Latest Offenders Preston

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A 43-year-old Preston man caught in a sting by paedophile hunters has escaped a prison sentence.

Anthony Stewart, from Deepdale, who was snared for sending perverted messages to “decoys” he thought were 14-year-old girls, was given a suspended sentence when he appeared at the city’s Crown Court.

Judge Heather Lloyd told him he would have gone straight to jail had his targets been real children and not website warriors posing as underage girls.

And she condemned his “utterly vile and predatory behaviour” in trying to contact youngsters through the social media sites Facebook and WhatsApp.

The court was told an online child protection group called Elite set out to catch Stewart after he initiated sexual conversations with two of their decoys called Molly and Imogen.

Both pretend teens told him right away they were 14. He told Molly he was 25, but then claimed he was 19 when he started messaging Imogen.

He had started out communicating with Molly on Facebook in July 2023 and took the lead in their conversation. He asked for photographs of her, asked if she had a boyfriend and also whether she met up with people in person.

The Elite group responded with a fake image of a mid-teens girl and he replied saying she was “pretty.”

Quite quickly Stewart began to ask if she used any other social media sites because, claimed the prosecution, the filters on other platforms allowed the exchange of images of naked body parts.

The messaging switched to WhatsApp in December and he became “a little more direct and forward” in his conversations with Molly. The court was told the messages became more and more explicit, resulting in him sending images of his private parts and urging Molly to do likewise.

In conversation with the other decoy Imogen, which extended over a shorter time, he was equally vulgar and at one point told her he was “as horny as ****.”

The Elite paedophile hunters decided at that point to report Stewart to the police and handed over all the material they had about the sting. When he was arrested at a house in Preston he answered “no comment” to all questions.

The court was told Stewart had a “long list” of previous convictions, but none of them of a sexual nature. He had no fewer than 13 appearances in court for being drunk and disorderly.

In this case he pleaded guilty to two charges of attempting sexual communications with a child.

Barrister Beverley Hackett, defending, said her client was “deeply ashamed, as he should be.”

She revealed he needed help with long-standing alcohol problems. It was said that at one time he had been drinking between eight and 15 pints of beer a day.

“He is aware of the serious situation he finds himself in,” she told Judge Lloyd. “Whilst he does have convictions, he doesn’t have anything in the past which is similar to these offences.

“He has suffered in terms of his mental health and there has been a history of suicide attempts, most recent of which was in January.

“He has no excuses for what he has done, for going online in the way he did and for making the communications that he did.”

But Miss Hackett added there were real reasons to believe he could be rehabilitated if he was allowed to remain in the community.

Passing sentence, Judge Lloyd told him: “When you were repeatedly in contact with Molly and Imogen you believed that you were in communication with 14-year-old girls.

“Molly said she was not sexually experienced and that must have excited you because it clearly didn’t deter you. This was utterly vile and predatory behaviour.

“You said you were using the internet in this way because you were bored and you denied any sexual interest in children. But both are clearly untrue. You are clearly sexually attracted to children.”

The judge said she had her doubts Stewart could be rehabilitated, but decided she would give him a total of nine months in prison, suspended for two years.

She also ordered him to take part in 20 days of rehabilitation work, six months of alcohol treatment. He was also given a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.

And she added that the only reason she had not ordered an immediate prison sentence was “because these children were not real children.”

“If they were it would have been a much longer sentence and been immediate.”

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Adam Dupuis was convicted of a catalogue of sexual offences against six victims, two of whom were aged under 16.

The offences, committed between 2014 and 2020, included sexual assault by penetration, sexual assault, exposure and non-penetrative sexual activity.

Dupuis, 57, of Acrefield, Preston, had denied the charges but was found guilty after a two-week trial at Preston Crown Court.

He was jailed for ten years and eight months and ordered to sign the sex offender register for life.

DC Lisa Hough, of South CID, said: “First and foremost I would like to commend the bravery of these victims who, after being abused by Dupuis were then forced by him to relive their ordeal by giving evidence at court.

“I welcome this significant sentence which takes a dangerous sexual predator off the streets for a significant time.

“I hope that this sentence may give other victims the confidence to come forward and speak to us safe in the knowledge that we will investigate professionally and sensitively and will do our best to put offenders before the courts.”

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A dangerous offender who raped a 75-year-old woman and sexually assaulted a vulnerable 61-year-old, has been given an extended prison sentence.

Neil McEvoy, 57, of Grimshaw Street, Preston city centre, was also before the court for a sustained assault which left a man with facial injuries.

McEvoy pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to rape, causing sexual activity without consent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He was given an extended sentence of 20 years, comprising a 15-year custodial term and a five-year licence extension.

When passing sentence, Judge Andrew Jefferies KC, described McEvoy as dangerous and noted the lack of remorse shown by him he had tried to minimise his responsibility.

The first offence which McEvoy was sentenced for, occurred in July 2020 at his flat in Grimshaw Street.

McEvoy was drinking with his victim and another man. Later in the evening McEvoy began punching the victim.

The attack lasted on-and-off for around 90 minutes, with McEvoy kicking, slapping and pinning the man against the wall.

While under investigation for that assault, McEvoy committed the offence against a 61-year-old woman who was particularly vulnerable in November 2020.

She had been shopping in Preston city centre and was sat on a bench near to McEvoys flat. He beckoned her to go the flat where two other people were drinking with McEvoy.

When the other two left the flat, McEvoy carried out a sexual offence against the woman.

Knowing he was under investigation for that offence and the earlier assault, McEvoy raped a 75-year-old woman in May 2022.

She had visited two pubs in Preston and was making her way home when McEvoy someone she had never met before approached her on the street and struck up a conversation.

He offered to walk her home and the victim described McEvoy as pleasant and he just made me trust him.

At her flat they chatted but McEvoys mood changed, with the court told he went from gentle to violent and he raped her the attack only stopped when the victim managed to hit him with a hammer.

She rang 999 after McEvoy left the flat and he was arrested nearby.

DC Stephen Rotherham of Lancashire Polices south division rape investigation team, said: Im very pleased that Neil McEvoy is off the streets and I welcome the lengthy prison sentence imposed by Judge Jefferies.

Id like to thank the work of the response officers who assisted the investigations into these offences, the work of the Independent Sexual Violence Advocates for supporting the victims and the dedication of the Crown Prosecution Service.

Lancashire Police are committed to investigating all reports of rape and sexual offences, all reports will be treated with trust and sensitivity.

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A dangerous pervert who raped a woman while she slept has been given a sentence totalling 14 years.

After committing the vile offence, Ashley Iddon, 29, then bombarded his victim with messages, some blaming her for his actions.

After we arrested him Iddon admitted what he had done to work colleagues, telling one ‘she made me do it’.

Iddon, of Well Orchard, Bamber Bridge, pleaded guilty to rape when he appeared in the dock at Preston Crown Court on the day he was due to stand trial.

Yesterday (December 5) Judge Heather Lloyd deemed Iddon to pose a significant risk to women and sentenced him to 11 years custody, with a three-year extended licence period. He was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life. An indefinite restraining order was also imposed.

Following sentence, the victim stated she was pleased she could finally move on from this and believed that Iddon has received the sentence he deserved. She said the whole thing has caused her distress for a number of years, so it is comforting for her to know it is finally over. She said her and her family can now live comfortably knowing Iddon is finally in prison.

DC Rebecca Pugh, of South CID, said: “Iddon is a dangerous man who has warped and appalling attitudes towards women. That is demonstrated by his attempts to justify his abhorrent actions to work colleagues by blaming the victim.
“I am pleased with the sentence handed down by the court which reflects the seriousness of Iddon’s offending. Even after he is released, Iddon will continue to be monitored by the relevant authorities.

“We are committed to protecting women and girls from all forms of abuse and violence. I hope this case and its outcome will encourage other victims to come forward, knowing they will be listened to and believed and that we will do everything in our power to put their abuser before the courts.”

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Zehshan Mahmood, from Preston, admitted two counts of blackmail and three counts of disclosing sexual photos or films with intent to cause distress.

Two victims sent the 30-year-old nearly 90,000 over three years to avoid the images being shared but he posted some of them online anyway, police said.

Mahmood was sentenced to seven years and three months.

During the trial at Preston Crown Court one victim told of how she had disclosed private pictures and videos to Mahmood in 2017.

In January 2018, he told her that he was in financial difficulty and pressured her to send him money.

Later he contacted her on Instagram under an alias and threatened her - demanding that she send him more money or he would share the private pictures and videos online, police said.

He also made threats against her family so she sent Mahmood around 20,000.

The second victim told the court she had disclosed to Mahmood an intimate sexual experience she had with a boyfriend.

Mahmood then claimed he had a video of the incident and demanded 7,000 from her or he would send the video to her family and friends.

In addition, Mahmood demanded that the victim send intimate pictures, videos and texts of a sexual nature.

If she did not do this, he threatened to increase the fee, the court heard.

The defendant told the victim that he needed money to stop the videos from being published and the blackmail was part of his involvement in an organised crime group.

Detectives said Mahmood later created more fake Instagram accounts, which he used to message the victim and convince her that his claim was real so that she would continue sending sexual content and money to him.

The victim sent Mahmood in excess of 66,000 over three years.

Despite the money handed over, Mahmood posted the videos he had received of the victim online and encouraged users to share it, police said.

Mahmood was arrested in February 2021 as part of a joint effort between Greater Manchester Police and Lancashire Police.

Det Con Luke Brundrett said he had "operated a web of lies and manipulated the victims to get exactly what he wanted, when he wanted", adding that the sentence was "much deserved".

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A man who "savagely" murdered a college student at a beauty spot has been jailed for a minimum of 31 years.

Mark Buckley, 52, killed 18-year-old Ellen Higginbottom in a "chilling" and "sexually motivated pre-meditated" attack in June at Orrell Water Park in Wigan, Greater Manchester.

Buckley, of New Hall Lane, Preston, admitted the charge at a previous hearing at Manchester Crown Court.

Miss Higginbottom was planning to marry boyfriend Ryan Warren, the court heard.

Judge David Stockdale QC described the murder as "cowardly and callous".

The murder was sexually motivated, the court heard, but the victim was chosen at random, police said.

He said the facts of the case were "frankly chilling".

Ellen was reported missing on 16 June after failing to return home from Winstanley College.

A post-mortem examination confirmed she died from multiple wounds to the neck. Police said she was killed at about 14:00 BST.

Her body was found the next day.

'Beyond imagining'

Slightly-built Miss Higginbottom, who did not know her attacker, was not able to physically offer much resistance in the attack, the judge said.

The Honorary Recorder of Manchester told the defendant: "Despite that, her wounds indicated that she tried albeit in vain to defend herself."

He said Buckley who was armed with a knife subjected her to a "savage and brutal attack".

"She would have had no idea it was coming" and was "caught entirely off her guard".

"She simply did not stand a chance. What must have been going through her mind is beyond imagining."

The court heard Buckley took the psychology student's laptop and mobile phone and fled.

Buckley later returned to the park and moved her body which he then intended to bury when it was dark, the court heard.

He was thwarted as a police helicopter with heat-seeking equipment hovered overhead and he made off, the court heard.

Buckley was later arrested and admitted killing Miss Higginbottom but could offer no explanation for his actions.

Neil Fryman, prosecuting, told the court at a previous hearing: "There was a sexual motivation for this offence and also it was pre-meditated."

'Pointless and idiotic'

The court heard Miss Higginbottom was planning to marry her boyfriend.

The judge said: "Although they were young, the couple was already planning to marry and they were planning ahead to having children.

"All that is now lost to Ryan Warren."

Following sentencing, Ellen's father Mike Higginbottom said: "There can never be anything even remotely approaching justice for what was done to Ellen."

He continued: "We were tremendously lucky to have shared 18 years with her and everyone else who knew her will identify with that feeling.

"She made the world a better place with pretty much everything she said and everything she did."

He said having her taken away in such a "pointless and idiotic fashion fills us with an anger and resentment that does not represent who we want to be".

Mr Higginbottom added: "But we wrestle it under control and learn to be better at being people. Because that's what adults do."

"So if there's anyone else out there thinking of doing anything even half this stupid, just take one piece of advice. Grow up."

'Random attack'

David Graham from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "Mark Buckley went out that day equipped with a knife to carry out a violent assault.

"He spent a number of hours that morning looking for a lone female to attack."

He said: "We believe he selected his victim at random, and Ellen Higginbottom was simply walking through the park at the time he chose to attack, with tragic consequences."

Det Supt Howard Millington from Greater Manchester Police said: "Buckley callously killed Ellen in broad daylight.

"He attacked her in the most brutal way as she was walking around Orrell Water Park before going to meet her friends who were taking their exams."

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Michael Hudson, 55, dressed the youngsters up in sexy clothing and got them to pose for indecent photos at his home in Kirkham, a court heart.

One of the girls said she felt like Madonna when Hudson groomed her and took pictures of her posing and dancing for the camera.

The girls - now in their 30s and 40s - described Hudson as a fun guy who would take them out on day trips and treat them to sweets and pocket money.

But Preston Crown Court heard between 1985 and 1997, Hudson preyed on the little girls so he could sexually abuse them.

He plied them with booze and amyl nitrate, or poppers, to relax them and enable sexual activity.

They each also described being given a pill, which he told them was like Ecstasy and would relax them.

The father-of-two pleaded guilty to indecent assault, administering a drug to enable sexual intercourse, making indecent images and rape.

The court heard the predatory sex beast manipulated situations where he could indecently assault the girls, showing them pornography to normalise sexualise activity.

He even assaulted one of the girls in a lift on a trip to the crisp factory where he worked, while she was visiting with a group of children, the court heard.

Mr Justice Fraser, sentencing, said: Such a trip should have been something a child that age could look forward to and enjoy.

As it is you used it as a further opportunity to abuse her.

Their victim impact statements make harrowing reading. You have caused both these ladies significant harm.

Hudsons first victim - who was a teenager when she was abused by Hudson in the 1980s - said she had lost everything as a result of what had happened to her.

She said: It feels like my life has never begun and at the same time it feels like it is over.

His other victim - who was aged between eight and 11 years old when she was assaulted and raped by Hudson, said she has struggled to form adult relationships and is overprotective of her own children as a result of the abuse she endured.

Mr Justice Fraser said: You engineered situations where you could take advantage of them being in your company to abuse them.

You were a grown adult male when you committed these offences.

The judge gave Hudson, of Queens Crescent, Kirkham, credit for his guilty plea and put him on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.