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A registered sex offender has been sent back to prison, after robust management of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by our Sex Offender Management Unit (SOMU), with support from partner agencies, who identified breaches amounting to criminal offences.

This man had been previously convicted for sexual offences against children and upon release from prison had been subject to monitoring under a SHPO. This regular monitoring is to prevent and deter further offending, and deal with any breaches swiftly should they occur.

Earlier this year, SOMU conducted a home visit after concerns that a previously convicted sex offender was in breach of his SHPO. This information led to a productive visit to his address, where officers were able to obtain enough information and evidence to suggest he was breaching his prevention order.

In July 2025, Ian Beeby (71) from Bolton was arrested during a home compliance visit by SOMU, following concerns from the National Probation Service that he had engaged in conversation with male children who were filming themselves for a YouTube channel in Manchester City Centre.

Following enquiries by SOMU, officers were able to spot Beeby in a video posted by the children’s family and he was subsequently charged with breaching his sexual harm prevention order for communication with a child.

Beeby’s SHPO was in place following a conviction for offences against young boys, and he is now back in prison for three years after appearing at Bolton Crown Court today, 18 September.

Detective Superintendent Jen Tattersall, who leads our SOMU team, said:

“This case demonstrates the work being done by our Sex Offender Management Unit to ensure vulnerable people are being protected and offenders are being brought to justice.

“The progression of this unit has seen offender managers receiving live-time updates on changes to address or associations subjects have to children, which has improved effectiveness of the unit, expedited the arrests of offenders such as Beeby, and reduced risk to our communities.

“Child protection is our utmost priority, and I hope the action taken in this case serves as a warning to others who think they can get away with breaching their restrictions that you can’t.”

As part of ongoing improvements in the way SOMU manage and deal with offenders, the team have made 370 arrests in the last year, compared to 349 arrests the previous year, and conducted over 8000 positive compliance visits. With an 81% solved outcome rate over the last year, increasing from the previous 68%, it means that more children are being protected and safeguarded, and more offenders are going through the justice system.

The SOMU is a consistently growing team and is additionally boosted by the Sex Offender Crime Investigation Team (SOCIT). SOCIT is focused solely on investigating suspected offences by registered sex offenders in Greater Manchester. They have made a significant impact since their formation in 2022, with a 94% solved crime rate this year, an increase from the previous year at 88%. This remains the highest in the force.

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A prolific offender who physically and sexually assaulted several women, threatened another with a firearm and engaged in sexual communications with a child has been jailed.

Lewis Gleave appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 5 September, where he was jailed for a total of four years plus a further 3 years on prison licence, in relation to three separate investigations.

The sentencing comes after the 21-year-old pleaded guilty to three counts of assault by beating, two counts of sexual assault, possession of an imitation firearm with intent, possession of an imitation firearm whilst committing a schedule one offence and inflicting actual bodily harm.

Gleave was also found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and engaging in sexual communication with a child at an earlier hearing.

The first incident occurred on Monday 12 August 2024, when Gleave had been out at Sandbach Park with four others, when he began making inappropriate and sexualised comments towards a 17-year-old girl who was with them.

His behaviour toward the girl further escalated when he tried to hug her without her consent and went on to slap her bottom.

The girl, and a 19-year-old man who was amongst the group, called out his behaviour, to which Gleave kicked the man to the floor and began punching him, accusing him of making up that he had inappropriately touched the girl.

Later that week, on Friday 17 August, the same group were in the park again, when Gleave was described as coming out of nowhere and approaching the group. He, again, slapped the bottom of the same girl he had touched earlier in the week. He also grabbed her head whilst she was sat on a bench and pushed it toward his crotch against her consent.

Gleave targeted the same 19-year-old man as he did previously, kicking him to the floor and demanding he fight him.

The man refused and Gleave left the area. He was arrested a short time later after he was reported to Cheshire Police.

A few weeks later, on Sunday 1 September, Gleave had been speaking to a 13-year-old girl via Snapchat and FaceTime. Whilst talking to the girl, Gleave began asking her questions of a sexual nature, telling her about sexual acts. Some of the conversation was overheard by a nearby adult.

When interviewed by police about this, he admitted to speaking to the girl as he had known her when he was younger, but denied the conversation being sexual.

On the evening of Friday 27 September, whilst still under investigation for the other offences, Gleave approached a 27-year-old near to the Victoria Centre in Crewe and demanded to know if they had been threatening a friend of his.

During this exchange, the victim noticed that Gleave had what appeared to be a gun in a holster under the hi-vis jacket he was wearing and even made stated that he was “carrying”, a reference to being armed with a gun. It was, in fact, a BB gun.

Enquiries in the area revealed that this exchange had been captured on CCTV footage, with an officer identifying Gleave from a tattoo on his neck.

Three days later, Cheshire Police were contacted by a worker at a supported accommodation centre for young people in Crewe, who reported that Gleave had entered the property and physically and sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman.

Gleave had dragged one of them across their room and strangled the other, with this only stopping when the boyfriend of one of the victims arrived at the address.

Following these disclosures, Gleave was arrested the same day and interviewed at Middlewich Custody by officers.

He denied any wrongdoing for all of the aforementioned offences until he went to court, eventually entering guilty pleas relating to the three counts of assault by beating, two of the sexual assaults, causing actual bodily harm and being in possession of an imitation firearm.

On top of his custodial sentence, Gleave has been handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, five restraining orders and will have to sign the sex offenders register.

Following his sentencing, Detective Constable Lydia Thompson, of the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, said:

“Lewis Gleave is a prolific and dangerous offender, who continued to offend despite being under investigation for numerous serious offences, without any care or thought for the impact this would have on his victims.

“Gleave has shown himself to be a risk to society, targeting a number of vulnerable people during his near three-month rampage, in which he failed to take no for an answer and attacked those who stood up to him.

“I am glad to see that the courts found Gleave guilty of the offences he refused to hold any accountability for, and I hope that the multiple victims his behaviour has affected can breathe a sigh of relief and begin to move on with their lives.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the victims in this case, all of whom have been affected by Gleave’s abhorrent actions in different ways, it was their bravery in disclosing what had happened to them that proved so vital in securing this conviction.

“They can rest assured in the knowledge that even when he does face release, he will be continually monitored by specialist officers to ensure he causes no harm or distress to them again.”

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George Renny was sentenced today, Wednesday 17 September, to 32 months in jail at Cardiff Crown Court.

The 56-year-old from Gloucestershire, previously pleaded guilty for offences including intentionally causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child aged 16, making and taking indecent images of a child and possession of extreme pornography.

The evidence from Renny’s phone revealed the full extent of the risk he posed with hundreds of indecent images of children – including, but not limited to, the victim in this case - being found.

DC Lyndsay Boulton, the officer in charge said:

“I hope this sentencing, not only provides reassurance and solace to the victim, but also serves as a message to perpetrators who exploit vulnerable people, that it absolutely will not be tolerated.

“Sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It is not always recognised by, or obvious to victims, with perpetrators’ often grooming or convincing them they are in a loving or consensual relationship.

“This complex investigation began following a concern being raised by a member of the public and I would like to personally thank those who stepped forward in this instance. Their report played an important role in safeguarding children.

“The effects of being a victim of this crime can be longstanding. We will continue to support the victim and are committed to bringing perpetrators of child exploitation before the courts.”

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A 28-year-old man has today been jailed after violently raping and assaulting a woman.

Reece Wynne, of Greenbank Lane, Soughton, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Tuesday, 16 September, after admitting to offences of rape and assault causing physical harm.

Wynne attacked and raped the woman at a holiday lodge in Caerwys.

He also failed to comply with sex offender notification requirements he had previously been made subject of in 2017.

He was jailed for eight years and one month.

He was also made subject of a restraining order protecting the victim indefinitely and must register with police indefinitely. 

Detective Constable Jessica Rowley said:

“This was a truly horrifying experience that will stay with the victim for a long time.

“I commend her bravery to seek support and report Wynne’s actions which has resulted in his conviction.

“We will do everything in our power to bring those who inflict sexual harm to justice.

“I understand that reporting sexual assault can be incredibly difficult. However, I would reassure any victim that we will listen, take your report seriously and fully investigate. We are here to support you.”

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Two members of staff at a care home in St Helens have been jailed following an investigation into reports a teenage resident was incited into sexual activity and given ketamine and cannabis.

Lindy Leah, 44 years, of Capesthorne Road, Warrington, was a key worker and assistant manager of a privately-run childrens care home on Lingmell Avenue, which has since closed.

Her phone was seized by officers investigating the supply of drugs, but after downloading information from the device detectives found thousands of messages exchanged with a teenage child, many of them sexualised and speaking about giving him and others drugs

An investigation by the Criminal and Child Sexual Exploitation Team (CCSET) at Merseyside Police followed during which further evidence was gathered and witnesses spoken to.

Both Leah and Morgan Quigley, a support worker at then home, aged 29 years, of Cooperage Close, Liverpool pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class B drugs (ketamine). Leah additionally admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis resin.

Leah had denied the charge of abuse of a position of trust - causing/inciting sexual activity with a boy aged 13 to 17.

But following a trial, Leah was found guilty and on Monday 15 September appeared at Liverpool Crown Court where she was sentenced to 23 months. Quigley was given a 12-month community order, ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation days, and given a 12-month mental health treatment requirement on Tuesday 16 September.

Detective Inspector Tony Meakins, from the Criminal and Child Sexual Exploitation Team, said:

Our Criminal and Child Sexual Exploitation Team conducted an exhaustive investigation into the actions of both Leah and Quigley.

In the case of Leah, the evidence demonstrated a completely inappropriate relationship that she had instigated with a teenage boy at the care home, who she went on to meet away from the home.

Despite denying the allegations, Leah was found guilty of an utterly appalling course of conduct.

Her role at the home meant she should have been playing a leading role in ensuring the often vulnerable residents were protected and supported.

Instead, she chose to sexually exploit the victim and even alongside Quigley - ply him and other young people with drugs.

The impact on victims in cases such as this can be significant and long-lasting, and I hope this sentence provides some comfort to him and his family.

Det Insp Tony Meakins added

We are completely committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and bringing those who seek to do them harm to justice.

If you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, or know of a child being exploited in any way, please come forward and report this to police.

We take all such reports extremely seriously and if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.

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A victim of a sexual assault in Christchurch bravely reported what happened, which led to the immediate arrest of the offender.

Michael John Parcell, aged 63 and of Winchester, pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual assault on a male at Bournemouth Crown Court.

The offences occurred in the early hours of Monday 21 August 2023 at a hotel in Somerford Road.

Parcell had travelled to the area with the victim – a teenage boy – and they were staying overnight at the hotel. During the night, the victim was woken up by Parcell, who sexually assaulted him.

The victim was able to bravely run out of the hotel and contact the police straight away. Officers swiftly attended the area and located Parcell nearby and arrested him.

The defendant’s mobile phone was seized and following an examination, it was found to show images and videos of the sexual assaults.

Parcell was sentenced at the same court on Friday 5 September 2025 to five years in prison.

Detective Constable Eszter Sabik, of BCP CID, said:

“Parcell had pre-planned the assault and engineered the circumstances to be able to take advantage of his young victim, who was asleep, away from home, and in the care of a person he trusted – something which is completely abhorrent and unacceptable. I am pleased that he is now behind bars facing justice for his behaviour.

“This was an extremely distressing incident for the victim and we have continued to provide support to him.

“I would like to commend his bravery in coming forward and reporting what happened straight away – we will always listen and take your report seriously.”

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A child rapist has been jailed for 29 years after boasting to a police officer. 

In May this year, Jaifar Trigwell began talking to who he believed was another paedophile online. He bragged about abusing and raping a child and also videoed some of the acts and went on to propose to exchange them with the officer. 

The abuse which occurred between 2023 and 2025 ended abruptly with the 42-year-old’s arrest. 

Jaifar Trigwell denied the allegations whilst in interview and stated he lost his phone at the time of the online conversations however he later pleaded guilty to four counts of rape of a child, two counts of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and four counts relating to indecent images. 

Trigwell, of Darlington, appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Monday (September 15) where he was jailed for 29 years. He was also placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for life, issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim. 

Detective Constable Amie Thornton, from Darlington Safeguarding Unit, said:

“The abuse suffered by the child will have a significant and profound impact on them for many years to come. 

"I would like to praise the amazing courage shown by the victim and officers working on the investigation which ultimately led to Trigwell having no choice but to admit the offences and plead guilty. 

“We are constantly working with specialist officers to monitor, expose, and jail similar sexual abusers like Trigwell.” 

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A man who abused a woman who was seventeen at the time over a period of eight months has been sentenced to fifteen years behind bars and will be on the sex offenders register for life, after he was found guilty at Grimsby Crown Court on Wednesday, 2 July 2025. 

Dylan Lowther, 21-years-old of Hull was sentenced yesterday (Tuesday, 16 September 2025), after he was convicted of 11 offences following a five-day trial at Grimsby Crown Court on Wednesday, 2 July 2025.

Lowther was found guilty by a unanimous jury of four counts of assault by penetration, three counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, one count of sexual assault, two counts of rape and one count of controlling or coercive behaviour.

The investigation was launched in 2024 when Lowther was brought to the attention of officers after a woman attended a police station in Hull reporting a history of abuse.

Shortly after the launch of the investigation, Lowther was arrested and later interviewed by detectives. Whilst being interviewed, Lowther denied all allegations of abuse put to him and claimed that the reports were false and malicious. Lowther was remanded in custody after being charged with the 11 offences.

Leading the investigation Detective Constable Nadine Wilson said

“Today I would like to thank the woman who came forward, it is solely through her bravery and courage that we were able to launch this investigation and bring this offender to justice.

“This ordeal will undoubtedly stay with the woman for the rest of her life, no amount of justice will erase the harm and trauma Lowther has inflicted, but I hope knowing he will be behind bars for a very long time will bring some kind of relief.

“We take all reports of sexual and domestic abuse seriously and continue to seek justice for those who have suffered at the hands of predators.

“Our specialist trained officers work closely with partnering and support agencies across the region, to support victims and survivors and to bring justice to perpetrators of sexual crimes of any nature.

“When ready, we urge victims to come forward and tell someone, report these crimes to the police and we will do everything we can to hold those accountable.”

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An asylum seeker who raped a woman in Hyde Park has been jailed for eight and a half years.

Abdelrahmen Adnan Abouelela, a married father of one, approached her in the central London park as she was walking home alone from a night out in November 2024. He then lured his victim to a secluded spot where he raped her.

Abouelela, who claims he was held as a political prisoner and tortured in Egypt, is in the UK illegally, Judge Gregory Perrins told Southwark Crown Court.

Judge Perrins told the 42-year-old defendant, whose address was given as a hotel in Ealing, west London: "You were driven purely by your own sexual desires."

Automatic deportation order

"It must have been obvious to you that she was a woman under the influence of alcohol who was alone and vulnerable," Judge Perrins told the court.

"You made the decision to take advantage of her vulnerability."

Judge Perrins added: "You simply did not care that she could not consent: you just took what you wanted."

Abouelela arrived in the UK in April 2023 and claimed asylum for fear of persecution in his home country of Egypt, the court was told.

His wife and son currently live in Turkey, the court heard.

Judge Perrins commended the victim for her "immense bravery and courage" in giving evidence during Abouelela's trial at the same court earlier this year.

Jurors found Abouelela guilty of one count of rape on 22 May.

Because he was given a prison sentence of more than 12 months, he will be subject to an automatic deportation order.

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A Medway rapist whose offending was disclosed by a young victim to a school worker has been jailed for 16 years.

George Payne-Woodham, formerly of Grange Road, Gillingham, was found guilty of multiple offences following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

Investigation

It was reported to Kent Police on 26 September 2024 that a child had told a member of school staff that they had been subjected to sexual abuse over several years.

Specialist detectives from the force launched an immediate investigation and Payne-Woodham was arrested later that day. On 28 September 2024, he was charged.

The offender, who pleaded not guilty, was convicted on all counts by a jury of child rape, inciting a child into sexual activity and sexual assault of a child.

Jailed

On Friday 12 September 2025, Payne-Woodham, 21, was sentenced to 16 years in prison and will have to serve at least two thirds of the custodial period before he is eligible for parole. Under the terms of an extended sentence, he will spend a further four years on licence when he is released.

He will also be subject to sex offender notification requirements indefinitely and restrictions imposed by a 25 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Conor Middleton said:

'Payne-Woodham is an abhorrent criminal who subjected a young victim to appalling sexual abuse on numerous occasions. I’m pleased he has received a lengthy sentence and that restrictions are in place to prevent further innocent children from becoming victims.

'I must praise the courage of the young victim in this case, whose disclosure to a trusted adult meant that we were able to investigate and bring to justice a dangerous sexual predator.'

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A 46-year-old man has been jailed for five years for sexually assaulting a stranger in a North Tyneside park.

Khaled Ibrahim encountered the victim in March 2022 after she became separated from her friends during a night out. He took her hand offering help, but then tried to remove her clothing, kissed her without consent, and sexually assaulted her.

The victim pushed Ibrahim away and fled to a stranger's house, where she immediately reported the incident.

Identified via CCTV, Ibrahim was arrested and denied wrongdoing. After a lengthy investigation by Northumbria Police's Safeguarding Department, he was charged with sexual assault in April 2024.

Following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court in August 2025, he was found guilty. He was sentenced on September 10, 2025, to five years' imprisonment and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

In her Victim Personal Statement, she said:

“I am very cautious about who I speak to in general, but I feel I have been forced to put a barrier up now and have had panic attacks in public since this incident making me feel extremely vulnerable whilst out in public alone.

“Because this was a stranger offence I am worried I will bump into the suspect. I have not been sleeping properly and have been suffering from nightmares regularly. These nightmares got worse over the week leading up to court.

“I have had trouble maintaining friendships with male friends, people I should be able to trust. My mind wonders all the time questioning if I am safe in other peoples’ company.

“I am really struggling to come to terms with what happened to me.”

Detective Constable Caroline Ross said:

“Ibrahim is clearly a predatory man who was on the lookout for someone vulnerable that night which he unfortunately found.

“I want to praise the victim in this case who trusted police by making that first report and allowed us to act for her and bring her attacker to justice.”

Det Con Ross added: “Ibrahim now has the rest of his life ahead of him on the Sex Offenders’ Register so everyone will know what he is and how he behaves.

“We hope the outcome sends a clear message to others who may consider committing these types of crimes – we won’t tolerate this it and we will do everything we can to put you before the courts.”

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A registered sex offender has been jailed for 20 years for the "sickening" attempted rape of a teenage girl, according to South Yorkshire Police.

Ben Johnson, 38, of no fixed address, wore a balaclava as he exposed himself to the girl, sexually assaulted her, and attempted to rape her in Tongue Gutter Woods in Sheffield on 27 June 2024.

The girl punched Johnson, escaped, and reported the attack to police the same day.

She provided a description of her attacker and later identified Johnson in a controlled ID process.

After his arrest, Johnson gave a prepared statement denying the offenses and did not comment during two interviews.

Following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court in July, he was found guilty of attempted rape of a girl under 16, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of exposure. He was sentenced at the same court on Monday and given an indefinite restraining order barring contact with the victim.

Det Con Kevin Sibley, who led the investigation, praised the victim's

"incredible courage throughout her ordeal."

"She was able to provide a strong positive ID of her attacker, which helped prove Johnson was responsible for this sickening crime," he said. "I commend her for her remarkable bravery."

Sibley added he was "pleased with the lengthy sentence," noting, "A dangerous man is now behind bars where he belongs."

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A man who raped a woman while under investigation for sexually abusing two boys has been jailed for almost 18 years.

Aidn Cowen, 23, was a teenager when he sexually assaulted a nine-year-old boy and raped a boy as young as six, threatening both with violence, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Having been arrested and released on bail for those offences, Cowen, from Annfield Plain in County Durham, raped a 20-year-old woman, the court heard.

He was found guilty of eight offences against the boys and admitted raping the woman, with Judge Penny Moreland describing him as an "offender of particular concern".

Cowen was 16 or 17 when he attacked his first victim, a nine-year-old boy, sexually assaulting him and threatening to "hurt" the child if he did not comply, prosecutor Joe Culley said.

The rapist was between 18 and 19 when he targeted his second victim, a boy aged as young as six at the time, who he raped and then threatened to slap if he did not keep it a secret, the court heard.

While under investigation for those offences, Cowen, who was 20 at the time, raped a woman, ignoring her pleas to stop, Mr Culley said.

'Serious psychological harm'

In a statement read to the court, Cowen's first victim said he had been "completely overwhelmed both physically and mentally" by the abuse.

The youth said he was fighting an internal battle every day and started self-harming to use pain as a distraction from his thoughts, the court heard.

Judge Moreland said Cowen had caused "serious psychological harm" and was "an offender of particular concern".

Cowen, who was jailed for 17 years and eight months, will have to serve a further two years on extended licence upon his release from prison, sign the sex offender register and comply with a sexual harm prevention order for life.

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A rapist has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after being found guilty of a series of serious sexual offences against children.  

Michael Abass, aged 48, from Heckmondwike was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court today (16 September) for sexual offences described by detectives as some of the worst they have ever seen.

The 48-year-old was found guilty of 16 offences against two girls and a boy.  They  included seven offences of rape against one of the victims, with other offending including sexual assault and coercive and controlling behaviour.  

He also admitted an offence of sexual assault by touching on a female child under 13.  

The offending took place between 2015 and 2024 when some of it was reported to Kirklees District Police in August of that year by one of the three victims.  

The report initiated an investigation by specialist detectives from the Kirklees District Child Safeguarding Unit.  

Abass was arrested straight after the initial report was made and was charged on 19 August.

He will have to sign on the sex offenders register life on his release from prison and was made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order

In sentencing at Newcastle Crown Court today, his honour Judge Doig commended the bravery of the victims and  stated that Abass acted in a depraved manner towards children, and was a dangerous offender.

DC Yvonne Brear of Kirklees District Child Safeguarding Unit, said:

“The monstrous offences committed by Michael Abass against his three victims are quite simply some of the worst I have seen in a 14-year career in child safeguarding.

“Six of the rapes he was found guilty of represent rape offending which took place on at least ten occasions, illustrating the sheer scale of the awful sexual abuse he committed.  

“Frankly it is hard to comprehend how anyone could act in this way, and treat young children as nothing more than objects for their gratification.

“What is equally apparent in this case is the bravery of the three victims in reporting Abass and then supporting a prosecution, despite being put through the ordeal of a trial .”  

DI Paul Greatorex of Kirklees District Child Safeguarding Unit, added:

“Abass’s depravity and the courage of the victims in this case were also commented on in court by His Honour Judge Doig.    

“I hope those victims can take some comfort from knowing their steadfast support of this prosecution has been instrumental in making Abass answer for his crimes.  

“The depth of his offending against them was also very much reflected by the sentence imposed by the court today.

“We do, of course, continue to urge victims of any form of sexual offending in Kirklees to come forwards and speak with us.  

“You will be listened to by specialist officers who will do all they can to investigate and provide the support you may well need.” 

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A paedophile who amassed a 'mega file' of thousands of child abuse images was prone to hoarding due to his autism, a court heard.

Stephen Huxtable, 59, of Moorfield Road, Exmouth, downloaded and shared a vast collection of videos and images depicting children being raped and abused, totaling over 100,000 deviant files.

Upon arrest, he said: "I've never had a girlfriend, it's all fantasy."

He admitted nine charges under the Protection of Children Act and was sentenced to two years and four months at Exeter Crown Court.

Police intervened after an indecent image was uploaded to his Instagram in 2021. Released under investigation, he continued offending, including sending images and a Mega cloud file to an undercover officer.

The judge said Huxtable was effectively sharing access to a vault of indecent images and paedophile chat.

Phone searches revealed an enthusiastic interest in child sex abuse. Between September 2009 and January 2024, he downloaded over 17,000 indecent images and movies in category A, nearly 20,000 in category B, and 67,841 in category C.

Huxtable, a factory supervisor, also pleaded guilty to possessing 142 prohibited images of children and extreme images involving bestiality with a dog.

Defence barrister Tomas McGarvey said Huxtable had a recent autism diagnosis and anxiety, had lost his 25-year job, and that hoarding was an autistic trait, making him less culpable and entitled to a sentence reduction.

He warned that prison's sex offender wing would expose him to 'negative peer influences' and predators, adding: "It would run the risk of increasing his risk in future rather than reducing it."

Judge James Patrick said Huxtable had effectively 'shared the keys to a library of sexual abuse images' with the officer.

He acknowledged the mitigation and assessed Huxtable as posing a comparatively low future risk, but noted his continued offending under investigation and the crimes' severity required immediate imprisonment.