Latest Offenders

Description

A Rothwell paedophile was caught asking ‘underage girls’ for naked pictures – two weeks AFTER admitting to police that he had been ‘doing bad things’.

Lloyd Bishop was already under investigation when he sent sexual messages to the Facebook profiles of young girls, including one who said she was aged just 12.

But all along he was speaking to paedophile hunters and on Monday (August 8) he was jailed for 44 weeks.

Northampton Crown Court heard the 29-year-old was initially taken into custody on April 13 over an unrelated matter and was asked to give police his mobile phone.

But he refused, telling officers: “I have been doing bad things.”

He said he talked to underage girls but then gave a prepared statement where he denied sexual communication with children. Bishop, formerly of Bridge Street in Rothwell, was released under investigation while his phone was examined.

But just two weeks later, on April 27, police were informed that he had sent explicit messages to people who he thought were children. They were in fact decoy profiles set up by those trying to snare online child sex offenders.

Prosecutor Wayne Cleaver said that Bishop first contacted a profile for ‘Rosie’, who said she was 12, on Facebook Messenger. At 7.45am on April 25 she told him she was doing school work. Bishop said she was cute and that if she was older he would ‘ask her out’.

When she asked if he wanted to be her boyfriend he said: “Yeah, you can trust me. It stays between us, no-one need know.”

Bishop promised that one day they would meet up before the messages gradually became more sexual in content. He told her he would like to perform a sex act on her, sent her a lewd picture of himself and asked for naked pictures of her in return.

The following day he messaged the profile of ‘Stacy’, who he thought was another underage girl.

Mr Cleaver said that Bishop asked if she would send naked pictures, bragged about having sex with a 14-year-old girl when he was 18 and sent a topless picture of himself in his room.

The court heard he had saved Stacy’s number in his contacts as ‘best mate’.

Bishop, who appeared over videolink from HMP Peterborough, later admitted two charges attempted sexual communication with a child. He had been given a suspended sentence on April 16 for possessing a knife.

Mitigating, Pree Brada said that Bishop had mental health difficulties, a personality disorder, ADHD and lifelong DiGeorge Syndrome. She said he moved to supported living accommodation in Rothwell in 2020 after spending nine years as an inpatient, that there was a ‘breakdown in support’ and that he had been taken advantage of by other residents.

She said: "The court can give him another chance by passing a non-custodial sentence.”

But Recorder John Benson QC said the offences were so serious that he could not impose a community order.

Bishop will serve half of his 44-week sentence in custody before being released on licence.

A sexual harm prevention order was made for 10 years, restricting his use of the internet and contact with children, and he will be on the register for sex offenders for 10 years.

Description

A pervert was caught with a digital paedophile manual advising readers on how to abuse children of different ages; and how to avoid detection by their mothers.

Daryl Stokes, 41, was paid a visit at his Middlesbrough home by police after they'd received intelligence about his online use. When they told Stokes that they were going to carry out a thorough search, he admitted he had an undeclared mobile phone in his loft.

Stokes had been released from prison in August 2021 after being jailed for earlier offences of making indecent images of children. He was given a 17-month sentence in December 2020, and was released under supervision and under a sexual harm prevention order - meaning he had to declare all of his online devices to his offender manager and had restrictions on his internet use.

But on Friday August 27, 2021, police uncovered hours of graphic video footage showing young children being sexually abused on Stokes' online devices. Judge Anthony James Brown said they showed distressing clips of babies and children as young as six.

Prosecutor Christopher Baker told Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday that the online paedophile manual that was found contained a four-minute slide show with graphic content on how to abuse children of different age groups, and also contained details of how to avoid mothers detecting such horrific abuse.

Stokes was also caught with:

- 574 of the most serious category A images, which included 211 videos showing 42 hours of footage.

- 1,500 category B images, which included 51 videos showing seven hours of footage.

- 1,843 category C images, which included 62 videos showing nine hours of footage.

Stokes' phone also showed that he had opened accounts on Twitter and Discord under the name "Ben P"; he had a Google Cloud account and was using private browser software - all of which broke the terms of his sexual harm prevention order.

Stokes, of Springfield Road, Whinney Banks, Middlesbrough, who has one previous conviction for making indecent images of children, pleaded guilty to:

- three counts of making indecent images of children,

- six counts of the breach of a sexual harm prevention order,

- possession of the paedophile manual.

Robert Mochrie, mitigating, said his client "had been candid to this extent - that he has a sexual interest in children. He found himself trawling the internet and delving into dark corners of it where he ought not to go.

"It's clear that the defendant needs help - hopefully he will get that, all be it in a custodial setting."

Mr Mochrie said that Stokes' cited his failed marriage as an explanation for his behaviour.

Judge Anthony James Brown told Stokes: "The sexual harm prevention order was put in place when you committed similar offences in 2020. It is clear to me that you were fully aware of the terms of your sexual harm prevention order when you were released from prison.

"You have breached the order in an utterly calculated way. The category A images depicted children as young as six...with the most appalling degradation inflicted upon them and abuse that was physically painful to them.

"To cap it all - the digital paedophile manual. It's hard to fathom the level of depravity required to create such a publication. I regard you, I'm afraid, as a committed paedophile."

The judge jailed Stokes for five-years-and three-months and made him subject to notification requirements and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Description

A serial rapist who groomed a schoolgirl before going onto sexually abuse her in Burnley has been given a further 12 years in custody. Shaun Collins, formerly known as Shaun Greenwood, is already serving a life sentence after being convicted of three separate rape offences against three different victims in 2006. After reading about Collins conviction, a fourth victim wrote a letter to a now retired Lancashire Police Detective Sergeant in 2006 outlining how her life had been affected by the defendants sexual offending, but at that time she was not ready to make a formal complaint. In 2020 the victim, now in her 50s, was recontacted by the police where it was established that Collins, who used to perform as a busker in Burnley, had raped her on more than one occasion when she was under the age of 16. Such was the impact on the victim, she had to seek counselling years after the attack due to ongoing nightmares. Collins, 58, of no fixed address, was charged with rape but denied any wrongdoing. He was found guilty of rape following a trial at Burnley Crown Court, and appeared at the court today (August 17) to be sentenced for 11 counts of rape and one count of indecent assault. Collins was told that he would have to serve two thirds of the 12-year sentence before he is eligible to go before the Parole Board, where he will have to demonstrate that he no longer poses a risk to the public or will remain in jail. DC Kyle Hazelaar, of the East MOSOVO (Management of Sexual or Violent Offender) Team, said: Collins is a dangerous individual who carried out a sickening campaign of sexual violence against women over many years. I am pleased he has had his time in custody increased. Not only did he carry out these appalling crimes for his own perverted sexual motives, he also made the victim re-live her ordeal by having to give evidence. She has shown incredible bravery in the case and I want to place on record my admiration for the incredible bravery she has shown throughout this process. Collins carried out his abuse over several decades and I am convinced there could be more victims who have not yet come forward. I would encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to make contact with the police knowing they will be listened to and believed. No matter how historic the case may be, we will investigate it and do everything in our power to put the perpetrator before the courts. In a statement, the victim said: First, I would like to commend Detective Constables Treena Peel and Kyle Hazelaar of Lancashire Police. They have supported me throughout this process from the early stages of the investigation right through to the conclusion of the trial. They have been a huge source of support and I could not have wished for more. Secondly, I would like to implore any victim of sexual violence or abuse, whether recent or historic, to come forward to report the crimes against you to seek justice. I never imagined I would have my case heard and believed after more than three decades. Collins has previously been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Description

A MARRIED man asked a woman to perform in an adult movie with him in exchange for buying her watch, a court heard.

Aaron Maguire went to the woman's home in Southampton after seeing she was advertising a watch for sale on Facebook Marketplace.

The 52-year-old posed as his wife by using her Facebook account and agreed to buy and collect the watch.

However, his victim was left shocked when he turned up at his victim's door.

Prosecuting, Ed Warren, told how once inside Maguire commented on her nails and physical features.

He asked to kiss her, to which she said no, the court heard.
 
Maguire then said he would like to see her body and said he would buy the watch if he could perform a sex act on her.

He then even offered her £130 for the watch adding that she could “make up the rest” if she took part in an adult movie with him.

Mr Warren said that during the visit, Maguire touched his victim's arm and said he would be back the next day for the watch.

But after he left, the woman called the police, and Maguire was arrested.

He told officers he didn’t act the way he had for sexual gratification but said he was there to “comfort [the woman]”.

Mr Warren added that he had even sent her £10 after their encounter on December 2, 2020, because he felt he had “wasted her time”.

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court on Monday, Maguire, of Kingsfield, Bursledon was charged with sexual assault.

But mitigating, Chris Gaiger said: “He accepts full responsibility for his actions and regrets the harm he has caused.”

He added that there is a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation”.

Judge Christopher Parker QC said the incident had been a “frightening experience for a young woman who didn’t have any support on the scene”.

“You had visited the complainant on purpose having seen her picture on your wife’s account. That by itself was predatory behaviour,” he said.

 He added that the offence was so serious that an immediate custodial sentence is the only option.

Maguire was jailed for 12 months and handed an indefinite restraining order.

Description

An obsessed ex-soldier started touching up and kissing a teenage girl after pulling her towards him while he was sitting in the opened-up side area of his camper van.

Sexual predator James Dyson parked up at St Andrew's Quay and grabbed the girl and cuddled her after they had arranged to meet following earlier online contact. But little did he know that he was being watched on CCTV by an eagle-eyed security guard who became suspicious and alerted the police to what was going on, Hull Crown Court heard.

Dyson, 36, of James Reckitt Avenue, Hull, admitted sexual assault on August 7, 2020. Daniel Penman, prosecuting, said that a security guard at St Andrew's Quay, Hull, saw a white camper van in the car park, with Dyson sitting inside the opened side door area of it.

Two girls were nearby and the guard zoomed in the pictures to see what was going on. Dyson pulled a 14-year-old girl towards him, kissed and cuddled her, put his arm around her and put his hand on her leg.

"She tried to get off him but he pulled her towards him," said Mr Penman. "The defendant remained sitting inside the van."

The security guard noted the van's registration number and the police were alerted. Dyson was found a short distance away and he was arrested. It transpired that the girl had met him a few times before via Snapchat.

"She felt scared about what was happening," said Mr Penman. "She couldn't sleep afterwards due to constantly thinking about it."

The girl's details were on Dyson's phone. He had looked at the websites of paedophile hunters to see if he was being tricked.

He claimed that he thought the girl was 16 when they arranged to meet up but he admitted that he knew that she was really 14. He admitted grabbing the girl and cuddling and kissing her while she was sitting on his knee.

"He said that he couldn't believe what he had done and that he had really f***ed up," said Mr Penman. "There was a significant degree of planning, given the Snapchat chat."

Dyson had convictions for drink-driving and theft. Rachel Scott, mitigating, said that Dyson had been in the Army between the ages of 16 and 23 and served in Northern Ireland, Canada and Germany before leaving to start a family. He had a 10-year-old son.

"He is extremely remorseful for his actions," said Miss Scott. "He is disgusted in himself. He knows that his reputation is in tatters. It was a disgraceful offence.

"Clearly, the victim was extremely vulnerable in this case, given her age. There was contact on Snapchat beforehand. They did arrange to meet. He does not want a repeat of this offending."

Dyson was given a 16-month suspended prison sentence, 200 hours' unpaid work, 30 days' rehabilitation and a 35-day programme. He was given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and must register as a sex offender for 10 years.

Description

A pervert who repeatedly exposed himself to women near a school has been jailed. Serial flasher Iskren Ganchev tormented villagers in Otford, near Sevenoaks, over a 10-day period in June. Between June 2 and June 11 he exposed himself to three woman in the village, off Pickmoss Lane, before performing indecent acts. During one incident the 35-year-old called a woman over and grabbed her arm. Another victim was able to take a photo of the suspect as she made her way to safety. Ganchev, of no fixed address, was caught after investigating officers noticed he was carrying the same shopping bag and watched CCTV from a store which had the same branding. Footage was examined and the offender was arrested on June 19 in Halstead after a media appeal was sent out. "His appalling behaviour was carried out in an area very close to a school..." Searches at the address he was found at uncovered the same clothing and shoes he was described as wearing during the offences. During a police interview Ganchev accepted he was present during the allegations but denied any wrongdoing, claiming there had been a "misunderstanding". He went on to admit guilt at Medway Magistrates' Court to a charge of outraging public decency and two counts of indecent exposure. On Friday, August 12, he was sentenced to a year in prison and was placed on the sex offenders' list for five years. Detective Sergeant Alan Poulton, of the West Kent Vulnerability Investigation Team, said: "Ganchevs disturbing actions will have had a significant and detrimental impact on each of his victims. "His appalling behaviour was carried out in an area very close to a school and would have also caused significant alarm and anxiety within the wider community. "In passing a custodial sentence, the courts have recognised the threat that Ganchev would have continued to pose, and we remain determined that everyone should feel safe to walk the streets whenever they choose to, and will continue to do everything in our power to keep it that way."

Description

Smiths behaviour was disgraceful. Id like to thank the members of the public who didnt feel it was quite right and reported what had happened. A Peterborough sex offender has been locked up after he was twice caught performing a sex act near youngsters in Peterborough. Gary Smith, 48, was made subject to sex offender notification requirements in December 2013 and is managed by the force's Public Protection Unit (PPU). He is now behind bars after admitting outraging public decency on two separate occasions in the city. Peterborough Crown Court heard how the first incident took place just after 6pm on May 16 last year, when a man was walking along Henry Street with his teenage daughter. The man noticed Smith sat on a wall and became suspicious, so took his daughter and dog home before returning to the scene and seeing Smith with his hand down his trousers. Three days later, a woman was walking with her children and friend on Queens Walk when she noticed Smith sat on a wall. She recognised him from a social media post and knew him to be a registered sex offender, and as she walked past, an argument began after Smith smiled at one of her children. When Smith was confronted, he became threatening. Then, on August 9, police were called after Smith was seen performing a sex act outside his temporary accommodation near to a childrens play park. Officers arrived and arrested Smith, who in police interview claimed he was stood outside because he was hot, but had his hand down his trousers because his hands were cold. Smith, of Park Road, Peterborough, admitted two counts of outraging public decency and one count of threatening words or behaviour. He was jailed for two years on Thursday at Peterborough Crown Court. Detective Sergeant Andrew Lunn said: Smiths behaviour was disgraceful. Id like to thank the members of the public who didnt feel it was quite right and reported what had happened. We robustly manage registered sex offenders who are living in the community and take any further offences extremely seriously. Were working hard to make Cambridgeshire a safer place for everyone with child protection being one of our top priorities.

Description

Read More

Description

A 68-year-old from Hereford has been jailed for historical sexual offences that brought "pain and suffering" to his victims. The "dangerous offender" was recently sentenced for sex offences in the 1980s and 1990s.

Charles Taylor, of Ross Road, Hereford, was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Hereford Crown Court on August 9 for the non-recent sexual offences. He was was found guilty of assaults against a male child and an adult female between 1984 and 1998.

Investigating officer, detective constable Leah Lowe, spent 12 months gathering evidence which proved critical to convicting Taylor. West Mercia Police has described the investigation as "comprehensive and often distressing" and one that "could not have been resolved without the strength and conviction of the victims and witnesses".

DC Lowe said: "While the sentence given can never make up for the pain and suffering Taylor has caused, I am hopeful it can provide some measure of solace to the victims and help them begin the road to recovery. Taylor is a dangerous offender.

"The community is a safer place now he is beginning his sentence in prison. I hope this reassures the community that West Mercia Police will investigate all offences of this nature, regardless of when they occurred, in the pursuit of justice and the protection of our communities."

Description

Robert Ive, 42, arranged to greet what he believed to be a 14-year-old at Farnborough Railway Station on May 31.

The girls profile was actually being controlled by a police officer.

Ive, of Camberley, Surrey, started talking with the suspected girl online on May 18.

The responder immediately said she was 14.

Unperturbed by this, Ive asked her about the sexual acts she has performed, and asked her to do them.

He groomed the child into travelling 100 miles from Leicestershire to Hampshire, so she could stay with him and have sex.

Ive told her how to travel without people becoming suspicious.

He pretended to be the girls friends dad in a phone call to her mum, who was another undercover officer.

Ive arrived at the station with cans of Strongbow cider, but was greeted by a police officer, who stepped off the train and arrested him.

At Winchester Crown Court, on August 11, Ive pleaded guilty.

The predator was imprisoned fir four years and eight months arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

PC Kirsti Innes, of the Internet Child Abuse Team, said: Robert Ive is a manipulative sexual offender who has various other convictions for child sex offences and attempted to meet who he thought was a 14 year old child for his own sexual gratification.

Our specially trained officers are experienced in tracking these types of offenders and bringing them to justice.

Had it not been for the work of dedicated officers this man could have gone on to groom a real child instead of being behind bars.

Description

A former school teacher has been jailed for a string of historical sex offences against young girls after he handed himself into police 36 years later.

Solihull man Peter Jenkins, 53, who also ran a church holiday club with his wife, groomed schoolgirls before subjecting them to sexual assaults between 1984 and 2005.

One of his victims was a 12-year-old girl who Jenkins befriended while he was at university and another was abused when he became a teacher.

A teenage helper at the holiday club he ran with his wife later became a babysitter for the couple and following years of grooming he also began abusing her at 16.

A court heard his interest in underage started in his teens and continued into his 20s when he got married where his offended continued over the space of 21 years.

His crimes eventually came to light when a solicitor contacted West Midlands Police to say their client wanted to disclose offences he had committed.

Detectives began to try and trace the women Jenkins claimed to have abused as young girls and identified and contacted four victims.

He went on to admit 15 charges, including rape, indecent assault, sexual assault, unlawful sexual intercourse and inciting a girl to commit an act of gross indecency.

Jenkins, also known as Peter Greenham, of Solihull, West Midlands., was jailed for 13 years at Warwick Crown Court on Friday (12/8).

He will also be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Detective Constable Gemma Rowan, of West Midlands Police, said: We always treat cases with the utmost sensitivity but this was especially true with this investigation as we had to contact the women who Jenkins had identified, out of the blue.

Our initial enquiries were largely carried out during the pandemic, when many people were already feeling isolated and vulnerable, so our specialist officers were at pains to ensure the women were supported and guided through the process as carefully and considerately as possible.

We felt it was important that the women who had been subjected to Jenkins abuse were given the opportunity to come forward and talk about their experiences.

It is testimony to the strength and power of these women that they supported this successful prosecution and have now been able to see Jenkins locked up for many years.

We know that Jenkins groomed these girls at a time in their lives where personal circumstances made them vulnerable and he used his position of power and trust to abuse them.

The effects of this type of behaviour have long lasting and scarring effects. We do not underestimate how traumatic this can be.

We work with a range of other agencies who can support victims of sexual abuse, no matter how long ago it happened.

Description

This is the face of the man who followed a woman 3.5 miles home before sexually assaulting her in the woods. Andrew Custos, of Wroxham, was locked up last week after stalking the mother near her home in High Wycombe on February 26, 2022. Thames Valley Police have now released a custody image of the offender, who was jailed for almost five years at Reading Crown Court. The 30-year-old father had been driving his white Mercedes around Marlow town centre at 2am when he spotted the woman, who appeared unsteady, getting into a taxi from outside The Ship pub. Custos followed the taxi 3.5 miles and through a red light to its destination, where the woman got out at the end of her road. She walked back to her house and noticed Custos was following her so she kept walking past her home until she got to the end of the street. Prosecutor Mr Brown said: He effectively stalked her on her way home. It was as the woman turned back that Custos grabbed her and said come on, you know you want it. She tried to fight him off for several minutes but Custos picked her up and carried her into the woods near Booker Common at 2.22am, CCTV showed. While in the woods, Custos touched her bottom and kissed her, before he came to his senses and ran out at 2.29am. The woman returned home and called the police, who arrested Custos on March 11, 2022. Custos, a HGV driver, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for sexual assault and committing an offence with the intention to commit sexual assault. He will sign the sex offenders register for life and he was barred from contacting the victim directly or indirectly for ten years. Custos was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Friday, August 12.

Description

A dangerous 'monster' who raped and abused two vulnerable victims has been jailed for life.

Peter Anderson subjected the young women to shocking sex attacks and his victims suffered degrading abuse at his hands. The 30-year-old pervert, of Easington Lane, Houghton-le-Spring, who has 11 previous convictions, including for assault, was convicted of 13 offences.

In relation to the first victim, he was found guilty of two counts of rape, sexual activity with a child, blackmail, false imprisonment and controlling or coercive behaviour. In relation the second victim, he was convicted of four counts of rape, a sexual assault, causing a person to engage in sexual activity and controlling coercive behaviour.

Both victims outlined the severe trauma they endured at his hands, with one of them branding him a "monster" and a judge calling him "an extremely dangerous man". He must serve at least 14 years of the life sentence before he can be considered for parole and will be on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

The first girl, who he first kissed when she was 15, said in a victim impact statement read to Newcastle Crown Court: "Before (this) I was a fun and outgoing young lady, a child. I was absolutely terrified of him.

"I would frequently wake up during the night screaming. I've had repeated nightmares - one I can't forget of him trying to force entry by trying to smash the door. I know it's a nightmare but it's so vivid it feels like a memory.

"He still plagues me in my sleep and I fear this will last the rest of my life. I feel anger at the thought of what one person can do to another."

The second victim said: "I went from an outgoing independent young lady to a shell of my former self. I was terrified of him. The effects are going to last a lifetime.

"I have trouble sleeping and I feel worthless." She added that the trauma left her suicidal.

Sentencing Anderson, Judge Julie Clemitson said: "At trial you represented yourself. You clearly demonstrated repeatedly to be narcissistic, paranoid, domineering and manipulative.

"You adopted one persona in front of the jury and quite another when they were not in the room. You tried to shout me down and lost your temper one time when I tried to speak to (the prosecutor).

"You demonstrated a complete lack of empathy towards (the victims), showing a callous disregard to both of them. You demonstrated how domineering you could be during your evidence. You walked back to the dock making v-signs to the public gallery.

"You conducted your case with breathtaking arrogance, even asking for feedback on your cross-examination of one witness. You displayed absolutely no remorse but in fact demonstrated an arrogant, entitled attitude to them and those who supported them.

"You made various allegations of misconduct towards various professionals involved in the case."

Judge Clemitson added: "You pose a significant risk of causing serious harm in the future to members of the public. You have shown now insight into your own culpability or the harm you have caused and you appear to have an unflappable belief in your own superiority.

"You are very clearly a dangerous offender. It's likely you will pose a serious risk to others indefinitely."

The judge praised the courage of the victims, saying: "Peter Anderson is an extremely dangerous man who has been brought to justice and the public are going to be kept safe for a lengthy period of time as a result of the courage shown by (the victims).

"He is the most difficult person I have dealt with in 30 years in the criminal justice system."

Peter Schofield, defending, said: "It's right to observe Mr Anderson has strong views about his case. Much of what is contended, he does not accept.

"He has not received a custodial sentence previously. He needs specialist help for his personality disorder. He worked for Nissan for more than a year in the past."

Description

Stewart Polson, 69, targeted youngsters for repeated indecent assaults for more than a decade at addresses in Edinburgh for his own gratification before going on to commit further sex crimes.

A vile paedophile who preyed on children by perpetrating a catalogue of abuse including rape was jailed for 13 years on Monday.

Stewart Polson, 69, targeted youngsters for repeated indecent assaults for more than a decade at addresses in Edinburgh for his own gratification before going on to commit further sex crimes. His former partner David Sinclair, 63, who also joined him in some of the abuse against two girls was jailed for 45 months.

A judge told Polson at the High Court in Edinburgh: "Because of the gravity of the crimes a custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal in your case." Judge Fiona Tait said that in statements provided by two of the victims they had spoken about the destruction of their childhoods.

She told Polson: "You maintain your denial of the commission of these offences and show no remorse for your conduct." The judge said victims had shown "considerable courage" to come forward and give evidence against him.

Polson, a prisoner, had denied a string of charges during an earlier trial but was found guilty of nine crimes, including indecent conduct, indecent assault and rape. The bulk of his offending took place between 1976 and 1989 at houses in the Edinburgh area and was against two girls and a boy.

One girl was targeted from the age of six and the other was aged eight when the abuse began. The second child was subjected to a rape ordeal by Polson.

But Polson, who previous convictions for violent and sexual crime, went on to indecently assault a further girl, then aged seven, at a house in a Stirlingshire village in 1993 before sexually assaulting another 12-year-old girl at an address in Kilmarnock, in Ayrshire.

Sinclair, formerly of Abbey Street, in Edinburgh, took part in the abuse of two of the girls in the 1980s in Edinburgh. He had denied a single charge of indecent assault committed on various occasions but was found guilty.

The judge told the first offender: "This was a crime of considerable gravity and it will have had a substantial impact on each of the two complainers." Polson told the court that he had met Sinclair at the Laughing Duck pub, which he described as a gay bar, in the city in 1983 and they became a couple for a time.

He claimed that he was living in Bournemouth, in England, at the time of some of the offending and said: "None of the allegations are true at all." Both men were placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely following their sentencing today.

Detective Inspector Jonny Wright, who led the investigation, said: Stewart Polson and David Sinclair abused children together, whilst Polson himself targeted children over the course of four decades across Scotland.

Thanks to the courage of their survivors in reporting the attacks against them, we were able to build a significant case against both men that ultimately resulted in their convictions in court.

Their prison sentences should send a clear message that that there is no time limit on when you can report sexual abuse. We will always conduct a thorough investigation, no matter how long ago the incidents occurred and we will do all we can to bring perpetrators of such offences to justice.

Description

A man who subjected a girl then aged between 10 and 11 to a series of sexual assaults for more than a year in West Sussex sixteen years ago, has now faced justice with a seven year prison sentence.

Gavin Wright, 50, now of Norfolk Way, Uckfield, was sentenced at Chichester Crown Court on 2 August having been convicted of six sexual assaults and for possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

Detective Constable Ellen Jones of the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit said: "Wright came to know the young and vulnerable girl whilst living in East Grinstead, gradually gained her confidence and then systematically abused her for his own sexual gratification.

"When we arrested Wright we found in his possession vile indecent images of children being abused.

"While we were investigating his sexual assaults, our colleagues in the force's Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) were investigating his more recent though completely unrelated online activities. They had found that another sex offender was messaging him and sending these images who he then sent on to others.

"So he received four-and-a-half years for the sexual assaults and an additional two-and-a-half years for the online offending.

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

"In addition he was given a court Restraining Order prohibiting him from any contact with his victim."

The victim who finally found the resolution and courage to tell the police, told the court: "My reason for reporting the incident was to expose him for what he is to the world manipulative and dangerous - and ensure that what I went through is never allowed to be repeated and affect the life of any other young person. No person deserves to have any of this happen to them. He deserves to face the consequences of his actions now and in the future."