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A pensioner tailed a woman as she walked in the street before sexually assaulting her.

Convicted sex offender Brian Halfhead, who has a record of perverted crimes spanning more than 40 years, brazenly assaulted the woman in daylight as she walked in Birkenhead.

Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Monday, that the victim was walking along New Chester Road in Birkenhead, close to Rock Retail Park, shortly after 3pm on May 31 this year when she noticed the 68-year-old behind her. Halfhead, of Cross Street, was said to have made her "feel uncomfortable and uneasy" and she stopped to let him pass her as a result.

Kevin Liston, prosecuting, described how the complainant then put her headphones on and was listening to music as she continued walking, but was then grabbed between her legs from behind. She turned around to find the defendant, who had his "jeans halfway down his legs", and shouted: "What the f***".

This was said to have "spooked" Halfhead, who ran away from the scene in the direction of the Queensway Tunnel. The woman called 999 and gave a description of her attacker, and he later arrested at the Fountain Project mental health support centre.

She was left "terrified" and "afraid to leave her own home" following the incident. The victim was even left waiting several days to visit the shop for supplies as she felt unable to do so without being accompanied by a friend.

Halfhead has a total of 17 previous convictions for 48 offences. These include indecent assault of and gross indecent with a child under 14 from 1977, indecent assault of a child under 16 in 1987 and sexual intercourse with a child under 16 in 1988.

Ken Heckle, defending, told the court: "It is alarming that he has revisited this, but there has been a long time of stability in his life. He accepts that this offence was sexually motivated.

"He has a lack of serious offending for the last 35 years. This is not somebody who is out of control."

Halfhead admitted sexual assault. He was jailed for 16 months and told to sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

Sentencing, Judge Robert Trevor Jones said: "This is not the first time you have come before the courts for sexual offences. There are historic court appearances, even though the last of those was now some 35 years ago.

"It is quite clear that there is an undercurrent of sexual behaviour as far as you are concerned. You are described as representing a high risk of sexual reoffending and a high risk of causing serious harm to children and females, and with that assessment I must agree."

Record details

A man has been jailed for multiple historical sexual offences committed against minors, including a number in the Swansea and Neath Port Talbot area.

Gavin Corcoran, 44, who most recently lived in Manchester, previously resided in Morriston, Swansea.

In 2020 a 14-year-old girl came forward to police to report that Corcoran had sexually assaulted her when she was 10 years old.

Two other women then came forward and disclosed sexual abuse by Corcoran on numerous occasions when they were children.

Gavin Corcoran was charged with the above offences in 2021 and remanded into custody after failing to attend his trial later that year. He has remained in custody ever since.

In 2022, a fourth victim came forward to Greater Manchester Police disclosing that Corcoran had sexually assaulted her. He was charged with two further offences relating to this victim. 

On May 21 2024, Gavin Corcoran was found guilty on all eight counts of child sex offences against the four separate victims.

He has today been sentenced to 21 years in prison extended for four years and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Record details

A sex predator has been locked up for a New Year attack on a woman he claimed he thought was his wife of 13 years.

Roddy Kerr struck at his house in Hamilton, Lanarkshire shortly after the bells on January 1, 2020.

The 47-year-old told jurors he had gone into bed in a spare room and "nuzzled" beside who he believed was his wife. Others had been at his home that night for the celebrations, but he reckoned everyone had left by that time.

He went on to intimately touch the person beside him in the bed. Kerr insisted she was awake and "engaging" in what was happening.

But, it emerged it was not his wife, but another woman who had been molested.

Jurors at the High Court in Glasgow heard that Kerr later sent a text to the victim apologising.

Asked at the trial what he was saying sorry for, Kerr stated: "The incident that happened - because I got into bed thinking it was with my wife."

Kerr said he met with the woman a week later to "try and clear the air" and "put it behind us". He recalled: "It was awkward, did not really say much. Silence, but a few words exchanged. Not a lot said."

It was months later that the matter was reported to the police.

In cross examination, prosecutor Alex Sutherland put to Kerr: "You had mistaken your wife of 13 years for this woman? I suggest that is preposterous. It is not true."

Kerr: "No."

Kerr also said he "did not think" he had volunteered to go to the police after what happened.

First offender Kerr was found guilty of sexual assault. Jurors deleted the allegation of attempted rape.

Sentencing had been deferred for background reports.

As Kerr returned to the dock, his lawyer Donna Armstrong said: "He remains married to his wife. She supports him and has done since the commission of the offence."

Judge Kevin McCallum KC said Kerr had "took advantage" of a woman at his home that night.

He stated: "Your actions have had a significant impact on your victim."

The judge said there was no alternative to a prison sentence and locked Kerr up for 14 months.

He was also put on the sex offenders list and hit him with a non-harassment order banning him from approaching the woman for the next 10 years.

Record details

A young serial sex offender has been jailed for 16 years after he cynically targeted two girls during separate campaigns of sexual abuse and left them suffering severe psychological damage.

Harry Grindley has been branded a "coward" by one of the victims after he brazenly tried to talk his way out of trouble and did not confess to what he did to the shocked and vulnerable victims, Hull Crown Court heard.

Grindley, 22, of Hull, denied two offences of raping a girl under 13 and a separate offence of assault by penetration but he was convicted by a jury after a five-day trial in April.

David Godfrey, prosecuting, said that the offences came to light after the "plainly shocked" mother of one of the girls telephoned the police. Grindley was arrested and he was questioned about the separate offences against the girls.

The mother of the rape victim later said that the girl was left "in shock" and "frozen" and not knowing what to do by what happened to her.

The second victim condemned Grindley as a "coward" for not admitting what he had done to her and she said that she had gone through stress.

"I finally got justice," she said. She now had the "peace" of knowing that Grindley was, in her words, now where he belonged.

Nick Peacock, mitigating, said that few points in Grindley's favour could be made because he had been convicted after a trial instead of pleading guilty. "There is little that can be said," said Mr Peacock.

Grindley had suffered problems during his life. "It doesn't absolve him of blame," said Mr Peacock.

Grindley had no previous convictions. "It's his first custodial sentence," said Mr Peacock. "He has never been convicted of any offences in the past. The first few years are going to be very hard for him."

Judge Alexander Menary said that Grindley's offending had caused a "devastating and harmful impact" on the girls and one of the victims had been left as a "shadow of her former self" and "scared". The crimes had "cast a long shadow" and they had caused severe psychological harm.

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Shaun Chambers said: “Grindley is a perverted criminal who targeted two young girls, sexually abusing them for his own sick sexual gratification.

“Investigations of this nature are always incredibly concerning but I hope the fact that he is now off our streets and facing considerable time behind bars offers some reassurance that he is unable to continue his vile crimes.

“We will always take all reports of sexual offences incredibly seriously, regardless of when they happened. If you have any information or concerns about sexual offences please get in touch via our non-emergency 101 line or 999 in an emergency.

“You can also report information anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Grindley had been on bail until the point of his jailing. He will be on extended licence of one year after his release from prison. He was given a sexual harm prevention order for life and he will have to register as a sex offender for life.

Record details

A swimming coach who subjected young boys to horrific sexual abuse under the pretence of improving their sporting performance has been jailed again. 

Michael Drew was an elite swimming coach who worked with boys across south London, east London and Essex for four decades. 

He went on to become president of the British Swimming Coaches Association but was unmasked in 2000 when five boys came forward about abuse he’d subjected them to between 1969 and 1991. 

Drew was jailed for six years in 2001, a sentence which sparked concern about the wider issue of child sexual abuse in the sport. 

In 2022 a sixth historic victim approached police about abuse he had suffered at Drew’s hands in the 1970s. 

On Friday (June 28, 2024) the sex offender, now aged 78, was sentenced to a further two years and three months in prison. 

'Evil’ 

Drew, of Wilmington, Dartford, was a highly respected coach who taught talented young swimmers in areas including Hornchurch, Laindon, Bromley and Crystal Palace.

The latest victim to come forward was abused by Drew between the age of 13 and 15. 

Prosecutor Madeleine Wolfe told Croydon Crown Court that the young boy had relied on his coach to improve his performance as he was competing in tournaments. 

“So when Mr Drew said a medical procedure was necessary in training he did not consider refusing or questioning it,” Ms Wolfe said. 

Drew made the boy perform sex acts while telling him it would increase his level of Vitamin E and swimming performance. 

When he came forward in 2022 the victim told police that he had trusted Drew implicitly he and assumed the abuse was for his benefit. 

In a victim impact statement he described Drew as “evil” and told the court how the abuse had impacted his entire adult life. 

He said: “The biggest regret of this sad criminal offence was that I could not speak about what happened to me. 

“Throughout the 1970s I struggled with the ability to make friends due to the barriers. 

“In my education I found it difficult to concentrate at school due to what was happening to me. 

“I have a sense of guilt for not speaking out sooner. The rational side of me wanted to get it out but the emotional side of me wanted to keep it in.” 

'Madness’ 

After the latest victim came forward Drew was arrested again and later pleaded guilty to six counts of indecent assault. 

His barrister, James Manning, told the court: “Mr Drew tells me he feels ashamed and referred to his behaviour as madness.” 

But Mr Manning urged Judge Daniel Flahive to give his client a suspended sentence rather than sending him to prison. 

Mr Manning said: “He was convicted in 2001 and was given a significant sentence. He spent a long time in custody and the system has worked in that he has not reoffended. He has come out and lived a different life.” 

“He no longer poses a threat to children, or for that matter, anybody.” 

But Judge Flahive decided a prison sentence was necessary to punish Drew.

 Judge Flahive said: “It took [the victim] a great deal of courage to come forward in 2022. 

“He was in his teens in the 1970s and he looked up to you as a swimming coach. 

“You were renowned in your field. The boys thought the world of you and looked to you to help their future careers as swimmers. 

“You took advantage of that.” 

He concluded: “He was a child and he was vulnerable. All of this drives me to the opinion that there has to be a prison sentence here.” 

Drew was sentenced to two years and three months in custody. 

Record details

A pervert simulated a sex act while menacing a terrified student waiting for a train at Canterbury West station.

For over an hour, and captured on CCTV throughout, Damien Olubek subjected his victim, who he did not know, to what was described as being among the "greatest fears" for a lone female traveller.

The 21-year-old repeatedly asked the woman for kisses and hugs, poked, squeezed and touched her arm and leg, and tried to pull her hand towards his crotch area as he performed his lewd act.

He had even followed her from a bench outside the station where he had first troubled her and onto a platform, where a member of the public eventually came to her aid and alerted station staff.

Olubek, who lives in Margate High Street, then tried to avoid being identified by telling an officer his name was 'Steven Gerrard' before fleeing.

But although it was said on his behalf at Canterbury Crown Court that the touching of the victim was not in itself sexual, Judge Mark Weekes remarked that the "aggressive, humiliating and frightening" behaviour could not be merely regarded as the actions of what is colloquially termed a "sex pest".

Sentencing Olubek on June 26, the judge told him: "The victim was subjected to what must have been for her a very distressing and alarming ordeal, lasting over an hour, in which you engaged in behaviour which sometimes, erroneously in my opinion, is referred to as acting like a sex pest.

Record details

A sex offender found himself back in court after being evicted from his home.

Andrew McGowan is subject to notification requirements as he is on the sex offenders register. The 58-year-old must inform the police when he moves to a new address, even if he is homeless.

Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard how McGowan was left homeless, after being evicted from his home in May this year, but failed to notify Northumbria Police that he was now classed as no fixed abode.

The court in Newcastle heard how he had been sleeping under the archway near Forth Banks Police Station before being given accommodation. However he also failed to inform the force about his new address.

Brian Payne, prosecuting, told the court: "This gentleman is subject to the notification requirements on the sexual offences act. He was last in trouble in 2018, six years ago, for failing to comply with a sexual harm prevention order in place at the time.

"He's monitored on a regular basis by offender managers and it became clear to the police that his last address, he'd left. Police made enquiries and he had in fact been evicted.

"He was supposed to, even if homeless, notify the police that he was not at his home address but he failed to do so. He was tracked down and it became clear that he had obtained accommodation. He was supposed to, having obtained accommodation, notify the police within three days and he failed do so."

Mr Payne said he was arrested and interviewed and admitted the offences from the offset.

McGowan, of Virginia House, Elswick, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to comply with notification requirements as part of the sex offenders register.

Adrian Ions, defending, told the court: "He had some financial difficulties, he is evicted by his landlord, that's not via a court order. He comes home one night and the locks had been changed. He's reported that matter to the police. You can't evict anybody without a court order.

"He is homeless, he has firstly explained that to the police because he's reported this as an offence but not the correct police officers, with the correct form."

Mr Ions said that McGowan feared for his safety as he had to sleep on the streets for a few nights and chose to sleep under the archway near Forth Banks police station. He said: "The police know where he is, but not the right officer."

His solicitor said that, following contact with housing and homelessness charity Shelter, McGowan was able to get temporary accommodation. Three days later, he was offered a permanent room. He said: "The housing association knows where he is at all times."

Mr Ions added that McGowan had "significant" mental health issues.

Chair of the Bench, Nick Hooker, told McGowan that he would be fined £80 and must pay £85 costs and a £32 surcharge - a total of £197.

Record details

A man who carried out a series of online sexual offences against children across the UK has been sent to prison.

Matthew Reilly, from Halesowen, was sentenced to nine years at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Thursday (27 June) after pleading guilty to a total of 34 sex offences in February.

We began an investigation into Reilly – a registered sex offender – in January last year after we discovered an indecent image of a child had been uploaded to online messaging platform Snapchat. The image was traced to an account linked to Reilly. We executed a search warrant at his Halesowen home, arresting the 39-year-old and seizing his electronic devices for analysis.

When interviewed, Reilly admitted to messaging girls on Snapchat and that some of the conversations he had with them had turned sexual. He was conditionally bailed while we continued our enquires, during which time his devices were forensically examined.

We found indecent images of children on his phone along with details of a Snapchat account Reilly had been using to pose as a 15-year-old boy. Further analysis revealed that the account had been sexually communicating with girls aged 11 to 15 years old over a four-month period between October 2021 and January 2022.

Data we extracted also revealed that Reilly would meet some of these victims on an online dating site where he would confirm their age, pay them sexual compliments and tell them that he could get them onto the subscription platform OnlyFans where they could earn money from sexual content.

Reilly additionally sent explicit images to some of the girls and coaxed one of them into performing a sexual act. In total, we identified 40 victims who lived in 27 different force areas within England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We contacted the relevant police forces and they assisted with safeguarding the children and gathering evidence to support our investigation.

Reilly was further arrested on 29 September 2023 in light of the evidence we uncovered. He was subsequently charged with 52 offences and remanded in custody at a later date.

Reilly pleaded guilty at a hearing in February this year and a previous earlier hearing to 18 counts of sexual communication with a child under 16, one count of causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and five counts of causing a child under 16 to watch a sexual act.

He also pleaded guilty to eight counts of making an indecent image of a child. These were made up of one count of Category A – the most serious, one for Category B and six counts for Category C.

He also pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing indecent images of a child (Category C).

Record details

A man found guilty of raping a vulnerable teenage girl in a dark alley in Plymouth has been handed an eight-and-a-half-year jail sentence and will be deported after his release from prison.

Mohammed Abdullah, aged 34 and of no fixed address - but who had been staying with his sister in King Street - denied he raped the teen twice at the rear of the House of Fraser building in Plymouth city centre on October 22, 2022. A jury of eight women and four men at Plymouth Crown Court, having heard the evidence against him, instead found him guilty after eight hours of deliberation. Dishonestly denying the offences, he forced his victim to give evidence and relive her ordeal in court.

Prosecutor James Waddington reminded the court that Abdullah, an Algerian national, was caught on CCTV approaching several women during the course of the previous evening and into the early hours of October 22 in the vicinity of the sundial in Armada Way.

One of the women came forward after seeing his picture on PlymouthLive as he appeared at Plymouth Magistrates' court following his arrest, telling police he had asked her where he could find a sex worker. Others were traced by police who said Abdullah had asked them to engage in sexual activity for money, both before and after the rapes.

The victim - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - had been at a nearby hotel after an evening out with her boyfriend. The court heard that she had left the hotel with a bottle of wine and, as she walked through the city in a confused and anxious state, considered staying with a trusted friend instead of at the hotel.

The jury had been shown footage of the girl walking through parts of the city centre, but also of Abdullah who was first seen with another woman he claimed was his "girlfriend" called "Tina". The jury heard he did not mention her during police interviews, only claiming her existence during the trial. During his cross examination he was unable to say where his "girlfriend" lived, her full name or where she worked, only saying she was a "nurse" and they were still getting to know each other.

Abdullah claimed that his victim beckoned to him and that he first walked into the alley because he was afraid she was trying to lure him into a situation where he would be mugged for his phone and 20 he had on him. He also claimed that she began to mention money, grabbed at his penis and pulled it out before putting it in her mouth and 30 seconds later taking it out to ask for more money.

The jury heard Abdullah had told police: "I thought she was a prostitute because of her attire and because she walked past me several times".

When a tracker dog found semen of his in the alley, he claimed that it was there because, after she left the alley he had masturbated. He also claimed that she put the idea of sex into his head which was the reason he then went looking for a sex worker.

The jury accepted the pro

secution's case that Abdullah had told a pack of lies about the entire exchange, questioning the existence of 'Tina' and suggesting it was yet another women he was approaching that night with the aim of having sex.

The jury also heard Abdullah claimed that, in Algeria, he had worked for the Ministry of Education "in the office relating to residency of female students at university" as a chef, until he suffered an accident, injuring his back.

The teenage girl's victim impact statement was read to the court by Mr Waddington in which wrote how she had been greatly affected by the two sexual assaults, leaving her feeling conscious about her appearance when she went out, which she now rarely did.

She also said that she now felt "uncomfortable with having a female body" as she no longer wanted anyone to sexualise any part of it. She added that she no longer trusted men around her and was greatly upset that her horrific experience was now a topic of gossip by others, explaining that she had "no control" over what is said about her, just as she had lost that control over her own body on that night.

She said she did not want to remain in this city to continue her studies, such was the painful reminder of the city centre and what was done to her. She wrote: "I'm struggling to carry on as normal. I fell like all men were capable of doing something like that. I didn't feel this way before the incident."

She wrote how she blamed herself and felt guilt about what had happened, asking that if she had not forgotten her headphones and headed back to the hotel, then she would not have been targeted by Abdullah. She added that she "felt shame" about what happened to her.

She wrote: "I just want to forget it all. It's changed my life completely and I just hope that it hasn't ruined the rest of my life."

Sentencing Abdullah, Judge Peter Johnson rounded on him, noting how he had approached other women not only before the rapes, but even afterwards, such was his appetite. He noted how the 34-year-old pervert had loitered in the area of the Sundial approaching women and asking them for sex or where to direct him to sex workers.

He remarked how he had encountered his victim, who was already in an "extremely distressed state". He said he rejected his claim of being misunderstood when he approached women to ask for sex after he had raped his victim and then masturbated in the alley.

He noted Abdullah's claim that the girl had suggested sex in exchange for money and pulled him into the alley. Judge Johnson said: "Anyone who knows the the full story and had watched the CCTV will know that your assertions were preposterous and simply a futile attempt to evade justice".

Judge Johnson also remarked on the "enormous and enduring effect" Abdullah's crimes had had on his teenage victim, leaving her feeling ashamed, before he forcefully told the 34-year-old "she has nothing to be ashamed about. You and only you are responsible for what happened that night."

He said he noted the pre-sentence report, in which Abdullah still denied he did anything wrong adding that he "still maintain that ludicrous account of her propositioning you. In short there is no remorse".

Taking into account the sentencing guidelines as well as the aggravating and mitigating factors, Judge Johnson said he would pass a sentence of eight-and-a-half years, accepting that he had spent the equivalent of 194 days in custody to count towards his term. He told Abdullah he would be released at the two-third stage and would be liable to be deported on his release - effectively after five years and eight months.

He added that Abdullah he would be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and also be subject to the Disclosure and Barring Service - however academic a legal exercise this would be - banning him from ever working with vulnerable adults and children ever again.

Detective Chief Inspector Darren Roach said: "This was a particularly disturbing crime which has had a profound impact on the victim and had heightened community tensions within the city centre and night time economy.

"Responding immediately, officers were able to identify the scene and secure forensic evidence. Following fast-track enquiries and a proactive manhunt, the offender was located within hours of the offence, despite his identity being unknown at the time.

"The victim has shown incredible bravery and resilience and I commend her and her family for the strength they have shown throughout the investigation and court process.

"Women and girls should be free to walk the streets without fear for their safety. Its for that reason that violence against women and girls remains a top priority for the Force and we will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to ensure this.

"Id also like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service and the officer in the case for their diligence in securing and presenting the evidence in a uniquely complex case, with many witnesses being brought to give evidence at trial.

"Whilst the impact will be long lasting, I hope that todays sentence offers a degree of reassurance and justice to the victim."

Record details

A Plymouth man who filmed himself attacking and raping a woman has been jailed. Jamie Baker, 38, of no fixed abode, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court on Friday, June 28, where he was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

The court heard how Baker was convicted on June 6 of two counts of rape and one of false imprisonment following a trial. During the trial, the jury was told how, in May last year, Baker had called the victim, who was known to him, and demanded that she go and see him at a property in Plymouth, falsely claiming that she had stolen from him.

Baker, who the jury had been told had taken cocaine, shut her in a room and blocked the door with a chair, jamming the handle with a DVD player and barricading the door so she could not escape and no-one else could enter. He dragged her around the room by her hair, before pushing her face down on a sofa, putting his knee into her back and then tied her hands behind her back with a tea towel.

He continued the attack despite her pleading with him to stop. The jury heard that he was wearing gloves at the time and put loud music on to drown out his victim's cries and screams. He then slapped her face, pushed her around and then shoved her over another chair, raping her twice.

The court heard the woman was crying and begging him to stop, whereupon he told her "f***ing shut up". She was left in agony and bleeding from her painful ordeal. He then pushed her onto the sofa and, as prosecutors explained, sought to "humiliate" her by ejaculating onto her face.

Only afterwards did he reveal to her that he had filmed the entire attack and the rapes on his phone, showing her the footage when she disbelieved him. Baker denied all the offences, but was found guilty of two counts of rape and one of false imprisonment and not guilty of 16 offences other against the same victim.

The lead investigator in the case, Detective Constable Kate Dure, read the victim impact statement to the court, where the woman explained that it had taken her "almost a year to be able to say out loud or even to read it or write". She wrote how even thinking about it still made her "feel sick".

She said she struggled to put into words the "hurt, the anger and the guilt" she felt every day and that her life had "changed completely and I can't even explain how".

Addressing Baker, she wrote: "What you have done to me is soul-destroying. You have caused me severe psychological damage."

She said she has been left having "nightmares and panic attacks" and felt that she was "a failure" as "a woman".

The court heard that Baker had previous convictions for football-related violence, aggravated burglary and drug dealing.

Judge Peter Johnson told Baker that his pre-sentence report revealed that he still denied the offence, claiming that it was consensual. He said the effect on his victim was clear from her victim impact statement. 

Judge Johnson told Baker he would be jailed for 12 years for the rapes, to run concurrently, and two years for the false imprisonment, also to run concurrently. He said he would serve two-thirds of the sentence before he was released on licence. Judge Johnson said Baker would also be subject of a indefinite restraining order meaning he can never contact his victim again.

DC Dure, from the Sexual Offences Investigation Team, said: "First and foremost I want to praise the bravery of the victim for coming forward to report such a vicious and heinous crime and for supporting the police investigation. We welcome the sentence passed by the judge and I hope the outcome today gives others the courage to come forward and report offences to us. We will listen and you will be heard."

Record details

An NHS junior doctor who secretly took indecent photos of children he treated and a woman he had anaesthetised has been branded a 'predatory paedophile' by a judge who jailed him for 12 years today - and said he had caused 'irreparable damage' to the public's trust in the medical profession.

Edward Finn, now aged 36, looked emotionless as he was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court to a string of horrific child sex offences and crimes against adult females which he had previously pleaded guilty to.

When he was finally snared after an unsuspecting family member found disgusting images on his computer, he told police: 'I have tried to stop but I can't. I am not unwell but I cannot stop.'

In a text messages left to family as he made an attempt to take his own life, he wrote: 'It had been a pleasure but I never physically hurt anyone. I didn't mean for this to happen.'

Evil Finn, an anaesthetist, who had given an interview to the BBC as part of the junior doctors' strike and worked in overcrowded wards during the Covid pandemic, preyed on his unsuspecting victims over years in three East Midlands hospitals he worked in.

He also stored thousands of sexually explicit images of children on his computers and mobile phone in files named 'Hidden', prosecutor Victoria Rose told his sentencing hearing.

In some pictures of naked children they 'looked in obvious distress' and there were some if 'young girls being shackled to beds,' she said.

Almost all the images he stored were of girls, the youngest being a 12-month-old baby and the eldest aged 14.

When cops raided the defendant's home - which at the time he was sharing with his wife and young son - they found a garrote hidden in a wardrobe, along with a child-like and adult-like sex dolls.

Finn carried out his depravity whilst working at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre, Royal Derby Hospital and Kingsmill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.

He was arrested in November last year.

He admitted three counts of making indecent photographs of children, three counts of taking indecent images of children, two counts of voyeurism and one charge of sexual assault against a child aged under 13.

He pleaded not guilty to three further charges of theft, voyeurism and sexual assault - with those offences ordered by His Honour Judge Michael Auty KC to lie on the file.

In two of his most disturbing acts he took photos of a woman patient he had anaesthetised and a young child he was undergoing an operation.

As details were read in court, family members in the public gallery were heard loudly sobbing.

Passing sentence and in a scathing attack the judge told bearded and bespectacled Finn, who had been remanded in custody site his arrest: 'You have caused irreparable damage to the confidence and trust society has placed in the medical profession.

Judge Auty told disgraced doctor Finn: 'The author of your report states that you are a highly intelligent man who would have fully understood your crimes and the nature of your actions but you would have carried on offending had you not been caught.

'Web searches from as long ago as 2016 include worrying terms such as 'drunk teen sex' and 'amateur voyeur' and an indication of how depraved you had decline was the discovery of an indecent image of a girl at Royal Derby Hospital.'

He jailed Finn for eight years with an extended licence of four years, totalling 12 years for all seven offences.

He received individual sentences of between 10 months and eight years for the offences to run concurrently.

He will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

After ordering Finn - behind the glass panelled dock - 'You may go down', the judge told members of public and media: 'I have no idea of the long term effects of Edward Finn's behaviour and how such wickedness can occur.'

He said in light of this case he hoped the authorities would 'give some thought about the vulnerability of patients' and called for that to be 'properly and appropriately protected.'

The father of one of Finn's young victims read his own victim impact statement to the court, saying: 'It is hard to fully understand the impact his crimes have had on my family.

'He was in a position of trust in his job working high in the medical profession. He was also working in the community as a football referee.'

The dad, looking visibly shaken, told how he had received regular counselling and that both he and his wife had 'struggled' and had both taken time off work but he had now returned to his job.

Prosecutor Miss Rose told the shocked courtroom how numerous Category A, B and C images of young girls were found stored in his electronic devices.

One disturbing picture showed a girl, aged six-eight being raised.

Police searching is home also uncovered a screenshot of a theatre patient, and internet searches included 'Year six netball and 'School beach trip.'

Tellingly, there was also a search for 'Derby doctor sexual assault.

On his iPhone there were 163 category A images, 225 Category B and 2,898 Category C.

There was further indecent pictures of a child in hospital and of a girl aged eight to 10 act Sainsbury's in Nottingham's Castle Marina, the court heard.

Doctor Finn's crimes came to light after naked images of children were found on his two iPads by a horrified family member on November 12 last year, the court heard.

Police were alerted and later found a text message from him which stated: 'It has been a pleasure. I never physically hurt anyone and I didn't mean this to happen.'

Officers located the defendant through his Find my iPhone app in his car at Trent Lane in East Bridgford, Nottinghamshire.

Prosecutor Miss Rose says: 'He was found slumped at the wheel of his vehicle by the River Trent with a medical device he had removed from hospital.

He was administering medication with 'the intention of ending his life.'

She said: 'He said he was going to throw himself in front of a train to end his life in a flash' and that there were 'images I am not proud of.

On his arrest he told police: 'I am not unwell. I have tried to stop but I can't, I cannot stop. There is no excuse.'

He said he suffered from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) after seeing a 14-year-old girl who suffered severe burns die in hospital at the start of the Covid lockdown.

The defendant's estranged wife, who walked out on him following his arrest and is now ending her marriage, said her 'entire life had been ripped apart by the man I trusted most in the world.'

The sobbing woman, giving an impact statement at the sentencing hearing, wept: 'My life has been based on a lie. He deceived me and abused his position if trust and my heart has been irreparably broken.'

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, added: 'Our dreams as a family have been completely obliterated by his actions.

'The true depth of sadness is overwhelming.'

The devastated mother of another victim said in an impact statement read by the prosecutor that she could no longer 'trust doctors.'

She continued: 'I find it difficult to believe this can happen and I struggle with anxiety and it has put a stress on my relationship.

'I feel thoroughly let down by people we should trust the most,

The court hearing the defendant's lawyer Andrew Wesley that his client had no previous convictions.

He said: 'He is entirely sorry for his actions - that is an understatement.

'His immediately acted to self harm and attempted to take his own life because of the self disgust he feels about his behaviour and the effects it has had on everybody else.

'He is aware of his failings over a decade and he made attempts to seek help.

'He has engaged in therapy whilst in prison.'

Mr Wesley said that losing colleagues during the pandemic and seeing patients die had affected him.

He said on one night shift while the doctor was on duty in an overcrowded ward with 36 patients being treated in a ward for 11 he saw five people die.

The lawyer added: 'He has suffered a significant degree of trauma but he is responsible for his own tragedy, and his self disgust is proper.

'He has helped many people through difficult times in his career.'

He said the defendant's 'mother remains supportive' of him.

His Honour Judge Auty described him as a 'predatory paedophile.'

He ordered for him to be put on suicide watch in prison.

Record details

A man from Coventry has been jailed for 15 years after abusing three young children.

Derry Tift, aged 49 admitted to 16 counts of sexual offences against three girls between 2001 and 2013 and three counts of making indecent images of children at an earlier hearing at Warwick Crown Court.

The disturbing incidents came to light when officers from the Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team conducted a warrant at Tift’s home address acting on intelligence that he had been accessing indecent images of children on the internet. 

After the warrant, a survivor of Tift’s abuse bravely came forward to tell officers of her ordeal when she was younger.

Thanks to the woman’s courage, this prompted another two survivors to come forward. 

Officers also seized Tift’s computer and devices and found hundreds of indecent images of children.

Tift was sentenced to 15 years at Warwick Crown Court on Monday, June 24 and has been issued an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Record details

A 76-year-old sex offender who continued his crimes immediately after being sentenced for earlier offences has been jailed.

Police found 39 indecent images of girls on Michael Bell’s computer when they visited him on April 10, York Crown Court heard.

Kelly Clarke, prosecuting, said the illegal images had been downloaded between March 18 and April 10.

On March 28, Bell had been given a suspended prison sentence at York Crown Court on condition he did 30 days’ rehabilitative activities and was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) at the same court for having indecent images of children.

Bell, 76, of Firs Crescent, Harrogate, denied  having indecent images and breaching the SHPO. He was convicted at trial at York Magistrates Court which sent him back to York Crown Court for sentence. 

Judge Simon Hickey, who had spared Bell an immediate trip to jail on March 28, locked him up for 14 months.

“I take the view it cannot be suspended due to the recent breach of the suspended sentence order by committing similar offences in a very short period of time,” he said.

The new images included pictures of girls aged between nine and 15 years old.

The 14-month prison sentence included 12 months from the suspended prison sentence and two months for the new offences.

Bell had been remanded in custody for 11 weeks, following his arrest in April.

Daisy Wrigley, for Bell, said the lack of exercise in prison and his health problems, including heart problems, meant that he collapsed from time to time.

Ms Clarke said Bell was convicted of having indecent images of children of all three levels of seriousness in March and given a 15-month prison sentence suspended on condition with conditions.

On April 10, two police officers went to Bell’s address so they could check his internet devices as part of the SHPO order and to remove apps from them that he was not allowed to have under the order.

He showed them a Dell computer with a Dropbox application on it and when they opened it, they saw three sexual images of a girl aged 11 to 13. He told them they had been part of the images for which he was convicted in March.

They seized the computer and a forensic check revealed the 39 illegal images of the least serious category downloaded between March 18 and April 10.

They also found a Plex media player installed in contravention of the SHPO.

Ms Wrigley said Bell hadn’t understood what he could and couldn’t have on his computer. He had downloaded it, thinking he was allowed to do that so he could play videos when he was abroad on holiday and at home.

He now accepted he had a problem and was willing to work on rehabilitating himself.

Record details

A man who subjected vulnerable young children to horrific sexual abuse has been jailed following an investigation by North Yorkshire Police.

In May 2023, officers arrested Nathan Woods-Springer, 37, from Sherburn in Elmet, in connection with sexual offences against children. A number of electronic devices were also seized from his home.

A search of the seized devices uncovered images of Woods-Springer committing sexual offences against children.

Woods-Springer was charged with six counts of rape and nine counts of sexual assault against children.

The victims were all very young at the time of the offences. Officers ensured specialist support was put in place for the victims.

Woods-Springer was also charged with taking and making indecent photographs of children, including hundreds of Category A images the most severe category.

He pleaded guilty to all the offences at York Crown Court on 6 September 2023 and on 19 February 2024.

On Friday 28 June 2024 he was given a 36-year extended sentence.

Record details

A former West Yorkshire teacher has been jailed for six years after admitting getting a girl to send him a sexual photograph and then sharing the image with another child when she refused to send him further images.

Michael Pierce, 32, pleaded guilty to offences of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, causing a child to watch a sexual act, inciting a child under 13 years to engage in sexual activity and distributing an indecent photograph of a child.

He appeared at Leeds Crown Court yesterday (Thursday, June 27) where he was sentenced to six years imprisonment.

He was also put on the sex offender register for life and given a life-long sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) to have no unsupervised contact with children Pierce posed as a 16-year-old boy from Leeds and befriended the victims via Snapchat.

He convinced one of the girls to send him a nude photograph and after she refused to send more images threatened to send the photograph to all of her friends on Snapchat.

He sent the second victim the photograph of the first victim and also asked her to send nude photographs of herself.

Police traced the defendant’s IP address and Pierce was arrested at an address in Wakefield in 2021. He was a teacher at the time the offences were committed and at the point of his arrest.

Detective Sergeant Steven Sayles, of Wakefield District Child Vulnerable to Exploitation Team (CVET), said: “This man, who occupied a position of trust, has targeted young girls and used threatening behaviour to try and exploit them into sending indecent images.

“The nature of his crimes was particularly concerning given his role at the time.

We have worked with local authority colleagues throughout this investigation to ensure that measures have been put in place to restrict his contact with children.

Following his conviction Pierce, of Blackstone Drive, Shireoaks, Worksop, is now the subject of a life-long sexual harm prevention order.

“These were horrible offences committed against vulnerable young girls. I hope the conclusion of this court case brings some closure on an upsetting and scary time for them.”

If someone is threatening to share sexual pictures, videos or information about you, there is help available.

To find out more visit Sextortion | West Yorkshire Police