Latest Offenders

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A paedophile who repeatedly raped a young boy over a number of years has been given a life sentence following an investigation by specialist safeguarding officers in Leeds.

Mark Hutchinson-Schofield, aged 55, of Lovell Park Hill, Leeds, was found guilty following a trial at Leeds Crown Court this week.

The offences came to light in July last year when the victim told a teacher who alerted the police.

Hutchinson-Schofield was arrested but denied the offences in his police interview and called the victim a liar.

Officers from Leeds District Safeguarding Unit liaised with Crown Prosecution Service and were able to have him charged and remanded in custody immediately on the basis of the initial evidence, prior to the victim be able to give a full account.

He was also charged with offences related to breaching sex offender conditions, which he pleaded guilty to at the start of the trial.

Today at Leeds Crown Court, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years.

Detective Inspector Mark Tester, of Leeds District Safeguarding Unit, said: “Hutchinson-Schofield was responsible for an appalling and sustained catalogue of abuse against this vulnerable child that has had a devastating traumatic effect on the victim’s young life.

“He systematically sexually exploited the victim for his own gratification in circumstances that were a complete betrayal of trust.

“This was a challenging investigation where the officer in the case, Detective Constable Nicki Vincent, supported the victim at every stage to comprehensively capture all the evidence that has helped to secure these convictions against Hutchinson-Schofield.

“The victim was able to give his evidence to the court under special measures that allowed his account to be video recorded in advance of the trial to reduce the impact of the court process on him.

“We hope the significant sentence that Hutchinson-Schofield has now received will provide some reassurance to the victim and his family as well as to the wider community.

“Our specialist safeguarding officers will continue to do everything they can to secure convictions against predatory offenders like this to get justice for victims and protect others from harm.”

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A Wellingborough man has been imprisoned on the Falkland Islands after he admitted sexually abusing children there. Officials obtained an extradition order to return Ryan Martin Elstow to the island to face justice.

However, the former RAF serviceman voluntarily travelled the 8,000 miles to the British overseas territory and pleaded guilty to a number of offences against children. His lawyer said his actions displayed "rank indifference" to his victims' suffering.

Elstow, 35, is believed to have returned to Northamptonshire in recent years to start a new life. However, following an investigation by the Royal Falkland Islands Police, he was charged last year with eight counts of 'sexual activity with a child', contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

In April last year, officials formerly requested the UK extradite Elstow so he could stand trial. But he voluntarily returned to the Falklands and appeared in the islands' only magistrate's court where he pleaded guilty to seven of the offences, denying the eighth related charge.

Senior Magistrate Malcolm Simmons found him guilty of that offence in November. Elstow was sentenced in the same court last Wednesday, January 11, to a total of seven years imprisonment

Speaking at the sentencing, Elstow's lawyer, James Ross, admitted his client's behaviour displayed "rank indifference to the suffering of others", according to Penguin News. However, in mitigation, Mr Ross said said Elstow had pleaded guilty to seven of the counts, had volunteered to appear in court and had "experienced real trauma" while serving with the RAF in Afghanistan.

A spokesperson from the Falkland Islands Prosecution Service told NorthantsLive: "The defendant will serve his sentence in His Majestys Prison Stanley and is likely to be deported to the United Kingdom at the conclusion of the sentence." The islands' prison population is in single figures.

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A MAN who was previously found with hundreds of indecent images of children has been jailed after breaching a court order by signing up to a messaging app which deletes its history.

Jordan Williamson, of Mount Pleasant Road in Davenham, was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order in June of last year, after he was found with a total of 718 indecent images of children.

The 30-year-old also had in his possession 457 extreme pornographic images portraying various sex acts with animals.

Appearing in Chester Magistrates’ Court on December 1, Williamson pleaded guilty to subscribing to Wickr Me, an instant messaging app which deletes its history after six hours, something he was prohibited from doing by the sexual harm prevention order.

By signing up to Wickr – under the username ‘chavlad’ – Williamson did not comply with requirements of the sex offender register, which states he should have notified police before subscribing to the application.

On January 5, 2023, Williamson appeared at Chester Crown Court to be sentenced for these offences.

Judge Simon Berkson jailed Williamson for 21 months and ordered for him to be deprived of his mobile phone.

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A paedophile who sexually groomed and manipulated an underage teenage girl has been jailed.

Huw Davies, 32, of Pontypridd, Wales, manipulated his victim until she became "infatuated" with him as well as filming them having sex.

The 32-year-old's calculated methods of grooming the girl began with complimenting her on her appearance and encouraging her to talk to him about issues she faced, WalesOnline reported.

He would even go as far as to pick her up in his car as he constructed a relationship where the victim saw him as a "big brother figure".

However, things took a dark turn after he forced the victim to have sex with him at his parents' home when she was a young teenager, a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard.

The victim said they had slept together several times when she was underage as she began to develop romantic feelings for Davies.

She said: "I was in love with the person who was abusing me." He told her to keep the relationship a secret because of her age.

The relationship between Davies and the victim ended when she was 17 and in 2021, she watched a documentary about paedophile businessman Jeffrey Epstein and subsequently confronted Davies, who made excuses for his behaviour.

She later contacted the police as the defendant attended a voluntary interview where he denied any sexual contact with the victim but was arrested after videos of the pair having sex were discovered.

Davies later pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual activity with a child but was found not guilty of two counts of rape.

She added: "When he wanted sex with me I felt confused by it all and scared. I didn't understand what was going on and I remember feeling really confused about the dynamic changing in our relationship.

"Things got too much for me and would make me feel guilty for wanted to end things... I started to feel like a sex object.

"I felt that's all he ever wanted. I got older and more wiser to what was happening. I started to see he was manipulating me and groomed me for one purpose."

In mitigation David Leathley said his client Davies was regarded as an "honourable man" but those who knew him and described him as "intelligent and hard working".

He said the defendant has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which causes bones and his joints to dislocate easily, adding that Davies' dad reckons he "wouldn't last a year" in prison.

Sentencing, Judge Daniel Williams said: "You saw [the victim] as someone you could groom and sexually abuse. You made her think you were indispensable. She was as she described brainwashed by you."

On top of a sentence of six years and nine months imprisonment, Davies was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order, sex offender notification requirements, and a restraining order.

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A woman has been praised for having the bravery to come forward and not let her abuser get away with his crimes. Rapist Thomas Ebbs, of Castle Street in Caergwrle, was locked up for 10 years by a judge when he returned to the dock of Mold Crown Court after being convicted on two counts of rape following a trial.

During the hearing, prosecutor Elen Owen read a statement taken from Ebbs' victim - who cannot be identified for legal reasons. She told how the attack had "changed" her and left her feeling like "damaged goods".

She added: "My barriers are completely up. I have become withdrawn from society and shut people out of my life, fearing that I'll give them the opportunity to hurt and destroy me.

"I do have a sense of relief that the defendant is in custody for now as that means no other woman will have to endure the suffering and life-lasting damage that I have.

"I am glad women are currently safe from who I deem a sexual predator. I still pray that the defendant takes accountability, accepts this is wrong and gets help so this never happens again."

The woman also detailed how she is getting help through counseling to slowly recover from the trauma that Ebbs inflicted upon her.

In addition to his prison sentence, Judge David Hale said that Ebbs will be and listed for the rest of his life as a sex offender on the national register. He was also made the subject of an indefinite restraining order, banning him from having contact with the victim ever again.

After the sentencing, Investigating Officer DS Helen Evans said: “I welcome today’s sentence and I hope this shows to other victims of such serious and life changing offences that we take all incidents of Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) very seriously, and that these offences are a high priority for the force.

“This was an incredibly difficult investigation for the victim, who has shown immense courage throughout.

"I applaud her for taking the difficult step in reporting the matter to us at the outset and I hope she can now focus on trying to re-build her life. We will continue to place offenders before the court to face justice for heinous crimes such as these.”

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A Dundee creep who sexually assaulted a woman and flashed a teenager on the same night will be on the sex offenders register for a decade.

Jason ONeil has a history of sexual crimes, including sharing a private video of a woman performing a sex act on him.

Last year the 28-year-old pled guilty to sexually assaulting a woman at a flat in Dundee on February 18 2022.

Fully-clothed ONeil grabbed her by her hair, bent her over a kitchen worktop and rubbed his private parts against her buttocks, simulating sex.

At the same place that day, he exposed his genitals to a teenager.

In a bathroom, he dropped his trousers and underwear with the intention she would see his naked bottom half.

ONeil proceeded to act in a threatening manner later that night and into the following morning.

He admitted acting abusively towards police who came to apprehend him.

He repeatedly shouted and swore and made sexual and derogatory remarks, before spitting within a police vehicle, banging his head on the window and lashing out with his legs.

Already on register

ONeil has been on remand since February and appeared from custody by videolink at Dundee Sheriff Court on Monday to be sentenced.

His solicitor Ross Donnelly said: “What I said would be of particular concern is knowing he has nowhere to go after his release.”

Mr Donnelly noted that at the time of the offences, his client was already on the subject to sex offender registration requirements and was subject to a community payback order.

This came as a result sharing a video on Snapchat of a woman performing a sex act on him in April 2019.

O’Neil filmed the woman while they were staying together at a hotel in Dundee in 2019.

He and the woman engaged in consensual sex but she ended all contact with him after her friends and family became aware of the video being shared on social media.

Jailed, with other sanctions

For his latest offences, Sheriff Paul Brown jailed ONeil for two years, three months of which was in relation to the offending towards police.

Placing the “high risk” HMP Perth inmate on the sex offenders register for a decade, Sheriff Brown said: “These are serious offences against a background of serious offending.

“There’s no alternative, in my view, to a period in custody.”

Social workers identified a string of post-release conditions, which the sheriff agreed was “the most appropriate” option to impose.

ONeil’s sentence was backdated to February, when he was remanded.

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An ice skating enthusiast took advantage of a trusting 15-year-old girl after their budding friendship turned into a completely unsuitable relationship.

Rhys Burton showered her with compliments and they gradually became closer before he moved in on her and kissed her, making her feel uncomfortable. The law was there to protect vulnerable young girls from getting into difficult sexual situations that they could not control or "extricate" themselves from, Hull Crown Court heard.

Burton, 24, of Kingsley Drive, Willerby, admitted two offences of sexual activity with a child in 2018. He originally denied the matter but changed his pleas on the day of a scheduled trial.

Michael Greenhalgh, prosecuting, said that Burton got to know the teenage girl through an interest in ice skating in Hull and he complimented her during conversations with her and social gatherings in May 2018. "He was friendly to her," said Mr Greenhalgh.

Burton hugged her and later kissed the girl. He knew that she was only 15. The girl was "upset" after sexual contact from Burton, Mr Greenhalgh said.

Rachel Scott, mitigating, said that Burton had no previous convictions and the sexual activity took place nearly five years ago. "He fully accepts his behaviours and he hasn't tried to hide from his behaviour at all," said Miss Scott.

Burton did the wrong thing but did later end the relationship because he knew it was not right, the court heard. "He realises just how stupid his behaviour was and how much harm that he has caused," said Miss Scott. "He thought he was in love with her.

"He thought his feelings were genuine. He accepts that it was a relationship that he should never have entered into in the first place."

The girl was willingly involved with Burton and it was not a case of him grooming her. Burton started taking cocaine at the age of 16 to cope with his emotions. He had been working full-time.

Judge Kate Rayfield told Burton: "The law is there to protect young people from engaging in sexual activity. Even though she went along with the sexual activity, she felt uncomfortable.

"Young people get into situations that they don't know how to handle or control or how to extricate themselves from and that was exactly what happened to her. These instances have stayed with her and had an impact on her.

"Ultimately, you did the right thing and called off the relationship. She did not feel in control of what was happening to her and that was because of the differences in your ages."

Burton was given a 22-month suspended prison sentence, 20 days' rehabilitation and a sex offender treatment programme. He was given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and will have to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

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A SOUTHAMPTON man left a woman feeling “nervous and anxious” after sexually assaulting her at a shop.

Sean McCarthy went into the store in Southampton but then put his hand between the woman's legs and pressed hard.

Prosecuting, James Kellam said that 57-year-old McCarthy then moved his hand up and over her breast before she told him to leave.

In a statement read out in court, the woman said: “For the last six months I have suffered with the mental, physical, and financial effects.

“I feel nervous, anxious and worried. I have been unable to do my job.

“I feel extremely unsafe on my own.”

She added that she used to be a sociable person but now she is unable to do those things, making her depressed.

McCarthy of Norfolk Road, Southampton, who previously pleaded guilty to sexual assault, appeared at Southampton Crown Court on Monday for sentencing.

He was said to be “remorseful and apologetic” when interviewed by police.

Defending, Christopher Gaiger said that the offence was out of character.

He said that his client "is not a man likely to come back in future before the courts".

The court heard how McCarthy was last week diagnosed with skin cancer.

Judge Brian Forster KC described the attack as a “serious offence”.

“You must understand that people who work in shops are vulnerable”, he added.

“Your actions were totally unnecessary. [There is] clearly a problem in his approach to people of the opposite sex.”

But he said there is a “possibility of rehabilitation”.

McCarthy was handed a 14-month prison sentence - suspended for 18 months.

He must also attend 31 days on an accredited programme, 30 rehabilitation activity days and was given a five-year restraining order.

He must register as a sex offender for ten years.

Judge Forster added: “Don’t put yourself in this position again.”

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Da Vinci rapist Robert Greens was attacked in his ex-wife’s home by a family member who discovered him hiding in a cupboard.

The 44-year-old sex offender is said to have grown close to former wife Angela Gibson since his release from prison last year. But enraged relatives were fuming when they found him in her Penicuik home on Friday night and a fight broke out.

It’s the second time in a week Greens has been assaulted after he was punched by a member of the public at Hogmanay after a night of drinking in the Midlothian town

A family source said: “This family member was furious when they found out Greens was in Angie’s house. Greens and Angie have been seen around town together and her family are not happy. She’s been away from him since he was convicted and nobody can believe she is putting herself at risk being with him again.”

In the earlier incident, it's understood Greens was assaulted outside a pub as he was making his way home after celebrating the New Year Prior to the attack he was in a local sports bar and angered other customers when he refused to leave. Greens was said to have been with Angela.

Sources said Greens was being “loud and cheeky” in the Crescent sports bar before being asked to leave the premises. When he refused he became involved in an altercation with another man before angrily leaving and claiming he would return with relatives. He was then punched in the town’s John Street.

The source said: “He was hit outside the pub. Folk couldn’t believe the brass neck of him being in the club acting like any normal person instead of a notorious sex offender who’s just done 17 years in prison. We don’t know what the hell he’s playing at. He should be keeping a low profile, not sitting celebrating New Year in a club and annoying other customers. He needs to get out of Penicuik. People are still angry at what he did and nobody has forgotten or forgiven.”

Greens sparked angry protests in October when residents in Danderhall, Midlothian, discovered he was living among them. It’s understood he is no longer living in the flat in Neatoune Court. The beast was dubbed the Da Vinci rapist for his horrific attack in 2005 on a student near Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian, a key ­location in the book The Da Vinci Code. The 19-year-old suffered horrific injuries, which were initially thought to have come from a car smash.

Greens was freed from prison in 2012, having served two-thirds of his sentence. The following year, he was returned to jail after he broke one of the conditions of his release by visiting the home town of his former wife. He was again released in 2017 but hauled back to prison after another breach.

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A sex offender shared indecent images of children with other paedophiles using Play Station devices in breach of his registration requirements.

Durham Crown Court was told police executed a search warrant at David Roberts’ home in Peterlee, in October, having received information he may have been involved in sexual communication with a child.

Christopher Bevan, prosecuting, said although police have since confirmed they are not pursuing the alleged sexual communication matters, officers located several devices, including a number of Play Stations, plus bank cards, in a search of Roberts’ home.

Mr Bevan said one of the bank cards was in the name of an alias not registered with the police, putting Roberts in breach of his sex offenders’ registration requirements.

Roberts also used aliases on the Play Stations, none of which he registered with the police.

Analysis of the contents of the Play Stations revealed 281 indecent images of children, 70 in the most serious category, plus 39 others classed as prohibited images.

Mr Bevan said it emerged Roberts had used the alias 'Sandy Sorebottom' to communicate in, “a sexually unpleasant way” with one user and discussing children with another, conversations initiated by him between July 11 and October 14, last year.

Some of the indecent and prohibited images were sent to that profile.

When interviewed, Roberts largely gave “no comment” replies to police, but he did concede the use of the alias to acquire the bank card constituted an offence.

The 50-year-old defendant, of Stafford Place, Peterlee, admitted three charges of possessing indecent images of children, one of possessing prohibited images of children, two counts of failing to comply with registration requirements as a sex offender and one of distribution of an indecent photo of a child.

Mr Bevan said the defendant has five convictions for 16 previous offences, five of them of a sexual nature.

The last of those was in 2005 for which he received jail sentences totalling 84 months for offences of sexual activity with a child and taking indecent photographs of a child.

He was also made subject of indefinite notification requirements as a sex offender when sentenced.

Shada Mellor, in mitigation, said it had to be acknowledged his past conviction aggravated the sentence Roberts would receive.

Miss Mellor said the bank card which breached the notification requirements was in the name of Roberts’ now late mother, over whom he had power of attorney, and which he had failed to register with the police.

“He understands he should have registered that but his intention in having it was merely to go to the shops to buy groceries for himself and his mother, who died very recently.

“He understands, given his previous convictions, as well as the offences he falls to be sentenced for, that a custodial sentence is inevitable in this case.

“The previous offence was in 2005, and this is his first offence in 17 years.

“After the 2005 sentence he did make attempts to rehabilitate himself, passing his driving test and being involved in a relationship with an adult female from 2012 to 2016.

“But six or seven years ago he became full-time carer for his mother, who had dementia and who, unfortunately, passed away on December 28.”

Miss Mellor said the emotional distress, isolation and strain all contributed to him committing the latest offences.

She added that he hopes, in due course, to be able to address his behaviour.

Judge Jo Kidd said she has seen descriptions of the images shared by the defendant, including the rape of children as young as three, while the use of the Play Station platform to communicate with like-minded individuals, “significantly aggravated” his position.

She said despite his past conviction, the defendant appeared to have maintained his sexual interest in children.

Imposing a 32-month prison sentence, she said the existing indefinite requirement to register as a sex offender would remain in place.

She also adjourned for inquiries as to the further prohibitions she could put in place under the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

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A former special police officer who was jailed for a sexual chat online with a child has been jailed again for breaching a court order.

Jack Baxter, now 27, was on duty when he sent sexual messages in 2016 to what he thought was a 13-year-old girl.

Baxter was jailed for 15 months in 2017 and made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

He has been jailed again for another six months after admitting unlawfully deleting his web browsing history.

Baxter was originally caught in an online sting by Lancashire Police, the force he was working for, in November 2016, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

At Preston Crown Court the following October, he was jailed after admitting two offences of attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act and misconduct in public office.

'Rehabilitation prospect unrealistic'

Baxter, previously of Ulverston and Manchester and latterly of Highgate, Kendal, was also made subject to the SHPO which imposed strict restrictions on his online activities.

He was back in the dock in 2019 for unlawful possession of electronic equipment as he sought to contact females using social media and was ordered to complete 24 months' rehabilitation work under probation service supervision.

However, the latest court hearing was told that twice in October last year he unlawfully deleted web history after using the male-only Grindr social media site.

In mitigation, Anthony Parkinson, said the latest offending had not involved his client coming into contact with females in a way the SHPO was designed to prevent.

Mr Parkinson said Baxter had previously studied criminology at university in Lancaster and then obtained the position of a special constable with a view to joining the force.

He said the defendant had suffered personal trauma and needed support for his "mental health and emotional well-being".

But the judge, Nicholas Barker, said it was a "deliberate breach" and agreed with the observations of the probation service who said there "cannot really [currently] be a realistic prospect of rehabilitation".

The SHPO will continue to run its course.

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Paedophile pensioner David Jenkins claims his interest in children 'comes from a place of kindness'

A child sex offender has been given an extended sentence as a dangerous offender after a court ruled he posed a significant risk to youngsters. Concerns had been raised by members of the public about pensioner David Jenkins loitering in a leisure centre changing room, giving sweets to children, and setting up a computer gaming room in his house before he went on to sexually assault a young boy.

The 70-year-old denies he has any sexual interest in children and insists his behaviour towards them "comes from a place of kindness" but a probation officer has concluded he is a "predatory" sex offender. Swansea Crown Court heard that last summer year a boy returned home after meeting friends in a park and told his mother he had been engaged in sexual conversation by a man, had a penis shown to him, and been hugged. The police were alerted to the incident and Jenkins was identified and arrested.

Georgina Donohue, prosecuting, said in his subsequent interview 70-year-old Jenkins accepted he had talked about "erections and masturbation" with a young boy but denied getting any sexual gratification from it. Jenkins has a previous conviction for sexually assaulting a child in the 1980s.

The court heard that though it had not resulted in any charges concerns had previously been raised by local parents while Jenkins was living in Morriston. Police had been told that the defendant was giving sweets to children and engaging them in conversations and it was later found he had installed a large TV and a computer games console in a room in his house with the apparent intention of encouraging youngsters to visit. Concerns had also been raised about the defendant loitering around the showers and changing rooms of a Swansea leisure centre. The court heard police had been considering applying for a stand lone sexual harm prevention order against Jenkins to help control his behaviour when he went on to sexually assault the young boy.

David Jenkins, now of Neath Road, Rhos, Pontardawe, admitted engaging in sexual communications with a child under 13 and to sexual assault of a child. The court heard that in 2010 he was jailed for 42 for five counts of sexually assaulting a girl in the 1980s.

Andrew Evans, for Jenkins, said the defendant accepted his behaviour had been "completely inappropriate and wrong". He said given the contents of the pre-sentence report into his client it would be difficult to argue for any sentence other than one of immediate custody and he said it was to be hoped the defendant would spend his time in prison "fruitfully" by reflecting in his conduct.

Judge Christopher Vosper KC said he had carefully read the pre-sentence report, which had been written by a very experienced probation officer. He said the report concluded Jenkins was a "predatory and calculated sexual offender". He noted the report said the defendant denied having any sexual interest in children and claims his behaviour towards youngsters "comes from a place of kindness" but the probation officer had concluded he poses a high risk to children.

The judge said he was satisfied an extended sentence was necessary to protect the public but he said the sentence he was about to pass was an unusual one as, given the relevant sentences for the offences before the court, the extended element would be significantly longer than the custodial term. Jenkins was given an extended sentence of six years and eight months comprising one year and eight months in custody followed by an extended five-year licence period. The defendant must serve two-thirds of the custodial element of the sentence before he can apply for release but it will be for the Parole Board to decide if he is safe to be released. Jenkins will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life and was made the subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

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A man who distributed indecent images of children must register as a sex offender.

Alun Topp pleaded guilty to seven offences – six of which related to youngsters – when he appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (4 January).

The 48-year-old admitted three counts of making an indecent image of a child between December 2010 and February 2022.

He also admitted three counts of distributing an indecent image of a child between September 2021 and February 2022.

A further charge of possessing an extreme pornographic image – namely depicting a person performing an act of intercourse with a live or dead unknown animal – was also accepted.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction over the case, sending it to Swindon Crown Court for sentence.

The defendant, of Bexley Walk, Park South, Swindon, will next appear on 3 February. He was released on unconditional bail.

Topp was ordered to register as a sex offender. The time he will spend on the register will be determined by the judge during his sentencing hearing.

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David Fletcher, of Conygar Road, Tetbury, admitted five charges of sexual communication with a child and three of making indecent images when he appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates Court yesterday, Thursday.

Prosecutor Sue Gethin said Gloucestershire policereceived information that Fletcher had been chatting with a 12-year-old girl in a sexual manner on social media.

It is clear that the girl explained to Fletcher numerous times that she was aged 12," said the prosecutor.

"Fletcher correctly revealed that he was aged 61 at the time.

"The conversation continued between them in a sexual manner over a two month period, during which he sent her pictures of his genitalia and videos of him masturbating. He also sent her normal pictures of himself in the area in which he lives.

Fletcher admitted that between January 7, 2021 and March 13, 2021 in Tetbury, he intentionally attempted to communicate with a 12-year-old girl in a sexual manner which included sending videos of himself masturbating and encouraged her to engage in sexual activity.

He also admitted that on November 12, 2020, he sent a picture of male genitalia to a 13-year-old girl and on April 17, 2021 he chatted to a 13-year-old girl about sexual acts and sent a picture of male genitalia.

On April 21, 2021, he communicated with 10-year-old and the conversation included his desire to experience sexual activity with a 10-year-old and an 11-year-old child at the same time.

Additionally, on the same date, he communicated with a 15-year-old in a sexual manner and sent a picture of a male genitalia.

Fletcher also admitted making indecent images of a child between December 31, 2019 and April 17, 2021, namely 310 images at category A, 177 at category B and 46 at category C.

The case was sent to Gloucester Crown Court where committed Fletcher will be sentenced on January 27.

Fletcher was placed on the sex offenders register and released on unconditional bail.

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An evil Scots rapist has been jailed for 'despicable' sex attacks against a number of victims.

Stephen Whyte was caged for 15 years following a sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday, January 5. The 47-year-old was convicted of a number of sexual and violent offences, including rape.

The crimes took place in the Fife area between 2006 and 2020. Officers say Whyte 'took advantage' of his victims, who were praised for their immense courage in reporting his abhorrent actions.

The outcome of the trial should "encourage survivors of sexual abuse to get in touch with police as reports are sure to be rigorously probed, regardless of their historic nature", cops added.

Detective Inspector Frank Keegan of Police Scotland said: Stephen Whyte took advantage of his victims over a number of years and he will now face the consequences of his despicable actions in prison.

His victims were incredibly brave to come forward and report Whyte, then give evidence in court. Our thoughts remain with them and I hope that todays sentencing will give them some comfort and help them move forward.

We remain committed to supporting victims of sexual crimes and thoroughly investigating those responsible by bringing them to justice, no matter how much time has passed. I would urge people to come forward to police and report it. They can be assured of being fully supported by officers and partner agencies.