Latest Offenders Norfolk

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Former teacher Richard Cosburn has been sentenced to a minimum of 12 years for multiple sexual offences against children at Norwich Crown Court today (19 July 2023).

Cosburn, 56, from Mill Road in Great Yarmouth, admitted a total of 23 sex offences against four child victims including multiple rapes against children with the offences dating back to the early 2000s against victims aged 16 and under.

A statement from one of his victim’s, read in court by a police officer, said: “Sometimes I find myself closing my eyes to pretend this is all just a bad dream but the feelings of anxiety never go away …my willingness to try and forgive and forget has gone. I will never be able to forgive what he has done.”

Cosburn is believed to have previously worked at schools in Bromley, Bradwell, Gorleston and Great Yarmouth areas. His offending was not linked to his work.

Cosburn, who pleaded guilty to the offences at an earlier hearing, was originally arrested by the Metropolitan police in Bromley in October 2020. This followed reports he had groomed and abused a young girl in the Great Yarmouth.

Following further investigation, he was re-arrested and charged on 13 December 2022.

Cosburn’s home was searched and various electronic devices, mobile phones, USB, camera, camcorder, laptop, and memory disks were seized.

Norfolk Police took over the investigation and when digital examination of his devices was completed, police found a considerable number of indecent images and videos relating to Cosburn’s offending both in the UK and overseas. 

DI Andy Hill said: “Cosburn is a prolific sexual predator who has abused the trust of children. His actions have caused untold damage in a crime that often resonates throughout a person’s life and can impact on a vast array of areas from relationships to mental health. I would like to commend the victims of Cosburn who have been exceptionally brave in providing evidence leading to this outcome.”

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Jonathan Clarke, 32, was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court today (Friday 9 December 2022) after pleading guilty to 54 offences spanning more than a decade.

The offences include the making of indecent images, sexual communications with a child, inciting children to engage in sexual acts, voyeurism, and blackmail, which were all committed online. 

Clarke asked the court to take a further 127 similar offences into consideration. He was sentenced to 19 years imprisonment, with an extended licence period upon release of eight years. Clarke was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

The court heard that Clarke was arrested on 6 January this year following a police investigation into social media messages where victims were encouraged to send nude images of themselves.

It came to light after concerns were raised to the safeguarding lead at Thorpe St Andrew High School about someone purporting to be a child online.

Detectives from the specialist Safeguarding Children Online Team (SCOLT) carried out enquiries into the communications and managed to obtain an IP address linked to Clarkes home.

It led to officers to arrest Clarke and carry out a search of his former home address in Highview Close, Blofield, where officers seized a total of 14 electronic devices including eight laptops.

Clarke was taken into custody at Wymondham Police Investigation Centre and interviewed twice about the allegations, making no comment when questions were put to him. He also refused to share passwords for his social media accounts.

Initial investigations found around 200 indecent images and videos on Clarkes mobile phone ranging from Category A to C. Following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, Clarke was initially charged with seven offences and appeared at Norwich Magistrates Court on 8 January where he was further remanded into custody while the police investigation continued.

The court heard the bulk of offending related to the sexual exploitation of children on social media platforms, including Snapchat, Instagram, Omegle, Kik, and Tik Tok.  Using these accounts, Clarke created a false profile presenting himself as two teenage boys to chat with victims and engage them in sexual activity. Clarke would incite victims to commit acts of sexual activity, and on occasions would threaten to harm the victims family if they didnt do as he asked.

Officers examined 14 electronic devices belonging to Clarke and found a total of 5,017 indecent images and videos of children. The investigation uncovered 159 victims aged under 16 who were targeted by Clarke between 2010 and 2022.

At the time of his arrest, Clarke worked at Thorpe St Andrew High School as a lettings assistant and cover supervisor. He also worked for Soccer Stars, a private company which operated after school clubs. It was through Soccer Stars contracts that Clarke taught PE lessons at Lingwood Primary School and delivered after school football sessions at a number of schools, including Brundall Primary School and Lionwood Infant and Nursery School. Clarke also coached teams at Blofield United Youth Football Club.

When the allegations first came to light, Clarke was immediately suspended from all roles and was later dismissed. Some of his offending was connected to his employment, coaching and school work through Soccer Stars although victims were identified across the country.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Dave McCormack said: I welcome the significant sentence passed at court today. It sends a clear message of how seriously the courts and the police treat such offenders.

The initial report about inappropriate chats on social media allowed us to fully investigate Clarke and uncover who he really is and the horrendous offences hes committed. Clarke was predatory and manipulative in his offending and its pleasing hes behind bars where he can no longer pose a danger to children.

This result wouldnt have been possible without the support of victims, their parents and the schools and football club who have provided unwavering support to make sure we get the right result for victims.

Our priority is always to safeguard and protect children and its important not to lose sight of the long-lasting impact his offending will have on his victims.

This is why its so important if you have concerns regarding someone online, please make sure you report it to us. We have specially trained officers who will investigate and ensure safeguarding is provided to victims involved.

Statements from some of Clarkes victims were read out to the court, describing how his offending had affected their lives, including one victim who described how they were shocked and disgusted when they learnt the boy theyd been chatting to online was a man.

Another victim said: Whats happened is terrible I feel like I have to be so careful with everything I do because I never want to be part of something like this again. Its affected not only my confidence but also my trust in people.

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A man who has been jailed.

Glenn Barker, 53, of Beeleigh Way, Caister-on-Sea, appeared at Norwich Crown Court to be sentenced having admitted sexual assault of a child under 13 on August 14, 2020.

Barker appeared at court on Friday (June 17) having also admitted two offences of indecent assault against another girl, aged between seven and nine, between June 2000 and June 2003.

Claire Matthews, prosecuting, said the victim in the offence committed in August 2020 was a young child who had been left "scared".

The court heard Barker had bribed his victims, neither of whom can be identified for legal reasons, with sweets and urged them to keep secret what had happened.

A statement from the mother of the victim assaulted in 2020 described how their lives were "turned upside down" as soon as the offence came to light.

She said the victim has changed since the assault and no longer liked to get changed in front of people, not even her father.

Barker, who also admitted possessing extreme pornographic images, was jailed for eight years by Recorder John Hardy.

He said: "You've pleaded guilty to offences which right-minded people would consider repulsive".

He said that people who behaved as he had done, sexually assaulting young children, and who are caught and prosecuted should expect to receive immediate sentences of imprisonment.

Danielle O'Donovan, mitigating, said this was a man who had pleaded guilty to "terrible acts" but insisted these were separate and individual acts which were "clearly against his own nature".

She told the court he was a "weak individual" who had taken "ugly steps" in his life and was "surprised and shocked" by his own behaviour.

But Miss O'Donovan said offences of this sort were very rarely admitted and described it as courageous for him to have admitted them.

She said he was capable of being a decent human being.

Barker was prevented from contacting both victims directly or indirectly indefinitely.

He was also ordered sign on the sex offenders register indefinitely and made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

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A soldier has been jailed after being convicted of the rape and sexual assault of a child under 13.

Shane Percival, 27, a lance corporal with the Royal Anglian Regiment, appeared at Norwich Crown Court having been found guilty of rape and sexual assault .

It followed a trial in March this year after which Percival, of Lynford Drive, Eaton, was found guilty of the offences.

They happened between December 2011 and August 2013, when Percival was aged between 16 and the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was aged between nine and 10.

Before Percival, who was stationed at Woolwich Barracks and in Cyprus, was sentenced the victim read out a statement in court.

She said: "I was 15 when I told my teacher what Shane did to me.

"My whole world fell apart.

"I had kept this hidden since I was a little girl.

"I did this because it would break my family's hearts and it did."

The victim described how her mental health suffered as a result and how she turned to self-harm and made attempts to take her own life.

The victim said: "Luckily my attempts were unsuccessful."

She added: "I didn't want to live but I'm now stronger than ever."

Duncan O'Donnell, prosecuting, read a statement on behalf of the victim's mother who said she was "so proud of her" for how she has come through the ordeal.

Mr O'Donnell said the victim impact statements describe the effects of what had happened to her and insisted there was "substantial psychological harm".

Jailing Percival for five years and two months, Judge Alice Robinson said the victim "undoubtedly suffered psychological harm as a result of these offences".

Michael Clare, mitigating, provided to the court a number of character references on behalf of the defendant.

Mr Clare said Percival who was 16 when the offences were committed, was "clearly was at some point a damaged boy".

Percival was made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for six years.

He was also put on the sex offenders register indefinitely and banned from contacting the victim directly or indirectly for six years.

A British Army spokesman said: "The army takes such convictions very seriously and where there is a sentence of imprisonment, there is a strong likelihood that the individual will be discharged."

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A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for inflicting "monstrous" sexual abuse on three girls.

Tony Wickstead, 46, was found guilty after a trial at Norwich Crown Court of a string of offences against the children, who were all under the age of 13.

One of the children has suffered physical harm as a result of the offending and might yet still require medical treatment for injuries she suffered.

In total, Wickstead, of Scott Road, Norwich, was found guilty of nine counts of serious sexual abuse against the victims, between 2016 and 2018.

The court heard how he had conducted a "a campaign of rape" against one of his victims, and was convicted of six offences of rape against one child.

Wickstead was also convicted of causing or inciting the child to engage in sexual activity.

He was also found guilty of two other offences of rape against two other children who were both under 13 at the time.

The court heard one of the victims - none of whom can be identified for legal reasons - "thought she was going to die" during the abuse she suffered, which involved her being handcuffed and dragged by her hair.

He also put his hands around her throat and "strangled her until he was done".

In imposing a life sentence on Wickstead, Judge Maureen Bacon ordered him to serve a total of 19 years and 92 days until he was eligible for parole.

Judge Bacon said the cruelty Wickstead inflicted upon his victims was "monstrous" and "inhuman" not only in the acts themselves but also the violence that accompanied them.

She said: "It's plain you used these children's bodies as mere devices for you to obtain depraved sexual gratification that you sought out."

Wickstead, who also admitted possession of an offensive weapon, a stun gun, when his home was searched in 2018, was considered a dangerous offender who posed a high risk of serious harm to young children.

Marc Brown, prosecuting, said the offences were extremely serious with one of the victims suffering severe physical harm as well as degradation.

Jonathan Goodman, representing Wickstead, said the defendant still maintains his innocence and so could not put forward much mitigation.

Mr Goodman added that Wickstead had "difficulties" in his early life.

Wickstead was put on the sex offenders register for life.

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A Norfolk runner who admitted indecent images offences took close-up pictures of girls wearing tight shorts at running and gymnastics events.

David Murrell, 46, a former member of a Norwich-based running club was found to have downloaded hundreds of indecent images of children.

Norwich Crown Court heard as well as downloading images from the internet Murrell also took pictures of children himself at running and gymnastics events.

Chris Youell, prosecuting, said pictures taken by the defendant of real girls at running events in June and August 2019, included girls wearing "skin tight running shorts and sports bra".

Murrell also took pictures of girls at gymnastics events in December 2019 with the images showing "close ups of genital areas".

The court heard pictures of the children were found in a "concealed" folder on his phone that were in part of a secret app which needed a PIN number to get into it.

Mr Youell said Murrell was caught by police after a category B indecent image of a child uploaded by the defendant led to officers executing a search warrant at his home in July 2020.

Devices, including a mobile phone and hard drive were recovered and searched, and found to contain indecent images of children.

He was found to have downloaded and taken indecent images of children over a three-year period between 2017 and 2020.

Some of the images were category A, the most serious, but there were also category B and C images found.

These included 501 category C images, 424 of which were downloaded from the internet and 77 of them taken by the defendant, of which some were duplicates.

Also recovered by police were chats the defendant had with others online, including one where he talked about "sexually abusing children".

Mr Youell said: "There clearly was in the background of his life something where he was fantasising about young children and young girls.

"He was talking about it on the internet and taking pictures and downloading images."

Murrell, of Camperdown in Great Yarmouth, appeared at court on Thursday (April 28) after having admitted three counts of making indecent images of a child and one count of distributing an indecent image of a child.

He also previously pleaded guilty to six counts of taking indecent photos of a child.

The mother of one of the children who had pictures taken of her read out a victim impact statement in which she described the knock at the door from police.

She said it was something she would "never forget" and felt "as if her world had stopped".

The woman said: "It's something I don't think I will truly ever get over."

She also described to the court the "confusion", and "sheer terror" as well as "disbelief and disgust" she had felt.

The woman added she lies awake at night "worrying about what might have happened if he hadn't been caught".

The father of another victim in the case described the "dismay" about what had happened and he felt and hoped Murrell would get the help he needed.

Damien Moore, mitigating, said nothing he could say could "repair the damage Mr Murrell has caused".

Mr Moore said Murrell wanted to apologise to the parents of the children involved and the children themselves.

He said the defendant was "a completely broken man" who has "lost everything" and was going to have to live the rest of his life with the "shame and embarrassment" of the offences he had committed.

Mr Moore said Murrell was "at rock bottom" after having taken a "self-destructive path" and was in need of help and rehabilitation.

He said the defendant "knows he has to be punished and is ready to be punished" but urged the court to consider a non-custodial sentence.

Judge Katharine Moore adjourned sentencing until Wednesday, May 4 but warned Murrell "the custody threshold had been crossed by a country mile".

Judge Moore remanded him in custody until next week due to concerns about his welfare.

It's understood Murrell was a member of the Norfolk Gazelles running club but that he was no longer permitted to be a member when the allegations emerged.

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A man was arrested in a Norwich car park after arranging to meet a teenage boy who turned out to be a police officer.

Adrian Stevens, 50, had arranged to meet a 14-year-old boy he had been communicating with online at a car park in Albion Way, Norwich.

Norwich Crown Court heard Stevens was in fact met by an undercover police "decoy" who he thought had been a teenage boy.

Nicholas Bleaney, prosecuting, said Stevens, who was 49 at the time of the offending, had hoped to have sex when he met the boy.

Mr Bleaney said the meeting came after "significant planning" by Stevens who had offered to purchase gifts and also talked about trips to McDonalds with the decoy.

Stevens, of High Way, Lingwood, appeared in court for sentence on Friday (April 22) having previously been found guilty after trial of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child between August 19, 2020 and September 2, 2020.

He was also convicted of arranging the commission of a child sex offence.

Jailing Stevens for four years, Judge Alice Robinson said he had been the person who suggested a meeting with the person he thought had been a teenage boy but in fact was a police decoy.

Michael Clare, mitigating, said no physical offence was actually committed nor could have been committed, given that the 14-year-old boy never existed.

He said the defendant was an intelligent man with a good job and it was a "terrible waste" he found himself in this position but accepted "he only has himself to blame".

Mr Clare said Stevens was almost 51 and apart from this matter had no previous convictions.

He added the defendant helped look after his mother and had mental health difficulties.

Stevens was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 10 years and ordered to sign on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

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A predatory sex offender who attempted to seek out vulnerable teens online has been jailed.

Luke Winder, 27, interacted with four online profiles which he believed were operated by young girls, aged about 12 or 13.

Norwich Crown Court heard two of the profiles he contacted were actually undercover police officers.

John Morgans, prosecuting, said as part of the offences, which happened between 2016 and 2020, asked the profiles he was engaging with to send pictures of themselves.

He received a photo on at least one occasion.

Mr Morgans said some of the offending happened at the time when Winder was 21 and the girls he thought he was contacting were 12 or 13.

Winder, of Thorpe Road, Norwich, appeared at court for sentence on Thursday (April 21) having previously admitted attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity

He had also previously admitted three counts of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child.

Jailing Winder for 36 months, Judge Katharine Moore described Winder's behaviour as "predatory" and "corrupting".

Judge Moore said he was "seeking out or attempting to seek out vulnerable young teens".

The judge said it was his "sexual interest in young girls" which resulted in these offences.

Rob Pollington, mitigating, said these were attempts, or "decoy offences", rather than actual offences.

He said the defendant, who admitted his offending, had a significant issue with his health having suffered a brain haemorrhage which had inhibited him to a great extent.

He said the defendant did not feel comfortable speaking to peers and sought companionship in an electronic world.

Mr Pollington said his client felt more attractive to those he interacted with online, which he acknowledged was wrong.

But he said he does suffer from "an entrenched problem" which he needed to get to grips with and be rehabilitated.

Winder must sign on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

The defendant might also be made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) but that has been adjourned until April 28.

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A paedophile who offered to rescue children from an orphanage in war torn Ukraine and posed as a medic in refugee camps in Poland has been banned by a judge from leaving the UK.

Ordering 34-year-old Adam Wyles to surrender his passport for 18 months Judge Martyn Levett said it was clear from his previous convictions that he had an entrenched sexual interest in young female children.

He said that between March 7 and 21 this year Wyles had travelled to Poland to deliver aid to refugees fleeing from Ukraine and had offered to rescue children from a Ukrainian orphanage.

He said information had been received from someone who travelled with Wyles to Poland that he had posed as a medical aid officer in a refugee camp and had an air ambulance medic uniform and a false medical identification badge.

Judge Levett was considering an application from the Chief Constable of Suffolk on Thursday ( March 31) to amend a sexual harm prevention order made by Norwich Crown Court in April 2020 by ordering Wyles to surrender his passport and banning him from leaving the UK.

Wyles, of Sycamore Avenue, Great Yarmouth, was given a community order and a five year sexual harm prevention order restricting his contact with children in 2015 after he was convicted of possession of indecent images of children.

In 2020 Norwich Crown Court heard that Wyles had breached the requirements of the sexual harm prevention order by tricking a charity that supports children with disabilities into letting him drive on a trip to Europe in 2019.

On that occasion Wyles admitted three further offences of making indecent images of children and failing to comply with the notification requirements of a sexual harm prevention order and was jailed for 27 months.

The court heard that Wyles had a number of previous convictions including posing as a police officer and possessing a police uniform.

After considering Wyles previous convictions, evidence about his trips to Poland and evidence from Wyles, who disputed some of the claims made about him, Judge Levett amended the earlier sexual harm prevention order and ordered him to surrender his passport and banned him from leaving the UK for 18 months.

I reach the conclusion it is necessary and proportionate to amend the order, said the judge.

Wyles' attempt to spin his trip to this paper

A convicted sex offender who travelled to Ukraine posing as a medic brazenly contacted this newspaper trying to spin a heroic story about his time there.

Adam Wyles, who was banned from leaving the country by a judge at Ipswich Crown Court, wrote to us saying he had just returned from Ukraine, where he said he had been providing medical evacuation and treatment services to those wounded and fleeing and wanted to speak to a journalist about his experiences.

A reporter spoke to him on the phone and he spoke at length about his experiences in Poland and Ukraine.

He said he worked to evacuate wounded soldiers and rescued Ukrainian families from Lviv and even Kyiv.

He even said that he felt compelled to return to the country to help and planned to do so as soon as possible.

After researching Wyles background and seeing his previous convictions, this newspaper declined to publish his story and launched an investigation into his trip.

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A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison with an additional four years extended licence following a number of fraud and sexual offences.

Jack Lister, of Landseer Drive in Downham Market appeared in Norwich Crown Court yesterday (March 3) after pleading guilty to fraud, making and possessing indecent images and blackmail, after he was found guilty by a jury of rape and sexual assault back in January.

The charges relate to a number of incidents between March 2020 and November 2020 when Lister created fake accounts on a number of online dating apps. During this period Lister contacted six different women, some of whom agreed to meet with him.

Lister would encourage the women to send him money on a number of separate occasions, making up scenarios as to why he needed it.

He would strike up a personal relationship with the women and get them to send intimate images or videos of them to him. He would then use these to threaten the victims into sending him money.

Officers received a report on 18 December 2020, claiming that Lister had raped a 20-year-old woman in Thetford Forest, after meeting her on an online dating app.

Following an extensive police investigation, officers traced a further victim aged 19, who disclosed that she too had been raped by Lister in an area of Thetford Forest in August 2020.

As part of the police investigation Listers mobile phone was searched and a number of indecent images and extreme pornography was discovered.

Lister was arrested on 4 August 2021 and was later charged with rape, fraud, sexual assault, making indecent images of children and possession of extreme pornography.

Yesterday (Thursday 3 March 2022) Lister was sentenced to a total of 16 years in prison with an additional four years on extended licence.

Investigating officer DC James Smith said: Listers actions will have a lasting impact on the victims, who have shown tremendous bravery in coming forward and giving evidence in court.

I would like to thank them for their courage and strength in supporting this prosecution and I hope todays sentence will offer some closure to all of those effected by his actions.

DI Richard Weller added: I hope this case demonstrates that Norfolk Police will do whatever we can to bring offenders who victimise women in this way to justice. I wish to pay tribute to the team of detectives who did an outstanding job in successfully building this case for the victims.

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Women came in through Manchester Airport to work in brothels

A couple who trafficked vulnerable sex workers into the UK via Manchester Airport to work in a brothel have been jailed.

Fabiani Alvez De Souza, 42, and her husband Gareth Derby, 53, were found guilty at trial of a number of offences following a large-scale police investigation into prostitution identified them.

Officers working under North Yorkshire Police's 'Operation Oasis' began investigating the pair in 2017 and spoke to five sex workers on Bower Road in Harrogate.

On the third visit in December 17, North Yorkshire Police said it 'became clear that a brothel was being operated' from the flat. Officers said that another woman was facilitating the travel of the workers to the UK and that 'she was involved in the management of their activities'.

Yorkshire Live reports that De Souza rented the flat and then created, posted and even paid for adverts on an adult website under 'Escorts and Massages' alongside part of a Harrogate postcode.

At the same time, she also paid for similar adverts in the South Wooton/PE30 area which related to another rented address on Nelson Street in Kings Lynn, Norfolk.

Investigators also found that De Souza and Derby were paying for flights from Lisbon, Amsterdam and Brussels to the UK and train and road travel from airports across the country to the flat in Harrogate, and another rented flat in Kings Lynn.

Police said that in September 2017, the pair travelled to Manchester Airport to collect a woman who had travelled from Amsterdam. They then drove her to the flat in Harrogate and the next day an advert was posted to an adult website and the couple returned to Kings Lynn.

The investigation showed that De Souza was controlling her activities and that between October 25 and 30, two more cash deposits of 500 and 600 were made into her bank account in Harrogate.

Financial records showed that De Souza then paid 70.98 for an EasyJet flight for the same woman who flew from London Stansted to Amsterdam on October 29.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "Following this, three cash deposits were made in Harrogate to De Souza's bank account in varying amounts from 163 to over 1,000.

"Neither De Souza or Derby were in Harrogate when these deposits were made."

Officers from both North Yorkshire Police and Norfolk Constabulary visited the couple's home in Walpole St Andrew, Kings Lynn, and spoke to a woman they had previously seen at the flat in Harrogate.

Another woman who was involved in prostitution was found at the address and De Souza was arrested.

Derby was later arrested and a financial examination showed the couple had spent thousands of pounds setting up the business, but had received cash deposits of more than 40,000 during a six-month period.

They were both found guilty at a trial at Leeds Crown Court of a number of offences including controlling prostitution for gain.

A jury heard De Souza and Derby had exploited seven women between the ages of 26 and 60 from Brazil, Portugal and Spain and they were jailed for five years.

They were also made the subject of slavery and trafficking orders that will last for 10 years after their release from prison.

Detective Constable Leah Kitchen from North Yorkshire Police's Organised Crime Unit said: "De Souza claimed throughout the investigation that she was just helping friends of hers who were working as prostitutes, while Derby repeatedly told the police that he was unaware of what was going on.

"The truth of the matter is that they, together, were operating an illegal business involving human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain.

"This is an important case as it is a victimless prosecution for a human trafficking and controlling prostitution investigation, which is unusual and more difficult to progress to court.

"I'm very proud that North Yorkshire Police, with assistance from Norfolk Constabulary, have rooted out this activity and brought the offenders to justice."

De Souza was convicted under the Sexual Offences Act of eight offences of controlling prostitution for gain, along with seven offences under the Modern Slavery Act for arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation.

Derby was found guilty of two charges in relation to controlling prostitution for gain and arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation.

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A predatory paedophile who preyed on young boys has been jailed for 25 years.

David Wilson, 36, from King's Lynn admitted 96 child sex crimes against 51 victims at a hearing in November.

They included intentionally causing or inciting boys to engage in sexual activity, blackmail, intentionally causing children to look at sexual images and intentionally facilitating the sexual exploitation of children by sending on images of those children.

Today he appeared to be sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court.

David Wilson, 36, was prosecuted for 96 child sex abuse offences relating to 52 victims, but the National Crime Agency (NCA) said it has evidence that he approached more than 5,000 children globally. The agency said as many as 500 of them sent abuse material to Wilson, of Kirstead, King's Lynn, Norfolk.

Wilson pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing at Ipswich Crown Court to all 96 counts. He was sentenced at the same court on Wednesday and will also serve a further eight years on extended licence when his prison term ends.

Judge Rupert Overbury, sentencing Wilson, described his crimes as among the worst he had seen over his 40-year career.

He told him: "You carried out a lengthy and premeditated campaign of sadistic and manipulative abuse of young boys using social media.

"Any decent human being will be astonished at the level of depravity involved. You demonstrated a complete and utter disregard for every child you manipulated irrespective of their age.

"There was a sadistic element to your offending including blackmail and a relentless targeting of vulnerable children who often pleaded for mercy."

He added: "You are in my judgement an extremely dangerous individual who has a perverted and sadistic sexual interest in young boys. On the facts presented to the court you can properly be described as a serial paedophile."

Former roofer Wilson set up a series of fake social media profiles, using unregistered phones, to send images of girls from the internet to young boys in exchange for the boys sending him videos and images of themselves, the NCA said.

Wilson then threatened to distribute these online unless they sent more extreme footage of themselves, in some cases of them abusing younger siblings or friends, the agency said.

The 52 victims in the case were all boys aged between four and 14 and the offending happened between May 2016 and April 2020.

The offences uncovered during a five year investigation included causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, causing a child to watch a sexual act, and arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child.

Wilson also admitted making unwarranted demands for indecent images of a child with menace, threatening to post an indecent image on social media if they did not comply.

Wilson would not have been brought to justice without evidence from Facebook, according to the NCA.

Rob Jones, the agency's director of threat leadership, said the social media giant's proposed move to an end-to-end encryption privacy model "poses an existential threat to child protection" online.

A Facebook spokesman said: "Child exploitation and grooming have no place on our platforms."

NCA head of operations Tony Cook said: "David Wilson has absolutely devastated not only his victims but the families they belong to.

He has caused heart-breaking suffering and huge disruption to the lives of those he targeted from the problems his abuse caused.

Wilson preyed on their vulnerability. They genuinely believed they were talking to a teenage girl who was interested in them.

He groomed, bullied and blackmailed young boys into sending him indecent images and in some instances performing horrific abuse on themselves and others. Despite knowing their utter anguish and despair he ignored their pleas from him to stop.

He retained indecent material and threatened to share it among victims friends so he could maintain control of them.

Sadly there are many offenders out there like Wilson who use the internet to hide their real identities, using convincing personas to groom children.

I urge parents to speak with their children about who they communicate with online and what they share. People need to understand this can happen to anyone."

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A man from Great Yarmouth who was previously convicted for sex offences has now been banned from getting close to any women and girls on public transport across the country.

Liam Jonas was handed the five-year sexual harm prevention order as he was sentenced for stroking a 14-year-old girl and touching a 21-year-old woman on buses in Great Yarmouth.

Jonas, 30, of Wellington Road and who has learning difficulties, had admitted two counts of assault by beating, which related to the way he had touched his victims on the buses last June.

Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court heard Jonas had been placed on a sex offenders register until June 2020 and had carried out two sex assaults in 2013.

His recent behaviour on buses had then led to Norfolk police to ask for the national ban on him standing or sitting by females on public transport.

On June 12, Jonas sat behind a 14-year-old girl on a bus in Great Yarmouth and had stroked her.

Katherine Kibryra-Deane, prosecuting, said the girl thought Jonas was "creepy" and had been left disgusted by what had happened to her.

The 21-year-old woman was on a bus on June 13 when Jonas sat by her and reached out to touch her.

Miss Kibrya-Deane said: "She was shocked and worried about what he would immediately do next."

As a result of the incident the women did not get on a bus for three weeks as she felt unsafe.

The court heard Jonas had three convictions for six offences, including the two sex assaults from 2013.

Due to his behaviour he had already been banned from buses in Great Yarmouth.

Anne Marie Sheridan, mitigating, said Jonas had ADHD and autism, had not been in education since the age of 13 and had no involvement with agencies, such as social care.

Jonas felt socially awkward and thought the way to find a girlfriend was to meet them on buses and had been "clumsy" in his attempts to do so.

Miss Sheridan said: "He was just hoping he was going to meet someone."

The five-year public transport banning order had a clause that said Jonas could be near females if it was unavoidable due to congestion.

He was also handed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, placed on a 24-month probation order and ordered to pay 250 compensation to each of his two victims.

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A man already serving a jail sentence for sexual offences against a girl has been convicted of abusing two other child victims years earlier.

Ian Bennett, 57, was jailed for 24 years in 2016 after being found guilty of a campaign of sexual abuse against a young girl between 2005 and 2015.

But Bennett, currently of HM Prison Bure, was back in court after admitting 11 sexual offences against another child, between 1987 and 1992 and two offences against another girl between 1999 and 2001.

Will Carter, prosecuting at Norwich Crown Court, said there was a period of 25 years when Bennett was "routinely abusing young girls"

The offences, which occurred in Norfolk as well as Lancashire, included two counts of gross indecency against one girl as well as two counts of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13.

Bennett also admitted six counts of sexual assault as well as well as indecency with a child and indecent assault.

In an impact statement one of the victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said her confidence and self-worth were “shattered into pieces”.

She said what happened was “terrifying” and “still haunts me today” adding she had “wanted to die”.

Another woman, who was abused by Bennett between 1999 and 2001, said the defendant “ruined my life”.

She said her "childhood was not a childhood” and that she had been a “scared little girl”.

The woman felt “disgusted” at the thought of what Bennett had done to her and wished she could have a normal life.

Judge Katharine Moore said Bennett was already serving a sentence for "the most appalling sexual abuse" and was to be dealt with for "serious sexual abuse" against two other young girls in the preceding years.

Bennett was sentenced to an extended determinate sentence of 28 years made up of 20 years custody, and eight years extended licence.

The sentence, which is concurrent to the sentence he is currently serving, means he will not be eligible for parole until 2035.

Andrew Oliver, mitigating, said Bennett stands by his guilty pleas.

He said Bennett's pleas have spared two women from having to give evidence about highly traumatic events.

Bennett, who must sign on the sex offenders register indefinitely, was also made the subject of a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting either victim directly or indirectly.

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A young woman has told how a terrifying sexual assault by a man who had been 'lurking' near to Norwich's nightclubs has left her 'scarred'.

Florenc Xhaferrllari, 28, attacked the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, as she left Mantra nightclub on Prince of Wales Road in Norwich at about 4am.

Norwich Crown Court heard the victim, then 18, had been walking back to her car at Mountergate car park, near Rose Lane, when she was attacked.

Duncan O'Donnell, prosecuting, said after leaving to go home the victim "became aware that a man was following her".

He said: "As she turned around, having heard a man running behind her, she saw Florenc Xhaferrllari running up to her."

Mr O'Donnell said the victim “tried to ignore him”.

After she refused a cigarette, Mr O’Donnell said Xhaferrllari “grabbed her roughly”.

She told him not to touch her which “angered him” and he “grabbed her more roughly”.

Mr O’Donnell said she began screaming and “tried to kick him in the genitals”.

The defendant told the victim “just have sex with me” before grabbing her again and forcing her to the floor.

The court heard he put his hand over her mouth as the victim screamed “help me, someone help”.

Mr O’Donnell said she screamed for help about 20 times but Xhaferrllari put his hand over her mouth and then sexually assaulted her.

The victim, who feared she was going to be raped, continued to scream out for help with those who heard her cries calling police.

She managed to bite his hand and he released his grip and as the victim continued to scream he “got up and ran off”.

Before he was arrested at a taxi rank in the city, Xhaferrllari saw the victim who managed to get back to her car and he gave her a smile and a thumbs up.

After being arrested the defendant was to tell police "I feel good, but bad for what I did".

He said he was very drunk and would have to say to his wife "I did something wrong last night".

Xhaferrllari, from Kensington Place, off City Road, Norwich, appeared in court for sentence on Monday (December 20) having previously admitted assault by penetration on July 20, 2016.

Mr O’Donnell said after being initially being arrested Xhaferrllari “skipped police bail” and went to Albania, Italy, Germany and Hungary.

A European arrest warrant was issued in 2017 and he was arrested earlier this year before he admitted the offence.

Before Xhaferrllari was sentenced the victim read out an emotional impact statement which described the severe psychological harm she had suffered.

She said she has been left “scarred” because of what he did to her as her family have.

She said: “What he did will affect me for life.“

The victim said it has changed the way she feels about men and how she was an object to be used and that is all she was.

The victim also described feeling let down when he fled and feared she would not get justice.

Sentencing Xhaferrllari to a total of five years in prison Judge Anthony Bate said Xhaferrllari had “targeted a lone young woman” as she walked home.

Judge Bate said it had been a “sustained and violent assault” by the defendant who had been “lurking” on Prince of Wales Road and who decided to commit a serious sexual assault on the victim.

Xhaferrllari was also made the subject of an indefinite restraining order banning him from contacting the victim again.

Judge Bate said the defendant, who was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, faces deportation back to his native Albania.

Matthew McNiff, mitigating, said the defendant, who was 23 at the time of the offence, had no previous convictions adding his client was anxious to offer unqualified apologies to the victim.