Latest Offenders

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Steven Morris had previous convictions for child sexual offences when he started talking to what he thought was a 14-year-old boy online

A convicted paedophile tried to meet a schoolboy for sex because he was "lonely and isolated" during the national Covid-19 lockdowns.

Child sex offender Steven Morris was jailed and made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order in 2014 for inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and making indecent images of children. However, the 45-year-old proved he hadn't learned from his past sordid mistakes when he started messaging what he thought was a 14-year-old online.

In fact, Morris was actually talking to a fake account, set-up by an undercover police officer. Newcastle Crown Court heard that the messages soon turned increasingly sexual and resulted in Morris arranging to meet the boy at a hotel in Gateshead.

When police showed up at the premises and arrested Morris, they found he had lubricant, baby oil and a further sex-related item in a plastic bag in his room. The pervert, of Booth Street, in Chesterton, Newcastle Under Lyme, has now been jailed fro five years with an extended three-year licence period after a judge deemed him to be dangerous.

Sentencing him, Judge Amanda Rippon said: "Your previous convictions were planned, sophisticated and serious. You were sentenced to a term of imprisonment as a result. The most serious offence was committed against a boy the same age as you believed your current victim to be.

"You're an intelligent man. You undertook a sexual offenders' course with the Lucy Faithful Foundation. You engaged with work with the Probation Service and you undertook personality disorder work with a psychologist. Despite all of that and being subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, you went on to commit further very serious sexual offences.

"The probation officer identified you posing a high risk of serious harm to children. It's argued that it was your isolation during Covid that led to your offending. Countless suffered anxiety and isolation during Covid, who didn't commit offences.

"You have this history and you have not learned to control your behaviour. You prioritise your own sexual needs above everything else. I'm extremely satisfied you will commit further, specified offences and cause serious physical or psychological harm."

The court heard that Morris began chatting to the "boy" online on September 26 last year before the conversations move to Snapchat. Nicoleta Alistari, prosecuting, said Morris's messages became increasingly sexual and he requested photos of the teen before sending images of himself lying on a bed in his boxer shorts.

Ms Alistari added: "The defendant suggested meeting up at a hotel in Gateshead and said he would not do anything to [the boy] without him wanting to." The prosecutor said Morris also asked what the boy's favourite snacks were.

The court heard that police attended the Premier Inn, in Gateshead, on October 15 last year, arrested Morris and found him in possession of the lubricant, baby oil and sex-related item. He went on to plead guilty to arranging the commission of a child sexual offence, breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and attempted sexual communication with a child.

Brian Mark, defending, said Morris made no excuses for his behaviour and expected an immediate custodial sentence. He added: "He was running a café but there was a very long period during Covid when he became isolated and depressed and, in that state, he reverted to that behaviour."

Judge Rippon responded: "There were loads and loads of people who were isolated during Covid, it was an isolating experience for huge swathes of the country. Those people didn't commit offences like this. People didn't resort to serious sexual offending."

Morris was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life and must sign the Sex Offenders' Register for the same period.

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A convicted sex offender arranged to meet a 14-year-old boy at a train station in Birmingham after sending him naked photos. But the teenager turned out to be a "decoy" created by a paedophile hunters group.

Joshua Purser, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said a member of a paedophile vigilante group set up a fake profile on a gay dating app of a 14-year-old boy and on September 24 last year the decoy started to receive messages from Simon Burrin. In the first exchange the 'teenager' told the defendant his age and that he was "checking the app out" but the defendant responded by asking him for his phone number and saying his name was Simon.

The conversations then moved on to Whatsapp with Burrin sending naked pictures of himself to the decoy. During the conversations the defendant said he would like to undress the teenager and suggested they could meet and stay at a hotel in Winchester.

A convicted sex offender arranged to meet a 14-year-old boy at a train station in Birmingham after sending him naked photos. But the teenager turned out to be a "decoy" created by a paedophile hunters group.

Joshua Purser, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said a member of a paedophile vigilante group set up a fake profile on a gay dating app of a 14-year-old boy and on September 24 last year the decoy started to receive messages from Simon Burrin. In the first exchange the 'teenager' told the defendant his age and that he was "checking the app out" but the defendant responded by asking him for his phone number and saying his name was Simon.

The conversations then moved on to Whatsapp with Burrin sending naked pictures of himself to the decoy. During the conversations the defendant said he would like to undress the teenager and suggested they could meet and stay at a hotel in Winchester.

Burrin was interviewed and said that it was "wrong to speak to kids again" and that he needed help. The court heard that he had a number of previous convictions and in June 2020 was sentenced to two years and four months after he had allowed a 14-year-old boy, he had met on a gay dating site, to stay with him.

Burrin, 42, of Court Lane, Erdington, who had previously admitted attempted sexual communication with a child, attempting to meet a child and breach of a sexual harm prevention order, was jailed for four years and eight months.

Judge Simon Drew KC said: "It seems to me that your principle purpose of making contact with that child was to engage in sexual activity." He described his behaviour as "extremely dangerous" and extended the period he would remain on licence by four years.

Amrisha Parathalingam, defending, said: "He wants to address this sort of behaviour. His biggest problem is the internet."

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Thomas Beddow also sexually assaulted one young girl after subjecting her to a string of vile comments

A registered sex offender invited a group of schoolchildren to his house under the ruse to buy vapes, but instead answered the door naked and exposed himself to them.

Thomas Beddow performed a series of sex acts on his doorstep and also sexually assaulted one young girl after subjecting her to a string of vile comments.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the 12-year-old girl, and a group of boys, would attend the 66-year-old's home in Rainford, in order to purchase vapes from him, the ECHO reports.

John Wyn Williams, prosecuting, described how Beddow used the restricted products as a 'way of grooming the children' as they visited on a number of occasions.

The first time the girl went to his house, he answered the door naked and offered her £10 to perform a sex act on him. She was left feeling 'embarrassed and disgusted' following the incident.

During a second visit, the complainant waited around the corner while the boys knocked on the door. Beddow again appeared naked and asked where the girl was before approaching her and saying "hello sweetheart, hello beautiful, hello sexy".

The pervert made a further sexual comment - deemed too graphic to repeat, and then performed a sex act in his doorway in front of the children. On a third occasion, the girl was walking past his home when he shouted "your t**s look great in that top" at her before groping her breasts.

After his arrest, Beddow claimed under interview that "he was being hounded by the children for vapes". A statement read out to the court on behalf of the girl's dad described how she often "breaks down and cries", adding: "He has ruined other children's lives. He should never be allowed to do this again.

"When she cries, she asks me why any grown man would do things like this. I feel it it will be a long process in getting her to where she was before this happened."

Beddow was previously jailed for 27 months in 1996 after inciting a nine-year-old girl to perform a sex act on him, then was was locked up again for 40 months in 2011 for abusing a 12-year-old girl. He also has a "string of convictions" for breaching his sexual harm prevention order.

Joanne Maxwell, defending, told the court: "He uses vapes and would be asked by the youths to obtain vapes on their behalf. I think there is an element of impulsivity to his behaviour - he knows he should have dealt with it very different, but he didn't."

Beddow admitted sexual assault and two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Appearing via video link to HMP Altcourse, he was imprisoned for five years and four months and handed an additional three years on licence.

Sentencing, Recorder Imran Shafi KC described his "persistent and pervasive interest in young girls" and added: "You were engaging with a group of 12-year-olds at your age of 66, and it is clear that you were doing it by way of grooming in order to achieve your aims.

"She went to that address multiple times with the males, and each time it was obvious that you had taken a liking to her despite her tender years.

"In reality, there is very little mitigation available to you. It is clear to me that you have groomed this group of youngsters to achieve your aims.

"It was suggested that your actions were impulsive - I have no hesitation in concluding this is not the case. Your actions were designed, planned and carried out to achieve your sexual gratification.

"It is plain you have shown no remorse or empathy or insight into your behaviour. You have not stopped for a moment to consider the effects, probably lifelong, your behaviour will have on the victim and the other children too."

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A sex attacker told his victim he was going to take her to the lake and rape her, a court heard.

Adam Cuss, 26, was jailed for five years at Oxford Crown Court last week after he admitted the brutal assault.

Prosecutor Alexandra Bull told Recorder Stuart Trimmer KC that the defendant was walking his victim back to her flat in Witney in the early hours of March 26 last year when he launched the terrifying attack.

“He pushed her to the floor and put his weight on top of her. He started saying he was going to [have sex with] her, they were going to go down to the lake and he would rape her,” the prosecutor said.

Cuss was said to have told the woman he ‘worked with butchers’ knives and he was going to cut her up’, the court heard.

“This isn’t you,” she told the attacker, screaming his name repeatedly.

He was said to have replied: “This is me. I’ve been wanting to do this for months.”

He touched the woman, telling her: “You like this, don’t you?” She made it clear that she did not.

At one point she tried to punch him, ‘which made him angry’.

In the hope of buying herself time to get help, she told Cuss they could ‘do it in her flat’.

He then dragged her a short distance, the court heard.

A neighbour was at the communal door to the flats as they arrived at the block.

“She said to [the neighbour] that he was trying to rape her and asked her help. The neighbour told her to go upstairs,” Ms Bull told the court.

The woman ran upstairs and called for help.

She could hear Cuss tell her neighbour that he was her ‘brother’.

Having reached the safety of her flat, the victim received a Facebook message from the defendant saying ‘you’re done, I’m coming back now’.

She later became aware that the front door had been damaged.

Appearing before Oxford Crown Court on Thursday (March 2), Cuss, of Chartwell Close, Daventry, admitted attempted sexual assault by penetration, sexual assault and criminal damage.

Recorder Trimmer imposed five years’ imprisonment and a restraining order banning him from contacting his victim for 10 years.

The case was dealt with without a pre-sentence report from the probation service.

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A Facebook predator who planned to have sex with an underage girl on Exmouth beach has been jailed after being trapped by paedophile hunters.

Jose Alves made contact with what he thought were girls aged 11 and 13 on social media and sent them both explicit videos which showed adults having sex with children.

In fact, he had been trapped by a group called Justice4Kids which alerted the police and baited a trap which led him to a proposed meeting at Exmouth railway station, where he was arrested.

Alves suggested having sex with the 13-year-old girl and sent her pictures which he claimed to be of his genitals as well as posting the child abuse movie to her.

He became hooked on online chats at a time when his own marriage was breaking up and he felt isolated, Exeter Crown Court was told.

Alves, aged 46, of Okehampton Road, Exeter, admitted two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child, three of making, by downloading, indecent images of children and one of distributing them.

He was jailed for two years by Judge David Evans at Exeter Crown Court, put on the sex offenders’ register and barred from working with children.

The judge told him: “I accept that difficulties in your marriage led you to drink and a great deal of unhappiness and that you were searching for solace in various ways.

“That may be why you progressed from adult pornography to looking at images of child abuse and chose to make contact with not one but two children who believed to be as young as 11 and 13.

“You took the conversations into grossly sexual territory and sent abhorrent imagery of children being sexually abused by adults. The combination of offences is too serious for anything other than immediate imprisonment.”

Miss Caroline Bolt, prosecuting, said police were contacted by Justice4Kids in March 2021 after Alves made contact with two decoys posing as young girls on Facebook.

He sent lewd messages and a child sex video to both and suggested having sex with the 13-year-old. The decoys arranged for him to go to Exmouth in the hope of having sex on the beach and he was confronted at the station.

Alves claimed to be 16 at the start of the conversations but eventually revealed his true age. He was not deterred when the decoys claimed to be innocent girls of 11 and 13.

The National Crime Agency had been alerted by Facebook to the obscene movies he sent on the platform and the police were already trying to trace Alves when he was arrested.

He was found with 459 images or movies on his computers including 112 movies showing adults having sex with children, some of which he had sent to either the decoys or online contacts.

Miss Kelly Scrivener, defending, said Alves committed the offences at a time when he was isolated and drinking too much during the breakdown of his marriage.

She said he is deeply ashamed of what he did and has taken steps to change his lifestyle and avoid further online activity. He has been assessed as suitable for a sex offenders’ programme and a good prospect of rehabilitation.

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A man has been sentenced to three years and three months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to arranging the commission of a child sex offence when he appeared at Guildford Crown Court today (3 March 2023), following an investigation by Surrey Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit.

On 12 November 2020, Rupesh Seth, 36, of Filleul Road, Wareham, Dorset, a practising GP at the time, travelled from Dorset to Egham in order to meet an adult in order to sexually abuse the adult’s 10-year-old daughter.  Police attended and he was arrested on suspicion of attempting to arrange and facilitate the commission of a child sex offence.

His phones were seized and indecent images of children were found. He was further arrested and subsequently charged with three counts of making indecent images of children.

Seth pleaded guilty to all the charges when he appeared at Guildford Magistrates’ Court on 14 November 2020.

He was also suspended from practice following his arrest.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Andy Grimwood said: “This was a joint operation conducted with the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit and thankfully, during this investigation, there was never a real life victim and no children were ever in any danger. This is a really good example of the way we can work in collaboration to ensure that offenders are identified and dealt with.

“This led to us uncovering images on Seth’s phone which showed that he had an extremely active interest in indecent photos and videos of children. Obviously, this is of huge concern, particularly given his position of trust as a practising GP, and we ensured that we linked in with our partner healthcare agencies to ensure that any appropriate safeguarding measures could be put in place.

“I would also like to stress that the offence he was charged with did not involve any of his patients.

“Surrey Police is committed to fully investigating all offences of this nature and will always follow every line of enquiry to ensure that suspects are identified, located and brought to justice.”

Detective Inspector James Oxley, of the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU), said: “I am pleased that Rupesh Seth recognised his guilt and, as a result, was convicted of these offences. By working closely with Surrey Police and other police forces in the South East, our specialist officers are able to ensure offenders such as Seth are brought before the courts, keeping children safe from harm.”

Seth was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

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This is the face of a man jailed for sexually assaulting a woman at a house party.

Merseyside Police officers received a report on Saturday, October 29, 2019, that James Madine, 34, sexually assaulted a woman at a house party in St Helens. Following forensic examinations and complex investigations, detectives from Merseyside’s Unity Team - who specialise in Rape and Serious Sexual Assault Offences - charged Madine, of Kamala Way in Norris Green for sexual assault by penetration.

Madine was then found guilty following a seven day trial and convicted of sexual assault on January 31, 2023. He was sentenced to four years at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, March 3).

Madine also received a 10 year restraining order against his victim, a sexual offences prevention order and a lifetime on the sex offences register.

Detective Constable Rebecca Igglesden said: “This sentence follows a lengthy investigation to bring Madine before the courts so that he pays for his crimes. His victim showed great determination and bravery when reporting this to police and throughout the entire process.

"I hope this result brings her the closure she deserves and allows her to move on from this knowing he cannot harm them or anyone else. Madine will now spend a considerable amount of time behind bars for his deplorable actions and offences.

“Today’s results shows that violence against women and girls will simply not be tolerated and we will work tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice. We are committed to protecting victims of sexual offences, and anyone who reports an incident to us will be safeguarded and supported throughout the investigation.

“Anyone that has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us. We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.”

Call 101 to report a sexual offence allegation where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers, or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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A football lout described as being an ‘out-of-control sex pest’ groped a teenage girl and assaulted another woman after watching an England match.

Jordan Wilkinson, 31, later also allowed street dealers to use his home to store more than £35,000 worth of Class A drugs. The dad-of-one has been jailed and placed on the sex offenders register after making the ‘very bad choices’.

Preston Crown Court heard how Wilkinson, of Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, had joined friends at Central Pier to watch the Euro 2020 England vs Croatia match on June 13, 2021.

After downing numerous pints of lager, Wilkinson grabbed a 16-year-old girl by the crotch and groped another woman's bottom, reports Lancs Live.

When questioned about the offences, Wilkinson claimed he did not remember doing it but was appalled at his loutish behaviour.

The court also heard how in February last year, officers discovered heroin and crack in a box in his home. Julie Taylor, defending, said at the time he was struggling after a relationship break-up had left him in sole charge of his son.

Wilkinson’s defence said he had to give up work and had fallen into debt with cannabis dealers, so agreed to look after the box for £200 a week. He claimed he never looked inside and did not know what was in it, however he knew drugs were illegal.

Following his arrest, Wilkinson had worked with social services to try and turn his life around.

However, Judge Guy Mathieson, sentencing, said: "A lot of life is about choices, good and bad. It is a good idea to go out and watch the England game with your mates and have a few beers.

"It is a bad choice to get so out of it that you thought being an out-of-control sex pest was hilarious. The problem with bad choices is that they catch up with you eventually.

"There are two victims and there is some real impact, certainly with the younger girl, as to how she now deals with people. That seems to me to make it cross the custody threshold. So that is one choice. Then, things go badly wrong in 2021/22. I'm afraid I have heard this story so many times it is like a broken record. Things get difficult in lockdown, problems occur, so you take the choice to continue to use cannabis, which you know is illegal.

"What a surprise that when your drug dealer mates, who supply you with the cannabis, when you can't pay for it they aren't your mates at all? And what a surprise that they use you to store a really significant amount of drugs? A large amount - worth £37,000 on the street, spreading misery. And you get what for it? £200? £300?

"You said, 'it was a choice to get back on my feet'. Bad choice. They catch up with you.

"Drug dealers need people like you because they don't want to get caught with drugs on them. People like you who think, 'this is easy money because let's face it, the chances of getting caught are slim, so let's take the choice'. With your young son in the house."

The judge accepted Wilkinson had taken steps to change his life, but said: "You have still made these choices, and they have caught up with you today. This combination of offences, particularly the drug dealing, is so serious it has to be an immediate prison sentence."

He jailed Wilkinson, of Whitegate Drive, for 18 months for two counts of possession of class A drugs with a six month and three month sentence to run concurrently for each count of sexual assault. He also made him the subject of notification requirements (the sex offenders register) for seven years.

"You can't be seen to get away with it", he said. "That is why you have to go to prison."

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Philip Rendle groomed the boys by giving them alcohol and allowing them to drive his car.

A 60-year-old man has been jailed for sexually assaulting two boys during a camping trip more than 20 years ago. Philip Rendle plied the boys with drink before committing the offences at Brean Sands in Burnham-on-Sea.

He gained the trust of the boys' families before making the trip and groomed the children, aged 13 and 14 at the time, by giving them money to play in amusement arcades. But he had a dark past that included a police caution for molesting a Boy Scout a decade earlier.

Rendle, now living in Devon, was convicted of three offences of indecent assault, one by penetration. He has been locked up for nine years.

Taunton Crown Court was told one of the boys woke up to find Rendle molesting him.

In a victim personal statement he said the assault had caused psychological trauma and he had never got over the impact. He said his childhood was ruined and as the years went by he suffered while trying to bottle up what had happened.

The second victim experienced similar psychological difficulties. His life suffered and he had tried but failed to forget what happened.

Ms Emily Cook, defending, said Rendle had previously sought psychological help for his behaviour. He now finds it difficult to get work and suffers with depression.

Judge Paul Cook said the children were particularly vulnerable. They were given drink and were a long way from home.

Rendle, of Ashburn Close, Ashburton, was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to monitor his behaviour in future and told to sign the Sex offender Register.

Detective Constable Philip Hockey said: “The two victims have shown great courage throughout the investigation and the subsequent judicial process.

“It takes bravery to speak out about such a traumatic and violating experience, especially one which they had locked away from their families for more than twenty years.

“I hope this is some kind of justice for them both, provides some closure and assists them to move forward positively with their lives. I hope they can also find some peace knowing they no longer have to keep this secret hidden.

“It is never too late to speak out about something that has happened to you. This case shows that everyone will be listened too, the matter investigated thoroughly no matter how much time has passed and there is support available for you.

“If you have been affected by this inquiry then please don’t hesitate to contact police via the non-emergency 101 number."

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A vile pervert watched a 10-year-old girl from behind a wall before exposing himself and laughing, leaving her haunted and traumatised. Richard Graham, 33, who is convicted of repeatedly exposing himself had targeted the girl the day before as she played outside with friends in Bury.

Noticing him ‘doing weird stuff’ with his genitals whilst standing a short distance away, one of the children shouted: “small willy” causing Graham to run off.

The following day, as the girl was knocking on at a friend’s house, she saw him hiding behind a wall. Fearing he was ‘cornering her’, she left to go home, only for Graham to stand in full view and expose himself again.

As she started to run, their eyes met and he raised his eyebrows whilst smirking at her, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

Graham, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to two offences of exposure and two offences of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and was today (March 3) jailed for over three years.

Prosecuting, Robin Kitching said at around 5pm on August 8 last year, three children, aged 10, 10 and 13, were playing on a tree swing. One of them noticed Graham standing nearby watching them and pointed him out to the others.

“He then took his penis out of his trousers and started, in the child’s words, ‘doing weird stuff and playing with it and swinging it around’,” Mr Kitching said.

“He did not remove his trousers or speak to the children. One of the children, a boy, shouted ‘small willy’ at him, causing the defendant to put his penis back in his trousers and run off.”

The matter wasn’t reported, though one of the children, a girl, later said she was ‘freaked out’ and the boy said he first ‘thought it was funny but then became scared’.

On August 8, at around 5.30pm, the same girl was walking to a friend’s house and knocked on the door but got no reply. As she turned to leave she saw Graham hiding behind a low brick wall.

She recognised him and became scared, and went to the back of the house but found that her friend wasn’t home. Fearing she was being ‘cornered’, she walked back up the path to find that Graham had moved from behind the wall to where had been before.

“As she walked past him he got his penis out and exposed it to her, making movements in what was described by an officer as masturbating,” the prosecutor continued.

“She started running but their eyes met, he raised his eyebrows at her and was smirking. She said he was ‘laughing and stuff’. She made it clear she was scared and described his eyes and being ‘really, really scary’.”

The police were informed and quickly compiled a CCTV compilation of his movements which showed him riding home from work on his bicycle, and making a ‘detour’ to where the children were playing.

In a statement, the girl’s mother said her daughter had lost trust in men, that she becomes anxious upon seeing a man on a bike and is currently undergoing therapy.

“The defendant's actions haunted her, she felt traumatised about it,” she said. “She was exposed to something no child should have to see. It frightened her so much, and she wants to make sure he does not hurt any other children.”

Graham was said to have seven previous convictions for multiple offences of exposure in which he targeted prepubescent girls.

Defending, Aubrey Sampson said the only real mitigation was his client’s guilty plea as it prevented the children from giving evidence at a trial.

“The defendant cannot put forward a reason as to why the offences were committed previously and recently,” he said.

“What he does know is that if he continues to offend in this way, the terms of imprisonment will be getting longer and longer.”

Sentencing, Judge Mark Savill said: “She described you as ‘smiling’. You found it funny and were laughing - she wasn’t.

“You and your behaviour had the most terrible effect on this vulnerable, 10-year-old child.

“She and no other child should have to put up with such vile behaviour.

“There just does not seem to be any valid reason or excuse or mental disorder that offers mitigation of your behaviour.

“I am firmly of the view that you conducted yourself in this way because it excites you sexually. You know it’s wrong but that does not stop you.”

The judge said he was unable to pass an extended sentence due to Sentencing Council guidelines, but said he was firmly of the view that Graham was a ‘dangerous offender’.

Graham, who shook his head during the judge’s sentencing remarks, was jailed for three years and two months. He was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention order, both for indefinite periods.

Speaking after the hearing, Police Constable David Green of GMPs Bury North Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “I would first like to thank the young victims for their resilience and bravery in reporting this incident to the police and giving us the opportunity to put this sexual predator in jail.

“Sexual offences have long-lasting impacts on victims and Greater Manchester Police are committed to preventing this harm. We work with a number of specialist partner agencies, so you will never be on your own.

“I hope this result sends a stark warning to offenders that these behaviours will not be tolerated by Greater Manchester Police and that authorities here are committed to ensuring these individuals are convicted to the full extent of the law – by sending convicted sex offenders to prison and monitoring them for life.”

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The four-year dedication of an officer to see justice done for a teenage girl who was raped has led to the man responsible being jailed for 15 years.

Detective Constable Suzie Brenton from the force’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) has remained committed to the case since taking over as the officer in charge in February 2019.

Her efforts to ensure the victim’s voice was heard have never waived and on Monday (27 February), following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, Kevin Sidwell was found guilty of two counts of rape – which occurred on at least 10 separate occasions – and two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

He was found not guilty of a further two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault of a child.

The 54-year-old, of High Street, Barwell, was given a total of 15 years in prison for the offences which happened between December 2010 and May 2018.

When released he will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will also be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Working closely with the victim and her family, DC Brenton worked tirelessly to ensure the offences were thoroughly investigated and provided support every step of the way.

She said: “I am so pleased after more than four years this case has been heard in court and the person responsible for committing these horrific crimes will now be behind bars for many years.

“Throughout this time my focus has been getting justice for the victim and doing all I can to support her and her family through the process.”

The offences were first reported to police in July 2018 by the-then 13-year-old girl and her family.

Following an extensive investigation and examination of the evidence, working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service, Kevin Sidwell was charged in 2020.

DC Brenton added: “The courage and strength the victim has shown, supported by her family, since making that initial report has been incredible. Their willingness and determination to see this man answer for the devastation he has caused is truly commendable. 

“While yesterday’s verdict will not take away the pain and suffering, I hope it will enable them to begin to move forward with their lives.”

Detective Superintendent Gav Drummond, who is responsible for overseeing the CAIU, said: “I want to commend the efforts of all the officers involved in this case - from those who took the initial report and ensured the girl was no longer in danger – but particularly to DC Brenton for her outstanding hard work and commitment to see this case to conclusion and to achieve justice for this child.

“Her efforts are a shining example of the work officers do every day - striving to safeguard the most vulnerable in our society and deal with those who the cause most harm.”

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A child rapist is back behind bars after trying to engage in sexual communication with a 14-year-old girl.

Thomas McCall, who was jailed in 2011 for raping a 13-year-old girl, thought he was talking to another child online when he explained in graphic terms what he wanted to do to her. In fact he was communicating with a decoy profile set up by paedophile hunting vigilantes and he was arrested.

Now the 48-year-old pervert, of Stanton Street, Arthur's Hill, Newcastle, who poses a high risk to teenage girls, has been sent back to prison by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court.

The court heard it was in October 2020 that McCall began communicating with what he thought was a young girl called Katie. Sentencing him, Judge Edward Bindloss said: "You established she was alone and you embarked on sexual communication of a very graphic kind."

McCall sent images of his penis and asked her to send images of her genitals and the conversation moved to WhatsApp. The judge said: "You discussed the sort of sex you would have if you met up. You even provided an address but you were arrested before anything like that could happen.

"This was a decoy online profile so thankfully there was no 14-year-old girl to be harmed but it could have been otherwise. You thought she was 14."

When he was arrested he claimed he knew it was a decoy and was just playing along with it. But prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said: "Had arrangements been made to meet her he would have attended the meeting place. This man does represent a danger to teenage girls."

The court heard he has 55 previous convictions, including for raping and impregnating a 13-year-old, for which he was jailed for nine years in 2011. As part of that sentence, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and was given a lifelong sexual offences prevention order.

He was released on licence in 2015 but was then recalled until the end of the sentence in 2019. He then breached the sexual offences prevention order twice, for which he was sentenced last February. Those offences involved him remaining on private premises in the presence of a 14-year-old girl after agreeing to do some decorating for her mother and engaging the child in conversation.

McCall, who is also on a community order imposed last April for racially aggravated harassment, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and was jailed for 13 months. He will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely and his lifelong requirement to sign the sex offenders register continues.

Pre-sentence reports said he poses a high risk of harm to children. He has previously refused to engage in risk reduction work.

Sue Hirst, defending, said: "The communication happened over a relatively short period of time, six days. This was an attempt because it was an adult pretending to be a 14-year-old girl and fortunately not a real 14-year-old girl.

"He was drinking heavily at the time. He denies any sexual attraction to children. I fully accept the court will be sceptical about that because the evidence demonstrates otherwise."

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A SHAMED priest who sexually abused four girls walked free from court today.

Father Neil McGarrity, 68, preyed on his victims at two churches in Glasgow as well as his parish home in the city.

McGarrity played "footsie" under the table with one of the girls and was caught in a "prolonged embrace" with another.

The priest of 33 years, from city's Maryhill, also touched and rubbed the girls with one victim claiming he hugged her while sat on a couch.

A girl even contacted Childline due to her concerns over his behaviour.

McGarrity was found guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court of four sexual assaults and one charge of engaging in sexual activity.

The charges span from December 2017 and February 2020 with the girls’ ages ranging between 10 to 16.

Sheriff Vincent Lunny ordered McGarrity to do 250 hours of unpaid work and put him under supervision for three years.

He also tagged McGarrity for nine months keeping him indoors between 7pm and 7am.

McGarrity was placed on the sex offenders register for five years.

The trial heard from a girl who said she was repeatedly hugged by McGarrity when she was aged 10 or 11 at St Thomas' Church in the city's Riddrie.

The witness stated that McGarrity made her feel "uncomfortable."

She added that he called her his “favourite” and that she wasn’t to “tell anybody.”

The girl stated she did not tell her parents as she kept it "bottled up."

The victim then recalled being with McGarrity at his parish home in 2020.

She said: “It got too big to handle - we went in the living room and said to come and sit on a spinning chair.

“He wanted me to put my head on him and he cuddled into me.

“I said I can’t do this and I need the toilet.”

The girl added that she was stroked on the arm and hugged by McGarrity.

A second girl told the court that she had no phone Childline about McGarrity not long after meeting him.

She said: "It was that he was being really close and I was getting someone else's view if it was normal.

"I never had really had that much real concern about it as I really liked him."

The girl claimed McGarrity put his hand around and rubbed her waist.

The witness added: "It was along with the hand holding and footsie under the table."

The girl said was rubbed on the chest and arm by McGarrity while at a Christmas Eve service at St Thomas'.

She stated that he kept his hand on her waist and rubbed her lower back like a "massage."

The girl went on to say McGarrity also touched her on the leg on two occasions while he was driving his car.

A third girl told the court McGarrity played with her hair and touched her face when she was 13-years-old.

She said: “He always thought he knew about me and I felt weird.

“When I was at church he used to look at me and I felt uncomfortable.”

The girl added that McGarrity also put his arm around her.

She claimed she told her mum but nobody else as she “did not want to judge someone or be mean.”

The incidents took place at St Bernadette's Church as well as St Thomas'.

A 25-year-old woman claimed she spotted McGarrity and her younger sister being close with each other at his parish home.

The witness said: "When I re-entered the kitchen area where we were eating, he had his arms round my sister's waist and she had her arms round his waist.

"It was a prolonged embrace they were in."

Prosecutor Derek Buchanan asked how her sister reacted.

She replied: "She reacted like a girl in love would react with the man that was touching her."

McGarrity told the court in his evidence that he was "stunned" to hear of the allegations.

Billy Lavelle, defending, asked if there was any truth to the allegations.

McGarrity said: "There was truth in so far as some of the things I did and didn't do."

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Police found 187 images of children including those in the most serious category.

A man from Luton has been jailed for sharing indecent images of children on social media.

Shahed Miah, 50, was arrested as police searched his Warwick Road West home after receiving information that he had been sharing the sickening images via Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.

Police seized 14 devices including one that he had hidden in a pile of clothing and claimed was at his workplace.

And 187 indecent images of children were found on three of the devices ranging from the highest Category A to Cagetory C, as well as one prohibited image and 12 extreme pornographic images.

A forensic examination of one of the devices found a number of Facebook message streams and WhatsApp messages which showed that further images, including bestiality-related images, had been shared.

At a court hearing in July, Miah pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, three counts of distributing indecent images of children, one count of possessing an extreme pornographic image, and one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child.

He was sentenced to a total of two years two months in prison, as well as being subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years upon his release.

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A man tried to kill himself days before he was due to be sentenced for sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman. Kenny Jones, 38, had denied the offence but was convicted after a trial. A judge at his sentencing hearing in Caernarfon Crown Court today was told Jones had been in hospital all week before his court appearance.

But the judge said the effect of the crime on his victim, who is still traumatised by the 2020 assault, was so serious he "would not be doing his job properly" if he didn't send Jones straight to prison, which he did for two years.

The court heard the victim had been at a property on Anglesey on November 22, 2020 when Jones grabbed her arms, "squeezed and bruised them", and asked her to kiss him. She refused but he tried to kiss her. He also made a lewd reference to her.

Then Jones, of Llwyn Onn, Amlwch, left and took a car without the owner's consent, even though he had no driving licence or insurance. The court heard he had committed the sexual assault for his own "selfish, sexual gratification".

In a statement, the victim said she used to be "bubbly and outgoing" but after the offence she felt embarrassed and guilty that "people would judge her for not trying to fight him off".

Her life was "shattered" and she doesn't go to the area where it happened as she is "terrified" she will see the offender. She now distrusts men and is seeking counselling. She added: "Kenny Jones is still ruining my life...Kenny Jones has no idea of the pain he has caused me."

Dafydd Roberts, defending, pointed out that Jones had lost his young son in 2010 and was seriously assaulted in 2017 and is still on medication. Then he tried to take his own life.

He said: "Mr Kenny Jones presents to the court in a very dark place. In the early hours of Monday this week Mr Jones did make an attempt on his life. He was admitted to hospital and has been in hospital all this week up until Thursday. He remains in a very low mood."

But he said the probation service believe that his client could be rehabilitated and asked the judge to suspend any prison sentence.

Mr Roberts added that Jones has taken to drink and drugs as a crutch to deal with his issues. "He desperately wants to break free from that cycle."

He would have fresh medication in prison which would make life difficult. He is not a lost cause and could do a drug rehabilitation programme as recommended by the probation service. He has worked to improve his accommodation and has the support of his mother.

But the judge Mr Recorder Wyn Lloyd Jones told the defendant he had sexually assaulted the woman "for his selfish, sexual gratification".

He said: "It's clear that this offence has had a significant effect on her mentally and emotionally. I would not be doing my job properly today if I suspend the sentence. An immediate prison sentence is appropriate for what you did and the effect it had on this victim."

He also imposed a ten-year restraining order prohibiting Jones from contacting the woman, who cannot be named to protect her identity.