Latest Offenders

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A PREDATORY paedophile groomed and sexually assaulted four young boys while he was a Southampton publican, a court heard.

Paul Bedard plied the boys with alcohol, showered them with money, clothes and cigarettes to win their trust and then took advantage of them for his own sexual gratification.

The 63-year-old, formerly in charge of the Honest Lawyer, was convicted of eight counts of indecent assault, two counts of buggery, one of attempted buggery and one of false imprisonment.

Today he is beginning a 15-year jail term.

The sexual assaults took place over eight years from 1990 to 1998 while Bedard was landlord of The Hobbit and the Clowns and Jesters pubs in Southampton. His victims were aged between 11 and 18 years. Most of the offences took place while they were in their early teens.

During a trial at Southampton Crown Court a jury heard how unmarried Bedard befriended the boys through drinkers and other people at his pubs and would give them work and odd jobs, such as cleaning and glass collecting.

He then abused them on those premises after hours and at his homes.

Bedard, of Lodge Road, Portswood, appeared over a video link from Winchester Prison, and showed no emotion during a sentencing hearing.

Nick Rowland, mitigating, said Bedard was suffering from deteriorating health and was in a wheelchair after suffering a stroke. While conceding Bedard had shown no admission of guilt he asked the judge to take into account "for none other than humanitarian reasons" the state of a "man nearing the end of his life".

Passing sentence, Judge Derwin Hope told Bedard he had inflicted "moral corruption"

on each of the boys.

He said the psychological impact of the abuse on the victims was likely to be "profound"

and by forcing them to go through trial he had brought back painful memories with "deep feelings."

You continued to deny these offences in their entirety.

You've shown no empathy and no understanding as to how the offences have impacted on these victims."

DETECTIVES have praised the courage of sex abuse victims for coming forward and helping to put Paul Bedard behind bars.

And they vowed to fight for justice for other victims they believe may have suffered at the hands of the former Southampton publican.

Detective Constable Viv Wilson said she could only imagine how two of his victims found the strength to come forward to police more than ten years after the offences took place.

"This case proves victims can come forward many years later and get justice for what's happened.

"This was a predatory paedophile, who was calculating in the way he picked his victims."

She added the victims, who had found it difficult to lead normal lives, could now try to move on.

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POLICE have launched a nationwide appeal for help in tracing a suspected paedophile after fears that he may be living with a family grooming their children for sex.

Brian Hughes (pictured) is wanted by police on suspicion of abusing children over a 40-year period - including the alleged rape of a girl who officers believe he groomed for seven years.

The 48-year-old went missing from his family home in Rugby, Warwickshire, in July last year, after his family found out about his alleged activities.

He left a note apologising for what happened, but has not made contact with his family since.

Despite an extensive search, the bricklayer remains missing and police believe he may be living elsewhere in the country, within a family environment and grooming other children.

It is believed Hughes' last job was working as a block paver and he is also a qualified bricklayer.

Detectives also believe he has used internet dating sites to meet women.

Police investigator Peter Herring said: "This man is a danger to the community and needs to be found.

"We are aware of four victims, girls and boys - one of whom was four - but we fear there may be others who haven't come forward.

"It is essential to trace him and I would ask anyone who believes they know where Hughes is to call police immediately."

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A former social worker has been given a three-year community service order after he admitted having sex with a woman client who had a mental disorder.

David Cookson, 43, of Firgrove Road, Southampton, worked as a locum for Surrey County Council when the relationship took place in 2007.

He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing at Guildford Crown Court to two counts of having sex with the Camberley woman.

The council said it sacked him as soon as it found out about the offences.

The court heard the two offences took place between March and September 2007.

'Strict checks'

Graham Wilkin, the council's director of social care, said Cookson was employed through an agency.

As soon as the council discovered what had taken place, he was suspended and his employment was later terminated.

He said the second incident took place after Cookson was dismissed and it would now be up to the General Social Care Council to decide whether to remove him from the social workers' register.

"This incident should not have happened," said Mr Wilkin.

"However, Cookson's actions were not those of a responsible professional and we expect the highest standards at all times.

"Surrey County Council has strict checks in place that are rigorously followed before we employ anyone as a social worker and these did not fail in Cookson's case."

Cookson was also placed on the sex offenders register for five years and ordered to attend the Thames Valley sex offenders group work programme.

Det Insp Martin Goodwin said: "This was a very serious but rare offence which was handled sensitively by Surrey police officers and the Community Mental Health Team.

"In partnership with the NHS Trust and Surrey County Council we have prevented Cookson from continuing to work as a social worker." 

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A PAEDOPHILE who filmed himself raping and sexually abusing two schoolgirls, then shared the images online has been jailed.

Raymond Minns must serve at least three years, after which he could be considered for release.

Police raided Minns's home in Vange last November, seizing his computer. They discovered more than 18,000 images of children being sexually abused.

When 29-year-old Minns was interviewed, he admitted "grooming" two of the girls in the photos, before repeatedly sexually abusing and raping them.

He also admitted taking pictures of himself as he abused the victims, using his mobile phone and a video camera, so he could share the images with fellow paedophiles on the internet.

Yesterday, at Basildon Crown Court, Judge Michael Brooke QC told Minns: "I hope very much you are given all the rehabilitation you so clearly need and three years from now you can think about applying to the parole board to be released on licence."

He banned Minns from ever working with children, from living or being alone with a child under the age of 16, from attending clubs where children under 16 might be present. He also barred him from using the internet.

The defendant will remain on the sex offenders' register for the rest of his life.

Minns admitted four counts of raping a child under 13, one of attempted rape of a child under 13, eight counts of taking indecent photos of a child, two of distributing indecent photos of a child and sexual assault of a child under 13.

He also admitted one charge of assault of a child under 13 by penetration and possessing indecent photos of a child.

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A FATHER-of-six who mounted a campaign of sexual abuse against a girl, has been jailed for 13 years.

At Southampton Crown Court, judge Christopher Leigh QC told Christopher Peat the impact statements of the victim and her mother were among the worst he had seen for many years.

Peat, 39, of Magnolia Road, Merry Oak, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of rape, three counts of indecent assault and three of indecency with a child.

The assaults began in January, 2002, and went on until June, 2007. It finally ended when the girl disclosed to her aunt what had been happening and burst into tears.

Don't cry' Prosecutor Richard Onslow said the first time Peat touched her, he told her "be brave, don't cry". He warned her that no one would believe her if she complained, and if she told her mother, she wouldn't love her any more.

On one occasion, Peat abused the youngster after he had forced her to watch a porn movie with him.

On arrest, Peat gave a "no comment" interview.

Mr Onslow then told the judge: "You have seen the impact statements and it doesn't need me to describe the shattering affect it has had on the girl and her family."

In mitigation, Stuart Jones QC said Peat admitted the offences at the first opportunity and had spared his victim the ordeal of giving evidence.

"He was brought up in a family where violence and sexual abuse were part of life, and he was the victim of a sexual offence when he was just eight. It's a painful fact he finds difficult to confront. It cannot justify but might provide some explanation for what happened."

In the pre-sentence report, Peat spoke of his self-loathing and disgust "They are the most important words in it because they indicate some awareness of the true enormity of his offending and its consequences."

He told the judge: "Whatever sentence you pass, he will serve it without visitors. Family life is over for him and his friends have jumped ship. The last words he said to me downstairs before we came into court was I'm sorry.'"

Passing sentence, Judge Leigh told Peat: "I have read the impact statements. I don't propose to refer to them because to do so might cause the victims even greater distress.

"Suffice to say they are among the worst I have seen for many years."

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A former caretaker who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two school boys has been spared jail.

Paedophile Arthur Miller also admitted having child pornography on his home computer, but walked free from Croydon Crown Court.

The 65-year-old former Stowford College IT teacher joined the school in Brighton Road in 1998, as a caretaker.

The first offence came to light on January 4, 2007, when he assaulted a boy in a shed used as a changing room for games.

The young victim told a friend what happened and he said something similar had happened to him the previous year.

A father of another boy said Miller pursued his son and gave him presents, which the court said had been "grooming".

The court heard that after his arrest Miller, from Priory Crescent in Sutton, wrote a suicide note for his wife and jumped in front of a Tube train. But he landed in a trough between rails and the train went over him.

When police went to his home they seized his computer and discovered two images of naked teenage boys and evidence he had viewed porn sites.

Defending, Sonya Saul, said Miller's relatives and friends were supporting him. "He is deeply ashamed and hopes there would be no lasting effect on the boys," Miss Saul said.

Judge Timothy Stow QC told Miller his behaviour was appalling. He added. "It was undoubtedly a breach of trust. I take into account your genuine remorse, which you demonstrated by trying to commit suicide."

Miller, who pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual assault and two of making indecent images of children, was given 12 months suspended for two years, disqualified from working with children for the rest of his life, given a two- year supervision order and made to sign the sexual offenders' register.

A mother of a former Stowford pupil, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was appalled by the sentence. "How can society let us down like this?" she added.

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A convicted sex offender who groped a 16-year-old schoolgirl on the seafront has been warned he faces a jail sentence.

Darren Hellowell, 29, fondled the teenager on the beach next to Eastbourne Pier after asking her for a cigarette lighter.

Lewes Crown Court heard how the stranger groped the girl and then made suggestive comments to her.

Friends of the girl ordered the pervert to leave but he carried on the drunken attack.

Police nearby arrested Hellowell who told police in interview he had little memory of the assault.

In a Victim Impact Statement, the girl told officers: "When he first approached me he made me feel on edge as I didn't know him.

"When he went to touch my legs I felt scared and afterwards I felt shocked and upset by the incident."

Prosecutor Simon Allen told the court the attack happened at about 11.30pm on September 1 last year.

He said: "A 16-year-old girl was enjoying an evening out with some friends in Eastbourne. Firstly they were at the Western Lawns, at about 8.30pm.

"Later on, at about 11.30pm, they moved towards the Pier and were sat on the beach. The defendant comes over and initially says, 'Have you got a lighter?' "The victim said she had not then the defendant put his right hand on her left leg just above her knee and slid his hands up.

"She was sitting with her knees up and moved her legs, saying, 'Get off me'. She was shocked and felt scared. Her friends saw what happened and told him to clear off."

Mr Allen said Hellowell then leant forward and put his hand in the same place.

She then pushed him away but he was sexually suggestive towards her.

Mr Allen went on: "She replied, 'Don't even look at me'.

"Police must have been nearby because his arrest happened within a few minutes."

The court heard that Hellowell was put on the Sex Offenders Register for five years in 2005 for grabbing the private parts of a woman in Kent.

But he failed to notify police of his whereabouts within three days of being released from custody.

Hellowell, of no fixed abode, admitted sexual assault and failing to comply with the requirements of the Sex Offenders Register.

Defending, Daniel Frier offered no mitigation as Recorder Richard Benson, QC, adjourned sentencing until February 15 to assess how dangerous Hellowell is.

He told him: "I want to make it perfectly clear that all sentencing options are available.

"Because this is your second sexual offence the law requires the court to consider whether you pose a significant risk of serious harm to the public."

Hellowell was remanded in custody as funding is considered for a place at Avenida Lodge in Upper Avenue which helps people with alcohol problems.

Recorder Benson added: "Even if there is funding available it doesn't necessarily mean he would not receive some form of custodial sentence."

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A paedophile teacher due to be extradited to the Netherlands for importing child pornography has committed suicide.

Keith Hudson, 54, was due to fly to serve five months in a Dutch prison but did not turn up to Heathrow Airport.

Hudson, who ran private tuition company Sussex Learning Centre, had been granted bail on stringent conditions including the payment of a £10,000 security to City of Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London.

A hearing to order the forfeiture of the money was arranged for today.

But Amelia Nice, for the Dutch authorities, told the court: "He failed to report to Heathrow. It has since been brought to our attention that apparently he has died.

"Apparently he committed suicide."

Hudson, of Willowmead, Crowborough, has previous convictions in the UK for similar offences, had signed on as a sex offender for four years and been banned from working with boys.

He was found guilty of five counts of moving and concealing indecent material at Croydon Crown Court, following an operation by Dover customs officers in 1998.

A Care Standards Tribunal had heard he was not a risk to girls and limited the court's earlier ban on teaching all children.

Education bosses at East Sussex County Council issued a warning to all schools in the area after the discovery that he was touting for business.

Then in 2002 he was found guilty of importing and stocking indecent images of boys in the Netherlands between April and December 1999.

However he was not in court for his sentence and a bid for his extradition from this country was later launched.

The disgraced tutor was arrested by Sussex and Met detectives at his home last month.

He lost his fight against his return and a Westminster judge ordered his extradition on December 27 last year.

Hudson was trusted to turn up to Heathrow on January 11 on stringent bail conditions including residence at his home address, daily reporting to police, and to have no contact with any person under 18.

On hearing the report of his death District Judge Quentin Purdy said he required confirmation from a police officer and adjourned the hearing to February 6.

The judge said if he has died the £10,000 would be returned.

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BOSSES of a Southampton charity for the disabled knew about the sex crime past of a volunteer minibus driver for four years before he raped a client, an inquiry has revealed.

Stephen Browne was given "routine" and "extensive unsupervised access" to vulnerable disabled clients, including giving help with personal care and letting one client spend the night at his house. He even went on to become the charity's vice-chairman.

The inquiry found that despite being told by the police in 2001 that Browne had an unspent previous conviction for indecent assault, the charity's secretary and chairman failed to take adequate steps to safeguard the charity and its clients.

Neither did it adequately keep an eye on Browne's conduct, a Charity Commission report said.

The other trustees of the Southampton and District Sports and Leisure Association for the Disabled (SADSALAD) were also criticised for failing to implement protective polices and measures, such as carrying out Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks when they became available in 2002.

Browne went on to rape a severely disabled woman and indecently assault another in November 2005 and is now serving at least ten years after being jailed early last year.

He was also convicted at the same time for a string of rapes and sexual assaults carried out in the 1970s.

The six-month Charity Commission inquiry found that secretary Roger Steels shared the information from the police about Browne with chairman Debbie Richards, but she also kept it secret.

Mr Steels told the inquiry that he thought the information was confidential.

Browne, 50, formerly of Fernside Close, Millbrook, was then allowed to become a trustee of the charity and its vice-chairman.

A third trustee who became suspicious of Browne's conduct towards disabled clients in 2005 reported him to police but also failed to alert other trustees.

The Charity Commission launched an inquiry when contacted by social services in December 2005 about Browne's sordid past.

It suspended Browne along with the three trustees, who have now resigned their posts.

Browne was later disqualified. He declined to take part in the inquiry.

Mr Steels said that he accepted the inquiry findings but insisted that he and Mrs Richards had been "hoodwinked" by Browne into believing that he was a reformed character and deserved a second chance.

Browne was working for other charities at the time he joined SADSALAD in 2000, Mr Steels said, and was a "nice fellow" who become the most popular volunteer.

Mr Steels added that SADSALAD had carried out checks on Browne, albeit inadequate ones.

Mr Steels, who still works for SADSALAD as a volunteer, said: "I don't feel uncomfortable working for the charity. They asked me to continue. This was a salutatory lesson we have all learnt from."

He said that he regretted taking on Browne. "I can't express the contempt I feel towards him," he said.

Mrs Richards declined to comment.

The commission noted that since its inquiry SADSALAD had implemented new procedures to safeguard disabled clients and had strengthened existing policies.

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A paedophile who avoided jail for committing a series of sexual assaults on children has now been resentenced to 18 months behind bars.

Michael Porter, 38, of Okehampton Close, North Finchley, was resentenced by the Court of Appeal on Wednesday after the Attorney General, Baroness Scotland, judged the original sentence to be "unduly lenient".

Porter carried out his attacks between 1986 and 2000, groping boys as they slept in bed and taking advantage of children as he baby-sat them. Some were unaware they had been abused, including an 18-month-old baby and a three-year-old boy.

In August, Porter was given a three-year community rehabilitation order at Bristol Crown Court after admitting 25 charges of gross indecency and indecent assault.

Judge Thomas Crowther QC decided that "complex" issues in his childhood made his actions "understandable".

He was handed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, banning him from unsupervised contact with children under 18 and living or sleeping at an address where there are children.

The verdict sparked a public outcry and led Baroness Scotland to refer the case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.

Referring to the original sentence after jailing Porter on Wednesday, Lord Justice Gage said: "The judge took a course which he recognised as lenient and he described the case as exceptional.

"We can understand the judge's reasons for doing so. We recognise that the offender has made considerable efforts to ensure he doesn't commit any offences of this type again.

"But we have to recognise that these were serious offences committed on a number of young children and adolescents over a long time. These offences required an element of punishment as well as an element of mercy. They must be marked with a custodial sentence."

Porter handed himself in to police in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, last October, after one victim went to leaders of the Portishead Jehovah's Witness church, where he was a member.

Porter's sentencing follows the early release of another convicted paedophile in the borough.

Andrew Josephs, who used to live in Edgware Way, Edgware, was released early from his sentence, police confirmed last week.

As part of his parole, he has been banned from entering the borough of Harrow, but it is believed the restriction does not extend to the borough of Barnet.

A spokesman for Barnet police said: "The probation service in partnership with the Public Protection Unit at Barnet Police are monitoring Mr Jospehs.

"He is on probation having been released from prison."

Josephs, who used to teach Jewish studies at a Harrow school, was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison last March. He was found guilty at Wood Green Crown Court of four counts of indecent assault on one boy, and two of committing sexual activity with a second child.

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Released in 2013

A HOLIDAY camp chef who tied up and raped two 15-year-old girls he met while working near Burnham has finally been jailed after going on the run.

Clayton Ball, 25, was tried in his absence in September and later arrested on the Isle of Wight following a national manhunt.

But on Monday (November 5) Ball was in the dock at Taunton Crown Court to hear a judge confirm his 12-year prison sentence.

During his trial a jury heard he was working in a holiday camp fish and chip shop when he met the teenage holidaymakers.

One girl, thinking she was his girlfriend, was raped in his caravan with her hands tied with a belt and while blindfolded with a bandana.

He also had sex with another girl, whom he had talked of marrying. They twice had intercourse with her consent in June 2005 but four months later he tied her with his belt, and raped her after trying to put her in a pair of pink-furred handcuffs.

Nicolas Gerasimidis, prosecuting, said both went to his caravan for kisses and cuddles but Ball went far beyond that and raped them using a combination of violence and bondage.

Ball was convicted on two counts of rape and was found not guilty on a third similar charge on the direction of the judge. He was also found guilty on two charges of sexual activity with a child and had admitted possession of five indecent images of children at an earlier court hearing.

Defending Ball, Alan Large submitted that the sentence could be reduced. He referred to a psychiatrist's report and his client was of previous good character.

"He was a rather sad lonely man working hard, but with not much of a social life," he said.

He was sentenced to six years jail on each rape, to run consecutively, with concurrent sentences of 18 months for the other offences In reviewing the sentences on Monday, His Honour David Smith QC, sitting as a deputy circuit judge, said it was a distressing and sad case which called for severe penalties.

He said: "The conclusion I come to is that the sentence on the last occasion is appropriate".

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Reported to be working in the jewish community of Cyprus.

A 33-year-old family man who downloaded child porn from the internet was today (Mon) jailed for nine months.

Heath Colwyn was arrested after police investigating a West Midlands man discovered that he had sent images to Colwyn.

When police went to Colwyn's home on March 22, 2005 they seized two laptop computers and 21 floppy discs. When these were analysed officers found a total of 488 indecent images of children aged between about nine to 15 years.

Geoffrey Greenwood, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that 277 of the images were in the lowest category of such images but there were 89 in the serious category involving sex with adults.

On one of the laptops they found emails showing that he had distributed images to other similar minded people in the UK.

Colwyn, of Cornwall Way, Ainsdale, pleaded guilty to 26 offences of making indecent images of children and five of distributing them.

His barrister, Andrew Loveridge, said that Colwyn, who has no similar previous convictions, denied his behaviour had been sexually motived.

But jailing him Judge David Aubrey, QC, said he found that "difficult to accept."

He pointed out that viewing such images perpetuates child abuse. Mr Loveridge said that Colwyn committed the offences because he felt isolated. His wife, with whom he has a three-year-old son, is standing by him.

He pointed out that the offences committed by Colwyn, who works as an electrical engineer, happened two and a half years ago.

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A man who had sex with two underage girls he met in an internet chat room has been jailed for eight years. Steven Brodie, 29, slept with a 13-year-old girl in her bedroom in Caithness after first leading her to believe he was the same age as her.

He later had sex with 15-year-old girl in the Highlands.

Passing sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Lord McPhail said Brodie had shown little thought for the consequences on his victims.

The case had earlier been referred to the High Court from Wick Sheriff Court after Sheriff Andrew Berry said he could only impose a five-year prison sentence.

This is a clear case of the callous, cynical and deliberate grooming and exploitation of a child by an adult male for sexual purposes
- Lord McPhail

Brodie, from Edinburgh, admitted he had sex with the 13-year-old girl and that he was aware of her age. He also admitted having intercourse with the other youngster, but said he thought she was 16.

The court was told that Brodie swapped about 200 text messages and calls with the 13-year-old girl he met in a chatroom before driving to her Highland home and having sex with her after the victim's mother left for work.

Police later discovered that he had also formed a relationship with a 15-year-old girl in a chatroom and taken her to a bed-and-breakfast for sex.

Lord McPhail said: "This is a clear case of the callous, cynical and deliberate grooming and exploitation of a child by an adult male for sexual purposes."

"You were 28 at the time and developed a relationship with a child of 13 on the internet, well aware she was only that age."

'Affected her schooling'

The judge said a background report made it clear Brodie had been more worried about the consequences of the case for himself than for his victims.

He added: "Your behaviour towards the youngest child affected her schooling and her relationship with her mother. You have been concerned mainly with the consequences for yourself."

Brodie met the younger victim in November last year after she accessed the internet on her phone and was connected with a chatroom.

She at first thought he was about the same age as her, but as they exchanged messages she became aware of his true age.

After meeting her for sex, Brodie kept in contact with his victim before she revealed to a friend what had happened.

The friend then spoke to her own mother, who contacted the police and the mother of the victim.

Defence solicitor advocate Neil Wilson said Brodie was "at a loss to explain his behaviour towards the end of last year".

He said Brodie maintained he was not actively searching for a girl under the age of consent when he went into the chatroom, but was looking for a sexual relationship.

Brodie earlier pled guilty to three charges of unlawful sexual intercourse with the underage girls.

He also admitted two offences under protection of children and prevention of sexual offences legislation.

The mother of the younger victim has previously warned other parents about the potential dangers of young girls to access chatrooms on their mobile phones.

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A PAEDOPHILE who systematically raped and sexually abused a schoolgirl over a long period has been jailed for 15 years.

Peter Chitticks, 51, of Hornby Close, Westcliff, subjected the young girl to a sickening catalogue of rape and sexual assault between 1997 and 2003, starting when the victim was only nine.

The abuse only came to light when the young victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, plucked up courage to report it to police last year. At Basildon Crown Court, Deputy Circuit Judge Gareth Davies told Chitticks he had treated the victim as his "sex toy" and said he would have to serve at least half his sentence before he could be considered for parole.

 Speaking after the sentencing, investigating officer Det Con Rob Smallcombe said: "This was a protracted inquiry and one which was very traumatic for the victim.

"She not only had to hear evidence in court, but had to recall the events from her childhood herself as part of the prosecution case.

"She shares our delight that Peter Chitticks will be behind bars for a very long time."

Chitticks, a warehouse worker, was found guilty last week of seven counts of indecency with a child, four of rape and two of indecent assault.

He had denied all the allegations.

Chitticks, who had no previous convictions, will also remain on the sex offenders' register for the rest of his life.

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Chris Langham arrived at Maidstone Crown Court, in the words of Judge Philip Statman, "a gifted actor and writer" - a Bafta award-winning performer at the peak of his career.

He left it in the back of a prison van, his name on the register of sex offenders and awaiting sentencing on 15 counts of making indecent images of a child - in other words, downloading child pornography.

Throughout his trial he had denied the charges. To plead guilty would have meant, he said, admitting he was a paedophile "which I am not".

But he admitted looking at child pornography online and gave two explanations for what he did.

The first was that he was researching a character, a sex offender, for the TV series Help.

The second, he said as his voice shook, was that he himself had been sexually abused as a child, and he had been drawn to the internet images of abuse "because it's an issue in my life".

Juror wept

It was dismissed as "pseudo-psychobabble" by prosecutor Richard Barraclough QC and the judge said neither explanation provided a legal defence.

When the jury were shown parts of the clips he had downloaded, one member wept.

In court Langham cut a repentant but often articulate figure, describing a life troubled not only by incidents of abuse as a child, but problems with drink and drugs before he gave both up in the 1980s.

He described how therapy and Alcoholics Anonymous had saved his life. He broke down once, when he described the impact his arrest had on his family.

"I just wanted to die and I tried to kill myself," he said.

The jury cleared him of six counts of indecent assault and two counts of serious sexual assault on a girl who was just 14 when the alleged crimes were to have begun.

Family support

Now a woman aged 25, she had gone to police after she heard media reports of Langham's arrest on suspicion of possessing child pornography in 2005.

Hidden from the defendant by a screen in court, she told the jury she had met the actor when he appeared in a theatre production of Les Miserables.

He took her to some of London's top restaurants and bought her expensive gifts. But her allegations that he had sex with her in his dressing room, in hotels and at his home did not convince the jury.

At times throughout the trial his three adult sons, each bearing a startling resemblance to the actor, sat at the back of the public gallery.

Moments before the verdict, Langham smiled and nodded to them.

After the verdict Detective Inspector Derek Cuff spoke outside the court on behalf, he said, of those whose voices had not been heard inside - the children sexually abused in the production of "harrowing" pornography which Langham had, by viewing, helped perpetuate.