Latest Offenders

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A teenage sexual predator that sexually assaulted a schoolgirl and raped an adult female has been sentenced.

Thomas Robert Birch, (now 18) formerly of Gravesend appeared in front of a judge and admitted the rape on the adult female but denied two counts of sexual assault against the child.

However, Birch who is now living in the Twydall area of Medway was found guilty and convicted on both charges.

The court was told that Birch who was 16 at the time, visited a house belonging to the parents of the victim.

When Birch was left alone, he sneaked up stairs and sexually assaulted the 14-year-old victim whilst she lay in her bed. Birch was fully aware the child was awake and continued to molest her even after she demanded him to stop.

After the attack, Birch calmly went back downstairs, said goodbye to the family members of the victim and left as if nothing had happened.

The victim told her parents who in turn informed the police.

However, the police did not act on the accusations until a woman came forward seven weeks later to say Birch had raped her.

Again Birch denied the rape, however, he finally admitted it when he realised the attack had been filmed on a ring door bell.

Birch escaped a prison sentence and was instead handed a community order and told to register as a sex offender.

Description

A HGV technician faces years behind bars after being found guilty of raping and sexually abusing two young boys.

Danny Tippett, 29, abused the victims at various locations including his flat, a leisure centre changing room and the back of his van.

Tippett, from the Camborne area, has been on trial at Truro Crown Court charged with five counts of rape of a child, eight sexual assaults of a child, inciting a child engage in sexual activity, two sexual activity with a child charges, twice causing a child to engage in sexual activity and making indecent photographs of children.

Following a lengthy period of deliberation the jury returned to find him guilty of all charges in front of an emotionally charged courtroom.

Tippett will be sentenced on Friday, March 11. Despite his tearful pleas that he wanted to say goodbye to his children, Tippett was remanded in custody.

Prosecuting the case, Jason Beal said the case revolved around sexual abuse of two young boys. In brief the abuse involved Tippett touching the boys sexually, making them touch him and raping them.

Tippett denied any sexual touching took place, claiming the complainants have "ganged up on him" by making the allegations. He said he enjoyed the company of the young boys as he was childish but claimed no crimes took place.

The offences came to light when one of the boys told his girlfriend.

The girl then told her mum who got in touch with the complainants mum.

Mr Beal said the abuse took place at various locations, including Tippett's van, one time at the changing rooms at a leisure centre and in his home.

Tippett told the boys theyd get in trouble if it came out and was also found to have indecent images on his phone.

In interview both complainants appeared upset but managed to describe what they say happened to them.

One complainant described having to physically stop Tippett raping him.

Throughout the trial the court heard how Tippett showered the complainants with gifts and affection.

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A TEACHER who was cleared of sexually touching pupils a North Yorkshire primary school over a decade ago has now been jailed for numerous child sex offences in Milton Keynes. Neil Francis, aged 46, formerly of Conyers Road, East Cowton, North Yorkshire, was sentenced to nine years imprisonment at Amersham Crown Court on Tuesday February 8. A jury found him guilty of 19 counts of sexual assault and eight counts of indecent assault. The court heard that in the 2000s, Francis sexually and indecently assaulted 11 female pupils while working as a teacher at a school in Milton Keynes. The offences were first reported to Thames Valley Police in December 2017 and Francis was charged on February 26 last year. In June 2009 Francis was cleared at Teesside Crown Court of touching three girls aged under 13 at a North Yorkshire primary school in a sexual manner. At the time, Francis was living in Ingleby Barwick, Stockton, and was suspended from the school he taught in after the allegations came to light. But he wasnt arrested and told of the precise nature of the complaints until a year later. And when the case went before Teesside Crown Court in June 2009 he was cleared on eight counts of sexual assault by a jury which deliberated for less than 45 minutes. At the Teesside hearing, Judge Peter Armstrong criticised the unacceptable delays in the case being brought to court and questioned why it had taken two years from the point at which child witnesses were interviewed by police to the case being brought to trial. Now that Francis has faced justice for his crimes in Milton Keynes, Detective Constable Michele Weston, of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, based at Milton Keynes police station, said: This investigation has taken four years to complete and involved the tenacity of several police officers and members of staff. This was a case where a teacher, who was in a position of trust, sexually abused 11 of his female pupils. I have nothing but admiration for each and every one of those victims who took the time to come to court and tell the awful tale of what happened to them - they should be extremely proud of themselves. I hope now that the victims can start to rebuild their lives with an assurance that they have played their part in protecting other vulnerable females from this defendant. The jury also found Francis not guilty of one count of sexual assault and were discharged on two other counts of sexual assault, which will lie on file.

Description

An unrepentant paedophile rolled his eyes when told he will be at least 83 before he gets out of prison.

Leonard Wood, 67, raped a child victim nearly 40 times during abuse lasting more than a decade.

When the now adult woman went to the police to report her ordeal, Wood claimed she instigated his "vile" attacks.

Wood denied any sexual activity between them when she was underage and claimed any sexual contact after that was consensual.

But a search of his home revealed camcorder cassettes hidden in the loft - including one that appeared to have been destroyed.

And when a detective managed to repair the old cassette, it showed Wood had filmed himself raping and molesting the child.

Wood, of Bark Road, Litherland, admitted only two offences - counts of making indecent photographs of a child.

They related to two recordings, which he claimed showed consensual sexual activity when the girl was 16 or 17.

He denied any other wrongdoing - forcing his victim to endure a trial - and said everything videoed happened on just one occasion.

Prosecutors said different clothing worn by Wood and the girl, different lighting and different dcor in the background on the two clips suggested otherwise, while the victim said she was aged between 13 and 15.

David Polglase, prosecuting, said in one clip, a song could be heard playing in the background - perhaps on a TV or radio - followed by adverts for movies.

He said when the track was released and those films were in the cinema, the girl was only 14.

Wood told the jury that was just a coincidence and he used to record songs, then play them back, so he could learn to play them for his band.

He claimed it had been the girl's idea to film the videos and said he didn't know how the cassette came to be smashed and secreted away in his loft.

Wood was found guilty of 11 counts of rape.

They related to at least 36 separate rapes, including one when she was 11 or 12, and others from the age of 13 to when she was a young adult.

He was convicted of three counts of indecent assault, which related to at least 11 attacks, when she was aged 11 to 13.

Judge Louise Brandon today said the jury was sure the girl was under 16 when Wood filmed the clips.

The judge said the prosecution described it as a "campaign of rape".

She added: "I'm sure the jury's verdicts demonstrate they were sure that is exactly what it was."

Judge Brandon told him in an "extremely serious aspect" of the offending "you sought to keep illicit recordings of your sexual assaults... for your own gratification".

She said: "You directed and controlled her to ensure you had the footage that you desired."

Mr Polglase earlier told the court how Wood "essentially conditioned" his victim and "normalised his behaviour".

He read out a victim statement in which the woman said when the abuse started she thought it was "normal" and didn't understand what was happening to her, even though it felt "wrong".

The woman said: "I never had a childhood I was supposed to have."

The victim explained as an adult she began self-harming and turned to alcohol to cope with her trauma, as she suffered with anxiety, depression, a lack of self-confidence, sleepless nights and hit "rock bottom".

However, she said it felt like a "weight lifted" after she came forward and Wood was convicted, adding: "I now feel like I can finally start living my life."

The woman said: "I feel like my life is starting now - a life I should have had for a long time."

Wood, who has one conviction for benefit fraud in 2004, showed no emotion as the statement was read out.

Judge Brandon told him: "It's not an overstatement to say your actions had a devastating impact upon her for decades and she continues to suffer the consequences of the harm you did to her."

Anthony O'Donohoe, defending, said because of his age, the "inevitable, lengthy custodial sentence" would have a "profound effect" on Wood and "the rest of his life".

He said a pre-sentence report showed "some indications of some insight into his culpability" and while there was "limited acceptance of his responsibility", these "chinks of light" meant he could undergo a sex offenders treatment programme in prison.

Mr O'Donohoe said: "His conviction and sentence will essentially break ties with his grandchildren.

"His daughter was supportive of him during the trial. I don't know what the state of their relationship is [now], but inevitably the custodial sentence will have a profound effect upon his immediate family, including his partner... who stands by him."

Judge Brandon said Wood took steps to prevent the victim from reporting his abuse and the woman remembered him telling her: "I will out you to be a liar because no one will believe you."

The judge said he "deliberately sought to attack the credibility" of his victim during the trial, telling the jury she was a "manipulative liar" and claiming "she instigated the vile abuse that you perpetrated against her".

Judge Brandon said: "The jury saw through your lies but that has not deterred you from repeating them for the new audience of the author of the pre-sentence report."

She said Wood had "no remorse" and "no appreciation" of the "severe psychological harm" he had caused.

Referring to the "chinks of light", Judge Brandon added: "If they are there, they are very difficult to see."

Wood rolled his eyes as the judge jailed him for 24 years, with an extended one year on licence as "an offender of particular concern".

He must spend at least two thirds of the sentence - 16 years - behind bars.

Wood must comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Speaking after the case, an NSPCC spokesperson said: "Wood's victim has had to live for many years with the knowledge and harmful impact of his campaign of sexual abuse against her.

"We hope that his conviction and sentencing brings her some solace, and that she is receiving the support she needs to address the effects of his abuse upon her life.

"This case highlights that people who speak out about sexual abuse will be listened to and justice can be achieved, regardless of how long ago the offence took place.

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A depraved paedophile from Cannock has been jailed after pleading guilty to child sex offences. Daniel Norton was sentenced to spend 13 years and six months in prison at Stafford Crown Court today, Monday, February 28.

The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to three counts of inciting a child under 13 years old to engage in sexual activity and one count of engaging a child aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity. Staffordshire Police has said he also admitted one count of blackmail.

The court heard how Norton exploited underage Snapchat users by creating bogus accounts purporting to give away free clothes. He would ask users to confirm their measurements by sending images before threatening to share them online.

Norton would then blackmail victims into sharing explicit images and videos directly.

Sergeant Natalie Waldrun, of Staffordshire Polices Operation Safenet, said: "Norton tricked and deceived unsuspecting girls into sharing explicit images online and has caused significant emotional stress to those involved.

"Staffordshire Police would like to commend the victims for their bravery in coming forward and assisting officers with the investigation.

Im happy that justice has been served and I hope this sentence serves as a reminder that specialist operations are proactively investigating sexual offenders who use social media to exploit victims.

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A LAW student from Bury travelled to Birmingham with the aim of meeting a 13-year-old boy he had been grooming only to discover police were already at the address. Minshull Street Crown Court heard Ashley Brooks had already been given a warning by the police about his conduct but tried to meet the teenager in January this year. Judge Mark Savill, learning of his conduct, said it was the most extraordinary of events I have encountered. The court heard the 25-year-old had been communicating with his victim since July 2020 after meeting on a Playstation network. He lied about his age initially and then threatened to harm himself if the teen blocked him. But last October he was visited by police after officers in Northern Ireland had become concerned about his contact with another teen. Officers visited his home on Holly Street, Tottington, and he was released on bail. But last January, on the day officers visited the home of the teen in Birmingham he had been in contact with, he went to meet him and had a hotel room booked. When he phoned the 13-year-old police answered and he asked officers if he could say goodbye. Brooks went on to visit the home after officers had left to apologise before handing himself in at Bury Police Station a short time later. He appeared in court to be sentenced after pleading guilty to child grooming. Neil Usher, prosecuting, said: His father speaks of his shock at his son being involved in such things. It has impacted on his school. It has had a lasting impact on their son, who shouldnt have to deal with these things at his age. The court heard Brooks had been in contact with three teenage boys, one of whom did not wish to assist the police and another who could not be traced. James Preece, defending, said his client had been studying for a law degree online but understood this was no longer an option.] He added that Brooks had encountered loneliness and mental health issues and said he had felt he was in a relationship with the boy. Passing sentence, Judge Savill, said: Anybody who engages in grooming behaviour over this period of time, in the way that you did can expect an immediate sentence of imprisonment. He jailed Brooks for two years and placed him on the sex offenders register and on a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. Speaking after the case, Det Con James Donnelly, from Bury Police's complex safeguarding team, welcomed the outcome. He said: "Brooks was clearly a predator online and was targeting young teenage boys online and attempting to meet up with them. "Thankfully one of the victim's mums raised concerns and reported them meaning we were able to catch him and unravel his crimes. "This is a step towards making the online world that little bit safer for children online now Brooks is behind bars. "I would urge parents and carers to be cautious about who their children and young people are speaking to online and if there are any concerns, report them.

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A man from Camber in East Sussex has been jailed after raping two teenage girls.

Scott Mucklow, 29, of Denham Way, Camber was sentenced at Brighton Crown Court on Thursday, February 14, and will be a registered sex offender for life.

He was given a 13-year sentence following an investigation by Sussex safeguarding detectives.

Mucklow was sentenced after previously being convicted of raping a teenage girl who at the time was 14-years-old at his address.

As well as this, he was also convicted of three counts of rape with another girl who was aged between 16 and 17 several years later, one of which was at an address nearby Lydd, Kent, and the other two at his own address.

Sussex police confirmed he was found not guilty of an offence of coercive and controlling conduct against the second victim.

Detective Constable Paul Harrison of the East Sussex Safeguardng Investigations Unit said: "Mucklow had seen his first victim in the street near his home, and although several years older than her, he eventually got her to home to his house, where he raped her. She felt unable to report this until 2017.

""He later formed a relationship with his second victim and raped her several times. However she became aware of the allegation by the first victim, as we interviewed Mucklow about it, and although initially supportive of him, once she had escaped that relationship and reflected on what had happened to her too, then contacted us.

"We were then able to fully investigate the offending against both girls and bring him to justice, with their support which included giving evidence against him in court.

"Mucklow was a predatory and oppressive exploiter of these two young girls. This sentencing shows once more that we can successfully investigate such people and provide support to their vicitms."

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A FORMER music teacher has been jailed for 17 years after he was convicted by a jury of sexually abusing a young boy nearly four decades ago. David Hope, 74, now faces spending the rest of his life in prison after a judge said his victim who cannot be identified for legal reasons had had to relive his horrific experience at the former Malsis School, Glusburn, during a trial. Judge Ahmed Nadim said the complainant was still bearing the scars of the damage done to him by Hope, who had exploited the boys vulnerability by repeatedly engaging in serious offending against him. You are a man who admits to having a sexual interest in young boys, a perversion that appears to be deep-rooted, Judge Nadim told Hope over a video link to HMP Leeds. Bradford Crown Court heard that Hope, of Granby Close, Headingley, had previously served a 20-month prison sentence in the 1990s for offending against other boys. In December last year, a jury found him guilty of three charges of buggery, three offences of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child. Barrister Nicholas Worsley, for Hope, said his client was now of an age where it was highly likely he would never see outside the prison walls. He said his client was not a well man and had to use a crutch to get around the prison. Judge Nadim said Hope had to be dealt with as an offender of particular concern, which meant he had to add an extra year of licence on top of his 17-year custodial sentence. He said the boys parents had sent their child to the boarding school with the expectation that he would receive a first class education, his character would be developed and the education he received would improve his life opportunities. They also expected that he would be properly cared for and safe at Malsis, added Judge Nadim. By committing the offences you committed you breached every one of those expectations Ive referred to, said the judge. It was no exaggeration to say that Hope had robbed the complainant of his childhood and undermined his lifes potential, he added. I have no doubt you have inflicted severe psychological harm upon your victim, said Judge Nadim. Hope will now also be subject to registration as a sex offender with the police for the rest of his life.

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A massage therapist has avoided jail with a suspended sentence after acting out 'pornographic fantasy' when molesting a young professional woman two decades his junior.

Masseur Graham Stannard, 47, of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, repeatedly touched the 25-year-old between her legs, claiming he was encouraged by her moans of pleasure.

But the woman insists she did not consent and her involuntary groans were a response to him massaging her painful condition - caused by an irritated nerve.

The jury rejected Stannard's claim he honestly believed the woman was consenting and unanimously found him guilty of two counts of sexual assault.

Uniquely, Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court Judge John Lodge ordered Stannard to pay 600 towards the victim's twenty-three private psychotherapy sessions she needed after he molested her.

He received twenty-one months imprisonment, suspended for two years and must complete 35 days of the Horizon sex offenders programme and up to 30 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement.

'It is hard to imagine a grosser abuse of trust than a woman on a massage table, in a position vulnerability, expecting to receive therapy and instead becoming a victim of abuse,' the judge told first-time offender Stannard.

'The generosity of spirit of your victim, who should have nothing but contempt for you, is reflected in her victim impact statement where she says: 'I hope the man is provided with the professional tools needed to address his behaviour and prevent any further assaults.'

'It is impossible in a case of sexual violation to seek to place a monetary value on it. It diminishes the gross violation of these offences, but the victim has sought to have therapy and that has cost her.'

'That was the bizarre thing about the trial,' added Judge Lodge. 'That he had a reasonable belief there was consent, which the jury understandably rejected.'

The trial heard Stannard, the boss of Healing Zen Massage and a practitioner of Zen-Su deep release massage had a therapy room in a beauty salon in Bedford Hill, Balham, south London.

After reading his positive online reviews the woman, who has a high-pressure desk job, booked an appointment to receive a massage on August 2, 2020.

The jury viewed her recorded police statement in which she said: 'When I removed my mask he said: "Wow. You've got such a lovely smile," and I thought that was the first thing out of place.'

She stripped-down to her knickers and lied face-down on the massage table as Stannard began. 'He said: "It's really nice you are making those noises. I'd like to hear more of them".

'They were just the normal noises of a massage,' she told the trial, explaining Stannard put his hand between her legs after massaging her hip area.

'He just went for it and touched me four times or something, quite hard under my knickers so it was not a mistake.

'I went completely quiet. I always thought in a situation like that I'd be shouty and tell him to: '"F*** off," but I just completely froze.

'I started moving my bum and hips away, but it didn't deter him and I thought: "What the f***?"

'I thought: "F***, he's going to do it again," and this time he really went for it.

'He asked me to turn over. I was topless and he looked stoked, so happy with eyes wide open, buzzing.

'He said: "You've got such an amazing body," he was ecstatic and said he was going to do my front and I thought he would do something worse.'

She said Stannard hastily concluded the massage then tried to discuss it with her. 'He was close to my face and from then it was just creepy.

'He returned after ten minutes and he was like: "God, that was amazing. Maybe I can take you out to dinner and do a massage after that."

'He gave me a hug and was going to try and kiss me and I left and called my boyfriend and burst into tears and told him what happened.

'I was sitting on the kerb, breathing heavily, it was horrible. I walked around for twenty minutes dry heaving and had a bath when I got home because I had oil all over me and wanted to get it off.'

She then received a text from Stannard, which read: 'Lovely to see you. Let me know about home massage.'

Today, prosecutor Warwick Tatford told the court: 'This defendant was working as a provider of massage services within a hairdresser's and a booking was made online by the woman.

'The defendant appeared to have a sexual attraction towards her and commented on her smile, which she thought was strange and while on her front her touched her above her knickers and then twice skin on skin.'

During the trial the prosecutor told the jury: 'No doubt his regular clients think good of him, but he gave into sexual temptation that day when he gave a massage to this twenty-five year-old lady, an attractive lady as you will see in the video.

'He just fancied her and couldn't resist sexually assaulting her. It was quite a forceful massage and she made noises when he hit a painful spot.

'She talks about moaning, but not with a sexual meaning. He started imitating what she was saying, like it was turning into some sort of pornographic fantasy.

'The defendant seems to have been caught up in the excitement of it all and acting out a sexual pleasure.

'He told the officers he was sexually aroused and had crossed the line. That's quite close to admitting sexual assault and he says he got carried away in the moment and that it felt consensual.'

When cross-examined the woman was asked about the noises she made and said it was 'wrong' to conclude she was 'aroused' during the massage.

She was asked why she did not ask Stannard to stop, replying: 'It happened so quickly, I was in shock. I didn't know what to say.'

Additionally, the woman was questioned as to whether moving her bum and hips could be 'misconstrued' as joining in with the sexual behaviour.

Stannard's lawyer John Livingston told the court: 'This is a man who is generally a kind and sensitive individual. This was out of character behaviour, crossing the line of professionalism in his line of work, which he has been doing for a number of years.

'This is the only incident of any complaint and the woman researched before booking the massage and the results indicated he was good at his job and helped a lot of people.

'It seems to have been an isolated incident of losing his proper professional judgement and now he is very remorseful about it.'

However, in his Probation Service interview Stannard repeated his claim he believed the woman was genuinely sexually aroused.

'That may be the result of extreme embarrassment of what he did and his remorse,' added Mr Livingston. 'The chances of his reoffending are low and going through the trial process has been traumatic.

'He has learned a very big lesson in the harshest possible way and has no intention of risking repeating any sort of offending.

'He had to stop his massage work. That has not been feasible since the start of this case and he is now a delivery driver for Uber Eats.'

Judge Lodge concluded: 'The work of Horizon and the rehabilitation activity requirement will provide a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and reduce the risk of further offending so the sentence can be suspended.'

Stannard was also made subject to a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, prohibiting him providing any physical, mental or spiritual therapy and he must sign the sex offenders register for the same period of time.

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A man who sexually assaulted two women and then forged a letter purporting to be from one victim claiming he was innocent has been jailed. Anthony Kirkbright sent the letter to a police station while on remand for the sex attacks in Accrington and Blackburn, Lancashire Police said. But the letter had a postage stamp from HMP Altcourse, where he was being held. The 54-year-old was jailed for four years at Preston Crown Court after admitting the assaults. Kirkbright, of no fixed address, harassed and sexually assaulted a vulnerable woman at Accrington bus station in June 2020, police said. While on bail he then attacked a second victim after being invited back to her home in Blackburn in June 2021. 'Grotesque behaviour' After Kirkbright was arrested, charged and held on remand he sent a letter to Greenbank police station in Blackburn purporting to be from his second victim - before being caught out by the postage stamp. Kirkbright pleaded guilty to two sexual assaults, attempting to pervert the course of justice and breaching a sexual harm prevention order. He had previously been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life. Det Con Tom Dawson said: "I am pleased with the sentence and that the courts have imposed orders which will restrict Kirkbright's association with women when he is released. "Like the judge in this case, I believe Kirkbright is a danger to women and I am pleased the public have some respite from his grotesque behaviour."

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A PAEDOPHILE whose sexual crimes spanned more than 40 years has been jailed. David Weatherall, 62, abused a child for years, starting when she was young, said Kitty Colley, prosecuting. The girl, now an adult, told York Crown Court his sexual acts had led to her trying to kill herself more than once as well as other physical and mental problems. But she didnt go to police until Weatherall was prosecuted for having indecent images of children in 2019 and his case was reported in the media. My only hope in coming forward is so I can seek closure for what I have suffered for many years, she said in a personal statement. My life was stolen from me. Nothing will get those years back of compensate for the trauma I have suffered. Weatherall, of Fossdale Close, Knaresborough, pleaded guilty on the day he was due to stand trial to four charges of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child. He was jailed for three years and made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order which bans him from, among other things, having any contact with children under 16. It is quite clear this offending shows your interest in children harks back some considerable time, said the Recorder of York, Judge Sean Morris. Weatherall will be on the sex offenders register for life. For Weatherall, Nick Cartmell said: He has managed to control whatever proclivity, whatever sexual interest he has. "There has been no similar offending since. The defence barrister suggested that Weatherall had used indecent images of children to cope with his continued interest in young girls and control his urges. He urged the judge to suspend the sentence to enable Weatherall to keep his job, his relationship and his accommodation. In 2019, the same court heard how police found long videos of young children being raped and sexually abused at Weatheralls home when they executed a search warrant there in 2017. One video was 38 minutes long. The children were aged between six and 13 and Weatherall accepted he became sexually aroused when he watched them. He admitted two charges of having indecent images of children. Originally jailed for 10 months, the Court of Appeal suspended the sentence and reduced it to six months, taking into account the months he had spent in jail awaiting the appeal hearing.

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A RAPIST has been jailed for nearly seven years after admitting sexual offences. Joshua Foote, of Newhaven Road in Orford, raped and sexually assaulted a woman during the incident in June 2019. The 24-year-old was handed six years and eight months behind bars on Monday, February 21, having pleaded guilty to rape and sexual assault. He was also told to sign the sex offenders register for life and ordered to pay a 170 victim surcharge.

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Retired businessman Hamish McCall stopped his car outside a Lanarkshire school as children were leaving and was later arrested after two children gave statement to police. A retired auctioneer who performed a sex act outside a primary school has been spared jail. Hamish McCall, 66, stopped his car outside the school in Hamilton as children were leaving. Pupils from a nearby secondary school also spotted former company director McCall in the vehicle. A supermarket worker saw the group pointing and laughing but was left sickened when he realised McCall had his trousers down. He noted the registration plate before McCall, a former president of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland, sped off. Two school children also gave statements to police and an investigation led to his arrest. McCall, of Strathaven, was convicted of intentionally engaging in sexual activity in the presence of the two children in February 2020 after a trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court. He has been put under supervision for 18 months by Sheriff Moira MacKenzie and also placed on the sex offenders' register for the same period. In evidence, McCall, a former golf club captain, claimed he had stopped to answer his mobile phone and insisted he had done nothing wrong. He said: "I have no interest in schools whatsoever, I went up past it to avoid congestion in Hamilton and had to answer my phone. "I do have a habit of rubbing the top of my leg while I'm on the phone but no way would I have exposed myself. "When I was interviewed by the police I was totally flabbergasted by what was happening because I had done nothing wrong, the wind had been taken right out my sails." McCall retired in 2020 after a 48 year career in agriculture. A source said: "McCall has been highly respected both professionally and in his community but his reputation lies in ruins." Giving evidence to depute fiscal Alice Carey, a 14-year-old girl said: "I saw a man in the car and his pants were down and his trousers were open down to his waist. "I don't know how long it went on for but I looked away after about 10 seconds. "It made me feel embarrassed and it felt quite disgusting. I had just turned 14 and I was quite shocked when I got home because I'd never seen anything like that before." A 13-year-old boy added: "I saw an old man in a car with his phone out and his hand was moving up and down." Brian Fitzpatrick, defending, said: "It's hard to know how to address the court when Mr McCall is a 66-year-old man with no previous convictions." Sheriff MacKenzie said: "The sentence will be one of a community payback order and you will be subject to supervision for the next 18 months."

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A HEADTEACHER who was extradited from Spain has been convicted of carrying out horrific sexual abuse in Renfrewshire. Vile rapist James Berry, 77, preyed on two women, committing a string of attacks spanning three decades. The crimes took place in Renfrew and Houston, as well as houses in Govan and Crookston, mainly between 1963 and 1987. Berry is the owner and headteacher of exclusive British school King Richard III College, in Mallorca, where he had lived for 30 years before being hauled back to Scotland in 2019 to face justice. He is now behind bars after he was found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow today of a total of five charges, including raping both women. Berry was also said to have been abusive in Spain and Canada. The oldest of the two victims once told a priest how she had suffered. However, Berry insisted it was "rubbish" that he had used "controlling" behaviour on the woman. He told the court: "I was not a dictator." Prosecutors said the woman suffered at his violent hands, including being sexually assaulted, punched and grabbed by the throat. The second victim recalled being abused at Glasgow's Hilton Hotel and during a driving lesson. Quizzed about these allegations by his QC Claire Mitchell, Berry said: "She was never abused, I can assure you." Miss Mitchell put it to him: "It is said you ordered her to do things, she was compliant and scared of you, that she did your bidding sexually." Berry denied this and told jurors: "I have been teaching for 50 years and I have a perfect record." Prosecutor Kath Harper later suggested to Berry that, if he was telling the truth, he was the target of "horrific allegations." He replied: "Yes." Berry, who spoke of a friendship with a former Rangers player, also said allegations against him had been made as part of a "criminal conspiracy" to take over his school. After the guilty verdict was delivered, Miss Harper told jurors Berry had been brought back to Scotland on a European Arrest Warrant. He had been living near a golf course in Santa Ponsa, Mallorca, with his wife and three young children. Judge Thomas Welsh QC deferred sentencing until February 28 for background reports. He told Berry: "I am not prepared to continue bail, so you will be remanded meantime." Berry had been accompanied during the trial by a woman who works with him at the school in Spain. He waved to her as he was led to the cells.

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Joshua Checksfield breached the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order Devious pervert Joshua Checksfield has been jailed after he breached the terms of an order by contacting a 15-year-old schoolgirl. The 19-year-old was sentenced to a three year community order and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in December 2020 after he was convicted of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. But months later he breached the order by contacting a 15-year-old girl and installing software to use Snapchat, which he was prevented from doing under the terms of the order. Now Checksfield has been sentenced to 30 months detention in a young offenders' institution. Devious pervert Joshua Checksfield has been jailed after he breached the terms of an order by contacting a 15-year-old schoolgirl. The 19-year-old was sentenced to a three year community order and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in December 2020 after he was convicted of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. But months later he breached the order by contacting a 15-year-old girl and installing software to use Snapchat, which he was prevented from doing under the terms of the order. Now Checksfield has been sentenced to 30 months detention in a young offenders' institution. Prosecutor John Oates told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court the defendant was made the subject of a SHPO in December 2020 which prevents him contacting a child under 16. But in July a mother of a 15-year-old girl realised the teen had been speaking on her phone and discussing travelling on a train to meet the defendant. Mr Oates said: "She took the phone off her and formed the opinion somebody had been trying to groom her daughter. A check of the phone showed the defendant had contacted her daughter on a number of occasions. "He had two phones. One was not registered with the police." The girl had told the defendant she was 15. Mr Oates said: "He kept insisting he thought she was 17 but that was clearly not the case from a review of the messages. Various messages had sexual implications. He spoke about love and called her kinky. "He talked about travelling to Manchester to meet her. "The matter was reported to the police." Checksfield, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two charges of breaching a SHPO. Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, said the defendant has spent five months in custody. Mr Muldoon said: "He made admissions regarding his sexual attraction to young females, aged 15 upwards. "He is going to take whatever steps he can to ensure he doesn't return to custody." Judge Paul Glenn revoked the community order made on December 23, 2020 and re-sentenced him for that as well as these breaches. Judge Glenn said: "You contacted a 15-year-old girl on a persistent basis over seven weeks. You gave a false name and lied about your own age. She told you she was 15. You were not deterred. "You are devious. You visited the child three times in Manchester in July. You used Snapchat by using a web browser rather than an app to avoid detection. You were thinking quite clearly. "The risk of you re-offending is high. "These offences are so serious it has to be an immediate custodial sentence."