Latest Offenders

Description

A FORMER police employee from York has been jailed for four years for possessing and distributing “depraved” indecent images of children.

Bradley Paul Smith, 36, who worked as a safety camera van operator with North Yorkshire Police, also admitted voyeurism.

Detectives found videos - which Smith had filmed - taken from inside the men’s changing room at a gym, a video of a teenager getting changed inside a bedroom and a child asleep on a bed.

Smith was arrested on February 6 last year and suspended from duty. He has since been sacked.

Detective Sergeant Lee Allenby, of the North Yorkshire Police online abuse & exploitation team, said it was “very concerning” that Smith, while still on police duties and on the same day he was arrested, had uploaded two serious Category A indecent images of children on his personal tablet.

He added: “This showed how deeply he was embroiled in this depraved and secretive world. However, there is no evidence or suggestion that offences were committed using police equipment.”

Smith was arrested after information was supplied police by the National Crime Agency.

North Yorkshire Police forensically examined numerous smart phones, tablets and laptops to secure evidence.

A large collection of indecent images of children, going back to 2011, were recovered including those classified in the most extreme Category A, as well as Category B and C offences.

The investigation team also recovered the videos taken by Smith.

Smith appeared at York Crown Court on February 10 where he pleaded guilty to making more than 3,000 indecent images of children, as well as distributing images, taking an indecent picture of a child and eight counts of voyeurism.

Smith was jailed for four years at York Crown Court yesterday.

He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offenders’ register.

DS Allenby added: “When the evidence of his offending was presented to him during the investigation, Bradley Smith initially claimed he was only interested in adult pornography and that the indecent images of children were downloaded accidentally.

“However, we were able to prove beyond doubt that he is a serious offender and it is pleasing that he admitted his guilt at court. He is now facing up to the consequences of his sickening actions.

“This case shows that North Yorkshire Police is determined and equipped to secure justice in such a complex investigation. Also that we operate without fear or favour even when the suspect works for the same police force.”

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Smith has fuelled an industry where children suffer the most horrific abuse for the sexual gratification of sickening individuals like him, who can access these images and videos in just a few clicks.

“The NSPCC is calling on tech companies, law enforcement and government to work together to find ways to cut this vile material off at source.”

Description

A DEPRAVED pervert who sexually abused a friend's dog while looking after the animal has been caged.

Vile paedophile Andrew Flanagan, described as 'extremely sick' at court, was exposed after he photographed the animal abuse in which he forced a Rottweiller to engage in a sex act with him.

On investigating the 37-year-old of Field Avenue, Oxford, it was also revealed that he had in his possession a haul of banned images of child sex abuse, involving children as young as four, and had sent images to others.

Flanagan had already admitted six counts of making and distributing indecent images of children, as well as two counts of possessing extreme pornography and causing a serious sexual offence with an animal.

Oxford Crown Court heard at his sentencing hearing yesterday how the offences all took place in Oxford between October 2017 and September 2018.

Outlining the case, prosecutor Christopher Hewertson said that police raided Flanagan's Blackbird Leys home at about 6.30am on September 26, 2018.

Various electronic items were seized including smart phones and a Lenovo laptop and Flanagan told officers he 'knew immediately why they were there'.

A subsequent investigation of the equipment found a haul of indecent images of children and animals being sexually abused.

In a sinister and unusual discovery, four images were found depicting Flanagan himself engaging in a sex act with the dog that he had been looking after for a friend.

Prosecutors said at the sentencing hearing that Flanagan was caring for the dog while the owner was at work and there was no indication that they knew of the abuse being dealt to the animal.

Of the banned images of children that were also uncovered investigators found that he had a total of 287 images in category A - the most severe category, 103 in category B and 125 in category C.

It was also revealed that Flanagan had used file-sharing software such as eMule to distribute a number of the banned images to others.

He had sent to others six images of category A, two in category B and one in category C.

Search terms also revealed deliberate hunting for indecent images, which the judge called 'systematic searching for class A images' online, including terms such as 'pre-teen hardcore' and searches for five-year-old children.

Online chats also detailed Flanagan 'discussing and revelling in the sexual gratification that can be taken from sexual abuse of children'.

Officers also found that he had read Oxford Mail and Times articles about previous offenders being sentenced for having indecent images.

In mitigation yesterday his defence barrister James Reilley said his client suffered with 'extreme and severe depression and anxiety' and was taking medication for a diagnosis of HIV.

He said that Flanagan had had 'bouts of suicidal thoughts as a result' and called his client 'a good man' who had committed the 'out of character' offence at his 'lowest ebb'.

Mr Reilley added that Flanagan was 'clearly extremely sick' and was 'terrified' at the prospect of going to prison.

Sentencing, Judge Nigel Daly said: "The possession of indecent images of children, you know because you are not an unintelligent man, that before these images can exist there has to be a child.

"And that child has to be assaulted and that child very often is in extreme distress.

"These images will never go away and they will be there for as long as we have got the internet available."

As Judge Daly told him he had to impose an immediate jail term Flanagan broke down in tears and sobbed.

Flanagan was jailed for a total of 30 months for all the offences and he will sign the sex offenders register for life.

Description

A man has been jailed after engaging in sexualised online chats with a 13-year-old boy.

St Albans Crown Court heard how Jacob Taylor (Miles Esterson), of Mimms Lane, Shenley, started having innocuous chats with the boy before it became increasingly sexualised between October and November last year.

Taylor had suggested the pair meet up to engage in sexual activity.

Taylor, 37 arranged to meet what he believed was the young boy behind McDonalds at The Galleria in Hatfield on November 9, 2019 - but on arrival found police officers waiting for him.

He pleaded guilty to meeting a child following sexual communication and attempted sexual communication with a child.

Appearing at court yesterday (Thursday February 27) he was sentenced to two years in prison.

Detective Constable Georgina Fenge, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Child Online Safeguarding Team, said: “Taylor is a dangerous individual who clearly has no inhibitions about engaging in illegal conversations with children.

"Even after learning the teenager’s age, he continued to send inappropriate messages and was keen to meet up in order to engage in sexual activity with a minor. It is a relief to know he is now in a place where he can no longer offend.

“Hertfordshire Constabulary takes this type of crime extremely seriously and we are doing, and will continue to do, everything in our power to protect the vulnerable in our society by rooting out those who prey on children.”

Description

A "TRULY disgusting" paedophile from Ellesmere Port who incited three children to engage in sexual activity has been jailed for a total of 23 years. David McMurtry, 49, of William Johnson Gardens, was found guilty after a trial of 10 charges of child sex offences against three young girls, the youngest of whom being just seven or eight years old at the time of the offences. McMurtry was also found guilty of possessing 26 indecent images of children. He had earlier pleaded guilty to one charge of possessing 161 prohibited images of children. Sentencing at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, February 27, Recorder of Chester Judge Steven Everett said the evidence against McMurtry had been "overwhelming" and the jury had "rightly" found him guilty of all charges. Prosecuting, Nicholas Williams said the offences began more than 10 years ago and occurred over a number of years. In each case, McMurtry had incited the young girls to engage in sexual activity. Judge Everett agreed those three charges would be the most serious and, after taking into account the principle of totality, would impose consecutive sentences for those three counts. The three victims none of whom can be identified had each come to court to read out their victim impact statements. Each of them told of the "devastating impact" McMurtry had had on them, and how they would have nightmares and night terrors in the years following the sex attacks. Between the three of them, they had suffered depression, anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia and felt like their social lives had been compromised. All spoke how their childhood had been taken away from them because of McMurtry's actions. One said: "I hate him and I am upset for what he did to me." The same victim also told how, after she had given her statement to police before the trial, there was an occasion when McMurty sat next to her at Ellesmere Port Market, making her feel very uncomfortable. Another victim told how McMurty had seen her in the street about a year ago and he was laughing at her. "I can't put into words how much I hate him; he disgusts me," she told the court. Judge Everett said to the victims: "There is only one person to blame [for what has happened] and that is him. It's not you. There is nothing that any of the three of you did wrong." The court heard while McMurtry had no previous convictions, he had taken advantage of three girls who were "extremely vulnerable". Defending, Simon Mills said the length of the expected prison sentence, and the imposition of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, meant the likelihood of McMurtry committing offences of this nature again was "as close to nil as possible". He added McMurtry would find prison more difficult than if he was a young, fit and healthy man, and upon his eventual release would find himself in isolated, lonely circumstances. Mr Mills said of McMurtry's health: "He is sufficiently overweight for his life expectancy to be reduced. He has had major surgery in the past." Judge Everett, sentencing, told McMurtry his behaviour had been "truly disgusting". He added: "Your victims had to go through the truly awful process of coming forward and giving evidence in court. "They were courageous enough to give evidence against you. The one thing they should take from this is they were believed and everybody knows what you did to them when they were three young girls. "You knew, or believed, that nobody could touch you, because of their sheer vulnerability. "You showed you have no remorse or understanding of the damage you caused, sitting next to one of them at the market, laughing at another. It just showed you thought you were untouchable. "The jury rightly saw through that and rightly convicted you of these terrible offences. "I need to send out a message to you and to others that if they are ever tempted to do something like this, they will go to prison for the same length of time as you. "I sentence to punish you and to protect the public from the likes of you and to send the message out to the public. "You heard the victim statements and the devastating effect it has had. One can only hope they will be able to get some closure and get something of a decent life in the future." McMurtry was jailed for a total of 23 years and placed on the sex offenders register for life. Judge Everett told him: "In my judgment that is the least possible sentence. You will serve at least half that sentence, possibly more." McMurtry was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order prohibiting from making any sort of contact with the victims or unsupervised contact with any female under the age of 16 except with parental/guardian permission from someone aware of McMurtry's convictions. The order, among other requirements, prevents McMurtry from owning a device capable of storing images, data encryption software or having access to the internet, except in circumstances which allow police to monitor his usage. The devices he used to obtain the indecent and/or prohibited images were to be forfeited and destroyed. McMurtry showed no emotion as he was led to the cells. Afterwards, Judge Everett told the victims and their families: "Any sentence that I pass here today is not long enough as far as you are concerned. I hope it gives you some sense of closure. "There is only one person to blame here and that is the person who has gone through the door [to prison]."

Description

A former soldier who encouraged underage girls to send him naked pictures has been spared jail.

Josh Boynton-Eckles embarked on behaviour described as the stuff of parents nightmares when he was serving in the military in 2015 and 2016.

Hull Crown Court heard how Boynton-Eckles, of north Hull, sent naked pictures of himself to girls under the age of 16 and images of bondage equipment and cartoons of adults spanking saying this is going to be me and you.

The 24-year-old also admitted to using the identity of another woman on anonymous chat site so he could encourage gay or bisexual women to send him naked pictures.

His offending first came to light when the mothers of two of his victims contacted police after they found indecent images on their daughters phones.

Their two daughters were friends, said prosecuting barrister Claire Holmes. One mother became aware that her daughter had been taking pictures of herself whilst naked in the shower and posted screenshots of the defendants chats to police.

Both mothers were able to identify the defendant by finding the Facebook account linked to the messages."

At the time, Boynton-Eckles was around 20-years-old and serving in the armed forces stationed in Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

A police investigation found he contacted a number of girls aged between 12 and 17 online from around the world.

In a conversation with one victim, aged 13 and 14 at the time, he discussed kissing and touching her bottom when they met and sent her a cartoon image of a man smacking a womans bottom saying this is going to be me and you.

In another conversation, again with a girl of a similar age, he discussed having sex with her and sent her an image of bondage equipment laid out on a bed.

Ms Holmes said: "He regularly chatted to females using various online applications. He would repeatedly ask for images.

"He was not deterred by age or vulnerability and would in fact use their vulnerability to get the images he wanted.

"Im looking at one such example. These are conversations with one complainant. She says I look a mess to which he says I bet you are beautiful. She says I assure you I am not and he says prove it.

"In my submission that is an example of a female expressing doubt in the way she looks and he was using that in order to get her to show him a picture."

Boynton-Eckles also encouraged a 15-year-old girl to send him naked pictures on Whatsapp and made references to taking her virginity.

Ms Holmes said: She confirmed she had sent him naked images and the conversation had been sexual and they discussed meeting up for sex. She said no such meeting took place.

Boynton-Eckles pleaded guilty to five counts of causing or inciting a girl under 16 to engage in sexual activity and appeared at Hull Crown Court to be sentenced.

In a victim impact statement, one of his victims said she felt a lot of shame after her encounter with Boynton-Eckles saying it made her feel stupid and worthless.

Boynton-Eckles also stood in the dock to be sentenced for one count of fraud after he admitted to using the identity of another woman on the anonymous social media app Whisper.

He would use her name and images to create a profile encouraging gay or bisexual women he was speaking with to send him naked photos, Ms Holmes told the court.

She said: Examination of the Whisper app chat records showed he used a womans image on a number of occasions and pretended to be her by name or without a name.

There are 20 examples of the defendant using her identity in order to obtain sexual chat and or pictures and two specific examples are when he exchanged naked pictures of the woman with the person he is speaking to.

Boynton-Eckles was also sentenced for one count of making an indecent photograph of a child and distributing a photograph of a child, after police found 59 category C images on his mobile phone.

Mitigating barrister, Keith Allen, told the court that Boynton-Eckles put a stop to his behaviour when another soldier sent him an indecent image of a child.

If I can start by addressing the slightly unusual feature of this case," said Mr Allen. "The defendant was a serving member of the military.

"During the period of his service he was contacted and in communication with another member of the military that sent to him indecent images of children.

He reported that to the military police and he handed over as part of their investigation the devices. It is in fact that time period where his report of the other person to the police is in essence the end of his offending behaviour.

The realisation appears to have dawned on this defendant the behaviour he was engaging in was unlawful and also wrong.

Mr Allen also referred to a psychologists report suggesting Boynton-Eckles had difficulties in interpersonal functioning likely caused by childhood trauma.

The report read: Mr Boynton Eckles offending behaviour is most likely to be driven by his difficulties in interpersonal functioning, most likely to be the result of childhood trauma.

He has struggled to relate to people his own age and has found it difficult to trust and feel rejected by them.

He has become isolated and experienced low mood and has coped with these difficulties by turning to the internet for social contact and found it easier relating to young girls.

Sentencing Boynton-Eckles to 20 months imprisonment suspended for two years, Judge David Tremberg said his behaviour was the stuff of parents nightmares.

He said: We have already seen in many ways you found young girls easier to manipulate, to groom, to control, to exploit, and the indictment reflects your involvement with three young girls who you groomed and exchanged indecent photographs with and encouraged into sexual activity.

In other devious criminality you even went as far as a form of identity fraud masquerading as a young woman exchanging indecent images of her in order to wheedle indecent images out of other women of a significant age.

What you did is likely to have a serious and emotional effect upon the girls. Your behaviour is the stuff of parents nightmares, that people like you should be floating about on the internet looking for the opportunity to take advantage of children.

There are no contact offences here. If there was the sentence would have been much greater.

I bear in mind you have been in no trouble since and you appear willing to take help available to you. I bear in mind you psychological presentation has been a factor in your offending.

In all the circumstances of the case and by a rather fine margin I am satisfied that justice can be met by imposing a sentence that does not require immediate custody.

Boynton-Eckles must complete 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement and take part in the Horizon programme.

He will also be a registered sex offender for the next ten years and adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years.

Description

A MAN who was stung by waiting police officers after driving 200 miles from Norfolk to Hampshire to meet an 11-year-old child has been jailed for six-and-a-half years. Jeffery Batty, 50, was arrested after travelling four hours from Edingthorpe to the Rownhams Services between J3 and J4 of the M27. He expected to be greeted by an 11-year-old child, whom he had plans to abuse, but was instead met by a swarm of police officers. The officers from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit had already been investigating him for months. Batty, of Rectory Road, Edingthorpe, was jailed after admitting several child sex offences at Southampton Crown Court on Thursday. He was sentenced with an extended licence period of eight years and pleaded guilty to 17 charges in total. Police said Batty travelled to Hampshire in January, 2019 but continued to commit offences after that, despite knowing he was being investigated. This even continued after he was charged with arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence and 11 offences of possession and distribution of indecent images in August last year. That culminated in another arranged meeting with an eight-year-old child after being released on bail. Batty was again greeted at the arranged meeting point by police officers and charged with five more offences. They included arranging to meet another child for the purpose of sex and possessing and distributing indecent images and videos of children. However, he was later remanded. Batty will now be put on the sex offenders register for life and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Detective Inspector Phil Attwood, from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, said: Batty is clearly a depraved, dangerous individual who was fully committed to undertaking abhorrent abuse of children. It is only right that he has received a lengthy prison sentence, and Id like to highlight the work of the investigators involved in this case for ensuring that he was unable to carry out his sordid intentions. This investigation forms part of our continued priority to protect children from sexual exploitation from those who seek to do them harm, and I would urge anyone who has information on child abuse or is a victim to report it to your local police force right away via 101. We will always follow up allegations of abuse, no matter when they occurred, and victims can talk in confidence to experienced investigators who will help them get access to a range of support.

Description

A former police officer who was jailed after he was caught with indecent images of children has been thrown back behind bars after he was caught using a laptop.

David Pamment was jailed for eight months in March last year after he was caught with 31 indecent images of children.

The 55-year-old was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order, banning him from using a laptop without telling the authorities.

But when officers attended his Eastleigh home after his release they found a laptop – which had not been registered with police.

Now Pamment, who worked as a police officer for the Ministry of Defence, has been jailed again after admitting one count of breaching his sexual harm prevention order.

Southampton Crown Court heard how police originally visited Pamment's home, in Charlie Soar Court, on February 11, 2018.

When they examined his electronic devices, they found a total of 31 indecent images, including 17 category A images, 12 category B and two category C.

Pamment pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of a child and was jailed for a total of eight months.

Prosecutor Jane Terry said that Pamment was released in July last year, after serving half of his sentence.

She said Pamment was twice taken through the terms of his sexual harm prevention order, which included a requirement to register an internet enabled computer within three days of purchase.

But the court heard that during an unannounced visit to his property on October 4, police discovered a laptop in his living room.

Pamment was sentenced to nine months in prison.

His 10 year sexual harm prevention order and 10 year notification requirements will continue.

Description

A PAEDOPHILE caught sexually messaging an 11-year-old girl was released by police only to be caught offending again when he was snared trying to meet what he thought was a underage teen. Martyn Dunn, 27, was arrested when the 11-year-old's mother discover the sexually explicit messages on the girl's phone. But after collecting the messages as evidence, and having conducted a police interview, officers released Dunn under investigation for more than a year. In the meantime, Dunn arranged to meet what he thought was a 14-year-old schoolgirl after graphic conversation about sex. But the online profile was actually operated by a paedophile hunter group, who handed him into the police. While sentencing Dunn to a 10 month prison sentence, a judge hit out at Hampshire Police's decision to release him after he was caught the first time. Judge Peter Henry said: "You committed the second offence while being investigated by the police and released. "I question why you were not charged when interviewed in Summer 2018. I have absolutely no idea why when police had all the evidence they subsequently used. "You should have been charged then, whether that would have prevented the second offence I cannot say. But you must have been well aware that it was against the law to contact child, but you went ahead and did it." Police have since defended the decision, claiming an early charge was "not appropriate" in Dunn's case. A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: "In order to ensure a fair and thorough prosecution, investigating officers must collect all available material - whether it points towards a suspect or away. This also allows for fair disclosure the defence. "It is only once all reasonable lines of enquiry have been completed that a case can be presented. This can then be done so in the knowledge there is no material which would otherwise undermine the case. "Whether any such material exists is not always known at the point of interview and the bar for considering an early charge, with enquiries left to complete, is rightly set high." Southampton Crown Court heard how Dunn was arrested in April 2018 after exchanging sexual messages with an 11-year-old girl which were later found by the child's mother. The court heard he was later caught messaging what he thought was a 14-year-old in January 2019. But it was actually a fake profile, named Emily, which was being run by paedophile hunter group TRAP. Prosecutor Simon Foster told the court that after weeks of messaging, Dunn agreed to travel more than 60 miles from Southampton to Weymouth in order to meet the girl in June last year. He was later arrested and charged with both offences. In mitigation, John Dyer said Dunn suffered from autism and his messages with the girls were "naive". He said: "When talking to Emily they talk about Weymouth and his reply is that there are nice buses there. "He also sent a message in which he said he needed to go for a pee now and asked if she liked trains." Mr Dyer added that Dunn was facing eviction from his supported living accommodation, provided by Autism Hampshire, in Chessel Avenue, Southampton. Dunn, who pleaded guilty to one count of sexual communication with a child and one count of attempting to meet an underage girl after grooming. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison, given a 10 year sexual harm prevention order, barred from working with children and made the subject of notification requirements for 10 years.

Description

A "dangerous" paedophile has been jailed for sexually assaulting a teenage boy at knifepoint in woodland next to Basingstoke Canal more than 35 years ago. The then 13-year-old was walking along the towpath at around mid-morning on April 26, 1982, when Ian David Harmer, now 63, asked if he had seen his dog. Harmer then told the victim he had a knife and the boy immediately felt pressure in his lower back leading him to believe he was telling the truth. The teenager was then directed into woodland next to the towpath where he was sexually assaulted. Harmer made off after telling the boy to count to a certain number before getting up. The teenager ran home and told his parents what had happened, and they reported it to police. New forensic techniques Although a thorough investigation was carried out at the time, Harmer was not identified. However, the case was kept under regular review and in 2016, with the development of new forensic techniques, samples taken from the victim were compared to profiles held on the national DNA database and came up with a match for Harmer. Officers tracked him down and he was arrested and charged with buggery - now defined as rape under legislation changed - in February 2017. Harmer, of Aspen Lane, Northolt, Ealing, was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment, reduced to 11 years after he pleaded guilty, when he appeared at Guildford Crown Court on February 19. A 'dangerous predator' Detective Inspector Paddy Mayers, who led the investigation, said: Harmer was a dangerous predator who took advantage of an innocent teenage boy in broad daylight. "The victim was left severely traumatised by his ordeal and has had to endure more than 35 years of thinking his attacker would never be caught. Fortunately, when the case was reviewed in 2016, the advances in forensic techniques meant that samples taken from the victim at the time could be compared to profiles held on the national DNA database and Harmer was identified as being responsible. This has enabled us to finally bring him to justice for the heinous crime he committed that day and will hopefully allow the victim to begin to move on with his life. Harmer thought he had got away with it, but this case demonstrates that no matter how long ago a crime took place, we will never give up in our pursuit to bring the person responsible to justice.

Description

An absconding registered sex offender who is "a risk" to young women and girls was last seen in east London.

Daniel Joslin, 40, is wanted after failing to comply with a registered sex offender notification and a breach of court bail, according to the Metropolitan Police.

The force said Joslin was last seen in east London and also has a previous connection with Kent, but he may have travelled anywhere in the country.

Joslin is described as a white male, 6ft 1ins tall and of slim build. Police say he is known to use a number of aliases.

A Met spokesperson said: "He has previously targeted young women and girls and is considered to be a risk to both.

"If Joslin is seen do not approach him but call 999 immediately."

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Please quote 3602/17FEB.

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Description

Grandfather jailed after vile child images and 'depraved' chats found

After separating from his wife, he strayed into the dark side of the internet and obtained and shared 'horrifying' images

A man who was found with "sickening" child abuse images including ones which involved the rape of a baby has been jailed.

Christopher Bate, 67, of St John's Road in Frome, pleaded guilty to distributing A Class images between September 2013 and November 2018.

He also admitted possessing Category A, B and C images as well as an extreme porn image.

In total, he had 2,976 images and 879 movies in the most serious Category A.

He appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday (Febuary 12) to be sentenced.

The court heard how Bate was once married with children and grandchildren, Bristol Live reports.

But the court was told after separating from his wife, he strayed into the dark side of the internet and obtained and shared images which a judge described as "horrifying".

He was brought to book when Avon and Somerset Police called on him due to intelligence they received.

Nicholas Fridd, prosecuting, said Bate accessed child abuse movies and police made an appointment to see him.

Mr Fridd said officers found child abuse images across the category range on his computer tower and a further image on his phone.

When police identified websites Bate visited, they found he had said he liked "fit men and boys" and indicated he would like to sexually abuse a five-year-old boy.

His collection of vile images included babies and young boys being raped, the court was told.

Edward Hetherington, defending, said after separating from his wife Bate turned to the internet for sexual gratification and "short-term relationships"

Mr Hetherington said: "He then developed an interest in the darker, illegal, harmful part of the Internet.

"He still maintains it was a way of attracting attention and it would open up interest of others who would not otherwise engage in sexual conversation with him."

The court heard wheelchair user Bate had a plethora of ailments which included ulcers on his legs and feet, which ran the risk of amputation.

Judge Paul Cook jailed him for 28 months.

He told Bate: "The images were sickening and horrifying and demonstrate a focus on the most extreme abuse of very young children.

"They involved the rape of a baby.

"You have been communicating with other paedophiles and sharing movies and images.

"The conversations you had can only be described as depraved."

Bate was told to register as a sex offender and was handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, both for ten years. His computer devices were forfeited.

Description

Bristol man jailed for taking photos of himself sexually abusing boys

Martin Berry is starting a hefty jail term after admitting a plethora of child sexual assaults and child exploitation charges

A Bristol Man took indecent photos of boys and pictured himself sexually abusing them.

Martin Berry regularly had the children at he and his partner's home for games and sleepovers, Bristol Crown Court heard.

Unbeknown to parents who trusted him, he was a convicted paedophile who sexually exploited the youngsters for his own perverted ends.

Berry, 58, now said to be of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to multiple sexual assault and attempted sexual assault as well as causing the sexual exploitation of a child.

Today (February 12, 2020) he also pleaded guilty to a further charge of causing the sexual exploitation of a child, two charges of voyeurism and possessing indecent images of a child.

The recorder Mr Adam Vaitilingam QC handed him a 12-year prison sentence with four years' extended licence.

He told Berry: "You are a sophisticated sex offender with previous convictions and a caution for sex offences.

"You identified families with young children.

"You manipulated parents into trusting you.

"You manipulated children into trusting you too.

"This was a gross breach of trust which the parents and children placed in you."

Berry was handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order designed to stop him re-offending and his electronic devices were forfeited.

Fiona Elder, prosecuting, said Berry sexually abused three boys aged between five and 11.

As well as touching their private parts Berry was found to have photos on his phone in which he captured his indecent acts or photographed the boys in semi-clad or naked poses.

One lad was asleep when Berry abused him, the court heard.

When police forensically examined his phone they found videos and stills of unknown youngsters aged between five and 12 being sexually abused, which he accessed via the dark web.

Tabitha Macfarlane, defending, said as a child her client was sent to a "boarding school for maladjusted boys" where he took comfort from sexual behaviour with other pupils.

He then joined the Army aged 16.

She said Berry had stated: "I'm utterly horrified as to what I've done"

"I sincerely apologize to all the boys and their families.

"I'm willing to enter therapy if offered."

Miss Macfarlane described her client's health as "chronically bad", having suffered an amputated leg following severe osteoarthritis.

Description

Paul Brownlee, who has worked for the likes of Wave 102 and Radio Forth, previously fronted events with stars such as the Cheeky Girls. A local radio DJ who was found with more than 600 indecent images of children on his computer has been spared jail. Paul Brownlee who has worked for Wave 102 in Dundee, Radio Forth in Edinburgh and Borders Radio was sentenced to two years supervision in the community and 200 hours of unpaid work. The DJ is a familiar face around the country due to his radio work and has fronted events with stars such as the Cheeky Girls. At a previous hearing Dundee Sheriff Court heard that Brownlee, 47, was a manager at Specsavers in St Andrews at the time of his arrest last April. He had no previous convictions but police, acting on a tip-off that indecent images of children might be found on devices at his home, raided last January. Brownlee, who now lives with his mother in the Borders, was in the flat with his partner and her child. Following a search by officers, his laptop was seized and passed on to the forces cybercrime unit. It contained contain 663 inaccessible indecent images of children including 16 category A, 30 category B and 617 category C images. Brownlee later admitted making the indecent photographs between January 2018 and January 2019. Stuart Hamilton, who represented Brownlee on Wednesday, said his client had demonstrated an appropriate understanding of the seriousness of the offences. Social work reports said Brownlee posed limited risk to the public and there were no protection issues. Sheriff Lorna Drummond told him that because he was a first offender and the number of images was in the 100s rather than the 1000s that she would not jail him. She said the community payback order was a direct alternative to custody and as well as his sentence she placed him on the sexual offenders register for two years.

Description

A sports therapist who sexually assaulted more than 20 male victims during massage sessions has been jailed.  Matthew Priest fondled his clients after they had contacted his sports masseur business to be treated for muscle injuries.  
 
Priest, 41, carried out a three-year campaign of sexual assaults on the male clients at his Edinburgh flat where he operated his business, The Edinburgh Massage.The therapist admitted six attacks on men in December 2018 and was sentenced to a five-year Sexual Offenders Prevention Order, a two-year supervision order and unpaid work.Following press coverage of the case more victims contacted the police to report they had also been sexually assaulted by Priest.Priest pleaded guilty to a further 15 sex assaults on unsuspecting male clients at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month.

Sentencing him today, Sheriff Donald Corke said: “You pled guilty to 15 charges of sexual assault on men in the course of your work as a sports masseur.

“These further 15 cases have arisen from the publicity surrounding the case so it is no fault of the prosecution that they were not prosecuted at the same time.“You performed intimate massages on these men including the full removal of their clothing and massaging their groin area.
“Your behaviour was clearly harmful, your behaviour was planned and you abused your professional position. You even charged them as if you had provided the services they expected.”

Priest was jailed for 16 months and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years.Previously prosecutor Susan Dickson told the court victims included students, amateur runners and an Edinburgh Fringe performer who required a professional sports therapist to treat muscle injuries.
Most of the men contacted Priest for treatment after reading reviews of his services online while the pervert also made contact with one man in the changing rooms of a gym and offered to help him with his injuries.

The victims - who cannot be identified due to legal reasons - mostly believed the sexual touching by Priest was “ an accident” at the time but later reported the incidents.

Defending solicitor Matthew Nicolson said all the offences took place over the same time period and that his client was “a very different man and is getting on with his life”.The brief said Priest has set up two new businesses including a photography company and that he has “no intention of going back to his previous field of employment”.

Mr Nicolson added: ‘He fully understands these are serious charges and these are the sort of charges that custody would be in the forefront of any judge’s mind.”

Priest admitted sexually assaulting 15 men at his Easter Road home, between January 2015 and June 2018.

Priest offered £45 per hour advanced sports massage sessions and according to his website, which is now closed.

Description

A menacing would-be rapist from Selsey who cornered a schoolgirl in an alleyway has been jailed for seven years.

Ewing Gilmour, 21, of Sparshott Road, Selsey, approached the teenage girl in Selsey offering her 100 for sex.
When she rejected his offer he stalked her and laid in wait to intercept the youngster.

At Portsmouth Crown Court prosecutor Paul Fairley said Gilmour followed the girl, overtaking her in an alleyway between Manor Road and Manor Lane in Selsey on May 29 last year.

She said no, no, no as she realised Gilmour was about to pounce.
Gilmour, who exposed himself, then grabbed her hair when he failed to pull down her trousers.

He threatened to punch her in the face as she fought wildly to escape his clutches, falling over in the process, the court heard.
The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, finally escaped and ran to a nearby home.

Jailing Gilmour for seven years with an extended three-year term, judge William Ashworth said: It was a brazen and determined attempt to rape a vulnerable victim.
He added: You stalked her and cornered her and attacked her.

A sexual harm prevention order bans him from contacting children for life and he must sign the sex offenders register for life.

At trial, Gilmour claimed he had been looking over fences to steal items and that is why the girl was able to identify his underwear as his trousers fell down exposing his FCUK underwear.

Jurors convicted Gilmour of attempted rape on November 19.
The court heard he is a failed Army recruit who was medically discharged.

The Parole Board will have you consider when to release Gilmour, and only when he has served at least two thirds of the seven-year term.
The three-year extended term will be served on licence.

As he was led to the cells Gilmour turned to supporters in the public gallery and blew a kiss toward them.
Investigating officer Steve Holden said: This was an attempt at a serious sexual assault and it was due to the bravery of the victim at the time, that prevented a worse outcome.

The victim has remained strong throughout the legal process, and I would like to thank her for that.
In addition, Id like to thank all the members of the public who provided CCTV and other information at the time and during our investigation.

With their support, a dangerous offender who has shown no remorse for his actions has been identified and imprisoned.