Latest Offenders

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A paedophile brought to justice four decades after his sick abuse was accused of robbing his victim of her childhood.

Jeffrey Phillips was given five-and-a-half years imprisonment at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, as reported by the Oxford Mail at the weekend.

Sending him down, Judge Nigel Daly told the now 71-year-old: You indecently assaulted this child, you did it repeatedly.

Welcoming the lengthy sentence, DC Nicola Fullerton of Thames Valleys child abuse investigation unit said of Phillips: His offending has had a huge impact on the victims life.

"He robbed her of her childhood innocence, causing significant emotional and psychological distress, and it is testament to her courage that he is now facing time in prison.

I hope that this case demonstrates to other people who may have been the victim of such offending that it is never too late to come forward and talk to the police.

We will listen to you, investigate and do everything that we can to ensure criminals like Phillips are brought to justice.

Now living in Greater Manchester, the assaults took place when Phillips lived in Abingdon in the 1970s. His abuse began when his victim was still a young girl and, after a few years, resumed briefly when she was in her early teens.

Phillips will be on the sex offender register for the rest of his life.

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A Lincoln man has been jailed for 21 years after being found guilty of several sexual offences including rape. Shaun Otter, 52, of Shakespeare Street, appeared at Lincoln Crown Court for sentencing today, July 18.

He had already been found guilty in relation to a total of 11 offences which took place on June 8. In addition to his custodial sentence, Otter was made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, meaning he will have to keep to sex offender notification requirements for life.

Detective Inspector Lee Nixon, of Lincolnshire Police's Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit said: "I would like to pay tribute to the victim and her bravery in coming to us. We know it's an incredibly daunting thing to do and therefore we owe it to every victim to treat them with sensitivity and respect, and to do everything we can to make sure that perpetrators, like Otter, are brought before the court to face justice.

"This sentence is not only a punishment for Otter, but a message to perpetrators of the consequences of their actions. We hope it gives confidence to survivors that we will relentlessly pursue anyone responsible for such abhorrent acts, regardless of if it happened recently or decades ago.

"If you have been a victim of sexual assault, please know that you will be taken seriously if you come forward. Whether or not you decide to come to us, there is support available, and we would like to take the opportunity to highlight that."

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This is the first picture of jailed sex offender Willem van der Werf.

The 56-year-old was jailed for more than 12-and-a-half years on Friday for grooming, sexually assaulting and raping a girl in Banbury last spring.

Sending him to prison, Judge Nigel Daly told the Dutchman: What you have done to her is destroy not only her childhood but possibly the rest of her life. You did it for your own sexual gratification. There is no escaping from that.

Werf, formerly of Calthorpe, Banbury, received 12 years and nine months imprisonment. He must serve an extended four years on licence and will remain on the sex offender register for the rest of his life.

Thames Valley Police has now released Werfs custody shot.

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A man has been found guilty of four charges of rape against teenage girls.

Ruaridh Gilmour, 23, had denied the charges, claiming one of his accusers consented, and that the incidents described by two other witnesses simply did not happen.

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A SOUTHAMPTON man has been locked up for sexually abusing a teenage girl.

Oliver Axton engaged in sexual activity with the youth in the Southampton area over a year.

Police were alerted to his crimes in April of last year.

The 22-year-old, of Cunningham Crescent, was charged with four counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15 and two counts of causing or inciting her to engage in sexual activity.

He pleaded guilty to all offences.

Appearing before Southampton Crown Court at the end of June, he was jailed for four years.

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A sex offender who repeatedly targeted a woman has been jailed for more than four years.

Married grandfather Stephen Riley attacked his victim on several occasions as she slept - but it was years before she felt able to complain to police.

Jailing the 64-year-old, Judge Tom Gilbart told him: This was quite shocking criminality by you. It was predatory behaviour which has had a significant impact.

Riley, of Sandridge Close, Kearsley, appeared in the dock at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court after pleading guilty to assault by penetration and two counts of sexual assault just days before his trial was due to start.

The court heard that the abuse began eight years ago when, on the first occasion, Riley sexually touched the woman after finding her asleep on a sofa.

She then heard the defendant say, I always knew you were a slag, said Mr Edwards, who added that the woman pushed Riley away asking him, How could you do that?

Following that incident, the defendant made repeated suggestive comments to her, said Mr Edwards.

The woman did not inform anyone about the assault but the following year Riley sexually assaulted her once more and, on a third occasion, he again repeatedly touched her as she was sleeping.

She describes the defendants conduct as relentless, said Mr Edwards.

When confronted, Riley claimed he had been sleepwalking.

The woman eventually complained to police and Riley was arrested but initially denied the allegations against him.

Damian Zelazowksi, defending, said Riley, who suffers with physical health problems, claims he was drunk at the time he committed the offences.

He has quite openly accepted that his behaviour was entirely wrong, said Mr Zelazowski.

He cannot explain his behaviour but he shows a willingness to understand why he behaved in that manner.

He deeply regrets the harm and upset that his actions have caused.

Judge Gilbart sentenced Riley to four years and nine months in prison, placed him on the sex offenders register for life and barred him from working with children and vulnerable adults.

He told Riley that his victims life had been seriously impacted all because of your selfish decision to satisfy your own sexual lust.

You should be utterly ashamed of yourself, he added.

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AN offender has been jailed for breaching his sex offender register requirements.

Robert Dooley admitted breaching the terms of the register, which contains the details of anyone convicted, cautioned or released from prison for sexual offence against children or adults.

The 34-year-old committed the breach in Warrington on June 24 this year.

According to court documents, he failed without reasonable excuse to comply with the notification requirements of the register by failing to register with authorities that he had a new address or was of no fixed abode.

Dooley, whose address in court was given as no fixed abode, but of the Widnes area, was subsequently charged with failing to comply with notification requirements of the sex offender register.

The defendant admitted the breach when he appeared before Chester Magistrates Court.

Taking this guilty plea into account, magistrates jailed him for 26 weeks.

In their reasoning, they remarked that the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified, as well as the defendant having a flagrant disregard for court orders.

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A 51-year-old paedophile was lured to an address in Hull as part of a sting operation and found with condoms and Haribo sweets.

Chef Darren Johnstone, admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with teenage girls and pretended to be a 20-year-old. He was interviewed by Humberside Police for offences in 2018 and while under investigation he repeatedly tried to engage in sexual communication with more girls in 2020.

Grimsby Crown Court heard Johnstone who has "learning difficulties and low-level intelligence" did not realise the girls were decoys used by a paedophile hunter group called Elite Team. Michele Stuart-Lofthouse said the defendant was still under investigation for the 2018 offences when he was again arrested in 2020.

Johnstone also admitted possessing indecent images of children on his phone after it was seized on his initial arrest. She said a "decoy teenager" was set up by the paedophile hunter group who created a dating app.

Despite being told by the decoy teenager she was 14 years old, Johnstone sent a total of 605 messages, mostly of a sexual nature. He also sent images of his private area.

Ms Stuart-Lofthouse said: "The images were extremely sexual." The decoy agreed to meet him in Brisbane Street, Hull, where the paedophile gang waited for him.

He was arrested by police, who seized a quantity of condoms, Haribo sweets and 300 cash. The prosecutor said he could not offer an explanation for his behaviour, but admitted sending images.

"He said he had never had sexual relations or a girlfriend and had never spoken to a girl the way he did. He admitted talking to the 14-year-old girl and asking for sex," the prosecutor said.

While committing the second set of offences in 2020, Johnstone, of Cleethorpes, had described himself to a 13 year old girl, as a 20-year-old man. There were four separate occasions in which he sent images to the girls, which were in fact, decoys, used by the child protection group.

For Johnstone, Gordon Stables said: "The court is not dealing with a fully-functioning adult. The level of understanding is not there."

He said his client had attended a special school and when he was 16 years old took up a work placement at the St James' Hotel in Grimsby. He said: "They knew his limitations and he remained there for nearly 30 years."

He submitted psychiatric doctors reports which highlighted the defendant's "borderline understanding." Mr Stables said: "He could not understand that these decoys did not exist." He added the client thought he had been discharged following the first offences.

Recorder Alex Menary said it was "an exceptional case" and he was guided by the psychiatric reports on the level of Johnstone's intelligence. He said three years in prison would not provide adequate safety from the risk he posed.

He imposed a two-year community order in which he will attend 43 days of sex offender management and 55 rehabilitation days. He imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order to limit his access to the internet and ban any contact with children.

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A serial sex offender has been convicted of terrorising two women who worked in an Angus bookmakers for more than a fortnight.

Gavin Ross stared into the Coral bookies in Forfar and played with his nipples, frightening staff so much one member was relocated to work at another store.

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A company director who volunteered at a leading private school has been jailed after being caught with a sickening horde of child abuse material.

David Rankine, who built-up a leading media firm, was given an extended three year sentence when he appeared in the dock at Perth Sheriff Court.

Rankine, 42, was well-known as a first aider who was often called in to offer treatment to young pupils at £14,000-a-year Dundee High School.

He jailed Rankine for eight months, with a further 24-months post-prison extended sentence, and placed him on the Sex Offenders Register for a decade.

Sheriff Duthie said: "Because of the gravity of the crime you committed a custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal. You were part of the process of child abuse.

"People like you are creating a demand for material. You can properly be said to contribute to the pain and fear of children who are physically abused."

Rankine, one of the driving forces behind award-winning MTC Media, was caught with photos and videos featuring boys as young as four being sexually assaulted by adults.

Police descended on his Carnoustie home after a tip-off in early 2021 and seized a range of devices, including four laptops and two iPhones.

Analysists found around 750 illicit files, with about a third ranked as Category A for obscenity. Rankine resigned as a director at MTC Media weeks after his arrest.

The website-building company, which counts Scottish Water, Umbro UK and Brewdog among its clients, stressed he had not had an active role in the firm since 2018.

Rankine admitted possessing indecent images of children at his former home in Henry Cotton Place, Carnoustie, between 24 December 2008 and 21 January 2021.

Fiscal depute Alistair McDermid told the court: "Confidential information was received by Police Scotland that indecent images of children may have been held within a property.

"The accused answered the door and police were permitted access. A systematic search of the address was then commenced by four officers."

Four laptops, two iPhones, six hard-drives and a tablet device were seized and a preliminary examination discovered a series of illicit images.

The fiscal depute told the court 574 still images and 183 videos were found on the devices.

He said: "The male children depicted in these pictures and videos are between four and 16 years of age."

A spokesman for MTC Media confirmed that Rankine has not been a "director or employee" since March 2021.

The company began in 1999 but was relaunched by former Carnoustie High School pupil Rankine - as business development director - and two others five years later. The company now has a workforce of more than 100 people.

Rankine was a regular first aid volunteer at Dundee High School sports events. He administered first aid to boys of all ages at the Mayfield Sports Centre.

A spokesman for Dundee High School said: "We can confirm that first aid cover at our school sports fixtures is provided by St Andrew's First Aid, with whom Mr Rankine was a volunteer.

"We are not aware of any suggestion or evidence, at this stage, or any issue or concern regarding the conduct of Mr Rankine in his capacity as a volunteer."

He added: "The high school has strict child protection and safeguarding policies and procedures in place and as part of due diligence, require risk assessment and safeguarding protocols to be observed at all times."

A spokeswoman for St Andrew's First Aid added: "We have been aware of David Rankine's crimes and we have deep sympathy for those affected.

"While we cannot comment on any individual volunteers, we have the relevant safeguards and processes in place and take all matters pertaining to child protection extremely seriously."

A spokesman for MTC said: "We are all utterly shocked and appalled by the revelations around Mr Rankine. We condemn this in the strongest possible terms.

"Mr Rankine has not been involved in the business since 2018 and resigned as a director in March 2021. We were not aware of the reasons for the resignation as Mr Rankine refused to disclose this.

"However, given his lack of input into the business in recent years we were happy to accept. This was a tremendous shock to read this disturbing list of offences and our primary concern is first and foremost to our team and to anyone affected.

"We reached out to our team immediately to offer our support. We are glad to see that justice will be delivered appropriately for Mr Rankine's appalling crimes."

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A man who has been jailed.

Glenn Barker, 53, of Beeleigh Way, Caister-on-Sea, appeared at Norwich Crown Court to be sentenced having admitted sexual assault of a child under 13 on August 14, 2020.

Barker appeared at court on Friday (June 17) having also admitted two offences of indecent assault against another girl, aged between seven and nine, between June 2000 and June 2003.

Claire Matthews, prosecuting, said the victim in the offence committed in August 2020 was a young child who had been left "scared".

The court heard Barker had bribed his victims, neither of whom can be identified for legal reasons, with sweets and urged them to keep secret what had happened.

A statement from the mother of the victim assaulted in 2020 described how their lives were "turned upside down" as soon as the offence came to light.

She said the victim has changed since the assault and no longer liked to get changed in front of people, not even her father.

Barker, who also admitted possessing extreme pornographic images, was jailed for eight years by Recorder John Hardy.

He said: "You've pleaded guilty to offences which right-minded people would consider repulsive".

He said that people who behaved as he had done, sexually assaulting young children, and who are caught and prosecuted should expect to receive immediate sentences of imprisonment.

Danielle O'Donovan, mitigating, said this was a man who had pleaded guilty to "terrible acts" but insisted these were separate and individual acts which were "clearly against his own nature".

She told the court he was a "weak individual" who had taken "ugly steps" in his life and was "surprised and shocked" by his own behaviour.

But Miss O'Donovan said offences of this sort were very rarely admitted and described it as courageous for him to have admitted them.

She said he was capable of being a decent human being.

Barker was prevented from contacting both victims directly or indirectly indefinitely.

He was also ordered sign on the sex offenders register indefinitely and made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

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A PAEDOPHILE groomed a schoolgirl before going on to abuse her after asking her to wear lingerie while having underage sex.

James Brum, 39, from Newport, was condemned as selfish and self-centred for having abused the girl.

He had intercourse with her on seven occasions and told her after the first time: You really wanted it.

The defendant would manipulate his victim and said to her that she was in his secret club.

Brum would also ask the girl to send him nude photos of her, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Rachel Knight, prosecuting, said: The defendant groomed his victim.

He bought lingerie for her to wear during their encounters.

She would wear these at his request.

You used her to satisfy your sexual urges

The victims impact statement was read out in which she said: I have flashbacks to the events that happened.

He targeted me specifically for his sexual desires.

I feel uncomfortable around men now.

Nothing will change what James Brum has done to me and hes had a huge impact on my future.

He has stolen my childhood from me and he has stolen my virginity.

Brum pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual activity with a child, two of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and one of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

He was a man of previous good character with no convictions recorded against him.

Gareth Williams, mitigating, asked the court to take into account his clients guilty pleas.

His barrister said: The defendant hasnt contested matters at trial and admitted what the victim said was true.

He didnt deny what was going on.

The evidence was overwhelming.

He is sorry for what happened.

Judge Michael Fitton QC told Brum: This was an appalling campaign of sexual abuse.

You are a profoundly selfish and self-centred man.

You used that child to satisfy your own sexual urges.

This is a classic case of grooming.

Brum, of Llanthewy Road, Newport, was jailed for eight years.

The defendant will have to serve two-thirds of that sentence in custody before being released on licence.

He will have to register as a sex offender for life and was made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Brum must also pay a victims surcharge after his release from prison.

After sentencing, the officer in charge of the case, Detective Sergeant Mike Patterson said: The victim in this case has been incredibly brave throughout.

It is their courage and strength that has ultimately led to the conviction of Brum who will now be sentenced for these horrific crimes.

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A paedophile who was jailed after drugging a teenage boy and raping him has died in prison after applying for early release on compassionate grounds.

Terrence Eastwood was jailed for 19 years in 2017 following a trial at Preston Crown Court, where a jury heard how he gave the boy cocaine and tramadol before raping him on a caravan holiday.

The abuse continued over a number of years, with Eastwood keeping his victim quiet by buying him clothes and gifts. His victim later bravely spoke to a counsellor, who reported Eastwood to the police, reports LancsLive.

Eastwood was found guilty of rape and sexual assault and spent two years at Preston Prison Eastwood before being transferred to HMP Wymott near Leyland in 2019. The prison, next to HMP Garth, houses sex offenders.

He was diagnosed with lung cancer after reporting shortness of breath to the prison GP in May 2021. The 67-year-old then applied for early release on compassionate grounds, but died on October 2 before the application could progress.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman carried out an independent investigation to determine if the care provided to Eastwood was in line with that he would have received in the community - as takes place with all deaths in prison. No non-clinical issues were found, but the ombudsman did make recommendations relating to referring prisoners with suspected cancer to specialist services, shielding and record keeping.

In her report ombudsman Lisa Burrell said: "The prison GP saw Mr Eastwood on 1 July. He noted that while in hospital, Mr Eastwood had a chest X-ray.

"The results showed a partial collapse of his left lung and possible evidence of a malignant growth in his lung. The prison GP made a two week wait referral to the oncology team at Royal Preston Hospital.

"On 20 July, Mr Eastwood attended Royal Preston Hospital for his two-week wait referral. He was admitted to hospital as an inpatient and underwent a series of tests.

"The results showed that Mr Eastwood had developed lung cancer. Hospital staff considered that the cancer may have spread to other areas in his body and that palliative care was the only treatment option open to him. Mr Eastwood was discharged from hospital and went back to the prison on 29 July.

"Mr Eastwood was added to the prisons palliative care register and referred to St Catherines Hospice for support with his prescribed medications and care. His care plans were updated, and healthcare staff continued to review him regularly.

"The prison started a compassionate release application on his behalf. Mr Eastwood died before the application was completed.

"On 6 September, the prison GP saw Mr Eastwood. They discussed his wishes in respect of resuscitation. Mr Eastwood said that he did not want to be resuscitated in the event his heart or breathing stopped. He signed a do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) order on his behalf.

"On 1 October, Healthcare Assistant (HCA), saw Mr Eastwood. Mr Eastwood told him that he had been suffering from shortness of breath and that he had blood in his phlegm when he coughed. He also said that he was struggling to keep fluids down when he drank. The HCA referred Mr Eastwood for an urgent GP review.

"A prison GP saw Mr Eastwood later the same day. He took his observations and noted that his oxygen saturation level and temperature were low.

"Mr Eastwood was taken to Royal Preston Hospital by emergency ambulance and was admitted as an inpatient. Mr Eastwoods condition continued to deteriorate in hospital and at 10am on 2 October 2021, it was confirmed that Mr Eastwood had died."

In September 2021, just after Terrence Eastwood was diagnosed with cancer, his son Darren was given a suspended sentence after it was discovered he had continued to claim his dad's benefits while he was in prison. Darren, who was 42 at the time, splashed out on holidays, takeaways and shopping trips using 20,000 set aside for care needs by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

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A FORMER headmaster and parish councillor who drove an express train through his victims childhood has been locked up after sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy.

Keith Tait, 77, a former headteacher at an Essex school, hid behind his standing in society as he repeatedly abused a child.

Following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, he was convicted of five counts of indecent assault.

Tait, of North Mill Place, Halstead, represented the Shelley ward on Ongar Town Council for 36 years from 1977 until 2013 and was involved with various charities.

The abuse was carried out against the teenager in the 1980s.

At the same court, Judge Timothy Walker said the victim had been hitchhiking when he was picked up by a passing Tait.

Your grooming of him began, he said.

His mother expressed concern about the disparity in age between you and him, but was reassured when she discerned you were a teacher.

The court was told Tait gave his victim driving lessons and took him to a caravan in Great Yarmouth, where further abuse was carried out.

Judge Walker said Tait warned the victim if he spoke out about the abuse, he would be in trouble and would be disqualified from driving.

In a written statement read to the court, Taits victim, from Colchester, said he had struggled with writing even the first paragraph and on one occasion was almost physically sick.

He is an evil opportunist who was lucky to find me - a confused, uncertain, emotionally weakened boy, he said.

The court heard Tait had won over the victims mother, damaging their relationship for the rest of her life.

He said Taits silver tongue had charmed her, adding: My greatest regret, and it is one which has never left me, is my failure to bridge the chasm between us.

The victim said he had felt too guilty and disgusted to speak out.

I was a child and children dont think as adults do, he added.

He said Taits ability to manipulate may have been put to better use as a politician or negotiator, but instead he used it to get what he wanted.

Unfortunately what he wanted was me, he said.

He drove an express train through my childhood.

Jennifer Dempster QC, mitigating, said given Taits age and health difficulties, which include arthritis, prison would be a particularly harsh place for him.

She said a lengthy police investigation and, later, court proceedings, had been hanging over him for nine years.

That has brought about, over that extended period, particularly anxious times for him and his wife," she said.

The court heard Tait is the main carer for his unwell wife, with his imprisonment set to have an enormous impact on her.

Judge Walker said Taits abuse had a lifelong impact on his victim, adding: You abused your position within society to facilitate your offending.

He sentenced Tait to six and a half years imprisonment.

He will remain on the sex offender register for life and is banned from working with children.

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AN immature offender who made racially-aggravated threats about a support worker in accommodation where he was living, admitted speaking before he thinks, a court heard.

The offensive remarks proved costly for Wayne Fenwick after he was convicted of racially aggravated harassment and witness intimidation following a recent trial before magistrates.

Durham Crown Court heard it put the 22-year-old defendant in breach of a suspended prison sentence for the second time, having been told by a judge that all bets would be off, if he committed a further offence.

On his return to the court for sentence, Fenwick was told by Judge Ray Singh he had reached the end of the line after all the chances he had been given to keep out of trouble.

The judge imposed a total 16-month prison sentence on Fenwick.

Kate Barnes, prosecuting, said his latest offences took place on April 20, the day after his release from police custody following other allegations against him.

Miss Barnes said police were informed that he had threatened a staff member at the accommodation he was living at that time, while in drink.

Officers were shown to the room, where Fenwick made a racially aggravated remark about the staff member, who was originally from West Africa.

He threatened to stab the man, telling police he knew where he lived, and then made abusive remarks to the officers who had come to arrest him.

Miss Barnes said when interviewed later, Fenwick made mostly no comment replies, but did tell officers: I dont think before I speak.

The support worker about whom the threats were made told police he did not feel immediately at risk as he did not believe Fenwick did know where he lived.

Miss Barnes said Fenwick, most recently of Hutton Terrace, Willington, has six convictions for 15 offences on his record.

She said they include sex offences relating to an underage girl and two assaults on an emergency worker, for which he received a total 16-month sentence, suspended for two years, in May last year.

Christopher Bevan, for Fenwick, told the court: He realises the chances of not receiving a custodial sentence today are immensely thin.

He tells me, and my assessment of him will bear this out, that hes deeply immature and he accepts what he said and did was deeply unpleasant and offensive.

He further adds that he didnt mean to cause any physical harm but at the time he thought he was acting big and hard.

Mr Bevan said an updated probation offender managers report described him as, not dangerous in the sense of intending harm, but capable of risky behaviour.

Jailing him, Judge Singh told Fenwick: Im afraid you have now come to the end of the line as to the court allowing you further opportunities to show you can behave yourself.

You committed these further offences knowing what the ramifications would be.

You appear to have no respect for authority or fellow human beings.

The 16-month sentence imposed includes ten months from the suspended sentence, with six months added for the latest offences.