Latest Offenders

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AN unqualified masseur who sexually assaulted a number of clients is behind bars.

Callum Urquhart, 38, assaulted women in either their own homes or his own. He was living in Bristol but visited clients in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

He touched intimate parts of his victims' bodies under their clothes as well as removing the towel and exposing them while they were alone and on the massage table.

He also massaged their arms, moving their hands to touch him underneath his shorts.

The 38-year-old of Keptie Road, Arbroath, was jailed for three years for four counts of sexual assault and a further six months for another two cases of sexual assault at the hearing at Winchester Crown Court.

After the sentencing, DC Simon Rogers from Melksham CID said:

“I would like to thank the victims and witnesses for their bravery in coming forward and reporting these crimes.

“Each victim should have felt safe enough to receive a massage, but he took advantage of this and went on to sexually assault them.

“Urquhart had no formal qualifications but advertised under the company name of ‘Simple massage Bristol’.

“Although he advertised mainly in the Bristol area, he also visited clients in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire and that’s how he came to our attention.

“Crimes of this nature are taken extremely seriously by Wiltshire Police so I’d urge anyone to come to us if they are victim of a sexual assault.”

Sentencing Urquhart, Judge Angela Morris told him: “None of these women had agreed to receive anything apart from a conventional massage and on each occasion, they were vulnerable and exposed.

“You exploited the situation for your own sexual gratification.”

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A sex offender was jailed for 16 months after being found with 76 of the most serious child abuse images.

Matthew Dunn, 24, was caught when police were told he had uploaded images of children.

Additional images were also uploaded by a third party to a Dropbox account linking back to Dunn.

DC Paul Baysting said:

“Dunn clearly didn’t learn his lesson following an initial conviction and continued downloading and distributing this horrendous material.”

In November police raided his home in Swaynes Lane, Comberton.

Two phones were seized and found to contain 377 indecent or prohibited images and videos of children. Of these, 76 were classed as category A – the most severe.

Failing to give officers access to his Dropbox account represented a breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) handed to Dunn in December 2016 when he was convicted of making and possessing indecent images of children.

He admitted distributing an indecent photo of a child, three counts of making an indecent photo of a child, possessing a prohibited image of a child and breaching his SHPO.

On September 7 at Cambridge Crown Court, he was jailed.

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Police praise victim for her bravery as family speak of their harrowing ordeal

Relatives of the victim of a child sex abuser have spoken of the harrowing impact of his actions as they attempt to rebuild their lives.

Richard Hall, 36, is behind bars after being given a five years’ jail term with an Indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order also imposed.

Hall, 36, whose address was given as Stockport Road, Ashton, was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court last week.

A former student at Egerton Park in Denton before going on to serve in the army, he was found guilty following a trial of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and four counts of sexual activity with a child.

The judge said Hall had groomed his victim and had displayed no remorse, stating he was a dangerous man to society.

This week relatives of his victim, who remain anonymous to protect their identity, said they welcomed the sentence and justice had been done, but the victim and family members will have to face the lifetime impact of his actions.

They spoke out following the trial in the hope it will encourage other victims of child sexual abuse, sexual assault or rape to have the courage to come forward.

In a statement they said: “Paedophiles purposely take the child mentally, emotionally and physically despite knowing that it is wrong. They lure them and lie and prey on the most vulnerable children in our society. They are calculated and manipulative.

“They adopt a personality that we often find charming, trustworthy and likeable. They search out children like a predator stalking prey and they hurt everyone in their path.

“We want people to realise and be aware of how a predator can so easily infiltrate a family; Richard Hall didn’t just groom his victim but an entire family who are all his victims.

“People need to learn how to recognise grooming behaviour, it really is the absolute unthinkable and the ultimate betrayal.”

The victim and family members have been left with a range of mental health difficulties as a result of their ordeal, being diagnosed with social anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with difficulties forming relationships, ultimately with one of the victims even threatening to take their own life.

In a victim impact statement Hall’s victim said: “Sexual abuse isn’t murder but it is like killing someone inside... they are alive to feel that pain forever and watch what the abuser has done to the surrounding people - that applies to all of my family because they were mentally abused... we all have to live with this.”

The relative continued: “We have very special thanks and gratitude to Norfolk Constabulary, especially the investigating officer, CPS with our outstanding barrister and of course the Judge himself. We do feel as though we have justice despite the ongoing, lifetime impact that this has had.

“We hope our story might give victims courage to speak out and we send a clear message that child sexual abuse, sexual assault and rape is and will continue to be tackled and stamped out.”

The case against Hall was brought following an investigation by Norfolk and Suffolk Police.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Natalie Riseborough said: “First and foremost I would like to commend the courage of the victim in this case. I can only imagine the ordeal she has been through and the enormous impact that this has had on her life.

“She has been incredibly brave in speaking out and breaking the cycle of abuse and preventing it from happening to others. I hope this court result will bring some kind of closure for both her and her family and allow them to start to heal from what has happened.”

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Police who responded urgently to a tip that a man had online discussion about the rape of a child had uncovered extremely concerning and depraved offences, a court heard today.

Andrew Baugh, 41, of Gresford Road, Llay, Wrexham, an engineer with no previous convictions, was jailed for seven years at Mold crown court. He admitted indecent images charges and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

Prosecuting barrister Dafydd Roberts said 150,000 pictures or movies that had been discovered on devices werent categorised by police, but there was a large amount of child sexual abuse material. Distressed youngsters had been tortured.

Baugh told police he had entered into online chat on Kik of a fantasy nature.

Oliver King, defending, said there was a letter of apology from Baugh who had received counselling from a psychotherapist.

On any view these are deeply, deeply unpleasant offences and the defendant is entirely realistic about the sentence hes going to receive, the barrister said.

He wants me to convey his remorse to the court. Hes deeply ashamed of what hes done.

Judge Nicola Jones told Baugh there were real victims in the case and the offences were extremely concerning and depraved.

A sexual harm prevention order, with a string of conditions, will last indefinitely. He must also register as a sex offender.

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A man who was shot in the head by a friend five years ago became involved in sexual conversations with a police officer he thought was a 12-year-old girl.

Benjamin Merrifield, 36, came to the attention of police after the defendant logged into an internet site and started chatting online to someone he thought was a 12-year-old girl.

But Norwich Crown Court heard the child was an "undercover law enforcement officer".

Lori Tucker, prosecuting, said the defendant was made well aware that the person he thought he was talking to was a 12-year-old girl.

But Miss Tucker said the chats, which began in March this year, soon became "sexualised conversation".

Merrifield, of Mousehold Avenue, off Gurney Road, Norwich, asked the officer for images of herself and what underwear she was wearing.

Merrifield appeared at court on Monday (September 20) having admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child under 16.

The defendant, who has eight convictions for 12 offences, but nothing of a sexual nature, also admitted two counts of attempting to incite a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity.

Sentencing him to a total of three years and four months in custody Judge Katharine Moore said it was "sheer good fortune" the victim turned out to be an undercover police officer and that "no harm was caused to a child".

Andrew Oliver, mitigating, said he had no prior convictions for this type of offending and should be given credit for his pleas.

He said Merrifield has a number of problems, some going back to his childhood, including him being "accidentally shot by a friend of his in the side of his head about five years ago".

It has led to problems, including forgetfulness.

The defendant has also used illicit drugs, including cannabis, to help deal with his issues.

He insisted the judge must take into account the fact there was no actual victim.

Merrifield was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) indefinitely to protect children from sexual harm from him. as well as having to sign on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

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Daniel Turnbull breached a sexual harm prevention order by having a teenager in his car.

The 33-year-old of High Road pleaded guilty to the offence which happened in South Street, Titchfield, earlier this month.

According to documents from Portsmouth Magistrates' Court, the incident was a deliberate breach of a crown court order.

It was deemed so serious only a custodial sentence could be justified.

Turnbull was jailed for six months and ordered to pay a £128 victim surcharge.

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A man sexually assaulted a woman then begged her not to tell the police in text messages the next day.

James Navickas performed a sex act on his victim, which she previously told him she found the idea of "abhorrent".

A judge said the 28-year-old, of Joules Close, Walton, sexually assaulted her when she was "particularly vulnerable".

Judge Stuart Driver, QC, said: "Because she was so drunk, she was incapable of giving informed consent."

Liverpool Crown Court heard Navickas and the woman had both gone out drinking together before the attack.

Frank Dillon, prosecuting, said witnesses described her as being eight or nine out of 10 on a scale of drunkenness.

He said the woman had made plain to him previously that she found the idea of a type of sex "abhorrent".

Mr Dillon said they went to Navickas' home but she felt "very drunk" and went to bed, only to wake the next day in pain, with a "hazy" memory.

The court heard she remembered Navickas performing sex acts on her and her saying to him: "What the hell are you doing?"

The victim reported what happened to a friend and a family member, before she and Navickas exchanged text messages. He said the woman had made plain to him previously that she found the idea of a type of sex "abhorrent".

Mr Dillon said they went to Navickas' home but she felt "very drunk" and went to bed, only to wake the next day in pain, with a "hazy" memory.

The court heard she remembered Navickas performing sex acts on her and her saying to him: "What the hell are you doing?"

The victim reported what happened to a friend and a family member, before she and Navickas exchanged text messages.

Navickas said "I hope you're feeling better" and she replied "I remember what you did, don't deny it".

He replied: "I'm so sorry, f***ing idiot me."

The woman said "that's absolutely disgusting" and he responded: "I know, I don't even know what came over me, can't even say anything because there was no reason for me to do it."

She replied "it's like rape, just putting it bluntly like", to which he said: "There's no other way to put it, I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry."

The woman continued "I don't know what to say, like what the actual f***", before adding: "It's not like rape, it is rape."

Navickas replied "I know, I don't know what came over me" before the woman told him she was "scared" of him.

The woman later said: "You sexually assaulted me and I will be taking it further. You're dangerous and me keeping it quiet is making it acceptable."

Navickas said: "Please, I'm asking you, as the last thing I will ever say to you, please can you not take it further, I'm looking to get help as soon as possible and speak to a therapist."

Mr Dillon said Navickas was arrested and gave a "no comment" interview when first spoken to by the police, at which stage the text messages were not available.

However, the texts were put to him in a second interview, when he "by and large admitted his wrongdoing", but denied performing the sex act she found abhorrent and denied that his victim was so drunk she didn't know what she was doing.

He later admitted sexual assault and two counts of assault by penetration.

Mr Dillon summarised a victim personal statement, in which the woman explained how she suffered from anxiety, depression and panic attacks, feels "she is not in control of anything anymore", and has "a feeling of shame that won't go away".

He said: "She has thoughts of not being here anymore - in other words, suicidal thoughts."

The woman, who regularly broke down and cried, said she felt like "a nervous wreck", which affected her social life and work.

Mr Dillon said the victim still suffers from anxiety and that she explained: "It's really hard. It never goes away - it's always on my mind."

Anthony O'Donohoe, defending, said Navickas indicated guilty pleas at the earliest opportunity and made "substantial admissions" in the second interview.

He said alcohol had been a "disinhibitor" for Navickas, who on that night had been drinking to excess and had "deficits in his consequential thinking skills".

Mr O'Donohoe said: "Had he stepped back, I daresay he never would have engaged in the activity that he did."

The barrister said Navickas, of previous good character, had a job and was working towards a managerial position.

He urged the judge to impose a sentence of two years or less in prison, which could be suspended, accompanied by "stringent" requirements to address his client's problems.

Mr O'Donohoe said: "This man clearly has the highest prospects of rehabilitation and is unlikely to ever darken the door of a court again."

Judge Driver said mitigating features of Navickas' case included his "previous good character", references which spoke "highly" of him, and his good employment record.

Jailing him for three and a half years, he said: "You showed genuine remorse by immediately confessing in text messages afterwards."

Judge Driver told Navickas to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life and also made a restraining order to protect his victim.

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A city council worker who took a photograph up a colleague’s skirt and pawed the woman at the council offices was branded a ‘pervert’.

But Judge Michael Gledhill QC stopped short of sending Kieron Keeble to prison, noting he had never been in trouble before, his family had stood by him and the offences dated back three years.

Keeble, 63, who no longer works for Oxford City Council, had denied outraging public decency and two charges of sexual assault by touching. But jurors at Oxford Crown Court unanimously convicted him on all three counts.

The court heard he'd used his mobile phone to take a photograph up his younger female colleague’s skirt as she stopped to take a picture of a squirrel while they were walking round Christ Church Meadow in July 2018.

She asked him to delete the image, which he claimed to have taken as a ‘prank’, but later found him looking at the disgusting snap. He told her he planned to go over the road from the city council offices to toilets at the town hall so he could perform a sex act on himself.

The jury found that Keeble had also squeezed the woman’s bottom and stroked her leg.

In an impact statement made in 2019 and read to the court on Friday afternoon, the victim said she’d had to move away from Oxfordshire after reporting the incident. She slammed the city council, saying she ‘felt they weren’t protecting me’, and added: “I regularly had anxiety attacks about the thought of going back there.”

Sentencing him to 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years, Judge Gledhill said there had been nothing amusing about Keeble taking the picture up his colleague’s skirt.

“It was not a prank. You have told lie upon lie in my view about what happened throughout these various incidents but particularly in Christ Church Meadow,” he said, adding it had been ‘no accident’ that the photograph was taken.

Judge Gledhill told the Oxfordshire dad: “It’s appalling to see a man of your background, a hardworking man of previous good character standing in the dock of this court aged 63.

“Working for Oxford City Council in 2018, your behaviour towards your colleague was shocking and quite frankly disgusting. You made her life intolerable.

“You have just heard read out her victim impact statement, written some time ago now, but you have seen the distress that she exhibited when she gave evidence by reliving the ordeal you put her through. You ought to be completely and utterly ashamed of yourself.

“I have seen your wife, your daughter and one of your sons sitting day after day at this court listening and watching what you did to your victim and goodness knows what was going through their minds.

“Their husband and father has been shown to be a pervert. Nothing less than that would describe what you did.”

Keeble’s personal and professional reputation had ‘gone out the window’, Judge Gledhill added.

He wondered what those who had provided character references in support of Keeble – including two former colleagues at the city council – would think ‘when they realise the side of you they know and have seen is not the only side of you; you have these perverted lusts that lead you to commit offences against women’.

Explaining his reasoning for imposing a suspended rather than an immediate jail sentence, Judge Gledhill told Keeble: “These offences are old, you have not committed or been convicted of offences of this kind before, there are no outstanding matters as far as I am aware, your wife stands by you as do your children.

“In those circumstances there is no benefit to the public from sending you to prison immediately.”

During the trial, Keeble claimed he had a ‘good’ sense of humour and decided to ‘pretend’ to take a photograph up his colleague’s skirt as a prank.

He had not realised he’d taken the picture until later and thought his colleague had deleted it. The defendant denied touching her sexually.

Former colleagues of Keeble’s at the council described him as ‘bubbly and caring’ and ‘honourable, decent and kind’.

Keeble, of Charlbury, Oxfordshire, will be on the sex offender register for 10 years and must pay £1,000 compensation and £3,500 in costs. A restraining order bans him from contacting his victim for five years.

Following the sentencing, an Oxford City Council spokeswoman said: “We expect the highest standards of conduct from all our employees, and any allegations against our staff will be quickly investigated and appropriately dealt with.

"As soon as this incident was reported Mr Keeble was suspended, and he resigned from the Council in 2019 while an investigation into the incident was ongoing. The investigation found him guilty of gross misconduct.”

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A man carried out sexual acts with a schoolgirl and made her sent him indecent images of herself.

Christopher John Austin appeared at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing for six counts of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16, another count of sexual communication with a child, and two counts of possessing indecent photographs of a child.

The court heard how the 37-year-old had conversations with his victim which he sexualised, discussing pornography and telling her he was "horny a lot".

On one occasion he hugged her and kissed her, sticking his tongue into her mouth. He also told her to send him indecent images, which she did. At Austin's instruction they performed sex acts on each other and he also had intercourse with her.

The court heard his victim had to go into a pharmacy to obtain the morning after pill. She made a disclosure to a member of staff at her school. She then went to the police station with her mother to report what happened.

The court was told how the police investigation discovered internet searches made by Austin for pornography, 'real rape videos', 'real incest videos', 'son gets mom pregnant', and 'real rape sex'.

There were two Category A indecent images of his victim, the most serious, as well as three Category A videos, and eight Category C images.

The court heard how he initially tried to claim that he suffered from blackouts when questioned by police and he also claimed that he had been hacked by a third party.

A victim impact statement was read out on behalf of his victim which heard she "replays moments in her head" and goes "day to day with a strong feeling of regret". She also described how her mental health has deteriorated since, suffering with panic attacks, low moods and anxiety, and that she struggled to concentrate on her school work and lessons as a consequence.

Austin,of Teglan Park in Ammanford, was jailed for five years.

Following the sentencing Dyfed-Powys Police detective sergeant Carl Pocock said:

"This man has been convicted and sentenced for serious sexual offences and it is very difficult to summarise the impact of his crimes upon his victim.

“I wish to thank the victim in this case for their courage in coming forward which has led to the conviction of a dangerous offender and I hope from the sentence they will be able to move on with their life.”

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A private school teacher who sexually abused a pupil and groomed two others has been jailed for 11 years. Stuart Woods, 34, plied the "vulnerable" pupils with alcohol to aid his abuse, while teaching at Reddam House Berkshire in Wokingham, Reading Crown Court heard. The British Gymnastics coach was found guilty of five child sex offences. Sentencing Woods, judge Edward Burgess QC said his offending "constitutes the most egregious breach of trust". The court heard Woods sexually abused the boy on school premises and groomed the girls. In a victim impact statement, the mother of the boy said her world was "shattered" when her son told her he had been abused by his teacher. "We carry the burden of guilt too as parents, as we had no idea this was occurring at school," she said. "This continues to haunt us our faith and trust in people has been completely eradicated." Her son said, in a victim impact statement, he "rarely experiences happiness" following the abuse. "Stuart is not a bad man, he is a monster," he added. 'Impetuous' Woods, of Wellington Road, Sandhurst, was found guilty of two counts of engaging in a sexual activity with a child and three of engaging in sexual communication with a child. Judge Burgess described him as "impetuous and highly manipulative" and "narcissistic". Speaking to the victims, he added: "I wish you well in your lives going forward and hope you can find healing." He was also given a sexual harm prevention order for 20 years, a restraining order and made to sign the sex offenders register. In a statement, Reddam House Berkshire said the safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils was its "absolute priority". "We take any safeguarding allegations extremely seriously and have supported the police and relevant authorities throughout the process with their investigations and subsequent conviction of Mr Woods," it added. Boarders at the school can expect to pay up to 31,000 per year.

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A depraved dad who got a schoolgirl pregnant was slammed by a judge who told him: "You were the adult. You were supposed to know better."

Simon Holt repeatedly took advantage of his victim, sometimes while both were drunk.

The 39-year-old was today locked up after he admitted having sexual activity with a child.

Holt remained silent in the dock as Charlotte Kenny, prosecuting, outlined the case against him.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that several of the offences took place after both had drank alcohol while, on one occasion, he pinned his victim down, told her he was "horny" and committed a sexual act upon her even after she had told him she was "tired".

Holt's crimes came to light after the victim's mum discovered her daughter was pregnant and called police.

A DNA test later established the child was Holt's.

The warehouse worker offered no comment when questioned about his actions, but later admitted five counts of sexual activity with a child.

Ms Kenny summarised the ordeal suffered by his victim, who felt "isolated and alone" in the aftermath of his offending.

Jeremy Hawthorn, defending, told the court the dad-of-one had a "positive" relationship with his own son and had pleaded guilty to the allegations he faced.

He added, however: "Nothing I seek to say here is going to be an attempt to deflect responsibility in this case. Mr Holt realises he was the person responsible for this and does not seek to shift blame.

Judge Gary Woodhall blasted Holt as he made him the subject of a restraining order and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

He told him: "You were the adult. You were supposed to know better."

Holt, of North Road in St Helens, was sentenced to six years and nine months in jail. He will also have to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

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A paedophiles sick collection of indecent photos included children as young as two-years-old.

Lee Bayliss used search terms including 13yo [13-year-old] and girl w*** to access the pictures of children being abused.

The 49-year-old amassed a collection of more than 1,100 horrifying images over a two year period which began shortly after he was handed a community order for similar offences.

A sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) issued at Gloucester Crown Court in 2018 banned him from deleting any search history and ordered him to hand over any internet-accessible devices when asked to by an officer.

Bayliss, of Sephton Drive, Ormskirk, tried to hide his depraved habit by using virtual software but it was uncovered when police officers from Lancashire Constabulary visited him on August 6 last year.

Peter Barr, prosecuting, told Preston Crown Court : As part of routine monitoring of Mr Bayliss as a sexual offender, police attended his home address.

He opened the door and allowed the officers in.

Bayliss proceeded to hand over devices including an iPhone 6, a HP laptop and an Android Zebra mobile computer.

While there, police noticed an iPhone 4 on charge which had not been handed over. Upon closer inspection, it was observed there were few apps and little data on it, which Bayliss explained by saying it had been wiped but he couldnt remember when.

This alone constituted a breach of his SOPO and further investigation found an Apple Mac had recently connected to Bayliss wifi.

He initially denied owning such a computer but then said it was in pieces and hadnt used it. This lie quickly unravelled and it was found that virtual software had been used to operate the computer without leaving a record.

In another breach of the SOPO, the Android device showed that its Google data history had been paused or deleted.

Mr Barr said: "The defendant said he had not looked at pornography and no traces were found on any devices.

However, when police accessed the Nokia he found there had been used frequently to access pornography, some which had questions search items.

These including '13yo', 'teen', and 'girl w***'.

Mr Barr said that the children in the 74 Category A images were described as pre-pubescent girls aged two-four, three-six and six-10.

Baylis, who has two previous convictions for 15 offences, had earlier pleaded guilty to deleting data in breach of his SOPO and four counts of possessing indecent images of children.

Defending, Kristian Cavanagh said that Bayliss recognises that the offending is abhorrent, he attributes it to a lapse and wants to stop looking at such images.

Sentencing, Judge Simon Medland QC said: To describe this as persistent breach offending is correct.

Its also significant the actual duration of this is so close in time to the community order that it amounts effectively to offending while on licence.

Its a great shame for you that you did not come to the conclusion that this kind of sexual behaviour is completely unacceptable when were you made subject of the community order in 2018.

Bayliss was handed a 27 months sentence.

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A paedophile told a mum he wanted to rape her two daughters aged eight and 12.

Dad-of-three Colin Waring shared a child rape video during sickening online chats with a woman called "Jennie".

The 30-year-old even sent her a picture of his penis with "Ped Dad" - short for paedophile dad - written on it.

But the whole time the pervert was talking to an undercover police officer and her daughters weren't real.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Waring spoke to the officer, who posed as Jennie on chat service Kik Messenger, between April 30 and May 5 last year.

He said he wanted Jennie to let him rape her eldest child "Emily", who was supposedly 12, and her youngest daughter "Rachael", who was said to be eight.

Waring, of Thornleigh Avenue, Eastham, sent her the two indecent images on May 4, 2020.

One was a "graphic" Category A video - the most serious category involving child rape - showing a girl who was just four-years-old.

The other was a Category B photo of a girl aged around four or five being sexually abused.

When arrested and confronted with the evidence, Waring pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing indecent images of children.

However, he denied two counts of intentionally encouraging the commission of an offence, namely the rape of a child under 13.

Waring stood trial and told a jury he knew it was an undercover officer and what he said in the conversation was "fictional".

Frances Willmott, prosecuting during the trial, said this was false and he had in fact intended to carry out the two rapes.

The jury convicted him by a majority of 11-1 this morning, following a five-day trial and more than four and a half hours of deliberation.

Waring breathed heavily in the dock and appeared to be hyperventilating when the guilty verdicts were returned.

Ember-Jade Wong, prosecuting today, said aggravating features of the case included the vulnerability of the children in the indecent images.

She said there were also "attempts to conceal evidence in this case, the defendant having deleted items from his mobile phone".

Desmond Lennon, defending, said the length of any prison sentence would inevitably be increased because there were two children involved in the discussions with the undercover officer.

However, he said there was "no real victim in the sense of the word", as the two daughters didn't actually exist.

Mr Lennon said: "Having been a person as the court knows of hitherto good character prior to the onset of these proceedings, and having no experience of the criminal justice system in any way, shape or form, he now finds himself in a position of real jeopardy.

"The impact upon him will inevitably be of the greatest significance."

The defence barrister said Waring would lose his job and his relationship with his partner was "floundering".

He said: "As the court knows, there are three children. There are aspects of this case no doubt that have caused interest in respect of the welfare of those children.

"He will struggle to see them in the future and his future is bleak, to say the least."

Judge Murray said Waring did believe Jennie was the mum of two young girls.

He said: "You asked her whether her children were sexually active.

"You said you wanted to commit the offence of rape of a child under the age of 13 with those children.

"You sent photos of your penis with the word "Ped dad" written on your penis by you, written by you to represent "paedophile dad"."

The judge told Waring he had directed jurors not to convict him of the two offences unless they were sure "it was your intention to commit the offences of rape of a child under 13".

He added: "The jury were clearly sure that was your intention."

Judge Murray said if Waring had actually raped the two girls, he would have jailed him for 11 years.

The judge said he had to reduce this to reflect the fact there was not actually any child involved.

He said Waring was "an offender of particular concern" and jailed him for seven years, with an extended one year on licence.

This type of sentence means he must serve at least half of the term in prison - three and a half years - before he can apply to the Parole Board for his release.

He will only be released before the end of the seven years if he is no longer considered to be a risk and will then serve an additional year on licence.

Judge Murray ordered Waring to sign on the Sex Offenders Register and to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

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A Newhaven man who engaged in sexualised online conversation with young girls has been sent to prison.

Andrew Leadbitter, 55, a service engineer, of Hillcrest Road, Newhaven, was given the sentence, totalling two and a quarter years, at Lewes Crown Court on 8 September.

He had admitted two offences of attempted sexual communication with two separate girls, attempting to engage a third girl in sexual activity, three offences of making indecent images of children and one offence of possessing extreme pornographic images.

He will be a registered sex offender for 10 years and was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to last until further court order, severely restricting his access to children and digital devices.

Detective Constable Gary Baker of the Sussex Police Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) said: "Leadbitter systematically sought out opportunities for sexual conversation with young girls, and went so far as to arrange a meeting with one of them only to back out at the last moment.

"However this activity came to our notice and he has now been brought to justice. We will continue to pursue such offenders in order to safeguard children."

Description

A PAEDOPHILE carried out sex attacks against a child when she was just four years old and had more than 3,000 indecent images of children. Matthew Churchill sexually assaulted the girl from the age of four and also made (downloaded) indecent images of children at category A - the worst level within the sentencing guidelines. The 32-year-old appeared before Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday (Thursday) where he admitted a string of child sex offences - nine in total. He pleaded guilty to assaulting a girl aged under 13 'on multiple occasions' by touching her between August 7, 2017 and August 7, 2019; making indecent images of children at category A (32 moving and still images) between July 14, 2017 and September 8, 2019 making indecent images at category B (65 moving and still images) between July 23, 2017 and September 8, 2019; making indecent images at category C (229 moving and still images) between April 10, 2017 and September 8, 2019; possessing 3,036 extreme images of a child between May 30, 2015 and September 8, 2019; possessing an extreme pornographic image (269 images) involving sex with dead animals between October 29, 2011 and September 8, 2019; causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity on February 4, 2012; assaulting a girl by touching on the same date; taking an indecent video of a child on the same date. Ralph Robyns-Landricombe, prosecuting, said the girl, who cannot be identified, had made a disclosure to her mother about the defendant's behaviour and he was arrested. "Devices were seized by police on arrest and disturbing images were also found" he said. The prosecutor also said a sexual harm prevention order and deprivation order would undoubtedly follow the conviction. "The Crown would ask that these matters be committed for sentence to the crown court" said Mr Robyns-Landricombe. "These are extremely serious offences" he told the court. He said the sentence for a single charge of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity was between one and four years in custody as laid out in the sentencing guidelines. The case was adjourned until October 14 for a further hearing at Worcester Crown Court. "These offences are so serious that you need greater punishment than we can give" said the chairman of the bench. As a convicted sex offender, Churchill, of Glanford, Hanley Swan, near Worcester, was told he would have to register at his nearest police station as soon as possible and within 72 hours. Bail was granted on condition Churchill remains in residence at his address, that he does not enter an address provided to him by the court, that he does not attend a school (details provided to the defendant by the court) and that he is not to have contact with any child under 18 except in the normal course of daily life. He was also told not to contact, directly or indirectly, any prosecution witnesses.