he didn't accept that he couldn't recall what he did.

He said: "You seek to hide behind the mask, behind the enormity of that which you did."

Judge Aubrey said Lockley was a "dangerous" offender and jailed him for 12 years, with an extended five years on licence.

This means he will spend at least two thirds of the custodial term - eight years - behind bars.

He will only be released before the end of his sentence if a parole board considers he is no longer a risk.

Lockley must sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Description

A sex offender was handed a jail sentence but didn't even see the inside of a cell before a judge bailed him.

Gareth Edwards was today handed a 16 week sentence after he went to Center Parcs with a woman he was seeing and her three children.

The 30-year-old had also stayed over at the woman's home on weekends without telling her he was a convicted sex offender, breaching his notification requirements.

But after a district judge handed him a jail term on Monday at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, unrepresented Edwards was immediately released on bail pending an appeal against the conviction.

Edwards, of St Monica's Drive, Netherton, was previously sentenced for inciting a female under 16 to engage in sexual activity.

He was convicted of the offence in 2016 and handed a 16-week sentence suspended for two years and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for seven years.

He appeared in court on Monday for breaching the notification requirements on two counts after he met a woman online.

Olivia Brady, prosecuting, said Edwards told officers he had met the woman and stayed with her on weekends and during Christmas in 2019.

Ms Brady confirmed that he had "never been alone with the children" but had holidayed with the family and her parents at Center Parcs.

The court heard the woman "wasn't aware of the defendant's previous convictions".

District Judge Paul Healey confirmed that the first contact between the couple was in February 2019 through online dating.

When asked why he was not represented by a solicitor Edwards said he was unable to afford one.

Edwards was then given time to consider instructing a solicitor and asked to leave the dock, but when he returned confirmed that he wanted to continue with the sentencing unrepresented.

The sex offender was charged with breaching the notification requirements by staying at an address for more than 12 hours with a child and by residing at an address for more than seven days in a 12 month period without registering at a police station.

When asked about the offences Edwards said: "The second bit of the offences I wasn't aware that it accumulated - I did tell someone that.

"I went through a turbulent relationship and had a window put through."

Description

A vile pervert who had sexual activity with a school girl and had indecent images of another has been jailed after a brave victim contacted police.

Steff Jones from Netherton is today behind bars after admitting sex offences against two children.

The 19-year-old from Marie Curie Avenue, was sentenced to four years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Monday, January 4.

He was jailed after pleading guilty to sexual activity with a child, who police said was 14, and possessing indecent images of another teenage girl.

Today Merseyside Police welcomed the sentence handed to Jones, who was also issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and praised the courage of both his victims.

Jones was arrested on Friday, October 23 last year after one of the victims, a teenage girl who he pleaded guilty to having sexual activity with, reported him to police.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Hurst said: Jones is a dangerous individual that preyed on two young girls, and thanks to their courage in coming forward, he will now spend significant time in prison.

We are committed to protecting victims of sexual offences, and anyone who reports an incident to us will be safeguarded and supported throughout the investigation.

I hope todays result gives the victims some closure and allows them to move forward, knowing they have helped put Jones behind bars, where he can no longer pose a risk to other children."

He added: "Anyone that has been a victim of a similar sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us. We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

Description

A paedophile downloaded child rape videos on a laptop he shared with his mum.

Michael Pegg amassed a sickening collection, which featured more than 5,000 indecent images of children.

The 44-year-old transferred the files to a hard drive so his mum wouldn't find out, then viewed them on his TV.

When he was caught by police, the pervert blamed his behaviour on using "a lot of cannabis and ecstasy".

But he walked free from court after a judge said he now recognised he had a problem and was "open to help to put it right".

Liverpool Crown Court heard officers raided Pegg and his mum's home in Hall Street, Southport, on July 4 last year.

Fiona McNeill, prosecuting, said police told Pegg they were acting on intelligence that his internet address had been used to download indecent images and asked if he knew anything about this, before he was cautioned and arrested.

A search was carried out and electrical items seized, including a laptop from one room and a hard drive from another.

Ms McNeill said: "When police took the hard drive the defendant said 'that's got my naughty stuff on'."

The court heard Pegg was taken to hospital before he was interviewed due to concerns about his mental health.

Police experts found eight Category A - the most serious category - still images and videos of children being raped on his devices, including one showing a girl aged between six and eight.

Devastating consequences of watching child sex abuse online

There were 214 Category B, 5,309 Category C, and in total 5,531 indecent images of children.

When interviewed, Pegg accepted making the comment to the police and said he downloaded the files on torrent sites.

Ms McNeill said he admitted downloading the files over four to five years and said he would then delete them "because he knew it was wrong".

Pegg said he saved some files on his hard drive and would then connect this to his TV to view them.

Ms McNeill said he conceded there were "quite a lot" of indecent images of children of different ages.

She said: "He said he didn't know how he became interested in this material and said he felt disgusted in himself.

"He said he made sure the images were transferred so his mum didn't see them on the laptop, which she also used as well."

Ms McNeill added: "He said at the time of downloading the images he was using a lot of cannabis and ecstasy.

"He denied having any sexual interest in children any longer, but accepted at the time he did."