Latest Offenders

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A SEX offender told police he was trying to help a 12-year-old boy after he was caught in an undercover sting sending sexually-charged messages to an officer posing as a child. Deano Lisney, 52, denied he gained any gratification from the sick messages he sent to a person he believed to be a young boy named James. From October 18 last year, Lisney was in fact sending sexually explicit messages to an undercover officer. Richard Burrington, prosecuting at Chelmsford Crown Court, said: The defendant was using Instagram and he followed the boy he thought was 12 years old, thats James. James then essentially followed him back and thats how the pair made contact with each other. In an opening message to Lisney, the officer indicated the fake boys age. The defendant replied immediately, said Mr Burrington. He said he was 51, he introduced himself in terms of where he lived namely the area of Clacton. Lisney said the boy didnt look 12 judging by his profile picture. The court heard the conversation unfolded over the course of around two weeks, starting innocuously. The defendant wheeled it round to matters of a sexual nature fairly swiftly, said Mr Burrington. Lisney was traced through his social media profile and arrested. In interview, he confirmed he had a conversation with James and said he recalled his age even adding he was a nice young lad. But he said he would never have taken it any further and said he was literally just chatting. Mr Burrington said: In terms of his motivation, he said there was no sexual gratification gained through this conversation he was not sexually aroused by the suggestions he was making of James and in his words the defendant said he thought he was just helping him. Lisney, of Fletchers Caravan Park, St Osyth, admitted one count of attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity. Steven Levy, mitigating, said his client has no previous convictions and had admitted the charge at the earliest opportunity. Describing the case as an unusual situation, Mr Levy said: Normally they are paedophile hunter groups who in effect post the profile and undertake to basically lie dormant until someone actually makes contact. This is actually a police operation in which the defendant has liked the Instagram post, that person has liked them back as I understand how Instagram works and in effect its then the police officer who starts the conversation and the conversation then develops into a sexual [one].

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A "dangerous sex offender" who raped and attempted to rape a woman has been jailed for 13 years and six months. Christopher Hide, 30, targeted the woman between April 2015 and April 2017. Lancashire Police said Hide, of Blackburn, had "committed several sickening attacks on his victim". He was jailed at the Sessions House in Preston where he was also given an extended licence period of four years as well as a restraining order. Detectives said Hide was arrested after the woman came forward and spoke to police in April 2020. He pleaded guilty shortly before his trial in February to two counts of rape and a further charge of attempted rape. 'Courage and strength' Det Con Alex Prendergast, of Lancashire Police, said: "Christopher Hide is a dangerous sex offender who committed several sickening attacks on his victim. "I must praise the victim for her strength in supporting our prosecution. "She showed great courage and strength in coming forward and reporting the crimes to police. "I hope this case will give other victims of sexual offending the confidence to come forward, knowing that we will listen to them and act on the information they provide."

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A man who used Snapchat to contact teenage girls and coerce them into sexual activity has been jailed. Belal Hussain first contacted a 15-year-old girl via the app in June last year, meeting up with her in his car in West Bromwich.

The 34-year-old saw the girl again, along with another 15-year-old girl, later that month and pressured both into sexual activity with him before giving them money.

The girls recalled their traumatic experiences, including feeling pressured and scared by Hussain, to specialist West Midlands Police officers.

They quickly checked Hussains Snapchat account to identify him, and arrested him last September. Police seized electronic devices as evidence in court after Hussain refused to co-operate during interviews.

He also refused to provide passwords for any of his phones or devices. Despite this, officers continued with the investigation and charged him.

Hussain, of Jesson Street, West Bromwich pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child at Wolverhampton Crown Court. He was jailed for three years and six months.

He was also given a sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offender register for life.

Investigating officer PC Adrian Jackson said: This horrific exploitation and grooming of two teenage girls has had a devastating effect, with one of the girls attempting to take her own life.

Im relieved that she pulled through and even had the strength to speak out against the man who assaulted her, but I know the lifelong impact his actions will have had.

"We supported the girls throughout the investigation and partner agencies, including The Horizons Unit of Sandwell Childrens Trust.

"It was down to their courage in coming forward that we were able to convict Hussain and we hope this will provide some sense of justice following their traumatic ordeals."

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A WREXHAM teenager has been handed a four-year detention after he groomed and harassed a young girl online. Alex Edwards, of Wynnstay Avenue, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday morning. The 19-year-old had been convicted of a number of offences at a previous hearing, including; causing or inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in a sexual act, disclosing sexual photographs, harassment, threats to kill and possessing indecent images of a child. Elen Owen, prosecuting, explained Edwards befriended the girl on social media and asked her to be his girlfriend. The girl, who lived a significant distance away in England and never met the defendant during the course of his offending, agreed and the defendant began sending gifts to her. The online relationship continued, but he became controlling - making her stay on the phone with him or on social media and demanding that she didn't go out. Then he started to have sex toys posted to the girl, one of which she used at his instruction while he watched via video. He took screenshots of the act and also had her send him indecent images of herself. Roughly five months after the relationship began, the girl ended it and blocked Edwards on social media. After that, he bombarded her and her family with threatening messages, including that he would burn her home down and kill her. He even sent the girl's father indecent images he had taken of her online, telling him: "Just to let you know, I am on my way to kill your daughter." But Edwards never travelled to the area where the victim lived. When his phone was examined, it was found to contain two indecent images of category A - the most serious - and 16 of category C. Philip Tully, defending, told the court: "He accepts the only appropriate sentence is immediate detention. "All of the offences arise out of one course of conduct over a period of time." Mr Tully emphasised that his client had pleaded guilty to the offence of inciting the girl to engage in a sex act on a basis. He told the court it amounted to Edwards assertion that "although there could not be consent, there was an agreement and both parties were willing to participate in the conduct." Mr Tully said the defendant presents with a low level of maturity and has since shown "genuine remorse" for his actions. "Mr Edwards has had a difficult childhood and upbringing," he added. "During that time he has had a number of traumatic experiences." Judge Niclas Parry told Edwards: "There are numerous offences. They exhibit worrying behaviour. "You have an obsession with social media and you've had numerous relationships with young females you've met online. "You made threats - serious threats - clearly intending to cause the maximum distress." Overall, the Judge handed down a period of four years detention in a young offenders institute for the defendant. Edwards was made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and must register as a sex offender indefinitely. The court imposed an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim.

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A 'predatory and dangerous' sex offender has been jailed after being found guilty of a string of serious sexual offences against three women.

John Todd was convicted of the attacks, including rape, which took place in Perth, Angus and Fife over a five year period.

The 34-year-old has now been sentenced to five years and 10 months behind bars after appearing at the High Court in Edinburgh today.

In a statement, Police Scotland officers praised the bravery of Todd's victims who came forward.

They added that they hoped the verdict would go some way to helping them move forward with their lives.

Detective Sergeant Lauren ONeil of Fife Divisions Rape Investigation Unit said: Todd is a predatory and dangerous man who has committed a variety of serious crimes against a number of different women over a protracted period of time.

It is thanks to the courage of the women who came forward that he has been now been found guilty of his crimes and the cruelty of his behaviour has been exposed.

I would like to commend the women for their bravery throughout this investigation and court proceedings.

"Hopefully the verdict today will help them moving forward.

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A 'prolific' sex offender who targeted children in Woking has been jailed. Police launched an investigation into Anthony Holloman Senior after allegations came to light in 2018.

During the course of their investigations into the allegations, police identified a number of victims over a 40 year period. Officers say Holloman targeted both boys and girls.

They were then 'manipulated' into not speaking about the abuse they were subjected to. But Holloman was finally arrested in August 2018.

Holloman, 80, of Grafton Gardens in Lymington, has now been found guilty of 17 counts of sexual offences against seven different children. He was jailed for 16 years at Guildford Crown Court.

Detective Constable Andrew Whittle, who investigated the case for Surrey Police, said: I would like to commend the incredible bravery of the victims who came forward and showed formidable resilience throughout the investigation and court process. This was a complex investigation which relied on the testimony of the victims and the determination of the Child Abuse Team to hold Holloman to account for his actions.

Holloman is a dangerous and prolific sex offender who targeted children over a considerable period of time. He showed breath-taking arrogance throughout his offending and subsequent trial, and it is a relief that he will be behind bars for a long time to come. I hope that this case shows that it is never too late to report sexual abuse and that we will do everything we can to investigate reports, support victims and pursue perpetrators.

If you are thinking of reporting sexual abuse, please be reassured that your report will be taken incredibly seriously, and that we have specialist support in place to help you.

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A NORTH Cumbria man who raped three women one as she slept has been jailed for 15 years and deemed a 'dangerous offender'. Details of 23-year-old James Routledges crimes, and the profound impact and psychological harm on his victims, were outlined at Carlisle Crown Court today (Friday). One woman raped by Routledge talked about focusing on a mark on the ceiling as he carried out his offending. She later recalled him giving her a hug and kiss afterwards, saying he was sorry, said prosecutor Tim Evans. The woman also told of her guilt at not initially reporting what had happened. I just pushed it to one side, to a place where I could forget about it, she had said. The woman later told of reliving the ordeal being like a 'mini-flashback'. It is so clear, she stated, it feels like it is happening all over again. A second woman had twice tried to repel Routledges unwanted sexual advances before she was raped. This time she shouted and screamed at him, and told him what he had done was raping her, said Mr Evans. She was crying. That woman later spoke of feeling unable to trust anyone. It wasnt my fault, she said. But try telling me that on a bad day. A third woman woke to find she had been raped by Routledge. She later made recordings of conversations with Routledge which involved admissions being made by him. He carried out this crime having been released under investigation by police who had interviewed him about offending against one of the other two women. Mr Evans told the court drink and drugs had featured in Routledges conduct. Routledge admitted raping the three women. It was accepted the rapes were carried out 'without violence'. In mitigation, defence barrister Judith McCullough suggested 'immaturity', to some extent, had fed into his offending. There is the possibility that the term of imprisonment will be a lesson learned for this defendant as he grows up and moves further into adulthood, she said. Routledge, of Wellgate, Scotby, was given a 15-year prison sentence by Judge Richard Archer, who said: To rape one woman is serious indeed. But to rape three women is serious in the extreme. Judge Archer imposed an extended three-year licence period, concluding Routledge was a dangerous offender who posed a significant risk of committing further rape crimes. Routledge must serve two-thirds of the 15-year prison term before being consider for release by a parole board, and sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.

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A magician faces many years behind bars after being convicted of raping and sexually abusing a young girl when he was a teenager. Jacob Blow, 31, is in poor health and currently undergoing dialysis treatment but was convicted by a jury of a total of four charges after a trial that lasted weeks.

Blow, from Threemilestone near Truro, has been on trial at Truro Crown Court charged with four counts of rape, attempted rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault. Cornwall Live reported last week how following a lengthy period of jury deliberation he was found guilty of two rapes and sexual assault. Blow was found not guilty of two further rapes.

Due to legal strikes and Blows dialysis treatment, the jury had to wait a week to reconvene and continue deliberations on the two outstanding counts, before this afternoon (Thursday June 30), convicting the defendant of the remaining charges of assault by penetration and attempted rape.

Blow, who was in some discomfort at the verdicts were read out, had his sentencing set for a date in August. Debating whether or not to bail Blow until then or immediately remand him into custody, Judge Anna Richardson said that although Blow has known since the first guilty verdicts a week ago that he faces jail, he still turned up as instructed today. She added that there are no grounds to believe he wont turn up for sentencing or that he will offend again given how long it is since his offending and that it relates to a single victim.

The first rape involved Blow kissing the complainant, pulling down her under garments, touching her sexually and then raping her.

Prosecutor Bathsheba Cassel said: She went on to tell the police the rapes were frequent and she would be raped once or twice a week.

The jury was told that the complainant first contacted police more than a decade ago, but the victim found herself unable to pursue the allegation and broke down on the way to the police station.

Blow was said to have initially tried to deny any wrongdoing before breaking down and admitting to his dad and police what he had done. However, he then denied the allegations saying he lied when initially speaking to the police because he thought if he agreed with what was being claimed that would be it and he could carry on doing magic.

Ms Cassel said: The impact on the complainant has been great. In 2019, she felt able to find strength and re-engage with the police and complete a video interview.

Ms Cassel said the attempted rape related to the defendant unsuccessfully trying to have anal sex with the girl.

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A man has been jailed for nine months and handed a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) after pressing his groin against a woman on a London Underground train.

Zane Donovan, 25, and of White Gardens, Dagenham, was sentenced to 41 weeks in prison and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years at Inner London Crown Court on Wednesday 22 June after pleading guilty to sexual assault.

He was also given a 5-year sexual harm prevention order, prohibiting him from attempting to speak to any female in a public place who is not known to him including on public transport.

At 6.30pm on Friday 25 March the victim, a pregnant woman, boarded a Victoria Line service at Green Park station and immediately felt a man pressing his groin against her from behind for around 20 seconds.

When she challenged him, he responded with How do you want me to stand, I got no space and left the train at Victoria station. Following CCTV enquiries, Donovan was arrested several days later.

British Transport Police (BTP) Detective Constable Brittany Armstrong said: This incident was particularly alarming and distressing for the victim, and Im pleased to see Donovan behind bars for such inappropriate behaviour.

Some people may not consider pressing a sexual offence, or serious enough to report especially in a crowded environment, however in the eyes of the law this is sexual assault and offenders will be caught and punished accordingly.

If you experience or witness this behaviour on the network, we urge you to alert an officer or report it by texting us on 61016. We will always take you seriously.

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A sex offender was told he had "no realistic prospects of rehabilitation" after being caught accessing indecent images of children online for a second time. Ryan Hall, of Hill Close in Penycae, was jailed after "reverting to his old ways".

Prosecuting, Alexandra Carrier, told Mold Crown Court how police enquires back in March 2021 found that an account that had uploaded an indecent image to the internet belonged to Hall. He was arrested and his home in Wrexham was searched where officers found two internal hard drives, an external hard drive, an iPhone and a computer desktop tower.

In a folder found on the tower, police discovered over a dozen indecent images of children. There were a total of 233 files that "indicated Hall had a sexual interest in children", according to Ms Carrier, but these were not charged.

The court was told how, in interview, the 22-year-old confirmed that the desktop tower was his, having built it himself. However, when probed about the images they found on the device, he answered no comment.

Hall was previously convicted in 2019 for making indecent photographs of children. The court also heard how, armed with a knife, he had previously lunged at a detective who had cornered him on a bus and was sentenced to 27 weeks at a young offenders' institute meaning he would have been under post-sentence supervision at the time he sought out these indecent images.

Defending, Henry Hills, told the court how his client was experiencing poor mental health - as well as abusing alcohol and cocaine - at the time these discoveries were made. Mr Hills said Hall had since tried to make steps that would lead him towards a "better life", mainly having started a new job in January this year as a chef.

However, the judge Rhys Rowlands felt that there was "no realistic prospects of rehabilitation", especially considering that this was Hall's second time in possession of such content. He said: "The reality of the situation is that this is a sex offender who, despite having the assistance of the probation service, has reverted to his old ways.

He continued: "The difficulty is that the courts can, and try, to draw back from custody in these cases if there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation when it's a first offence but this is Mr Hall's second time." The judge remained unconvinced that Hall wanted to change, telling his solicitor that it would be "asking an awful lot" of the courts to give Hall "another chance" after accessing this "filth".

When passing a 30-week jail sentence, he said: "The number of images recovered is somewhat modest by comparison to what is commonly seen by the courts. Nonetheless, these are serious matters as you were accessing the material over a not insignificant period of time. Of course, you have the previous conviction in 2019 for behaving in exactly the same fashion."

The judge ordered that Hall be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the next decade. An order to have all items that were seized by the police destroyed was also granted.

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A PERSISTENT online paedophile snared in a sting by a decoy posing as a 12-year-old girl has been jailed for 32 months. Christopher Watts, 39, flouted a community order for attempting to communicate sexually with a child by repeatedly doing the same thing, Bradford Crown Court heard today. Watts, of Range Lane, Halifax, pleaded guilty to making three attempts to communicate with under-age girls online and to twice breaching a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Prosecutor Joe Culley said he committed offences between September and October, 2018, and again while under police investigation between December last year and March. He was netted in 2018 by a woman working as a decoy for an online child protection group. She told him she was 12 but Watts messaged her for 11 days making vile suggestions, including saying he wanted her to have his baby. He gave her his address when she said she wanted to send him a friendship bracelet. Watts was confronted by members of the group who called the police. In the second set of offences, he believed he was talking to two girls aged 14 when he engaged in sexualised online chat. His barrister, Lydia Pearce, said he was lonely and alcohol had played a role in his offending. He suffered with anxiety, had a low IQ and would be vulnerable in prison. Judge Andrew Hatton told Watts: You were determined to communicate with young children for your own sexual gratification. He ordered that the Sexual Harm Prevention stay in force and said that Watts must sign on the sex offender register for life.

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A brave rape victim brought her terrifying ordeal to an end when she managed to punch her attacker in the face.

The woman, whose identity is protected, had fallen asleep on a sofa in a flat after a night out, and woke up to find Dean Graham raping her.

Her blow to his face stopped the attack, but Graham then pretended nothing had happened and asked her why she had hit him.

Graham, 42, of Kirkley Drive in Ponteland, denied rape and sexual assault but was convicted by a jury after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

Prosecutor David Comb told the court: "Mr Graham took advantage of the situation in which he found himself, for his own sexual gratification.

"When she went to sleep on the living room sofa, he approached."

The victim had been celebrating her birthday in December 2018 and had gone to a friends house in Newcastle to spend the night.

Mr Comb said she woke up when she realised what was happening to her and added: "At that stage she punched him in the face, which did succeed in causing him to stop.

"She was shocked and distressed and commenced a search for her mobile phone.

"As she did that, he followed her around, pretending nothing had happened and asking why she had punched him in the face."

Mr Recorder Tony Hawks sentenced Graham to six years and ten months behind bars and said he must register as a sex offender for life.

The court heard Graham had previous convictions for violence and disorder, but none for sexual offences.

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"He attempted to arrange for the most horrific abuse of vulnerable children thousands of miles away from him for his own gratification" A Northern Ireland born comedian who paid criminals to sexually abuse children has been jailed. Eamon Goodfellow, originally from Lurgan, Co Armagh, was sentenced to four years and nine months after he was convicted of paying for and directing the sexual abuse of children in the Philippines and Romania. The 50-year-old, who had been living in St Albans in Hertfordshire, was arrested by National Crime Agency officers on June 14, 2018 and all of his electronic devices seized for analysis. The NCA says a number of chat logs were recovered which showed Goodfellow discussing the abuse of children with facilitators, one of whom was based in the Philippines and the other in Romania. In a statement issued on Thursday, they added: In the chats, Goodfellow was shown to be actively seeking children under 13-years-old. When a child at the right age was identified, he would direct the facilitators to perform certain sexual acts on the children with a view to live-streaming the offending. Evidence showed that he sent payment to the facilitators to carry out the abuse. He was found guilty of two counts of attempting to cause the sexual exploitation of a child under 13 at St Albans Crown Court on 12 April following a six day trial. He was sentenced today to four years and nine months in prison. Goodfellow is also subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain on the sex offenders register for life. The Daily Mirror reported previously how video clips of the the sex offenders comedy showed him joking about another young comedian being too ugly for child-molesting Moors murderers Myra Hindley and Ian Brady. The reported added that he was a runner-up in the 2019 New Act of the Year Final and had performed at the Edinburgh fringe. Speaking today, Martin Ludlow from the National Crime Agency said: Goodfellow made it very clear that he has sexual interest in young children in these chat logs. He attempted to arrange for the most horrific abuse of vulnerable children thousands of miles away from him for his own gratification. He was helped by facilitators whose motive is to make money. This kind of financially-driven offending is a key threat to the UK. The NCA works with international law enforcement partners to safeguard children, as well as to identify and disrupt those willing to fund and carry out this abuse. The NCA has an excellent relationship with agencies in the Philippines and actively supports the work of the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Centre (PICACC).

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A sleazy shop worker who supplied booze to a 13-year-old girl sent her Instagram messages saying he loved her and wanted them to marry.

Vinit Kotadiya gave bottles of alcohol to the schoolgirl after meeting her at the East Lothian convenience store where he worked. The 23-year-old sent her perverted messages despite her repeatedly telling him her age.

Kotadiya, of the city's Meadowbank area, presented her with the gift of a rucksack containing 120 and bottles of vodka and Dragon Soop. But the victims mother became suspicious and police were called in after Kotadiyas offending was discovered.

Kotadiya appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday and pled guilty to sending messages that were grossly offensive, or of an indecent, offensive or menacing character. He also admitted giving alcohol to the girl.

Fiscal depute Morgan Beattie said Kotadiya encountered the girl outside the Lifestyle Express shop in Bridge Street, Tranent. Ms Beattie said the pair continued to engage over the next month and Kotadiya gave her his Instagram details.

The court heard the girl followed Kotadiya on social media and shed told him her age. Ms Beattie said Kotadiya would arrange to meet the victim at the back of the store where he handed over alcohol.

In a message sent on February 14 last year, Kotadiya asked the girl to be my Valentine and she again told him she was 13. Kotadiya sent her back a message saying, I will wait for you.

Ms Beattie said the accused sent the girl messages saying he loves her and wants to marry her. During this time, Kotadiya gave the victim a rucksack containing alcohol and cash.

The prosecutor said: Over this time, the (girls) mum became concerned by (her daughters) activity and observed messages between her and her friends which confirmed the accused had been giving her gifts including alcohol.

Police were alerted and Kotadiyas mobile phone was seized and examined. Kotadiya, a first offender, admitted carrying out the offences in January and February last year.

Sheriff John Cook deferred sentence on Kotadiya until next month for reports. The sheriff said he would consider arguments at that hearing on whether Kotadiyas conviction required him to be added to the sex offenders register.

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A CONVICTED rapist who failed to return to prison after day release was found in Kendal. Colin Hogben was serving his sentence at HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire, near Bristol. The 73-year-old was allowed out on day release on June 23 but did not return. It prompted Avon and Somerset police to launch a manhunt for the prisoner, telling the public not to approach him and to call 999 with any information. According to court records, Hogben was found in Kendal - more than 200 miles from the open prison. He was detained by police on June 25. Police said he had a bus pass and access to money. Warning people at the time of his disappearance, a police spokesperson said: "He was convicted of rape in 1994. "If you know where he is now, call 999 immediately and give the reference 5222149339. "Dont approach him. If you have any other information which could help to find him, ring 101 with the same reference." Picked up by police, Hogben was hauled before Barrow's magistrates' court. He admitted remaining unlawfully at large past the period of his temporary release. Hogben is due to be sentenced for the offence at Carlisle Crown Court on July 29.