Latest Offenders

Description

Far-right extremist Simon Sheppard had previously denied the Holocaust happened.

A notorious far-right extremist who made sick jokes about Jews being exterminated during the "Holohoax" set himself up as an eccentric "mad scientist" in a cynical bid to entice girls into having sex for a so-called "sexperiment".

Simon Sheppard pretended to be a psychologist when he approached girls in Bridlington and gave them a card inviting them to take part in the bizarre bogus sexual experiment. The 65-year-old, who has strong links to Hull, has now been jailed for three years and nine months.

Sheppard, of Promenade, Bridlington, had been convicted by a jury on February 18 after a trial at Hull Crown Court of eight offences involving attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and inciting the sexual exploitation of children in Bridlington.

Recorder Tahir Khan KC told a sentencing hearing at Bradford Crown Court that a 21-year-old woman went with a friend to Bridlington on July 17 last year. Sheppard approached them, made conversation and asked them how they were and if they wanted to go on an adventure.

"You were claiming to be a scientist who had degrees and was conducting an experiment," said Recorder Khan. "You were saying you were accredited."

They declined the offer of going for a walk and having a drink. "He was holding himself out to be a psychologist," added Recorder Khan.

Three weeks later, on August 12 last year, two 15-year-old twin girls were at Bridlington pier when Sheppard approached them and handed them a card and encouraged them to go with him. "The girls were confused and thought that the invitation that you were extending was creepy and they began to leave," said Recorder Khan. "You got up and started to follow them. They ran and later told their mother what had happened."

On August 21 last year, two girls were at the fairground at Bridlington pier when Sheppard - "wearing a suit" - handed one of them a card, which she took. "You disappeared quickly from the direction you had come," said Recorder Khan. "You were encouraging these young girls to participate in a so-called experiment but they had the good sense not to."

On August 31 last year, Sheppard approached two 14-year-old girls who were sitting on a wall eating ice creams and "came very close to them" before handing them cards. He told them: "Just read it." The invitation was for them to have sex for £150. The police became involved and investigated Sheppard's activities.

"You persisted in claiming that you were a psychology expert and you weren't doing anything wrong," said Recorder Khan. "The police found no evidence that you were, or are, a psychologist, nor could they find any scientific publication connected to you on a website. You were passing yourself off as a scientist.

"You passed yourself off as a scientist and approached girls in the hope that they would participate in penetrative sexual activity in exchange for money. You blamed the victims for what happened."

Gareth Henderson-Moore, mitigating, said that there was no evidence that Sheppard had a specific interest in children and he has no previous convictions for sexual offences. "There were no images recovered from any device," said Mr Henderson-Moore.

"There have been no previous markers of any kind to indicate concerns about children and he says that he does not have any interest in children. He has been rather broad in the people that he has targeted in this enterprise and there are statements from adults also who were targeted in the same way.

"The offending has arisen as a result of his wilful disregard for the age of the persons he approached rather than a particular targeted interest in minors."

The offences were very unpleasant. Sheppard had vulnerabilities and had a marginalised childhood and adolescence. "He considers himself to something of a mad scientist and it is perhaps that which has led him into trouble on more than one occasion," said Mr Henderson-Moore.

"He has spent a considerable amount of time on remand. He was convicted in February and has waited in excess of nine months to know his fate. That has been nine months of anxiety. He continues to be vulnerable in a custodial environment and reports that he has difficulties with other prisoners."

In addition to his jail sentence, Sheppard was given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and must register as a sex offender for life.

History of racism and Holocaust denial

Sheppard had been jailed for nine months at York Crown Court in June 2018 after being convicted by a jury of using racially aggravated words to a Sky engineer. He had "barracked" the man while he was working on a satellite dish at a neighbour's flat in June 2017.

Sheppard, then living in Selby, was also given a five-year criminal behaviour order. He had told the court that he was not happy that a black man had been given a flat in his block of flats and denied intending the neighbour to overhear racist abuse. It had been claimed that Sheppard regularly used a racist word when he saw the neighbour.

In 2008, Sheppard claimed asylum in the United States under freedom of speech laws after failing to turn up at court towards the end of a seven-week trial at Leeds Crown Court, where he was accused of publishing racially aggravated material. He was convicted in his absence of a series of charges relating to possessing, publishing and distributing racially inflammatory material.

He failed in his asylum application and was deported back to this country after being detained at a Los Angeles airport. He was later jailed for four years and 10 months but the sentence was eventually cut by a year after an appeal.

The material was anti-Semitic and racist, with what police described as "despicable references to the Holocaust". Police said at the time: "You have to remember that there are people in our community who lived through the Holocaust. They don't deserve to have their experiences treated in this way."

Sheppard claimed that he was not breaking the law because he used an internet server that was based in the United States, but a judge ruled that the prosecution could go ahead. Sheppard claimed that he was being persecuted because of his right-wing views.

The police investigation began after a complaint in 2004 about a leaflet called "Tales of the Holohoax", which had been pushed through the door of a synagogue in Blackpool. It was traced back to a post office box in Hull registered to Sheppard. One leaflet found by police suggested that the Auschwitz concentration camp was a holiday camp provided by the Nazis and that Jews from all over Europe went there to enjoy a free holiday.

In 2000, a trial at Hull Crown Court was told that Sheppard, then aged 43 and living in Westbourne Avenue, west Hull, had claimed that there was "nothing wrong with being racist". He had been found with election leaflets parodying the deaths of the Jews in the Holocaust.

The police were called in after complaints from members of the public. He declined to offer pleas and not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf.

Sheppard and a youth delivered the two-sided leaflets to homes in the Avenues area of Hull ahead of the European elections. There was reference to the "country being spoiled by millions of immigrants from the Third World" and he suggested that white people, black people, Asian people and Jewish people should be segregated by "selective breeding".

Sheppard had been found with 153 leaflets. The youth had another 248. The prosecution told the court: "He told the police there was nothing wrong with being racist and he was campaigning on behalf of the British National Party."

He was convicted by the jury of publishing and possessing threatening, abusive or insulting leaflets.

Description

A man has been sentenced to fifteen years in prison for non-recent child sex offences on the Isle of Wight.

David Gower, now aged 70, would visit the victims at their home in Ryde on a regular basis between January 2000 and December 2001 where he would indecently assault them.

The girls, aged 8 and 12 respectively at the time of the offences, reported the incidents to police in September last year.

Gower, of Warwick Street in Ryde, was arrested and charged with five counts of indecent assault.

During Gower’s arrest, officers located a number of indecent hand drawn images of children within a pile of magazines at his home, and he was subsequently charged with the further offence of possession of a prohibited image of a child.

Appearing at Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on 27 September this year, Gower admitted all the offences and was ordered to sign on to the Sex Offender’s Register within 72 hours.

He failed to do so and was subsequently charged with failing to comply with Sex Offender Register notification requirements, and a further offence of possession of a knife in a public place after police found a knife in Gower’s car on 1 October.

Gower appeared at the Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 30 November) where he was jailed for 15 years, with a two year extended licence period.

Investigating officer PC Mark Thomas said: “Gower completely shattered the trust of these two girls, manipulating them into situations where he could abuse them.

“His actions were utterly appalling and he is now rightfully where he belongs – in prison.

“I want to commend the bravery of these two women, who were just children at the time of these awful offences. Because of their courage, a dangerous man is now off the streets.”

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The boss of an East Neuk convenience store sexually assaulted a 15-year-old customer in direct view of two of her friends.

Rajiv Sharma’s brazen assault of the teenage girl was also in the line of sight of his own CCTV camera.

Sharma, the boss of A&A Stores in Anstruther, reached out and touched the teenager as she walked up an aisle on June 21 this year.

At Dundee Sheriff Court, Sheriff Francis Gill convicted Sharma, of Woodside Avenue in Dundee, of the assault after a trial.

The court heard evidence from the 15-year-old through a video link, in which she described Sharma, 49, touching her abdomen.

Security footage from inside the shop was played in court.

It showed the girl and Sharma walking from opposite ends of an aisle towards each other.

As Sharma passed, he extended an arm and touched the girl’s body.

Two of her friends were directly behind her and in eyeline with the assault.

However, these witnesses were not called to give evidence in court.

Victim’s mum describes distress

The girl’s mother also gave evidence about the girl’s condition when she came home.

The 42-year-old said it had been a school day and the girl usually returned home after 9pm.

“[She] phoned me at home on my mobile, just before 9pm – about 8.50pm.

“Obviously I’d had the phone call.

“She was very distressed, crying and wanting to get her clothes off.

“I tried to calm her down.

“I got her to talk to me.

“I sat with her, I said to her everything was going to be okay.”

The girl’s mother contacted police after the discussion.

Crown witnesses ‘credible and reliable’

His solicitor David Duncan suggested there was no case to answer as allegations which appeared in the initial charge that Sharma touched the girl’s breast and made a sexual comment, were not raised in evidence.

However, Sharma was convicted of an amended charge of sexually assaulting the girl in his High Street shop by handling her abdomen.

Sheriff Gill placed Sharma on the Sex Offenders Register.

He said: “In this case, I found the Crown witnesses to be credible and reliable.

“The evidence is clear that you touched the complainer on the stomach.”

The sheriff deferred sentencing until January for reports.

Description

A serial sex offender who was caught with a shocking haul of child abuse images for the second time has been jailed for 16 months.

Nathan Whitelaw, also known as Salkeld, was found to have downloaded hundreds of indecent images of children when police officers checked his mobile phone earlier this year.

Whitelaw, 24, was convicted of a similar offence last year and police were conducting an unannounced search of his Edinburgh flat when he was caught for the second time.

The pervert told the officers he had bought the device as he wanted to “test himself” due to his sexual interest in young children. Whitelaw was also convicted of sexual communication and attempting to meet up with a 13 year old child he had contacted online in 2018.

But he was caught in a paedophile hunter sting when it emerged he had in fact been in contact with an adult decoy connected to the Groom Resisters Scotland group. Whitelaw was handed community payback orders on both previous occasions and placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

He was back in the dock for sentencing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday after previously admitting possessing indecent images of children between February 22 and May 10 this year

Sheriff Daniel Kelly said: “You are already on two community payback orders. The orders imposed have not prevented you from reoffending.

“In terms of the social work report you are at a high risk of [sexual] reconviction. That means on this occasion there is no other sentence appropriate other than custody.” Whitelaw was jailed for 16 months and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

He was also handed a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order which bans him from accessing any social media site without gaining prior permission.

Previously the court was told Whitelaw had been housed by Edinburgh City Council at a property in the Leith area of the capital following last year’s conviction. Police officers attended the home as part of an unannounced search and uncovered the phone which he was banned from owning on May 10 this year.

Whitelaw was said to have appeared “nervous and agitated” to the officers and he was cautioned and charged at the time. The court heard the offender’s mobile phone was found to contain 801 images and videos rated at Category A - the most depraved end of the scale.

He also possessed 172 images and videos at Category B along with a further 1445 said to be at Category C. The court heard Whitelaw had bought the phone three months previously “in a bid to test himself” against reoffending.

Solicitor Steven Donald, defending, said his client had a keen interest in computing which had led him “to go down the rabbit hole” of searching out child abuse images.

Mr Donald said Whitelaw had been making progress while on his previous community-based order “to such an extent he wanted to test himself”.

The images were said to have been part of a “data dump” sent to Whitelaw by another person and all the images had been inaccessible. Mr Donald added: “There is an acceptance on his part he has an attraction [to children].”

Whitelaw pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children at a property at Persevere Court, Edinburgh, between February 22 and May 10 this year.

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An A&E nurse has been struck off after being convicted of groping the breasts of his female co-workers.

Adam Soothill began working in the emergency department at Royal Preston Hospital in 2011, but in March 2019, allegations were made against him by several members of staff.

These included inappropriate sexual behaviour, which involved touching, the flicking or touching of breasts, grabbing breasts, seven touching of naked breasts, and placing his hands between legs.

The assaults took place between 2017 and 2019 and as a result of the allegations, Soothill was suspended from work pending a police investigation.

Initially, he denied any wrongdoing but was charged with sexual assault on July 12 2021. Following this he was dismissed by the hospitals trust.

Soothill appeared at Preston Magistrates’ Court on August 15 2019, with his case being referred to the crown court where he entered not guilty pleas and was sent to trial.

On October 27 2021, Soothill was convicted of 24 counts of sexual assault and was sentenced to 30 months in prison, told to sign the Sex Offender Register indefinitely, and pay a surcharge of £170.

Following a hearing by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) last month, it was agreed that Soothill be struck-off the nurses register.

A report from the NMC read: “Adam Soothill's criminal offending has so seriously undermined public trust and confidence in the profession.

“The criminal offending and subsequent sentence is fundamentally incompatible with being a registered professional nurse.

“Only a striking off order is sufficient to protect patients, maintain public confidence in the profession and maintain professional standards.”

The NMC report also provided some of the judges sentencing remarks, which included the following relevant comments: "You undoubtedly preyed on these women so often and in such a manner that you made their lives uncomfortable, miserable within the workplace, in several instances it got to a stage where some did not wish to come to work.

“In relation to one victim, you had only worked with her once and that was the occasion you sexually assaulted her.

“In relation to another, she was so distressed by what you had done, that she went to the sluice room and cried.

“You took advantage of the workplace situation...you had relied on the fact that these women would not want to complain or felt uneasy about complaining.

“The touching you indulged in was not only unwanted, but sexual. It was also harassment and bullying behaviour which is not acceptable in any workplace.

“You tried to pull the wool over the jury’s eyes hiding behind a jovial workplace exterior.

“In relation to the seven women who alleged incidents, which you absolutely denied, there was no room for mistake, they were not exaggerating, and they were not liars.

“As prosecution counsel pointed out, it is noteworthy that you only denied the more serious matters and it is noteworthy that your defence, in relation to two or three of your victims, changed as the evidence came out.”

An interim suspension order was handed to Soothill to give him time to appeal the sanction. Should no appeal be made, he will be struck-off with immediate effect.

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An evil paedophile who committed multiple rapes and sexual offences against children and young women has been put behind bars. Ben Prothero admitted committing 17 sex offences, some against kids under 13 over a sustained period from 2008 to 2020.

Prothero of Metcalfe Close, in Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire, had pleaded guilty earlier in the year and was jailed for 24 years at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday (November 29). He was told he would serve 18 years in prison and a further six years to remain on licence as a dangerous offender. 

He was also now listed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. He was convicted after a ‘long and thorough’ investigation by Hereford CID’s Vulnerability Team who praised the bravery of the victims for coming forward to outline the abuse they suffered.

Prothero's offences included:

• Two counts of rape of a child under 13
• Five counts of rape of a female under 18
• Attempted rape
• Causing a female under 15 to engage in penetrative sexual activity
• Penetration of a female under 16
• Engage in controlling/coercive behaviour
• Two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13
• Two counts of sexual activity with a child under 18
• Two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16

The 26-year-old was described by police as a ‘predator and bully’. Detective Constable Emma O’Hare, from West Mercia Police, who led the investigation, said: “Prothero committed these horrendous crimes against children and women over many years who weren’t able to defend or protect themselves.

“He was a bully, a predator and controlled them by hurting them and changing their lives forever. As pleased as I am with the lengthy sentence, the true tribute is paid to the victims, who not only survived despite his best efforts to break them, but who then showed immense courage and bravery in coming forward about his abuse and rapes.”

DC O’Hare continued: “My hope is that this significant prison sentence will bring some measure of comfort to those whose lives have been forever damaged by his cowardly and predatory actions. This sentence needs to serve as a reminder to those who think that abusing women and girls will go unchallenged.

“Survivors are strong and with our support, patience and understanding an investigation will uncover the truth about their abusers’ actions, who will face consequences. West Mercia Police remains committed to seeking justice for rape victims and survivors, and we, the police and wider support services are here for them.”

West Mercia Police offered support to anyone who may have been the victim of any sexual offence and said they can report it to them online, on 101 or via West Mercia's Victim Advice Line on 0800 952 3000 or its website.

It said: “This is a free, independent and confidential support service. In an emergency always dial 999. If you do not feel comfortable speaking to police officers, you can contact a referral centre which specialises in helping victims of rape and sexual assault - including providing medical care and counselling.”Anyone wanting information and details on how to contact or refer can visit the Get Help page of the Rape Crisis website. 

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A Stourbridge paedophile has been locked up for sexually assaulting a teenage boy after "grooming the whole family". Stuart Baker, 36, groomed the child and repeatedly targeted him between 2017 and 2020.

He met the boy's family in 2015 and began to befriend them. Over time he groomed the boy and sexually abused him on numerous occasions. He went as far as moving house to be closer to his victim.

The offences were committed in Warwickshire and Coventry. Baker’s offending came to light in 2020 - while drunk he told a colleague that he was sending sexually explicit messages to an underage boy.

 A Stourbridge paedophile has been locked up for sexually assaulting a teenage boy after "grooming the whole family". Stuart Baker, 36, groomed the child and repeatedly targeted him between 2017 and 2020.

He met the boy's family in 2015 and began to befriend them. Over time he groomed the boy and sexually abused him on numerous occasions. He went as far as moving house to be closer to his victim.

The offences were committed in Warwickshire and Coventry. Baker’s offending came to light in 2020 - while drunk he told a colleague that he was sending sexually explicit messages to an underage boy.

The colleague contacted the NSPCC who alerted the police and Baker was arrested. Baker, of Gauden Road, Stourbridge, was locked up for two years at Warwick Crown Court last week after pleading guilty to four counts of sexual assault. He was also added to the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

Following the sentencing, the victim’s family released a statement saying: “Today, after a long time of pain and suffering we finally got justice and although our family can never forget, we can finally start to move on with our lives. We hope this will send out a clear message for anyone suffering abuse or too afraid to speak up.

"Please reach out to someone you trust, go through the process and you will get the justice and closure you deserve. This will never be your fault and you are not to blame, you are a targeted victim of an abuser and this won’t stop until we speak up and save other innocent children from this trauma.”

Detective Inspector Ed Peake from Warwickshire Police said: “Baker is a manipulative and dangerous man; he didn’t just groom his victim, he groomed his whole family. They thought of him as a friend but all the time he was working to satisfy his sexual desires.

“He didn’t just manipulate his victim sexually, but also emotionally; he would tell the victim not to tell anyone what they were doing because he would get into trouble, he would get jealous when the victim talked about having a girlfriend and at one point threatened to commit suicide.

“Sadly in this case the victim didn’t know where to turn which is often the case with young victims of sexual abuse. He was only a young boy who probably never fully understood what was being done to him. However, thanks to an alert colleague raising the alarm, Baker’s offending came to light and he was brought to justice.

“I hope this conviction sends a message to other children who were or are being groomed and abused that there are people who will listen. The hardest step to take is telling the first person, but there are people out there who will listen and help and support you. It is never your fault. We will investigate and do everything in our power to bring dangerous offenders to justice and get you the support you need.

“I would like to commend the victim and his family for the bravery they have shown in helping ensure Baker is held to account for his actions. His offending over a number of years has left a lasting impact on the victim and I hope that this sentence helps to give him some closure.”

Description

A convicted rapist has left a young woman ‘grieving the freedom’ she felt before he violated her.

Luke Sargent had already been convicted of raping a 15-year-old girl in Rushall on Christmas Day of 2011. He was sentenced to six years in prison with a three-year extended licence, but in the early hours of 8 June the 31-year-old struck again.

CCTV shows he had spent some time following groups of women before targeting her in Selly Oak. He grabbed a 20-year-old woman as she made her way home and dragged her into a property which was being renovated. He threatened to slit her throat before violently raping her.

Investigating officer DC Andy Carnall said: “It is testament to the young woman that she bravely reported what had happened to her.

“She convinced her attacker she would keep quiet for £20 hoping the note would contain his DNA, and remembered as much detail as she could, enabling her to pick him out on an ID parade.”

Sargent was arrested after being spotted by officers making enquiries with builders at the renovation site. He matched the description the woman had given and was taken into custody. Doorbell footage was also recovered which revealed an audio recording of a man threatening to slit the woman’s throat. 

 At trial the jury heard a very emotional impact statement. She said: “I’ve since looked back at pictures of my friends and I out having fun the same night before I was attacked, and I just want to scream out to younger me to run, that she’s in danger, to go find safety, as she has no idea what she’s about to endure.

“I was just trying to walk home.”

Sargent, from Cadnam Close in Birmingham, was jailed for 18 years with a minimum term of 12 years before he will be eligible to apply for parole and will remain on licence for life. He will also remain on the sex offender’s register for life.

DC Carnall added: “This is a significant sentence which reflects the danger Sargent poses. I commend the young woman for her tenacity and bravery during the investigation and trial.”

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A dangerous sex offender who groomed a young vulnerable girl has been jailed.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard the harrowing details of how Allan Wilkinson, 77, preyed on the 16-year-old girl when he met her online where she had been looking for a household assistant job.

Despite the teenager suffering from a number of mental health issues, which became apparent to Wilkinson, he groomed her into taking part in sexual acts with him in exchange for money and gifts.

The girl routinely told Wilkinson to stop but he continued his predatory behaviour and also coaxed the vulnerable girl into sending him photographs of a sexual nature.

The court heard Wilkinson knew the girl was just 16 and continued his criminal acts.

Wilkinson of Epping New Road, Buckhurst Hill, pleaded guilty to paying for the sexual services of a child and making indecent photographs of a child.

He was jailed for a total of 30 months on Friday November 25.

Following the sentencing investigating Detective Constable Steven Tilley of Essex Police’s Child Sexual Exploitation said: “I would like to pay tribute to the bravery and courage, demonstrated by the victim in this case.

“Wilkinson preyed on this young girl, sexually grooming her in exchange for money. She had trusted him and he so thoroughly abused that trust.

“I hope the victim can begin the very slow process of piecing her life back together and I cannot praise her enough in coming forward to help us secure justice and take this sexual predator off of our streets.”

Wilkinson was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for seven years. Under the terms of his order he must not: have any contact with girls under the age of 18; possess any computer or device with internet access; and must make any device he does possess available for inspection by a police officer upon request.

Essex Police Child Sexual Exploitation Proactive Investigation Team is dedicated and determined to protect young vulnerable people from being subjected to exploitation. If you would like to report a crime and need help, call 101, submit a report on the website or call 999 in an emergency.

*Support is there for anyone affected by rape and sexual abuse, and no victim or survivor is alone. Synergy Essex provides specialist support for victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse of all ages and all genders across Essex.

Synergy Essex is a partnership of rape and sexual abuse centres in Essex: CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse), SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis).

Synergy Essex is independent from the police and provides support for victims and survivors throughout their journey. Victims and survivors can self-refer, or be referred by a parent, partner, friend or professional and can access specialist emotional support, counselling and advocacy.

For victims and survivors who report to the police, Synergy Essex provides an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service, providing support throughout the criminal justice process.

Description

A WIRRAL man has been jailed for five years and one month for sexual activity with a child.

Neil Rycroft, 48, of Cherry Tree Road, Moreton appeared on Tuesday, November 2 at Liverpool Crown Court.

He was also issued with a Lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), Restraining Order and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Rycroft was arrested on Thursday, May 26, this year, the same day that the victim, a 15-year-old girl, reported the offence, which had taken place three days previously in Wirral.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Alex Fowler from the Force's Unity team, said: "We hope that this sentence goes some way to helping the victim as she comes to terms with this traumatic experience and we will continue to support her.

"We'd like to praise the whole family's immense strength and courage in reporting this crime and engaging throughout what can be a harrowing process, through to today's outcome.

"Rycroft is a predator, who saw a young and vulnerable child as someone to manipulate and abuse.

"Such offenders should be removed from the streets and closely monitored when the time comes to release them.

"He had no regard for the psychological impact of his heinous actions, nor the consequences for the victim, the victim’s family and less importantly, his own liberty.

"We treat all allegations of sexual offences sensitively and with compassion and have specially trained officers who ensure victims are listened to, safeguarded and supported from the moment they report a crime and right through the judicial process.

"If anybody is out there suffering in silence we want you to know that there is help and support available, both from Merseyside Police, and from reliable and trusted support groups who will stand with you from the initial report and for as long as you need.”

Description

A 24-year-old man has been convicted of sexual assaulting a man inside his own home in Kingsthorpe, Northampton.

On January 16 this year, Budd Lee Simmons, previously of Northampton, was invited to sleep on the sofa at a friend’s house in Kingsthorpe after a night out. 

However, when everyone was asleep, Simmons entered a bedroom inside the house, and once inside, sexually assaulted a man in his own bed by inappropriately touching him.

The man woke up and Simmons fled the address with police being called a short time later.

Simmons was arrested and subsequently charged with sexual assault. At Northampton Crown Court on November 17 this year, he pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.

Lead Investigator – PC Jess Hurst, said: “First of all, I want to commend the man in this case for his bravery in coming forward, reporting this offence to us, and supporting the case throughout the court process.

“In his victim personal statement, he wrote that he keeps wondering if he could have done anything differently to prevent this offence from happening.

“Let me be absolutely clear – as with any case of sexual assault, the blame here is on the offender only. This man could not have done anything differently and he must not blame himself. Budd Simmons is the only person in this case who should feel responsibility and shame for his actions. 

“Men are often less likely to speak up when they are victims of sexual assault and abuse, and I hope this case shows that Northamptonshire Police will take their reports extremely seriously and that they will be treated with sensitivity and support throughout.

“Budd Simmons is now behind bars and that is solely down to this man’s bravery in coming forward. I hope the conclusion of this case provides him with a sense of closure and the ability to move forward.”

Description

A paedophile who intended to abuse a schoolgirl turned up to a sting because he was “curious”, a court heard.

Gordon Welch, 67, arrived at McDonald’s in Shirley equipped with condoms, lubricant, and Viagra to meet what he thought was an 11-year-old child.

A court heard how the former DJ of Sheffield Road, Fratton, had been talking with a man online to arrange to meet and abuse his young daughter.

Using the aliases “Portsmouthmeet” and “Portsmouthnoman”, Welch spoke with the man, who was in fact an officer from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, indicating his intention to meet and sexually abuse the girl.

Prosecuting, Caroline Moonan explained how Welch told the officer, who went by the name of Jack, that he would “touch her”, asked for a picture of her in her uniform and even said he would have sex with the girl if she was willing. 

Agreeing to meet the “father and daughter”, Welch drove from Portsmouth to Southampton on May 12, this year.

However, when he arrived, he was met with police officers who arrested him at around 10am.

 Upon being searched, he was found with three condoms, flavoured lubricant and a Viagra tablet.

Ms Moonan explained how after he was arrested, he said: “I knew it was a trap but I was curious”.

She added that he “genuinely wanted to be with Jack’s daughter”.

When his home address was later searched, a pink Hello Kitty top and a packet containing more lubricant were found.

Welch originally pleaded not guilty claiming he didn’t intend to do anything sexual, but later changed his plea to guilty.

However, defending, Jamie Gammon told the court that he had “found it hard to accept that he would have engaged in contact had the opportunity arose there”.

“[There is] still an element in his mind that nothing would have happened. He says he would have driven off.”

He added that Welch indicates a “willingness to address his behaviour” and has the support of his wife who remains loyal to him. 

 Southampton Crown Court heard Welch has three previous convictions for six offences and was previously arrested for alleged sexual matters that he was never charged for.

The judge, Recorder Don Tait, told Welch “you remain a high risk to children”.

“You’re still in denial that you committed this offence. Thankfully on this occasion, no real victim was involved.

“But it was not through a lack of effort on your own.”

Welch was jailed for four years and six months for arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.

He was also made subject to notification requirements for the next 10 years and a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely.

The items seized by police are set to be forfeited and destroyed. 

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A REGISTERED sex offender was found with a collection of extreme animal pornography involving pigs, dogs and eels, a court heard.

Pensioner Brian Hudson was found to have 16 films in his house showing animals having sex.

His bedroom in Orpen Road, Southampton, was being used as a store room for thousands of DVDs - 16 of which related to animal porn.

When questioned on this, Hudson said they belonged to a deceased relative. 

 Prosecuting, Neil King told Southampton Crown Court how the films “must have been retained for some time” adding that Hudson “doesn’t appear to [have] any expression of remorse”.

After police found the videos on April 3, 2020, the 75-year-old was arrested and charged with possessing extreme pornographic images.

He originally pleaded not guilty but changed his plea on the day of the trial.

Mr King told the court Hudson has previous convictions for serious sexual offences and distributing pornography.

But mitigating, Ed Wylde said Hudson has not been convicted for some 28 years adding that there was “no suggestion of distribution” in this case.

“[He] tells me that he had not appreciated how serious this matter was.”

He added that Hudson has “become, to a degree, a vulnerable person”, suffering from memory loss, and is the only driver in his family.

The judge, Recorder Don Tait, told the defendant: “You are a registered sex offender already because of your previous convictions.

“Your last conviction in 1994, when you were sent to prison for a modest period of time by the magistrates, was for possessing extreme articles.

“You have, and I quote, a deviant sexual interest. Well, you’re going to have to curb that deviant sexual interest.” 

 However, he said he would impose a suspended sentence because of Hudson’s age and “poor health”.

The 75-year-old was given a 16-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

He must also complete 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days and abide by a curfew for the next three months, running between the hours of 8pm and 8am.

Mr Tait also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the seized items. 

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Peter Forbes, of Gateshead, admitted downloading indecent images from the dark web.

A pervert whose sickening collection of indecent images included a newborn baby being abused has been spared prison.

Police went to the home of Peter Forbes in January last year and seized his computer devices. They found 34 of the most serious, category A images, 21 category B images and 74 category C. There were also 24 prohibited images and four extreme pornography images.

Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court the children featured were aged between a newborn baby and 16 years old. One showed a one-week-old baby being abused and there was "discernable pain and distress" from the children.

There was also evidence Forbes had also engaged in chats with others about "younger" children and had made word searches for terms associated with paedophilic images.

Forbes, 28, of Church Road, Gateshead, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images, possessing prohibited images of children and possessing extreme pornography. He was sentenced to 12 months suspended for 18 months with 120 hours unpaid work.

Brian Hegarty, defending, said: "The general public will, of course, be horrified and appalled, quite rightly, over images of this type. He had an addiction to pornography from the age of ten.

"He was on the dark web and came to download these images. He referred himself for counselling after his arrest."

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A MAN guilty of sexually assaulting a boy and three counts of breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) has been jailed.

Malcolm Montgomery, 67, of Llys Esgob Morgan, Is Terfyn, St Asaph was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment at Mold Crown Court today (November 29).

The court heard how, in 2006, Montgomery was jailed for seven years at Liverpool Crown Court after sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy, and had a SHPO imposed on him indefinitely.

This prevented him from working with children and being in the company of those younger than 16 unless another adult is present.

But he was accused of repeatedly breaching the SHPO in May and June 2022 by allowing children into his home, enticing them with the prospect of giving them cigarettes and vapes. 

 Prosecuting, Nicholas Williams said Montgomery sexually assaulted one boy, 13, by touching his penis over his clothes.

He had given children the code to his gate, enabling them to knock on his door, while a neighbour had described seeing several children stood on the path by his gate.

According to the neighbour, “this type of thing was happening quite often”.

A victim had described going to Montgomery’s home with a friend and other boys from the year above him in school, having been told he could get cigarettes from him.

It was not until fifth or sixth occasion, though, that he set foot in Montgomery’s house.

Montgomery asked if he wanted to come in and watch football with him; the boy began to trust him, saying he “kept giving us stuff” they wanted.

He had told Montgomery he was 13, and had sometimes appeared at his address in his school uniform.

The victim went into his house about six or seven times; after a while, Montgomery began to ask questions of a sexual nature which made him and his friends uncomfortable.

After Montgomery touched him on his penis over his clothing, asking if he could get an erection, the victim never returned.

Another child only went in to Montgomery’s house twice, saying it “felt a bit weird sat in an old man’s house”, and that he “asked him weird questions”.

A third child, 12, went to Montgomery’s house on several occasions, once sitting in his living room for about an hour.

Montgomery told her that his wife had died, and that he was “really lonely”, before giving her a necklace.

Following his arrest, Montgomery said one of the children had been visiting his address almost every day for the last few months.

He did not deny that some conversations of a sexual nature had taken place, but claimed these had been initiated by the boys.

Montgomery admitted giving them cigarettes, sometimes while in school uniform, but denied sexual contact with the boy whose penis he was alleged to have touched.

He also added that he could not remember being given the SHPO, or the conditions attached to it.

Defending, Sarah Yates told the court that there was “no real evidence of harm beyond that which he had pleaded guilty to”.

She added: "This man led rather a lonely, isolated life before making repeatedly foolish decisions."

Since being remanded in custody on June 23, Yates said Montgomery has “worked constructively”, and has obtained a job.

He was also said to have been engaging with a mental health team in a custodial setting, as Montgomery is prescribed medication for depression and suicidal ideation.

Given he has family elsewhere, Yates added that it is Montgomery’s intention to move out of North Wales.

Sentencing, Judge Rhys Rowlands added that Montgomery will remain on the register indefinitely, and is banned from working with children or vulnerable adults in future.

A victim surcharge of £190 was also imposed, to be paid upon Montgomery’s release.

Rowlands said: “The bottom line is he is subject to this order. Suggesting he had forgotten about it is nonsense. There is no way he wouldn’t have known the prohibitions.

“It was almost like Fagin’s Den.

“It (SHPO) followed on from very serious, depraved sexual behaviour on your part, and is meant to safeguard youngsters from any repetition.

“Despite that, you breached the terms of that order in May and June of this year, added to which there is a specific offence of a sexual assault against a 13-year-old boy.

“It’s quite clear to me you were seeking to groom them. (It was) totally inappropriate, concerning behaviour.

“I’ve no doubt at all that your behaviour was calculated and deliberate, and to further your worrying, obsessive behaviour with youngsters.

“I’m firmly of the view that your non-compliance with your SHPO makes plain to me that there is no realistic prospect of rehabilitation at present.”