Latest Offenders Romsey

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A Hampshire man who was branded a "risk to young girls" used an online messaging app to engage in sexual conversations with young girls all over the world. 

Southampton Crown Court heard how Stephen Grant would use the app Kik to groom underage girls across the UK, as well as in countries such as Australia and the United States.

He met the girls in a group chat which contained rules for the young girls to follow, with sexual punishments if they broke them.

Grant would then move the conversation into private chats, using different messaging platforms to communicate with his victims online.

This is not the first time the 44-year-old has been in trouble - having been jailed 18 years ago, when he was 26, for detaining a child without lawful authority and possessing indecent images.

This related to a then-15-year-old girl who he was sleeping with in his vehicle. 

Southampton Crown Court heard last week that with one girl from the Isle of Wight, Grant would call her "princess" and "baby", requesting that she send sexual images of herself and even asking her to come to the mainland to meet him. 

This victim was 15 at the time and told police that she got involved in the chat because she had "low self-esteem" and he would "tell her she was pretty and encourage her to send more".

At points, he also told her he loved her and would become angry if she spoke to other men. 

Grant, 44, treated another one of his victims as his partner, asking her to send photos and speaking for long periods with her. 

During one conversation, the girl, who came from Australia, said she was in a mental health facility, at which point he tried to convince her to tell the doctors that she would be better off at home.

Grant was arrested after police received a referral about the distribution of indecent images of children on Kik. 

They attended his home and seized a number of devices where they found a number of indecent images that had been both saved and deleted. 

Following his arrest for the new matters, Grant, of Mercer Way, Romsey, pleaded guilty to four counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, six counts of making indecent images of children and two counts of sexual communication with a child. 

Prosecuting, Keely Harvey said there were hundreds of indecent images of children found, adding that police had to go through and analyse 7,000 pages of messages between him and one of his victims. 

She added that even after being arrested and bailed, he continued to chat with one of his victims. 

The offences took place in 2018 and 2019.

Mitigating, Emily Lanham told the court that her client was "foolish in his actions because these girls made him feel attractive when no one his own age would".

"It has been four and a half years since the offending," she continued. "Not only has that shown that Mr Grant is capable of preventing further offending himself but it has given him time to reflect on his behaviour.

"He is very sorry. It is clear that he has been taking steps to address his behaviour and prevent any further offences."

But Judge Nicholas Rowland found that Grant is a "risk to young girls". 

He was jailed for five years and nine months with an extended licence period of four years. 

He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years. 

A deprivation order was made for the seized devices. 

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Nigel Lay, 56, previously of Barnes Close, West Wellow, was found guilty of four counts of rape and one count of coercive and controlling behaviour, following a 12-day trial at Southampton Crown Court.

The trial had heard that the offences took place in Hampshire during a four-year period, between 2016 and 2020. The woman, aged in her 50s, reported that during that period, the man had controlled her life, including finances and access to food, lighting and heating.

He had also repeatedly raped her during this time, the jury was told.

The victim said: The court case has been extremely difficult, especially sharing personal and embarrassing information. I found the strength to do so only that (he) would face his actions and accept responsibility for them.

Speaking after the hearing, officer in the case, police staff investigator Keely Osborne said: This is a case that will remain with me, and everyone else who worked on it, for a long time. The victim, who is vulnerable, has been so incredibly brave, as have her family and friends.

Lays behaviour has left scars that are likely to remain for some time to come. I sincerely hope this sentence goes some way in helping the victims closure and recovery. We take every report of rape and sexual assault seriously, and will investigate each one, no matter what the circumstances. We have a specially trained team to investigate and provide support to victims.

We would urge anyone who feels they are a victim of domestic abuse, rape and other sexual offences to report it to us or to a domestic abuse support service. You will be listened to and supported.

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A “DISGUSTING” paedophile who coerced what he believed to be a 12-year-old girl into sending naked images was found with more than a dozen photos of children being abused.

Daniel Ollett spent over a month talking to what he thought was a schoolgirl, sending photos of his erect penis and repeatedly soliciting sexual images from her.

Posing as a 17-year-old boy, the 32-year-old asked the girl for naked photos after adding her on Snapchat and encouraged her to engage in sexual activity.

But after sending her an image of himself wearing a mask, the contact stopped.

The girl was in fact an undercover police officer.

After being arrested at his home in Treviglio Close, Romsey, police found 13 indecent images of children being abused on Ollett's devices.

An extreme pornographic image was also found.

Ollett later pleaded guilty to attempting to cause/incite a female child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, three counts of making indecent images and one of possessing extreme pornography.

Prosecuting, Ed Wilde told Southampton Crown Court on Tuesday that until this incident in April 2021, Ollett had been a man of good character.

Defending, Edward Warren added that he’d been involved with alcohol and drugs at the time but has since set up his own carpentry business in Southampton.

“He appreciates the enormous damage that this has done to his family life.

“[This] represents to him a spectacular fall from where he was.”

He added that Ollett, who has no previous convictions, feels “a great deal of shame and remorse for what he has done”.

But judge, Christopher Parker KC said his actions were “simply disgusting”.

“Your attempted contact with this child followed your accessing of images of children being abused by adults.

“That is a cause of some concern when considering the risk that you pose to the public. It shows a degree of escalation.

“It is not possible for it to be suspended here in any event.”

Ollett was jailed for two years and nine months.

He was also given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and made subject to lifelong notification requirements.

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Peter Phillips-Jones had 2,820 indecent images on his electronic devices.

These included a mix of photos and videos ranging from category A - the most serious - to category C.

Prosecution barrister, Puneet Grewal, told how the veterinary technician, of Hayter Gardens in Romsey, used a website called TalkwithStranger.

She also described how the 59-year-old would receive, download and share images of children with other users.

However, he denied “chatting” about child abuse, the court heard.

Ms Grewal said that matters came to light on May 31 last year when police visited his home.

It was suggested that he had been uploading indecent images to the internet.

Asked if he was responsible, he said yes.

Appearing before Southampton Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.

The offences happened between 2016 and 2020

Phillips-Jones, who was unrepresented and who has no previous convictions, wept while sitting in the dock.

Judge Gary Burrell QC asked him a series of questions and allowed him to address the court.

Asked why he looked at the images, he said: “I was just playing on my computer. I was lonely. I was on my own. That was the reason why.”

When the judge pointed out that there were more than a thousand images, Phillips-Jones said he was not very “computer literate” and that some of the files could have been duplicated.

He even said: “I have never liked the internet.”

The defendant, who once worked as a science technician, said “intrigue” triggered his motivation to look at the photos.

He denied being sexually attracted to children.

He added: “I did not look at them consistently or go to look at them all the time”.

Judge Burrell gave him a 24-month community order to include up to 40 rehabilitation activity days.

He must register as a sex offender for five years.

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A man who raped a girl in the back of a car after a night out was yesterday 22 July 2020 found guilty at Southampton Crown Court.

Marlon Nelson, aged 34, of no fixed abode, after a night-out offered a lift home to a then 17-year-old girl from Calmore and raped her at Testwood Recreational Ground on 11 November 2014.

Following a further investigation, Nelson was also charged with the rape and sexual assault of a woman a then 20-year-old woman from Romsey. The incident occurred at Ampfield Recreational Ground, Romsey in late November 2017.

During a seven-day trial, a jury found him guilty of two counts of rape, one count of sexual assault and one count of digital penetration.

Nelson will be sentenced on Monday 27 September.

Detective Constable Lisa Robins and Police Staff Investigator Kerrie Green, the Officers in Case, following the verdict, said: “We cannot underestimate the trauma that both women have suffered. Rape is one of the most serious crimes a person can survive. We would like to commend both women on the bravery and courage they’ve shown, which has helped secure today’s guilty verdict.

“We know that this will have no doubt brought up memories of the incident for them both, especially since there has been a significant time-delay since the initial report. We’re hoping that this will bring them some form of closure, and that they can now begin to move forward with their lives.

“Rape investigations are some of the most complex cases we work on, and each case requires careful review and collaboration between the police and CPS. We are working hard in partnership with CPS Wessex to identify offenders and get justice for victims of rape and serious sexual assault (RASSO) cases.

“We want to show you that no matter the circumstances, Hampshire Constabulary is committed to supporting survivors of rape and sexual assault and we will do everything we can to identify offenders and put them in front of a court.”

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A FORMER PUB chef and convicted sex offender has been jailed for not checking in with police for the third time.

Dan Whitlock failed to notify police of his whereabouts three times.

The 36-year-old had originally received a Community Order in November 2010 for two offences of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16.

When officers knocked on his door he refused to present himself on October 20, a court heard.

Whitlock whose last given address is The Vine Inn, Romsey appeared at Southampton Crown Court on Wednesday charged with failing to comply with the notifications of a sexual harm prevention order and breaching a suspended sentence - he previously pleaded guilty.

Defending, Berenice Mulvanny said did he not breach his order to commit further offences but stuck his head in the sand.

He was jailed for ten months.

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A MAN who carried out horrific sex attacks at a children's home has been jailed.

Willy John Gillham, 64, committed offences including rape and indecent assault at the former Palmerston House children's home on Botley Road, Romsey.

After he was jailed for 15 years at Southampton Crown Court the NSPCC said Gillham's actions "betrayed [the victim] in the worst possible way".

Gillham, who had moved to France, was found guilty of indecent assault and three counts of rape relating to incidents that happened in the 1980s.

An NSPCC statement says: Gillhams victim was in a setting which should have been entirely safe.

"Instead they were betrayed in the worst possible way by someone who should have been protecting them from harm.

"His victim may have waited a long time for justice but it is in part thanks to their bravery that Gillham was brought before the courts, solid proof that it is never too late to speak out about past abuse.

"Sexual abuse ruins childhoods and the devastating effects can last into adulthood without the right support.

"We hope the victim in this case has received the available help so they can move forward with their life."

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A HAMPSHIRE man has been jailed for having sex with a 15-year-old girl on school premises.

Sam Dickety slept with the teenager at Henry Beaufort School in Winchester.

The 23-year-old was jailed for four years as his girlfriend, pregnant with his child, wept in the public gallery.

The citys crown court heard that the teenager had a crush on him and pursued him with notes and messages.

Dickety, of Tadburn Road, Romsey, gave her his phone number and email address. In a message he said he wished she wasn't 15.

They arranged to meet on several occasions and first had sex in an area known as The Harbour which only teachers could access, and again two days later in the same place.

This continued until Dicketys birthday, when the girl asked another pupil to deliver a birthday card to him.

It was intercepted by her mother, who thought it was provocative and reported it to the school.

The card said: I love you so much and you mean everything to me, you are my handsome Sam. Ps, youll get your present on Thursday haha.

Claire Marlow, prosecuting, said: The headmistress spoke to Mr Dickety who at that stage said that nothing had happened in any way. He was reminded of the safeguarding rules and warned not to have one-to-one contact with her thereafter.

But they continued to meet in The Harbour to have sex for another two months, the court heard.

Ms Marlow said: This came to light during the school holidays because there was a message on Facebook, which is the parents because they will not allow her to have her own, from him asking whether she was going to be in a particular location that day.

Dickety pleaded guilty to five of six charges relating to sexual activity with a child.

Mitigating, Rina-Marie Hill said: I proceed with caution that for every good thing I can say on Mr Dicketys behalf theres a downside to it. This is a 15-year-old girl, soon to be woman, at the time who was sensibly consenting to the sexual activity.

She added: The impact of this will stay with him for the rest of his life and he will pay the consequences for the rest of his life.

Sentencing, Judge Susan Evans QC said it was a significant and serious abuse of trust and Dickety would have been aware of the girls vulnerability - she had previously been sexually assaulted.

You took advantage of your 15-year-old victim, you groomed her, the judge said.

The location is an aggravating factor because it was on school property and most seriously you failed to respond to the warning you were given.

He was jailed for four years and will be released on licence after two years.

Dickety will also be on the sex offenders register for life and disqualified from working with children and vulnerable people.

The school, a mixed comprehensive in Harestock, and the county council, were asked to comment but had not replied by the time the Daily Echo went to press.

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A MAN who behaved like a teenager was jailed for four years for having sex with a girl of 15.

On one occasion, 48-year-old Robert Curtis used a video camera to record their activities, Derby Crown Court heard.

They once shared alcohol and cannabis with a teenage couple before having sex in the same room, said Siward James-Moore, prosecuting.

Curtis, who is now 50, was jailed for four years and put on the sex offenders register for life. He admitted sexual activity with the 15-year-old between October 2007 and January 31, 2008.

Curtis also admitted indecently assaulting another girl four years earlier.

The offences were committed while he lived in Duffield, although his address is now in Romsey, Hampshire.

Judge John Wait said the offences were made worse because Curtis encouraged drinking and the misuse of cannabis and allowing other inappropriate behaviour from young people.

He described Curtis as an intelligent and articulate man but told him: A man who behaves sexually inappropriately to two young girls in my judgement plainly presents a real risk of further offending.

Mr James-Moore said that in the first incident, he told the girl she was looking good and squeezed her bottom. She struck him, ordered him to leave, and he did.

In the case of the second girl, she thought she was in love with him and the relationship began after she sent him a text message.

They discussed the age gap, aware that sexual activities would constitute an offence, said Mr James-Moore.

They started having sex before she reached 16 and the girl said that was her idea.

The defendant did nothing to desist from that course of action, added Mr James-Moore. On New Years Eve, police arrested Curtis, who had no previous convictions.

Laura Dawes, in mitigation, said: In some ways, he was behaving like a teenager, perhaps because of a crisis in his life.

She said he deserved credit for pleading guilty and preventing the ordeal of the girls having to give evidence and be cross-examined in court.

Miss Dawes said: Mr Curtis has expressed very real remorse. That is a remorse not focused on himself, although the consequences for him are undoubtedly significant. This is a man who has lost his way.

She said he was suffering from depression at the time and felt there was now a low risk of reoffending by Curtis.

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FORMER MoD worker Richard Strange propped a ladder against a house to see a teenage girl he fancied but ended up climbing into her mothers bedroom instead.

It was the middle of the night and Strange was high on booze and cocaine, when he clambered through an open window after hearing music playing.

Southampton Crown Court was told that when the 29-year-old realised he had climbed into the wrong room he quickly apologised, saying: Its okay, Im going now.

He then made his way onto the landing where he woke up the girl and her younger sister who rang the police.

Prosecutor Tim Dracass said the older girl came out of her room and followed Strange, who motioned her to go downstairs.

He then told her he fancied her and leaning forward, kissed her mouth and licked her lips.

Strange then left the house and returned to his partner, Lucy Harleys home. They had a row and, after pushing her to the floor, he punched her three times in the face.

Strange, of Duttons Road, Romsey, was convicted of sexual assault but admitted battery.

Judge Jeremy Burford QC said ordinarily Strange would have gone to prison but he had served almost the equivalent of a years sentence on remand and drugs tests had been negative since the incident.

He then followed the probation reports recommendation of giving him 12 months supervision and ordering him to attend various courses run by the service including one on domestic violence.

Strange was also placed on the sex offenders register for five years.