Latest Offenders Merseyside

Description

A predatory sex offender abused a missing 15-year-old girl after encountering her alone at night. Brandon Ormond convinced his victim that he was a "good person" after approaching her in the street and handing her religious literature.

But he then whisked the vulnerable teen away to a secluded area near to a beach, where he subjected her to a series of vile sexual acts. Having then abandoned her once more in the early hours, she was ultimately discovered by police in distress near to a Morrisons supermarket.

Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, that the teenager went missing from home before travelling to New Brighton, Wirral, by bus, arriving in the area at around 10.30pm. She was then located by police at around 6am the following day, at which stage she "became visibly upset" and disclosed to officers that she had been subjected to a sexual assault.

Frances Wilmott, prosecuting, described how the girl went on detail how Ormond, of Ripon Road in Wallasey, had approached her and began talking to her. Despite having been "initially wary" of him, the 29-year-old went on to "tell her that he was a Christian and gave her a religious leaflet", which "made her think he was a good person".

The two thereafter sat on a bench, where the defendant asked if he could put his arm around her while "saying it was cold". Ormond subsequently suggested that they move to an underpass near to the beach as it "would be warmer", then began kissing the schoolgirl in this location in spite of being told of her young age.

Having subsequently "asked if she wanted to have sex", he pulled down his trousers and performed a sexual act upon her and "told her he thought she was fit" before being disturbed by a barking dog.

Ormond then left the girl and returned home at around 3.30am, leaving her to walk to the nearby Morrisons store alone before being found by police at daybreak. Having been identified and arrested, he told detectives that he believed the complainant was homeless and aged 18.

When his phone was analysed, it was found to contain a number of pictures of "partially dressed young girls in sexualised poses". These photographs did not result in criminal charges however, as they were not deemed to be indecent images by law.

Martine Snowdon, defending, told the court: "There are references from a number of people who speak well of him. He has read to me a short letter which he wanted to write to your honour, reinforcing his remorse and recognising the impact.

"He had difficult circumstances in his upbringing. A single mother brought him up. He had a relationship with his father, although he died a few years ago. He fell out of education. He is motivated to work in a positive way and hopes to be a better person. He has got support with that and a willingness to do that."

Ormond admitted two counts of sexual activity with a child and causing a child to engage in sexual activity. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a navy blue Regatta fleece and with a crucifix on show around his neck, he was jailed for 38 months.

Sentencing, Judge David Swinnerton said: "You were 29 when you sexually abused [victim's name], who was 15 years of age, although that was not the sum total of her vulnerabilities. You have no previous convictions, and that is something that I will take into account in your favour.

"She ran away from home. She travelled to New Brighton, where, in what must have been the early hours of the morning, you came across her alone. I do not know how much time you spent with her, but you left her alone at 3.30 in the morning.

"It must have been obvious to you quite quickly that she was young, and she told you that she was 15. It must have been obvious to you that she was vulnerable from the fact that it was cold.

"She was somebody who needed your help. It should have been obvious to you that she had other difficulties. Yet, despite that, rather than taking her to a police station or calling the police, you invited her to come down an underpass onto the beach, where you sat with her.

"From that moment, you were preying on her vulnerability. You need to be aware of the impact that you have had. Her life, her self esteem, her self confidence, her ability to cope with the world and others, all of this has been compromised by what you did to her.

"You were under the influence of alcohol. You have sought help while in custody. I think you say that you had something like six cans before you committed these offences. I take into account that you show some remorse.

"You yourself come from a background which was, in some ways, difficult. I am satisfied that you do show an interest sexually in young girls."

Ormond was also handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. He will be required to sign the sex offenders' register for life.

Description

A man has been banned from every McDonald's in Merseyside after spying on a 16-year-old girl in the bathroom of a Liverpool city centre restaurant.

Tyler Rogers, 24, said he was picking up a "Too Good to Go" bag when he wandered into the women's toilets at around 9.45pm on Thursday, July 24.

He appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court yesterday (July 26), where he pleaded guilty to voyeurism, the Liverpool Echo reported.

Prosecutor Adrian Evans told the court: "There was a female who had gone into the McDonald's toilets, a 16-year-old. When she was on the toilet itself, she has seen a male peering over into the cubicle in which she was seated.

"The male has then left. Police were called and the defendant was identified by officers. At the time, there was another female in the toilet, and the victim has been described as looking very shaken up as a result of the incident - the offences perpetrated by this defendant.

"Upon being arrested, he made a significant statement [along the lines of] 'I didn't do anything wrong'.

"The act he did admit doing, but he denied any sexual gratification from the same. Having pleaded guilty, he now must accept that sexual gratification was at least one of the reasons why he carried out the offence."

The court heard Rogers, of Stanley Road, Bootle, had appeared before the courts on voyeurism charges before. In June 2023, he was given a 16-month sentence after using a hidden camera to secretly film nude women in the changing rooms of Crosby Leisure Centre.

After Rogers was caught in the McDonald's toilets, a witness said she heard the victim shout: "I swear I just seen a man look at me and run out".

She said: "I was too scared to leave the cubicle so I just sat there for five minutes. I then opened the door, ran over to the McDonald's security staff and told them what had happened."

Mr Evans said: "The defendant is already a registered sex offender. Despite being a registered sex offender, he has once again gone out and committed a deliberate act of voyeurism against a young girl for his own sexual gratification, despite the fact that a Sexual Harm Prevention Order is in place already. That is designed to protect girls and others from the defendant's proclivities.

"Unfortunately he has chosen to deliberately commit a further offence, therefore these terms have not prevented him from going out to this public restaurant and committing this offence.

"He has shown a total disregard for the court order already in place, and he has demonstrated by these further acts that he is a threat and does pose a real danger to young girls in the community."

David Achilles, defending, said: "Rogers tells me he had gone in to collect some food. He had been drinking, he was under the influence of alcohol.

"He went into the wrong toilet and basically he has taken advantage of the situation he has found himself in. There is some planning, but it certainly isn't significant.

"He's in hostel accommodation at the moment. If he's given an immediate custodial sentence, he will lose that accommodation. That isn't going to do anybody any good, because he would come out homeless."

Urging the magistrates to pass a suspended sentence, he added: "I'm not trying to minimise what he has done. I think he accepts it's totally unacceptable. He needs to learn from it. Hopefully he will."

Bench chairman Mark Appleton said a pre-sentence report was required. He told Rogers: "There's a very realistic chance you could be remanded in custody for this offence, however we're going to give you a chance. These are serious matters, as you know."

Description

A Southport man has been jailed for 15 years and must sign the Sex Offender Register for life after raping a child and committing a series of sex offences against four other children.

Callum Crofts, 22, of King Street, Southport, was found guilty of the rape of a child under 16 last February after a two-week trial in November 2024. He then pleaded guilty in March 2025 to 11 more offences against children.

Crofts was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court, on Monday 30 June,  to a total of 15 years in prison for the following sexual offences, which took place from February 2023 to March 2024 against five victims:

• Rape of a child under 16
• Seven counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child
• Three counts of engaging in sexual communications with a child
• One count of cause/incite a child to engage in sexual activity
• One count of send a photograph of genitals to cause alarm/distress or humiliation
• Three counts of Make indecent photographs of a child (Cat A,B,C)

Detective Constable Lindsey Harris said:

“Crofts showed no regard for the long-lasting emotional impact his vile actions will undoubtedly have on all his victims, acting only to satisfy his own depravity.

“I hope this sentencing shows that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated and we will work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice. 

“Crofts was found guilty by a unanimous verdict of this heinous crime. He will now spend a significant time in prison.

“Anyone that has been a victim of a 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.

“While no sentence will repair the trauma which was inflicted on his victims, I hope this sentencing will not only provide them with justice, but also encourage other victims to come forward and have the confidence in us as a police force to take reports seriously and ultimately ensure offenders are put before the courts.”

Description

A convicted sex offender sought out the services of an escort and ended up behind bars. Matthew Bushell had only recently been released from prison when he was caught breaching restrictions that are designed to prevent him from committing crimes of a sexual nature.

Having been quickly rumbled by the police, he then confessed to his attempts to cover his tracks as he "thought he could get away with it". Back in jail, he now "understands that he needs to try to stop getting into trouble".

Liverpool Crown Court heard this afternoon, Tuesday, that Bushell is subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order as a result of a conviction for sexual assault in 2014. This prevents the 52-year-old from deleting his internet history, amongst a number of other terms restricting his online activities.

Ben Stanley, prosecuting, described how Merseyside Police paid a visit to the defendant's then home on Cobden Road in Southport on June 3 last year, shortly after his release from an earlier spell in jail, in order to ensure his compliance with the order. While Bushell handed over his mobile phone and a tablet computer upon request, it was subsequently discovered that he had wiped the browsing history of both devices earlier the same day.

When questioned on the matter, he claimed that he "didn't want prison staff to see his browsing history while he was in prison". The PC however pointed out that these electronics were not available to him when he was locked up, at which stage he "admitted that he must have deleted it while intoxicated".

Investigations thereafter discovered that Bushell had wiped the internet history from his phone on 356 previous occasions, as well as 125 times from the tablet computer. It was further established that he had searched for terms relating to online sex chats, pornographic websites and escort page Viva Street.

Following his arrest, Bushell confessed under interview that he "was doing stuff he shouldn't have" and had deleted his browsing history as he was "scared and thought he could get away with it". His criminal record shows a total of nine previous convictions for 19 offences, including flouting the terms of the same order in 2016 and 2021.

Bushell has since been recalled on licence in relation to a 16-month sentence he received in July 2024 for seven counts of breaching his SHPO, and is not due to be released until November this year. Desmond Lennon, defending, told the court: "He had material on those devices which he accepts that he should not have had.

"He readily accepts that conduct. He hopes that he would have perhaps moved on from it, but, at the moment, it seems that he is unable to do so. He has had significant issues with alcohol abuse.

"He understands that he does need to try to stop getting himself into trouble in terms of his interests and to stop getting himself in breach of this order. He is in his 50s, and he really does need to move on if he possibly can."

Bushell admitted one count of breaching a sexual harm prevention order. Appearing via video link to HMP Risley wearing a grey t-shirt two days after his birthday, he was jailed for a further eight months.

Sentencing, Recorder Mark Ainsworth said: "This order has been in place, in one form or another, since May 2014. There is no doubt that you were aware of the requirements. It became clear that the search history on these devices had been deleted, which, of course, was a breach of the order.

"You accepted that you were doing stuff that you should not have been doing and deleted your history, and you did that because you were scared of the consequences and thought you could get away with it. The real problem, in this case, is the fact that this is not the first time that you have been before the court for such breaches."

16 Dec 2021 - Liverpool Echo

Groped women and sucked their fingers in his home.

A sex attacker placed adverts for topless women to clean his home.

Matthew Bushell, 48, is banned from advertising for women to contact him as a result of past sex attacks.

The pervert lured two female victims to his home under false pretences then molested them in 2013.

Courts have heard about his "unhealthy obsession" with sex and history of using sex workers and escorts.

But last December he flouted the ban by placing 32 ads for what he called "consensual sexual entertainment".

Bushell was convicted of two sexual assaults in May 2014 after putting adverts on Gumtree for female cleaners.

Explaining the "context" to his latest offence, Simon Duncan, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court one woman met him at Southport train station in June 2013.

Mr Duncan said Bushell took her to his home in Cobden Road, Southport, where "he grabbed her, kissed her and sucked her fingers", so she left and called police.

Officers went to his house the next day and found another woman, there "under the pretence of a job interview".

She didn't make any criminal allegations, but then a second female victim came forward, who had also responded to a Gumtree advert.

She went to Bushell's house that April, but when she arrived, he asked her if she would clean topless for cash.

Mr Duncan said he "put his hand down her pants and touched her breasts and offered her money to stay the night".

Bushell was sentenced to a hospital order and hit with an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).

He was released from hospital in February 2015 and then monitored by Merseyside Police's sex offender unit.

Mr Duncan said "suspicions were building" for officers in October 2020, when they examined his electronic devices and found search terms "of concern", but no evidence of any offences.

However, in February this year, police discovered he had placed ads on the website Viva Street under the username "CoolBoy47" asking women if they wanted "horny fun".

Mr Duncan said: "He was inviting females to call, text or WhatsApp at any time."

He said Bushell placed 32 adverts for women on Viva Street between December 10 and 16 "inviting them to engage in sex work, some advertising for topless cleaning services, and others offered payment for sexual services".

Mr Duncan said: "He has a history of using sex workers and strangely on occasions reporting his dissatisfaction with their services to the police."

He added: "He was interviewed on March 29, 2021. He admitted that he created the Viva Street account with a view to some 'consensual sexual entertainment'."

Bushell admitted placing the adverts and said he received "a fair few responses" but only chatted to them on the phone and then stopped because he feared it would be discovered.

He admitted breaching his SOPO.

Bushell was previously convicted of breaching the order in February 2018, when he was spared jail after placing ads for female house cleaners.

Mr Duncan said he was later convicted of harassment against a female doctor, who had once treated him, by sending her "abusive and insulting messages" and calls.

Description

A child rapist has been jailed for 24 years for subjecting two young girls to years of sexual abuse in Warrington.

Anthony Wilcock, of Harvey Avenue, Newton-le-Willows, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday 9 May where he was handed the custodial sentence. He will also need to serve an extra year on extended licence.

The 44-year-old had previously denied three counts of sexual assault by penetration and eight counts of rape but was found guilty following a trial.

The court heard how Wilcock had abused the victims over many years in the Warrington area. One girl was abused when she was aged between nine and 15, and the second girl when she was aged between 12 and 14.

The offences were reported in April 2023 and the victims bravely spoke about what had happened to them. Following enquiries, Wilcock was arrested. He was then ultimately charged with multiple offences in May 2024.

On top of his 24-year sentence, Wilcock was ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register for life and is also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, plus restraining orders to protect the victims in this case.

Description

A paedophile preyed on a schoolboy, taking him on days out to race tracks, truck stops and Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Paul Jones, 62, pretended to bond with the teenager over a shared love of machines and Formula One - all the while forming "an unhealthy sexual interest" in him.

At Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday, May 5, prosecutor Simon Christie said the victim was vulnerable, and "the defendant appeared to be supportive of the victim's particular needs, took him to race tracks and to see various truck stops around the country.

"There was a considerable degree of exchange in digital form, with the defendant becoming quite demanding and seeking the victim's attention, not wanting to share the victim with other people."

Jones, of Davenham Avenue, Oxton, admitted sexual activity with a child, as the court heard how on two occasions he had touched the boy sexually.

In a victim statement, the now adult survivor said: "I have found the whole process extremely difficult and stressful. I often ask myself if all the stress is going to be worth it, will I be able to keep going, will I be able to keep fighting to the end?

"I have been feeling bad and carry guilt for making the report to the police... I often feel selfish for making the report when I did due to the time that had passed since it happened. My mum was so worried about me and what happened. I feel it has taken a toll on her."

He said the stress of dealing with what happened had resulted in him being signed off work, and that he struggled constantly with fear and anxiety.

He added: "The offences committed against me had a huge impact on my life and continue to do so. I'm struggling to sleep due to stress and anxiety. I'm constantly exhausted and some days I won't leave the house at all. I find myself missing things I would normally enjoy as I can't face it."

Stella Hayden, defending, said Jones was of previously good character with no past convictions. She said: "He appreciates he is the only one who bears any culpability. The victim was a child when this took place and he instigated the sexual abuse of him.

"There are a few slightly more positive aspects of his report. These can be difficult offences to accept and there was a small step forward in that regard, and he was able to understand the impact on the victim.

"He did express remorse and willingness to engage in any rehabilitation work he may be offered. He expresses no objection to a curfew and would pay any penalty the court sees fit to impose." She urged the judge to pass a suspended sentence.

Judge Andrew Menary explained to the court that, though other allegations had been made about Jones by the victim, he was only able to sentence the 62-year-old on the basis of his guilty plea.

He said: "You and (victim) were interested in things mechanical, in particular haulage companies and Formula One, and you took him on a number of trips on his own to see a number of places of interest to you both, for example the airport.

"Much of that the victim would have enjoyed. What he did not enjoy was the unhealthy interest you showed in him. At least to an extent, your motivation for spending time with him was an unhealthy sexual interest in him."

The judge explained how Jones touched the boy sexually twice while at his home.

Description

A man from Sefton has been jailed today, Friday 2 May, after pleading guilty to 27 child sex offences targeting underage children across the country.

Michael Lymath, of no fixed address but formerly from Southport, was sentenced to 20 years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court today, plus eight years extended licence period which is additional time during which the offender is supervised in the community after their release. He had pleaded guilty to the catalogue of sex offences against underage girls at a previous court hearing.

In December last year detectives arrested and charged 43-year-old Lymath following a report from a child victim that they had been offered payment for images. A search of Lymath’s home address was conducted where numerous exhibits were seized, Lymath was initially charged with the reported offence along with Possession of cannabis, Possession of cocaine and Possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

Lymath was remanded into custody by the courts while detectives continued investigating the full scope of Lymath’s offending, which resulted in him being convicted of 27 offences which he committed across the UK between 2020 and until his arrest in December 2024.  The long list of additional charges included Rape of a girl under the age of 13, Cause/incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, Engage in sexual communication with a child, Attempt to cause/incite a girl to engage in sexual activity, two counts of Cause a child to watch/look at an image of sexual activity, Possession of cannabis, Possession of cocaine and Possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

The court heard that Lymath would prey on underage children on social media under various guise’s that included pretending he was a 17-year-old boy and message them.

Following a complex investigation detectives discovered that he had been in contact with several victims from across the UK. Lymath had groomed children online and had met them in person where he engaged in sexual activity.

He had also lured multiple victims to send explicit images of themselves by offering them payment.

Detective Constable Rory Quigley said: “This sentence follows a lengthy and complex investigation to bring Lymath before the courts so that he pays for his crimes.

“He was a prolific sexual predator – targeting young and vulnerable children for his own sexual gratification, thinking he could get away with it.

“He manipulated his vulnerable young victims and sent them explicit videos to watch. In one instance he told child victim that he knew where they lived to manipulate them into sending him sexually explicit images which were categorised A, B and C.”

Description

A MAN has been jailed for nine years after raping a woman in St Helens.

Nadal Mehemed, 36, of South John Street, in St Helens, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today (Thursday, April 10), after pleading guilty to rape and robbery.

On Saturday, June 2024, Mehemed assaulted and raped a woman inside a property and forcibly took her mobile phone in an attempt to prevent her from contacting emergency services.

The woman’s call still went through to police call handlers and part of the incident was recorded and used in evidence against Mehemed.

As well as a prison sentence, Mehemed has also been given a life time restraining order against his victim and placed on the Sex Offender Register indefinitely.

Description

An NHS worker concocted a "ludicrous" explanation after sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl, claiming they were merely "play fighting."

Leam Lock, 42, of Chatteris Court in St Helens, squeezed the girl's bottom, kissed her with his tongue in her mouth, groped her breast, and told her he "wanted her so bad" and that she "shouldn't tell her mum what happened," Liverpool Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Fiona McNeill said the victim reported the incident to her mother and a friend, prompting police involvement. Lock then claimed the girl had licked his face and her "tongue had accidentally gone in his mouth."

In a statement read to the court, the victim described feeling "sad and low" and "finding it difficult to trust any men." Lock has one prior conviction for theft.

Defense counsel Steven Swift noted Lock's "very positive work ethic," his 12-year role as a payroll operations manager, and no relevant prior convictions. References from his sister and mother highlighted the "high regard" his family holds for him. Swift added: "It was only after the case concluded that the defendant confided in his siblings. He has been trying to deal with this matter on his own for some time now."

A jury convicted Lock of one count of sexual assault of a child. He shook his head as Judge Ian Harris jailed him for two years, with a woman in the public gallery waving as he was led away.

The judge told Lock he had "behaved disgracefully to the child" and invented a "ludicrous explanation," adding: "At trial, you were to say, ludicrously, that [victim's name] licked your face and that her tongue accidentally went into your mouth.

"She says her trust in men has been ruined. She still feels pained by what she has been through.

"Your mother and sister set out how you have assisted your parent and how you have cared for others. You have no relevant or recent convictions.

"Although suspended from work, you held a reasonably responsible job in the payroll department with the National Health Service."

Lock was also handed a restraining order which will prevent him from contacting the complainant for 10 years. He will be required to sign the sex offenders' register for the next decade.

Description

Police discovered Peter Jemmett had committed sexual assaults over nearly 20 years after his arrest in a paedophile hunter sting in March 2023.

Officers seized his phone and found 42 videos of him abusing a sleeping or deeply intoxicated man, recorded from February 2004 to just a day before his arrest.

The victim was unaware until informed by police and confirmed he "had not consented to any of the acts" and was "very shocked" upon learning of the abuse. Jemmett, 63, formerly of Marshalls Cross Road in St Helens, now claims he is "at a loss" as to why he did it.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the footage showed Jemmett kissing the victim, exposing and touching his penis, and performing oral sex. The assaults stemmed from messages with a decoy child account on a dating app and WhatsApp. He also shared explicit images of the victim with the group, falsely claiming they depicted himself.

In April 2024, Jemmett was sentenced to three years' imprisonment and lifelong sex offender registration for the messaging offenses.

Defending, Charlotte Kenny said: "It is difficult to know what to say in cases of this nature. It is a most unusual case. He has suffered a stroke. He is left handed. He is unable to use his left hand now and has general mobility problems.

"He was educated at a special school. He has speech difficulties.

"He has presented over the years as a somewhat isolated character. Mr Jemmett informs me that, at the time when these acts were taking place, he too was also under the influence of alcohol.

"He does not have a history of earlier offending so far as sexual deviancy is concerned. When I asked the defendant why he thinks he committed the offences, he says that he is very much at a loss."

Jemmett admitted four counts of sexual assault. Appearing via video link from HMP Liverpool, he was jailed for an additional 40 months and given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Sentencing, Judge Denis Watson KC said: "Not only did you sexually assault him, you did so when he was either asleep or passed out through alcohol. You set up your phone to record on video the acts that you carried out.

"These video clips ranged from a few seconds up towards minutes of activity, throughout which he was utterly unaware of what was going on.

"That this happened on so many occasions over such a prolonged period when he was unconscious and asleep are significant aggravating features.

"The further aggravating feature is that you actually chose to share some of these images to another, that other in fact being a paedophile hunter group who you were corresponding with."

Description

A St Helens man has been jailed today, Monday 27 January, for the rape and sexual assault of two girls.

Declan Tracey, 22 years, from St Helens appeared at Liverpool Crown Court and was sentenced to seven years in prison. The judge put him on the Sexual Notification for life and put a restraining order in place for 14 years.

Tracey pleaded guilty to 10 sexual offences committed between 2016 and 2020, which were oral rape, eight counts of attempted rape.

Detective Sergeant Bob Sandham said: “I would like to praise the courage and dignity the two young victims have shown throughout the investigation. While no sentence will repair the damage he has inflicted on them and their innocence has been taken away, I hope this conviction has secured some justice for them.

“Violence against women and girls will simply not be tolerated and we will work tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice.”

Detective Sergeant Sandham added: “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 by Specially Trained Officers and Sexual Violence Advocates who will provide all the relevant support.

Description

A man has been jailed after sexually assaulting a girl and taking and sharing indecent images of her. Ryan Woolsey, 25 years, of Withensfield, Liscard was put behind bars for 13 years and eight months.

Woolsey was convicted of two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, two counts of making indecent photographs of a child, possessing an indecent photograph of a child, distributing an indecent photograph of a child and taking an indecent photograph of a child.

During the course of the investigation into Woolsey’s offending, officers seized Woolsey’s devices and found he had taken and shared indecent images of the victim as well as assaulting her.

Detective Inspector Rob Pritchard said: “I know that people hearing the details of Woolsey’s crimes will feel complete revulsion at the way he exploited a young child. His crimes are quite simply despicable. Woolsey had no regard for the impact his behaviour would have on the victim, and thought only of his own sordid gratification.“Sex offending has a huge and devastating impact on victims and their families, and that harm can last a lifetime. I want to pay tribute to the victim in this case and her family, whose courage in coming forward and co-operating with the investigation has been humbling.“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the team who investigated Woolsey, whose actions have helped put him behind bars and spare this child and others from further harm and exploitation. I hope Woolsey spends the long time he has in prison considering the terrible impact of his actions.”Det Insp Pritchard added: “Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and stopping those who seek to do them harm – including those who share images of that abuse. Our Unity team is dedicated to preventing sexual offences and protecting people from the trauma and hurt sexual abuse can inflict.

Description

A man has been jailed for 17 years after being found guilty of multiple child sex offences in Bootle.

Liam Brannan, 33, of Antonio Street, Bootle, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today, Monday 11 November, after a jury found him guilty of the following offences:

• Three counts of sexual assault of a child under the age of 13
• Six counts of sexual assault
• Two counts of rape

He has also been issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a Restraining Order and a lifetime requirement to sign the Sex Offender Register.

Brannan targeted his victim between 2019-2021, with the first offence occurring when she was 12 years old.

Brannan was arrested in March 2022 and following a complex investigation, he was charged in January 2024.

Description

A man from Southport has been jailed for multiple sex offences, including creating and sharing digitally altered pornographic images of children and women – known more commonly as ‘deepfakes’.

Karl Marshall, 47, of Rufford Road, Southport, pleaded guilty to making indecent photographs/pseudo-photographs of a child, sharing a photograph or film of a person in an intimate state for the purpose of sexual gratification and voyeurism.

He was jailed for two years and two months yesterday, Tuesday 22 October, at Liverpool Crown Court.

A ‘deepfake’ is an image or video that has been digitally altered with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to replace the face of one person with the face of another.

In recent years, there have been examples around the world of people using the technology to add the faces of celebrities or public figures - most often women - into pornographic films.

Marshall used the faces of real women and children without their knowledge to create pornographic images and shared them online.

As part of a complex investigation, it was also found that between July 2023 and January 2024, Marshall made 266 indecent pseudo-images of children using AI technology.

In a Victim Impact Statement, one of the women who Marshall used to create pornographic images said: “Knowing those images of me are out there circulating the internet is so violating. It was like I was just a piece of meat he could objectify. After discovering the images I questioned why me? Why had Karl targeted me in such a way?

“I stopped making an effort, stopped wearing makeup and didn’t wear my hair down because maybe just maybe if I hadn’t done that before maybe Karl wouldn’t have looked twice at me and maybe it would prevent it from happening again.

“I’m not the same person I was before. My confidence is low, I question my judgement of others, I worry when a man looks at me for too long and panic that he may have seen the images. I’m permanently anxious and on the edge and struggle to sleep all because of Karl’s despicable behaviour.”

A second woman who was targeted in the same way said in her Victim Impact Statement: “I am a changed person. I don’t trust as I once did. I question has this person or that person seen the images of me? Have they been distributing them? I feel unsafe in my own skin. No one touched me yet I feel violated and used. It’s indescribable how dirty and weak you can feel when you have zero control over the situation you find yourself in.”

Description

A WIRRAL man has appeared in court for the second time on charges of possessing hundreds of indecent images of children. 

Leslie Ward, 71, appeared for sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday (October 11) after pleading guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children and one charge of possession of indecent images of children.

David Watson, prosecuting, described how Merseyside Police acted on information that a "known sex offender" had been accessing indecent images of children from Ward's address at Clarendon Road, Wallasey. 

Ward's address was raided and police seized a HP Desktop device with external hard drive.

The device was examined and officers found 128 Category A images and seven Category A videos; 383 Category B images and 11 Category B videos and 139 Category C images and 11 Category C videos. 

Category A images are the most severe and can involve the sexual abuse of children.

At a police interview in November 2023, Ward told police that although his computer had been purchased new from Curry's he suspected it had been used before.

He also disputed he had a sexual interest in children saying he preferred "late teen boys".

In 2015, Ward was sent to prison for eight months and made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order after he admitted possessing 2,690 indecent images and moving images of children – 100 of them in the most serious category.

David Birrell, defending, said Ward, who came into court using a walking stick and had issues hearing the proceedings, was retired but had worked in as an administrator in an office dealing with data input. 

Married for 44 years, Mr Birrell said Ward's wife was standing by him.

Mr Birrell also listed Ward's numerous health conditions, which includes Parkinson's disease. 

He said: "He (Ward) is not a risk to the public because he doesn't really go out and in his case there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. 

"He has a problem which is unlikely to go away without some help. Prison was tried and didn't work." 

Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC described the 650 images in Ward's possession as containing "appalling abuse of very young children."

"You knew full well what you were doing but you have very significant health problems that would make it difficult for you to serve a custodial term," he said.

Judge Menary handed Ward a 20 month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and ordered him to undertake 20 days of a rehabilitation activity, namely the Maps for Change programme. 

Ward will also pay costs of £1,630 and be the subject of a ten year sexual harm prevention order. 

Judge Menary added: "I wonder about that given your apparent persistence in downloading this material."