Search the database
clearly and quickly

Record details

A Wirral man has been jailed today, Friday 27 October, for breaching an order by possessing sexual images of children.

Andrew Davies, 52 years, of Mill Lane in Wallasey was sentenced to three years and 11 months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court this afternoon.

The court heard that in November last year, officers conducted a routine visit to Davies’ home under the Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed on him. When officers were checking his electronic devices, he admitted using social media which is a breach of his terms.

His electronic devices were seized, and detectives found 133 prohibited and distressing images of children of a sexual nature found on them.

Davies was found guilty of all 133 prohibited images found on the device and nine breaches of Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The Sex Offender Unit ensure that sex offenders living in the community are closely monitored.

Detective Inspector Steven O’Neill, from the Sex Offender Unit, said: “Davies went so far as to try and evade guilt by accusing his family members saying that they were responsible for downloading the images on to his device.

Record details

A former university lecturer who came to London with a children’s book intending to sexually abuse a 6-year-old girl has been jailed. 

At the time of his trip to Stratford, 73-year-old Dr Keith Firman was on licence having served a six-year prison sentence for abusing another young girl. 

Using a chat platform under the username ‘Grandad’, Firman contacted a woman who claimed to have a six-year-old daughter. 

Firman arranged to meet with the mum in east London and discussed how he would abuse her daughter, prosecutor Deepak Kapur said. 

On May 26 this year Firman arrived in Stratford from Southampton armed with a children’s book to read to the child. 

However, the woman he had been speaking to was an undercover officer and Firman was arrested as he walked towards the house he believed the girl lived in. 

When officers checked his phone they found he had also been in conversation with another undercover officer who was posing as a 13-year-old girl in Derby. 

During this discussion he referred to himself as ‘naughty teacher’. 

When interviewed by officers Firman said he knew this was going to happen and that he shouldn’t have come. He added that he “just couldn’t help himself”. 

Defending Firman at a sentencing hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday (October 26), Lynton Orrett said his client didn’t plan to sexually abuse the six-year-old girl when he travelled to Stratford. 

“He said all he would have done is read to the child, had the child on his knee and really used that occasion as, I wouldn’t say to break the ice, but as an introduction to that child on that day. Whether anything would have come later down the line the defendant doesn’t know,” Mr Orrett said. 

Throughout his life Firman had worked as a molecular biologist, researching nanotechnology and DNA. He also lectured at the University of Portsmouth. 

Firman, of Suttones Place in Southampton, was first outed as a sex offender in 2014 when he admitted 21 counts of possessing, making and distributing sexual photos of children. He was jailed for 15 months. 

Two years later, in 2016, he was jailed for six years for three counts of indecent assault against a girl in the late 1980s and 1990s. The girl was aged between eight and 10. 

Judge Timothy Greene said: “You are an intelligent man and you knew there was a risk that this was a trap but you were so desperate to abuse that 6-year-old girl that you took that risk anyway. 

He added that Firman seemed to think this abuse was “perfectly natural”. 

Judge Greene said: “You’re not really remorseful. You think you were tricked into committing these offences.” 

He sentenced Firman to four years and four months with an extended licence period of four months. 

Judge Greene also ordered Firman to sign the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

Record details

The parents of a young girl who suffered ongoing nightmares after she was sexually abused have been left "heartbroken" and "disgusted" at what happened to her – but they are relieved that she has finally got justice.

They hope that the jailing of the girl's abuser will mark "part of the road to recovery" for her after the "deeply unpleasant" incident, Hull Crown Court heard.

Craig Smith, 27, of Priory Grove, west Hull, denied sexually assaulting the girl on April 28 last year but he was convicted by a jury after a trial.

The court heard that Smith intimately touched the girl after pulling down her underwear. The incident had caused serious problems for her, including nightmares and dreams that started soon afterwards.

Her family hoped that these would become less as she got older but they feared that they would not.

Smith had previous convictions, including being locked up for 15 months in 2014 for wounding and others of criminal damage, burglary and arson. He had no previous convictions for sexual offences.

Defence barrister Nigel Clive said: "There's little that can be said by way of mitigation." There were "deeply unpleasant elements" to the offending but there was no significant planning and no use of alcohol or drugs. Smith was relatively lightly convicted.

"Thankfully, for all, this is not the worst offence of its type," said Mr Clive. "There are other offences which, regrettably, are far worse than this." With the passing of time, it was hoped that that the memory of the incident would "fall away" in the girl's mind.

Judge Kate Rayfield told Smith: "You thought you could get away with touching her. She still has nightmares and flashbacks to what happened."

This was an example of "just how far-reaching sexual abuse can be" and it would have to be seen what the lasting effects on the girl would be.

"You have been sentenced to custody before, although many years ago," said Judge Rayfield.

Smith was jailed for four years and he was given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. He will have to register as a sex offender for life.

After the hearing, the girl's mother said: "We would have liked longer but are happy that she has found some justice. We are so glad that that she could come to us and that we finally got something back for her." She said of Smith: "We are just disgusted."

The girl's father said: "We are heartbroken. It's hard to put it into words. We got justice for her. She can rest easy. It's part of the road to recovery for her.

"We hope that it's all done and dusted and that we can keep her happy and smiling."

Record details

A paedophile who preyed on an eight-year-old girl promised her chocolate in exchange for her silence.

Terence Griffiths, from Moreton, abused the little girl over a period of one-and-a-half years, grooming and repeatedly sexually assaulting her. He told her to keep his actions a secret, and promised her chocolate in exchange for her silence - with a jar of Nutella being found in the bedroom of his home.

His vile secret was discovered when the girl told her mum the 58-year-old had been "kissing her weird", describing the act as "a full snog". She told her he had touched her breasts and private parts, and had shown her graphic videos of "ladies doing stuff to men".

After showing the girl a video of a woman performing a sex act. he told her: "I wish that was you."

He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentence today, October 25, after being found guilty of nine counts of sexual assault of a child, one count of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and one count of causing a child under 13 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity, last month. The court heard he continued to deny the offences, and had suggested the little girl "had been acting in an inappropriate sexual way."

Reading from a statement from the girl's mum, prosecutor Steven Swift said: "Before (daughter) confided in us what was happening we were a normal family going about our everyday lives. The disclosure was a complete shock and has affected every aspect of our lives, especially (daughter).

"(Daughter) frequently became upset at school and often the school would notify us at the end of the day. This would cause many sleepless nights, waiting to go back to school the following day.

"We worry about (our daughter's) future especially as a teenager when she begins to understand the full extent of what has happened to her. We worry future relationships and trust will be tainted."

David Polglase, defending, said: "(Griffiths) has various difficulties with mental health, various diagnoses that he has had and that he is awaiting. There's a neurological disorder, he has the shakes, he has COPD, he takes medication for anxiety and depression and there's a concern about a degree of risk of self harm."

Judge David Potter said: "It's quite clear to this court that (the girl) suffered significantly as a result of her disclosures. She became upset frequently, including at school, and to this day remains somewhat hesitant towards male figures.

"Your total offending was on no fewer than 30 occasions and some occasions will have included more than one type of sexual activity by you on (the girl). No doubt you are a dangerous offender."

He sentenced Griffiths, now of of David Street, Malltraeth, Bodorgan, to a total of 11 years in prison. He was also given a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, and will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

Record details

A man who asked what he thought was a 12-year-old girl for indecent naked pictures had no idea he was in fact talking to an undercover police officer.

Chris Waine, 26, told the online decoy he "wanted to f*** someone other than his fiancée" after communicating with her on social media under the username "IWannaCheat". He went on to ask the supposed 12-year-old to send him indecent naked pictures, and when she refused he said he would find someone who would.

He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today, October 25, where he pleaded guilty to one count of attempted sexual communications with a child.

Prosecutor Ian Criddle said the brief conversation with the decoy, known as Izzy, happened in November 2021. Waine was arrested in May 2022, when he admitted sending the messages on the 18+ chat website, but denied being sexually interested in children.

Mr Criddle said: "The offence took place on social media. The girl had purported to be 18, and called Izzy. That's when the defendant messaged her 'are you horny?', thinking she was 18 at that time. However the undercover police officer replied saying she was only 12. The defendant then asked if the communication could continue on another social media platform, Snapchat.

"When on Snapchat he said he wanted to 'f*** someone other than his fiancée'. He asked for a photo of Izzy and was sent one of her in a nightie. He said he wanted naked photographs. She declined to provide these photographs and the defendant said he would find someone who would, and the chat ended."

Waine, who appeared in court supported by his fiancée, was described by his family as "hard working, caring and sensitive".

Jim Smith, defending, said: "What's different in this case is we have an attempted victim, who is not a real victim, who appeared to be 18 years of age. This seems to be a genuine out of character incident from this defendant at a moment when he was suffering from his own personal problems."

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones said: "Rapidly you were informed by the decoy that she was aged 12. That didn't deter you. You wanted her to touch herself, you were asking her to provide a photograph, and asking her to perform a sex act for you."

He added: "It's right to say this is an isolated incident. There's no other indication you had any indecent images of children or any other attempted to behave in this way, so I will regard it as an aberration as far as you are concerned. You accept full responsibility. You expressed remorse. From what I have seen today I regard that as genuine. I hope I'm right about that."

He sentenced Waine, of Downing Road in Bootle, to 16 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to carry out 30 days of rehabilitation, and will remain on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Record details

A child rapist who started abusing girls when he was just 12-years-old has been given a lighter prison sentence due to his ‘immaturity’ at the time of the attacks.

Mohammed Ahmed, who is now 24, repeatedly sexually assaulted two younger girls in Edinburgh. Police had been called to his former home after he told them he was considering taking his own life. Officers later discovered there had been a confrontation involving Ahmed and a victim days earlier during which he was accused of raping her.

The sex offender, from Mayfield Road in Edinburgh, denied a series of charges during an earlier trial but was convicted of five offences involving two girls. He was found guilty of sexually assaulting and raping one girl when she was aged nine in December 2010. The High Court in Edinburgh also convicted him of assaulting her by punching her, grabbing her by the hair and dragging her.

Ahmed was also found guilty of sexually assaulting and raping a second girl on various occasions between 2010 and 2014, including physical assaults during which he punched her and pulled her hair and on one occasion pushed her down stairs and throttled her after putting his arm around her neck, reports Edinburgh Live.

Judge Lord Doherty said Ahmed had a tough childhood and suffered with his mental health. He told him: "Had you been an adult at the time of all of these offences the sentence I would have passed would have been more severe. In light of your immaturity at the time of most of these offences, the sentence which I pass is an extended sentence of six years imprisonment, of which the custodial part is four years and the extension period is two years." It means Ahmed will spend four years behind bars and a further two years on licence.

Defending, Gareth Jones KC said his client continued to deny committing the offences and has not committed any further crimes since his attacks between the age of 12 and 15. But he acknowledged that ‘serious harm’ was caused and argued that given Ahmed's young age now and at the time of the offending the guidelines for sentencing young persons applied in his case.

Record details

A HORRIFIC sex-offender has been jailed for repeatedly breaching orders preventing him from being around children.

Adam Blyth, 24, was sentenced in August 2014 for five different charges involving the rape of a child under the age of 14.

As part of this Blyth was served a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) for 10 years, a court order which restricts the actions of someone the courts feel is at risk of causing sexual harm even upon their release from prison.

This order included restrictions around unsupervised time spent with children.

The sex-offender appeared at Liverpool Crown Court last week following two breaches of this order, in which Blyth was pictured around young children.

Prosecuting, Andrew Jebb told the court how in "the middle of 2022" Blyth had been pictured with his three-year-old son on a train, in an unsupervised visit.

Further, Blyth was pictured at a family party in Warrington on August 20 this year with his partner’s son. He was seen on CCTV alone with the child, who is also three, on various occasions, as well as arriving in the same car.

This second breach also took place while on bail after having been arrested and warned by police for the picture taken with his son.   

These were not the first breaches of the order, as Mr Jebb told the court that this pair of offences were the third occasion on which Blyth had breached his SHPO.

Blyth, of Grasmere Fold, St Helens, breached the order in 2017 and 2018.

Defending Blyth, Sarah Griffin told the court that "substance abuse made him think he could just act normally" despite the order.

She said: “He has been trying to address his substance abuse, to address his use of drugs, alcohol, and his mental health.”

Ms Griffin also reiterated that, whilst the visits were unsupervised, in both cases he was not alone with the children. This was proven by the fact that someone else took the picture of him and his son, and that the party was a large family gathering with lots of other adults nearby.

Judge Trevor Jones, presiding over the case, said:

“You are 24 now and were sentenced 10 years ago for a number of serious sexual offences when you were 14.

“The defendant accepts he was fully aware of the order when he breached it.”

Judge Jones also told the court that, in a pre-sentence report on Blyth, he was judged as being a "high risk of reoffending".

For the two counts, Blyth received terms of 22 months imprisonment

Record details

A man has been jailed for rape after police officers ‘stumbled across a sex attack’.

Anthony Donald Raymond offered to give a woman a lift home in March 2022 – when he detoured to a remote location in Wiltshire and parked.

It was there that the 33-year-old, of Amesbury, forcibly removed her clothing and carried out the rape.

Police officers on routine patrol came across the incident taking place, but Raymond managed to evade them and flee the scene.

Following a week-long trial at Winchester Crown Court, the account of the victim backed up by the officers and their accompanying body-worn camera footage secured a guilty verdict.

On 20 October, he was jailed for nine years and told to register as a sex offender for life.

DC Martyn Powell of South CID said: “I would like to praise the victim in this case for having the courage and conviction to see this through a difficult 18 months and a week-long trial.

“The officers at scene who came across this incident captured key information and evidence on their body worn cameras which was able to be produced to the court in evidence.

“I hope that this sentence inspires others who have suffered sexual violence to come forward and report incidents to the police where we will endeavour to support you.”

Record details

A police officer who blackmailed and threatened underage girls to send him explicit photos of themselves on Snapchat has been jailed for life.

Lewis Edwards, of Cefn Glas, Bridgend, groomed more than 200 girls online.

The 24-year-old, who had 4,500 indecent images of children, admitted 160 counts of child sexual abuse and blackmail.

The South Wales Police officer messaged 210 girls aged 10 to 16 from November 2020 until February 2023 and images of 207 of them were found on his devices.

Edwards, who refused to go to Cardiff Crown Court throughout his three-day sentencing hearing, joined the force as a police constable in January 2021 but is now barred from policing.

Handing him multiple concurrent prison sentences, including several life sentences with a minimum term of 12 years, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said: "It is clear that he not only gained sexual gratification from his offending but he also enjoyed the power and control he had over these young girls."

Edwards will also be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, barring him from working with children or vulnerable people and requiring him to keep his personal details logged with police.

She described his behaviour as "cruel and sadistic" and "psychologically manipulative", adding that he posed a high risk of danger to children.

"Even when his victims were crying, begging him to stop, the defendant did not stop even though he could be in no doubt about the immense harm he was causing his victims," she said.

Edwards used a profile picture of a teenage boy to trick his victims into sending explicit images, with one saying that during video calls Edwards would sit in the dark, showing only part of his face.

The young girls were told by Edwards to take nude pictures, sometimes wearing only items of their school uniform, and perform sexual acts.

When they tried to ignore his demands he threatened them and said he would share the images he already had, or said he would hurt their families.

Prosecutor Roger Griffiths said one 12-year-old victim was told by Edwards he could "come to her house and shoot her parents".

Edwards installed a "legitimate application" which allowed him to record images sent to him by the girls on Snapchat, without their knowledge.

In an audio recording played in court, Edwards could be heard saying "I wish I could just watch these forever" as he watched sexual videos sent to him by a 13-year-old.

In another video, a girl was audibly distressed and could be heard saying "do I have to?" and "I feel forced".

Mr Griffiths said Edwards received images from girls while on duty at least 30 times.

Among his victims were two sisters, aged 13 and 15. The younger sister sent images of her bottom and breasts and a video of her performing a sexual act.

In a victim statement, one girl said: "I was only a little girl. I feel confused, embarrassed, disgusted and I have no self esteem. I lost my innocence. I felt guilty and I still struggle to trust people."

Another victim, who was 13 when Edwards contacted her, told the court the contact began when she was about to start at a new school.

"I was vulnerable because I really wanted to make new friends. I thought I was talking to a really nice boy who liked me lots," she said.

Edwards would tell the girls stories about bad things happening in his life to "guilt trip" them, Mr Griffiths added.

Judge Lloyd-Clarke said Edwards' crimes were "significantly aggravated" by the fact he was a police officer.

She added: "There is no doubt that his actions have caused significant harm to the reputation of South Wales Police and police in general.

"But it should also be borne in mind that it was officers from South Wales Police who investigated this case."

South Wales Police said its investigation into the case began in December 2022 when the force was made aware of suspicious online banking activity linked to the downloading of indecent images of children from the dark web.

Officers linked an IP address to Edwards' address and, after his home was searched, victims were identified through Snapchat usernames, despite Edwards refusing to provide pin codes to two of his devices.

South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Daniel Richards said Edwards' crimes were "despicable".

"The public will be as shocked and sickened as we are that such appalling offences were committed by a serving police officer," he added.

"As soon as we knew the offender was a serving police officer, Edwards was suspended and sacked."

He also said that vetting of Edwards at the time of him joining the force did not indicate anything to suggest the "abhorrent offences".

Lucy Dowdall of the Crown Prosecution Service said Edwards targeted vulnerable children and "ruined their lives".

Just one victim was found by Edwards directly through his role as a police officer whom he messaged after responding to a 999 call and noting her as a "vulnerable girl" in his paperwork.

Snapchat said: "Any sexual exploitation of young people is abhorrent and illegal and our hearts go out to the victims in this case."

The company said it "works in multiple ways to detect and prevent this type of abuse" including recently adding new pop-up warnings for teenagers who may have been contacted by someone they do not know.

The NSPCC called the case "incredibly distressing" and "deeply concerning".

Record details

Police released a statement today following a review into the vetting of former PC Luke Horner who was jailed for child sex crimes earlier this month.

Horner, 24, was convicted following an incident that took place while he was off-duty in Rushden, Northamptonshire, on 11 June 2023, involving the sexual assault of a teenage girl.

The Amersham police station based officer was sentenced on 6 October, at Northampton Crown Court to six years’ and four months’ imprisonment, for engaging in penetrative sex with a child aged 13-15.

Thames Valley Police DCC Ben Snuggs said: “Our thoughts remain with the young girl and her family who have been affected by Horner's criminal behaviour.

"Such behaviour has no place in policing or in society.

"We are grateful for His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) insight.

"In its report, HMICFRS highlights we could not have anticipated that Horner would end up committing such abhorrent sexual offences against a child.

"It also agreed with our decision to grant vetting clearance, and that our processes were consistent with national practice at the time."

CC Jason Hogg had chaired an Accelerated Misconduct Hearing and found it in the public interest for former PC Horner to be included in the police barred list.

A targeted review carried out by HMICFRS noted that the force could not have reasonably anticipated that PC Horner would carry out the offence.

Horner’s vetting file was reviewed and the HMICFRS agreed with the force’s decision to grant initial vetting clearance.

The HMICFRS review is also not critical of the outcome of the Counter Corruption investigation carried out into Horner following information being received by the Force in February 2022 prior to the incident on 11 June 2023.

The statement on Mr Horner comes amidst other nationwide hearings on police misconduct, with a disciplinary hearing today finding that the behaviour of two met officers amounted to gross misconduct over stop-and-search operations.

Thames Valley Police made an investment of staff in to the Central Vetting Unit in April this year.

A training course was developed alongside this to refresh staff in-line with recommendations.

The force says that as a result of the recent investment it now conducts more in-depth research on applicants, completes an increased number of vetting interviews, and has improved recording of decision making and rationale.

DCC Snuggs added: “We will review each of the HMICFRS recommendations carefully to ensure that any further changes to our processes are made. 

“We want to help build a police service the public trusts in and will continue to remove those who have no place in policing.”

Record details

A 31-year-old Rotherham man has been put behind bars after raping a woman while she was asleep.

During a three-day trial, Sheffield Crown Court heard how Christopher Pearce sexually assaulted a woman, putting his hands down her trousers despite her telling him to stop, before she fell asleep.

The victim subsequently woke up to Pearce shining a light in her face. He said to her: "You were awake for that weren’t you?" before she realised that her trousers had been removed and felt some pain, the court heard.

Christopher Pearce, of Crownhill Road, Brinsworth, was found guilty of rape and sexual assault and was sentenced to 14 years in jail at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday, October 20, 2023.

Detective Constable Katy Walker said: "The victim has shown true bravery and determination during this trial.

"Despite the overwhelming forensic evidence, Pearce refused to admit his crimes.

"We would like to thank the victim for helping us with our investigation, ensuring that Pearce paid for the truly horrific crime he committed.

"At South Yorkshire Police we take every report of rape seriously. We hope this sentence provides the relief the victim needs to attempt to move on with her life."

Record details

A paedophile sexually assaulted a 12-year-old boy as he played out on his bike. The child was approached by 21-year-old Kai Huston, while he was out near his home in Salford on a summer’s afternoon.

The boy’s bike had broken and Huston offered to help, Manchester Crown Court heard. He asked the child "if I fix this for you, will you do something for me?" before sexually assaulting him.

Now Huston has been declared ‘dangerous’ and locked up. Prosecutors told how Huston had previously been arrested by police after he was found to have uploaded a category A indecent image of a child - the most serious type - on Snapchat in July 2021.

He was caught but then released under investigation. Then two years later he sexually assaulted the boy, aged 12 at the time.

The child was playing out on a residential street in Salford, on a Thursday afternoon in July. It was a school day, but he was at home because teachers were on strike, prosecutor David Toal said.

He had been riding his bike, but the chain had broken and he was trying to fix it. Huston got out of an Uber nearby.

He then 'ushered' the child to a 'more secluded location' in a nearby alleyway, and offered to help fix the bike. Huston then crouched and put his arms around the child.

He touched the boy on the 'bottom area' and his lower back. Huston told him 'don't go anywhere' and said 'if I help you with this chain, will I get something back?'

He also asked: "If I fix this for you, will you do something for me?" During the incident Huston had asked the boy how old he was, and he told him he was just 12.

The boy was 'frightened' during the assault and at one point tried to leave. As he tried to run away, Huston 'grabbed' him by his T-shirt, but he was able to break free and escape.

The police were alerted, and Huston was caught. Defending, Hugh Barton said Huston's motivations in approaching the boy had initially been 'entirely innocent'.

"This was not him out looking for someone or targeting an individual in that way," he said. Huston has been diagnosed with autism and experienced a 'desperately difficult' childhood, Mr Barton told the court.

He said Huston was a 'vulnerable figure' and 'in many ways a damaged one'. Huston, from, Salford, pleaded guilty to distributing an indecent image of a child, and sexually assaulting a child.

Sentencing, Judge Alan Conrad KC declared Huston a ‘dangerous’ offender. It means he will serve two-thirds of a four year sentence in prison, before he will be monitored for an additional two years on licence.

Huston was ordered to sign the sex offender's register for life.

Record details

"I know what this is about." These were the words of a 'monster' paedophile when police raided his house earlier this year.

David Eyre, 55, who claimed his offending was due to a pornography addiction, was targeted by Merseyside Police officers from the specialist Online Child Abuse Investigation Team on June 20 this year following a lengthy investigation into his online activity, the Liverpool ECHO reports. Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday (October 23) how Eyre told officers "I know what this is about" when they visited his Southport home and pointed at his computer, adding, "the devices are down there".

Prosecuting barrister Robert Dudley said police found "a computer tower" and three hard drives. The defendant added there was also another computer at his mum's address. An iPhone was also seized and examinations found its search history included "1970s school girl pornography" and "extreme beastiality".

During his first interview he answered no comment. However, after examining his electronic devices police officers found a disturbing haul of indecent images that included a number of photographs and videos of the same child. On August 16, Eyre's home was raided again and a second iPhone was found along with a suicide note.

Mr Dudley told the court how when questioned again the defendant admitted to having an addiction to pornography. He said he was "desensitised" to extreme pornography and added "when you're bored it pulls you back in". The court heard he had sought help for his addiction in the past but could not afford the sessions.

He said his addiction dated back 35 years but this was the first time he had acted on it and "was a threat". The court heard Eyre's devices contained hundreds of images and videos.

During the interview, Eyre, who had last wiped his computer three to four months before his arrest, said: "I'm glad of the intervention." The offending started when the victim was just 15 months old and continued until she was four.

Three moving victim impact statements were read to the court by Mr Dudley. The victim's dad said: "When I found out she had been sexually assaulted my heart sank." He said: "How can a monster hurt a beautiful, innocent girl". The court heard how the victim's family "don't know what damage this will cause in the future".

The victim's mum added she was "numb" when she was told what happened and "everything felt mumbled". She said she felt guilt because her daughter would have "wondered why we weren't there in her time of need".

She added her daughter's "innocence was taken away" and she would now have a "lifetime of picking up the pieces". Lastly, the victim's nan added the family is "going through a grieving process" and their "world crumbled" after Eyre's criminality was revealed.

Officers investigating Eyre not only charged him with assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration and touching, but also three counts of taking indecent images and three counts of possessing indecent images, among a number of other charges.

He possessed hundreds of images, including nearly 650 category A - images of the most serious nature - that he had made himself. He also possessed images of prepubescent girls as young as seven.

Louise McCloskey, defending, said: "What can one say about these types of offences" and added it was all said in the victim impact statements heard in court. She said the offences would have been like a "hand grenade going off" for the victim's family.

In mitigation, she added that the defendant had written an extensive letter to the court which "showed proper acknowledgement of the harm he has caused". Ms McCloskey added the defendant had his own difficulties as a child and these issues had manifested into a porn addiction.

She said the defendant should be entitled to full credit - due to his earlier guilty plea to 16 different offences at magistrates' court - and asked that any sentence issued be "significant, but determinate".

His Honour Judge Robert Trevor-Jones told the defendant he was treating the two counts of penetration as the lead offences on the indictment. The judge acknowledged Eyre's letter had expressed remorse and referred to desensitisation surrounding the serious pornography.

Judge Trevor-Jones told Eyre his addiction was "entrenched behaviour" and saw him "completely preoccupied". But he also acknowledged how Eyre was a "psychological, physical and emotional risk to children" and only an immediate and lengthy custodial sentence would suffice.

The judge sentenced Eyre, who wore a short-sleeved flowery shirt during court, to 14 years with an extended licence period of five years. He will also have to sign the sex offenders' register for life. The judge also enforced a sexual harm prevention order, a deprivation order on his electronic devices and a restraining order to prevent him contacting the victim or her family.

Detective Inspector Victoria Tinsley, from Merseyside Police's Online Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: "Merseyside Police is completely committed to bringing child sex offenders before the courts, no matter how long ago the abuse took place. We have specialist officers within our Online Child Abuse Investigations team who are dedicated to investigating these crimes, bringing those responsible before the courts and ultimately protecting young people from unimaginable suffering.

"Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to stress that if you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, or know of a child being abused, please come forward and report this to police. We take all such reports extremely seriously and if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion."

Record details

A woman in her eighties was sexually assaulted by a perverted burglar who broke into her home. The bedbound victim, woke to find Anthony Shakleton 'standing over her' with a hoodie over his head before he carried out the 'dark and deviant' act, a court heard.

Shakleton, 33, had broken into her home in Birkenhead, Wirral as she slept in the early hours of May 31 this year, Liverpool Crown Court was told.

The terrified woman asked who he was and told her to get out. Robert Dudley, prosecuting, said Shackleton shouted back at her that she was a "nosey b***h" and a "c***" before sexually assaulting her.

When Shackleton realised the victim wore an incontinence pad he called her "a baby", the Liverpool Echo reports. He also placed, what was described as being like a golf ball, in her mouth and a flannel over her face.

Mr Dudley told the court Shackleton also slapped her in the face leaving a "red mark".Shackleton stole the victim's purse and a sentimental bracelet, which was given to her by her son who died in tragic circumstances.

The 33-year-old was linked to the horrific crimes after DNA evidence was found on a disposable vape left at the property and on the woman's purse which was stolen.

The woman also provided a victim impact statement and it said how she "does not want to see anyone" and was "scared to sleep". She added how she still sees images of Shackleton.

Her daughter also provided a victim impact statement and described how her mum's life has been "shattered" following the incident. She said how her mum was rushed to hospital following the incident and doctors feared she would not survive the night due to being so frail.

She added how her mum was hospitalised on various occasions since the incident but thanks to her "tenacity" and "mental strength" has come through.

Mr Dudley read the statement on her behalf and in it, she addressed Shackleton directly. "You deserve to go to prison for a long time as you are clearly a danger," she said.

The court heard how Shackleton had four previous convictions in his adult life, including burglary and conspiracy to commit blackmail. Chris Stables, defending, told the court the mitigating circumstances put forward was "in no way an attempt to justify what happened" and there was "scant mitigation to be found".

He added: "No amount of punishment will be enough but the court is here to take an objective view of the offences."

Mr Stables told the court he had a troubled childhood and suffered with substance and drug abuse. He said the "need to fund the addiction lead to the crimes" and was under the influence of drink and drugs at the time of the incident.

He said Shackleton had previous employment and did "possess employability skills". Mr Stables said: "He feels disgusted and embarrassed and regrets it bitterly."

Shackleton, of Queens Drive, Prenton, previously denied sexually assaulting his victim, but later pleaded guilty to both burglary and sexual assault on a female.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones addressed Shackleton and said how the offence of burglary was "despicable enough", however, the second offence of sexual assault was a "dark and deviant impulse which is difficult to believe".

Record details

A man raped a 13-year-old girl in a hotel and threatened to share intimate pictures of her.

Joshua Pemberton, 26, attacked the girl at a Travelodge in Livingston, West Lothian, on January 22, 2022.

Pemberton, of Beauly, Highlands, then followed her into a bathroom where he put his arms around her.

He had, on earlier occasions, taken intimate images of the girl and sent written sexual communications to her.

Pemberton went on to disclose and threatened to disclose intimate images of the girl between the day of the rape and June 22 that year.

He is also charged with meeting the girl with intent to engage in unlawful sexual activity with her or in her presence.

Pemberton had sex with two other girls aged between 14 and 15 at properties in Inverness.

The charges span between January and June 2022.

Pemberton pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to a total of 16 charges.

He was jailed for 27 months in 2018 after he threatened to rape and drown a 13-year-old if she did not send him indecent images of herself.

Pemberton was later jailed for two years in 2019 for a similar offence.

Sentence was deferred until next month where more information regarding the circumstances of his latest offences will be heard.

Pemberton had his remand in custody continued meantime by Judge Lady Stacey.