Latest Offenders

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A 20-year-old man was told that downloading images of child abuse was not "a victimless crime" as he avoided a sentence of detention.

Michael Fallows, of Friars Street, Inverness was appearing for sentence before Sheriff Gary Aitken after previously admitting possessing 142 images.

Inverness Sheriff Court had been told that 43 of them were of the most extreme kinds of abuse.

The images were found on a Samsung device after police received intelligence that they had been downloaded on March 5, 2021.

Police raided the property at Montrose Mansions, in Corpach, and seized his phone.

Sentencing Fallows to 150 hours of unpaid community work and two years of social work supervision, Sheriff Aitken said: "This is actual abuse of children watched second hand and is not some Hollywood movie.

"It is commercial exploitation of children for sexual gratification and is fuelled by people like you surfing the net. Offending of this kind is by no means victimless far from it."

Fallows was also placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for two years.

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A man has been jailed for six years for attempting to rape a woman in Salford.

34-year-old Sediq Ali from Birmingham was found guilty of attempted rape and sentenced on Monday (March 18) at Minshull Street Crown Court.

Officers were called to an address in Salford on October 30 2020, following an incident which had happened hours earlier. Ali had threatened the woman before subjecting her to an attempted rape.

Following an investigation, Ali was subsequently arrested and charged with the offence.

In addition to his sentence, he will also be required to sign the sex offenders register and be subject to a restraining order.

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A WIRRAL sex offender has been jailed for breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Steven Bell, 27, from Woodchurch, was sentenced yesterday (Tuesday, March 19) at Liverpool Crown Court.
 
Bell is a Registered Sex Offender and required to adhere to conditions under the Sex Offender Register and his SHPO.
 
Bell was found to have breached these condition by failing to register his home address with police, failing to register that children under the age of 18 were staying at the address and having unsupervised contact with a female under the age of 16.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Steven O’Neill, Manager of our Sex Offender Unit, said: "Sex offenders are quite rightly expected to provide up-to-date information about where they live, and strictly adhere to all conditions of their release.

"Any breaches are investigated thoroughly and it is pleasing to see that Bell has been dealt with robustly and sent back to prison.

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A man from Marlborough has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison for a rape that he committed almost a decade ago.

Robert Miles, 37, of Rabley Wood View, Marlborough, was sentenced this morning (Monday) at Swindon Crown Court after being found guilty by jury at trial in September.

In 2014, Miles assaulted his victim in a private house. It took her five years to get the courage to report the crime to the police, and the events of that night have had a lasting effect on her.

In a victim impact statement she said: I have, at all time, low self-esteem. I feel my quality of life has been greatly impacted in many ways by what Robert has done to me.

Detective Constable Clare Sylvester-Wyness said: Its been a long and gruelling time for the aggrieved person in the case of Miles.

The trial has been set four times previously but has been rescheduled due to the covid pandemic and the barrister strike. I would like to thank her for her bravery and courage to seek justice.

We would urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault to come forward and tell someone, even if the offence took place some time ago. We understand it can be difficult.

You might not be completely sure what happened or how to talk about it, but we have trained officers and partner organisations that are here to listen and work together to support you in any way we can.

Importantly, your information could help us bring the offender to justice and make sure you, and other people in a similar situation, are kept safe.

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A Trowbridge man jailed after sexually abusing young girl over six-year period.

65-year-old Richard Webb was found guilty of six counts of indecent assault at a four-day trial held at Winchester Crown Court.

The offending took place between 1996 and 2002. On 20 November, he was handed eight years’ imprisonment.

“I feel as though those years are lost to me. It feels like I have disassociated myself from most of my childhood”, the victim said.

“He ruined my life. I don’t think I will ever get over what he did to me. I will forever be trying to deal with the abuse I suffered.”

DC Lauren Barnard, from Wiltshire Police, said: “It is clear from the impact statement from the victim just how much she has suffered and continues to suffer to this day as a result of the abuse inflicted upon her by Webb.

“His actions have deprived someone of a happy childhood, purely for his own sexual gratification. His actions are abhorrent and I am pleased he will now serve a custodial sentence for his behaviour.

“I would like to take this opportunity to praise the victim for bravely reporting her ordeal to police – this was the first time she had ever spoken to anybody about exactly what she had been through.

“Without her bravery, we would not have been able to put Webb before the courts for justice to be served.”

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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.”

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20-year-old David Shipway admitted charges of attempting sexual communication with a child and inciting a child to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity.

Swindon Magistrates’ Court were told on Wednesday (17 January) that the defendant, of Ladyfield Road, was arrested by police when paedophile hunters attended his home.

During conversations with a person posing as a 14-year-old girl online, he used sexual language and asked her to share explicit sexual photographs. He also sent her a photograph of his penis.

Kate Prince, prosecuting, said she believes the case to be in the category 1A, the most serious – and suggested that it should be sent to a crown court for sentencing.

Defence solicitor Mark Glendenning said his client has mental health issues and problems recognising the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behaviours.

A pre-sentence report was ordered and the case was sent to Swindon Crown Court for sentencing on 16 February. He was released on unconditional bail.

He was told to register as a sex offender within 72 hours. The lengthy of the registration will be determined by the sentence given next month.

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Aiden Rollin had been "extremely sexually preoccupied" and forced himself on young girls to "quell and satisfy" his desires.

Rollin, from Beccles Road, Bradwell, near Great Yarmouth, appeared at Norwich Crown Court for sentencing having been convicted of nine sexual offences against four young victims between September 2017 and March 2020.

The court heard in an attack against one of the victims, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, he "covered her mouth and nose" with his hand before raping her and then attempting to sexually assault her.

Before Rollin was jailed for nine years on Friday, the court heard statements from three of his victims, one of whom described Rollin as a "monster" and a "demon" and hoped he "rotted in jail".

The victim, who was 15 at the time, said he had "destroyed", manipulated and broke me".

She said what Rollin did to her made her feel as if "I wanted to tear every single bit of skin off and tear my eyes out.

"I wanted to rip my heart out so I couldn't feel the pain.

She said: "Now you're going down for it because you're a monster."

The victim said he "became my demon", was everything she feared but now hoped he "rotted in jail".

Another victim, who was raped in August 2019, said she felt "haunted for life" by what Rollin had done to her and just wanted the nightmares and flashbacks to end.

Before jailing Rollin, Judge Andrew Shaw said it was "difficult to express how sad it was to read the impact of your behaviour on such young women".

Marc Brown, representing Rollin, said the defendant was "very young" when some of the offending occurred.

Mr Brown said Rollin was "still a young man" and an "immature man" who committed "the bulk of the offending" before he turned 18

Rollin was made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and also put on the sex offenders register for life.

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A Dundee creep caught with hundreds of child abuse images phoned the police and told them he had watched “bad things”.

Tommy Craig, 22, freely admitted to officers who later arrested him that he had downloaded the vile material.

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David Cook, 22, was placed on the sex offenders register for three years after police uncovered illicit material on his phone.

An Arbroath paedophile will be kept under supervision for years after he was caught with a sick stash of child abuse files on his iPhone.

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A Swindon ‘monster’ who filmed his rape of an unconscious woman has been jailed.

Carl Wallis, without consent, had sexual intercourse with his victim – who had passed out – in 2016.

The 38-year-old, of Brookdene, Haydon Wick, was only caught because he filmed the rape, and that footage was found on an old mobile phone six years later.

The victim contacted the police and following charge, Wallis pleaded not guilty to the offence.

At a three-day trial in December 2023, he was found guilty and returned to Swindon Crown Court for sentencing this morning (Friday).

Wallis was jailed for ten years and six months. He was also ordered to register has a sex offender for life, and a restraining order was made to prevent future contact with his victim.

In a victim personal statement, the victim said: “The day I found the video and pictures on the mobile phone… I was in total shock.

“I did not know what to think or feel, I felt completely numb. I could not believe what I had just seen I felt sick.

“I feel dirty and humiliated… I will never be free from the monster.”

DC Anna McCormack, the investigating officer, said: “Every sexual assault has a huge impact on victims. In this incident the victim discovered the offence had taken place when she was at her most vulnerable; asleep, and by someone she trusted.

“I’d like to thank her for her incredible bravery by reporting the offence and giving evidence during this trial. Without her continued assistance, the outcome would not have been possible.

“I’d encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault to please report it, do not suffer alone. We understand it can be difficult. You might not be completely sure what happened or how to talk about it.

“Our trained officers and partner organisations are here to listen and work together to support you in any way we can. Importantly, your information could help us bring the offender to justice and make sure you, and other people in a similar situation, are kept safe.”

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A man from Crewe has been jailed after he admitted engaging in sexual activity with children.

Andrew Cork appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 1 March where he was sentenced to 11-years in prison.

The 53-year-old, of Verdin Court, Leighton, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in sexual communications with a child, two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity (no penetration) and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

He also admitted one count of possession of indecent images of children and three counts of making indecent images of children.

The case against Cork began in May 2022 when officers from Norfolk Police contacted Cheshire Police to report that a man had been engaging in sexual communications with a 9-year-old child in Norfolk.

The man had been using a mobile telephone number which placed him in the Crewe area.

The investigation was undertaken by the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT) at Cheshire Police and following further enquiries officers identified Cork as the suspect.

A warrant was conducted at his home on Thursday 14 July and Cork was arrested. Several electronic devices were also seized, including a laptop and two mobile phones.

During questioning Cork admitted that he had been engaging in sexually explicit communications with the child in Norfolk, he also told officers that there were indecent images of children on his devices although he denied being sexually attracted to children.

Cork was subsequently released on bail while further enquiries were undertaken, including analysis of all his electronic devices.

During the analyses officers discovered over 300 indecent images of children and more than 60 sexually explicit videos of children. Officers also discovered that he had also been engaging in sexual communications with an 11-year-old child in Birmingham.

Cork was later charged in relation to all the offences.

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A Stirling dad was caught with hundreds of sickening child abuse photos and videos, a court has heard.

Police raided Steven Anderson’s home after receiving a tip-off illicit files were being downloaded to his computer.

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A man who began sexually abusing a boy nearly 30 years ago has been jailed – after the victim’s family made an audio recording of him admitting his crimes.

Anthony Moore committed the abuse between 1994 and 1998, while living in the Charnwood area. His crimes came to light in 2022 when his victim – now an adult – told police about what had happened.

When interviewed by detectives from the Child Abuse Investigation Unit’s non-recent team, he initially denied the claims. However, he then answered ‘no comment’ to all further questions when an audio recording made by people known to the victim was played to him, in which he could be heard admitting what he was alleged to have done.

He was subsequently charged with seven counts of indecent assault on boy under the age of 16 years and five counts of gross indecency with a boy under 16 years of age. He pleaded guilty to both offences when he appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on 14 July last year.

Yesterday (Thursday 14 March) at Leicester Crown Court, the 58-year-old was sentenced to 10 years and eight months’ imprisonment.

Moore, of Lonsdale Road in Stamford, Lincolnshire, was made subject to a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and a lifetime restraining order forbidding contact with the victim.

Detective Constable Aisling McPhillips, the officer in the case, said: “Moore was an adult when the abuse began – and the victim was a child. The abuse started nearly 30 years ago and I’m certain he thought his crimes would never come to light.

“However, his victim has shown great courage in reporting what happened to police, meaning that Moore is now serving time in prison for what he did and I hope he can continue to move on with his life.

“I also hope this case serves as an example to any other victims of non-recent sexual abuse that it’s never too late to report things to police and that we will endeavour to bring those responsible to justice.”

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A charity shop worker has been jailed for two years for possessing extreme child abuse images, after being cleared of exposing herself to two 11-year-old girls.

Samantha Norris was acquitted by a jury at Southampton Crown Court of the two charges of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child which were alleged to have taken place on July 27, 2023. The prosecution had claimed that Norris, who is in the process of gender transitioning, had exposed her penis deliberately to the two youngsters through the window of her flat.

The 56-year-old was also cleared earlier in the trial of two further charges of engaging in sexual activity and two of indecent exposure. Norris told the court that she was a naturist who was habitually naked in her own home and the children could only have seen her naked if they had been spying on her.

Norris, who worked at a Sue Ryder charity shop in her home town of Ringwood, Hampshire, said she had been the victim of abuse from youngsters in the town and she felt these girls had been taunting her. During the trial Charles Gabb, prosecuting, told the jury that Norris was naked by the window when she was seen by the two girls on two days in a row.

He said: The defendant, Miss Norris, now transitioning, she has a penis, was standing there fully naked, on the first day almost glorifying in that nudity over quite a period of time knowing the girls were there and drawing attention to herself. And the next day when she saw them again and she was naked, glorying in her nudity, almost posturing, definitely manipulating her penis with these two young girls being able to see all this. The Crown would suggest there was no attempt to cover up, no attempts of any modesty or propriety.

He said that one of the girls described the defendant throwing her penis around and added both children could see her playing with her penis and knowing the children were watching. It certainly caused alarm for these two children and an element of distress as well.

Norris told the court she thought the children had only seen her head and shoulders and, when asked why she did not put clothes on, replied: Because I am a naturist and I didnt see it was necessary in my own home. She added: For people like me, we can provide an object of curiosity, so we attract unwanted attention and various behaviours related to it. I have seen it quite a lot. I think they got themselves wound up and were taunting me for a while.

After the jury returned its not guilty verdicts, Norris, entered guilty pleas to three charges of making indecent images of children of categories A, B and C, one count of possessing prohibited images of children and a charge of possessing an extreme image depicting a person engaging in sexual activity with an animal.

As well as the prison sentence, Judge Nicholas Rowland made Norris subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years. The court the defendant had 16,000 images of children including about 2,000 still and 121 moving images of category A seriousness. The images included children aged as young as three with others showing youngsters aged about six in distress and pain, the court heard.

Sentencing Norris, Judge Rowland said that Norris had also in her possession written notes describing sexual fantasies involving a four-and-a-half year old child and a New Years resolution to have sex with a girl under 10.

He told the defendant: Its all about you Samantha Norris and not the victims. You do not accept they are victims, you have distorted views and you do not feel your offending should be treated as serious how would a right-minded person think about that? Your views are alarming and complex you present a high risk of harm to children.

He added: Its pretty blatant to me that you decided not to enter guilty pleas (earlier) as these pleas would have gone in front of the jury of the other matters.