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An award-winning BBC Scotland film director has been banned from using social media after being convicted of sending explicit sexual images of himself to three teenage girls.

Simon Craig, who worked as a writer and director for BBCs The Social under the name Simon Fox, targeted his victims when he was a DJ at under-18s club nights in Edinburgh.

He added the girls, then aged 14 and 15, on social media platforms before going on to send them explicit images of himself and pornographic videos.

A victim, now in her 30s, said: He thought he was untouchable. I doubt were the only vict-ims, Im sure there will be more.

Craig, 41, from Airdrie, Lanarkshire, was convicted of lewd, explicit and libidinous practices and behaviour, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, towards three victims between February 2005 and July 2007.

Despite his conviction, Craig remained as someone commissioned by the public broadcaster until last week.

His work was listed on their site until we asked them about his criminal past. His profile has since been removed.

In June, Craig was handed a community payback order, placed under supervision for 18 months and banned from social media platforms.

He was snared after a victim came across his photography website. She was so concerned over the images feat-uring kids she reported his crimes against her.

She said: The sentence he has been handed is not nearly enough after what he has done. I met him through Studio 24 when he was in his mid -twenties and I was 14.

He then added me on the Vampire Freaks website and it wasnt long before he started sending me images. It was really disturbing and unsettling. I was a child. I didnt ask for any of it.

He went on to become an award-winning actor, writer and director. He then began working as a freelance photographer and started to work on one with young girls doing photo sessions.

It was when I came across his website I knew I had to come forward. It was full of photographs of young girls in compromising positions and very little clothing.

The positions and poses are uncomfortably suggestive. He is well known in film circles but, in truth, he is a predator.

BBC The Social is a digital platform based in Glasgow that develops creative new talent.

On the BBC Scotland site, his profile, listed under Simon Fox, explained that he began writing at the age of 17 before progressing onto filmmaking.

He has created web content and short films and internet series Met-alhedz was nominated for Best International Comedy at the 2016 Miami Web Fest.

The BBC website stated: Simon continues to write and direct for film and TV, and enjoys photography on the side.

Craig was convicted of sending one of the victims, then 14-years-old, explicit images of himself between February 2005 and 2006.

He was also convicted of repeatedly sending another victim, then aged 15, sexual images of himself and messages of a sexual nature between July 2006 and July 2007.

Craig was also convicted of sending another 15-year-old victim sexualised messages and a pornographic video.

The offences took place at his Musselbrugh home.

A BBC Scotland spokeswoman said: This individual was a former freelance contributor to The Social and we have not worked with him since October 2022. He was contracted under the name Simon Fox, not Craig, and has never been employed as BBC staff.

Description

A depraved man who left people “traumatised” by handing out graphic images of children on trains has avoided prison.

Perverted Steve Blackthorne, 38, of Winchester, has been sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to making and distributing indecent photographs/ pseudo-photographs of a child. Blackthorne will be put behind bars if he offends again in the two year timeframe.

He has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years, and issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years. Investigating officer, Detective Constable Phil James, said: “Such was the level of Blackthorne’s depravity that the images he had collated left those who inadvertently happened upon them deeply traumatised.”

Winchester Crown Court heard a train guard was handed six pages of A4 sheets by a passenger left by a men who got off the train at Basingstoke on January 23, 2022. The pages contained horrific indecent graphic images of children - 16 Category A pictures (the most severe), five Category B and 16 Category C.

Court heard the train guard was left in tears, who reported it to British Transport Police officers at Southampton Central railway station. On January 31 of that year, a cleaner found another batch of images when he pulled down a folding table. They were left horrified and upset, reporting it to his manager.

Those pages contained 16 Category A, five Category B and 16 Category C indecent images of children. CCTV footage found Blackthorne left the printouts on the train. Officers arrested him on March 14 at Basingstoke railway station.

His mobile phone contained 60 Category A, 27 Category B and 81 Category C images, with further pictures being discovered on the laptop he was carrying. Another portable computer was found at his address, containing even more sickening images.

Blackthorne admitted during a police interview that he printed out the images out at work from a work device. DC James added: “No one in their right mind would ever willingly choose to see these sickening images. Blackthorne showed no shame in his perversion even transferring the images to a work computer so he could print them out at work to look at at his leisure.”

Description

A registered sex offender from Woodford Green has been jailed after raping a woman at knifepoint. 

Keanu Vella, 30, of Maldon Walk appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on July 11 to be sentenced for rape, false imprisonment and breaching a court order.

His sentencing follows an incident on May 10, 2023, where he arranged for a woman offering escort services to visit him at his home. 

When their agreed appointment time had finished, the 30-year-old was found to have held the victim against her will and raped her at knife-point. 

The Metropolitan Police were alerted to the incident after a passer-by discovered the victim outside Vella's address. 

The 30-year-old was arrested and police discovered the registered sex offender had changed his address to the Maldon Walk property without telling his offender management officer. 

He was charged on May 12, 2023, and remanded in custody to appear in court where he later pleaded guilty to failing to comply with notification requirements.

On March 12, 2024, Vella appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court and pleaded guilty to rape and false imprisonment offences. 

Det Cons Jessica Stephens, said: “Keanu Vella is a registered sex offender who is a clear danger to women.

“He has demonstrated that he is unable to comply with the court ordered notifications that allow him his freedom, and it is right that he will now be in a place where he no longer poses a threat to women and girls.

“I hope that the sentence handed down encourages other victims of sex offences to come forward."

Vella's sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court:

• For failing to comply with notification requirements he was sentenced to 40 weeks' imprisonment.
• For false imprisonment he was sentenced to four years' imprisonment.
• For rape he was sentenced to twelve years and nine months' imprisonment with an extended licence to 18 years and nine months.

He is also subject to an indefinite Registered Sex Offender notification requirement.

PC Emma Porter said: “We are grateful to the victim in this case. She has shown strength, courage and patience throughout the court process.

“Now that Vella is behind bars it is my sincere hope that she can put his abhorrent actions behind her and move forward with her life."

Description

An Oxfordshire man has been jailed after he pleaded guilty to multiple online child sexual offences. 

Jamie Standen, aged 34, of Roundhead Drive, Thame, was sentenced to six years in prison at Oxford Crown Court yesterday, (Thursday, July 11).

At the same court on May 29, Standen pleaded guilty to: six counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child; two counts of attempting to cause/incite a girl under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity; and two counts of possession of incident photographs of children. 

The guilty pleas and jail sentence came following an investigation by Thames Valley Police officers. 

A further hearing will take place at the same court on July 26 in relation to a sexual harm prevention order.

A police said in October 2021 and November 2022, Standen engaged in online communications with several children he believed to be 12-13 years old.

Standen also sent sexually explicit photographs to one child and encouraged others to engage in sexual penetrative acts.

However, Standen was in fact communicating with undercover police officers.

The investigation also uncovered a hidden folder on his mobile phone that contained indecent images of children.

Standen was arrested on the January 31, 2022 and was charged by postal requisition on May 25 earlier this year.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Chloe Thompson, of Abingdon CID, said: “I am pleased that Standen pleaded guilty to the offences and that he has been sentenced to jail.

“Standen has never shown any remorse for his offending and even posted letters to himself, implicating the involvement of a third party in an attempt to frustrate the police investigation.

“He continued to deny the allegations following his arrest, all the way until the first day of trial, where, faced with overwhelming evidence, he entered guilty pleas.

“Our fight against online child sexual abuse will never stop; I hope this conviction highlights not only our commitment to tackling these crimes but also to protect all children and tracking down anyone who seeks to harm them.”

Description

The streets of Essex are safer today for women and girls after a dangerous sexual predator, who plotted to kidnap, rape and murder a television presenter, was handed a life-sentence and ordered to serve a minimum of 16 years in prison.

Following a robust investigation by Essex Police’s Major Crime Team, which led to the successful conviction of 37-year-old Gavin Plumb, he was today sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court.

During a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, jurors were told Plumb had been plotting an attack on Holly Willoughby since 2021.

Obsession

Plumb developed an obsession with Holly Willoughby over a number of years.

He had scoured social media and material online, amassing thousands of images of the star and gaining detailed knowledge of her activity and movements.

But Plumb – who has previous conviction for kidnap and attempted kidnap of women - had a sinister and violent streak and began plotting to abduct, attack and murder the television presenter.

He joined various online forums, including one called “Abduct Lovers”, and began a series of discussions on online forums dating back to 2021 where he discussed his plan to kidnap the presenter from her family home.

During online discussions, Plumb discussed how he would restrain his victim and even purchased equipment to assist him including metal cable ties, ropes and chloroform.

Jurors were shown evidence of conversations between Plumb and a man called “Marc”, where they discussed graphic detail about sexual and violent offences they plotted to carry out against the victim.

Plans thwarted

But Plumb’s depraved plans were thwarted thanks to the work of an American undercover police officer. In October 2023, Plumb continued planning his attack in online forums but did not realise that another man he was seeking to draw into the plot, was in fact an American undercover police officer.

However, thanks to the American police officer and the prompt actions of Essex Police detectives, Plumb was arrested in October 2023 before he could carry out his crimes against his intended victims.

The officer, engaged in conversation with Plumb online and spotting the immediate danger to Holly Willoughby, duly contacted the FBI and British police. Plumb was arrested by Essex Police at his home in Potters Field, Harlow on 4 October 2023.

A significant risk to women

Following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, Plumb of Potters Field, Harlow was convicted of soliciting the murder of Holly Willoughby, encouraging or assisting the commission of her kidnap and encouraging or assisting the commission of her rape.

Handing down sentence to Plumb, Judge Mr Justice Murray praised Ms Willoughby’s “considerable courage” and said he “has no doubt that this was all considerably more than a fantasy” for Plumb.

He also pointed to the Plumb’s previously violent and sexually motivated convictions, the purchase of items in order to commit offences and concerted research into the personal life of Ms Willoughby.

Speaking directly to Plumb, the judge said it was clear from the evidence that Plumb posed a significant risk to women and passed a discretionary life sentence, with a minimum of 16 years to be spent in prison before being eligible for release from custody.

If and when Plumb is released, he will be subject to licence conditions for the whole of his life.

Description

A convicted rapist admitted he had "no excuse" after being caught breaching the requirements of the sex offenders' register for the 12th time. Andrew Prince "fell at the first hurdle" within days of his release from his latest spell in prison and has now been put back behind bars.

Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday, Monday, that the now 45-year-old was convicted of two counts of rape in 2005 and sentenced to 10 years. This also saw him handed an indefinite notification requirement, but he has since breached the terms of this court order on numerous occasions.

Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, described how Prince, of no fixed address, was released from a 16-month term for failing to comply with notification requirements on June 3 this year. He was required to inform the police of his address within three days of his release under the terms of the sex offenders' register, but was circulated as being wanted having failed to do so within 11 days.

This led to his arrest in Liverpool city centre at around 8pm on June 15. Under interview, Prince told detectives: "I chose not to, I have no excuse."

His criminal record shows a total of 28 previous convictions for 42 offences, dating back to 1998. These include 11 previous entries for breaching notification requirements, as well as for dishonesty and public order matters.

Olivia Beesley, defending, told the court: "He understands that, because of his repeated offending, he will have to be punished severely. Drinking is at the root of him not being able to seek or maintain housing. On some occasions, upon his release from custody, he ends up drinking immediately and rough sleeping. He suffers from depression, anxiety and severe paranoia as well.

"He falls at the first hurdle. As soon as he is released he drinks, and he does not attend immediately or attends while drunk. He realises that drinking clearly isn't the way forward for him, and he is frustrated with himself. He needs some kind of support network when he is released.

"Quite simply, he has not been able to achieve that yet. His aim this time, upon release from custody, is not to drink at all. He can see from the previous 12 occasions this pattern is just continuing. He tells me that he does not want to use alcohol as an excuse."

Prince admitted one count of breaching notification requirements. Appearing via video link to HMP Altcourse, he was jailed for a year.

Sentencing, Judge Denis Watson KC said: "The public has a very real and legitimate concern that the police know the whereabouts of those who have committed very serious sexual offences when at liberty in the community. Your obligation is to tell the police about your circumstances, whether you are homeless or not.

"You have repeatedly failed to tell the police about your situation, your whereabouts and circumstances. This is, I am told, the told time you have failed to comply with notification requirements.

"It is, it seems, not just a question of you drinking on your release and becoming a rough sleeper or homeless. Alongside that, you are perfect well aware of your obligations to register and you choose not to which makes your position particularly serious."

Prince nodded and replied "thank you" after receiving his sentence.

Description

A Calderdale warehouseman who preyed on a young girl has finally been jailed.

Martin Gorman, now 54, committed his crimes more than two decades ago, but he only pleaded guilty midway through his own evidence to a crown court jury at a second trial earlier this year. Gorman’s first trial had to be “aborted” in 2023 due to disclosure issues and Bradford Crown Court heard on Thursday that the woman had to then undergo pre-trial cross examination procedures for a second time.

The second trial got underway in April, but Gorman, of Springfield Road, Elland, changed his pleas to guilty and finally admitted two offences of sexual intercourse with a child under 13. The woman - who says she is a survivor - was at court for Gorman’s sentence hearing and described in her powerful victim impact statements how she had fought to be heard for years and the abuse had left “a massive scar."

She said Gorman had taken her childhood from her and she needed to get justice. In a statement read by prosecutor Jayne Beckett the woman, who must not be identified, said she felt she had been heard for the first time in her life and hoped the sentencing would bring her closure.

She said she had been in a daze for the last four years and now wanted to heal and move on with her life. The court heard that Gorman had told a pre-sentence report author that he regretted his offending and was ashamed of his actions.

Recorder Abdul Iqbal KC sentenced Gorman to a total of 14 years and three months in jail and added an additional one-year licence period due to the nature of his crimes. He said the woman had described the abuse as “horrific” and she had lived with the consequences for many years.

The judge said the woman “plucked up the courage” to go to the police in 2020 and their investigation began. Recorder Iqbal said the psychology impact on her had been severe. Gorman will have to serve almost a decade behind bars being considered for release by the Parole Board and he will now have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Commenting after the sentencing, Detective Constable Jo Hamilton of Calderdale’s Child Protection Unit, who led the investigation for West Yorkshire Police, said: “This case just goes to show how important it is to report sexual offending to us, regardless of how much time has passed, as we will do all we can to get justice.

“It took immense courage for the survivor to come forward and report the terrible sexual abuse that she suffered as a child. She has shown great strength and bravery throughout this process, and I hope the sentencing helps her get some closure on the awful events of her childhood.

"I welcome the custodial sentence handed to Gorman today and hope it will give anyone who has been subjected to sexual offending the confidence to report it to us. We take all reports seriously and have dedicated specialist safeguarding teams who will be able to offer support throughout the investigation.”

Description

A pervert teacher who sexually assaulted a female pupil on school grounds has avoided jail. Asif Rafiq, 48, lost his job as a technological studies teacher after groping a female student in February last year.

He was found guilty of sexual assault following a trial at Ayr Sheriff Court in April.

Yesterday the disgraced former educator was handed a Community Payback Order (CPO), which includes 18 months supervision and 200 hours of unpaid work. For 18 months, any employment or voluntary opportunities will need to be approved by his supervisor.

Rafiq was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

The court previously heard how he placed his arms around the pupil, put his hands on her buttocks, squeezed her buttocks and kissed her on the face on "various occasions''. Rafiq was suspended from teaching in 2023.

The school where he worked previously shared a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, describing Rafiq as a "pleasure to work with".

The post read: "Huge congratulations to our beloved Mr Rafiq in being signed off for his General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS) professional update. GTCS accredited teacher for teaching and learning, football lead. Great job, a pleasure to work with as always".

The post was accompanied by a picture of Rafiq holding flowers and a bottle of champagne. The post was retweeted by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) at the time. The school has now deleted all traces of Rafiq from their website and social media pages.

Locals were left shocked when the former teacher's behaviour came to light. Further concerns were raised in May when the Record revealed that the sex offender had been working at a petrol station in East Ayrshire, close to a number of schools.

He was pictured at the garage surrounded by crates of fizzy juice and sweets. One resident told the Record that parents were "worried sick".

They said: "It's shocking that this teacher has abused his power of the trust put in him and it's worrying to think that he could be serving kids at this garage. It has left other mums, dads and carers worried sick."

Labour councillor Ian Canava said: "Due to the fact he has been found guilty, he shouldn't be anywhere near a school or in a vicinity where there are children nearby.

"I am so disgusted that a teacher who is in a position of trust could commit such crimes. I am appalled that Rafiq abused his position of trust and his victim will be left traumatised by this ordeal."

Local SNP MSP Siobhian Brown previously said: “I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the victim in this case. I commend their bravery in coming forward and sharing this horrific experience with the police.

"I hope they are getting the support they need. It is their courage that has helped bring the perpetrator of this crime to justice and prevent it happening to anyone else.”

South Ayrshire Council confirmed in May that they were aware that Rafiq was working in a garage and that they were following all relevant policies and procedures.

The General Teaching Council for Scotland has been approached for comment.

Description

A CARLISLE sex offender who preyed on vulnerable young males has been found guilty of raping a second victim and sexually assaulting a third.

A judge told 48-year-old convicted child rapist Barrie O’Keefe that experts will now assess how dangerous he is following his conviction for raping a 20-year-old man and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy.

The new offences against the teenager and the older victim bore chilling similarities to O’Keefe’s earlier rape of a 15-year-old boy, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

He plied all three victims with alcohol and drugs to render them helpless before sexually abusing them. Both teenagers were attacked after being lured away by O’Keefe for overnight fishing trips which involved spending the night in a tent.

Formerly of Denton Holme, Carlisle, O’Keefe denied all the offences, committed 18 years ago, but he was convicted after a four-day trial.

Judge Michael Fanning ruled that O’Keefe will be sentenced on a date which has yet to be fixed following the preparation of background reports and the dangerousness assessment. The judge also requested victim person statements.

He told O’Keefe: “I require victim personal statements so that I understand the real impact these awful offences have had on your victims.

“There is the complicating factor that you were sent to prison for offences committed at the same time, offending that was virtually identical. I am concerned about your conduct towards young boys, and young men.

“Whether you are dangerous is something I have to give consideration to and I require reports to assist that.”

After remanding O’Keefe in custody, the judge thanked the jury, pointing out that the offences before the court changed the lives of the two victims and he needed more information about the impact of O’Keefe’s “hideous offending.”

“He is going to receive an inevitably lengthy sentence of imprisonment,” added the judge.

The older victim told the trial that O’Keefe had “ruined his life.”

He recalled how on the day when England were playing Portugal in the World Cup in 2006, the defendant plied him with drink and cannabis, leaving him “wasted.”

O’Keefe then sneaked into the room of the house where the man was living and rendered him helpless with drugs known as “poppers” before raping him.

“It just ruined my life," said the man. "I couldn't cope with it; I was angry, drinking too much. I wasn’t able to make rational decisions or deal with things. It got to the point where it was ruining my life.”

O'Keefe was also convicted of sexually touching a second teenager.

In April, police persuaded a court to impose a “sexual risk order” on O’Keefe which bans him from being in the company of any lone male.

Cumbria Constabulary applied for the order after revealing that O’Keefe had been a suspect in multiple rape investigations.

Granting the order, the district judge said:  “This defendant has demonstrated a propensity to target and sexually abuse vulnerable males for many years.”

Description

A 64-year-old man who thought he was inciting a young girl to carry out sexual activity - less than a year after his release from prison for a rape charge - has been has been put back behind bars.

Plymouth man Russell Roberts, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court via video link from HMP The Verne in Dorset after he pleaded guilty to the single count of attempting to incite a child under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity.

Prosecutor Michael Brown told the court how Roberts initially pleaded not guilty to a number of charges relating to incidents which took place between March 9, 2022 and March 23, 2022, but in late June this year he pleaded guilty to the single charge of inciting a girl under 16 - which included him urging her to penetrate herself with an object.

Mr Brown explained that a further charge of possession of extreme pornographic material would lie on file, as would a charge of attempted sexual communication.

The court heard Roberts was arrested by police thanks to action taken by "paedophile hunters" who set up a decoy Facebook account in the name of "Lola". The decoy claimed she was 13-years-old and Roberts made contact with her in March 2022. 'Lola' told police that Roberts was "very eager" to chat with her and was "persistent" with his messages.

The court heard it was "plain that Roberts knew she was 13" not least because the decoy told him her age and that she was still at school, and referred to "mealtimes and bedtimes".

The conversation "quickly turned sexual" and he told her he was looking for a relationship, asked her if she ever masturbated or had sex and told her to keep their conversations "secret from her mother".

He referred to 'Lola' as "baby or baby girl" and he pestered her to call him and talk dirty to him about sex. He asked her if she wore knickers at bedtime before then encouraging her to engage in sexual activity. He also urged her to buy a vibrator.

After asking her if she had ever seen a man's privates, he then sent her a picture of his penis. He then asked if she would have sex with him which culminated in a conversation about the two of them meeting.

Mr Brown said the decoy from the paedophile hunters' group then created an adult decoy on March 21 and Roberts began to exchange messages with that profile. Again, the conversation quickly turned sexual and a meeting was arranged to take place March 23, 2022 in Yealmpton.

The court heard how the "hunter group" confronted Roberts, police were called and the evidence was handed over. During police interview he replied "no comment".

Mr Brown said Roberts had 15 convictions for 20 offences - including a count of rape from 2005 for which he received a sentence of imprisonment for public protection in 2006.

This means the offender must serve a minimum period in custody set by the court, known as a 'tariff', before they can become eligible for parole. Once the offender has served their tariff, they remain in custody until the Parole Board decides they are no longer a risk to the public.

However, Roberts was released on April 1, 2021 and recalled back to prison on March 23, 2022 following his arrest.

In mitigation, his advocate Herc Ashworth told the court the previous offences did not relate to children and that Roberts had said he was sorry for his behaviour.

Mr Ashworth told the court the offence had effectively taken place two years and four months ago, but the first hearing did not take place until February this year. He added that while in prison, Roberts had no visitors, his family had all passed away and he was living a "lonely life", along with the difficulties of residing in the "overcrowded" prison estate.

Judge David Evans noted that "if this had been a real-life 13-year-old girl this exchange may have been a very nasty end - and very prematurely so - to an age of innocence".

He noted Roberts' previous conviction for a rape in 2005, which involved an adult. He accepted Roberts was "genuinely ashamed" and there had been no sexual offending since that date and 2022, but added he also noted his imprisonment for public protection, adding that it would be "for the foreseeable future".

Judge Evans questioned the delay between the arrest, charge and court appearance, describing it as "inexplicable and inexcusable", and the fact that the prisons were "very congested" meant there was very little "positive work" going on inside prisons at the moment.

Taking into account the mitigating and aggravating factors he passed a sentence of 24 months, explaining that he would serve half but it would be for the parole board to determine whether he should be released or not, due to the terms of the 2006 sentence.

He also passed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order to deal with the risk of reoffending and community harm Roberts presented.

In October 2006 the Plymouth Herald reported on the sentencing of Roberts, describing how he was a doorman who "used his brawn to overpower two women". The report stated that Roberts, then of Headland Park, North Hill, was convicted by a jury at Plymouth Crown Court of twice raping a woman in his bedsit in May 2005.

He was also found guilty of attempting to rape a prostitute, who escaped after she sprayed him in the face with CS Spray, in August 2005. At the time in 2006, Mr Vere-Hodge jailed Roberts for 12 years, with the order of him serving a minimum of six years. He also placed Roberts on the sex offenders register for life.

Description

A taxi driver took advantage of a female passenger's drunken condition, going on a “detour” to rape her in a secluded cemetery car park before dropping her at home.

The heavily intoxicated woman was put in the taxi by a friend, following a night out to celebrate a birthday, with the driver David Greaves given the instruction to take her straight home.

Durham Crown Court heard that a trip which should have taken between five and ten minutes lasted almost an hour before the passenger, oblivious to what had taken place on the journey, was dropped at home and helped to bed by a family member.

On waking the following morning, she had little recollection of the events of the previous night, but, due to internal soreness, she began to have her suspicions.

Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, said she was terrified she had been taken advantage of by the taxi driver on the journey home.

Greaves was contacted and accepted having had sexual intercourse with the woman.

Horrified at the thought, the woman contacted the police and, when arrested and interviewed, Greaves again confirmed having had sex with her on the journey to her home.

Mr Cleasby said he gave police, “an account of a long-running sexual encounter, going into graphic details, minimising her level of drunkenness”.

He said Greaves' version of events suggested the woman was, an “enthusiastic” participant in the sexual activity.

The now 42-year-old defendant, of Wansbeck Close, Spennymoor, was charged with rape and denied the allegation, maintaining his account that it was a consensual encounter.

Following a five-day trial at the court, in late May, he was convicted on the jury verdict.

He was remanded in custody pending preparation of a background probation report prior to sentence being passed, at the court on Thursday (July 11).

Mr Cleasby told the sentencing hearing the defendant had taken advantage of the victim’s, “extremely vulnerable state”.

He said: “It was a protracted incident with a degree of planning, driving her to a car park of a secluded cemetery to carry out the attack.”

Mr Cleasby said it was an “abuse of trust”, with a significant degree of planning, awaiting the opportunity to carry out a sexual attack.

He then read the victim’s impact statement in which she said the incident had, “changed my life forever”.

She said she had gone through periods of self-loathing and disgust, low confidence and esteem, as well as suffering panic attacks and depression and being hyper-vigilant, “seeing danger everywhere,” with major trust issues.

The court heard she has also suffered from severe migraines and turned to alcohol more than usual to try to cope.

But she has also struggled to sleep and when she does, she is prone to having nightmares.

Stuart Duke, in mitigation, told the court the position of the defendant remains the same, maintaining his innocence.

“But he accepts he was convicted by the jury and will receive a significant term of imprisonment.

“He regards his life as effectively over and is very pessimistic about his future.

“He has no previous convictions and has never been to prison before.

“He’s found his time as a vulnerable prisoner extremely distressing and difficult.

“It will be many years before he will be at liberty.”

Mr Duke said despite his lack of past convictions, the defendant was classed as, “a dangerous offender” by the author of the Probation Service report.

Judge Jo Kidd told Greaves: “I take the view that you continue to hold a thoroughly delusional and incorrect view of the predatory rape you carried out on the victim in this case.”

She said he would have been aware of the victim’s vulnerabilities at the time of the pick-up.

“They couldn’t have been more obvious to you.

“You drove her to a secluded area some distance from her home.

“No one will ever know what you did to her when she was in that secluded, dark area, in that taxi with you.

“It’s an understandable source of trauma to your victim.”

The judge said Greaves, “took no account, whatsoever, of her bodily autonomy and her right to choose with who and when and where she would engage in sexual activity.

“Your delusional attitude continues to be disturbing.

“The way you described that sexual activity seemed to contain elements of relish, enjoying the description.

“Understandably, the probation report author’s view is that you pose a danger despite having no previous convictions.

“There was an element of abduction and this was a sustained incident.

“The victim was particularly vulnerable and has endured severe psychological harm.”

Judge Kidd, therefore, imposed an extended sentence of 15 years, with a 12-year custodial element, to be followed by a three-year licence period.

She told Greaves he must serve at least two-thirds of the custodial period, eight years, before being eligible for consideration for release by the Parole Board.

Judge Kidd also made the defendant subject to an unlimited restraining order, prohibiting him from ever contacting or approaching his victim.

He will also be subject to notification as a sex offender for an unlimited period and entered on the barring list from ever working with children or vulnerable adults.

Judge Kidd said she did not feel it necessary to impose a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, the terms of which would have sought to ban him from driving taxis in future, as, by way of his conviction, he will not be permitted to hold a licence for such work in future.

Having told the defendant to return to his wing to begin serving his sentence, Judge Kidd thanked the victim and her family for the “dignity and courage” they have shown during the court proceedings.

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A Great Yarmouth man has been sentenced to a total of 18 years  - 16 to be served in prison and two years to be served on licence for historic sex offences against three children.

Peter Esherwood, 66, of Harfreys Road, Great Yarmouth, appeared at Norwich Crown Court today (12 July 2024) where he was sentenced for four counts of indecent assault, two counts of gross indecency with a child, one of sexual assault of a child and one count of inciting a child to take part in a sexual activity and failing to surrender. He previously pleaded not guilty but changed his plea to guilty during sentencing.

The court heard that in September 2017 a woman disclosed sexual abuse by Esherwood when she was a child to another adult and police were contacted. Following an investigation by officers, two further victims of Esherwood came forward and spoke to police about being sexually abused by him when they were young girls.

Esherwood’s offending relates to three female victims from the late 1980s to the 2000s.

DS Ricki Peake said outside the court hearing that Esherwood had to be tried and convicted in his absence after selling his house, liquidising his assets and fleeing to Thailand after being charged for the offences while on bail awaiting trial in October 2022. Following conviction, Norfolk police and the CPS worked closely with Interpol and Thai authorities and he was subsequently arrested re-entering the country via Heathrow Airport in April 2024 and remanded for sentencing.

The victims’ statements were read out at court:

Describing panic attacks and depression which resulted in her losing her career, one of his victim’s states, ‘I will never forgive him for what he put me my family through’.

A second victim said she was physically and mentally exhausted and had suffered panic attacks and blocked out memories of her childhood as a result of his abuse.

A third victim said in her statement: “My innocence was shattered. My self-confidence annihilated. I know that I will never be able to escape my experiences, but I live in the hope, no, the belief, that one day I will find peace.”

DS Ricki Peake said: “The victim-survivors in this case have been incredibly brave coming forward and giving evidence to us. It can be immensely distressing with this type of crime to have to go through past traumatic events. Hopefully the sentencing will go some way to providing justice for what they have endured.”

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James Paterson (07/04/1992) of Cheadle, Stockport was found guilty at Bolton Crown Court of two counts of sexual assault by penetration and three counts of sexual assault involving three different victims in March 2024, and was sentenced yesterday (Thursday 11 July 2024) to 10 years in prison.

He must service two-thirds of this before being considered for release.

In addition, he received an extra three years on licence and has been placed on the sex offender’s register for life, with lifetime restraining orders in place for the victims.

At the time the offences were committed both Paterson and the women were colleagues, working at a company based in Didsbury, South Manchester. The company would reward employees by organising social events after work hours. Back in June 2019, a night out came out of one of the events which meant meeting up in the City Centre. When going back to a flat to continue to celebrate before sleeping, one of the victims woke up to being penetrated without consent and then later being touched inappropriately despite turning down the advances on each occasion.

Telling a friend and colleague later that day it was reported to her workplace.

A few months later in September 2019, another event was organised in Didsbury where Paterson offered to drop another woman off home afterwards. After going in a short time later further advances were made which were abruptly rejected. Waking up later that morning to Paterson crouched down beside her bedside before seeing him on top of her, again sexually penetrating without consent.

Once safe, she later reported the concerns to her workplace. This was subsequently passed onto our officers some time later and in June 2020 following an investigation Paterson was arrested, denying the claims outright.

In July 2020, a social gathering was taking place in Wilmslow and when it came to an end they went to sleep in separate rooms. Waking up to being touched inappropriately under her clothes, she ran downstairs to tell a friend in horror. Upon being confronted he left. Once they knew he was under investigation a further report was made to our officers to help with enquiries and ensure safeguarding as well as further prompt action.

He was later found guilty of the offences in court and sentenced.

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A 91-year-old man has been jailed after being found guilty of indecently assaulting a child nearly 50 years ago.

John Gaukroger, of Halifax, abused a boy who was under the age of 10 while helping out at a children's afterschool centre between 1975 and 1976.

The crimes came to light in 2020 when the victim reported what happened to him to the police, prompting an investigation and eventually a trial.

Gaukroger, who denied the allegations, was found guilty in May of two counts of indecent assault against a child and was jailed for 26 months at Bradford Crown Court on Thursday.

The court heard that during his time helping at the children’s centre, he would also take the youngsters on camping trips.

Gaukroger's victim said there was not a day when he did not think about what happened, and it had had "a big impact on me, my family and my relationships".

"I feel like I have now come to terms with everything and since the case was in court I have had some of the best night's sleep I have ever had," he added.

"I am happy this now has a conclusion, and I can try my best to move on from this now."

Det Insp Vicky Lawrence, of West Yorkshire Police, appealed for other potential victims of Gaukroger's offending to come forward.

“Irrelevant of the length of time passed, you will be listened to, supported and we will do all we can to fight for victims and bring perpetrators to justice,” she said.

Gaukroger was also told he must sign the sex offender's register and was handed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

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A 21-year-old man has been sentenced after he arranged to meet a 15-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity following a British Transport Police investigation.

Thomas Kasper, of Sceptre Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to meeting or arranging to meet a child following sexual grooming, sexual communication with a child and non-penetrative sexual activity with a child.

He was sentenced to nine months suspended for 18 months on Wednesday 10 July at Liverpool Crown Court.

He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for seven years and given a seven year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The court heard how on, Sunday 21 May last year, officers patrolling Liverpool Lime Street station spotted Kasper with a child engaged in kissing and hugging.

Concerned by what they had witnessed given the visible age difference, officers stopped the pair and engaged them in conversation with Kasper telling them he was 20 years old and the girl just 15.

Speaking to officers separately Kasper admitted they were dating but claimed no sexual activity had taken place. He was arrested for grooming and causing or inciting a child to engage in a sexual activity.

In interview he admitted knowing the child was underage but again claimed nothing of a sexual nature had taken place between them.

Kasper was bailed while investigations continued with officers examining the mobile phone he had with him at the time.

After examination officers found text messages between the pair which were clearly of a sexual nature.

CCTV images from the station on the day of his arrest also showed evidence of a sexual relationship.

Investigating officer Sergeant Stuart Maw said: “Despite Kasper’s claims that the relationship was not in any way sexual, his actions on CCTV from the station clearly demonstrated otherwise as did the text messages which he had sent to the girl.

“Our immediate concern was safeguarding the child who Kasper had evidently groomed for sexual purposes and collecting evidence that would result in preventing others falling prey to him.

“Now he has been issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order it is hoped Kasper will steer clear of contacting any underage girls in the future, not least for fear of imprisonment.”