Latest Offenders

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A security expert led a secret life as a child rapist and made his victim "pinky promise" not to reveal the abuse.

Ken Clark had toured China, India and Japan as a high-ranking executive with a nationwide security company and even volunteered to help the NHS during the Covid pandemic.

But behind the facade, he preyed on children as young as three and kept silent with "a pinky promise" where people grip eachother's little fingers and make an agreement.

Family members listened and wept in the public gallery as they heard evidence against the 65-year-old at Maidstone Crown Court.

Clark, formerly of Chapman Avenue, Maidstone, was found guilty of 18 child sex offences, including rape, and having indecent images.

He has now been given a 20-year jail sentence. The judge added an extra year which will be served on licence when the parole board allows him to be freed.

As he was being led away - refusing to look at the public gallery - one mother shouted: "I hope you ******* rot".

In 2012, when he was logistics manager for Secom in Maidstone, he bragged about getting tickets to go to Leeds Castle for the Olympic Torch celebrations.

He wrote: "The weather that week was a lot of rain and despite a few dark clouds, the event went without a drop. Dizzee Rascal and Twist & Pulse performed on stage.

"Lloyds TSB gave us the opportunity to hold a real Olympic Torch and Coca Cola gave away special bottles of coke to drink. Other sponsors gave away frisbees, wrist bands, banners and flags etc.

"I must admit, being there and seeing it caused a lot of emotion for people and I felt honoured to be a part of it."

But a jury heard despite the respectable image Clark was secretly attacking youngsters.

The judge, Recorder Simon Stirling heard during a three-year campaign of rape he left his victims suffering nightmares, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts and probable long-term psychological damage.

One of his victims was particularly vulnerable because of a medical condition.

The sex attacks only ended when one victim spoke out, revealing Clark had made them promise not to say anything.

Even then Clark denied the attacks and tried to blame others - but the jury saw through his lies.

Tom Dunn, defending, told how Clark had enjoyed a career in security providing services for the Chinese government, building hospitals in India and also working in Japan.

He added that now Clark had lost everything, his job, his wife and his home.

But the judge said his contributions to society was nothing in comparison to the damage he had done to his victims - and ruled that he still posed a danger to children.

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A convicted child rapist from Burneside engaged in explicit online chat with a 12-year-old girl and encouraged her to engage in sexual acts. Connor Naylor, now 20, was initially sentenced in 2018 for raping a young girl while aged in his mid-teens. He received a detention and training order as punishment and was placed on the sex offenders register for five years. But over the course of four months, between March and July, 2020, Naylor struck up an online relationship with a girl he met on a gaming site. "During the time period," prosecutor Kim Whittlestone told Carlisle Crown Court, "the defendant asked the victim for indecent photographs and also sent them in return." She claimed to be 16, repeating this to Naylor despite the defendant having been contacted by her father and told she was only 12. In July, 2020, the girls sister found evidence of the explicit chat Police were contacted and, when Naylors phone was examined, still and moving images of the girl engaging in sexual activity were found on WhatsApp. In interview, Naylor, of Hall Park, Burneside, agreed he was contacted by the girls father but said she claimed to be 16 when challenged. Naylor admitted four offences: causing a child aged under 13 to engage in sexual activity; causing a child to watch a sexual act; and possession of indecent photographs of a child. Eight images were classed in category A - the most serious - and 50 in category C. Carlisle Crown Court heard Naylor was deemed to be "emotionally immature", suffered from Asperger's syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), had been bullied at school and been unable to form age-appropriate relationships. A probation officer concluded he was "remorseful and reflective", and had made no attempt to minimise his criminal conduct. "Of course Mr Naylor needs to be punished," said Jacob Dyer, defending. "It is significant, perhaps, he did not have the input he needed at a much earlier time, following the commission of the (rape) offence." Judge Simon Medland QC acknowledged Naylor's personal difficulties as he handed down a 32-month custodial sentence. He imposed an extended three-year licence period, concluding that Naylor continued to pose a risk of serious harm to members of the public. "You may not agree with what I have done," said Judge Medland, addressing Naylor's parents in the court public gallery. "I thought it was the right thing to do, and the necessary thing to do." Naylor was made subject to the strict terms of a prevention order and must sign the sex offenders' register, both indefinitely.

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A judge has imposed a 10-year extended sentence on a 27-year-old former Brighouse man for a "callous and sadistic attack" on a woman.

Bradley Stevens, now of no fixed abode, was jailed for six years and three months at Bradford Crown Court yesterday (Friday) for a series of offences including a sexual assault and inflicting grievous bodily harm. However, Recorder Benjamin Nolan QC also concluded that Stevens should be sentenced under the dangerous offender provisions and added a further licence period of three years and nine months.

The court heard that Stevens, who had previous convictions for sexual offences and robbery, would have to serve at least two-thirds of the custodial term before being considered for release.

Recorder Nolan said during an attack on a woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, Stevens had deliberately bent back her finger until it snapped in what was described as a callous and sadistic act. The judge made reference to a pre-sentence report which referred to Stevens as posing an on-going risk of serious harm.

The report author added: He sees no harm in behaving inappropriately violently when he struggles to get what he wants.

Recorder Nolan said: I have no doubt whatsoever that there is in your case a significant risk to members of the public of serious harm."

Stevens will also now have to register as a sex offender with the police for the rest of his life.

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AN 'EXTREMELY' manipulative rapist with a 'pattern of targeting young girls' has been handed a life sentence. James Thomas Aspinall, 23, of no fixed abode, appeared via videolink at Mold Crown Court on Friday, March 18. Charged with two counts of rape and one of assault causing ABH, he was handed a life sentence by Judge Timothy Petts. Simon Mills, prosecuting, told the court that the incidents took place in November 2019 when Aspinall was 20. The court was told that the incidents took place at a communal living area of some flats in Connah's Quay. Aspinall was alone with his victim and became angry towards her over 'her behaviour earlier that night'. He hit her with a chair, hit her across the face and 'placed both hands' over her throat. The first count of rape that night took place moments after. After she had told him she thought she might already be pregnant from before that night, he proceeded to kick her in the stomach. The court heard how the victim was 'isolated' and had no way of getting home from the flats. Aspinall then pressured her to stay again, taking her phone away from her. After finding texts to her friends on that phone asking for them to help her find a way home that night, he became angry again and raped her a second time. In the victim personal statement read out in court, she said Aspinall had 'made it feel normal' for her to be in a relationship where she was hit and raped. It added that the incidents had had a 'massive impact on her life and how she views herself' and led to her losing her 'confidence, happiness, dignity and her real self'. The statement added that the incidents had also impacted on life with her current partner and that she had been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression. Aspinall was described as 'extremely manipulative' in court, with a 'very concerning' psychiatric report concluding that he posed a high risk of serious offending if set free from jail. Dafydd Roberts defending said the defendant had 'opened up' to psychiatrists and that 'a number of issues were raised'. He added that Aspinall had 'a lot of maturing and developing to do' and that 'only time could allow that'. Roberts also said that Aspinall would have to 'persuade the authorities that he is safe to be released'. He added that he is someone who would have to be 'monitored very, very carefully upon release whenever that may be.' In his closing remarks, Judge Petts said he 'hoped some closure' could come for the victim over time and apologised for the length of time it took for the case to arrive before the crown court. He said the psychiatric report showed that Aspinall took 'a fascination in controlling others' and a 'pattern of targeting young girls for his own sexual gratification'. He said that, as he 'could not predict when that risk would end', he had no other choice but to give out a life sentence. Aspinall was sentenced to a minimum of nine years and 10 months in prison on two counts of rape. Judge Petts said he would only be eligible for parole after this period of time. A restraining order without a length of time was also put in place and he faced no separate penalty for the assault charge.

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Dangerous and unrepentant paedophile Anthony Young, aged 71, drove the child to self-harm and left her suffering from panic attacks A nudist pensioner has been jailed for abusing a girl - driving her to self-harm and panic attacks. Dangerous Anthony Young, aged 71, used his interest in naturism as a cover for his paedophilia, a court heard. Unrepentant Young admitted sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in an incident not connected to his hobby. She told Plymouth Crown Court: "I was an innocent child and he used me for his own gratification and I hate him for what he has done to me. I have daily flashbacks and I am afraid that these will never stop." The victim said in an statement read by a police officer that she had self-harmed in the past and was on medication for post-traumatic stress disorder. Jailing Young for five years and four months, Judge Peter Johnson said: "You not only marred but you ruined that young girl's childhood and adolescence, leaving her with long-term problems. You do not accept what you have done. You certainly do not accept the harm which you have caused (girl's name). "You pleaded guilty but that was not a true admission of guilty nor an expression of remorse, far from it. You told the probation officer that you pleaded guilty 'just to get it over with'. You concealed being a naturist from your wife. That was a cover for your interest in young children and indeed a cover for your paedophilia." He ruled that Young was a dangerous offender, meaning he must serve two thirds of his sentence, or just over three and a half years. Most offenders are released at the half-way point. The defendant will remain on licence for a further four years, making a total extended sentence of nine years and four months. Young pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the girl by penetration between October 2010 and December 2013. He admitted sexual activity with the child between October 2010 and January 2014. Young, of Biggin Hill, Ernesettle, also pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of a child in 2014 and 2015. The court heard there were 100 images with nine in the most severe category showing abuse. The identities of all the victims and alleged victims of sexual abuse are protected by law. Mary McCarthy, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said that Young was acquitted of a serious sexual offence against a child at a trial in 2009. She added that police were told about the sexual abuse of the second girl in January 2014. The court heard Yong denied any offence. Miss McCarthy said: "Unfortunately at the time it was not proceeded with." The barrister said that Young made frequent sexual remarks and touched her sexually before the most serious offence. Judge Johnson said he had been grooming his victim. Miss McCarthy said that Young was arrested in May 2020 on suspicion of sexually communicating with an eight-year-old girl. She added that that case was not prosecuted but police found the old images on his phone and reopened the investigation. The victim said in the statement: "When he started abusing me I was too young to understand that it was wrong. From such a young age I was afraid." She added that her panic attacks left her in tears, struggling to breathe and with a pain in her chest. Michael Green, for Young, said that his client was open to sex offender treatment inside prison and then in the community. He also pointed to a delay in bringing the case. Young was also put on the Sex Offender Register for life and handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order. It will limit his contact with children and allow police to monitor his internet use.

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This convicted rapist told a judge "thank you sir, God bless" as he returned him to prison, which he prefers rather than living in the free world. Derby Crown Court heard how Mark Newbold deliberately breaches the terms of the sex offender register so he can keep being put back behind bars.

The 54-year-old was jailed for rape in 2006 and since then has continually been sent back inside when he is released. Defending himself, he even corrected the judge, telling him this was the 11th breach of his order.

Jailing the defendant for another 12 months, Recorder Jason Macadam said: "You are not represented today, Mr Newbold?"

He replied: "I don't need representation, sir, because I am guilty."

Recorder Macadam said: "Is it nine previous breaches?"

Newbold said: "It's 11, sir."

The judge said: "This is now your chance to ask for a reduction in your sentence but I don't think you want me to do that do you?"

The defendant replied: "No, thank you."

Recorder Macadam said: "Sadly your wife died in 2017 which I rather imagine is why you prefer to be in prison? Mr Newbold, I know you are deliberately breaching the notification requirements because you want to be kept in custody and you can carry on doing that.

"But it would be better for you to try and work out a plan of how you are going to live in the community. Give it a go, when you are released go to the nearest probation office and say 'please can you help me because I am struggling'."

Newbold replied: "Thank you very much, sir, God bless."

Caroline Bradley, prosecuting, said Newbold, of no fixed address, was jailed for five years for rape in 2006.

She said as part of the conviction he is a sex offender and as such is on the register. Miss Bradley said under its terms, when he is released, he must notify the police of where he is living within three days.

But he does not do that and there have been "a number of breaches" over the years.

The prosecutor said: "The situation seems to be, in this particular case, he was released on November 5 and did not register an address with the police. Therefore, he was arrested and he has been remanded into custody ever since.

"He states that he wants to go back to prison and therefore he is not minded to comply."

Newbold pleaded guilty to breaching the terms of the sex offender register. As well as the new jail term he was ordered to pay a 156 victim surcharge.

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He had almost 3,000 vile images This Derby paedophile admitted to touching himself sexually while viewing sick images and films of babies and pre-pubescent children being abused. Derby Crown Court heard how 22-year-old Luke Ringer had been getting sexual satisfaction from the horrific movies and stills for more than seven years. When police raided his home during an early morning bust they seized his mobile phone and computer tower and found almost 3,000 vile examples of what he got pleasure from. Also discovered were images of adults engaged in sex with animals and web search terms he was looking for illegal pornography. Handing him an eight-month prison term, suspended for two years, Judge Martin Hurst said: "The children you look at on the internet are real children being raped in real time very often by their own parents. "And those are the images you uploaded for your own gratification. "I hope you understand that? "You say you don't have a sexual interest in children, but the rest of us find that completely impossible to understand." Stephen Kemp, prosecuting, said police received information an email address linked to Ringer was being used to download child abuse images. He said shortly before 7am on July 8, 2020, officers carried out a raid on the defendant's home and found him there. The prosecutor said a Samsung mobile phone and a computer tower were seized and examined. On them were a total of 329 still images and 19 movies of the most serious category A, which typically show very young children being raped by adults. Mr Kemp said there were 289 category B pictures and two films; 751 category C photographs; 1,700 prohibited (animated) images of children and 34 stills of people engaged in sexual activity with animals. He said: "There were also web searches which indicated he had been searching for indecent images of children, some of the images depicted babies and others of pre-pubescent children. "He admitted he used the images to (touch himself sexually to) and he said it was because it was a taboo subject. "He said he was not sexually attracted to children and had never abused a child." Ringer, of Kedleston Street and who was supported in court by an older man and woman, pleaded guilty to possession indecent images of children, extreme pornographic images and prohibited indecent images. He has no previous convictions of any kind. Once Judge Hurst said he was not sending his client immediately to prison, defence barrister Steffan Fox said he had nothing to add in mitigation. As well as the suspended sentence, Judge Hurst ordered Ringer to carry out 200 hours unpaid work, pay 300 costs, to attend a 43-day sex offender programme and to do 45 rehabilitation sessions. He also handed him a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and placed him on the sex offender register, also for 10 years.

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An Ipswich paedophile who downloaded indecent images and videos of children, including babies, and distributed them to other people has been jailed for five-and-a-half years.

Sentencing 47-year-old Edmund Hall Judge Emma Peters described some of the videos and images, especially some of babies being abused, as horrific and said: For some inexplicable reason you have an interest in the sexual abuse of babies.

She said when he was 17 Hall had joined the Catholic priesthood and had had to repress his sexuality.

Ipswich Crown Court heard that police officers seized an iPhone from Edmund Halls home in May 2021 and when it was analysed it was found to contain more than 200 indecent images and videos of children.

Nicola May, prosecuting, said that 58 of the indecent images of and 55 videos were in the most serious level A category, 60 of the still images and 16 videos were in category B and 15 still images were in the lowest level C category.

She said some of the children in the images and videos were under a year old.

In addition to the indecent images and videos of children a prohibited image of a child was also found.

Miss May said Hall had used search terms including babies, paedo, younger and rape to search for the material.

There was also evidence that Hall had been distributing indecent images and videos of children to like minded people and had given advice about how to hide what they were doing.

Hall, 47, of Dunlop Road, Ipswich admitted three offences of making indecent images and videos of children in May last year, one offence of possessing a prohibited image of children, five offences of breaching a sexual harm prevention order and four offences of distributing indecent images of children.

The court heard that Hall has previous convictions for making indecent images of children dating back to 2013.

He is currently the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order which has been ordered to continue. He will also have to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Lynne Shirley for Hall said he was remorseful and had spent some time in custody.

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Now goes by Kane Hutchison

Mason Maxwell was required to inform officers of any foreign travel due to a previous conviction relating to a child abuse offence

A man has been jailed after being found guilty of failing to comply with foreign travel notification requirements. Mason Maxwell, 32, of HMP Forest Bank, was found guilty yesterday at Manchester Crown Court.

The court heard how the requirements had been imposed on Maxwell following a previous conviction of two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity in March 2015. Maxwell was charged with four counts of failing to comply with the notification requirements - which inform officers of any foreign travel - between September and December last year.

He was arrested on Clowes Street in Salford on January 6 in relation to the breaches. He was also sentenced for breach of a suspended sentence order which was investigated by West Yorkshire Police. Maxwell was jailed for one year and four months.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: Mason Maxwell (16/07/1989), of HMP Forest Bank, was yesterday (Wednesday 16 March) jailed at Manchester Crown Square Crown Court after being found guilty of failing to comply with notification requirements. Maxwell was sentenced to one year and four months imprisonment.

On Thursday 6 January 2022 Maxwell was arrested at Clowes Street, Salford and subsequently charged with four counts of failing to comply with notification requirements relating to failure to comply with foreign travel notifications.

The offences relate to incidents on 3 September 2021, 24 September 2021, 4 November 2021 and 1 December 2021 where Maxwell failed to register his intended foreign travel seven days ahead of departing the UK. Maxwell is required to notify intended foreign travel as part of conditions following his conviction of two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity on in March 2015.

"He was also sentenced for breach of a suspended sentence order which was investigated by West Yorkshire Police.

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A child rapist took sick photographs of himself abusing a little boy.

Robert Trigg had been accessing child porn images from the internet, the National Crime Agency found in May last year. Officers raided his home and seized electronic items from his bedroom including his iPhone.

Arthur Gibson, prosecuting, said when the phone was forensically examined indecent images were found. Liverpool Crown Court heard there were 36 images in the most serious category of abuse, 38 in the next category and 137 in the least serious group.

It was noticed there were three images in each category showing the same young boy and police were able to identify the victim. Mr Gibson said that the offences had taken place when the boy was aged between three and five.

Pervert Trigg had moved the images, showing him and the boy both naked engaged in inappropriate sexual behaviour, to a secure keep safe vault on his phone so that he could look at them whenever he wanted. Trigg, of Fairclough Crescent, Haydock, pleaded guilty to oral rape of the child, two offences of causing or inciting him to engage in sexual activity and three offences of taking indecent photographs of the boy.

The court heard since those offences Trigg was convicted of three offences of downloading a total of 147 indecent images in all three categories of seriousness, for which he received a community order. Jailing him for 11 and a half years with an extended licence of 12 months Judge Denis Watson, QC described his behaviour as involving grotesque and serious offending.

He said he would sentence him on the basis the victim had been aged five and that the offences all took place on the same day. Judge Watson said that he had kept the images so you could access them if you wished to do so.

He added reports showed Trigg poses a high risk of re-offending against children. The judge ordered him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life and imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to last indefinitely.

Paul Becker, defending, said Trigg was an intelligent man who had 13 GCSEs and had worked in various roles including the hotel industry. Mr Becker said: Sadly his life has been blighted by alcohol.

He added Trigg had been involved in working for the charity, the HoneyRose Foundation in St Helens. Mr Becker said: He accepts full responsibility for these terrible offences and is thoroughly ashamed of himself.

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Timothy Morris raped a student in 2018 and was finally caught last year A Cambridge man has been jailed after he was found guilty of three counts of rape and another of sexual assault. Timothy Morris, 27, was found guilty of the crimes at Peterborough Crown Court on March 11. Morris was found to have attacked a student in his home in Coleridge Road in the early hours of January 5, 2018. Despite the woman repeatedly telling him no, he raped her in his bedroom. Although a full investigation was carried out, a suspect was not identified. However, three years later on February 23, 2021, Morris met a woman he had spoken to on a dating site. They went for a walk in Cambridge and he sexually assaulted her in Ditton Meadows. Cambridgeshire Police arrested him after the incident. When his DNA was taken it was found to be a match for the DNA recovered from the 2018 attack. Morris denied all the charges against him. However, he was found guilty of three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration at Peterborough Crown Court. He was sentenced to 11 years and two months in prison. He was also handed an indefinite restraining order against his victims and given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order. DC Chemu Evans said: I would like to commend the survivors in this case for supporting what has been a long and hard investigation. Morris was a predator who saw opportunities in vulnerable women. Despite being told no he continued and its a clear representation of his male sexual entitlement. Throughout the investigation or court case, he has shown little remorse for his actions or the disgusting crimes he has committed. The case shows the value of forensic evidence and the effectiveness of our Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

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A Telford man has been sentenced to six and half years in prison for rape.

Paul Kofi Manu Aboagyewaa of Hadley was charged with one count of rape in March following the rape of a female in Telford in December 2021.

The 58-year-old pleaded guilty to rape at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Thursday 10 March.

Aboagyewaa will also be added to the sex offenders register.

PC Billy Barrett of West Mercia Police said: “We welcome the sentence that has been handed to Aboagyewaa, and I would like to show my gratitude to everyone who came forward with information that assisted officers with the investigation.

“I would also like to commend and thank the victim for her bravery and cooperation during what I am sure has been a truly traumatic and harrowing ordeal for herself and her family.”

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A sexual predator has avoided immediate jail time after pleading guilty to a series of "vile" offences targeting lone women.

Abdul Nadher Kayum committed the acts in the Bow area over four weeks during 2021, from August 31 to September 28.

On each occasion, 19-year-old Kayum - who wore a mask during all the incidents - cycled up behind a woman before either exposing himself or sexually assaulting her.

He was reported to have masturbated during four of the incidents, either while cycling past the victim or hiding in a door entrance or a dark space, such as a lane.

Kayum also reportedly asked a number of victims to sexually pleasure him for money.

When the victim ran away, he would follow them for a substantial period of time, police said.

Det Con Janina Parol, from the Mets Central East basic command unit, said: "Kayum carried out vile sexual offences against women as they unassumingly went about their day-to-day business.

"He targeted lone women and instilled unnecessary fear in a community for a number of weeks.

"The Met is absolutely committed to bringing justice to victims of sexual assault, and to making women and girls feel safe in London.

"Our teams stop at nothing to investigate reports of sexual offences and to provide support to victims."

Police appealed to the public for information last October and Kayum came forward shortly after that and was charged.

On December 10, he pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault, five counts of indecent exposure and one count of outraging public decency.

Kayum was handed an 18-month jail term - suspended for two years - at Snaresbrook Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday, March 16).

The defendant was further issued with a sexual harm prevention order for five years, which prohibits him from approaching or communicating by words or gesture with any lone female in any street, footway or green space.

Kayum, of no fixed address, was also placed on the sexual offences register for 10 years.

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The offences were carried out against a boy and a girl A man convicted of sexually abusing children has been jailed for a total of nine years, and added to the sex offenders register for life. Peter Crane, 65, of Billington Road, Leighton Buzzard, was convicted by a jury at Luton Crown Court on 21 January, of the offences against a boy and a girl which took place in the 1970s and 80s. PC Matt McCarthy, from Bedfordshire Polices Protecting Vulnerable People team, said: Crane to this day refutes the overwhelming evidence against him including strong and brave testimony from the victims who were incredibly young when the abuse began, and have had to live with the consequences into adulthood. "As well as the emotional impact of his offending, he has continued to put his victims through a further ordeal of a trial. No matter how much time has passed, we will always fully investigate and seek to prosecute any sexual offenders and would encourage anyone who has experienced abuse to come forward, regardless of when it happened. As well as the nine-year jail term, Crane will remain on licence for a further year following the sentence and will be registered as a sex offender for life. It is never too late to report sexual abuse. To report a crime, or seek advice, call Bedfordshire Police's non-emergency, 24/7 number: 101. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101. If you are concerned about a child, you can also contact the NSPCC to speak to a professional practitioner, speak to the children's social care team at your local council or contact Crimestoppers confidentially and anonymously. If someone is in immediate danger, always call 999. The force has specialist teams dedicated to supporting victims and works with a range of other agencies to provide support. Bedfordshire Victim Care Services offers a comprehensive range of support to victims of crime, even if it has not been reported to the police. To find out more, visit Bedfordshire VCS.

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A former council leader has been handed an 18-month community order for sexual offences against children. Sean Coughlan, 65, from Willenhall, Walsall, admitted attempting to cause a female aged 13 or over to engage in a penetrative sexual activity. The ex Walsall councillor also pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He was charged after an operation by a paedophile hunter group saw a video of him being confronted shared online. The offences happened between August and December 2021. At the sentencing hearing on Thursday, Judge Michael Chambers said the former councillor had suffered a "great fall from grace". Wolverhampton Crown Court heard Coughlan had set up a secret Facebook page, posting intimate pictures and encouraging what he thought was a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity. "In reality, there was no child. This was a vigilante purporting to perform a public duty," the judge said. 'Element of grooming' A 30-minute video was posted online by the paedophile hunter group, which resulted in him being arrested and charged by West Midlands Police, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. "There was an element of grooming and clearly a disparity in age. There was an intention of penetrative sexual activity, but there was no harm as there was no child," Judge Chambers said. In mitigation the court heard he had no previous criminal convictions, and had served his community well. "But what you wrote in your letter to the court is right," continued the judge. "That regardless of the hundreds you have helped, your behaviour of late is what you'll be remembered for. You have suffered a great fall from grace." He had been remanded in custody since his arrest in December. Coughlan resigned as a Walsall councillor days after the paedophile sting film had been posted, and had initially denied the charges, but changed his plea last month. At Thursday's sentencing hearing he was also made subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order. Coughlan was elected as a councillor for Walsall borough in 1995, representing the ward of Willenhall South. During his career, he became deputy leader and then leader of both the Labour group and the authority, of which he was in charge between 2016 and 2018. During court proceedings he was suspended from the Labour Party and the Walsall Council Labour group.