Latest Offenders

Description

A PORT Glasgow man is facing charges of having indecent images of children and supplying class A drugs. Daniel McLaughlin, 24, is also accused of possession of bestiality pornography at his former home on Mary Street. Prosecutors say McLaughlin who now lives elsewhere in the town was concerned in the supply of MDMA (ecstasy). He is further accused of possession of cocaine, cannabis and the street valium drug etizolam. It is alleged that on various occasions between January and June last year McLaughlin took or permitted to be taken, or made, indecent photographs or pseudo photographs of children. A further charge claims that he had extreme pornographic images depicting in a realistic way bestiality. McLaughlin has pleaded not guilty to all of the indictment charges against him through lawyer Aidan Gallagher at a preliminary calling of the case at Greenock Sheriff Court. The matters are due to call again in November.

Description

A man forced his way into a woman's home and sexually assaulted her before laughing afterwards.

Lewis Trueman pretended to be looking for someone when he knocked on his victim's kitchen door in Wirral.

But the 33-year-old was really hoping his victim would have sex with him and refused to take no for an answer.

A judge today said Trueman tried to force his tongue into her mouth and then his hand down her underwear.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, heard a knock at her back door one evening.

She saw it was Trueman and opened the door halfway to see what he wanted, when he asked after a mutual acquaintance.

Frank Dillon, prosecuting, said Trueman pushed the door open, forced his way in and tried to kiss the "shocked" victim.

She pushed him away and he again tried to kiss her, putting his hands around her waist, but she told him to get out.

The court heard Trueman responded: "Your fella is cheating on you, so why can't you do it with me?"

Mr Dillon said: "He tried to kiss her again and tried to force his tongue into her mouth.

"He then turned her around so that her back was against his front and tried to put one of his hands down the front of her clothes, inside her clothing.

"He only managed to get his hand around her waistband area before she pushed him away and shouted at him to leave, which he eventually did.

"However, he then said to her that he would return the following day and tell her partner that she had slept with him."

Trueman got on a bike and rode off, before the woman told a neighbour she had been sexually assaulted, and they called the police.

The victim was left with soreness in her arms, from when she had tried to get free.

Trueman was arrested and claimed he went to her home to ask if she had seen someone, before they hugged and he kissed her on the cheek.

He denied that anything happened that he would describe as sexual, until he was asked if his DNA would be on her clothing.

The court heard Trueman then admitted he had put his hand down the front of the woman's trousers, but not her underwear.

Mr Dillon said: "He said he had consumed six cans of Stella prior to the incident. It is right to say he made derogatory remarks about the victim's physical appearance."

Trueman, of Old Wood, Pensby, denied any wrongdoing and his victim was cross-examined on video ahead of a trial, before he admitted sexual assault.

In a victim personal statement, the woman said she remembered telling Trueman to stop and felt really frightened.

She described previously being happy in the home but afterwards felt unsafe and scared.

Mr Dillon said she separated from her boyfriend, "who couldn't deal with the facts of what happened to her", suffered panic attacks, felt suicidal and experienced financial difficulties as a result of moving home.

The court heard she said: "He's taken everything I had."

Trueman has 19 previous convictions for 49 offences, mainly for vehicle theft, and was last convicted in 2012 of producing cannabis.

Simon Mintz, defending, said a pre-sentence report set out Trueman's "disadvantaged start in life", which included going into care at the age of 12 in a residential school in Cumbria.

He said Trueman's mum "had her own demons", his client suffered from "severe homesickness", and later as an adult lost custody of his own children "no doubt because of the chaotic lifestyle he led".

Mr Mintz said: "One of the results of this disadvantage - this isn't an excuse and isn't put forward as one - is he seems to have missed out on any enlightenment so far as the respect that's due to women and their autonomy."

He added: "The author of the pre-sentence report encapsulates his frame of mind very well when she says he accepts responsibility for this offence, but lacks insight into the consequences of his behaviour.

"She describes his distorted thinking in relation to women, using the phrase which applies in this case of male privilege."

Mr Mintz said the unemployed ex-factory worker, who lives alone with his girlfriend, had stayed out of trouble since.

Judge Gary Woodhall said Trueman pretended he was looking for someone before he forced his way into the home, attempted to kiss the woman and tried to put one of his hands "inside her underwear", but got no further than inside her waistband.

He said Trueman eventually left "laughing", but not before he threatened to lie to her boyfriend that they had slept together.

The judge said the woman moved property because "she couldn't eradicate the memories of what you had done to her in her home".

He said: "She says what you did to her is with her all the time and you have ruined her life.

"You must understand that violating someone in the intimate way you did inside their home causes long lasting damage and harm."

The judge said in a pre-sentence report Trueman made denials and "disparaging remarks" about his victim, but "admitted finally when you went to that property you were hoping to have sex with her".

He said: "You are and were only focused on your own needs and desires."

Judge Woodhall jailed Trueman for two and a half years, told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life, and made a five-year restraining order.

Description

A sexual "predator" who abused four schoolgirls has been given a substantial jail sentence.

Gareth Berry was convicted by a Leicester Crown Court jury, of 10 counts of sexual assaults upon the girls.

But only after the 39-year-old defendant had denied the offences and accused his victims of lying - leading to a trial.

Sentencing, Judge Robert Brown said: "What you did to these four young girls is been devastating for them.

"Over a period of five years, between 2011 and 2016, you took advantage of them.

"You used grooming behaviour.

"By having a trial you required all four of your victims to re-live the events.

"You denied the allegations and accused every one of them of making up those allegations and there's no hint of remorse as you stand before me now - I presume you are still in denial."

Andrew Howarth, prosecuting, all the victims were left traumatised by what happened to them in separate events in Leicester and Northampton.

The offences came to light In 2016 when two victims living in Northampton reported the abuse to police and an investigation began. As a result of inquires, two victims living in Leicester identified themselves to officers from the force's Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) and said they too had been sexually abused by Berry.

In victim impact statements read out by the prosecutor prior to sentencing, two complainants described suffering flashbacks, depression, anxiety, loss of trust and feeling isolated. One of them had self-harmed.

A third complainant went into the witness box to face her abuser and tell the court how her mental health had suffered.

She wept as she said: "I tried to take my life more than once, I felt it was my fault.

"I still have nightmares, flashbacks and thoughts to kill myself."

The fourth victim did not wish to make a personal impact statement, the court was told.

The judge told the victims' parents and two of the complainants, who attended the sentencing: "You are the victims and you've done nothing wrong at all, at any stage.

"He's a predator, he sought you out in moments of vulnerability - you're in no way to blame.

"It takes real courage to stand up and say what needs to be said and I admire you for it.

"You know that all 12 jurors believed you and every one of those guilty verdicts was unanimous."

He said he accepted that Berry, of Houldsworth Crescent, Coventry, had not previously been prosecuted of matters involving sex offending.

Helen Johnson, mitigating, said: "This is a case that has been delayed which has affected everybody involved and that includes Mr Berry, who was arrested at the beginning of 2017 and was under investigation for two years before being charged.

"He had four trial dates before actually getting a trial and the delay is a justification for a reduction in the sentence."

Judge Brown said the delay was also partly due to the pandemic.

Berry was jailed for 14 years with an additional one year licence period.

He was convicted of:

- Six counts of sexually assaulting a child under 13

- Three counts of sexual activity with a child

- One count of assaulting a child under 13 by penetration

He was placed on an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and will have to enlist on a sex offender register for life.

Afterwards, one of the investigating officers, Detective Raj Pahal, said: "All four victims were children when Berry began abusing them.

"He took advantage of them for his own sexual gratification in the belief that they wouldn't tell anyone about what he was doing.

"However, as they got older they realised what had happened and reported his crimes to police.

"I hope the fact that he has been convicted of his crimes – and is now serving a significant custodial sentence – will provide some reassurance and allow them to begin to move on with their lives."

Description

A West Sussex man has been sentenced for sexual offences against a young girl.

Richard Tallis, 54, of Bolsover Road, West Tarring, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 30 July, having pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to six counts of sexual assaults in the Chichester area on a girl aged under 13, known to him, between seven and 15 years ago.

Tallis was sentenced to a total of 17 and a half years.

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

The prosecution, authorised by the CPS, followed an investigation by West Sussex Safeguarding detectives, who worked with local authority childrens' services to ensure that no children were at any further risk.

Detective Constable Angela De Vivo of the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit said; "Tallis had systematically abused this very young girl over several years, causing her deep and lasting distress. Only three years ago did she feel strong enough to come forward and report what had happened to her.

"We admire her courage and resolution in doing so and in supporting our investigation all the way, and in being ready to give evidence if needed.

"Please contact us at any time if you or anyone you know has been the victim of such offences. We will always investigate, and can arrange for you to have expert support and advice."

Description

A man who sexually assaulted young children and was actively seeking opportunities to offend again has been convicted of 14 counts of child sexual abuse after a National Crime Agency investigation.

Keats Harvey, a 24-year-old American national, groomed and sexually assaulted four children, the youngest of whom was a toddler.

He was arrested by NCA officers at his home in West Wittering, Chichester, in May 2020.

Harvey had a catalogue of almost 9,000 indecent images of children and 630 prohibited images on his electronic devices, which he had collated between 2015-2020. Of those were 860 category A images (the most severe), 1,290 category B and 6,984 category C.

The NCA uncovered a large number of chat logs and emails in which he had sent and received these images from other likeminded individuals, as well as admitting to having molested three young children.

Investigators subsequently identified four children who had been abused by Harvey, all of whom were under ten-years-old and have since been safeguarded.

He met his victims through other adults he knew and assaulted one of the children whilst at a party.

Harvey made multiple further attempts to meet and abuse children by befriending vulnerable adults with kids and applying for jobs at places where we knew he would have access to children, including hospitals and nurseries.

Through their investigation into Harvey, NCA officers identified another American national they suspected had sexually abused an eleven-year-old boy.

Intelligence was shared with US authorities based in Seattle and the man, a teacher, was arrested and the child safeguarded.

Yesterday (29/07/2021) at Hove Crown Court Harvey was found guilty of six counts of possessing indecent images of children (categories A-C), two counts of possessing prohibited images, two counts of taking and one of distributing an indecent photo of a child, two counts of assaulting a child under 13 by touching, and meeting a girl under 16 following grooming.

He will be sentenced at the same court on 8 October 2021.

Peter Stevens, Branch Commander at the NCA, said: "Keats Harvey was conducting very serious offending, not just online but by physically abusing young children.

"On top of this, he was actively trying to befriend adults who had children and had researched jobs on the internet, at hospitals and nurseries, all with the aim of gaining access to children.

"In my view he is an offender whose behaviour was escalating in terms of the severity of the offending he was trying to commit.

"Prosecuting individuals like Harvey who pose a sexual risk to children is a priority for the NCA. My team worked tirelessly, with support from the Crown Prosecution Service, analysing reams of particularly disturbing material to build the case against him and ensure he would face justice.

"We also worked closely with policing partners to identify offenders and safeguard victims. In this case, Sussex and Hampshire Police provided significant support to the investigation."

Description

A pervert who secretly filmed victims showering kept 14 devices a secret from police.

Stanley Harris was previously jailed after installing a hidden camera in his bathroom and spying on a child, a young woman and their mum.

The 72-year-old's seedy videos were discovered when he took his laptop to a computer repair shop in Bebington in 2016.

After being asked to transfer data, a technician spotted an indecent video of a child having a shower and police later found one category A image and two category C images.

Harris was locked up for 13 months and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), banning him from deleting his internet history and meaning he has to register any devices that can connect to the internet with police.

But Harris was hauled back to court today after police discovered 14 secret devices during a routine visit to his home on June 16 this year.

Angela Blackmore, prosecuting at Wirral Magistrates' Court, said when he was asked about any devices that could connect to the internet he handed over a mobile phone, which only had internet history available for that day.

Ms Blackmore said: "Officers asked if he had deleted the internet history and he indicated he had."

He was asked if he had any other devices, to which he replied "no", but officers saw a laptop and when asked again Harris "produced a second mobile phone".

Harris was arrested and a search of his home revealed he kept a total of 14 unregistered devices.

Harris has no other previous convictions, other than that in 2017 when he admitted two counts of downloading, one of taking and one of possessing indecent images of children, and voyeurism.

Liverpool Crown Court heard he had kept a 12-minute video of a girl having a shower and a 15-minute video of a young woman having a shower, while another adult female undressed.

Catherine Higham, defending today, said Harris has pleaded guilty to the breaches at the earliest opportunity.

She said custody would have a "detrimental impact" on Harris due to his age and health problems, which include arthritis.

Ms Higham said there had been "four years of compliance" and stressed he was not in possession of other indecent images.

Harris, of Devonshire Road, Oxton, admitted two counts of breaching the SHPO on June 16 this year.

Chair Magistrate Chamberlain, sentencing, said: "Mr Harris we believe these offences warrant an immediate custodial sentence and we believe this because you deliberately and knowingly breached your Sexual Harm Prevention Order by deleting internet history prior to the day in question and had in your possession 14 unregistered devices."

Harris was jailed for 18 weeks and ordered to pay a 128 victim surcharge.

The devices were forfeited and destroyed.

Description

A registered sex offender has been jailed for breaching a court order by trying to work with vulnerable teenagers. Bruce Thomas Wayne, 33, had started to volunteer at a local community charity, despite police putting a ban on such activity. Wayne was caught when a someone recognised him from a news story about his previous conviction. Wiltshire Police described him as "a calculating and predatory offender". Wayne, of Watermint Way, Calne, was sentenced to three years and seven months in prison at Swindon Crown Court. Police said a conviction in 2010 paired with more recent concerns relating to his behaviour led them to impose a standalone sexual harm prevention order on him in October 2020. Wayne, formerly known as Andrew Phillips, was not allowed to take on voluntary or paid work without informing his probation worker or become involved with any form of support group for children or adults.

News story

However, he was found to be volunteering with a charity which provided support for people aged 14 to 70. Wiltshire Police praised the "responsible" actions of the Calne-based organisation, which did not allow Wayne to work unsupervised until a criminal background check had been completed. The charity alerted Wiltshire Police after reading a news story about his previous conviction. PC Sarah Greenman said: "Wayne tried to claim that he had misunderstood the terms of his order, but the judge rejected this claim, finding that what he was actually doing was trying to gain access to vulnerable teenagers. "Registered sex offenders are subject to regular monitoring by the police and I hope this case provides reassurance that if and when they try to breach any restrictions that are in place, then they are dealt with robustly by the police and the courts."

Description

An assistant headteacher who groomed pupils and had sex with them in his office has been banned from the classroom for life.

Teaching watchdogs said PE teacher Sean Aldridge, now 39, had shown no remorse for targeting four girls aged 13 to 16.

He was jailed for 12 years in July 2019 at Portsmouth Crown Court.

He has now been struck off for life by the Teaching Regulation Agency watchdog over multiple offences while teaching at Warblington School, Havant.

Peter Ward, who chaired the disciplinary hearing, said: 'The panel was satisfied that the conduct of Mr Aldridge was wholly contrary to the standards expected of the teaching profession.

'Teachers are placed in a privileged position of trust and Mr Aldridge had abused his position.

'Mr Aldridge's conduct was of the most serious and gravest kind.

'Mr Aldridge's actions in committing the offences had undoubtedly caused significant hurt and suffering to pupils who had been placed in his care.

'The panel considered that Mr Aldridge's behaviour in committing the offences would affect public confidence in the teaching profession.

'Further, that public confidence in the profession would be severely damaged in the event he was allowed to teach following his release from prison.

'In the light of the panel's findings against Mr Aldridge which involved 25 counts of sexual activity with pupils, there was a very strong public interest consideration in respect of the protection of pupils given the serious and multiple findings of sexual activity with pupils.

The panel considered Mr Aldridge's actions had been calculated and deliberate. No documents in the form of mitigation were submitted on behalf of Mr Aldridge.

There was no indication from the documents before the panel that Mr Aldridge was remorseful or had shown insight into his conduct.

The panel was in no doubt that Mr Aldridge's misconduct was of the most serious kind and had been serious sexual misconduct.'

His first alleged victim told police they had sex every day and she had a miscarriage with his child in Year 11.

Father-of-two Aldridge, of Southsea, Hamphire, denies sexual activity with the girls at Warblington School.

Prosecutor Robert Bryan told jurors Aldridge had a 'secret second phone' which he hid in a jacket pocket in his wardrobe.

He used his middle name 'Jack' as a code name on his secret phone, and two of his victims had the number saved on their phones as 'Jack Ridge' to protect his identity, the court heard.

His alleged grooming began in 2007 after he gave a 15 year old pupil, who cannot be named for legal reasons, his mobile number because she was having 'problems at home'.

Mr Bryan said: 'The victim said her first sexual encounter was ruined because he kept repeating 'I could go to prison for this'.'

Banning him from the classroom for life today/yesterday, decision maker Alan Meyrick, for the Education Secretary, said: 'There was no indication from the documents before the panel that Mr Aldridge was remorseful or had shown insight into his conduct.'

In my judgement, the lack of insight means that there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour and this puts at risk the future well-being of pupils.

Description

Simon Matthew Virgo sent sexual messages to a 'teenage girl' named Mollie.

The 37-year-old contacted her through an online messaging program called Kik.

Prosecution attorney Emily Lanham said "The" messages back and forth contained references to implied sexual acts and whether or not she liked old men. "

Daily Echo: Simon Virgo covers his face outside Southampton Crown Court.Simon Virgo covers his face outside Southampton Crown Court.

However, Virgo, of Walker Gardens, Hedge End, actually spoke to police officers.

After a raid on his home, officers seized two cellphones and two Ipads.

They found obscene images of children suspected of being abused between the ages of six and eleven.

He appears before Southampton Crown Court and is charged with two counts of indecent photographs of a child and a single charge that he was an adult who wanted to engage in sexual communication with a child.

During an earlier trial, he pleaded guilty to the offenses that took place between June and December 2019.

Defendant Jamie Gammon said his client was of good character and had no previous convictions.

Daily Echo: The 37-year-old actually spoke to police officers. The 37-year-old actually spoke to police officers.

He argued that the judge should suspend any indemnity sentence and added that if he gets a jail sentence, 'he will be released and face a future without support'.

Mr Gammon, said: 'My submission is that he can be helped and that he wants help.

Judge Christopher Parker QC warned that if Mollie was actually a child "the situation could be very different".

He also mentioned 'positive references from a number of people'.

Judge Parker sentenced him to six months in prison, suspended for 12 years.

Virgo must complete 100 hours of unpaid work and 40 days of rehabilitation.

He was ordered to pay £ 340 in costs.

Furthermore, he must register as a sexual offender for seven years and he will prevent an order against sexual harm for the same period.

Description

A former special constable has been jailed for 19 years for a string of sexual offences against a woman, three girls and a boy. Phillip Gregory, 67, from Llanegryn Street, Abergynolwyn, Gwynedd, had pleaded not guilty to all 14 charges. He was jailed for six counts of indecent assault, five of rape, buggery, sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and indecency with a child. Mold Crown Court heard one victim said he had "stolen" her childhood. In an impact statement, she added that as well as "inflicting suffering years ago", he had made his victims "relive the pain" by refusing to admit his actions and show remorse. North Wales Police confirmed Gregory, who carried out the offences between 1975 and 2003, served as a special constable for a short period in the early 1990s but said this was not connected to any of his offences. Another victim said she had not been able to form bonds with her own children as a result of what he had done to her. 'Still vivid' Another of the victims said she had contemplated suicide and the memory of being raped by Gregory was "still vivid". Judge Timothy Petts told Gregory he was a "dangerous offender" who had had taken advantage of the " vulnerability" of those he had abused. He paid tribute to the victims for their "courage" in giving evidence and praised DC Gareth Wilcox Jones, of North Wales Police, who led the "long and complicated investigation" named Operation Blue Lichen. Speaking afterwards, DC Wilcox Jones said: "Philip Gregory has damaged the lives of people he professed to care for and who looked to him for support and protection. "He took their trust and abused it for his own sexual gratification. "It is pleasing that the judge has sent a robust message that serial abusers like Philip Gregory cannot evade justice forever, and that survivors of childhood abuse can achieve justice no matter how long has elapsed."

Description

The chairman of a gardening community group in Bedfordshire has been jailed for the sexual assault of a young girl.

John Trinder, now 74, was chairman of the group when he sexually assaulted the young girl.

Trinder, of Chandler's Cross in Rickmansworth, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on Thursday (22 July), after being found guilty by a majority verdict of one count of sexual assault.

The victim disclosed the assault years later to a member of her family who then informed the police.

Trinder was found guilty of one count of sexual assault by touching, and was sentenced to 44 months imprisonment. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.

PC Benjamin Robertson from Bedfordshire Police's Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit, who investigated: "I would like to commend the victim's courage and determination to disclose this abhorrent crime to us.

"It's hasn't been an easy process for her to go through and I am glad Trinder has been sent to prison for what he did to her. He sexually abused her at young age for his own sexual gratification and will now have time to reflect on his actions.

"Hopefully this prison sentence will bring some closure and allow this brave young person to move forward in life.

"We would also like to encourage anyone who has experienced abuse to speak out, no matter how long ago the abuse took place. You will be believed and we will investigate.

"Our force is committed to protect the victims and bring the offenders to justice."

Description

A charity volunteer who sexually assaulted three teenage boys is facing a jail sentence. Stephen Murray, 50, attacked the lads on separate occasions while they stayed at his former home in South Queensferry. Murray invited the boys, two aged 16 and one 14-years-old, to sleep over at his flat before creeping into their bedroom and climbing into bed with them. He then kissed and groped the teenagers who were said to have been left petrified by the attacks and had pretended to be asleep. The three victims, who cannot be identified due to legal reasons, were left so terrified by the sex assaults they failed to tell anyone what had happened to them for years afterwards. Once brave victim then came forward and made a statement to police and the two other boys decided to inform police of the assaults on them. Murray pleaded guilty to the three sex attacks on the teenage boys at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. His social media states he is a volunteer with the International Fire and Rescue Association charity who aid emergency services in developing nations around the world. The bus driver also states on the page he is an RAF reservist, a sessional medic and home carer for his family. Prosecutor Alan Wickham told the court Murray was a widower and made contact with the first of his victims through a Facebook private message after the lad had posted a relative had died. Murray told the boy he had recently lost his wife and understood what he was going through before sending the boy gifts through the post. The boy was invited to stay at Murrays home after the pervert had invited the lad to attend an event at Knockhill Racing Circuit in Fife in April 2014. The pair had dinner and watched TV before the boy retired to bed at around midnight with Murray saying he would sleep on the couch. During the night the boy heard the door of the bedroom opening and Murray slipped into bed beside the youngster, tickled his ears and performed a sex act on him.. The boy pretended to be asleep and made no mention of the attack the following day. The victim told police he was also sexually assaulted a second time by Murray six months later. The second victim also stayed over Murrays home in April 2014 and presumed he would sleep alone in the perverts bed. But again during the night Murray made his way into the room and after creeping into the bed he kissed and fondled the boys genitals while the lad pretended to be asleep. The boy told police he did not tell anyone as he was petrified by the attack and that Murray said to him the following morning sorry for getting into bed but he was cold and had come through for a heat. The boy told police Murray had also assaulted him a second time at an address in Ayrshire. The third boy was attacked in a similar way at the South Queensferry home in January 2015 after agreeing to stay the night. The sex assaults eventually came to light in January 2019 when one of the victims made contact with police to make a statement. Sheriff Nigel Ross placed Murray on the Sex Offenders Register and deferred sentence to later this year. Murray was released on bail. Murray admitted to sexually assaulting two teenage boys on two occasions at an address in South Queensferry and an address in Ayrshire between April 1, 2014 and January 31, 2015. He also admitted to a charge engaging in sexual activity with a 14-year-old boy by rubbing his leg and touching his penis over his clothing at the South Queensferry address between January 1 and 31, 2015.

Description

A man used his love of Japanese cartoons to groom a 12-year-old girl before claiming to be a "hero" exposing paedophiles.

Fantasist Adam Eltabib - who appeared in a crown court dock sporting bright pink and green hair - had met the schoolgirl at a convention for fans of anime, cosplay and comics in London in 2018.

Her mother began to notice a number of texts the child was receiving from the 30-year-old, who was later found with 3,000 indecent images on his computer.

Eltabib, of Eden Avenue, Chatham, has now been sent to prison for a year after admitting having sexual conversations with a child and two charges of making prohibited images.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how Eltabib is a fantasist who said he was a "hero" who was downloading vile pictures to bring down those who took them.

But Judge Philip Statman rejected as "fanciful" the claim that he was "a citizen trying to bring others to justice".

He said: "The nature of your conversations has, as a background, conventions held around the country by supporters of anime and cosplay, which allow people to go dressed as their favourite Japanese (cartoon) characters."

Prosecutor Kathryn Hirst said: "The victim attended an event in London dressed as her favourite anime character.

"After returning home she showed her mum pictures of her posing with people also dressed as anime characters and it appeared that she had had a really good time."

Afterwards the victim's mother became aware of "inappropriate messages" which had been sent to her daughter from a man called Adam.

She asked to see a photograph and realised Adam was an adult and explained to her daughter that the WhatsApp messages were not appropriate.

Ms Hirst told how police began investigating Eltabib for unrelated matters and he was arrested at his work.

She said that when officers carried out a forensic examination of his phone they discovered images and details of chats he was having with the child, including references to sex.

Between February and November 2018 he sent WhatsApp messages saying he wanted to have sex with her when she was 16.

During a sentencing hearing that was interrupted by a suspected gas leak, the judge heard that the effect on his victim had been "deeply upsetting" and her health suffered because of it.

"A young girl was being asked in these texts to confront adult issues and you took advantage of her expressing your sexual desires," he added.

Eltabib had used the name of an anime character known to stalk and spy on women.

On his Facebook he wrote: "Live in Medway. I (love) cosplay and have a long list of comic cons this year. Wish I could do more. Love anime. Gaming. The usual."

Description

A man who attempted to lure who he thought was a 14-year-old girl to Swansea on the train was intercepted by a paedophile hunters group when he went to meet her.

Paul Leslie Lewis began messaging the profile purporting to be the teenager on Facebook messenger in May this year. It was actually a decoy profile being run by a paedophile hunter group called Black Flag Hunters.

Lewis began sending messages from a profile called 'Paul Rio' asking how old the girl was. She replied that she was "only 14" and he made out he was 28 - despite actually being 56. He told her he was from Swansea, and she replied that she was from Blackburn but had a grandmother who lived in Cardiff.

He told her that he worked for famous rock bands, and sent her a black and white picture of Queen along with others, including himself with a guitar and said it was himself performing. He turned the conversation to meeting up, and the decoy said "they had never met someone from the internet", and Lewis encouraged her to "try different things".

The decoy made out that it was their 15th birthday soon, and it was later discovered that Lewis had taken particular interest in this, marking the date down in his diary. He told her "it was a shame she would not be in Swansea as he would have bought her a birthday treat."

During the course of the conversation he also offered to "teach her how to kiss properly" and told her it would be done respectfully. He also told her he wanted to hold her and cuddle her. He also told her that she should keep quiet about talking to him until she was 16.

Things began to escalate when the decoy made out she planned to visit her grandmother in Cardiff. Lewis began calling her his "beautiful sexy girlfriend babe" and pushed for them to meet up, offering to pick her up from Cardiff, but she said she would get on the train as she needed to get back to her gran's house. He also offered to buy her swimwear.

They arranged a meet on Saturday, May 22, and Lewis had sent the decoy a picture of himself so she would recognise him. But when he arrived, he was instead met by the paedophile hunter group along High Street as he made his way towards the train station. He was subsequently arrested by police who had also been notified over the plans for the meet-up. Lewis told officers: "I knew you would need to speak to me."

His home was searched and they found the diary with the decoy's 15th birthday marked down on it, and they also found an internet browser search for GHB, commonly referred to as a date-rape drug. He provided a no comment interview at the police station and was charged.

Lewis, of Somerset Place, Maritime Quarter, Swansea, appeared at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing having admitted charges of being an adult meeting a girl under the age of 16 following grooming and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, a separate offence relating to another decoy which was run by a different paedophile hunter group called Fleetwood Enforcers.

Mitigating, his barrister Andrew Evans said: "This defendant has been living a solitary lifestyle for a number of years and had been abusing alcohol for a number of years. It is no excuse for him behaving in this way."

Judge Huw Rees sentenced Lewis to 12 months in prison.

Description

A SERIAL paedophile was caught in an online sting after a decoy tricked him by offering him two young girls for sex. Peter Warry, 46, of Chepstow Road, Newport, was the prey in an entrapment operation, prosecutor Matthew Roberts. Cardiff Crown Court heard the defendant thought he was grooming a 13-year-old girl but Sienna was a fictional character used to lure him in. Warry was also sharing vile child abuse images on social media via the Kik and WhatsApp platforms. He also had previous convictions for sexual crimes against children and was jailed at Derby Crown Court for 12 months in 2012 for distributing indecent images. Warrys latest offending occurred over the past 14 months. He pleaded guilty to the distribution and possession of indecent images of children. The defendant was found with 85 pictures at the most serious level of category A, 25 at category B and 19 at category C. Warry also admitted that he attempted to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempted to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to watch/look at an image of sexual activity. He also pleaded guilty to failing to comply with notification requirements. Ieuan Bennett, representing Warry, said in mitigation: He knows he needs help. His barrister added how his client said he had ruined his own life. Judge Huw Rees told the defendant: A decoy was offering you, unbelievably, two young girls for sex. He added: Your previous convictions are a serious aggravating factor in this case. You have said that your life has been left in ruins but you have nobody to blame for that but yourself. Warry was jailed for four years and four months and ordered to register as a sex offender for life. He was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order until 2036.