Latest Offenders Merseyside

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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."

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A county cricket captain and school worker has been jailed for having sex with a teenage pupil.

Lee Francis Dixon, 31, was sentenced to two years in jail after admitting three breaches of trust and perverting the course of justice.

Dixon, who captained Chester County Cricket Club for two years before stepping down in the winter, sighed and became agitated when the sentence was announced at Chester Crown Court.

Dixon, of Greasby, Wirral, was described in court as a 'teacher' with pastoral responsibilities for troubled children, although his defence barrister said his role was not actually that of a teacher.

He was employed at a school which cannot be identified, and neither can the victim who was aged 17 at the time of the offences.

The pupil was not under his direct care when they bumped into each other at a nightclub while both were under the influence of alcohol in April 2017.

Prosecutor Kevin Jones said she recalled how they talked about their school, the canteen and she even called him 'sir'. But the conversation then became 'flirty' and they began to kiss.

After splitting up for a short time on the night, they saw each other again and moved to a secluded area, the Chester Chronicle reported.

The victim said 'proper kissing' took place and Dixon performed a sex act.

Text messages were exchanged that night about 'trying to meet up again' and outside Dixon tried to persuade her to go back to his flat but she didn't go.

Mr Jones said the next morning the teenager received Snapchat messages from Dixon including a picture of him exposing his bare chest, as well as sexual references.

About a week later they met up again after he picked her up in his car and they went back to his shared house.

The prosecutor said Dixon told her to say to his friends that they 'met on Tinder'.

At first housemates were going in and out of Dixon's room as he had won a cricket competition that day but after they disappeared sex took place.

After about two hours he took her home.

Contact ceased for a while and she deleted him on Snapchat. But communications resumed when she grew concerned about rumours going around school about their relationship.

Dixon told her not to worry as the speculation suggested she was having a relationship with an English teacher. They met up again when she rang him for a lift during a downpour.

Nothing happened but he sent her a text message after that meeting and the pair then met up at his brother's empty house, where sex took place.

Another charge admitted by Dixon was perverting the course of justice concerning his actions after the school, and later police, became involved from September 2017.

He contacted the victim telling her to downplay the incident if asked about what happened and to describe it as nothing more than 'heavy petting'.

Mr Jones said: 'During that early contact, he specifically says to her, if you're asked about it by the school or the police, that she is not to tell them they had full sexual intercourse.'

In October he rang her from a payphone asking what information had been shared with the school and police so he could be ready for any questions at a police interview the next day.

On November 15 he contacted her asking for an update and again on Sunday, December 3, just prior to his second police interview.

"Parents must be able to trust those responsible for the care of their children"

The court heard Dixon, former captain of Chester Boughton Hall Cricket club and the Cheshire county cricket team, had spent a lot of time coaching youngsters and helped establish a women's team but there was no suggestion he had abused that position.

Gareth Roberts, defending, argued in favour of rehabilitation and a suspended jail term.

He said: 'He's clearly highly thought of in the field in which he excelled but he stands before this court today thoroughly ashamed, embarrassed and remorseful for the way he acted.

'He realises that by virtue of his own catastrophic folly he's changed his own life forever and he cannot blame anyone else for that.'

The court heard Dixon was sacked from his job and has since lost his home.

Judge Patrick Thompson, who gave Dixon credit for his guilty pleas and took account of 11 positive character references, said the victim had been 'emotionally and psychologically' affected by the episode.

He told Dixon: 'Not only did you have the responsibility that comes from being a teacher at the school, your particular responsibility was being responsible for the care of the children, dealing with children who had concerns or worries and ensuring their welfare and helping them.

'It's an important responsibility. Parents must be able to trust those responsible for the care of their children. To parents, there's nothing more special than their children. Nothing they care about more. And the public have to have confidence in those involved in the teaching profession.'

He sentenced Dixon to 18 months for each of the three breaches of trust, to be served concurrently, and an additional six months for perverting the course of justice. 

On release, Dixon must sign the sex offenders' register for a period of 10 years.

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Jon Venables, one of the killers of toddler James Bulger nearly 25 years ago, has been charged over indecent images of children. The 35-year-old, who served eight years for the murder of James, aged two, in 1993, was recalled to prison last year. He and Robert Thompson abducted, tortured and killed the toddler in Liverpool when they were both aged 10. They were released on licence in 2001, meaning they can be recalled to jail at any time if they breach the conditions. Both were given new identities and reporting restrictions mean that Venables' current name, or anything else that could lead to his identification, will remain secret when his case is heard

Railway line

On 12 February 1993, James - just a few weeks short of his third birthday - was reported missing by his mother from outside a butcher's shop in the New Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle. CCTV images showed him being lured away by Venables and Thompson. His body was found two days later on a railway line. He had been partially stripped and beaten to death with bricks and a metal bar. Thompson and Venables were arrested and charged within days and convicted in November of the same year at Preston Crown Court. In 2001, the pair were released on licence from secure children's homes - and granted lifelong anonymity with new identities. In September 2008, Venables was arrested on suspicion of affray after a drunken brawl and was given a formal warning by the probation service for breaching the good behaviour terms of his licence. Later the same year he was cautioned for possession of cocaine after he was found with a small amount of the Class A drug. And in 2010, Venables was sent back to jail for two years after pleading guilty to charges of downloading and distributing indecent images of children and breaching his parole conditions by visiting Merseyside. He was released again in 2013 with a second new identity.

'Perverted psychopath'

When news of the 35-year-old's latest arrest emerged last year, James's mother Denise Fergus said: "Venables has now proved beyond any doubt what a vile, perverted psychopath he has always been." The Attorney General launched an investigation into claims his identity had been revealed on social media. In 2013, two men who posted images they claimed were of Venables and Thompson were given nine-month sentences, suspended for 15 months. Breaking the injunction that bans identifying the pair carries a punishment of up to two years in prison. A CPS spokesman said: "The man formerly known as Jon Venables has been charged with offences relating to indecent images of children. "In order that justice can be done, no further details are being released at this stage and the proceedings are subject to reporting restrictions."

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Jacob Adair, 21, of Kenyon's Lane South, Haydock, handed 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, after he admitted inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, downloading indecent images of children and extreme porn.

Jacob Adair from Haydock was caught after he asked a 15 year old girl to send him naked pictures.

A man who asked a schoolgirl to send him naked pictures was caught with extreme porn involving a corpse.

Jacob Adair twice urged a 15-year-old child to take photographs of her breasts to add to his sickening stash of images.

When police raided his Haydock home they discovered a depraved collection of child sex abuse and vile pornography.

But the 21-year-old walked free from court today after receiving a suspended sentence so he could still go to university.

Liverpool Crown Court heard police raided the home he shared with his parents in Kenyon’s Lane South on December 3, 2015.

They seized computer equipment containing the offensive images, which he admitted responsibility for downloading.

There were eight Category A – the most serious category – 11 Category B and 137 Category C indecent images of children.

This included three Category A videos and there were a further 20 prohibited and two extreme porn pictures.

Ian Criddle, prosecuting, said: “One involved sexual interference with a corpse and one involved serious injury to genitals.”

He said Adair had been talking to the schoolgirl when he was aged 19 and that she “felt uneasy about the requests”.

When interviewed by police, Adair accepted he knew she was only 15 and that he asked her to take the photos.

He admitted two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and three counts of downloading indecent images of children.

Adair, who has no previous convictions, also admitted possessing indecent images of children, prohibited images and extreme porn.

Paul Treble, defending, conceded the offences were serious but urged Judge David Aubrey, QC, to spare his client prison.

He said Adair had not lied to the girl - who he had developed feelings for - about his age.

Mr Treble said Adair was frank with police and now realised what he did when still a teenager was “very wrong”.

He said: “He at the time found himself in a very difficult position due to the death of his grandmother, which precipitated depression.

“It led to him becoming isolated, he started looking at the material, and one of the excitements, if I can put it that way, is that it was taboo.

“He is embarrassed and shocked now. He appreciates it was very, very wrong.”

Mr Treble said if Adair was spared jail, he would begin a university course in September, and the court would not see him again.

Judge Aubrey said Adair had been “obsessed” with his computer and looking at indecent images.

He said: “Each and every image represented the abuse of a child.

“You were perpetuating the abuse of that child because if there were not like minded people, there would not be such a market for like images.”

However, he said the offences were committed two years ago and Adair, who recognised his problems, had “considerable potential”.

He said: “This court has come to the conclusion that it’s possible to permit you to begin your university career.”

Judge Aubrey handed him 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, plus a sexual offenders treatment programme.He told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

The judge said: “You now have to ensure the issues you undoubtedly had in 2015 either have been addressed or you will continue to address them.”

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Steven Walsh, originally from Knowsley, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today Steven Walsh, 29 and of no fixed abode but originally from Knowsley, was jailed for seven years after admitting modern slavery, two counts of sexual assault, assault with intent to resist arrest and possession of prohibited items in prison. A 29-year-old man has been jailed for a series of crimes including modern slavery. Steven Walsh was sentenced to seven years for a spate of offences that also included sexual assault. Merseyside Police today highlighted the sentence as a warning for those who prey on the vulnerable within our community. Walsh, of no fixed address but originally from Knowsley, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court this morning. He had pleaded guilty to modern slavery, two counts of sexual assault, assault with intent to resist arrest and possession of prohibited items in prison. Following the sentencing, Merseyside Police praised the courage of the victim for their role in supporting the investigation. Detective Chief Inspector Julie Milburn said: I would like to salute the bravery of the victim in this case. I hope that this sentence will help them in recovering from his crimes.

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Now identifies as a woman, Rebecca Louise Ormrod. A paedophile who subjected a young girl to a campaign of rape and said he would drown her if she spoke out was jailed for 20 years. Robert David Ormrod, 43, also threatened the victim, aged between eight and 14 at the time of the offences, he would abuse her sister if she told anyone, Liverpool Crown Court heard today. Ormrod, of Brynn Street, St Helens , attacked the girl multiple times over a seven year period and was convicted of six counts of rape after a trial. The court heard his wife was aware of one incident of abuse but merely warned him to stop or he would get in trouble. Ormrod was also convicted of sexual assault and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity after abusing a six-year-old boy and another young girl, although these offences related to single incidents. Judge Thomas Teague, QC, sentencing, said: The bare recital of these convictions gives some indication of the level of depravity to which you sank. The court heard the behaviour of the children had deteriorated since the abuse, and at least two have needed the intervention of the authorities. Carmel Wilde, representing Ormrod, said her client was sexually abused himself as a child. She said: Although it is no excuse whatsoever for the nature of this disgusting offending, its very clear that this is a troubled defendant with a very troubled past. He has sustained sexual abuse himself. Ms Wilde said child protection charity the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, which works with sex offenders to prevent further abuse, produced a report on Ormrod which suggested his thinking was distorted. The report revealed that through his childhood all closeness and comfort had a sexual component. Judge Teague said the report and his experience in the courts suggested it was fairly common for paedophiles to have suffered abuse themselves as children. The court heard Ormrod claimed he was hearing voices and had an alter-ego, and was also on suicide watch in prison after persistently self harming. Ormrod will be eligible for release after half his sentence, but only if a parole board consider him no longer a danger to the public.

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A FORMER head of an East Yorkshire children's home is facing jail for a third time after he was found guilty of a string of historical child abuse offences.

James Carragher, 75, was found guilty of 21 counts of indecent assault and three serious sexual assaults at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday, Humberside Police said.

A jury at Leeds Crown Court was told that Carragher was jailed for seven years in 1993 and a further 14 years in 2004 for offences he committed at St William's - an approved school for boys with behavioural problems in Market Weighton, East Yorkshire.

Carragher was principal of St William's, which was run by the Catholic De La Salle order, from 1976 to 1990.

The judge said "I've never ever in many years of doing this had a jury who had to consider so many charges, it is way beyond the norm, and they are some of the most difficult charges to deal with".

Carragher was jailed for seven years in 1993 and 14 years in 2004 for sex offences, pleaded not guilty to 50 counts of indecent assault and 12 other serious sex offences.

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Update: Loveday now calls himself ‘Holly Stanley’

A pervert has been sentenced after he was found guilty of a string of sexual offences which involved children
Steven Loveday, appeared at Leeds Crown Court where he was found guilty of: 

• One count of voyeurism
• One count of possession of indecent images of children
• One count of prohibited images of children
• One count of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence

The court was told that Loveday was caught with images of children which were described as being in the worse category of indecency showing the rape or sexual torture of youngsters.

The judge sentenced Loveday to a total of fours years imprisonment

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A sexual predator who subjected two young girls to a catalogue of sickening abuse was jailed for a total of 17 years.

Bryan Douglas, 31, was arrested when his victims, one of whom was less than ten years old at the time of the offences, reported his horrendous crimes to police.

But Douglas, from Rock Ferry, Wirral, tried to brazen it out and denied multiple charges of rape and sexual assault, forcing his victims to go through the stress of a trial.

The two child victims, one of whom is now an adult, gave evidence at Douglas’ trial last month where, although he admitted having sex with a teenage girl, he denied raping both of them and denied a further count of sexual assault.

On Monday he was jailed for 17 years by a judge who said he was a danger to children.

As well as the lengthy sentence he received an additional five year extended license meaning for the next 22 years, once he gets out of prison, he will be able to be locked up if he breaches any conditions of his release.

He will not be able to apply for parole for at least 12 years and is also subject to a sexual offences prevention order preventing him from associating with children.

He is also on the sex offenders register for life.

The case was investigated by specialist detectives from the Child Protection Unit within Wirral’s Family Crime Investigation Unit, one of whom told the ECHO: “Douglas subjected the victims to unimaginable sexual abuse when he was an adult and when they were children and at their most vulnerable.

“He maintained his innocence throughout the investigation, denying the allegations and again throughout the week-long trial, denying what he had done to the victims.

“The bravery of the victims has been outstanding and their evidence was absolutely crucial to the case. They found the courage to report what had happened to Merseyside Police and they were supported by us, and the Rape Specialist Unit within the CPS, during an extremely challenging time.

“Douglas has a very long time in prison to think about what he has done. We hope this case sends out a strong message to anyone who is, or has suffered sexual abuse, whether it is recent or historic, that we will take this type of crime extremely seriously.

“We hope this will encourage more people to find the courage needed to come forward. Merseyside Police is here for you and will support you through the process and take action against the perpetrators.

“Officers would also like to warn people who think they can get away it, that they can’t and won’t. If people speak out then we will do everything in our power to put the offenders before the courts.”