Latest Offenders

Description

A depraved pervert blackmailed teenage girls from all over the world into performing humiliating sex acts by threatening to kill himself if they refused.

Elliot Nicklin used a web of online personas to lure his victims into his sadistic world and then abused them online, on one occasion making a girl carve his name into her breast.

Detectives believe he abused more than 70 teenage girls and have traced more than two dozen of them. Many have been left psychologically scarred by Nicklin's twisted actions and, in some cases, suicidal.

Nicklin appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, where his sentencing hearing was initially delayed after paramedics were called when he suffered a panic attack and complained of chest pains.

He was later ruled fit for the proceedings to continue after being examined at the court complex.

The 22-year-old had admitted 27 offences, including the possession of hundreds of indecent images of children.

Of those, 85 were classed as Category A, the most serious category and one that can include images of child rape.

He also sent eight pictures and videos of his victims to other contacts.

Nicklin pleaded guilty to further counts of inciting child pornography, blackmail, sexual communication with a child and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The offences took place between 2014 and the day he was arrested - May 21, 2020.

Nicola Daley, prosecuting, said: "The arrest took place due to two referrals that came from the United States of America. After that arrest had taken place the police seized a series of mobile telephones which included three Samsungs and one iPhone, together with a laptop and tablet.

"When those various devices were examined it was established that at least from 2014 onwards the defendant appeared to have been communicating with more than 70 potential victims."

The devices seized from Nicklin contained more than 1,500 indecent images of children and Ms Daley said it became clear "that a significant number of the videos and images had been sent following threats or coercion".

She added: "In terms of the scale and nature of the images, they were particularly degrading and humiliating."

An extensive 12-month Merseyside Police investigation revealed how sinister Nicklin had preyed on vulnerable children, typically befriending them online before encouraging them to perform for him.

In some cases he used multiple fake personas to develop relationships with a victim then told them either himself or one of those other bogus profiles would self harm or commit suicide unless they complied with his demands.

In other cases, once he had received sexual images and videos from a victim he then requested more - telling them the footage he already had would otherwise be sent to their family, friends, school or local police.

Nicklin therefore created a vicious circle for his victims where many felt the only way they could prevent their private images from being released was to cave into his ever-increasingly sadistic requests.

The court heard Nicklin ordered some victims to choke themselves on camera. Other demands included for one girl to hold her head in the water of her toilet bowl, one to strip in her school toilets and another carve his name into her breast.

Terrified, the victims complied.

Ms Daley said one of the images retrieved in Merseyside Police's Operation Greenband, a year-long investigation that was led by Detective Constable Wayne McGuffie and which established the true extent of Nicklin's crimes, showed the victim told to carve her breast performing the act while crying into the camera.

Among Nicklin's various personas was a female character that he pretended to be while he sent images to other people online.

In one case he even sent a photograph of a victim naked from the waist up, though with her breasts covered, to her sister along with the comment: "Go and talk to your sister and see whats going on."

Victim personal statements revealed the torment, anguish and lasting consequences of Nicklin's abuse, which started when he was a youth but continued into adulthood.

In one heartbreaking statement, read to the court on Friday, one of his victims said: "It was six years of hell... you spun a story of abuse and sick threats to kill yourself and release your pictures to my family to gain sympathy. It worked. You had me falling for you."

In reference to that victim's comments in his sentencing remarks, Judge David Aubrey, QC, simply told Nicklin: "You broke her."

John Weate, defending, started his mitigation by stressing that nothing he would say sought to diminish the severity of the impact of Nicklin's crimes on his victims.

He said his client had no previous convictions, the majority of his offences took place when he was aged between 16 and 20 and that he co-operated with police following his arrest.

Mr Weate said Nicklin, of Bebington Road in Rock Ferry, had suffered "extensive bullying", depression and anxiety and had complied with his bail conditions.

He added: "He was a young man who, with the problems associated with him, lacked the maturity to deal with aspects of his life in a proper way."

Mr Weate said a lengthy custodial sentence and the following conditions of his release may provide an opportunity for the defendant to "mature".

Judge Aubrey accepted Nicklin had indicated guilty pleas from an early stage and that some of the offending took place while he was a youth.

But, highlighting the number of victims and offences, persistence of the offending, psychological harm caused and the "sadistic element" to many of the crimes, he concluded Nicklin was so dangerous to the public he should be subject to additional sentencing conditions.

He said Nicklin "left a trail of psychological destruction" upon vulnerable girls, adding: "You were invading your way into the lives, the homes, the phones of teenagers by your charm, guile, skill and, on many occasions, subterfuge.

"In respect of some of the girls you became their knight in shining armour. At least one, if not more, fell in love with you.

"But you would coerce and encourage them into doing sexual acts upon themselves and much more.

"The coercion involved threats by many a means and if they did not comply their whole persona would be posted online, in effect for all to see across the globe."

He added: "They were unable to stand up to you and chose the humiliation and degradation and performed your demands rather than suffering public humiliation."

Judge Aubrey today jailed Nicklin for 10 years.

That sentence will consist of an initial 12 month sentence for his possession of indecent images that will run consecutive to an additional nine year sentence for his other crimes. That nine year term includes an extended licence period of five years.

This means Nicklin can only be considered for parole after serving two thirds of that sentence.

When he is released he will be under strict conditions for the remainder of that nine year period plus a further five years.

Nicklin was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order and ordered to sign the sex offenders register.

Concluding, Judge Aubrey said of Nicklin's crimes: "In my judgement it became an obsession to you but an obsession that had devastating consequences to so many of your victims."

Description

A Sheppey paedophile who was found in possession of more than 1,000 indecent images of children has been jailed for three years.

Michael Frost, 57, of Minster-on-Sea, denied three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child but was found guilty following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment on November 5 after Kent Police branded him a "danger to the public".

Frost was already the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order when he committed the offences, which meant his behaviour was being closely monitored by Kent Polices Violent and Sex Offender Register (ViSOR) Team.

As part of the regular checks, the officers became suspicious that Frost was accessing indecent materials online and detained him at his home address.

Devices belonging to him were then found to contain 1,048 indecent images of children.

Detective Sergeant Vicky Whitmill, from Kent Police, said: "Our ViSOR officers are based across the county and diligently monitor individuals who present a danger to the public.

"A particular focus is preventing offences taking place, supporting victims, and ensuring robust action is taken against those who seek to offend.

"When we learned of Frosts illegal activity, we took immediate action to detain him before a thorough review of evidence led to charges being authorised.

"The investigating officer demonstrated tenacity and commitment to build this case and her outstanding work has led to a prison sentence being imposed against a man who has shown a remorseless and determined nature to access images of child abuse.

"I additionally hope this case serves as a reminder that we will always use the full remit of our powers to keep people safe and take action against those responsible for causing harm."

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A Worcestershire man has been jailed for rape.

Daniel Jones, 28, of Hancocks Lane, Welland, was sentenced to 17 years in prison at Worcester Crown Court today (Friday 12 November).

In April 2020 Jones contacted a woman on the social media app Whisper. He travelled to meet her in Norfolk, raped her and stole her wedding and engagement rings.

Then in January 2021, following further interaction on social media, he drove to meet a women in Somerset, took her back to his home address and raped her.

Very bravely, the victims came forward to officers who were able to identify Jones and arrest him.

Following investigations, he was subsequently charged with two counts of rape and found guilty at a trial in October 2021.

Detective Constable Carl Shenton said: I would like to thank the victims for coming forward and giving their evidence, as well as the bravery they have shown in doing so.

Hopefully this sentence will offer them some sort of closure and allow them to move forward with their lives.

We urge anyone with any concerns about an incident either recently or in the past to get in touch.

We investigate all reports we receive and anyone making a report is offered full and comprehensive support from specialist staff.

You can contact the West Mercia Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre on 03456 461188.

Description

A child sex predator who coerced a schoolgirl into performing a sex act on him continued to try and groom her even after her mum found out.

Connor Hegarty, 27, touched the teenager inappropriately and bombarded her with indecent messages.

The girl's horrifying ordeal was only found out when her mum discovered messages between the two and confronted him, reports Lancs Live.

After the brave victim came forward about the extent of the grooming and the abuse, he left her to face a gruelling and traumatic cross-examination while he dodged court appearances and evaded police.

In a powerful victim impact statement, the girl told how she had been left suffering panic attacks and night terrors as a result of his despicable actions.

Hegarty, of Fairburn, Skelmersdale, finally faced justice at Preston Crown Court after belatedly admitting three counts of sexual activity with a child - but only after first denying it and forcing her to give evidence in court.

Prosecuting, Jacob Dean told the court that Hegarty was aged 23 and lived in Skelmersdale when the offences took place in 2017.

He manipulated the young girl into keeping their messages a secret and arranged for her to sleep in his house.

On that night, he gave her beer, touched her body and incited her to perform a sex act on him despite her trying to convince him it was a bad idea.

He also pulled her jeans down and attempted to perform a sex act on her but was told to stop and that she was going to sleep.

Mr Dean said: Over the next few days, he messaged her to say that last night was amazing, asking when she would be ready for sex and telling her not to tell anyone.

A few days later, her mum was using her iPad and received notifications of messages from the defendant.

The explicit messages included references to doing more next time and that your ar** is mine.

At the time, the girls mum knew he was older but not how much older.

She informed Hegartys mum who kicked him out the house and she also confronted the paedophile directly, at which point he admitted liking the girl but said nothing physical had happened.

The woman told him to stop messaging her daughter but he did not, this time making references to oral sex.

She shared screenshots of the messages with Hegarty and his mum but was still not aware of the extent of the contact between the man and girl.

Only two years later as they watched a soap opera with a grooming story line did the girl feel able to talk about how much she had groomed him.

Mr Dean said: At that time, they decided not to report him to the police, she was focusing on school. The defendant had moved away but moved back to the area and continued messaging her and one day they did meet.

The girl bravely told a friend at school what had happened and then told school staff before giving a video interview to the police.

Hegarty was arrested but denied being in a physical relationship with her and meeting her on that day, claiming he was out of the area.

However, his phone was seized and searched and his lies uncovered.

He continued to deny his sick actions to the point where a trial began with the girl was forced to go through the ordeal of a cross-examination in which she had to answer his claims that she had lied about the beer and sexual contact and that she had accessed his Facebook account to send the messages to herself.

All the while, he refused to attend hearings and evaded police before being arrested and jailed for six weeks for bail act offences.

In a victim impact statement, the girl reflected on the pain he caused and detailed how she now suffered panic attacks and night terrors, as well as having to face rumours about what had happened when it was first reported to the police.

She said she now struggles to trust people and fears physical contact, even from loved ones, adding that she feels she has had part of my childhood taken away from me.

Defending, Beverley Hackett said that Hegarty was deeply ashamed and embarrassed and appalled by his actions.

She said letters from him and family members detailed his own traumatic upbringing and explained why he felt more comfortable around children than adults.

Sentencing, Judge Graham Knowles QC refused to give any credit for the guilty plea, given that it had come after the trial had begun and the girl had to face his lies about what had happened.

He said: I want to be very clear what happened with [the victim] and everything that went on between you and her was not in any way or to any extent her fault. Not at all.

Judge Knowles issued an indefinite restraining order banning Hegarty from contacting her and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order which bans him from having contact with girls under the age of 16.

He also issued an indefinite notification requirement, informally known as the sex offenders register, and jailed Hegarty for six years.

Description

'Dangerous' pervert Ian Robinson has been jailed after arranging to meet a '13-year-old girl' for sex.

The 60-year-old, a registered sex offender, was caught 'talking sexually' to a child's profile online.

Cheshire Police say that Robinson, of Congleton Road, Sandbach believed the person he was talking to was a 13-year-old girl.

The force says Robinson, who detectives have branded 'a dangerous offender', was arranging to meet for 'sexual intercourse'.

Now the defendant has been jailed for eight years.

On October 5, North West Regional Organised Crime Unit supported detectives from Cheshire Police's Online Child Abuse Investigations Team with their investigation into Robinson - who had travelled from his home into Liverpool where he thought he would be meeting his intended victim.

However the pervert was arrested on Edge Lane and taken into custody. Robinson, who has previously been convicted and jailed for a similar offence, was charged and remanded the following day.

He went on to plead guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to meet a girl under 16-years of age and attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence.

On November 4 he was handed the eight year jail term.

Detective Sergeant Mark Fletcher, of Cheshire Police, said: "Ian Robinson is a dangerous offender and has shown he will go to great lengths to offend against children.

The work of Cheshires police officers and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit has put Robinson behind bars for some time with the associated protection it offers to the public.

This should be a lesson to anyone who is minded to offend in this way. You will be caught and sent to prison.

Description

A sex offender has been jailed for two and a half years for breaching the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Andrew Haire was handed the 10 year SHPO on 26 November 2020, as part of a sentence for making indecent images of children whilst living on the Isle of Wight, for which he also received a 20 month jail term.

The 42-year-old, of Stakes Road in Waterlooville, was subject to a number of prohibitions under the SHPO, including using any device that can access the internet unless he notifies a police officer from his local public protection unit that he possesses the item first.

The conditions also made clear that any device possessed by Haire must have the capacity to retain and display the internet history, or has been approved by police if the device was unable to retain the history.

After he was released from prison, Haire had to wear an electronic tag which was monitored and indicated he had been visiting libraries in Hampshire.

Police enquiries established that, on a number of occasions between 31 August and 12 October, Haire had been using a library card to access the internet.

Officers attended Haire's address on 12 October where he was arrested, and officers searching his room located a library card in his name, along with writings detailing his fantasies of abusing children.

In interview, Haire revealed he had accessed computers at public libraries in Portsmouth, Havant and Waterlooville with the sole aim of accessing indecent images of children.

He was subsequently charged with breaching his SHPO, and he admitted the offence when he appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court on 13 October this year.

Appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court today (Friday 12 November), Haire was jailed for 30 months.

PC Pamela Fisher, from the Eastern Offender Management Team, said: "Andrew Haire is a particularly dangerous individual who has clearly shown no sign of willingness to comply with the conditions imposed on him by the courts.

"Sexual Harm Prevention 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 Haire is now back behind bars.

"Haire admitted what he had been doing, and this was further evidenced by our enquiries and what was recovered from his bedroom.

"Despite his admissions to police, he had nonetheless attempted to access computers away from his address in public libraries, and we would urge anyone who uses this kind of facility and notices anyone behaving in a suspicious manner to report this to police.

"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 an offender's routine, interests and behaviours so we can closely monitor them and keep the public safe."

Description

Taylor Rowland, of Cramlington, branded himself a 'monstrous person' and 'despicable' after admitting carrying out the repeated sex attacks A monstrous rapist who carried out repeated sex attacks and suggested ways for his victim to kill herself has been jailed for more than 17 years. Taylor Rowland subjected his victim to a campaign of rape and used violence in some of the offences. Newcastle Crown Court heard she said she thought he deliberately hurt her and believed he "enjoyed making me suffer". We reported previously how Rowland, 28, of Cateran Way, Cramlington, Northumberland, had admitted eight counts of rape. He has now been locked up for 17 years and eight months and made subject to an indefinite restraining order and indefinite sex offender registration by Judge Stephen Earl. When arrested and quizzed about his offending, Rowland made full admissions and described himself as a "monstrous person" and said his behaviour had been "despicable". The victim said some of the rapes were violent, including holding her down and punching her. Alec Burns, prosecuting, said: "This is a campaign of rape. She said he was enjoying making her suffer." Mr Burns added: "He suggested ways to kill herself - jumping from the Tyne Bridge and telling her to make sure she did it over the road." When interviewed by police, he said he was "deeply ashamed" of what he had done and admitted incidents which the victim had not mentioned. Mr Burns said: "He described himself as a monstrous person, having hurt her no end and her not deserving it. "Looking back he said he realised how despicable he had been, that he had been monstrous and she deserved none of it." The victim read an impact statement in court outlining the effect the offending has had and saying she didn't think she would ever "truly heal". Gavin Doig, defending, said: "He fully accepts how monstrously he behaved towards her. "The defendant showed unusual candour with the police. It's most unusual for a defendant to make such a clean breast of his offending. "He suffers from a personality disorder and has done since mid adolescence. He has a narcissistic personality disorder and puts his needs ahead of everything else. "He has come to court prepared for a lengthy period of custody having bravely admitted his responsibility and fronted up about his behaviour. "He has grown up now and has to pay the price for his behaviour in the past and is ready to do that."

Description

A paedophile who called himself 'Papa Bear' on the app he used to distribute child rape images was found with kids' underwear in his home.

Anthony Contento, from Birkdale, admitted to distributing the worst kind of child abuse images of children as young as four across the Randochat app earlier this year.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that despite avoiding jail for similar offences in 2019, and being offered support to improve his behaviour, he went on to offend again.

Police raided his house on Welbeck Road in September this year and found children's underwear and more than 130 disturbing pictures and videos on his phone.

They also discovered Contento had been using the RandoChat app to distribute images of child rape.

The court heard the 54-year-old was using the name 'Papa Bear' and conversing with another account, sending a range of child abuse images including the most serious Category A images.

Prosecuting, Mark Stephenson said that Contento denied to police that anything incriminating would be found at his house after officers forced the door in.

Mr Stephenson said: "He said he did not think anything would be found and said that he had learned his lesson previously.

"Some items of children's underwear were recovered in the house as well but the charges are really built on the contents of the phone."

Mr Stephenson said police found a range of indecent pictures and videos, ranging from Category C to the most serious Category A, and that they involved "some very young children, four to six years old".

It was while searching his phone that officers also found Contento was using the RandoChat app to distribute images of child rape.

Despite the evidence against him, Mr Stephenson said Contento continued to deny that he had a sexual interest in children.

To that assertion, Judge Stuart Driver, QC, replied: "The defendant says in the pre-sentencing report that he has no sexual interest in children.

"I do not know if he actually believes that but no one else does."

Kate Morley, defending, said it was "extremely disappointing and alarming" that Contento had not followed a programme aimed at deterring reoffending after his 2019 conviction, which saw him handed a suspended sentence.

Ms Morley said: "He was given an opportunity on the last occasion.

"Had he completed the Horizon programme perhaps he would not be here today."

She said the only substantial mitigation for Contento was that he had pleaded guilty to the crime early but that he realised a jail term was likely to be the only outcome of today's hearing.

Contento was sentenced for ten counts, including possession of 135 images of child abuse.

Judge Driver said Contento was in denial about his sexual interest in young children and had reoffended shortly after a previous sexual harm prevention order placed upon him had lapsed.

He said: "Within a few months of the order coming to an end you committed these offences.

"It shows you to be a determined and persistent offender who enjoys making, watching and distributing images of young children being raped."

Contento was sentenced to three years in prison for the charge of distributing the Category A child abuse images.

He was sentenced to two years for making and possessing Category A, B and C child abuse images and distributing Category B and C images.

He was sentenced to 18 months for possession of extreme pornography and breach of a separate sexual harm prevention order.

He will serve his sentences concurrently, meaning he will be eligible for release on licence after 18 months.

He was also made the subject of another sexual harm prevention order which can only be lifted if a judge orders it.

Contento must also pay a statutory surcharge.

Description

A child rapist who sexually abused three girls over the course of more than a decade has had his sentence increased on appeal.

Christopher Appleby was convicted at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court of despicable crimes involving three victims.

The 56-year-old was found guilty of the offences some of which date back to the 1990s following a six day trial, and jailed for 15 years at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Now he will be locked up for longer after his sentence was referred by the Solicitor General, Alex Chalk QC MP.

The Court of Appeal found his original sentence to be 'unduly lenient' and increased it to 21 years imprisonment followed by five years on licence.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Chalk said: "It is never too late for justice to be served and Applebys actions were despicable.

"I am glad the Court of Appeal saw fit to increase his sentence today and I hope it brings some comfort to the brave victims."

Appleby of Leveson Road, Hanford, had been found guilty of four charges of rape, two charges of sexual assault, two charges of indecent assault, two charges of indecency with a child and attempting to cause a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

During the original sentencing hearing, a statement from that victim was read out.

She said: I hope he remains behind bars forever. I long to forget about this part of my life forever and live safely with my partner and children without the thought of this man being on the loose anymore.

In a statement from another of Applebys victims, she said the thought of being in the same room as him makes her skin crawl.

She said: All I can really say is this has finally brought some closure.

You took away the last of my childhood and severed a friendship.

It upsets me that it didnt end with me, of course you thought you could do it again.

Description

A convicted sex offender who travelled more than 150 miles to prey on a young girl in West Sussex has now been given a long sentence.

Gary Fenn, 50, of Saxon Road, Saxmundham, Suffolk, appeared in custody at Hove Crown Court on Friday 5 November and was given a nine-year extended sentence, comprising five years imprisonment and four extended period on prison release licence.

He had been convicted of sexual assaulting the girl, who was under 13, and of two breaches of Sex Offender Registration Notification requirements.

He will also continue to be a registered sex offender for life and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to last indefinitely, severely restricting his access to children and digital communication devices.

Detective Constable Emily Turner of the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit said; "In June this year Fenn, already registered sex offender, previously been convicted of offences involving indecent images of children, used a dating website to get to know a woman and travelled to Southwick in Sussex to meet her.

"He used this opportunity to meet and sexually touch her young daughter. However the girl quickly escaped the situation and informed her mother who then contacted the police.

"We swiftly investigated and arrested Fenn who was then charged on the authority of the CPS. He has been in custody ever since his arrest."

In sentencing him, Judge Shani Barnes said: "We cannot underestimate the damage caused to the family by Fenn taking this opportunity to offend."

Emily Turner added: "The bravery of this young lady in standing up against what she knew to be wrong and by supporting this prosecution has undoubtedly kept other children safe from this predatory paedophile who has previous convictions for sexual offending."

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Ian Malcolm Cookson invited a former friend out for social drinks.

The two then returned to the woman's home in Eastleigh where Cookson attacked her, pinned her down and raped her.

The 55-year-old of Powell Crescent, Totton, even bit her leaving her bruised.

Prosecution barrister, Mary Aspinall-Miles read a summary of the woman's victim personal statement which said: "She has felt totally broken. She has become depressed and attempted suicide three times."

The statement went on to say how Cookson's victim had been left feeling completely worthless and become frightened of living in her house.

Ms Aspinall-Miles said: "She had a previous problem with drink but since this incident, it has become out of control."

She had "effectively self-medicated with alcohol".

Furthermore: "Last year she ended up in hospital with an overdose.

"The aggravating features, in any event, are the place of the offence. It was in her own home and there was a high degree of force.

"This victim was essentially vulnerable, and he knew it," Ms Aspinall-Miles added.

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court, Cookson stood to be sentenced for rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault.

He was found guilty of all three offences following a trial earlier in the year at the same court.

In mitigation, Gemma White, argued that Cookson was effectively of good character.

She said that he had led a family life, worked, and was a productive member of society.

Ms White added that his victim did not present as a vulnerable woman and that Cookson demonstrated vulnerabilities of his own.

She said that the passing of his mother had had a "significant impact on him but also his wider family who are going to have to deal with that loss without the support of Mr Cookson".

Judge Gary Burrell QC deemed the offences which happened on August 1 in 2019, as serious and that they were aggravated by the fact that the defendant had been drinking alcohol.

He was jailed for a total of five-years.

Description

A police officer targeted crime victims with sex texts and naked selfies after investigating cases.

David Taylor bombarded two women who reported domestic abuse and a female who'd been sexually assaulted with filth.

The 37-year-old also boasted how he wanted to use his handcuffs on one of the women and act out a scene from Fifty Shades of Grey.

The Police Constable made contact with his first victim just an hour after he had dealt with her complaint.

He started inundating her with indecent messages, pictures and videos.

Taylor told the sex attack victim how he wanted to arrest her, cuff her to a bed and have sex with her.

And he sent naked photos and videos of himself in the shower to a woman whose ex had threatened to kidnap her daughter.

Now he has now been placed on the Sex Offenders' Register and warned he could be jailed over the breach of trust after a police probe into his conduct.

The details emerged yesterday when Taylor appeared in the dock at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.

He pled guilty to four of the 13 charges he faced at the pre-trial hearing, admitting targeting three vulnerable women between 2011 and 2018.

Taylor admitted sending indecent images to a sex assault victim and then stalking her, communicating indecently with a domestic abuse victim, and sending indecent images to another domestic abuse survivor.

Prosecutor Peter Moyes said Taylor's first victim, who was 39 at the time in 2011, contacted police due to an issue between her and her ex husband.

Taylor advised her that it was a civil matter and gave her advice.

But just an hour later he began texting her, sending her "flirty" and "sexually explicit" messages.

The court heard she replied in a "non-flirty" way as she does not like confrontation.

The woman stopped replying and deleted his number from her phone.

But the messages came to light in 2019 as part of a probe into Taylor's crimes.

Taylor targeted his second victim after she was sexually assaulted in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, in 2016.

The court heard Taylor was assigned as the Reporting Officer in the case of the young woman, who was just 20.

In 2017, he contacted her through Snapchat and identified himself to her as "PC David Taylor".

He sent her messages about her court case and told her how he wanted to protect her.

Over the course of three months he sent her topless photos of himself, told her she looked beautiful when he attended her home while working on her case, and sent her sexual messages.

He also sent her messages captioned "wish you were here".

He also viewed her Snapchat story and then messaged her about where she was because her location was displayed, causing her to turn off the setting on her account.

Mr Moyes added: "He referred to arresting her, cuffing her to the bed and having sex with her.

"He would also refer to Fifty Shades of Grey. He sent her naked pictures of him.

"She deleted him. She felt it was disgusting and that she should not be contacted in that way.

"She felt the accused was in a position of authority over her and was scared to block him.

"She never explicitly told the accused to stop contacting her."

His last victim went to Kilmarnock police office to report her ex for threatening to kidnap her daughter.

Taylor began texting her and she suspected it was her ex pretending to be a police officer.

He sent her a picture of his face, then continued to send her messages, calling her "gorgeous".

Taylor also sent her a number of naked pictures and videos of himself in the shower.

The inquiry into Taylor started when the woman was arrested for an offence and her lawyer told prosecutors about the messages.

She was advised to contact police and officers began to investigate Taylor, of Glasgow.

Sheriff Alistair Watson warned Taylor to prepare himself for a jail term as he adjourned the case until next month for background reports to be prepared.

Chief Superintendent Andrew McDowall from Police Scotland's Professional Standards Department said: "The conduct of David Taylor was appalling. He breached the trust of the female victims he engaged with, and the trust of the wider public.

"I thank the victims for bravely reporting his deplorable actions, allowing officers to make an arrest and protect other women from this behaviour.

"We will respond to all reports of sexual crime irrespective of who the offender is. We will carry out detailed and thorough investigations and will be responsive to the needs of each victim.

"David Taylor was immediately suspended from duty once the circumstances came to light and had no further interaction with the public as a police officer.

"Had he remained a serving officer, he would have been reported to the Assistant Chief Constable, Professionalism and Assurance, to progress gross misconduct proceedings, the outcome of which can include dismissal without notice."

Description

A paedophile molested a "lost" and vulnerable boy who was in care because he had already been sexually abused.

Serial sex offender Alan Healey has multiple convictions involving exposing himself in front of children in public.

The 53-year-old, of Upper Pitt Street in Liverpool city centre, was last jailed after following a boy onto a bus.

But it has now emerged he targeted his first victim - aged just nine - when he was 17 and 18 in the late 1980s.

Judge David Swinnerton said: "You made things worse for him at a time when you had fooled him into thinking you would help him and make things better."

The pervert denied five counts of indecent assault, but was found guilty after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Judge Swinnerton said he attacked the "particularly vulnerable" boy at a children's home in south Liverpool, where Healey was himself living at the time.

The judge said: "You kissed him when you were 17. That kissing happened on a number of occasions. It was kissing when you put your tongue into his mouth, when you encouraged him to do the same to you.

"That took place in your bedroom in the children's home where you were living and he was visiting... He lived in a children's home, a different one down the road...

"You took advantage of him being there to befriend him, to groom him, to give him gifts, to form that relationship with him, and then to sexually assault him."

The judge said the abuse progressed to Healey putting his hand down the boy's trousers and touching his penis over his boxer shorts.

The victim told police he had already been sexually abused by two men before he went into care and was attacked by Healey, and that he was also molested by another man afterwards in a foster home.

Peter Killen, defending, said: "It's right to say his extremely traumatic childhood was not entirely down to Mr Healey, but Mr Healey simply did of course exacerbate the situation."

Judge Swinnerton told Healey: "It is impossible to extract the damage you caused him, physically, mentally, from the damage he has had from other sources, because he had a very difficult and disturbed childhood. As did you, that is why you were both in the care system.

"But at a time when he was a lost nine-year-old boy, looking for comfort and assistance, that enabled you to groom him because under the pretence of offering him friendship, comfort, being an adult person experienced in the care system, who could help him because he was having issues with being bullied and so on, you used that position as a chance to abuse him."

Mr Killen said Healey was himself physically and sexually abused in his childhood.

Judge Swinnerton accepted "no doubt" Healey had also been "damaged" by this.

However, he told Healey: "You perpetuated that, you repeated it against someone else, and you damaged him."

The judge said the abuse had a "devastating" impact, which was outlined in a victim impact statement, read by Lee Bonner, prosecuting.

The now adult man said he was "completely taken in" by Healey because the predator showed him the attention he was lacking in his life at the time.

The victim said he believed the abuse was a "major contributor" to him later turning to illegal drugs, adding: "I was so angry with Mr Healey and the world around me."

The man said he was previously prescribed antidepressants and was again after a "relapse" ahead of the trial, though the verdicts were "a massive weight lifted off my shoulders" because "at last people have believed me".

Healey was convicted of indecent exposure to boys on five occasions in 1996; of gross indecency with a child in 1997; of indecent exposure again in 1999; and then of inciting two boys to engage in sexual activity in 2010.

The court heard at that time he was working as a car park attendant at a sports centre.

He persuaded the two boys to give him their phone numbers, then sent texts inciting them to take part in sexual activity with him, in breach of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

In May 2017 he was jailed for 21 months after following a 14-year-old schoolboy onto a bus and pleasuring himself while asking the child's name.

Mr Killen told the court his client had made "progress" since then, hadn't committed any new offences, and under the care of a psychologist was motivated to change.

He said: "They had been progressing to a particular type of therapy, which it was hoped would help Mr Healey address his own childhood trauma, that being seen as the pathway to reducing risk in this case."

Urging the judge to spare him jail, he said that progress would be halted if he was jailed and added: "The defendant's risk is reducing."

However, Judge Swinnerton said he was concerned by Healey's "remarkable lack of insight", despite work done with him over three decades.

He said when Healey was interviewed about the victim he abused in the 1980s, he told police: "I'm not like that, I wouldn't do that."

Judge Swinnerton said: "The jury heard about some of your previous convictions and I'm afraid you are like that, Mr Healey, in the sense you are a sexual offender against boys.

"It troubles me that you lack insight because you told the jury 'I'm not sexually interested in boys, I do not know why I behave in that way'.

"But you clearly are and were sexually interested in boys."

Judge Swinnerton jailed Healey for four years.

He told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

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A paedophile who sexually abused a young girl was jailed for 16 years today (December 9).

Omar Hasan, 26, was given an extended sentence of a further five years by Judge Caroline Wigin, which means he could be recalled to prison at any time up until 2042.

He had been convicted by a jury at St Albans Crown Court of oral rape of a girl under 13, attempted rape of a girl under 13, exposure, sexual assault of a child under 13, causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and causing a child to watch a sex act.

Hasan, who had previously lived in Luton and Borehamwood, groomed the girl in Borehamwood when she was aged six or just seven, by giving her chocolates and showing her pornography on his mobile phone.

The abuse happened on four occasions. The last time he was caught by another adult and the police were called.

In a victim personal statement the victim's mother said Hasan had ruined her life. "I felt numb for months afterwards," she said.

"It has been mental torture. I did not sleep for months."

Judge Wigin told him: "You have been found guilty by a jury, yet it is clear that you continue to deny your offending and show utterly no remorse.

"You targeted this child from the very outset. You showed her pornography on your phone and sought to blame it on others."

"You targeted this child from the very outset. You showed her pornography on your phone and sought to blame it on others."

"However, it must be acknowledged that child victims of sexual abuse are never able to forget what happened to them, and it's something they have no choice but to live with for the rest of their lives.

"Hasan is a dangerous paedophile who manipulated his way into a position from which he could groom the young victim. He has blamed everyone but himself for his actions. Now he is behind bars and will always be subject to restrictions aimed to help safeguard young people.

"We pledge to always investigate every report we receive, pursuing predators and securing justice for victims."

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A judge has jailed a "manipulative" Derbyshire sex offender for 24 years after he was found guilty of abusing girls.

Cruel Mark Reap bought gifts to try to persuade his victims to keep quiet but his offences came to light when one told her teacher.

Reap, 45, targeted his victims on multiple occasions between 2012 and 2018.

Reap, formerly of Bath Street, Ilkeston, was arrested in January 2019, but he continued to deny the offences, saying that both girls had made up stories.

Reap eventually pleaded guilty to seven separate offences at the start of his trial at Nottingham Crown Court on August 2.

The offences included five counts of rape and two of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

He appeared again at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday, October 8, and was sentenced to 24 years in prison.

Reap was added to the Sex Offender Register for life and has been made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order that will tightly control his behaviour when he is released.

Detective Inspector Craig Hall, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Reap is a manipulative sex offender who repeatedly raped and sexually abused two young girls – causing them considerable physical and emotional pain.

"By failing to take responsibility for his actions and accusing his victims of lying he caused needless additional distress and has rightly been handed a very lengthy custodial sentence.

"Detectives in Nottinghamshire Police's public protection teams work every day to investigate cases of rape and sexual abuse and it is thanks to their hard work and tenacity that people like Reap are held to account and their victims are offered the support they need.

"Had it not been for their very thorough investigation and attention to detail Reap may very well have evaded justice

"So if you have been the victim of sexual assault we want to hear from you. It doesn't matter that an offence happened many years ago; what matters is that it happened at all.

"If you make an allegation we will listen carefully to you, we will investigate and we do everything we can to get justice for you."