Latest Offenders Plymouth

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A man has been handed a long jail sentence after he was convicted by a jury of five rapes upon two Devon women over period of nine years.

Craig McCormick, of Colsedown Hill, Plymouth appeared at Plymouth Crown Court on Monday for a sentencing hearing following a three-day trial held in June. Having been initially charged with two counts of rape against one woman the jury found him guilty of one charge and not guilty of another.

He had previously pleaded guilty to four charges of rape against another victim. The offences took place between 2012 and 2021 in the Torquay and Newton Abbot areas of Devon.

The 33-year-old was told by the judge he would spend 18 years in custody with further four to remain on licence.

Following the sentencing, DC Sarah Hall, who led the investigation, said: "We welcome this sentence. I also wish to pay personal tribute to the victims. Their bravery in reporting these matters and supporting a prosecution has brought this man to justice.

"I hope they and their families can now move forward with their lives in the knowledge that they have seen some justice for what he did to them. Devon and Cornwall Police remains committed to supporting survivors of abuse and sexual offences and we will actively investigate and, where evidence supports, charge people who commit these crimes.

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A paedophile from Devon has been jailed for 20 years for raping a child. Paul Keith Buckland, 35, will spend 20 years behind bars after being found guilty of nine sexual offences, including two counts rape of a child and two counts of attempted rape of a child under the age of 13.

Buckland, of Prestonbury Close, in Plymouth, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court today (Friday, September 8). He refused to attend court to hear his sentence and this was considered an aggravating factor, increasing his sentence.

The offences were committed over 10 years ago while he was living in Tidworth, on the eastern edge of Salisbury Plain. The offences were reported to Wiltshire Police in 2020, WiltshireLive reports.

Buckland was arrested and charged before being found guilty of:

• Two counts of rape of a child under 13;
• Two counts of attempted rape of a child under 13;
• Two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13;
• One count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child;
• Two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act.

As well as his 20-year prison term, he will also be required to sign on to the sex offenders’ register and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order. Police have commended the victim who reported Buckland.

Investigating officer DC Louise Thomas, of the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “Buckland is an abhorrent individual who committed unspeakable acts to, and in the presence of, a child. “Actions such as his have long-lasting and traumatic effects on their victims, which can manifest in myriad ways.

“I’d like to commend the victim in speaking to us about her experiences – I understand how difficult it must have been for her and I hope that this sentence can bring some sort of relief, knowing Buckland is behind bars. This case is a reminder that Wiltshire Police will always investigate reports of sexual assault and child abuse, no matter when the incident took place.

“This incident took place more than a decade ago but didn’t come to light until 2020 when it was bravely reported to us by the victim and her family.

“Please be reassured that the CAIT team here in Wiltshire Police is totally committed to targeting dangerous offenders like Buckland and protecting innocent victims.”

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Joe Pearson, of Victoria Place, Stoke, Plymouth, left a 'trail of emotional carnage and trauma' behind him following his crimes which took place in different locations around Plymouth in 2019 and 2020.

Plymouth Crown Court heard how Pearson targeted the first girl when he was just a little under 18 and she was aged under 13. He went on to rape - including anal rape - and engage in sexual activity with two more girls aged under 15. The court heard that he continued his offending even after being arrested in May 2020 whereupon he was 'released under investigation', committing further offences in October 2020.

Following a nine-day trial, Pearson was found guilty of two counts of rape of a child under the age of 13 and one count of rape of a teenager. Pearson, aged 22, was also found guilty of three counts of penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15.

Sentencing Judge Peter Johnson said the offences all came within just 18 months and each of his victims were vulnerable. He noted how one of the rapes took place at West Hoe park. He said Pearson threatened the girl, calling her a "bitch" and "slag" and as she tried to resist her he put his hands around her neck "causing her to see stars". Judge Johnson said when Pearson had finished he turned around and "smirked at her". Another girl said he anally raped her "despite repeated protests".

Judge Johnson sentenced Pearson to 19 years, but added that he considered Pearson to represent a "significant risk of causing serious harm to young females caused by committing further specified offences" and as such imposed an extended sentence of six years, bringing the total sentence to 26 years. He told Pearson he would serve two-thirds of the custodial term before being released on licence which would include the extension. Judge Johnson also placed Pearson on the Sex Offenders Register "indefinitely" and prohibited him from ever working with vulnerable adults and children.

Det Sgt Chris Kinski, from Plymouth's Operation Gemstone team who investigate sexual offences, paid tribute to the "bravery of the victims during the investigation".

Det Sgt Kinski said: "Their courage in reporting this sickening abuse to the police resulted in the conviction of Pearson. This was a complex case with a number of victims, who were all juveniles at the time of the offences. Pearson is a sexual predator who clearly targeted young girls to commit his offences against, picking on their individual vulnerabilities.

"We hope that outcomes such as these encourage other complainants to come forward and report offences that may have been committed against them. You will be believed and supported, and we will investigate fully in our pursuit to seek justice.

"Violence against women and girls is one of Devon and Cornwall Police's main priorities and this investigation highlights our commitment to securing convictions for these offences."

The court heard from prosecutor Peter Rouch KC who explained that all three girls had similar characteristics in that they were young and vulnerable, going through difficulties at home and school. He said Pearson met all three online and effectively groomed them. He said the three girls were effectively targeted by Pearson because they were "young, vulnerable, troubled girls".

The court heard that Pearson forcibly raped his first victim, "overpowering her" despite her shouts and screams and kicking, having first led her to an isolated park. He then "took steps" to stop her reporting the rape, ordering her not to tell anyone or he would rape her again.

The victim impact statements of the three young victims were read out by prosecutor Peter Rouch KC who revealed that the first girl had left school due to bullying, in part because of what she had suffered at the hands of Pearson. She said that when she eventually told her mother, she was accused of lying. She said she could no longer enjoy going out as she was distrustful of new people and she now panicked if she goes anywhere near where the assaults took place.

She said that her wardrobe was now "black, white or beige so I fade into the background when I'm out and about" and if she sees someone who is similar to Pearson she panics. She said she even has flashbacks of the assaults while asleep and has caught herself waking from dreams shouting "that's enough" to an empty room.

The second victim said the rape and abuse was the "worst time of my life". She now suffers anxiety and depression and is on medication. Due to the abuse, she said she was unable to concentrate at college and had to leave. She said she constantly felt vulnerable when out in public and did not go anywhere on her own.

She wrote: "I feel I will never recover from what he's put me through, but I know that I protected others from being put in the same situation as I have and that makes me proud of myself".

The third victim said she had distanced herself from her family despite knowing they wanted to help her "but no-one can help me".

She said she did not know how to talk about how she now feels and it was easier to "keep it inside". She wrote how she cannot sleep well at night and lays awake thinking "horrible thoughts". She said social services had tried to help but she wrote, 'What's the point? I still feel the pain'.

She wrote how she lost her friends and had got in with "a bad crowd", leading her to take drugs, adding: "I liked it, because it helped with forgetting the pain". While she had started to rebuild her relationship with her family she was unable to talk about the rapes.

She wrote: "When I look in the mirror I hate what I see. I feel worthless and didn't see the point of living."

Mr Rouch also read a victim impact statement from the mother of the third victim who asked how could she put into words "the hurt and anger that I feel everyday".

She said the "vile actions" of Pearson had scarred her entire family as they witnessed the "physical and emotional suffering" her daughter had endured. She said what had been done to her daughter had "shattered my heart and soul" and had left the family feeling "broken and helpless".

She added: "The guilt and anger I feel consumes me because as a mum I was supposed to protect my daughter from monsters. I was the one who was meant to make sure my daughter grew up in a world where my daughter felt safe, protected from harm and to feel loved, but that was taken away from her - and you [Pearson] took it from me."

She said she had been left with a "shadow of a girl" her daughter used to be. She said her daughter no longer saw any good in herself and "doesn't believe she deserves love".

She wrote: "The pain crushes me, it consumes me like no other pain. To hear your daughter scream out in pain every night, for months and months, listening to the words, 'I don't want to be here anymore, I don't belong in the world'."

In mitigation, Pearson's advocate Will Parkhill noted that but for a conviction for being drunk and disorderly, his client had no other previous convictions. He also noted that at the time of the first offence his client was "17 and three quarters". In addition, he said Pearson was of "limited maturity, limited sophistication and probably limited intelligence". He said Pearson did not have a "particularly great start in life".

Judge Johnson said that despite being arrested on May 16, 2020 he denied the offences and was released under investigation. Judge Johnson told Pearson "this arrest didn't stop you", as he went onto sexually abuse and rape another young woman at a location near Plymouth.

Pearson was told that despite "overwhelming evidence" he continued to deny the offences, claiming either that it did not take place, or was done with consent. He said the victim impact statements were "moving statements which set out the massive, traumatic daily effects" of his actions. 

He added: "You are a sexual predator who has left a trail of emotional carnage and trauma behind you, with scarcely a backward glance on your part. Your victims should be proud of the fact that they were brave enough to give evidence to ensure that you are brought to justice."

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A Plymouth man has been jailed for sexually abusing a girl at Burrator reservoir 26 years ago. Stephen Hoskin, 52, of Saltburn Road, Plymouth, initially stood trial at the court on four charges relating to an incident which took place sometime between January and June in 1997.

Hoskin was accused of raping a girl under the age of 16 at the reservoir, two counts of indecently assaulting the girl and one count of committing an act of gross indecency with a child. Hoskin had denied all the charges.

At a trial held at Plymouth Crown Court in March this year, Hoskin was found guilty on two charges; one of indecent assault and one of inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency, both of which were committed against the same victim. He was cleared of rape.

Read next: Stalker victim says he made her life hell and got her arrested and sacked

At the trial, the court heard that the victim was under 16 when subjected to the abuse in 1997, when Hoskin was in his mid to late-20s. Although the offences were originally reported to police in the summer of that year, no charges were brought against Hoskin but after the victim, now an adult, contacted Devon and Cornwall Police in 2020 to better understand why the case had been closed, changes and developments in investigative approach were available.

DC Craig Ferguson then reviewed the evidence and conducted a fresh investigation which had access to better technology and forensic techniques, and new information had come to light. Key witnesses were identified and interviewed, along with family members and retired professionals.

The victim was also re-interviewed with the help of specially trained officer, PC Helen Winterson, who remained engaged with the case and supported the victim throughout the investigation and court proceedings. Based on the new findings, the Crown Prosecution Service decided that Hoskin should be charged with a number of serious sexual offences.

His honour Judge Peter Johnson sentenced Hoskin to eight years in prison for indecent assault and two years for gross indecency, to be served concurrently. He told Hoskin that he would serve half of his sentence in prison and the other half on licence but warned him that if he breached the terms of the licence, he would go back to prison.

He will also be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely. In sentencing him, HHJ Johnson said: “(The victim) has lived with your actions since 1997 and I do find having heard her impact statement that these offences which you committed have had a profound effect on her, both at the time that you committed them and throughout her life to date.

“You are a conceited and self-entitled man.” The court heard from the victim in her impact statement which was read out to the court by DC Ferguson on behalf of Mr Sean Brunton (KC) the prosecuting barrister in the case.

The victim explained that she had lived her life in the shadow of what Hoskin had done to her. She explained that she felt that while her body had grown, her mind and mental state had been stuck on pause - forever remaining that scared little girl.

She described that she hated Hoskin for what he had done, explaining that she could never outrun the trauma of what he had put her through and that she had lived a life sentence herself. After sentencing, DC Ferguson said: “On behalf of the victim and her family, I welcome today’s outcome and Stephen Hoskin’s imprisonment.

“Hoskin was a grown man when he targeted the victim in this case, a girl under 16. She was an inexperienced child who was terrified of him. I wish to pay tribute to the victim, who has not only shown tremendous resilience and courage in finding the strength to reconnect with Devon and Cornwall Police, but also in providing further evidence and attending court.

“The strength that she has shown in coming to court to face her abuser cannot be overstated. I hope that today’s sentence helps her find some peace and enables her to start healing with her family.

“Devon & Cornwall Police takes all reports of sexual abuse seriously, regardless of how long ago it may have happened and will gather any evidence as required to take appropriate action in line with the victim’s wishes.

“Victims will be listened to sympathetically and will be guided through the criminal justice process with the support of our partner agencies, including the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). We are committed to improving outcomes and the journey for victims through what can often be a traumatic and difficult process, ensuring safeguarding and appropriate support.”

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A Plymouth man has been jailed after admitting a plethora of historic sexual abuse with a child. The incidents took place in Bristol when Wayne Willis was a teenager.

Willis, whose address was given as Belmont Guest House on Plymouth Hoe, was described as "feral" when, aged 17, he sexually abused the youngster who was half his age.

Bristol Crown Court heard earlier this month that, ultimately, the girl's mum managed to stop contact between them. Willis, now aged 52, pleaded guilty to multiple accounts of indecent assault and gross indecency, BristolLive reports.

Judge Michael Cullum jailed him for four years and ten months. The judge told him: "Offences such as this have an enormous, life-long, damaging effect. It is obvious, it is unsurprising that from 13 to 21 there was very acute, dramatic suffering (for the complainant). Her mental health was very significantly affected."

The judge ordered Willis to register as a sex offender for life, barred him from working with children and vulnerable adults, imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order designed to stop reoffending and issued an indefinite restraining order banning him from all contact with the victim.

The court heard Willis suffered abuse himself as a child and went on to abuse the youngster. After showing her interest, giving her sweets and favours he enabled himself to commit very serious indecent assaults on her, the court was told.

Mark Worsley, defending, stressed his client had not used alcohol or drugs to groom the youngster and had not threatened her with violence. Mr Worsley said: "He does not recall the acts. He accepts everything he did. He has expressed remorse."

The court heard Willis suffers from anxiety and depression and has heart problems. Mr Worsley said Willis was realistic about his fate after "putting his hands up to the whole thing".

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A man has been jailed for eight and a half years after being found guilty of the rape and attempted rape of a woman in Plymouth.

Daniel Pakeman, 29, of Prince Rock, Plymouth, will be on the sex offender register for life.

Investigating officer, Det Con Andrea Dominik, said after the case at Plymouth Crown Court that the victim had shown "immense bravery".

The offences took place in 2020 at a residential property in Plymouth.

Pakeman was jailed for eight and a half years for rape and six and a half years for attempted rape, to run concurrently.

Det Con Dominik said after the case: "Pakeman took the opportunity to commit these sexual offences which has caused a significant impact on the victim's life, her health and her relationships and will continue to do so for the rest of her life.

"The victim has shown immense bravery and commitment to the investigation and the court process.

"Her voice has been heard, and the result of the trial and sentencing shows that victims will be believed, and justice will be done."

Det Con Dominik acknowledged the criminal justice system can "sometimes be a difficult process for victims".

She said: "But there are support measures which can be put in place to support them throughout the whole journey.

"I hope this gives other people the courage to come forward."

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An Army commando who carried out a sex attack on a woman, leaving her with "irreparable damage", has been jailed.

Plymouth Crown Court heard Cpl Sam Evans, 29, attacked the 30-year-old after they met for the first time.

He was convicted at an earlier hearing of rape, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, non fatal strangulation and assault causing actual bodily harm.

Judge Robert Linford sentenced Evans to a total of 18 years for what he said was an "explosion of sexual violence".

'Her worst nightmare'

Evans, of 29 Commando, Royal Artillery Regiment, based in Plymouth, was also made the subject of 25-year-long restraining order banning any contact with his victim.

The court heard the pair had made contact months earlier through the Tinder dating app but only met by chance on the night of the attack last July and she went back to his flat in Ker Street.

His victim, who has lifelong anonymity, said during a cycle of violence that lasted for hours Evans knelt on her chest to pin her down, slapped and punched her in the head, spat in her eyes and face and urinated in her face and mouth.

The court heard he laughed off her attempts to tell him to stop and smothered her with a pillow when she screamed.

The victim said she repeatedly told him she did not want sex and she "thought I was dying" during the "violent and relentless" attack.

"Sam Evans has caused irreparable damage to me," she said.

Evans said his actions had been "playful and softly done".

The judge told Evans: "The two of you were absolutely saturated with alcohol but that is no excuse for the way you behaved; it makes it worse."

He said, when sober, "virtuous" Evans was "a hard-working, gentle, kind and considerate man" but on this night it was "an explosion of sexual violence".

Devon and Cornwall Police said the conviction was down to the "absolute courage of the victim".

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A PENSIONER who pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent exposure, one of which involved a child under 18, has been sentenced by a court in Cornwall. 

Allen William Glass, aged 67, of Old Road in Liskeard, was sentenced to 12 months in prison by Truro Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 21 March for two counts of indecent exposure.

The first offence took place at Old Road in Liskeard on Monday, August 22, 2022, when Glass intentionally exposed his genitals intending that someone would see them and be caused alarm or distress.

Glass repeated the offence of intentionally exposing his genitals again on March 2, 2023, at Old Road, Liskeard. 

The court ruled that the offences were serious because they were targeted and repeated over an ongoing period of time, specifically to a vulnerable child under the age of 18.

The victim impact statement was taken into consideration, and the court determined that only a custodial sentence would suffice as there was no realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

A restraining order was also issued, prohibiting Glass from contacting two people directly or indirectly as well as banning him from going to an address in Liskeard for a period of five years.

Glass was also required to register with the police in accordance with the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for five years. 

As part of his sentencing, Glass was also required to pay a surcharge of £154 to fund victim services, as well as £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The court also noted that Glass's guilty plea had been taken into account when imposing the sentence.

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A SERIAL sex offender from Tavistock exposed himself in the centre of Plymouth by wearing trousers with peep-holes cut into their front and back.

Shane Turner walked past shoppers with everything on show through the gaps in his specially adapted trousers.

The 51-year-old had been to the probation meeting as part of a suspended jail sentence for stalking a psychologist who had tried to treat his bizarre sexual behaviour.

CCTV showed him cycling around the city centre and police were alerted and spotted that there was a large cut or rip in his trousers.

He had a history of exposing himself and has been jailed in the past for stalking. He was meeting probation earlier this year because he was being supervised under a suspended sentence for breaking a restraining order.

He was also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which banned him from wearing clothing that were designed or adapted to show his private parts.

Turner admitted two charges of breaching the Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was jailed for 13 months at Plymouth Crown Court.

He has also been convicted of outraging public decency in 2006 after he exposed himself to lone women at night in Exeter, once by a graveyard.

And since then been in court for driving a car while naked. He was also seen driving around with an inflatable doll in his car but was not charged with any offence.

A defence advocate said Turner’s offending stemmed from his severe autism and issues of poor mental health.

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Daniel Mortimer plied 15-year-old girl with drink before raping her - then tried to strangle her and threatened her into staying at his accommodation, saying he had a gun.

A St Judes man described as "cunning" has been handed a determinate sentence of 20 years after he raped and imprisoned a vulnerable 15-year-girl he had been grooming and plying with alcohol.

A victim impact statement from the girl - who cannot be named for legal reasons - was read out by prosecutor Heather Hope at Plymouth Crown Court where Daniel Mortimer was sentenced. Mortimer was found guilty by unanimous verdict following a trial where the jury heard how had targeted the girl, plied her with alcohol, got her back to his home where gave her more alcohol and while she was in an unconscious state raped her.

When she later came around, the 39-year-old threatened her to stay, claiming that he had a gun. 

The court heard how in 2002 Mortimer - also known as Norsworthy - was made subject of a hospital order following his conviction for the offence of arson. He then spent the next 17 years in various mental health institutions where he was diagnosed withy antisocial disorder and/or borderline learning disability. His records, from his various mental health institutions, noted incidents of violence and offences including arson - although it was observed by the courts that he was never prosecuted for these offences.

However, in March 2020, he was released back into wider society and by April 2021, he was living in supported living accommodation in the city. The court heard that he was abusing alcohol and class A drugs and leading what Mr Recorder Donald Tait described as a "aimless existence on the streets of Plymouth".

The court heard that Mortimer began to befriend groups of teenage girls in Plymouth city centre and would spend a "significant amount of money" buying alcohol for the girls, knowing full well they were under the age of 16. 

Mortimer had, shortly before the rape in April 2021, even lured three underage girls back to his accommodation on the promise of giving them alcohol. Fortunately, on that occasion, a support worker at the property spotted what was going on and ejected the girls from the premises.

The following day he was back in Plymouth city centre, once again, targeting young women - including his victim who was considered to be a "troubled 15-year-old". During the trial her mother had explained her daughter was autistic, had mild learning difficulties and ADHD and suffered from depression and anxiety. As a result of her many issues she developed a significant alcohol dependency.

Recorder Tait said all these issues would have been "obvious" to Mortimer, but it was clear from the evidence presented that he "deliberately targeted" the youngster, again using alcohol to lure her to his accommodation. The jury heard that even before she got there she was already "severely inebriated" and Mortimer arranged for a taxi to take her to his address - lying to the taxi operator saying she was his sister.

The court was told that during that day there were a number of Snapchat messages passing between Mortimer and the girl and on her arrival they went up to her room where he plied her with even more alcohol to the point where she was was, to all intents and purposes, unconscious.

Mortimer then raped the girl and kept her in his room against her will. He told her she was not going anywhere and she was not allowed to leave. At one point, he attempted to strangle her and told her that he had a gun on the premises.

A few hours later, Mortimer lied to a visitor to the property looking for the girl - who had been reported missing by this stage - saying the young woman in his bed was his girlfriend.

At around 6am the girl work up with no recollection of what happened to her. She was able to pursuade Mortimer to go outside to smoke a cigarette whereupon she "ran for her life", said Recorder Tait.

She messaged and then phoned her mother at 6.43am and in hysterical state said a man was chasing her. Her mother called police and went on to trace her daughter using a phone-finding app.

On April 9, Mortimer was arrested at his address and was found to be in possession of heroin and cannabis. Recorder Tait said that while Mortimer was in custody he "embarked in a series of conflicting accounts about what happened".

Recorder Tait noted that Mortimer's "bizarre behaviour" continued through the interview process and during the court trial, with him putting forward three different defence statements - all inconsistent with one another - and claimed his DNA found in the girl's underpants was not his and that the girl had never been in his room despite her giving a detailed description of the property.

The court was told that the matter was aggravated because while he was on bail for the rape allegation, he went on to commit a further offence. He committed a sexual assault on a 17-year-old girl on August 26, 2021 in Beaumont Park.

The matter went to trial because Mortimer denied the offence. The jury heard how in that instance, Mortimer was smoking a joint and, after following the teen into the park, told the girl he could get her cannabis. The teenager said that Mortimer put his arm around her for about four seconds and then touched her inner thigh.

At his sentencing, the court was told by the judge that the incident had had "a very grave effect on her" and on one occasion not long after the incident "she tried to harm herself by consuming a bottle of bleach". He was jailed for 26 weeks for that offence and was arrested again for the rape on the day of his release from prison.

In a victim impact statement, read out by prosecutor Heather Hope at today's hearing, it was revealed that the girl said she had been left psychologically, mentally and physically scarred by the rape. She wrote how she felt "violated", "alone and scared" and horrified how Mortimer had had "access to my body without me being aware of it". She admitted she had begun self-harm with razor blades, and drinking heavily to block out the memory of the rape.

She wrote how she now cannot even stand the thought of someone touching her and flinches when people are near her. Certain worlds which were used during the incident are now triggers which causes her flashbacks and feelings of being overwhelmed. She explained she now suffered night terrors and was taking medication to try and combat it.

She also revealed how she had made "physical changes" to her appearance "for fear of being recognised" by Mortimer and was "very concerned" that he would try to contact her. She wrote how relationships with others have been affected and she finds it hard to trust people, adding that she "cannot be along with men". She explained how she now avoided certain areas of the city centre and cannot go anywhere near where he lived.

She added that she had to undergo a "intrusive physical examination" and did not know if she was going to be left pregnant. She wrote how she revisited the incident "every day and I hope that one day it will stop".

In mitigation, his advocate Katie Churcher said Mortimer had suffered abuse during his childhood and had been in institutions from a young man through to adulthood. She confirmed the offences took place not long after he was released from these institutions. However, whilst in custody he had engaged in a number of positive programs in prison, become an "enhanced" prisoner with an extra level of responsibility, securing jobs in the servery and in the prison gym.

Mr Recorder Tait told Mortimer he had read two detailed reports - one, a pre-sentence report from an experience probation officer and the other a report from forensic consultant psychiatrist Dr Christine Brown. He said Dr Brown noted that Mortimer had never been diagnosed with a mental disorder at any time and that his ability to stand trial had never been called into question.

The court was told that Dr Brown had concluded that Mortimer "knows what he is doing, and he knows when what he is doing is wrong". She went on to state that "there are no further mental health interventions or treatment that will reduce [his] risk of harm to others".

The probation report accepted that Mortimer had a "lower than average IQ" but he was also considered to have "a degree of cunning and can be manipulative". The probation officer stated that "ultimately" it was perceived that Mortimer would "very likely to offend again, regardless of the consequences to him", adding ominously that the 39-year-old poses a "high risk of harm - mostly likely to teenage girls".

The probation officer's report concluded "I have no hesitation in stating that [Mortimer] would pose a significant risk of causing serious harm", by carrying out "further specified offences whose most likely victims would be teenage girls."

Mortimer was found guilty on charges of rape, false imprisonment, meeting a child after sexual grooming, possessing a controlled drug of Class A and possessing of a controlled drug Class B.

Mr Recorder Tait told Mortimer that he had, "in effect abducted" the girl and detained her "for a long period of time". He said that there was "no shadow of doubt that [the victim] was a particularly vulnerable individual - you knew that and took advantage of that knowledge".

He told Mortimer: "Without hesitation, I consider that you pose a significant risk of serious harm from further specified offences committed by you."

As a result Mr Recorder Tait said he would impose an extended determinate sentence of 20 years - of which 15 years would be custodial and an extended licence of five years. He ordered Mortimer to be put on the Sex Offenders Register for life and be subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.

He confirmed that at the two-thirds point of the custodial sentence Mortimer's case would be referred to the parole board for consideration as to whether he was safe to be released, but added "it doesn't mean you will be".

Following the sentencing, Det Insp Darren Roach from Devon and Cornwall Police said: "The impact of these crimes will have a lasting effect on the victim and her family. I hope that the sentence passed today offers some reassurance and that a degree of comfort can be taken in knowing that this dangerous offender has been brought to justice.

"The victim, witnesses and families have shown great courage through the course of the investigation and court trial. It is their support and willingness to stand up against this dangerous offender that enabled Officers to secure the evidence for a successful prosecution.

"I would like to recognise the skill and determination of the investigation team and specialist Engagement Officers. Working alongside colleagues from the CPS and partner agencies, such as First Light and Plymouth SARC, has ensured that the victim has been supported both before and during the trial process.

"The result of this joint partnership working is evident today with a significant custodial sentence imposed and with the jury delivering guilty verdicts on all counts of the indictment."

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A convicted child sex offender from Devon moved in with a woman shortly after leaving prison but did not tell her the truth about his criminal past. Lee Savage, 41, behaved like he was part of the family and spent most of his time in Taunton, Exeter Crown Court heard.

He was banned from contact with children by a Sexual Harm Prevention Order but ignored its restrictions and did not tell police or probation that he was not living full-time at his registered address in Plymouth.

His lies were discovered when a suspicious family member Googled his name and discovered he was a registered sex offender with a history of grooming children. Savage swiftly left the property but was arrested by police and brought back to court.

The defendant, previously of Keyham Road in Plymouth, has been jailed for two years. He admitted breaching his SHPO and two offences of failing to comply with notification requirements.

Prosecutor Mr James Adam said Savage was released on licence from a jail sentence, imposed for attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming, in 2020. Instead of living at the Plymouth address he entered into a relationship with a mum-of-two in Taunton.

He moved into the family home and before his arrest in November spent 101 days in the Taunton area. He was never alone with her children in private and did not commit any sexual offences. Savage did offer to look after the children and gave the impression they were a family, said the prosecutor.

The relationship ended when his partner's sister searched his name on Google and found details of the 2017 conviction which involved him being caught by paedophile hunters. The sister posted details online and police investigated.

Savage failed to tell police he had moved address, putting him in breach of the notification requirements. By having contact with children without their parent's full and informed consent he breached his SHPO.

His now ex-partner said she felt angry with herself and feels as if she was groomed by letting Savage into her life. The defendant also has previous convictions, dating back to 2010, for sexual activity with a female child under 16 and possessing indecent photos of children. He also has a previous breach of his lifetime SHPO on his record.

Ms Evie Dean, defending, said Savage had a difficult childhood. He was released from jail at the height of the Covid pandemic and felt as if he had no stability. He accepts what he did and is sorry.

Judge Anna Richardson said: "Although you told police about your Plymouth address you in fact spent little time there and fully involved yourself in family life." She said it had been a persistent breach, he has a history of ignoring orders and begged for police not to be told.

She imposed a 10-year restraining order for him not to contact the family.

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Police discovered that some of the images he downloaded included children being 'bound, gagged and in distress' while other images revealed he had 'a sexual interest in animals, particularly dogs'.

A man has been jailed after storing more than a thousand indecent images of children, taking indecent images of himself with children and of a sexual assault on a child.

Stuart Priest, aged 34, from Kings Tamerton appeared at Plymouth Crown Court after he admitted three counts of possessing indecent still images and moving images of children as young as six months. He also admitted two counts of taking indecent images of children two under the age of 13 and one count of sexual assault by touching.

The court heard that some of the images included children being "bound, gagged and in distress" while other images revealed he had "a sexual interest in animals, particularly dogs"

 Prosecutor Joss Ticehurst told the court that on August 27 2020 police, acting on intelligence on email interactions, carried out a search of Priest's home. They seized a computer tower and two mobile phones. In addition they examined cloud storage linked to his email.

Interrogation of the devices revealed a series of search terms for indecent images of children (IAC) on both the computer and the phones as well as actual images. Police found a total of 1,421 indecent images of children: 101 still images and 704 moving images in Category A - the most explicit images - along with 50 still and 245 moving images at Category B and 175 still and 146 moving images at category C.

Mr Ticehurst told the court that the ages of the children in the images ranged from six months old to 14 years. Search terms found by police included 'kiddie naked', 'kiddie f***' and 'illegal pre-teen model'. He said the cloud-storage account found on an encrypted server mainly included moving images of children "being bound, gagged and in distress".

Further examination found that Priest had taken several indecent images himself with two children under the age of 13. In a couple of the staged photos he was seen carrying out an offence which was regarded by the courts as a sexual offence by touching. The children cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Mr Ticehurst said police found mobile phone file sharing applications on his phone one of which was "well known for hosting indecent images of children". He added that the phone had several contacts stored in it with usernames indicative of indecent images of children, such as "Daddy likes rape". The other mobile phone had applications with subsection including terms such as "Dads and boys" and "rape fantasy".

The court heard that Priest was interviewed who admitted the storage of the images but insisted he did not have a sexual interest in children. The court was also informed that the mother of the two children found on Priest's phone had to be shown the images to positively identify them. 

Mr Ticehurst went on to reveal that during a later interview he accepted that he had got a dog "to lick his penis" in previous years and that other material in his electronic devices "showed that he had a sexual interest in animals, particularly dogs".

In mitigation, his advocate Emily Cook said her client was truly ashamed of his behaviour and had a desire to address his offending. She said that he had been working in the retail sector on a low wage and was put in charge of a number of branches, working 5.30am to 10pm. During lockdown he went from a manager's wage to minimum wage before all the stores were closed and he was made redundant. By this time he was struggling with large debts and "could not see a way out for himself".

He began drinking alcohol to get to sleep and Ms Cook said Priest was "struggling with his own gender identity". She said he was sent indecent images of children unsolicited, due to his "unorthodox interest" in other areas. He was "initially disgusted" but accepted that he began to develop an interest in the images and "greatly regrets doing so".

As a result of the investigation and his guilty pleas to the offence he had lost his job, home and had been ostracised by others. He had sought help and undertaken the Lucy Faithful programme to address his offences.

Judge Neil Davey KC told Priest that accepted the 34-year-old had no previous convictions and the basis of plea he had offered the court. He noted that Priest himself had admitted that there had come a time when he developed a sexual interest in children which grew over time. He took on board the mitigation offered by his advocate but stated that "although those matters can be regarded as explanations, they can't be regarded as excuse".

Noting each of the offences, and the totality of the offences, while recognising that he had to discount the final sentence due to the early guilty plea Judge Davey KC passed a sentence of four years. He said Priest would be subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and would be on the Sex Offender Register for life.

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A postgraduate student who raped and assaulted a woman has been jailed for nine years.

Dayan Garcia, 31, of Mariners Court, Plymouth, was jailed at Exeter Crown Court for two counts of rape and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The jury heard how the victim "feared for her life" during the attack in the early hours in April.

Garcia also taught at the University of Plymouth, the court heard.

He was a PhD student at the university's department of architecture and built environment.

The jury heard how the victim had been out with friends when she found herself separated from them.

The victim then met Garcia at some point in the night at Mambo nightclub and agreed to go back to his address at around 02:00 BST.

'Significantly traumatising offences'

Once back at the house, Garcia struck the victim twice to the head after she refused his advances towards her, causing facial injuries. Garcia then proceeded to rape her.

The victim managed to flee with the offender's phone, and get to safety.

The bravery of the victim was recognised in court for both coming forward to report the "significantly traumatising offences" and for providing detailed accounts of what happened.

Garcia was jailed for nine years by Recorder Mr Richard Stead, who put him on the sex offenders register for life and told him any future work would be vetted by the Declaration and Barring Service.

The judge said: "You were a young man with a life full of promise ahead of you before you threw it all away by your violent conduct that night."

Mr Lee Bremridge, defending, said Garcia's brilliant academic career prospects had been destroyed by his behaviour over just three and a half hours.

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A man who raped and sexually abused children has been jailed for 15 years. Cameron Richards, of no fixed abode, but from Plymouth, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to eight sexual offences which involved three children.

The offences included two counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, one count of oral rape and four counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. None of the children can be identified for legal reasons.

Prosecutor Rachel Drake told the court 35-year-old Richards had pleaded guilty to offences which included him abusing the children in a number of different locations including at his place of work and on expeditions. All of his victims were under the age of ten when the offences began.

Some of the victims, along with their family and supporters, sat in the public gallery, evidently deeply distressed as Ms Drake read out the different charges in details.

Ms Drake also read out Victim Impact Statements from the mother of one of the victims as well as one of Richards' victims. The mother said the assaults on her child had caused huge damage and that their child had repeatedly stated they wanted to kill themselves. One of the victims said that they were left feeling like it was somehow their fault and that they feared that "no-one would believe me". They added that because of the abuse they had "lost out on my childhood" and was "worried about how I will develop relationships in the future".

Richards' advocate Michael Green admitted his mitigation was "limited", stating that nothing his client could say through him would provide any comfort to the victims, adding that his client pleaded guilty to "horrendous offences". He said Richards knew he would be jailed for a long time and had "recognised that he deserves such a sentence".

Sentencing Richards, Mr Recorder Richard Stead noted that he had no previous convictions, but that he began his offending as far back as 2007 and continued for many years. He said Richards had numerous opportunities to stop the abuse, but instead continued regardless of the "psychological and physical damage you caused" to the children which he said would be "deep and long lasting."

At this point in proceedings there was an outburst from several people in the public gallery, with angry and upset shouts of "I hope you f****** kill yourself", "I hope you f****** die you dirty f****** b***ard". A number had stepped forwards towards Richards who was swiftly removed from the dock and taken back down to the cells as court staff called for calm. A number of people were made to leave the courtroom and proceedings only restarted after assurances were drawn that there would be no further outbursts from the public gallery.

Mr Recorder Stead continued his sentencing, saying Richards had "no regard" for the children he abused, despite him knowing he was doing wrong, but carried on for his "own sexual gratification". He said the offences clearly showed Richards had planned the abuse, in terms of the timing and locations and that there was "evidence of grooming behaviour". He added: "All have lost their childhoods and will carry with them the psychological impact of what you did to them."

Mr Recorder Stead said he would consider the totality of his offending in sentencing and jailed the 35-year-old for 15 years. He said this had been reduced due to his early guilty plea which under the sentencing guidelines meant he was obliged to any sentence he gave by 25 percent. He said it would be "at least" ten years before Richards' release from prison could be referred to parole board and that he would remain on a conditional licence and supervision on release.

Mr Recorder Stead said would make Richards subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order until further notice and that he would remain on the Sex Offenders' Register for life, which included a necessity to alert police to where he was living as well as if he moved.

Det Con Natasha Elliott-Smith from the Plymouth Public Protection Unit, said: "I am pleased to hear that Cameron Richards has today been given a 15-year custodial sentence. Mr Richards groomed his vulnerable victims and created opportunities to sexually abuse them; these offences started when the victims were all under the age of 10.

"This case was instigated by one of the complainants being brave enough to talk to a friend which led to a safeguarding referral being made by her school. A police investigation was launched where two further victims were identified. Through the support of specialist trained officers from the Public Protection Unit, the complainants were all able to provide compelling victim testimonies and this no doubt influenced the defendant's guilty plea.

"This investigation highlights the importance of listening to the worries of children and acting on concerns raised by young people. I would like to thank the victims for their incredible bravery in coming forward and the victims families who have provided ongoing support to them throughout the investigation; I hope this sentencing can begin to offer some closure for you all.

"This case once again shows the Polices commitment to supporting victims of sexual abuse, to thoroughly investigate offending of this deplorable nature, to protect the vulnerable in our society and bring offenders to justice."

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Kenneth Harper was jailed for eight years in 2008 for serious sexual offences in Oxford. He denied the latest allegations but was convicted by a jury in June of four charges of sexual assault A convicted sex offender has been jailed for groping two vulnerable women in Plymouth. Kenneth Harper assaulted his victims while visiting the residential block where they lived. The 59-year-old took advantage of the women's vulnerable state to touch them on the legs, bottom and breasts. The defendant, of Henderson Place, has a previous conviction for serious sexual offences and regarded the women's accommodation as a place where he could 'misbehave with confidence. A trial at Plymouth Crown Court heard the offences only came to light when he was spotted groping one woman. The second victim then came forward to say she had been touched by him. Harper was jailed for eight years in 2008 for serious sexual offences in Oxford. He denied the latest allegations but was convicted by a jury in June of four charges of sexual assault. He returned to court in Exeter on Monday [July 25] to be sentenced. Deputy Circuit Judge Neil Davey QC said he had caused his victims serious psychological harm and still denied his guilt. Harper was jailed for 15 months. Judge Davey said: "You are nearly 60 and for the second time in your life you have been convicted of sexual offending against vulnerable victims. Although the seriousness has diminished your willingness to continue offending, sadly, has not. It is plain to me from the evidence that you also regarded it as a place where you could misbehave with confidence where no one would complain." He said both victims were vulnerable adults, one aged in her 20s and the other in her 50s. Harper assaulted one woman by putting an arm around her and squeezing her bottom on two occasions. He grabbed and squeezed the second victim's breasts when she was sat next to him on a bench. On another occasion he ran his hand up her leg towards her groin. In a statement she said his offending had made her feel violated and Harper acted like someone who could do whatever he wanted. She had a traumatic background and his actions had 'ruined my life' and destroyed her trust in men. Mr Jason Beal, defending, said the judge could suspend the sentence because Harper was a carer for his partner and jail would result in hardship for others. He said Harper was 'almost a hermit' with his own difficult background. The judge said: "It is plain to me that immediate custody will result in some harmful impact for your partner for whom you are a full-time carer but in my judgement you have no strong personal mitigation and you continue to deny offences and call the victims liars. "You chose to commit further sexual offences against vulnerable people with particularly harmful consequences."