Latest Offenders

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A cowardly paedophile who did not have the courage to face a sentencing today was put behind bars for nine years.

HIs victims, who have all been left psychologically scarred by Robert Burns sexual abuse, bravely attended court for the hearing but the Judge Stuart Driver, QC told them: He has not had the courage to come into court to face the truth and face his victims so he will be sentenced in his absence.

Burns, 61, had been brought to Liverpool Crown Court from prison but refused to come into the courtroom from the cells.

The court heard that he has previous convictions including indecent assault in 1990, sexual assault in March 2017 and failing to comply with Sexual Register notification requirements.

Judge Driver ruled him to be a dangerous offender and he imposed an extended five year licence.

He said: He has now been convicted of 15 sexual offences and six offences of breaching the notification requirements.

The judge pointed out that a pre-sentence report spoke of his grooming and predatory behaviour and concludes he poses a high risk of serious harm to children and the public."

Judge Driver said: I agree. He has shown no remorse, he has shown no insight into his behaviour.

Burns, of Fishguard Close, Everton, had been convicted after a trial of 12 offences of indecent assault on five boys ranging in age from six to 15 years.

After imposing the sentences the judge turned to the victims in the public gallery and told them: All that remains is for me to praise the five men who are victims in this case for their courage in coming forward and for the dignity they have shown throughout the case.

During his trial Martine Snowdon, prosecuting, told how Burns gave some of his victims alcohol before abusing them, showered them with money and gifts and showed one of them pornography.

He was found guilty of repeatedly abusing four of the boys and one offence on the other child when he was aged between 13 and 15.

Miss Snowdon said the offences had a significant effect on all five victims, who are now adults, and two of them in particular.

Charlotte Atherton, defending, said Burns still denies the offences against the five boys and the previous sexual offending.

She conceded that one of the victims had been affected particularly badly and feels his personality has been heavily altered by what happened to him.

Miss Atherton said Burns has developed a relationship with a woman he has been caring for and his intention was that they should marry.

She said he had been abused as a child and had behavioural difficulties. He now has health issues and she pointed out that there had been a lengthy delay between his arrest in September 2018 and appearing at the crown court.

Burns was ordered to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life and the judge also imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

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Carson Grimes was sentenced to prison for life after committing the most prolific sexual abuse Bedfordshire has ever seen.

The courtroom on Wednesday (October 13) was packed during the hearing with the victims and their friends and family attending to see Grimes finally jailed.

Grimes, who was also known as Carson Phillips, had been convicted of 36 counts in total involving nine victims over a 20 year period from 1982 till 2002 in Luton.

His victims were aged between five and 15-years-old who had little or no support around them.

He will serve a minimum of 22 years in prison.

Each victim gave an impact statement, some read it out themselves, while the court read out the others on their behalf.

Many described seeing Grimes as a father figure or friend until he began abusing them.

They described how he ruined their childhoods, affected their ability to have normal relationships, made them extremely overprotective of their own children and made it impossible for them to trust anyone.

Grimes introduced many of his victims to alcohol and drugs, some of them have continued to battle with their drug addictions to this day which has led them to a life of crime.

Many had also self-harmed or attempted suicide as a result of the abuse, one of Grimes victims, not included in this case, did die by suicide.

Grimes continued to deny any wrongdoing and showed no remorse towards what had happened.

His defence barrister asked that Judge Lynn Tayton QC gave Grimes a reduction in his sentencing due to his age, ill-health and the fact the last offence was committed over 19 years ago.

However, Judge Tayton QC was less than sympathetic, describing Grimes as a dangerous man who committed a campaign of rape.

Summing up of the case, she said: "You groomed them and relied on the fact that they were vulnerable youngsters, you made threats to keep them quiet.

"This was a lifestyle in which rapes and sexual assaults were used casually. You used alcohol and drugs with no regard to your victims.

"I thank the victims for their bravery in speaking up. None of them are responsible for the crimes committed by you. It's taken them a long time to see that. In some cases it's taken years for them to get their cases heard, I hope this will give them some vindication.

"No one should feel that they have been defined by the criminal behaviour against them. I hope that all the victims will find the strength to move forward now it's over."

Judge Tayton QC went on to describe each individual count against Grimes in graphic detail, none of which can be reported, it took her 30 minutes to do this while Grimes sat emotionless.

Grimes stayed emotionless throughout the hearing and gave no reaction to be handed a life sentence, while his survivors cheered.

As Grimes was led from the court, Grimes' survivors waved him off in a joyous moment of real justice for them.

Outside the court, BedsLive reporter Laura Conder spoke to Natanie Loftman, one of Grimes' survivors who waived her right to anonymity to speak on behalf of the other survivors.

She said: "It hasn't sunk in yet. Now Carson is a victim of his survivors, I want to know how that makes him feel.

"To any other survivors, I say this: you are strong, you can come forward and speak your truth. To open that box might seem hard, and after you open the box it might still be hard. You will have good days and bad days – but just come forward and do it. You can do it."

Bedfordshire Police has said as a result of 24 Hours in Police Custody showing the case around Grimes more victims have come forward to the police.

Detective Superintendent Steve Ashdown said: "Carson Grimes is one of the most dangerous, vile and prolific offenders I have seen in my policing career.

"Our investigation established a clear picture of a man who exploited boys and girls entirely for his own sexual gratification, displaying a complete absence of morals and decency.

"I am glad that the judge has imposed such a significant sentence on Grimes today, and he no longer poses a danger to the most vulnerable in our society.

"I would like to thank all the survivors who found the courage to come forward, as well as all the officers who have worked tirelessly to play their part in bringing Grimes to justice.

"We will always be on the side of victims and it is never too late to make a disclosure. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support you and bring these sorts of vile exploiters to justice."

Detective Sergeant Rachael Foy, from the force's CSE team, said: "Grimes preyed on young and vulnerable victims for his own twisted gratification. His god-like complex and arrogance led him to believe that he would not get caught, as he often tried to discredit victims and use their backgrounds against them.

"We will always be on the side of victims and it is never too late to make a disclosure. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support you and bring these sorts of vile exploiters to justice."

Detective Sergeant Rachael Foy, from the force's CSE team, said: "Grimes preyed on young and vulnerable victims for his own twisted gratification. His god-like complex and arrogance led him to believe that he would not get caught, as he often tried to discredit victims and use their backgrounds against them.

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A vile paedophile who abused children in Derby suburbs, in Derbyshire and Lincolnshire over two decades has been jailed for 30 years with a further eight years on licence.

Andrew Ditchfield committed dozens of horrific sex offences including rapes and sexual assaults against multiple victims in the 1990s and 2000s.

This abuse took place in Chaddesden, Littleover, Sinfin and Alvaston in the 1990s and early 2000s where he committed his crimes in houses, camp sites and leisure facilities.

The 54-year-old, who was described as a "manipulative and predatory paedophile", targeted extremely vulnerable children in Derbyshire, before moving to Lincolnshire where he continued to offend.

The defendant had denied the offences, meaning all 14 of his known victims had to give evidence and relive the traumatic events in Derby Crown Court during his trial in August, this year, something that led one of his victims to attempt suicide.

The court heard that his victims had been left destroyed by the abuse, with many suffering from flashbacks, difficulty forming intimate relationships, problems trusting men, developing post traumatic stress disorder and having suicidal thoughts.

A jury later unanimously found him guilty of 43 offences including multiple counts of rape, attempted rape, indecent assault, attempted buggery, indecency with a child, sexual activity with a child and sexual assault.

At the same court on Friday, October 15, Ditchfield, now of Fourways, Tetney, Grimsby, was jailed for 30 years.

James Varley, prosecuting, told the court that the defendant was a man "whose entire life seemingly revolved around the sexual abuse and grooming of young boys".

Mr Varley said: "The defendant is a predatory paedophile who preys on the young and the vulnerable, most often vulnerable teenage boys."

He said Ditchfield often used alcohol, drugs and the availability of pornography to gain the trust of his victims, while also using a "souped up" car to gain their attention.

He would also befriend parents who took an interest in their children, and portrayed himself as a social worker and someone who wanted to help vulnerable children.

The court heard that Ditchfield began the offending by having children sleep round at his house, before things would progress to having his victims sleep in his bed and eventually sexually abusing them.

This included performing sex acts on them. In some cases he would rape or attempt to rape his victims.

On one occasion he even privately adopted one of his victims, submitting fake paperwork to a court saying he was a foster carer.

After moving to Lincolnshire, he continued to abuse children, before he was eventually arrested in 2017.

Mr Varley said Ditchfield had devastated the lives of his victims, all of whom submitted emotional impact statements.

He said one victim "didn't get a chance at a childhood", while multiple victims had attempted to take their own lives.

Many had been diagnosed with mental health issues as a result of the abuse, with some suffering from depression, post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.

Charlotte Rimmer, mitigating on behalf of Ditchfield, told the court his family remain supportive of him.

She said: "He was adopted as a baby. His adoptive parents who he has remained in contact with remain supportive of him. It's a close knit family that he comes from. The whole family are utterly shocked by these proceedings."

She added that there was very little in the way of personal mitigation given Ditchfield denied the offences.

"He accepts that a lengthy custodial sentence is inevitable," she said.

Judge Robert Egbuna imprisoned Ditchfield for 30 years and gave him an extended licence of eight years, giving him a total sentence of 38 years.

An extended sentence is designed for offenders who are extremely dangerous but for whom a sentence of life imprisonment is not justified.

He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, preventing him from having contact with children until further notice.

Judge Egbuna said: "This was a campaign of offending stretching over a number of years. These [offences] were clearly planned. You targeted vulnerable children.

"You groomed your victims, you distanced them from their families and were in a position of trust.

"The consequences of your abuse have been significant and many view the word significant as an understatement."

Judge Egbuna added that while Ditchfield had also abused two young girls, he was of the belief he had only done this to provide himself with sexual experience for when he attempted to fool people into thinking he was in relationships with women.

"[It is said] you are dangerous, a fact I agree with having presided over this case," he said.

"It's clear you would use any form of deception to satisfy your needs.

"You are a manipulative and cunning man. That I have seen clearly for myself from observing you while giving evidence."

Ditchfield was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order preventing him from having contact with children until further notice.

Chris Knowles from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "The sheer scale of Ditchfield's offending is staggering.

"Prosecuting this case has revealed a picture of relentless offending, preying on the most vulnerable children the defendant could find and doing unspeakable harm to these people's lives.

"Ditchfield portrayed himself as the person people thought they wanted in their lives, providing attention and excitement. He manipulated families and carers to believe in him. The betrayal of this trust left survivors feeling alone and isolated.

"Understandably, people have come forward as they have heard about the investigation and the case. It is so important that all of Andrew Ditchfield's victims have had a voice.

"This has meant that we have built a case that has shown Andrew Ditchfield for who he is – a dangerous and manipulative predator.

"Even throughout his trial he has lied about his actions and refused to take responsibility. Instead he blamed his victims, accusing them of colluding to invent their allegations.

"The guilty verdicts from the jury and today's sentence have shown that he, and only he is to blame. I hope that having their voices heard in court will be of some help to the survivors of this appalling abuse.

"In preparing for today's sentencing, the CPS has made it clear to the court just how much of a risk Ditchfield poses to society. The seriousness of his offending and refusal to accept responsibility for his actions have been reflected in today's jail term."

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A registered sex offender has been jailed after breaching the conditions of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

As part of the SHPO, Martin Phillip Simms, aged 42, of Park Mews in Sandown, is prohibited from deleting his internet history.

He is also required to produce digital devices to police for inspection on request, and inform police of any online usernames he has within three days of creating them.

On 2 September this year police, accompanied by probation workers, visited his home address unannounced.

During the visit, the internet history on his mobile phone was examined and officers could see had been using a teen chat room app on a different device.

Simms eventually admitted he had a second device which was handed to police for inspection. On checking this device, the teen chat app was not present and Simms admitted he had deleted it including all of its Internet history.

He also admitted that the username for the app was not one that he had registered to police, which he was required to do.

Police established that the device held two other apps with two further usernames which had not been registered with police. These were again social media apps for chatting with young people.

Simms was charged with three counts of breaching a sexual harm order, which he admitted when he appeared at Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Friday 3 September.

Appearing at Newport Crown Court today (Friday 15 October), Simms was handed an 18 month jail sentence. Simms is already serving a 7 year sentence, on licence, which is due to expire in 2024 – he will serve the remainder of that sentence in prison before then beginning his 18 month jail sentence for the SHPO breaches.

PC Keith Haywood, from the Isle of Wight Offender Management Team, said: "We invest significant resources into the protection of the public and the management of sex offenders, and it's a duty we take very seriously.

"Officers will often make unannounced visits to offenders where they are subject to an intrusive investigative interview process. This helps us understand their routines, interests and behaviours.

"On this occasion, Simms was visibly uncomfortable with our presence, and it was clear from the examination of his phone that he had no intention of sticking to the conditions of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

"These orders are put in place to protect the public, and ensure that individuals do not re-offend. Where they choose to disregard them, they are rightly punished and I am pleased that Simms is now behind bars."

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A paedophile who refused to admit to his crimes, and therefore put his victims through a trial, was today shocked when a judge told him his sentence.

Paul Shields, 45, of Beechwood Drive, Formby was found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court of 22 sexual offences involving two female victims.

The offences took place between 2006 and 2011.

Twenty of the offences which included attempted rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault and causing a child to engage in sexual activity involved one of the girls and spanned several years.

The other two offences of sexual assault and causing a child to engage in sexual activity involved the second child.

He had threatened them not to tell anyone but eventually in 2018 they disclosed details of their ordeal and the police were eventually informed.

Shields was jailed for 21 years and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Gerard Doran, defending, said, No doubt he will have a very long time to contemplate these matters. No doubt there will come a time when he can take advantage of services available to him in custody.

I hope that will pay dividends and he will be permitted to return to society.

A judge described Shields as a danger to children as far as serious sexual harm is concerned.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones told him: You still maintain your innocence still. You completely refuse to admit what you have done.

He pointed out that his denials meant his victims were forced to go through the ordeal of giving evidence before a jury at Liverpool Crown Court.

He added: Both victims refer to the devastating impact on their livesthey talk of the daily impact on them and the affect on their mental health. They have difficulty in trusting people and forming relationships.

Quite clearly it amounts to severe psychological harm. Their feeling is you have destroyed their lives and suffer enduring trauma.

The judge ordered Shields, who looked shocked at the length of sentence, to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Detective Inspector Michelle Wilson said: This is a significant custodial sentence that reflects the gravity of the offences committed by Paul Shields. I am pleased that he will now spend a considerable period of time behind bars for his actions.

I would like to take this opportunity to praise both of his victims for their courage and dignity throughout the whole of this investigation. As Shields pleaded not guilty they were forced to endure giving evidence in court.

I hope that the severity of the sentence handed out today gives them an opportunity to finally move on with their lives knowing that Shields is behind bars where he cannot cause hurt to anyone else.

Merseyside Police is committed to protecting victims of sexual offences.

We know how difficult it can be for people to come forward and report incidents but I want to reassure anyone who reports an incident to us will be safeguarded and supported throughout the investigation.

We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

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A mum-of-two was horrified to discover that her partner was a convicted child sex offender.

The woman made inquiries with police in April this year after Andrew Edgson had vanished from her life and she learnt he was in prison.

She told them she had been in a relationship with him for 18 months and did not know why he was in jail.

Putting 38-year-old Edgson behind bars for 12 months the judge, Recorder David Knifton, QC, said: The police notified her, to her utter shock and distress, that you had been convicted and sentenced for serious sexual offences upon a child.

She disclosed that between the date of your conviction - of which she was unaware - and date of sentence - of which she was unaware - you had been living with her and her children.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that he had formed a relationship with the woman in 2019 and it became serious and he moved into her Bootle home.

In December last year he disappeared but a few days later he rang her from prison claiming he was in a police station "sorting something out."

The judge said: You again misled her about your whereabouts and the circumstances of your detention.

She was horrified to discover that you had been convicted of a serious sexual offence you had not told her about and clearly thought, with some justification, that the only purpose of that failure to disclose such a conviction was to continue your relationship with her and her children.

These failures by you to disclose to her the true circumstances led to her to feel anxious and distressed. She has contemplated moving house because you know where she and her children live.

She feels utterly betrayed by someone she describes as dangerously manipulative.

Recorder Knifton told him: You flagrantly breached the registration scheme from the outset.

Edgson, of no fixed address, but formerly of Huyton, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with registration requirements under Sexual Offences provisions.

Chris Taylor, prosecuting, said that Edgson was jailed for 14 months in December 2020 for the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl in early 2019.

Under the terms of the Sexual Offences Register he had to tell police where he was living but he failed to reveal he was living with the woman and her two children following his release.

Jim Smith, defending, said that Edgsons actions had been selfish and stupid and committed because he did not his relationship with the new partner destroyed.

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Child rapist Paul Clutton has been sentenced to 21 years in prison.

The 60-year-old committed a 'campaign of serious sexual offending' against a female victim.

He had denied the offences, which took place during the 1990s, but was found guilty following a trial.

During the sentencing hearing, a statement from Clutton's victim - who was a child at the time of the offences - was read out. She said that, as a result of the trauma she suffered, she had self-harmed for most of her life and 'attempted suicide more times than I want to admit'.

She said: "I have struggled deeply to maintain any type of relationship with a man. I have lived with unbearable pain. I've almost felt like I was on the run."

Clutton, of London Road, Trent Vale, was found guilty of three charges of rape and three charges of indecent assault.

The court heard he had ten previous convictions but none for sexual offences.

Kelly Cyples, mitigating, said: "This is the first custodial sentence for the defendant and the first offence of this nature."

Clutton showed no emotion as he was sentenced to 21 years in custody.

Judge Sally Hancox told him: "You committed these offences in a campaign of serious sexual offending against the victim.

"She thought for many years she was a 'bad egg'. She attempted suicide several times. Her victim personal statement contains commendably brave honesty.

"There has been no apology or remorse in this case. The only sentence that can be passed is a lengthy period in custody. It must be a sentence which reflects your terrible wrongdoing."

Clutton will be subject to the notification requirement of the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

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A man who was jailed for a series of sex attacks on women in Tower Hamlets has had his sentence increased.

Ali Husseini, 27 (25.05.94), of Poplar High Street, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, 6 August, to six years and nine months' imprisonment, having been convicted of two counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted sexual assault.

The police and Crown Prosecution Service thought the sentence was unduly lenient and referred the case to the Attorney General.

On Wednesday, 13 October, judges at the Royal Courts of Justice reviewed the facts of the case. The bench accepted that these were not offences that involved sophisticated planning, however the offender's choice of remote location in which he could lie in wait, was a considerable aggravating factor. In light of this his original sentence was quashed and he was handed a new sentence of nine years' imprisonment.

Husseini will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years upon his release and he will be placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Charlotte Baghurst, from the Specialist Crime Command, said: "Husseini is a violent and dangerous man and it is right that he will serve a longer term in prison for his awful crimes. I hope that this will enable these brave victims to feel safer in their communities and get their lives back on track.

"He carried out a number of predatory and prolonged attacks on lone women as they went about their day-to-day business and instilled fear in women and girls for a number of weeks.

"Everybody in the Met is absolutely committed to bringing justice to victims of sexual assault, and to make London a safer city for women and girls. Our teams will stop at nothing to investigate allegations and to provide support to victims."

During his trial, the court heard how Husseini would follow lone women into the subway underneath the A12 in the Poplar area. Upon picking his victim, he would chase them and sexually assault them.

On 10 August 2020, Husseini followed a 32-year-old woman as she returned home from nearby shops. As she walked through the subway he ran and grabbed the victim by her throat, forcing her forwards before sexually assaulting her. The victim was able to bite Husseini's arm causing him to let go and run away.

On 3 September 2020, Husseini targeted a heavily pregnant female as she walked through the empty subway back to work. The victim heard heavy footsteps behind her and Husseini slapped her from behind, causing the victim to scream and run away.

On 4 September 2020, Husseini followed a 20-year-old female as she walked home from work. Husseini held her by the throat up against the wall of the subway and began touching her. He then tried to undo the victim's trousers zip and started to undo his own. The victim began screaming which caused Husseini to run away.

Following an investigation, Husseini was arrested on 24 September 2020. He was charged on 25 September 2020 and remanded in custody.

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Officers investigating the rape of a 22-year-old woman in Portsmouth have charged a man.

Samuel Belstone, 29, of Copnor Road, Portsmouth, has been charged with two counts of rape and possession of a controlled Class B drug.

He was remanded into custody to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court today (Thursday 14 October).

This charge is in relation to an incident which happened in Portsmouth between 3am and 6am on Saturday 9 October.

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A former Norfolk teacher, lay preacher, choirmaster and cub scout leader has been exposed as a paedophile after a jury saw through his "carefully constructed camouflage", a court has heard.

John Turner, 75, had been a teacher at Whitefriars school in King's Lynn as well as a lay preacher, choirmaster and cub scout leader in West Winch during the 1970s and 1980s.

Norwich Crown Court heard it was over this time that he committed a string of indecent assaults against four children.

Turner, of Coronation Avenue, West Winch, had denied the offences but was found guilty, following a trial which started in July this year, of nine indecent assaults and three counts of indecency with a child.

Before Turner was sentenced on Wednesday (October 13) the court heard a statement from one of his victims who described how the abuse had "an affect on me mentally" and had affected his confidence "my whole life".

He said the abuse has resulted in him being a "very nervous person" and described the torment he has felt as a result of Turner's offending.

The victim said: "There's not been a day that's gone by that I've not thought about this."

But he also told of the relief he felt at being able to finally "tell people what had happened".

One of Turner's victims died after making a complaint to police, but his sister made a statement about the effect of Turner's offending on her brother in an impact statement which was seen by the court.

Jailing Turner for a total of 16 years, Judge Maureen Bacon said by their verdicts the jury had rejected his denials and carefully constructed camouflage and found what lay beneath it".

Judge Bacon said the persona Turner had built up in the church, and also as a teacher and cub scout leader, was "more important" to him than the sexual abuse of the victims.

She insisted his accomplished deceit gave you free rein to abuse those boys that you had been entrusted to care for".

Character references had been read out on behalf of Turner but while Judge Bacon accepted that he might have presented to some as someone who "did as much as you could for others" he had in fact "deceived" them too.

When he was referred to as a paedophile as he was sentenced Turner shook his head in the dock and tried to address the judge, but Judge Bacon told the security officer to take him down.

Taylor initially refused and hung onto the glass in the dock to stop the officer but after a struggle was led away.

Nicholas Bleaney, mitigating, said it was inevitable Turner would receive a sentence of some length.

He said the sentencing hearing represented a "spectacular fall from grace" for Turner who has "no-one to blame but himself".

Mr Bleaney said: "Everything he's worked for and stood for lies in ruins now."

Turner was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) indefinitely and must sign on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

He was also made the subject of a restraining order meaning he cannot contact one of the victims in the case indefinitely as well as one of the other complainants in the case.

In a statement issued after sentencing, a spokesman for the Diocese of Norwich said they were sorry to all those affected and "commended the bravery of those who brought these allegations forward".

The spokesman added that Turner was suspended from his role as a Licenced Lay Minister when the Diocese was alerted to the police investigation in 2018.

They said: "The Diocese of Norwich remains committed to doing everything possible to ensure the wellbeing of children, young people and adults, who look to us for respect and care."

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Judge Lady Poole praised the bravery of the four young women as she gave their attacker Dillon Anderson,21, a nine year prison sentence.

He raped the young women during a horrifying campaign of abuse which he began when he was just 14-years-old.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Anderson throttled two of his victims during the assaults. One woman - a former undergraduate of Edinburgh University - said Anderson repeatedly caused her to pass out after compressing her neck. On one occasion, he was so scared that he had killed her, he checked her pulse.

Jurors heard how he Anderson wanted her to take part in rape role plays where she would be unconscious and he would do whatever he wanted.

Describing one occasion, she was throttled, the woman - who is now aged 23 - told police: When I came round, he was checking my pulse and he said I thought you had died. He looked panicked.

One of the woman also made a covert recording of Anderson attacking her - the sounds of her screaming and telling her assailant to stop were played to jurors. Anderson could be heard laughing manically as he ignored her pleas.

The story emerged after Anderson - a former resident of Edinburghs exclusive new town area - was found guilty earlier this year of raping the women, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

On Tuesday, judge Lady Poole told Anderson that his conduct was disturbing - she also ordered the authorities to supervise him for four years following his release from custody.

Passing sentence, Lady Poole told him that she had read statements from the women detailing how Andersons conduct has affected them.

She added: The sexual violence you perpetrated is disturbing. One of your victims spoke to losing consciousness because of you compressing her neck.

When she came round, there were times you were having sex with her. There were other times when she came to, and you said you thought shed died and laughed, or you were checking her pulse because you thought she might have died.

These were terrifying experiences. I have read victim impact statements. Your victims suffered grievously at your hands, and their contact with you has left them with long lasting emotional scars.

They are to be commended for having the courage to come forward, and go through the difficult experience of giving evidence about what happened to them.

Anderson committed his offences between May 2014 and January 2020.

During the trial, the court heard Anderson claim he was a virgin when he physically restrained a girl, who was then aged 14, at a house in Newtongrange, Midlothian.

The court heard how he forced her to lie on a bed and removed her clothing before raping her on an occasion between May 2014 and June 2014 .

On various occasions between August 2015, at addresses in Edinburgh and West Lothian, Anderson raped another girl who was aged 18.

Anderson then repeatedly raped the Edinburgh University student - who was aged 19 - between September 2017 and December 2017.

The court heard how Anderson often choked her during sex.

Jurors heard extracts from statements she gave to the police.

She told detectives: He would use a lot of force and I kept saying get off. I tried to grab his hands and continue. He would squeeze my throat and I couldnt breathe.

I dont know how long it went on for. But I got the same feelings as before the fuzziness and everything.

I started thinking is that what dying feels like.

Some of the times he did this to me, he would say I actually thought you had died and he would laugh. I eventually passed out.

As he strangled me, I lost complete consciousness. I am not sure how I had lost consciousness but when I came around I was really sore. It was intense pain.

The young woman also told the court of how Anderson subjected her to unwanted attention and had bombarded her with unwanted phone calls and social media messages.

Anderson also preyed on another woman between December 2018 and January 24 2020. The court also heard how he also throttled this woman, who is now aged 24, before raping her.

During the recording which was played to jurors, the woman was heard crying and repeatedly screaming get off of me. Anderson can be then heard telling the woman: breathe, breathe, breathe and breathe in, breathe out and inhale, inhale, inhale.

The woman can be heard to ask: What are you doing you f***ing psycho? Anderson was then heard laughing.

On Tuesday, defence solicitor advocate Iain McSporran QC told the court that Anderson had started to appreciate how his actions had affected his women.

He added: There is the beginning of an acknowledgement on his part. There is an insight on his part into how his conduct affected the complainers and how it was utterly inappropriate.

These are perhaps the beginning of rehabilitation.

Passing sentence, Lady Poole also placed Anderson on the Sex Offenders Register for life. She also ordered that Anderson not contact his victims for 25 years.

She said: Your victims have suffered long term effects from what you did to them, and deserve to be protected from you.

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A woman sent child abuse images to her boyfriend - because she wanted to keep their 'relationship alive'.

Perverted couple Rachael Larkman, 38, and Steven Kearsley, 35, started dating in 2013 after meeting on the website Flirtomatic.

They were described as friends with benefits.

But their relationship took a sinister twist when Kearsley began asking her for indecent images of children.

Kearsley later became quite obsessed with the idea of chatting online to children, and officers later found he had been sending messages to a child.

Larkman pleaded guilty to distributing indecent photos of a child, the M.E.N reports.

Kearsley was convicted of encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence believing it would be committed, namely requesting indecent images of children; and engaging in sexual communication with a child following a trial.

At an earlier hearing at Minshull Crown Court, prosecutor Robert Smith said: "He asked Rachael Larkman for topless photos of herself, which she did but then asked her whether she was interested in pornography.

"Rachel accepted that she had sent him eight to ten photographs."

The pair were arrested after police were made aware of the images and explicit messages.

Their phones were examined and revealed a number of sinister message exchanges.

In one exchange, Kearsley said: You got any pervy pics?

In another he said: You can send any - even nudes I wouldnt run.

She later said: Lol having fun?

Kearsley replied: Child abuse is always fun x.

The prosecutor said Kearsleys requests for the images were constant and arose from his sexual interest in children.

Following an investigation launched by the police, Kearsley also was found to be sending inappropriate messages to a child.

Both were said to have no previous convictions.

Mitigating for Larkman, Richard Simons said: She is considered to be a vulnerable adult and partner in the context of intimate relationships.

The psychiatric report concludes that she suffers from Battered Wife Syndrome and PTSD.

This offending behaviour happened over three years ago and she made immediate admissions.

She is deeply remorseful.

In mitigation for Kearsley, Vanessa Thomson said: His pre-sentence report doesnt make for positive reading on his behalf.

He still denies the offences.

The pre-sentence report suggests a community alternative, where he will be challenged face-to-face on a weekly basis about what he thinks is right and not right.

It will be intensely challenging to him.

That will not be available to him in a prison environment.

She added that her client suffered from ongoing complications from a broken back, which affected his work as an actor in the acting industry.

Sentencing Larkman, Recorder Anna Vigars QC said: These offences took place... to keep your own sexual relationship alive.

But, you have a difficult and traumatic background, and you have demonstrated very significant remorse.

Sentencing Kearsley, she said: Your request was made in the context of a perverted sexual fantasy.

I have read the pre-sentence report, and it is a troubling report.

I see no recognition you had done anything wrong and you sought rather to pass blame to Larkman.

Larkman, of Oldham, was handed an 18-month sentence, suspended for two years; 30 days of rehabilitation activity requirements; and a three-month electronically monitored curfew between 8pm and 6am.

Kearsley, also of Oldham, was jailed for a year.

Both were ordered to sign the sex offender register for a decade. Kearsley was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

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Following sentencing last week, Benjamin Cheyne will face 11 years in prison, after he was found guilty of two counts of assault by penetration, and two counts of sexual assault against the minor.

On October 7, at Salisbury Crown Court, Judge Barnett described the actions that took place between February 2019 and May 2020 as "an extremely serious offence".

"Your selfish, totally unthinkable conduct, on the last two occasions while she was sleeping, caused unthinkable damage to her," he said.

In a statement from the victim's mother, it was revealed that as a result of the assaults, the young girl has "deteriorating self esteem and confidence".

"The impact is immediate and will affect her for the rest of her life," she told the court.

It was heard that the now 11-year-old finds her own home triggering and suffers from night terrors, with a lack in sleep affecting her learning.

She worries about trusting people and making relationships, fearing Cheyne, a father-of-two himself, will come and take her away.

Judge Barnett added that what happened has had "far reaching consequences" on the victim's "happiness, development, relationships with others and schooling", causing "enormous trauma".

The court heard that Cheyne, aged 32, did not agree with the jury's guilty verdict following the trial, but respected it, and he plans to move away from the area as soon as his sentence is over.

Following his 11-year sentence, Cheyne, of Pilgrims Way, will be under licence for a year, and a sexual harm prevention order and restraining order will be in place indefinitely.

Detective Sergeant Eileen Speck of the Child Abuse Unit, Basingstoke, said: "I would like to thank DC Jenks for her hard work in investigating this complex case and in supporting this family. This is a really positive result at Crown Court.

"Working in the Child Abuse Unit provides immense rewards for our detectives and police constables in protecting children against all levels of abuse. The dedication and passion they have to their role, allows children to have a brighter future and achieve the goals they so rightly deserve in life."

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A paedophile groomed and sexually abused a teenage girl after giving her a burner phone to keep the relationship secret from her family.

Andrew Opie, now 31, was 28 when he had sex with the then 14-year-old girl.

Opie, of Pool but previously of Falmouth, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence having pleaded guilty to two sexual activity with a child charges. Proceedings in the case had been significantly delayed after Opie repeatedly told the court he might have Covid, causing adjournments.

Prosecuting the case, Heather Hope described how in late 2018 the victim met Opie through a mutual friend. She believed they were in a relationship together and to ensure the relationship was not discovered Opie gave her a phone specifically for communication between them.

She had never had sex before but following a short period of grooming Opie had sex with her and did so again on another occasion.

Due to concerns over Opies involvement with young girls, police served a number of abduction notices, one of which was handed to the victims family after Opie and the victim were spotted in a park together.

They had also noticed her underwear hadnt been in for a wash and that she had received a Valentines Day card from Opie and it was then they spoke with her and she revealed what had happened.

Opie at first denied the relationship with the girl and then tried to blame someone else.

Representing Opie, Deni Matthews said: Although delayed he did enter a guilty plea and now accepts responsibility. The penny has finally dropped. He has a job in prison and wants to take the Horizons course to address his offending.

Sentencing Opie, Judge Simon Carr said: At aged 28 you formed a relationship with a 14-year-old girl. You met through friends and it is clear you groomed her saying she was special and you wanted a relationship.

You knew from the beginning what you were doing was wrong and provided her with a burner phone. The relationship became sexual relatively quickly.

Her family became concerned and what allowed her to break free was that her parents were told youd been served with an eighth abduction order, such was the concern about you and young girls.

Judge Carr said Opie presents a likely lifelong threat to children.

He was given an extended sentence of 10 years - six years custodial and four years extended licence. He was put on the sex offenders register for life and made subject of a sexual harm prevention order.