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A Wiltshire transwoman who raped a woman after a night out has been jailed.

Lexi Secker, who was born Alexander Secker, launched a sex attack on his highly intoxicated victim in a woodland in April 2021.

The incident happened in Swindon following a night out in Blunsdon.

At Swindon Crown Court back in June this year, they were found guilty of rape by a jury.

Today (Friday), the defendant – of Lowbourne in Melksham – was sentenced, with the judge handing down a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence – which they will serve in a male-only prison.

The 35-year-old committed the crimes as a male but they were on trial as a female named Lexi.

DC Corrina Wiltshire said: “I would firstly like to thank our victim in this case who has been inspirational in the way they have handled things.

“I hope this sentence gives other victims the strength to come forward and help police seek justice for them.

“This case has taken a long time to get to this point, but I’m pleased to say the victim has trusted the police throughout and stayed with this despite the hurdles.

“They have such incredible strength and I hope it shows others that they can do this too.”

Description

A former West Sussex social worker has been jailed for abusing his position and engaging in sexual communications with vulnerable children.

An investigation was launched on 3 March when sexual messages were found on a vulnerable teenage girl’s Snapchat account between her and a man later identified as Thomas Weller, 33, from Horsham.

The messages were sexual, and continued despite the girl telling Weller she was a child.

Weller also offered to buy her alcohol in exchange for sexual acts.

The investigation also found Weller had used his position to access personal data.

He was arrested on 24 March and further sexual communications were found with another teenage girl on his Snapchat account.

Weller was subsequently charged with two counts of sexual communication with a child and misconduct in public office.

He pleaded guilty to both counts of sexual communications at Lewes Crown Court on 5 July, and admitted the misconduct in public office at the same court on Wednesday, 31 July.

At the same court on Friday (27 September), Weller was jailed for 34 months and given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Gillings: “Thanks to the bravery and support of Weller’s victims and their families, we have been able to bring an extremely disturbing offender to justice.

“Weller held a position of trust, with a duty to protect vulnerable children. His crimes are a betrayal of that responsibility.

“I would again like to thank West Sussex County Council for supporting this investigation and for all involved for their work in catching Weller, putting him behind bars and securing an order that will significantly limit his ability to cause further harm.”

Description

A Doncaster paedophile who carried out a string of sex attacks on a child has been jailed.

Anthony Halstead, 35, of Baytree Grove, Auckley, was found guilty of seven counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court.

He was sentenced to 16 years behind bars, with an extended licence period of another year.

He will also sign the sex offender register indefinitely and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order and restraining orders for 25 years.

Description

A Tayside businessman blamed money worries and relationship troubles for his increasingly explicit sex chats with what he thought was a 13-year-old girl.

Iain Moody ordered the child to strip for him, tried to persuade her to skip school and asked if she wanted “full sex”.

Description

A sex offender stayed at a new address for too long without telling police. Tony Simmonds had to inform officers if he stayed anywhere new for longer then seven days but lived at a former partner's house for 10 days.

This breached a notification requirement of a suspended sentence. Today the 50-year-old was jailed for the breach and jailed for part of the suspended jail term.

Prosecutor Richard Edwards told Caernarfon Crown Court Simmonds had been convicted of indecent images offences at Chester Crown Court in September last year. He was given a 14-month jail term, suspended for two years.

He was also given an order to tell police if he stayed at a new address for longer than seven days. But he stayed at his former partner's home until he became "reluctant to leave" and she informed police. You can sign up for all the latest court stories here

Simmonds told officers he was staying with the woman to give his brother a break. He normally stayed with his brother in Marine Road, Pensarn near Abergele.

Sarah Yates, defending, accepted that the probation service are concerned his engagement with a rehabilitation work is "superficial and limited". But she pointed out he suffers from schizophrenia, a personality disorder and psychosis.

He has taken medication "sporadically" in the past but more regularly recently. He is "fearful" of custody and is a vulnerable individual.

But the judge Her Honour Nicola Saffman today told Simmonds, of Marine Road, Pensarn, he had not taken his medication at times nor complied with the services he had been offered.

She jailed Simmonds for six months for failing to comply with the notification requirement and for ten months of his suspended jail term, to run consecutively.

Description

A former football coach has been jailed after being found guilty of sexually abusing a boy more than 40 years ago.

Anthony Pickering, 62, was jailed in 2018 for similar offences, committed while coaching a youth football team in Windermere in the Lake District.

Police said the latest victim, who was abused in the 1970s and 80s, came forward after the 2018 prosecution.

Appearing at Carlisle Crown Court, Pickering had denied attempted rape and two counts of indecent assault on a boy, but was found guilty and jailed for 13 years.

He was also put on the sex offenders register for life.

Description

A vile paedophile who "stripped his victims of their childhood innocence" when he subjected them to multiple rapes and sexual assaults has been jailed.

Thomas Reay stole the childhoods of two young girls when he carried out the sickening abuse over a number of years. But now the 65-year-old has been locked up for 25 years after his victims found the courage to report the offending to a loved one in May of this year.

The report prompted an investigation by Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department and Reay was subsequently charged with a string of offences and remanded in custody.

Reay, of Hesleyside Drive, Newcastle, later pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to 16 child sex offences in July.

He appeared before Durham Crown Court on Tuesday where he was sentenced to 25 years behind bars.

Leading the investigation, Detective Constable Paul Armstrong, of Northumbria Police, said: "Reay subjected the victims in this case to horrific ordeals over the course of a number of years, and I am pleased the courts have seen fit to hand him a very lengthy custodial sentence.

"Reay is a vile predator who stripped his victims of their childhood innocence through repeated abuse. I would like to praise the victims for their incredible bravery and courage to come forward because if they had not taken that first step of telling a loved one what had happened, Reay might not be behind bars today.

"No sentence will ever detract from the trauma they suffered, but I hope this lengthy sentence can provide some degree of closure which will allow them to move forward with their lives. Protecting the vulnerable and ensuring the most serious offenders like Reay are brought to justice are our top priorities as a Force.

"I would urge anyone who has been a victim, or wants to share information about an offender, to get in touch. We will support you and we will believe you."

Description

A Nottingham-based child sex offender has been sentenced to 11 years and 4 months for the abuse of two teenage girls at a Manchester apartment.

Leo Farodoye (08/05/1990) of North Road in Nottingham was sentenced on Friday 20 September 2024 at Manchester Crown Court for multiple child sex offences, including inciting a child to engage in a sex act, breach of a SHPO, a sexual act with a child, and taking indecent photos of a child. He received 7 years and 4 months with an extended license of 4 years.

Farodoye had previously been convicted at Manchester Crown Court on Friday 24 May 2024. He also breached a previous Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) from 2014.

The court heard how Nottingham-based Farodoye had booked an Airbnb apartment in city centre Manchester on 12 December 2023, to cover the period of 18 – 27 February this year. He had booked it under the pretence of enjoying a relaxing weekend with his wife.

When turning up at the apartment on Sunday 18 February 2024, he was seen with two young females. As this was different to what he had told the owner, the police were called and the alarm raised.

When officers attended the location, Farodoye escaped via an upstairs window. The two females confirmed they were aged just 15 and 17. It was further disclosed to police that they had travelled across the UK to meet with Farodoye, under the pretence they were taking part in a photography shoot.

One of the victims described how she had first met with Farodoye at an address in Nottingham in October 2023, during which she was supplied with alcohol before photographs were taken of her. She was also subjected to the first sexual assault.

It was noted in court that when the officers attended at Turner Street, there was clear that photography equipment had been set up in various rooms, including lighting and backdrop screens. A search also revealed extensive amounts of sexualised underwear and clothing, quantity of cash and white powder in a bottle.

He later attempted to discard a backpack containing photography equipment, which was later recovered in Manchester city centre.

Farodoye was subsequently arrested for sexual activity with a child and was interviewed under caution at Pendleton Police Station on the evening of Wednesday 21 February 2024. He was also further arrested on suspicion of rape, breach of SHPO and Registered Sex Offender (RSO) requirements.

Description

A paedophile who was initially discovered with indecent images by his wife who recorded him playing guitar breached a court order after being found with further images or child abuse. He tried to delete the images after police made an unannounced visit to his home.

Eifion Humphries, 32, was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order in 2023 after he was convicted of possessing images of child abuse, including photos that had mages of young girls being orally raped by a man. He was discovered after he asked his wife to use his mobile to video him playing the guitar and she saw what was stored on the device.

A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Monday heard Humphries was sentenced to a community order, and was made subject to conditions which would prohibit him from deleting his internet browsing history and his electronic devices regularly monitored. Prosecutor Matthew Murphy said police visited the defendant's home in Newtown, Powys, on August 22, and he suspiciously took his phone to the toilet.

The device was later inspected and was found to contain indecent images of children, between the ages of eight and 10-years-old, in a deleted file. He had also been messaging a woman with four children.

Humphries, of Parkers Lane, was arrested and told police he had visited a chatroom, because he was "bored", and was sent the images by others which he had not requested. He did say he was prepared to distribute the images if anyone asked for them. The defendant had also deleted the Telegram app, which he was prohibited from doing.

In total, Humphries was found in possession of 41 category A images, 40 category C images and 72 category C images. In mitigation, Sol Hartley said his client had told him "I have a problem, I need to be in prison". The barrister said the defendant needed help to better understand his actions, and recognised immediate custody was inevitable.

Judge Jeremy Jenkins sentenced Humphries to 24 months imprisonment. He also made him subject to a new Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offender notification requirements for 10 years each.

Description

A former East Yorkshire pub landlord has been jailed after he targeted and sexually assaulted three young women after he repeatedly pestered them and tried to "shower" them with cash or lavish gifts or holidays.

The victims of sex-obsessed Gerald Ellis felt powerless to speak out, but they finally did so when he was prosecuted for having indecent videos and images of children, Hull Crown Court heard.

Ellis, 64, of Primrose Drive, Filey, admitted three offences of sexual assault against one woman and two offences of assault by penetration against her between December 2013 and May 2016.

He also admitted sexually assaulting a second woman between January 2016 and December 2017 and two offences of sexually assaulting a third woman between November 2016 and March 2020.

Claire Holmes, prosecuting, said that the offences against the three young women came to light after Ellis was sentenced at Hull Crown Court in September 2020 for three offences involving downloading indecent images of children.

The case was reported in the press. "On learning of that conviction, the three complainants came forward," said Miss Holmes.

Ellis' behaviour towards the first of the women included repeatedly touching her intimately.

He trapped her against a wall and she was unable to move. He kissed her but she managed to push past him and told him to get off her. Other people saw Ellis intimately touching her.

She later described the incidents as "horrible" and she said that she came forward to report them because she did not want Ellis to do the same thing to anyone else.

The offence against the second woman happened when Ellis lunged at her and tried to kiss her. "She pulled back," said Miss Holmes. The woman later said that she had been very affected by the press report of Ellis looking at indecent images of children and this "broke her heart".

The incidents involving the third woman included hitting her on the bottom over her clothes when he passed her. He offered her £1,000 to sleep with him but she refused. The woman found the sexual assault behaviour of Ellis "weird and uncomfortable". During police interview, Ellis denied the offences.

Ellis admitted separate offences of breaching a sexual harm prevention order and breaching his notification requirements as a convicted sex offender following the indecent images conviction.

These involved allowing a girl to stay at his home when he should not have done and having an iPad that was not registered with the police.

Simon Reevell, mitigating, said that Ellis had pleaded guilty on the day of a scheduled trial. "For everyone, this is a sorry and unfortunate business," said Mr Reevell. "This is the end of a sorry period."

Judge Alexander Menary said that Ellis "targeted" the three women and "showered them" with gifts and money, including "expensive items" such as a mobile phone, a horse and holidays abroad.

"These offences are so serious that only immediate custody can be justified," said Judge Menary. "There have been no further contact offences since these offences were committed."

Ellis, who was already in custody on remand, was jailed for three years and two months and he was given a sexual harm prevention order for 12 years. He was given a 15-year restraining order and must register as a sex offender for life.

During the previous court case in September 2020, the court heard that Ellis, known as Gerry, watched videos of children being abused, including a girl of four or five being raped. Another showed a boy and girl, aged between eight and 10, being forced to perform sexual acts.

Police seized his laptop in March 2019 and videos and images were found.

Ellis, at the time, had been drinking excessively, including up to 15 pints a day, the court heard that day. His wife left him and he turned to pornography.

Ellis was given a two-year community order at the time, with rehabilitation days, and he had to register as a sex offender for five years.

Description

A convicted sex offender claimed to be a teacher and sent pictures of his penis to someone he thought was a 12-year-old girl, a court has heard. In fact Timothy Edwards was communicating with an undercover police officer.

Swansea Crown Court heard Edwards used a false name and a picture of a cat in his online profile - a picture which turned out to be a snap of the family cat which had been taken in the conservatory of the family home. The court also heard the defendant began sending sexual messages and images to the online cop just weeks after being handed a suspended prison sentence for possession of images of children being sexually abused.

Alycia Carpanini, prosecuting, said in May, 2024, Edwards was given a sentence of eight months in prison suspended for two years and was made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) after being convicted of making indecent images of children. As part of the order the defendant must notify police about any internet-enabled devices he owns, and he is prohibited form having social media accounts or online profiles in any name other than Timothy Edwards or an alternative that has not been approved by his offender manager.

The court heard that in June this year Edwards initiated contact with a profile purporting to be that of a 12-year-old girl on the networking platform Kik. The defendant had the username ThomWayne500 and his profile picture was of a black cat. The defendant began chatting to the "girl" and said he was a teacher from Bristol and said he was glad it was the school summer holidays. When the girl asked him if he was a teacher at her school Edwards said no, and said he would remember teaching a "cute young lady" like her.

The court heard the defendant then began making "suggestive" comments to the decoy and asking for pictures, and told her if she sent him a rude photo he would send one back. The prosecutor said Edwards then sent the decoy pictures of his erect penis - one showing him having just ejaculated - and sent her a series of sexual messages during which he said he wished he was her teacher and said he would give her private sex education lessons. The decoy send Edwards a picture of a girl in a shirt and stripped school-type tie and the defendant responded by calling her beautiful and saying he wanted to unbutton her shirt. He asked her for a selfie which he could use as a background picture on his phone ,and asked her for pictures of her in her bra and for topless snaps. For the latest court reports, sign up to our crime newsletter here

The court heard that on the morning of August 15 police officers went to the defendant's home address in Swansea and arrested him. After being cautioned the defendant said: "There is a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in the house and my wife knows where it is". Officers located and seized the mobile and on it found an email account in the name of ThomWayne500 which contained emails from the Kik, Telegram and Instagram platforms. The court heard the black cat depicted in the Kik profile Edwards was using appeared to be a snap of the Edwards' family cat taken in the conservatory at his home address. The court also heard that details in the background of the penis pictures which the defendant sent to the decoy were consistent with them having been taken in his bedroom at the property. The Samsung phone itself had not previously been disclosed to the police.

Edward Timothy, aged 24, of Cwmgelli Road, Morriston, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child - the charge is one of attempt as no real child was involved - and sending a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has one previous conviction for three offences of making - that is possessing - indecent images of categories A, B and C.

With credit for his guilty pleas Edwards was sentenced to 15 months in prison for the new offences and recorder Greg Bull KC activated the previously imposed eight month sentence in full to run consecutively making an overall sentence of 23 months in prison. A new 10-year sexual harm prevention order was imposed - albeit it an order with same terms as the previous one - and the defendant will be a registered sex offender for the next 10 years.

Description

Jonathan Walker, 34, from Liversedge, Kirklees, subjected a young girl to “appalling offences” between 2005 and 2007.

Following an investigation by Kirklees District Child Safeguarding Unit, Walker was found guilty following a trial at Leeds Crown Court in August.

On Wednesday (Sept 25), the 34-year-old was sentenced to six years in prison for sexual offences against a child.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Natalie Green, of the Kirklees District Child Safeguarding Unit, said: “The appalling offences Walker committed against a young girl has affected her deeply, and illustrates the dreadful impact this can have on a victim.

“I would personally like to thank her for her bravery throughout this process and I hope the conclusion of this case brings her some closure on an extremely difficult time in her life.”

“I hope this sentence also provides a reminder to victims that we take all reports of sexual offences seriously and in confidence no matter when they happened. All reports will be thoroughly investigated by our specially trained officers who will also provide you with support throughout.”

Description

Brett Wight, 47, subjected the woman to multiple rapes causing her lasting physical injuries.

The stoic victim, though, had the fortitude to come forward to disclose the offences to police.

An investigation was immediately launched by the Northumbria force and last year the defendant was charged with multiple sexual offences.

Wight, of Throckley, Newcastle, went on trial at the city’s crown court late last year where he was convicted by a jury of four counts of rape, following the two-week hearing.

He returned to the court, on Friday (September 20), where he received a 15-year custodial sentence to be followed by an eight-year extended licence period.

Wight will also be subject to registration as a sex offender and prohibitions under the terms of a restraining order, both for life.

Following the sentencing hearing, the sister of the survivor of his crimes praised the police investigators for their, “remarkable actions.”

She said: “I cannot emphasise how much of an impact the brilliance of Northumbria Police has had on my family.

“I can say with all honesty we would not have had this result had it not been for your amazing police force.

“Particularly those officers who have been by our side and supported us since the start.”

She singled out Detective Constable Leo Douglas and Police Constable Kris Wightman, who she described as, “the absolute guardian angels” of her sister.

“The care, attention, support, professionalism, shown is astonishing.

“I cannot emphasise enough how important it is that those officers on my sister’s case are recognised for their brilliance.

“I don’t think there is an award big enough for them.

“If I could scream this from the rooftops for the whole world to hear, believe me, I would!”

She said the force ought to be seen as, “amazing”, and should be, “celebrated and recognised for their brilliance.”

The grateful sibling added: “I will spend the rest of my life spreading positivity about Northumbria Police and how wonderful they are.

“I know my sister feels exactly the same.”

The officer leading the case, DC Douglas, responded by saying: “First and foremost, I would like to thank the survivor for the incredible strength she has shown which has ultimately made it possible to bring her abuser to justice.

“No-one should ever have to experience what she went through at the hands of Wight, but without bravery in reporting what had happened, he would not be behind bars today and his offending may never even have come to light.

“Her strength and bravery is something she should be incredibly proud of, and I want to personally thank her for her tenacity, and her continued co-operation throughout our investigation.”

He added: “Wight is a dangerous individual and deserves to be behind bars for a significant length of time.

“As a force, protecting and supporting vulnerable victims is our top priority and we will continue to work incredibly hard to put offenders before the courts and ensure that no-one gets away with this type of criminality.”

He urged any victim to take the first step and come forward, stressing they will be listened to and supported, “in whatever way we can.”

Description

A registered sex offender (RSO) who breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) has been jailed today (25 September) for two years.

Sean Beazant, aged 38,  of no fixed address was sentenced today at Carlisle Crown Court for:

• Three breaches of his Sex Offender Requirements (SONR)
• One breach of a SHPO which was issued by Sheffield Crown Court on 19 January 2022
• Possession of a Class B drug

The court heard how from 30 January 2024 an officer from South Yorkshire Constabulary made numerous attempts to contact Beazant at his home address without success. There was found to be no one living at the property where Beazant had stated he was residing.

Following enquiries and appeals by MOSOVO officers from South Yorkshire and Cumbria Constabulary, and a fantastic response from members of the public in Cumbria, Beazant was located at an address in Kendal, Cumbria, where he was living with his partner who was not aware of his RSO status or his true name.

 Upon arrival at the property, he was seen to flee from a first-floor window.

An area search was conducted and with assistance from members of the public Beazant was located and arrested for breach of SHPO.  He was also found in possession of a quantity of cannabis.

Whilst at the police station, officers located a mobile phone on Beazant’s possession which had not been declared to police – which was a requirement of his SHPO.

Beazant was put on the Sex Offenders Register in 2021 and an obligation of this includes informing police where he is living and notifying of any mobile devices.

The woman who was in a relationship with Beazant was not aware if his previous sexual offending history and wasn’t aware of his correct second name.

Beazant admitted all charges against him at an earlier hearing.

Detective Sergeant Beccy Joseph, Management of Sexual Offenders & Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) team, said: “Beazant was fully aware of the requirements of him being a named person on the Sex Offender Register and the terms of the SHPO imposed against him when he breached these.

“We work hard to monitor and manage people who are subject to such orders to assess and manage the risk that they pose to the public and to ensure that they are held to account for any breaches of court orders that are issued to assist in managing their risk, and to ensure that the public is safe from harm.  

"This was a great example of police and the public working together to locate a sex offender trying to evade their responsibilities.

"If anyone is found to breach the terms of these preventative orders we will find them, and we take a zero-tolerance approach.  I hope todays sentencing shows how seriously we take the management of sex offenders.”

Description

A man who was caught with horror videos of children being raped and tortured with a total running time of 21 days has been jailed.

Anthony Ward (Tony Ward) was found with more than 85,000 pictures and videos of children being sexually abused by adults when police raided his Edinburgh home last year.

During the police investigation officers also discovered the 66-year-old had been contacting children on an online video website and offering them money to perform sex acts.

Ward pleaded guilty to a charge of taking or allowing to be taken images of children at his home between November 2020 and March last year when he appeared at the Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month.

He also admitted to two offences of directing sexual communication towards children and instructing them to perform sex acts and returned to the dock for sentencing on Tuesday.

Defence agent Peter Barr said his client acknowledged the material was abhorrent and horrific but had downloaded the images on mass not with the intention of watching them all.

Sheriff Charles Walls told Ward he had been complicit in the abuse of the youngsters depicted in the images with some of the footage showing the torture of children.

Sheriff Walls said: You have been convicted of serious charges relating to possession of indecent images of children and indecent communication with children.

There were a very significant number of category A images, the most serious category, involving penetrative sexual activity and sadism.

In total there were over 80,000 images and videos and when played consecutively it would take over three weeks [for the videos] to be played.

Charge five is particularly serious as you engaged in a video conversation with a child, asked her to masturbate and you also offered to pay her money.

Ward, of the citys Calder area, was jailed for 20 months and was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Previously the court was told police received intelligence indecent images were being accessed at Wards home and raided the property at around 7.25am on March 17 last year.

Prosecutor Gillian Koren said 20 USB sticks, three hard drives and a laptop were seized by officers and indecent images of children were found on all the devices.

Ms Koren said a total of 85,763 images and videos had been found with 2957 rated by forensic investigators at Category A - the most serious end of the spectrum.

The fiscal told the court the children involved were aged between four and 15-years-old and the file names included baby rape - hardcore and no limits - child.

Police also found chat logs on the Telegram messaging service that showed Ward had been in contact with children online and had been forcing them to perform sex acts on themselves.

Ward pleaded guilty to a charge of taking, or allowing to be taken, images of children at his home address between November 1, 2020 and March 17 last year.

He also admitted to two offences of directing sexual communication towards children and instructing them to perform sex acts, all between June 14 and December 1, 2011.