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A former organ teacher and choirmaster at a Surrey church has been jailed for three years for historic sexual abuse of a child.

Sean McNally, 71, pleaded guilty to five sexual offences between 1973 and 1976 against the same victim, who was 10-13 years old.

He played on his victim's faith by making him swear to God he wouldn't tell anyone about the abuse, according to Surrey Police.

The Diocese of Guildford has offered its "unreserved apology to all survivors and those affected by this news".

McNally pleaded guilty to two counts of indecency with a child and three counts of indecent assault on a male person at an earlier hearing in July 2024.

He was sentenced on Monday at Kingston Crown Court.

Police said two charges involved more than 40 occasions of touching and indecent assault against the victim when McNally worked at St Peter’s Church in Hersham.

The NSPCC said McNally had used his position within the church to groom and repeatedly sexually abuse a child.

A charity spokesperson said: “That he has finally been brought to justice is thanks to the courage of the victim in speaking out about what happened to him around 50 years ago.”

In a statement, the Diocese of Guildford said it was committed to making the church a safer place and that it had taken safeguarding steps.

"But we can never be complacent," a diocese spokesperson said. "Abuse is a terrible crime and a grievous breach of trust, which has lifelong effects."

Mc Nally subjected the victim, who police say had years of therapy as an adult, to frequent abuse over the three-year period.

Using his position of trust as an organ teacher, he groomed the victim into believing he was special, that he was being taken on special trips and educated about “secret societies”, said Surrey Police.

'Listened to'

Investigating officer Emily Nurcombe, from the North Surrey Child Abuse Department, praised the victim's "courage and confidence" to report the abuse he had suffered during his childhood.

She said she hoped the victim could come to terms with what happened and start rebuilding his life now McNally was behind bars.

"We will always investigate allegations of non-recent sexual abuse, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred," Ms Nurcombe added.

"You will be listened to, you will be believed and you will be supported."

The NSPCC spokesperson said: “We hope this case will give confidence to others who have suffered non-recent sexual abuse that - no matter who the offender is and how many years have passed - if they speak out they will be listened to.”

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A 31-year-old man has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault by touching and indecent exposure.

We received reports of a man exposing himself to women in the Skirbeck Road area of Boston on Wednesday, 28 February.

Officers quickly attended and Ali Hasan Ali of Skirbeck Road was arrested and later charged with nine offences.

He was charged with four counts of sexual assault by touching, four counts of indecent exposure and one count of common assault.

Ali was brought before officials at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on Friday, March 1, where he was remanded into custody.

He will now appear at Lincoln Crown Court on Thursday, 28 March.

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A convicted sex offender “learnt nothing” from his previous suspended prison sentences, a judge said.

Nickson Storie, 39, appeared at Burnley Crown Court on Friday, September 27, having breached a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) and twice breached his sexual offender notification requirements.

Amy Weir, prosecuting, said the defendant was subject to a SOPO following a conviction of causing a child under 16 to watch a sexual act at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court in 2013.

As a result of this, he was prohibited from using any device capable of accessing the internet unless the search history could be accessed.

Storie was regularly visited by police to conduct checks and on one visit in February, they found there had been no internet activity for around six months.

Storie admitted he had been using the device to watch pornography, but had been using Incognito mode on the browser to hide the activity as he didn’t want other people to see it.

In a separate incident, Storie twice failed to provide officers with the login details to a Snapchat account, breaching his notification requirements.

Ms Weir said Storie’s “deleting” of the search history was deliberate and that his offences were aggravated by his “history of disobedience for court orders.”

The court heard Storie had 14 previous convictions from 32 offences, including nine sex offences, which included public indecency in 2003, failure to comply with notification requirements in 2007, sending grossly offensive or obscene messages in 2011, and exposure in 2013.

Storie also twice breached a SOPO and failed to comply with notification requirements three times in 2018. He also breached a sexual harm prevention order in 2019.

Richard English, mitigating for Storie, argued his client could be released from custody, having spent four months on remand, subject to strict conditions.

He said he had been told by Storie the effects of his time in custody had been “sobering.”

Judge Daniel Prowse, sentencing, said: “One of the terms of the sexual offences prevention order prohibited you from accessing the internet, save for when use of the internet was recorded.

“That was to ensure police and the courts could monitor what you were doing on the internet.

“The risk you pose to others cannot be monitored properly.

“You have demonstrated by committing this offence again that you have learnt nothing from the previous suspended sentence orders.”

Judge Prowse jailed Storie, of Whitehall Street, Nelson, for 15 months.

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Dean Martin Blackwell was jailed for 21 years for a series of rapes and sexual assaults on the then young girl at York Crown Court on Friday, September 27.

The 54-year-old, now of Stokesley, was also handed an extended licence period of one year, placed on the Register of Sex Offenders for life and made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Following a trial in July, Blackwell was found guilty of two counts of raping a child and four counts of sexual assault.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is now an adult. She reported the sexual abuse she had suffered as a child to the police in 2022.

This set-in motion an intensive investigation, during which she has received ongoing support from specialist officers and partner agencies.

Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Beverley Garbutt, from Scarborough and Ryedale CID, said: “The level of trauma and pain the victim has endured throughout her young life is difficult to comprehend.

“She has shown immense bravery in seeking and securing justice. I hope the outcome at court provides additional strength to rebuild her life.”

DS Garbutt added: “As for Blackwell, the sickening child abuse he committed all those years ago has finally caught up with him with this significant prison sentence.

“He has also been made subject to robust safeguarding measures to manage his behaviour for the rest of his days.”

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A sozzled sex pest dropped his trousers and flashed at two skateboarding secondary school pupils in an Angus park.

Drunk Dariusz Niklewicz flashed the boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, at Archie’s Park in Forfar.

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Judge Sean Morris jailed Ryan Purvis, 29, for six months today (Oct 1) but said the Hawsker man would have served double that amount of time had the case not taken an “unacceptable” three-and-a-half years to reach court.

Mr Morris, the Recorder of York, said he apportioned no blame whatsoever to police for the inordinate delay but demanded that cases of this type - which included images of children being raped - reached court much sooner so that proper justice could be served.

“There will come a time when, unless the police are given proper resources to bring these cases to court in a reasonable time, then the court will find it impossible to impose an immediate prison sentence,” warned the judge.

He spoke out after jailing Purvis for making and distributing indecent images of children.

Some of the images were rated Category A - the worst kind of such material involving the sexual abuse of children.

Purvis, who worked as a cabler for an energy company, was arrested in April 2021 when police swooped on his home after receiving intelligence that he was uploading indecent images on the internet.

Prosecutor Christopher Bevan said officers seized two mobile phones on which they found 102 indecent photos and videos of children, some as young as five years of age.

Of these, 58 were Category A videos and five were Category A photos.

Forensic officers also found 16 “extreme pornography” images.

He was charged with three counts of making indecent images, two counts of distributing illicit material, one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child and possession of “extreme pornography”.

He admitted all the offences and appeared for sentence today.

Defence barrister Rhianydd Clement said that Purvis had now “lost his good character” due to the offences which had led to the breakdown of a long-term relationship.

Judge Mr Morris condemned Purvis for “the distribution of foul videos of children”.

He added: “I’m afraid for distribution, an immediate prison sentence has to follow, but this (case) is three-and-a-half years old, which is unacceptable, so I’m going to reduce the sentence.”

Purvis received a six-month jail sentence, roughly half of what he would have received if the case had reached court in a timely fashion, and which was reduced further for the current overcrowding in British prisons.

He will only serve half of that time behind bars before being released on prison licence.

After jailing Purvis, Mr Morris warned that the strain on police resources meant that it was becoming more difficult to ensure that such cases, which required forensic analysis of devices, reached court in good time.

He added: “Because of the delay in this case, (the defendant’s) sentence has been cut in half.

"To take three-and-a-half years to get a case before the courts – a case that is a guilty plea – means that it is unjust.

“It is not the fault of the police…but something is going to have to be done to get these cases analysed quicker, otherwise for distributing indecent images like this case, the sentences are literally going to be slashed.

“Three-and-a-half years from arrest to court is not acceptable.”

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A grim predator hid a spy camera in his shower to film guests. When confronted by one of his victims, Simon Garnett said it was 'just a cheap thrill, it’s just a bit of voyeurism'.

But the alarming extent of this unravelled when the guest, who had noticed two LED lights in a clock radio while he was showering, saw the footage. The victim had fled Garnett's house in St Fremund Way but the 52-year-old persuaded him to come back so they could ‘destroy the memory card together'.

Later that evening, the victim watched the footage and saw themselves – and several other victims showering on different occasions. He raised the alarm with police and detectives launched an investigation.

As a result, three other victims were identified and contacted. In police interview, Garnett answered ‘no comment’ to almost all questions.

'Appalling'

But he was charged with eight counts of voyeurism and at Warwick Crown Court on Monday, September 30, he was sentenced to 15 months in prison. The case has been described as 'appalling' by Detective Constable Claire Scott, who praised his victims who helped ensure he ended up behind bars.

"Garnett tried to play his predatory behaviour down by branding it a ‘cheap thrill’," DC Scott said. "This was an appalling string of offences that saw Garnett abuse the trust of friends – and I am glad the courts have imposed a custodial sentence.

"I would like to thank the four victims, whose help has ensured that Garnett is held accountable for his actions."

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A former firefighter who paid children to send him explicit images online has been jailed.

Robert Stevenson would trawl social media sites and message women online, offering them money to send naked pictures. However, many of the victims were young girls.

He even sent a photo of himself in uniform to one of his victims, claiming to be 19.

The matters came to light when one of Stevenson’s victims, a 15-year-old girl, told police that he had threatened to post an explicit picture of her online.

He had spoken to the girl via direct messages on Instagram asking her if she wanted to make £100. The conversation later moved to Snapchat with Stevenson telling her he was 17 after she told him she was 17.

Stevenson was arrested and his devices were seized. Checks on them found he had been messaging a number of girls, and had paid several of them to send him photos and videos of themselves. Analysis of his bank account found numerous payments he had made to several girls.

The 31-year-old, previously of Long Eaton, was later charged with a number of offences including cause/incite the sexual exploitation of a child aged 13 to 17; cause/incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity and making an indecent photo/pseudo photograph of a child.

He denied the charges but was found guilty after a trial at Derby Crown Court. He appeared at the same court for sentencing on 27 September when he was jailed for seven years. He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was placed on the sex offenders register.

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A Beckenham predator robbed a woman’s phone then used it to lure her into a secluded area where he raped her. 

Hussein Roble, 26, targeted a lone woman who was visibly drunk as she left the Earl of Chatham pub in Woolwich on November 18 last year. 

Over the course of just over an hour he sexually assaulted, robbed, strangled and raped the woman. 

First he led her to an underground car park where he partially undressed and sexually assaulted her, prosecutor Michael Hillman said.

When she walked off he caught up with her, grabbed her by the throat and snatched her phone. 

The victim chased him and pleaded for her phone back, at which point Roble scaled a fence and opened the door to the communal stairwell of a block of flats. 

Mr Hillman said: “He then told the victim she couldn’t have her phone back or leave unless she did what he wanted.” 

After he raped her Roble returned the woman’s phone at which point she ran home and phoned the police. 

Roble has a long history of violence including convictions for class A drug dealing and domestic violence. 

In 2015 he was charged with but cleared of the murder of Ahmed Ahmed in Plumstead. 

Officers were therefore able to match hand prints he left in the stairwell to Roble and he was arrested in April. 

Roble initially denied any wrongdoing but later pleaded guilty to rape, sexual assault and robbery. 

At Woolwich Crown Court on Monday (September 30) George Wills, defending Roble, said he is “genuinely remorseful” and has an awareness of his need to change. 

While a report by an experienced probation officer said Roble has gang affiliations, Mr Wills said his client is categorically not a gang member.

Sentencing Roble, Judge David Miller said: “It was a sustained incident in which you saw and, in my judgement, targeted an obviously vulnerable lone woman. 

“She was clearly intoxicated and she was on her own in the semi-deserted streets of Woolwich in the early hours of the morning."

Judge Miller said Roble is “undoubtedly” a dangerous offender who poses a risk to women. 

He therefore passed an extended sentence, meaning he must serve at least two-thirds of his term in custody, rather than half. 

The sentence will be made up of a nine-year prison sentence and an extended seven-year licence period. 

Roble, of Beckenham Road in Beckenham, will also be required to sign the sex offenders register for life. 

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A man has been jailed for seven years after he was convicted of attempted rape, strangulation and assault following an incident in Aldershot.

Darren Hendry, 35, of Denmark Street, Aldershot, appeared at Southampton Crown Court on Friday 27 September and was sentenced to seven years in prison, with a further five years on licence once released.

He will also be subject to ten-year restraining order and will remain a registered sex offender for life.

The court heard that Hendry had attempted to rape a woman in her 30s at an address in Aldershot in December 2023.

The woman tried to leave the property but was assaulted and struggled to breathe when Hendry picked her up by the ribs. She managed to fight him off and left the address at 5am before going to Frimley Park Hospital.

Hendry was arrested and charged with a number offences. He pleaded guilty to criminal damage and harassment but denied two counts of rape, two counts of strangulation, attempted rape and three counts of assaulting a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm.

He was found not guilty of two counts of rape, one count of strangulation and two counts of assaulting a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm. These incidents were alleged to have taken place in Brighton and Fleet.

Hendry was found guilty of one count of attempted rape, strangulation and assaulting a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm.

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A “prolific” and “historic” child abuser from London has been jailed.

“Shocking” sexual abuse by Christopher George Pearce began in Hammersmith back in 1984.

His two victims were aged five and seven at the time.

Pearce’s crimes continued until 1988 when he sexually abused another two children in Chelsea who were ages six and seven.

Police began investigating Pearce in March 2020 after he was caught trying to groom who he believed was a child online.

Once his arrest was posted online, two of his victims came forward and evidence was found dating back as far as 1988.

Pearce, of Cale Street, Chelsea, was sentenced to 16 years in prison by Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, September 27.

Detective Superintendent Tony Larkin for the Metropolitan Police, who led the investigation said: “I want to thank the victims for coming forward, speaking to and working with officers through a long and complex investigation.

I hope the bravery and willingness of the victims serves as an inspiration to those who may otherwise fear reporting this kind of abhorrent abuse.

“I am in no doubt that since 1984 Pearce has been an incredibly dangerous child sex offender and is now no longer free to commit offences against children.

“The officers in this case showed true determination in securing justice for all the victims - they are a credit to the Met.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse – no matter how long ago – to please come forward to police. We assure you that you will be listened to and we will help you get support you so rightly deserve.”

Crimes of this nature can be reported online or on the telephone or in person to the police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

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A MAN who made plans to sexually abuse a nine-year-old child has been jailed after an undercover police sting.

Stephen Biles, 61, thought he was speaking to someone who would arrange for him to abuse the girl in a hotel, but was actually communicating with a police officer.

The undercover investigation between January and March 2020 discussed a decoy child, who did not exist.

On April 1, 2020, Biles was arrested at his home in Riverside, Ringwood, with devices seized containing 52 category C indecent images of children.

Work by the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) allowed further investigation by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabularys Internet Child Abuse Investigation Team (ICAT).

Biles was charged with making indecent images of children and two counts of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.

He pleaded guilty to the indecent images but maintained his innocence on the other two charges.

However, after a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court on September 4 this year, Biles was found guilty.

On September 27, at Southampton Crown Court, Biles was jailed for three years and nine months.

He was also made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offender register indefinitely.

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A sex offender who abused a young boy and left him feeling like he had "no hope or future" has died behind bars.

Former soldier Malcolm Burwood subjected his young and "frightened" child victim to horrific sex attacks and left him so "haunted" he tried to take his own life. A court heard the youngster had been threatened to keep quiet about the abuse he suffered at the hands of Burwood, from Houghton-le-Spring.

But half a century later, in March 2019, Burwood was jailed for 12 years after being convicted of four sex offences. He was also made to sign the sex offenders register for life.

During the sentencing, Burwood's victim told Newcastle Crown Court: "I clearly remember being a very frightened child. This has haunted me, it has blighted my life." He added: "I have felt there is no hope or future. It is like a storm inside of me."

The court heard Burwood, who was 79 at the time he was jailed, had a "catalogue" of medical problems, including obstructive airways disease, renal failure and hearing loss. He also had a wife who was seriously ill in hospital.

The judge told him: "Prison is going to be harder for you to endure than a young and fit man but the central argument is, had you gone to the police at the time of this offending, you would have served your prison sentence when you were young and fit."

A Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) report published this month confirmed that Burwood died of prostate cancer on April 7, 2024. At an inquest on May 30, the coroner concluded Burwood died of natural causes.

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A Leicester man has been jailed for more than six years after he was found guilty of sexual assault.

In the early hours of Saturday 16 November 2019, Lee Young went into the home of his victim – who he knew – unannounced as she slept on the sofa. When she woke, Young started kissing her and telling her he loved her as she tried to push him off her. He then became aggressive, throwing items around her living room, before sexually assaulting her.

During the incident, the victim managed to contact emergency services discretely by pressing the side button on her iPhone five times – which automatically calls 999.

Young was later arrested by police nearby after being found hiding in a front garden. In interview, he remained silent during all questions put to him by police.

On Tuesday 24 September he was found guilty of one count of assault by penetration following a trial at Leicester Crown Court. On Friday (27 September) the 39-year-old was sentenced to six years and eight months’ imprisonment.

Young, of Sharpley Drive, Beaumont Leys, was also placed on the sex offender register for life.

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A Bootle man has been jailed for six years after repeatedly sexually assaulting a girl.

Brian Colin McCoy, 64 years, of Bootle was accused of touching a girl inappropriately on a number of occasions in multiple locations.

He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, 30 September, where he was jailed after being convicted of the following offences:

• Meeting a girl under 16 following grooming
• Assaulting a girl under 13 by touching
• Three counts of assaulting a girl by touching
• Causing/inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Two counts of failing to comply with notification requirements of the Sex Offenders Register.