Latest Offenders Nottingham

Description

A convicted sex offender has been jailed again after he sent explicit messages to a 14-year-old girl.

James Lacy (pictured) was jailed for 32 months in 2016 after striking up a sexual relationship with an underage girl, who he groomed online.

Nottingham Crown Court heard he was aged 21 at the time of the offence and that his sentence included a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which prohibited him from having contact with a female child under the age of 16.

The order also required him to register devices used for internet access with the police.

Lacy, now 33, was arrested in February this year after it emerged he had sent sexually explicit messages to a 14-year-old girl via social media.

The victim informed her father and a report was made to Nottinghamshire Police.

Detectives arrested Lacy before searching his address and seizing a number of devices that he had failed to disclose as per his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

He answered no comment to most of the questions put to him across two police interviews.

With the weight of the evidence against him, Lacy, of Bransdale Road, Clifton, Nottingham, was charged with engaging in sexual communication with a child, causing a child to engage in sexual activity and two breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

He pleaded guilty to the offences and was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (2 October). The judge handed Lacy an extended sentence of eight years, comprising a custodial term of three years and then five years on licence, during which time he will remain under close supervision.

Lacy was further handed a new 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order lasting to October 2035 and made subject of a restraining order that prohibits him from contacting his victim.

Detective Constable Will Huggins, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Public Protection unit, said:

“Lacy has a despicable attitude towards the legal system and so remains a serious risk to children.

“Despite serving a prison sentence and being subject to court orders, he has continued to flout the law and behave in this depraved manner towards a vulnerable 14-year-old girl.

“His victim demonstrated extraordinary bravery in alerting her father about the messages and it is because of her strength and willingness to come forward that we were able to put Lacy back before the courts.

“He knew full well that he wasn’t allowed to message young people in this way but once again his warped sexual desires have landed him in trouble.

“I hope this latest sentence will finally result in him changing his ways and leading a positive and law-abiding lifestyle.”

Description

A "sadistic" Sutton rapist armed with a knife brutally assaulted and repeatedly raped a woman after trapping her in her bedroom, doing "everything he could to humiliate and degrade her," Nottingham Crown Court heard.

Ionel -Alexandru Paicu, high on drink and drugs, attacked the woman on January 1 this year, prosecutor Catherine Picardo said. He repeatedly slapped and backhanded her face, causing "lots of bruises," threatened her with a kitchen knife, forced her to strip naked, and "effectively" trapped her in the bedroom before raping her.

The victim's statement described her ongoing anxiety when leaving home and fear of encountering the defendant again.

Mitigating, Mark Knowles said Paicu, 24, had previous good character. "Everything went wrong," he added. "He had never drunk as much as that before. He knows he has got to live with the situation and knows he is responsible. All I can ask is My Lady to reflect on the positive aspects of this defendant." He noted it was "a continuous event" in one evening and expected Paicu "will be deported at some point."

Judge Nirmal Shant KC told Paicu: "You did everything you could that evening to humiliate and degrade her. You have left her afraid of the future. What you did that evening and night has left a profound effect on her. The starting point is 12 years. There were different kinds of rape, albeit in one incident. It is, in my judgment, a case where sadistic conduct was involved."

Paicu, listening via a Romanian interpreter, admitted on the day of trial to making threats with a bladed article, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, false imprisonment, three counts of rape, and one of penetrative sexual assault.

He was jailed for 15 years, placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, and given a restraining order banning all contact with the victim.

Description

A ‘controlling and manipulative sex offender’ who groomed and repeatedly raped a young girl has been jailed.

Christopher Swift, aged 35, was exposed when incriminating messages he’d sent to his victim were discovered and passed to detectives at Nottinghamshire Police in February of this year.

His victim was interviewed by officers and revealed a significant history of abuse at Swift’s hands.

The girl also revealed the high level of control Swift exerted over her life – from telling her what to wear to controlling her use of social media.

Swift initially gave no comment answers to officers’ questions, but later pleaded guilty to four counts of raping a girl under 13, four sexual assaults and another offence of engaging in sexual activity.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday 26 September, Swift, of no fixed address, was given an extended 17 year sentence.

He was also added to the sex offenders' register, and made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order which will tightly restrict his access to children once he is released.

Detective Constable Keeley Bringhurst, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Swift is a controlling and manipulative sex offender who very deliberately targeted his victim over an extended period of time.

“He knew perfectly well that what he was doing was illegal and that his victim couldn’t possibly consent to what happened to her.

“His behaviour was utterly inexcusable and has understandably had a profound impact on his victim and her family.

“As he begins a very lengthy jail sentence I would like to pay tribute to the girl at the centre of this case for the bravery and resilience she has shown during the legal process.

“I would also like to send a very clear warning to other adults thinking of committing similar offences against children – you will be caught and we will ensure that you go to prison for a very long time”

Description

A rapist who subjected a woman to a catalogue of sexual assaults, violent abuse and controlling behaviour has been put behind bars.

Callum Anderton, aged 34, raped the victim on two occasions in August 2023.

The victim also reported multiple assaults, threats and attempts to control her behaviour by Anderton.

Police were made aware of Anderton’s offending when he was reported for breaching an order which had prevented him contacting the woman.

Following investigations, Anderton was arrested and interviewed while the victim was supported by specialist officers.

When detectives seized and analysed his mobile phone they discovered a number of indecent images of children and extreme pornography on the device.

Anderton, of no fixed address, was handed an extended prison sentence of 21 years at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday (15 September).

He pleaded guilty to rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, assault, breach of a non-molestation order, two counts of making indecent images of a child and one of possessing extreme pornographic images.

Detective Constable Holly James, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Anderton is a violent and controlling bully and I’m pleased he has been locked up after this sequence of appalling offending.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the victim for her bravery in speaking to officers and throughout the court proceedings.

“We know cases of this nature can take a huge emotional toll on victims and their families.

“The victim has shown great courage and resilience, and I wish her the very best in the next stage of the process of rebuilding her life.

“I hope this case serves as a warning to other violent men who think they can subject women to this sort of abuse. We treat such reports with the utmost seriousness and will do whatever it takes to bring offenders to justice.

“My message to other victims who are suffering is that although the steps to come forward and report can appear difficult, you will be listened to, helped and kept safe.”

Description

It was in January this year, the victim – who is in her 30s and from Leicestershire – made an online report to police regarding stalking and harassment concerns by Whittaker.

After an officer attended to take a statement from her, the woman disclosed a number of offences had occurred.

She told officers he had regularly used threats of violence as a way to control and manipulate her.

He had also raped her, slapped her across the face and on one occasion had kidnapped her - forcing her to drive with him for miles to confront another man she had previously been in a relationship with. 

After vital evidence was gathered from the victim, the investigation was handed to detectives working in the force’s dedicated rape and serious sexual offences team.

A policing operation was also put in place to arrest Whittaker so he could be questioned.

Due to the possible risk imposed by the defendant, specialist firearms officers were deployed to Nottingham to bring him into custody.

After being interviewed, a team of detectives worked round-the-clock – some putting in a 24 shift – to ensure Whittaker was successfully charged and remanded.

Detective Constable Jack Grieves was assigned as the officer in the case and throughout this year has worked tirelessly to build a mountain of evidence against Whittaker – including carrying out a number of out of force enquiries to help strengthen the case.

Alongside this, DC Grieves has also been supporting and updating the victim throughout the process – alongside her Independent Sexual Violence Adviser, known as a ISVA.

While awaiting trial, Whittaker committed a further offence by asking a member of his family to contact the victim and try to persuade her to not attend the trial. This led to him being charged with perverting the course of justice.

DC Grieves said:

“Whittaker’s victim felt scared, isolated and was subjected to physical and sexual abuse. She had made reports to police on previous occasions but didn’t want to pursue any further for fear of what he would do.

“In January this year, she did then make an online report which led to the full details of what had occurred coming to light. The courage and strength the victim has shown during the investigation and the court process has been truly incredible.

“This case really has been a team effort. From the officer who attended the initial report, to the arrest, charge and remand of Whittaker and the building of the case ahead of trial. This is a shining example of numerous officers from not only different departments in Leicestershire but also other forces who have work together – striving to ensure justice is served.

“I hope, now he is serving a considerable time behind bars, the victim can begin to put the pain she has endured behind her and move forward with her life.

“I also hope this case offers some reassurance to other people who may be in a similar situation. Please don’t be afraid to come forward if you are suffering or have suffered abuse before. We have specialist teams who deal with both domestic abuse and sexual offences who can help and also ensure you get the right support from other agencies.”

Description

A child rapist’s despicable offending was exposed when officers went through his phone.

Carl Andrews put himself on the police’s radar after uploading indecent images of children online.

When confronted with this, Andrews admitted to owning the images, but denied doing anything else.

Not buying this, officers reviewed all his devices and discovered videos of him sexually abusing young children.

Both the victims – a boy and a girl – are believed to have been targeted during 2022 by Andrews in Nottinghamshire.

Distinctive tattoos on Andrews’ hands that were visible in the videos were used by police to link him to those crimes.

More than 1,400 indecent photos and videos of children were also discovered on the sexual predator’s phone and other devices.

He would go on to be charged with a range of child sex offences.

This included rape, inciting someone to engage in sexual activity, assault by touching and three counts of making indecent images of children.

Faced with the damning evidence against him, Andrews elected to plead guilty to the six separate counts on 18 July this year.

He returned to Nottingham Crown Court to be sentenced on Wednesday (3 September).

Andrews, of Charles Street, Arnold, was handed an extended sentence of 13 years in jail.

He was also put on the sex offenders’ register for life, made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order and issued with a restraining order banning him from ever contacting his victims.

PC Laurenie Haynes, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said:

“The content we found on Carl Andrews’ devices was disgraceful and vile.

“Amongst the more than 1,400 indecent images of children were videos of Andrews himself sexually abusing and in one case raping young children.

“There are truly no words to describe how much of a heinous crime that is.

“We were able to prove it was him in the videos because of distinctive tattoos on him that were clearly visible in the clips.

“Thankfully, the evidence we gathered was sufficient to pressurise Andrews to admit what he’d done, so his victims and their families didn’t have to sit through a trial.

“Andrews is a despicable individual who belongs behind bars, so we’re pleased to see he’s now been jailed.

“Despite this, we believe there could be other victims out there, who may have been targeted by Andrews but haven’t felt able to report it yet.

“To them, we’d say please come forward. It doesn’t matter if it happened years and years ago, we will listen to you and investigate further.”

Description

An online sex offender who was caught trying to groom someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl has been jailed.

Giampiero Franchi was actually speaking to an undercover police officer in a chat room when he engaged them in sexual communications on 9 July 2024.

When the incident was passed to Nottinghamshire Police they arrested the 70-year-old and seized his mobile phone and other devices.

A series of indecent photographs, including 18 of the most serious Category A images, depicting the most severe abuse, were discovered.

There was also evidence Franchi had previously incited young children to engage in sexual activity online.

When he was interviewed by officers Franchi admitted he ‘needed help’.

Franchi, of Kingswood Road, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, three counts of making indecent images of children, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and possessing an extreme pornographic image.

At Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (14 August) he was jailed for a total of five years. He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must sign on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.

Police Constable Summer Smith, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Franchi thought he was talking to a young girl but was actually in conversation with a police officer.

“When the case was taken on by our detectives we uncovered the extent of his offending.

“Behind the disgusting images on his devices are real children who have been subjected to degrading abuse.

“Protecting children is of paramount importance to the force and we have teams of officers working on cases like this to protect victims and bring offenders to justice.

“I hope this case also serves as a warning to other parents about the danger people like Franchi can pose to their children via the internet.”

Description

A 31-year-old man from Nottingham has been given a one year prison sentence after sexually assaulting a young woman.

Following a British Transport Police investigation, Steven Ross, DOB 1/5/1994 of no fixed address was found guilty following a trial on Tuesday 15 April and sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday 30 July.

He was handed a 12 month prison sentence, on the sex offenders register for 10 years and a five year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) alongside paying victim surcharge of £187.

The SHPO prohibits Ross from entering any railway station in UK except for the purpose of travelling with a valid ticket and cannot be in possession or drinking from any open alcohol in any unlicensed premises.

The court heard how on Sunday 16 June a 25-year-old woman was waiting for her train at Kettering railway station when she saw Ross staring at her, they boarded the same train and he continued to look at her.

On arriving at Leicester station, the young woman waited before exiting the train hoping that Ross would have already left the service. He had not, Ross moved close to her in the vestibule on the train, making her feel uncomfortable.

He then sexually assaulted her.

As he left the train he continued to keep looking back at her.

Ross was identified by rail staff and officers were able to arrest him.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Alex Price from Nottingham CID said:

"This was a totally unprovoked assault on the victim who was going about her life, the manner in which Ross watched her and waited in order to assault her is calculated and utterly disgusting

"The Sexual Harm Prevention Order should act as a warning to others that we take all reports of sexual offences and unwanted seriously and  unwanted sexual behaviour seriously and will support victims throughout our investigations."

Description

Detectives have praised the strength of a rape survivor for helping lock up the man who abused her.

The woman was subjected to a series of terrifying ordeals at the hands of Ashley Chambers last December.

She was raped by Chambers at a Nottinghamshire address on two separate occasions during the month.

The 38-year-old then attacked the same woman again – this time threatening her with knives and a pair of scissors.

This escalated to the extent that Chambers’ victim lost consciousness when he decided to assault and then strangle her.

She eventually regained consciousness and managed to escape the address by jumping out a window, before going to seek help.

The police were then notified, with officers arriving at the address soon after and leading Chambers away in handcuffs.  

Based on the victim’s brave decision to disclose what happened to her, a series of charges were brought against Chambers.

He went on to plead guilty to two counts of rape, intentional strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and threatening a person with an offensive weapon.

Appearing before Nottingham Crown Court on Friday (8 August), Chambers, of Ilkeston Road, Stapleford, was jailed for 12 years.

He was also made subject of an indefinite restraining order, banning him from having any contact with the victim.

Detective Constable Jessica Ratcliffe, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“I’d like to firstly praise the victim in this case, whose brave decision to share her experiences helped put Ashley Chambers behind bars.

“After going through such a horrific ordeal, she deserves so much credit for doing what she’s done since then.

“In stark contrast to her strength, Chambers showed himself to be a complete coward, with his despicable behaviour rightly seeing him sent to prison.

“While no amount of time will ever make up for the pain he caused, we were really pleased to see the judge impose such a significant sentence, which we hope will provide the victim with some small degree of comfort.”

Description

A sex offender inadvertently revealed his illicit activities to police after reporting an apparent attempt to blackmail him.

Andrew Mayfield called Nottinghamshire Police on 16 September last year after receiving a message via social media accusing him of exchanging explicit messages with a teenage boy.

When officers arrived at his house, Mayfield handed over his mobile phone and displayed a series of messages and images, some of which had been deleted in a failed bid to avoid incriminating himself.

After his arrest on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with a child, Mayfield’s phone was forensically examined and was found to contain multiple indecent images of children.

Mayfield was interviewed and released on conditional bail, with clear instructions not to have contact with anyone under the age of 18.

Despite this condition, he then began exchanging explicit messages with a person he believed to be a teenage boy.

In reality, he was exchanging messages with members of an online activist group, who confronted him at his home on 5 November and called Nottinghamshire Police.

His phone was later found to contain a series of sexually explicit messages to a boy who – despite not giving his age - told Mayfield he was still at school.

Despite this experience Mayfield then committed an almost identical offence with another decoy he believed to be a 14-year-old – an offence that led him to be arrested for a third time.

Mayfield, now aged 50, was remanded into custody and later charged with multiple sexual offences.

He later pleaded guilty to three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child and two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday via video link from prison, Mayfield, formerly of Farnsfield, was jailed for 20 months.

He was also added to the sex offenders register and made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order which will tightly restrict his online activities and access to children in the future.

Mayfield, the court was told, rarely left his home and had been driven to commit the offences by his loneliness and mental ill-health.

Detective Sergeant Adam Taylor, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“For obvious reasons most of the people we deal with try very hard not to have any contact with the police.

“Mayfield is unusual in that he made the decision to call us claiming to be the victim of a crime.

“In doing so he inadvertently handed over damning evidence of his illegal online activities.

“Seemingly unphased by this first arrest, he then went on to commit two other serious sexual offences before he was remanded into custody.

“I am pleased he has now been held to account for his actions and hope this case serves as a warning to others about the potential consequences this kind of behaviour.

“Because we will find out about it, we will investigate and we will put you before the courts.”

Description

A rapist has been jailed thanks to vital forensic evidence obtained more than a year before police were informed of his crime. 

The victim, a young woman studying in Nottingham, was raped by an acquaintance after a night out in March 2019.

When she initially decided not to tell the police she was advised by a friend to visit Nottingham’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

The SARC, an independent specialised medical clinic designed to secure evidentially sound forensic evidence, was then able to release its findings once a criminal complaint was made in November 2020.

The evidence, which clearly indicated intimate contact between the victim and her assailant, proved vital when he denied that any sexual contact took place.

After a four-day trial at Mansfield Magistrates Court in December, Michael Gibson was found guilty of rape. 

The jury heard how Gibson, now aged 26, had shared a room and a bed with the victim after missing his bus home.

She later awoke to find him committing the offence.

The victim initially approached Nottinghamshire Police five days after the incident but said she did not want to take the matter further.

With vital forensic evidence secured, however, she was able to successfully reengage with officers the following year.

That evidence, contained on clothing worn by the victim, was presented to prosecutors alongside Gibson’s denial of sexual contact and a series of mobile phone messages in which he apologised to the victim

Appearing at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Friday July 18, Gibson, of HMP Nottingham, was jailed for six-and-a-half years. 

Detective Sergeant Emma Steele, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Like many victims of rape and sexual assault, the victim in this case was initially reluctant to involve the police or support a prosecution. 

“While we’d always encourage people to engage with us at the earliest opportunity, she did exactly the right thing in visiting the SARC on the day after the incident and ensuring that vital forensic evidence was secured.

“Had she not done that then it is highly unlikely that this prosecution would have succeeded.

“It is then important for all victims to know that they can attend the SARC without involving the police.

“They will provide you with support and advice, as well as obtaining valuable evidence which can be stored for two years in the event you wish to the report the matter at a later date. 

“In this case that allowed us to successfully prosecute a case we first knew of 18 months after it happened.

“As this case comes to a close I remain full of admiration for the victim and the determination she has shown, and hope this result encourages others to come forward and tell us what’s happened to them.”

Description

Two survivors of sexual abuse have been praised for their courage and honesty after helping detectives put a rapist behind bars.

Both women were vulnerable teenagers when they were raped by Jordan Hutchinson but possessed the bravery to speak to officers about the degrading ordeals he subjected them to.

Their accounts, along with messages recovered from Hutchinson’s mobile phone, gave detectives the evidence they needed to secure charges against him.

The first victim was raped and sexually assaulted by Hutchinson during late 2019 and early 2020.

He raped the second victim on multiple occasions between the summer of 2020 and early 2021.

One victim locked herself in her bathroom and called a friend in panic after being raped by Hutchinson.

Despite the weight of evidence against him, Hutchinson continued to deny his offending in interviews and took the case to a trial at Nottingham Crown Court in April.

A jury believed the victims not Hutchinson, and he was convicted of six counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault.

Hutchinson, aged 24, of Foxearth Avenue, Nottingham, was handed an extended custodial sentence of 15 years when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday (4 July).

He was also given an indefinite restraining order, which forbids him from contacting either victim, and was added to the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Detective Constable Laura Sunderland, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“These two young women were both subjected to appalling sexual assaults at the hands of Hutchinson.

“Officers are full of admiration for their courage and dignity in speaking out and helping us to put him behind bars.

“This outcome would not have been possible without them and the judge also praised them as courageous, intelligent, articulate and truthful.

“The way they have conducted themselves is a stark contract to Hutchinson’s behaviour.

“Messages on Hutchinson’s phone revealed he knew what he had done was wrong, and yet he continued to commit these appalling sexual assaults.

“He also persisted in denying his offending, which meant both victims had to face a lengthy legal process and a trial.

“My thoughts are with them and their families following the sentencing and I hope the jail term handed down to Hutchinson at least gives them some closure.

“I also hope the sentencing will encourage other victims of rape and serious sexual assault to have the confidence to come forward.

“Our experienced officers are here to help the victims of crimes like this. You will be listened to and supported, and we will do our best to ensure offenders will be brought to justice.”

Description

Detectives have praised the crucial role a sexual abuse survivor played in sending her rapist to prison.

Gareth Odell now faces a lengthy stretch behind bars – thanks to the strength shown by the woman he targeted.

The woman showcased immense courage in coming forward to the police and sharing what Odell had done to her.

In total she was raped by Odell on at least 20 separate occasions during 2020 and 2021, at two different Nottingham addresses.

The rapist’s repeated level of offending came to light soon after that when his victim made the brave decision to report it to the police.

Odell was then arrested and charged with nine separate counts of rape and a further count of sexual assault.

The 37-year-old denied any wrongdoing, with a trial subsequently taking place at Nottingham Crown Court in March of this year.

Despite Odell’s protestations, the jury were able to see through his lies and found him guilty on each of the ten counts.

Odell, of Charlbury Road, Wollaton, returned to the same court to be sentenced for his crimes on 2 July.

Describing him as "a danger to women", Judge Julie Warburton handed Odell an extended custodial sentence of 24 years.

He was sentenced to 16 years behind bars and will then spend an additional eight years on licence when he’s released.

Odell was also made the subject of an indefinite restraining order.

Detective Constable Lucy Clarke, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

"Thanks to the immense bravery showcased by the woman he abused, Gareth Odell will now spend a substantial period of his life behind bars.

"It's impossible to sum up the pain, trauma and anguish his actions would've caused to this woman, and yet she found the strength to come forward and report it to the police, which is to her absolute credit.

“Odell's actions were despicable, as he repeatedly forced his victim to have sex with him throughout 2020 and 2021, despite her making it clear to him that she didn’t want to.

“That removal of consent meant what he did – on at least 20 separate occasions – amounted to rape, which is an incredibly serious offence that can destroy a person’s life.

“Even after inflicting all the pain he did, Odell compounded the damage he’d caused further by denying doing anything wrong and making his victim have to relive it all again.

"Thankfully, the jury were able to see through his lies in the trial that followed and convicted him on all ten counts.

"We hope the sentence passed today provides the victim with some small degree of comfort, while also sending a message to other survivors of sexual abuse that we will listen and take action should you report it to us."

Description

A sex offender lunged at a member of police staff as he tried and failed to destroy damning evidence contained on his mobile phone.

Jordan Haskard, aged 28, had initially handed the device over to officers when they executed a warrant at his home in July 2024.

Alarmed by its contents, he changed his mind and lunged towards the digital media officer holding the folding-style device – grabbing it and trying to snap it in half.

The reason for his actions would soon become clear, when the device was found to contain discussions about (and videos of) the most serious sexual abuse of children.

Haskard had first come to the attention of Nottinghamshire Police in June 2022 when officers in another part of the country unearthed social media messages in which he discussed the sexual abuse of children with another man.

He also arranged for the man to send him a video of a toddler being sexually abused – even making specific requests of what things he wanted to see.

That video – which led to the conviction of the perpetrator – was later found on Haskard’s previous mobile phone when he was arrested, along with nearly 600 extreme images.

While still on bail for those offences, Haskard again came to police attention after one of his social media accounts was linked to the distribution of prohibited images.

It was at this point that the phone he tried to destroy was found covered in clothes by the side of his bed.

As well as Category A rated images of child sexual abuse, the device was also found to contain discussions about the abduction and rape of children, as well as extreme images of animals.

Haskard, formerly of Hucknall, later pleaded guilty to two counts of arranging the commission of a child sex offence, four counts of making an indecent image of a child, two counts of distributing indecent images of children, possessing an extreme pornographic image of an animal, and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday, he was given an extended sentence of 24 years and seven months.

The sentence consists of a jail term of 16 years and seven months and an extended licence period of eight years, during which he will immediately be returned to prison if he breaches the terms of his release.

He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that will tightly restrict his online activities and access to children when he is eventually released.

Description

A sex offender has been returned to jail after flouting a court order and hiding evidence from the police.

Alan Richardson, aged 50, was banned by a Sexual Harm Prevention Order from keeping undeclared internet-capable devices or deleting his browsing history.

Believing he may have committed additional offences online, officers visited Richardson’s home in Stapleford on 18 June last year.

After a lengthy delay, he eventually opened the door to let the officers in – but not before performing a factory reset on his tablet.

As well as unearthing that deceit, a police digital forensics officer also discovered that a specialist anonymised search engine was previously active on the same device.

Richardson, who was previously jailed for making indecent images of children, later admitted to two counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday 31 March he was jailed for two years.