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A former police officer has been jailed for sending "inappropriate" and "sexualised" messages to a vulnerable woman whose case he was investigating.

Stuart Trentham, 41, was a South Yorkshire Police officer based in Doncaster when a woman reported that sexual images of her had been posted on the internet without her consent.

Sheffield Crown Court heard that Trentham was in charge of the investigation and lied to the victim, telling her that a suspect was being interviewed when in fact the case had been closed.

The prosecution said the defendant's behaviour became increasingly inappropriate, and started to deteriorate when he began to sign his messages to the victim with a kiss.

Prosecutor Joseph Bell said Trentham then told the woman he "liked a bit of meat" and that there is "nothing worse than a flat, boney butt".

Mr Bell said the woman blocked the defendant but decided to unblock him as she thought he might still have legitimate information about the investigation she wrongly believed was ongoing.

The court heard Trentham later sent the woman a picture of him in police uniform with the message "working hard" accompanied by winking and kissing emojis.

Mr Bell said said the woman had trusted Trentham when he investigated the sexual images but said in her victim personal statement: "I have now come to the painful realisation that I was simply a target for exploitation by him."

Jailing him for nine months, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said Trentham committed a crime that has "undermined" public trust in the police.

Judge Richardson said the defendant began sending WhatsApp messages which started off as "personal", progressed to being "inappropriate" and then to being "sexualised".

Judge Richardson said he was concerned that this kind of offending could result in vulnerable women not coming forward to report crimes.

He told Trentham: "I take no pleasure in sending a former police officer to prison for nine months.

"You have brought this on yourself. It is a terrible day for you.

"I hope this sentence restores some confidence the public repose in the police."

David James, defending, said his client wanted to apologise to the woman and to his former colleagues in the police.

Trentham had pleaded guilty to one count of wilful misconduct at an earlier hearing.

In response to the sentencing, Trentham's former force released a statement saying criminality and poor standards are not tolerated.

Ch Cons Lauren Poultney said: "Members of the public have the right to a police workforce which reflects the true values of policing at all times, and that is especially crucial when they are reporting a crime to us.

“The victim showed great courage coming forward and reporting Trentham’s criminal behaviour. I know this can be particularly difficult to do when the offender is a police officer.

“Ensuring that our officers uphold the force’s standards and culture is an utmost priority for me, and when misconduct and criminality is identified the perpetrators will be dealt with robustly.”

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A man from London was sentenced on Friday 14 February to 12 years imprisonment and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, following an investigation into child sex offences in Portsmouth.

William Brown (48) of Beatrice Close in Hillingdon, London appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday for sentencing, following his conviction at the same court on Thursday 19 December 2024 where he pleaded guilty to:

• Rape of a boy under 13
• Two counts of cause/incite a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Two counts of assault a boy under 13 by touching
• Grooming

The Eastern Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT East) launched an investigation into Brown, after reports were received that he had groomed an 11 year-old boy Portsmouth in September 2023 and sexually abused a 7 year-old boy Port Solent in 2020.

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A Flintshire man has been jailed for 16 years for sexually assaulting three girls.

Adam Griffiths, of no fixed abode, carried out the offences over a seven-year period.

Appearing at Mold Crown Court today, Monday, February 17th, he was jailed after being found guilty by a jury at Mold Crown Court in January.

He was handed three consecutive sentences totalling 16 years in prison, as well as a year of additional licence.

He will be registered as a sex offender indefinitely and was issued restraining orders to protect the victims and their families for the next 10 years.

He was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

Record details

A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after committing online sexual offences against three girls aged between eight and 14.

Edward Durlik, 41 (08/01/1983), of Woking created multiple fake online profiles to gain his victims’ trust. He posed intermittently as an 11-year-old girl, a 13-year-old boy, and a 13-year-old girl, and even used photos of a child known to him to support the fake online persona he was portraying.

When speaking to one of his victims, Durlik devised a points game where he would challenge her to send him photos throughout the day. Each photo would be scored, with lower points for normal, everyday images, and higher points for more sexually graphic images and videos. If the victim stopped communicating with him, Durlik would use guilt and blame to force her to send more images.

Police became aware of the messages when a victim’s father found sexualised messages, images, and videos on his daughter’s phone. Durlik was identified through phone work and arrested in June 2023 on suspicion of inciting a child under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity.

A forensic examination of his phone discovered 1,055 indecent images of children, 258 of which were Category A images, the most serious, as well as 296 Category B images and 501 Category C images. It was also established that 471 indecent images/movies had been distributed to 39 separate users online.

Durlik was charged on 29 April 2024 with the following offences:

• Five counts of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity (covering 11 separate occasions)
• One count of causing or inciting a girl under 16 to engage in penetrative sexual activity (covering more than two occasions)
• One count of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity (covering two separate occasions)
• Two counts of causing a child under 13 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity (covering more than five occasions)
• Two counts of encouraging the distribution of indecent images (covering eight separate occasions)
• Two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child
• Three counts of making an indecent photo/pseudo photo of a child
• Three counts of distributing an indecent photo/pseudo photo of a child

During sentencing on Friday, 14 February at Guildford Crown Court, His Honour Judge Sellers described Durlik as “dangerous” due to the sustained nature of the offending, significant planning, and manipulative behaviour he employed, and deemed that he should serve a further three-year period of extended licence. He was also issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a Deprivation Order, and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

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A re-offending paedophile who breached a sexual harm prevention order by indecently exposed himself to two young girls has been jailed.

Peter Melville, 60, of Highland Road, Portsmouth, was sentenced to 46 months in custody at Swindon Crown Court last Friday (14/02).

Melville pleaded guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention order following an incident of indecent exposure in Covingham last year.

At around 2pm on September 3, 2024, the victims, aged 12 at the time, were approached by Melville who said he was sexually attracted to them before unzipping his trousers and attempting to expose himself.

We conducted CCTV and doorbell enquiries to identify the offender, who was formerly known as Raymond Casson with more than 10 previous convictions for sexual offences.

Firearms officers stopped and arrested Melville near the M4 in Swindon at 6.30pm and he remained in custody.

In a statement read to the court, one victim, who previously didn't feel scared at all, said Melville's actions left her feeling unsafe and afraid to go out by herself.

She said: "He looked like an innocent, normal man when he walked past - I didn’t think he was going to do something like that.

"I was crying and feeling terrified for a while. It was only when the police arrived I started to calm down because I knew
they were going to help and he wouldn’t come back."

Another victim described how she banged and kicked a house door in an attempt to scare off Melville after he approached her.

Record details

A man has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for breaking the conditions of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order while staying in Wiltshire.

Jason King, 32, of North Ferriby, North Humberside, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on February 14 after pleading guilty to numerous offences.

Between November 2023 and May 2024, King made and distributed indecent images and videos of children including some of the most serious category A.

After serving his custodial sentence King will continue to be on licence for a further two and half year and will subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order indefinitely.

Detective Constable Anthony Swift, of the Child Internet Exploitation Team said: "King was convicted of multiple distribution and making indecent images of children. While staying overnight in Chicklade he has engaged in sexual communications with a child which is a breach of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order. These are court orders put in place to protect the public from sexual harm.

"We will continue to manage these orders robustly and undertake more work that goes unreported.

Record details

A meticulous Met Police investigation has today ensured that a dangerous sex offender has been given a 21-year sentence.

Keith Edun, 47 (12. 11.1976) of Strathmore Road, Croydon appeared at Croydon Crown Court on Friday, 14 February, where he was jailed for encouraging the rape and sexual assault of a baby, distribution of indecent images of children, two counts of making indecent images of children and perverting the course of justice.

Detective Constable Phill Govett, investigating officer for the case said:

“Keith Edun has proven himself to be a dangerous sexual offender and a clear risk to children.

“Edun went to great lengths to hide his offending, even deleting a messaging app from his phone before answering the front door to officers ready to search his address.

“This complex investigation has consisted of meticulous enquiries and digital forensic examination of the disturbing material that Edun held on his phone. The fact that Edun will now be behind bars for a long time, means he cannot harm any more vulnerable children.”

An investigation was launched by detectives specialising in tackling the sexual abuse and exploitation of children in 2021. Police were informed that indecent images of children had been posted on the social media app ‘Kik’.

The account was linked to Edun’s address in Croydon and a warrant was executed in September 2021. Electrical devices were seized and officers downloaded data showing that Edun had been downloading and then deleting ‘Kik’ in an attempt to hide his online activity.

A separate investigation by another force led to the conviction of a male for the rape of a baby which occurred in March 2020. Upon examination of that male’s devices the investigating officers located online communication with Edun’s Kik account during which Edun had encouraged the male to commit the rape.

Edun was charged in October 2023 and was remanded into custody.

He appeared at Croydon Crown Court on Friday, 14 February where he was sentenced to 13 years in custody with an extended licence period of eight years following his assessment as a dangerous offender. He was also issued with a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

The judge said that the evidence shows a determined and committed sexual interest in children, especially babies, over an extended period and that Edun poses a significant risk of harm to children.

DC Govett added “This investigation is an example of the dedication of the Met’s Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Command to keep vulnerable children safe across the UK. Despite Edun not being physically present at the rape, this sentencing shows that those who encourage such offences online are just as culpable for the harm caused.”

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A Torquay man has been jailed for a total of 17 years plus one on extended licence for raping a child and other sexual offences.

Michael Dickinson, 67, of Abbey Road, Torquay, will also have to sign on to the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and was given a 25-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Dickinson pleaded to guilty to two charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and was convicted of two charges of rape of a child under 13 following a trial in December. He was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on Thursday 13 February.

Detective Constable James Kelly, who led the investigation said:

 “The sentenced passed by the judge today is to be welcomed.

“Praise is due to the young victim for the bravery they have shown in reporting this to us and for remaining engaged with the investigation and prosecution of this case, all the way through to its conclusion. Also, for her family who have undoubtedly helped and supported her through this process.

“Devon & Cornwall Police is clear in its approach to reports of this nature – we will listen, and you will be heard.

“We will always actively investigate any such crime and seek to bring those responsible to justice for the victims, who we would urge to come forward and report offences to us.”

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A sex offender who raped a woman while she slept has been locked up.

James Spedding and the victim, who were known to each other, had been drinking together on the evening of 15 March 2022.

In the early hours of the following morning she awoke to discover Spedding lying on top of her.

The victim, who was vulnerable and unable to consent to sex, told family members who reported it to police.

Spedding, aged 26, of Mansfield, was arrested a short time later and the victim was interviewed and supported by specialist officers.

He denied rape but was found guilty after a trial at Nottingham Crown Court in November last year.

On Thursday (13 February) he was given a seven-year custodial sentence which he will begin in a secure hospital.

He was also given a 10-year restraining order and must register with police under the Sexual Offences Act indefinitely.

Record details

A former Tory councillor ‘wanted to sexually abuse’ a teen boy, a court heard.

William Horley pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and was sentenced at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 12 February.

The 47-year-old defendant, who was a parish councillor for Chiseldon and Lawn in recent years, spoke to a profile on Grindr – which had been set up by a paedophile hunter.

Between 12 and 19 March 2024, he spoke about the sexual activity he would have with the boy and the sexual acts he wanted to carry out. He also sent the profile a nude photo of himself.

Horley, of Orchard Road, Marlborough, was sentenced to an 18-month community order with the requirement to carry out 40 days of rehabilitation activity. He was also fined £3,000.

The defendant was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years.

Record details

A sex offender who was found by officers in a child’s bed after gaining the trust of the victim’s family has been jailed.

Jake Booth of Pembury Grove in Tonbridge was already banned from communicating with children when he met the teenage girl online and started living in her home.

The 22-year-old created an internet chat group for motorbike enthusiasts and used the forum to contact the child.

From there, their conversations moved to Snapchat and Booth made arrangements to meet the girl and her parents.

After gaining the confidence of the family, he convinced them they were simply close friends so he was allowed to stay in their home.

But, unbeknown to the family, Booth was the subject of a sexual harm prevention order following previous convictions for making indecent images of children in 2022.

This 10-year order included strict measures to protect children and meant he was prohibited from having any unsupervised contact or communication with anyone under 16.

On April 11, 2024, Booth was arrested and found in the child’s bed by officers.

He was charged with 14 offences relating to breaches of a sexual harm prevention order and sex offender notification requirements.

Booth pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and on January 31 and he was sentenced to three years in prison.

Record details

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

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

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

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

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

Record details

A man who followed a woman through Long Eaton before attempting to rape her has been jailed.

Paul Jinks stalked the woman as she walked home from a night out in in July 2024.

As she reached Darwin Road, he grabbed her from behind and put his hand over her mouth, telling her not to shout.

The woman attempted to break free and fight him but fell on the floor. Jinks then picked her up and dragged her backwards to a secluded grassy area where he hit her in the face and sexually assaulted her before attempting to rape her.

The woman’s cries for help were heard by the residents of a nearby house who yelled at Jinks to leave her alone and ran out on to the street to help.

Jinks then fled the scene, running through a nearby garden as he escaped. The homeowner called police after seeing him on their property. Officers attended the scene and found blood stains on a broken bin Jinks had climbed on as he ran away.

CCTV footage from the area showed Jinks had followed the woman for some time before the attack. He was also seen following at least two other women before the incident.

The blood was tested and found to belong to Paul Jinks, who was believed to be living in the Cambridgeshire area on a traveller’s encampment. Officers in Cambridgeshire were asked to help with arrest attempts and the 21-year-old was arrested on 24 July, ten days after the attack.

He was subsequently charged with attempted rape.

Jinks, of no fixed address, admitted the offence and appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentence on 7 February when he was jailed for eight years and nine months with an extended licence period of six years. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

In a victim impact statement, the woman described the effect the incident has had on her: “Since this has happened I don’t feel like I will ever be able to go out on my own again, at least not anytime soon.

“I feel like I would be terrified doing this and constantly looking behind my shoulder wondering who may appear behind me.

“I have heard about these things happening but I never thought that this would happen to me.”

Record details

A teenager who sexually abused three young girls will spend longer locked up after his sentence was increased.

Dominic Legg, of Hartlepool, carried out a series of sexual assaults and rapes on his victims over a four-year period leaving them suffering from the traumatic effects of his abuse, Teesside Crown Court heard in November.

The 19-year-old was sentenced to five years and nine months at a young offenders’ institute but will now spend eight years in custody after a Court of Appeal challenge.

Detective Inspector Lou Sproson from Hartlepool CID said: “I am pleased that Legg’s sentence has been increased to reflect the nature and severity of his offending. This is welcomed by the officers who investigated the case and by the victims and their families.

His victims ranged in age from under ten to 15 years old and took place when he was underage, with the abuse starting when he was around 12.

In victim impact statements, the three young victims and their families outlined the devastating effect that Legg’s sexual abuse had on them.

One wrote: “What Dominic Legg did to me physically and mentally broke me. This has had a massive impact on my life and I will hate myself forever for not doing anything sooner.

“I was a vulnerable little girl.”

Another victim wrote: “I have had to go through therapy because of what happened to me. I could not even speak the words of what Dominic did to me.

“I fear every day that it will happen to me again and find it hard to adjust to normal life.”

He was found guilty of 13 charges against the three victims including counts of rape, sexual assault, and engaging in sexual activity with a child after trial.

Legg, of Harrow Street, will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life and he was also given indefinite restraining orders preventing him from contacting the victims.

Record details

A "dangerous" paedophile who boasted online about molesting a girl after threatening her into performing sex acts has been jailed for eight years.

Ian Campbell, 34, told his young victim she had to follow his orders otherwise he would publish indecent photographs of her online, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

He was caught after bragging in a chatroom and saying he wished he had raped the girl to what he thought was another abuser, but it was actually an undercover police officer.

Campbell, from Kettering, Northamptonshire, admitted nine offences against two girls, which were committed when he lived in the North East.

Campbell, who has previous convictions for possessing indecent images of children, began abusing the first girl when she was eight years old, prosecutor Andrew Finlay said.

He took indecent pictures of her which he then threatened to release online unless she did what he said, the court heard.

In March 2021, Campbell contacted what he thought was a paedophile on the app Kik, Mr Finlay said.

He went on to tell the person, who was an undercover police officer, about the abuse he had carried out in graphic detail, the court heard.

'High risk to children'

Campbell said he wished he had been "brave enough" to rape the girl but had only stopped short of that because he feared any physical "damage" he would cause to her would be noticed by other people, the court was told.

He also admitted sexually assaulting a second girl when she was seven years old.

His first victim declined to make a victim impact statement as she did "not want to drag things up" and wanted to "put matters behind her", Mr Finlay said.

The second victim said the abuse made her feel sick and she had suffered "waves" of depression and anxiety in the aftermath.

Campbell, of Mill Road, must sign the sex offender register for life after admitting offences including assaulting a child under 13 by penetration and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Judge Penny Moreland concluded Campbell was a "dangerous offender" who posed a "high risk of serious harm" to children.

He will have to serve four years on extended licence upon his release and can only be released partway through the eight-year incarceration if approved by the Parole Board, the judge said.