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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".

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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.”

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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."

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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.

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"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."

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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".

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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.

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A sex offender from Lewisham has been convicted of engaging in sexual communication with a child and three sexual assaults, including on 14 and 16-year-old girls.

Mohammed Aminu, of Nightingale Grove in Hither Green, appeared in the dock at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday (October 20) where he pleaded guilty to four offences.

The 25-year-old admitted that on March 22 last year he sexually assaulted two teenage girls by touching.

He also admitted that the following day he engaged in communication with a 14-year-old girl about having sexual intercourse.

As well as this Aminu pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a third person on March 25.

These offences all took place just weeks after he was found guilty of stalking a woman at Lewisham Shopping Centre last year.

The court heard that between May and July last year he stalked the woman at the shopping centre.

In February 2023 he was found guilty of that offence and in May he was jailed for six weeks.

Judge Jonathan Mann KC ordered a pre-sentence report and told Aminu: Your offending in all of these occasions shows a worrying escalation from what youve done before.

Aminu will remain in custody until he is sentenced.

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A sex offender who raped a teenage boy in Greenwich after hitting him with a baseball bat has been jailed for 18 years.

Kieran Johnson, 21, was at an address in the SE10 area of Greenwich with the 18-year-old victim on March 13 last year.

He hit the teen with a a baseball bat and demanded that he hand over his phone, keys and a vape pen.

After the robbery, Johnson raped and assaulted him multiple times.

Johnson, of no fixed address, was arrested the following day at a hotel in east London after quick forensic work at the scene.

He denied the offences but was found guilty of two counts of rape, one of sexual assault by penetration and one of robbery.

On October 13 he was sentenced to 18 years in prison by an Old Bailey judge.

Detective Constable Robert Shires of the Met’s South East BCU said: “I hope that this conviction and the lengthy prison sentence can bring some closure to the victim, and show that justice has been served. We will continue to support the victim and I hope that he recovers in his own time.

"I urge anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to report the matter to police. Dedicated officers will support you and work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice.”

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A man sent sexually explicit videos of himself to recipients he thought were children. Michael Denman, 34, sent a friend request and a video of himself engaged in a sex act to a Snapchat account on February 8.

The two began a conversation, with the victim stating she was 14 and Denman claiming he was an 18-year-old man called Sam. Denman, a registered sex offender from Cambridge, was not deterred by the victim's age and sent her 14 videos in two days, of which 13 were of him engaged in sex acts.

He repeatedly asked the victim, who was actually an adult, sexualised questions, requested sexually explicit content from her and requested a photo of her wearing her school uniform. Denman previously lived in Cambridge, but last year informed police of an additional address in Watling Street, Little Brickhill, near Milton Keynes.

This address was identified following investigations into the IP address linked to Denman's account. He was arrested on April 26 and his mobile phone seized.

When officers searched the property, it was clear Denman was living there. They were able to match the backdrops in some of the videos with the interior of the home, as well as discovering a bedspread pictured in some of the content.

While the casefile was being assessed by the Crown Prosecution Service, officers from Cambridgeshire Constabulary received information about a similar investigation being conducted by another force. In February, Denman had used the same Snapchat account to contact two other adults, one posing as a 12-year-old boy and the other a girl of the same age.

Although they were clear about their age, he sent them multiple videos of himself engaged in sex acts. He also asked the 12-year-old girl sexually explicit questions and discussed travelling to meet her for sex.

Denman admitted inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, three counts of causing a girl under 13 to look at sexual imagery, three of sexual communication with a child, and breaching requirements under the Sex Offenders Register. He was jailed for five years and given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday (October 20).

DC Andrew McKeane said: "Denman genuinely believed these three accounts were being used by children. Once knowing they were children Denman was not perturbed and continued to prey on them and bombarded them with sexually explicit content.

"He is clearly a danger to children, and I'm pleased he has been brought to justice for his actions. I would urge parents to take an interest in their children's online interactions and speak openly and honestly with them about any concerns they or the child may have. The NSPCC provide a wealth of knowledge to enable parents to protect their children from such predators."

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A 'dangerous offender' who plotted to sexually abuse a 12 week-old baby at a Manchester city centre hotel has been locked up.

Mark Whalley, 71, who was also found in possession of a sickening library of child abuse images, was brought to justice after a National Crime Agency investigation was launched following intelligence received from law enforcement agencies thousands of miles away in Norway.

The NCA said Whalley was arrested before he could even get into the lift in a foyer area of the hotel during an undercover operation. No baby was at the hotel.

He told officers who swooped on him that he was at the unnamed hotel because he was having an affair, but went on to plead guilty to a raft of charges. Whalley, of Wharf Close in Manchester city centre, has now been jailed for six years and eight months.

The NCA said after receiving intelligence from Norwegian law enforcement partners, agency investigators found Whalley had discussed his sexual interest in children under 12 years of age on an encrypted online platform.

He had shared indecent images of children with other users on the site, and described the extreme abuse he wanted to engage in, said the NCA in a statement.

It was discovered Whalley used the platform to message an individual who said they had access to a baby, and discussed a meeting, said the agency.

The NCA said in a statement: "Whalley was arrested by NCA officers on suspicion of child abuse offences before he could get in the lift at the hotel. At this point, he told officers they were mistaken and attempted to pass the meeting off as an affair.

"After initially pleading guilty to making and distributing indecent images of children, he later pleaded guilty to an additional count of arranging a child sex offence.

"Whalley had arranged to abuse the baby while subject to a separate investigation in which indecent images of children had been recovered from his devices in 2021."

Whalley pleaded guilty to arranging a child sex offence; two counts of making indecent images of children; possession of extreme pornographic images and three counts of distribution of an indecent image of children. He was sentenced for all of the offences at Manchester Crown Court on 23 October 2023.

Daniel Waywell, NCA Operations Manager, said Whalley was 'a dangerous offender who had clear intentions'. "As a result of close collaboration with colleagues here in the UK and overseas, we were able to intervene and arrest him, and he will now spend years behind bars for his crimes," he said.

"The NCA works tirelessly to ensure that children are protected from sexual abuse, identifying the offenders who pose the highest risk and ensuring that they are held accountable."

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A Hartlepool man has been put behind bars after he sent explicit videos of him committing sexual acts to someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy.

Jasonn Harrison, 54 of Kesteven Road, Hartlepool, has been sentenced to two years and seven months in prison and been put on an indefinite Sex Offenders Notice after he sent sexually explicit videos of himself and graphic sexual messages.

Whilst Harrison believed he was speaking to a teenager, he was instead speaking to officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) and Cleveland Police.

Following his arrest in January 2022, Harrison appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Monday (October 23) for his sentencing.

This follows from August 11, where he plead guilty to arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, possession of extreme pornography and cause/incite a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity. 

Detective Inspector Leonard from NEROCU, : “When sex offenders operate online, they think they can hide their crimes, but this case shows the lengths officers will go to protect victims and bring offenders before the courts.

“This has been a long and thorough investigation by our team, and this result has meant a predator is now behind bars and potential victims have been prevented.

“Online offending is sadly on the rise, but our investigative skills and evidence gathering are constantly evolving.

“We would always encourage anyone with information about this type of offending, or anyone who thinks they have been a victim to come forward and talk to police – you will be supported.”

“Under Operation Sentinel, our regional approach to tacking serious and organised crime, we will continue to investigate these online offences to safeguard children and protect the public. For those engaging in this type of behaviour, our message is simple- you will be caught, and you can expect a knock at the door from us.”

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A man who raped a 15-year-old girl, leaving her with long term mental health issues, has been sentenced for his wicked crimes.

Andrew Orrell, 59, had pleaded not guilty to rape but was found guilty by a jury of the historic sex offence.

Preston Crown Court heard he raped the teenager in the summer of 2005, when he was then 41.

Orrell, who still maintains his innocence, raped the girl at his flat after he stopped his car to buy alcohol at a nearby shop, just weeks before her 16th birthday.

The victim said she was asleep in a bed when Orrell, who had said he would sleep on the sofa, got into bed with her and raped her.

After the incident, the victim moved from the area and never heard from Orrell again, until a year later when he sent her a message via Facebook which read, "You're hot".

Prosecutor Sharon Johnson told the court the victim did not report the rape until she went to therapy in 2020.

She said: "The victim felt it lasted forever, but it was only 15 minutes.

"She pretended to be asleep whilst he was on top of her, and when she woke up she had a shower, but still felt dirty and horrible."

An impact statement from the victim said: "Since this incident, I have felt my life has been frozen and stopped me from maturing.

"I have moved away from the North and I still struggle around older men and relationships.

"I have anxiety and depression. He took me at the most vulnerable time of my life and I struggle with showers even now."

Mitigating, Cathy McCluck told the court Orrell had no intention of contacting or visiting the victim ever again.

Orrell, who has refused to admit his crimes even after conviction, also claimed the victim accused him of rape in order to receive money.

Ms McCluck said: "This is an extremely difficult case for a defence to come into. The defendant still believes she consented."

Sentencing Orrell, of Bacup, Judge Heather Lloyd said: "During the trial you and your counsel were keen to emphasise your plea of innocence.

"You caused much distress. You claim you have mental health problems but I am yet to see evidence of it.

"You are not at risk of re-offending, but you have delayed justice with your not guilty plea."

Orrell received a nine year sentence for rape, and four months for breaking bail.

He will not be able to apply for bail until he has spent six years in prison.

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An IT engineer from Somerset who arranged to meet young girls at an airport hotel so that he could sexually abuse them has been jailed for two years. Mark Hemus, 37, from Portishead, was arrested by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers in October last year after checking in to the hotel where he planned to abuse the two girls.

Prior to his arrest, he had been discussing his sexual interest in children with other paedophiles on a number of online chat platforms. Using a pseudonym, he messaged a user who said he had access to two girls, aged eight and 11.

He spoke intimately to his online contact about the children and what sexual acts could be carried out on them. They arranged to meet at the Premier Inn Hotel at Heathrow Terminal 4 on October 28 last year and Hemus booked a room.

Hemus was arrested by NCA officers in the foyer of the hotel after he had checked in. Officers recovered a rucksack from his hotel room, which contained Fruit Shoot drinks, sweets and toys that he planned on giving the girls.

Hemus has previous convictions for indecent images of children offences in 2005 and 2020, and is currently subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) banning him from using false IP addresses, names or aliases while using the internet.

When interviewed, Hemus said he had travelled to London for a medical appointment which was then cancelled. However, he later admitted hed come to Heathrow to carry out sexual abuse but claimed that he wouldnt have gone through with it as he was scared.

Hemus was charged with one count of arranging or facilitating the commission of sexual assault of a child, one count of breaching his SHPO and one count of possessing prohibited images of children. He pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on October 31 last year.

At a hearing at Isleworth Crown Court this month he was sentenced to four years - two in prison and two on licence. NCA Senior Manager, Adam Priestley, said: Hemuss online chats and the fact he travelled to the hotel showed a clear intention to sexually abuse young girls.

He is a persistent sexual offender who poses a real threat to children, so this investigation was vital in ensuring he is unable to carry out his intended crimes. Disrupting individuals like Hemus is a priority for the NCA and we will continue to do everything we can to protect children from harm.

Record details

A man has been jailed just two days after he exposed himself in front of a mother and her five year-old daughter on a train from Manchester to Birmingham.

Tabrez Ali, 39, and of Vere Road, Peterborough, pleaded guilty to exposure and trespass at Black Country Magistrates’ Court on 5 October.

The judge sentenced him to 18 weeks in prison, he was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge fee of £154 and to sign the sex offenders register for seven years.

The court was told that on Tuesday 3 October 2023, Ali sat opposite the victim and her child. He later removed his trousers, exposing himself. When the victim moved her child, Ali attempted to sit directly next to them.

A male passenger shouted at Ali to “leave them alone”, as the victim and her child moved to the back of the train.

Ali exited the service at Wolverhampton station where he ran across the train tracks to avoid station staff.

The court was told that on Tuesday 3 October 2023, Ali sat opposite the victim and her child. He later removed his trousers, exposing himself. When the victim moved her child, Ali attempted to sit directly next to them.

A male passenger shouted at Ali to “leave them alone”, as the victim and her child moved to the back of the train.

Ali exited the service at Wolverhampton station where he ran across the train tracks to avoid station staff.