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A former teacher has been jailed for more than seven years after admitting to sexually abusing three underage girls in his care.

Simon Clague had previously pleaded guilty to a number of charges against three girls, all under 16 years old when they were groomed and sexually abused by the teacher at Repton School.

The victims of Simon Clague spoke of how they were manipulated by the former teacher and the irreversible damage they suffered at his hands.

Clague's barrister said his marriage broke down when his crimes became apparent and he is financially ruined.

The 55-year-old's offences took place at the 11,000-per-term establishment, where he taught maths and hockey, in the 1990s.

His victims have not been named due to the nature of the case, but one was just 13 years old when Clague started his abuse.

His second victim, who was manipulated into a sexual relationship, said via her victim impact statement that Repton School "knew (but) brushed it under the carpet".

His third victim said that she was used by Clague for "his own perverted reasons".

Judge Shaun Smith QC, who presided over the case at Derby Crown Court, has jailed Clague for seven years and 11 months, reports DerbyshireLive.

In passing sentence, Judge Smith QC said: "What you did for your own personal pleasure affected the emotional lives and well-being of the victims.

"You used and abused your position as a teacher for sexual gratification."

Mr Bide-Thomas prosecuting said that these offences all relate to sexual misconduct while Clague was a Master at Repton School and took place in the 1990s when he had sexual relations with three female pupils.

He said they were all under the age of 16 when these relationships began.

Mr Bide-Thomas said the first victim was aged 13 when she was first abused.

He said Clague "took advantage of her" befriending her and inviting the victim to his house.

He said: "Very quickly the defendant displayed a sexual interest in her. They went to his bedroom where they touched each other sexually.

"The defendant used grooming behaviour giving her gifts and writing her letters.

"He used any excuse to get her into his bedroom. On her 14th birthday he sent her a letter telling her how sexy she was."

Mr Bide-Thomas said when the first victim went on a hockey trip he sent her away with a tape and an item which had his aftershave on it.

He said when Clague was confronted about the letters he denied he had sent them, but handwriting experts linked him to them including his DNA on a stamp.

Mr Bide-Thomas read out a victim impact statement by the first victim.

In it she said: "This was innocence of my childhood he stole from me and it is important Mr Clague realises the effects can cause a lifetime.

"It was hard knowing there was a revolving door and it hurt to see him with the next young thing.

"This was no secret to anyone at the school who laughed at the absurdity it was happening."

"I feel sick to the core what happened to me. Mr Clague had the opportunity to change his plea three to four times and still pleaded not guilty.

"The damage he has done to me is irreversible and will last the rest of my life."

Mr Bide-Thomas said the second victim was 14 when she met Clague who began "flirtatious behaviour" with her before they began a sexual relationship together.

He said: "He asked her if she was a virgin."

In her victim impact statement the second victim said: "I started Repton School as a naive young girl, it was my dream to go to the same school as my childhood hero Roald Dahl.

"He used textbook grooming on me for two years.

"He encouraged me to miss a day off school and spend the day in bed with him. It was all brushed under the carpet by the school."

The victim said she went to the police four years ago and since then she has felt "isolated and unable to talk about it".

The second victim's statement continues: "I want him to know how sick to the stomach I feel when I look at my 15-year-old daughter knowing what he said to me at that age."

Mr Bide-Thomas said the third victim began a relationship with Clague in 1994 on a hockey tour abroad.

She said they started a relationship and she would go to his house.

In her victim impact statement, she said: "Instead of helping me with my studies you used me for your own perverted reasons.

"You were very calculated in your approaches and manipulated me. The shame lies with you."

Phil Gibbs, Clague's defence barrister, said his client has no previous convictions.

He said: "This behaviour was totally unacceptable, there are no excuses and I am not going to advance any.

"This man is going to prison, he accepts that and he deserves that.

"His marriage is lost, he's financially ruined, his reputation, whatever that was, is gone."

All three victims were in the public gallery.

Judge Smith said: "Can I address the victims first? The sentence I am going to pass can't give you your lives back, but I hope they bring some closure."

He will serve two-thirds of his sentence behind bars and then will be released on licence. He will be on the sex offender register for life.

He will also be barred from working with children.

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Malcolm Crane was also found to have moved address without telling police.

A convicted paedophile was caught with two mobile phones despite being banned from owning the devices.

Malcolm Crane had been convicted at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court in May 2019 for offences of attempting to incite a child under the age of 13 to engage in a sexual act and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

As part of his sentence he received a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years and was advised of notification requirements which included telling police of any change in address.

He had last registered his details on January 4, 2021, and had been due to return to do the same a year later but he didn't do so despite a reminder.

Police attended his home and there was no answer at the door and no subsequent contact. On January 13, 2022, police attended his partner's address in Port Tennant and found the 50-year-old there. They arrested him and also found him to have two phones in his possession with access to the internet, which was another breach of the order.

Upon police interview he claimed to have been unaware of the annual notification requirement despite having done so in the past. He said he believed the order came to an end at the end of his probation period.

Crane, of Dyffryn y Coed, Church Village, Pontypridd, appeared at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing having admitted breaching the conditions of a sexual harm prevention order and two counts of failing to comply with notification requirements.

Mark Davies, mitigating, said: "He understands he chose not to report and chose to purchase the mobile phone. There is mitigation that thankfully the phone was not used to commit offences."

Judge Paul Thomas sentenced Crane to 20 weeks in prison.

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A SEX attack victim felt she would be better of dead to escape the pain caused by a paedophile who assaulted her as a child.

Michael McKenzie, of The Grove, Southend was jailed for more than two years for indecently assaulting a girl under 16, at Basildon Crown Court yesterday.

The 63-year-old was found guilty on October 29, following a trial at Basildon Crown Court.

A victim impact statement was read out in court prior to McKenzie being jailed for two years and eight months.

The statement said: I felt trapped in a box in my head and at times felt I would be better dead to get peace.

I was made to believe I was to blame for this and Ive had little confidence. I question every decision and even suffered three miscarriages and feel these are due to the trauma I kept inside.

For a long time I hated being alone. I believed I didnt deserve anything and deserved what happened to me.

McKenzie was found not guilty of rape during the trial.

Mitigating, Marc Brown, told the hearing his clients health has deteriorated since he was sent to prison for his own safety after a suicide attempt.

He said: He was a man of good character but this was inappropriate and unlawful activity.

There is a very low risk of him re-offending and nothing to suggest he would contact the victim.

He was on bail during the trial but later in custody for his own protection due to suicidal attempts.

Sentencing McKenzie, Judge Shane Collery, said: While she consented, she was immature and didnt realise it was wrong until later.

It was reported in 2019 and later in life the emotional affect hit her. It caused her considerable affects for years including worry, feeling worthless and better dead.

There was an element of manipulative behaviour.

Theres been no other offending like this and his health is poor.

He slammed McKenzie for making the victim and her family relive the pain through the trial.

He was jailed for two years and eight months.

Victim is praised for courage

A SEX abuse victim has been praised by police for showing the courage to report her attacker to police.

Michael McKenzie was jailed yesterday for assaulting a child.

Following the sentencing, DS Shirley Close, from the Quest team, said: The victim in this case has shown a huge amount of courage in reporting Michael McKenzie had done.

What she has experienced has had a significant impact on her as she has grown older and become an adult.

She has deserved justice.

The Quest team is a specialist unit set up in 2019 which investigates allegations of child abuse.

DS Cole said: Now were able to give the victims the service they deserve and the investigations the time they require. People think its word against word and well never be able to find proof, but we know what the CPS want in terms of getting these cases charged.

Theres lots we can do.

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A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison with an additional four years extended licence following a number of fraud and sexual offences.

Jack Lister, of Landseer Drive in Downham Market appeared in Norwich Crown Court yesterday (March 3) after pleading guilty to fraud, making and possessing indecent images and blackmail, after he was found guilty by a jury of rape and sexual assault back in January.

The charges relate to a number of incidents between March 2020 and November 2020 when Lister created fake accounts on a number of online dating apps. During this period Lister contacted six different women, some of whom agreed to meet with him.

Lister would encourage the women to send him money on a number of separate occasions, making up scenarios as to why he needed it.

He would strike up a personal relationship with the women and get them to send intimate images or videos of them to him. He would then use these to threaten the victims into sending him money.

Officers received a report on 18 December 2020, claiming that Lister had raped a 20-year-old woman in Thetford Forest, after meeting her on an online dating app.

Following an extensive police investigation, officers traced a further victim aged 19, who disclosed that she too had been raped by Lister in an area of Thetford Forest in August 2020.

As part of the police investigation Listers mobile phone was searched and a number of indecent images and extreme pornography was discovered.

Lister was arrested on 4 August 2021 and was later charged with rape, fraud, sexual assault, making indecent images of children and possession of extreme pornography.

Yesterday (Thursday 3 March 2022) Lister was sentenced to a total of 16 years in prison with an additional four years on extended licence.

Investigating officer DC James Smith said: Listers actions will have a lasting impact on the victims, who have shown tremendous bravery in coming forward and giving evidence in court.

I would like to thank them for their courage and strength in supporting this prosecution and I hope todays sentence will offer some closure to all of those effected by his actions.

DI Richard Weller added: I hope this case demonstrates that Norfolk Police will do whatever we can to bring offenders who victimise women in this way to justice. I wish to pay tribute to the team of detectives who did an outstanding job in successfully building this case for the victims.

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A married man who raped a sleeping young woman has been jailed for five-and-a-half years over the predatory and opportunistic attack.

Kenneth Laird, 45, struck at a flat in Aberdeen city centre on October 26 2019.

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A sex offender from Peterborough who deleted his internet search history more than 300 times has been jailed.

Anthony Bridgestock, 36, was banned from using a device connected to the internet, unless it had the capability to display search history, as part of his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

He was also required to surrender his phone and devices to officers when asked.

On 16 October, officers visited Bridgestocks home, checked his iPhone and noticed some gaps in the search history. They seized it and forensic examination found there had been more than 300 history deletions.

Bridgestock, of Crowland Road, Eye, Peterborough, pleaded guilty to breach of a SHPO and breach of a suspended sentence. He was sentenced to one year and four months in prison at Cambridge Crown Court yesterday (3 March).

PC Zoe Rogers, who investigated, said: We work tirelessly to keep track of offenders and keep our communities safe.

Bridgestock proved he couldnt stick to his sexual harm prevention order requirements and Im glad justice has been done today.

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A FORMER teacher has been jailed for more than two years after being convicted of a series of child sex offences, including sexual activity with a child.

Bobby Rudd, of Pentland Avenue, Thorpe Bay, was convicted of a string of charges at Basildon Crown Court.

The 36-year-old was jailed for two years and four months after being charged with engaging in sexual communications with a child and causing a child to watch a sexual act.

Rudd was also charged with five counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

He had worked at Shoebury High School and King Edmund School in Rochford, with both schools reassuring parents they do all they can to keep children safe.

Rudd was a music teacher at Shoebury High School and worked as the head of music at the King Edmund School.

Clare Costello, headteacher at Shoebury High School, said: Although this person is no longer a member of staff, I understand there will be concern among former and current students, parents and the wider school community.

As soon as Essex Police contacted us, all correct processes and procedures were immediately followed for the safety of all concerned.

The safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff remains our highest priority and we continue to support staff and anyone in our school community who has been affected by this news.

A spokesperson for the King Edmund School, Rochford, urged any parents with concerns following the court case to contact the headteacher directly.

They said: The school is aware of an ongoing court case involving Bobby Rudd, a former member of staff.

Nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of our students and we strictly follow all safeguarding policies and procedures as set out in statutory guidance, and by the local authority.

The headteacher, Mr Jonathan Osborn, can be contacted directly with regard to this matter.

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David Wrennall took advantage of the young girl when she had passed out

A pervert has been jailed for feeling up a paralytic 16-year-old and pleasuring himself over her.

David Wrennall, 44, targeted the girl after she had passed out at a gathering.

Wrennall, previously of Goonhavern but who has since moved to Lancashire, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence having pleaded guilty to three sexual assaults.

Prosecuting the case, Heather Hope said that Wrennall had supplied young people with alcohol at the gathering.

Miss Hope described how the victim in the case had never really drank and that following a can of cider and potentially some rum, she remembers very little.

She became unwell and vomited and was put in the back of a car by Wrennall.

People at the gathering were alarmed by how Wrennall put her into the car.

Wrennall left her for a time before returning and touching her on the breast. He again left her before coming back and touching her pubic area over her underwear.

Wrennall moved away and returned a final time and began pleasuring himself to the point when he ejaculated over the victims face and hair.

Miss Hope said: She was aware to some extent and tried to push him away but was in no fit state to put up any sort of resistance.

She had a further panic attack and the defendant put his hand over her mouth which increased her panic and fear and led to her passing out.

Miss Hope added that the victim was eventually taken home and police were called.

Wrennall made full admissions in interview and the effect on the victim is said to be life-changing and utterly devastating.

Representing Wrennall, Rupert Taylor said that he made full admissions from the off and wishes to make an abject apology. The court also heard how his wife left him as a result of the incident and he now lives alone in the north of England.

Sentencing, Judge Simon Carr said Wrennall would have been aware of just how ill the victim was but chose to make the inexcusable decision to put her in the car as he didnt want his wife to find out hed been supplying alcohol to young people.

He said: The victim has limited memory and was whats probably best described as in and out of consciousness. This would have been obvious.

Judge Carr went onto state the breaks between each offence were for Wrennall to check he wasnt being watched and that after each period of time to reflect, he continued to behave in such a way to fulfil his own sexual gratification.

Judge Carr said Wrennall took advantage of someone who was extremely vulnerable.

Wrennall was jailed for two years and must sign the sex offenders register.

Certain aspects of the case have been left out of this report to protect the victim's anonymity.

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A sex offender who preyed on teenage girls has been remanded in custody.

A sex offender who preyed on teenage girls has been remanded in custody.

John Masterman, 39, of Leaside, Mossbank, admitted intentionally or recklessly touching a girl in Lerwick, when he carried out offences between 1st August and 31st August 2018.

His offending continued with another girl during 2021 when he sexually assaulted her at an address in the town between January and June.

He touched her sexually, kissing her on the lips and hugging her, placing his hands on her.

On 22nd June he pulled her on to his lap and pulled up her clothing before kissing her.

Lerwick Sheriff Court heard his second victim had been particularly vulnerable, having recently suffered a bereavement.

Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said police were called after the second victims mother became suspicious about Mastermans behaviour.

Masterman was taken to the police station to be interviewed.

Questioned by officers, he denied allegations that were put to him, insisting any physical contact was simply to console his victim.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Masterman had secured alternative employment as a labourer since the offending took place.

His employment, he said, followed a period when he was not working.

Mr Allan said Masterman was complying with a community payback order.

As far as Im aware hes not breached any of the bail conditions, and he has been on bail since last year for the matters which he is in court today.

But Sheriff Cruickshank was not convinced.

He called for a social work report and restriction of liberty assessment to be compiled.

The sheriff told Masterman: Given the nature of the offences I have to indicate that you are subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act.

I have formed the view that it is appropriate, at this juncture, to revoke bail, and you will be remanded in custody.

Masterman will appear for sentence on 30th March.

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Sheffield Crown Court heard on March 3 how Jake Proverbs, aged 21, of Wainwright Crescent, near Richmond, Sheffield, claimed he had consensual sex with the girl in a park and that he had believed she was aged 17.

Nicola Quinney, prosecuting, said the offence came to light after the youngster, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had made a separate complaint against another person of a sexual offence but a forensically-analysed swab produced a DNA match to Proverbs.

Ms Quinney said Proverbs told police the sexual contact had been consensual after he had met the youngster in a park and he had believed she was 17 years old but the court heard consent concerning such offences against youngsters is not an issue.

Recorder Andrew Smith MBE told Proverbs: She appeared to you to be tipsy, not drunk. You had smoked cannabis yourself and you had sex with her.

He added: Whatever your difficulties - and you do have difficulties - you are culpable and blameworthy. You should have known she was a 12-year-old girl.

Proverbs, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to rape of a child aged under 13 after the incident on May 19, 2019.

He also admitted dangerous driving from April 1, 2021, after he sparked a police pursuit while riding a motorcycle in the Manor area of Sheffield.

Ms Quinney said officers in a police helicopter had become concerned about Proverbs driving and alerted colleagues on the ground.

Proverbs drove the wrong way down a one-way system into traffic, drove down City Road at speed, and drove on a footpath in a park before discarding the bike in a garden.

Recorder Smith told Proverbs: It involved a police pursuit and you knew you should have stopped and you immediately admitted to police how stupid you had been.

Rukshanda Japeen Hussain, defending, said regarding the rape the issue of consent does not come into play because the youngster was 12-years-old and she added that he thought she was 17-years-old.

Ms Hussain said at the time of this offence Proverbs was an immature 18-year-old with mental health issues.

She added Proverbs does not appear to be predatory and he had been in an isolated sexual incident where he genuinely believed the youngster was 17 years old and no evidence other than the forensic match was provided.

The court heard Proverbs also suffers with post-traumatic stress disorder after he had been stabbed in an unrelated incident.

Proverbs was also found to be in breach of a suspended prison sentence which had previously been imposed for possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

Recorder Smith acknowledged there had been an unacceptable delay in bring the rape matter due to problems with the forensic analysis.

He sentenced Proverbs to five years of imprisonment including four years of custody with a one-year custodial extension on licence due to the nature of the offending.

The defendant was placed indefinitely on the Sex Offenders Register and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same period.

Proverbs was also banned from driving for 30 months.

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A PAEDOPHILE drama teacher sent sexually explicit messages to a 14-year-old pupil he met during rehearsals for a school play.

Jason Ryan, from Grappenhall, was handed a 10-year notification requirement at Warrington Magistrates Court on Tuesday, March 1, following his conviction in the Republic of Ireland last year.

The dad was spared prison in December after admitting sexual exploitation of a child.

Sligo Circuit Court heard that his offending occurred over the period of a month during 2014, during which he bombarded the girl with dozens of Facebook messages many of which were of a sexual nature.

Ryan, of Kildonan Road, used the pseudonym John Marks and first contacted his victim a month after the musical was staged.

On one day alone he sent her 40 messages, including one with pictures from her account alongside the caption mmmm.

The now 43-year-old who ran his own production company sent her a photograph of herself in a bikini beside a pool during a family holiday, leaving her feel uncomfortable.

On the advice of friends, she reported Ryans behaviour to a teacher and the schools principal subsequently contacted police.

His then home in Kilkenny was then raided by officers in July 2014 when his wife and three children were present.

The defendant was arrested at the scene with a laptop, mobile phone and tablet seized by the Garda and a lengthy investigation followed.

Ryan, who ran his own production company, was also found to have complimented the girl on her eyes, smile and body stating in one message: You look so hot and your body is so mmm.

He claimed to have been aroused by a picture of her, about which he said: You have to admit you look hot in that pic.

She was also asked if she had a boyfriend and whether she was sexually active, but after reminding him that she was 14 the teacher replied he knew some girls who start at 12.

The complainant then told him to leave her alone, to which he responded that he thought the conversation might turn you on a little.

Ryan then apologised and admitted that he was attracted to her before agreeing to cease his messaging.

Under interview, he confessed to using the Facebook account and claimed that he thought the girl was aged 15 or 16.

A statement read out to the court on her behalf described how she was left anxious and frightened for years afterwards and became less interested in music and drama as a result.

Ryan, whose partner died in November 2020, was described by his defence counsel as a good person who did a very stupid thing.

He was working at an NHS vaccination centre as of late last year.

Judge Francis Comerford imposed a 23-month imprisonment suspended for 23 months.

Ryan who has one previous conviction for a minor motoring offence was this week ordered to sign the offenders register at Warrington Police Station within three days by magistrates panel chairman Lynn Colter-Howard.

Representing himself in court, he replied by saying: I fully understand, thank you very much.

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A paedophile lorry driver has had his time behind bars increased by eight years after a second victim came forward.

Nicholas Dalby, 50, formerly of the Selby area and more recently of Thirsk, was already serving a prison sentence for abusing one child several years ago.

He was prosecuted for the second time after a woman contacted police in 2020 and revealed what Dalby had done to her more than 15 years ago.

He had raped and indecently assaulted in different places including in his lorry.

In her victim personal statement to the court, the woman who came forward recently told Dalby: "You shaped me as a child and teenager, but you will not shape me as an adult.

"This is where my strength has come from: I will not allow you to harm another child and by me speaking up and telling the truth, this is the only way to protect other girls from harm.

After the hearing, Detective Sergeant Sarah Jobe, of Northallerton CID, said: The victim in this case showed immense courage in coming forward, having had to endure these dreadful crimes at a young age. Dalby denied the offences throughout the investigation putting her through further trauma but her strength has ensured justice has now been done.

I hope this conviction shows other victims that it is never too late to seek support for what has happened. By speaking to the police, or other organisations, you can access help and advice for yourself, and allow us to protect other people like you.

Dalby denied abusing the woman when police arrested him and denied all charges when he first appeared before York Crown Court.

But on the day he was due to stand trial at the same court, he changed his plea and admitted three charges of rape, four of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child.

He was jailed for eight years to be served consecutively to his current sentence, with an extra year's prison licence when he is finally released.

He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offenders' register for life.

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A judge said it was one of the most serious cases he has dealt with

A lonely 24-year-old pervert downloaded thousands of indecent images and videos of girls as young as six - many of which featured children being raped.

Police raided the home of Joseph Tinkler on three separate occasions, each time finding dozens and then thousands of vile images and videos of children being sexually assaulted or raped by adults.

In court, prosecutor Jamie Scott had to go into grave detail about examples of images Tinkler had been downloading which led the judge in the case to say: "I sadly deal with these cases every week but I don't often come by a really serious case as this.

"This is some of the most grotesque abuse of children, some of who have been violently raped."

Tinkler appeared at Stafford Crown Court from HMP Dovegate in Marchington on Thursday, February 24, and pleaded guilty to 11 charges of downloading indecent images of children - totalling thousands, and possession of images of the sexual abuse of an animal.

Tinkler, of Wolverhampton Road, Wedges Mills, Cannock, had ignored police warnings on the first and second occasions he was caught. Each time he was bailed by the courts, the hearing was told.

Police searched his home on September 15, 2020, and seized an iPhone, a computer tower and an iPad.

On the phone and iPad, Mr Scott said police found 234 Category A images which are the most serious kind; 307 Category B and 556 Category C.

He said: "The child victims were between six and 14 years old, and girls aged between 7 and 10 being raped.

He said in the computer tower, police found 507 videos and 364 images which were Category A; 228 videos and 327 images of Category B; and 157 videos and 2,135 images of Category C. They also found 67 videos of the sexual abuse of animals and nine images.

Mr Scott continued: "After his first arrest he issued no comment during interview and was bailed.

"Following further intelligence, a police warrant was executed on April 28, 2021. On a mobile 25 computer generated images of children were found, aged between 10 and 12 years being raped."

The court heard that the final warrant was executed on November 4, 2021 and yet more images and videos were found.

Police also found phone messages between Tinkler and a paedophile about the violent rape of children.

His defence solicitor Stephen Rudge told the court: "He is well aware of the seriousness of the case after, since his arrest, pushing the boundaries further and further.

"He is a young man who is still immature and despite his education and employment, he found sexual solace in these images on the internet and foolishly not taking the police warning and continuing to satisfy his sexual desire.

"I hope he will take on board the help offered to him in prison. He is willing to apply himself because he recognises it is an an addiction and a sickness.

"He has been frank with the author of the pre-sentence report. He is a lonely young man without a girlfriend.

"Sadly he moved on from adult porn. He is someone who can change, who is willing to change and given the right guidance in prison will change."

Tinkler was jailed for four-and-a-half years and will be made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely which prevents him from accessing internet enabled devices, and will register as a sex offender.

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A MAN with a relatively low IQ failed to appreciate the seriousness of kissing an underage girl and sending her suggestive messages, a court was told.

Questioned by police, after the girls mother raised concerns at his actions, having seen her daughters phone, Robert Joseph Lee claimed the kissing, even on the lips, was, not sexual.

Durham Crown Court heard he admitted the follow-up messages, among which he told her he was looking forward to kisses and cuddles and he wished she could fill the empty space in his bed, may have seemed inappropriate, but again stated that there was no sexual intent.

Lee told police it was, a silly little thing between him and the girl but claimed he would not have taken it any further, knowing her age.

The 42-year-old defendant denied two counts of sexual assault and one of engaging in sexual communication with a child, but on the day his trial began changed pleas to guilty, at the court last October.

Richard Herrmann, prosecuting, said by then the girl had given a pre-recorded interview, and her mother was at court expecting to have to give evidence

In an impact statement read to the court, the girls mother stated she felt, disappointment, anger and sickness, at his exploitative activity, which she said had left her daughter, anxious and scared.

She also stated that she was angry it went all the way to trial before Lee made his admissions, causing a great deal of distress.

Following Lees late admissions, at trial, sentence was adjourned by Judge James Adkin for preparation of psychiatric and Probation Service reports on the defendant.

Chris Knox, in mitigation, told the sentencing hearing what was clear from the reports was that the defendant, was functioning at a very low level.

There was an apparent lack of appreciation how serious this was, and an apparent lack of him taking it seriously.

We werent getting an entirely sensible response.

Mr Knox said, the penny only really dropped with his client when the case came to trial.

He added that the defendant, who has no previous convictions, had a good work record and, presents as affable.

Mr Knox urged Judge Adkin to pass a suspended sentence, adding: Hes classically someone the Probation Service ought to work with.

But Judge Adkin said: Its a dreadful case.

Mr Knox agreed, but said: Its not clear what the defendants intention was.

Judge Adkin replied: Thats only because the mother found the text messages.

Imposing a 19-month prison sentence, he told Lee, of Thorntree Court, Forest Hall, Newcastle, the The clear inference was that you groomed her with a view to a sexual relationship.

He added: I consider this to be sinister and very worrying offending.

Lee was also made subject of a Sexual Harm prevention Order, registration as a sex offender and a restraining order, relating to the girl, all for ten years.

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A Snapchat groomer has been jailed for befriending girls online and then bombarding them with threatening messages to send him naked pictures.

Paedophile Christopher Ware, 32, set up multiple accounts on social media, lied about his age, his name and sometimes pretended to be a girl in order to gain the trust of seven victims aged between nine and 15.

He would initially be friendly to the girls before demanding they send pictures of themselves.

When they refused he resorted to blackmail, telling some of the children he knew which school they went to and where they lived. He also said he would shame them by posting pictures and details online.

The supermarket worker was tracked down after one victim and the mum of another found clues to help track him down.

A judge at Exeter Crown Court praised the efforts of parents and children who informed police and brought Ware to justice.

Judge Timothy Rose told Ware: "You wrought a campaign of intrusion and influence in children's lives. You bombarded them with sexualised comments, requests and demands and threats of blackmail."

Ware, of St Peter's Street Tiverton, was jailed for four years and nine months. The defendant, who has previous links to Dunster in Somerset, pleaded guilty to 15 offences of engaging in sexual communication with children under 16; attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

He appeared via video link from custody and held his head in his hands while listening to the sentencing hearing.

Ms Heather Hope, prosecuting said the first set of offences happened between January and July, 2018.

Ware contacted a 15-year-old girl on Snapchat using the false name of Ashley Page. The girl did not recognise the name but thought it might be somebody she knew so accepted his request.

"He sent her messages demanding she should send him nude pictures," said Ms Hope.

The girl blocked him but Ware managed to contact her again and continued to pester her using different names. He lied about his age, saying he was 23, then 18 and finally 15.

He continued to bombard her with messages, even when she was at school, asking if she wore a thong and sending her naked images of women.

The girl became so scared of his threats that she eventually sent naked pictures of herself.

Ware continued to message other girls, using the same threats and making the same kinds of demands.

He used a false name to pester a 13-year-old on Snapchat, saying he was aged 14. When she blocked him he would message through other accounts, asking if she was bisexual.

The girl turned detective using clues he left on the messages and Ware was tracked down, arrested and taken into custody at Bridgwater.

When police checked his computer they found he had been using it to search for indecent videos of teenage girls.

They also discovered he had been messaging other girls, again using false identities.

They included a 14-year-old who Ware inundated with requests for naked photos. He sent her a picture of himself on the toilet with trousers down and penis exposed.

When the girl blocked him he pretended to be a schoolgirl. The victim realised it was the same person due to distinctive orange-coloured walls in the messages sent to her. When she blocked him Ware again resorted to threats saying he knew where she lived.

She told her mum and police were called in for a second time. 

Ware was bailed but carried on offending.

In August 2020 he pretended to be a 16-year-old boy and messaged a 14-year-old on Snapchat.

He asked for naked pictures and even offered to pay money for them, sending a picture of his bank card with a name on.

"He then threatened her that if she didn't send nude images of herself he would 'shout her out for nudes' meaning he would make it known to others on Snapchat she had sent images of herself.

Some of the victims said Ware had sent images of his penis. One described it as 'proper small'.

When the mother of one 15-year-old schoolgirl found out what he was demanding she took control of the phone and pretended to be the daughter to get information about who he was.

She then took the information to police.

Ware's youngest victim was aged just nine when he started asking her about her bra size and saying 'show me pants'.

He continued to frighten and put pressure on the girl even when she refused.

He was arrested again on November 16, 2021. Police had to force entry after Ware barricaded himself in his bedroom.

The court was read victim impacts statements from some of the girls and parents.

One 'angry and confused' parent said he daughter had retreated into her bedroom and now suffered severe anxiety.

A father said his daughter had also become distrustful of people, especially men.

Other victims said they too suffered from anxiety and depression as a result of Ware's behaviour. 

"I did not want to send images to him but was so scared he knew where I lived and would hurt us I felt so out of control and felt I could not tell anybody," said one.

She said she was thankful her family had taken her phone and stopped her ordeal.

Another said she did not know who was messaging her but it turned out to be a 'nasty person with horrible intentions'. She had attempted suicide as a result of what he had done and suffered terrifying nightmares.

Mr Will Rose, defending, said Ware was a man of previous good character. The defendant denied having a sexual interest in children.

He said Ware deserved credit for pleading guilty and saving the girls from giving evidence at a trial. He was very sorry for what he had done.

He said Ware came from a broken home and his relationship with his father 'soured' after he discovered he was sleeping with his partner.

He 'hit rock bottom' and self-medicated by drinking alcohol, said Mr Rose. It was then he became 'entangled in a cycle of offending'.

Judge Rose said: "The worst part of this, apart from the terrible harm you've done, is the fact you were arrested and interviewed and kept on doing it and kept on going back to the type of comprehensive and damaging behaviour."

He said Ware had caused 'persistent and terrible harm' to girls he knew the ages of.

"On a number of occasions you resorted to the use of threats amounting to a form of blackmail in order to get what you wanted in terms of sexual images and sexualised responses."

Judge Rose said the sentencing guidelines restricted the length of sentence he could impose for the crimes. The sexual communication offences carry a maximum of two years and Ware was entitled to a reduction of one third for his guilty pleas.

"I commend all the children involved and the parents for the way brought matters to the attention of police.

"It takes a certain kind of fortitude and resolution to do that and the court expresses gratitude to all the families and individuals who came forward."