Latest Offenders Somerset

Description

A man has been jailed for five years for a string of sexual offences against children dating back to the 1980s.

Edward Riley, aged 56, of Pitway, South Petherton, Somerset appeared at Worcester Crown Court today (14 March) for sentencing, following his conviction in February.

Riley was convicted of six counts of indecent assault against a girl under 14, two counts of indecent assault against a boy under 14 and two counts of inciting a boy under 14 to commit an act of gross indecency

The offences were committed between 1982 and 1986 in Kidderminster .

Riley has been placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Description

A sex offender from North Somerset has been sentenced to four years in prison, with a further four years to be served on licence, following an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).

Bex McCullgh, 25, from Backwell, was arrested in October 2024 after travelling from her home to Bristol to meet who she thought was a young boy. Instead, she was arrested by officers from the SWROCU, charged, and remanded in custody.

She pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court on Monday (10 February) to arranging or facilitating commission of a child sex offence, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

The judge handed McCullgh an extended sentence of eight years, comprising four years custody and four years on extended licence. She will have to serve a minimum of two-thirds of her sentence before applying for release.

McCullgh was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and added to the Sex Offender Register both indefinitely.

Description

A 55-year-old man who paid thousands of dollars to watch children being exploited on the internet has been jailed for 16 years.

Sidney Morris, of Brompton Road in Weston-super-Mare, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court yesterday (Monday 29 April) after pleading guilty to 15 counts, including:

• One count of attempting to cause / incite a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• One count of attempting to cause / incite a girl aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity
• Seven counts of attempting to arrange / facilitate commission of child sex offence
• Three counts of making indecent photos of a child
• Three attempts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

The investigation was led by Avon and Somerset Police’s Internet Child Abuse Team (ICAT) in partnership with North East and the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCU).

In June 2022, officers from West Midlands ROCU discovered Morris had been messaging someone he believed to be a young child from the UK, engaging in inappropriate conversations of a sexual nature.

Morris was arrested from his home address in Weston-super-Mare in July of the same year and his devices were seized.

A detailed examination of the devices found Morris had 574 indecent images of children, comprising of 84 category A images (the most serious), 170 category B and 320 category C.

They all appeared to show children from an Asian country as young as four being sexually exploited.

During the investigation, officers discovered that Morris had paid more than $14,000 to people abroad to exploit the children in the photos. It is believed he was also using other payment channels so the true value he spent is likely far greater.

As the investigation continued, North East ROCU discovered Morris was actively trying to facilitate the abuse and exploitation of children online. He was arrested on 1 November 2023 and was subsequently charged with the 15 offences.

Investigating officer, DC Benn Murphy, said: “Morris poses a very real and significant risk to children.

“He has tried to hide his actions behind the anonymity of the internet and by targeting vulnerable people both in the UK and abroad.

“This should serve as a warning to those who look to exploit or abuse children; there are no safe places to hide.

“The true scale of harm he has caused, is unlikely to ever truly be known but we continue to make every effort to identify and safeguard individuals affected by this investigation.” 

Description

A man has been jailed for multiple sex offences committed against women, girls and boys.

Grant Wedlake, 32, of Felton, North Somerset, was found guilty of 12 offences in February, including the rape of a child under the age of 13.

He was also convicted for the possession and distribution of an indecent image and possession of extreme pornographic images.

He was sentenced to 21 years in prison at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.

First reported to Avon and Somerset Police in 2022, the offences, which date back to 2005 and were committed over a 16 year period, include multiple counts of sexual assault of a child under the age of 13, multiple counts of rape of a child under 13 and multiple other counts of rape.

In a statement read out in court, one of Wedlake's victims described feeling "guilty and ashamed" and said his actions had sent their "life off track."

'Road to recovery'

They said: "I hope that one day he will realise the effect he has had and feel bad about it himself, because at the moment I don't think he does."

Another one of his victims said their "main feeling towards him is one of sadness."

"I would like to say this to him: It is sad that you have chosen this path in life - to hurt, to manipulate and to intimidate.

"It's sad but you now have time and opportunity to change things, learn about yourself and to use this time to educate yourself about the effect someone like you has on their victims, family, friends and community."

They said every day was a "step along the road to recovery" and they hope "to be able to start to enjoy my life again."

'Ruined my childhood"

A third victim said they had "lived in secret" with what Wedlake had done to them, that he made them "feel that no one would believe" them and he had "not only ruined" their childhood but their "entire life".

"I will never forgive Grant for what he did to me," they added.

Investigating officer Ellen Rye, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: "Wedlake is a dangerous and manipulative man and I would like to take the opportunity again to praise the victims in this case for coming forward."

'We will listen'

"I know that his offending has had a profound impact on each of them and I hope that they can move forward, re-build their lives and finally take the opportunity to focus on themselves.

She urged anyone who is a recent or non-recent victim of sexual assault or rape to get in touch with the force.

"We will listen," she added.

Description

A man has been jailed after sexually assaulting a young woman in Wellington last year.

Mirzabek Toshpulatov, 21, attacked and sexually assaulted the woman in the White Hart Lane area of the town during the early hours of Sunday 26 February 2023.

She managed to get free of him and call the police to report to us what happened.

A media appeal seeking witnesses was issued later that day and helped officers identify Toshpulatov as the perpetrator, but he had fled the area. He was subsequently arrested in Essex in October 2023.

Toshpulatov, previously of North Street in Wellington, was sentenced on Friday 16 February at Taunton Crown Court, which is temporarily relocated to North Somerset Courthouse. He received an extended sentence of 11 years and three months, of which the final three years will be served on licence having previously pleaded guilty to sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by touching.

Along with his custodial sentence, Toshpulatov has been ordered to register as a sex offender for life, in which he must inform police of where he is living.

In a statement for the court, the woman said the sexual assault had made her feel ‘unsafe when walking anywhere’.

She said: “In the early hours of the morning on Sunday 26 February, I was attacked following a night out. I was sexually assaulted… When I ran off, I was trying to call for help but no one heard me.

“The day after it happened, I felt so overwhelmed in trying to understand what had happened to me. Everything we did for the investigation was a new experience for me and I didn’t know what would happen from it. It was a lot to come to terms with, and I am still trying to process this now.

“Not only has this left life long lasting effects on me, but also my family. They worry about me wherever I go, and fear this could happen again to me, themselves or anyone else.”

DC Natalie Norman, officer in the case, said: “Incidents of sexual assault are incredibly rare in Wellington and for it to have been committed by a stranger is even more unusual.

“We would like to recognise the courage the woman showed in reporting this to police and helping us focus on bringing this dangerous offender to justice. Had she not done so, Toshpulatov would still be on the streets.

“This incident was treated very seriously from the second it was reported to us and the positive response from the public to the witness appeal made a massive difference to helping us identify Toshpulatov and tracking his movements to Essex.

“The impact on the victim has been significant and would remind anyone with concerns around safety to please make us aware via the StreetSafe tool, which sees us work with other agencies to identify areas of concern and assist us with planning when and where to carry out high-visibility patrols.

“We welcome the significant custodial sentence Toshpulatov has received for the horrific crimes he committed last year. We hope this result gives confidence to all victims of sexual abuse that you will be believed and shows we will work tirelessly to get sexual predators into court so they can be dealt with robustly.”

Description

A dangerous man from Taunton has been jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to 19 separate charges including having sexual activity with a child.

Ayden Reader, 22, from Taunton, is now starting a stretch behind bars after his 'sickening' behaviour which left his victim feeling guilty and ashamed.

As well as pleading guilty to having sexual activity with a child, Reader also pleaded guilty to taking, making, possessing, and distributing thousands of indecent images. Taunton Crown Court heard how he had connected with a teen girl on social media in 2021 and began to message her.

It was reported to police and officers seized Readers electronic devices where they discovered 882 category A images (the most serious), 950 category B images and 2,543 category C images.

The victim made a statement where they said: "What Ayden has done to me and the way he has treated me has made me less believing of people. When I am anxious, I feel sick, I struggle to sleep and cant cope in public places without feeling overwhelmed. It made me re-live what happened and made me feel guilty and shame.

I am worried that if he would be released from prison, that he might message me again and, if this happens, it will be like a circle for me and never-ending.

While under investigation, officers secured an Interim Sexual Harm Prevention Order for Reader which led him to reside in Kent while enquiries continued. A Kent Paedophile Online Team investigation was launched after receiving intelligence that he was accessing and sharing child abuse images while living in the county.

While being investigated by the Avon and Somerset and Kent Police forces, Reader began messaging young girls on social media, breaching the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He also accessed devices he had not declared or made available to police.

Officers from Kent Police seized various devices, where they found 830 category A images, 973 category B images and 610 category C images. Kent Police worked alongside Avon and Somerset Police to bring charges against the 22-year-old.

Reader was charged by Avon and Somerset Police with:

• One count of sexual activity with a child
• One count of causing a child to engage in sexual activity
• One count of taking indecent images
• Six counts of making indecent images

He was charged by Kent Police with:

• Three counts of making indecent images of children
• One count of being in possession of prohibited image of children
• One count of distributing indecent images of children
• One count of possessing extreme pornography
• Four counts of breaching his Interim Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO)

During the hearing on Friday, February 2, the judge also granted an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order for Reader and an indefinite restraining order banning him from contacting the victim for life.

The officer in the Avon and Somerset case, DC Melanie Downton, said: I would like to first commend the incredibly bravery shown by the victim in this case. She has shown incredible resilience and courage in come forward and supporting our investigation. I am pleased we could get this positive result for her and her family.

We have worked in partnership with Kent Police to bring this dangerous offender to justice. I hope this sentence will give other sexual offence victims the courage to come forward and report what has happened to them.

We have a dedicated child protection team who have a wealth of experience and knowledge in investigating offences of this nature. The team will do their upmost to listen and help victims and provide them with the support they need.

DC Downton also urged children and their parents to have open and honest conversations about social media.

She said: While social media can be a great tool for connecting with school friends and sharing content, it is also a dangerous tool when used by someone with malicious intent. We urge parents to speak with their children about social media and how to stay safe.

Description

A paedophile former social worker has been jailed for abusing boys who were in his care.

At North Somerset Courthouse, 73-year-old Raymond Poyner was sentenced on Friday 5 January for sexual abuse he carried out on two boys in the 1970s and 1980s.

The two men, who are now both in their 50s, said their memories of the abuse they were subjected to will never ‘go away’.

Poyner, from Weston-super-Mare, worked as a residential social worker in the 1970s in Cornwall where he groomed and sexually assaulted a boy in his care at a children’s care home.

When informed by police that Poyner had pleaded guilty shortly before a trial was due to begin, the man who was abused broke down in tears.

In a victim statement, prepared for the sentencing hearing, he said: “Since my childhood, what Poyner did to me sticks in my mind, it consumes a lot of my thinking and the way I view my life.

“I still have no trust in anyone, and even after all this time, I find it difficult to form relationships. I just cannot allow anyone to get close to me; I cannot take people into my confidence.

“Now Poyner has been sentenced there is some closure to this episode. Having said that, I don’t think I will ever put behind me the thoughts of what Poyner put me through.”

Poyner subsequently moved to the Axbridge area where in the 1980s he indecently assaulted a second boy.

The man who was abused approximately 40 years ago says the sexual abuse committed against him continues to affect his professional and personal lives, despite his wife’s love and support.

He said in a victim personal statement: “My whole life has been centred around what Poyner put me through. I have little trust in those in authority, this view is jaded by the fact Poyner was a social worker, a position of authority.

“I have always felt somewhat of an outsider, and found it difficult to form relationships.

“A lot of people think I am an extrovert, and have self-confidence. However, this is a disguise, and I am still a terrified teenage boy inside.”

He added that what Poyner did will ‘stay with me for the rest of my life’.

Poyner pleaded guilty in October to two counts of indecent assault on a male person.

Poyner also pleaded guilty to a third charge of possession of indecent photos of children relating to three images and one video he was found to have in January 2021.

He was sentenced at North Somerset Courthouse to a total of five years and one month in prison. Poyner remains subject to a lifetime sexual harm prevention order and barred from ever working with children.

The judge, Recorder Jaron Crooknorth, stated Poyner was a predatory offender who abused a position of trust to groom young boys.

DC Mike Tarling said: “Raymond Poyner sexually abused two children the best part of 50 years ago but the impact of his crimes continues to be felt by those two men.

“Both have shown incredible strength and courage to report what happened. Without that, Poyner would never have been brought before the courts again. Poyner was convicted of a similar offence in the 1980s involving a different child and his clear predatory behaviour led to him more recently being made subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

“We hope the conclusion of these proceedings after several years of investigation and court hearings helps both men to move forward with their lives, with the ongoing support of their families and friends. But we should not pretend it wipes away the pain they continue to experience.”

DC Tarling added: “Investigating non-recent sexual abuse is among the most challenging enquiries we face, but cases like this show abusers can be brought to justice no matter how much time has passed.

“We urge anyone who have been abused to report what happened to us, no matter when it happened.

“You will be believed, your report will be taken seriously and we will focus on bringing the perpetrator to justice.”

Description

The 'Somerset Gimp' has been banned from wearing a black fetish suit and "writhing on the ground" for five years.

Self-employed gardener Joshua Hunt, 32, has been made subject of a sexual risk order which prevents him from wearing any type of mask or face covering unless for medical reasons.

A district judge imposed the tough order following a hearing at Bristol Magistrates' Court.

It came just a week after Hunt was convicted of two offences under the Public Order Act of intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress.

Last week's hearing heard how a man in an all-black gimp suit terrified two female motorists in May this year in Bleadon, near Weston-super-Mare.

It was the latest in a series of incidents in which a man dressed in skin-tight dark clothing was seen writhing around on the ground and stepping out in front of cars in remote locations across North Somerset since 2018.

Witnesses from one incident in October last year saw a man wearing a gimp suit who grabbed his penis over the top of his clothing and also "gyrated against the floor", The court previously heard.

Lawrence Wilcox, representing Avon and Somerset Police, told Friday's hearing that Hunt had been linked to 25 incidents in total.

"The evidence of the earlier incidents is based upon intelligence reports and the latter reports is more specific," he said.

"But, we say, if the court is satisfied that the intelligence of the earlier incidents were of a sexual nature and committed by the defendant; there is material within that bundle that relates to that of a sexual nature and the acceptance of necessity."

Peter Richardson, defending, said Hunt had taken a "pragmatic and practical approach" to the application.

"We are not contesting the application but that is not the same as agreeing with everything that is set out," he said.

The sexual risk order was imposed for five years and also means Hunt is on the sex offenders' register for the same period.

Among the restrictions, Hunt is banned from:

• Wearing any type of mask or face covering, including improvised mask or face coverings that cover all or part of the face, in any public place, including whilst in a vehicle in a public place, unless officially required for medical purposes or by law.
• Being in possession of any type of mask or face covering, including improvised masks or face coverings that cover all or part of the face, in a public place, including whilst in a vehicle in a public place, between the hours of 2100 and 0600 unless officially required for medical purposes or by law.
• Wearing or being in possession of black all-in-one garments or any combination of full-length black coloured top and black coloured bottom clothing which has the appearance of an all-in-one garment, in a public place, including in a vehicle in a public place between the hours of 2100 and 0600.
  
  
• Crawling, wriggling or writhing on the ground in a public place whilst wearing a full-body covering, clothing that appears like a full body covering and/or mask/full face covering.

There are also restrictions on his computer use and access to the internet.

Imposing the order, District Judge Joanna Dickens said: "I am satisfied that you have done a series of acts of a sexual nature.

"I have been informed what they are, and they certainly fall within the terms of the Act.

"They are clearly acts of a sexual nature with a sexual element to them.

"A sexual risk order is quite a serious order, and it has a lot of obligations of you and if you breach this order you can go to prison.

"I only make an order if I think it is necessary to protect the public from you and I do think it is necessary."

His trial last week heard that when Hunt was arrested in May this year, he told police: "I am not a gimp, I do not own a gimp suit.

"I am not in a gimp suit. I am not dangerous, I am a normal person, I have got a few problems."

He had also researched news and videos online about the Somerset Gimp who had been terrorising people late at night since 2018.

The farmer's son had previously been arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance in connection with a series of incidents in the Cleeve, Claverham and Yatton areas last year.

But due to insufficient evidence no further action was taken.

Description

An IT engineer from Somerset who arranged to meet young girls at an airport hotel so that he could sexually abuse them has been jailed for two years. Mark Hemus, 37, from Portishead, was arrested by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers in October last year after checking in to the hotel where he planned to abuse the two girls.

Prior to his arrest, he had been discussing his sexual interest in children with other paedophiles on a number of online chat platforms. Using a pseudonym, he messaged a user who said he had access to two girls, aged eight and 11.

He spoke intimately to his online contact about the children and what sexual acts could be carried out on them. They arranged to meet at the Premier Inn Hotel at Heathrow Terminal 4 on October 28 last year and Hemus booked a room.

Hemus was arrested by NCA officers in the foyer of the hotel after he had checked in. Officers recovered a rucksack from his hotel room, which contained Fruit Shoot drinks, sweets and toys that he planned on giving the girls.

Hemus has previous convictions for indecent images of children offences in 2005 and 2020, and is currently subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) banning him from using false IP addresses, names or aliases while using the internet.

When interviewed, Hemus said he had travelled to London for a medical appointment which was then cancelled. However, he later admitted hed come to Heathrow to carry out sexual abuse but claimed that he wouldnt have gone through with it as he was scared.

Hemus was charged with one count of arranging or facilitating the commission of sexual assault of a child, one count of breaching his SHPO and one count of possessing prohibited images of children. He pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on October 31 last year.

At a hearing at Isleworth Crown Court this month he was sentenced to four years - two in prison and two on licence. NCA Senior Manager, Adam Priestley, said: Hemuss online chats and the fact he travelled to the hotel showed a clear intention to sexually abuse young girls.

He is a persistent sexual offender who poses a real threat to children, so this investigation was vital in ensuring he is unable to carry out his intended crimes. Disrupting individuals like Hemus is a priority for the NCA and we will continue to do everything we can to protect children from harm.

Description

A Weston-super-Mare man who committed lewd acts as he stared at women on a train was arrested and released on police bail. And then Matthew Powell tried to arrange sex with a 'girl aged 13', a court heard.

Mercifully, though the women were left anxious about their experience, the girl was, in fact, a decoy operating with a paedophile hunter group. And, having been arrested a second time, Powell is now behind bars.

The 48-year-old, of Newton Road, pleaded guilty to outraging public decency in November last year. He also pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child between February and March this year.

On Friday (September 1) Judge James Patrick jailed him for 42 months. He told Powell: "You are a socially isolated man, married, in a stable relationship. It is very much to her credit that your wife has been standing by you."

Powell was told to notify on the Sex Offenders' Register for life. He was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, designed to stop offending.

Alec Small, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court Powell was at Liverpool Central train station when he followed a woman onto a train bound for Chester. Having sat diagonally opposite her he stared at her legs as he put his hand on his crotch, the court heard.

When she moved seats Powell went to another carriage occupied by a lone woman, the court heard. Mr Small said it seemed as if he was trying to take a photo of her on his camera phone and she became very nervous as he started to stroke his crotch on the one-hour journey.

Police called in arrested Powell at Chester, the court heard. He was interviewed and made no comment.

In impact statements one victim said it made her feel "very anxious" and she has not been on a train since. The second said she will no longer travel by train alone and avoids Chester train station.

The court heard that, on bail, Powell had sexualised Facebook chats with '13-year-old Amy' who turned out to be a decoy with a paedophile hunter group. After Powell suggested they have sex in a hotel, the group tracked him down to his home and called in police. Powell was arrested and made no comment in interview.

Catherine Flint, defending, said her client had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, affecting his ability to communicate and understand social cues. Miss Flint said non-driver Powell liked to travel the country by train, seeing attractions.

She told the court: "I ask for any sentence is kept to a minimum. He understands the only option today is one of immediate custody."

Description

An elderly Somerset man used the internet to try to arrange a meeting whereby he could sexually abuse a young girl. Martin Parker, 76 and from Evercreech, has been jailed for nine years - consisting of a four-year prison term with a further five years to be served on licence.

Evidence was gathered to show he had sent numerous messages in February and March this year. Parker was arrested at his home address in May and pleaded guilty to one count of arranging the commission of a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The 76-year-old was not aware that his online activity was the subject of a police investigation. This prevented any child being put at risk.

Parker was remanded in custody before being sentenced at Taunton Crown Court yesterday (July 19). As well as his prison sentence, he received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be a registered sex offender for life. His Honour Judge Edward Burgess said Parker’s actions were ‘utterly despicable and contemptuous’.

Temporary Detective Sergeant Harvey Ahern, officer in the case, said: “At Avon and Somerset Police we are committed to the protection of children and the prosecution of offenders seeking to harm them, whether be that online or in person.

“There are no safe spaces for offenders to hide that we will not find.”

Description

A 34-year-old man has been jailed for life after assaulting and raping two women in ‘horrific’ attacks.

Nathan Giles, of Wrington, was found guilty in December last year of nine offences against two victims. The offences included four counts of rape, one of attempted rape and two of controlling/coercive behaviour.

He was also found guilty of one count of assault and one of sexual assault.

He was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Friday 14 July to life imprisonment, serving a minimum of 17 years and four months before he can be considered for parole.

He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

In a personal statement, one victim said: “Nathan Giles has ruined my life… I feel that a part of me has been destroyed and I will never get that back.

“No sentence that Nathan Giles receives will ever justify what he has done to me. I am doing this for every woman out there, so that no one else has to endure the pain, the sleepless nights and constant fear.

“I have done this because I feel that this is my ending to my new beginning.”

The second victim said she felt ‘terrified, lost and ashamed’ following the incident and would hide in shops to get away from people who looked like Giles.

The incidents have meant the victim avoids certain places, especially those that bring back ‘horrible memories’.

Investigating officer DS Darren Weston said: “The bravery of the victims to come forward to the police is a testament to their character and unwavering trust in the criminal justice system.

“These two victims were subjected to horrific crimes at the hands of a dangerous man who has not accepted his actions.

“What they have done has without a doubt protected others in the community from Giles’ predatory and abhorrent behaviour.

“I hope that this gives other victims of these types of crimes the confidence to come forward and report to the police, knowing we will do everything in our power to get justice for victims.”

Description

Crack cocaine transformed a man into a pervert who flashed at females of all ages, a court heard. Jody Hawkins exposed himself to a girl aged 15 on a Facebook video call.

In a similar drug-induced state he was in a ladies lavatory when he exposed himself to a woman aged 69. He then followed a woman aged 71 and exposed himself to her, Bristol Crown Court was told on Thursday (June 29)

Hawkins, 41, of Keynsham, pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, causing a child to watch sexual activity and enticing a child to engage in sexual activity. Judge Moira Macmillan jailed him for two years and four months.

The judge told Hawkins: "I have to sentence you for really serious matters. I know you're aware of that. I want you to put yourself in (the young complainant's) position."

Hawkins was handed an indefinite restraining order banning all contact with the young complainant. He was handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order designed to stop reoffending and was told to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

Charles Thomas, prosecuting, said Hawkins - wearing just boxer shorts and socks - engaged in a Facebook video call with the 15-year-old girl. After asking her questions she felt were "awkward", he showed her a sex scene on his TV and engaged in a sex act, encouraging her to do the same.

The embarrassed youngster declined to do so, the court heard. She told her mum, Hawkins was tracked down and arrested and initially denied wrongdoing.

The court heard he was in a ladies lavatory when he exposed his penis to a woman aged 69. He then followed a woman aged 71 into a garden, told her "I bet you haven't seen a d*** like this for a long time", took out his penis and engaged in a sex act.

One of the older victims stated how the incident had upset her. She said she had already felt vulnerable after suffering illness. The younger victim said the incident badly affected her mental health. She also said she had suffered flashbacks.

George Threlfall, defending, said his client was on drugs at the time and had little recall of events. But he said Hawkins was now clean of narcotics. Mr Threlfall said: "He has let himself down badly. He said he was sorry that his behaviour had had this effect on (the young complainant)

"It was wrong. It was very wrong, it shouldn't have happened. It only happened because he was taking too much crack cocaine. People, especially middle-aged people, ought to realise when you take these Class A drugs you have no real control on your behaviour. Anything can happen."

Description

A paedophile who sexually assaulted four children - including one who was just two years old - has been sent to prison. During a sentencing hearing at Taunton Crown Court yesterday (June 8), Karl Pitcher was jailed for 10 years and four months after being found guilty of 11 counts of indecent assault of four children in the 1990s and 2000s.

The 54-year-old of Great Orchard, Ilchester, has also been given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He has also been ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

During proceedings, the court heard how Pitcher - who has been described as a "predator" by Recorder Judge Millard - had abused four girls between the ages of two and 14 on a number of occasions. Avon and Somerset Police said the force was approached by two of his victims in 2020, leading to an investigation.

Police enquiries led to two more cases being unearthed from the early 2000s which had been investigated at the time. However, police said they were "unfortunately unable to prosecute" at the time.

Two of Pitcher's victims spoke about the impact his sexual abuse had on them. One victim said: "I was a vulnerable young girl all those years ago and he knew it. He used that to his advantage to be able to behave how he wanted towards me.

"He destroyed my confidence. I spent all those years rebuilding my life and was then made by him to relive it all again during a trial.

"I wanted to say thank you to the police for all their hard work and for the result we got. It’s been such a relief to know, after all this time, I have been believed by you all."

Another victim said: "The day we found out the jury had reached a guilty verdict, I cried with relief. Relief that the truth had been told and heard and that, as victims, we were finally getting the justice we deserved.

"I hope that, by me going through the process of this trial, it will help and support other victims with coming forward and having their story heard."

Speaking after the sentencing hearing, investigation officer PC Victoria Doble said: "The victims have shown incredible strength to report these incidents and support the police investigation. They have shown such courage throughout the trial and have bravely taken the stand to get the justice they so rightly deserve.

"Pitcher is a horrendous criminal, who has taken advantage of young children and impacted their lives, even beyond his offending. I hope more victims of recent and non-recent sexual offences read about this conviction and are encouraged to come forward and seek justice, and I hope this sentence will give Pitcher’s victims some closure."

Recorder Judge Millard also commended the "strong women" who came forward to give evidence against Pitcher. He also blasted the paedophile for his actions and lack of empathy towards his victims.

"You are a predator of young girls," Judge Millard said. "Over 10 years, you demonstrated a long-term commitment to abuse young girls. You’ve displayed no victim empathy in this case. They are strong women.

"It takes strength and courage to report the offences and come to trial. I commend them for it. They do not deserve to hear your continual denial."

Description

A convicted sex offender was looking at ‘dog porn’ within weeks of being spared prison for sharing child sex abuse images.

Simon Jenkins, 62, received an 18 month jail sentence suspended for two years at Isleworth Crown Court in September 2021 for distributing indecent images of children and possession of extreme pornography.

But within barely a month he was searching Google for ‘bestiality images’.

Prosecutor Steven Molloy told a judge in Oxford on Thursday (April 13): “The defendant had [also] accessed a website which it would appear contained extreme pornography bestiality involving dogs.”

When the police caught up with him last summer, he was living at a new address.

Although the probation service was aware of the new address, he had failed to register it with the police - a breach of the requirements encumbent on him as a registered sex offender.

Jenkins, of Knowle End, Wormington, pleaded guilty at the magistrates’ court last month to possession of extreme pornography and breaching sex offender notification requirements.

Mitigating, Kellie Enever asked the judge to follow the recommendation in a probation service pre-sentence report and sentence her client without sending him to prison.

At the time, Jenkins had been drinking heavily and had not yet had the chance to start working with the probation service.

Since his arrest, he had got sober and was working in exchange for his bed and board at a caravan park. He received a very modest weekly income.

Ms Enever said her client had ‘no recollection’ of the bestiality material police were to find on his phone. He accepted that he had looked at them.

Recorder John Ryder KC told the advocate: “Speaking for myself, I’d have thought they were somewhat memorable.”

The judge spared Jenkins an immediate prison term. Sentencing, he told the defendant: “You must understand that it is an obligation to comply with all the terms of your court order and you’re not entitled simply to forget those terms.

“You have an obligation and it is your responsibility to act in accordance with it.”

In imposing a three year community order for the bestiality material and fining him £50 for breaching the suspended sentence order, he said: “I am not trivialising that. I am not trivialising the breach of a court order.

“As Mrs Enever said, these breaches occurred very early in the order and putting it, really, in practical terms the therapeutic aspects of it had had no opportunity to take effect.”

As part of the community order, Jenkins must complete up to 60 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions with the probation service and pay £85 in costs.

Ending the hearing, Recorder Ryder said: “Engage with this order and overcome this inclination.”