Latest Offenders

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A predatory rapist who targeted children as young as three was dragged back to court after a new victim came forward.

John Phillips, now 50, was previously locked up for 22 years at Liverpool Crown Court in 2018, after raping and sexually assaulting eight young victims.

But another man, who was repeatedly assaulted and raped by Phillips from the ages of three until around 14, did not feel able to come forward until after that case concluded.

Thanks to the man's bravery, Phillips was re-investigated by Cheshire Police and hit with a new 18 count indictment including nine charges of rape, some of which incorporated multiple incidents.

The paedophile was also charged with one count of attempted rape, six counts of indecent assault, and two of indecency with a child.

He pleaded guilty to all offences.

Judge Rachel Smith, sentencing, said under current legislation several of the indecent assault counts would have been classified as rape of a child - starting from when the victim was just four.

Phillips, who was living in Winsford at the time of his original arrest but who has links with Widnes and Runcorn, appeared via video-link from HMP Parkhurst.

The paedophile sat with his head bowed as the court heard he groomed his victims by showering them with gifts and money, but also used violence and threats to keep them quiet.

The abuse began when the child was three and dominated almost his entire childhood, leaving him isolated and withdrawn.

Judge Smith described how the first rape occurred when Phillips coaxed the boy, then aged nine, into his flat by saying he had bought a present.

However when the child arrived Phillips, who was drunk, told him he could only have it after they "had sex".

The abuse continued for several years and included a rape in an office where Phillips worked.

The court heard as the victim got older, Phillips began offering him money after he raped him, as part of a pattern of grooming.

The abuse eventually ended when Phillips moved on to younger children, who formed part of the 2018 case.

Iain Johnstone, defending, said his client had been abused by his own father when he was child and was "sickened" he had done the same thing.

Mr Johnstone, describing the contents of a letter written by his client, told the court: "Mr Phillips did not have a very good upbringing from a family point of view.

"He says he was subjected to abuse as he was growing up. He says he just wanted to be loved and tried to kill himself so many times, as he didn't feel good enough.

"He says 'I always said I would never turn out like my dad. To be here today charged with what I have been charged with sickens me. I am grateful [the victims] were strong enough to speak out.

"I am so very sorry, I wish it didn't happen, I wish I could turn back time'."

Judge Smith said that although the abuse happened at the same time as some of the victims involved in the 2018 case, she would have passed a harsher sentence had these offences been revealed.

Phillips' sentence was increased by seven years to a total of 29 years - of which Phillips must serve at least two thirds before he can be considered for release by a parole board.

Due to the severity of his crimes even if he serves the full 29 years in prison he will be subject to an extra four years on licence upon his release.

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A couple living in Hampshire have been jailed for a total of nearly 25 years for a series of child sex abuse crimes.

Kevin and Nicola Hitt from Gosport have been brought to justice for the string of appalling offences a little over a year after police raided a home they were living in at the time in the Midlands.

That raid took place in Tamworth, Staffordshire in October 2019 and saw officers seize video footage of abuse and pornographic images, Birmingham Live reports.

Now Kevin Hitt, 56, has admitted 21 charges, seven of engaging in a sexual act in the presence of a child, ten of causing a boy or girl to engage in a sexual act without penetration, and four of causing a child to watch sex.

His wife, 53, admitted five counts of causing a boy or girl to engage in sexual activity without penetration and four counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

Kevin Hitt was jailed for jailed for sixteen and a half years at Stafford Crown Court on January 18.

He was given a sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Nicola Hitt was jailed for eight years and three months.

She was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order and added to the register for life.

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The couple gave an address in Gosport during the hearing.

Detective Constable Kat Middleton of Staffordshire Police said: “I want to thank the witnesses for coming forward and having the bravery to speak about the harm they suffered, allowing us to bring Kevin and Nicola Hitt before the courts.

“I hope these jail sentences demonstrate that we will always do whatever it takes to bring offenders to justice, while ensuring victims and their families are offered the support they need.”

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Sex offender Nathan Totton has been hit with a six-month jail sentence - after staying overnight with his mum-of-three girlfriend.

The 26-year-old is banned from having unsupervised contact with under-16s due to him being on the Sex Offenders' Register and subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

It comes after he was jailed for three years in 2017 after being convicted of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual activity with a child.

But Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard he breached his court orders after meeting the woman on a dating website last summer.

Totton breached the Sex Offenders' Register by:

- Failing to notify the police that he was staying for more than 12 hours where children were residing;

- Staying overnight at his partner's home and coming into contact with her children;

- Failing to complete his annual registration on time.

Prosecutor Peter McCartney said: "He stayed overnight at least seven times within a month after they met. In a determined attempt to conceal his actions he breached the sex offenders' notification requirements."

The defendant told police he did not comply with the notification requirements because he did not want to go through a risk assessment or have his relationship messed up.

Mr McCartney added: "He said, 'I have done my sentence. Why should I be punished for the rest of my life'?"

Totton, of William Street, Biddulph, pleaded guilty to three offences of failing to comply with the notification requirements of the Sex Offenders' Register.

Robert Holt, mitigating, said: "There is no suggestion that the children were placed in any great risk whatsoever. He wants to move on. He has spent time in custody and has not enjoyed it. He intends to avoid dating sites."

Totton has also been hit with a five-year restraining order to stay away from the woman.

Judge David Fletcher said: "You felt your life was being controlled by the requirements placed upon you. Any further breach of the notification requirements can result in a more onerous sentence being imposed on you."

Description

A VILE paedophile raped and sexually abused girls as young as one then bragged about what he had done in messages to other perverts.

Ian Story was caught when police arrested him on suspicion of possessing and distribution of indecent images of children.

But when the images were examined, horrified officers realised Story was in several videos and pictures abusing children himself. He was easily identifiable by a tattoo and jewellery he was wearing.

When questioned about his behaviour Story told police he did it because he had not had adult sex for 10 years.

Michael Maher, prosecuting, told Bolton Crown Court: "The case concerns a 55-year-old defendant with a sexual interest in very young children.

"Over the course of a decade he has harvested a large collection of indecent images of toddlers and, indeed, generated his own collection."

The court heard that five young girls, including toddlers, were sexually assaulted, with Story sometimes filming himself committing the crimes and distributing them to other perverts.

In total Story pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, 14 counts of making indecent images of children, seven of sexually assaulting a child, two of assault by penetration of a child and one of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Mr Maher said that, when he was arrested and police searched his bedroom Story pointed out his phone and provided the pass code.

The court heard that Story's wife asked him if the allegations against him were true and he admitted they were.

Investigators found 15 videos on the phone including some which show a toddler performing a sex act on Story whilst he was "variously praising, encouraging and cajoling that little girl".

"There was powerful evidence of his identification as the defendant's tattoo was seen on the videos and, indeed, he had a distinctive watch and jewellery which were being worn by him," said Mr Maher.

On all Story's electronic devices police found he had downloaded a total of 904 of the most serious category A images, including 36 videos, 1,466 category B images and 21,795 category C images.

"This defendant had a profound interest in very young children as the majority of images show children between the ages of six months and eight years.

Mr Maher said Story, of Gordon Street, Leigh, was also distributing images to multiple individuals using email, WhatsApp and Telegram, an encrypted messaging service.

"Sexualised online chat with other sexual miscreants show the defendant bragging about the sexual abuse," said Mr Maher.

Police managed to identify victims in the videos and pictures produced by Story.

"He admitted he was sexually gratified by what the children did, said Mr Maher. "The bizarre explanation he gave for this predilection was, 'I think I missed out on not having any sex for about 10 years'."

In statements to the court the families of Story's victims described it like being in "a nightmare".

Paul Becker, defending, stressed that married Story was previously a man of good character and has shown some remorse.

Jailing Story for an extended sentence of 18 years plus a further five years on licence Judge Graeme Smith told him: "It is impossible to listen to the graphic details of that abuse without feeling disbelief that someone could treat any child in such an appalling way.

"You considered only your own depraved interests."

He added that Story's "deeply engrained desire" to abuse children means he poses a "high risk of serious harm" to them.

Speaking after the sentencing DC Philip Kelley of Greater Manchester Police said: These offences were heinous and despicable, and I am glad we have been able to take this man off the streets and put him behind bars.

Storys abuse was purely for his own perverted sexual gratification and he did not spare a minutes thought for the devastating and lasting impact crimes such as this can have on the lives of victims.

Ensuring that victims are safeguarded and offenders are brought to justice is one of GMPs highest priorities. I hope todays sentencing serves as a stark reminder that the abuse of children will never be tolerated and you could face a lengthy jail sentence. There are a number of specialist services available to help prevent offending.

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A child sex offender described by the police as 'calculating and deceptive' has been jailed for almost seven years.

Thomas Brooks, 41, of Green Close, Luton, pleaded guilty in court to three counts of sexually abusing a child.

Last week the court heard that Brooks met his teenage victim several times and plied her with drugs and alcohol before engaging in sexual activity with her.

When the victim told Brooks that she no longer wanted to meet up with him he continued to message her, attempting to persuade her to have further meetings.

Detective Constable Stephen Francis, from Bedfordshire Police’s protecting vulnerable people team, which investigated the offences, said: “Brooks is a cold manipulator who took advantage of a teenage girl for his own gain.

“He was calculating and deceptive, and even tried to put the blame for the offences on the victim and threatened her, saying that she would also go to prison if she reported the abuse to the police.

"Thankfully the brave victim persevered and disclosed the offences to the police."

Brooks was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for each count he pleaded guilty to.

The three sentences will run concurrently.

Detective Constable Stephen Francis said: “I would like to encourage all victims of sex offences to come forward, no matter when the offences happened.

"We will believe you and investigate your report, and we will work with our partner agencies to find the right support for you.”

Description

A paedophile from Maidenhead has been jailed for a string of ‘horrific’ child sex offences including the rape of a child.

Ashley Jenkins, of Ray Park Avenue, appeared at Reading Crown Court today where he received an extended sentence of 26 years, 18 of which will be served in prison.

The 26-year-old pleaded guilty at a previous hearing on November 5 to four counts of rape of a child under 13 and three counts of possession of an indecent photograph of a child.

He also admitted two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, two counts of taking an indecent photograph of a child and two counts of making indecent photographs of children.

It is in connection with child sex offences which took place between January 1, 2018, and June 8, 2020.

Police charged Jenkins on June 9 last year.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Samantha Slater, based at Reading police station, said: “I am pleased that Jenkins has received a significant custodial sentence as a result of his horrific offending.

“Hopefully this sentencing today will begin closure for the victims and they can start to move forward with their lives.

“Thames Valley Police take any allegations of sexual abuse of children very seriously and we will seek to bring to justice anyone who commits such abuse.

“I would urge anybody that has been a victim of a sexual offence to report it to the police.

“You will be listened to, there is support and help available and wherever possible, offenders will be prosecuted.”

Description

A PAEDOPHILE is due to be sentenced at a crown court after he admitted breaking a sexual harm prevention order.

Christopher Kenneth Wear was given the order in 2017 after he admitted making indecent images of children.

The 34-year-old found himself in court again he was charged with breaching the order.

Magistrates heard he used social network sites including Facebook, Twitter and Instragram, which he was prohibited to do.

He also possessed an internet-enabled iPhone in a further breach of the order.

South Cumbria Magistrates' Court heard the offences were carried out in Dalton on February 12.

Wear pleaded guilty to two charges of breaking the order and is due to be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on February 12.

The defendant, of Longwood Avenue in Waterlooville, Hampshire, appeared in court via video link.

He was bailed ahead of the sentencing hearing.

The prevention order was issued at Preston Crown Court in 2017 after he admitted three counts of making the images between September 2009 and November 2016, and one of possession of images.

Description

A teaching assistant has been spared prison after admitting to secretly filming children in a primary school's toilets over the course of a week - leaving victims' parents feeling 'physically sick'.

Jack Dunn, 24, used his iPhone to capture seven videos of children over the course of a week and then made a series of screenshots of his favourite 24 moments.

He was caught out when a child discovered the device overhanging a cubicle.

Parents of his victims have said they felt 'physically sick' at his actions with one mother fearing he picked his job to get perverted access to children.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard the 24 year old was recorded children in toilets at Denmead Junior School in Hampshire in November 2019.

'I can't put into words how physically sick that made me feel and continues to make me,' one parent said, adding: 'My trust in the school has been completely shattered.'

Another parent said she felt 'instantly sick' when she found out her child was a victim.

Dunn picked out his 'highlights' from the videos he recorded, making 24 screenshots of his favourite moments.

Parents fear the images could have been uploaded to the dark web or elsewhere before Dunn was caught.

'These questions are something I will probably never know the answer to but will haunt my life forever,' one said.

Sentencing, judge David Melville QC said: 'The parents send these children to these schools believing at school the environment is safe and you breached that, and it's very serious.'

The court heard how a teacher was handed the phone after it was found, and it was then given to headteacher Elaine Viner who locked it away.

'The next day Mr Dunn was at the school acting rather suspiciously,' prosecutor Adrian Fleming said.

'Plainly he had gone to retrieve the phone, he was seen to be rummaging through a box in which pupils placed their phones.'

He added: 'There was the grossest breach of trust, we suggest there was clearly a significant degree of planning and clearly images were recorded.'

Judge Melville imposed a 12-month sentence suspended for two years, with 200 hours' unpaid work and sex offender treatment programme.

The judge said he suspended the term due to Dunn's age, and the fact he has no previous convictions.

He also considered the effects of Covid-19 in prisons and Dunn's difficult upbringing and family life, as outlined by his mother in a letter.

Dunn, from Horndean, Hampshire, was subjected to a five-year sexual harm prevention order and must sign the sex offenders' register.

He admitted voyeurism and making category C indecent images.

Damian Hayes, defending, said his client was 'ashamed' and added: 'He's sorry for what he did during that week in November 2019, and acutely sorry for the distress he caused the children and the parents at that school.

'He could offer no explanation for his behaviour.'

Description

A grime artist who was serving 24 years in jail for imprisoning and repeatedly raping four women has had his sentence increased by six years.

Solo 45, whose real name is Andy Anokye, was found guilty of 21 rapes, five counts of false imprisonment, two counts of assault by penetration and two of actual bodily harm at Bristol Crown Court last July.

However, following a hearing the Court of Appeal have ruled that his initial sentence was "unduly lenient", and he will now spend 30 years in jail for the 30 charges which took place over a two-year period.

He also was also handed a five years additional licence to reflect the seriousness of his crimes.

Speaking after the ruling which was made by three senior judges, Solicitor General Michael Ellis QC called Anokye's offences "truly shocking".

Mr Ellis said the court's decision to increase the sentence recognised "the severity of the abuse [Anokye] inflicted upon his victims and the danger he poses to the public".

Calls for Anokye to be given a life sentence were rejected.

During his trial, the jury heard that the musician derived sexual pleasure from torturing women by waterboarding, interrogating, assaulting and raping them.

The court heard that Anokye forced one woman to lie in a bath of freezing cold water, held a shotgun to the head of another, held a cloth covered in bleach to women's faces, and forced a mobile phone down a woman's throat.

Graphic footage filmed by Anokye on his mobile phone showing him abusing multiple women was also shown to the jury as evidence.

The 33-year-old had claimed it was consensual role play, or a game he played called "catch me, rape me". He said he had told the women that he would "terrorise" them.

Anokye, who is from London but had a harbourside apartment in Bristol, told the court during evidence that he had dacryphilia - sexual arousal from tears and sobbing.

Anokye was part of grime collective Boy Better Know signed to record label Island Records, and had collaborated with the likes of Stormzy, JME and Wiley.

When passing his original sentence last summer, judge William Hart, told Anokye he had "no sexual boundaries or empathy for those concerned".

He said the rapper - who had a background of gang associations and criminal violence - "become addicted" to the "perverted pleasure" he gained from abusing his victims and that none of his fellow musicians knew about his "dark side".

He said Anokye's conviction had deprived him of a "flourishing career", but he had only himself to blame.

Avon and Somerset Police first began investigating him in 2017, after a woman reported being raped by him.

Following the discovery of the video footage on Anokye's phone, three further woman came forward to police.

A fifth woman also gave evidence against him, but her allegation could not be prosecuted as it happened abroad.

Anokye will only be released from prison after serving at least 20 years of his 30-year jail term behind bars and when the Parole Board is satisfied he no longer poses a danger to the public.

Speaking after the ruling, the Crown Prosecution Service's Jill Macnamara said she welcomed the increased sentence and hoped it would give victims of rape and sexual assault confidence in police powers to investigate, charge and prosecute cases reported to them.

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A sex pest has been jailed for the terrifying stalking of his neighbour which culminated in him masturbating in front of her whilst wearing a pair of goggles.

Clifford Morgan, 33, frequently stared at his petrified neighbour, sometimes doing so wearing Star Wars or Halloween masks.

Morgan, of Penzance, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence having pleaded guilty to stalking.

Prosecuting the case, Tom Bradnock, described how Morgan and the victim in the case had been living next door, on and off, for 10 years.

By 2019 the victim was living with her partner and four children and at that stage hadnt had any problems with Morgan, just finding him a little odd.

The two properties were separated by a chain link fence between their gardens but by May 2019 there began a concerning sequence of events.

Mr Bradnock said: Mr Morgan began to stare at her either openly, through an open back door or on occasions from behind towels hanging on the washing line.

This culminated in an incident when the victim was in her garden at 9:15pm and saw the defendant staring at her. She went inside to get away but returned to the garden to fetch her dog.

Mr Morgan was holding his door open and then stepped forward staring at her and mouthed the words either f*ck me, lick me or rape me. She cant be 100% sure which but was scared and insulted so went inside and read the police.

The victim then went inside and called the police. The matter was investigated but not taken further due to a lack of evidence.

The victim and her partner then erected a six foot fence between the properties so they couldnt see Morgan and things quietened down for several months.

However, in January 2020 the victim on various occasions saw Morgan in his garden either staring or walking around holding tools such as knives, pliers or hammers.

Mr Bradnock added: On January 30 the victim was walking to the shop with her youngest son. This took her past Mr Morgans front window and as she approached his net curtains moved back. He put his face to the window and seemed to be screaming and frothing at the mouth, deranged.

On the following day she and her partner left their house and the defendant was stood on his front doorstep staring.

She dropped her partner to work and returned and got out the car with her two-year-old son.

She noticed Mr Morgan in his doorway, wearing goggles. When he saw she noticed him he exposed his erect penis and masturbated whilst staring straight at her.

That evening the victim again noticed Morgan staring at her through a gap in the fence, this time wearing a Star Wars or Halloween mask.

When police attended Morgans property they found a baseball bat, a hammer, knives, a number of masks, goggles and a balaclava.

A victim impact statement summarised to the court described how the victim felt violated, anxious and that Morgans behaviour made her skin crawl. She has since had to move house.

In mitigation, the court was told that Morgan, who has previous for sexual offending, is a paranoid schizophrenic who poses no threat when medicated. His offending was attributed to his decline in mental health.

Sentencing, Judge Robert Linford said: The victim in this case was terrified in her own home and scared to leave in case she encountered you.

Your behaviour caused her extreme anxiety. She was terrified to the extent that she had to leave.

This was an extremely serious pattern of offending over a period of time.

You suffer from paranoid schizophrenia and when you take medication are able to operate in a reasonable way in the community. The most appropriate way to deal with you is by a hospital order.

Morgan will now be transferred from prison to hospital to be treated.

A 25-year restraining order protecting the victim and her partner was also put in place.

Description

A "callous" and "self-entitled" sexual predator who raped two teenagers was jailed for 18 years today (January 15) at Luton Crown Court.

Barry Brice, 24, of no fixed address was found unanimously guilty by a jury of three women and nine men of four counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and two counts of false imprisonment.

He was also served with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and an indefinite restraining order not to contact his victims.

The predator used a fake Facebook profile of a 17-year-old boy to chat and arrange to meet young girls.

On October 28, 2019, he arranged to meet a 16-year-old girl and they spent the day together before he drove her to a field.

Price then raped the victim in his car, after making her put her mobile phone into ‘airplane mode’.

Price then drove the victim to a property in Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire, where he continued his predatory attack and subjected her to a further rape and sexual assault.

He then took her to a nearby railway station, callously telling her “good luck getting home”.

On 7 November, 2019, Price met a 15-year-old girl, who again believed he was the 17-year-old boy she had chatted to on Facebook. He took her to the same property in Gamlingay, where he also put her phone on ‘airplane mode’ and subjected her to a sexual assault and rape.

When she tried to leave, he threatened her and destroyed her mobile phone.

Recorder James Wood QC described Price as callous and of showing no remorse or empathy. Mr Wood added that he had no doubt Price planned the rapes, showing a self-entitlement to sexually abuse his victims.

Praising the two young girls for their courage in coming forward, he told Price: “The memory of what you did to them will live with them forever.”

Detective Sergeant Clare Gilbert, of Bedfordshire Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) team, who led this investigation, said: “I am satisfied to see that Price will now be incarcerated for such a significant time after committing these heinous sexual offences, by deliberately hiding his true identity on social media for the purpose of gaining access to young girls.

"The fact that Price has been jailed for this length of time reflects the severity of his offending and the trauma and anguish he inflicted on his victims.

"Seeing this length of sentence handed down drives us to do the work we do, and will continue to do, every single day to protect the public."

She added: “It wasn’t easy for the girls to report what he did to them, and I want to thank them again for their strength in coming forward, which has been truly inspirational. Hopefully seeing Price locked up will allow them to begin their journeys to recovery.

“Anyone who commits rape or sexual offences must expect to face the considerable consequences of their actions."

Detective Inspector Michelle Lack added: “Our specially trained officers work closely with highly skilled, specialist and empathetic partners to ensure anyone who has experienced rape or sexual assault can get the right help they need.

“If something has happened to you, please let us know. We will believe you and we will do all we can to support you, and investigate so that perpetrators are brought to justice.”

Victims of rape and sexual assault can receive support and guidance from Bedfordshire Police and its partner agencies, including the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), as well as support through the criminal investigation process.

Description

Muhib Uddin attacked and raped a 19-year-old woman in an alleyway off of Clarendon Road in Southsea at around 10pm on Saturday, August 29, 2020. The victim did not know her attacker.

The 31-year-old, of Newcomen Road, was jailed for six years at Portsmouth Crown Court on Wednesday (January 13) after pleading guilty to rape when he appeared at the same court in November.

In a statement, senior investigating officer, detective inspector Emma Crute commended the victim for her bravery in coming forward and reporting what had happened.

She said: "We are pleased that the victim has found justice now that Uddin is behind bars.

"I hope the outcome of this case reassures members of the public that we take allegations of this type of offence extremely seriously, and will do everything in our power to bring offenders before the courts.

"This has understandably been a traumatic time for the victim who has been supported by specialist officers at every stage of our investigation. I would like to commend her for her bravery and courage in coming forward and reporting what happened. I hope that today’s sentence will give her some closure and help her to begin moving forward in her life."

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Portsmouth chief inspector Robert Mitchell, of Hampshire Constabulary, added: "The officers involved in this case have worked extremely hard to bring the investigation to the point we have reached today. I would like to thank them for their dedication to securing this outcome for the victim.

"Stranger assaults of this nature are rare, and I hope the community feels reassured that when we receive these sorts of allegations, we will take them seriously and do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice.

"We work very hard in Portsmouth to tackle sexual offences in partnership with organisations that support survivors. We want you to have the confidence to come forward and talk to us if something has happened to you, or somebody you know."

Police have encouraged anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101, and speak with an officer in confidence.

We encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to contact us on 101 and speak with an officer in confidence. To find out more about the support available to victims of sexual offences, follow the link here.

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A paedophile has been caught for a third time with indecent images, a court has heard.

When police searched his house they also found a "doll-sized sex doll" which the defendant said he used while watching pornography.

David Richard Mansel William Lee Smith was handed a suspended sentence on his last court appearance but sending him down for his new offending a judge said there was "no prospect" of rehabilitation in his case.

Swansea Crown Court heard police went to Smith's home in Port Talbot in October last year home following information received from a so-called paedophile hunter group.

Dean Pulling, prosecuting, said the defendant was arrested on allegations of child grooming and was told to hand over his internet-enabled devices. He gave officers a phone, laptop, and PlayStation games console.

A subsequent search of the property showed the 26-year-old was using a bedroom for the production of cannabis and had installed a growing tent, a drying tent, lamps, filters, and a hydroponic feeding system. Five living plants and another three which had been harvested were recovered. The barrister characterised it as a "relatively small" set-up but one which showed "a degree of knowledge".

The court heard the police also found a "doll-sized sex doll" at the property.

Mr Pulling said the following day an officer returned to the defendant's home to dismantle the cannabis tents and equipment and while he was in the bedroom heard a phone ringing. Following the ringtone he went to the window in the room and found another phone, which Smith had not disclosed, had been put on the far end of the external window sill.

An examination of the phone showed two films of child abuse hidden in a folder. One, more than six minutes long, showed a toddler aged between two and four being raped.

In his subsequent interview Smith said he had learned how to grow cannabis by watching videos online and had spent around 1,000 on the equipment and another 60 on seeds. He said he used the crop to make cannabis cakes which he used to treat his "low mood" and his "lack of focus". The defendant told officers he used the sex doll while watching online pornography.

Smith, of Vivian Park Drive, Sandfields, Port Talbot, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing an indecent image and one count of producing cannabis when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.

The court heard that in 2017 he was sentenced to 15 months in prison suspended for two years and ordered to complete a rehabilitation course after police twice found indecent images on his phone once in 2016 and then again in 2017 while being investigated for the first matter. Officers also found he had taken part in Skype video chats with other people where they had discussed the sexual abuse of children.

Robert Chudleigh, for Smith, said the defendant accepted a custodial sentence was inevitable and said the mitigation he was putting before the court would go only to length. He said the defendant had ongoing issues with anxiety and depression and "does not do much socially" but wants to rehabilitate himself and to "better himself".

Judge Paul Thomas QC said it was concerning that Smith had now been found in possession of indecent material on three separate occasions. He said that given the defendant's offending history he had come to conclusion that there was "no prospect of rehabilitation" in his case and that a sentence of immediate custody was necessary.

Giving the defendant credit for his guilty pleas a quarter for the indecent images charges and a third for the cannabis charge the judge sentenced him to a total of nine months in prison. Smith will serve up to half that period in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.

The defendant will be on the sex offenders register for the next 10 years and was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order to control his access to the internet for the same length of time.

Sending the defendant down, Judge Thomas warned him: "If you come back before a court again for a similar kind of offending you will be going to prison for a very long time. Do you understand?"

The court heard that though Smith was charged with a grooming offence following the involvement of the paedophile hunter group in October last year the matter was later discontinued.

Description

Derek Winston Seekings, 66, of Southern Way in Farnborough, retired from the force in 2005 and was charged with the offences in July 2019.

On Wednesday (January 13), Judge Stephen Mooney passed sentence for one count of rape, half of which is to be served behind bars; Seekings can then be released on licence where he will be liable to recall.

Judge Mooney issued the predator with a nine-year prison sentence for the other count of rape, which will run concurrently to the first. Seekings will also be on the sex offenders register for life.

Both attacks took place between 1994 and 2000 in Surrey against a woman who cannot be named for legal reasons.

One of the attacks took place during the officer's meal break while he was on duty, with the other taking place off duty. He was found guilty of his crimes on Friday (January 8) following a four-day trial.

Surrey Police has revealed that Seekings, who retired as a sergeant after 32 years’ service, was originally charged with seven offences of rape but his indictment was subsequently amended to two counts.

Speaking at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday, prosecutor Jennifer Gray read aloud a statement from the victim. The court heard how Seekings' not guilty plea caused her "panic attacks" and "many dark moments".

Reading the statement on behalf of the victim, Ms Gray said: "Every contact regarding the trial heightened my anxiety. At times I thought I was suffering a cardiac event and thought I would not be able to continue."

Court had previously heard Ms Gray explain how Seekings committed one of the offences while on duty. She said: "She made it very clear to him she didn’t want to have sex with him, he carried on regardless and he raped her."

Following this, Seekings returned to work. The jury was also told the disgraced ex-sergeant was suspended from duty for a number of months and demoted to PC in the late 1990s following a car accident which led to a driving conviction.

Passing sentence, Judge Mooney said he would be treating the defendant's role in the police force as an aggravating factor and said his actions were a breach of the public's trust in him.

In his final remarks, Judge Mooney also noted the victim has suffered "severe psychological harm" as a result of the attacks.

Seekings was still in the dock when the sentence was delivered, before he was led down to the cells below.

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A "predatory" child sex offender who abused a victim for more than six years has finally been brought to justice and jailed.

Raymond Hollis, 79, was sentenced on Tuesday (January 12) to 16 years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to 12 counts of historical child sex offences dating back to the 1970s.

Guildford Crown Court has confirmed the offences took place in Surrey, Hampshire and London.

The victim, from Westbury in Wiltshire, was abused between the ages of five to 11 and kept it to themselves for 45 years before finding the strength to contact the police in 2019.

Hollis was tracked down and arrested on April 8, 2019. Following an investigation, he was charged on Christmas Eve of 2019 with six counts of indecent assault on a child under 13, and six counts of gross indecency with a child under 13 between 1973 and 1979.

He pleaded guilty to 11 of the 12 counts on November 30 last year, having already pleaded guilty to the other count at an earlier hearing.

Investigating officer detective constable Mike Powell, from the Sexual Offences Investigation Team, said: "The victim has shown remarkable courage and bravery in coming forward and reporting this offence to police.

"As a result of their actions, a dangerous and predatory sexual offender will be prevented from committing further similar crimes against others.

"This conviction sends a clear message to anyone who believes they have been a victim of sexual abuse that we will do all we can to investigate each case fully and seek to prosecute those responsible.

"Likewise I hope that this sentence sends a clear message to the perpetrators of these offences that no matter how much time has passed, serious sexual assaults will not be tolerated by Surrey Police and we will do everything within our power to hold them accountable for their actions and bring them to justice."

Commenting after the sentencing, an NSPCC spokesperson said: "Thanks to the bravery shown by this survivor of child sexual abuse, Hollis is now facing justice for his terrible actions.

"We want those who have endured these offences to know they will be listened to when they speak out, regardless of how many years have passed since their ordeals took place, or who the abuser is.