Latest Offenders Yorkshire

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A paedophile who asked an undercover police officer if her children were "available" for sexual abuse has been jailed.

Benjamin Knight, of Wisp Hill Croft in Grassington, North asked an undercover police officer if her children were "available" for sexual abuse has been jailed., quizzed the officer who pretended to have three children during an online sting.

Bradford Crown Court heard the forklift driver hoped to have his own family to "train" and suggested meeting up.

He was jailed for six-and-a-half years after admitting a series of offences.

Knight, who was jailed for 18 months in 2018 for making indecent images of children, was arrested at his home in August after police found two phones hidden under his bed.

The devices were later found to contain more than 3,000 indecent images and more than 300 extreme pornographic images.

The 41-year-old pleaded guilty to possession and distribution charges in relation to the images and will now have to register as a sex offender with the police for the rest of his life.

Barrister Rahdia Karaa, for Knight, said he had never intended to meet up with the fictitious family.

Judge Neil Davey QC said Knight's sexual interest in children had escalated since his jail sentence and he had spoken in detail about what he wanted to do to the children.

He said the phones hidden under Knight's bed were kept secret from the police in flagrant breach of a previously imposed Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Knight also pleaded guilty to three charges of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence.

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A farm worker from Cottingham working at Bishop Burton College in East Yorkshire has been convicted of sexually assaulting two students.

Keith Bailey, 56, of Dunswell Road, Cottingham, was jailed for 22 months at Grimsby Crown Court on Friday, November 19.

Bailey worked at the on-site farm in a support role. However, he was suspended in 2018 when allegations first came to light and he has since been formally dismissed by the college.

Bishop Burton CEO and principal Bill Meredith said: "A court case against a previous staff member at Bishop Burton College concluded with a sentencing hearing at Grimsby Crown Court.

"The college would like to commend the bravery of those who came forward to enable this case to come to trial. The college offered to support the victims along with the police in this matter. The college deeply regrets the distress caused to the students involved.

"The staff member was suspended from the college in December 2018, when the incidents were first reported.

"The staff member never returned to work after this date.

"Normal rigorous employment checks were undertaken on the staff member when they were recruited.

"Subsequent training and updates on safeguarding were provided by the college.

"In spite of these measures, the incidents reported occurred and, as a result, the college has reviewed all aspects of the safeguarding systems and taken external advice.

"The college has co-operated with the police and local authority throughout and will continue to prioritise the welfare and safety for all who attend the college."

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Shaun Cushing used Snapchat with the username 'tbundy4910' as he sent sexually charged messages to a decoy 13-year-old A toe-sucking paedophile was caught out when he told a police officer posing as a 13-year-old girl about his bizarre kink. Former RAF employee Shaun Cushing gave himself the Snapchat username tbundy4910 as a nod to notorious serial killer Ted Bundy while also using the Kik screen name I love teen cream. Sheffield Crown Court heard the 37-year-old had already been convicted of child sex offences in 2018 and chatted with the decoy teen for seven days in March. Cushing was remanded in custody in April and when he was quizzed by detectives, he told them he didnt like children because they were noisey, prosecutor Andrew Semple said. Mr Semple added that Cushing, from Mexborough, lied about his age and location and told the police officer posing as the underage teen that he was 21 years old and from Manchester. Cushing sent multiple sexualised messages despite being told about her age and references to a school uniform being made. Mr Semple also told the court that Cushing dropped in a reference to liking to suck toes as a kink. When Cushing was arrested, he had a hard drive and computer seized and forensic investigators found 11 category A indecent images of a child, one of category B and one of category C. He admitted three counts of making indecent images, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and breaching a sexual harm prevention order. Cushing, who wore a white t-shirt and glass as he appeared via videolink from HMP Doncaster, had carried out these offences having been made subject of a three-year community order and five-year sexual harm prevention order at Winchester Crown Court in 2018. Judge Peter Kelson told Cushing, of Uttoxeter Avenue, he had clearly learnt nothing from the sex offenders treatment programme he had embarked on following his conviction three years ago. Cushing was sentenced to three years in prison and made the subject of a new sexual harm prevention order for 10 years. He will also be on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

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A serial rapist who subjected his victims to horrific violence has been given a life sentence after he admitted treating women like pieces of meat. Craig Gladwin, 32, from Selby, strangled one woman to the point of unconsciousness during a wicked campaign of rape, Hull Crown Court heard. Gladwin, described as manipulative and cocky, raped the three women in separate incidents at properties in Selby and Goole. Gladwin wrapped his belt around the neck of one victim, said prosecutor Mark Kellet. The victim was unwell at the time having gone through a personal tragedy. She initially kept quiet about the rape because she didnt want to relive the incident in the summer of 2018. In September that year, Gladwin raped a second woman who was strangled until she lost consciousness. When she came round, he told her: Youre not leaving this house alive. Attacked while on bail Gladwin, whose former marriage had collapsed, was arrested and released under investigation or on bail, but in January 2020 he raped another woman whom he met online. Before raping her, Gladwin grabbed hold of her as she tried to get away and told her: Well, to be honest with you, I may as well rape you: Im off to prison anyway. The victim described Gladwin as a wicked, scary man. She reported him to police and he was arrested again. In custody, he was quizzed about allegations made by all three victims but made vehement denials. One of the women none of whom can be named for legal reasons said she was now scared to go out and had stopped seeing her friends. She was still having nightmares about Gladwin and was now on medication. Another victim said she had deteriorated mentally since her ordeal and had to take three months off work due to her injuries. She had suffered such acute anxiety that she ended up moving house. She suffered nightmares and had three years of pain, anxiety and post-traumatic stress. Her social life was now just about non-existent. She said she was horrified to discover that Gladman was still living as a free man when he went on to rape a third woman. Severe impact on victims Gladman a father-of-two who has a previous conviction for assaulting a police officer and two cautions for ABH and battery ultimately admitted three counts of rape on the day his trial was due to be held in March, along with two counts of damaging property. He denied two other rape allegations one against another named woman and one of sexual assault. These allegations were allowed to lie on court file. Gladman, of Londesborough Street, appeared for sentence on Monday after being remanded in custody. Lewis Allan Kerr, mitigating, said Gladman had behaved abominably but had anger, alcohol and mental-health issues. A pre-sentence probation report noted that Gladman had had a perfect childhood, but he told officers that after his marriage ended, he wanted to have some fun and that he treated women as pieces of meat. Recorder Richard Woolfall said it was the worst case of its kind that he had dealt with during his 10 years on the bench. He noted Gladmans willingness to use violence to get what he wants and the severe psychological impact on the victims who had experienced terrifying, violent and prolonged ordeals. He said Gladwin had shown a total disregard for the (criminal) case, while his demeanour in the dock suggested he couldnt have cared less. You see (women) as sex things to meet your needs, as opposed to people with feelings, added Mr Woolfall. I consider your behaviour is so serious and manipulative and persistent that the risk you present will have to be managed for the rest of your life. Mr Woolfall imposed a determinate jail sentence of 17-and-a-half years but told Gladman he would have to serve at least two-thirds of that behind bars, adding that he could spend the rest of your life in prison. It would be down to the Parole Board to decide if and when Gladman was safe to be released after serving the minimum term and he would remain on prison licence for life, with strict conditions, should he ever be set free. Gladwin remained expressionless as he was led down to the cells by prison guards.

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A Calderdale man has been jailed for 18 years after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences against young children. John Davies, 58, from Sowerby Bridge was branded as a danger to children by Kirklees safeguarding detectives following his sentencing at Leeds Crown Court yesterday (Friday). Davies was found guilty of three sexual assaults and two sexual touching offences following his trial in June. The offending took place in Calderdale and Huddersfield areas against four girls between 2014 and 2020. He will be placed on the sex offenders register and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order. The 58-year-olds abuse first came to police attention in 2020 after one of his victims disclosed what had happened to her. An immediate investigation was launched which resulted in Davies arrest shortly afterwards, with further enquiries made by both Calderdale and Kirklees specialist detectives. At his sentencing, Davies was described by the judge as a dangerous offender who posed a high risk of serious harm to very young children. Detective Constable Yvonne Brear, of the Kirklees Child Safeguarding Unit, who led the enquiry, with assistance from Detective Constable Ameira Blight, said: John Davies abused the trust of others and took advantage of young victims in a truly dreadful way. It is no exaggeration to say he poses a real danger to children and we welcome the substantial sentence handed down to him today. He chose to compound the suffering of his victims and their families by taking the case to trial, and that has been reflected in the sentence imposed. West Yorkshire Police is committed to investigating all reports of child sexual offending with the needs of victims at the heart of every investigation.

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A convicted sex offender who abused a 13-year-old girl after offering her a lift home has been jailed again, just seven years on from his first sentence.

John Brook, 68, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child and breaching his sexual harm prevention order at Bradford Crown Court on Friday, September 10.

The court heard how Brook, of Huddersfield Road in Ravensthorpe, had been asked to pick the 13-year-old girl up and drop her off at home on May 2 this year.

 For more news from Bradford Crown Court, click here. 

But Brook instead told the girl that he did not have enough fuel to get her home and suggested she spend the night at his house.

After they arrived, Brook sexually assaulted the child victim.

The girl was able to escape after making an excuse to go to the toilet and ran to a nearby petrol station, where she called the police.

Officers arrested Brook that same night.

The 68-year-old has now been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison. He will be on the sex offenders' register for life.

It comes just over seven years after Brook was arrested for sexually abusing a teenage girl who 'functioned at the level of an eight or nine year old.'

Brook commited various sex offences against a teenage girl with a low IQ and then sickeningly encouraged his brother Christopher to do the same.

Commenting on the sentence handed to Brook at Bradford Crown Court on Friday (September 10, 2021), Detective Olivia Connor, from West Yorkshire Police, said: "Brook's actions were horrific and calculated. He abused the trust he had built with the victim's family for his own gratification.

"I would like to commend the young victim for speaking out and contacting us as soon as she could. Her bravery has seen this man jailed for his actions, and I’m very pleased with the result.

"Offences of this nature are always taken extremely seriously, and we hope his sentence will provide reassurance to the public that we will do our utmost to bring those committing these horrible crimes to justice, and we will be on hand to support victims every step of the way."

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A former headteacher described by a judge as "a highly dangerous predatory paedophile" has been jailed after admitting child sex abuse offences. Duggie Speight, 44, sexually abused a teenage boy and secretly filmed young boys naked in a changing room. Bradford Crown Court heard that Speight, head of a school in Yorkshire, began grooming the boy by inviting him over to his flat during lockdown. He was jailed for 12 years, with an extended licence of eight years. Passing sentence, Judge Richard Mansell QC said 44-year-old Speight had used his position of trust to "cynically manipulate" the boy and his family. "Your public persona hid a very dark secret, that you are a highly dangerous, predatory, manipulative paedophile," the judge said. Judge Mansell said the offending was at the highest category of harm and that his victim would have to "live with the mental scars of what you did to him for the rest of his life". Prosecutor Tom Storey said Speight became friends with the boy's family and offered tutoring. He would give the boy alcohol and take him out and buy him expensive presents, including clothes and a laptop. Mr Storey said that after one shopping trip in April the boy took an overdose and when recovering in hospital told one of his friends about the abuse. The friend told his parents who contacted the police. When initially interviewed by the police Speight denied the allegations, but officers searched his home and discovered mobiles phones and a tablet hidden behind a wall. The court was told the devices contained footage of Speight having sex with the teenager filmed with a hidden camera. There was also a video of young boys changing at a swimming pool. 'Stolen innocence' In an impact statement, the boy's mother said Speight had "destroyed my happy family life". "He used my friendship and trust and twisted it, "she said. "He stole my son's innocence and we can never get it back."

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A convicted paedophile who planned to sexually abuse a four-year-old girl has been jailed for 10 years. John Peter Noble, 36, was arrested in Ripon in April as part of an undercover police operation after making arrangements to meet his victim. North Yorkshire Police said there was never a real-life victim and no children were ever in any danger. Noble, of North Street, Ripon, was sentenced at York Crown Court after admitting the charges in May. He was convicted of nine child sex offences and was put on the sex offenders' register for life. The court was told he had made arrangements to meet who he believed to be his victim's family on 30 April, but was arrested by undercover police as part of an online sting. Noble, who was previously convicted of possessing indecent images of children, was also charged with breaching conditions of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

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A former Filey man who raped a boy, incited a girl to engage in sexual activity and filmed himself having sex with a dog has been jailed for 18 years. Kyle Stephenson, 29, now of no fixed address, was sentenced at York Crown Court on Friday after what a detective described as one of the "most harrowing and disturbing" cases he had been involved with. Stephenson - described as "vile and manipulative" by police - had been due to stand trial this week but decided to plead guilty to the offences against the boy and the girl. Stephenson also admitted committing bestiality after police recovered conclusive video evidence. The Judge took this offence into consideration when passing sentence, which also subjected him to a life-time Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed him on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely. He also has to serve an extra year on licence. Stephenson was arrested on 31 January 2021 following a complaint made by the boy and he has remained in custody since being charged. The offences were committed between then and January 2020. The dog Stephenson abused has died from an illness. Detective Constable Steve Monty, of Scarborough CID, who led the investigation, said Stephenson is now facing the consequences of his depraved actions He said: This is one of the most harrowing and disturbing cases I have been involved in. My heart goes out to the brave young victims who have endured immense trauma caused by this vile and manipulative man. Their true courage, together with support from loved ones, will hopefully give them the strength to rebuild their lives and move forward from this dreadful experience. Det Con Monty added: As for Stephenson, he has rightfully been brought to justice and is now facing the full consequences of his depraved and disgusting actions. My message to victims of child abuse, no matter when it occurred, is that the police will support you in a highly professional and sensitive way throughout an investigation and court case. Please dont hesitate to seek our help or obtain support from specialist services that are readily available to victims.

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A sex offender has been sent to prison more than two decades after he abused a girl under the age of ten. David Wilson was locked up for two and a half years after pleading guilty to indecent assault. Wilson, 47, was aged in his 20s when he committed the offence. The victim read a statement to the court describing the years of physiological torment she had suffered since her ordeal. Judge Graham Reeds QC told Wilson, of Spittal Hardwick Lane, Castleford, that he must go on the sex offender register for life. He told Wilson that he had caused the victim "significant psychological harm." The judge also praised the victim for her bravery and the dignity she had shown.

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Benjamin Middlemiss, 25, of Oxcroft, Kirkbymoorside, was released on prison licence in July last year, halfway through his sentence for indecent assault, York Crown Court heard.

As part of his licence conditions, Middlemiss was given an exemption under his bail curfew to work at a Tesco store in York, but the authorities suspected he had not been going to work and not been residing at his bail address in keeping with the provisos.

In fact, this was an “administrational error” and Middlemiss had been working at the supermarket, but when police tried to contact him to inform him that he was wanted for prison recall, he didn’t reply, said prosecutor Rob Galley.

An officer went looking for Middlemiss and stopped him in his Ford Ka in York on December 15, when it was discovered that he only had a provisional driving licence.

The officer told him he was wanted for prison recall and took him by the arm, but as he was being led to the cells in York, Middlemiss shoved her backwards and she let go of him.

He ran off and despite an exhaustive search, police couldn’t find him. The fugitive vanished for a week but finally returned to his bail hostel on December 22, where he was arrested.

Middlemiss admitted escaping from lawful custody and driving with only a provisional licence. He was recalled to Hull Prison to serve the remainder of his original sentence and appeared via video link for sentence on the new offences on Monday.

The court heard he had previous convictions for arson, theft from vehicles, criminal damage and making off without payment. He received the nine-year sentence for sexual offences in December 2013.

Defence barrister Alex Menary said Middlesmiss’s current sentence would expire in four years’ time, but there were moves to release him “sooner rather than later” because of the progress he had been making in prison.

He said Middlemiss had “shrugged off” the officer following his arrest for the driving matter and prison recall, after “panicking because he thought he had done nothing wrong and had been to work”.

Judge Andrew Stubbs QC said that following Middlemiss’s release on licence last summer, it appeared that he was getting his life back on track and “doing everything expected of you”.

But escaping from custody and evading capture “for about seven days” was so serious that it could only be met with another prison sentence.

Middlemiss was handed a new four-month jail term. His existing sentence for the sex offences is due to expire in January 2023, but it’s likely he could be released before then.

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A paedophile has been jailed for eight years for the rape and abuse of a child under 13.

Andrew Rutter was charged with a catalogue of child sex offences, carried out against a youngster several years ago.

In March this year, he pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a child under 13, causing or inciting sexual activity with a child under 13, sexual assault of a child under 13 and rape of a child under 13.

The 41-year-old, of Goldrill Gardens in Redcar, was due to be sentenced in April however this was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday and was jailed for eight years.

Judge Paul Watson QC also imposed an additional one year on extended licence following Rutter's release from prison.

He will be on the sex offenders' register indefinitely and was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

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A sick pensioner who sexually abused three boys has been jailed for nearly 20 years.

One of Robert Brady's victims repeatedly tried to take his own life after years of abuse including rape.

The determined pervert groomed two other victims with cash and even molested one of them after being released on police bail.

The 79-year-old, of Springfield Avenue, Batley, was jailed for 19-and-a-half years on Monday after admitting 11 charges in relation to historic and recent child sex abuse.

Jailing Brady, Judge Robin Mairs told him "You have nothing but callous disregard for the pain, both physical and mental, that you inflict on your victims."

Prosecutor Matthew Bean said the abuse of the first victim became penetrative and more violent over time. Speaking about one incident, the judge said: "This was degrading, violent and systemic abuse of a young child."

The victim began physically defending himself as he got older and stronger. On the final occasion, the victim bit Brady's penis. Brady reacted by assaulting him but did not sexually abuse him again. Leeds Crown Court heard the victim tried to take his own life a number of times. 

The judge said: "Those I am quite satisfied were real suicide attempts. That is the catastrophic effect of child abuse."

After the first time Brady sexually abused the second victim, he gave him £5 and told him that if he did not tell anyone he would get more money.

The next time Brady saw the boy he tried to rape him and gave him £20. The victim told him: "Get off. It burns." Brady replied: "That's what you get."

On another occasion, Brady got the second victim and another teenager alone together and told them they had 'the best two bums in Batley'. He abused them in front of each other and gave them £80.

The second victim's mother noticed that her son had topped up his Xbox Live account with £80 and asked where the money came from. The boys were honest about the abuse.

She confronted the defendant and he admitted what he had done. 

Police were called and an investigation began. Brady made no comment in his police interview.

He was released on police bail but just two-and-a-half months later he got one of the boys alone and sexually assaulted him again. Brady gave the boy £150 this time and told him that he would hurt him if he told anyone.

Again, the victim spent the money on Xbox credit, his mother noticed and she confronted the defendant. The defendant admitted that he had seen the boy but denied sexually abusing him on this occasion. She told him she was contacting police again and he said: "F**k off."

He made no comment in his second police interview.

The first victim went to police after learning that the abuse of the other victims had been reported to the police. He told police that not being believed by the adult who he had told about the abuse left him feeling defeated.

In relation to the first victim, Brady pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault, two counts of rape and one count of gross indecency.

In relation to the second and third victim, he pleaded guilty to three counts of assault by penetration, one count of attempted rape and one count of attempted assault by penetration. He has no previous convictions.

Kate Batty, mitigating, said the defendant is aware of the 'very real likelihood' that he will never be released from custody. She asked the judge to reduce her client's sentence to reflect his guilty pleas.

Brady, who appeared in court via video link from Leeds prison, was also made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Police statement
PC Alexis Stansfield, of Kirklees District Child Safeguarding Unit, who led the investigation, said:  "Robert Brady committed appalling acts against young and vulnerable victims who were in no position to defend themselves and we are pleased to see him receive a substantial sentence in court for his crimes.

"He has clearly still posed a huge danger to children will into his later 70s and is without doubt a significantly predatory offender.

"This was a harrowing investigation and I wish to pay tribute to the victims who had the courage to support our enquiries and help put this very dangerous man behind bars.

"I'm pleased his guilty plea spared them seeing the case taken to trial and hope they may gain some comfort from seeing Brady brought to justice, knowing he has received such a significant prison sentence at such a late stage in his life."

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On April 22 Shaqeel Hussain of Spen Valley Road was jailed for 12 months in a separate criminal case, also investigated as part of the wider Operation Tendersea enquiry.

The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to an indecent assault committed in Huddersfield between 2004 and 2005 on a 16-year-old girl.

In a previous Operation Tendersea trial in February 2020, relating to the sexual abuse of two girls in the Huddersfield area between 1995 and 2011, Hussain was jailed for eight years for the rape of a 14 year old girl. He was told he must serve the 12 months consecutive to the eight year term he is currently serving.

Manzoor Akhtar (31) from Crosland Moor in Huddersfield was sentenced to four years, six months at Leeds Crown Court on April 22 after being found guilty of raping a young girl between 2005-2006.

Akhtar became the latest man to be convicted as part of West Yorkshire Police’s multi part Operation Tendersea investigation into the sexual abuse of young girls in Huddersfield between 1995 and 2011.

During proceedings, the court heard he subjected his victim to sexual assault when she was between 13-14 years old.

Commenting on the conviction of Manzoor Akhtar, Detective Chief Inspector Richard McNamara of the Kirklees District CID, said: “Akhtar richly deserves the prison sentence he has been given after being found guilty and convicted for the dreadful sexual abuse of this young victim.

“He thought nothing of this girl’s obvious very young age as he raped her and treated her in a fashion which can only be described as callous in the extreme.”

DCI McNamara said he was also pleased that the force was now able to name Shaqeel Hussain.

He said: “Hussain was convicted for rape in an Operation Tendersea trial in February 2020 but at the time we were not able to release his identity. He has now been sentenced after pleading guilty to an indecent assault on a 16 year old victim, and can be named as reporting restrictions have been lifted.

“He will face a total of nine years in prison in total for both of these depraved offences in which he showed no regard whatsoever for his victims.

He added: “A repeated feature of these cases has been the stunning bravery of the now young women who have come forward to tell us about the abuse they suffered and then doing everything they can to support the police and CPS in taking action against those who abused them.

“The courage of victims is helping us take dangerous predators such as Manzoor Akhtar and Shaqeel Hussain off our streets, show them for what they are, and put them behind bars where they belong.”

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A teenager dubbed "paedo Jack" is facing prison after admitting a string of terrifying sex offences against teenage girls.

Jack Walker, 19, has appeared at Hull Crown Court charged with four offences of sexual activity with a child, one offence of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two offences of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

Walker, of Fort Terrace, Bridlington, appeared via video link from Hull Prison where he has been remanded since August, ready for his sentencing hearing - which will take place on Friday.

As his crimes were laid out before the court, Walker regularly shook his head before pleading guilty to all seven charges, which revolved around grooming underage children.

Charlotte Baines, prosecuting, told the court the charges related to a 14-year-old girl, who at one point Walker had asked to move to Bradford with him.

She told the court that Walker had been warned by both his mum and Humberside Police to stay away from the girl.

Throughout his offending, Walker was placed under child abduction warning notices, which are used to disrupt contact between vulnerable children and an adult where there are concerns that the child may be at risk of harm including sexual exploitation.

Miss Baines said: The girl said she had been involved in a group of males for sexual contact and she said she felt sick and disgusted in herself, but felt normal when she did it. She said she felt pressured.

The girl later told officers she had often taken drugs when around Walker.

Miss Baines said that one night after smoking together, Walker had sat her on his knee and touched her [the girl]".

She told the court: "He didnt ask if he could, he just did it. He tried getting her to go upstairs with him, saying 'come on, you know you want to do it'.

She told police she had messaged him telling her how old she was and he sent her indecent pictures and asked her to do the same.

"He sent her messages about taking her virginity and making sure it wouldnt hurt. He tried to convince her to have sex with him on two or three occasions.

The court heard that after locking himself and the girl in a beach hut, Walker said her body was perfect before telling her "not to tell anyone about what he said".

Miss Baines added: He said I will get into trouble - you dont want that do you?. One friend of the girl said that everyone knew him as 'paedo Jack'."

Other charges against Walker related to another 14-year-old girl.

Miss Baines told the court that the girl had said many people around the ages of 14 and 15 would often be round at Walkers flat.

She told the court: The girl said she could often hear Walker and his girlfriend having sex and this would make her uncomfortable and she would turn the music up. She was asked to join them a few times and knew what had been meant by that.

She described how she would keep an eye on him as she knew he had ADHD, bipolar and anger issues.

Hull Crown Court heard that Walker had sex with the young girl an estimated ten times, including in a disused building, which was witnessed by a teenage boy who said he felt that he had been coerced into watching.

Miss Baines said the boy knew that it was not right that Walker was having sex with underage girls.

She told the court: He recalled a time when he had seen the defendant and one of the girls and went to speak to them and Walker had said, Im s******* this one now.

He went with them to an abandoned building and the defendant had sex with the girl. The defendant told him to sit down on a log and watch. He said he didnt want to get stabbed as the defendant had a screwdriver in his pocket.

The girl said, Does he have to watch? and the defendant had said Let him stay. He said he was scared of him and by talking to police after he said it felt like a betrayal."

Walker was first interviewed by police in June last year and said there had been no messages between him and the first girl.

The court heard that during his second interview with officers in August last year, Walker said he "did not understand what consent means", although he later pleaded guilty to all seven charges.

Paul Genney, mitigating for Walker, told how he lives with a learning disability and a low IQ and a pre-sentence report and psychological report had been issued.

Mr Genney outlined details of Walkers traumatic childhood which included living in a violent home.

He said: Hes damaged, basically. Whether he is beyond the point of redemption, it is difficult to know. He has been tearful and crying while in prison and misses, in his words his 'mummy and his Lego'.

Hes obviously something of a child himself. Hes damaged by his upbringing."

Mr Genney said Walker was not a manipulative or sophisticated", but instead, someone in need of help and treatment".

He added: Hes got the sophistication of a 14-year-old himself, with very little empathy. We cant penalise him for being unintelligent.

Talking about Walkers time in custody so far, Mr Genney said: He is vulnerable and tearful and is finding it to be the most traumatic experience. Hopefully someone, somewhere can offer him some sort of course or help that could help increase his sense of empathy or sensitivity.

Walker will be sentenced by Judge John Thackray on Friday, April 3.