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A paedophile has been deemed dangerous by a judge after befriending a teenage girl online and persuading her to perform sexual acts for him. Dante Ingham-Marsters also made the victim watch as he performed an act himself.

Ingham-Marsers, who was already the subject of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) when he committed the offences, has now been jailed after a jury convicted him of two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act and two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

At Minshull Street Crown Court, the 27-year-old was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years. He will also spend an additional two years on extended licence following his eventual release.

Ingham-Marsters, of Bollin Avenue, Bowdon, originally made contact with the girl - who was under 16 - on social media app TikTok and used other social media sites to speak to her, the court was told. She watched him perform a sexual act on at least two occasions and incited her to engage in two separate sexual acts, on at least three occasions each.

After being arrested, Ingham-Marsters admitted speaking with the girl, but said that the conversations were not sexual in nature.

In a victim statement, the girl said the incidents made her feel 'emotionally abused' and that she can no longer trust anyone. She also said that she suffers with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) as a result.

Defending, Max Saffman described the case as 'very difficult to mitigate after a trial'. He made reference to Ingham-Marsters 'immaturity' and said that he has' difficulties forming relationships with those his own age'. Mr Saffman added that Ingham-Marsters 'gravitates towards' teenage girl, but stressed that there was 'no physical contact' between him and the victim.

Judge Bernadette Baxter deemed Ingham-Marsters as a dangerous offender and passed an extended sentence. She said: The jury rejected your denials and clearly accepted [the victims] evidence, as do I.

Her victim personal statement makes it clear that your offending has had a detrimental impact on her; affecting her self-confidence and her trust in people. Luckily she has the support of her loving family.

Ingham-Marsters will spend at least two-thirds of his seven-and-a-half year sentence in jail, before being considered for parole. Upon his release, he will spend the rest of his sentence, as well as an extra two years on extended licence.

The judge added: Sadly, you have a history of this type of offending. In 2015, you were jailed for 33 months for two offences of sexual activity with a child and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. You also have eight convictions for breaching a SHPO.

In my judgement, these offences demonstrate that you are a predatory sex offender. You have previous convictions and are repeatedly breaking the terms of the SHPO you are subject to.

You are always on the lookout for a sexual opportunity. You identify young or vulnerable victims online, you pre-plan and have little or no internal controls to check your sexual impulses.

In my judgement, these factors clearly demonstrate that you meet the test for a dangerous offender and there is a significant risk of serious harm to members of the public from you.

Following his sentence, Ingham-Marsters will be subject to a SHPO and will have to sign the sex offenders' register for an indefinite period of time.

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A convicted sex offender who is wanted on recall to prison 'may be working on fairgrounds', police said.

Daniel Lomas is wanted by officers for breaching the terms of his release. The 32-year-old was freed in 2018 after serving a sentence for a sexual offence.

West Yorkshire Police said Lomas has links to Manchester, Lancashire, South Wales and London. He 'could possibly be working on fairgrounds', the force added.

An 'extensive' hunt is underway to find him. He is described as being of slim build and around 5ft 8in tall.

Anyone who has any information about where Lomas is should contact Wakefield District Police on 101, referencing crime number 13180647040.

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Sunshine on Leith actor Kevin Guthrie has been freed from prison after he won an appeal to cut his three-year sentence for sexual assault. The 34-year-old actor was jailed last May for an attack on a woman at a flat in Glasgow's west end. But while his sentence was reduced to two years, Guthrie failed in a bid to quash his conviction at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh. A judgement explaining the decision will be published in due course. Defence advocate Ian Duguid QC successfully argued that the sentence imposed on Guthrie was too lengthy given the circumstances of the offence. Mr Duguid told judges Lord Carloway, Lord Pentland and Lord Matthews that people in similar positions to the actor were given shorter custodial sentences. Mr Duguid told the court that the actor suffered from "defective representation" during his initial trial and should have his conviction quashed. He added: "The case was not handled properly. There were failures in the case." The appeal judges agreed and reduced Guthrie's sentence from three years to two. The decision resulted in Guthrie being released from custody immediately as he had already served the equivalent of a two-year prison term. Guthrie had watched the appeal proceedings via videolink from Dumfries Prison. Forensic evidence During his trial last year, Guthrie had denied the charge and told Glasgow Sheriff Court he had only "helped" the woman after she fell ill. However, the jury was told that his DNA was found inside her underwear. Guthrie, who also starred in the Fantastic Beasts films and Netflix series The English Game, was found guilty after a four-day trial and placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely. The attack happened at the flat of Scott Reid - a fellow actor, best known as Methadone Mick in BBC's Still Game - on 30 September 2017. The 29-year-old woman had been due to meet the men at a bar in Glasgow but Mr Reid received a call from a taxi driver to collect her as she appeared ill. He and Guthrie helped the woman into the flat in Glasgow's Kelvindale and put her on a bed. The court heard Mr Reid called NHS 24 and left Guthrie in the room "to make sure she was OK". The woman told the court: "I remember my top being lifted up and my bra being held down." She was groped by Guthrie before he performed a sex act on her. Guthrie carried out a further two sexual acts and kissed her on the mouth. The court heard he would stop when Mr Reid came into the room.

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Steven Strange was banned from contact with youngsters aged under 16 by court order A convicted child rapist who formed an acquaintance with a vulnerable 14-year-old girl has been jailed. Steven Strange was banned from contact with children aged under-16 under the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). But he met the girl at a Bristol park, gave her his mobile number and they went on several walks together, Bristol Crown Court heard. Strange, 34, of Jacob's Wells Road in Bristol, pleaded guilty to two breaches of the SHPO. He also admitted failing to notify his whereabouts under sex offender notification. Yesterday (May 24) the recorder Mr Richard Smith QC jailed him for 18 months. He told Strange: "You have a history of sex offending and non-compliance." Sam Jones, prosecuting, said Strange approached the girl when she was sitting on a bench. After telling her he was 21 and called Steven he gave her his mobile number and, feeling uncomfortable, she went home but returned later. The court heard they then walked together and agreed to meet the next day. Having met again they went for another walk and went to Strange's address - where the girl remained outside. But, having argued with her mum, the girl returned to Strange's address. The court heard she walked around in the dark with him until she went home around 1am. Mr Jones said the next day Strange, having got the girl's mobile number, rang her but her mum intercepted the call and refused him from seeing her. She then reported the incident to police, who ran a check on Strange and his mobile number and tracked him down. Strange told police he didn't know the girl, but said he had given a girl a cigarette. Police found the youngster outside his address and, when interviewed, Strange said he thought she was aged over 16. Catherine Spedding, defending, said her client had a troubled background and, after speaking to the girl, he felt there was an accord between them due to their experiences. Miss Spedding said: "If he wanted to commit sex offences there was opportunity when he could have done so. There is no suggestion of any sexual contact between them." Miss Spedding added that, due to her client's "chaotic and disorganised lifestyle", he had failed to register his address to police as he was required to do following convictions for rape of a girl aged under 16 and two sexual assaults.

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A sex predator has been jailed for 11 years after two women woke up next to the stranger with no memory of what he had done to them.

Salahuddin Mohammad targeted two victims within a short space of time in Newcastle city centre. Both were heavily intoxicated and were taken advantage of by the brute, who was infected with Hepatitis B and didn't wear a condom.

When police discovered medication at Mohammad's flat it was not clear initially if he was being treated for HIV or Hepatitis B. While he did not pass on the infection, the victims faced an anxious wait to find out if they had contracted any diseases.

Mohammad, 29, of Westgate Road, Newcastle, was found guilty of raping the two women after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court. Jailing him for 11 years, of which he must serve two-thirds, and ordering him to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely, Judge Stephen Earl said: "Each of them mentions the Hepatitis B test and it put them through additional stress.

"Each of them have described in significant detail the trauma this offending has caused them. It's had a significant effect on the lives of each of these two women.

"Each of these is a horrific act of sexual predatory behaviour. I can only hope and pray they can put this matter behind them, that they can begin to rebuild their lives with the help of loved ones, now these matters are finished."

The first victim, a student, had been on a night out in Newcastle city centre in 2018 and woke up the next morning in a strange flat next to stranger Mohammad. She could tell she'd had sex but had no memory of meeting him or going to his flat.

Later that month, while the investigation into that was ongoing, another young woman reported to police that something similar had happened to her. She had also been out in the city centre and woke up the next day in unfamiliar surroundings next to a man she didn't know. She had a vague memory of having sex but no memory of meeting him or going to his home.

Anthony Dunne, prosecuting, said at an earlier hearing: "The prosecution case at trial was that both victims were highly intoxicated at the time they must have met the defendant and while there was no evidence as to how they became so intoxicated, the defendant took advantage of their situation by taking them back to his flat and having sex with them when they were in no position to consent.

"In neither case did he use a condom. The defendant was receiving treatment for a serious infection at the time and there was therefore the risk of that infection being transmitted to both victims. Both were tested for that infection, causing significant distress and anxiety. Fortunately in both cases the infection was not transmitted."

Mr Dunne added: "The prosecution concede it can't be said on the evidence the defendant was responsible for their intoxication."

The first victim said in a statement read to the court: "This horrible crime has had an immense impact on my life. I had to have an intimate examination and had to discuss the possibility of sexually transmitted diseases and I was vaccinated for Hepatitis B.

"I was later told by police medication was found in the offender's property for Hepatitis B or HIV. I went to a sexual health clinic with police to see if there was an option to treat it if I did have HIV but I was told it would be too late.

"I waited three long months to find he only had Hepatitis B, which I had thankfully been vaccinated against. The waiting caused me considerable stress and I hardly had a good night's sleep, thinking I might have contracted a potentially life-changing disease. I have had suicidal thoughts. For a long period afterwards I have had nightmares."

The victim, who said her university studies were impacted, added: "My dad sat through the trial and heard things no parent should ever have to hear. The trial was an extremely stressful experience. I don't usually get emotional yet I found myself crying in a room full of strangers while giving my evidence in the trial. It left me feeling incredibly vulnerable and I felt like I was the one on trial."

The second victim said: "For a long time after this crime I was in a state of shock and it was a humiliating process for the first few days afterwards, from the medical examination to the statement giving. To be told the male who did this to me had Hepatitis B, I was horrified and I was worried until I got the all clear. This only added to the anxiety I was experiencing daily.

"I lost weight and didn't want to see anyone. My life changed drastically following this incident. I used to be confident, sociable and enjoyed going out with my friends. I now have major trust issues."

Prosecutors are applying for a sexual harm prevention order banning Mohammad from being alone with any female under the influence of alcohol. Mohammad's sentencing hearing was adjourned until later this month for Judge Stephen Earl to consider how long he should be jailed for.

Annelie Haugstad, defending, said he left school in Sudan at 14 and was forced to leave after protesting against the government.

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An online paedophile who exchanged sexual images with a vulnerable girl of twelve and two boys was jailed for eight years after Twitter alerted police about him. John Stuart Jones, 49, of Ruthin, had no previous convictions.

But Judge Nicola Saffman at Caernarfon crown court said police discovered he had sexual conversations with the girl of twelve.

Appallingly, you joined her in groups and shared her details, allowing her address to be identified and exposing her name, the judge said.

Jones had traded images of the victim with another web pervert. His behaviour had been relentless to an extent and there was grooming, Judge Saffman remarked.

The defendant must register as a sex offender indefinitely and a sexual harm prevention order was also made.

Jones had pleaded guilty to a catalogue of offences including distributing child porn in the worst category and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

Prosecuting barrister Simon Rogers said that, in May 2020, North Wales Police had been alerted by Twitter about his illegal online behaviour. Then there was a further referral by Twitter and it was discovered that Jones had previously been messaging a girl, who was traced by police.

Mr Rogers said the girl had assumed Jones was the same age but she had been scared when he contacted her. Jones had placed her in group chats. There were numerous examples of the victim displaying her vulnerability within the messages, counsel said.

Mr Rogers added that the defendant had also exchanged lewd images with a US boy and one who said he was from the Philippines.

Defence barrister Simon Killeen said Jones started on a dark path eight years ago. He wanted help.

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A CONVICTED sex offender has been jailed for 22 months for grooming two vulnerable teenage boys in breach of a court order. Richard Daish, 49, of Trackside, Oakenshaw, Bradford, pleaded guilty to three breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court today on a link to HMP Leeds where he was remanded in custody. Prosecutor Nicola Hoskins said the police called at Daishs home to discover a 17-year-old boy was at the property. The court heard that the youth was vulnerable and at risk of exploitation. The police seized Daishs phone and found that he had been in contact with another boy aged 16. There was then a third breach of the order involving the first victim returning to the address, Miss Hoskins said. The court heard they were serious breaches over three months involving grooming behaviour. Lydia Pearce said in mitigation that Daish wanted an immediate prison sentence but she asked that it be kept to the minimum length possible. Recorder Tahir Khan QC said Daish knew full well what the terms of the order were. He was prohibited from contacting the boys or letting them into his address. His probation officer had assessed him as at a high risk of reoffending. Daish was jailed for 16 months for the first two breaches with six months to run consecutively for the third breach committed while on bail.

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He previously raped a female cyclist on her way home from work in Hull A notorious Hull rapist struck again and sexually assaulted a woman and beat her with a metal bar after he was released from prison. Evil Phillip Weaver was jailed for six years for raping a woman after he pounced on her as she cycled to work in east Hull in August 2015. Weaver targeted the woman on a cycle path running between Chamberlain Road and Leads Road. He followed her, before pulling her off her bike and raping her, Hull Crown Court heard. He was released from prison after serving his sentence, only to strike again. This time he sexually assaulted another woman and hit her with a metal bar, causing injuries to her face. Weaver, 32, of Cottingham Road, Hull, admitted to sexual assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and the breach of his sexual offender notification requirements, when he appeared at Hull Crown Court on Monday. In a victim impact statement read out to the court, the woman said: "If he had hit me in the wrong place, I could have died. It is hard to wrap my head around that." Nick Peacock, mitigating told the court the defendant initially pleaded not guilty, but ended up pleading guilty before the trial was meant to be held in June this year. Judge Mark Bury described Weaver as dangerous and aggressive and said he posed a "significant risk of harm" to women. He was jailed for five years and also handed an extended four-year licence which will start after his release. Detective Constable Annabel Devall, from Humberside Police, said: "The courage and bravery that this victim has shown throughout the entirety of this investigation has been incredible. This dangerous offender caused the victim great physical and mental harm. "I know nothing will take away the suffering that Weaver has caused the victim, but I hope the outcome at court will provide them with some closure in knowing that he is now behind bars and unable to attack anyone else. If you have been the victim of sexual violence, there are various ways you can report it to the police. You can speak to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, or you can report directly through our 101 number, or 999 in an emergency. You will be listened to. We will work with you and we will continue to take action against offenders.

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A vile former pub landlord who travelled to Manchester from London to carry out a string of sexual offences on young girls has been put behind bars. Predatory Carl Marland was jailed for 21 years after Manchester Crown Court heard how he groomed and then sexually assaulted four girls. He was jailed for a long list of more than 20 crimes including rape of a child under 13 and sexual activity with children. Following his sentencing on Tuesday (24 May) Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said Marland had stolen the childhoods of his victims and paid tribute to their bravery. What has Carl Marland been jailed for? Marland, 58, was found guilty at trial of the following offences: - Causing a child to watch a sexual act - Five cases of sexual assault of a child under 13 - Three counts of rape of a child under 13 - Assault of a child by penetration - Two counts of voyeurism - Two cases of making indecent images of a child - Three counts of sexual activity with a child - Engaging with sexual communication with a child - Two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity - Three counts of supplying class B drugs - Supplying class C drug. What happened in court? Manchester Crown Court heard how Marland would travel to Manchester from London, where he ran a pub, most weeks from June 2020 to December 2020 to visit the girls and their families to carry out his attacks. He would groom the girls, who were aged between eight and 16, giving them gifts of clothes and money as well as drugs and alcohol. Marland set up a bank account for one of the girls and transferred around 3,000 to her, and would drive the girls around in his car, where much of the abuse took place. He also secretly filmed one of the girls as she undressed. Police became aware of Marland when one of the girls mothers found inappropriate messages from him on her phone in November 2020. Detectives from GMP Rochdales child sexual exploitation team worked closely with officers from the Metropolitan Police to co-ordinate Marlands arrest on 27 January 2021.

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A SEX offender has finally run out of luck after he was jailed for failing to attend a probation appointment just eight days after he was given a last chance. Callum MacHardie was warned by Judge Jason Taylor QC that one more breach of his suspended sentence, issued in 2021 after he was convicted of possessing indecent images of children for the second time, would mean prison. That warning came in March after several missed appointments, but just eight days later, he failed to attend another probation appointment. That was followed, prosecutor Rebekah Batt said, by two missed i-Horizon appointments in April. She also outlined that none of the 150 hours of unpaid work has been completed so far and that just one of the 15 rehabilitation activity days have been completed. Ms Batt added that he had been in contact with probation on May 4, but he had engaged in abusive behaviour with his offender manager. Probation were now recommending that the suspended sentence was activated, she said. Defending, John Simmons acknowledged that the court might take the view that the order was falling apart, but said his mental health issues, including that he had been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder, means he finds it hard to comply with the order. He cited a psychiatric report which said that his coping capability in a custodial setting would be limited, and that he should be managed in the community. I respectfully suggest that if each of these requirements was an order to walk 100 yards and he was in a wheelchair, he would be unable to do it and we would see that, Mr Simmons said. Hes equally sick in a different way, hes unable to do it. We shouldnt be that surprised he hasnt engaged in the way everyone wants him to. But, Mr Simmons said, his client, of Arley Close in Haydon, had been seeking help from a psychologist and made contact with his GP on numerous occasions. He asked the judge to adjourn sentencing for four weeks, to allow the new supervisors time to work with him. But Judge Taylor, at pains to decide between giving him another chance and whether MacHardie had reached the end of the road, said that his risk must be managed. I cannot ignore this, they are saying when he doesnt attend his appointments, we are unable to manage his risks, he is simply not engaging with us, the judge concluded. Mr Simmons invites me to put it back four weeks. It might just make the difference. But Ive got to manage the risk in those four weeks. I am aware having been given the chance on the 21st [March], eight days later it was a different ball game. Addressing the 32-year-old, Judge Taylor said: Whilst I take absolutely no pleasure in doing this, you have been given chance after chance. That ends today. MacHardie must now serve the 18-month prison sentence. A previous hearing had been told the defendant had been downloading the illegal material since he was 12. In 2016, his barrister said his childhood was blighted by bullying and isolation. He was given a community order, and after breaching it by again downloading indecent images of children and using a computer network capable of hiding his web activity from the authorities, that was upgraded to a suspended sentence.

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A PERVERTED health professional who systematically subjected young men to sexual assaults as he examined them during occupational health checks for their employer has been jailed. But the sickening assaults carried out by 36-year-old Marc Manning on his nine unsuspecting victims were only part of the story, Carlisle Crown Court heard. A former police community support worker, Manning carried out the abuse while he was employed as an occupational health technician, working in Carlisle, Kendal and west Cumbria. But he also spent more than two years making perverted and intimate recordings of men using the gym where he was a member. Those victims also oblivious to what was happening - were secretly filmed as they urinated or changed clothes. Manning made at least 300 such secret recordings. The Cumbrian detective who investigated the case said she had never before seen a phone containing so much of voyeuristic material. She expressed concern not just at the quantity of images but also the efforts Manning had gone to ensure he could collect such material over more than two years. In court, Manning admitted nine sexual assaults and two voyeurism allegations, one relating to multiple offences committed between January, 2018, and last year. Harriet Lavin, prosecuting, said that the defendant was employed by a private health firm to carry out occupational health checks on workers, most of them employed by a regional employer. He joined the health firm in 2018. The health checks would ordinarily include height, weight, blood pressure and eyesight and they would include discussing any actual medical issues they may have and provide urine samples, said Ms Lavin. Concerns were raised in February of that year after it emerged that Manning was conducting so-called hernia checks on workers. Such checks were not part of any health technician's work. A health and safety advisor at the firm raised this with another occupational health technician. [He] told her that he and the other health technicians were not qualified to do such examinations and that hernia checks would absolutely not be part of a standard screening, said Ms Lavin. Due to the fact the victims werent entirely sure what their health checks should entail, they describe trusting the defendant and presumed what he was asking them to do was legitimate and required. Some of the men reported seeing Manning's mobile phone, propped up against a mug on his desk, prompting suspicion that he had filmed his sexual assaults, though no evidence of this was found. On one occasion, Manning told a worker his body below the waist could be contaminated by workplace chemicals a pretext for an intimate examination. Another man was asked to remove his top because the consulting room was warm. Yet other victims reported how Manning asked them about possible sexual health problems yet another strategy to justify an intimate examination, the court heard. Manning offered to give a second opinion on such issues. The defendant was arrested on February 28, 2021 and his devices including phones and laptops were seized by the police. Ms Lavin said police discovered scores of videos taken in a gym showing men urinating, or getting changed in changing rooms. Ultimately, the phones contain at least 300 videos and have been recorded in different locations. The men on the videos are oblivious to these recordings and it appears the defendant has used a background video recorder application which allows the defendant to record the videos covertly, preventing others to become aware they are being filmed. Some of the workers seen by Manning reported feeling uncomfortable during the checks and one described Manning as very weird. The court then heard impact statements from the victims. He has completely abused his power and position, said one man, pointing out that his confidence in health professionals had been shattered. Another said his trust in health professionals was at rock bottom as a result of what happened. At the beginning in this investigation," commented one worker, "I wasnt sure Id been assaulted. But knowing he has pleaded guilty I feel stupid and nave that I let myself by violated by someone I thought was a trustworthy and professional man." Yet another worker said: When I was told that Manning had pleaded guilty to sexual assault it made me think it was planned from the start; how rehearsed and scripted it was. It made me think: how many times has he done this before? Anthony Parkinson, defending, said Manning felt "genuine remorse" for his offences and had already taken steps to address his behaviour. This included signing up for therapy, said the barrister. But Judge Richard Archer said Manning had abused his position of trust in a way that undermined the willingness of men generally to seek medical help from professionals. Manning also felt shame and embarrassment, said Mr Parkinson. He also suffers from depression and due to difficulties in his younger years with his sexuality he has struggled with a lack of confidence. Judge Richard Archer told the defendant: "The extent to which your offending represents a gross breach of trust can not be overstated." The judge said Manning abused his trusted position in such a way that it undermined the willingness of men generally to seek medical help from professionals. There is no doubt that your behaviour was intentional and committed for your sexual gratification," said the judge. "I am told that you have struggled for some time with your own sexuality; you had a difficult time in childhood with family members who were unable or unwilling to accept your sexuality. You have never been in a loving relationship with another man. I dont doubt any of that but none of it remotely excuses or explains or justifies your offending. These were not the actions of a man experimenting with or exploring his sexuality. This was highly risky behaviour. The judge added that he had concluded Manning certainly had a desire to film the assaults he carried out, given the evidence about his phone and how it has been suspiciously deployed. Normally, the previous good character of a defendant is regarded as a mitigating factor. But in Mannings case, said the judge, it was an aggravating factor because this had allowed him to take a job which was a position of trust. The defendant, of Glenmore Crescent, Thornton-Cleveleys, near Blackpool, was jailed for four and a half years and put on the Sex Offender Register for life. When released, he will be subjected to a sexual harm prevention order. This will mean he is barred from owning any camera and any digital device he owns will have to be subjected to strict monitoring and control. During his emplolyment in 2018, Manning carried out health checks on 205 people. Detective Constable Charlotte Jones, who worked on the case, thanked the victims for their courage in supporting the investigation. Manning completely abused his position of trust subjecting his victims to sexual assaults for his own fulfilment," she said. * If you have been affected by rape or sexual assault, contact The Bridgeway Sexual Assault Support Services 24/7 free helpline on 0808 118 6432.

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A man had more than 4,000 images of "cartoon porn" which he claimed was almost indistinguishable from the real thing. But police were onto to Alwyn Williams and arrested him at his workplace.

Williams, 52, of Waunfawr, admitted possessing a prohibited image of a child and making an indecent photograph or pseudo photograph of a child in Category A (most serious), Category B and Category C. He was jailed for two years.

Caernarfon Crown Court heard he had already been prohibited from possessing certain images from previous offending.

But prosecutor Karl Scholtz said that officers acting on intelligence that the defendant had downloaded prohibited images went to his home on May 12 last year. They arrested him outside his workplace later that day.

His mobile phone, laptop and charger were seized. When asked about his activity, he told police in an interview that he had been typing "cartoon porn" into his laptop.

Mr Scholz said that Williams said some of the images were so realistic that "it was difficult to tell that they were simply, what he called, cartoons". The court heard Williams insisted he had "shredded" such images after use, but Mr Scholz said that wasn't true because police found 4,225 images on his laptop.

Williams told police he had been searching illicit sites for a year and he would get a "buzz" if they were subsequently shut down.

He had also accessed extreme pornography involving animals out of "curiosity". He said it was something similar to being addicted to alcohol or drugs.

Laura Knightly, defending, said it was "not a contact offence" and her client regrets what he did. He was even going to contact Internet Watch (a charity set up to minimise the availability of online sexual abuse content).

"He was fighting the good and bad sides within him," said Ms Knightly.

But the judge Her Honour Nicola Saffman told Williams that children are "tortured, raped and sexually abused" to provide indecent images, adding: "These are not victimless crimes."

She jailed the defendant for two years for making an indecent photograph or pseudo photograph of a child of Category A images, with one year and four month terms of imprisonment for doing so for Category B and C images respectively, with both terms to run concurrently.

For possessing the prohibited images, Williams got a 12-month jail term, which will also run concurrently. He also has a sexual harm prevention order, controlling his access to children among other measures, for ten years.

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A pensioner from Derbyshire has been jailed for five years for committing sexual offences against three young girls. The youngest of his victims was just 11 years old at the time. Patrick Costello, of Sun Street in Woodville, appeared in Derby Crown Court charged with 13 offences, of which he denied 10, forcing victims to give evidence and relive their ordeals.

The 68-year-old was found guilty by a jury of all ten charges which included several counts of gross indecency with a girl under 16, sexual activity with a child aged 13-17 and voyeurism. The court heard how Costello repeatedly committed acts of gross indecency over the bodies of two young victims whilst they were asleep.

He also filmed one of the girls showering and watched whilst she changed in her bedroom. Costello's voyeurism continued when another girl became an adult and he watched her in the shower. Costell had previously admitted to making indecent images of a child, one count of voyeurism and possessing extreme animal pornography.

The pensioner was sentenced at Derby Crown Court on 18 May and, in addition to the prison term, was handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a notification requirement for when he has served the custodial sentence.

Detective Staff Investigator Lindsey Scribbins, who led on the case said: I am so proud of the courageous and dignified way in which the three (now) women affected by Costellos crimes have conducted themselves during this investigation and subsequent trial.

Costellos behaviour was truly abhorrent. His offending was predatory, pre-meditated, and repeated, against three young girls when they were at their most vulnerable. My message for anyone out there who has been affected by sexual abuse or violence of any kind whether now or in the past is please come and speak to the police about what happened to you.

The survivors, in this case, came forward in recent years, despite the onset of this offending happening in the 90s. This shows that even cases of non-recent sexual abuse can result in a conviction. If you feel able, please report what happened to you -- we will listen, we will support you, and we will not judge.

Costello's first offence dates back to 1992 with the most recent being in 2016.