Latest Offenders

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A judge told a Speedwell man found guilty of sexually abusing two young girls that the "guilt is all yours".

Scott Hunt, 33, of Whitefield Avenue, abused the youngsters on multiple occasions, Bristol Crown Court heard.

Though he still denies wrongdoing a jury convicted him of three charges of causing or inciting a child aged under-13 to engage in sexual activity on one girl, and two charges of sexual assault of a child aged under-13 on another.

The Recorder Mr Neil Millard jailed him for eight years.

Both complainants read impact statements to the court outlining the guilt and shame they endured as a result of the abuse.

The judge told Hunt: "They should feel no guilt.

"They did nothing wrong.

"The guilt is all yours.

"There is absolutely no guilt on them.

"Their strength is in coming here and telling this court what you did to them.

"They are not little girls anymore, they are strong young women.

"The guilt is yours."

Hunt was handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order banning him from contact or working with youngsters aged under 16.

He was told to register his whereabouts to police for life.

One complainant told how the abuse left her "confused and frightened".

She stated: "I was just a little girl.

"I didn't understand a lot of things that happened."

The complainant said Hunt manipulated her and told her not to tell anybody about the abuse.

She described how she had blanked a lot of happy childhood memories and became nervous around men.

The other complainant said she suffered feelings of "guilt, shame and disgust" about the abuse, which left her very angry and with trust issues.

Catherine Spedding, defending, said her client was left disfigured after suffering horrific burns aged 11 months.

She said he was picked on in his early life, became isolated and lonely, and a Probation Service report concluded there was a link between his accident and his offending behaviour.

The court heard Hunt had been primary carer for his mother, who suffers from vascular dementia.

Miss Spedding said: "He still does not accept the offences.

"He does appear to accept the effect it would have on the victims."

Investigating officer DC Michael Coleman said: These were awful offences committed against two defenceless young girls in the Bristol area several years ago.

"They were first reported to the police in 2017 resulting in a thorough investigation being carried out. T

"The defendant was charged in January 2021 and convicted of five offences following a recent trial at Bristol Crown Court.

Both victims have shown tremendous bravery, fortitude and resilience throughout the criminal investigation and resulting court proceedings.

I hope the custodial sentence given to Hunt will be able to help the victims find some form of closure.

"I also hope it will encourage other victims of sexual abuse to come forward and report offences committed against them, in the knowledge they will be believed and listened to.

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Ian Watson, 56, of Churchfields, St Helens was sentenced to five years imprisonment after being found guilty of arranging and facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence. A 56-year-old man has been caught arranging to travel to Cheshire to have sex with a nine-year-old boy. Ian Watson, of Churchfields in St Helens, was caught by police making arrangements online to meet a nine-year-old boy in Cheshire to engage in sexual activity with the child. Watson was making the horrifying arrangements with another adult online, but what he did not know was that his dark web accomplice was actually a police officer from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) On March 30, 2020 he was arrested at his home address and appeared in Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, January 28 charged with child sexual offences. A judge sentenced him to five years in prison after he was found guilty of arranging and facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence. Detective Inspector Andy Buckthorpe of NWROCU said: Ian Watson was a significant risk to children and were extremely glad that our investigation has stopped him from being able to act on his abusive intentions. Here at the NWROCU were committed to protecting children from sexual exploitation. Law enforcement operates across the internet and we're committed to ensuring those who use this means of communicating with those believe to be children to arrange sexual abuse are brought before the courts to face justice." I would urge anyone who has been a victim of child abuse, or thinks a child is being abused, to contact police immediately on 101, where a report can be made in confidence. Detective Sergeant Rob Deponeo, from Merseyside Police said: Offenders often think that the internet will offer them complete anonymity to commit offences, but, as todays sentence shows that this is not the case. Merseyside Police has specialist officers working tirelessly in partnership with other agencies such as the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit to identify offenders, no matter where they live or what devices they use. "A huge amount of work is done by law enforcement agencies throughout the world to identify offenders, infiltrate their networks and uncover the evidence we need to put them behind bars and ensure that suitable safeguarding measures are put in place. We work with other UK forces, agencies and CEOP (the Child Exploitation Online Protection centre), as well as agencies in other countries who share our desire and determination to protect children from depraved and dangerous offenders such as Watson. "We will use every tactic and technological advancement available to ensure people cannot and do not get away with the terrible crimes they have committed.

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A DEVIOUS Workington man created a false online profile using photos of a woman he knew so he could have sexual contact with a schoolgirl.

Mark Adams, 39, made an attempt to persuade a '13-year-old girl' he was chatting to on a social media website to commit sexual acts, unaware that the person he was communicating with was actually an under-cover police officer, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

The defendant was jailed after he admitted four counts of sexually communicating with a child and one of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Damian Nolan, prosecuting, said Adams, of Rowe Terrace, Workington, fabricated a profile for a gay 21-year-old woman and used this on a dating website.

He was attempting to attract the attention of young girls, said the prosecutor.

The defendant engaged in sexual communication with a user, believing her to be a 13-year-old female, said Mr Nolan, pointing out that the police operative had made clear at an early stage that the person he was talking to was aged 13.

The two also exchanged telephone numbers. The communication between the defendant and the girl went on for four days in 2020 on February 4, 5, 6 and 7.

The defendant repeatedly requested indecent images of [the child] and also sent naked images and encouraged her to engage in sexual activity, said Mr Nolan.

On February 7, he made a more specific request for the girl to undress and engage in a sex act and then made two attempts to make WhatsApp phone calls to the child so he could listen to what she was doing.

Mr Nolan continued: Clearly, the defendant was wanting to drive the conversation from start to finish.

"Those conversations with her refer to [the girl] being in school uniform and on the way home from school.

But on each and every day the defendant requested sexualised activity, either the sending of images or [the child] to perform sex acts on herself.

The court heard that the woman whose photo Adams had used in his fake profile knew nothing about it and was left deeply distressed when police told her what Adams had done.

Throughout three police interviews, Adams denied any wrongdoing.

He suggested somebody may have accessed his online profile to commit the offence.

Anthony Parkinson, defending, said Adams was assessed as posing a low risk" of reconviction and a medium risk of causing serious harm in the future. There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation," said the barrister.

He said Adams advanced hopeless theories to explain what he did are a result of his shame and embarrassment.

The barrister added: These offences took place almost two years ago and since his arrest hes had to leave his family home and he and his partner are in a strained relationship. He is living in privately rented accommodation and has inevitably suffered that this type of offence brings with it and a loss of employment.

Judge Nicholas Barker that until this offence the defendant lived a crime-free life and was in continuous employment. But he had set up the fake profile in order to engage sexually with other people, said the judge.

You set up a profile which presented yourself as a 21-year-old female who was gay and was interested in meeting young girls.

It was abundantly clear his communication with the 13-year-old was highly sexualised, highly determined, persistent, demanding and controlling, despite him quickly having learned that she 13.

The judge jailed Adams for 27 months, saying only immediate custody was appropriate given the determined nature of the offences and the deceit involved.

The defendants name will be on the Sex Offender Register for a decade and he was made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which forbids him from having any unsupervised access to girls aged under 16.

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Sex offender Stefan Foy has been back in court after he stayed at a house where there were children without telling police.

The 29-year-old is obliged to inform officers if he is planning to be in a household with minors following his conviction for possessing indecent images of children.

Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard Foy had several overnight stays with a couple he had befriended - who had no idea about his criminal past - which brought him into contact with their three children.

He also deleted the internet history from his mobile phone, which is is banned from doing, after using the dating app Grindr.

Foy will now have to wait to learn his fate until his case is heard by a judge at the crown court, after magistrates ruled the offences were too serious for their sentencing powers.

Prosecutor Sara Beddow said Foy was handed a community order at Chester Crown Court in 2017 and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register.

"On January 11, police made an unannounced visit to conduct a risk assessment," said Ms Beddow. "He told them he had become friends with a couple in the Stoke-on-Trent area. He initially said the friendship did not bring him into contact with children.

"However, police checked his mobile phone and viewed the Facebook account for the couple. There was a picture of them with three young children.

"He was challenged and asked if the couple had children. He put his head in his hands and said he had been to their house several times and had only met the children 'from a distance'."

The court heard police seized Foy's phone and found he had deleted the Grindr app. He had started a new relationship with a man he met through the app, who was related to the couple Foy went on to stay with. None of them knew about his previous conviction.

Foy, of Cherry Tree Lane, Biddulph Moor, pleaded guilty to breaching a SHPO and failing to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register.

He declined the chance to be represented by a solicitor in court, but told magistrates: "I know I did wrong. I was in a bad place over Christmas, I got some attention from someone and his relatives.

"I got carried away with it, I didn't think about what I was doing. It was stupid of me. I'm glad I got caught by the police when I did."

Magistrates ordered a pre-sentence report ahead of Foy's next hearing, which will take place at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

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A Surrey man has been jailed after being found guilty of a string of offences towards three teenage girls.

Marcus Collins, 22, of Canterbury Gardens, Farnborough, and Furze Close, Redhill, was sentenced during an appearance at Guildford Crown Court on Friday, January 28 for numerous offences.

Collins has been jailed for rape, sexual assault, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour and will be behind bars for 15 years.

The offences, which took place between 2018 and 2020, involved three female victims who were aged 18, 17 and 16 years old at the time.

Collins was arrested on January 8 2020 and was subsequently charged for the assault and controlling and coercive behaviour offences while the allegations of rape from his first victim were investigated.

In February 2020, a second victim contacted Surrey Police to report that Collins had assaulted, raped and controlled her between September 2018 and January 2020.

In the same month, a third girl came forward and said that Collins had raped, sexually assaulted, strangled and controlled her.

Collins was arrested on March 16 2020 for these further offences and was subsequently charged on August 26 2020 with numerous rapes, sexual assault by penetration, controlling and coercive behaviour and numerous assaults (ABH).

Detective Constable Nicky Dell, who investigated the case, said: Collins treated these three young women with incomprehensible violence and threatening behaviour over a long period of time.

"He repeatedly raped and assaulted them, he threatened to shoot them and used various weapons against them.

"He controlled them by forcing them to block friends and family on social media, dictating what clothing and make up could be worn, and not allowing them to socialise with friends.

The messages he sent to these young women, recovered from mobile phones examined during the investigation, were threatening, vile and utterly appalling.

I would like to personally commend the bravery of all three women for finding the courage to speak to police and give evidence at court.

"It took incredible courage to speak up against the crimes being committed against them and they have no doubt protected other women from becoming victims of similar horrific crimes.

I would like to reassure anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation that we will always take you seriously your allegations will always be investigated - and you will be given the appropriate specialist support.

DC Dell added: We believe there may be other victims and I would urge them to come forward, either to Surrey Police or to the independent charity East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service (ESDAS), on 01737 771350 or [email protected]

Describing the cruelty that she faced on a daily basis at the hands of Marcus Collins, one of the victims said: Even two and a half years down the line, I am still reminded on a daily basis of the cruelty that I faced at the hands of Marcus Collins.

"I get anxious in public, concerned that anyone could attack me at any time. Marcus took great pleasure in attacking me in public as well as private.

"These were often sustained attacks, all the while people walking past and staring but not helping. I could count the number of times on one hand that I was offered help, despite being kicked, jumped on, punched, shouted at.

"On one occasion, Marcus said: Look, no one cares about you, before punching me in the face. Then he looked around at everyone watching and laughed.

Even when offered help, victims may say no for fear of further violence, or even because they are so manipulated and controlled, they cannot imagine their life without their abuser.

"Either way, it would have been paramount to my mental health both during the relationship and after to have been offered help when attacked in public.

Her mother added: I would like to take this opportunity to thank Surrey Police, in particular DC Dell, for all her hard work, dedication and support throughout this case.

"Collins turned my daughter from a strong and confident girl into a shell of the person she was.

"No one should ever have to go through that hell and now hes in prison he cant make anyone else suffer. We hope the girls can rebuild their lives knowing they are finally safe.

Another victim paid tribute to the support she received from ESDAS: I am incredibly grateful for the amazing support, kindness and advice of ESDAS throughout this whole ordeal.

"This fantastic charity helped to keep me strong and I can never thank them enough.

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A PREDATORY sex offender lured an underage girl into his home before raping her, a court was told. Robert Anthony Ryan, who was on bail for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl at the time, met the rape victim at a bus stop before using a pretext of seeking her assistance to persuade her to go with him to his nearby home. Durham Crown Court heard that once inside the attack took place, despite the girls protests and telling him how old she was. Robin Patton, prosecuting, said following the attack, Ryan told the shaken girl not to say anything about it, and escorted her back to the bus stop, where she was physically sick. Despite informing a family member of the incident three years later, the victim did not report it to police for several years, and only after she had begun counselling due to the anxiety she still suffered long after the attack. Mr Patton said when arrested in 2020, Ryan said the girl willingly had sex with him, and maintained that lie through the court process until the day of his trial, shortly before Christmas. It was only then that the now 42-year-old defendant, of Lawson Street, Trimdon Colliery, admitted the rape. The court heard he has other sex offences on his record from 2009 and 2016. Sentence was adjourned until yesterday to allow for preparation of a background report on Ryan by the Probation Service. His sentencing hearing was told of the long-term effect the incident has had on the victim, who moved away from the North East when she reached 16, as a result. Her victim statement outlined the mistrust she now has in other people, generally, but with men, in particular, and the anxiety she has suffered since. The court heard the probation report classes Ryan as posing a significant risk to the public, generally, but specifically to young females. Robert Mochrie, for Ryan, said two of his past offences were committed close in time to each other and indicate, there was something going on in his life when these events occurred, but with nothing of this nature in recent years. But Judge James Adkin said he considers Ryan as being a dangerous offender, particularly to younger females. Theres a pattern of targeting children for sex and the author of the report points to him behaving in an unpredictable, uncontrolled, predatory way. Judge Adkin imposed a prison sentence of eight years and one month, of which Ryan must serve at least two-thirds before being eligible to be considered for release by the Parole Board, but he may have to serve the full term behind bars. On release he will then be subject to four years extended licence period. He was also made subject of lifetime conditions of both a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and notification requirements as a sex offender. A lifetime restraining order also prohibits contact with the rape victim.

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A St Neots sex offender has been jailed after breaching the terms of his order.

Robert Swinden, 46, wiped his internet history, declined to share information about his devices, and hid two bank cards from police.

He was handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in 2019 with conditions to monitor his behaviour for 10 years.

As part of routine checks, officers visited his home on March 2, 2020 and inspected his mobile phone and home computer, Cambridgeshire Constabulary said.

Checks revealed there was no internet history on the phone, which breached the terms of his SHPO.

When asked to hand over all other devices that belonged to him, he refused twice, which was another breach of his order, and was arrested.

A search was carried out at his home where two bank cards were found which Swinden failed to tell police about, and thus breached his sex offender register notification requirements.

Swinden, of Russell Court, St Neots, was charged with two counts of breaching a SHPO and failing to comply with the sex offenders register.

He later pleaded guilty to the charges and, in committing these offences, breached a suspended sentence previously given to him.

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Keith Brookes has been sentenced to 3 years imprisonment, he must sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order is in place for life.

The details of this case are sensitive and have not been made public.

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A man who sexually abused a four-year-old boy has been jailed for a total of 11 years at Northampton Crown Court.

Matthew David Stephen Benson, previously of Aylesbury, abused the boy in Isham on May 19, 2019, when, as a trusted adult, he took advantage of being left alone with the child for just 15-minutes.

The boy disclosed the offence to a parent, who called the police, and 25-year-old Benson was subsequently arrested and charged with sexual activity with a child under 13 and with causing a child to watch a sexual act.

At his trial in September 2021, a jury found Benson guilty of both offences and on Thursday, January 27, he returned to the crown court where he was sentenced to a total 11 years in prison.

He received seven years and four years on extended licence for sexual activity with a child under 13, and 16-months for causing a child to watch a sexual act, to run concurrently. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Lead Investigator, Detective Constable Kirstie Brooks, said: I am pleased with this sentencing result. Benson is a dangerous man who used the opportunity to abuse a very young child. He is now where he belongs behind bars and where he cannot hurt anyone anymore.

I would like to thank the young boy and his family who have been incredibly brave and strong throughout the investigation and court proceedings. Speaking up takes a huge amount of courage and strength and they should be commended for this.

Northamptonshire Police takes reports of sexual assault very seriously and will always treat reports of this nature with the confidentiality and sensitivity they deserve.

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Detectives hunting on the run rapist Daniel Hassan were able to pinpoint his exact whereabouts when he placed his fast food order. Northumbria Police detectives tracked down a wanted rapist after he ordered a 19 kebab from Just Eat. Sexual predator, Daniel Hassan, met his victim on an online dating site and arranged to meet for a date. The pair met up but Hassan became violent when a comment from the victim sparked an unexpected reaction. Hassan, 43, repeatedly punched and kicked his victim to the head and body before raping her. Despite her cries for help, he attacked her again causing more injuries to her face and chest and a laceration to her head. Hassan left the address as the victim reported him to police and an investigation was launched by the Northumbria Police Safeguarding unit. The victim could only identify the man as 'Danny' and that he was originally from Manchester but that proved enough for the specialist investigators to track him down. Despite deleting his dating profile, officers were still able to recover a photo of the suspect and using state-of-the-art technology, the image was a match for Hassan and was believed to be located in the village of Hauxley, County Durham. There was not a precise location of his whereabouts at that time but it was the moment Hassan ordered a takeaway through Just Eat, that officers were able to pinpoint his exact location and arrest him on suspicion of rape and assault. During the interview he denied committing any offences and refused to answer any further questions but he was subsequently charged with two counts of assault and one count of rape. Hassan was remanded in custody and a trial was set for January 17, at Newcastle Crown Court. However with continued enquiries carried out by the team, Hassan was presented with irrefutable evidence and pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial. Leading the investigation was Detective Constable Dayna McNally who has praised the victim for her bravery and hopes the outcome gives a strong reassuring message that we will find those committing violent sexual crimes and put them before the courts. DC McNally said: "I can't imagine how much of a traumatic experience this has been for the victim and she absolutely did the right thing reporting it to police. "Even with the limited information we knew about Hassan, we have been able to track him down and provide strong evidence of his crimes to the point he has been unable to deny it any more. "All the victim wanted was to find someone to connect with but this was the vile man she was faced with. "But now, women are safe from Hassan as he remains in custody awaiting sentence and will no longer be a risk to those looking for companionship." Hassan of Hessewelle Crescent, Haswell, County Durham has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on March 11.

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A pervert has been jailed after trying to meet a schoolgirl for sexual activity.

Liam Williamson made contact with a profile called Laurie on a dating app called Skout and was told she was 14, rather than 18 as advertised.

Despite this, he engaged in sexual chat with her and went on to arrange to meet her at McDonald's in Blyth.

The Laurie profile was actually being run by vigilante group Guardians of the North, who were waiting to confront Williamson and rang the police.

Now the 28-year-old, of Langley Avenue, Blyth, Northumberland, who has some additional learning needs, has been locked up for 13 months at Newcastle Crown Court for attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.

Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, said Williamson contacted the profile in May 2019 and the chat moved onto WhatApp.

Mr Ahmad said: "The defendant, on multiple occasions, suggested to Laurie she should go to his house in Blyth, telling her to get the bus and he would meet her at the bus-stop and sent her a picture of bus times.

"He acknowledged she was underage and he would get into trouble for touching her and said 'I would not touch you unless you wanted to be touched'."

He also said: "I could show you how to touch yourself but don't tell your mam or anyone, okay?"

He asked her to send him pictures in her bra and knickers and of her genitals and then arranged to meet her.

When arrested, he said he would not have touched her unless she wanted him to.

As well as the prison sentence, Williamson, who has no previous convictions will be subject to sex offender registration and a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.

Peter Schofield, defending, said Williamson is vulnerable and had an appropriate adult with him when interviewed by police.

He added: "When he became involved in this offending he was at an all time low and had recently lost his employment.

"He worked for two-and-a-half years in a hotel and is not workshy.

"He was isolated and the reality is what happened here is he let the situation spiral out of control when he should have known better, he being the adult.

"Custody fills him with dread, he is very worried and concerned about the effect custody will have on him. He will be vulnerable in custody."

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AN EASTLEIGH man has been jailed for five years after he attempted to meet a person he thought was a child. Simon Patrick Westwood exchanged messages, often of a highly sexual nature, with children over a nine-month period, a court heard. The 46-year-old from Eastleigh also made arrangements and travelled to an agreed location to meet with who he believed was a child. The child was not real. Westwood admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and arranging and or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence. The offences took place between January 2021 and October 2021. He was jailed for five years at Southampton Crown Court on Monday. Westwood was also ordered sign onto the sex offenders register as well as being made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Angela Smith-Jones said: In a day and age where social media is so prevalent in young peoples lives, and the ease in which messages can be sent by people unknown to them, it is incredibly important that we, as the police, are in a position to investigate if we believe that criminal offences have taken place during these exchanges. During this investigation, we have worked closely with the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) in order to develop evidence against an individual who had every intention of meeting who they believed to be a child in order to commit sexual offences against them. We want to continue to protect any vulnerable people, including young children, against possible sexual exploitation and I hope that this conviction shows the lengths that we will go to investigate any such claims. DC Smith-Jones added she hopes this sentence will alert others to the "dangers of the digital world" and encourage victims of child sexual abuse to come forward. Detective Inspector James Oxley, of the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, said: By working in collaboration with Hampshire Constabulary, officers were able to carry out a thorough investigation, demonstrating the lengths we continue to go to disrupt sexual exploitation and keep children safe from harm.

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A registered sex offender has been jailed after police found indecent images of children on his tablet.

James Bainbridge, 26, of Hartslock Drive, Bexley, was sentenced to three years imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court on Wednesday, January 27.

He pleaded guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention order, one count of distributing an indecent image of a child and one count of making an indecent image of a child.

Bainbridge was previously given a two-year suspended prison sentence in October 2020 after he attempted to meet a teenage girl he had been speaking to online.

As part of the sentence, he was also given an order which restricted his use of technology and stopped him from having unsupervised access to children.

On July 6, 2021, officers from a specialist unit responsible for monitoring registered sex offenders in Bexley were made aware of suspicious activity on a tablet belonging to Bainbridge.

They visited his home and found evidence that Bainbridge had breached his sexual harm prevention order. He was arrested and the device was seized.

A forensic examination revealed Bainbridge had used the tablet to view indecent images of children as young as 10.

Police Constable Jemma Morgan, from the Mets South East Jigsaw Unit, said: Bainbridge was being closely monitored by officers due to previous offending and it was through this monitoring that this offending came to light.

This type of crime is completely unacceptable and we take strong action when we receive reports of this nature, to protect children and young people from harm.

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Police have praised the bravery of two victims after the man who raped them was jailed. Jakub Bondalski was convicted of a number of sex offences after his victims came forward to report what had happened. This first victim told officers she had been raped by him in late 2019 and an investigation was launched. During this time, a further victim also came forward to report she had been subjected to multiple rapes, naming Bondalski as the offender. When questioned, the 20 year-old denied all allegations put to him, but was charged with a string of sexual offences. Bondalski, of Roslin Park, Bedlington, stood trial at Newcastle Crown Court in November last year where a jury found him guilty of five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. Last Tuesday (January 18) he was handed a nine-year sentence at the same court. And lead investigators, Detective Constable Nick Heywood and Detective Constable Laura O'Neil, have praised the bravery of the victims who spoke out against him. Det Con Heywood said: "Jakub Bondalski is a vile predator and it is thanks to the immense bravery of the victims that he is now behind bars. He has shown no remorse throughout this case. "I not only hope this gives the victims a sense of justice but also hope it encourages others who have been subjected to such offences to speak out. "I'd urge you to report it to police it's never too late. We will listen, we will support you and we are committed to bringing offenders to justice." Bondalski will also have to sign the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely.

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Predatory paedophile Harley Palmer, 27, targeted the young boys and molested them when they were alone.

He would buy his terrified victims gifts in order to buy their silence.

He was described at Taunton Crown Court as a dangerous and 'manipulative' abuser with a sexual interest in young boys.

His victims, aged nine and 13, were initially too scared to tell anyone what had happened and feared they would not be believed.

When the offences did come to light earlier this year Palmer initially denied doing anything wrong and described himself as a 'cuddly person' who would just tickle the children. But police found naked images of a child on his phone and he pleaded guilty to four offences.

Palmer was jailed five years and three months with an extra extended licence period of four years imposed due to the danger he poses to children.

The parents of one of the victims said in a statement they were 'devastated' by what he had done and he had destroyed their son's childhood.

The teenage victim said he still had nightmares.

Mr Harry Ahuja, defending, said Palmer was immature for his age, anxious, confused about his sexuality and sorry.

Palmer, of Friarn Avenue, Bridgwater, pleaded guilty to two offences of sexual activity with a child under 13 and two charges relating to the indecent pictures.

He was put on the sex offender register for life

Recorder Philip Mott QC told the defendant: "What took place was classic grooming behaviour by you.

"You are described as a manipulative person and a high risk of causing serious harm to pre-pubescent boys."

Palmer must serve two-thirds of his five years and three months sentence in jail before he can be considered for release by the parole board.

Recorder Mott said: "It is quite clear from the victim personal statements that there has been a serious psychological effect on the children.

He added: "It is very important to say to the two victims you are not to blame for anything that happened. It was not your fault.

"To your parents this is perhaps your worst nightmare and what your children need now is calmness, and above all love. For you to be strong and not to allow fear and anger to turn into a prison for your children."