Latest Offenders Stoke-on-Trent

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Sex offender Haydn Pinney has been jailed after he was snared by paedophile hunters.

The 35-year-old contacted two decoy 13-year-old girls online before the conversation turned sexual.

He sent a picture and a video of himself performing a sex act and asked the 'girl' to do the same.

But he was arrested when he went to meet one of them and found her to be a decoy.

Now Pinney - who is already serving a 63-month sentence for sexually assaulting a girl - has been jailed for a further three years and eight months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Prosecutor Martin Liddiard said the defendant was snared by paedophile hunters after he contacted two decoys online over a two-week period in late January and early February 2019.

Mr Liddiard said: "He was told straight away he was talking to a 13-year-old.

"The defendant discussed kissing and sexual activity. He told the decoy to perform a sex act.

"He arranged to meet the decoy and was arrested on February 4, 2019 when he travelled to meet her."

The second decoy was another fake profile of a 13-year-old girl.

Mr Liddiard said the conversation was again initially harmless until the defendant told the decoy he wanted to be in bed with her. He also sent a sexual picture of himself.

Pinney, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two offences of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child; attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming; attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity; and two charges of attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act.

The court heard Pinney was jailed for 63 months at Taunton Crown Court in August 2019 for sexually assaulting a female under 13 and two charges of sexual activity with a female under 16.

Jason Holt, mitigating, said: "These were attempts. There have been contact offences previously. He is an isolated loner."

Judge David Fletcher said: "This offending took place over a period of about two weeks.

"You contacted two girls who you believed were 13 years of age. You were in your early thirties."

Pinney was made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) until further order and remains on the sex offenders' register for life.

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Monkey dust user Steven Dunn bit and spat at a police officer - before smearing poo in his cell.

The 45-year-old was arrested for breaching the notification requirements of the Sex Offenders' Register.

But he then pulled out a collapsible walking stick and when an officer restrained him he bit his hand and spat at him. He then urinated and defecated in his police cell before smearing the poo on the walls.

Now Dunn has been jailed for 65 weeks at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

The defendant has been on the Sex Offenders' Register ever since being jailed for sexual assault in 2019 and is supposed to tell the police of any change of address.

But he became homeless and was eventually found in Hanley at 1pm on October 8.

Prosecutor Ian Ball said: "He ran, turned and brandished a collapsible walking stick. He raised it over his head and lunged forward to threaten the officer.

"The officer restrained him. He was tearful. The officer sought to reassure him. He put his hand on his shoulder to help him get in the vehicle. He bit the officer on the hand. The officer pulled back. The defendant spat at the uniform and the ground.

"The officer was using a thick glove so his skin was not broken."

The court heard the defendant then banged his head on the side of the car and spat at the officer. The vehicle cost £100 to clean. The clean-up bill for the police cell incident was £65.

The defendant - who has 27 previous convictions for 68 offences - had taken monkey dust earlier in the day.

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Teenage sex offender Tristan Shaughnessy was caught living in the same house as three children.

The 19-year-old had stayed over at a neighbour's address for four days without telling the police.

And he also set up a Facebook account in the name Jay Shaughnessy.

It meant he breached the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register after being handed a conditional caution last September.

Now Shaughnessy has been sentenced to a 12-month community order with 60 hours unpaid work at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Prosecutor Ben Lawrence said the defendant was given a conditional caution on September 27 last year with conditions not to stay for more than 12 hours at an address with children without notifying the police and to inform them of any social media names.

Mr Lawrence said the neighbour felt betrayed when she found out what had happened.

Shaughnessy, of Tiverton Road, Berryhill, pleaded guilty to three offences of failing to comply with notification requirements.

Barry White, mitigating, said the defendant, who has 10 siblings, did not commit any offences while at the neighbour's address. He added Shaughnessy is remorseful and understands he needs to comply with the order.

Judge Paul Glenn said: "You are 19. It is a high time you grew up. You pleaded guilty promptly and the breaches are far from being the most serious of their type. You stayed with your next door neighbour on a couple of occasions. There is no suggestion you behaved inappropriately.

"If you keep following the terms of the notification requirements you will not have any issues at all. You have to make sure the police are made aware of any change of address or the setting up of any social media accounts.

"I do not think that these matters merit a custodial sentence."

Shaughnessy was ordered to pay 150 costs.

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A convicted sex offender forced himself on two hotel guests after he was booked into a room under a Government scheme following his release from jail.

Jamie Smart, from Stoke-on-Trent, grabbed one of the women by her breasts and put his hand up the other's victim skirt after he was rehomed at a Mercure under a programme to help the homeless during Covid.

Both victims were unaware drifter Smart was on the Sex Offender Register due to a 15-year history of sexual offending.

One is now too scared to be cuddled by her own boyfriend and has gone teetotal for fear she might be taken advantage of.

Former warehouseman Smart, 31, had been booked into the three star Wigan Oak Hotel in Greater Manchester after completing a 10-month stretch for failing to comply with the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Bolton Crown Court heard he attacked the first victim in July as they were queuing up for a buffet dinner at the hotel.

Mark Kellet, prosecuting, said: ''He was stood behind her when he slapped and groped her bottom saying: 'you've got a peachy bum!' She said: ''If you do that again, I'll slap you in the mush' but he replied: ''Do it - I might like it.'

''He then continued to touch her bottom on several occasions. Mostly she would tell him to stop but on other occasions she said nothing simply so she could avoid a confrontation.

''One night she was intoxicated when the defendant moved to kiss her. She moved away but he kissed her anyway. He also said he had sex with her and that caused her some distress.

''Three to four days later she was in the garden of the hotel when the defendant approached her from behind wrapped his arms around her and grabbed her left breast.

''She didn't say anything because she felt defenceless as they were alone together. Thereafter he acted as if he had not done anything wrong. The incident exacerbated her anxiety.''

Smart also made inappropriate sexual comments to another guest at the hotel asking her to sit on his knee and bragging he would 'show her a real man.'

She dismissed the comments as banter but when she played a pool at a nearby pub, Smart came up behind her and twice put his hand between her legs and touched her genital area.

Mr Kellet added: ''She made it clear she did not want him to do that but back at the hotel he continued to make sexual comments towards her. She said she felt horrible about how Smart touched her and felt worse when she found out he was on the Sex Offender Register.

''This defendant showed a complete disregard for the views of each victim. Both women were particularly vulnerable.''

Police later attended at the hotel and found Smart had been flouting the terms of his Sex Offender notification requirements by not registering a bank card with police.

He had 23 offences in his record starting in 2006 for sexual activity with a child for which he was given a six month detention and training order.

In 2008 he was convicted again of sexual activity with a child and was given 12 months jail suspended for two years.

In 2011 he was given 54 months in jail for two charges of sexual activity with a child and in 2015 was convicted of failing to comply with court orders for which he was locked away for two months.

In 2018 he failed to comply with the restrictions again and was given a conditional discharge for two years.

In July 2020 he admitted failing to comply and was jailed for another 10 months. He was released early but recalled back to prison for flouting the restrictions before being freed again in May to take up residence at the Mercure

In a statement the first victim said: ''I still feel physically sick about what Jamie did to me. I think about what he did most days and it has made my depression and anxiety worse.

''I am also worried he has sexually assaulted other women. I hope I can move on but I will be speaking to psychologist soon to talk about what happened.''

The second woman said: ''I am now suffering on many ways. I never been so low in terms of confidence and I am constantly scared of being around men in case they do anything to me.

''Most of my friends are male but since the incident with Jamie I've not been able to spend time with them.

''I do not drink alcohol now - not even socially- as I am so scared I will be sexually assaulted or raped. I am terrified of consuming alcohol in case I get taken advantage of. These incidents with Jamie have been on my mind on a daily basis.

'I struggle to switch off or sleep as I keep thinking about them. I also have problems with my boyfriend as I no longer want to be affectionate and I don't like being cuddled. In fact I struggle to feel relaxed around anyone,. The way Jamie took advantage of me has had a major impact on me in many ways, I'll never be able to forget what he did. I never want to see Jamie ever again.''

Smart, who grew up in Stoke-on-Trent, was jailed for nine months after he was convicted of two charges of sexual assault and failing to comply with the Sex Offender Register following a trial. He denied the charges.

He will have to abide by a new five year Sexual Harm Prevention Order which bans him from being in the company of any lone woman except when it becomes unavoidable during ''normal daily life.''

He began a relationship with his cellmate's sister whilst being held on remand.

Sentencing the judge Miss Recorder Sarah Johnston told Smart: ''One of the women felt terribly conflicted between hating what you were doing to her and not wanting any confrontation. She told you many times not to do it.

''You made disgusting and leering comments towards the second victim in a place where she was entitled to feel safe. You were impervious to her wishes and thought it was funny.

''You have invaded these women's privacy their sense of security and their sense of self. No individual should be assaulted in the way you did out of a wholly misplaced senses of entitlement. Your behaviour erodes confidence and makes women feel unsafe.

''You have no insight at all into your behaviour, the risk you pose or the boundaries within which you must operate generally as far as women are concerned. You are currently unsafe to be managed in the community.''

Smart was also banned from contacting the two victims for five years under the terms of a restraining order and will remain on the Sex Offender Register for another 10 years.

The hotel a popular wedding venue first welcomed the homeless in May last year and accommodated 50 people under the scheme run by Wigan Council and a charity. Rough sleepers were given rooms with ensuite bathroom, flatscreen TV, and complimentary tea and coffee making facilities.

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A convicted sex offender has been branded devious - after failing to tell police he was engaged to a woman with two boys.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that Richard Anthony Hudson had stayed overnight at her family home on 15 to 20 occasions.

He also contacted an ex-girlfriend, who unwittingly sent him a picture of her six-year-old daughter. She was left shell-shocked when she discovered his vile past.

Now 47-year-old Hudson has been given a 16-month prison sentence after admitting three counts of breaching notification requirements.

He is subject to the lifetime requirements following convictions for sex offences. It meant he had to inform the police if he took part in certain activities, such as being in a household where children resided.

Hudson, of Lewis Street, Stoke, was released from an extended prison term in 2019.

Hunter Gray, prosecuting, said: From at least August 25, 2020, the defendant was using an Instagram account under the name AntHunt37.

He had used the account to contact a former girlfriend, who had three daughters.

During a conversation, the woman sent him a picture of her youngest child, unaware Hudson was a sexual predator.

The court was told that the picture was unsolicited and the defendant did not request any other images.

She wasnt the only person to be conned by him. He had been in a relationship with another female since 2012 and they later became engaged.

Hudson stayed at her house on numerous occasions between September and December last year.

It meant he had breached the notification requirements as he was there for more than a 12-hour period. It emerged he had been regularly staying overnight.

Hudson went to some effort to conceal the relationship from police.

Mr Gray said he was classed as very high risk. His record includes 13 convictions for 19 offences, including sexual crimes.

The defendants extended licence period wasnt due to run out until July 2024. Following the latest offence, he was recalled to prison.

Rachel Pennington, mitigating, said: He wants to express his apology and remorse to the court. He knows he should have notified police.

She added that Hudson had not intended to cause either woman any harm.

He was burying his head in the sand, trying to hide his past, said Ms Pennington.

Sentencing him, Judge Paul Glenn told Hudson: You, Im afraid, have shown yourself to be a devious person.

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A child rapist who sexually abused three girls over the course of more than a decade has had his sentence increased on appeal.

Christopher Appleby was convicted at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court of despicable crimes involving three victims.

The 56-year-old was found guilty of the offences some of which date back to the 1990s following a six day trial, and jailed for 15 years at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Now he will be locked up for longer after his sentence was referred by the Solicitor General, Alex Chalk QC MP.

The Court of Appeal found his original sentence to be 'unduly lenient' and increased it to 21 years imprisonment followed by five years on licence.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Chalk said: "It is never too late for justice to be served and Applebys actions were despicable.

"I am glad the Court of Appeal saw fit to increase his sentence today and I hope it brings some comfort to the brave victims."

Appleby of Leveson Road, Hanford, had been found guilty of four charges of rape, two charges of sexual assault, two charges of indecent assault, two charges of indecency with a child and attempting to cause a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

During the original sentencing hearing, a statement from that victim was read out.

She said: I hope he remains behind bars forever. I long to forget about this part of my life forever and live safely with my partner and children without the thought of this man being on the loose anymore.

In a statement from another of Applebys victims, she said the thought of being in the same room as him makes her skin crawl.

She said: All I can really say is this has finally brought some closure.

You took away the last of my childhood and severed a friendship.

It upsets me that it didnt end with me, of course you thought you could do it again.

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Police have released a mugshot of a sex beast who was jailed for 10 years after being convicted of raping a woman.

Ryan Cartner carried out the horrific attack in the woman's own home after he asked her to give him alcohol and prescription drugs.

The 37-year-old victim - who is over 20 years his senior - begged him to stop as he raped her - only to be ignored.

And when he had finished he threatened to attack her family and kill her pets if she told anyone.

Cartner, of Derwent Place, Cross Heath, was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court after a jury rejected his claim that the sex had been consensual during the 2019 ordeal.

Her was handed a 10-year prison sentence for the rape, and eight years concurrent for a separate charge of another serious sexual offence during the same incident. He was also convicted of stealing alcohol and prescription medicine from his victim.

Welcoming the sentence, DC Sarah Clancy, of Staffordshire Police, said: This was undoubtedly a traumatic ordeal for the woman concerned and I cannot praise her enough for the courage and bravery she has shown in coming forward and reporting what happened to her.

I hope this conviction reassures our local community that sexual offences are taken seriously and that officers will work tirelessly to seek justice.

Cartner was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and was also given a restraining order for life.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Paul Glenn told Cartner: "You went to her house and asked if you could have some alcohol. You then repaid her for her generosity by pushing her onto the sofa and raping her. She told you to stop but you ignored her."

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Child rapist Paul Clutton has been sentenced to 21 years in prison.

The 60-year-old committed a 'campaign of serious sexual offending' against a female victim.

He had denied the offences, which took place during the 1990s, but was found guilty following a trial.

During the sentencing hearing, a statement from Clutton's victim - who was a child at the time of the offences - was read out. She said that, as a result of the trauma she suffered, she had self-harmed for most of her life and 'attempted suicide more times than I want to admit'.

She said: "I have struggled deeply to maintain any type of relationship with a man. I have lived with unbearable pain. I've almost felt like I was on the run."

Clutton, of London Road, Trent Vale, was found guilty of three charges of rape and three charges of indecent assault.

The court heard he had ten previous convictions but none for sexual offences.

Kelly Cyples, mitigating, said: "This is the first custodial sentence for the defendant and the first offence of this nature."

Clutton showed no emotion as he was sentenced to 21 years in custody.

Judge Sally Hancox told him: "You committed these offences in a campaign of serious sexual offending against the victim.

"She thought for many years she was a 'bad egg'. She attempted suicide several times. Her victim personal statement contains commendably brave honesty.

"There has been no apology or remorse in this case. The only sentence that can be passed is a lengthy period in custody. It must be a sentence which reflects your terrible wrongdoing."

Clutton will be subject to the notification requirement of the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

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Detectives have praised the 'bravery' of a woman whose evidence helped to jail a rapist for 17 years.

Mihai Savescu is this month starting a 17-year jail term after being convicted of multiple counts of rape.

The 34-year-old, of Chaplin Road, Longton, was convicted following a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Now Staffordshire Police have welcomed the sentence handed down to the rapist.

Detective Constable Diane Sproston, from the forces rape and serious sexual offences unit, said: Savescu was predatory and manipulative.

Id like to commend the victim who bravely came forward and reported these appalling crimes. She has shown incredible bravery and cooperation throughout the court process.

I hope the sentence provides some form of closure and comfort knowing Savescu will be behind bars for a long time.

Romanian Savescu will be deported once he has served his prison sentence. He will remain on the Sex Offenders' Register for the rest of his life and is barred from a range of activities involving children and vulnerable adults.

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Pervert Paul Lovatt exposed himself to a female cyclist as she rode home from work.

Lovatt was driving a car when he pulled alongside the victim, with the passenger side window down, and performed a sex act while asking her for directions.

Horrified, she shouted at him. And as he drove away, she repeated his registration number to herself as she called police, to make sure she remembered it.

Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard Lovatt then returned to the scene and tried to apologise to the woman.

The 40-year-old has now been handed a community order and made subject to the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register for the next five years, after he admitted the 'disturbing offence'.

Prosecutor Emma Thompson said: "At around 5.20pm, the victim was cycling home from work. While in Hanley, she became aware of a vehicle behind her.

"She said she noticed it because it was driving on the other side of the road as if trying to overtake her, but was going really slowly.

"She got off her bike to get out of his way. As she did so, he pulled alongside her. The front passenger side window was down.

"He said, 'Excuse me, love, can you tell me where' - then he hesitated - 'King Street is?'

"She noticed his penis was exposed."

The court heard Lovatt was performing a sex act. The victim shouted at him, 'Oh my God, you are a disgusting pervert'. He drove away.

Ms Thompson said: "The victim had her phone out to call the police. She was chanting his registration number so she didn't forget.

"She then saw his vehicle come back and saw the defendant again. He said, 'I'm sorry love, sorry about that'. He kept saying it then drove away.

"The defendant has not been in trouble for 20 years. Nevertheless, this is a disturbing offence."

Lovatt was later arrested and interviewed. He said he had found the victim attractive and he had done 'a stupid thing'.

The victim of the offence said in a statement: "This incident has made me feel angry. I feel violated. I was just trying to go home. I then have a disgusting person showing me their genitals.

"I'm concerned he would do it to someone else, someone who was not as vocal as me."

Lovatt, of Richard Dawson Drive, Bucknall, pleaded guilty to a charge of indecent exposure. The incident took place on August 26.

Peter Howland, mitigating, said: "There were some difficulties in his then-relationship. He had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. He is receiving medication and counselling for that.

"He apologised straight away to his victim. He accepts he returned to speak to her, but his sole reason was to apologise.

"He has given up his part-time employment because of this offence."

Magistrates told Lovatt they had considered sending him to prison, but had decided to impose a community sentence. Chairperson of the bench, Helen Paterson, said: "This was clearly a serious matter. You were remorseful, at the time and afterwards, although your remorse at the time may have caused more distress.

"I'm not sure there can be compensation in monetary terms for the distress of your victim, but we are going to order you to pay it."

Lovatt was handed a 24-month community order, with a 56-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 200 hours' unpaid work. He must pay 400 compensation to the victim, plus 280 in court costs and charges.

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Convicted rapist William Rathbone has been jailed for six years and five months after he sexually assaulted a woman.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the 22-year-old committed the offence eight months after being released from a prison sentence for rape.

The victim reported the incident to the police the following day. She was disgusted by Rathbone's actions and felt the assault turned her life upside down.

It happened in 2019, eight months after Rathbone was released from a 40-month sentence he received in 2017 for rape of a girl under 16 and assault by penetration.

Prosecutor Tim Harrington said: "This offence is seriously aggravated by his previous convictions and the fact he was on licence for sexual activity at the time and had not long been released from custody."

Rathbone, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to assault by penetration.

Saleema Mahmood, mitigating, said Rathbone's mental health has now stabilised and he has completed a sex offender programme in custody.

She said the offence was very different from his previous conviction.

Miss Mahmood said: "He now does not rely solely on his explanation that he was very heavily intoxicated and acknowledges what he did was very, very wrong."

She said the defendant has been in custody since his arrest.

Miss Mahmood added: "Without the use of a significant amount of alcohol Mr Rathbone would not even have conceived behaving in that way.

"He is keen to do anything he can to start a new life and make himself a better person."

Judge David Fletcher said: "You have indicated some remorse. Your age is of relevance, you were at the time of the offence 19. I do not find you pass the test for dangerousness and will not be making an extended sentence. Prison will detain you for a significant period of time before you are eligible for release."

Rathbone will be released on licence after serving half the term. He is on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

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One of Stoke-on-Trent's worst repeat sexual predators has been locked up after sending sick pictures to '13-year-old Ruby'.

Autistic Michael Horn has spent the last nine years of his life appearing in courts for breaking orders aimed at keeping children safe from his perverted ways.

And the 29-year-old's latest crime saw him having sexual chats with 'children' online.

Now Horn - who has over 20 previous convictions for various sexual offences - has been handed a nine-year extended sentence which is made up of four years in custody with five years on licence.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Horn was released from prison on licence in October last year, and was granted permission to have an internet-enabled mobile phone on June 8 this year.

Just days later he breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by chatting to underage girls as far away as America on apps.

He would frequently lie about his age, often saying he was only 14 or 18.

But he was caught out after striking up a conversation with a '13-year-old Ruby' who turned out to be an undercover law enforcement officer.

Another incident saw Horn contact a '16-year-old American girl' on teen dating app MyLOL.

He asked her if she would 'like to see his penis' and requested naked pictures, as well as asking if she would like to meet up for sex.

Prosecutor Tariq Bin Shakoor said: The SHPO was put in place in September 2012 for 10 years and made following his convictions for a variety of sexual offences.

The defendant was released in October 2020. He was given permission to use a mobile phone.

On June 21 this year officers visited him to check he was complying with the SHPO.

He was asked if he needed to tell them anything. He was nervous.

The defendant, in a private room, then told the police he had breached the order."

Horn, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and two charges of breaching his SHPO.

Hamish Noble, mitigating, said: He understands that its wrong. He is autistic and says it has held him back in life.

He understands that he needs to be punished and be rehabilitated for the future. He doesnt deny that he presents a risk.

The bottom line is he knows he needs help and he does not seek to lay the blame at anyones door.

He sees other peoples lives and can see how he would like to be.

Sentencing Horn, Judge David Fletcher told him: There is a continuation of a pattern of behaviour which is being exhibited by you.

Since the first conviction when you were 20 you have been made the subject of a SHPO.

Over the years that have followed you have found yourself in breach of it on several occasions. You are no stranger to the court system.

You find yourself now a young man who is completely divorced and separated from family members and has no friends.

I am satisfied that you do present a risk. It is necessary to propose an extended sentence to protect the public.

Horn was also made the subject of a new SHPO which will remain in place until the court says otherwise.

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Sex offender Nathan Totton has been hit with a six-month jail sentence - after staying overnight with his mum-of-three girlfriend.

The 26-year-old is banned from having unsupervised contact with under-16s due to him being on the Sex Offenders' Register and subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

It comes after he was jailed for three years in 2017 after being convicted of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual activity with a child.

But Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard he breached his court orders after meeting the woman on a dating website last summer.

Totton breached the Sex Offenders' Register by:

- Failing to notify the police that he was staying for more than 12 hours where children were residing;

- Staying overnight at his partner's home and coming into contact with her children;

- Failing to complete his annual registration on time.

Prosecutor Peter McCartney said: "He stayed overnight at least seven times within a month after they met. In a determined attempt to conceal his actions he breached the sex offenders' notification requirements."

The defendant told police he did not comply with the notification requirements because he did not want to go through a risk assessment or have his relationship messed up.

Mr McCartney added: "He said, 'I have done my sentence. Why should I be punished for the rest of my life'?"

Totton, of William Street, Biddulph, pleaded guilty to three offences of failing to comply with the notification requirements of the Sex Offenders' Register.

Robert Holt, mitigating, said: "There is no suggestion that the children were placed in any great risk whatsoever. He wants to move on. He has spent time in custody and has not enjoyed it. He intends to avoid dating sites."

Totton has also been hit with a five-year restraining order to stay away from the woman.

Judge David Fletcher said: "You felt your life was being controlled by the requirements placed upon you. Any further breach of the notification requirements can result in a more onerous sentence being imposed on you."

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Groping Justin Miller sexually assaulted two schoolgirls in an alleyway.

The 20-year-old touched the bottom of one of his victims before trying to kiss her and repeatedly putting his arm around her.

He then touched the leg of the other girl and ran his hand up her thigh.

Now Miller has been sentenced to 21 months detention at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

The court heard one of the girls had just moments earlier attempted to break up a lunchtime fight between Miller and another man during the coronavirus lockdown.

Prosecutor Caroline Harris said: "One girl felt a hand pass across her bottom. She turned and saw the defendant. He asked her how old she was and whether she had a boyfriend and placed his head next to hers which caused her to run to her friend. She told her friend the defendant was scaring her."

Miss Harris added: "She pushed him away. She said she had a boyfriend in the hope he would leave her alone.

"She walked away. He followed her and put his arm around her at least three times and touched towards her genital area. She started to cry.

"She told her friends they should go home. He said they should go to his home. He touched the leg of the other girl, running his hand up her thigh towards her genital area."

Police were called and arrested Miller after the girls fled to a house. They searched his home and found a sex toy in a suitcase. He told police that he found the girl attractive.

The first victim has revealed she did not go out of her house for five days following the ordeal.

She said: "I thought he was going to grab me and rape me. The incident made me feel scared to leave the house."

Miller, of Everest Road, Kidsgrove, pleaded guilty to three offences of sexual assault.

Paul Cliff, mitigating, said the defendant was drunk at the time. He added: "The contact was over clothing, it was relatively brief, and there was no actual contact with the genitals or breasts, under or over clothing."

Miller has been placed on the Sex Offenders' Register and is now subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Judge Sally Hancox said: "The first victim was particularly terrified.

"The probation service assesses you as a high risk of causing serious harm to children, especially females up to the age of 16, and any female, adult or child, you may be fixated on."

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Convicted sex offender, David Jones, caught a train as he planned to have sex with 12-year-old girl after sending her "filthy" messages

A paedophile convicted for a string of sexual offences jumped on a train to meet a young girl for sex after sending her "filthy" sexual messages.

David Jones, 55, thought he had lured a 12-year-old girl to meet him at Derby railway station where he would then take advantage of her, Derby Telegraph reports.

The paedophile had started communicating with what he thought was a 12-year-old on a website that was unnamed in court, but specifically had the word "teen" in it.

Their conversations then continued over Skype with the criminal believing he was speaking to "the 12-year-old of his dreams."

It was only when David Jones arrived at Derby railway station and was accosted by police that it transpired that the girl was in fact an undercover police officer who had been posing as the girl all along.

Jones appeared at Derby Crown Court via video link from HMP Nottingham.

Tustian Lody, prosecuting, said: The officer was contacted by the defendant on that website and further communication between the two took place between November 13 and 18 last year.

This was mainly over Skype. It was made plain to him that the person purported to be 12 years old and a female child.

He asked her if she wanted to date him, and if she would have fun with older men.

The conversations soon became sexual.

I am not going to go into all of the filthy things that he said, but he discussed all sorts of sexually explicit things with her.

He then made arrangements to meet with her in Derby but at Derby Midland Railway Station he met a number of police officers instead of the 12-year-old girl of his dreams.

Jones pleaded guilty to arranging to meet with a child for sexual activity and also breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Jones had previously tried to sexually abuse a 15-year-old and was given a 12-month prison sentence and an SHPO.

David Morton, defending, said: Mr Jones is 55 years of age.

He describes himself as being particularly lonely or having that sense within him.

He has at the back end of last year in October qualified as a forklift truck driver.

He has expressed his deep and serious regret for his behaviour in November last year.